Monday, September 30, 2019

Teacher Tribute

I would like to tribute this to one of my favorite teachers throughout my years at Lawrence Middle School, Mr. Hughes. The most important teacher in my life I would have to say would be my 8th grade history teacher Mr. Hughes my 8th grade history teacher. The way he taught was perfect it was easy to intake all the information’s because he would make learning the lesson fun. For example I remember we were learning about slavery and how north and south had fought, he divided the class into two one was the south and the other the north. We had to argue and battle why we each side wanted what they want and we would have to back it up and the winning team would get money or some kid of reward. He made me look at school from a whole another perspective. If it wasn't for him I would probably not doing so good in school an not caring about graduating. If it wasn't for his teaching and his lectures he gave me I would not be the person I am now, nor would I have been close to graduating because before him I did not really care for school and learning. He told me so many things that you needed in life and how to become successful and the things you need to do to accomplish it. I remember we were selling chocolate for a school fundraiser an he bought a whole box of me just to show he cared. He was an amazing teacher who i will never forget. He was the only teacher who i liked listening lectures from because he just made them so much interesting changing his voice or the tone whatever it was he needed to do to make the class stay awake an learn he did. Mr. Hughes has past way he was sick an got injured and never got better he was a very wise man. I would just like to say R. I. P Mr. Hughes the teacher who made a difference in not my life but in many more others lives and just the way life is looked upon. He lived his life to the fullest I believe he did everything he wanted to he would always have these crazy stories he would tell us give us life lessons on what to do an the wise things. Their isn’t a day that goes by an I don’t think of him. His sense of humor which made learning so much fun. His Aphorism’s he would speak of an compare them to life. That’s why I wanted to do a tribute to him because of him being one of my favorite teachers throughout my years learning. Mr. Hughes is the most important teacher that i have had in my life.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Self Directed Work Teams Architecture Essay

Autonomous Work Teams ( SDWT ) is used by a big figure of administrations in today ‘s society. Manufacturers have started utilizing this construct of SDWT, which has seen to be a large growing ( Richard, William, and Wilson 1991, 44 ) . Since this squad procedure was foremost studied in 1951 in an American workplace, it has assisted this procedure to be used in a figure of concerns and industries in which most of these companies are listed in the Fortune 500 companies ( Junior-grade 2008, 2 ) . Directors who require their company ‘s policy to be up to day of the month will be trusting on members in an SDWT to help with company policy and farther developments for specific countries ( Richard, William, and Wilson 1991, 52 ) . Directors will desire to cognize how this squad procedure will profit them and the administration they are working in. Harmonizing to Caramanica, Ferris, and Little, â€Å" an SDWT offer assorted benefits † ( Caramanica, Ferris and Small 2001, 7 7 ) . Therefore directors must hold a good apprehension of an SDWT to understand the procedure and the positive impact it has in the administration. This essay shows the definition of an SDWT, effectivity of SDWT, critical ideas, and a opinion of the critical reappraisal. SDWTs can be defined in many ways. Harmonizing to Irani, an SDWT â€Å" is a diverse group of people with different attitudes, accomplishments and personalities, to work together towards common concern ends † ( Irani, Choudrie and Love 2002, 596 ) . Similar, Mullen states that, â€Å" an SDWT is a group of persons jointly responsible for carry throughing a set of undertakings and larning from their joint activities † ( Mullen 1992, 43 ) . It means a group people who portion work loads, train each other, and accomplish marks within an administration without holding a supervisor observation over them. Members of the SDWT listen to their squad members and voice their sentiments freely without holding to be criticized ( Attaran and Nguyen 2000, 25 ) . The squad evaluates and design work procedures and are responsible certain procedures within an administration ( Attaran and Nguyen 2000, 25 ) . Members allocate undertakings to team members to finish. Simply they complete und ertakings without holding any engagement of a high positioned employee such as a supervisor ( Versteeg 2007, 1 ) . The intent of making an SDWT is to better efficiency and effectivity of a squad ‘s undertaking. SDWT Teams have been found to really effectual by research workers. It leads to a decreased figure of hierarchies and more duty given to each single squad member ( McShane and Travaglione 2007, 297 ) . SDWTs have been developed over clip and are seen as a superior scheme to help employees to come on in productiveness and efficiency. Employees work together on a day-to-day footing and make positive connexions between members. They are committed to marks which is outstanding to employees compared to the administration ( Foote and Lang 2008, 936 ) . An SDWT can assist come on efficiency an persons understanding of their work which related to their fellow members and sharing control and seeking the best agencies of a undertaking ( Mullen 1992, 44 ) . Research conducted Mullen showed that an Automobile works created by General Motors have 150 SDWTs in their production lines ( Mullen 1992, 44 ) . Teams were in bond with each other squad meetings prior so follow their understandings onto the production line. In traditional administrations, employees are given undertakings and normally stop up with same occupation forever. However in an SDWT, persons â€Å" embrace the constructs of multi skilling and Job rotary motion † ( Richard, William, and Wilson 1991, 47 ) . The effectivity of SDWT benefits the administration in a figure of ways. Better public presentation, portion duty, higher committedness and public presentation, betterments to do effectual public presentation and quality ( Caramanica, Ferris and Small 2001, 77 ) . Research conducted by Irani, Sharp, and Kagioglou stated that traditional work subdivision squads in Velden Engineering ( UK ) were non autonomous and this lead the groups to outbid each other. This was seen as been uneffective and so they decided to set into pattern the usage of SDWT through educational Sessionss. Classs were held to obtain employees involvement in a SDWT ( Irani, Sharp, and Kagioglou 1997, 202 ) . Results showed that these categories organised by direction were effectual for the administration. Communication, squad consciousness, and readying were seen to be an betterment. This shows how effectual SDWT in the administrations is and the huge sum of betterment it brings in. As mentioned before research on Velden Engineering ( UK ) execution of SDWTs had a big consequence on the administration. It was conducted in 1995 and was proven to demo that SDWT was utile to utilize in the administration ( Irani, Sharp, and Kagioglou 1997, 202 ) . The research is non reliable for in-between directors in Australia because of the clip the research was conducted. At that clip, the article references that persons were usage to the traditional work squad and holding been introduced to a new squad procedure that may hold caused their committedness to work to better. The research conducted did non present a broad scope of cultural or different age grouped persons. As the research claims it was effectual and does non advert who the participants were. It may be that Velden Engineering may hold had a peculiar group of race. Research conducted in the early 1995 in an Asset Team which was portion of Chevrons Western Production ( Attaran and Nguyen 2000, 27 ) . Persons had antecedently operated in a traditional hierarchal system. They did non hold adequate employee engagement or adequate teamwork. This lead those to develop an SDWT and handling the plus squad as a whole squad. Each squad had a balance of accomplishments, leading and expertness. The squads â€Å" relied on each other and non on their supervisors † ( Attaran and Nguyen 2000, 27 ) . The research is reliable for in-between directors in Australia due to the fact that huge scopes of employees were put into the squads with different background of cognition and expertness. Attaran and Nguyen purpose was for the squads to do usage of the new cognition and accomplishments they had attained from other squad members in respects to utilizing new engineering ( Attaran and Nguyen 2000, 28 ) . Persons who were non put into squads were non able to d evelop cognition and were lead to doing determination without other single sentiments. It ‘s a valid usher for directors to utilize to implement an SDWT into their administration. The fact that employees were assorted into squads with each single holding each an expertness. Simone Kauffeld conducted a research on 140 companies in which 241 employees were in a traditional work squad and 278 in a SDWT ( Kauffeld 2006, 6 ) . Management decided which groups to include. There were more adult females in SDWT than a traditional squad and extra unskilled persons in SDWT than traditional. This resulted in demoing that SDWT â€Å" were non introduced in companies with specially qualified employees † ( Kauffeld 2006, 7 ) . Teams were given group activities and a subject to discourse. Teams were videoed and observed by a trainer. However the direction assessed the checklist for all 44 SDWT all together. Result showed that SDWT is more competent on seven out of 12 facets of competency. That means that they were competent in finishing the undertakings and were capable of working better than traditional work squads. SDWT in the research showed that they were interested in organizing undertakings to accomplish an reply. Research was conducted on a paper factory fabricating site which had two installations. Researches determined the difference between deserving moral principles of machine operators. One installation used an SDWT and the other installation used a traditional work squad. 169 out of 250 from Site A were put into a SDWT and 83 out of 146 were put into a traditional work squad. 252 out of 396 ( full site ) had completed the studies ( Petty et al 2008, 4 ) . 79 % were male, 25 % between the ages of 27 and 35, and 67 % were between the ages of 36 and 55 ( Petty et al. 2008, 52 ) . Facilities had between 18 and 30 persons in each squad. Team utilizing SDWT were found to be organized and each member acquired new accomplishments from other co-workers. In Site B, they used a traditional construction. The site consisted of a â€Å" top-down authorization † ( Petty et al. 2008, 53 ) and were employees were each individual was assigned to task related to their accomplishment. Consequences s howed that SDWT scored higher than traditional squads. They were reliable, concerted and considerate at work. SDWT was seen to be the less cost bring forthing in the administration ( Petty et al. 2008, 56 ) After reading a scope of diaries related to SDWT, we can judge on how accurate the researches are. As once more it was mentioned that Irani, Sharp, and Kagioglou research on Velden Engineering ( UK ) started in 1995 is non dependable to middle directors in Australia due to the fact that they had non mentioned a broad assortment of different cultural background nor did they advert the age groups in Velden Engineering. The age of diary is non large concern but due to the fact that they did non advert age or ethnicity does convey out some opinion. However it can be used as a usher to portray its effectivity and betterment in an administration.Research on Chevrons plus squad is found to be a dependable to middle directors in Australia. As mentioned before, each squad had a broad scope of cognition and expertness. In which this resulted each person to larn from these experts and better their accomplishment. This assists them to place jobs in the proficient country of Chevron. Each squad c ommunicated to other squads and their old wont of outbidding and viing was eliminated. At first there were defeats between squad members and new day-to-day modus operandi for persons ( Attaran and Nguyen 2000, 32 ) . However this is job was recognised by counsel squad and attempt was put in to decide the issues.Kauffelds research on 140 companies proved to be really effectual in the activities each squad had completed. A broad scope of workers with different age groups, ethnicities were included in the research. An issue that may hold triggered employees to execute better was that they were been videoed and observed by a professional trainer. Thus it could hold caused the squads to work harder as they believed the recording would hold been shown later to direction. It is minor issue and should n't be seen as a large issue. However there are other issues that may hold triggered the consequences to be high. The fact that their were more adult females in SDWT than traditional, SDWT was non introduced in companies with specially qualified employees ( Kauffeld 2006, 7 ) , more SDWT than traditional work squad companies involved either used SDWT or traditional in which some administrations may hold had hapless on the job conditions and others a good working conditions. Besides direction decided which groups to include. These issues pointed out still may hold caused the consequences to drop but it should non be seen as large quandary. This research is non effectual and dependable for in-between directors in Australia to utilize.Research ( Petty et al.2008 ) on the two installations in the paper factory site is a good illustration of the differences of holding a SDWT and a traditional work squad. The consequences show that SDWT is dependable, less cost bring forthing, and good for the administration. However the research worker may hold considered utilizing a different scope of groups and taken persons from different industries instead than the paper factory. It was m entioned that research workers were merely given limited entree to research topics that were granted by company functionaries. The research can be used by in-between directors in Australian who wish to implement SDWT within their administration. Consequences may hold differed if full entree was given to researches and they had included persons from other industries. Overall we can see the effectivity of SDWT and good it is for administration and in-between directors in Australia. ( Petty et al. 2008 ) research on the paper factory site was found to be the most dependable due to the fact that it compared SDWT and traditional squads in which it pointed out the benefits it gained. Their purpose was to detect which squad was successful for the administration in which in was found that SDWT was extremely good. Directors who do make up one's mind to implement SDWT within their administration will see an betterment for both their employee and concern. From reading a broad scope of diaries sing to SDWT, we have indentified the benefits, the effectivity, and research workers ‘ position of SDWT. The purpose was to indentify the effectivity of SDWT. From mentioning to different diary articles, it ‘s been possible to demo how effectual it is for Australian center directors and its administration. Reviewing diaries and comparison has besides assisted on how effectual SDWT is.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Globalised Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Globalised Education - Essay Example It is a process in which both the teacher and learner learns, developing transferable skills and knowledge that can be applied to competitive markets where knowledge and information are being traded as a commodity. Means like computers and internet, have a given a new face to the process of education. The globalised education had brought up many issues also while evolving as a lifelong learning and training process, and the poster strives to reflect these aspects. The significance of the poster is that it focuses on the importance of globalised education. Especially the quote *"Students cannot be effective in tomorrow's world if they are trained in yesterday's skills" is noteworthy in that it emphasizes the role of globalised education in moulding the future generation. (Francis, et al. 2000). The poster intends to promulgate the idea that for a better, result -oriented future, the teaching and learning process should be built on a global consideration. To establish a balanced impression, the poster also endeavours to provide a critical view of globalised education by drawing the attention of the viewers towards the disadvantages of globalised learning.

