Questions for Case at the Dimensional Fund Advisors (The Size Effect Study

Questions for at the Dimensional Fund Advisors (The Size Effect and The Value Effect) - Case Study Example DFAs business practices of trying of avoid the lemons problem while not doing any fundamental analysis suggest that they believe strong form of market efficiency but worried that semi-strong form of market efficiency might fail (Cohen 4). These sentiments can be illustrated by the dedication to the principle of market efficiency where over any given time frame; no investor has the ability to pick stocks that would beat the market in its performance. Its main concern was the presence of negative private information known to the seller but not to the market. According to Cohen, the Fama-French -three factor type of efficient market brings into consideration three products; size, value, and market risk factor in the capital asset pricing model (13). With the deterioration of the small stocks in the 1980s and 1990s, these small stocks managed to outperform small stock indexes and small cap funds due to purchase discounts which were combined with the avoidance of adverse selection. It is true to say that due to the size effect, smaller stocks tend to do better than large stocks as in the case of LinkedIn and Google where the former has higher returns than the latter. Conversely, according to the value effect, since Google has a higher book to market ratio as compared to LinkedIn, this means that in this case, Google gunners more returns (Cohen 19). In consistence to the hypothesis that market price is efficient, we can conclude that small firms and value firms on average have high returns. However, investors are not crazily excited about the small and value investment products that DFA recently offered, which exactly focus on earning the high returns of small and value

Effects of Different Disinfectants

Effects of Different Disinfectants Abstract Introduction: Dentists, dental equipments and dental laboratories are exposed to different types of pathogenic microorganisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of spraying three different types of disinfectant agents: sodium hypochlorite 0.525 %, Epimax and Deconex, on condensational silicon after 5 and 10 minutes. Method and materials: In this in vitro experimental study, 66 circular samples of condensational silicon impression materials of 1cm diameter and 2mm thickness (1.5 mm thickness of puty and 0.5 mm thickness of wash) were contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus ,(ATCC29213) Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC27853) and Candida albicans fungus (PTCC5027). Except for control samples all of them were disinfected with sodium hypochlorite 0.525%, Deconex and Epimax by way of spraying. Afterwards, they were kept in plastic bags filled with humid cotton rolled for 5 and 10 minutes. In order to isolate bacteria the samples were immersed in 2% trypsin for one hour and then the solution was diluted with normal salin in portion of 1,1/2 and 1/4. The trypsin suspensions were transferred to culture plates and the number of colonies was counted after 24 and 48 hours for bacteria and after 72 hours for fungus. All data was analyzed by Mann Whitney test in SPSS software program (=0.05). Results: There was a significant difference between disinfection capability of Epimax and Deconex for all mentioned microorganisms after 5 minutes (P value=0.034). Also the difference was significant between disinfection ability of hypochlorite sodium 0.525% and Epimax for Staphylococcus aureus (P value=0.043) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P value=0.046) after 5 minutes. There was a significant difference between disinfection effects of Epimax and Deconex(P value=0.034) and hypochlorite sodium0.525% and Epimax(P value=0.034) for Pseudomonas aeruginosa after 10 minutes. By changing time from 5 minutes to 10 minutes, disinfection efficacy of Epimax and Hypochlorite sodium 0.525% changed dramatically. Deconex was completely efficient in eliminating 100 % of microorganisms in both 5 and 10 minutes. Conclusion: This study revealed that condensational silicon can be effectively disinfected by three types of disinfectant agents by spraying method, although Deconex showed the best results compared to the other agents which indicate that this agent can be selected as a first choice to disinfect condensational silicon impression materials. Key words: Condensational silicone, Disinfection, Impression materials, Introduction: Dentists and dental laboratories are exposed to different types of pathogen microorganisms. The main sources of transition of oral infections from patients to laboratory are impression materials, impression trays and poured stone casts. (1) New studies have shown that, 67% of materials which are sent to dentallaboratories are infected by various microorganisms (2). The most frequently identified microorganisms are Streptococcus species, Staphylococcus species, Escherichia coli species, Actinomyces species, Antitratus species, Pseudomonas species, Enterobacter species, Klebsiella pneumonia and Candida species.(3). therefore, an effort should be made to eliminate most of these microorganisms and reduce the rate of infection transmission to dentistry laboratories. The International Dental Federation consequently have insisted on disinfecting all impressions from patients before sending them to laboratories (4). Also the American Dental Association has advised all dental workers to disinfect all patients’ impression trays (5). In some studies, it has been declared that washing the impression materials with tap water; only removes 40% of bacteria but other studies have reported that it has the capacity to reduce micro organisms up to 90 %( 6). The most common chemical disinfectants used by dentists are Alcohols, Aldehydes, Chlorine combinations, phenols, Biguanides, Iodide combinations and Ammonium (7). Based on the type of chemical disinfectant, there are two common methods to disinfect dental materials: 1) immersion 2) spraying (6). Disinfection by immersing in the chemical materials has been proved to cover all surfaces in one time (8) while spraying is not capable of disinfecting all surfaces effectively and also cannot cover all undercuts, it significantly reduces the amount of distortion that take place in immersing method (6). Silicon impression materials are the first group of polymeric impression materials (9). These materials have the best dimensional stability. Polyvinyl impression materials are the only impression materials which can be disinfected without any dimensional changes (10). Also, different methods such as soaking in glutaraldehyde for 30 minutes have been suggested to disinfect these materials. Use of hypochlorite sodium and phenol combinations with the soaking time less than pouring time have been suggested by Some studies (11). J.Bustos investigated the effect of 0.05 % hypochlorite sodium and glutaraldehyde after 5 and 10 minutes on silicon impression materials. He declared that both of these disinfectants can efficiently prevent the bacterial growth on these impressions materials (12). Ghahremanloo A et al also conducted a research in 2009 and investigated the antimicrobial effect of sodium hypochlorite 0.525 %, Deconex and Sanosil. They concluded that the use of 0.525 % sodium hypochlorite spray on the surface of alginate; effectively disinfects 96.6 % of the samples (13). Since none of the mentioned disinfectant methods and agents have been accepted as a gold standard for disinfecting dental materials, finding an appropriate way seems rational. The aim of this study was to investigate the disinfectant ability of spraying Deconex, Sodium hypochlorite 0.525 % and Epimax on condensational silicon impression material in 5 minutes and 10 minutes. Methods and Materials This randomized experimental and microbiological study was carried out with the cooperation of dental school and microbiology department of the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, aiming to evaluate the disinfection effect of: Sodium Hypochlorite0.525%, Deconex and Epimax on the condensational silicon impression material. Sampling Methods: In order to prepare samples, the heavy body impression material (putty) was mixed with the catalyst according to manufacturer instructions. The mixture was placed in a syringe with one centimeter diameter so that samples with 1.5 millimeter thickness were gained. Then the light body impression material (Wash) was mixed with the catalyst on a paper pad with a sterile spatula and was placed in the upper 0.5 millimeter of the syringe. Eventually 66 samples, with 2mm thickness and 1 cm diameter, were prepared. In order to ensure that samples were kept sterile during preparation, three samples were selected as negative controls (blank) and were incubated on TSB culture for 24 to 48 hours; after which the bacterial growth was examined. For each bacterial type, 21 samples were used. Sodium hypochlorite0.525% was used to disinfect three of them for five minutes and three others for 10 minutes. Three samples were disinfected with Deconex for five minutes and three others for 10 minutes. And three samples were disinfected with Epimax for five minutes and three others for 10 minutes. At Last, three more samples were used as positive controls to check for any microbial pollution. Preparation of Microbial Solution and Yeast For many types of susceptibility testing, a standard inoculum of bacteria must be used. The standard inoculums were prepared according to 0.5 McFarland (1.5Ãâ€"108cfu/ml) by transferring 1-2 colonies of 18-24 hours cultures to TSB medium and incubated at 35 °c until 0.5 McFarland turbidity of media was gained. For Candida albicans fungus, the sample was taken from 48 hour Saborose and Dextrose Agar cultures. Contamination of Samples To evaluate the disinfection effect of three mentioned substances, samples were separately polluted with microbial suspensions of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC29213), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC27853) and Candida albicans fungus (PTCC5027). The impressions were put in sterile test tubes separately with 2 milliliter of microbial suspension in each tube and then all samples incubated at 35 º C for one hour. Disinfection of Samples and microbiological Surveys: After contamination, all samples were rinsed with sterile distilled water for 30 seconds. In order to disinfect all samples, except controls, Sodium Hypochlorite 0.525%, Deconex and Epimax were separately sprayed 10 times on each sample for 15 seconds. Then the samples were put into sterile plastic bags containing sterile cotton, humidified with sterile distilled water to form a moisturized environment for 5 and 10 minutes. Protease Trypsin, which is able to isolate the microbes from contaminated environments, was used. The ideal time and dilution for effective use of Trypsin is 60 minutes and 2% respectively. This time and dilution are based on the maximum microorganisms than can be isolated from the samples. After washing the samples with sterile distilled water for 30 seconds, they were put in Trypsin 2% solution for 60 minutes. Trypsin Suspensions with 1, and dilution were then prepared. Using 100 micro liter samplers, these samples were transferred to Muller Hinton Agar for Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and Saborow Dextrose Agar culture was selected for Candida albicans fungus. Using a Pasteur pipet bent with heat at 90 degrees, the samples were spread on cultures. After 24 and 48 hours incubation, the grown bacterial colonies on culture were counted. The grown fungus colonies of Candida albicans on Saborow culture were counted after 72 hours. All results, were analyze d by Mann Witney test in SPSS software program.(ÃŽ ±=0.05) Results: According to the table 1, there is a significant difference between disinfection ability of Deconex and Epimax in 5 minutes (P Value=0.034). This difference is also significant for hypochlorite sodium and Epimax just for pseudomonas aeruginosa (p value=0.046) and staphylococcus Aureus (p value=0.043). In other cases, there is no significant difference in disinfection ability of materials in 5 minutes. (P value>0.05) According to the table 2, significant difference between disinfection capability of hypochlorite sodium – epimax and deconex- epimax was just seen after 10 minutes for pseudomonas aeruginosa. According to the table 3, Deconex completely eradicated all three kinds of microorganisms after 5 and 10 minutes. This is not true for hypochlorite sodium, as this material just eradicated staphylococcus Aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa after 10 minutes 98.68 % eradication of pseudomonas aeruginosa was seen after 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, epimax could eradicate 95.78 % of pseudomonas aeruginosa. This agent can completely eradicate candida Albicans and Staphylococcus Aureus after 10 minutes. By increasing time from 5 to 10 minutes, disinfection ability of all agents increased, except for Deconex which is 100 % for all microorganisms in both 5 minutes and 10 minutes. When there are large numbers of bacterial colonies, which are not countable, we can count the number of colonies using inverse dilution coefficient. Since real number of colonies was countable in dilution#1, and all results from other dilutions were similar to mentioned results, the results regarding to the number of colonies in other two dilutions were not reported. Discussion: Dentists practicing dentistry, encounter potentially harmful microorganisms. Patients are the most common source of microorganisms (14). Studies indicate that the surface of impressions taken out of the mouth is polluted with bacteria (15-18). As impressions and occlusal records cannot be sterilized by heat, chemical disinfection is still the common practicable method to eradicate microorganisms (19-21). So far there is no global way to disinfect impression materials (22). The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends soaking impression materials in disinfectant solutions for less than 30 minutes (23). Muller Bolla et al found that in European schools of dentistry, the soaking method is applied for 63% and 73% of Alginate impressions and silicon impressions respectively. The approximate time of disinfection was 10.3 ±6.3 minutes (20). But Hiroshi Egusa and colleagues in 2008 showed that impressions from patients mouths contain hazardous microorganisms like Streptocci, Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin resistant Staphyloccocus, , Candida, Pseudomonas aeruginosa with rate of 100%, 55.6% 25,9%,5.6 % and 5.6 % respectively(22). These are opportunist pathogens that spread and transfer through the oral cavity (22). Candida causes common opportunist infections known as oral candidiasis, found in patients with immune deficiency (23). Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a deadly infectious agent that exists epidemically in hospital appliances and instruments (22) However, studies show that among population the spreading rate of S. pyogenes, S. pneumonia and S. aureus to pharynx is 10%, 20 to 32% and 30% respectively (14). This is the reason that in this survey, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were selected to investigate the disinfection capability of disinfectant agents. By the year 1991, washing the impression materials with running water was the common way to remove microorganisms (22). This method can reduce about 90% of bacteria. (24) Running water can wash up saliva, blood and debris. But recent studies indicate that such methods cannot eliminate microorganisms from impression materials completely. Therefore washing the impression materials with running water, without disinfectants is not rational (22). In this survey three common disinfectant agents were used. One of them is Hypochlorite sodium 0.525 %. which is used in housework too. This disinfectant can efficiently prevent microorganisms growth and disinfect the impression materials. In a study by J.Bustos (12), it was shown that immersing silicon impressions in 0.5% hypochlorite sodium after 5 and 10 minutes dramatically prevent the bacterial growth in compare to the control group. Although in the recent study spraying method was used, results of the recent study are consistent with the mentioned study. On the other hand Westerholm, Reuggeberg and colleagues also showed that spraying Sodium hypochlorite can effectively disinfect the impression materials (25-26). The Westerholm and et al study showed that Sodium hypochlorite can almost completely (99.99%) prevent the growth of S. aureus and this rate is about 99.60 % after 5 minutes and 100 % after 10 minutes for s.aureus in the present study. In another study by Ghahramanloo et al, spraying Sodium Hypochlorite 0.525 % could disinfect samples effectively (96.6%) after 10 minutes which is a good indicator of high capability of this agent (13). In studies by Westerholm, Rueggeberg and Ghahramanloo disinfection effect of these agents were assessed on irreversible hydrochloride (Alginate), but in this survey this effect has been assessed on condensational silicon. The results showed that there is no difference in disinfection capability of hypochlorite sodium regardless of impression material and this is a good proof for high penetration of this agent into impression materials porosities. Decnex is an alcoholic based disinfectant agent, which in this study could effectively disinfect impression materials after 5 and 10 minutes (100 %). But in Ghahremanloo A et al study, this agent could eradicate 70.4 % of microorganisms (13). Maybe the main reason for this difference is that Ghahramanloo A used irreversible hydrochloride, which has more porosities and cause deep penetration of microorganism into this impression material and can define the lesser capability of disinfectant agent in eradicating microorganisms. The specific feature about this agent is that there is no difference in disinfection ability of Deconex after 5 minutes and 10 minutes. In the present study, for the first time the antimicrobial effect of Epimax on impression materials was investigated. This agent could not effectively eradicate microorganism after 5 minutes in compare to two other agents, but after 10 minutes it completely (100 %) eradicated candida albicans and staphylococos aureos but this rate was 97.89 for Pseudomonas aeroginosa which shows the importance of using this agent for longer duration. However, it should be mentioned that the results of the present study are not completely consistent with the results of other studies, due to different impression materials brands and usage time. One of the shortcomings of the present study is that it is an in-vitro experimental study which is different from clinical and in-vivo situations. Usually impression materials remain 3 to 5 minutes in patients mouth, while in our study it took 60 minutes to attach all the bacterial types to the samples as 60 minutes is an effective time for bacterial adherence. Also pressure while taking an impression and saliva can alter bacterial adherence capacity. This study investigated the effect of three common disinfectant agents on two types of bacteria and one fungus. As so many dentists are concerned about viruses such as HIV and HBV, further studies should be conducted to find an effective way to eradicate these kinds of pathogens. Conclusion: It can be concluded that sodium hypochlorite, Deconex and Epimax can effectively disinfect condensational silicon. This capability is higher for Deconex and it is recommended that Deconex can be the first choice to disinfect condensational silicon impression materials. Acknowledgement: We would like to express our sincere acknowledgement in the support and help of microbiology department of Isfahan medical university and research department of dentistry faculty of Isfahan University of medical science.

