What Impact Has Corporate Power Had On The Social World Essay

What Impact Has Corporate Power Had On The Social World - Essay Example To meet this desire of the stakeholders most of the corporate houses have a specified set of social goals which is treated as a part of the overall business activities. Nowadays, the objectives of the business can no more be limited to achieving business profits. It cannot be considered as a ‘money generating machine’ set up with the sole purpose of profit generation. Previously, the businesses were established with some short term goals with little concern for the long term scenario. However, in the current environment the focus of the business has shifted from short term to long term perspective. This renewed focus is beneficial for the companies as well as the society in general. In fact the businesses now play a significant role in the society. They take part in a number of social activities. The companies direct a significant amount of funds towards achieving the social needs. The funds are used for the development of schools, institutions, parks, etc. The big corporate houses sponsor sports and cultural programs. The corporate actively indulge in functions other than pursuing their business interests. The companies thus play an important role in the development of the society. Various factors in the society have led to the creation of a climate that foster the criticism and prosperity of the business. While some of these factors are inter-related yet again there are some factors that are independent. Affluence and Education- The two factors- education and affluence have developed alongside. The empowerment of the society has raised the expectations from institutions like the businesses. Affluence includes aspects like wealth level, disposable income and living standard of the society. The measures of standard of living in US suggest a continuous growth over the decades however this growth has curtailed in the last five years. Besides a rising standard of living an improvement in the formal education has also raised the expectations of the society. A combination of these factors has laid the foundations of a society that encourages criticisms of the business. Increased awareness through internet and television- Though the reach of the print media is limited , the electronic media i.e. television is accessible to a wider populace. The television facilitates transmission of the information to wider audiences thereby creating an environment of business criticism. News programs The business criticism appears on the electronic media in three ways. Firstly, this is through the news shows and investigative programs. A study conducted by the â€Å"Corporate Reputation Watch† senior executives highlights that media criticism and irresponsible or unethical behavior can be a serious threat to the reputation of a company. While a majority of the business leaders are of the view that the news programs are against them and therefore overstate the facts and exaggerate the issue but the journalist see it in a different light. The

Hamlet Essay Example for Free

Hamlet Essay The words, â€Å"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark,† (citation) are spoken by Marcellus when Hamlet decides to follow the ghost without paying any heed to the possible repercussions. The appearance of a ghost is itself a bad omen, as on his first spotting of the ghost Horatio foreshadows, â€Å"this bodes some strange eruption to our state† (I. i. 69). It is a problematic phenomenon which portends danger to the state. Through Horatio’s words,† And then it started like a guilty thing / Upon a fearful summons. I have heard/ the cock that is the trumpet of the to the morn†, it is indicated in the play that the ghost might stir turmoil in Denmark. Its supernatural appearance and urgent departure at the end of witching hour signifies malice and nothing good can come out of it. The witching hour according to the Elizabethans is the time of night when supernatural activity occurred and evil is at its apex. The ghost is of Hamlet Sr. who is ruthlessly murdered by his own brother Claudius. Hence another aspect of rottenness in Denmark is the King’s murder. We find out about the murder when the ghost describes the manner of his death in the following words, â€Å"Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole, / With juice of cursed hebanon in a vial, / And in the porches of mine ear did pour†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (I. v. 62-64). The death of Hamlet Sr. is followed by a hasty marriage between Claudius and Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude. It is unnatural for a wife to marry her husband’s brother and that too so soon after his demise. Hamlet is deeply offended and miffed by his mother’s lack of grief. In Elizabethan times, a murder was considered to be the worst of all crimes. Moreover, it was incestuous to marry your sister in law, as it is righteously condemned by Hamlet, She married: O most wicked speed, to post / With such dexterity to incestuous sheets! † (I. ii. 156-157). Another mishap is the succession of Claudius as the King of Denmark when Hamlet is rightfully entitled to the throne, and Claudius’ words are just ironic when he says â€Å"†¦ for let the world take note, / You are the most immediate to our throne† (I. ii. 108-109). It should be Hamlets throne after his father’s death, not after Claudius. These events prove to be one blow after another to the natural order of being, destroying the balance, paving the way for absurd events because the very laws of nature are being disobeyed.