Friday, September 27, 2019

The Value and Contribution of the role of Selling, to the Strategic Essay

The Value and Contribution of the role of Selling, to the Strategic Development of a Company - Essay Example Introduction Zara is a flagship chain store owned of Inditex Group that owns other brands such as Pull and Bear, Bershka and Stradivarius. The first Zara store was opened in 1975 and featured low priced high end products that were mainly sold to women, children and men (Zara 2012). Zara business model aims at contributing to sustainable development of the society. Zara stores aim at saving energy, ensuring less waste and creating an environmentally aware team. Zara products are made with organic cotton, ecological fabrics and PVC-free footwear (Zara 2012). The empowered retail managers ensure customers are kept informed of the new offerings through word-of-mouth since the stores are regularly replenished with new and innovative products. Almost all Zara stores are company owned, and the rest are franchises thus customers entering the stores in any city experience a standardised shopping environment that involves modern, spacious and well-lit stores that are walled with mirrors. Unlik e other clothing stores that spend much of the profits on advertising, Zara spends less than five percent of the sales revenues on advertising (Proctor 2000). Zara’s marketing and selling strategies focuses on product variety, the location of the store and speed of market penetration. Zara replenishes its stores with new items more frequently than any other clothing chain store in the world. Zara has implemented loyalty programs to create a link with the customers and ensure good working relationships with past customers (Ferrell and Hartline 2011). Zara relies on location of the store rather mass marketing in attracting customers and always produces few and scarce fashionable clothes that will have a short lead time in the stores (Proctor 2000). Some factors that have contributed to the success of Zara’s selling strategy include extensive market research that ensures products meet the clients’ needs and relationship selling (Proctor 2000). Zara also offers favo rable prices and after sale services that ensure customer complaints are fully addressed. Additionally, the selling strategy ensures that the stores exemplify a high class and cool shopping atmosphere that is associated with Zara’s products (Kumar 2010). Zara marketing strategy is aimed at increasing the level of concentration and internalization of the brands (Proctor 2000). Some selling trends that Zara has utilized include tele-shopping and e-marketing. The main target market for the products includes the individuals aged between 18 to 40 years and those working in the large cities such as Madrid and London. The consumers sought benefits include the interest to appear trendy and enjoy shopping in a stylish environment (Zara 2012). According to PESTLE analysis, Zara should be conversant with the trading policies while importing the products to the numerous countries. However, numerous changes in taxation policies, exchange rates and recent economic slowdown have impacted ne gatively on the sales of the company. The social environment is positive for Zara since the global population has increased thus creating additional market that is fashion aware and educated. The technological environment has allowed Zara to utilize online shopping carts, bar coding and technology aided designs thus leading to more customer satisfaction and convenience. Zara has also responded well to the ecological environme

Thursday, September 26, 2019

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

Wal-Mart - Essay Example In the initial stage, Wal-mart was only tracking pallets and cases coming to one distribution center but the plan was to expand to cover 100 suppliers across US by the end of 2006 (Tutorial-Reports, 2005). They would then roll out the technology internationally. The entire plan was based on achieving a completely error-free, fool-proof transparent supply chain. To achieve this, Wal-mart planned to install RFID readers at the distribution centers and stores, and buying equipment for printing tags. The plan envisaged was so intense that suppliers could not escape using this technology. Wal-mart also wanted to gradually work on tracking recalls. The idea behind the entire plan was to gain competitive advantage over others in the sector. Within two months of the deadline indicated by Wal-mart, RFID system was installed at 104 Wal-mart stores. Within 30 minutes the suppliers could obtain the data through its Retail Link extranet website. By the end of February 2005, Wal-mart stores using RFID had received 23,753 tagged pallets and 663,912 cases, and taken over 5 million tag reads (IDTechEx, 2005). However, about half of the top 100 suppliers felt that there was lack of knowledge of RFID integration and hence decided to set up the systems themselves. While it was possible to read the tags on cars and on conveyors in distribution centers, it was difficult to read the RFID tags on fully loaded pallets. Successful reads was only 63% which was not acceptable by Wal-mart. They wanted nothing less than hundred percent. By October 2005 Wal-mart had achieved success to the extent that they could monitor stock levels which resulted in 16% reduction in out-of-stock status. Moreover, the out-of-stock items that carried the EPC could be replenished there times faster than items that were still using the standard barcode technology. It was also possible to avoid excess inventory as manual orders reduced. Based on the initial success Wal-mart set further timelines that by the end of 2006 more than 1000 stores, clubs and distribution centers would be covered under the program. They would have more than 6090 suppliers participating by the end of 2007. They conducted briefings and seminars to share knowledge back and forth. The suppliers that had gone live in 2005 also shared their learning with other organizations. The success of the RFID technology depends upon collaboration with partners and suppliers. This is critical for time-sensitive goods (Songini, 2006). It can enable Wal-mart to look at the items store by store and evaluate the cause of low sales. This would further enable Wal-mart to sit down with the partners and determine how to enhance sales. The value of RFID technology also depends upon the type of product involved. It would help to know how long the perishable goods have been in the supply chain. It can also help tag the response to new products introduced while also preventing theft. However, all their efforts did not fetch the desired results as the public was wary of privacy concerns. Chances of abuse of information from tracking the product tags were high. While the Wal-mart stores could items in the stores in the US, they could not kill the tags at the checkout. What was essential was to have kill switches that would disable the chips at the checkout counters (Tutorial-Reports, 2005a). Wal-mart argues that if the kill switches are installed it could block the radio waves before reaching the RFID reader devices. Moreover, they insist that the RFID tags do not collect any additional information about the customer but the future of the RFID techn