Rite Aid Stock Analysis :: essays research papers

I chose to analyze the third largest retail drugstore chain in the United States, Rite Aid Corporation. I chose to analyze Rite Aid Corp. because our family owns approximately 1200 shares and we have taken quite a loss on our investment. We are in the process of deciding whether or not we should sell our stock. Additionally, my Mother has been a pharmacist at Rite Aid Corp for 11 years and she often pays close attention to the financial stability of the company. We both feel that when you are employed by a corporation, that the corporation should be financially stable. A financially secure employer is one who generally offers better compensation and advancement to its employees.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Rite Aid Corp. has its corporate headquarters located at 30 Hunter Lane, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17001, and their telephone number is (717) 761-2633. Rite Aid’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Pacific Stock Exchange under the trading symbol â€Å"RAD† The board of directors consists of 11 members. Robert G. Miller is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman of the Board. The board is mainly male in gender with only 2 female directors. One of these females is Mary F. Sammons, president of the Rite Aid Corp. She is not only the President of the company, but also fulfils the role as Chief Operating Officer. The majority of the members are over the age of 55 years, with the youngest member being 43 years old and the oldest being 72 years old.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Rite Aid Corp. sells â€Å"prescription drugs and a wide assortment of general merchandise that they call ‘front-end products,’ including over-the-counter medications, health and beauty aids and personal care items, cosmetics, greeting cards, household items, convenience foods, photo processing services, and seasonal merchandise.† They are distinguished â€Å"from other national chain drugstores, in part, through their private label brands, their ‘stores-within-Rite Aid stores’ program with GNC and by their Internet presence. The sale of prescription drugs alone represents 59.5% of their total sales. Over-the-counter drugs and personal care items (10.9%), health and beauty aids (5.8%), and general merchandise (23.8%) account for the remaining 40.5% of their total 2001 fiscal year sales. Rite Aid Corp. operates in the highly competitive retail drugstore industry. â€Å"In the sale of prescription drugs, they compete with, among others, retail drugstore chains, independently owned drugstores, mass merchandisers, supermarkets, discount stores, and mail order pharmacies.