Basic Structures Of Ferrous Metals

Basic Structures Of Ferrous Metals Ferrous metals is mainly based on iron-carbon alloy with the combination of other alloys such as plain carbon steels, alloy, tools steels, stainless steels and cast iron. Alloys having iron with a valance of +2 are known as ferrous; those alloys which have iron with a valence of +3 are called as ferric. Ferrous metals or alloys are metals that contain the element iron in it. Depending on the end of use, metals can be simply cast into the finished part or cast into an intermediate form, such as an ingot, then worked, wrought by rolling, or processed by forging, extruding or another deformation process. All ferrous metals are magnetic. They contain a small quantity of other metals in order to give the correct properties. Manipulation of atom-to-atom relationships between iron, carbon and various alloying elements establishes the specific properties of ferrous metals. As atoms transform from one specific arrangement, or crystalline lattice, to another its gives good mechanical propertie s. Pure iron: It is also called as Pure Ferrite. The carbon content is calculated. From 0 to 0.5%.It has the BCC structure when it is in room temperature. Also known as Alpha iron. Plain Carbon Steel: Consists of iron containing small amounts of carbon. The carbon content can vary from 0.008% to approximately 2.0%. Low- Alloy steel: Steel containing alloy additions which usually do not exceed a total about 10% are referred to allow-alloy steels Ultra-High-Strength steel: Steel capable of developing yield strength greater than about 1104 Mpa are considered ultra-high-strength alloys. Medium-carbon low-alloy steel: These alloys consists of grades such as 4130,4330 and 4340, which can be quenched and tempered to yield strengths on the order of 1725 Mpa Maraging steel: This class of steel consists basically of extra-low-carbon (less than 0.3%) iron-based alloys to which a high percentage of nickel has been added. Corrosion-Resistant (stainless) steel: Stainless steel may be divided into four categories: ferritic, martencitic, austenitic, and age-hardenable. Ferritic stainless Steels: This group of stainless steel contains between 11.5 and 27% chromium as the only major alloying element in addition to a maximum of 0.25% carbon Martensitic stainless steels: This type of stainless steel is also primarily chromium steel, but in contrast to the ferritic group, consists enough carbon to produce martensite by quenching 0.15 and 0.75% carbons. Austenitic stainless steels: This Stainless Steel is alloyed to the extent that they remain austenitic at low temperatures. The principal alloying elements added to the chromium and nickel, generally totaling than 23% Precipitation-hardening stainless steels: The last class of stainless steel we will discuss depends on precipitation hardening for the optimum development of properties. Very high strength together with corrosion resistance Cast iron: Cast irons are iron-carbon-silicon alloys. More than 2% of carbon Grey cast-iron: Also known as graphite cast iron. They depend on the distribution size and amount of the graphite flakes and matrix structure. Spheroid graphite cast-iron: Also known as Ductile or nodular iron. It has high modulus of elasticity. Austempered Ductile iron: Recent addition to cast iron family, outstanding combination of high strength, toughness, wears resistance. Compacted cast iron: Referred as vermicular iron. Consists of 80% graphite and 20% spherodial graphite Malleable Cast iron: Carbons present as an irregular shaped nodules of graphite. Also classified as white heart malleable cast iron. Blackheart malleable cast iron.Pearlitie malleable cast iron Austentic carbon: They are high alloy cast iron. Mainly nickel in which carbon is present List of advantages These are materials with high specific strengths when compared with weight that is high strength to weight ratio. High quality materials exist in abundant quantities within earth’s crust and are readily available worldwide in various certificate grades. It increases the speed of construction in the field of civil engineering. Versatility;steel suits range of construction methods sequences. Modification repair can be easily done with left effort. Recycling can be done easily. Durability of these materials are very high Aesthetics;steel has a broad architectural possibilities Limitation of the material in engineering applications: The principal limitation of many ferrous alloys is their susceptibility to corrosion Costly waste as scrap High cost of final finishing polishing Environmental issuebecause of improper disposal Ferrous metals get rusted easily (oxidize) unless protected eg. with oil b) Non-ferrous metal Non-ferrous metals are metals other than iron and they do not contain an appreciable amount of iron in them. Non-ferrous metals are aluminum, magnesium, titanium alloys, copper, zinc and miscellaneous alloys like nickel, in, lead, zinc as base metals. The precious metals silver, gold and platinum are also coming under non-ferrous group. Non ferrous metals are alloys which are non magnetic. Non ferrous metals: Aluminum: Abundant element of 8% on earth crust and normally found in Oxide forms (Al2O3), i.e., bauxite, kaolinite, nepheline and alunite Aluminum base alloys: Aluminum is used in its commercially pure state as well as in its many alloy forms. The heat –treatable types have the advantage of being relatively easy to fabricate in their soft condition, after which they are heat treated to develop their higher strengths. Copper- base alloys: Copper is seldom industrially employed in its pure state. Copper has its most value when alloyed with other elements. It dissolves with elements such as tin, zinc, and silver in rather wide proportions. Magnesium – base alloys: Magnesium are noted for their lightness. The specific gravity of magnesium is 0.064 lb per cu.; in comparison, aluminum, steel, and titanium are 0.09, 0.28, and 0.16 lb per cu., respectively. Magnesium alloys lend themselves to welding and filler are protected by an inert gas. They are relatively easy to cast by most foundry methods, particularly die casting. Nickel –base alloys: Nickel is one of the oldest metals known to man. Currently this metal is almost indispensable in the alloying of steels to confer toughness, uniformity of hardness, and good workability; and as a basic alloy to resist high corrosion and high temperatures Lead-Tin alloys: The principal lead –tin alloys consist of solders and bearing materials. The 70% tin -30% lead solder is used mainly in the joining and coating of metals. The 63% tin-37% lead is a eutectic type solder developed primarily for making electrical joints. Zinc-base alloys: Zinc base alloys predominate as die casting materials. These alloys have high cast ability and favorable mechanical and chemical properties. Zinc base alloys can be cast in the range 750-800  º F, and, therefore, have a low –temperature advantage over other alloys Less common metals and alloys: Titanium and its alloys: Because of their high strength- weight ratio, titanium and its alloys have received a great amount of attention from the aircraft and missiles industries. Molybdenum: This element has long been known for its ability to confer the property of high temperature stability to steels. Zirconium: Zirconium metal has a density of 0.24 lb per cu in. And a melting point of 3355 ºF. The metal has fair tensile strength, depending somewhat upon its method of manufacture. It fabricates similar to titanium, and it’s eminently suited to the resistance to corrosion. List of advantages Non ferrous metal do not corrode (aluminum for example) High thermal conductivity High electrical conductivity Non ferrous metals have relatively high density Nonmagnetic properties Higher melting points Resistance to chemical They are also specified for electrical applications They are comparatively low in electrical conductivity Non ferrous have inherent susceptibility to corrosion in some common environment Non ferrous metals are usually light weight but ferrous metals are heavier Limitation of the material in engineering applications They are not as strong as carbon steel (ferrous metal). Non ferrous metals are typically not used in structural applications. Non ferrous metals are usually more expensive by the pound than are ferrous metals. Low tensile strength but excellent specific strength. They don’t show ductile to brittle transition in low temperature. c) Polymers: Compounds that are formed by the joining of smaller layers, usually repeating, units linked by covalent bonds are called polymer. A polymer is a large molecule consists of repeating structural units connected by covalent bonds. Polymer in popular used as plastic; the term polymer refers to a large category of natural and synthetic materials with a wide spectrum of properties. Natural polymers are those which come from plants and animals have been used for many centuries; these materials include wood, rubber, cotton, wool, leather, and silk. Other polymers such as proteins, enzymes, starches, and cellulose are important in biological and physiological processes in plants and animals. The backbone of a polymer used for the preparation of plastics consists mainly of carbon atoms. Polymer in popular used as plastic, the term actually refers to a large class of natural and synthetic materials with a wide variety of properties Polymers: Polymers are classified into several ways, by how the molecules are synthesized, by their molecular structure, or by their chemical family. Linear polymer Any polymer in which molecules are in the form of spaghetti-like chains. Thermoplastics Linear or branched polymers in which chains of molecules are not interconnected to one another. Thermosetting polymers Polymers that are heavily cross-linked to produce a strong three dimensional network structure. Elastomers These are polymers (thermoplastics or lightly cross-linked thermo sets) that have an elastic deformation > 200%. Polymers are classified into three main categories; Thermoplastics: Branched polymer Any polymer consisting of chains that consist of a main chain and secondary chains that branch off from the main chain. Crystalline is important in polymers since it affects mechanical and optical properties. Tacticity Describes the location in the polymer chain of atoms or atom groups in nonsymmetrical monomers. Liquid-crystalline polymers Exceptionally stiff polymer chains that act as rigid rods, even above their melting point. Elastomers (Rubbers): Geometric isomer: A molecule that has the same composition as, but a structure different from, a second molecule. Diene: A group of monomers that contain two double-covalent bonds. These monomers are often used in producing elastomers. Cross-linking: Attaching chains of polymers together to produce a three-dimensional network polymer. Vulcanization: Cross-linking elastomer chains by introducing sulfur or other chemicals. List of advantages Polymers are ultra durable Flexible doesnt rust slow to degrade They can be molded into virtually any shape conceivable can be custom colored in the production stage Polymers are recyclable quite a good electrical insulator and has a low dielectric constant The biggest advantage for PP is its low cost It also has a flexibility in cold whether with ultraviolet stability can be easily repaired from mechanical damage with simple field tools Limitation of the material in engineering applications In the production stage, polymers are susceptible to contamination The least bit of dirt or cross-contamination w/other polymers, and at best the end product is corrupt, at worst the polymers are rendered useless Any variances in heat and timing in the molding process and, again, the final product will be corrupt or useless. lower melting point flammability Elevated temperatures will make any crystalline more isotropic non bio-degradable easily breakable when polymers incorporated with additives are burnt they emit a lot of poisonous gases into the atmosphere improper disposal leads to environmental pollution undergo oxidation and ozonation easily d) ceramics: These are materials that are produced when two materials are joined together to give a combination of properties that cannot be achieved in the original state. Ceramics can be divided into two classes: advanced and traditional. Advanced ceramics consist of carbides, pure oxides, nitrides, non-silicate glasses and many others; while Traditional ceramics include clay products, silicate glass and cement. A ceramic is an inorganic, non-metallic solid prepared by the action of heat and subsequent cooling. Ceramic materials may have a crystalline or partly crystalline structure, or may be amorphous. Agglomerated materials: Concrete: This is one of the oldest agglomerated composite materials to be used for engineering construction, and consists of a mixture aggregate and sand bonded together by the hydrated silicate the gel formed when the Portland cement â€Å"sets† with water. Ratio of aggregate, sand and cement: A very common mix consists of 4parts aggregate, 2parts sand and 1 part cement powder. The water-cement ratio: The water added to the concrete is used in the hydration of the cement itself, and any water in excess of the amount required for setting reactions has a weakening effect upon the concrete. The nature of the aggregate and sand: The bond between the hydrated cement and the aggregate and sand is improved if the both the aggregate and sand are sharp-cornered rather than rounded. Strong fine-grained igneous rocks like basalt, dolerite, and quantize are commonly used for concrete aggregate, the size of which varies with the size of the job. Mixing and laying: Under-or over-mixing gives a poor concrete, and the method of lying is of the utmost importance. Concrete vibrated into place is always stronger than concrete poured and hand-screwed Curing time: The hardening of cement occurs over a considerable length of time and it is important to prevent the evaporation of moisture .during the initial stages. Concrete is often covered with wet sand or bags for seven days to prevent the evaporation of moisture, and concrete cured under water after taking its initial set achieves its maximum strength. Asphalt paving: This is composite in which rock aggregate is bounded by viscous asphalt: it is used extensively for road surfacing. The material is not as rigid as concrete, this being an advantage for road construction. Cermets: These are agglomerates that consist of combinations of metal and ceramics, the metal acting as the binder. Cermets are made using the techniques of powder metallurgy, the sintering temperature usually being above the melting point of the metal powder. Laminates: Many different types of laminated materials are made of different applications, the mild-steel-stainless combination being a good example of a modern metal-to-metal laminate. Plywood: This is made by bonding together an odd number of sheets of wood veneer so that the grain directions of alternate sheets are perpendicular to each other. Laminated plastic sheet: This is usually made from sheet of paper or cloth and a suitable thermosetting resin. The paper or cloth passes or cloth passes through a tank containing the resin solution, between rollers that squeeze out the excess resin, and then through a drying oven in which excess solvents are removed and the resin is partially cured. Reinforced Materials: It forms the biggest and most important group of composite materials, the purpose of reinforcement always being the improvement of strength properties. Reinforcement may involve the use of a dispersed phase, or strong fiber, thread, or rod Reinforced concrete: This is the most widely used of all construction materials, since it is not only comparatively easy to place into position and finish, but is also maintenance free during its service life. Glass-fiber reinforced plastics: These combine the strength of glass fiber with the shock resistance and formability of a plastic. The usual types of reinforcement are the chopped strand mat and the woven fabric, the latter giving increased strength to the composite. List of advantages They are harder and stiffer than steel more heat and corrosion resistant than metals or polymers less dense than most metals and their alloys plentiful and inexpensive doesn’t conduct electricity Ceramics are used in the manufacture of knives. The blade of the ceramic knife will stay sharp for much longer than that of a steel knife, although it is more brittle and can be snapped by dropping it on a hard surface Ceramic engines are made of lighter materials and do not require a cooling system and hence allow a major weight reduction Ceramics are also more chemically resistant and can be used in wet environments where steel bearings would rust High-tech ceramic is used in watch making for producing watch cases scratch-resistance In very high speed applications, heat from friction during rolling can cause problems for metal bearings; problems which are reduced by the use of ceramics Durability and smooth touch. ceramic materials may be used as bone replacements Limitation of the material in engineering applications The main disadvantage of medical ceramic materials is their fragility The ceramic materials cannot deform under the stress, as can do plastics and metals Ceramics do not perform well with tension or tensional loads. A hard, brittle material that can withstand high temperatures and resist corrosion Ceramics cannot be joined (and repaired) by welding. The other disadvantage is that ceramics are strong in compression, but weak in tension Ceramics dont bend much, and when they break, instead of slowly pulling apart the way metals will, they generally snap they have a tendency to shatter when something hits them hard Q-2 An overview of the engineering properties and behavior of ferrous metals, Non-ferrous metals, polymers composites, and ceramics a) Ferrous metals. Pure iron: Easily weld able, good corrosion resistance, effective electrical conductivity. Used in iron rods Plain Carbon Steel: Expensive, soft and weak, easily weld able, good ductility, Good toughness. Used in hammers, chisels, a drill, knives, wire and dies for all purposes. Low- Alloy steel: Machinable, ductility of more, than 25%. Used in transportation, agriculture, construction, and military applications. Ultra-High-Strength steel: Ductile, Formable, and Machinable. Has higher strength that other steel. Mainly used in Bridges, towers, and pressure vessels. Medium-carbon low-alloy steel: Has low Harden ability. Used in rocket motor cases, aircraft components, including bolts, pins, main landing gears, and brake housings, and a wide variety of structural and machinery parts. Ferritic stainless Steels: Good resistant to wear and tear, highly ductile. Tensile strength – 380Mpa, Yield strength 205Mpa, Ductility 20%, High tensile strength. Good corrosion resistant. Used in furnace parts, boiler baffles, kiln linings, stack dampers, chemical processing equipment, automobile trim, catalytic converters, and decorative purposes in general. Martensitic stainless steels: Tensile strength 485Mpa, Yield strength 275Mpa. Used in cutlery, surgical instruments, valves, turboine parts, pump parts, and oil well equipment. Austenitic stainless steels: Outstanding resistance too many types of corrosion and erosion. Superior cast ability, Good mach inability, and Tensile strength 515Mpa, and Yield strength 170Mpa. Used in decorative purposes, interior show cases, automobile trim, aircraft is fitting, food handling. Precipitation-hardening stainless steels: Very high strength towards corrosion and resistance. Used for aircraft parts, nuclear reactor components, landing gear parts, high-performance shafting and petrochemical applications requiring stress corrosion resistance. Grey cast-iron: Ease of melting and casting process. Air-cooled cylinders clutch housing clutch plates. Spheroid graphite castiron: Modulus of elasticity, Wear resistance, excellent machinability, High thermal conductivity, Outstanding cast ability. Austempered Ductile iron: Higher tensile strength, higher ductility, Machinability and corrosion resistance are similar to g.c iron. Automotive and agricultural products like Axle housing, brake calipers, brake cylinders. Boiler segments, conveyor frames, bulldozer parts. Compacted cast iron: Good wear resistance used in automotives and engineering applications. Used in shafts, helical gears, couplings, and conveyor rollers. Malleable Cast iron: Higher tensile strength ductility. Fatigue life impact strength. Brake drums, discs. Cylinder heads piston rings. Used in Automotive transmission parts, clutch pedals. Steering knuckle, wheel hubs. Austentic carbon: Good fatigue strength, good damping capacity. Used in pump components valves, compressors. Alloy steels have greater harden ability than plain carbon steels Alloy steel have greater harden ability than plain carbon: The difference between the two is somewhat arbitrary definition. However, most agree that while the steel alloyed with more than eight percent of its weight of other elements besides iron and carbon steel is a strong ally. Low alloy steel is slightly higher. The physical properties of these steels are modified by other factors, making them more hardness, strength, corrosion resistance or hardness compared to carbon steel. For these properties, these alloys are often heat-treated. Carbon steel is steel that does not contain significant amounts of alloying elements other than carbon. There are three major categories of carbon steel. A low-carbon steel, medium carbon and alloy. Alloy steel is a type of steel that many advantages over steel offers. It is much harder and stronger than ordinary carbon steel by. It is used in cars, trucks, cranes, bridges and other structures can handle a large number of strains The difference between the two is defined somewhat arbitrarily. However, most agree that while the steel is alloyed with more than eight per cent of its weight of other elements being next to iron and carbon steel is strong ally. low alloy steels are slightly more frequent. The physical properties of these steels are modified by other elements, giving them a greater hardness, strength, corrosion resistance, or hardness compared to carbon steel. To achieve these properties, these alloys often require heat treatment. Carbon steel is a steel which does not contain significant amounts of alloying materials other than carbon. There are three major categories of carbon steel. low carbon steel, medium carbon steel and alloy. Alloy steel is a type of steel that offers many advantages over steel. It is much harder and stronger than ordinary carbon steel by. It is used in cars, trucks, cranes, bridges and other structures to be able to handle a large number of strainsThe difference between the two is defined somewhat arbitrarily. However, most agree that while the steel is alloyed with more than eight per cent of its weight of other elements being next to iron and carbon steel is strong ally. low alloy steels are slightly more frequent. The physical properties of these steels are modified by other elements, giving them a greater hardness, strength, corrosion resistance, or hardness compared to carbon steel. To achieve these properties, these alloys often require heat treatment. Carbon steel is a steel which does not contain significant amounts of alloying materials other than carbon. There are three major categories of carbon steel. low carbon steel, medium carbon steel and alloy. alloy steel is a type of steel that offers many advantages over steel. It is much harder and stronger than ordinary carbon steel by. It is used in cars, trucks, cranes, bridges and other structures to be able to handle a large number of strainsThe difference between the two is defined somewhat arbitrarily. However, most agree that while the steel is alloyed with more than eight per cent of its weight of other elements being next to iron and carbon steel is strong ally. low alloy steels are slightly more frequent. The physical properties of these steels are modified by other elements, giving them a greater hardness, strength, corrosion resistance, or hardness compared to carbon steel. To achieve these properties, these alloys often require heat treatment. Carbon steel is a steel which does not contain significant amounts of alloying materials other than carbon. There are three major categories of carbon steel. low carbon steel, medium carbon steel and alloy. Alloy steel is a type of steel that offers many advantages over steel. It is much harder and stronger than ordinary carbon steel by. It is used in cars, trucks, cranes, bridges and other structures to be able to handle a large number of strainsThe difference between the two is defined somewhat arbitrarily. However, most agree that while the steel is alloyed with more than eight per cent of its weight of other elements being next to iron and carbon steel is strong ally. low alloy steels are slightly more frequent. The physical properties of these steels are modified by other elements, giving them a greater hardness, strength, corrosion resistance, or hardness compared to carbon steel. To achieve these properties, these alloys often require heat treatment. Carbon steel is a steel which does not contain significant amounts of alloying materials other than carbon. There are three major categories of carbon steel. low carbon steel, medium carbon steel and alloy. Alloy steel is a type of steel that offers many advantages over steel. It is much harder and stronger than ordinary carbon steel by. It is used in cars, trucks, cranes, bridges and other structures to be able to handle a large number of strainsBottom of Form b) Non ferrous alloys Aluminum: Weak and ductile, Electrical conductivity is better. High thermal conductivity, Good resistance towards corrosion. Used in Aircraft, boats, pistons and cranks. Aluminum base alloys: copper has high electrical and thermal conductivity. Tensile strength and hardness can be improved. Used in Power lines, controllers, signaling devices. Miscellaneous copper base alloys: Electrical conductivity of 60%, Good corrosion resistance, has the Hcp structure. Used in applications like Aircraft and Spacecraft. Magnesium – base alloys: Has the melting point of 1455’C. Good formability. Good Corrosion Resistance. The pure Zinc has the melting point of 419’cIt has two types of alloys; Alloy A Good ductility Alloy B- Higher effective strength. Used in Petroleum industry, Chemical industry Food processing plants, Fuel pump, optical instruments, car doors etc. Lead-Tin alloys: Excellent corrosion resistance, Good strength. Resistant to high temperatures. Some important types of alloys, alpha titanium alloys, near alpha titanium alloys, Alpha-beta titanium alloys, Beta titanium alloys. Used in Compressor blades, Engine forging and space craft’s. Differences between non-ferrous alloys in the cast vs. wrought forms Nonferrous Alloy Specified for use in electrical and electronic applications. Reduced weight Higher strength Nonmagnetic properties Higher melting points Resistance to chemical and atmospheric corrosion. A type of cutting material is relatively expensive and must be directly casted into the form. Non-ferrous cast alloy tools have largely been replaced by carbide. Wrought alloy: Solid metal that has been bent, hammered, or physically formed into a desired shape. Wrought copper alloys can be utilized in the annealed, cold-worked, stress-relieved, or hardened-by-heat-treatment conditions, depending on composition and end use. Bronzes comprise four main groups: copper-tin-phosphorus alloys (phosphor bronze) copper-tin-lead-phosphorus alloys (leaded phosphor bronze) copper-aluminum alloys (aluminum bronzes) copper-silicon alloys (silicon bronze) Wrought copper-nickel alloys, like the cast alloys, have nickel as the principal alloying element. The wrought copper-nickel-zinc alloys are known as nickel silvers because of their color. c) Polymers: Polymers are classified in various way