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

EUROPEAN BUSINESS ECONOMICS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

EUROPEAN BUSINESS ECONOMICS - Essay Example (Guardia, 2000). Consumer credit does not need a guarantee and the tax provisions covering this type of lending differ from those pertinent to mortgage credit. The circular flow diagram is very helpful in understanding Britain’s consumer debt. The circular flow diagram enables one to understand macroeconomics. Goods and services and resources flow through the economy in one direction. The money flows through the economy in the opposite direction. Money is exchanged for specific goods and services which the households purchase regularly. Another important aspect of the circular flow is the presence of the three main factors of production in the economy fall under these categories: labor, land, and capital. Wages reflect the price of labor. Rent reflects the price of land. Profit is the price for capital. Businesses in the economy are expected to generate profits. Workers who work in these businesses are paid in wages. Then the persons who utilize land for their businesses pay a fixed rent. The circular flow shows that the households (composed of family members), in the circular flow, own all the labor, land and capital. In markets for factors of production, households sell the services of labor, land and capital to firms in exchange for wages, rent and profit. Then in the area of consumer credit, the households borrow from banks (which hold or maintain the savings from the firms households and offer a credit service to the firms and the households ) in order to purchase at a current time a product or service that they need now. For the credit service, the banks then charge interest rates on the households for those loans. Then after a designated period of repayment, the households pay the loans plus the interest charges from the wages they derive from the sale of their labor services to the firms and the profits they derived from their businesses in the economy.

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

NY Times Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

NY Times - Case Study Example The New York Times suffered a 3% decline in the total revenues. This was attributed to the evolving nature of journalism into new media and the uneven economic conditions that prevail all over the world (The New York Time Company, 2012). The share prices of the company has also fallen down 23% during the last three months and closed at $6.20 on April 16, 2012 (Science, 2012). This is attributed to the fact that advertising revenues have plummeted along with the readership of print based newspapers (Kirchhoff, 2010). The New York Times faces a wide range of competitors from different fronts. In the case of print publications, NY Times and The Globe face competition from The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Economist, and The Financial Times. On the online front, the company faces competition from Google News, Yahoo! News, CNN.com, MSNBC.com, Guardian.co.uk, bbc.co.uk, CNet, iVillage and countless others. Recently New York Times, in order to face this challenge has come up with a strategy whereby they intend to diversify their revenues into the digital medium and gaining cost efficiency in all areas. In the print medium, New York Times has cut down the paper size by reducing the width of the paper by 1.5 inches (Press Gazette, 2007). The strategy is also focused on using the strong brand appeal of the company to increase circulation reviews. The last dimension of the strategy is to manage the asset portfolio in such a way that it assists the core operations of the company and also ensures a strong digital presence (The New York Times Company, 2012b). Understanding the changing media and journalism landscape, New York Times Company went through a variety of changes. They limited their online article access to twenty articles per month for normal users and provided unlimited access to digital and print subscribers only. In order to keep the brand recognizable within the web, the company

Monday, September 23, 2019

Statement of purpose Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Statement of purpose - Essay Example I believe this step is a giant leap for me to help not only myself for a better future but to help other students as well in their academic endeavor. Learning is progressive especially in this computer age so that I am not satisfied to let my education end to the degree I have finished. Continuing my studies would allow me to add to the knowledge I already acquired and to improve the skills I have developed through my earlier studies. However, with the accelerated speed of improvement to our educational system and the acquisition of information of the young students, it is imperative for an educator to be educated himself and keep pace with the various changes technology brings about in the area of education. It is then my desire to supplement my qualifications in academic and social achievements with an education Lancaster University can offer me and in turn contribute to the University’s glory the little contributions I could give through my skills, abilities and capabilitie s as well as my passion and determination. Among the social achievements that I have achieved which I believe could help me along with my studies in this prestigious university is my involvement to the Al-Yarmouk Sports Club as a football player in Kuwait. It was an honor to have been a part of the team which represented Kuwait to the 2006 Arabian Games Tournament for schools in Algeria. In addition to this, I have been a part of our college team as well for the Kuwait University Football Championship which gained us respect for winning the championship for three consecutive years. My passion for football opened doors for me to learn a lot about the facts of life, including the naked truth to the deprivation of many of an education which so many privileged students recklessly disregard. This in turn opened a door in my heart to reach out to such students who have the potential of being assets to the nation instead of becoming wasted talents who have no one to help them. I guess beco ming a channel of quality education has been instilled in me with my father being a Mathematics teacher for the intermediate school and my mother a Kindergarten teacher. This desire has been strengthened as I learned to see the trek I wanted to take as an individual. Being exposed to the world through sports and seeing the necessities one has to take in order to live through a tight fight for survival, I have seen the power of a language. Bilingualism is now becoming a trend with the globalization programs touching employments and eventually individual lives. Learning and acquiring the internationally adopted language which is English is a great advantage to the modern non-native speakers. As I learned and acquired the language myself, I have discovered the wonders it does to a person who is able to speak and comprehend it. This became the turning point for my enthusiasm for a battle against illiteracy. It is my desire to affect the lives of individuals through Teaching English as a Foreign Language. I understand that I have to be properly equipped for this purpose and this is the reason why I am applying to this well known university. I see the opportunities I could enjoy to improve my communication skills using the English language getting in contact with the bright students of the university from various walks of life from around the globe. I believe the school has great

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Global Branding Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Global Branding - Assignment Example Additionally, global branding creates a new image for a company could be used to increase its market share. Highly recognized brands have certain common features that define them and prevail amongst them (Bloomberg, 2006). Most of these features denote the prevailing marketing strategy that determines successful global brands. This is because branding is a marketing gimmick that basically characterizes the quintessential aspects of marketing and strategy. From my experience while visiting inter-brand and business week websites where the top global brands report is evaluated, these elements include reliability, aesthetic value, proper packaging, warranty services and sustainability among others. In essence, consumers prefer global brands for an assortment of reasons. Originally, global branding has a lot of connotations some of which are real, and others perceived. Therefore, consumers associated global brands with aspects of quality, reliability, superiority, convenience and safety ( Interbrand, 2012). As a result, global branding has a lot of sway on the buying decisions of consumers. Practically, global branding has a high bearing on the quality and suitability of products and services more so to the usage by consumers. First and foremost are the high standards associated with the global business through which global brands must meet certain requirements to survive in the market. Consumers value global brands due to the aspect of superiority in quality and reliability. Inter-brand methodology can be quite constructive in diversifying the essence of products and services and could be a good recipe for organizational success (Reinold, 2010). Though, in essence, inter brand methodology represents the confusion of parameters where the organization fails to identify its true identity in the market and resorts to inter brand methodology for opportunism purposes. Establishing global brands is a step-by-step progression that calls for time, tact and long-term perspect ive. Therefore, managers ought to first ascertain their respective concepts of marketing, as well as its long-term marketing objectives. Subsequently, managers must embrace competition in the global market and boost the quality quotient of their respective services and products. Such measures will guarantee successful international brands. Question 2 a) The emergence of a new breed of multinational from merging countries is well-documented in business reports, books and literature and points towards a paradigm shift with regard to the global business (Aguilar, 2006). In essence, the previous years have witnessed an exponential growth in the participation of emerging economies in the international trade more so in the ownership of international business. There is a big divergence between the traditional multinational corporations like IBM and Nestle among others and these emerging multinationals. These differences emanate from the strategy used in developing, managing and advancing t hese corporations. As a point of fact, emerging countries are applying particularly unique strategies of entering and prevailing in the global business environment. This poses a huge challenge to the existing multinationals. b) The new global challengers are using different approaches in entering the international market. The two most prevalent methods are the organic growth and through mergers and acquisitions. Each strategy has its own advantages and disadvantages (Casanova, 2009). For

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Changing Families Essay Example for Free

