Accounts Receivable and Acquisitions Journal

Part E Acquisitions Substantive Tests of Transactions| | | | TRANSACTION-RELATED AUDIT OBJECTIVES| SUBSTANTIVE AUDIT PROCEDURES| Occurrence| * Compare prices on vendor invoices with approved price limits established by management. * Review the acquisitions journal, general ledger, and accounts payable master file for large or unusual amounts. | Completeness| * Trace a sample of receiving reports to the acquisitions journal. * Trace from a file of vendors' invoices to the acquisitions journal. Trace from additions in perpetual inventory records to recorded acquisitions. | Accuracy| * Compare amounts for entries in acquisitions journal to related vendors' invoices, purchase orders and receiving reports. * Recompute information on vendor invoices. * Compare prices on vendor invoices with approved price limits established by management. | Posting and Summarization| * Trace individual entries in accounts payable master file to acquisitions journal. | Classification| * Examine vendors' inv oices for proper classification. Compare classification with chart of accounts by reference to vendors' invoices. | Timing| * Compare dates of receiving reports and vendors' invoices with dates in the acquisitions journal. | Part F. Cash Disbursements Substantive Tests of Transactions| TRANSACTION-RELATED AUDIT OBJECTIVES| SUBSTANTIVE AUDIT PROCEDURES| Occurrence| * Trace cancelled check numbers in the cash disbursements journal to related cancelled checks and examine for payee, name, and amount. Examine cancelled check for authorized signature, proper endorsement, and cancellation by the bank. * Review the cash disbursements journal, general ledger, and accounts payable master file for large or unusual amounts. * Trace cancelled check to the related acquisitions journal entry and examine for payee name and amount. | Completeness| * Trace entries in acquisitions journal to subsequent payment in cash disbursements journal. Accuracy| * Compare cancelled checks with the related acquisi tions journal and cash disbursements journal entries. * Recompute cash discounts. | Posting and Summarization| * Trace individual entries in accounts payable master file to cash disbursements journal. | Classification| * Compare classification with chart of accounts by reference to vendors' invoices and acquisitions journal. | Timing| * Compare dates on cancelled checks with cash disbursements journal. * Compare dates on cancelled checks with the bank cancellation date. |

Foundation of Democracy Essay

Desktop Computers  ·Also called personal computers.  ·sit on,beside,or under a desktop. Notebook or Laptops  ·Similar to desktops  ·Advantages  ·Netbook  ·Similar to a notebook  ·For wireless communication or access to the internet Tablets  ·Looks similar to a notebook  ·Touch screens capability Servers  ·A computer dedicated to shaaring resources among 2 or more computers and managing large amounts of data. Hand-held or Mobile Computers  ·Any computing devices that fits in the palm of your hand and is portable.  ·Cellular Phones  ·Personal Digital Assistants (PDA)  ·Music or Media Players (ipods ,Mp3)  ·Game systems (wii, playstations)  ·Electronic Book Readers (kindle, Nook)  ·Calculators Looking at the system unit  ·sometimes called the â€Å"Box â€Å"or â€Å"Tower†.  ·Most expensive part of the computer system.Devices in the system  ·Power supply  ·Motherboard  ·Micro processor  ·Memory Power Supply  ·Supply the necessary power to run components in the systemunit. Motherboard  ·The central printed circuit board in the system unit that holds many of the crucial comporents. Connecting Devices  ·Parallel  ·Serial  ·Ports  ·Universal Serial BUS(USB)  ·Network Ports  ·Used for connecting to anotheer computer on a network ,a modern ,or to the internet  ·Ethernet of firewire Device Driver  ·To enable communication between the operating system and the device. What is a software Program?  ·A step by step set of instructions that tell a computer what to do.  ·Software applications are created using program languages.  ·A complex code that activate functions and complete tasks.  ·Computer software code is based on a set of rules called algerithms Ergonomics  ·Fitting the job to the peoplewho have to do it,through the design of equipment and procedures.  ·Fitting the person to the job, through use of placement procedures or training.  ·Application requires matching tasks demands and environmental conditions with user characteristics.  ·Ergonomics originated during the second world war to overcome performance failures due to human error in new high tech defense systems.  ·Proper lighting for visionby utilizing prortable adjustable lamps for each workstations, and indirect lighting sources some type of blinds for windows to reduce glare including to the computer screens.  ·Proper posture using adjustable desk and chairs with height.

Estimating Process Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Estimating Process - Essay Example No matter whichever technique is used the estimator is supposed to cover all the aspects of construction project which includes the direct costs i.e. labor, equipment, material, subcontracts and the indirect costs i.e. insurance, permits, taxes , site office expenditure, head office expenditure etc. An estimate actually is the calculation of quantities of materials, work and their costs which will occur during the course of completion of the project. Moreover a good estimate should also incorporate some of the costs which are not evident during the estimation phase but are likely to occur during the execution of the project. Such a predictive expertise requires a lot of experience in the field of estimation. The total of this predicted expenditure in each category is the total estimate of the project. The estimated cost of a work is a close approximation of its actual cost. The agreement of the estimated cost with the actual cost of the project depends on two factors; the correct est imate of the project cost and following the correct procedures according to the designs and specifications during the execution of the project. For the correct estimation of the project, site investigation along with the detailed study of the project drawings and technical specifications is essential. The following are the various aspects of the estimating process: Estimating Using Handheld Devices Estimation process does not only depend on the design and specifications as certain aspects of the cost can only be calculated through thorough site investigation by visiting the site. During site investigation an estimator has to take and record certain on-field observations for which handheld estimation and recording devices are very useful. The data thus collected can easily be transferred to the desktop computers for carrying out extensive calculations. Types of Estimates Estimates in construction have been divided into various types according to the extent of details in the estimate. These types are: 1. Conceptual Estimate: It is prepared to realize the concept and idea of the owner which allows the owner/investor to have an idea about the required investment for the project and he sets a budget for the project. 2. Preliminary Estimate: These estimates are prepared at the very start of the project by the designer for the owner of the project to judge whether the architect’s/engineer’s design is in accordance with his budget or not. 3. Engineer’s Estimate: After the preliminary estimate which is based on the preliminary designs the design engineers and architects complete the detailed design of the project and the engineer’s estimate is based on these detailed designs and specifications. This helps the owner to set a criterion for the bids. 4. Bid Estimate: The bid estimate is also a detailed estimate which is prepared by the contractor and his bid is based on this estimate after adding a profit factor to it. Cost Centers Cost Centers are the various heads into which the project is divided to facilitate the estimating process i.e. foundations, columns, beams, slabs, partition walls etc. These are further subdivided into categories like excavation, formwork, masonry work etc. This approach helps organizing the estimation data as well as carrying out the estimate accurately. Estimating accounts and cost accounts are two types of cost centers which are the cost of these heads and subheads.

Give a historic and analytical overview of special educational needs Essay

Give a historic and analytical overview of special educational needs (SEN) provision in England 1870 to present - Essay Example Today â€Å"All teachers should expect to teach children with special educational needs and all schools should play their part in educating children from their local community, whatever their background or ability. Training for teachers, appropriate funding for schools and improvements in the way their achievements are judged is vital† (SEN, 2010). Although training is not always equalized, significant progress has been made. In 1870, the Elementary Education Act was established by Liberal MP William Forster started to standardize education, and â€Å"made provision for the elementary education of all children aged 5-13 and established school boards to oversee and complete the network of schools and to bring them all under some form of supervision† (Education, 2010). However, at the time, SEN children were often seen as a blight on society, better isolated in institutions rather than mainstreamed with their peers. Theoretically, there has been a change in terms of how s pecial needs and handicapped children are treated by educational and healthcare systems since. Unfortunately, special education programs are a recent phenomenon and parents, teachers, and other professionals therefore should know that special group programs only began to become widespread in the latter half of the twentieth century, as the public perception of institutions began to change and the government began to shift the parameters used for classifying disabilities. At the beginning of the 20th century, some accountability for SEN children had started to creep into the legislation, albeit not in a very strongly worded way. â€Å"Not surprisingly, therefore, the Elementary Education (Defective and Epileptic Children) Act of 1899 empowered - but did not require - school boards to provide for the education of mentally and physically defective and epileptic children† (Education, 2010). As the 20th century progressed, a shift towards group programs became more popular, especi ally for high-functioning disabled student individuals, and special education services became more widespread as well, leading to a decrease in the number of functioning individuals with disabilities being constrained to home or institutional life. This gradually progressive process is spoken of in terms of deinstitutionalization as well as socialization and inclusion. As one thinker notes, â€Å"It is not fully clear who among the deinstitutionalized population would have been the long-stay patients in earlier areas† (Special, 2007). Often the process of institutional facility offered by long-stay programs is impaired by the perception that these programs keep socially maladjusted individuals from encountering problems in a complex outside world that is often defined by the same sense of boundary offered. During the first half of the twentieth century, before more environmentally inclusive programs were offered, many individuals were constrained in adolescence and held well into middle age. In many circles, prevailing wisdom still seems to state that psychotherapy is an appropriate treatment method. But the number of group therapy patients has combined with many private-sector programs which can differ from state to state and region to region, in terms of prevalence. After the first World War, â€Å"Lloyd George set about an ambitious programme of post-war social reform: the national insurance scheme was extended to cover almost all workers, old age pensions were doubled, local authority house building

