Saturday, August 31, 2019

Bureaucracy and Scientific Management Essay

Bureaucracy, which is an important model of organization defined by rules and series of hierarchical relationships, has been the dominant role for understanding organization for decades (Grey, 2007). Since the 1960s, numerous criticisms in mainstream thinking keep emerging toward the bureaucracy asserted that the imminent death of bureaucracy is coming because the defects associated with applying rules would lead to several problems such as poor employee motivation and goal-displacement. In view of this, the implication of a move from bureaucracy to post-bureaucracy has emerged and it is being depicted as a new label of flexible specialization in volatile market. Based on trust and empowerment, post-bureaucracy and other terms including post-hierarchical, post-fordism and post-modern organization are also employed in the same sense (McSweeney, 2006). While some expert judge that the post-bureaucracy are actually more rhetorical than real and it has its own problems such as the risk, unfairness and loss of control, others highlight that the advent of the new post-bureaucratic era is still arriving since the market has been experienced a moving from mass production towards niche production in today’s business environment. While it can not be denied that the concern on the aspect of its design and efficiency in mainstream thinking toward the bureaucracy did lead to some problems in a sense, this essay will attempt to demonstrate that the bureaucracy is still relevant for understanding organizations in current business environment and the existence of post-bureaucracy should be questioned. In order to demonstrate this, according to the mainstream thinking, critiques towards bureaucracy at different perspectives and the feasibility of post-bureaucracy will be discussed at the beginning. Then it will argue the limitation of the mainstream thinking and how bureaucracy can still be relevant for understanding organizations by using examples from literatures. According to Weber, rational-legal is the basis of bureaucracy and it becomes widely adopted because it refers to a highly efficient form of organization while critiques towards the bureaucracy in mainstream thinking are basically to do with the aspect of its design and efficiency in contrast. In the popularist critiques, bureaucracy is viewed as a form of organization which is like a predictable machine with standard operations and leads to the unnecessary delay and excessive obsession with rules. Based on the mainstream thinking, Grey (2007) summarized some important problems from the popularist critiques related with the inertia and ‘Red Tape’ mentality. Specifically, because simply following the rules in bureaucracy gives rise to have little personal commitment and low interest for the workers in the organization, job satisfaction and responsibility in their minds will not be guaranteed and leads to a poor motivated customer service as well as the procrastination in paper work. In the view of the customers, due to the impersonal rules from bureaucracy, sometimes it facilitated the employees in organizations to be ‘jobsworth’ and lead to ‘buck-passing’ by hiding behind the rules when no decision is being made towards a rule-against problem until ‘authority’ comes because the typical mind in their heads. However, some managerialists such as Crozier (1964, cited in Grey, 2007) and Gouldner (1954, cited in Grey, 2007) might deal a blow to the idea that bureaucracy is rigid and impersonal because rules sometimes are completely ignored by employees in their observation. For example, safety regulations as well as equal opportunities regulations in organizations are usually being ignored because they are viewed as a commonplace and sometimes the inconvenience would get in the way of the their jobs. But it was not assured that whether the result of the observation is suit to the organizations in other industries. Yet, more overriding controversial problem in bureaucracy is the goal-displacement within organizations. In the managerialist critiques, as Robert Merton (1940) addressed in his study, bureaucracy would not always lead to the best outcome because people are more likely to follow the rules as a goal rather than its effect. In this way, it gives rise to deliver sub-optimal outcomes in organizations by ‘doing the thing right’ rather than ‘doing the right thing’. A defense for the goal-displacement would be that solutions are not all the optimum ones in every case, but bureaucracy offers an optimum average at overall level. However, another particular version of goal-displacement given by Philip Selznick (1949, cited in Grey, 2007) also poses a blow to the bureaucracy. He suggests divisionalized structures on organizations would lead to different aims towards the divisions by pursuing divisional interests but not the whole organization as the rules designed. Individual prejudices would play a central part in decision making and different aims in divisions within the organizations would very much debunk the rational image of bureaucracy. These insights above are very much pointing to the emergence of post-bureaucracy in organization. Admittedly, apart from overcoming the demerit of bureaucracy, as new forms of organizations with an open boundary based on trust and empowerment, post-bureaucracy would be more suitable for the organizations while the market is even more volatile in today’s business environment. However, post-bureaucracy has its own problems on the aspect of control and risk in mainstream thinking. Without applying rules in organizations, it is not easy to sustain the operation of organizations in an open boundary while trust and empowerment is so fragile that there is a danger that post-bureaucracy will descend into anarchy. Besides, giving employees more freedom to work in their ways would lead to the risk of making wrong decisions. Because employees might have adopted an even less efficient approach to the problems, the efficiency in the post-bureaucratically organizations would be less efficient at all times (Grey, 2007). However, some experts would try to advocate the post-bureaucracy in a different perspective. While the present business environment is moving from mass production towards niche production, organizations are chasing the trend of fitting with the flexible specialization in producing (Piore and Sabel, 1984, cited in Grey, 2007) and the rise of the network society and network organizations also provide a favorable environment for the post-bureaucracy (Castells, 1996, cited in Grey, 2007). But managerialists such as Warhurst and Thompson (1998) and McSweeney (2006) acute that the critiques towards the mass production is by no means decreasing over the world, and the new forms of operation with post-bureaucracy based on trust and empowerment are actually more rhetorical than real because few and limited practical cases of detailed type post-bureaucracy could be found in recent period so far. Therefore, the existence of post-bureaucracy within organizations should be questioned in a sense. Back to the argument discussed in the front, some limitations are worth noticing in the mainstream thinking. Although bureaucracy has its shortcomings in multiple perspectives, Paul du Gay (2000) claims that bureaucracy actually embodies fairness. It is true because people would chase for the maximum efficiency due to the demand of instrumental rationality. Ethic of impersonality and fairness in bureaucracy are required so that employees and customers are treated without prejudice and discrimination. In George Ritzer’s The McDonaldization of Society (2000), it also provides the idea that impersonality is the central of bureaucratic ethos that guarantee fairness as du Gay mentioned and this can be related to the merit of standardization in organizations. Specifically, Ritzer utilizes Mcdonaldization and sees it as the template for contemporary forms of bureaucratization. By focusing on the four dimensions including efficiency, calculability, predictability and control through non-human technology, he exemplifies the logic of standardization in bureaucracy has several advantages including economic and material reasons and contends that the proliferation of standardization has spread into more and more sectors in all kinds of area. Scientific management in bureaucracy is still very evident in organisational systems over the period. Another noticing limitation could be found on the one-sided aspect of the restriction focused on efficiency. The critiques towards bureaucracy as well as post-bureaucracy in mainstream thinking might have a different understanding if the vision is shifted from different perspectives. According to du Gay (2000), it is fundamentally doing with the power. But more importantly, it is about the question of a binary logic. Mainstream thinking concerning about the efficiency towards bureaucracy is more likely to divide whether the bureaucracy is good and post-bureaucracy is bad or post-bureaucracy is good and bureaucracy is bad. However, the division between bureaucracy and post-bureaucracy was actually much less clear-cut in current business environment. For example, in Richard Sennett’s (1998) study, he revisits what previously was a Greek bakery operating with bureaucratic rules and workers are stable unionized few decades ago. However it becomes a multinational firm with large scale and uses shifting workforce of non-unionized workers for operating the bakery machines. In this way, products are easily to shift from type to type while workers know nothing about the techniques of baking but just simply pressing the button on the bakery machine. It clearly shows how new working environment of post-bureaucracy about flexibility in production do not simply imply an empowered kind of organizational life and the ways of working are as dehumanizing as before — the combination of bureaucracy and post-bureaucracy. Bureaucracy is still very much alive in the new forms of organization. In conclusion, the concern on the aspect of its design and efficiency in mainstream thinking toward the bureaucracy did lead to some problems in a sense. However, while bureaucracy has been proclaimed is ending since 1960s and it leads to the view of emergence towards the new form of organization, post-bureaucracy has its own problems and its existence should be questioned. However, bureaucracy actually does embody fairness. While the world is stepping into a new business environment, organization operate in bureaucracy still has several advantages including economic and material reasons and the proliferation of standardization has spread into more and more sectors in all kinds of area. Bureaucracy is still very much alive and evident in modern organizational and social life, even combined within the new organisational systems.