Changing Families Essay Changing Families in Society James S. Hunter III OMM 612 Dr. David Jung April 21, 2013 By watching television one would think that the family is made up of one man, one woman, children and possibly pets. The family has changed over the years from before today we have a much more unique family life than twenty five or fifty years ago. Society has become more acceptable to change and have accepted the not so normal or traditional family way. As many things with time comes change. The family has evolved and is comprised of many mechanisms that are different from the past. There are new roles such as multiple incomes from the man and woman, families with partners that are the same gender, couples that are not married but living together, blended families and divorced parents. These are just a few of the many changes the family has gone through in the last two or five decades. Many years ago, woman would have not been the main source of income or even working. Cohabitation of couples that are not married living together and especially same sex partners raising kids. Whatever the argument may be even if there is one? Our society has embraced the new family that has been made over and changed. The definition of a family being a woman, man, children and pet have somewhat been redefined by so many alternatives to raising children. Although only a woman can conceive a child if no medical issues are a factor. They have adoption, surrogacy and other means of receiving children and raising them in our society with other means and make-ups of the family. Social change refers to the alteration in nature such as social behavior or institutions. The social change of families in America and even the world has been altered in many ways from years ago. When my parents and grandparents were coming up it was the time when the men worked and the women stayed home to take of the kids and the house. During that time divorce was frowned upon or just unthinkable. Those times have changed significantly. Many women today are thrilled to have a career and continue to do the same duties as expected of a mother and wife. The husband has evolved over time to assist with chores around the house. In some instances the women are the sole bread earners for the family and the husband is home with the kids. This could be seen as role reversal. Many women today regardless of career intensions or simply not having a choice but to work, either way women are more prominent in the workforce and this have changed the family in a huge way. Family success is better defined as the husband and wife working. â€Å"In 1950 about one in three women participated in the workforce. † Today the workforce comprise of forty eight percent women and fifty two percent men† (S. M. Heathfield, about. com, 2013). Even though, there are changes in society with the family and women working and making up almost half of the workforce. There are ongoing issues that employers and lawmakers need to address because this change of women obtaining careers is on the rise. One issue is the equality in pay between genders. Today most men in the same field are paid higher than women. In our society a high number of women find it more appealing to have a career, be a wife and mother. A significant change that accompanies women that have a career is less time with the family and a lot of times families don’t even eat together due to busy schedules. However, with time and change for some this is acceptable. Divorce is another change in society in which many years ago divorce was never an option. The family has had several makeovers and divorce is rapid and changing our society in a majority negative way. When divorce is the final verdict the children are the focus if they are involved and this makes life more complicated than normal. A comparison was done with children from divorced and non-divorced families and these are some of the findings. â€Å"The Draw-A-Family Test was administered to 108 Swedish children. Fifty four children were from divorce families (27 girls, 27 boys) and 54 (27 girls, 27 boys) from intact families. The age of the subjects was ranging between 10 and 12 years. Focus was placed on which family members were included in the drawings, the prevailing mood of the figures, and on the tendencies to make profile drawings and to omit hands and feet. The results showed that divorce boys omitted their siblings more often than did girls or non-divorce boys, suggesting more intensive sibling rivalry. However, both divorce and non-divorce children usually included the father and depicted him as being as large as or larger than the mother. It appears that in this way children express the important role that their fathers continue to play in their lives. The findings reflected a larger degree of family relationship problems in the divorce group. These problems were expressed by the omission of family members and also by the separation of one or more figures from the rest, by hidden or omitted hands and feet, and by figures drawn in profile (Spigelman, G. , Spegelman, A. , Englesson, I. L. (1992). Here in this study we are finding that with divorce comes risk when children are involved. The study shows that divorced families have more issues than families that are together. Although, the children subjects accepted the dad’s when divorced there is always the problem of having the courts favor the mom in which most cases they do and I have personal experience with that. There is also the case of alienating the kids from the father or mother. In either case the divorced families are prone to more issues which are a problem to society. However, other studies have shown that there is not a significant difference in the outcome of children with a broken home or not. This is saying to me that if both parents were friends and were involved in a child’s life the child could still am successful with divorce. Next we have the case of same gender marriage or cohabitation raising children or not. Either way this is a different look for family and society. Today, it is being accepted more and the same gender couples are taken their cases to the Supreme Court to be heard so they can be accepted and viewed as a family just like the traditional marriage of a man and women. This is truly a case of religion belief or non-belief. I can truly state that with my strong religious views and belief in God and the study and acceptance of the â€Å"word† which is found in the bible. I truly believe in marriage to be traditional of a man and a woman. Marriage was created by â€Å"GOD† and who we are as men to change what the most high has done! If one is serious about his belief in God and understands and accepts his word this would not be a discussion. However, for the nonbelievers and just straight disobedient followers this can be agreed upon. I cannot find it in myself to condone what â€Å"GOD† has condemned. This will be a fight for some time. I can say that if the same gender couples want to be together in which they are anyway. They should call their union something other than marriage. Nevertheless many have argues over the fact that kids are going to have psychological problems and even mimic there same gender parents by learning to be gay. All don’t agree. I can speak from experience and say that kids are exposed to parents and they learn what they see and what we teach them. In my experience I have nieces who have children from men and have had bad relationship experiences and somehow manage to be gay or lesbian and the children are experiencing that same fate because it is what they have seen or have been taught. This is not healthy for our kids and is a problem but in our society this new social behavior is accepted. However, I believe this is an extra psychological phenomenon for our children that add unnecessary stress. Children in same sex couples households have expressed â€Å"they are afraid of their friends finding out that the parent’s â€Å"are gay† or â€Å"if they are† can be terrifying. Nevertheless, the same gender families are here in our society and it is accepted and somewhat the norm these days. The next step is to push to the Supreme Court and fight for the same rights as marriage between a man and woman. Another unique aspect of the family is single working women who do not have a boyfriend or husband. Today many women are growing tired of waiting on Mr. Right so they are taking matters on their own and adopting children. Let’s look at the story of Lindsay Gambini 39, manager of a Manhattan performing-arts center, adopted two children, but not without a struggle. First an adoption in the Philippines fell through. She turned to the New York City foster-care system but was turned down because she planned to hire a baby-sitter during working hours. She was offered older children, but thanks to a shortage of foster homes for infants and her own persistence, she prevailed and got two baby boys, now ages 28 months and 15 months (The, A. P. , 1989, May 14). There are more single ladies and men adopting children today due to the significant social changes we have gone through. This practice is global and more acceptable than before. Many adoption agencies frown on single parents due to many studies that reflect negative impact on children in single households. This is why rigorous procedures are in place to place a child in a more favorable and suitable home that will ensure the physical and psychological safety of the child that is being placed with a foster parent. This method has been revamped as more studies have concluded single parents with a lot of family and friend support while the single mother or father is at work will do just as well in society as those with both parents at home. Many couples are deciding to cohabitate than before. Like many of the traditional family norms our society has evolved to the new times where men and women are making decisions to live together and not marry. However, in many cases they decide to have children. This has become a social norm and is on the rise and accepted. Studies have shown that many people that cohabitate have expectations for marriage and are afraid that they can’t meet the expectations of marriage. Although, not married couples that cohabitate share the same values and duties as married couples. They must support each other and the kids and in most cases they live together. Maybe it’s just a psychological mindset that registers as being okay. This type of relationship is nothing less of marriage. Couples that cohabitate is on the rise and the number of married couples are declining. This is another example of how society and the family are changing. Many people who refuse to cohabitate have strong religious ties. In a Christian and many other religions the belief of a man and woman to live together without being married is unfavorable in the eyes of â€Å"God† therefore being a sin. There are also other stigmas to cohabitating couples. One would be a couple who has a child or children living with them and the male is not the legal or birth father. This is said to have complications that are negative on children in the end. Multiple issues face cohabitating couples that are similar to divorced couples. The comparison is almost equal when children are in the equation. This reflects any negative presents in a home with children are unfavorable under all circumstances in families in society. Families today more than ever also encompass new measures of support. The family has changed in society today from many years ago. Families have learned to deal with adversities such as low income and long distance support from one parent. Low income families are almost most of the time to proud to ask for government subsidies that will in some form give them better living conditions for a certain amount of time until the benefits are depleted or until no longer required. When a family does not use the assistance that may be available this will indeed hurt the family in many ways. The children will be affected in several ways such as education and any developmental stage due to worrying about the present living condition such as lack of food or shelter. Other distractions such as a parent being absent due to a distant career. These are all contributing factors that weigh heavily on children that are our future in our society. Unlike before there are many programs put in place to educate on the living through the absence of a parent or a family in crisis to ensure the children is focused and able to learn in school and advance in all areas of development. Recognizing the need for assistance during these challenging times for children are essential and important. Many programs are in place to ensure that all children have a chance at a happy home to promote positive education while attending school. Speaking from experience in the military my co-workers and I have experienced the unhappy home for our children due to us being absent. Many kids act out due to them not being happy because of the absence of a parent. This behavior results in negative behavior and education achievement. Over the years the military has become a lot smarter and with the help of non-profit organizations provide the support to military families in assisting with helping our kids cope with us being absent so that they can be successful in their educational development. In closing the family has changed with society in many ways. The family has been altered from its original intent or original meaning. The family as we use to know it consisted of a man, and woman or husband, wife children and pet. Today our family has been redefined in our society. We have same gender families, cohabitating families, blended families, single home families and more. Fifty years ago women were not working as much or considered in the equation for a successful family. Today that has changed; women and men both are working to make a better life for the family. The woman has increased responsibility although she works her duties as a wife and mother are not different. The husbands are contributing more with chores but nevertheless women are still required to maintain certain standards at home with family. Some women are the sole provider for their families. The new role swapping is very popular these days. It’s not because men choose to not work several reasons such as not being able to find employment, furthering education and health reasons to name a few. This new area in society has been accepted by some and not at all by others. The secular society and the religious institutions are at odds with what the family is and should be. The conflict is simply the believers and nonbelievers. It is a constant battle and struggle. Although most studies are inconclusive or not published at all in regards to the welfare of children and the family. All families seem to struggle today when it comes to raising our children who are the foundation of our families. It depends on whose report you read or who publishes first and receives the most notoriety that gives a strong belief or assessment in how our children should be raised or if they will be a psychological mess due to the environment they share with parents at home. With experience and insight on the situation of the new families in our society is the only true measurement of our children and their development and contributions to society. The families struggle with our new times of the changing family. It is rare that a family sits and eats together due to a conflict in schedules. The time you sit and spend with your family is essential, that is the time the family actually get to speak to one another. Other issues such as poverty and long distance relationships are problematic with families. Especially military, when we are away the family mainly the kids suffer due to the absence of a parent causing significant problems for the family. With the new and improved resources that embrace technology the distant parent can have a real time conversation with families and also upon return education workshops on how to reaclamate to your environment is available. In covering many phases of the family from traditional to nontraditional studies have shown children have been successful either way. As we accept the new variety of families other than non-traditional as we invest in our children it is vital that we remember to make our home a happy one for our kids. In all aspects of the family the values of the family in society has not changed significantly from years ago. Either way it is viewed or made up the end result will be the outcome of our kids in society. References Harper, C. L. Leicht, K. L. (2011). Exploring social change: America and the world (6th ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. ISBN:   9780205748082 Susan M. Heathfield, (2013). Women and work: Then, now and predicting the future for women in the workplace, about. comguide. Spigelman, G. , Spegelman, A. , Englesson, I. L. (1992). Analysis of family drawings: A comparison between children from divorce and non-divorce families. Journal of Divorce Remarriage, 18(1), 31-31. Retrieved from http://search. proquest. com/docview/200720010? accountid=3252 Jacobs, S. (2004,Mar 07). Children of same-sex couples tell their stories. Boston Globe, retrieved from http://search. proquest. com/docview/40406592? accountid=32521 The, A. P. (1989, May 14). More single people adopting children. Orange County Register. Retrieved from http://search. proquest. com/docview/272371838? accountid=32521