Individual Determinants of Health A 600-word individual writing piece Essay

Individual Determinants of Health A 600-word individual writing piece - Essay Example This stressed behaviour would also prove to be a challenge because it might prompt him to be reckless in his behaviour – wanting to find a shorter and faster way to recover from his injuries so that he can get back to work and take care of his family. Reckless behaviour may include attempting to speed up the rehabilitative process and gaining independence in the conduct of his daily activities – even if he cannot function independently as yet. This would put him at risk for further injuries like falls. I also believe that Tom’s depression would prove to be a great challenge for me as a human services professional. The rehabilitative and recovery process requires a strong will and determination in most patients. Although Tom is obviously worried about his family, he also displays depressed and sad behaviour. His situation and the fact that he is unable to support his family is a source of depression for him. He feels incapacitated by his condition and these conditions will further slow his recovery. His depression would make him feel like he is useless to his family and would drain him of energy and fighting spirit. His lack of social interaction with his friends due to his limited mobility would certainly not give him strength and motivation to help himself recover from his injury. I would prevent Tom’s stressed behaviour from impacting on me working effectively with him by meeting with his family and to let them know about Tom’s worries. I would also coordinate with his work employers and seek some reassurances from them about Tom’s work and how his family can be assisted while Tom is not working. By taking away his worries about his family, he would be able to free his mind and just concentrate on the rehabilitative and recovery process. It would make him less anxious and less stressed about his life and consequently would allow his full concentration and cooperation

Network Security Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Network Security - Research Paper Example In this regard, network security comprises the measures a company can take to protect its computer network, and it is a prime concern for every company that uses computers. On the other hand, if a company does not implement appropriate network security then an attacker or opponent can get access and utilize the important or secret data and information, probably causing data destruction or damage, or even the entire destruction of the computer network. In addition, the revolution of internet has modernized our lives. However these technologies as well have introduced some of the severe safety as well as confidentiality problems. These issues can be tremendously devastating for private information. In this scenario network management systems and procedures are used for the effective management of various aspects regarding network security (Kaminsky and Foster; Armoni; Kaminsky and Foster; Bhattacharya and Ghosh). This paper will present a detailed overview of network security, network security policy, importance of network security policy, its implementation and design considerations for network security. At the moment, network security is a hot topic for the organizations as well as individuals. This research is aimed to highlight technology involved in network security, future trends of network security, companies adopting this issue, regulatory issues in network security and global implications. Network Security Policy The security policy is essentially an arrangement, describing in detail the organization’s decisive resources as well as how well they are organized. Additionally, the basic purpose of building a security policy is to offer the employees with a concise summary of the "satisfactory utilization" of some of the business information and resources. In addition, the intention behind this policy is to proficiently describe the allowable rights of users and consequently employing them in protecting the business sensitive and critical information systems. The security plan behaves like a "must interpret" basis of company information for everybody exploiting in some approach, computer and network resources considered as possible targets. However, a high-quality and superbly established security policy ought to tackle a number of these subsequent fundamentals: (Danchev; Kim, Lee and Han; Bakry) How susceptible business data must be managed How passwords and other credentials have to be upheld effectively How to react to a possible safety event, interruption efforts, etc. How to utilize computers as well as internet technology in a safe way How to suitably exploit the business communication infrastructure On the whole, the prime causes following the formation of a safety policy is to set a business’s sensitive data and information security basics. Another aspect is to clarify to employees how they are liable for the security of business resources and assets, and emphasize the significance of taking benefit from protected business communications when the business activities are being conducted through web based technology (Danchev; Kim, Lee and Han; Bakry). The Need of Network Security Policy Since forming a high-quality security policy offers the basics for the flourishing application of security allied activities in the upcoming period. In this scenario, the initial movement in improving a business’s security is the performance of a specific however

Retail Marketing (Britain hypermarket net Tesco) Essay

Retail Marketing (Britain hypermarket net Tesco) - Essay Example In the beginning of 1990th Tesco took up the small category of retail market for lower-income customers. More expensive line for well-off customers was concerned with J. Sainsbury and Waitrose. Comfortable location, competitive prices, polite staff, great variety of goods and products, mainly, circumspect development strategy helped Tesco to become a really national shop. It has happened neither due to only British goods are sold nor due to the state authorities discrimination of American "Wal Mart" or French "Carrefour. National brand buildup took place thanks to Tesco owners and managers, who understood British customers wishes, whims and the mechanism of decision making. It became possible after using Management Information System (MIS). Tesco set close cooperation with University College London. The scientists offered new methods of gathering, checking, collating, review, storage, access, retrieval and update of statistics information of retail sells. Fed every second by Tesco's 12 million Clubcard holders, the Crucible database could in theory generate about 12 billion pieces of data a year if each cardholder bought just 20 items a week. This information is analyzed very attentively. MIS helps managers to understand what goods are sold better together, to place them accordingly on the counters in supermarkets. Experts, who carry out such analysis for Tesco, insist that the company has one of the biggest customer databases in the world. At first, hypermarket provides constant (season, holiday, single) discounts for that goods and stuffs, which customer buys oftener then others. At the end of a quarter each Clubcard holder gets voucher, equivalent to sum total, he spent in Tesco hypermarkets. Additionally they are rewarded with coupons, which allow discounts to that goods, the customers can enjoy (according to MIS results). Surely, this generated information is based on purchase data analysis. 2. MARKETING CONCEPTS ROLE Management Information System (relevant module) defines the consumer goods basket, which can be potentially interested to a customer. During the quarter Tesco sells about 6 million letters with propositions of different discounts to loyal clients. Also Tesco MIS provides detailed sells information, which allows placing the goods on the counters according to consumers' tastes in each particular region or even in dependence of daytime. In the morning customers buy one stuffs, in the evening - another. Tesco shops in the center of London differ greatly from the little out-of-the-way ones. Other MIS module takes into account ethnic and demographic factors, fashion and even the contents of TV programs. Can you imagine customer joy and pleasure, who feels such a great attention and care from a huge hypermarket This feeling is likely to that when your relative, living far from you, one day brings you wonderful gifts, which you wished for but tell nobody about. Sir Terry Leahy, Tesco manager confirms that Tesco is a mirror, which reflects customers' tastes and wishes. Actually, hypermarket role is not so passive exactly thanks to multifunction MIS. Experts firmly consider that Tesco influence not only the manufacturing but also the "consumer-manufacturer" relationships. Retail cards system presents a unique information gathering methodology. This is

West and the World Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

West and the World - Assignment Example The authors explained the effects of decolonization by focusing on the impacts colonization on countries. Decolonization is perceived as had a key influence on the lack of economic growth in Egypt (Smith et al. 3). After Gamal Abdel Nasser took over the reins in Egypt the result was that Britain persuaded the U.S. not to support the development of Suez Canal, to counter the takeover of the Suez Canal by Nasser administration. Further, the British did not believe that Egypt could manage such a vast project. Pan-Arab nationalism offers alternatives to the communist capitalist societies and politics. President Sukarno argues that decolonization can create an alternative to US and USSR ideologies and include; fear of ideologies, fear of hydrogen bomb and fear of the future. This is evidenced by the fact that vast areas of Africa and Asia lack freedom, and resulting in a third wave of nationalism. Hence, nations lack economic control, physical control and intellectual control, which minimizes the potential of communities to develop. As people viewed decolonization as the source result of nationalism, and freedom from oppression, the resulting economic impacts had not been accounted for and the assumed colonial Free states experience several social, economic and political problems. Richard Wright argues that decolonization has had an impact on racial issues. World conferences are held based on racial, social and religious backgrounds of societies. These conferences are the centers for making essential world decisions, but they have discriminations on individuals based on their racial and religious backgrounds. Tolerance of the differences unified around the vision of racial diversification. For example, in French, there were several torture cases based on racial backgrounds of individuals. These depict social injustice. Decolonization herald new insights into the world political system as it ushered in new forms of government free of

Imperial Powers over Africa Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Imperial Powers over Africa - Essay Example According to Du Plessis (2010), Europe was undergoing several socioeconomic and political transformations which compelled the major European powers to explore overseas territories to supplement to their resources towards the turn of the 17th century. One of the most potent challenges that such control was to tackle was the resistance that Africans had against occupation of their territory by the white man. According to Oliver and Roberts (1986), the first important control that would facilitate realization of the entire colonial project was to place local political administration under the imperial power. There were different responses from the native communities with regard to the welcome that the European powers got. Whereas some communities readily collaborated and assisted the imperial powers to take charge of their administration, there were others that heavily resisted and contested any foreign takeover of their political control. It is therefore correct to state that the division among the African communities regarding the response they ought to have collectively staged played a part in the thriving of colonial administration across Africa. The clan elders and the kings ruled according to old traditions which did not allow easy interaction with foreigners lest they lost their authority (Achebe, 1996). Economic control over Africa was possible soon after the political resistance had been contained.