Analysis of Competitive Environment Models and Tools Essay

Introduction   Ã¢â‚¬ËœClosed’ systems are described as systems having no relationship, communications and interface to its outside world.   Systems including human organizations, which is self-sustaining (both food producing and waste material recycling) has always been in touched with other organizations and its environment.   Imagine an entity floating in outer space carrying living organisms in it.   And such are producing their own food, energy and raw materials needed for survival.   But such entity will die in the future for it will need to replenish its need, energy to use and food to eat.   This fact makes an entity virtually lonely and survival impossible, thus organizations, social groups and social entities are interconnected. This connections and interactions render them as ‘open’ entities.   This connection allows entities to exchange the necessary things that will allow the survival and sustainability of its existence.   Organizations interact with its environment and other organizations for resources, information and technology, weapons, goods and services.   Thus transformation of organization becomes inevitable.   The point is it is a necessity rather than a requirement for organizations to work with or against other organizations and its environment for growth, survival and development.   A typical example of an entity, which houses everything that it needs and for its consumer: the hypermarkets. Hypermarket is a combination of a supermarket and a department store. It is a huge retail store which house a wide range of products. A well planned hypermarket allows a consumer to purchase everything in this type of facility. Like malls and grocery stores, hypermarkets follows a   on high-volume, low-margin sales model. The size of hypermarket facility covers an average of 150,000 square feet.   Such facilities are located on suburban and highly accessible areas for vehicles to accommodate large numbers of shoppers. (Wikipedia, 2007). In 1957, Carrefour was the first to introduce hypermarkets in 1957 owned by Fournier and Defforey (Wikipedia, sec 1).   This entity targeted a wide range of customers that the concept of housing all the necessary things human beings would possibly need was made in one entity.   Analysing this kind of organization using the different environmental analysis models and tools, we can get rich lessons from   Carrefour. The STEP checklist (Social, Technological, Economic and Political). STEP is simple and has many applications in many fields.   STEP is an acronym, which stands for Social, Technological, Economic and Political Checklist.   This method determines the factors that influences organizations/entities accurately and systematically.   The STEP checklist facilitates ease of determining the factors that influences the organization (Armson et al, 12-13). Social factors include demography, culture and values of an organization, vision and mission. The physical aspects of the society are measured by sociological factors like age, class, trends in migration and emigration, and so on.   Carrefour had integrated a multilevel marketing strategy based on this indicator.   A family as a unit has special need for each member. If Carrefour could bring all these needs in one place, the family need not go on separate ways.   As they acquire the needs, the company of each member is not sacrificed.   Exchange of opinions regarding clothes for each member and the amount of consumption and expenditure is also discussed while they go shopping around. Technological factors refer to machines, discoveries and techniques developed that improve communication, systems, and the general way of life.   Economic factors refer to the financial growth, family income and other economic indicators.   Political factor translates to the rules and regulations, government and system of governance and the political direction of the organization in terms of leadership.   Carrefour in this example had brought in together in one place the advances in technology.   The barcodes that we have, the electronic transactions that we have are all products of the chain reaction in putting together shops in one place.   The need for efficiency and fast movement of goods was conceptualized little by little. The Transformation Model The STEP model is an overview of everything that occurs in an organization.   It determines individual movement of society and its causal agent.   In transformation model, inputs determine the output using a certain ‘transformation’ process. This Input-Process-Output process has been borrowed from Ludwig von Bertalanffy in 1950 in his general systems theory (Wikipedia, par 1, sec. 1).   This theory is an approach that looks into the properties of systems in terms of relationships and processes and those that emerge from these relationships and processes which also conveys the whole. In the point of view of customer relations, Carrefour had encountered a lot of challenges that it evolved into an efficient system of customer service.   A special section perhaps dealing with product complains, product testing and purchase returns was created.   The reaction to its competitors was to move the same. Show the customer concerns and care for their needs as they value their hard earned money.   Other inputs like management had evolved from simple to complex structure.   But as this processes occurred, everything also move with them like customer perception, supplier value-adding activities, government regulations and even lifestyle of the community which they exist. Mintzberg’s ‘Physiognomy’ Physiognomy was used by palm readers to read lines in human hands in relation to the human character.   In this case, we use faces to read characters of organizations.   Mintzberg believes that organizations should forged links or ‘coalitions’.   These coalitions are useful when problems that require resolution arise.   When the different interests relating to the problem represent different groups, power groups are said to arise (Armson et al, 12-13). In addition to this, Mintzberg created ‘cast lists’ of every groups and/or coalition, which could be used as checklist also.   He named key players in these coalitions such as owners, associates, associations, and publics. Economic Sector Analysis Another method of dissecting business environment is the use of sectors and markets in the economics point of view (Armson et al, 14-15).   Economists termed sector (more like industries) in the use of economic activities.   In a sector, similar goods and services are produce such that each is affected by one another.   For example, a growing sector affects other sectors as well as the organizations within that sector.   Whether these effects are large or small, the use of sector analysis allows us to explore organizations in the same sector especially what is distinct in that organization.   Again Carrefour as a hypermarket entity pioneer spurred other hypermarket entities to compete and also join industries to lobby for government policies. References: Armson, Rosalind, John Martin, Susan Carr, Roger Spear and Walsh Tony. The Open University: Managing in Organizations: Identifying Environmental Issues. 1995. p11-15. General Systems Theory. Wikipedia- the Free Encyclopedia.   2006. Hypermarket.   Wikipedia- the free encyclopedia: 2007 â€Å"Carrefour† Wikipedia- the free encyclopedia.   12 February 2007.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Texting While Driving