asthma :: essays research papers

Introduction Most of you may not think of asthma as a killer disease, yet more that 5,000 Americans die of asthma each year. According to the Mayo Clinic web page, asthma also accounts for more that 400,000 hospital discharges annually. As the number of people with asthma increases, the more likely you are to come in contact with a person who has the disease. As far as I can remember, I have had asthma my whole life. My mother and one of my sisters also have asthma, so I have a first hand experience with it. This morning, I will discuss some interesting facts about asthma, I will specifically focus on what it is, warning signs, symptoms, causes, and the treatments that are used. What it is Asthma is best described by its technical name: Reversible Obstructive Airway Disease (ROAD). In other words, asthma is a condition in which the airways of the lungs become either narrowed or blocked. The results are usually temporary but they cause shortness of breath, breathing trouble, wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest. To know what it really feels like to have asthma, I would like everyone to pick up the straw that’s on their desk and put it in their mouth as if they were using it to drink something. Then, pinch your nose. Try breathing for twenty seconds. A real attack can last up to more than 10 minutes and you are only doing it for 20 seconds. If we had more time, I would have the class go to a stairwell and have you run up and down and see what it is like to have asthma while doing other activities. Symptoms Asthma symptoms can range from mild to very severe. A person may experience only occasional severe episodes one time and then experience frequents mild episodes. According to the book, Living Well With Asthma, there are four main symptoms of an asthma attack. Since an attack can be so overwhelming and frightening, it may be difficult to know what’s going on inside of a persons body. Here are the major elements of an asthma attack:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -Shortness of breath=described as tightness of the chest. Some people have trouble breathing during exercise, others experience it after inhaling smoke, while others need to ingest a particular food-regardless of the circumstance, all people with asthma have trouble breathing.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -Wheezing=not all people will asthma wheeze, but many do.

Romanticism in Friedrich’s “The Monk by the Sea”

Darkness, emotions, and mysticism—these are just some of the terms that can be used to describe Friedrich’s â€Å"The Monk by the Sea. † Produced in 1809, this oil on canvass ideally characterizes the period to which the artist belongs: the Romanticism. With its subject, color, style, and theme, the artist successfully evokes the main tenets common during the Romantic Age. Formalist and thematic analyses of the work can lead modern viewers to a better understanding of the work and the message that the artist wants to convey. Brief Background Caspar David Friedrich was a German painter born in 1774 in Greifswald, Germany. Despite poverty, the artist received formal art study from artist Johann Gottfried Quistorp, who conducted art sessions outdoors. Exposure to the local color and environment thus helped the artist master the art of landscape. His paintings, which generally reveal tenets of the Romantic Age, make him â€Å"one of the most important artists during his time. † (Vaughan, 1972, 65). Particularly, as Murray (2004, 338) notes, his landscapes direct â€Å"the viewer's gaze towards†¦ metaphysical dimension†. His seascape titled, â€Å"Monk by the Sea† won admiration even from the 15-year-old King Frederick III Wilhelm of Prussia, whose purchase in 1810 declared the artist’s work as his masterpiece. Analysis of Form A formalist analysis of the painting suggests the artist’s overall craftsmanship. Minimalism best defines the style that the artist employed in his work. Basically, the image of the monk, which appears very minimal and solitary, helps achieve emphasis on the subject. The minimalist use of a variety of colors for the whole background readily implies the contrast between darkness and light that the artist wants to portray. Specifically, the submission of darkness to light or vice versa narrows down the color and texture of the painting. This minimalism of color and structure thus allows the author to present some characteristics ideal to Romantic art. The whole image can be divided horizontally into three different parts, namely, the sky, the sea, and the land. The great expanse of the sky, which covers at least â€Å"five-sixths of the canvass† (Web Gallery of Art, n. d. ), attracts attention considering the light it sheds on the whole image. Through devoting much space to the sky, the artist achieves artistic drama, which is very typical of the Romantic Movement. Specifically, the center clouds where a rich combination of colors is applied, capture the motion of light breaking into the darkness and at the same time the darkness eating up the light. Such drama found in nature suggests some Romantic thoughts that draw out sentimentality from the audience. Depicting the sea with great darkness, Friedrich made it a point to limit this part to at least one-eights of the canvass. This allows the other images, such as the sky, the land, and the monk to take form, while it allows the purpose of showing the location of the monk at the same time. On the one hand, the element of darkness suggests the artist’s tendency to contemplate on the darkness of nature and its mystery. On the other, it also suggests the themes of death and the obscure, which other painters similarly dealt on during this time (i. e. Goya, Delaroix). The monk standing by the sea seems lost and forlorn, thus unable to see the great storm coming. In a description by Marie von Kugelgen, one of Friedrich’s followers, the lady wrote to her friend Friederike Volkmann: â€Å"A vast endless expanse of sky †¦ still, no wind, no moon, no storm – indeed a storm would have been some consolation for then one would at least see life and movement†¦ On the unending sea there is no boat, no ship, not even a sea monster, [which] make the loneliness even more desolate and horrible† (Web Gallery of Art). This clearly shows the initial attention that the work garnered from the public. Widely recognized for the great landscapes he formerly depicted, the artist must have surprised his followers with the dark portrayal of the sea coupled by the view of the monk who seems to submit himself unrelentingly to the vast rupturing sky and the deep dark sea in front of him. Nevertheless, the purchase of King Frederick III Wilhelm helped the work gain much favor it deserved. Later on, Clemens Brentano’s description of the work suggests the acceptance of the work by the public. From the horrible experience the work evoked in Kugelgen, Brentano notes the splendid, infinite loneliness of the monk by the shore (Held, 2003). This shows the public’s appreciation of the work, following its acceptance by the king. In Brentano’s critique, we may note the contemporary viewer’s appreciation of the work, despite the loneliness it presents. This also shows the ability of the viewer to relate to the monk’s experience, thus reflecting the positive attitude toward the theme of death, which other Romantic artists and writers demonstrate in their works. Further to the thematic analysis of the work, one can perceive the artist’s idea of communing with nature. The idea of the monk leaving the monastery in order to enjoy or contemplate the quietness and simplicity of nature strongly suggests a Romantic attitude. However, aside from portraying the greatness of nature, the view also shows that while the Romanticists regard nature as beautiful and powerful, they also view it with â€Å"sensuous nuance. † The dark colors of the sky and the sea imply the coming of a destructive storm. This reflects Friedrich’s attempt to break the usual concept of a beautiful sky at midday. Anticipating the great storm, the audience may feel a certain concern for the monk, some anxiety that destructs quiet contemplation. In addition, the combination of darkness and light yields the artist’s spontaneity and freedom. Since the monk is the only figure meant to appear at vertical angle, the rest of the image appears to be painted with free hand and brushstrokes that conjure at some point with a vanishing effect in the light colors of the sky. Furthermore, the solitariness of the monk asserts the Romantic idea of individualism. Using the monk as subject reveals Friedrich’s attempt to explore on the thoughts and emotions of a common man. Normally looked upon for their wisdom and strength, the image of the monk amid the darkness and light somehow distracts the idea of perfection among the religious members of the society. This characteristic adheres to the Romantic Age by the artist’s â€Å"rejection of traditional values of social structure and religion. (Worldwide Art Resources Web Site, n. d. ) Through the use of nature, the artist reveals the monk’s seeming confusion and loneliness as he casts view at the sea. Although the audience may have different perceptions of the experience that the monk undergoes, the image nevertheless suggests the imperfection in the life of a monk, the loneliness that they undergo, and the need to take part in the usual activity of nature. Centering on a single hero, the w ork portrays the individual struggle of every monk. By making the monk turn his back from the audience, the artist portrays his contemplation. More importantly, however, this portrayal makes the monk anonymous. Depicting a monk in this way makes his experience—his struggles and loneliness—universal in nature. It also suggests the commonness of the place, the scenery, and the emotion, to which viewers can possibly relate. Brentano’s description of the work reflects the artist’s successful attempt to make the meaning universal. According to the author, the scenery allows the viewers to relate to the scene, making one feel that â€Å"one has gone there, that one must return, that one would like to cross over†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This implies that despite the centrality of the work to the image of the monk, the audience can still relate to the contemplative experience that Friedrich depicts. The universality of the subject and the surroundings makes one long to reflect on a similar struggle the audience may have had at certain points in their lives. Another Romantic characteristic that the work reflects is the artist’s interest in the mystical aspect of life, which he portrays through the mysterious and vast skies and the dark sea. As Brentano claims, these evoke mixed feelings, â€Å"from the horror of one viewer, comes a grayness of the other† (Held, 2003, 84). Such combination of emotions that the artist draws from the audience signifies its successful portrayal of the mystical motifs in life, such as the union between darkness and light, the Apocalyptic view of the skies, and the solitude that such a view creates in everyone who witnesses it. Showing the figure of the monk amid the chaotic tendency of nature suggests the mystic relation among God’s creation. Overall, the structure and theme that Friedrich employs in his work consistently reflect valuable characteristics of Romantic art. Up to now, the darkness, emotions, and mysticism that the artist projects through his choice of subject, color combination, tone and structure still provide the modern audience with the same experience that viewers of the painting had in 1809.

