The Efficient Market Hypothesis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

The Efficient Market Hypothesis - Essay Example This form of hypothesis shows that it is impossible for an individual to outperform a market by using any type of information that is known in the market except through good luck. The information or news that deals with the Efficient Market Hypothesis states that anything can affect the prices of the traded assets and the effects realized in the future trading period of a company. It has been noted that on average, competition makes the full effect of the new information that consists of intrinsic values to be reflected immediately on the actual prices of the traded assets. The investors in most cases check for the securities that have been undervalued and those whose value would increase in the future so as to make a concise decision on how to carry out their operations within a stipulated period of time. An efficient market is a market that is considered to have many people in the market who are informed about the existence of the stocks and are ready to maximize profits through carrying out the business activities. The market thus shows the prices of different goods and services in the market and relevant information concerning the activities as well as the events that may be taking place within a stipulated period of time. ... The technical analysis involves the process of searching for the recurrent and the predicable patterns that are in the stock prices so as to increase the returns of an organization. Where past prices do not contain any useful information for predicting the future prices, then, there is no use of using this form of technical trading rule within an organization. Fundamental analysis is another form of analysis that involves the use of earnings and the dividend prospects of a firm, the expectations of the future interest rates and the evaluation of the risk factors to determine the right prices of stocks. Efficient Market Hypothesis therefore predicts that the fundamental analysis may fail anytime of the year. The Efficient Market hypothesis theory states that it is impossible to outperform a market since the prices are already incorporated and can reflect on all the relevant information that is required. In case an investor engages himself or herself in the business of buying or selling securities, then this is termed as a game of chance and not of skill. There are some instances where the markets are efficient and they have current information. In this case then, we have the prices reflecting information that does not show how to buy the stocks at a bargain price. The stocks should therefore be traded at fair values on the stock exchange so that the investors may not purchase the stock at an under price or even sell them at inflated prices (Teweles, Jones, and Warwick, 1998: 113). In case this procedure is followed, then, the market cannot be outperformed through using the expert stock selection or the market timing process and in this case only the investor can be in a position to obtain

Primary goals Essay Example for Free

Primary goals Essay The chosen company is Ingram Micro which operates in a business process of delivering information technology products globally to partner establishments. The main products involve computer parts, peripherals, telecommunication devices and IT solution materials. Â  There are three primary goals which Ingram Micro has set for its business operations. First is to expand its reach over international markets in the distributorship of technology products. Second is to earn the respect of the IT market by implementing the right aspect of customer service. Third is to fabricate ideas and implement them to become the foundation of future innovations in the information technology marketing industry. Overall, the goal of the company is to be regarded as the best channel in distributing technology to the world. Based on the research material about goal setting, Ingram Micro seems to meet the criterions in effective building of goals. One aspect is by setting the performance value instead of outcome. Apparently, goals that are set for the principles of outcome will tend to fail because of uncontrollable factors (Mind Tools, 1995). Ingram Micro’s decision to set its performance based on customer relationship and satisfaction is one proof that it is on the right track. One more factor in goal setting according to the researched article is to set goals just at the right level. In this aspect, Ingram Micro implements an innovation approach on marketing which can provide a not too high expectation of results but is still a feasible procedure in development. In order for Ingram Micro to achieve the goal of broadening its reach globally, it can start by understanding the different economies in which it intends to invest on. This process will provide it a big picture on how stable the economy is in terms of political and investment feasibility. On the other hand, the goal of earning the respect of its clients can be done by ensuring that each customer will be able to get superior customer service even on after-sales matter. The on time and accurate delivery of quality products should also be an important thing to consider. References Ingram Micro. N.D. Vision, Mission, Values. Ingram Micro Corporate Website. Retrieved January 16, 2008 from http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=98566p=irol-aboutIMVision. Mind Tools. 1995. Setting Goals Effectively. Mind Tools. Retrieved January 16, 2008 from http://www.mindtools.com/pggoalef.html.

The Violence of The Queen of Spades Essay -- The Queen of Spades

The Violence of Plath’s Daddy  Ã‚   "Daddy" is probably Plath’s most famous poem. The critic George Steiner has said that, "It is a poem by which future generations will seek to know us." He has also called it, "the Guernica of modern poetry." The violence of its imagery and tone, the references to concentration camps, torture and fascism certainly evoke Picasso’s most celebrated painting. Plath claimed that in this poem she was adopting the persona of a girl with an Electra complex whose father had been a fascist, but while the poem is not completely autobiographical, it contains several obvious references to her own life. For example, here she refers to the picture of her father: "You stand at the blackboard, daddy, In the picture I have of you" This is a direct image of the actual photograph the Plaths possessed of Otto in front of his blackboard at the University. Similarly, the "man in black with a Meinkampf look" and the "vampire" who "drank my blood" for "seven years" is a reference to her perception of Hughes to whom she had been married for seven years when t...

Environmental Effects on Athletes

Environmental Effects on Athletes Another way to explore how athletes are affected by different factors preventing or causing them to perform at their highest level is through their environment. Coaches, parents, peers, childhood, and even the media can manipulate athletes. A coach can get you out of your game by giving too much feedback or not any at all. Parents often put too much pressure on their child, making them either excel or, for others, burnout.Starting sports at a young age can also have it benefits, like teaching healthy competition and life lessons. On the other hand, it can lead to more injuries in the long run or teach them unhealthy sportsmanship. For older athletes, it’s the peers and media that can have a strong effect. Bad influences in the media and criticism from reporters can take over or overwhelm athletes and cause them not to reach their full potential. Athletes need a certain environment to perform to their optimum ability, through their childhood an d even as they grow older.The childhood of an athlete is the most important time to build the characteristics of a champion. Certain factors in an athlete’s childhood can strongly determine not only if they are successful in sports, but also in life. A healthy environment can help children in their sports to â€Å"increase physical and mental health, learn healthy competition among peers and the sense of belonging gained by being part of a team† as Lucie Westminister, a psychology researcher and writer, says (Westminister 1).Coaches and parents are key factors in creating this healthy environment. Giving kids praise for their performance can bring out desirable changes in behavior and promote responsibility. Anything as simple from a pat on the back, to a nod, can affect a growing athlete. According to research found by Westminister â€Å"coaches who give positive reinforcement, provide effective feedback, and foster a caring climate provide the best developmental out comes for children† (Westminister 2).By providing a favorable outlook and always caring it is easier for children to grow up to excel and want to push themselves. Too much pressure or too little can cause children to grow up thinking sports don’t matter or not want to push themselves to be champions. Coaches may just be thinking about winning but the characters in children’s lives that nurture positive youth development will end up with children who succeed. If coaches and parents are supportive and connected in the right way they can create a champion.On the other hand, there are many risks by introducing sports at a young age. The highly competitive and ‘win at all costs’ attitude at colleges and seen by professional athletes are starting to affect children too. Pushing kids too hard while they are young can lead to a greater risk of injury, unsportsmanlike behavior, or even cause them to burn out. According to Lucie Westminister â€Å"Injuries su ch as tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) occur more and more in young athletes due to the rigors of practice and competitions†(Westminister).By starting younger, kids wear out their ligaments and joints faster making them more susceptible to injury. Children can also learn unsportsmanlike behavior by witnessing other players, parents, and even coaches. If kids aren’t subjected to the right atmosphere, they will learn bad behavior, just like how Westminister explains â€Å"Children learn behaviors by seeing another person complete the same activity, and therefore witnessing these behaviors may lead the child to mimic these in similar situations† (Westminister).Another negative effect of starting young is a child’s outlook of undue pressure. This negative and high-pressure world we now live in is causing more and more athletes to burn out. If the athlete feels too much pressure or that he or she is not receiving the right feedback it can cause him or her to stress out and no matter how successful, hate the sport they’re in. Family and coaches can prevent a champion from being made through undue pressure. The environment around a child in sports can be a negative impact on there life, unless the right steps are made.As kids grow older media and peers play a more influential role on determining if they will be a champion or not. Television, movies, magazines, video games, the Internet, all have effects on athletes just like how Wayne Wilson found â€Å"94% of U. S. children ages 8 to 17 watch, read about, or listen to sports using one form of media†(Wilson 6). Athletic performance is strongly reduced by distractions, which can arise from peers, unexpected high performance, media, criticism and plenty more.Newspapers, paparazzi, reporters, and even fans can all alter the performance of an athlete through public forums in the media. Many athletes are the targets of the media, always being critiqued and dissected, l ike Miki Ando. The constant and negative publicity of her figure skating performances caused Ando to struggled in 2005 and 2006, almost missing her opportunity in the 2006 Olympics. The only way to stay out of the media is to do nothing just as Wilson states â€Å"Mediocre people play it safe and avoid criticism at all costs. Champions risk criticism every time they perform†(Wilson 15).Professional athletes are always facing criticism, but with the right mentality, champions can be made. From childhood to adulthood athletes are always facing obstacles in the way of their dreams. Children must face the pressure from their parents, coaches, or any influential adults around them. In order for kids to gain the mentality of a champion and learn life-long lessons, they must engage in the right environment. Throughout high school and college, athletes deal with the media attacking or praising them, along with parents and coaches.Friends and video games also come as a distraction, ei ther giving them the wrong ideas or leading them down the wrong path. Distractions are everywhere preventing athletes from achieving their dreams, but in the right environment, they can become a champion. Works Cited Westminister, Lucie. â€Å"Children in Sports. † Healthy Living Today N. p. , 29 June 2012. Web. 2 April 2013. Wilson, Wayne. Children and Sports Media. Los Angelos, CA: Amateur Athletic Foundation, 1999. Print.