Stop Texting While Driving Introduction I. Attention Getter- audience participation/ survey a. How many of own a cell phone with texting privileges? b. Now how many of you have ever texted while driving? II. Thesis Statement- Did you know that texting while driving can be more dangerous than driving while drunk? III. Credibility- I found these statistics along with other information on drivinglaws. org and various other sites. IV. Preview- Today I will be discussing statistics, a few laws in different states, and a story in hopes that I will be able to persuade you to ignore texting while driving.Body I. So as I said, texting while driving is more dangerous than drinking while driving. a. Virginia Tech Transportation Institute conducted tests using drivers texting, drivers under the influence of alcohol, and drivers under the influence of marijuana. It has been proven that texting is more dangerous than being under the influence. In fact, a distracted driver is more likely to cause a n accident 2. 8 times as much as a non- distracted driver. The statistics from the study show that drivers, between the age of 17 and 24, reduce their reaction time by 35% while texting.As a driver under the influence of marijuana, reduces their reaction time by 21% and drivers while intoxicated, only 12%. b. Every day in 2008, 800,000 are using cellular devices while driving. Also, every year, 21% of fatal car crashes involve teens results from the distraction of a cell phone. Back in 2002, Harvard Center for Risk Analysis calculated that 2,600 people die each year because of the distraction of cell phones, and another 330,000 are injured. This estimate is expected to increase 4% each year. These deaths and injuries can be avoided if people would put down their cell phones when they get behind a wheel of a car.No text message is worth risking your life. II. Now, 19 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam ban any cell phone usage while driving. One of these states includes Arkans as which is where I lived before coming to college. The governor of Arkansas has passed several bills banning any cell phone usage while driving a motor vehicle. This includes the House Bill 1013 which went into effect back in October. It bans any driver of a motor vehicle to engage in text messaging. A few other states that ban the use of a cell phone while driving are Illinois, California, New York, and Indiana has a ban on any one under the age of 18.III. A lot of young drivers have so much confidence in their driving and texting skills that they think that nothing could ever happen to them. Some of you may even think that you’re a good enough driver that you can text and avoid an accident. I don’t know how well any of you can drive, but I do know you risk your life every time you pull out your cell while driving on the road. I found this video that is too long and too graphic for this speech but I encourage you to go on youtube after this class and watch this video .Just go to Youtube and type in UK texting accident and it will be the first link that pops up. Please watch this video and you will understand why I am stressing this topic. Conclusion I just discussed with you the statistics of driving while driving, states with laws prohibiting the use of cell phones while driving, a video link to visit, and a story from my high school town. I hope you will consider the information I just shared and I strongly urge you to visit the video link, UK texting accident. All I want you to remember after this speech is that no text message is worth risking your life. Texting While Driving When the cell phone was first invented it was made as a personal safety device especially if a person lived alone or some distance from family members. Many of us may line in regions of the country where sudden tornado or hurricanes could occur without warning. Then there are other events such as fires, flooding, and blizzards that may require a quick evacuation or move to a shelter. A cell phone is important to either get help to let others know a person’s location and level of safety. In today’s society cell phone are being used for texting and talking while driving. The state of Alabama is ranked 3rd in nation for texting while driving (State ranks 3rd for texting while driving). There are only six’s states that have passed laws against driving while using a cell phone California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Washington and Virginia (Cell Phone and Texting Laws) . Driving while using a cell phone is precarious because it cause accident, injuries, and deaths between the age 16 and 17. I’d be lying if I said I never text while driving. I recognize the dangers, and try to do it as little as possible. However, there are still incidents that occur. One day, I was driving down highway 14, passing Wal-Mart, and received a text from my mother asking what time football practice was. I went to reply and took my attention away from driving. This immediately endangered myself, and anyone else in the car, with me. Due to my irresponsible action I also endanger driving that surround me while texting. I have no ability to respond to events as they occur around me on the road. Even if I may be able to text while driving and maintain control and crashing if someone around was to do something dumb, my ability to react safety is severely diminished. According to (Push to stop Texting While Driving) 45 percent of drivers between the ages 16 and 17 texting while driving and it is a problem that is growing. In 2007 nearly 1,000 crashes involved 16-17 year old drivers’ (Car Accident Cell Phone Statistics). For every 6 seconds of drive, a driver sending or receiving a text message. A trucker reaching for his or her phone or other device is 6. 7 times more likely to experience a truck accident. Amongst adult ant teenager drivers the use of cell phone has become very popular. Majority of teen drivers are influence by parents’ bad habits. They watch their parent bad habits driving with one hand while using their cellular phone. Parents need to be diligent in both telling and showing teenage drivers the safest way to drive while using a cellular phone. One good habit is pull over before making a call. According to (Car Accident Cell Phone Statistics) 52 percent of 16 and 17 year old teen drivers answer cell phone on the road. Talking on a cell phone causes nearly 25 percent of accidents in 2008. Almost 6,000 people were killed and a half million was injured in crashes related to drivers who talk on their phones. Talking on a cell phone while driving can make a young driver reaction time slower than 70 year old. There were 1. 4 million crashes caused by cell phone conversation. And the reason why this is so dangerous because 48 percent of young American from 12-17 say they have been in a car while the driver was texting or talking while driving. The reason for all that is younger people fell a need to be constant contact with other. They put these things before the safety of other on the road. That is why driving using a cell phone is dangerous. Texting While Driving Cause/Effect Essay November 23, 2011 What effect has â€Å"Text Messaging† put on our lives? The term Text Message is defined as a noun, it is an electronic message sent over a cellular network from one cell phone to another by typing words, often in shortened form as â€Å"l8t† for â€Å"late† on the phones numeric or QWERTY keypad. (Dictionary. Com) Over the years text messaging to me has been taken out of content and has been used for things you would not imagine. The younger generations as well as the old are now using text messaging a lot and a lot of people know that it is an addicting activity. Text messaging is being used for many different things in today’s society, some things good and something’s bad. For example we use text messaging at our church in our choir to let the choir members know which colors to wear each Sunday. I honestly believe that text messaging has caused a lot of people to stop spelling out words. Text messaging in my opinion was designed to be a shorter and faster way of communication but in today’s society some people have put down the cell phone but have not started back writing there whole words. I say that to say text messaging also has an affect on peoples English in today’s society. By having an effect on peoples English that causes problems with the kids in school, because it is no secret that by fourth grade if not lower a lot of kids have cell phones and they have learned the activity of text messaging. As I stated before text messaging is a faster shorter way of communication which cause’s you to sometimes break down your words or spell them in ways that are shorter, with kids doing that sometimes it can get hooked to them and when there doing there school work they can misspell a lot of there words because in their head there still texting. This can cause kids to fail there classes due to simple mistakes from texting. This can be prevented though if parents control there kids texting and put a limit on it because if not texting can go a far way such as the term sexting, sexting is sending sexually explicit messages via cell phone or instant messenger. (About. com) you may say what does that have to do with the topic, I believe it has a lot to do with the topic because when you’re talking about texting that’s a big category. The young people in today’s society have taken texting to another level because there growing up and there body is going through different things and their emotions are raging. The best way I believe parents can talk to their kids about texting is to come to them in a way where your not judging them but also letting them know the consequences it could cause and give them time to talk also while you just listen. Sexting is one of the many ways texting can affect our life. Text messaging has become so convenient that people are now texting and driving at the same time which can be very dangerous. This has caused a lot of wrecks and police are really cracking down on this activity. Texting while driving laws have been put in place in some states studies show that Texting while driving laws prohibit the use of electronic devices to write, send or read messages while driving. I have known people to get tickets for texting and driving and have had to pay large fines. In this world today people drive so reckless and careless that your eyes should be on the road at all times when you’re driving. Texting while driving could cause your life or another driver’s life. In my closing I would like to say that I hope something has been said to show you how texting has a huge impact on our lives. Texting While Driving When the cell phone was first invented it was made as a personal safety device especially if a person lived alone or some distance from family members. Many of us may line in regions of the country where sudden tornado or hurricanes could occur without warning. Then there are other events such as fires, flooding, and blizzards that may require a quick evacuation or move to a shelter. A cell phone is important to either get help to let others know a person’s location and level of safety. In today’s society cell phone are being used for texting and talking while driving. The state of Alabama is ranked 3rd in nation for texting while driving (State ranks 3rd for texting while driving). There are only six’s states that have passed laws against driving while using a cell phone California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Washington and Virginia (Cell Phone and Texting Laws) . Driving while using a cell phone is precarious because it cause accident, injuries, and deaths between the age 16 and 17. I’d be lying if I said I never text while driving. I recognize the dangers, and try to do it as little as possible. However, there are still incidents that occur. One day, I was driving down highway 14, passing Wal-Mart, and received a text from my mother asking what time football practice was. I went to reply and took my attention away from driving. This immediately endangered myself, and anyone else in the car, with me. Due to my irresponsible action I also endanger driving that surround me while texting. I have no ability to respond to events as they occur around me on the road. Even if I may be able to text while driving and maintain control and crashing if someone around was to do something dumb, my ability to react safety is severely diminished. According to (Push to stop Texting While Driving) 45 percent of drivers between the ages 16 and 17 texting while driving and it is a problem that is growing. In 2007 nearly 1,000 crashes involved 16-17 year old drivers’ (Car Accident Cell Phone Statistics). For every 6 seconds of drive, a driver sending or receiving a text message. A trucker reaching for his or her phone or other device is 6. 7 times more likely to experience a truck accident. Amongst adult ant teenager drivers the use of cell phone has become very popular. Majority of teen drivers are influence by parents’ bad habits. They watch their parent bad habits driving with one hand while using their cellular phone. Parents need to be diligent in both telling and showing teenage drivers the safest way to drive while using a cellular phone. One good habit is pull over before making a call. According to (Car Accident Cell Phone Statistics) 52 percent of 16 and 17 year old teen drivers answer cell phone on the road. Talking on a cell phone causes nearly 25 percent of accidents in 2008. Almost 6,000 people were killed and a half million was injured in crashes related to drivers who talk on their phones. Talking on a cell phone while driving can make a young driver reaction time slower than 70 year old. There were 1. 4 million crashes caused by cell phone conversation. And the reason why this is so dangerous because 48 percent of young American from 12-17 say they have been in a car while the driver was texting or talking while driving. The reason for all that is younger people fell a need to be constant contact with other. They put these things before the safety of other on the road. That is why driving using a cell phone is dangerous. Texting While Driving When the cell phone was first invented it was made as a personal safety device especially if a person lived alone or some distance from family members. Many of us may line in regions of the country where sudden tornado or hurricanes could occur without warning. Then there are other events such as fires, flooding, and blizzards that may require a quick evacuation or move to a shelter. A cell phone is important to either get help to let others know a person’s location and level of safety. In today’s society cell phone are being used for texting and talking while driving. The state of Alabama is ranked 3rd in nation for texting while driving (State ranks 3rd for texting while driving). There are only six’s states that have passed laws against driving while using a cell phone California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Washington and Virginia (Cell Phone and Texting Laws) . Driving while using a cell phone is precarious because it cause accident, injuries, and deaths between the age 16 and 17. I’d be lying if I said I never text while driving. I recognize the dangers, and try to do it as little as possible. However, there are still incidents that occur. One day, I was driving down highway 14, passing Wal-Mart, and received a text from my mother asking what time football practice was. I went to reply and took my attention away from driving. This immediately endangered myself, and anyone else in the car, with me. Due to my irresponsible action I also endanger driving that surround me while texting. I have no ability to respond to events as they occur around me on the road. Even if I may be able to text while driving and maintain control and crashing if someone around was to do something dumb, my ability to react safety is severely diminished. According to (Push to stop Texting While Driving) 45 percent of drivers between the ages 16 and 17 texting while driving and it is a problem that is growing. In 2007 nearly 1,000 crashes involved 16-17 year old drivers’ (Car Accident Cell Phone Statistics). For every 6 seconds of drive, a driver sending or receiving a text message. A trucker reaching for his or her phone or other device is 6. 7 times more likely to experience a truck accident. Amongst adult ant teenager drivers the use of cell phone has become very popular. Majority of teen drivers are influence by parents’ bad habits. They watch their parent bad habits driving with one hand while using their cellular phone. Parents need to be diligent in both telling and showing teenage drivers the safest way to drive while using a cellular phone. One good habit is pull over before making a call. According to (Car Accident Cell Phone Statistics) 52 percent of 16 and 17 year old teen drivers answer cell phone on the road. Talking on a cell phone causes nearly 25 percent of accidents in 2008. Almost 6,000 people were killed and a half million was injured in crashes related to drivers who talk on their phones. Talking on a cell phone while driving can make a young driver reaction time slower than 70 year old. There were 1. 4 million crashes caused by cell phone conversation. And the reason why this is so dangerous because 48 percent of young American from 12-17 say they have been in a car while the driver was texting or talking while driving. The reason for all that is younger people fell a need to be constant contact with other. They put these things before the safety of other on the road. That is why driving using a cell phone is dangerous.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Project management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words - 2

Project management - Assignment Example First the objective of the projects are essentials to define, then the goals of project will be stated clearly and communicated to the team members that are associated with the project, then tasks will be defined, after describing the task, resources required for the project are essential to define, the last two steps of project scope involve budgeting and scheduling (Dyal 2008). The critical path method could help penny in assisting scheduling and decision making. Penny could create efficiency, reduce uncertainty, and improve productivity through the help of critical path method. This can help in assess the earliest time by which the each activity can be completed. Through full project Gantt chart penny can evaluate the scheduling progress on the basis of individual task and whole project (Schwable 2013) Resource costing method is best to save the extra cost of utilizing resources; the second method is standard costing that helps in cost control, and the third method is activity based costing that determine the cost each activity required (Lewis 1995) Before starting any project risk assessment is the first step, risk occurs due to lack of tools, information and qualified employees. All uncertainties will be assessed through risk assessment data sheet and risk assessment matrix. Then the action plan will be created after conducting SWOT analysis of project, insurance will be taken to transfer risk and constant monitoring will be conducted to ensure the risk free status of the project. There are multiple evaluation methods but no can be said best; project evaluation methods include qualitative method. The formative evaluation methods are essential to lead up the project that is missing in the case study. The goal based evaluation is missed in the project that is necessary for any project and give ideas to the team members and management that how should the work be done in order to attain the stated goals. This evaluation encounters the SMART targets