Succubus Revealed Chapter 6

Fortunately, no dictionaries or bats ever came into play, and Seth and I spent a pleasant night together. He sent me off that weekend in a good mood, and during the time I was with him, it was easy to believe this might all end well. Once I began the tedious parts of travel by myself, the doubts began to set in. The ride to the airport, security, safety instructions . . . all little things in and of themselves, but each one began to weigh on me. I just couldn't see Seth moving to Las Vegas – not anytime soon, at least. That left long-distance dating, and it was hard to imagine us going through a trip like this every . . . hell, I didn't know how often. And that was another problem. What exactly did long-distance dating mean? Visits every week? Every month? Too-frequent visits meant the irritation of travel. Too few put us in danger of out-of-sight, out-of-mind complications. So, naturally, I was all worked up by the time my flight landed in Las Vegas. And strangely, I took comfort remembering Jerome's words, of all things. If Seth and I had survived the huge problem of immortal?Cmortal dating, then really, what was a two-hour plane ride compared to that? We could make this work. We had to. â€Å"There she is!† A familiar, booming voice startled me as I was waiting at the baggage claim. I spun around and found myself looking up at the tanned good looks of Luis, Archdemon of Las Vegas. I let him wrap me up in a giant hug, something he managed with remarkable delicacy, considering what a bear of a man he was. â€Å"What are you doing here?† I asked, once those muscled arms had released me. Realization hit me. â€Å"You're not here to pick me up, are you? I mean, don't you have people who have people to do that kind of thing?† Luis grinned at me, his dark eyes sparkling. â€Å"Sure, but I couldn't trust an underling to pick up my favorite succubus.† â€Å"Oh, stop,† I groaned. My bag came around the carousel, but when I went for it, Luis brushed me aside and easily lifted it up. As I followed him toward the parking garage, I couldn't even begin to picture Jerome doing something like this. â€Å"You scoff, but most of the succubi around here bore me to tears. Hell, most of our staff here does,† Luis said. â€Å"You get a full range of personalities and talent levels with so many. The exceptional and the unexceptional. You, my dear, are exceptional.† â€Å"You don't have to try to sweet-talk me into the job,† I said, smiling in spite of myself. â€Å"Not like I have a choice.† â€Å"True,† he agreed. â€Å"But I want you to be happy here. I want everyone who works for me carrying stories about how awesome I am. It ups my cred at the annual company conference.† â€Å"Jerome's trying to up his by having us beat Nanette's employees in bowling.† Luis laughed at that and led us out to a gleaming black Jaguar double-parked in the handicapped zone. Once he'd stowed my suitcase, he even went so far as to open the door for me. Before starting the car, he leaned over conspiratorially and whispered loudly, â€Å"If you want to shape-shift into something else, now's your chance while we're still inside.† â€Å"Shape-shift into what?† He shrugged. â€Å"You're in Vegas. Live the lifestyle. No need to resign yourself to jeans and sensible shoes. Give yourself a cocktail dress. Sequins. A corset. I mean, look at me.† Luis gestured grandly at himself, just in case it was possible to miss the gorgeous and undoubtedly custom Italian suit he was wearing. â€Å"It's barely noon,† I pointed out. â€Å"Doesn't matter. I dress like this the instant I get out of bed.† With a self-conscious look around the garage outside, I quickly shape-shifted out of my travel clothes and into a one-shoulder minidress that wrapped around me like a Grecian gown. The fabric glittered silvery when it caught the light just right. My long, light brown hair turned equally glam. Luis nodded in approval. â€Å"Now you're ready for the Bellagio.† â€Å"The Bellagio?† I asked, impressed. â€Å"I figured I'd be shoved off to some crappy motel ten miles from the Strip.† I amped up my makeup for good measure. â€Å"Well,† he said, backing the car out, â€Å"that is actually what the normal budget allows for when it comes to new employee visits. I was able to pull some extra funds – and dip into my own pockets – to upgrade you a bit.† â€Å"You didn't have to do that,† I exclaimed. â€Å"I could have paid for my own room somewhere.† Yet, even as I said it, I knew that if accruing funds over the centuries was easy for someone like me, it was a million times easier for someone with Luis's lifespan. The car and his suit were probably bought with pocket change from his income. He waved off my concerns. â€Å"It's nothing. Besides, my car would probably get stolen if I parked it at one of the ‘budget-friendly' places.† The car's readout told me the outside temperature wasn't that far off from Seattle's in December. The difference was in the light. â€Å"Oh my God,† I said, squinting out the window. â€Å"I haven't seen the sun in two months.† Luis chuckled. â€Å"Ah, just you wait until high summer, when the temps hit triple digits. It cooks most people alive, but for someone like you, you'll love it. Hot and dry. Doesn't get below eighty at night.† I loved Seattle. Even without Seth in the picture, I could have been happy there for many, many years. But, I had to admit, my one weakness with the region was the weather. Relative to the extremes of the East Coast, Seattle was a very mild climate to live in. That meant it didn't get very anything. Not very cold, and certainly not very warm. The hot weather we got in midsummer was fleeting, and then the mildness of the winter was marred with rain and clouds. By February, I was usually ready to start consuming entire bottles of vitamin D. I'd grown up on the beaches of the Mediterranean and still missed them. â€Å"This is great,† I said. â€Å"I wish I were visiting while it was warmer.† â€Å"Oh, you don't have long to wait,† he told me. â€Å"Another month like this, and then the temperature will start going up. You can break out your bikini by March.† I thought that might be kind of an exaggeration but returned his grin nonetheless. We were approaching the Strip and all its glory. The buildings became more flamboyant and expensive looking. Sidewalks and streets grew more crowded. Billboards advertised every form of entertainment imaginable. It was like an adult-oriented theme park. â€Å"You seem pretty happy here,† I said. â€Å"Yup,† Luis agreed. â€Å"I lucked out. Not only is the place great, but I command one of the largest groups of Hellish servants in the world. When I saw your name come up, I thought, ‘I've got to get her in on this.' â€Å" Something in his words put a crack in the rose-colored glasses I was viewing the wondrous sights around me through. â€Å"When my name came up?† â€Å"Sure. We get e-mails all the time about transfers, job openings, whatever. When I saw you were being moved out of Seattle, I tossed my hat into the ring.† I turned toward the side window so he couldn't see my face. â€Å"How long ago was that?† â€Å"Oh, I don't know. A while ago.† He chuckled. â€Å"You know how long these things take.† â€Å"Yeah,† I said, trying to keep my voice light. â€Å"I do.† It was exactly what Roman and I had talked about: the painstakingly long time Hell took with personnel decisions. Roman swore the circumstances surrounding this transfer were suspicious and implied a rush. Yet Luis was behaving as though everything had gone along according to perfect procedure. Was it possible there really had just been some oversight with Jerome's notification about my transfer? It was also possible, I knew, that Luis was lying. I didn't want to believe that of him, but I knew that no matter how friendly and likable he seemed, he was still a demon at the end of the day. I couldn't allow myself to be lulled into complete trust by his charm. We had a favorite saying among my friends: How can you tell if a demon is lying? His lips are moving. â€Å"I was surprised to be transferred at all,† I said. â€Å"I've been happy in Seattle. Jerome said . . . well, he said it was because I was a slacker employee. That I was being moved for bad behavior.† Luis snorted and pulled into the driveway for the Bellagio. â€Å"He did, huh? Well, don't beat yourself up, honey. If you want a reason for them pulling you out, my guess is that it has something to do with Jerome getting himself summoned and letting nephilim and dream creatures run rampant with his succubus.† I had nothing to say to that, but fortunately, we reached the hotel's entrance and yielded the car to a valet driver who seemed familiar with Luis and his generous tips. Entering the Bellagio, I was soon awash in stimuli – color and sound and life. A lot of the people moving in and out were dressed as glamorously as us, but plenty of average â€Å"everyday† people walked through as well. It was a mixing of all social classes and cultures, all here and united in search of enjoyment. Equally overwhelming was the intense wave of human emotion. I didn't have any magic power to let me â€Å"see† emotion, exactly, but I was very good at reading faces and expressions. It was that same knack that had let me pick out the desperate and hopeless at the mall. This was the same, except magnified a hundred times. People swung the full gamut of hope and excitement. Some were joyous and eager, either high off of triumph or ready to risk it all for triumph to come. Others had clearly attempted it – and failed. Their faces were full of despair, disbelief at how they'd ended up in this situation and sorrow over their inability to fix things. Just as obvious were the good marks. Some guys were so blatantly trolling for a hookup that I could have propositioned them then and there. Others were ideal succubus bait, guys who had come here saying they were going to keep themselves in line – but who could easily step off the edge of temptation with the right finessing. Even with my heart tied up with Seth, I couldn't help but take in and thrive under all the admiring looks I got. I was suddenly glad I'd taken Luis up on his shape-shifting suggestion. â€Å"So easy,† I murmured, staring around as we waited for an elevator. â€Å"They're just there like . . .† â€Å"Cattle?† suggested Luis. I made a face. â€Å"Not quite the word I wanted.† â€Å"Not much difference.† An elevator opened, and a cute twenty-something guy gestured me forward. I smiled winningly at him, loving the effect I had. After he exited on his floor, Luis winked at me and leaned over to whisper in my ear. â€Å"Easy to get used to, huh?† Our floor came next, and Luis nodded to our right when the door opened. A few steps down the hall, I realized something. â€Å"I have a suite?† I asked, startled. â€Å"That's a little much, even to make a good impression.† â€Å"Ah, well, that's what I didn't get a chance to tell you yet. You have a suite because it has more room. You have to share it with another new employee.† I nearly came screeching to a halt. Here it was, the catch in what was otherwise a sugar-coated fantasy. I envisioned myself rooming with another succubus and immediately knew I'd be seeking other accommodations. Succubi forced into close proximity put reality show drama to shame. â€Å"I don't want to impose on anyone's privacy,† I said delicately, wondering how I could get out of this. Luis reached a door and took out a keycard. â€Å"Nah, the place is huge. Two bedrooms and a living room and kitchen that go on forever.† He unlocked the door and opened it. â€Å"You could avoid each other all weekend if you wanted to. But somehow, I don't think you will.† I was about to question that, but suddenly, there was no need. We'd stepped into a living room as expansive as Luis had promised, all sleek lines and modern furniture, colored in shades of gold and green with dark wood trim. A long window offered a sweeping view of the city, and a man stood in front of it, admiring the panorama. I couldn't see his face, and something told me that even if I could, I probably wouldn't recognize it. That didn't matter. I knew him by his immortal signature, the unique sensory markers that distinguished him from everyone else. I could scarcely believe it, even as he turned around and smiled at me. â€Å"Bastien?† I exclaimed.