Mathematics, the Connection Between Art and Science Essay

Although there are many differences that set art and science apart, they share one undeniable commonality. This bond that is present between what is otherwise considered as polar opposites is mathematics. As shown in Professor Vesna’s lecture, mathematics is imperative to the development of art. Through math, artists have come to understand perspective, proportion, and geometrics. In terms of science, mathematics is the foundation which every theory stands upon. Nature, humans, and the digital world would have been impossible to comprehend without numbers to bridge the gap between the unknown and the understood. Truly, mathematics is ubiquitous and continues to prove its importance to this day. A novel amalgamation that consists of mathematics, art, and science is music. Milkman, an artist of the mash-up genre, is a musician that samples different songs and digitally combines them to form a brand new track. In a way, his work is described as an example of cross synthesis or convultion which according to Burk is some aspect of one sound superimposed on another. To harmoniously combine two different songs, one must fully understand every possible correlation in terms of rhythm, melody, and lyrics. And with mathematics and science making the technology available, the art of mashing up songs has become readily accessible and requires only creativity to create the next hit single. Mathematics has almost an infinite range of applications in society today. For example, Robert Lang presents mathematics as part of the core that drives origami, the art of folding paper. Lang shows that complexity is irrelevant; with mathematics to dictate origami, anything can be shaped. Because of its practicality of compacting large things, origami is used in various sectors of science which include telescope lens packing and heart stents. Another example of math’s prevalence is Theo Jansen’s presentation on his kinetic sculptures. His biological art, able to move independently, essentially redefines the wheel. Not only is it artistic but also it is a masterpiece of engineering; just a simple push can propel a massively heavy structure across difficult terrain. It is evident that math not only facilitates the evolution of artistic creations but also helps apply them as potential solutions to problems of today.

Preparing for a Tsunami - Tsunami Safety Guide

Preparing for a Tsunami - Tsunami Safety Guide What are tsunamis? Tsunamis are large ocean waves generated by major earthquakes beneath the ocean floor or major landslides into the ocean. Tsunamis caused by nearby earthquakes may reach the coast within minutes. When the waves enter shallow water, they may rise to several feet or, in rare cases, tens of feet, striking the coast with devastating force. People on the beach or in low coastal areas need to be aware that a tsunami could arrive within minutes after a severe earthquake. The tsunami danger period can continue for many hours after a major earthquake. Tsunamis also may be generated by very large earthquakes far away in other areas of the ocean. Waves caused by these earthquakes travel at hundreds of miles per hour, reaching the coast several hours after the earthquake. The International Tsunami Warning System monitors ocean waves after any Pacific earthquake with a magnitude greater than 6.5. If waves are detected, warnings are issued to local authorities who can order the evacuation of low-lying areas if necessary. Why prepare for tsunamis? All tsunamis are potentially, if rarely, dangerous. Twenty-four tsunamis have caused damage in the United States and its territories in the past 200 years. Since 1946, six tsunamis have killed more than 350 people and caused significant property damage in Hawaii, Alaska, and along the West Coast. Tsunamis have also occurred in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. When a tsunami comes ashore, it can cause great loss of life and property damage. Tsunamis can travel upstream in coastal estuaries and rivers, with damaging waves extending farther inland than the immediate coast. A tsunami can occur during any season of the year and at any time, day or night. How can I protect myself from a tsunami? If you are in a coastal community and feel the shaking of a strong earthquake, you may have only minutes until a tsunami arrives. Do not wait for an official warning. Instead, let the strong shaking be your warning, and, after protecting yourself from falling objects, quickly move away from the water and to higher ground. If the surrounding area is flat, move inland. Once away from the water, listen to a local radio or television station or NOAA Weather Radio for information from the Tsunami Warning Centers about further action you should take. Even if you do not feel shaking, if you learn that an area has experienced a large earthquake that could send a tsunami in your direction, listen to a local radio or television station or NOAA Weather Radio for information from the Tsunami Warning Centers about action you should take. Depending on the location of the earthquake, you may have a number of hours in which to take appropriate action. What is the best source of information in a tsunami situation? As part of an international cooperative effort to save lives and protect property, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service operates two tsunami warning centers: the West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center (WC/ATWC) in Palmer, Alaska, and the ​Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) in Ewa Beach, Hawaii. The WC/ATWC serves as the regional Tsunami Warning Center for Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California. The PTWC serves as the regional Tsunami Warning Center for Hawaii and as a national/international warning center for tsunamis that pose a Pacific-wide threat. Some areas, such as Hawaii, have Civil Defense Sirens. Turn on your radio or television to any station when the siren is sounded and listen for emergency information and instructions. Maps of tsunami-inundation areas and evacuation routes can be found in the front of local telephone books in the Disaster Preparedness Info section. Tsunami warnings are broadcast on local radio and television stations and on NOAA Weather Radio. NOAA Weather Radio is the prime alerting and critical information delivery system of the National Weather Service (NWS). NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts warnings, watches, forecasts, and other hazard information 24 hours a day on more than 650 stations in the 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Pacific territories. The NWS encourages people to buy a weather radio equipped with the Specific Area Message Encoder (SAME) feature. This feature automatically alerts you when important information is issued about tsunamis or weather-related hazards for your area. Information on NOAA Weather Radio is available from your local NWS office or online. Carry the radio with you when you go to the beach and keep fresh batteries in it. Tsunami Warning A Tsunami warning means a dangerous tsunami may have been generated and could be close to your area. Warnings are issued when an earthquake is detected that meets the location and magnitude criteria for the generation of a tsunami. The warning includes predicted tsunami arrival times at selected coastal communities within the geographic area defined by the maximum distance the tsunami could travel in a few hours. Tsunami Watch A Tsunami watch means a dangerous tsunami has not yet been verified but could exist and may be as little as an hour away. A watchÂâ€"issued along with a tsunami warningÂâ€"predicts additional tsunami arrival times for a geographic area defined by the distance the tsunami could travel in more than a few hours. The West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issue watches and warnings to the media and to local, state, national, and international officials. NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts tsunami information directly to the public. Local officials are responsible for formulating, disseminating information about, and executing evacuation plans in case of a tsunami warning. What to Do When a Tsunami Watch Is Issued You should: Use a NOAA Weather Radio or stay tuned to a Coast Guard emergency frequency station, or a local radio or television station for updated emergency information. Most tsunami detection equipment is located at the coast. Seismic action may be the only advance warning before a tsunami approaches the coastline. Check your Disaster Supplies Kit. Some supplies may need to be replaced or restocked. Locate household members and review evacuation plans. Make sure everyone knows there are a potential threat and the best way to safer ground. If any members of your household have special evacuation needs (small children, elderly people, or people with disabilities) consider evacuating early. If time permits, secure unanchored objects around your home or business. Tsunami waves can sweep away loose objects. Securing these items or moving them inside will reduce potential loss or damage. Be ready to evacuate. Being prepared will help you to move more quickly if a tsunami warning is issued. Bring you r companion animals indoors and maintain direct control of them. Be sure that your pet disaster kit is ready to go in case you need to evacuate. Consider a precautionary evacuation of your animals, especially any large or numerous animals. Waiting until the last minute could be fatal for them and dangerous for you. Where possible, move livestock to higher ground. If you are using a horse or other trailer to evacuate your animals, move early rather than wait until it may be too late to maneuver a trailer through slow traffic. What to Do When a Tsunami Warning Is Issued You should: Use a NOAA Weather Radio or stay tuned to a Coast Guard emergency frequency station, or a local radio or television station for updated emergency information. Follow instructions issued by local authorities. Recommended evacuation routes may be different from the one you planned, or you may be advised to climb higher. Remember, authorities will issue a warning only if they believe there is a real threat from tsunami. If you hear an official tsunami warning or detect signs of a tsunami, evacuate at once. A tsunami warning is issued when authorities are certain that a tsunami threat exists, and there may be little time to get out. Take your Disaster Supplies Kit. Having supplies will make you more comfortable during the evacuation. Get to higher ground as far inland as possible. Officials cannot reliably predict either the height or local effects of tsunamis. Watching a tsunami from the beach or cliffs could put you in grave danger. If you can see the wave, you are too close to escape it. Return home only after local officials tell you it is safe. A tsunami is a series of waves that may continue for hours. Do not assume that after one wave the danger is over. The next wave may be larger than the first one. In several cases, people survived the first wave and returned to homes and businesses only to be trapped and killed by later, sometimes larger, waves in the series. If you evacuate, take your animals with you. If it is not safe for you, it is not safe for your animals. If you cannot escape a wave, climb onto a roof or up a tree, or grab a floating object and hang on until help arrives. Some people have survived tsunami waves by using these last-resort methods. What to Do if You Feel a Strong Coastal Earthquake If you feel an earthquake that lasts 20 seconds or longer when you are in a coastal area, you should: Drop, cover, and hold on. You should first protect yourself from the earthquake. When the shaking stops, gather members of your household and move quickly to higher ground away from the coast. A tsunami may be coming within minutes. Avoid downed power lines and stay away from buildings and bridges from which heavy objects might fall during an aftershock. Learn whether tsunamis have occurred in your area or could occur in your area by contacting your local emergency management office, state geological survey, National Weather Service (NWS) office, or American Red Cross chapter. Find out your areaÂ’s flooding elevation. If you are in an area at risk from tsunamis, you should: Find out if your home, school, workplace, or other frequently visited locations are in tsunami hazard areas. Know the height of your street above sea level and the distance of your street from the coast or other high-risk waters. Evacuation orders may be based on these numbers. Also find out the height above sea level and the distance from the coast of outbuildings that house animals, as well as pastures or corrals. Plan evacuation routes from your home, school, workplace, or any other place you could be where tsunamis present a risk. If possible, pick areas 100 feet (30 meters) above sea level or go as far as two miles (3 kilometers) inland, away from the coastline. If you cannot get this high or far, go as high or far as you can. Every foot inland or upward may make a difference. You should be able to reach your safe location on foot within 15 minutes. After a disaster, roads may become impassable or blocked. Be prepared to evacuate by foot if necessary. Footpaths normally lead uph ill and inland, while many roads parallel coastlines. Follow posted tsunami evacuation routes; these will lead to safety. Local emergency management officials can advise you on the best route to safety and likely shelter locations. If your childrenÂ’s school is in an identified inundation zone, find out what the school evacuation plan is. Find out if the plan requires you to pick your children up from school or from another location. Telephone lines during a tsunami watch or warning may be overloaded and routes to and from schools may be jammed. Practice your evacuation routes. Familiarity may save your life. Be able to follow your escape route at night and during inclement weather. Practicing your plan makes the appropriate response more of a reaction, requiring less thinking during an actual emergency situation. Use a NOAA Weather Radio or stay tuned to a local radio or television station to keep informed of local watches and warnings. Talk to your insurance agent. Homeowners policies do not cover flooding from a tsunami. Ask about the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). NFIP covers tsunami damage, but your community must participate in the program. Discuss tsunamis with your family. Everyone should k now what to do in a tsunami situation. Discussing tsunamis ahead of time will help reduce fear and save precious time in an emergency. Review flood safety and preparedness measures with your family. If you are visiting an area at risk from tsunamis, check with the hotel, motel, or campground operators for tsunami evacuation information and find out what the warning system is for tsunamis. It is important to know designated escape routes before a warning is issued. Fiction: Facts: Tsunamis normally have the appearance of a fast-rising and fast-receding flood. They can be similar to a tide cycle occurring over 10 to 60 minutes instead of 12 hours. Occasionally, tsunamis can form walls of water, known as tsunami bores, when the waves are high enough and the shoreline configuration is appropriate. Fiction: A tsunami is a single wave. Facts: A tsunami is a series of waves. Often the initial wave is not the largest. The largest wave may occur several hours after the initial activity starts at a coastal location. There may also be more than one series of tsunami waves if a very large earthquake triggers local landslides. In 1964, the town of Seward, Alaska, was devastated first by local tsunamis caused by submarine landslides resulting from the earthquake and then by the earthquakeÂ’s main tsunami. The local tsunamis began even as people were still experiencing the shaking. The main tsunami, triggered at the site of the earthquake, did not arrive for several hours. Fiction: Boats should move to the protection of a bay or harbor during a tsunami. Facts: Tsunamis are often most destructive in bays and harbors, not just because of the waves but because of the violent currents they generate in local waterways. Tsunamis are least destructive in deep, open ocean waters. Source: Talking About Disaster: Guide for Standard Messages. Produced by the National Disaster Education Coalition, Washington, D.C., 2004.