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Pathophysiology and Structural Influence Assignment

Pathophysiology and Structural Influence - Assignment Example From regions with low concentration to high, require sodium ion gradient, utilizes energy and involve a movement of polar molecules like glucose and amino acids (Vander et al., 2001). Primary active transport - movement from regions with low concentration to high, requires ATP to function, involves the movement of ions like hydrogen, calcium, sodium, and potassium (Vander et al., 2001). c) Ca-ATPase – this system pumps the calcium ions to the extracellular fluid from the cytoplasm. Besides, in the organelles, it involves pumping of calcium to the lumen of the organelles from the cytoplasm. It utilizes ATP as a source of energy d) Na-K-ATPase – this system pumps two molecules of potassium in the cell while removing three molecules of sodium from the cell through the hydrolysis of energy. This makes the intracellular negative relative to the extracellular environment of the cell (Vander et al., 2001). The difference in charge between the inside and the outside of the cell affects the movement of cations and ions across the membrane. When there is a net charge difference the cations and anions will move in the direction with a low concentration of the molecules until both sides of the cells attain an equilibrium during which the cell would be referred to be in a resting membrane potential (Vander et al., 2001). Monogenetic inheritance is called so because it involves a single genetic disease. The changes in DNA sequence happens at a single genetic code. The modes include X-linked (sex-linked, and sex-limited), autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant, abnormal mitochondrial gene (Vander et al., 2001). Hormonal hyperplasia is a type of abnormal medical condition that involves proliferation of tissues involved in the production of hormones. The proliferation leads to increase in the production of the chemical substances called hormones. In the hormonal hyperplasia, the general structure of the cell or the tissue remains the same even after the proliferation.  

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Theory of Speech and thought presentation in Ulysses and The Dubliners Essay

Theory of Speech and thought presentation in Ulysses and The Dubliners by James Joyce - Essay Example Many of the formal features telling apart the modes of speech and thought presentation are similar. Their effects, however, vary and more so in the narrator’s language distance from or proximity to the ideology they seek to put across. Free Indirect Speech and Free Indirect Thought are usually put under the umbrella of Free Indirect Discourse (FID) (Zelma, 2010). Theory of speech In analyzing the theory of speech, its presentation can be categorized as follows: 1. Direct Speech In the following sentence: She said, â€Å"I will make avocado juice tomorrow.† The formal markers are as follows; There are two clauses. One being the reporting ‘She said’ and the other the reported ‘I will make avocado juice’ There are the quotation marks placed around the reported clause First and second person pronouns have been used The tense of the verb used in the reporting clause is always either in the past or historical present, for example,’ She saidâ⠂¬â„¢ or ‘She says’ Any tense can be applied in the reported clause as per the time reference of the proposition. However, the correct grammar has to be adhered to at all times. Deictic markers can be used as per the time and place reference (Zelma, 2010) 2. Indirect Speech (IS) She said she would make avocado juice the following day The formal markers that point to the transition from direct speech to indirect speech are: The reporting clause in this case is viewed as the main clause (She said), and the reported clause is seen as the dependent clause. The sign that she shows this dependency is the use of the relative pronoun ‘that’ (Zelma, 2010). There are no quotation marks placed around the reported clause The first and second person pronouns transform into third person pronouns. The tense in the reported clause is brought from the back to the front   Ã¢â‚¬Å"Close† deictic markers transform to farther markers. For example, here changes to there a nd tomorrow changes to the following day. Verbs of movement that imply â€Å" motion towards† (come) transform to verbs of movement that imply motion â€Å"away from† ( return, go) However, depending on the perspective, the deictics may retain their form. This is especially relevant in the case that the perspective refers to the person ‘here’. In such a case, the sentence becomes ‘She said she would make avocado juice tomorrow’ (Zelma, 2010). 3. Free Direct Speech Free Direct Speech is a type of Direct Speech which does not include either the quotation marks or reported clauses. The effect of Free Direct Speech is that the narrator appears as the intermediary. 4. Narrative Reports of Speech Acts This entails sentences that only give the impression that speech occurred without necessarily stating what was said. 5. Free Indirect Speech Thought presentation The presentation of s character’s thought is not very easy given that the thoughts of a human being can not be directly reached. However, the authors tend to make the readers believe that they can read the minds of their characters in order to enable the full understanding of characters. The author may choose from the categories of the speech presentation but despite this, the very fact that they are posing to be readers of others’

Monday, August 26, 2019

West African and African American Cultures - Before and After Assignment

West African and African American Cultures - Before and After Emancipation - Assignment Example Emancipation of the African Americans in 1863, their struggle for equality and citizenship resulted in their assimilating some aspects of American culture while retaining their original heritage to a small extent. Africa was the home of â€Å"people with different languages, traditions, histories, and religions''. The diversity of cultures was evident in the different types of group structures they lived in: some in ancient kingdoms such as those in the oldest of recorded history, and others in small family groups. Some of their societies had men leaders, and others had women as chiefs. The Gods they worshipped were of different forms, and some believed in one, while others in numerous Gods. People from all religions, Muslims, Christians, and others, whether they lived in towns or villages, participated in world affairs, taking central roles in them. Egyptians achieved great development in medicine, language and architecture, which had a significant impact on Greek and Roman culture. Millions of Africans were shipped to America between the sixteenth and the nineteenth centuries to work as slaves in the plantations, in the construction of towns and cities, as domestic help and for various menial jobs. The African American’s perspectives regarding the meaning and significance of Africa remains unclear; thereby affecting the identity problems of black people in America. The western stereotypical view of Africa as a land of wild people and wild animals affects the way African Americans think about Africa. The white disparagement of Africa was mainly to support imperialist interests and to rationalize â€Å"slavery and oppression of the descendants of Africa in their land of captivity†.

Sunday, August 25, 2019

The Appeal Court Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Appeal Court - Research Paper Example The appeal was based on the fact that the evidence put forth by the prosecution was not sufficient enough to prove him guilty and the decision should be reversed in favor of the appellant. According to the case, the prosecution in the trial court postulated that both Jonathan Parker and Leroy Lewis were narcotics dealers and that Parker had killed his associate Lewis because of his failure to share the robbed cocaine equally among themselves.The prosecution argued that Parker shot Lewis on his head after discovering that Lewis had lied about the total amount of narcotics stolen. The prosecution roped in three other drug dealers to strengthen their argument. On the other side, Jonathan Parker appealed that the evidence put forth by the government was not direct but a wrong inference which was deducted out of unrelated activities. His main defense points were that there was no eyewitness to testify the shooting or to give any statements concerning about the shooting. The prosecution al so could not prove the matching of DNA or fingerprints nor the motive for the killing. They also failed to find or identify the weapon used for killing Lewis. The above case shows how the prosecution used circumstantial evidence to present their case. The appeals court, in this case, had to reverse the decision as this circumstantial evidence does not stand as absolute evidence against the appellant. The court decision must be based on concrete evidence which supports the conclusion of the inference drawn by the prosecution against the defendant.

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Business Processes and Systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business Processes and Systems - Essay Example The main objective of a marketing strategy lies in the verification of the nature, way, strength and relationship between environmental factors in specific situations and marketing mix essentials (Thompson & Strickland, 2008). A marketing strategy is developed in order to build, maintain and defend a company’s competitive edge. Operations management involves production, warehousing, purchasing, shipping, maintenance and planning. Operational strategy involves a set of directions for specific tasks and personnel. It involves getting the company through a product from point A to B. Marketing strategies deal with long-term objectives of the company while operational strategies focus on short-term ones. They are set to be achieved within a specific period. Marketing strategies are put in place so that the company can grow through competition with other companies in the same market (Phelan & Ferreia, 2002). Operational strategies, on the other hand, work depending on the set out ma rketing strategies. The strategies include such points as how to attract potential customers, how to maximize wants and how to meet customer satisfaction through efficient services. Marketing mix becomes a part of operational marketing in this way. Marketing strategies involve the optimization of marketing processes. This means that they ensure that demand of a specific product is channelled in the right direction. It involves the creation of more wants among customers, which is of course at a reasonable rate. The marketing strategies employed must not only be implemented through reasonable, sound and consistent practices. The strategies must also be dynamic and interactive. Operational strategies, when adequately implemented, get a company the most profit for the least amount of resources. The observation is that marketing strategies refer to a company’s long-term approach to positioning itself in its markets (Bhurian, Menguc, & Bell, 2007). Operational strategies refer to t he day to day approach of managing aspects such as pricing and advertisement. This, in turn, shapes the long-term direction of the company. Armed with the above information, it is possible to evaluate the relationship between marketing and operational strategies at Pars Food Limited. The company has a strategy of competitive advantage and differentiation. This means that one of its marketing strategies is quality delivery. One of their objectives is to have the capacity to serve clientele from their location, wherever it may be. The intention here is to service delivery when needed, thereby creating more wants. This will translate into steady supply and more profits. Of course, that relates well with the company’s business strategy of sustainable profit. One of the company’s operational strategies is transport sourcing within the company. This is bound to reduce the current costs of outsourcing transport. Transport is an important aspect of operations in this company a s its use is evidenced from the initial sourcing of the material to the final delivery of product to customers (Brooksbank, 2010). Delivery of service to customers wherever they may be is one of Pars Food Limited’s marketing strategies. Bearing in mind quality and consistence, it would be adequate for the company to have its own transport means for