Monkey in the mirror

Monkey in the mirror is a book written by Ian Tattersall and it was published by the oxford university press in the year 2002 with 203 pages and the serial number is ISBN 0-19-851569-3. Tattersall a curator by profession is a PhD holder From Yale University,Tattersall, a Briton, is a curator in the Division of Anthropology of the American Museum of Natural History â€Å"Dr. Tattersall is currently working with Research Associate Jeffrey Schwartz on a multi-volume project to document the major fossils in the human fossil record. The literature as it stands is not a good resource for comparing human fossils, because standards of description and terminology vary widely. Because it employs a consistent descriptive and photographic protocol, this new work will make it possible for the first time for colleagues, students, and others to make the necessary comparisons without the extensive travel needed to consult the originals, which are in institutions all over the world. It will thus be a unique resource for pale anthropology that will spur future research† by D.S.G. POLLOCK â€Å"According to tattersall this is a great book having researched on it well and pointing to a lot of essays and as we all know human history or geology is a difficult topic and needs much research before one tries to defend his/her argument and as tattersall explain in his preface, â€Å"this is a somewhat unusual book, being â€Å"a series of loosely connected essays on evolution and related subjects† rather than a tightly constructed argument. Presumably because of this, it lacks both an index and any references or even a suggested reading list, which is a rather unfortunate limitation, especially in view of its author's somewhat contentious views† Campbell. Copyright  © Anthony Campbell (2002) The book in all has eight in which tattersall has discussed different issues brings out Where the man came from that is according to evolution theory which he has stated different parts of the world. The first two paragraphs are of general information about what science and evolution is. He firstly discuss what science is and theory and its findings and what it helps us in modern day to understand The first chapter of the book, titled What's So Special about Science?, provides a surprising insight into the cultural context in which Tattersall works. at the American museum In these, Tattersall sets the scene for what follows. He is particularly keen to counter the idea that adaptation in evolution is â€Å"for† anything. Novelty arises on a haphazard basis and it is purely a matter of luck if it turns out to have a beneficial effect on survival and reproduction. About novelty in evolution, tattersall supports the view that radial innovations can appear in select few the rest of the book is concerned in one way or another â€Å"with aspects of human evolution. In a chapter called â€Å"The Monkey in the Mirror†, which is also the title of the whole connection, Tattersall considers the question of which animals are capable of recognizing their own reflection (only humans and some though not all apes), and considers the connection, or lack of connection, between brain size and intelligence. Although we often think that a large brain is what mainly distinguishes us from other species, pre-human hominids were not chiefly remarkable for the size of their brains. Instead, Tattersall identifies three features that he thinks are important in this regard: upright stance, the use of stone tools, and a â€Å"modern† body form.† Anthony Campbell. â€Å"Tattersall devotes a full chapter to Homo erectus and the Australopithecenes who preceded him; and he is emphatic that the transition from one to the other was abrupt. Another of the evolutionary themes that Tattersall is keen to emphasize is denoted by the inelegant neologism of exaptation† pollok Neanderthals has a complete topic dedicated by tattersall and adopts the view that they were not ancestral to us but are of different species he holds a view that they were killed by our own ancestors and has a believe that the they could have interbred. Chapter Seven consist of a sustained attack on evolutionary psychology and sociobiology. Tattersall is scornful of the idea that our present-day behavior is conditioned by our long evolutionary background as hunter-gatherers or that our psychology is dependent on our genes. â€Å"However, I think there is a better case to be made out for such ideas than he allows, and his inevitably rather brief discussion of it is one-sided† Kevin N. Laland and Gillian R. Brown. â€Å"Tattersall's account of man's evolution conveys a modern message. As far as the science of paleoanthropology is concerned, it is up to the minute in the way that it reports the tenor of current thinking. It has been written with such facility and in such affluent prose that, sometimes, its cutting edge is too well concealed. It can take an effort of concentration, far beyond what the book ostensibly requires of the reader, to anatomize its rich and complex message. But, any reader who is prepared to devote time and thought to this brief book will be abundantly rewarded† Stephen Pollock. The final chapter forecast the future. in his essay he says, I quote: â€Å"It is fairly pessimistic about our chances of survival. As a consolation prize, however, if humanity is reduced to scattered pockets of survivors in relative isolation from one another there will be a chance for evolution to take off again; a large and unified population like ours today does not afford the fragmentation and isolation that is needed for selection to act.† tattersall Conclusion To conclude and in short, tattersal is a profound writer and this book is exceptional and will interest anyone who envies evolution of the current day. And as we see the book has no references and this is a set back because readers will not have an alternative incase they want an alternative view. Works cited; Monkey in the mirror-Ian tattersall Anthony Campbell- Essays on the scienc

Second Foundation 22. The Answer that was True

An unlocated room on an unlocated world! And a man whose plan had worked. The First Speaker looked up at the Student, â€Å"Fifty men and women,† he said. â€Å"Fifty martyrs! They knew it meant death or permanent imprisonment and they could not even be oriented to prevent weakening – since orientation might have been detected. Yet they did not weaken. They brought the plan through, because they loved the greater Plan.† â€Å"Might they have been fewer?† asked the Student, doubtfully. The First Speaker slowly shook his head, â€Å"It was the lower limit. Less could not possibly have carried conviction. In fact, pure objectivism would have demanded seventy-five to leave margin for error. Never mind. Have you studied the course of action as worked out by the Speakers' Council fifteen years ago?† â€Å"Yes, Speaker.† â€Å"And compared it with actual developments?† â€Å"Yes, Speaker.† Then, after a pause- â€Å"I was quite amazed, Speaker.† â€Å"I know. There is always amazement. If you knew how many men labored for how many months – years, in fact – to bring about the polish of perfection, you would be less amazed. Now tell me what happened – in words. I want your translation of the mathematics.† â€Å"Yes, Speaker.† The young man marshaled his thoughts. â€Å"Essentially, it was necessary for the men of the First Foundation to be thoroughly convinced that they had located and destroyed the Second Foundation. In that way, there would be reversion to the intended original. To all intents, Terminus would once again know nothing about us; include us in none of their calculations. We are hidden once more, and safe – at the cost of fifty men.† â€Å"And the purpose of the Kalganian war?† â€Å"To show the Foundation that they could beat a physical enemy – to wipe out the damage done to their self-esteem and self-assuredness by the Mule.† â€Å"There you are insufficient in your analysis. Remember, the population of Terminus regarded us with distinct ambivalence. They hated and envied our supposed superiority; yet they relied on us implicitly for protection. If we had been ‘destroyed' before the Kalganian war, it would have meant panic throughout the Foundation. They would then never have had the courage to stand up against Stettin, when he then attacked; and he would have. Only in the full flush of victory could the ‘destruction' have taken place with minimum ill-effects. Even waiting a year, thereafter, might have meant a too-great cooling off spirit for success.† The Student nodded. â€Å"I see. Then the course of history will proceed without deviation in the direction indicated by the Plan.† â€Å"Unless,† pointed out the First Speaker, â€Å"further accidents, unforeseen and individual, occur.† â€Å"And for that,† said the Student, â€Å"we still exist. Except- Except- One facet of the present state of affairs worries me, Speaker. The First Foundation is left with the Mind Static device – a powerful weapon against us. That, at least, is not as it was before.† â€Å"A good point. But they have no one to use it against. It has become a sterile device; just as without the spur of our own menace against them, encephalographic analysis will become a sterile science. Other varieties of knowledge will once again bring more important and immediate returns. So this first generation of mental scientists among the First Foundation will also be the last – and, in a century, Mind Static will be a nearly forgotten item of the past.† â€Å"Well-† The Student was calculating mentally. â€Å"I suppose you're right.† But what I want you most to realize, young man, for the sake of your future in the Council is the consideration given to the tiny intermeshings that were forced into our plan of the last decade and a half simply because we dealt with individuals. There was the manner in which Anthor had to create suspicion against himself in such a way that it would mature at the right time, but that was relatively simple. â€Å"There was the manner in which the atmosphere was so manipulated that to no one on Terminus would it occur, prematurely, that Terminus itself might be the center they were seeking. That knowledge had to be supplied to the young girl, Arcadia, who would be heeded by no one but her own father. She had to be sent to Trantor, thereafter, to make certain that there would be no premature contact with her father. Those two were the two poles of a hyperatomic motor; each being inactive without the other. And the switch had to be thrown – contact had to be made – at just the right moment. I saw to that! â€Å"And the final battle had to be handled properly. The Foundation's fleet had to be soaked in self-confidence, while the fleet of Kalgan made ready to run. I saw to that, also!† Said the Student, â€Å"It seems to me, Speaker, that you†¦ I mean, all of us†¦ were counting on Dr. Darell not suspecting that Arcadia was our tool. According to my check on the calculations, there was something like a thirty percent probability that he would so suspect. What would have happened then?† â€Å"We had taken care of that. What have you been taught about Tamper Plateaus? What are they? Certainly not evidence of the introduction of an emotional bias. That can be done without any chance of possible detection by the most refined conceivable encephalographic analysis. A consequence of Leffert's Theorem, you know. It is the removal, the cutting-out, of previous emotional bias, that shows. It must show. â€Å"And, of course, Anthor made certain that Darell knew all about Tamper Plateaus. â€Å"However- When can an individual be placed under Control without showing it? Where there is no previous emotional bias to remove. In other words, when the individual is a new-born infant with a blank slate of a mind. Arcadia Darell was such an infant here on Trantor fifteen years ago, when the first line was drawn into the structure of the plan. She will never know that she has been Controlled, and will be all the better for it, since her Control involved the development of a precocious and intelligent personality.† The First Speaker laughed shortly, â€Å"In a sense, it is the irony of it all that is most amazing. For four hundred years, so many men have been blinded by Seldon's words ‘the other end of the Galaxy.' They have brought their own peculiar, physical-science thought to the problem, measuring off the other end with protractors and rulers, ending up eventually either at a point in the periphery one hundred eighty degrees around the rim of the Galaxy, or back at the original point. â€Å"Yet our very greatest danger lay in the fact that there was a possible solution based on physical modes of thought. The Galaxy, you know, is not simply a flat ovoid of any sort; nor is the periphery a closed curve. Actually, it is a double spiral, with at least eighty percent of the inhabited planets on the Main Arm. Terminus is the extreme outer end of the spiral arm, and we are at the other – since, what is the opposite end of a spiral? Why, the center. â€Å"But that is trifling. It is an accidental and irrelevant solution. The solution could have been reached immediately, if the questioners had but remembered that Hari Seldon was a social scientist not a physical scientist and adjusted their thought processes accordingly. What could ‘opposite ends' mean to a social scientist? Opposite ends on the map? Of course not. That's the mechanical interpretation only. â€Å"The First Foundation was at the periphery, where the original Empire was weakest, where its civilizing influence was least, where its wealth and culture were most nearly absent. And where is the social opposite end of the Galaxy? Why, at the place where the original Empire was strongest, where its civilizing influence was most, where its wealth and culture were most strongly present. â€Å"Here! At the center! At Trantor, capital of the Empire of Seldon's time. â€Å"And it is so inevitable. Hari Seldon left the Second Foundation behind him to maintain, improve, and extend his work That has been known, or guessed at, for fifty years. But where could that best be done? At Trantor, where Seldon's group had worked, and where the data of decades had been accumulated. And it was the purpose of the Second Foundation to protect the Plan against enemies. That, too, was known! And where was the source of greatest danger to Terminus and the Plan? â€Å"Here! Here at Trantor, where the Empire dying though it was, could, for three centuries, still destroy the Foundation, if it could only have decided to do so. â€Å"Then when Trantor fell and was sacked and utterly destroyed, a short century ago, we were naturally able to protect our headquarters, and, on all the planet, the Imperial Library and the grounds about it remained untouched. This was well-known to the Galaxy, but even that apparently overwhelming hint passed them by. â€Å"It was here at Trantor that Ebling Mis discovered us; and here that we saw to it that he did not survive the discovery. To do so, it was necessary to arrange to have a normal Foundation girl defeat the tremendous mutant powers of the Mule. Surely, such a phenomenon might have attracted suspicion to the planet on which it happened- It was here that we first studied the Mule and planned his ultimate defeat. It was here that Arcadia was born and the train of events begun that led to the great return to the Seldon Plan. â€Å"And all those flaws in our secrecy; those gaping holes; remained unnoticed because Seldon had spoken of ‘the other end' in his way, and they had interpreted it in their way.† The First Speaker had long since stopped speaking to the Student. It was an exposition to himself, really, as he stood before the window, looking up at the incredible blaze of the firmament, at the huge Galaxy that was now safe forever. â€Å"Hari Seldon called Trantor, ‘Star's End,'† he whispered, â€Å"and why not that bit of poetic imagery. All the universe was once guided from this rock; all the apron strings of the stars led here. ‘All roads lead to Trantor,' says the old proverb, ‘and that is where all stars end.' â€Å" Ten months earlier, the First Speaker had viewed those same crowding stars – nowhere as crowded as at the center of that huge cluster of matter Man calls the Galaxy – with misgivings; but now there was a somber satisfaction on the round and ruddy face of Preem Palver – First Speaker. [1] All quotations from the Encyclopedia Galactica here reproduced are taken from the 116th Edition published in 1020 F.E. by the Encyclopedia Galactica Publishing Co., Terminus, with permission of the publishers.