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

Pscychology - Essay Example To become an effective student we need to use good memory skills like "making an effort to remember the things learnt, controlling the form and subject matter, strengthening neural connection" and "allowing time to solidify pathways" We must firstly be interested in what we are learning. A student should select important topics and categorize them into groups. It is an effective tool for one to read aloud while learning and simultaneously visualize and associate ones thoughts and ideas with the subject matter. Finally consolidate the work by reviewing the matter that that has been already learned. The key components of the training program for improving work group communications would be basically education, based on motivation of the participants. It would include workshops to build participant’s knowledge, kindle their curiosity and bring out their ideas and feelings into the open. It would also include role plays with a lot of fun and discussions that follow a positive attitude. â€Å"Classical conditioning† is a technique used in behavioral training where a natural occurring stimulus is paired with a response. Cognitive social learning is when a response is first established and then gradually strengthened. Operant conditioning builds an association between behavior and the consequence. Therefore man cannot work or do anything by himself without having either a motivation or a consequence that he works towards using either prejudice or discriminative behavior.   Intelligence is a "very general mental capability that, among other things, involves the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly and learn from experience". A number of theories have come forward in the twentieth century regarding intelligence, Howard Gardners Theory Of Multiple Intelligence has eight different components to measure

Employee Resourcing Essay Example for Free

Employee Resourcing Essay Edwards, Scott and Raju (p. 71, 2003) have defined the term recruitment as â€Å"organizational practices and policies developed for the primary purpose of motivating applicants to apply, remain in the candidate pool, and accept offers. † Recruitment has been traditionally considered to have a minor role in the hiring process. Earlier the term recruitment to the hiring managers was primarily a means to indentify and use the sources, for instance the print media, which would give the maximum output in terms of applications from promising candidates. The importance of recruitment has increased multi-fold in recent times. This has been due to trends in 1990s like the changes in market which has necessitated a need for a large work force of specialized labors, and the internet which has given a wide platform for both the recruiters and job searchers to come in contact with each other (Edwards, Scott and Raju, p. 71, 2003). As a result of these trends the organizations have come to a scenario that not many people might apply when a job is posted. Even when the organization has selected a candidate it can no longer be assumed that they would be accepting these offers. Hence, there is an increasing awareness among people who take care of a company’s recruitment that the process covers far more than merely looking out for sources where the advertisements for job openings are to be put. This report gives an overview of the recruitment trends and selection practices in recent times in UK, the factors impacting these trends and selection practices in the country. Recruitment trends in UK in recent times The recruitment practices of organizations in UK have seen a drastic change in the recent times. Various practices and conditions are seen to exist in the organizations these days, which were not present a few decades ago like provision of creches, job-sharing, part-time work, and home-working. There is also a lot of stress on gender equality by the various companies. For instance, banks are seen to be the pioneers in devising various schemes to hire and retain women. Another of these trends is also to review policies such as those which used to encourage early retirement based on various conditions (Hendry, p. 42, 1995). There have been some additional schemes like performance related pays, which brought about the appraisal management system to fore. The trends for various organizations in UK is to use systems like the 360 feedback system for performance related pays, to motivate their employees so that they stay and work with the company and see this translated to an increase in the pay packages (Anderson, p. 130, 2005). Internet boom has been seen to impact all the aspects of businesses. Recruitment is no exception, and has seen a major change in the way companies recruit people. The trend to adopt internet as a means to recruit people, has also seen in face of the increasing number of companies looking to recruit people. The ease of finding people has increased as the companies can now access databases of people living in far off places in a short time. The online recruitment activity in UK increased by 30% for August 2007, from last year August 2006 (Monster, p. 1, 2007) For the managerial vacancies, the trend is that the vacancies are filled from the internal labor market while the senior management positions are as likely filled internally as externally. This trend means that on the supply side there has been an increase in new entrants in the labor market while on the demand side the organizations have a need for new managerial recruits. Selection Practices in UK in recent times Swift and Robertson (2000) cite several surveys conducted for selection practices to point out that the employers use a wide range of selection techniques depending upon the type of jobs for which the people are being recruited. They also said that the survey showed that no one method for selection was used as a standardized or stand-alone technique in small, middle, and even large sized corporations. The most used current selection practices were found to be application forms, interviews with single interviewer, panel interviewers, personality tests, references, ability tests, selection centers, CVs, and group selection centers. Despite the many reports of unreliability and invalidity, traditional selection methods of interview, application form and references are the most popular selection practices used. Of these, personal interviews are considered to be the most widely criticized method of selection, and the third most popular toll behind reference checking and application forms. The more sophisticated techniques like the assignment centers and psychological testing are relatively less used in UK. Though there has been a rise in the number of psychometric tests used by large sized corporations while selecting new recruits, the traditional methods are still the most common tools for selection (Brewster, Mayrhofer and Morley, p. 60, 2004). Brewster, Mayrhofer and Morley (2004) also point out that there has been a rise in the flexible working practices in UK, in particular the non-standard contracts. There has been a rise in flexible contracts related to salary packages like sharing profits, introduction of performance incentive and also flexibility in the working hours. Changing environment in UK in the last few decades Organizations in UK faced the impact of the economic changes that occurred in 1980s through the 1990s. There were changes in the economic environment, labor law, government labor market policy, demographic changes and also the political climate, all of which had an impact on the organizations and hence their personnel management policies. There was a severe recession of 1980-81, followed by a period of growth till the early 1990s and again a slump in the last quarter of 1990s when the economic growth ceased (Hendry, p. 23, 1995). Due to the recession in the country there was a need for bringing in more foreign currency, hence imports became cheaper and foreign firms were drawn to the UK market. All of these brought about a collapse in the manufacturing sector which could not keep up with the measures taken by the government to bring up the recession. The industries began to restructure and this brought about the internationalization of various firms due to acquisitions and mergers (Hendry, p. 25, 1995). The trend for internationalization was present in UK but was chiefly restricted to Europe both in terms of trade and movement of capital. But the 1980s and 1990s saw the companies expand overseas in other countries to explore newer market and / or use cheaper labor due to the inherently tight labor market (Hendry, p. 27, 1995). There were other changes for instance the demographic and social changes brought about by the education system, which meant that more people were trained in higher education, and hence the labor force fell sharply through the 1980s. However, the proportion of women entering the labor market started to rise. Politically too UK saw marked changes as the Thatcher government gave way to new governments and different work related policies as well as the overall policies (Hendry, p. 40, 1995). Effects of External Environment on Labor Markets All the changes in the UK environment affected the personnel management practices by the organizations. The section above gave a brief on some of the major environment changes while this section would be giving the impact of the changes on the labor market and the next section would give the corresponding consequences in the recruitment and selection process. The collapse of the industrial segment in UK had far reaching impacts on the labor market. There was large scale unemployment which was well over 3 million for almost five years, with large regional imbalances. There were forced redundancies and many of the units were closed down. This made the companies look out for increased measures in productivity by using flexible working practices. This also led to the sharp demarcations between the various levels of employees. The slump led to internationalization in two ways. First the people in the middle class who were traditionally the labors increasingly sent their offspring to universities for higher studies. This led to an increase in the number of people qualified tor white collar and professional jobs, and the number of labors decreased. Organizations in UK hence started looking to countries in Asia and Africa for filling this labor gap. There were also direct acquisitions which led to foreign companies acquiring stakes in UK companies, which led to internationalization. The internationalization brought people from different cultures in contact with each other on regular basis. This meant that the people needed to be culturally conditioned to blend in easily with the increasingly changing work environment. The increase in the number of women in the industry at various levels brought about massive changes in the working culture of the organizations. There were issues like employee safety and newer incentives were introduced to attract employees like facilities of creches, providing pick-up and drop facilities. Effects of External Environment on Recruitment Process The labor market in UK has traditionally being tight due to the reasons outlined above. The market was affected due to two important events foot-and-mouth disease and 9/11 crisis. These events brought about crisis in the financial markets, a fall in tourism and other related activities, thus increasing the unemployment. However, in spite of these changes the labor market remains a challenge for recruiters in terms of recruitment and selection (Brewster, Mayrhofer and Morley, p. 48, 2004). The recruiters need to attract people to work in their organizations, which is the first important step. The second step is to follow a rigid but effective selection process which would ensure that the right people have been selected to work in the company. Recruitment and selection process are seen to be the most important functions of Human Resource Management process. This is because an effective recruitment and selection process ensures an efficient labor force while a poor one might have negative effects to the company’s productivity which are long lasting. The companies prefer that their employees are sources both internally and externally, so that the internal employees are motivated and fresh blood is brought into the company which is necessary for innovation. The rise in technology especially the internet has seen to it that the companies can have a diverse work force. The large companies have also used software technologies to use databases to keep track of their employees for checking their performance levels which would air the process of internal recruitment. UK companies traditionally preferred to fill their positions internally especially for managerial recruitments, though this is changing in the face of internationalization. Various organizations are also seen to improve the process of re-training and provide attractive incentives like performance related packages for recruiting and retaining employees (Brewster, Mayrhofer and Morley, p. 0, 2004). Effects of External Environment on Selection Process After potential candidates apply for the position, the selection process must ensure that the most promising candidates are selected for the positions. This is again a challenge to the recruiters because of the increasing stress laid on the employees to excel not only in their job but also added skills like team-spirit and adapting to change. Many of the positions require that the candidate must be comfortable for working in newer locations, which was traditionally limited to people in the sales and marketing department. In addition, the potential candidates must also be abreast with the fast changing technological environment, and be able to cope up with it. All these must be the elements of the selection process, which means a high burden for people designing the process to ensure only the right candidates, are selected (Brewster, Mayrhofer and Morley, p. 60, 2004). As is already mentioned above, personal interview though is the most criticized, is still the most preferred by recruiters in UK. The reason for this is probably the importance the company people give to personal judgment. With the increasing number of people coming from different regions and countries, references and applications are considered to be the most important tools in the selection process. The reference checking is done with due diligence and the responses are always recorded. In many cases, the companies also go in for reference checking by employing private agencies to check up on the potential candidate. Application forms are of course the necessary input for any further steps in the selection process (Brewster, Mayrhofer and Morley, p. 60, 2004).