Failure is feedback Why objective opinions improve your work

Failure is feedback Why objective opinions improve your work Oftentimes in life, the difference between a crushing setback and an opportunity is perspective. HealthRise Solutions David Farbman believes that a â€Å"failure† is simply a time for feedback, an opportunity to make yourself better. Business is a long and winding road, and the ability to see opportunities for what they are (without lying to yourself) is a crucial skill for anyone trying to navigate it. [Source: Daily Fuel]

The Eastern Red Cedar and Other Popular Christmas Trees

The Eastern Red Cedar and Other Popular Christmas Trees Americans buy about 20 million real Christmas trees  each holiday season, most at retail lots and Christmas tree farms. Depending on where you live, the kind of evergreen youll find will vary. In fact, there are dozens of evergreens native to the U.S. Cant decide which one you like best? The trees below are some of the most popular Christmas varieties. Fraser Fir The  Fraser fir  is perhaps the most popular variety of Christmas tree because it is hardy enough to survive being cut and shipped across long distances. The Fraser is a native southern fir and grows at elevations above 5,000 feet. The tree has excellent needle retention along with a pleasing piney scent. The Fraser fir was named for Scottish botanist John Fraser, who explored the southern Appalachians in the late 1700s. Douglas Fir The  Douglas fir  is another common variety of Christmas tree found throughout the central and northern U.S. It is not a true fir and has its own unique species classification. Unlike those of true firs, the cones of the Douglas fir hang downward. They have a sweet scent when crushed. The tree was named after David Douglas, who studied the tree in the 1800s. Balsam Fir The Balsam fir is a beautiful pyramidal tree with short, flat, long-lasting aromatic needles. The Balsam fir and the Fraser fir have many similar characteristics and some botanists consider them extensions of the same species. However, balsams prefer cool climates and are native to the northeastern U.S. and Canada. They have a nice, dark green color and are very fragrant. The Balsam fir was named for the balsam or resin found in blisters on its bark, which was used to treat wounds during the Civil War. Colorado Blue Spruce The  Colorado blue spruce  is most familiar to people as an ornamental landscape tree. It has dark green to powdery blue needles and a pyramidal form when young. The Colorado blue spruce is very often sold as a living Christmas tree,  which includes an entire root ball and can be planted after the holidays. Its also popular because it rarely sheds its needles indoors. The spruce was chosen in 1978 and planted as the official living White House Christmas tree and is the state tree of both Utah and Colorado. Scotch Pine The  Scotch pine  is one of the most popular Christmas tree species because it rarely sheds its needles and has excellent water retention when cut. The Scotch pine is not native to America; its origins are European. It was first used in reforestation efforts in the New World. The Scotch pine tree has stiff branches and dark green needles that are retained for four weeks. Its aroma is long-lasting and lingers through the entire holiday season. Eastern Red Cedar The  Eastern red cedar  is a popular Christmas tree in the southern U.S., where it is a native species. This evergreen isnt a true cedar; its a member of the juniper family. Unlike some species that must be pruned regularly to maintain the traditional cone shape, the Eastern red cedar comes by its pyramidal crown naturally. The trees ease of maintenance makes it a favorite at cut-your-own tree farms. Its needles are a dark, shiny green color and sharp and prickly to the touch. White Spruce The white spruce is native to the northeastern U.S. and Canada, and one of the most common varieties sold as Christmas trees in that region. Like the Eastern red cedar, the white spruce has a natural conical shape that makes it easy for tree farmers to maintain. Its a common  choice for cut-your-own farms. However, some people dont like white spruce trees because they tend to shed their needles, which have an unpleasant odor. On the plus side, the trees thick branches make it ideal for heavy ornaments. Eastern White Pine The  Eastern white pine  has been valued as a timber tree for centuries, and it is commonly sold in the mid-Atlantic states as a Christmas tree. Because this variety of evergreen has very little scent, it is popular with people who suffer from tree-related allergies. Eastern white pines have excellent needle retention and stout branches to support heavy decorations. White or Concolor Fir The White fir, sometimes called the concolor fir, is known for its long, blue-green needles, excellent needle retention, and pleasing pine scent. Its commonly sold as a Christmas tree in California, where it is a native species. Virginia Pine The Virginia pine is a newcomer to many Christmas tree lots, particularly in the South. This variety was developed as a heat-tolerant alternative to the Scotch pine and has only recently been used as a Christmas tree. The Virginia pine has wide tufts of soft needles ranging from dark green to gray in color. Its limbs are stout with woody branches.

Assessment of polity and aristocracy

Assessment of polity and aristocracy Compare Aristotle’s relative assessments of polity and aristocracy. Which regime does he prefer? On what basis does he prefer one over the other? Is his preference convincingly defended?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Different types of politics are exercised in countries all over the world. It is widely discussed, studied, and practiced in different forms of administration all over the world today. Many influential philosophers and political scientists of the modern day world base their knowledge of politics on the studies, books and thoughts written by respectable philosophical scholars of the past. Aristotle, a renowned Greek philosopher discusses politics in a sequence of books called Politics. In Politics, Aristotle establishes an importance of human excellence by setting out causal principles for a clear understanding of nature of all political philosophy. Throughout his observation in the books in Politics, Aristotle sets out the conditions of a perfect state in order to fulfill the best way of life. He states in Books VII of Politics that investigating to find the best regime is essential to one’s life and emphasizes the importance preserving merits of virtue as an essential goal of politics to maintain freedom, stability and happiness. To investigate the regime Aristotle values, it is important to interrelate Aristotle’s â€Å"way of life† with the characteristics of a regime that he would prefer. This essay will introduce the six different types of constitutions that Aristotle examines in Politics, and will compare the common practices of the regimes polity and aristocracy. The analysis of the two regimes, polity and aristocracy will further reveal Aristotle’s preference of the political system, polity. Aristotle adapts Plato’s â€Å"six-fold classification† chart from his book Statesmen and categorizes the six possible types of constitutions into two groups; the correct constitution, and the deviant. Under the â€Å"deviant† constitution lies tyranny, oligarchy and democracy; and underneath the possible â€Å"correct† constitution, kingship, aristocracy and polity remains. Aristotle creates the notion of two types of humans; individuals that were of â€Å"nature free† and of â€Å"nature slaves†. He then separates the naturally free persons into two types; the prosperous oligarchs and the democrats.With the three â€Å"deviant† types of constitutions evident, Aristotle sought to find a superlative regime by taking the good traits of the erroneous regimes. An analysis of Polity and Aristocracy Polity is among one of the constitutions that Aristotle believes it to be one of the correct forms of ruling. Polity is â€Å"a mixture of oligarchy and democracy.†Oligarchy is the rule of the few, in general consisting of the wealthy citizens and democracy, rule of the people, whereas the ruling class of the poor. In polity, power between the olig archs and democrats is shared among the rich and the poor creating a balance of power among the different types of classes. It is viewed as the most stable and practical regime to Aristotle. Polity takes out the best qualities of oligarchy and democracy creating a regime in which the interests of the poor and the rich are balanced. For example, the mixture of the two constitutions is made by including some of the characteristics usually related with democracy, such as a legislative body open to all citizens, with other qualities generally linked with oligarchy such as election to high bureaus.

Case 1 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Case 1 - Assignment Example Social technologies in particular, can be associated to social networking such as Facebook and Twitter; social media like YouTube, Scribd, and Flickr; and social relevance that covers all the methods of expressing opinion through online. These technologies substantially contribute to all aspects of an organization especially in terms of generating revenue into a much broader scope of marketing. The most significant point to consider, however, is that social technologies play a crucial role in creating a continuous conversation and relationship with the company’s members, as well as in achieving growth and development. Thus, it is essential to establish an organizational voice to promote the marketing environment of a business, and such voice can be done by utilizing various tools in social technologies and other channels including the print media. In doing so, this would lead to building a good reputation for a company to transact business with the experts in an industry. More over, it is strongly advisable to use crowd-sourcing and provide more sources of information to maximize Internet readership, which allows the company to have less expenses but more creativity. Social technology, therefore, presents an opportunity of changing a chaotic business environment into one that can be easily managed. CRITIQUE â€Å"Social Technology: The Next Frontier† - Scott Klososky In this modern age, social technologies are highly influential in people’s daily lives and in the ongoing operations of the business environment. With the evolution of the Internet, the scientific innovation of products and services has offered much convenience and reliability in responding to the needs and demands of the present society. Indeed, the tools used in social technologies are one of the most innovative applications of doing things that are beyond human capacity to some extent. Not only do individuals are able to maximize the benefits of these technologies but more es pecially for businesses that allow them to raise their revenues and improve their productivity, efficiency, and creativity. In fact, the dominance of social media has affected most organizations to establish good relations and constant communication with its surrounding community, as well as with its members. Klososky (2012, p. 50) noted that as the massive influence of the social tool box is rapidly increasing, the relevance of various applications in social technologies has prompted the majority of learning how to use these tools. As for the business and its competitors, they will use their knowledge of these tools for their own advantage and for the benefit of sustaining their strategic position in the market. Given that the social media is spanning across diverse market groups, any corporate organization should be able to cope with the current trend in technology. In one way or another, they can incorporate the use of social media and networking in their marketing strategies if sustainability and building a good reputation are deemed valuable. As an opinion, social media is becoming so important mainly because the frequent usage of the internet has created a well-structured functioning in the delivery of products and services to a number of individuals and organizations. According to Rand (2013, cited in Goudreau 2013), social media are highly important to have a

E-marketing plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

E-marketing plan - Essay Example Likewise, Internet has opened diverse range of avenues for businesses to conduct their activities and the best opportunity given to companies is of E-marketing (Rossi et al., 2007). Hence, the strategy of reaching customers and enhancing the customer loyalty starts with a strong e-marketing plan. The brands whether old or new ones, all need to design an effective e-marketing plan for reaching the customers so that the company’s expansion plan is successful and the business can earn revenues as well (Krishnamurthy and Singh, 2005). E-marketing is the latest marketing strategy for all organisations these days and it offers ample advantages to the companies as it allows easy and direct access to the customers, makes tracking easier, saves a lot of time and cost and most importantly marketing efforts can be measured with utmost ease. Hence, E-marketing can be defined as the means of getting the company’s product or service or brand to the entire world in a glimpse via the u se of effective electronic mediums such as Internet and World Wide Web (El-Gohary et al., 2008 and Grimes, 2010). In other words, E-marketing is the marketing of goods, services and information via various electronic mediums. For decades, researchers have used Internet Marketing, E-marketing, E-commerce and E-business interchangeably; however, there are differences between each terminology which can be expressed by the figure developed by El-Gohary (2010) as follows: In today’s market, it is vital for companies to do more than telling a story of innovative technology; they need to take advantage of technological advancements and attract customer flow to develop a good market share. Hence, companies need to develop effective e-marketing plans and strategies that have quantifiable goals and provide measurable impact to monitor the successful implementation of an e-marketing plan (Petrovic, 2009). According to Carmen et al. (2004), the conceptual framework of E-marketing is: The performance levels of the company can be measured with the co-alignment of the strategy with the firm’s internal and external context. The web strategy is made by taking account of 4 W’s as shown in the figure above to ensure that the marketing functions are effticient. The long-term performance of the company’s website is heavily dependent on the relationship with the customers and it will be the most important factor for measuring the company’s performance. Hence, the e-marketing plan of Blackberry’s computer will be designed following the conceptual framework as highlighted by Carmen et al. (2004). BlackBerry profile BlackBerry is among the top-rated and popular brands in the smart phone industry and the devices under the brand name are designed and developed by Research in Motion (RIM). The pioneer in the smart phone industry has introduced numerous products in the market taking advantage of the technological breakthroughs happening in the wor ld. Almost all

Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 23

Leadership - Essay Example The nurses on very few occasions question the directives given by the doctors. The relationship between the doctor and the nurse functions adequately based on the principles of transactional leadership. My aunt is a registered nurse. I often talk to her and she has explained to me that the doctors have all the power in a hospital setting. To a certain degree nurses must always comply with eth directives of the doctors. The doctors are the ones ultimately responsible for the well being of the patients. The use of transactional leadership is customary in the hospitals since the doctors give the nurses instructions and mandates on how to take care of the patients. If anything goes wrong during the treatment the nurses are not as liable as the doctors, thus this is probably one of the reasons doctors are so strict in their mandates. A doctor’s license is worth millions of dollars over the lifetime of a doctor. Transactional leadership is the most effective way for doctors to interact with

After reading chapter 6 and 7 of the textbook, Philosophy the Power of Assignment

After reading chapter 6 and 7 of the textbook, Philosophy the Power of Ideas, answer the following questions - Assignment Example ne Descartes, however, realized that although he could doubt everything else, he could not doubt his very own existence because existence is a sine qua non for doubting. His doubting self/existence therefore became the starting point of his theory of knowledge. Having proved his existence, Rene Descartes went on to prove the existence of God. Descartes argued that since doubting is less perfect than to know/knowledge, he was an imperfect being; Descartes realized that there must be a perfect being that does not doubt, a being that knows everything. Descartes concluded that the perfect being is God. Descartes, therefore, argued that God is the truth and all other things share in the truth of God. God therefore became the metaphysical basis of Descartes’ Epistemology. Descartes concluded that everything that we can conceive clearly and distinctly is true because it is a participation God, the truth itself. An evaluation of Descartes theory of knowledge shows that the theory was a phenomenal milestone in Philosophy, the theory challenged Philosophers to base their arguments only on logical truths, rather than, on believes and doctrines that have no logical basis. Question 2. Thomas Hobbes was a thorough going materialist. Hobbes argued that all reality is material, including thoughts, feelings and ideas. Hobbes argued that all reality in the universe can be explained in material form, i.e. in terms of the motions and the interactions of material bodies. For this reason, Hobbes denied existence of any immaterial reality. For this reason, Hobbes saw human beings as machines, operating solely according to the physical laws; For Hobbes therefore all human actions can be explained in terms of cause and effect. An evaluation of this theory reveals one glaring shortcoming: Hobbes did not give a sufficient and convincing account of how human thoughts and ideas are material in nature; Hobbes did not give a convincing argument on how the motions and interactions of

Health Care Reform and Nursing Profession Term Paper

Health Care Reform and Nursing Profession - Term Paper Example A study conducted by the World Health Organization (1999) revealed that the health care system in United States ranked 37th in overall performance and 72nd in overall level of health among 191 nations reviewed in the study. Again, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (2012), the number of people without health insurance coverage rose from 49.0 million in 2009 to 49.9 million in 2010. A recent study also revealed that more than 44,800 excess deaths occur annually in U.S. due to lack of insurance (Wilper, Woolhandler, Lasser, McCormick, Bor, & Himmelstein, 2009). These were the major driving factors that led to the release of the health care reform act, also called the patient protection and affordable care act or the PPACA. The U.S. Health care reform act extends healthcare coverage to nearly 32 million people by providing subsidies for people who cannot afford insurance on their own, developing consumer-friendly rules clamped on insurers, offering tax breaks and developing marketplace s to shop for insurance plans (Frellick, 2010). This act gives new opportunities to nurses to deliver care and play a vital role in leading change. It challenges nurses to do more to prevent diseases, provide chronic care management especially to the growing geriatric population and offer end-of-life care that focus on comfort and compassion. Following are some of the provisions in the healthcare reform that affect nurses: Reauthorization of Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs The new healthcare reform reauthorized some of the major workforce development grant programs like advanced education nursing, workforce diversity grants, nursing education, practice and retention grants and nursing student and nurse faculty loan programs (Health Resources and Services Administration, n.d.). In 2010, $243 million was allocated towards Nursing Workforce Development Programs (Wood, 2011). These programs have been made available to promote nursing education through loan repayment an d scholarship programs and ensure that there are enough nurses to care for the growing healthcare needs in the future. These grant programs under the Public Health Service Act are the chief source of federal funding for nursing education (Frellick, 2010). Nurse-Managed Health Clinics The passage of the U.S. 2010 Health care reform act has resulted in the authorization of nurse-managed health clinics (NMHCs) which are nurse practice arrangements where advanced practice nurses serve as primary care providers, managers and administrators (Esperat, Hanson-Turton, Richardson, Debisette, & Rupinta, 2012). NMHCs provide health care services ranging from basic health promotion and disease prevention approaches to full service primary care including chronic disease management programs to the underserved populations and is associated with a school, college, university or department of nursing, federally qualified health center or an independent non-profit health or social service agency (Espe rat et al., 2012). These NMHCs provide a ‘safety net’ for medically underserved populations in crucial health care access points in areas where primary care physicians are in short supply (Frellick, 2010). In 2010, the Human Resources and Services Administration released $14.8 million in prevention fund dollars to support grants to 10 NHMCs, but this funding was not renewed in

Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 23

Leadership - Essay Example The nurses on very few occasions question the directives given by the doctors. The relationship between the doctor and the nurse functions adequately based on the principles of transactional leadership. My aunt is a registered nurse. I often talk to her and she has explained to me that the doctors have all the power in a hospital setting. To a certain degree nurses must always comply with eth directives of the doctors. The doctors are the ones ultimately responsible for the well being of the patients. The use of transactional leadership is customary in the hospitals since the doctors give the nurses instructions and mandates on how to take care of the patients. If anything goes wrong during the treatment the nurses are not as liable as the doctors, thus this is probably one of the reasons doctors are so strict in their mandates. A doctor’s license is worth millions of dollars over the lifetime of a doctor. Transactional leadership is the most effective way for doctors to interact with

Health Care Reform and Nursing Profession Term Paper

Health Care Reform and Nursing Profession - Term Paper Example A study conducted by the World Health Organization (1999) revealed that the health care system in United States ranked 37th in overall performance and 72nd in overall level of health among 191 nations reviewed in the study. Again, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (2012), the number of people without health insurance coverage rose from 49.0 million in 2009 to 49.9 million in 2010. A recent study also revealed that more than 44,800 excess deaths occur annually in U.S. due to lack of insurance (Wilper, Woolhandler, Lasser, McCormick, Bor, & Himmelstein, 2009). These were the major driving factors that led to the release of the health care reform act, also called the patient protection and affordable care act or the PPACA. The U.S. Health care reform act extends healthcare coverage to nearly 32 million people by providing subsidies for people who cannot afford insurance on their own, developing consumer-friendly rules clamped on insurers, offering tax breaks and developing marketplace s to shop for insurance plans (Frellick, 2010). This act gives new opportunities to nurses to deliver care and play a vital role in leading change. It challenges nurses to do more to prevent diseases, provide chronic care management especially to the growing geriatric population and offer end-of-life care that focus on comfort and compassion. Following are some of the provisions in the healthcare reform that affect nurses: Reauthorization of Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs The new healthcare reform reauthorized some of the major workforce development grant programs like advanced education nursing, workforce diversity grants, nursing education, practice and retention grants and nursing student and nurse faculty loan programs (Health Resources and Services Administration, n.d.). In 2010, $243 million was allocated towards Nursing Workforce Development Programs (Wood, 2011). These programs have been made available to promote nursing education through loan repayment an d scholarship programs and ensure that there are enough nurses to care for the growing healthcare needs in the future. These grant programs under the Public Health Service Act are the chief source of federal funding for nursing education (Frellick, 2010). Nurse-Managed Health Clinics The passage of the U.S. 2010 Health care reform act has resulted in the authorization of nurse-managed health clinics (NMHCs) which are nurse practice arrangements where advanced practice nurses serve as primary care providers, managers and administrators (Esperat, Hanson-Turton, Richardson, Debisette, & Rupinta, 2012). NMHCs provide health care services ranging from basic health promotion and disease prevention approaches to full service primary care including chronic disease management programs to the underserved populations and is associated with a school, college, university or department of nursing, federally qualified health center or an independent non-profit health or social service agency (Espe rat et al., 2012). These NMHCs provide a ‘safety net’ for medically underserved populations in crucial health care access points in areas where primary care physicians are in short supply (Frellick, 2010). In 2010, the Human Resources and Services Administration released $14.8 million in prevention fund dollars to support grants to 10 NHMCs, but this funding was not renewed in