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was a large and ornate mausoleum built both to honor and hold the remains of Mausolus of Caria. When Mausolus died in 353 BCE, his wife Artemisia ordered the construction of this vast structure in their capital city, Halicarnassus (now called Bodrum) in modern Turkey.  Ã‚  Ultimately, both Mausolus and Artemisia were buried inside. The Mausoleum, considered one of the Seven  Ancient Wonders of the World,  retained its grandeur for nearly 1,800 years, until earthquakes in the 15th century destroyed part of the structure. Eventually, nearly all of the stone was taken away  to be used in nearby building projects,  particularly for  a Crusader castle. Who Was Mausolus? Upon the death of his father in 377 BCE, Mausolus  became the satrap (a  regional governor  in the Persian Empire)  for Caria. Although only a satrap, Mausolus was like a  king in his realm,  ruling for 24 years. Mausolus was descended from the indigenous herdsmen of the area, called Carians, but appreciated Greek culture and society. Thus, Mausolus encouraged  the Carians to  leave  their lives as  herdsmen and embrace the Greek way of life. Mausolus was also  all about expansion. He moved his capital city from Mylasa to the coastal city of Halicarnassus and then worked on a  number of projects to  beautify the city, including building a large palace for himself. Mausolus  was also politically savy and was thus able to add several nearby cities to his  realm. When Mausolus died in 353 BCE, his wife Artemisia, who also happened to be his sister, was grief stricken. She wanted the most beautiful tomb built for her departed husband. Sparing no expense, she hired the very best sculptors and architects  that money could buy. It is unfortunate that Artemisia died just two years after her husband, in 351 BCE, not seeing the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus completed. What Did the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus Look Like? Built from  about 353 to 350 BCE, there were five famous sculptors that worked on the exquisite tomb. Each sculptor had a portion that they were responsible for   Bryaxis (north side), Scopas (east side), Timotheus (south side), and Leochares (west side). The chariot on top was  created by Pythis. The structure of the Mausoleum was made up of three parts: a  square base on the bottom, 36 columns (9 on each side) in the middle, and then topped by a stepped pyramid that had 24 steps. All of this was covered in ornate carvings, with life-size and larger-than-life statues abounding. At the very top was the piece de resistance the chariot. This 25-foot-high marble sculpture consisted of standing  statues of both Mausolus and Artemisia riding in a chariot pulled by four horses. Much of the Mausoleum was made out of marble and the entire structure reached 140 feet high. Although large, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus was known more for its ornate sculptures and carvings. Most of these were painted in vibrant colors. There were also friezes that wrapped around the entire building. These were extremely detailed and included scenes of battle and hunting, as well as scenes  from Greek mythology that included such mythic animals as centaurs. The Collapse After 1,800 years,  the long-lasting Mausoleum was destroyed by earthquakes that occurred  during the 15th century CE in the region.   During and after that time,  much of the marble was carried away in order to build other buildings, most especially a Crusader fortress held by the Knights of St. John.   Some of the elaborate sculptures were moved into the fortress as decoration. In 1522 CE, the crypt that for so long had safely held the remains of Mausolus and Artemisia was raided. Over time, people forgot exactly where the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus had stood. Houses were built on top. In the 1850s, British archaeologist Charles Newton recognized that some of the decorations at Bodrum Castle, as the Crusader fortress was now called, could have been from the famous Mausoleum. After studying the area and excavating, Newton found the  site of the Mausoleum.  Today, the British Museum in London contains statues and relief slabs from the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.  Ã‚   Mausoleums Today Interestingly, the modern word mausoleum, which means a building used as a tomb, comes from the name Mausolus, for whom this wonder of the world was named. The tradition of creating mausoleums in cemeteries continues around the world today.  Families and individuals build mausoleums, both large and small,  in their own or others honor following their deaths.   In addition to these more  common mausoleums,  there are other, larger mausoleums that are tourist attractions today.   The worlds most famous mausoleum is the Taj Mahal in India.

The Old Man and the Sea Questions for Discussion

The Old Man and the Sea Questions for Discussion Written by Ernest Hemingway,  The Old Man and the Sea is a famous novel about man versus nature and the determined struggle against inevitable aging and death. While Hemingway is known to be the master of brevity, his concise works also are much more complex than they would first appear, and  The Old Man and the Sea  is no exception. A literary classic, this novel is a great pick for a book club and a part of many schools curriculum. Here are questions related to The Old Man and the Sea that will get the discussion going.   Start From The Top: What is important about the title?   Plot Development: What are the conflicts in The Old Man and the Sea? Would you describe them in terms of physical, moral, intellectual, or emotional conflict?How does Ernest Hemingway reveal character in the novel? Symbolism: What are important themes in the story? How do they relate to the plot and characters?What are some of the symbols in the novel, and what do they represent?How universalare the ideas in  The Old Man and the Sea?  Does the story end the way you expected? How? Why? How realistic is the story?Where does The Old Man and the Sea take place? Is the setting important to the ideas in this book? Whats Your Opinion? Would you recommend this novel to a friend?