The Concept Behind Neural Plasticity Psychology Essay

The Concept Behind Neural Plasticity Psychology Essay Have you ever wondered what Neural Plasticity is? Do you know the concept behind Neural Plasticity? To achieve your full understanding on what neural plasticity is and its concepts; the information below will help you discover what this is by defining neural plasticity and as well as giving examples on neural plasticity. You will find out that neural plasticity can be experienced in many different parts of the brain such as in the motor cortex, the auditory cortex, and in the visual cortex. Neural plasticity depends on the experiences one encounters because each experience stimulates the brain in different places. The areas I will focus on in this assignment are the background of neural plasticity, examples on how neural plasticity is used, and the actual concept of neural plasticity. Come with me on the journey through neural plasticity! To fully understand what neural plasticity is, I must break down the words into two parts and define them for you. Neural relating to nerves or the nervous system, Plasticity the capacity to change as a result of usage, practice, and experience. Fuse those two words together and you will now have neural plasticity the ability of the brain to change throughout the process of learning and experience. Before the mid 1960s came around, psychologist concluded that neural circuits in a fully mature brain and nervous system was completely developed in which the brain can not produce new neurons. What the critics didnt know was that they are about to be dramatically shocked because their hypothesis will be proven wrong through neurogensis and neural plasticity. The brain we once thought we knew turns out the be completely altered than the brain once discovered in the late 1800s and 1900s by Santiago Ramon y Cajal, Camillo Golgi, and Wilhelm Waldeyer. Santiago Ramon y Cajal was a Spanish Neuroanatomist, born in Petilla, Navarra, close to the Pyrenees Mountains. Ramon y Cajal studied medicine, teaches anatomy, history, and also teaches pathological anatomy. Ramon y Cajal made numerous contributions to the study of neural plasticity. He was the first to propose the ideas of the changing of neurons, the organization of the brains networks, and the neurons functions through new experiences in life. The brain has the ability to change as a result to usage, exercise, and experience. The concept of neural plasticity is proven by an American research psychologist by the name of Mark Richard Rosenzweig according to the Essentials of Psychology. Rosenzweig found out in animal studies on neural plasticity that the brain sustains developing anatomically by adapting and transforming itself into its adolescences based on life challenges and changed the assumed wisdom that the brain reached full capability in the childhood stages of early life. Mark Rosenzweig created an amazing park for rats so he could observe the significant effects in a developed habitation on neural development. He had half of the rats live together in a cage full of obstacles to have fun with. The other half of the rats lived in solitary confinement without any ladders to climb on or toys to expand their mind with. Rosenzweig found out incredible information that changed the worlds view on neural plasticity. He disc overed that the rats that resided in the enriched environment increased cerebral cortex volumes and developed heavier, broader brains. He also found out that the rats in the enriched environment cultivated more dendrites and synapse in their brains than the ones in solitary confinement. Visual stimulated rats increased 20 percent more synaptic connections per neuron in the visual cortex. Also, the rats that were running between obstacles formed new synaptic connections in the cerebellum, the structure mainly dealing with balance and motor cortex coordination. Rosenzweigs final conclusion on the experiment in 1996 was, by encountering new experiences; it increased the growth of new synaptic connections and shapes the brains neural architecture. Neural plasticity is remarkable information for human development and adaptation. Another interesting discovery that explains neural plasticity is the study on Albert Einsteins brain. Einstein had an average sized brain like any other human being but there was an important aspect that caught researchers attention. The visuospatial and mathematical region of Einsteins brain showed 15 percent larger than normal! Do you think you know why this happened? This happened because Albert Einstein constantly used and challenged the visuospatial and mathematical side of his average sized brain. Practice may not always make perfect, but its likely to create an impression on you brain, states Dr. Azar in 1996. I am a true believer of these words. I believe that you obtain the ability to do anything you want in life, but it is all up to what you decide on in life. Neural plasticity boils down to your mindset towards you life and how you perceive learning experiences. Youre either the rat that resided in the enriched side of the cage or the rat in solitary confinement, but this is where you have the opportunity to challenge, exercise, and expand you brain to perform Neural Plasticity. In conclusion, neural plasticity is the ability to develop an individuals learning process. This statement provides proof that no matter what environment one is in; there is always going to be an ability to change through their experiences which improves the growth of the brain. Basically, the concepts of neural plasticity states that the more experiences a person encounters, the greater chances one has on improving their dendrites and synapse. Neural plasticity is found in many different regions of the brain such as in the auditory, motor, and visual cortexes. The information Ive provided proves that without experiences there is no ability to improve your brain because one isnt improving if one doesnt go through experiences in life. Thank you for taking this exciting journey through NEURAL PLASTICITY! REFERNECES Kassin,S. M. (2004). Essentials of Psychology, Upper Saddle River, NJ. Prentice Hall, Retrieved January 14, 2010 Hoiland, E., http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/plast.html, Brain Plasticity: What Is It? Learning and Memory. Retrieved January 15, 2010 Singer, E.,(2008) http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/21736/, Making an Old Brain Young. Retrieved January 16, 2010