Friday, September 20, 2019

The History Of Dance And Cultural Influences Film Studies Essay

The History Of Dance And Cultural Influences Film Studies Essay Political climates, social factors and cultural influences are some of the key elements that affect dance and its development. Emotional and intellectual reactions towards changes in these political and social circumstances are often evidently seen in the medium of dance. (Company, Library, College, Division, Dept, Branch, Hanna, Arny, and Company) In the movie White Nights, the lives of two dancers from entirely different cultural backgrounds are intertwined resulting in an interesting marriage of tap dancing and ballet. These two distinctly unique forms of dance are central to the plot of the story as they help to push the action in the movie forward. Planted in an atmosphere of distrust and paranoia, Greenwood ironically found solace tap dancing his way into Broadway numbers that were truncated into small and less glamorous sets for an unexposed Soviet audience. On the other hand, the leading character Rodchenko, experienced a great freedom as he fled the totalitarian state; openi ng the door for exploration and exposure to a wider range of dance techniques, experimenting with different artistic directions. Eventually, their passion for dance and expression becomes the catalyst that transforms the relationship between the idealistic Russian ballet superstar, Nikolai Rodchenko and the disillusioned Harlem-born tap dancer, Raymond Greenwood. Set in the tense political climate of the Cold War between communist Soviet Union and capitalist United States of America, it was one of the primary perimeters for much of the tension between the two characters. With suspicion and fear, the two began their accidental friendship resulting a collaboration not only in executing a plan of escape but also in their respective dance forms. In a way, dance became one of the vehicles and motivation for these characters migration to another land. Due to the dissatisfaction or restrictions they have experienced due the political situation of their nation, they opted to leave for another land in search for an avenue to express themselves in dance. Likened to the oppression of the legalistic church during the Dark Ages, the outlet for emotional expression through dance was never successfully suppressed by political or social forces. Similar to the countryside folks who danced underground and away from the eyes of the authorities during the Dark Ages, Nikolai also found an outlet for greater expression in dance in America and other parts of the world. Parallel to the character of Nikolai, Raymond Greenwoods dances could also be seen as a result of the political climate of which he was placed in. Due the Vietnam war, he became traumatised and disillusioned with the American government. He too, was pushed by the atrocities he experienced to leave those memories behind and start anew in the drastically different world of the Soviet Union. In addition, International press relations and the image of the Soviet Union in the global community also seemed to be one of the key concerns which motivated the plot. Nikolai was held in the Soviet Union against his will in an attempt to convince the international ballet star to dance in Leningrad instead of the world at large. This is an example where the interests of the totalitarian state directly impedes an individual advancement in the world of dance (as in other art forms). This relates to the idea of how oppression has an effect on dance. As such, one cannot deny how the political situation of a nation has great impact on the emotional state and being of a dancer. This successfully creates a significant reaction which is displayed through the medium of dance. Socially, the sentiments and emotions toward the Soviet Union and the racism situation in the United States have been important factors that shaped the dances seen in the film. In the case of Nikolai, the rebellion and frustration towards the iron fist of the Soviet Unions reign was distinctly expressed in a sequence where he was dancing in front of his old flame. The movements and shapes involved in that dance were a clear expression of rebellion as it went against the basic ballet concept of pure and clean straight lines created by the body. The dance consisted of bend knees, asymmetrical forms and crooked shapes/lines, going against the elegant form and shape of classical ballet. Even the music (which was forbidden in the Soviet Union) feature the screaming tones of an frustrated Russian, displaying the emotions of an oppressed society. Just like in Hip-Hop dances and rap music of the African-American community, dance served as an outlet of release for all the emotional angst and sentiments of rebellion evident in the culture of a particular community due to the social issues and problems present. This scene not only displays a different side of Russian dance culture but also helps to bring the plot forward as it moves Helen Mirrens character to risk her life to aid Nikolai arrange for a route of escape. In this sense, the scene was strategically used to move the viewer and the character which was crucial in moving the plot forward. Again, this fulfills Noverres concept of ensuring that dance solos are used in supporting to a central theme and plot. The two different cultures and dance forms are introduced to the viewers are separate and distinct entities at the beginning of the show. In the opening scene of the movie displayed a dance piece that seemingly fitting the four elements of which Jean- Georges Noverre proposed that ballets ought to have in the famous Lettres sur la danse et les ballet: 1. Ballet should not only be technically brilliant, but should move audience emotionally through dramatic expressiveness. 2. Ballet should have unified plots that were logical and understandable. 3. The story should contribute to the central theme. Dance solos, etc. that do not relate to the plot should be eliminated. Scenery, music, costumes and plot all should be unified and appropriate to the theme. 4. Pantomime should be simpler and more understandable In accordance to this set of criteria, the opening scene aligns itself to these requirements. With a clear narrative expressed, the dramatic orchestra music and the elaborately realistic set where all present in support of the plot where the dance make sense. Despite the lack of speech or singing, the use of pantomime to tell the story on stage was evident in this opening scene. Although there is a generally clear and distinct storyline, the viewer of the movie was free to interpret the intricate details of the plot as it was not specifically articulated expression such as anguish, confusion and anxiety were expressed through the dancers using stereotypical and socially understood expressions. Without any prior knowledge of the historical context of the film, the viewer is still able to interpret and understand the general happenings in the ballet performance by reading the body language of Nikolai Rodchenkov. Just as Noverre recommended, it was simple and logical, making it quite pl ain for audiences to understand. As such, the Russian classical ballet roots were evidently displayed through the character of Nikolai.. Similarly, we also witness a distinctly American style of dancing (from the character of Raymond Greenwood) which has influences from the African-American community. One of the basic steps of tap dancing is shuffling which originated from the tribal African dances where they often keep their feet close to the ground in a bid to stay closely connected to the Earthly deities they believed in. Also, the repetitive rhythmic moves that harmoniously syncopates with the music in tap dancing are believed to be descendants of a tribal African dance concept where the repetition actually represented the cycle and circle of life. (Libraries, and Knowles. 21-23) Deeply connected to his complicatedly tough environment of Harlem, we see the past and motivation of Raymond Greenwood in a drunken tap dancing scene. Particularly, there was a segment in the scene where Raymond spoke of his decision to join the military. This is aided with a marching-like rhythms expressed in his tap dancing, vividly pai nting the picture of his circumstances during that time to the viewer. Though rather melodramatic, the brief sequence could be seen as a piece in accordance to Noverres concept where dance steps should be telling of a story to give meaning to these movements. As the plot progresses, it is observed that the characters were brought from Siberia to Leningrad. This is due to Raymonds persuasion (under the threat of the Soviet secret police) and the eventual decision on Nikolais part to dance at the theatre in Leningrad. The two dancers then began to collaborate increasingly in their craft as their relationship and circumstances develop. The two dancers slowly progress to merge or collaborate as they begin to gain trust with each other, plotting a route of escape from the secret police of the Soviet Union. Anchoring on their remarkable talent in dance, viewers are presented with a modern dance piece towards the end of film. This is where the two dancers performed a synchronised sequence accompanied by up-to-date 80s music, featuring moves that married elements from tap dancing, ballet and a kicking movement that viewers would inevitably related to Asian martial arts. This collaboration not only created a climax in plot, it also depicted the ch emistry that has develop between the two characters as they move in unison across the big screen. Notably, the brilliant choreography of award-winning choreographer, Twyla Tharp with the remarkable execution by George Hines and Mikhail Baryshnikov is evidence of how dance can become so versatile and fluidly applied in any circumstances. By Incorporating the different elements of modern ballet, with American tap dancing, choreographed according to a pop 80s piece of music, it resulted in an interesting and engaging dance sequence that effectively move the viewer emotionally and dramatically. Overall, dance and its development can always be credited to the political, social and cultural elements at work. Many a times, dance is a reaction toward the changes in these spheres that trigger an emotional and intellectual response. Through the film White Nights, the role of dance and power of dance is demonstrated through the believable and talented actors. With the help of a clever screenplay and cinematography, the effect of watching a dance piece in theatres is successfully translated on to the big screen, allowing the beautiful world of modern ballet and tap dancing to become accessible to an even wider range of audience. Using the dance pieces to develop characters and propel the plot, one might consider White Nights the modern cinematic take on Noverres concept of a ballet anchored upon a central theme and plot.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

The Moviegoer By Walker Percy Essay -- essays research papers

In Walker Percy’s story The Moviegoer, Binx Bolling, a Stockbroker on the verge of turning thirty is on a quest. Set in 1960 New Orleans during Mardi Gras Binx, an upper class southern gentleman sets out to find out about himself. Answer questions that have tugged at his soul. Questions about despair, everydayness, religion and romance. Binx is stuck in a quagmire. He must break out from this cloak of ennui and find the essence of being. But how? How can people, a person with a soul and a world at their fingertips be so inept at finding what makes them alive. Can it be found in religion or on the arm of a southern beauty? Maybe it can be found in the surrealism of a movie, or the excitement of making money. What if an answer is found? Will it frighten a person back to their everydayness? Some of these question are sound, others may be just thoughts in the authors mind, but they are questions that Binx must find out about. The following will talk about the idea of despair & everydayness and if others think about searching the way Binx Bol ling does. Binx is deathly afraid of being pulled into everydayness. That is to say that he does not want to fall into the trap of a daily, weekly of life long rut. He does not want to settle for just living just an existence. He wants to be noticed, to have the ability of excitement on a daily routine. To work hard and start a family and fight for what he thinks is a grand life. Only to realize years later that such a routine was estab...