Friday, August 23, 2019

Comparative Essay on Structure Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Comparative on Structure - Essay Example â€Å"Master Harold and the Boys† by Athol Fugard revolves around three characters: Hally (or Master Harold), and his two African servants Sam and Willie. The play begins in a scene where it is raining in the afternoon, when Sam and Willie practice ballroom steps to prepare for an upcoming major competition. Hally, or Master Harold, arrives on the scene. He is back from his school. It would seem that despite Sam’s role as servant, between themselves, Hally and Sam stand more or less as equals, at least intellectually. Willie, on the other hand, who is less sophisticated than Sam, knows his place, and thus, Willie makes it a point to always call Hally as â€Å"Master Harold†. In this first part, we are first introduced to the characters and the setting, as the plot continues, we are gradually introduced to the dilemmas surrounding the lives of the characters. Sam and Hally talk about schoolwork, then proceed to discussing an intellectual topic on â€Å"The Man of Magnitude†. Then the scene turns to flashbacks when the three friends used to live in a boarding house. The timing of using the flashback is appropriate; it shows how structure can be used as an advantage. Hally remembers the time when Sam made a kite for him. Despite the fact that the kite was made from junk materials, Hally holds this memory dearly and feels warm at his reminiscing of the scene. Sam made the kite for him to cheer him up from being down because of his father’s drinking habits. To Hally, the flying of the kite would probably represent hope, which he so much needed in an environment that was centered on abuse, alcoholism, and racism. They then talk about Hally’s 500-word English composition. After this comes the scene that is the climax of feelings, on the ballroom dance floor, which is a â€Å"world without collisions†, that is actual ly a metaphor for life. Unfortunately, after this great climax comes the

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Stratagic leadership in a changing world Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Stratagic leadership in a changing world - Essay Example In this war the weapon is strategy. A strategy is a tool used for managing the organization’s resources in order to mitigate risks & optimize resources. This is the simplest definition of the term strategy. However in real life, the organizations face a lot of complexity to form & maintain a strategy. Strategy forms an integral part of the discipline strategic management domain. Thus framing the right strategy and implementing it stepwise is known as the process of strategic planning. The strategic planning process is a stage wise procedure that has got specific objectives and final outcomes that can be employed and analyzed. In simpler terms, this process is the means to view the future and creating an outline on the basis of recent trends and controlling the forces that can affect the strategic decisions (Ahoy, 1998). Strategic planning is an essential part of strategic management. Strategic Management involves actions and thoughts which are focused at the long-term objectiv es the entire organization and the strategic planning is usually done during situations of uncertainty (Downey, 2007). Strategies are generally designed for meeting the future challenges and for exploiting upcoming opportunities. Every firm needs a strategy tailored according to their needs (Cole, 2003, pp. 2-15). If a firm is not following a strategic plan, then it becomes tough for it to survive in this challenging world of competitions. In the present discussion we will study the Inside out and the Outside in schools of strategic management. Inside-Out and Outside-In planning Inside out is a  business strategic planning  process  that depends on the  competitive advantage  of the  firm  to  encourage  alteration,  innovation  and product development  in contrast to the external  forces  like the  market, consumer  preferences and competition. The declaration by the strategists who believe in the inside-out approach suggests that a firm  attains  better  efficiencies  and become accustomed more rapidly to the changing situations. The inside-out and outside frameworks of strategic planning involves significant concepts that are applied in order to link strategic pattern to the external and internal accountability steps. These external and internal accountability steps are widespread in all aspects of the national govern aments, districts around the schools and the local firms like the insurance companies, banks etc. Inside-Out arrangement emphasizes on the firm as the primary customer. It facilitates an association to have a vision of the firm which goes beyond the business world. The Inside out framework of planning typically puts stress on the goals, purposes and mission. It always considers the well being of the business and is characteristically known as hasty in nature. Outside-In process of planning puts stress on the general public as the key addressees. It perceives the business from the exterior. It usually con fronts the status quo and often causes uneasiness to the existing workers since it suggests transformation. Outside-in process of planning is characteristically practical in nature (Boleman, 2003). Example of Inside Out Planning Firms adapting the inside-out approach require examining their own weaknesses and strengths by putting forth the questions like, â€Å"What are we good at making and selling?†(Civichino, 2012). As the strengths are recognized, the firm creates the products accordingly and applies

The Gestalt Approach to Psychology Essay Example for Free

The Gestalt Approach to Psychology Essay Outline and explain the principles of the Gestalt approach to psychology. How does humanistic psychology differ in essence from other analyses of mental disorder, and what are its strengths and weaknesses?  Psychiatrist Frederick Fritz Perls (1893-1970) devised Gestalt therapy. The word Gestalt is of German origin, as was Perls, and means pattern or organised whole (Gross McIlveen, 1996).  In order to make sense of life events, our perceptions are organised into gestalts. Just as we cannot fully understand a family by looking solely at the individuals without regard for its operation as a whole, neither can we understand a gestalt by merely observing its constituent parts. When a gestalt is formed, there is a focus of attention against a background of everything else of potential relevance. This foreground/background (figure/ground) formation is called field theory. Whatever is of most interest at any moment becomes figure, but if something else becomes more important, figure recedes into ground and is replaced.  In field theory all aspects of an individual and their environment are interrelated so that the field forms their context. Unless we understand a persons environment, we can never fully understand them or their behaviour. As Yontef (1973) said Behaviour is a function of the field of which it is a part. Experiencing is also a function of the field of which it is a part. Each field is organised into a gestalt by the dominant need of that moment. As a personal or social need arises, a figure/ground formation develops with whatever is perceived as being able to meet the need becoming figure. The cycle of gestalt formation and destruction, of needs arising and being met, has taken several different forms. One of the earliest models was a four-phase process called the cycle of contact (Perls et al, 1973). The first phase is fore-contact where a need arises and the individual is aware that balance has been disturbed. They have either excess or a deficit of something and are driven to restore balance. At this stage, the need is figure and everything else is ground. The second phase is contact, where possibilities of meeting the need are evaluated. When out of these possibilities a means of restoring balance arises, it becomes figure and the individual assembles their resources to contact figure and overcome any obstacles that they may encounter. As the individual identifies more and more with figure, it becomes more distinguished from ground. The third phase is final contact where the individual is so engaged with figure that there is hardly any background. It is the quality of contact that determines whether or not the need is met. If contact is good and full, the need will be met and the individual will have a new and enlarged sense of self. Good contact is only possible when the individual can maintain a sense of individuality and dissimilarity from figure. Perls was quoted in a biography as having said It is the point at which I experience me in relation to whatever is not me; when I experience me as distinct from you (Clarkson Mackewn, 1993). The fourth and final phase is post contact, the experience of satisfaction if contact has been good and complete. It is at this point that growth takes place, even though the individual may not be aware of it. The gestalt closes and balance is restored; the individual is now at rest, ready for the next need to arise.  To make good contact, it is essential that figure is clear and distinguished from ground. In order to form a clear figure, a balanced quality may be divided so that one end of the continuum can be distinguished from the other. One end of the range becomes figure, and the other ground. These polarities may appear to be unrelated but are, in fact, extremes of a mid-point called zero point. When the gestalt closes and the need is met, these divisions become balanced again. If a need arises and full contact is not made, the need will remain unmet, the gestalt will be incomplete and it will continue to demand satisfaction. If the individual stays in touch with the need it can still be met healthily at a later time but if the delay becomes too long the individual will attempt to close the gestalt before the need has been appropriately met. Premature closure feels better than leaving the gestalt open, but the original need still unconsciously demands satisfaction. The result is that experience, physiology and behaviour become totally preoccupied with resolving the unfinished business. Awareness of the present situation is now hindered, making it difficult to make contact and meet current needs.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Role of Institutions in Architecture and Quantity Surveying