Serial Comma in Business Writing

Serial Comma in Business Writing In nearly every business writing course I lead, the subject of whether or not to use a serial comma (also called an oxford comma) comes up. There is always strong opinion. I actually dreaded writing this article. I was scarred by this subject while in graduate school studying composition and rhetoric, when I had to write a 10-page paper on the history and merits/detriments of the serial comma. I had to present my research and opinion to my classmates, who not surprisingly loved to debate grammar. The argument about whether the serial comma should or should not be included lasted over two hours. We never did come to any consensus. This controversy probably exists because there is no grammar â€Å"rule.† Just convention. And, style guides differ. To define: a serial comma is the optional comma used at the end of a list. The most common conjunctions in a list are â€Å"and† and â€Å"or.† The serial comma is the comma that comes before the conjunction: I like cookies, cupcakes(,) and gumdrops. (The comma before and is the serial comma.) TED Talks provide an excellent illustrative summary: Let me tip my hand, and give you my opinion on this business grammar issue, and then I’ll explain why: The customary convention in business writing is to use the serial comma. The customary convention in journalism is to omit it, historically to conserve space. The British tend to use serial commas less than Americans. It is both correct to use or not use a serial comma, so what is most important is consistency. (And, be prepared for some editors to correct you, regardless of which option you choose.) I recommend using the serial comma in business writing, since it is the customary convention. And, to me, it is much easier to consistently follow this convention, than to omit it most of the time and add it in when clarity is needed. Keep it simple. Let’s look at examples where the serial comma clarifies: When stocking your desk, be sure you have pens, pencils, paper clips(,) and pins. (The comma after pens in parentheses is the serial comma.) If you do not use a serial comma in this sentence, meaning is still quite clear, but you might wonder if you need to buy a box of paper clips and pins mixed together: When stocking your desk, be sure you have pens, pencils, paper clips and pins. Let’s examine a more ambiguous example: The job involves restocking shelves, cleaning and serving customers. (Without a serial comma before and, the sentence suggests the person doing this job will be responsible for cleaning the customers in addition to serving them.) Another example illustrating confusion that results by omitting the serial comma: â€Å"To reduce stress, I like running, yoga, meditation and visualization and quiet time alone.† Notice I omitted the serial comma here. Let’s see how this example works: No comma: To reduce stress, I like (running,) (yoga,) (meditation and visualization and quiet) time. Comma: To reduce stress, I like (running,) (yoga,) (meditation and visualization,) and (quiet) time. Recommendation Use the serial comma consistently in your business writing. Only omit it in those rare instances when it muddies meaning. Grammarians love to debate this issue, and there will never be full agreement, but for business writing, the convention is clear: use the serial comma. What is your opinion on this hotly debated grammar issue? Yes or no for the serial comma?

Where Should I put my Quotation Marks Slate Magazine and the Rise of Logical Punctuation.

Where Should I put my Quotation Marks Slate Magazine and the Rise of Logical Punctuation. On May 12, 2011, not one, but TWO of my friends and colleagues pointed me toward an article in Slate Magazine entitled, â€Å"The Rise of Logical Punctuation†. In the article, author Ben Yagoda explores the nuances of where to place periods and commas within quotations (inside or outside the quotation marks?).   Not long ago, I wrote an article touching upon much the same topic:   The Quandary of Quotation Marks (â€Å" â€Å").   My conclusion was that the British are much more logical than we are in the U.S., following the rule that punctuation goes inside the quotation marks only when it is part of the quotation.   How simple is that?   And yet I continue to follow the U.S. protocol. Slate Magazine itself, as well as The New York Times and the Washington Post, follow AP guidelines and put periods and commas inside the quotation marks.   But Yagoda references a Twitter post by Conan O’Brien, a Wikipedia entry on Frank Sinatra, and the website Pitchfork, all of which follow the British way, with periods and commas lying outside the quotation marks.   He also relates that his students largely refuse to follow the traditional U.S. rules even when they know they will be penalized for doing so.   I highly recommend taking a look at his article for an interesting exploration of why we choose to punctuate the way we do. Last week my blog explored the distinction between grammar purists and progressives in Steven Sawyer’s guest article, Top 10 Obsolete Grammar Rules.   It looks like we can add number 11.   According to Yagoda, despite the Chicago Manual of Style’s adherence to the traditional style, we may be fast on our way to an obsolete punctuation rule – another feast for progressives.   As Yagoda claims, â€Å"A punctuation paradigm is shifting.†Ã‚   Note:   even under the â€Å"new† rules, or the â€Å"new normal,† the period belongs inside those quotation marks because it was indeed part of the original sentence in Yagoda’s article.   Crystal clear, right? By the way, â€Å"new normal† was the phrase chosen as â€Å"Cliche of the Week† last week by Chris Pash in his blog. Do you choose to follow the progressive â€Å"new normal† when it comes to quotation marks?   Or will you remain a purist?   So far I’m sticking with the old fashioned way, but I feel a possible change erupting. Category:Grammar Writing TipsBy Brenda BernsteinMay 23, 2011 1 Comment Steven Sawyer says: October 20, 2011 at 5:15 pm Brenda, good stuff. And thanks for the mention of my guest article. I wanted to share that I correspond regularly with teachers and students from places like Russia, Ukraine, Greece, Argentina and Columbia. It appears to me, from their comments and writing that these countries are leaning more heavily towards learning British English, not only in punctuation and grammar, but in spelling as well. For example, the British spelling of these words differs from how we spell them: centre, litre, metre, colour, favour, honour, labour, to name just a few. Do you think we will ever adopt British English if it becomes the standard for most of the rest of the world? Log in to Reply

GLOBAL LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT Essay - 1

GLOBAL LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT - Essay Example Therefore, the total cost of the Model needs to be redefined. Carrying cost is constant; the model assumes that carrying costs are constant; however, this might vary depending on the quantity of inventory, economies of scale, increase in storage space, and renting of new warehouse. Independent orders; the increase of orders may increase the cost of saving by reducing the transportation and paperwork. This means that the original EOQ should be modified and developed to deal with the change. In essence, this means that the optimal strategy is computing one product Instantaneous delivery; the model assumes that the orders is delivered instantly; however, this can be modified to include the safe stock. In other words, the model assumes that there was no delay in delivery of stock and the delivered stock is as demanded. The model is based on assumptions hence not accurate; for instance, it assumes that there is a steady demand of the product for immediate restocking. However, the model does not consider variables such as economic fluctuations, as well as, seasonability of some products. Moreover, it assumes that holding charges, ordering costs, and inventory units are constant. This is difficult hence needs a constant monitoring of the inventory levels. In simple terms, the model is limited by the assumptions since the formula does not consider other factors and different products in the same order. Moreover, the model is based on complex mathematical calculations that require an individual to have a good understanding of algebra. This model disadvantages the small entrepreneurs who lack knowledge in calculating such figures. Notably, level production strategy is concerned with producing a plan that helps in maintaining a steady rate of employment and production. Satisfying demand requires that production in a firm be increased and lowered to