Cultivating Culturally Responsive Leaders Essay Example for Free

Cultivating Culturally Responsive Leaders Essay The purpose of this study is to make school administrators aware and familiar with the challenges and obstacles ELL students encounter. With such a growing population of ELL students, teachers are having to become more and more aware of instructional strategies. Teachers are now being held accountable more than ever for their student’s performance and need to make sure every student makes learning gains. With South Florida’s increasing ELL population teachers are struggling to get these students, whose first language is not English, to speak, read, and write proficiently in English before they take the FCAT or by the end of the year to be able to show learning gains. This case study will take place at Winston Park K-8 School. Winston Park is located in a suburban, middle to lower class multiethnic community in the southwest section of Miami-Dade County. The student population is composed of eighty-six percent Hispanics, nine percent white, one percent black, and four percent other. Sixty percent of the students are eligible for free and reduced lunch, 46% are ELL, six percent are SWD, and four percent are gifted students. Average daily attendance is 98%. There is a total of 96 instructional staff members. Ninety-one percent of the instructional staff is highly qualified. Twenty-six percent of teachers have received advanced degrees. Parental involvement is high and growing. The student interviewed is an eight-year-old third grade student. Gabriela came from Cuba in March of 2012. Gabriela and her family came from Cuba in search of freedom and a better life. Gabriela came to the United States with her father and mother. Gabriela states that they lived in a poor neighborhood and struggled to get the little food that they did to put on the table. After school Gabriela would go to work with her mom at a farm to pick fruits, vegetables, and even milk cows. Gabriela has showed great growth in the one year that she has been in the Miami-Dade County Public school system. Although Gabriela has attended Winston Park from the beginning of this school year, this is the second school she’s attended in the district since arriving from Cuba. Gabriela’s mom informed that she was very unhappy at her previous school but that now Gabriela loved waking up in the morning to attend school. Even though both of her parents work they are very involved in her studies and will stop at nothing to make sure Gabriela gets a good education. Gabriela is not your average recently arrived ELL student. In the short time she has been here, Gabriela has learned to read, write and comprehend English just as well, if not at times better than many of her non-ELL classmates. Gabriela has made Honor Roll every nine-week grading period and was even referred to be tested for the gifted program. In this case study we will answer how do ELLs, their parents, teachers, and other stakeholder understand ELLs academic experiences in school and how can administrators work be informed by a case study that focuses on ELLs and their experiences in Florida schools. Literature Review In reviewing literature based on paired reading and fluency increase, I found several sources that supported my hypothesis that pairing low (ESOL) and high (Non-ESOL) students during reading is an effective intervention. These findings are particularly significant to those educators who are seeking ways to help students with reading fluency difficulty. Reading fluency is important for comprehension. When students read efficiently and accurately, then they can comprehend what they read more easily. In primary grades, students learn to read but in upper elementary grades students read to learn. What is fluency? According to the National Reading Panel (2000), fluency is the ability to read text aloud with speed, accuracy, and proper expression (Armbruster, Lehr, Osborn, 2001; Meyer Felton, 1991; Rasinkski, 2003). Fluent readers can recognize the majority of the words they read automatically without having to decode individual words; they are ble to dedicate their attention to the ultimate goal of reading: comprehension. Fluency is the bridge between word recognition and reading comprehension (Kuhn Stahl, 2000; Nathan Stanovich, 1991; Rasinksi Padak, 2004). While studies have not determined the ideal number of times necessary to achieve reading fluency, researchers say the more times the better. A typical reader needs to read a passage four times to reach maximum fluency levels (National Reading Panel, 2000). Beginning readers and struggling older readers tend to read slowly, haltingly, and with little or no expression. Often as a result, text comprehension is affected, confidence levels are low, and they do not enjoy reading. Therefore, fluency is and should be a primary goal of literacy instruction. The oral reading fluency norms for grades 1-5 are: 1st 53-111, 2nd 89-142, 3rd 107-162, 4th 123-180, and 5th 139-194 (Hasbrouck Tindal, 2006). While conducting my research, I found different types of reading interventions that can help increase an ESOL student’s fluency: Choral Reading, Duet Reading, Audio-Recorded Books, Echo Reading, and Paired Reading (Hudson et al. , 2005; The Partnership for Reading, 2001). In choral reading, a group of students read aloud from the same selection. The teacher can read along to set the pace and model targeted skills. Students can improve their fluency skills, including appropriate pausing and expression, by reading along with a group of readers or with a strong reader as a partner (Hudson, 2005). In duet reading, a stronger reader is paired with a less-fluent reader. The stronger reader sets the pace and provides visual tracking by moving his or her finger below each word as it is read in unison. In audio-recorded books, the student reads aloud with an audio-recorded version of a book. The purpose is to encourage the weaker reader to read along with the tape. In echo reading, the adult reads a short passage and then invites the child to â€Å"Say what I say† or â€Å"Copy me,† encouraging the child to repeat what the adult has read (Robertson Davig, 2002). In this way, the adult models fluent reading and then provides the child with an opportunity for immediate practice. In paired reading, children who are struggling with reading fluency are paired up with a more capable reader. In this strategy, the fluent reader and reader take turns reading by lines or pages (Mathes, Fuchs, Fuchs, Henley, Sanders, 1994). In evaluating the different types of reading interventions, I found that paired reading is the most commonly used to increase fluency. According to the report of The National Reading Panel (2000), guided repeated oral reading is the most effective procedure for developing reading fluency (Kuhn Stahl, 2000; Rasinski Hoffman, 2003). Paired reading was originally developed as a strategy for parents and children reading at home, but it is easily adapted for classroom use in intervention lessons (Morgan Lyon, 1979; Topping, 1989). Paired reading requires the reading partners to read aloud. Reading aloud to elementary school students can have many beneficial effects; it improves their language skills, motivates them to read on their own, makes students familiar with books, and expands vocabulary (Saban, 1994). Research indicates that repeated paired reading leads not only to improving in reading the passage but also improvement in decoding, reading rate, expression, and comprehension of passages that the reader has not previously seen (Dowhower, 1994; Kuhn Stahl, 2000; National Reading Panel, 2000). Rasinski and Fredericks (1991) reported on a paired reading project launched by the Akron, Ohio Public School System; the results of the project suggest that paired reading also helped improve reading performance but in addition helps improve reading motivation and child bonding. Studies on paired reading showed that students of all ages can make extraordinary reading gains. In one study of paired reading over a period of six to ten weeks, students made a gain of at least six months in reading (Limbrick, McNaughton, Cameron, 1985). In another study, students made an average of three months gain for every month of paired reading. The less proficient readers were not the only ones who benefited; the student who served as the tutor also made substantial gains in their reading abilities (Topping, 1989). In summation, the characteristics of the paired reading instruction (positive one-to-one collaboration between skilled and less-skilled readers, reader engagement, practice, evidence of progress, and reader expression) support my hypothesis that pairing a low and high student during reading is an effective intervention for fluency increase. It may promote rapid turnaround in reader proficiency for less-skilled readers. Furthermore this finding is particularly significant to those educators who are seeking ways to help students with reading fluency difficulty. Method Three people participated in this study: Gabriela, an eight-year old student in third grade and an ESOL level one, her mom and the teacher, Mrs. Sanz. Everyone has given full consent and agreed to interview with us and give us information on Gabriela and their culture. Every person interviewed was cooperative and helpful throughout the interview. The teacher was a crucial part to our interview since she is the one who works directly with Gabriela on a daily basis and can best describes her strengths and weaknesses. During the interview, we asked Mrs. Sanz to please provide us with information and data about Gabriela. We explained to her teacher and mother that all of Gabriela’s information would be kept confidential and that her name would be changed for privacy purposes. Some of the data we collected was from the SAT (Stanford Achievement Test), FAIR (Florida Assessment in Instruction and Reading), and the CELLA (Comprehensive English Language Learning Assessment). While the teacher pulled out useful pieces of data she gave us a synopses of how Gabriela is in class and how she is getting along with all the other students. Mrs. Sanz feels she’s a bright young girl (probably gifted) with lots of potential. She is self-directive and puts forth maximum effort. Mrs. Sanz also told us Gabriela enjoys helping the other students in class. Mrs. Sanz feels this may be due to the high level of importance her parents have instilled in her regarding school. Sandra, Brenda and Mrs. Sanz all discussed and analyzed the data and we identified all her strong areas as well as a few minor weak areas. Sandra Ramallo and Brenda Gomez conducted the study. Sandra and Brenda were both present at all interviews and had the opportunity to talk to each interviewee. Since the study was conducted by both Sandra and Brenda the work load was distributed amongst each other. Brenda worked on the introduction, method, findings, and consent forms. Sandra worked on the literature review, discussion, and the transcription of the interview.