The History of the US and Cuba - Complex Relations

The History of the US and Cuba - Complex Relations The US and Cuba marked the beginning of their 52nd year of broken relations in 2011. While the collapse of Soviet-style Communism in 1991 ushered in more open relations with Cuba, the arrest and trial in Cuba of USAID worker Alan Gross strained them once again. Background: Cuban and American Relations In the 19th Century, when Cuba was still a colony of Spain, many southern Americans wanted to annex the island as a state to increase American slave territory. In the 1890s, while Spain was attempting to suppress a Cuban nationalist rebellion, the United States intervened on the premise of correcting Spanish human rights abuses. In truth, American neo-imperialism fueled American interests as it sought to create a European-style empire of its own. The United States also bristled when a Spanish scorched earth tactic against nationalist guerrillas burned out several American interests. The United States began the Spanish-American War in April 1898, and by the middle of July had defeated Spain. Cuban nationalists believed they had achieved independence, but the United States had other ideas. Not until 1902 did the United States grant Cuban independence, and then only after Cuba had agreed to the Platt Amendment, which roped Cuba into Americas sphere of economic influence. The amendment stipulated that Cuba could not transfer land to any foreign power except the United States; that it could not acquire any foreign debt without U.S. approval; and it would allow American intervention in Cuban affairs whenever the U.S. thought it necessary. To speed their own independence, Cubans added the amendment to their constitution. Cuba operated under the Platt Amendment until 1934 when the United States rescinded it under the Treaty of Relations. The treaty was part of Franklin D. Roosevelts Good Neighbor Policy, which attempted to foster better American relations with Latin American countries and keep them out of the influence of rising Fascist states. The treaty retained American rental of Guantanamo Bay naval base. Castros Communist Revolution In 1959 Fidel Castro and Che Guevara led the Cuban communist revolution to overthrow President Fulgencio Batistas regime. Castros ascent to power froze relations with the United States. The United States policy toward Communism was containment and it quickly severed ties with Cuba and embargoed trade the island. Cold War Tension In 1961 the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) orchestrated a failed attempt by Cuban emigres to invade Cuba and topple Castro. That mission ended in a debacle at the Bay of Pigs. Castro increasingly sought aid from the Soviet Union. In October 1962, Soviets began shipping nuclear-capable missiles to Cuba. American U-2 spy planes caught the shipments on film, touching off the Cuban Missile Crisis. For 13 days that month, President John F. Kennedy warned Soviet first secretary Nikita Khrushchev to remove the missiles or face consequences - which most of the world interpreted as nuclear war. Khrushchev backed down. While the Soviet Union continued to back Castro, Cuban relations with the United States remained cold but not warlike. Cuban Refugees and the Cuban Five In 1979, faced with an economic downturn and civilian unrest, Castro told Cubans they could leave if they did not like conditions at home. Between April and October 1980, some 200,000 Cubans arrived in the United States. Under the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966 the United States could allow arrival of such immigrants and avoid their repatriation to Cuba. After Cuba lost most of its Soviet-block trading partners with the collapse of Communism between 1989 and 1991, it suffered another economic downturn. Cuban immigration to the United States climbed again in 1994 and 1995. In 1996 the United States arrested five Cuban men on charges of espionage and conspiracy to commit murder. The U.S. alleged they had entered Florida and infiltrated Cuban-American human rights groups. The U.S. also charged that information the so-called Cuban Five sent back to Cuba helped Castros air force destroy two Brothers-to-the-Rescue planes returning from a covert mission to Cuba, killing four passengers. U.S. courts convicted and jailed the Cuban Five in 1998. Castros Illness and Overtures at Normalization In 2008, after a prolonged illness, Castro ceded the presidency of Cuba to his brother, Raul Castro. While some outside observers believed that would signal the collapse of Cuban Communism, it did not happen. However, in 2009 after Barack Obama became president of the U.S., Raul Castro made overtures to talk to the United States about foreign policy normalization. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the 50-year American foreign policy toward Cuba had failed, and that Obamas administration was committed to finding ways to normalize Cuban-American relations. Obama has eased American travel to the island. Still, another issue stands in the way of normalized relations. In 2008 Cuba arrested USAID worker Alan Gross, charging him with distributing U.S. government-purchased computers with the intent of establishing a spy network inside Cuba. While Gross, 59 at the time of his arrest, claimed no knowledge of the computers sponsorship, Cuba tried and convicted him in March 2011. A Cuban court sentenced him to 15 years in prison. Former United States President Jimmy Carter, traveling on behalf of his Carter Center for human rights, visited Cuba in March and April 2011. Carter visited with the Castro brothers, and with Gross. While he said that he believed the Cuban 5 had been jailed long enough (a position that angered many human rights advocates), and that he hoped Cuba would quickly release Gross, he stopped short of suggesting any type of prisoner exchange. The Gross case seemed capable of halting any further normalization of relations between the two countries until its resolution.

Analysis of Identity Theft Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Analysis of Identity Theft - Essay Example You can even find that while you have your information secure, another honest person who you send it to in good faith is vulnerable to ID hijackers. i1The criminal, a convicted felon, not only incurred more than $100,000 of credit card debt, obtained a federal home loan, and bought homes, motorcycles, and handguns in the victims name, but called his victim to taunt him -- saying that he could continue to pose as the victim for as long as he wanted because identity theft was not a federal crime at that time -- before filing for bankruptcy, also in the victims name. Though involving elements of embezzlement, blackmail, deception, and intimidation the ii Congress used the events as a basis for establishing ‘Identity Theft’ as a felony in its own right in 1989. ID Theft has a language of its own. iii‘Dumpster Diving’ - ransacking litter bins and landfill sites to secure discarded sensitive documentation. shoulder Surfing’ – Watching people (sometimes through binoculars) as they use phone cards or pin number machines. Combating ID fraud is a growth industry. Financial institutions use advisory bodies to warn people how to protect themselves, and what to do if they have become victims. websites offer practical advice. Many homes now have shredders to enable ID bearing literature to be destroyed so that Dumpster Divers cannot intercept it. Many people only learn that they are victims when they receive bills indicating large debts, which they have not personally authorized. When they query this with any credit agencies involved, they may find that they are personally expected to settle the debts run up in their name. As ScamBusters.Org observe: vii companies who made the loans often assume that you are the one who actually incurred the debt, and is trying to beat them out of their money. They can be very aggressive in their collection tactics.  Ã‚  

Questions about Gender and Generation Management in the workplace Essay

Questions about Gender and Generation Management in the workplace - Essay Example the organisations achievement of objectives (Bagilhole & White, 2013) It helps in coordinating the various generations in the workplace because all their opinions matter and everyone’s input is valued and incorporated in the firm’s means of achieving the objectives. 2. I would prefer working with generation X due to the fact that it’s a generation made of young people who can make quick decisions and have innovative minds. Their fast decision making tendencies helps in moving the firm forward and achieving the set objectives which increases the value of the firm. Also, the innovative minds helps in coming up with new ways of doing things and processes gives the firm a competitive edge against competitors. 3. Generation Y would be most challenging to manage and lead due to the fact that it is made up of quite older people who are a bit resistant to change. Most of them get stuck with rules and procedures set earlier, and are not willing to change. This makes incorporating valuable changes in an organization difficult; and of course this means that the firm cannot move forward as fast as expected or as planned. 4. The average age for retiring from work is 60. Some of primary reasons as to why people should retire are; it is a state requirement for civil servants to retire, they are no longer as productive as before and also to concentrate on something else they had wished to do. The reasons are individual and others come from external forces like the state requirement for civil servants to retire in order to give way for other qualified citizens to get the chances to work. 5. Generation X is impatient and at the same time dismissive. Most children born during this era display a lot of impatience in most things they undertake in their day to day activities, including undertakings at school, work and even at home. They also dismiss most of the ideas offered by other people mostly the older generation including their parents and other older siblings. On the

Challenges Faced by International Firms in Asia and Their Response to Research Paper - 1

Challenges Faced by International Firms in Asia and Their Response to These Problems - Research Paper Example As the paper declares, one of the problems of multinational companies in Asia, among many, is the â€Å"long, thin arm† problem, the assumption that it is adequate to think globally while acting locally and of course the absence of cross border integration in Asia. For the multinational companies to remain relevant in an increasingly competitive scenario that is now the face of global commerce.  According to the paper findings, the political stability within the country that a foreign investor takes interest in is crucial. When there is civil unrest or war, then the risks are raised sometimes to a point that the business venture is not worth undertaking. The government plays a major role in whether the investor in creating the ambiance to attract investor since it is the government that formulates policies on trade and other factors that influence trade. Risks that come with tax also acts as a restraint for multinational firms in Asia with China being the first with the high est tax-related risks. The Chinese government has tried to counter this by having a different taxation system for firms with foreign affiliations. The survey also indicates that firms found India’s taxation system as being the most complex. The feature of the Asian market that encourages foreign firms is that labor, though the cost of which has been rising, is still relatively cheap. When Western multinationals first came to Asia, they were impressed by the low-cost manufacturing operations that were presented by the continent.