Policies for War Reporting in the Media

Policies for War Reporting in the Media PART V : THE WAY AHEAD â€Å"Smart generals understand all too well that wars can be won on the world’s television screens as well as on the battlefield†. Alvin and Heidi Toffler in â€Å"War and Anti War†. Media Policy Enumerate National Information and Media Policies. The government must enumerate national information and media policies and the aspect of defence coverage, in peacetime, conventional and LIC environment, must be adequately covered. Maj Gen Arjun Ray highlights the difference between the two. The information policy concerns the right of the citizen to information within and without the government , and the enactment of laws to facilitate such a flow. Media policy on the other hand includes all elements relating to information and communications to cover its relations with the media[2]. Statement of Policy.The media policy must address the core issue of defining the degree and kind of restraints to be placed on the media during peace, low intensity conflict and war in order to ensure positive media coverage without loss of credibility and endangering operational security and troop safety. It must lay down the media objectives, priorities, methods, means and constraints for the three situations. Transparency and Media Pools.Transparency must form a corner stone of the media policy as it will lead to greater public understanding and awareness which in turn will lead to greater appreciation and public confidence in the armed forces. One way of achieving this is by forming ‘Media Pools’ at different levels from services headquarters to corps. These pools must be composed of accredited and security-cleared representatives of different national and regional media and nominated by their parent organisations. These pools must be activated during exercises, low intensity conflicts and war and kept in readiness to be moved to the scene of action at short notice. Such a system will facilitate the media to cover operations in remote locations by being present at the scene of action, which it cannot otherwise do and at the same time facilitate the army in planning for handling and assisting media without compromising on security. Joint Security Review. A system of joint security review must be worked out in consultation with the Press Council of India and eminent media persons to replace the system of pre-censorship during peace and operations. This will go a long way towards enhancing the credibility of the armed forces. Accreditation of Defence Correspondents.Requisite qualifications for defence correspondents, such as a degree in defence studies and the ‘Defence Correspondents Course’ must be made mandatory for a journalist to be accredited as a defence correspondent. Efforts must be made to grant accreditation to adequate number of representatives of regional media, especially in areas affected by or having the potential for LIC. Self Restraint by Media.Self restraint by media is any day preferable to pre censorship and will only enhance media credibility. A list of sensitive issues on which the media must exercise restraint and different sets of security guidelines for covering defence matters during peace, exercises, LIC and war must be evolved in consultation with the media and notified to the media and their organisation such as the Press Council of India. Official Secrets Act.The Official Secrets Act 1923 must be revised to incorporate the damage potential of a piece of information as the overriding factor in determining whether or not its disclosure and receiver are guilty. Such a step will be a big stride towards recognition of the ‘right to know’ in a democracy[1]. Interaction with Foreign Media.Interaction with foreign media abroad can be left to the Indian mission located in that country. However, the DIPO should have the authority and the where-with-all to deal with international media in New Delhi. Similar flexibility would need to be made available at the Regional Command level. PR Organisation Setting up of an Apex Body. There is a clear need to replace the DPR with an integrated body to coordinate the functions of various Public Relations Organizations. For instance in the LIC environment there is a case of overlapping authority, where the armed forces and the numerous Central Police Organisations have their own Public Relation Departments, with different perceptions, interpretations and claims. These need to be coordinated by an Apex Body as they affect official credibility. This Apex Body should comprise officials and media specialists of sufficient standing to be included in high level policy meetings. It should include representative from the military, the media and the affected states. This Body should issue media policy directives, evaluate the need and level of controls to be imposed and be a fountainhead for information release. This should be headed by a Joint Secretary (PR), who should act as a spokesman for the Ministry of Defence, and should report directly to the Defence Secretary. He can be drawn from the armed forces or the All India Services, but more importantly should be chosen because of his background and experience in matters relating to national security and the military. On the formation of a National Security Council, this Apex body could form an important part of it, for dissemination of information and as an interface with the media. Media and Psychological Operations Directorate-Corps of PR. The armed forces Public Relation Department needs to be organised into a uniformed joint service organisation, the Corps of PR, under the Chiefs of Defence Staff (CDS). This is so, as the PR organisation is the basic vehicle available to the Services to counter terrorist and military propaganda. The existing organisation is ill suited to handle the psychological nature of media operations in the LIC and counter-terrorism scenario. The appointment of an Additional Director General (Media and Psychological Operations) and the setting up of a Directorate functioning under the CDS, to coordinate the media needs of the Services, would be a step in the right direction. The ADG should be assisted by PR Staff drawn from the three Services, and needs to function in close coordination with their operations and intelligence staff. Establishment of Army Liaison Cell.It is an innovation since 1996 which has virtually taken over the task of providing information on operational matters. A similar cell was set up during Kargil which achieved outstanding results[3]. It is headed by a Brigadier at Army HQ in South Block who functions directly under the Vice Chief of Army Staff and hence enjoys better access to all formation commands in the country, which the DPR does not have. The protocol between the Cell and the media should be clearly defined in the larger interest of defence media coverage. Also, the Cell needs to be relocated as it is housed in a prohibited area to which the media has no easy access. Establishment of Media and Psychological Operation Cells (MAPO). At each command and corps HQs, and their equivalent levels in the other two services, these cells should be established to cater for the media needs of the respective formations. In formations involved in LIC and counter- insurgency operations additional staff can be authorised on their establishment to cover the operational requirements of various divisions and brigades under them. Particular attention is required for staffing these cells as the officers selected as PROs should be highly motivated career officers, with the requisite aptitude and training for media handling. Selection and Training of PROs. Officers with aptitude and potential for creative writing and media management should be deputed for professional courses in media related activities or mass communications at the university level. On completion of training they should form the core for staffing the Corps of PR and MAPO cells at various levels. The officers so selected should be ‘up coming’ career officers, who should be given adequate incentives to choose this stream as a career option. They should attend courses conducted at the Indian Institute of Mass Communications (IIMC) periodically as they rise in service. At the Apex level the ADG (Media and Psy Ops) should be top professionals with adequate experience in combating LIC and counter – insurgency operations, and a flair for media handling. Provisions should also be made through which the Government can directly induct suitably qualified personnel from the media into the Defence Media Management organisation wh en required. Rank and Status of the PROs.The rank and status of the PROs needs to be elevated and the balance of the armed forces made to recognise their importance in the battle field, during LIC and military operations other than war. Exclusive Cadre of Defence Information Officers. At the DPR level, the Ministry of Defence should evolve an exclusive cadre of Defence Information Officers who can be posted to various locations according to the demands and needs of the three services. Ex servicemen could be inducted into such a service if they have the aptitude. Posting of Officers to PR Corps.It is recommended that only selection grade officers from the three services, with sufficient knowledge of various disciplines of the defence forces should be posted to the PR organisation. They should also have a reasonable tenure to maintain continuity as otherwise they are not likely to maintain interest. Budget and Resources.The PR budget of a defence establishment of this size must be increased manifold from the current level. Reccomendations for the Armed Forces Information Warfare – Principle of War. Information warfare for military operations should be conducted concurrently with operational planning as a Principle of War. This should be institutionalized at the level of policy formation[4]. Media an Equal Partner. In our democratic nation the media should be accepted as an equal partner working for the good of the people and the country at large. In the effort towards building a more positive image of the armed forces, the media must be encouraged to report on operations by being present at the scene of action if security permits. Rapport with Media.A conscious effort needs to be made to build up a rapport with media at all levels and more so at the level of senior commanders and staff officers. Interaction by way of organising seminars and guest lectures, mutual visits, inviting articles of eminent media persons in professional military journals and contribution of papers for professional media journals by service officers must be encouraged at all levels as a matter of policy. Media should also be invited to military events such as fire power demonstrations, tactical exercises, sports and welfare activities and ceremonial functions in Officers’ Messes[5]. Ground rules . A set of firm ground rules should be established as a guide for a mutually beneficial relationship. This relationship should be based on a positive, open and anti-media bias of the Armed Forces; and the media on its part should be objective and fair, as also be understanding about the constraints under which the military has to operate. Surveys and Opinion Polls – Need for a Regular Feed Back System. To ensure that the media coverage of the armed forces remains focused and positive, and to gauge its effect on the public from different regions; and on troops and their families, a system of obtaining regular feed back must be instituted. This could be obtained through the conduct of surveys and opinion polls conducted by renowned and recognized organisations. The information so obtained through these methods must form the basis for the formulation of a media strategy for the projection of a correct image of the armed forces. Training of Officers. Media and its handling must form part of the curriculum at all stages of an officers career starting from pre-commission training in the academies to post-commission training in all arms courses right up to senior levels, especially at the Defence Services Staff College. Commands and corps must also organise cadres and seminars on this subject for the benefit of other officers. Innovative methods of media training must be incorporated in all exercises and wargames for commanders and staff officers. Training of Troops. Dealing with media must form a part of various promotion cadres for Non Commissioned and Junior Commissioned Officers. In addition troops must be briefed regularly and practised in handling media persons during exercises. Training of Media Persons. Efforts must be made in consultation with the Press Council of India, various media organizations, University Grants Commission and leading universities conducting courses in journalism to incorporate defence awareness programmes and specifics of defence journalism in their curriculum. The scope of the War Correspondents courses presently conducted at the Intelligence School, Pune must be enhanced and it should be made a compulsory prerequisite for accredition as a defence correspondent. An advanced/refresher course should be designed for interested senior defence correspondents. Training should also be imparted by incorporating the media in various formation level exercises and wargames, to enable them to familiarize with combat environment. General Staff Pamphlets. All aspects of media handling by the army including the role and effect of media in various operations must be published as a General Staff publication. Current series of publications on ‘Operations of War’ and ‘Counter Insurgency Operations’ must be modified to incorporate a chapter on media. In order to foster a symbiotic relationship with media we must have a hard and deep look at our attitudes towards the media, both individual and organizational. Before any organizational change is possible attitudinal focus is essential. We need to brush off the stifling colonial mindsets and join the information age in an aggressive manner. The Army must become less sensitive to media reports and must view them as constructive criticism. We cannot and must not expect an adulatory or laudatory media all the time as was the case in Kargil. The Army must accept the fact that the media is an ally and must be treated as such . In the information age synergy with the media is a force multiplier. ________________________________________________________________________ 1 Dinesh Kumar, â€Å"Media Management Survival kit for Armed Forces† , Times of India, 24 Nov 2000. 2 Ray Arjun , Major General, Kashmir Diary, Psychology of Militancy, Manas Publications, 1997, pp113. 3 Adrianwala, op.cit. pp12 4 Natrajan V C, op. cit. pp 36. 5 Dutt J K, â€Å"Media and the Military†, The Statesman ,26 Jul 98. [1] 1 Dinesh Kumar, â€Å"Media Management Survival kit for Armed Forces† , Times of India, 24 Nov 2000. [2] Ray Arjun , Major General, Kashmir Diary, Psychology of Militancy, Manas Publications, 1997, pp113. [1] Indian Media And War Maturity Media Essay [3] Adrianwala, op.cit. pp12 [4] [5]

Internal Conflict: Nature, Humans, and Animals :: Philosophy Essays

Internal Conflict: Nature, Humans, and Animals Caught up in the modern day scheme of things, I haven't felt connected to nature in some time. I always considered myself a lover of nature and the outdoors. But driving west on US 41, as I passed the turnpike and headed into the everglades, I began to think about the last time I had been so removed from the everyday hustle and bustle. I have been having internal conflict as of late, and it seems this trip illuminated some facets of this inner unrest. It has always been easier for me to put my thoughts on paper. This is the attempt of this essay, to externalize this internal conflict. As I do this, I am hoping to better understand myself. One such debate I have with myself is whether human life is to be held above other life, and if such a concept is even possible. The second of my internal conflicts is animal rights. Do or should animals have rights? Finally, and most important, what is my responsibility or place in the grand scheme of things? This includes my decision to be a responsible human being, and whether I should have children or adopt. These ideas, not mutually exclusive, tie together and overlap in a common theme of my current internal thought processes. It seems to be my understanding that western religion or Christianity holds the belief that animals were put here on Earth for us humans. Human beings are held above all else. This is the justification for things like animal research, and the draining of the everglades for human habitation. I personally would put most members of my human family above my pet dog, if it came down to a choice. But my question is, are our lives more valuable than other life in the grand scheme of things? Or are all living things, being in a common ecosystem, interdependent? Finally, what kind of life will there be if we continue our current path of destroying these habitats, our habitat? When I pulled into Coopertown, I noticed I was the first person to arrive. This gave me a chance to look around a little. Coopertown is a tourist trap. It includes a quaint restaurant which offers gator tail and airboat rides, the latter being the reason for our trip. As I walked past the restaurant and toward the dock where the airboats depart, I came to a hut with a counter where you inquire about the airboat rides.