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Gifts of the Greeks :: essays research papers

The Gift from the Greeks The first Olympic Games were held at Olympia, in the Peloponnes. The most famous are the games that were held in Olympia in honor of Zeus every four years from August 6th to September 19th. Olympics have been a symbol of the camaraderie and harmony possible on a global scale. The gathering of athletic representatives from participating governments, even throughout the recent Cold War period, is proof that world unity is possible. It was a gift from the Ancient Greece The Pentathlon consisted of five events; the long jump, javelin throw, discus throw, foot race, and wrestling. The Pentathlons, especially the successful ones, were often treated and even worshipped like gods. Because of their exquisite physiques, they were used as the models for statues of the Greek Gods. The superior athletic ability of these athletes affects the games even today. The twisting and throwing method of the discus throw, which originated in Ancient Greece, is still used today. The original events were even more challenging than those of today. The modern discus weighs in at just 5 pounds, one-third of the original weight, and the long jumps were done with the contestant carrying a five pound weight in each hand. The pit to be traversed in this jump allowed for a 50 foot jump, compared to just over 29 feet in our modern Olympics. Apparently, the carried weights, used correctly, could create momentum to carry the athlete further. Legend has it that one Olympian cleared the entire pit by approximately 5 feet, breaking both legs as he landed. These legends, for all their blood, sweat, and tears, were awarded an olive branch from the tree behind the alter of Zeus when they won. Fortunately, the regions they represented were usually somewhat more grateful for bringing honor home. It was not uncommon for the victors to receive free food for life, money, or other valuable offers. They were often worshipped as gods and sometimes their sweat was preserved and sold as a magical potion. In the later years of the games, an additional event was added which signaled the end of the games and the return to the war ridden life of ancient history. Soldiers, adorned with a full body of armor weighing upwards of 50 pounds, would compete in a foot race. Unfortunately, even the apparent athletic ability of these soldiers could not prevent the fall of Greece to Rome in the middle of the second century BC.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

The Physics of the Sound Wave and its Effects on the Human Ear Essay

The Physics of the Sound Wave and its Effects on the Human Ear Could you imagine living in a world without sound? It would be enormously different from the world that we know. Our primary form of inter-human communication would be based on visual or tactile imagery. Our sense of perception would be changed. Telecommunication would be different. We would not have the pleasure of music or the soothing sounds of nature. Sound has had an immense impact on our world. This essay will explore the unseen world of sound waves and how humans perceive them. Generally, people hear sound waves traveling through air. These waves cannot be seen, but are heard or felt via vibration. Sound waves originate from vibrating objects and travel in longitudinal waves through mediums (such as a solid, a liquid, or a gaseous material). These types of waves are defined by the textbook as: â€Å"†¦wave[s] in which the vibrations of the medium are parallel to the direction the wave is moving.1† Figure 8.52 shows an excellent example of a tuning fork producing longitudinal waves, which are perceived as sound. It is apparent that as the prongs are struck, they move outward. As they move outward, the neighboring air molecules are compressed together creating what is called compression. The tuning fork prongs reverse the pressure as they move inward and cause a rarefaction (the opposite of a compression) in the neighboring air molecules. The process is repeated until the tuning fork returns to its resting state. As previously stated, sound waves can travel through various mediums. The universal formula to obtain the speed of a sound wave is:Speed=distance/time. â€Å"The faster which a sound wave travels, the more distance it will cover in the same period of tim... ...le that has an intensity of 10-3 W/m2 can be determined2: db = 10 log 10 ( 10-3/10-12 ) = 90-dB. Decibel levels from 0-80 dB are safe to the human ear. Prolonged exposure to sounds higher than that can result in hearing damage. With the factors of frequency and amplitude brought into relation of hearing, it is apparent that nothing would be understood without the concepts that can be referred to from physics. Physics enables the analysis of the human’s ability to understand sound waves. References: 1-Kirkpatrick, L.D. (2001). Physics A World View. (4 ed.) Philadelphia: Harcourt 2-Russell, K. (1997). Sound Waves. Retrieved: 4-30-03 From: www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/arts/linguistics/ressell/138/sec4/actoust/htm 3-Henderson, T. (1998). Sound Waves and the Eardrum. Retrieved: 4-30-03 From: Http://www.glenbrook.k12/gbssci/phys/mmedia/waves/edl.html 4

Monday, September 16, 2019

Examples from placement

Whilst on my placement, there was a girl starting school full time; named Megan. Megan was why and reluctant to Interact with the other children, I noticed this and sat down next to her. To make her feel more secure, I tried talking to her In a calm voice. When listening to her, I was showing Interest In what she was saying, by positive facial expressions I made sure I gave enough time for Megan to think about her answer and if she answered correctly, I praised her to effectively boost her self-esteem and make her feel valued.However, she asked to participate in an activity that wasn't available, I calmly said in a slow voice â€Å"you are not allowed to do that†. When she kept asking, I reinforced my previous statement, to help her understand the boundaries expected of her. After she told me what games she enjoyed, I asked if she wanted to join in with the other children. Whilst asking her, I showed her pictures of the activities. Megan asked toxin the play-doe group, so I se tup an area for her.I introduced Megan to some of the other children, so she would feel more comfortable and welcome within the group.. Throughout the day, I was making sure Mean's needs were being met, for example asking her If she needed the toilet. I felt Like Megan was at an age, where she can Independently ask for the toilet, but to be safe I asked anyway. I needed to make sure that when asking her. I spoke clearly, so she could fully understand what I was asking and she could reply appropriately.I also, needed to make sure that she knew where things were, so she felt confident going herself. So I didn't lower Mean's self-esteem, I spoke to her in an assertive tone, if I had spoken to her in an aggressive manner it would have made her feel uncomfortable talking to me. For example â€Å"Can you please help the other children clean up? During my placement, there was a three year old girl, named Victoria. Victoria and family had just moved from Russia. Her parents could speak lit tle English and Victoria none.Very shy and reluctantly, she sat in the corner, playing by herself. I decided to have 1-1 time with her, and try to build a trusting relationship. I knew she was shy because she turned her body away from me and wouldn't make eye contact with me. Violator was obviously upset leaving her parents and feeling left out from the other children. In order for Victoria to understand me I spoke In basic minting to the picture of the sandpit, because she didn't understand English and it made it easier for her to understand which activities I was saying.When I gain some for her trust, she started using eye contact and more body language. By rubbing her eyes, I sat down with her and slowly and calmly asked what was wrong. She looked at me and said â€Å"tired†. I had to have her explain to me in more detail, so I showed her pictures of a bed and of possible activities she would enjoy. I made sure that I gave her enough time to reply, without interrupting and waiting patiently, or this could sibyl lower her self-confidence.She regained eye contact and pointed to the jigsaw puzzle. I taught Victoria a few basic words in English, by pointing to the object and waiting for her to repeat the word after me in English. When she repeated the word, I made sure I had positive facial expressions and body language, and praised her when she said it correctly. It was important that I used non-verbal communication, because it would affect her emotionally, by boosting her self- confidence and self-esteem and she would comfortable talking to me.If I made no effort to acknowledge she didn't know English, this would lower her self-esteem and make her feel isolated within the setting, because she wouldn't feel comfortable coming to talk to me and make her feel like she couldn't trust me. This means, she would have trouble communicating and interacting with the other children, and she wouldn't be able to tell me any problems she has; because of the lack of trust. To build our relationship further, in return, Victoria can teach me some words/phrases in Russian. This will allow us to have conversations in her language and she can feel more comfortable.