Risk Assessment in Leroy Merlin hypermarket in Swidnica Essay

Risk Assessment in Leroy Merlin hypermarket in Swidnica - Essay Example The paper tells that the goal of safety management in organizations and the development of Safety Management Systems (SMSs) is the achievement of peak safety performance. This means no operational incidents, no personal injuries, and no harm to the environment. This therefore enhances the safety of the employees in any organization. This study location; Leroy Merlin hypermarket in Swidnica is still some way from achieving this goal. Tools such as the SMSs undoubtedly help compliance with rules but they do not necessarily improve safety environment. There is an ordinary recognition in this company that encouraging safe working performance does not require more rules, regulations, and procedures. Instead, the company needs a better comprehension of the social and organizational aspects that foster professionalism and emergency situations. Original attempts to improve workplace safety and or reduce risks, focused on the mechanical and engineering aspects of the company’s systems. The focus widened as the role of human error became more evident. Human mistakes were blamed for the safety culture in workplace areas. The absence of a safety culture in any organization is the significant contributor to the disaster, and potential hazards. Thus, safety culture can be defined as â€Å"That assembly of facets and attitudes in companies and individuals which establishes that, as an overriding priority, safety issues receive the attention warranted by their significance†.

What Is The Relationship Between International Organization And Essay

What Is The Relationship Between International Organization And Industrial Change From A Neo-Gramscian Perspective - Essay Example In his 1981 exposition, Cox asks for an informed, open-minded critique of International Relations (IR) that had so far depended solely on "problem-solving" theories that obsequiously deviated in no manner from mainstream diagnoses and prognoses, but embraced states as being immutable and the scheme of things-including individual and institutional relationships within and between states, parastatal organisations and the so-called private players-as Kantian Dinge an sich (literally, "things as they are"). Cox's effort in 1983 was to expand on his earlier thesis: to prove how neo-Gramscianism can take apart and syncretise into new understandings and, thus, modalities of action to subvert the power superstructure of the Global Political Economy, a complex trelliswork of governmental, individual and institutional actors. ... defined as "dominance, especially by one state or social group over others" (Oxford English Dictionary), but is furthermore "understood as an expression of broadly-based consent, manifested in the acceptance of ideas and supported by material resources and institutions" (Bieler and Morton 2003). The term "world order" was of a different class altogether from Immanuel Wallerstein's "world systems theory", a profoundly disturbing assault on development and modernisation theory, in which he said that he aimed to achieve "a clear conceptual break with theories of 'modernisation' and thus provide a new theoretical paradigm to guide our investigations of the emergence and development of capitalism, industrialism, and national states" (Skocpol 1977). Wallerstein (1987) declaimed that the world systems theory was "a protest against the way in which social scientific inquiry is structured for all of us at its inception in the middle of the nineteenth century". Criticising the then prevalent bimodal Dependency Theory, which argues in favour of a bipolar metropolis-satellite structure, he held that it was too simplistic to have a functional worldview organised around it: the meaning that can be read into it is that it would have to be, in a sense, future-proof against times that would only get more-and less-interconnected. In a sense, too, Wallerstein's trimodal world systems theory has been bypassed by current events: mergers between transnational corporations from disparate political dispensations have led to the creation of megacorporations that have turnovers that put the GDP of many developing world economies in the shade. Parastatal organisations, usually non-governmental organisations (NGO), that owe their loyalty either to themselves and their agendas or to

A critical evaluation of a the Carrier Bag Levy introduced in Northern Essay

A critical evaluation of a the Carrier Bag Levy introduced in Northern Ireland - Essay Example On the other hand, exceptions to the levy include for the purposes of containing food for takeout, non-packaged foodstsuffs, some medicines, goods that have been contaminated by soil, and sharp implements such as knives and razor blades, among others. The proceeds are intended to be funneled into environmental and public good uses. Plans include increasing the levy to as much as 10p per bag, owing to the success of the levy in drastically reducing the use of plastic bags on the retailer level, with estimates of up to 80 percent in bag use reduction (Invest Northern Ireland 2014; BBC 2013; BBC 2013b; BBC 2013c; Department of the Environment Northern Ireland 2014; Clark 2014; NIDirect Government Services 2013). Washington State in the United States is noteworthy for having imposed a plastic bag tax four years prior, to the tune of 5 US cents per plastic bag, and while government claims a 60 percent reduction in plastic bags used, contrary figures indicate that plastic bag use has swell ed, as evidenced by sustained increases in tax collections from plastic bag use (Williams 2014; Wilson 2013). Meanwhile, in countries like Rwanda, a total ban on plastic bags as opposed to a tax has led to the successful elimination of plastic bags in the country (Clavel 2014). Critiquing the carrier bag levy in the context of Adam Smiths taxation canons, one can see for instance that there is some debate with regard to whether it passes the muster on the canon on collection economy. As Smith expounded, this canon says that the tax should not be a discouragement to business and should be inexpensive to collect. From the point of view of the businesses, the carrier bag levy is not a discouragement to the conduct of business, because the retailers merely act as collection agents of the tax by the government. The retailers being the collection agents and the remitting agents

What Is The Relationship Between International Organization And Essay

What Is The Relationship Between International Organization And Industrial Change From A Neo-Gramscian Perspective - Essay Example In his 1981 exposition, Cox asks for an informed, open-minded critique of International Relations (IR) that had so far depended solely on "problem-solving" theories that obsequiously deviated in no manner from mainstream diagnoses and prognoses, but embraced states as being immutable and the scheme of things-including individual and institutional relationships within and between states, parastatal organisations and the so-called private players-as Kantian Dinge an sich (literally, "things as they are"). Cox's effort in 1983 was to expand on his earlier thesis: to prove how neo-Gramscianism can take apart and syncretise into new understandings and, thus, modalities of action to subvert the power superstructure of the Global Political Economy, a complex trelliswork of governmental, individual and institutional actors. ... defined as "dominance, especially by one state or social group over others" (Oxford English Dictionary), but is furthermore "understood as an expression of broadly-based consent, manifested in the acceptance of ideas and supported by material resources and institutions" (Bieler and Morton 2003). The term "world order" was of a different class altogether from Immanuel Wallerstein's "world systems theory", a profoundly disturbing assault on development and modernisation theory, in which he said that he aimed to achieve "a clear conceptual break with theories of 'modernisation' and thus provide a new theoretical paradigm to guide our investigations of the emergence and development of capitalism, industrialism, and national states" (Skocpol 1977). Wallerstein (1987) declaimed that the world systems theory was "a protest against the way in which social scientific inquiry is structured for all of us at its inception in the middle of the nineteenth century". Criticising the then prevalent bimodal Dependency Theory, which argues in favour of a bipolar metropolis-satellite structure, he held that it was too simplistic to have a functional worldview organised around it: the meaning that can be read into it is that it would have to be, in a sense, future-proof against times that would only get more-and less-interconnected. In a sense, too, Wallerstein's trimodal world systems theory has been bypassed by current events: mergers between transnational corporations from disparate political dispensations have led to the creation of megacorporations that have turnovers that put the GDP of many developing world economies in the shade. Parastatal organisations, usually non-governmental organisations (NGO), that owe their loyalty either to themselves and their agendas or to

Enzyme Inhibitors in Breast Cancer Therapy Coursework

Enzyme Inhibitors in Breast Cancer Therapy - Coursework Example Among all of the different types of cancer, breast cancer is the highest cause of death in women between the ages 20 and 59, having been responsible for 32 percent of all new cancer cases in 2003. In most patients, the metastases at distant sites of the body become the main cause of death. The rates of metastasis and mortality in breast cancer patients have recently decreased with the aid of early diagnosis by mammographic screening and the implementation of adjuvant therapy. Aromatase inhibitors may be used as adjuvant therapy, first-line, second-line or even third- line therapy (Cunnick et al 2001). Third-line therapy uses the medicine if patients relapse after the second treatment, which followed an initial treatment. Adjuvant therapy, on the other hand, aids in the eradication of breast tumor cells that might have already metastasized to different organ systems by the time of diagnosis. Cancer cells are characterized as having the ability to be viable under stressful conditions. Growth and survival factors activate a variety of intracellular signal transduction pathways; these pathways play a critical role in the regulating growth, differentiation, and senescence, and have been found to prevent apoptosis under many circumstances (Ripple et al 2005). The ability of cancer cells to metastasize to other organ systems results in smaller chances of curing the disease. Common phenotypes of metastatic cancer cells have been found to be (1) unregulated growth and survival, (2) decreased cell to cell adhesion, (3) increased ability in degrading the extracellular matrix, and (4) increased motility (Zhang et al 2005). Cancer cells have been found to possess altered apoptosis signals, which are transduced by the p53 tumor suppressor gene. The said gene regulates the expression of multiply apoptosis-inducing proteins that act upon the mitochondria. Normal cells are induced to apoptosis through the intrinsic pathway, where cytochrome c is released from the mitochondria. The liberated cytochrome c binds to apoptotic protease, activating dactor-1 (apad-1), which assembles into an oligomer called the apoptosome. The apoptosome then recruits and activates caspase-9, which triggers a proteolytic cascade, resulting in cell death. In cancer cells, excessive mitotic signals activate the intrinsic pathway, as a result of mutations within signaling pathways (Mashima et al 2005; Ripple et al 2005).