Role of Institutions in Architecture and Quantity Surveying Introduction In the construction industry used to follow the professional body’s instruction and maintain the ethics and code of conduct to evaluate the function of the industry. So that client always expect the advice from the professionals and imitate the professionalism to gain the high quality end product, today world is globalizing very fast. Because of that it is directly effect to the construction industry. In today construction industry is facing global changes and therefore they demanding. Changing skills from various construction related professions. Professionals in construction industry are forced to maintain their responsibilities and meet the demand procedures with quality. A Professional Institution also called professional body is an assembly of people in an educated profession who are entrusted with maintaining organize or oversight of the lawful practice of the work. In this report I investigate a professional institute which serves the built environment sector. And also I briefly explain of the professional institution. Professional institutions are helping to various categories of constructional personal to upgrade their skills and overall impact of such professional institution in the construction industry. Membership of a professional institution, as a legal requirement, can in some professions from the primary formal basis for gaining entry to and setting up practices within the profession. Role of the professional Institution Eliot Freidson presents the argument that while all occupations contain some blend of skills, knowledge, qualification and competence, professions involve a â€Å"special kind of knowledge believed to require the exercise of discretionary judgment and a grounding in abstract theory and concepts† what Michael Young would refer to as powerful knowledge. (Daniels 2007) Professional institution plays a major role of construction industry. And also it maintains the standards of the professions in the construction industry. Professional institution maintains world class knowledge base because people in same profession meet each other in one place to create a network of communication to broaden the knowledge to enhance the professional relationship and respond to changing environment to meet current and future operating need. Therefore many professional institutions are involved to in the developing and monitoring of professional educational program and the upgrading of skills. Professional institution can improve service to members and upgrading services to industry. Membership of a professional institution, as a legal required, can in some professions from the primary basis entry to and setting up practices with the profession. People who are eligible for the professional development plan if they have satisfied their academic requirement of the professional institution which they are planning to membership. There are many advantages of being a member in professional institution They are Networking Opportunities Attending to conference and seminars Get the privilege to use online recourse Free education Above all the fact explains about how to improve the service member in professional institution. Professional institutions are encouraging sustainable construction. Because the world is globalizing very fast and it’s directly effect to the construction industry and also it publication the magazine, books and other publications to improve the knowledge of members. Because members are the heart of that professional institution. Also maintain and improve the quality of the built environment. Professional Institutions are helping to various categories of Constructional Personal There are many professional institutions related to the construction Royal Institute of charted surveyors Charted Institute of Builders Association of Project Managers British Institute of Facility Managers Charted Institute of Architectural Technologist Each and every professional institution is helping to several of contractual personal to upgrade their skills with membership and certification. PDP is the next stage in gaining professional qualifications and force on recording management experiences and achievement. Every member to comply with consist of RICS practice statement in the interest of the maintaining the highest professional institution. Every construction has different membership benefit for example. RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architecture) Roles and Responsibilities Maintain world- class knowledge base Re-position architecture as providers of both sound and imaginative solutions An RIBA Client Adviser who is a qualified architect is not the main architect in such projects but acts as an independent adviser. They: provide strategic advice help clients to achieve their objectives meet clients expectations on performance and design quality (RIBA) Maximize contribution of members and staff Work to improve the design quality of public buildings, homes/ communications. (Royal Institute of Brtish Architects ) SLIA (Sri Lanka Institute of Architect) It has unique benefit for each membership. They have 7 type of membership Honorary Fellow Members Fellow Members Associate Members Honorary Members Registered Members Graduate Members Student Members (Sri Lanka Institute of Architect) PMI (Project Management Institute) As a PMI member, you gain exclusive access to PMI publications and our global standards, networking options with our chapters and online communities of practice, and leadership and volunteer opportunities. You can also find discounts on certification exams and innovations, as well as our professional development offerings received. (Project Managment Institute 2014) AIQS (Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors) Role of AIQS Ensure that practicing Quantity Surveyors are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of professional excellence Carrying research about the collection of cost data Publishing of current construction costs Maintaining Australian Standard method of measurement (Role of AIQS) Benefit of a member Promote as a Building Economist Provide Technical articles Practices noted and policy statements Promoting Members to potential QS clients Fee free Gold credit card, home loan and life insurance for AIQS members (Role of AIQS) AGS (The Association of Geotechnical and Geo environmental Specialists) The Benefits of AGS Member Membership of Representative organization Provides a voice on the Ground Forum, the body that represents the main industry participants in Geo techniques and the Geo environment Provides the means to lobby Government and the construction clients Forum via the Ground Forum and the construction Industry council (The Benefits of AGS Member) If they get the membership benefit it is help the update their skills with membership. So there is various type of method to update their skills with membership. They are conducted the training programs. Introduce some flexible membership fee, Conduct e- learning programs, Arrange some group discussion, Get some task and dividing in group members..etc. Overall impact of such professional institution Professional Institution has impact in the construction industry many ways. Improve the quality, improve the skills of the members introducing new ways how to study rules and regulation new opportunity to take right path and build good construction site. Therefore Professionals in construction industry are forced to maintain their responsibilities and meet the demand and procedures with quality. So that professional institution helps to improve the quality of the construction site. And also in professional institution is a place where people from the same profession meets each other and then shares their ideas, skills. So professional institution is help to develop skills of the people in the construction site. Professional institution is helps to gain new skills and knowledge needed to manage staff develop business. In professional institution meet to same professional people and then way share their new technology, new experiment and introduce new ways and also in that ways they selected better things above all the gathering information and detail if they shared. So it is help to take decision to get a right part of the construction site. Memberships of a professional institution, as a legal requirement, so every member know the rules and regulation. It is help to carryon and develops rules and regulation in construction site. Above all the details professional institution is impact to build a good construction site. Conclusion The finding the research indicates that professional institute has a direct effect on the quality of construction industry. It has so many boundaries. Professional boundaries are important to enhance professionalism within the construction industry. Such as Relationship Communication Self-Discourses Exploitations Breaches of confidentially And also professional institute are helping to upgrade their skill with membership and certification. But it is overall impact in the construction industry. So in this report, reporter can highlight those things of professional instruction in the construction industry. References DANIELS, H., Lauder, H., Porter, J. (2007). Young. In: The Routledge Companion to Education. London, Routledge, Faculty of Humanities Social Sciences. Project Managment Institute. (2014). [online]. Last accessed 03 March 2014 at: http://www.pmi.org/Membership.aspx [online]. Last accessed 3 March 2014 at: http://www.architecture.com/JoinTheRIBA/BecomeACDA/Requirements.aspx#.UxnEifmSySo [online]. Last accessed 02 March 2014 at: http://www.rnconstructions.com/strength.htm Role of AIQS. In: Construction Professional Studies. ICBT, p.34. Royal Institute of Brtish Architects. In: Construction Professional Studies. ICBT, p.27. [online]. Last accessed 03 March 2014 at: http://www.slia.lk/ [online]. Last accessed 04 March 2014 at: http://www.ags.org.uk/aboutmembership/benefits.php

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Structure And Function Of Neuron Health And Social Care Essay