Sonnet 116 Review

marriage†¦ impediments (1-2): T. G. Tucker explains that the first two lines are a â€Å"manifest allusion to the words of the Marriage Service: ‘If any of you know cause or just impediment why these two persons should not be joined together in holy matrimony'; cf. Much Ado 4. 1. 12. ‘If either of you know any inward impediment why you should not be conjoined. ‘ Where minds are true – in possessing love in the real sense dwelt upon in the following lines – there can be no ‘impediments' through change of circumstances, outward appearance, or temporary lapses in conduct. † (Tucker, 192). ends with the remover to remove (4): i. e. , deviates (â€Å"bends†) to alter its course (â€Å"remove†) with the departure of the lover. ever-fixed mark (5): i. e. , a lighthouse (mark = sea-mark). Compare Othello (5. 2. 305-7): Be not afraid, though you do see me weapon'd; Here is my journey's end, here is my butt, And very sea-mark of m y utmost sail. the star to every wandering bark (7): i. e. , the star that guides every lost ship (guiding star = Polaris). Shakespeare again mentions Polaris (also known as â€Å"the north star†) in Much Ado About Nothing (2. 1. 222) and Julius Caesar (3. 1. 65).Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken (8): The subject here is still the north star. The star's true value can never truly be calculated, although its height can be measured. Love's not Time's fool (9): i. e. , love is not at the mercy of Time. Within his bending sickle's compass come (10): i. e. , physical beauty falls within the range (â€Å"compass†) of Time's curved blade. Note the comparison of Time to the Grim Reaper, the scythe-wielding personification of death. edge of doom (12): i. e. , Doomsday. Compare 1 Henry IV (4. 1. 141): Come, let us take a muster speedily: Doomsday is near; die all, die merrily.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Ap Literature Open Response Questions Essay

2011: In a novel by William Styron, a father tells his son that life â€Å"is a search for justice.† Choose a character from a novel or play who responds in some significant way to justice or injustice. Then write a well-developed essay in which you analyze the character’s understanding of justice, the degree to which the character’s search for justice is successful, and the significance of this search for the work as a whole. 2010: Palestinian American literary theorist and cultural critic Edward Said has written that â€Å"Exile is strangely compelling to think about but terrible to experience. It is the unhealable rift forced between a human being and a native place, between the self and its true home: its essential sadness can never be surmounted.† Yet Said has also said that exile can become â€Å"a potent, even enriching† experience. Select a novel, play, or epic in which a character experiences such a rift and becomes cut off from â€Å"home ,† whether that home is the character’s birthplace, family, homeland, or other special place. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the character’s experience with exile is both alienating and enriching, and how this experience illuminates the meaning of the work as a whole. 2009: A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a range of associations beyond itself. In literary works a symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning, or enlarge literal meaning. Select a novel or play and, focusing on one symbol, write an essay analyzing how that symbol functions in the work and what it reveals about the characters or themes of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot. 2008: In a literary work, a minor character, often known as a foil, possesses traits that emphasize, by contrast or comparison, the distinctive characteristics and qualities of the main character. For example, the ideas or behavior of the minor character might be used to highlight the weaknesses or strengths of the main character. Choose a novel or play in which a minor character serves as a foil to a main character. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the relation between the minor character and the major character illuminates the meaning of the work. 2007: In many works of literature, past events can affect, positively or negatively, the present actions, attitudes, or values of a character. Choose a novel or play in which a character must contend with some aspect of the past, either personal or societal. Then write an  essay in which you show how the character’s relationship to the past contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole. 2006: Many writers use a country setting to establish values within a work of literature. For example, the country may be a place of virtue and peace or primitivism and ignorance. Choose a novel or play in which such a setting plays a significant role. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the country setting functions in the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot. 2005: In Kate Chopin’s The Awakening (1899), the protagonist, Edna Pontellier is said to possess â€Å"that outward existence which conforms, the inward life which questions.† In a novel or play that you have studied, identify a character who conforms outwardly while questioning inwardly. Then write an essay in which you analyze how that tension between outward conformity and inward questioning contributes to the meaning of the work. Avoid mere plot summary. 2004: Critic Roland Barthes has said, â€Å"Literature is the question minus the answer.† Choose a novel or play and, considering Barthes’ observation, write an essay in which you analyze a central question the work raises and the extent to which it offers any answers. Explain how the author’s treatment of this question affects your understanding of the work as a whole. Avoid mere plot summary. 2003: According to critic Northrop Frye, â€Å"Tragic heroes are so much the highest points in their human landscape that they seem the inevitable conductors of the power about them, great trees more likely to be struck by lightning than a clump of grass. Conductors may of course be instruments as well as victims of the divine lightning. Select a novel or play in which a tragic figure functions as an instrument of the suffering of others. Then write an essay in which you explain how the suffering brought upon others by that figure contributes to the tragic vision of the work as a whole. 2002: Morally ambiguous characters—characters whose behavior discourages readers from identifying them as purely evil or purely good—are at the heart of many works of literature. Choose a novel or play in which a morally ambiguous characters plays a pivotal role. Then write an essay in which you explain how the character can be viewed as morally ambiguous and why his or her moral ambiguity is significant to the work as a whole. Avoid mere plot summary. 2001: One definition of madness is â€Å"mental delusion or the eccentric behavior arising from it.† But Emily Dickinson wrote Much Madness is  divinest Sense–To a discerning Eye–Novelists and playwrights have often seen madness with a â€Å"discerning Eye.† Select a novel or play in which a character’s apparent madness or irrational behavior plays an important role. Then write a well-organized essay in which you explain what this delusion or eccentric behavior consists of and how it might be judged reasonable. Explain the significance of the â€Å"madness† to the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot. 2000: Many works of literature not readily identified with the mystery or detective story genre nonetheless involve the investigation of a mystery. In these works, the solution to the mystery may be less important than the knowledge gained in the process of its investigation. Choose a novel or play in which one or more of the characters confront a mystery. Then write an essay in which you identify the mystery and explain how the investigation illuminates the meaning of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot. 1999: The eighteenth-century British novelist Laurence Sterne wrote, â€Å"No body, but he who has felt it, can conceive what a plaguing thing it is to have a man’s mind torn asunder by two projects of equal strength, both obstinately pulling in a contrary direction at the same time.† From a novel or play choose a character (not necessarily the protagonist) whose mind is pulled in conflicting directions by two compelling desires, ambitions, obligations, or influences. Then, in a well-organized essay, identify each of the two conflicting forces and explain how this conflict within one character illuminates the meaning of the work as a whole. You may use one of the novels or plays listed below or another novel or play of similar literary quality. 1998: In his essay â€Å"Walking,† Henry David Thoreau offers the following assessment of literature: â€Å"In literature it is only the wild that attracts us. Dullness is but another name for tameness. It is the uncivilized free and wild thinking in Hamlet and The Iliad, in all scriptures and mythologies, not learned in schools, that delights us. From the works you have studied in school, choose a novel, play, or epic poem that you may initially have thought was conventional and tame but that you now value for its â€Å"uncivilized free and wild thinking.† Write an essay in which you explain what constitutes its â€Å"uncivilized free and wild thinking† and how that thinking is central to the value of the work as a whole.  Support your ideas with specific references to the work you choose. 1997: Novels and plays often include scenes of weddings, funerals, parties, and other social occasions. Such scenes may reveal the values of the characters and the society in which they live. Select a novel or play that includes such a scene and, in a focused essay, discuss the contribution the scene makes to the meaning of the work as a whole. 1996: The British novelist Fay Weldon offers this observation about happy endings: â€Å"The writers, I do believe, who get the best and most lasting response from readers are the writers who offer a happy ending through moral development. By a happy ending, I do not mean mere fortunate events–a marriage or a last-minute rescue from death–but some kind of spiritual reassessment or moral reconciliation, even with the self, even at death.† Choose a novel or play that has the kind of ending Weldon describes. In a well-written essay, identify the â€Å"spiritual reassessment or moral reconciliation† evident in the ending and explain its significance in the work as a whole. 1995: Writers often highlight the values of a culture or a society by using characters who are alienated from that culture or society because of gender, race, class or creed. Choose a play or novel in which such a character plays a significant role and show how that character’s alienation reveals the surrounding society’s assumptions and moral values. 1994: In some works of literature, a character who appears briefly, or does not appear at all, is a significant presence. Choose a novel or play of literary merit and write an essay in which you show how such a character functions in the work. You may wish to discuss how the character affects action, theme, or the development of other characters. 1993: â€Å"The true test of comedy is that it shall awaken thoughtful laughter.† (George Meredith) Choose a novel, play, or long poem in which a scene or character awakens â€Å"thoughtful laughter† in the reader. Write an essay in which you show why this laughter is â€Å"thoughtful† and how it contributes to the meaning of the work. 1992: In a novel or play, a confidant (male) or a confidante (female) is a character, often a friend or relative of the hero or heroine, whose roles is to be present when the hero or heroine needs a sympathetic listener to confide in. Frequently the result is, as Henry James remarked, that the confidant or confidante can be as much â€Å"the reader’s friend as the protagonist’s.† However, the author sometimes uses this character for other purposes as well. Choose a confidant or  confidante from a novel or play of recognized literary merit and write an essay in which you discuss the various ways this character functions in the work. 1991: Many plays and novels use contrasting places (for example, two countries, two cities or towns, two houses, or the land and the sea) to represent opposed forces or ideas that are central to the meaning of the work. Choose a novel or play that contrasts two such places. Write an essay explaining how the places differ, what each place represents, and how their contrast contributes to the meaning of the work. 1990: Choose a novel or play that depicts a conflict between a parent (or a parental figure) and a son or daughter. Write an essay in which you analyze the sources of the conflict and explain how the conflict contributes to the meaning of the work. 1989: In questioning the value of literary realism, Flannery O’Connor has written, â€Å"I am interested in making a good case for distortion because I am coming to believe that it is the only way to make people see.† Write an essay in which you â€Å"make a good case for distortion,† as distinct from literary realism. Analyze how important elements of the work you choose are â€Å"distorted† and explain how these distortions contribute to the effectiveness of the work. 1988: Choose a distinguished novel or play in which some of the most significant events are mental or psychological: for example, awakenings, discoveries, and changes in consciousness. In a well-organized essay, describe how the author manages to give these internal events the sense of excitement, suspense, and climax usually associated with external actions. Do not merely summarize the plot. 1987: Some novels and plays seem to advocate changes in social or political attitudes or in traditions. Choose such a novel or play and note briefly the particular attitudes or traditions that the author apparently wishes to modify. Then analyze the techniques the author uses to influence the reader’s or audience’s views. Avoid plot summary. 1986: Some works of literature use the element of time in a distinct way. The chronological sequence of events may be altered, or time may be suspended or accelerated. Choose a novel, an epic, or a play of recognized literary merit and show how the author’s manipulation of time contributes to the effectiveness of the  work as a whole. 1985: A critic has said that one important measure of a superior work of literature is its ability to produce in the reader a healthy confusion of pleasure and disquietude. Select a literary work that produces this â€Å"healthy confusion.† Write an essay in which you explain the sources of the â€Å"pleasure and disquietude† experienced by the readers of the work and how this pairing contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole. 1984: Select a line or so of poetry, or a moment or scene in a novel, epic poem, or play that you find especially memorable. Write an essay in which you identify the line or the passage, explain its relationship to the work in which it is found, and analyze the reasons for its effectiveness. 1983: From a novel or play of literary merit, select an important a character who is a villain. Then, in a well-organized essay, analyze the nature of the character’s villainy and show how it enhances meaning in the work. 1982: In great literature, no scene of violence exists for its own sake. Choose a work of literary merit that confronts the reader or audience with a scene or scenes of violence. In a well-organized essay, explain how the scene or scenes contribute to the meaning of the complete work. 1981: The meaning of some literary works is often enhanced by sustained allusion to myths, the Bible, or other works of literature. Select a literary work that makes use of such a sustained reference. Then write a well-organized essay in which you explain the allusion that predominates in the work and analyze how it enhances the work’s meaning. 1980: A recurring theme in literature is â€Å"the classic war between a passion and responsibility.† For instance, a personal cause, a love, a desire for revenge, a determination to redress a wrong, or some other emotion or drive may conflict with moral duty. Choose a literary work in which a character confronts the demands of a private passion that conflicts with his or her responsibilities. In a well-written essay show clearly the nature of the conflict, its effects upon the character, and its significance to the work. 1979: Choose a complex and important character in a novel or play of recognized literary merit who might–on the basis of the character’s actions alone–be considered evil or immoral. In a well-organized essay, explain both how and why the full presentation of the character in the work makes us react more sympathetically than we otherwise might. 1978: Choose an implausible or strikingly unrealistic incident or character in a work of fiction or drama of recognized literary merit. Write  an essay that explains how the incident or character is related to the more realistic or plausible elements in the rest of the work, [and why the pairing of these elements contributes to the meaning as a whole.] 1977: In some novels and plays certain parallel or recurring events prove to be significant. In an essay, describe the major   similarities and differences in a sequence of parallel or recurring events in a novel or play and discuss the significance of such events. 1976: A character’s attempt to recapture or to reject the past is important in many plays, novels, and poems. Choose a literary work in which a character views the past with such feelings as reverence, bitterness, or longing. Show with clear evidence from the work how the character’s view of the past is used to develop a theme in the work. 1975: Unlike the novelist, the writer of a play does not use his own voice and only rarely uses a narrator’s voice to guide the audience’s responses to character and action. Select a play you have read and write an essay in which you explain the techniques the playwright uses to guide his audience’s responses to the central characters and action. You might consider the effect on the audience of things like setting, the use of comparable and contrasting characters, and the characters’ responses to each other. Support your argument with specific references to the play. 1974: Choose a work of literature written before 1900. Write an essay in which you present arguments for and against the work’s relevance for a person in 1974. Your own position should emerge in the course of your essay. You may refer to works of literature written after 1900 for the purpose of contrast or comparison. 1973: An effective literary work does not merely stop or cease; it concludes. In the view of some critics, a work that does not provide the pleasure of significant â€Å"closure† has terminated with an artistic fault. A satisfactory ending is not, however, always conclusive in every sense; significant closure may require the reader to abide with or adjust to ambiguity and uncertainty. In a well-organized essay, discuss the endin g of a novel or play of acknowledged literary merit. Explain precisely how and why the ending appropriately or inappropriately concludes the work. Do not merely summarize the plot. 1971: In retrospect, the reader often discovers that the first chapter of a novel introduces some of the major themes of the work. Write an essay about the first chapter of a novel in  which you explain how the chapter functions to set forth major themes. 1968: In many plays, a character has a misconception of himself or his world. Destroying or perpetuating this illusion contributes to a central theme of the play. Choose a play with a major character to whom this statement applies and write an essay in which you consider the following points: what the character’s illusion is and how it differs from reality as presented in the play and how the destruction or perpetuation of the illusion develops a them of the play. 1966: An individual’s struggle toward understanding and awareness is the traditional subject for the novelist. In an essay, apply this statement to one novel of literary merit. Organize your essay according to the following play: 1) Compare the hero as we see him in an early scene with the hero as we see him in a scene near the end of the novel. 2) Describe the techniques that the author uses to reveal the new understanding and awareness that the hero has achieved. 1963: Character determines incident. Incident illustrates character. Write a well-organized essay evaluating this statement through a discussion of one character from each of two novels. 1959: All kinds of books have been attacked, suppressed, or disapproved of by authorities, groups or individuals. Select an important work which you admire and which you propose to defend against possible objections. In a well-organized essay, present reasons why the work might be attacked, and base your defense on a consideration of such matters as its language, the people in it, its mood and spirit, and consequently its artistic purpose and its value for the readers. ? Choose an implausible or strikingly unrealistic incident or character in a work of fiction or drama of recognized literary merit. Write an essay that explains how the incident or character is related to the more realistic or plausible elements in the rest of the work. Avoid plot summary. ? The conflict created when the will of an individual opposes the will of the majority is the recurring theme of many novels, plays, and essays. Select the work of an essayist who is in opposition to his or her society; or, from a work of recognized literary merit, select a fictional character who is in opposition to his or her society. In a critical essay, analyze the conflict and discuss the moral and ethical implications for both the individual and the society. Do not summarize the plot or action of the work you choose.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Hcr/210 Week 6 Checkpoint