Law And Society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Law And Society - Essay Example His programs were collectively called the New Deal. The New Deal projects by President Roosevelt suffered massive drawbacks at the courts. Most of them were frustrated by the supreme courts issuing verdicts that they were unconstitutional (Himmelberg, p19). The statues and provisions in the new deal programs that were struck down by the courts include the Agricultural Adjustment Act, which supported financially staple farmers, the National Industrial Recovery Act, which approved the cartelization of industries, and the Railroad Retirement Act. According to Leuchtenburg, these sudden changes precipitated a constitutional crisis. They posed a difficult challenge to the conventional dogma of the Supreme Court leading to a constitutional revolution (Leuchtenburg p213). Frustrated by the courts actions, President Roosevelt reacted by announcing his reorganization of the judiciary. This was infamously known as the â€Å"court packing† plan (Mannino, p293). Several writers argue that the courts struck down numerous important laws in the twentieth century. The two pertinent reasons fronted for this precedence were; the laws were hastily and poorly drafted during the emotional hundred days of Roosevelt in office and that they were badly defended in the courts. It must be noted that these two arguments were found with flaws. One law in New York drafted by the best law practitioners in United States was a casualty in this period. This reason amongst others weakened the reasoning held at that time (Leuchtenburg p234). The court packing plan, for instance, according to Leuchtenburg had frightened the courts and posed a danger to them. This to him might have had some effect relative to jurisprudence. However, the interpretation of the constitutional revolution in the 1930s is diverse. Several law scholars have cited different Court cases of the twentieth century to support their stand on which case actually represented a constitutional revolution. In this term paper, the cases West Coast Hotel vs. Parrish, argued for by Leuchtenburg and Wickard vs. Filburn argued for by Cushman will be analyzed. As a result, determine which authors interpretations of the cases amount to a revolutionary case. In the case West Coast Hotel vs. Parrish (1937), the Supreme Court judgment upheld the constitutionality of legislation on minimum wage passed by Washington State. It overturned the trials court decision that was based on the precedent of Adkins vs. Children’s Hospital (Leuchtenburg, p164). This decision is believed to have ended the era in which the Supreme Court had a penchant for quashing legislation intended at regulating enterprise. Leuchtenburg argues that, this case marked a notable divide in the history of the courts. It also had a significant consequence on the destiny of President Roosevelt Court packing plan. In addition, Elsie Parrish case prompted a constitutional revolution in the United States Supreme Court (Leuchtenburg p163). Her case appeared to be heading for defeat since for a decade; the Supreme Court had ruled that a minimum wage act for women was unlawful since it violated the liberty of contract that the Court assumptions were guaranteed by the Constitution. Against all odds, Elsie Parrish was resolute in her quest for justice. Following the precedent of Adkins, her case was never watertight in the eyes of legal practitioners. Even at the time, the finest law practition

Aircraft anti-skid System Certification and Regulation Research Paper

Aircraft anti-skid System Certification and Regulation - Research Paper Example It also maintains steering and aircraft stability in order to control the wheel from skidding which often the cause of aircraft accidents. Skidding of wheels in aircraft is closely monitored because of the many risks it takes when neglected. Skidding can reduce the braking efficiency which will result to locking of wheels, bursting of tyres and possible serious damage to the aircraft locked-up wheels. And these posed serious fear to pilots especially when taking off and landing. Aside from those ABS also reduces the chance of hydroplaning and helps eliminate excessive heat buildup. Hydroplaning is the loss of braking control or steering which usually happens when layer of water prevents direct contact between aircraft tires on the runway surface (Ming, et al., 2). The operation of the antiskid systems is generally armed by a switch in the cockpit. It has a squat switch which prevents current from flowing to the system during flight. The system only performs its function when the whee l deceleration indicates an impending skid. And ABS allows pilot to fully control over braking at speeds below 20 meters per hour (mph) (Mlevel3, 1). Tracing back the history of ABS, this system was purposely innovated for aircrafts since, it was impossible for aircraft to have threshold breaking. The initial concept of ABS was actually introduced by Gabriel Voisin, a French automobile and aircraft pioneer in 1929. The first aircraft ABS has utilized a flywheel, a rotating mechanical device that is used to store rotational energy, and a hydraulic line that feeds the brake cylinders. The flywheel has many advantages such when the energy source is not continuously available, it is exploited in the reciprocating engine to provide continuous energy. It also delivers energy at rates beyond the ability of an energy source and it controls the orientation. And it is also used to control orientation of a mechanical system especially when energy is transferred to or from the flywheel. The fir st flywheel was actually designed that runs with the similar speed as the wheel and was connected to a drum. The drum and the flywheel spin at the same speed in normal breaking. But, it leaves the flywheel spinning at a faster rate when the wheel and drum were to slow down which allows the valve to open. A small amount brake fluid then bypass the master cylinder down to a local reservoir which causes the pressure on the cylinder to decrease and release the brakes. The flywheel attached to the drum most important use was to open the valve when the wheel was rotating. This early concept of ABS system was noted to improve as least 30% of the breaking performance of the aircraft because it allows the pilots to find the skid point and enable them to apply breaks immediately. And, additional advantage, this system prevents the tires from burning or bursting (Flight, 587-588). Another revolution on the development of ABS took place at the beginning of Second World War. The new brake design was suitable for runway use which utilizes high-pressure hydraulic system associated with disc brakes and high-pneumatic tyres. The landing gears were also remodeled during this development era wherein it was stowed since the high aircraft speeds were already specified. And the wheels were made smaller in order to reduce the space available for brakes. Several brake rotor discs were also added which were placed side-by-side along the same axis with stators between each discs (Aircraft Technology Engineering & Maintenance, 2). Aircraft brake system (shown on Figure 1) commonly includes several important parts such as the normal brake system, which is powered by

Discuss the important contributions that the education systems make to Essay

Discuss the important contributions that the education systems make to the state - Essay Example This essay stresses that more and more people now stay on for further and higher education, but are we raising false expectations? Employers who in the fifties would have been satisfied with quite low paper qualifications, now have very high standards., and so we find young people with a first degree unable to get employment in the field they want or, in some cases, any employment at all. One third of all graduates are said to never obtain employment at a true graduate level. So is all that time and study being wasted? It is well known that success in life is not necessarily linked to success in school. Albert Einstein failed early exams and believed that his wife had the better intellect of the two. Winston Churchill, great leader and winner of the Nobel prize for literature, had a mediocre school life. Shakespeare, another great Englishman attended his local school in Stratford, but as far as we know had no further or higher education. He probably started school at the age of 7 or 8 and left at about 15. So we see that society has benefited from great intellects, but these were not necessarily the result of great teaching. This paper makes a conclusion that education makes to the state. First of all you would have to agree on what constitutes education. Would you include only that which takes place in formal situations? What would you measure and what against? Literacy rates against gross natural product? Would you compare a countries rating according to the United Nations against a country’s education budget?

Topic in Cultural Studies Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Topic in Cultural Studies - Assignment Example Greek philosophy had many school of thoughts, which were advanced by philosophers such as Socrates and Plato. Greek philosophy was influenced by old literature and myths (Hanson-Harding, 2000). The roman government was made up of three branches, the senate, the consul, and the assembly. It was characterized by monarchy, democracy and aristocracy. Greece had a parliamentary republic headed by a president and a prime minister. It was dominated by socialists and conservatives. Greece was mountainous and a number of islands. Rome was established on a flat plains made up of fertile soils. On the other hand, Romans were farmers. According to Hanson-Harding (2000), the Greeks were mainly sailors. The Greeks mainly imported goods due to poor soils. They used retail markets to sell their own wares. The Greeks had merchants organized in groups called the guilds. They practiced pottery and metalworking. Romans cultivated grapes and olive trees. Rome was endowed with natural and human resources. They imported grains and exported olive oil and grapes (Thomas,

Women Organizations Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Women Organizations - Term Paper Example They have gird up their loins to fight back and find success. They are no longer the victims. Women have gained courage for fighting for their rights, their dignity, identity, freedom and several other factors. And the world has realized that the weaker sex is succeeding, amid the worst crises. Women organizations that fight for women rights uphold the cause of women who are negatively privileged. Organizations supply those valuable intangible tools that encourage women to support themselves and boldly fight for their rights. Women organizations that address women issues help women rebuild their communities and secure their futures. In the United States we can find innumerable women organizations that cry for women’s rights in different spheres of life. Such organizations also exist outside the United States. Almost all countries have organizations that serve as wings for women. These organizations uplift women and make them fight off oppression, violence and poor health. In t he United States Equal Rights Advocates (ERA) is one such organization that strives to uphold the rights of women. The organization attempts to advance the civil rights of women. They have been leading the legal fight for equality of women for more than thirty years. Since 1974, the organization is fighting to gain equal rights and opportunities for women. They attempt to protect and uphold the economic opportunities for females through advocacy and litigation. The litigation initiatives of the organization have helped women achieve the rights to equal opportunity. Passing the legislation will not cannot ensure that women get their rights. Cases should be brought to make sure that rights carried in the legislation are practically enforced. Litigation takes to greater protection of rights under the law. It is a true wake up call for the legislators. United States Equal Rights Advocates is a leader among the women rights associations. The organization aims to establish a world where w omen from all walks of life get good educational and economic opportunities. Women are expected to get equal representation in management and leadership positions. The organization aims women to have employment and workplace equality. The organization strives for women rights so that they are equally treated in private, public and nonprofit sectors. ERA envision a work environment where women are not segregated or oppressed. Equal Rights Advocates attempts to eliminate all illegal discriminatory practices that block the advancement opportunities of women. Equal Rights Advocates demand equal compensation for women. Women are also expected to access all types of occupations. According to Equal Rights Advocates women should get respectful and safe treatment in all spheres of life. The organization wants employers to give women a favorable work environment where women never encounter a harassment or segregation. Work environment must also comply with the safety laws and health rules. Eq ual Rights Advocates say that women should be assisted to gain a proper balance and work life and family life. Equal Rights Advocates demands sufficient family and medical leave for women. Pregnancy protection laws, paid family leave and paid medical leave are also demanded for. The organization keeps a toll-free Advice and counseling phone number so that people get the needed legal information. People can call them for legal information and help. Equal Rights Advocates strives to expand the educational and economic opportunities of women. The organization is a protector of women rights. The organization upholds the rights of negatively privilege women. According to the Executive Director of

Topic in Cultural Studies Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Topic in Cultural Studies - Assignment Example Greek philosophy had many school of thoughts, which were advanced by philosophers such as Socrates and Plato. Greek philosophy was influenced by old literature and myths (Hanson-Harding, 2000). The roman government was made up of three branches, the senate, the consul, and the assembly. It was characterized by monarchy, democracy and aristocracy. Greece had a parliamentary republic headed by a president and a prime minister. It was dominated by socialists and conservatives. Greece was mountainous and a number of islands. Rome was established on a flat plains made up of fertile soils. On the other hand, Romans were farmers. According to Hanson-Harding (2000), the Greeks were mainly sailors. The Greeks mainly imported goods due to poor soils. They used retail markets to sell their own wares. The Greeks had merchants organized in groups called the guilds. They practiced pottery and metalworking. Romans cultivated grapes and olive trees. Rome was endowed with natural and human resources. They imported grains and exported olive oil and grapes (Thomas,