Mitochondria :: essays research papers

Mitochondria Mitochondria are responsible for energy production. They are also the responsible location for which respiration takes place. Mitochondria contain enzymes that help convert food material into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which can be used directly by the cell as an energy source. Mitochondria tend to be concentrated near cellular structures that require large inputs of energy, such as the flagellum. The role of the mitochondria is very important in respiration.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the presence of oxygen, pyruvate or fatty acids, can be further oxidized in the mitochondria. Each mitochondrion is enclosed by two membranes separated by an intermembrane space. The intermembrane space extends into the folds of the inner membrane called cristae which dramatically increase the surface area of the inner membrane. Cristae extend into a dense material called the matrix, an area which contains RNA, DNA, proteins, ribosomes and range of solutes. This is similar to the contents of the chloroplast stroma and like the chloroplast, the mitochondrion is a semi-autonomous organelles containing the machinery for the production of some of its own proteins. The main function of the mitochondrion is the oxidation of the pyruvate derived from glycolysis and related processes to produce the ATP required to perform cellular work.(Campbell 182-9)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Pyruvate, or fatty acids from the breakdown of triglycerides or phospholipids, pass easily through pores in the outer mitochondrial membrane made up of a channel protein called porin. The inner membrane is a more significant barrier and specific transport proteins exist to carry pyruvate and fatty acids into the matrix. Once inside the matrix, pyruvate and fatty acids are converted to the two carbon compound acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl CoA). For pyruvate this involves a decarboxylation step which removes one of the three carbons of pyruvate as carbon dioxide. The energy released by the oxidation of pyruvate at this stage is used to reduce NAD to NADH. (185)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The C2 acetyl CoA is then taken into a sequence of reactions known as Krebs cycle which completes the oxidation of carbon and regenerates an acceptor to keep the cycle going. The oxidation of the carbon is accompanied by the reduction of electron acceptors and the production of some ATP by substrate phosphorylation. The C2 acetyl CoA is coupled to oxaloacetate, a C4 acceptor in the cycle. The product is citrate a C6 compound. This first product, citrate, is the reason the cycle is sometimes called the citric acid or ticarboxylic acid cycle, referring it after the scientist whose lab most advanced our understanding of it, Sir Hans Krebs. (Comptons 160)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Two of the early reactions of the cycle are decarboxylations which shorten citrate to succinate a C4 compound.

The Epa: Can It, Will It Save Our Environment? :: essays research papers

The EPA: Can It, Will It Save Our Environment? Pollution of our environment is an issue that concerns each and every one of us. "The threat of environmental degradation now looms greater than the threat of nuclear war." Patrick Henry said, "I know no way of judging the future but by the past." In the past man has trampled on the environment. "The word 'ecology' means 'a study of home.'" It means discovering what damage man has done, then finding ways to fix it.The Environmental Protection Agency is trying to fix our home, the planet Earth. Destruction of forests, land degradation, atmosperic contamination, and water scarcity are some of the major environmental problems. In 1970, the EPA was created by President Nixon to protect the public health and environment. The cancer-causing DDT was banned in 1972 and was found accumulating in the food chain. The use of lead in gasoline was phased out in '73 which caused lead levels to drop 98%. In '74 the agency required drinking water to be physically and chemically treated. CFCs were banned in '78 and a nation-wide toxic waste site cleanup program was developed in 1980. The EPA then evacuated Times Beach, Montana for dangerous levels of dioxin in soil, which was then criticized for its heavyhandedness and arrogance. Charges of mismanagement and undue political influence caused the head of the EPA to resign in '83. "The deputy director resigns because of charges of making a 'hit list' of employees to be hired, fired, or promoted because of political leanings. The former head of the toxic waste cleanup is found guilty of perjury and obstructing congressional inquiry. A regulation requiring treatment of hazardous wastes before disposal underground was made in 1984." The spill of the Exxon Valdez caused the Environmental Protection Agency to be ctiticized for slow response in '89. Texas Eastern Gas Pipeline was fined $15 million for the contamination of PCB at 89 sites in '90. They were also required to pay $750 million in cleanups. "The EPA then develops the new Clean Air Act which required states to demonstrate progress toward meeting national air quality standards for harmful pollutants such as smog and carbon monoxide." The EPA issued a report in 1990 ranking the most serious threats to the environment and to human health. The highest-risk problems to human health are air pollution, exposure to toxic chemicals, and pollution of drinking water. In '91, $25 million in fines was given by Exxon Corporation and Exxon Shipping and the U.S. and Alaskan governments received $100 million. They also estimated a $900 million redemption fund.

Precepts of the Ibm Essay

Theory Getting the Best From all Team Members (Also known as LMX or Vertical Dyad Linkage Theory) Meaning of LMX This situation is at the heart of the Leader-Member Exchange Theory. This theory, also known as LMX or the Vertical Dyad Linkage Theory, explores how leaders and managers develop relationships with team members; and it explains how those relationships can either contribute to growth or hold people back. Intro to LMX Understanding the Theory The Leader-Member Exchange Theory first emerged in the 1970s. It focuses on the relationship that develops between managers and members of their teams. The theory states that all relationships between managers and subordinates go through three stages. These are: Role-Taking. Role-Making. â€Å"Routinization. † Let’s look at each stage in greater detail. 1. Role-Taking Role-taking occurs when team members first join the group. Managers use this time to assess new members’ skills and abilities. 2. Role-Making New team members then begin to work on projects and tasks as part of the team. In this stage, managers generally expect that new team members will work hard, be loyal and prove trustworthy as they get used to their new role. The theory says that, during this stage, managers sort new team members (often subconsciously) into one of two groups. In-Group – if team members prove themselves loyal, trustworthy and skilled, they’re put into the In-Group. This group is made up of the team members that the manager trusts the most. Managers give this group most of their attention, providing challenging and interesting work, and offering opportunities for additional training and advancement. This group also gets more one-to-one time with the manager. Often, people in this group have a similar personality and work-ethic to their manager. Out-Group – if team members betray the trust of the manager, or prove that they’re unmotivated or incompetent, they’re put into the Out-Group. This group’s work is often restricted and unchallenging. Out-Group members tend to have less access to the manager, and often don’t receive opportunities for growth or advancement. . Routinization During this last phase, routines between team members and their managers are established. In-Group team members work hard to maintain the good opinion of their managers, by showing trust, respect, empathy, patience, and persistence. ##can be used for outcome that effect the organization Out-Group members may sta rt to dislike or distrust their managers. Because it’s so hard to move out of the Out-Group once the perception has been established, Out-Group members may have to change departments or organizations in order to â€Å"start over. Once team members have been classified, even subconsciously, as In-Group or Out-Group, that classification affects how their managers relate to them from then on, and it can become self-fulfilling. For instance, In-Group team members are often seen as rising stars and the manager trusts them to work and perform at a high level. This is also the group that the manager talks to most, offering support and advice, and they’re given the best opportunities to test their skills and grow. So, of course, they’re more likely to develop in their roles. This also holds true for the Out-Group. The manager spends little, if any, time trying to support and develop this group. They receive few challenging assignments or opportunities for training and advancement. And, because they’re never tested, they have little chance to change the manager’s opinion. Using the Theory You can use the Leader-Member Exchange Theory to be aware of how you perceive members of your own team. To do this, follow these steps: 1. Identify Your Out-Group Chances are, you know who’s in your Out-Group already. Take a moment to note their names down. Next, analyze why these people have fallen â€Å"out of favor. † Did they do something specifically to lose your trust? Do they exhibit bad behavior at work? Are they truly incompetent, or do they have low motivation? Analyze what they’ve actually done, and compare the facts with your perceptions. Do these match, or have you (perhaps subconsciously) blown things out of proportion? 2. Reestablish the Relationship It’s important that, as the leader, you make a reasonable effort to reestablish a relationship with Out-Group team members. Research published in the Leadership Quarterly journal in 1995 showed that team members who have high quality relationships with their leader have higher morale, and are more productive than those who don’t. So you, and your organization, can benefit from creating a better relationship. Keep in mind that this group will likely be wary of any attention or support from you; after all, they may not have had it in the past. First, meet each team member one-on-one. Take the time to find out if they’re happy with their job. What are their career goals? What can you do to make their work more challenging or engaging? A one-on-one meeting can also help you identify that person’s psychological contract with you – that is, the unspoken benefits they expect from you, as their leader. If they’re in the Out-Group, they may feel that the psychological contract has been broken. You also need to discover what truly motivates them. Use McClelland’s Human Motivation Theory or Herzberg’s Motivators and Hygiene Factor Theory to find out what drives them to succeed. Once you’ve had a chance to reconnect with your team members through one-on-one meetings, do what you sensibly can to continue to touch base with them. Practice management by walking around, or drop by their office to see if they need help on projects or tasks. Work on getting to know these team members on a personal level. 3. Provide Training and Development Opportunities Remember, the biggest advantage to the Leader-Member Exchange Theory is that it alerts you to the preference you might unconsciously – and possibly unfairly – be showing some team members; this allows you to offer all of your team members appropriate opportunities for training, development, and advancement. Your Out-Group team members may benefit from a mentoring or coaching relationship with you. You may also want to provide them with low risk opportunities to test and grow their skills. Use task allocation strategies to make sure you’re assigning the right task to the right person. Also, take our Bite-Sized Training session, Setting Goals for Your Team, to learn how to set effective and realistic goals for these team members. You can also use the Nine-Box Grid for Talent Management to re-assess their potential from time to time, and to give them the right development opportunities. LMX Theory ;amp; Organizational Effectiveness: ##from http://www. technofunc. com/index. php/leadership-skills/leadership-theories/item/leader-member-exchange-theory-lmx-theory LMX theory is directly related to organizational effectiveness as the quality of leader–member exchanges relate to positive outcomes for leaders, followers, groups, and the organization in general. More In-Group members means high-quality leader–member exchanges and that results in less employee turnover, more positive performance evaluations, higher frequency of promotions and greater organizational commitment. – Learn more at www. technofunc. com. Your online source for free professional tutorials. Info from†¦pdf The relationship Between Leader-member Exchange(LMX) motivated to support rather than resist the influence attempt. Conversely, employees in low LMX relationships are accustomed to antagonistic behaviors and may view consultation tactics as insincere and motivated by opportunistic intentions. For example, leaders with poor reputations who engage in supportive behaviors are viewed as self- serving and insincere. Similarly, for employees in low LMX relationships, a manager’s use of consultation tactics may be perceived as self-serving attempts to gain employee favor, or even to highjack employee ideas, rather than as an attempt to improve the change initiative. Such perceptions would likely cause these influence attempts to backfire and prompt employees to resist the influence attempt. It is likely that the contribution aspect of the leader–member relationship (which reflects the amount of effort expended toward mutual goals) will be a stronger predictor of citizenship behavior than will loyalty and professional respect, in part because citizenship behavior reflects effort expended beyond one’s normal role requirements (Illes, Nahrgana, and Morgeson, 2007). iffers from other leadership theories by its focus on the dyadic relationship and the unique relationships leaders develop with each follower (Gerstner ;amp; Day, 1997; Liden, Sparrowe, ;amp; Wayne, 1997). Strong LMX relationships are characterized by support, mutual trust, respect, and liking (Graen ;amp; Uhl-Bien, 1995). Interactions between employees and managers in strong LMX relationships typically reinforce positive affect and strengthen the relationship bond (Fairhur st, 1993). Such relationships include the exchange of material and nonmaterial goods that extend beyond what is specified in the formal job description (Liden et al. , 1997; Liden ;amp; Graen, 1980). This relationship has important implications for Biomedical Informatics technicians and vendors because at high levels of relationships, there is less resistance to change and use of sanctions also seems inconsistent with past behavior (Frust ;amp; Cable, 2008). The LMX model suggests that leaders do not use the same style or set of behaviors uniformly across all members. Instead, unique relationships or exchanges develop with each member. These exchanges range from low to high quality. In addition, the theory contends that a supervisor will develop different quality exchange relationships with each of his or her subordinates which remain relatively stable over time. Employees with high-quality exchanges have been referred to as in the â€Å"in-group† and those with low-quality exchanges as in the â€Å"out-group. In strong LMX relationships, employees are more likely to be involved and provide information needed for task accomplishment. These employees should be LMX and CMX Theory 6 An alternative approach to understanding a leaders’ influence on individual follower or subordinate effectiveness is through the focus on dyadic relationships between leaders and each of their subordinates (Dansereau et al. , 1975). Originally ter med vertical dyad linkage (Dansereau et al. , 1975), leader–member exchange theory LMX and CMX Theory 5