Record Organization HCR/210 January 15, 2012 There are a few differences and similarities among small, medium, and large facilities concerning the organization of patient records and in how they handle loose reports. I have noticed that most facilities prefer that their loose records are permanently anchored in their charts, which makes sense to me because it prevents the loose reports from being misplaced and lost. However, the different sizes of facilities tend to organize patient files differently according to each particular facility’s policies. The most popular methods of organization that I have seen include chronologically, form numbers, report type, and category. During my review of the interview threads, I noticed a lot of similarities and a lot of differences in how patient files are handled. For example the medium and large facilities are by far more likely to use electronic files than paper ones, thus eliminating the threat of misplaced records. The most common difference that I saw was in whether or not the facilities use paper files. It seems that almost all of the medium and large facilities are using electronic files and everything automatically gets filed with the patient’s main file immediately. However, in small facilities they are much more likely to use paper files in which case everything is filed with the patient’s main record immediately in order to make it easy to locate and to prevent it from getting lost. In conclusion, whether the facility is small, medium, or large they all take special care in the organization of their files whether they are paper or electronic.

Friday, September 13, 2019

Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 29

Marketing - Essay Example Chinese culture is an apt example of a high-context culture. Business meetings in China revolve around group choices and the agreed upon decisions are mostly finalized in advance, courtesy the instinctive and listener responsible approach of group members (Browaeys & Price, 2008). The low-context cultures tend to be direct with the meaning inherent in any communication (Mead, 2004). They cherish individualism and are not very proficient in the non-verbal exchange of meaning and information (Mead, 2004). Low-context individuals predominantly rely on logic then on emotion to convey ideas (Mead, 2004). The communication patterns in low-context cultures are very structured with a preference for strategies that are rich in details (Mead, 2004). Low-context cultures value linear logic (Mead, 2004). US is a low-context culture where communications are direct and individualistic that are more targeted at specific situations and outcomes, rather than intending to communicate with the entire group (Browaeys & Price, 2008). Factor Analysis: Factor analysis tends to statistically determine variability amongst the observed variables, in relation to a small number of unobserved variables (Lehmann, Gupta & Steckel, 1997). Factor analysis can be suitably used in a situation when the data to be analyzed is quiet large (Lehmann, Gupta & Steckel, 1997). Cluster Analysis: Cluster analysis is ideally suitable for analyzing data having some natural groupings (Lehmann, Gupta & Steckel, 1997). It helps group raw data into clusters. This type of analysis helps determine similarities and variations between local and regional markets. Multidimensional Scaling: Multidimensional scaling is a statistical technique, which facilitates information visualization, thereby allowing for the sifting of similar and dissimilar patterns in a data (Grover & Vriens, 2006). This technique could be exploited, when a marketer is required to select between varied alternatives.