Cold war Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Cold war - Essay Example This paper will address the cold war topic into details. The cold war was the tension that existed between the Western and Eastern blocs. After, the end of World War II, an English journalist named George Orwell used the term cold war in his essay (Lewis, 2006). As stated above, the cold war was led by the United States, its NATO partners and the Soviet Union together with its satellite associates. Some of the Soviet Republics included Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Eastern Finland, Lithuania and Eastern Romania. These territories were liberated and were transformed into satellite states (Leffler, 2008). The United States was the Western bloc (Western world) while the Soviet Union was known as the Eastern bloc (also communist world) (Tyull & Enright, 2011). The war commenced after the triumph of their wartime coalition against Nazi Germany. This success factor triggered political and economic differences among these two superpowers. The main wary factor in the war period was the introducti on of weapons of mass destruction. Before the war had commenced, the two superpowers fought together as friends during World War II, since; they had one enemy in common (Arne, 2007). The reason behind the naming of the war originates from the fact that the war did not involve direct military action because both sides were in possession of nuclear weapons. This war was caused by several issues. Some of the prevalent issues include Truman’s dislike of Stalin, Russia’s loathe of capitalism, secrets in nuclear power, fear of attack by the United States, need to secure the western border and the aim of spreading communism in the world (Brown, 2011). These among other factors are some of the main causes that led to the rise of the cold war. However, this rivalry was presented through espionage, aid to client countries, rivalry at sport competitions, massive propaganda campaigns, technological contests, military federations and making pleas to neutral nations. One of the most evident expressions of the conflict is the Space Race which was related to technological improvement. These were some of the proxy wars that the Soviet Union fought with the United States (Leffler, 2008). Additionally, both parties sought for a detente so as to relieve the military and political tensions (Arne, 2007). However, in the 1980s, the Western bloc increased their military, economic and diplomatic pressures. This was the period when the Soviet Union faced economic stagnation. According to researchers, the cold war was the first-ever war between the social and economic systems (Tyull & Enright, 2011). In this period, the prime minister of Britain, Winston Churchill felt that the Soviet leader; Joseph Stalin was quite untrustworthy. Stalin was viewed as distrustful after Truman informed him of a new weapon that he was to use against the Japanese. In addition, Stalin knew about the weapon’s power after reports of Hiroshima went back to Moscow. He also asserted that Wor ld War II was an inevitable case of capital imperialism and that the implications of the war reoccurring were exceptionally high. The Soviet Union had a vast army known as the Red Army that was headed by the Zhukov while the United States region were in possession of the atomic bomb which was recognized as the most destructive weapon of mass destruction in the world (Tyull & Enright, 2011). Patton who was one of the leading generals in the Western bloc recommended that the

Language Processing and Production Essay Example for Free

Language Processing and Production Essay This experiment investigated hemispheric specialisation and dominance with regards to language functions. It used a computer program to measure the amount of key presses achieved by participants in a given time across four different trials (1 with the left hand, no talking, 2 with the left hand whilst being asked questions, and the same two trials again with the right hand). The participants were 2nd year psychology students from which a cohort of 20 was selected for data analysis. A significant difference was found for the effect of hemisphere and language processing task present or absent. However, the means for each trial did not support left hemispheric dominance for language functions: more key presses were recorded when talking and using the right hand than when talking and using the left. Handedness and some involvement of the right hemisphere in language processing and production were also shown as appearing to influence the results obtained. The main conclusion to be drawn is that hemispheric specialisation and language dominance is a subject that needs further investigation in order to clarify the generalisability of conclusions made about left hemisphere language specialisations. Our brain consists of two halves; the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere. The left hemisphere receives information from and controls muscles in the right side of the body, whilst the right hemisphere receives information from and controls muscles in the left side of the body. Research using brain imagery and studies of brain damaged and split brain patients, to name just a few examples, has shown that some of our functions are controlled more by one hemisphere than the other, i.e. are more specialised for that particular function. This experiment aims to investigate these differing specialisations of the hemispheres more deeply and with particular regard to language. Research into language differences between the two hemispheres is widespread and supports the view that the left hemisphere is the more dominant. Marc Dax was the first to notice hemispheric differences in his brain damaged patients, after having seen many patients suffering from loss of speech. Dax found what appeared to be an association between the loss of speech and the side of the brain where the damage occurred. In more than 40 patients with aphasia, Dax noticed damage to the left hemisphere; he was unable to find a case that involved damage to the right hemisphere alone (Springer and Deutsch, 1998, p. 1-2). By 1870 further evidence also began to surface, when other investigators began to realise that many types of language disorders could result from damage to the left hemisphere (Springer Deutsch, 1998, p. 1). For example, Brocas and Wernickes aphasia: Brocas aphasia causes speech problems associated with comprehension, resulting from damage to Brocas area (situated in the left frontal cortex), whilst Wernickes aphasia causes word salad (hard to understand, jumbled speech), resulting from damage to Wernickes area (situated in the left temporal lobe). Later research has also supported Daxs original findings, one example of such research concluded that the left hemisphere is responsible for language in almost all right-handed individuals (Butler, S. R. 1997, p. 187). This research also links the additional factor of handedness to investigations of hemispheric lateralisation, an idea which has been supported by others in the field. For example: In right handers , it is almost always the case that the hemisphere that controls the dominant hand is also the hemisphere that controls speech (Springer and Deutsch, 1998, p. 2), therefore it is possible that for left handers, as their dominant hand is being controlled by the right hemisphere, the right hemisphere may be responsible for speech control and other language functions instead of the left hemisphere. Additional research looking at right hemisphere lesions has demonstrated that the right hemisphere is responsible for some linguistical functions: finding that patients with such lesions may be impaired relative to normal controls on certain tests of language (Corballis, C. M. 1983, p. 33). One study by Lesser (1974) reported such an impairment on a semantic test involving comprehension of spoken words but not on a phonological or syntactic test (Corballis, C. M. 1983, p. 33), suggesting a small role for the right hemisphere in language processing. Kinsbourne and McMurray carried out valuable research using healthy participants, using a procedure similar to the current study (cited in Kalat, 2004, pg. 427). They asked participants to tap with a pencil on a piece of paper as many times as they could in one minute, first with their right hand then with their left, then asked them to do the same again whilst talking, they found that for most right-handers, talking decreases the tapping rate with the right hand more than with the left hand. This further supports left hemispheric dominance for language, as well as supporting the current studys methodology and informing its hypothesis. As has been demonstrated most research supports left hemispheric dominance of language functions, but also links hemispheric specialisation with other factors and accepts that the right hemisphere holds some language comprehension control. This experiment looks for further supportive evidence and also briefly looks at handedness as a possible affecting factor. The study uses a finger tapping and language processing task, with the notion that the speed at which keys are pressed will be relatively similar with both hands. If however, if it is the case that language is more associated with the left hemisphere, then on average when processing language, the speed of the right hand will be slower than the left hand, presumably because the left hemisphere then has to do two tasks at once (right hand finger tapping and language processing). This is only the case however if all participants in the experiment have left hemisphere dominance for language, and is thus the reason we have recorded the handedness of our participants. As a result of previous studies and research the hypothesis for this experiment is: there will be differences in the number of taps made from each of the two hands when language is or isnt being processed. Method Design The experiment used a fully repeated measures within-subjects design: all participants took part in all conditions. There was one independent variable, consisting of four different levels: left hand, talking, no talking and right hand talking, no talking. The dependent variable was the number of key presses made within the time limit of 30 seconds per trial.

Essay on The Value of Dreams in Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown

Young Goodman Brown: The Value of Dreams Young Goodman Brown The Birthmark Nathaniel Hawthorne's stories "Young Goodman Brown" and "The Birthmark" both make use of dreams to affect the story and reveal the central characters. With each story, the dreams presented are extremely beneficial to the development of the story as they give the reader a new view of the plot itself, or the characters within. At the same time, however, it becomes difficult to determine how much of the dream has been affected by the character, and how much is pure fantasy. This is true with Young Goodman Brown, who cannot determine whether the events in his life actually occurred, or if they simply were created in his troubled mind while he slept. In "The Birthmark," Aylmer too is haunted by his night-time musings as he dreams of mutilating his wife in order to rid her of a small birthmark. This small detail later turns out to foreshadow the conclusion of the story, while giving readers further insight into his diabolical nature. Dreams thusly play an important developmental role in the explica... ...he beauty of his bride, which is, at least, unsettling, until his dream of butchering Georgianna is revealed. Troubled, too is Young Goodman Brown, who can not determine whether or not the incredible visions of the previous night were real. As a precaution, he avoids contact with the dream-related peole and lives the remainder of his life alone, but surrounded by those who were once his friends, associates, and family. As evidenced by these two short stories, we can see the important role that dreams can play in the effective telling of a tale.

Gender of Nature: Mother Earth :: Essays Papers

Gender of Nature: Mother Earth â€Å"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the wind longs to play with your hair.† -The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran There is no voice more comforting than Mama’s. In the womb we are suspended in safe warmth, hearing every noise that Mama makes. And we don’t just hear her voice. We feel its vibrations, its muffled hum, through our ears and our entire forming bodies. It’s no wonder that that is often the only voice that can comfort us in the distress of our new little lives. Yet, what of the mother who cannot speak? Can she still comfort her baby? Yes, because it is much more than vocal chords that connect a baby with its birth mother. After all, Baby eats all that Mama eats, breathes Mama’s air, knows Mama’s way of moving and laughing†¦Baby feels every surge of adrenaline that Mama feels. Bonds don’t get more intimate than that. Even after Baby is born, this bond is strengthened through long bouts of staring into each other’s eyes, through feeling the lulling rhythm of Mama’s breathing while sleeping against her chest, through time spent together saturated in touch and play. This phenomenon of intimacy is so powerful that it surpasses any blindness or handicap Mama could possibly have. Not only do we all have this precious connection with our Mama’s, we also have a strong, and similar, connection with Earth. Philosopher, Roger S. Gottlieb, tells plainly of our connection with Earth, saying, â€Å"We all live and breathe and drink the water and receive the food from the soil†¦Ã¢â‚¬  We are dependent on Earth, like infants depend on Mama, for life itself. It daily sustains us, in body, as well as in spirit. It is a tragedy that we have lost sight of our connection with Earth. In his book, Vocation: Discerning Our Callings in Life, Douglass Schuurman says, â€Å"Some dullards have no curiosity or sense of wonder at the harmony and beauty of creation; others have had it drummed out of them by suffering or deadening educational systems. But traces of the sense of wonder and the quest for meaning survive in most human beings. (65)† Perhaps it can be said that some dullardshave no curiosity or sense of wonder at the harmony and beauty of their Mama, the one in whom their life began.