John Proctor a tragic hero? Essay

A tragic hero is a character whose flaw or mistake ultimately leads to their downfall. In Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, the small town of Salem is immersed in a crisis due to the accusations of witchcraft. One of the accused is John Proctor, a strong and moral farmer. John Proctor meets the definition of a tragic hero because of his fatal flaws, the affair with Abigail and his pride, but redemption at the end of the play saves his morals. S One of John Proctors flaws is his affair with Abigail. The affair with Abigail is his downfall because it provokes the witch trials. Abigail doesn’t want to believe that the affair is over between her and John and tries to kill Elizabeth Proctor by preforming witchcraft with other girls in the town. When Parris discovers them and the town begins to ostracize the girls, they call out the names of others they have supposedly seen with the Devil in order to save their reputations and possibly their lives. Therefore, the affair between John and Abigail is the spark of all the hysteria surrounding the witch trials. The affair also caused Elizabeth Proctor to distrust her husband, John, who for seven months was trying to get into her good graces and is tired of her suspicion. He tells her â€Å"†¦ I have not moved from there to there without I think to please you†¦ I cannot speak but I am doubted, every moment judged for lies†¦ â€Å"(52). This illustrates John’s determination in attempting to redeem himself for his sin. Because John cannot control his desire and resist temptation, his life is being destroyed by the jealousy and need for revenge of Abigail, indicating the beginning of his downfall and road to becoming a tragic hero. W John Proctors major flaw was his pride. John’s honor and good name is what kept him from confessing to adultery, which would have most likely, halted the witch trials. Elizabeth asked him to go into the court and tell them that Abigail is fraud, but he refused. He said, â€Å"I know I cannot keep it. I say I will think on it! â€Å"(51). Nonetheless, when Elizabeth is arrested, John has to choose between his pride and his wife. He tries to fix it by bringing Mary Warren into the court to confess to lies and pretense. This fails when Mary Warren turns on him and he has to admit to being an adulterer, reserving his dignity in order to rescue his wife. Unfortunately, he too is arrested after Elizabeth is questioned about his confession by Danforth. She denies his unfaithfulness in an attempt to protect John’s name, causing his arrest for perjury and witchcraft. This proves that John is trying to do good, yet his misfortunes keep coming, which is another quality that makes John Proctor the tragic hero of the play. T As the play comes to a conclusion, Proctor for a second time has to make a decision concerning his pride. The court gives him with an ultimatum with which he can plead guilty and live or be hanged with the others who didn’t confess. After speaking with Elizabeth, John decides that he wants to live and surrenders to a confession. After he signs the confession, he tears it up after learning that Danforth means to hang his confession on the church doors. As Reverend Parris and Hale are about to object, John pronounces â€Å"†¦ for now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor†¦ â€Å"(133), referring to his honesty. He would rather die for the greater good, then ruin his name and the names of the other prisoners. Elizabeth doesn’t try to stop him either knowing that he needed to do this, tearfully saying to Hale â€Å"He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him! â€Å"(134). Proctor preserves his pride and dignity, dying as a man with flaws yet a good man, becoming the tragic hero of The Crucible. As the play develops we see that John Proctor is the tragic hero of The Crucible. His flaws destroy him but at the end of the play he preserves his pride and dies a good man. Arthur Miller uses John Proctor to show us how someone can overcome mistakes in life and safeguard ones dignity.

Introductory Marketing Essay

Case studies are a great way to learn marketing – applying what you have learned to a business situation will help you to understand the concepts well. This term we will analyze cases in two ways – in class, and as written case assignments to be handed in. IN-CLASS CASES: Your text contains cases to be discussed in class. It is essential that you read and prepare the case at the end of each chapter, when that chapter is assigned on the course schedule. Prepare your answers to the questions asked in the case, and have some answers formulated before you come to class. Everyone will be expected to be familiar with the case on the day for which the chapter it is in is assigned, and everyone will be expected to have formulated some comments and insights. CASES TO BE HANDED IN: Here is a list of the case assignments to be handed in and marked: Case 1 – Tablet War: RIM’s Playbook Versus Apple’s iPad, p.29, questions 1-4 Case 2 – Weight Watchers Versus Jenny Craig, p.177, questions 1-4 Case 3 – Puttin’ on the Ritz, p.346, please add a 4th question: 4.) Explain the marketing research process for a project designed to measure customer satisfaction with the Ritz-Carlton. Case 4 – Dove Widens Definition of Real Women†¦.and Men, p.486, questions 1-4 Case Assignment Guidelines: †¢ Cases should be no more than one page in length – no title page. Only one page will be marked! †¢ Cases are to be handed to the instructor personally, in class, on their due date. †¢ Two out of the scheduled cases will be selected by the instructor for marks – if you hand in all 4 cases, you will receive your two best marks; if you hand in 3 of the 4 cases, you will receive your best mark for one, and zero for the other; if you hand in 2 or less cases, you will get no marks for cases †¢ Copies should be kept of all work submitted. †¢ Read the case through, read the questions, and read the case again before you start to develop your answers. Spend some time on the company website getting to know the brand and its’ business from a marketing perspective. †¢ Answer as though you were a marketing executive, not a consumer. †¢ Use marketing words and terminology, not terms like â€Å"stuff† and â€Å"things†. Make each thought and sentence count – and make each simple and to-the-point. Avoid extra words or â€Å"filler† material. †¢ In a 1-page case analysis, you do not need quotes, nor do you need to repeat facts from the case write-up, keep your language succinct. †¢ Write your cases with a business writing style – short and to the point as opposed to an academic writing style – which is more of an essay format. †¢ Communicate well – use interesting sentences, correct grammar and spelling, accurate syntax. †¢ At the end of the analysis, give your own opinion, analysis or outlook. †¢ If your case is late it will be given a mark of zero. Marking: After you have submitted your case and your instructor has reviewed it, you will mark your case, out of 100%, using the type of marking scheme indicated in the chart below.