Structure And Function Of Neuron Health And Social Care Essay With an estimate of approximately 100 billion the neurons form the most basic units of the nervous system and are also known as the nerve cell. The major characteristics which define a nerve cell are Excitability and Conductivity. Excitability refers to the ability of responding to any external stimulus by the neuron. Conductivity however is the transmission of the external stimulus through the cell and onwards. Neurons are also sub-divided into various categories based upon their functions and also their basic structure. [1] Neuron Structure Any external stimulus sensed by the nervous system is transmitted by means of electrical signals by the individual neurons. The neuron consists of three principal substructures the dendrites, cell body (soma) and axon. The figure below shows these substructures. Fig1: Neuron and its substructures. [5] Dendrite Is responsible for the increase in surface area of the neuron and reception of the nervous signals by means of specialised molecules called receptors that detect the neurotransmitters from the previous neuron, sensory part, muscle, etc. They appear as branch-like projections on the top of the cell body. Dendritic Spines are bag like structures present on the dendritic surface of some neurons. [4] Cell Body Also known as the Soma it appears as a star shaped structure with a diameter of 20ÃŽÂ ¼m into which many dendrites end and a single axon filament emerges. It consists of a large nucleus with a prominent nucleolus containing the genetic material and is the centre of control of the nerve cell. [4] Ribosomes in the cell body located on the rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) produce proteins which are stored in vesicles by the Golgi body after sorting. The rER can be seen by an ordinary light microscope after staining with a dye and is called Nissls substance. [3] The vesicles formed by the Golgi apparatus contain the precursors for neurotransmitters. Cellular respiration in the cell body is carried out by the mitochondria, which is the site for the production of the ATP the primary source of energy for the cell. Intercellular transport of proteins and nutrients is carried out by means of tube like structures which run the entire length of the cell and are known as Neurofil aments or Neurotubules. [1] Axon Also known as the nerve fibre is responsible for carrying electrical impulse away from the cell body. The region of the axon just below the cell body is known as the initial part or trigger zone is the site where the electrical signal is generated for its transmission to the next neuron. [2] The length of the axon varies from a few millimetres to as long as from the head to the toes. In some neurons the length of the axons might be insulated by means of a fatty, membranous sheath also known as the Myelin sheath. The myelin sheath is formed from the surrounding cells oligodendrocytes in the Central Nervous System (CNS), Schwann cells in the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS). These accessory cells (glial) wrap themselves around the axon fibre and thereby help in increasing the speed of signal transmission and also provide a good degree of electrical insulation to the axon. The different layers of the glial cells are known as Neuurolemmocyte while the outer layer of this multilayer ed sheath is known as the Neurilemma (Schwann sheath).[1] The myelin sheath is formed in segments rather than one continuous layer; these segments are visible along the length of the axon and are known as the Nodes of Ranvier (neurofinral nodes). [1,2] The figure below shows the multi-layered sheath which is formed around the axon by these cells. Fig2: Myelin sheath and its formation [6] The axon is devoid of any protein synthesising structures since the neurotransmitters and proteins are replenished by the structures present within the soma. [3] The terminal part of the axon branches (telodendria) into many different swollen bulb-like terminals (boutons or synaptic knobs) which contain neurotransmitters for the transmission of the neural signal onwards hence a single neuron can trigger a larger area of cells or muscle fibres at the site of action. [1, 2, 3] Neuron Classification Neurons can be classified into several different groups based on their functional as well as structural characteristics. When classified on the basis of functional aspects the major distinctions which can be given is with respect to the direction in which the neuron carries the signal. Afferent Neurons These neurons are considered as the sensory neurons since they are responsible for the conveying of information to the central nervous system. They might be general somatic afferent neurons or general visceral afferent neurons. Somatic afferent neurons carry the sensory stimulus information from the skin, voluntary muscles, joint and other connective tissues to the central nervous system. However the visceral afferent neurons carry the sensory stimulus information from the various internal organs (visceral organs) to the brain. [1] They possess an extremely long axon owing to the signal transmission length to the central nervous system.[2] Efferent Neurons Neural cells carrying information from the autonomic nervous system to the effecter muscles and are also known as motor neurons. Like the afferent neurons these are also classified as general somatic efferent neurons or general visceral afferent neurons. The somatic efferent neurons send the impulses to the voluntary skeletal muscles thereby causing muscle contraction. The visceral efferent neurons however send the information to the involuntary smooth muscles of the various organs and glands. [1] Like the afferent neurons efferent neurons also possess an extremely long axon owing to the signal transmission length from the autonomic nervous system to the effecter muscle fibres.[2] Interneurons Accounting for almost 99 percent of all neurons and are called association neurons, connector neurons, or internuncial neurons. [1] They function is to convey the information from the sensory neurons to the motor neurons after processing the sensory information. The length of the axons in the interneurons differ, if they are short and branching then they are known as local circuit neurons while if they are long then they are known as relay neurons. Local circuit neurons are concerned with the transmission of information over a short distance while the relay neurons transmit the information over long distances. Interneurons are mostly found in the Central nervous system. [1, 2] Neurons can be further classified into three separate categories based on their structural characteristics. Multi-polar neurons- neurons with several dendrites and a single axon are known as multi-polar neurons. These neurons are mostly located in the brain and spinal cord. Bipolar neurons such type of neurons have only a single axon and dendrite emerging from the cell body. They are located in a few places in the body such as the olfactory nerves in the upper nasal cavity and the retina of the eye. Unipolar neurons these are the most common type of nerve cells found in the peripheral nervous system. They consist of only a single nerve process which splits into two with one brain leading into the brain while the other leads into the spinal cord.[1] The figure below shows the different structural characteristics displayed by the neurons. Fig3: Structural characteristics of Neurons. [7] Neuron Functions The primary function of the nerve cell is the transmission of the neural signals from the nervous system to the various parts of the body. This is done by means of electrical signals which travel through the nerve cells in bands of excitation with the movement of ions in and out of the cell membrane of the nerve cell along the axon length and by means of neurotransmitters (acetylcholine {Ach}) at the junction of one neuron to another or target site (synaptic cleft). Electrical Impulse Conduction along the Axon The neuron is said to be in a resting phase when it is not conducting any neural impulse, during such a phase the neuron is charged or polarized due to a concentration gradient across its plasma membrane. The concentration gradient is due to the differential amount of positively and negatively charged (sodium {Na+}, potassium {K+} and chloride {Cl-}) ions present on either side of the plasma membrane. Due to this difference an electrical potential is developed across the plasma membrane known as the resting membrane potential. [2] The resting membrane potential is typically about -70mV and is present due to the difference in the ionic concentrations of Na+, K+ and Cl-. In the normal resting phase the extracellular fluid of the neuron is more positively charged than the interior of the neuron since there is higher concentration of Na+ ions on the outside than the inside of the neuron. In the same manner there is a higher concentration of K+ ions and negatively charged protein molecules on the inside than the outside. The ions are able to freely pass across the plasma membrane from a region of higher to lower concentration but the relative concentration of the ions remains constant across the membranes. This is possible due to the homeostatic functions of the energy driven (ATP), self regulating transport mechanism known as the sodium potassium pump. The pumps activity increases as more sodium diffuses into the plasma membrane and it pumps three sodium ions outside the plasma membrane while pumping only two potassium molecules into the cell. Thus the pump helps in maintaining the overall resting membrane potential by keeping the interior of the neuron negatively charged when compared to the exterior. Apart from the sodium potassium pumps voltage gated open ion channels also help in maintaining the charged state of the neuron by allowing the ions to pass through the membrane when the concentration of any one of the ions is very high on either side of the membrane. The conduction mechanism is very similar in both the myelinated and unmyelinated nerve cells however there are differences due to the presence of the myelin sheath. In the unmyelinated nerve cells the change in resting potential is brought about due to the presence of an impulse which might be known as the threshold stimulus. This threshold stimulus causes the change in the permeability of the sodium ions in the plasma membrane of the axon. Hence a greater number of sodium ions rush into the neural cell due to the opening of the sodium ion channels and cause the depolarisation of the neural cell. The depolarisation causes the interior of the neural cell to become positively charged and makes the exterior of the cell negatively charged for a period of half a millisecond and raises the potential from -70mV in the resting phase to about +30mV in the action phase. The region of the plasma membrane which has been depolarised due to massive influx of the sodium ions causes the flow of current which further depolarises the neighbouring region by opening the voltage gated sodium ion channels and allowing the inflow of sodium ions. The sodium channels quickly deactivate shortly after the membrane has been depolarised and the inflow of sodium into the plasma membrane is stopped. The potassium ions try to escape out into the extracellular fluid in order to balance the potential outside and bring the membrane potential back to its original resting membrane potential. Once the membrane potential has been restored to the original resting potential it is said to be repolarised. Thus when it is observed the wave of polarisation and depolarisation travels as a band along the length of the axon in the neuron. After each firing of the neuron there is an interval of approximately one to one and half milliseconds before it is possible for the neuron to generate the appropriate action potential for the next depolarisation, this time interval is called as the refractory period. During this period the plasma membrane is being repolarised after the wave of depolarisation has passed through it. The graph showing the various levels of the electrical potential across the plasma membrane during the wave of polarisation and repolarisation is given below. Fig4: Action Potential during polarisation and depolarisation of the neuron. [8] The conduction mechanism in mylienated nerve fibres is called as salutatory conduction, since the action potential appears to jump between the successive Nodes of Ranvier present along the myelin sheath. It is at the Nodes of Ranvier that the voltage gated sodium gates are highly concentrated and exposed to the extracellular fluid and hence it is observed that the electrical potential jumps to these sites. [1,2] The figure below illustrates this process. Fig5: Salutatory Conduction [9] Electrical Conduction at the Synapses Once the action potential reaches the terminating branches of the axon after travelling through the entire length of the axon, the action potential is transmitted to the next neuron or the target muscle or organ, etc. across the synaptic cleft (the junction between neurons or the target organs, muscles, glands, etc). The the nerve cell getting the action potential towards the synapse is known as the presynaptic neuron while the one carrying the action potential away from the synapse is known as the postsynaptic neuron. [1,2] The transmission of neural impulse across the synapse is done by neurotransmitters (acetylcholine). These neurotransmitters can bring a change in the resting potential of the postsynaptic cells. As the action potential reaches the synaptic endings it causes the depolarisation of the presynaptic plasma membrane which causes the diffusion of the calcium ions into the presynaptic terminal. These calcium ions cause the neurotransmitter storage vesicles to fuse with the plasma membrane and release the neurotransmitters into the extracellular region of the synapse by means of exocytosis. The flow of neurotransmitter occurs only in a single direction since the presynaptic neurons only contain the neurotransmitter vesicles and no receptor sites while the post synaptic neurons contain the exact opposite. The neurotransmitters take a short interval of time in traversing the distance between the synapse and this interval is known as the synaptic delay. Upon the reception of the neurotransmitter in the receptor sites of the postsynaptic region changes start to occur in the membrane potential and a new wave of depolarisation begins in the next neuron due to change in the membrane permeability for the ions. After the reception of the neurotransmitter (acetylcholine) in the receptor site it is broken down into acetate and choline by the action of the enzyme acetylcholinestrase. The remainder of the neurotransmitters which were unable to reach the receptor sites and are stuck in the synaptic cleft are broken down by the action of proteins and enzymes. Over a period of time the acetylcholine is restored back to the presynaptic region. [1] The figure below shows the conduction of the neural impulse across the synapses by neurotransmitters. Fig6: Neural transmission at synapses [10] Conclusion The neurons thus form the basic functional unit of the nervous system transmitting and receiving the neural impulses to and from the various parts of the body to the central nervous system. They are classified into different categories based upon their structure and direction of conduction of the nerve signal. The nerve cells are surrounded by many accessory cells which provide insulation, support and nutrition to the nerve cells. Through the essay the basic structure of the neuron was explained showing the different substructures present within the neuron and also the mechanism of nerve impulse transmission through the neuron was explained.