Conintelpro and Malcolm X Essay

My intention is to do a research paper on a topic which is still a very controversial topic right up until today, the assassination of Malcolm X, and who really played a major part in it. The reason I am so interested in writing on this topic is because the FBI until this very day, refuses to open and reveal documents about his assassination and who was really involved. What are they hiding? I intend to provide evidence that two innocent men went to prison and that there are some who were involved in his murder still walking the streets today. Too many bogus movies and uninformative documentaries have been presented before the public portraying only one viewpoint of this story in order to misinform and deter the public from the truth. Malcolm X was depicted as an advocate of violence which was another lie advocated by The FBI. Both the FBI and CIA refuse to reveal documents pertaining to his death. I will also touch on both assassinations of John F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King, and why their deaths appear to be very suspect as well. This paper will also focus on J.  Edgar Hoover, the first Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which he transformed into his own secret police force called COINTELPRO (Counter Intelligence Program). J. Edgar Hoover’s main objective was to neutralize any movement or individuals which he felt was a threat to National Security, which in most cases was a product of his own imagination. Even Charlie Chaplin was on Hoover’s list as being suspected of advocating communist propaganda. The sources I will use will be an article from Goodmen Project. com, whatreallyhappened. com, and Cointelpro – the FBI war on political freedom.

Performance Style of Dave Brubeck

The performance style of Dave Brubeck Dave Brubeck’s unique performance style is characterized primarily by his use of polytonality, polyrhythm, and immense amounts of improvisation. His style grew from his upbringing and as he put it, â€Å"different approach to all of the normal things†. By no means did Dave take the normal approach; he made it all the way threw the conservatory with out being able to read the piano music he was playing. His ability to think on the spot and his amazing ear took jazz to the next level.He took jazz to a world of difficult technicality and created sounds with depth that amazed all who had the opportunity to listen to him. Brubeck once stated, â€Å"And there is a time where you can be beyond yourself. You can be better than your technique. You can be better than most of your usual ideas. And this is a whole other category that you can get into†-Dave Brubeck. Brubeck always went above and beyond, breaking convention. It is this unc onventional approach that defined Dave Brubeck’s Style. Polytonality as Dave described it, â€Å"(is) using multiple key centers at the same time. He was known for incorporating this technique in to many of his performances, although he admits to not knowing that he is doing it at the time. He naturally did things that were way ahead of his time. His compositions were known to use polytonality although Dave probably would not play them as he had notated them on the page. In the Dave Brubeck Oral History Project he describes a polytonal piece; â€Å"One of the early pieces I wrote in 1946 as a student with Darius Milhaud, had three different clefs instead of two clefs treble, treble, bass rather then treble clef, bass clef.And, I'd be playing a swing bass in this hand in one key, and then adding on these other things in other keys. † The use of this technique is very aptly described by Mark McFarland who wrote; â€Å"Brubeck's use of polytonality helps to project a ge neral decrease or increase in relative dissonance, thereby clarifying the formal structure on both the small- and large-scale. The comparison with tonal theory extends to include pivot chords; with Brubeck, such chords simultaneously serve as the final chord in a polychordal passage and as the first and most exotic chord in a tonal passage. †Dave Brubeck’s use of polytonality in his performance of jazz standards had a permanent affect on the history of jazz. He brought old tunes to new levels of technicality and virtuosity and in a greater sense, defined a new era in which new ideology and contemporary progression came to light. In 1961 Dave Said â€Å"I wanted to do things poly-rhythmically because I thought that jazz was much too tame. The way I wanted to set up the group was that the drummer would be playing one rhythm, the bass player another rhythm, and Paul [Desmond] and I could play in either of those rhythms or a new rhythm . . it’s time that jazz musici ans take up their original role of leading the public into more adventurous rhythms. † Polyrhythm is defined by the Grove Music Dictionary as; the superposition of different rhythms or meters. Meaning that you have two or more conflicting pulses in piece. Dave believes his best example of polyrhythm can be found in his solo on Raggedy Waltz at carnage hall. He describes that â€Å"one two, one two† is on the left hand against the waltz in 3 in his right hand. This is only one of many examples of Dave’s use of â€Å"poly-rhythmical play†.He is also known for writing pieces in what are generally considered to be strange meters for jazz. For example Take 5, Unsquare dance or Blue Rondo A La Turk. These pieces feature drastically different rhythmic structures then what was normal were a driving force in what made Dave Brubeck’s music popular. His unique way of interpreting standards using polyrhythms and giving them an entirely new feel and inspiring a generation of musicians to go further outside the box in jazz performances. Brubeck’s polyrhythmic ideas challenged the minds of both performers and listeners.Improvisation has been an essential part of jazz sense its origin, however Dave Brubeck took it to a whole new level. During his time at College Of The Pacific he managed to get all the way to his last year before any one knew that he couldn’t read music. This was all because of his remarkable improvisation skill and excellent ear. He tells a story of a recital he played at Mills College under Darius Milhaud, where he draws a blank in the middle of the first of two pieces but instead of stopping he simply begins to improvise freely and does the same for the second piece.At the end of the concert the audience applauded being none the wiser, this is because of his ability to so improvise with such complexity so freely. The only person who knew what happened Darius Milhaud who told him â€Å"Boo-Boo [nick name for Brubeck] , very good, but not what you wrote! † Brubeck credits much of his inspiration for such improvisation to the great Johan Sebastian Bach, because of the similarity between the figured base that Bach would play over with the choir and the chord changes that he and other jazz musician play over today.With the inspiration of Bach and his own remarkable natural abilities, Brubeck challenged conventional improvisation and built a complex foundation for a new form of improvisational jazz. Dave Brubeck’s performance style can be described using many musical terms such as polytonal or polyrhythmic, but the truly defining factor of his performance style is that it is unique. He himself admits to having each solo being a different from the next often not grasping the true complexity of what he had just played. Ever performance is different from the next. Dave Brubeck is great because he is unique.

Legal and Financial Aspects Influencing a Start Up Business Essay

Legal and financial aspects will affect the start-up of a business in many ways. These can aid the start-up of a business, or they can make the business struggle. Financial aspects that will make your affect the start-up of your business negatively would be things like an increase in costs for things such as expenses e.g Electricity, resources for product, wages. If you have just started your business, and you are already losing money, there is not really any point in continuing the business. If you can’t cover your expenses you will not make any profit, so you will need to pay attention to the Break Even Point, to see if with the combined cost of expenses and costs, and the amount of money you are making from sales, that you are actually making profit, not making a profit, or you are just losing money. Someone starting up a business will need to plan a budget, this is essential if you don’t want to get into a worst case scenario and not have any idea what to do in that situation, to create a budget you should pay attention the current economic status, then how much your fixed and variable costs will cost. Someone starting up a business should also make a reserve of money so that if the economy makes a turn for the worse, they will be able to fund the losses and keep the business going. Legal aspects of a start-up business are needed to be known by the person starting up the business, if you do not know these you will lots of trouble understanding the legal requirements and responsibilities of managing and running a business. Legal aspects that would affect the start-up of a business would be things like licences; you may need a minimum of a business licence and tax registration to start up a business, but it depends on what sector you are operating in. To start up a business you need to categorise yourself into one of these ownerships, a sole proprietorship (A business owned and managed by a single person), a partnership (A business owned by two or more people) or a corporation (A business owned by a large varied group of people), then you register that information to the Inland Revenue, providing this information early also lets them receive money back. When you start up a business it is essential to remember to charge clients and employees VAT (Value Added Tax), the profit from the VAT is then sent to the Inland Revenue. Privately owned companies need to pay Corporation tax which again goes to the Inland Revenue. When you are starting a business and hiring employees, Health and  Safety Responsibilities should be remembered, since you need to make sure that your employees are working in a safe environment, you will need to carry out a risk assessment to identify the risks for employees, customers etc.

What does the use of the Term Equality infer to in the Context of Essay

What does the use of the Term Equality infer to in the Context of Employment - Essay Example This is regardless of their individual race, sexual orientation, needs, belief or religion, age or gender. Equality has also been variously described as not only attempting to try and treat everyone in a right and equal manner, but trying to treat various individuals in a manner that will ensure that the general outcome will be found to be similar for all the concerned individuals (Dautrich and Yalof 2012). Importance of Equality Equality is seen to not necessarily mean that that women should now be assigned more duties pertaining to construction labor or that their male colleagues should be assigned more secretarial functions. Equality is perceived to be critically important as most individuals are seen to be not contented to be perceived as being second class citizens as a result of there being some inequality in an organization. Without proper inequality in an organization, the employees who are seen to be given less than equal treatment will eventually shut down, distance themselves and reduce their overall productivity much to the detriment of the concerned organization (Academic, 2008). In the event that a given organization fails to implement measures designed to promote equality, there can naturally develop a subsequent exclusion of some of the employees as a result of some of their working in some of the marginalized situations (Kornblum and Smith, 2012). These employees are se en to tend to feel as if they are unable to function as an active part of the organization even if this was not the organization’s original intention. Organizations can be able to achieve a measure of equality by ensuring that the employees have been ably supported to be able to easily access the organizational resources and decision making. This can be further enhanced by ensuring that the employees are valued, recognized and adequately respected within the organization. Models of Equality There are a number of different models of equality that have been develop to aid organizations in ensuring that they implement policies and procedures that will ensure that they maintain utmost equality. Some of these Equality models are seen to variously include: Equal Opportunity as Equal Share (Radical Approach) Equal Opportunity as Equal Access (Liberal Approach) Equal Opportunity as Equal Treatment (Reactionary Approach) Equal Opportunity as Equal Share (Radical Approach) The equal op portunity as equal share approach that is popularly termed as being the radical approach is seen to try and seek to make a direct intervention in the workplace practices with the sole objective of attempting to try and achieve some form of a fair distribution of rewards among the organization’s employees as is primarily measured by some established criterion of worth and moral value. The radical approach emphasizes on justice and freedom being the collective responsibility of all the individuals involved within the organization. It can thus be see the radical approach is primarily concerned with the eventual outcome of the contest as opposed to the established rules of the game (Kumra, Manfredi and Vickers, 2011), it is characterized with being more concerned with the fair distribution of the rewards achieves as opposed to being more concerned with the actual fairness of the procedure. In line with this approach, Jewson and Mason (1986) are keen to argue that although discrim ination tends to mostly affect specific individuals, it can nevertheless only be identified at the group level. In this respect, it is generally found to