Genetically Modified Food and Crops Essay

Abstract Since the 1980’s scientists have been altering crops, including some of the food we eat (Fairly & Gaskins, 2000). Genetically modified food has always been a concern for many people. I find the concerns to be unwarranted because there has never been a negative health report due to the fact of consuming GM foods. Biotechnology gives us the best means for solving the world’s food shortage now and in the future. Genetically modified crop plants are now grown on nearly 150 million acres in the United States alone, helping farmers to increase yields, reduce pesticide spraying, and save topsoil (Conko & Miller, 2011). What are we actually eating? Looking at ingredients on the back of a product was almost considered out of the ordinary ten to fifteen years ago. But now it is one of the most important factors in the decision on whether or not a consumer will buy the product. In all the research I conducted there was never a proven harmful effect from genetic engineering. However, the benefits are scientifically proven which gives genetically modified crops the advantage over traditional farming. The proposed ideas and research by scientist show that a lot more can be done with GM food other than eating it. Globalization of GM crops is becoming apparent as well as GM crop commercialization. _Keywords: GM Food, GM Crops, Genetically engineered crops, Biotechnology, GM organisms._ â€Å"Genetically modified organisms can be defined as organisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally. The technology is often called â€Å"biotechnology† and it allows selected individual genes to be transferred from one organism into another† (World Health Organization, 2002). For more than twenty years of scientific,  humanitarian, and financial success genetic engineering has been applied to agriculture. This has been accomplished without injury to a single person or damage to the ecosystem. However, activists are still fighting the use of genetically modified crops (Conko & Miller 2011). Millions of people around the world suffer from malnutrition and with the steep projected increase of our world’s population in the next fifty years a change needs to be made. Genetically modified crops increase yield, nutrition and uses fewer pesticides all without proven negative effects. GM crops and all its benefits make it the gateway for the world’s agriculture success. Genetically modified crops are becoming the building blocks for agriculture advancements. Scientists are continually working to create more benefits for consumers as well as farmers. The main concern of GM foods is negative health risks however, they are actually more beneficial. GM foods have longer shelf life, contain higher nutritional value and are safer to eat. For example, â€Å"GM corn has lower fungal toxin content then non-GM corn, and farmers typically produce GM crops using fewer pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers† (Tyson, 2001). By drastically reducing the use of chemicals on the plants it provides a major improvement for the consumer’s safety and nourishment. Because scientists slightly tweak the DNA of the plants with other genes it is possible that food allergens may end up in GM products. Steve Taylor, a scientists at the University of Nebraska states that, â€Å"the food-allergy threat is small because food  engineers now avoid using genes from n uts and other common food allergens. The benefits of genetic engineering justify the risk† (Fairley & Gaskins 2000). Products from biotechnology are no less safe than traditionally bred crops. According to Dr. Prakash, â€Å"genetically improved products are subjected to intensive testing, while conventional varieties have never been subjected to any such regulation for food safety or environmental impact† (Prakash, 2000). Every GM food that is currently available on the international market has already passed risk assessments and is not likely to pose a risk for the consumers. No effects have been shown and GM foods will continue to be regulated in more and more countries (World Health Organization, 2002). GM crops are never expected to present a health risk  and therefore should reassure government officials worldwide in the use of this technology. Another concern of GM technology is the effect it has on the environment. The environmental risks of biotechnology are also unidentified just like the health trepidations. No scientific evidence proves that GM crops are harmful to the environment. â€Å"U.S. officials pointed out that scientists in Europe had been unable to find any evidence of added risk to human health or the environment from any GM crop variety developed to date.† In fact, none of the studies by Europe found any scientific evidence of added harm to humans or the environment (Paarlberg, 2003). GM engineering will actually help the environment rather than harm it. In the U.S. alone farmers annually administer more than nine hundred seventy million tons of insect and plant killers. Now GM crops have the ability of containing their own insect and plant killing gene which means the farmers can use fewer chemicals (Tyson, 2001). To ensure that the environment is remaining safe, risk assessments are conducted for the GM product as well as the area in which the crop will grow (World Health Organization, 2002). Furthermore, the United Nations Environment Program has used funding for developing countries to implement biosafety regulations for GM crops. The UNEP wants these regulations implemented before any crop is planted no matter the cost or delay (Paarlberg, 2003). Since 2011, The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved seventy four different GM crops. In each case the crops data was reviewed for several years and each â€Å"concluded that they will have no significant environmental impact† (Conko & Miller 2011). These precautionary measures toward genetically modified crops allow the government to regulate farming actions and safeguard the environment. The initial reason GM organisms were created was to improve crop production. â€Å"The GM crops currently on the market are mainly aimed at an increased level of crop protection through the introduction of resistance against plant diseases caused by insects or viruses or through increased tolerance towards herbicides† (Tyson, 2001). Producers are getting a lot more for a lot less which translates to products with lower prices. The improved production of  crops and technology accounts for the lowered costs and have â€Å"forced tremendous competition in the herbicide and insecticide markets† (Prakash, 2000). This also helps traditional farmers because it now allows them to buy these products at a cheaper cost. In fifty years the world population could exceed eleven billion people unfortunately, the current food supply is not expanding at the same rate. Because of this, GM crops need to expand and gain popularity over traditional farming. Global GM crop farming in 1999 covered about one hundred million acres (Tyson, 2001). Now, genetically modified crop plants are grown on nearly one hundred fifty million acres in the United States alone (Conko & Miller 2011). These statistics show that GM crop farming is rapidly expanding and the benefits are obvious. Biotechnology and its productivity give us the best chance to safely solve the food needs of today and the future. Poor farmers in tropical countries face problems such as crop pests, drought and low soil fertility (Paarlberg, 2003). These are the people who annually struggle to produce enough food for their families. Bugs, drought and disease destroy many acres of farmland every year. Fortunately scientists are creating GM crops with built in resistance to insects and diseases. GM Crops are also being developed that can grow in deserts or near salt water which allows more area for farming (Fairley & Gaskins, 2011). Because GM crops are now being built in with these resistances farmers won’t experience huge financial setbacks caused by pests killing their plants. Since the majority of malnutrition people in the world live in developing countries this opens up the opportunity for them to increase crop yield and provide enough food for everyone. Also, in developing countries people often have to survive off a single staple that own its own doesn’t supply sufficient amounts of nutrient s. Food scientist hope to solve this problem by creating crops equipped with vitamins and minerals. According to Tyson, â€Å"one of the most promising is â€Å"golden rice,† which can stimulate our bodies to generate vitamin A. In the developing world, vitamin-A deficiency kills two million children each year† (Tyson, 2001). A development through GM foods may be able to save two million people which would be a life changing breakthrough. Scientists are also trying to perfect â€Å"eatable vaccines.† They are genetically adding vaccines to tomatoes and bananas, since traditional  vaccines are expensive to manufacture and require specialized storage. â€Å"Eatable vaccines,† will be easier to transport, store, and administer in third world countries (Tyson, 2001). Biotechnology holds unlimited potential for areas of the world where poverty and poor agricultural conditions make farming challenging. The U.S. needs to ensure the people of these countries that G M food is safe and will be nothing but beneficial to their people. Genetic engineering is a crucial factor in agricultural productivity and if it continues to safely expand it could help meet the problematic food challenges that have already started. Genetic engineering holds great possibilities that could change the world. Simply peeling back a banana infused with antibiotics could be the next breakthrough science has to offer. Biotechnology continues to show safety is not an issue. GM farmers are now administering fewer chemicals on their crops. This reduces the amount of air pollution and water contamination in the environment. Genetic modifications were being made since farming started. Farmers always crossed bred the most successful plants year to year and without any concerns from the public. Today, scientist have a better understanding of how genetic modifications work making it safer for the consumers. However, government regulations are still implemented just for precautionary purposes. The United States is fortunate enough to grow numerous varieties of crops and also have the ability to choose the method of how they are grown. Unfortunately, not every country has these advantages. Genetically modified products allow these developing nations to grow crops at a more productive rate. Commercialization of genetically modified agriculture needs to be strictly monitored to make sure regulations are followed. Over industrialization of farming today is negatively viewed therefore making it essential that a golden mean is set for genetically modified products. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Fairley, P., & Gaskins, P. (2000). Food Fight!. _Scholastic Choices_, _15_(8), 16. CONKO, G., & MILLER, H. I. (2011). The Rush to Condemn Genetically Modified Crops. _Policy Review_, (165), 69-82. World Health Orginization. (2002). Retrieved from website: http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/biotech/20questions/en/index.html Tyson, P. T. (2001, April 12). _Harvest of fear_. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/harvest/exist/ Prakash, C. (2000). Genetically engineered crops can feed the world!. Retrieved from http://www.21stcenturysciencetech.com/articles/biotech.html Paarlberg, R. L. (2003). Reinvigorating genetically modified crops. _Issues in Science and Technology, 19_(3), 86-92. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.sju.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/195920735?accountid=14071

What if Toward Excellence in Reasoning by Hintikka & Bachman Thesis Proposal

What if Toward Excellence in Reasoning by Hintikka & Bachman - Thesis Proposal Example The statements have been distinguished under the following headings:  Ã¢â‚¬Å"And you don’t have to be a sociologist to recognize that the prime motivation for virtually everything Americans do is entertainment; remove the entertainment motive, and you make the prospect of learning to read resemble an exercise in stoicism.†Ã‚  The premise is the part of a statement that serves as a support to the conclusive part of the whole statement; on the other hand, the conclusion is the part that expresses the final theme of the statement with the help of premise. The argument analyses of the given passage are as under Statement: â€Å"If you want an explanation for declining literacy rates in the U.S.†Ã‚  Explanations: These lines explain that it is not only entertainment, which is sought out by the masses. Rather, books provide the readers with knowledge, wisdom, and information too. Thus, television may be a source of amusement, but it is not true that books have been re placed by television because of seeking entertainment only.  Statement: â€Å"look no further than the boob tube.† (Intermediate Conclusion)  Explanations: This part of the statement speaks out television as the root-cause of falling literacy rate. The writers have used the slang phrase i.e. boob tube to mention television. As this part is based on conclusive assumption and does not emphatically prove the truth and validity of the real picture, it is, therefore, it can be stated as the intermediate conclusion.  Statement: â€Å"Spend all the money you choose on studies in an attempt to address the problem, but if you want my advice, you’d be better off unplugging the TV set.† (Final Conclusion)  Explanations: These lines disclose the conclusion of the argument, where the writers have refuted the idea that television has led to low literacy rate. Moreover, they do not agree to the notion that unplugging TV might increase trend towards reading.