Monday, August 19, 2019

Analysis- Software Solutions :: Computer Science

Analysis- Software Solutions In order to make my database I am going to use Microsoft Access. Other possible systems I could have used are programmes such as Microsoft Excel and also a simple manual system where all the data is hand-written. I chose Microsoft Access, as this is more efficient and more professional as a whole. If I used a manual system I could have improved my problems by having all of the documents filed in alphabetical order, having more filing cabinets or by writing out documents more neatly and more tidily. Filing all documents in alphabetical order would have tidied up the documents and made them easier to find, but as documents would still be in a filing cabinet even though in alphabetical order it would still be time consuming to find them rather than a computerized system which would be a lot faster to find and therefore less time consuming. Also if you use more filing cabinets in which to store documents this may still not be very practical if the person the changes are designed for works in a small office with limited space. As well as this, by taking more care in writing and filling in documents and writing more neatly this would improve the system but it would also be inappropriate at times. This is because you are unable to take care and write neatly all of the time, as there are many occasions in which you are rushed which causes the neatness of your writing to falter. The final reason why I have opted to use Microsoft Access rather than a manual system where filing cabinets are involved is because in Access you can store about 20,000 files but if you had to store 20,000 files using a manual system huge amounts of space would be taken up and it would be very awkward to find the specific document you desire. If I used Microsoft Excel in which to store data this would improve on the current system as it is computerized but it is still not as efficient as other computerized programmes. Microsoft Excel would allow me to create tables, perform calculations, print out single documents and also print out multiple documents. Being able to print out improves on a manual system as it is a lot quicker and you do not have to keep typing documents out time and time again. Although using Microsoft Excel is a large improvement on using a manual system Microsoft Access is the one I have opted to use. This is because on Microsoft Access you are able to perform all actions

Sunday, August 18, 2019

A Rose for Emily Essay -- essays papers

A Rose for Emily Emily is a woman that has had a hard life. Her family made it so that she was held in high regard in the public eye. She was not suppose to encounter relationships that were below her stature. The town, being the antagonist, drives Emily to her insanity because they will not allow her to lead a normal life. They liked the â€Å"show† they were watching a refused to give it up. The narrator explores how Emily is defined in her position in the town by her name and her father. â€Å"People in our town, [. . .], believed the Griersons held themselves a little too high for what they really were.† (pg.83) Emily’s father had been controlling during her early life and had stopped all suitors from visiting her. â€Å" we had all remembered all the young men her father had driven away, [. . . ]† Emily is forced to live in a house were her father will is paramount to her own. When he dies we understand this lose is almost to much for her to bear. â€Å" Miss Emily met them at the door, dressed as usual with no trace of grief on her face. She told them her father was not...

Saturday, August 17, 2019

A Game of Thrones Chapter Seventeen

Bran It seemed as though he had been falling for years. Fly, a voice whispered in the darkness, but Bran did not know how to fly, so all he could do was fall. Maester Luwin made a little boy of clay, baked him till he was hard and brittle, dressed him in Bran's clothes, and flung him off a roof. Bran remembered the way he shattered. â€Å"But I never fall,† he said, falling. The ground was so far below him he could barely make it out through the grey mists that whirled around him, but he could feel how fast he was falling, and he knew what was waiting for him down there. Even in dreams, you could not fall forever. He would wake up in the instant before he hit the ground, he knew. You always woke up in the instant before you hit the ground. And if you don't? the voice asked. The ground was closer now, still far far away, a thousand miles away, but closer than it had been. It was cold here in the darkness. There was no sun, no stars, only the ground below coming up to smash him, and the grey mists, and the whispering voice. He wanted to cry. Not cry. Fly. â€Å"I can't fly,† Bran said. â€Å"I can't, I can't . . . â€Å" How do you know? Have you ever tried? The voice was high and thin. Bran looked around to see where it was coming from. A crow was spiraling down with him, just out of reach, following him as he fell. â€Å"Help me,† he said. I'm trying, the crow replied. Say, got any corn? Bran reached into his pocket as the darkness spun dizzily around him. When he pulled his hand out, golden kernels slid from between his fingers into the air. They fell with him. The crow landed on his hand and began to eat. â€Å"Are you really a crow?† Bran asked. Are you really falling? the crow asked back. â€Å"It's just a dream,† Bran said. Is it? asked the crow. â€Å"I'll wake up when I hit the ground,† Bran told the bird. You'll die when you hit the ground, the crow said. It went back to eating corn. Bran looked down. He could see mountains now, their peaks white with snow, and the silver thread of rivers in dark woods. He closed his eyes and began to cry. That won't do any good, the crow said. I told you, the answer is flying, not crying. How hard can it be? I'm doing it. The crow took to the air and flapped around Bran's hand. â€Å"You have wings,† Bran pointed out. Maybe you do too. Bran felt along his shoulders, groping for feathers. There are different kinds of wings, the crow said. Bran was staring at his arms, his legs. He was so skinny, just skin stretched taut over bones. Had he always been so thin? He tried to remember. A face swam up at him out of the grey mist, shining with light, golden. â€Å"The things I do for love,† it said. Bran screamed. The crow took to the air, cawing. Not that, it shrieked at him. Forget that, you do not need it now, put it aside, put it away. It landed on Bran's shoulder, and pecked at him, and the shining golden face was gone. Bran was falling faster than ever. The grey mists howled around him as he plunged toward the earth below. â€Å"What are you doing to me?† he asked the crow, tearful. Teaching you how to fly. â€Å"I can't fly!† You're flying tight now. â€Å"I'm falling!† Every flight begins with a fall, the crow said. Look down. â€Å"I'm afraid . . . â€Å" LOOK DOWN! Bran looked down, and felt his insides turn to water. The ground was rushing up at him now. The whole world was spread out below him, a tapestry of white and brown and green. He could see everything so clearly that for a moment he forgot to be afraid. He could see the whole realm, and everyone in it. He saw Winterfell as the eagles see it, the tall towers looking squat and stubby from above, the castle walls just lines in the dirt. He saw Maester Luwin on his balcony, studying the sky through a polished bronze tube and frowning as he made notes in a book. He saw his brother Robb, taller and stronger than he remembered him, practicing swordplay in the yard with real steel in his hand. He saw Hodor, the simple giant from the stables, carrying an anvil to Mikken's forge, hefting it onto his shoulder as easily as another man might heft a bale of hay. At the heart of the godswood, the great white weirwood brooded over its reflection in the black pool, its leaves rustling in a chill wind. When it felt Bran watching, it lifted its eyes from the still waters and stared back at him knowingly. He looked east, and saw a galley racing across the waters of the Bite. He saw his mother sitting alone in a cabin, looking at a bloodstained knife on a table in front of her, as the rowers pulled at their oars and Ser Rodrik leaned across a rail, shaking and heaving. A storm was gathering ahead of them, a vast dark roaring lashed by lightning, but somehow they could not see it. He looked south, and saw the great blue-green rush of the Trident. He saw his father pleading with the king, his face etched with grief. He saw Sansa crying herself to sleep at night, and he saw Arya watching in silence and holding her secrets hard in her heart. There were shadows all around them. One shadow was dark as ash, with the terrible face of a hound. Another was armored like the sun, golden and beautiful. Over them both loomed a giant in armor made of stone, but when he opened his visor, there was nothing inside but darkness and thick black blood. He lifted his eyes and saw clear across the narrow sea, to the Free Cities and the green Dothraki sea and beyond, to Vaes Dothrak under its mountain, to the fabled lands of the JadeSea, to Asshai by the Shadow, where dragons stirred beneath the sunrise. Finally he looked north. He saw the Wall shining like blue crystal, and his bastard brother Jon sleeping alone in a cold bed, his skin growing pale and hard as the memory of all warmth fled from him. And he looked past the Wall, past endless forests cloaked in snow, past the frozen shore and the great blue-white rivers of ice and the dead plains where nothing grew or lived. North and north and north he looked, to the curtain of light at the end of the world, and then beyond that curtain. He looked deep into the heart of winter, and then he cried out, afraid, and the heat of his tears burned on his cheeks. Now you know, the crow whispered as it sat on his shoulder. Now you know why you must live. â€Å"Why?† Bran said, not understanding, falling, falling. Because winter is coming. Bran looked at the crow on his shoulder, and the crow looked back. It had three eyes, and the third eye was full of a terrible knowledge. Bran looked down. There was nothing below him now but snow and cold and death, a frozen wasteland where jagged blue-white spires of ice waited to embrace him. They flew up at him like spears. He saw the bones of a thousand other dreamers impaled upon their points. He was desperately afraid. â€Å"Can a man still be brave if he's afraid?† he heard his own voice saying, small and far away. And his father's voice replied to him. â€Å"That is the only time a man can be brave.† Now, Bran, the crow urged. Choose. Fly or die. Death reached for him, screaming. Bran spread his arms and flew. Wings unseen drank the wind and filled and pulled him upward. The terrible needles of ice receded below him. The sky opened up above. Bran soared. It was better than climbing. It was better than anything. The world grew small beneath him. â€Å"I'm flying!† he cried out in delight. I've noticed, said the three-eyed crow. It took to the air, flapping its wings in his face, slowing him, blinding him. He faltered in the air as its pinions beat against his cheeks. Its beak stabbed at him fiercely, and Bran felt a sudden blinding pain in the middle of his forehead, between his eyes. â€Å"What are you doing?† he shrieked. The crow opened its beak and cawed at him, a shrill scream of fear, and the grey mists shuddered and swirled around him and ripped away like a veil, and he saw that the crow was really a woman, a serving woman with long black hair, and he knew her from somewhere, from Winterfell, yes, that was it, he remembered her now, and then he realized that he was in Winterfell, in a bed high in some chilly tower room, and the black-haired woman dropped a basin of water to shatter on the floor and ran down the steps, shouting, â€Å"He's awake, he's awake, he's awake.† Bran touched his forehead, between his eyes. The place where the crow had pecked him was still burning, but there was nothing there, no blood, no wound. He felt weak and dizzy. He tried to get out of bed, but nothing happened. And then there was movement beside the bed, and something landed lightly on his legs. He felt nothing. A pair of yellow eyes looked into his own, shining like the sun. The window was open and it was cold in the room, but the warmth that came off the wolf enfolded him like a hot bath. His pup, Bran realized . . . or was it? He was so big now. He reached out to pet him, his hand trembling like a leaf. When his brother Robb burst into the room, breathless from his dash up the tower steps, the direwolf was licking Bran's face. Bran looked up calmly. â€Å"His name is Summer,† he said.