Pullotion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Pullotion - Essay Example Here comes the main problem of this millennium: the insane destruction of the environment, as we think that we are in secure, which is far from the truth. A warm evening in a fun and friendly company once has completely changed my inner world. One day my friends and I after dinner in the restaurant decided to walk along the coast. We were laughing and having fun, and nothing seemed to be able to change that. But this time the coast wasnt pleasant. Everywhere were dead swollen fish, black sand and the stench in the air. The childhood memory has arisen, though it was more than 15 years ago. It was a bright sunny day. I was looking forward to go with my parents to our favorite place on the Persian Gulf. Finally, it was the long-awaited meeting with the sea. I run to the shore, but everything was not as usual. Ugly oil stains fettered once azure water. On the white sand blackened terrible spots, and around were lying suffocated fish and black bodies of birds. Seagulls with feathers stuck together could not take off. The place which once was beautiful now has resembled an apocalyptic picture. I picked up a dying bird, trying in any way to help her and could not hold back my tears. Mom said it was all because of war, but then I could not even understand the full horror of the word. War destroys our lives, suddenly breaking into a cozy and familiar world. Even if the military battles are not taking place around of you, the horrors of war will catch you up in a place which seems to be rather peaceful. Thus, the large oil reserves are not only the Gods blessing. It is these deposits of oil which became a stumbling block between Iraq and Kuwait. On August 2, 1990 the territory of Kuwait was invaded by numerous Iraqi soldiers and Iraq announced the annexation of Kuwait. Hundreds of thousands of people fled the country; thousands of the remaining were arrested or killed. Iraqis looted or burned almost all civilian objects and set fire to 700 oil wells. Almost a year after

Intentional Torts to Property and Defenses of Intentional Torts Essay

Intentional Torts to Property and Defenses of Intentional Torts - Essay Example Intentional torts always refer to such wrongdoings intentionally directed to one party to inflict pain, cause harm or injuries to the other party. In connection to the above, it is important to acknowledge the fact that there are several types of intentional torts. These may comprise of battery, assault, false imprisonment as well as frauds. In addition, intentional torts may always take the form of trespassing, as well as invasion of privacy. Other than intentional torts, other types of torts include negligence and strict liability torts (Emanuel, 2009). Negligence torts always take the form of failure of a person to act in a manner that demonstrates careful attention to the affected party, thereby making the other party sustain injuries and harm that could have been provided if good care could have been observed in time (Okrent, 2010). Strict liability torts assume the nature of negligence torts. In strict liability torts, the offender may be responsible for the damages and injurie s sustained by the plaintiff even if the offender was not negligent. This paper is going to identify some of the intentional torts and possible defenses in the provided hypothetical scenario. In the hypothetical scenario, there are different types of intentional torts evident. Invasion of privacy is one of the types of intentional torts in the hypothetical scenario. This is evident when John grumbles at Leroy when Leroy ordered for a drink. In this instance, John warns Leroy to mind his own business yet Leroy had nothing to do with him. The second type of intentional tort evident in the scenario is the assault. This is evident when John shouts obscenities at Jane. In addition, he also grabs Jane’s wrist in a manner that shows he can inflict some pains on her. John also verbally assaults Leroy by telling meddling into his own privacy by telling him to mind his own businesses. Trespassing is also another type of intentional tort that is

Role of Information Technology in Kentucky Fried Chicken Essay

Role of Information Technology in Kentucky Fried Chicken - Essay Example Information system helps to change or restructure the business and also quickens the response time to changes in the environment. There are various features of information system that can help a firm gain competitive advantage. For example the decision support system helps firms to align their information system with the business strategies. Then there is the Enterprise resource planning solutions that link the business process with the firm’s objective of optimizing the enterprise resources. Also there is the database system that having â€Å"data mining† capabilities which makes the best use of information for production, innovation and marketing (Hemmatfar, Salehi & Bayat, 2010, p. 158-160). For the purpose of this report let me first describe about the Fast food industry. It is one of the largest growing industries. The industry is characterized by the foods which are prepared and served quickly. Typically, the foods of this industry are sold in retail food outlets or in a packaged form. The major market players of this industry are Kentucky fried chicken, McDonalds, Pizza hut, Dominos, Arby’s, Subway, Fingers and Del Taco among various other players. Franchise operation acts as the most crucial element of this industry. The noticeable foodstuffs includes pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, French fries, fried chicken, ice creams and also foods like noodles, fried rice and soups among the others. Presently information technology is widely used in fast food industry. The market share of KFC and its competitors are as follows:- Figure 1 (Source: pugetsoundoff, n.d.). Information technology plays an essential role in the unprecedented growth of fast food industry. In this sector the functions of Information technology is significant as it helps in research and development process, marketing process and also in the financial segment. Information systems help organisations in the fast food industry to not only deliver products and services at low c osts but also deliver differentiated products and services. Organisations are using information system to create niche markets for themselves and at the same time focus on developing new and innovative products. The current applications being used in fast food industry include the following:- Point of sale system – It manages the total selling process of an outlet. This is also responsible for the formation and printing of the receipt. A typical retail food outlet POS includes a computer, receipt printer, bar-code scanner, customer display and a cash drawer. Apart from these basic requirements the system sometimes also consists of debit & credit card reader. The next application includes these cash registers are coupled with the computerized system which automatically prepares accounting reports and facilitates reordering of inventories. It also helps in tracking the internal orders and sales. The other application which is very much in use is the Customer Relationship Manage ment System. Customer relationship management (CRM) is all about managing and increasing customer relationships that can help the company to drive the costs down and increase the viability of products and services. (Anderson & Kerr, 2001, p.1-11). Data about customers like

Reseach Method Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Reseach Method - Coursework Example Village 14 was used as a case study for sampling respondents to express their intent of supplying mangoes to the factory. The responses were analyzed with the use of the SPSS. From the analysis, it was seen that of a total of twenty two (22) respondents who answered either yes or no, eighteen (18) of them said yes, whiles four (4) of them said no. What this means is that the intention of villages in household living 10km or more from the factory to do business with the factory by supplying mangoes is higher. In terms of percentage, this is represented by 81.81% of Yes as against 18.19% of No. The interpretation that can be given to this result is that the responses did not reflect the hypothesis that proximity would be a key factor for the villagers in deciding whether or not they would supply mangoes to the factory. Some of the factors that were considered, based on which the hypothesis was drawn includes the fact that, farther distances from the factory could generally affect the e xpenditure on transportation for the villagers. Once the expenditure goes up, their profit margins are likely to be affected. This statistical logic has however been defeated. Invariably, the villagers are hopeful that an increase in the expenditure for transportation would be reflected in the prices they charge on unit tone of mangoes sold to the company and so they would make their profits in the long run. This assumption not withstanding, it would be very appropriate for the villages that live 10km or more from the factory and thus stand some chances of raising their prices to reflect expenditure on transportation to realize that increases prices of mangoes could be a competitive disadvantage to them if villages living near the factor sell at lower prices. The only economic principle that could possibly defeat this analysis is in cases where demand from the factory is

Indian Gaming Regulatory Act Essay Example for Free

Indian Gaming Regulatory Act Essay In 1988, Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act establishing gaming on Indian reservations as a means of helping tribes become self-sufficient and less dependent on government dole-outs. Donald Bartlett and James B. Steele co-wrote an article which appeared in Time magazine on December 16, 2002 entitled â€Å"Wheel of Misfortune† negatively criticizing the consequences of instituting the said Act. A day later, the Native American Times published an editorial which contains dissenting arguments against the first article. According to Bartlett and Steele, the major defect of the Act is the unequal redistribution of profits derived from gaming in the reserves: â€Å"It gives billions of dollars to the white backers of Indian businesses and nothing to hundred of Native Americans living in poverty†¦hundreds of millions of dollars to one Indian tribe with a few dozen numbers—and not a penny to a tribe with hundreds of thousands of members†¦(78)† The bulk of the essay expounds and provides evidence to these assertions. It also points to the fact that while these tribes earn tax-free revenues, they continue to collect millions in government aid. The Native American Times editorial, meanwhile, accuses the Time magazine article as simply a piece that â€Å"fan the flames of racism with lies (â€Å"Indian Gaming† 84)† and proceeds to either refute or justify the points raised of the latter. Bartlett and Steele claim that only a few Indians are benefiting financially from the Native-American gaming industry thus defeating the purpose of the act, which is to raise the average Native American out of poverty. At the same time, a high percentage of the profits from these lucrative casinos go to the wealthy leaders of tribes. The editorial counters this argument by stating that there are varied reasons why some tribes do well than others. It cites the case of Oklahoma, home to more Native Americans than any other state. The state prohibits Class III gambling thus preventing an opportunity for the Native Americans in Oklahoma from realizing the Congressional Act. Today tribes continue to â€Å"fight with every resource available to them to hold off those who would send them back to the metaphoric reservation (â€Å"Indian Gaming 85). † The editorial also praises the success story of the Shakopee tribe which the Time magazine article derides. The success is well-deserved, according to the editorial, since this group has experienced one of the most harrowing histories of violence inflicted against Native Americans. For all its passionate defense and criticism of the Time magazine article, the editorial of the Native American Times does not touch on the other issues raised by the former like cronyism among the tribal leaders, the involvement of white Americans behind the casino operations, and the applications for recognition by extinct tribes that suddenly resurrects because of the business opportunity. Then again, the former is a lengthier and more detailed presentation complete with figures and facts, in keeping also with its being an investigative article. Nevertheless, it can be argued that the editorial does not need to refute the Time magazine article point by point and that its entire argument is summed up when the editorial writer states that the reason why people like Bartlett and Steele are being too critical about the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act is because â€Å"the thought of rich Indians is against nature we can only assume (85). Inequality, anomalies, and other issues about the Native American and their casinos may exist but they are no different to those in regular gaming industries. Despite some wealthy members, Native Americans are still the poorest and most victimized people in America.