The Epic of Beowulf

The Epic of Beowulf Fighting his enemies alone, when his sword fails he resorts to his fists. When his adversary had no armor, he strips himself of his own armor to even the odds. Some see this as arrogance or overconfidence, but his achievements do not lie. Beowulf is deserving of his title as an epic hero for saving Heorot from Grendel, slaying Grendels mother the she-wolf, and when Beowulf became king he protected his kingdom fifty years. The Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf was written in the 7th century as a poem, was modernized in Richard Wilburs Ceremony and other poems. Elizabeth Thomason explains, Wilburs response to the epic is to change the Anglo-Saxon attitude toward heroes into a world-weary postwar sensibility. While he retains the original setting, he incorporates modern feelings into his lyric retelling.   The story was later translated into a novel by Burton Raffel. Beowulf, is already a renowned warrior for having won wars and felling mighty sea beasts, Richard Wilbur emphasizes Beowulfs confidence, One day the stranger shows up from beyond the sea, boasting that he can kill the monster that no one has been able to touch for years. He would end Grendels blood-filled night-raids on Heorot. When the almighty light disappears behind the mountains, the  night-terror Grendel begins his prowl. Carl Mowery says, the day was swiftly old, and the night put out no smiles. Grendel stalks the city and waits until the towns-folk are sleep then he steadily infiltrates Heorot and picks out his prey, who hell eat now and who to take home for later. Now he discovered-once the afflicter of men, what it meant to feud with the almighty God (809-11) for the one he seized that night was Beowulf the mightiest of warriors. Beowulf fought Grendel with honor and without any weapons or armor he latched onto Grendel holding him in place, it was Grendels first time feeling fear, for he was in Beowulfs hands now. He wanted nothing but to escape, and escape he did missing an arm. When all seemed peaceful, tragedy struck the Danes again. Grendel managed to escape, seriously wounded and his life fading. He ran back home and spent his last moments in misery. At the sight of her lifeless son Grendels mother was struck with anger and a lust for vengeance. She attacked the Danes as they slept and left with a snack for later, but that snack was the kings closest friend. The kings heart was heavy and he mourned his loss, he then asked Beowulf to avenge his friend, and so he did. Beowulf swam into the she-wolfs den and swung his sword to no effect, he was quickly thrown to the ground and when all seemed lost he saw a giants sword mounted on the wall. He took it and Beowulf struck with all [his] strength, caught her in the neck and cut it through, Bones and all. (1565-77) Tyrus Miller states, Having performed his single task, the hero departs, loaded with the gifts granted a warrior and the glory of his deeds. He returns home to Geatland where he became a king; and a great king he was bringing peace and prosperity to his kingdom. Beowulf ruled in Geatland for fifty years, now old and wise when a dragon awakes from its slumber and burns down a village. Old and past hisprime Beowulf intends to face the dragon alone. His subjects do not wish for him to face the beast alone and volunteer to help slay the dragon. So there wouldnt be any needless death he and a few trusted soldiers venture to the dragons lair. At the sight of the beast all the soldiers run off except for Wiglaf who truly admired Beowulf. The dragon ignites the air and Beowulf blocks flame with shield inching closer to the beast. His shield burns to ash and he is engulfed in fire, but he presses on and strikes the dragons head with all his might shattering his blade. The dragon wastes no time and latches into Beowulfs neck. Wiglaf seeing his hero in danger rushes in to help. Stabbing the dragon in the lower neck smothering its flames Beowulf then drew his battle-sharp dagger. (2701-02) Remembering days of glory he quickly cut the beast in half, it fell but so did Beowulf. His neck began to swell, he felt the dragons venom taking effect, and knew his time was short. He told Wiglaf to build a monument after his death and to claim the dragons wealth and disperse it throughout the kingdom. Throughout his life Beowulf had had a multitude of achievements hes won wars, defeated Grendel and his vengeful mother, fell mighty sea beats and many more unmentionables. But Beowulfs last act of heroism was undoubtedly his greatest, slaying a dragon and attaining its treasure for his people, a noble deed for a noble hero. References Mowery, Carl. Beowulf. Poetry for Students, edited by Elizabeth Thomason, vol. 11, Gale, 2001, pp. 1-14. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Miller, Tyrus. Beowulf. Poetry for Students, edited by Elizabeth Thomason, vol. 11,   Gale, 2001, pp. 1-14. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Thomason, Elizabeth. Beowulf. Poetry for Students, vol.11, Gale, 2001, pp. 1-14. Gale Virtual Reference Library.

Flannery O8217Conner and Grotesque Characters :: essays papers

Flannery O8217Conner and Grotesque Characters Flannery O’Conner and Grotesque Characters One of the most interesting characteristics of Flannery O’Conners writing is her penchant for creating characters with physical or mental disabilities. Though critics sometimes unkindly labeled her a maker of grotesques, this talent for creating flawed characters served her well. In fact, though termed grotesque, O’Conners use of vivid visual imagery when describing people and their shortcomings is the technique that makes her work most realistic. O’Conner herself once remarked that â€Å"anything that comes out of the South is going to be called grotesque by the Northern reader, unless it is grotesque, in which case it will be called realistic.† In O’Conners â€Å"The Life You Save May Be Your Own† the villain is a one armed hobo named Tom T. Shiftlet. Using his gift of gab and the promise of â€Å"fixing the place up.† He manages to take up on the remote farm of an old woman named Lucynell Crater and her mentally retarded and completely deaf daughter â€Å"Lucynell Crater†. The old woman quickly decides that despite his handicap she would like to make Tom her son in law. His goal soon became, fix up the old car he was sleeping in and hightail it out of there with the car and some of the old womans money in his pocket. On the pretense that he would need it for a honeymoon trip, he convinces the old woman to fix the car and give him some cash. The story ends with him marrying the retarded daughter, leaving with her on a honeymoon trip, then abandoning her in a rundown diner on the side of the road. â€Å"Good Country People† is a story about Joy Hopewell, a very well educated young woman living in the rural south. Joy lost a leg in a hunting accident when she was ten and since then had been forced to wear a wooden replacement. She also had a weak heart and it was this affliction that forced her to remain amongst these â€Å"good country people† whom she considered to be intellectual inferiors. Though she had great confidence in her intelligence she had very little self-esteem. Joys’ handicap made her feel ugly, so ugly that much to her mothers’ dismay, she had her name legally changed to the ugliest one she could think of, Hulga. One day a traveling bible salesman named Manley Pointer made a sales call and ended up having dinner with the family.

Reuniting the Grey Wolf :: science

Reuniting the Grey Wolf In 1914 the United States Congress approved the funding to destroy wolves. Many of the Government bounty hunters decided to help farmers to protect there livestock from the destructive creatures. Sixty years later the wolves are considered as endangered. In 1973 the United State Congress passed another law (Endangered Species Act) this act stated that all endangered species could not be killed by anyone or they would face a fine of one thousand dollars and as much as one year in jail. So many organizations started programs to help the wild life one of which was called the Wolf Recovery Program. The Wolf Recovery Program was set to help gray wolfs adapted back into there natural habitat. Since the program has been started they have introduced over 160 new wolves into the wild. But not everybody was in favor of reintroducing wolves into the wild. Today the United States Fish and Wild life Service have been considering the removal of the gray wolf from the endangered species list once I daho, Montana, and Wyoming raise enough wolves to be considered to continue to expand the wolf population, this requires that each of the three states have to have a management plan in effect to prevent the gray wolf from becoming endangered again. With the current attitude of the governments in these states federal support under the Endangered Species Act it would only serve to cause the wolves to become endangered once more, or at least, hold to absolute minimum of the population that the state scan pass off as a self-sustaining population. Many of the states like Idaho want to get rid of the gray wolves completely rid of in fact it has been said that â€Å"The State of Idaho is on the record asking the federal government to remove wolves from the state by the adoption in 2001 of House Joint Memorial No. 5. The position reflected in House Joint Memorial No. 5 continues to be the official position of the State of Idaho†. Now these are the problems facing the gray wolfs today . Farmers Many of the states legislature made room for the destruction of the gray wolf because they value the economies farming industries more than the preservation of wild life. The farmer aren’t helping with the restoration with many unsubstantial losses with no attempt to validate these statements. The settlers would let there cattle to roam off public property.