Qualitative And Quantitative Research Methods Computer Science Essay

Qualitative And Quantitative Research Methods Computer Science Essay Qualitative research is involves using various methods ranging from participant observation, interviews, and action research, to ethnography, document review and grounded theory in order to investigate and explain phenomena of predominantly human sciences. However, qualitative research can also be found in various other disciplines, subject to suitable methodologies. A general shift in orientation of Information Systems (IS) has resulted in an elevated focus on organizational and managerial rather than technological issues. The reorientation also requires qualitative research to enter the discipline of IS, which used to be exclusively relying on quantitative research for testing its theoretical body. This paper is to review and discuss the methods of qualitative research with the aim of identifying their suitability for research in Information Systems. Based on the limitations and benefits of the individual research methods, a framework for applying such methods will be presented to be considered as a vantage point in applying such methods scientifically. Introduction The concept of methodology refers to the principal way of going about doing research or practicing the discipline in its present activities. Consequently, the term research methodology refers to the way research is being conducted within the discipline, and normally this is methodology is confined to the respective scientific discipline. Research methodology refers to all the methods employed specifically when doing research, e.g. the subjects interviewed, the materials used, the methods used to collect data, etc. The aim is to accurately and exhaustingly describe and list all parameters which led to the obtaining of a certain set of data, so that it could be repeated elsewhere and by other researchers. The methodology also specifies the upper and lower limits, the exact circumstances under which the research was conducted (Alavi Carlson, 1992) (Myers, 1997) (Orlikowski Iacono, 2001). The emergence of computer science and the absence of a research tradition like the disciplines of physics, chemistry, or biology led to the predominance of a technical perspective on information systems. Realizing the tremendous social consequences of information systems, computer science and technology on people and society has paved the way for using qualitative research in this discipline. Not surprisingly, researchers such as (Mangan, 2004) have pointed out the increasing occurrence of qualitative research methods in information system research and its related management areas. Discussion The human desire to shape the world and materialise ideas and concepts brought on us many notoriously failing, yet at other times marvellously ingenious pieces of engineering and concepts of grandeur, which is unique to human life as much as we are able to reflect on ourselves and our actions. This paper is to discuss computer science by defining the terms science and scientific method in relation to the Theory of Science. Based on the writings of (Kuhn, 1962) (Carnap, 1994) (Popper, 1999)and (Chalmers, 1999), the relationships between science, research, development and technology is explored. Computer Science has as its object of investigation the computer as a technology, as a tool to structure knowledge and information in and about our world. As much as computer science is based in mathematics and logic, its theoretical and experimental research methods follow that of classical sciences. However, computer science also features those unique methods of modelling and simulation which have drawn and transformed other sciences while impacting tremendously on artistic and commercial fields. In maintaining a close relationship with technology, computer science is subject to a continuous development parallel to modern life, though lacking a scientific tradition of classical sciences. By the time computer science emerged in the late 1940s, it was more of a bringing together of various existing sciences, culminating in various concepts of other sciences (logic, mathematics, physics) to be re-assembled to bring forth a new theory and practice of general abstraction and specific design. Though termed computer science, however, it is not so obvious that the field qualifies as a science in the traditional sense. Still a young discipline, it also started out very differently than for example similar classic Greek sciences such as mathematics and physics. The historical development of computer science brought about an age of dramatically increased communication, which, for one, allowed other sciences to communicate much more effectively than ever before, while at the same time allowed a holistic view of our world to emerge and establish itself amongst most of todays societies. What is commonly referred to as science can be described a systematic observation of phenomena by means of (certain) sets empirical and logical methods in order to understand such phenomena. We consign to a certain understanding of phenomena, once we have a theory which can help us to explain such phenomena why they are what they are, or why we experience them as we do, whether they follow a certain pattern, etc. Traditionally, the scientific enquiry is first and foremost concerned with the physical world, with empirical phenomena which require logical and empirical methods to observe, describe and explain such phenomena. As such, science is divided into several specific sciences in order to cut down on complexities. Natural sciences contain fields such as physics, chemistry, geology, biology, etc., while social sciences refer to psychology, sociology, economics, anthropology, etc. The humanities refer to areas of investigation such as philosophy, history, linguistics, etc., while culture refers to areas such as religion, art, etc. A special class of science is logic and mathematics, in that they are exclusively abstract fields of enquiry with no need to refer to the physical world in any way. What is referred to as science is also a body of knowledge that is more or less organized, and which gives rise and consistency to the agreed logical and empirical methods employed in going about the observation and explanation of phenomena. However, science is also the concrete application of such organized knowledge to the physical world. Science attempts to explain and understand the physical world. It is important to note that science is always an after-the-fact effort in understanding the observed phenomena. Scientific knowledge is not a priori, meaning, it never occurs before the observation. This is different for logic and mathematics, in that knowledge in these fields does not presuppose an observation. In these fields, conclusions are reached by logic, while at the same time logic is the object and field of investigation. Science presupposes an order in the natural world which structures and order everything in the universe, an order which is relatively constant, and which can be discovered in order to gain increased levels of knowledge about the world. In the end, science is an expression of human curiosity and a desire, and ability, to solve problems. Such problem-solving endeavours eventually lead to the building of theories, attempting to unite and unify all our observations, or a subset of observations into rational structures which depict the natural world. As such, theories are nets cast to catch what we call the world: to rationalize, to explain, and to master it. We endeavor to make the mesh ever finer and finer. (Popper, 1999) The Scientific Method There is no single scientific method. While one could define the scientific method as a set of practices which scientists use to answer questions within their specific field of research or investigation, the methods employed can vary significantly. Some of the methods used for scientific enquiry are of logical nature, as they refer to arriving at deductions from certain hypotheses, or as they refer to causal relationships and their logical implications. Other methods are of an empirical quality, in that they refer to making observations, the designing of instruments (e.g. to collect data), or the designing of controlled experiments. However, all and any scientific method employed is subject to the criterion of being replicable and repeatable. Any other person should be able to duplicate the very experimental setup or enquiry, and produce either the same results, or dissimilar results. This is also a strong indicator of scientific methods being impersonal, or put differently, unless another person can duplicate the results of another scientist, this serves as a sign that there are substantial errors in either the design, the methodology, or the interpretation of such results. Scientific methods are used to generate the logical limits or environment within which to generate information, which can serve either as a result of certain questions asked, or as input to questions to be asked. Such methods also serve to establish scientific theories about whatever can be theorised about in the context of the specific research environment. In science, everything is theoretical until substantiated by logical deduction (or induction), empirical proof, or a combination thereof. The scientific method is characterised by the very nature of science, in that it is never absolute, constantly in a state of being changed and reviewed. All findings are negotiated in empirical terms, and this positivist negotiating process is a recursively self-correcting process which roots science exclusively in the empirical paradigm. It should be noted, though, that the scientific method is just that, a method, a set of human practices geared and calibrated towards obtaining knowledge about the world in a certain, exclusively positivist way. Researchers such as (Feyerabend, 2000) et al. maintained that all human epistemological endeavours, and with that all scientific endeavours, do not arise from a vacuum. All human experience and thought are based on prior experience and thought, thus all experimental data is rather theory-contaminated. This bears specifically on computer science, in that the design of experimental equipment has to follow a similar pattern like the scientific method exemplified above in order to maintain a verifiable baseline. Qualitative Research The most common differentiation between various research methods is that of quantitative versus qualitative research methods. Quantitative research is concerned with quantifiable data, objective measures which can be repeated always and everywhere, given that all parameters which could influence the measurement process have been analysed and specified in the research design. This is the predominant research methodology of all natural sciences (Myers, 1997), and includes methods such as e.g. mathematical modeling (also used in computer science), test performance scores, measurements (weighing, counting, etc.), but also context-free survey responses. Qualitative research is about evaluating, measuring, and understanding of social issues (e.g. in sociology) or human problems (e.g. in psychology), as embedded in a social context featuring the influence of subjective opinions, goals, objectives or understandings (Cresswell, 1994). Here, more than often, it matters for example how questions and statements are worded, and how such is understood across various cultures, societies, groups, or individuals. Accordingly, the methods employed range from participant observation to interviews and questionnaires, in short, whatever method is suitable to elucidate the very quality of a situation or condition. The fact that the Information Systems discipline is rooted in the engineering tradition due to its positivist qualities regarding computer science and the activities around designing and building computers, prototyping and modelling have led researchers such as Roger Clarke to indicate that positivist approaches alone are insufficient to gather the interpretive aspects and qualities which often are emergent phenomena when approaching Information Systems from a management perspective (Clarke, 1995). Positivist Information systems research was classified as positivist by researchers (Orlikowski Baroudi, 1991), provided such research provided quantifiable measures of variables, hypothesis testing and formal propositions about a problem, the phenomenon and the sample of the population. Researchers such as (Yin, 2002) and (Marzanah, 2007), on the contrary, have exemplified the applicability of case study research as a valid approach to information system research. Interpretive Notwithstanding the ideals and benefits of a positivist approach to the world, not all phenomena can be accorded for by an empirical approach as practiced in the hard sciences of physics et al. The attempt to understand the complexities of a subjectively experienced but socially constructed reality in which it is important to understand the context within which such processes happen and meaning is imbued on a multitude of processes and relations, has fostered the scientific approach to history and culture, and the embeddedness of human life into such complex systems (Orlikowski Baroudi, 1991). Irrespective of the perspective on such negotiated contexts, qualitative research still aims at maintaining the objectivity of the researcher as he/she attempts to collect data for interpretation. Likewise, the use of qualitative research in the Information Systems discipline is aimed at producing an understanding of the context of the information system, and the process whereby the informatio n system influences and is influenced by the context (Walsham, 1993). Engineering The movement from logic and mathematics to natural science, social sciences, the humanities and culture is an indication that human society developed parallel to human thought as contained in the purely natural sciences concerned only with the natural world. The development of science beyond those natural sciences and logic and mathematics is to show that humans were successfully integrating and re-integrating the then current knowledge to include further areas of interest which do not correlate with the traditional field of investigation of the respective sciences, i.e. humans were repeatedly relating one subject with another, say, the functions of vitamins in the human body with the effects thereof within a social context. The emergence of computer science was possible by the inclusion of mathematics and logic, in the form of the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), while at the same time drawing on physics, chemistry, biology and psychology. Since its inception in 1936 as a branch of mathematics, computer science has been limiting itself to an exploration of how mathematics can be codified by and into mechanistic explanations and principles, with the earliest computer programs being FORTRAN in 1954 to solve problems in numerical analysis, and LISP in 1958 to solve problems in symbolic processing. Computer science is more of a meta-activity, in that it reflects on the practice of writing software programs or designing computer hardware. More precisely though, computer science is concerned with the design, development and investigation of empirical methodologies and logical concepts that are the basis of the scientific activities of specifying, developing, implementing and analyzing computational systems (Eden, 2007). Qualitative Research Method in Information System IS research has been the study of processes related to the development of IS applications and the effects that IS applications have on people, particularly in formal settings such as organizations. The importance of IS research until now, has led to a number of different research approaches and methods, usually adapted from other disciplines such as sociology, natural sciences, and business studies. Harvard colloquium on qualitative IS research methods and QualIT conference in Griffith University in Brisbane on November 2005 have highlighted qualitative research, as a distinctive research approach. Qualitative research methods were developed in the social sciences to enable researchers to study social and cultural phenomena. Qualitative data sources include observation and participant observation (fieldwork), interviews and questionnaires, documents and texts, and the researchers impressions and reactions. According to Northcutt McCoy (2004), Myers (2006), and Hesse-Biber Levy (200 6), there are four research methods being used by IS researchers. The research methods are the case study research, ethnography, action research, and grounded theory. Case Study Case study research is the most common qualitative method used in information systems (Alavi and Carlson, 1992). Yin (2002) defines the scope of a case study as an empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon within its real-life context, especially when the boundaries between phenomenon and context are not clearly evident. Yin further suggested the following steps techniques for organizing and conducting the case study research. The steps are to determine and define the research questions, to select the cases and determine data gathering and analysis techniques, prepare to collect data, collect data in the field, to evaluate and analyze the data and lastly preparing the report. There are numerous case study research, in the organizational context for the implementation of information systems, to illustrate and investigate theories related to IS and organization. Ethnography This is the research method of anthropology with its emphasis on culture. It is undertaken by observation, interviews and examination of documents. In the research, the researchers observe their collaborators without prejudice or prior assumptions. Ethnography is widely used in the study of information systems in organizations, from the study of the development of information systems (Davies Nielsen, 1992). Ethnography according to Avison and Myers, (1995) is suited to providing information systems researchers with rich insights into the human, social and organizational aspects of information systems development and application. The goal of ethnographic research is to improve our understanding of human thought and action through interpretation of human actions in context. Basic steps recommended as a general framework for an ethnographic study (Rose et al., 1995), used to conduct an ethnographic study. The steps include preparation to understand, familiarize setting goals and access to observe. Field study to establish rapport with managers and users, observe/interview and collect data. Analysis to compile the collected data, quantify data and compile statistics, preparing report and presenting the findings. Randall, D., et al. (1999), explore the issue of legacy through the use of a long-term empirical investigation into how information technology is employed in a major UK bank. The closeness of their investigation into the day-to-day operations of the bank from the perspectives of individual users (using ethnographic techniques) identifies the embedded nature of the technology and the impact of cultural, organizational, and individual employees legacy on organizational and technical change. Action Research Action research has been promoted and practiced as one way to conduct empirical research within Information System discipline. Information system action research (Davidson, 1998) is applied research to develop a solution that is of practical value to the people with whom the researchers are working, and at the same time to develop theoretical knowledge of value to a research community. According to Baskerville, R. (1999), information system research in has led to a number of different research approaches and methods, adapted from other disciplines such as sociology, natural sciences, and business studies and is often identified by its dual goal of both improving the organization participating in the research project, and the AR practitioner is expected to apply intervention on this environment. Action Research methodology was normally chosen as a research methodology as it provides the research with an inside and working view of the research matter. AR study done is characterized by the researcher applying positive intervention to the organization, while collecting field data about the organization and the effects of the intervention. Grounded Theory Grounded theory is a research method that seeks to develop theory that is grounded in data systematically gathered and analyzed. According to Corbin and Strauss (1990), grounded theory is theory discovery methodology that allows the researcher to develop a theoretical account based on concepts, categories and propositions. There are five phases of grounded theory building: research design, data collection, data ordering, data analysis and literature comparison, and each phase were evaluated against four research quality criteria: construct validity, internal validity, external validity and reliability. Orlikowski, (1993) uses grounded theory research in the findings of an empirical study into two organizations experiences with the adoption and use of CASE tools over time. The study characterizes the organizations experiences in terms of processes of incremental or radical organizational change. These findings are used to develop a theoretical framework for conceptualizing the organiz ational issues around the adoption and use of these tools and issues that have been largely missing from contemporary discussions of CASE tools. Singh et al (2005) discussed on the challenge of methodological implication of moving from grounded theory to user requirement in IS design. Results and Discussion Conclusion A research method is a strategy of inquiry to research design and data collection. The choice of research method will influence the way in which the researcher collects data. Specific research methods also imply different skills, assumptions and research practices. According to Benbasat et al (1996), no single research methodology is better that any other methodology, and in order to ensure the quality of information system research, Clarke (1997) listed the following requirements to be present in an IS research: the research method, applied within the scientific, the interpretive or the engineering tradition, the explication of a body of theory, which in most cases needs to reach back into reference disciplines, and also the extension of the theory. This give rise to the following motivation in conducting qualitative research in IS: Spending many hours in the field, collecting extensive data, and trying to gain access, rapport, as to gain an insider perspective in natural setting, and doing exploratory studies, where variables cannot be identified, theories are not available to explain behavior of participants or their population of study, and theories need to be developed. The qualitative research does also present some challenges that the researchers might face in using the method. In grounded theory, the challenges for the researchers are to set aside, as much as possible, theoretical ideas or notions so that the analytic, substantive theory can emerge, the researcher must recognize that this is a systematic approach to research with specific steps in data analysis. The researcher faces the difficulty of determining when categories are saturated or when the theory is sufficiently detailed. The ethnography is challenging to use for the researchers as the researcher needs to have grounding in cultural anthropology, time to collect data is extensive, involving prolonged time in the field, and there is a possibility to be unable to complete the study or be compromised in the study. In case study research, some of the challenges that the researcher must face is that whether to study a single case or multiple cases. The study of more than one case may dilutes the overall due to the lack of depth. In action research methods, lack of agreed criteria for evaluating action research, further complicates the publication review process, and makes this approach a difficult choice for academics. There is also an issue in both ethical and professional problems. Researchers who do not carefully explain their research orientation may mislead clients who are expecting consulting-type performance, creating an ethical breech regarding informed consent. In the field of IS a variety of research methodologies has been explored by researchers for different aspects of research study depending on the research focus and application domain of the researchers. Whatever research method to use, there must be some way of assuring the quality of the data collected, and the correctness of interpretation. There is also the need of a framework to guide the effort, and to clarify such methodological details, as it will provide a set of guidelines for a good IS research as suggested by Checkland (1991) and Lau (1997). A framework in Table 3 is proposed and has been used by Marzanah (2007) to guide the effort, clarify methodological details as the role of the researcher, the process of problem diagnosis, the nature of the intervention, the extent of reflection and learning intended, and whether there is new knowledge to be gained in the research. The action research approach enabled us to understand the interaction of social organization and information systems, by introducing changes into these processes and observing the effects of these changes. The action research approach is proposed due to the value of capturing and explaining what is going on in real organization. By using action research, it enabled us to understand the interaction of social organization and information systems, by introducing changes into these processes and observing the effects of these changes. It serves as a checklist with its criteria and questions to assess the quality of the research. The qualitative research methodology approach is viewed as significant in IS research due to the value of capturing and explaining what is going on in real organization. It enabled us to understand the interaction of social organization and information systems, the processes and observing the effects of these changes brought forward by IS. A research framework inaction research is proposed as guidance for the research activities to be undertaken to ensure the research objectives are met. The framework would guide the research effort and clarify methodological details of the role of the researcher, the process of problem diagnosis, the real world happening in an organization, the extent of reflection and learning intended, and whether there is new knowledge to be gained.