Differentiation Between Respiration and Breathing

Differentiation Between Respiration and Breathing Report: The differentiation between respiration and breathing and an explanation of the adaptation of the alveoli and their role in gas exchange. Introduction This report will explore the differences between respiration and breathing by defining their structures and functions and attaching a hand drawn diagram of the respiratory tract to refer to. The author will also give an explanation of how gasses are exchanged through the alveoli by providing a table explaining the composition of inhaled and exhaled air. A description of the adaptations of the alveoli will be provided to show how they maximise the effectiveness of gas exchange. A summary will then be drawn from the findings. Differences between respiration and breathing The Respiratory System (Appendix .1) The respiratory system consists of tissues and also organs that help with the process of breathing. The core parts of this important system are the airways, lungs, linked blood vessels, and also the muscles that allow breathing. Airways The airways are pipes that carry oxygen to the lungs. They also carry waste gas, such as carbon dioxide out of the lungs. The airways consists of; linked air passages in the nose, (called nasal cavities), the mouth, Larynx (voice box), the trachea (windpipe) and lastly tubes named bronchi or also known as bronchial tubes, and also their branches. Air moves into the body through the mouth and nose, which warms and also wets the air. (Dry cold air can irritate the lungs causing problems for asthma sufferers). The air then moves down the Larynx and through the trachea. The windpipe splits into two bronchial tubes, the ait moves through here and then enters the lungs (Remedy Health Media, 2015). A thin flap of tissue named the epiglottis, covers the windpipe when swallowing. This prevents both food and drink from entering the air passageways that lead to the lungs, if this failed to be successful an individual could die. With an exception of some parts of the nose and the mouth, all of the other airways have special hairs known as cilia that are coated with tacky/sticky mucus. These cilia trap foreign particles and germs that enter the airways when breathing in. These tiny, fine hairs then collect the particles up to the mouth or nose. From there, theyre swallowed, sneezed or coughed out. Nose hairs and mouth saliva also trap germs and particles. Lungs and Blood Vessels Remedy Health Media (2015), also suggest that linked blood vessels and also the lungs carry oxygen to the human body and also remove carbon dioxide. The lungs are situated on either side of the breastbone and fill the area of the chest cavity. The left hand lung is ever so slightly smaller than the right hand lung to allow room for the cardiac muscle (heart). In both lungs, the bronchi divide into thousands of thinner tubes known as bronchioles and these thin tubes end in bunches of tiny rounded air sacs known as alveoli. Each of the alveoli are covered with little blood vessels known as capillaries. The capillaries connect to a complex system of veins and arteries that transport blood through the whole body. The pulmonary artery including also its branches carry blood which is holding only carbon dioxide and no oxygen to the capillaries that surround the alveoli. Inside the alveoli, carbon dioxide transfers from the blood into the air. In conjunction with this, oxygen transfers from the air and into the blood within the capillaries. The blood which is now carrying the oxygen moves to the heart through the pulmonary vein and also its branches. The cardiac muscle pumps the blood holding the oxygen out to the body. The lungs are separated into five sections known as lobes. Some individuals have to have a diseased lung lobe removed, however they can still breathe sufficiently by using their remaining lung lobes. Muscles Used for Breathing Human Kinetics (2015), state that muscles situated near to the lungs help expand (loosen) and contract, (tighten) the lungs to allow breathing. These muscles comprise of the diaphragm, intercostal muscles, abdominal muscles and muscles in the neck and also collarbone area. The diaphragm is the main muscle for breathing and is dome-shaped and located beneath the lungs. It divides the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. They also explain that the intercostal muscles are positioned between the ribs. They also play a huge part in helping with our breathing. Beneath the diaphragm are the abdominal muscles. They help with breathing out when we breathe fast (for example, during exercise). Muscles in the neck and also collarbone area help with inhalation when other muscles involved in breathing dont work as well as they should, or when lung disease impairs breathing capacity. Breathing Inhalation Hyper physics (2012), explain that during inhalation, the diaphragm contracts (tightens) and moves down which maximises the space in the chest, allowing room for the lungs to expand. The intercostal muscles situated in between the ribs also help to enlarge the chest. They contract to move the rib cage both up and out when inhaling. As the lungs capacity increases, air is drawn in through the mouth and nose. The air makes its way through the windpipe and enters the lungs. After making its way through the bronchial tubes, the air finally reaches and moves into the alveoli. Through the extremely thin walls of the alveoli, oxygen taken from the air moves to the capillaries. Haemoglobin, a red blood cell protein aids the movement of oxygen from the alveoli to the blood. In conjunction with this, carbon dioxide travels from the capillaries into the alveoli. The gas has travelled in the bloodstream from the right side of the heart through the pulmonary artery. Blood carrying oxygen from the lungs is carried through the capillaries to the pulmonary vein which delivers the oxygenated blood to the left side of the heart. The left side of the heart pumps the blood to the rest of the body. There, the oxygen in the blood moves from blood vessels into surrounding tissues (Hyper physics, 2012). Exhalation During the act exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes and moves up and into the chest cavity. The intercostal muscles which sit between the ribs also relax to decrease the space available within the chest cavity. As this available space in the chest cavity reduces, air rich in carbon dioxide is forced out of the lungs and then windpipe, and lastly out of the mouth or nose (Boundless Biology, 2015). Exhalation requires no effort unless lung disease is apparent or physical activity is taking place. During physically activity, the stomach muscles contract and force the diaphragm against the lungs more than usual which rapidly pushes air out of the lungs (Boundless Biology, 2015). The adaptations of the alveoli and their role in gas exchange Gas exchange An exchange of gases takes place within the alveoli, between the gases inside the alveoli and the blood. Blood that arrives in the alveoli has a greater carbon dioxide concentration which is produced during  respiration  by the body’s cells. However, the air in the alveoli has a much smaller concentration of carbon dioxide, resulting in a concentration gradient  which allows carbon dioxide to  diffuse  out of the blood and into the alveolar air (Intel, 2014). Also according to Intel (2014), blood arriving in the alveoli has a lower oxygen concentration (as it has been used for respiration by the body’s cells), while the air in the alveoli has a higher oxygen concentration. Therefore, oxygen moves into the blood by diffusion and combines with the  haemoglobin  in red blood cells to form the combined oxyhaemoglobin. This table taken from BBC (2014), shows the differences (estimated figures) in the composition of inhaled and exhaled air. Adaptations of the alveoli According to ABPI (2015), to maximise the effectiveness of gas exchange, the alveoli have numerous adaptations such as, they are folded, providing a much greater  surface area  for gas exchange to occur. Also the walls of the alveoli are only one cell thick which makes the exchange surface very thin shortening the diffusion distance across which gases have to move. Each alveolus is surrounded by blood  capillaries  which ensure a good blood supply. This is important as the blood is constantly taking oxygen away and bringing in more carbon dioxide, which helps to maintain the maximum concentration gradient between the blood and the air in the alveoli. Lastly each alveolus is  ventilated, removing waste carbon dioxide and replenishing oxygen levels in the alveolar air. This also helps to maintain the maximum concentration gradient between the blood and the air in the alveoli (ABPI, 2015). Summary This report has explored the differences between respiration and breathing by defining their structures and functions. The author has also give an explanation of how gasses are exchanged through the alveoli by providing a table explaining the composition of inhaled and exhaled air. A description of the adaptations of the alveoli has been provided to show how they maximise the effectiveness of gas exchange. Bibliography About. Com (2015) [Online] Available from: http://backandneck.about.com/od/breathing/a/breathingvencir_2.htm [Accessed: 5th May 2015]. BBC GCSE Bitesize (2014) [Online] Available from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/pe/appliedanatomy/1_anatomy_respiratorysys_rev1.shtml [Accessed: 5th May 2015]. Boundless Biology (2015) [Online] Available from: https://www.boundless.com/biology/textbooks/boundless-biology-textbook/the-respiratory-system-39/breathing-221/the-mechanics-of-human-breathing-838-12083/ [Accessed: 5th May 2015]. Boyle, M, Indge, B and Senior, K. 1999. Human Biology. London: Harper Collins. Human Kinetics (2015) [Online] Available from: http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/learn-the-anatomy-and-physiology-of-the-muscles-involved-in-breathing [Accessed: 5th May 2015]. Hyper Physics (2012) [Online] Available from: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/biology/respir.html [Accessed: 5th May 2015]. Intel Corporation (2014) [Online] Available from: http://inteleducationresources.intel.co.uk/content/KeyStage3/Biology/PC/LearningSteps/AOALC/LO_Template.swf [Accessed: 5th May 2015]. Joeseph, C. 2014. Anatomy. Ivy Press. Modelo Dynamic Views (2013) [Online] Available from: http://ibbiology2012.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/describe-features-of-alveoli-that-adapt.html [Accessed: 5th May 2015]. Preserve Articles (2012) [Online] Available from: http://www.preservearticles.com/201101133233/difference-between-breathing-and-respiration.html [Accessed: 5th May 2015]. Remedy Health Media (2015) [Online] Available from: http://www.healthcommunities.com/pulmonology-anatomy/respiratory-tract-anatomy.shtml [Accessed: 5th May 2015]. Ricardo Espulgas (2015) [Online] Available from: http://www.sci-culture.com/advancedpoll/GCSE/differencebetweenbreathingandrespiration.htm [Accessed: 5th May 2015]. Roberts, A. 2014. Human Anatomy, The Definitive Visual Guide. Dorling Kindersley Limited. The association of the Pharmaceutical Industry ABPI (2015) [Online] Available from: http://www.abpischools.org.uk/page/modules/breathingandasthma/asthma4.cfm?coSiteNavigation_allTopic=1 [Accessed: 5th May 2015]. Wen MD (2005-2015) [Online] Available from: http://www.webmd.com/lung/pulmonary-vascular-disease [Accessed: 5th May 2015]. Dominique Rundle