Comparison between Frankenstein and “The Birthmark” Essay

The Industrial Revolution that was happening in the early twilight of the 19th centuries changed the world forever. The introduction of science as a possible cure for all became apparent. Many fascination inventions such as steamboat, cars and electricity were created and the outlook for the future was bright. However, because of this, many scientists turned a blind eye to the dangers of knowledge and unwittingly caused many sorrows in their process to become â€Å"god†. Such examples are introduced in the following two stories: Frankenstein and â€Å"The birthmark†. In both stories, the author created a character that was to symbolize the scientists of the early 19th centuries who believed that anything was possible with science. In â€Å"The Birthmark†, Hawthorne’s character Aylmer tries to remove his wife’s birthmark with his use of science but ends up killing her. While in Frankenstein, the protagonist Victor attempts to use science to create li fe but ends up destroying those there were closest to him. There are many similarities between the two stories, especially between the characteristics of Victor Frankenstein and Aylmer. Both men have a deep passion and love for science that borders on obsession. One of the prevalent themes in both stories is the danger of playing god. In Frankenstein, Victor attempts to go beyond accepted human limits and access the knowledge of life and therefore becoming godlike. The story begins with Walton’s letter to his sister. From the letter, we are introduced to the danger of science. Victor tells Walton, â€Å"You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been.† (pg 31) The theme of destructive knowledge is then developed further throughout the story as the tragic events and consequences of Victor’s obsession for life is unfold. He cuts himself off from the world and eventually commits himself entirely to his task, â€Å"while I pursued my undertaking with unremitting ardour, my cheek has grown pale with study and my person has become emaciated with confinement.† (pg 55) This is similar to what Aylmer went through, â€Å"He was pale as death, anxious and absorbed, and hung over the furnace as if it depended upon his utmost watchfulness†¦ or misery. (pg 70) He was so obsessed about perfection that he forsakes the consequences of his action. Throughout Frankenstein, Victor repeatedly convinced himself that what he is doing is absolutely right and because of this, his fall from grace mirrors those of Aylmer. Both of them have unrealistic goals to achieve and both unintentionally destroy those that are precious to them. For all their similarities, Dr. Frankenstein and Aylmer are still significantly different characters. Victor wants to be god but does not know what to do with the power, â€Å"When I found so astonishing a power placed within my hands, I hesitated a long time concerning the manner in which I should employ it.† (pg 54) Victor views science as the path to new knowledge: â€Å"in other studies you go as far as others have gone before you†¦ but in scientific pursuit, there is continual food for discovery and wonder.†(pg 52) While Aylmer views science as the path to greater power, â€Å"We know Aylmer possessed this degree of faith in man’s ultimate control over nature.†(pg 59) He tries to play god in order to bend the laws of nature and make imperfection to perfection, â€Å"I feel myself fully competent to render this dear cheek as faultless†¦ and then, most beloved, what will be my triumph when I shall have corrected what Nature left imperfect in her fairest work!† (pg 63) In the end however, it was nature that got the last laugh when the potion that Aylmer gave Georgiana resulted in her death. Both Frankenstein and Aylmer are victims of the destructive fascination for science and nature. Both men try to transcend to godhood and, ultimately, both fail. Perhaps, that is why both Shelley and Hawthorne wrote similar stories in an attempt to illustrate the danger of ambition, science and godhood.

Adolesence Psychology Essay

The most critical stage in a life of a person is in the period of adolesence.   It is a specifically turbulent as well as a dynamic period of any person’s life. It is also a period of â€Å"strorm and stress† characterized by moodiness, inner tormoil and rebellion.   This is a period of transision from childhood to adulthood.   This transition involves biological,   social, and psychological changes, though the biological ones are the easiest to measure objectively.†Adolescence† is a modern cultural and social phenomenon and therefore its endpoints are not easily tied to physical milestones . The time is identified with dramatic changes in the body, along with developments in a person’s psychology and academic career. In the onset of adolescence, children usually complete elementary school and enter secondary education, such as middle school or high school. During this period, the young develops to sexual maturity and establishes an identity as an individual.   Their   sense   of identity develops gradually out of the various identification of childhood. The adolescent is newly concerned with how they appear to others. Ego identity is the accrued confidence that the inner sameness and continuity prepared in the past are matched by the sameness and continuity of one’s meaning for others, as evidenced in the promise of a career. The inability to settle on a school or occupational identity is disturbing. A major task confronting the adolescent is to develop a sense of individual identity, to find answers to the questions â€Å"Who am I† and â€Å"where am I going† .   The process also involves feelings about self-worth and competence.   Although development   of sel-concept starts in early childhood and continues throughout the lifespan. Searching of the unique identity is one of the problems that adolesence often face.   Some, but not all, teenager often challenge the authority or the rules as a way to establish their individuality.   There is also a probability of drugs and alcohol use, or mental health disorder, eating disorders and depression. Historically this stage of development began much later, sometime between the ages of fourteen and eighteen, which allowed the child to mentally and emotionally mature more and brought them closer to the age of consent before reaching this physical and emotionally challenging Physical maturation resulting from puberty leads to an interest in sexual activities  Ã‚   sometimes leading to teenage pregnancy.  Ã‚  Ã‚   Since teens may not be emotionally or mentally mature enough or financially able to support children, sexual activity among adolescents is problematic. Given the emotional immaturity of adolescents, many countries consider those under a certain age to be too young to engage in and other sexual activities, even if they are physiologically capable. Family conflict is more common during adolesence than during other period of development.   Puberty appears to play a central role in initiating this conflict.   Adolesence of both sexes have significantly more conflicts with their mothers than with their fathers.   Probably because mothers are more involve in regulating the everyday details of family life.   Parents are often torn between the necessity of maintaining the family system and allowing their child increasing jurisdiction over his or her behavior.   Childhood even with intact families is never troubled free.   The fact that the most important emotionla structure in the childhood’s life is the parents’ marriage.   Ends in failure becomes forever embeded in that child’s history. It can not be denied that fathers are very important in the family.   Without a father there is no family.   The absence of the father maybe associated with some undesirable behavior of the children.   Among wihich are poor school performance,poor relationships with peer, problems with impulse control, rebellious and other adjustment difficulties. It is like the case of a 16 year old girl whose parents are divorce.   She displayed undesirable behavior like rebellious, trouble in school and she desires male attention.   Adolesence are in the process of affirming up their identity.   They need both parents   to affirm them in developing womanliness and how to relate to other people of the opposite sex. Childhood, even with intact families is never troubled-free.   The fact that the most important emotional structure in the child’s life is the parents’ marriage – ends in failure becomes forever embeded in that child’s history.   Being a child of devorce,   there is a need of several therapy.   A joint therapy of parents is also needed to understand the need to work together for the children. In order to pass from childhood to adulthood the adolesence must solve a number of problems.   He must develop heterosexual interest, become free from home supervision, make new emotional and social adjustments to reality.   They should evolve a philosophy of life, achieve economic and intellectual independence and learn how to use their leisure time profitably.   If they fail of these any achievements, he fails to gain full maturity.   Because adolesence are caught between two worlds, one of the dependence, the other of the responsibility.   They would like the power to decide for themselves, but are not certain they want to increased responsibility that accompanies adulthood.

Future Concerns †Gattaca and Fahrenheit 451 Essay

Popular fictions texts expressing views of the future educate audiences about current issues and the dystopias that develop from them. Texts such as the film ‘Gattaca’, directed by Andrew Niccol and novel ‘Fahrenheit 451’ by Ray Bradbury explore futuristic societies and the implications that become of their innovation. Although entertaining, texts such as these are didactic and must be taken seriously, as they communicate messages to audiences regarding prevalent concerns and possible futures based on society’s choices. Gattaca’ (1995) directed by Andrew Niccol, follows the story of the underdog Vincent, who is challenged by genetic discrimination against ‘in? valids’ like himself. Through an elaborate identity switch and the help of ‘genetically advantaged’ Jerome, Vincent prevails to achieve his dreams and find his place at Gattaca Space Station. Niccol utilises conventions of film to convey messages to the audience by highlighting issues relevant to the context of production. Gattaca’ incorporates many themes which highlight the corruption and inequality in this strange, new world. Niccol explores concepts such as elitism, perfection, inequity and modernism. This film opens with two contrasting epigraphs, which entices viewers’ interest into moral themes in ‘Gattaca’. The first quote reads: â€Å"Consider God’s handiwork; Who can straighten what He hath made crooked? † Ecclesiastes 7. 13. An interpretation of this quote is that life is intended to be left alone to take its course, which is contradictory to many ideas in ‘Gattaca’. The quote following reads: â€Å"I not only think that we will tamper with Mother Nature, I think Mother wants us to. † Willard Gaylin. This presents audiences with differing opinions to contemplate as they consider what scientific advancements their own future holds, watching Vincent in his. The opening scene is an extreme close up shot of Vincent’s fingernails, hair follicles and loose skin, against a blue cubicle. The extreme close up shot suggests importance as the camera focuses in on the subject matter, emphasising the significance of Vincent’s DNA. Sterility and cleanliness is suggested by the use of cold, deep blue hues. The use of blue is constant throughout the film, as is the significance in detail. These concepts tie to other scenes, such as ‘The Eyelash’, where Vincent’s own ‘invalid’ eyelash is discovered during a murder investigation. This concept highlights the precision of technology in the future, and that life with such structure becomes complicated. Audiences can learn lessons from examples such as these scenes s they can relate the situations Vincent is put in with possible futures based on the direction society is heading in present times. Another effective technique demonstrated by Niccol is the first person narration by the central character, Vincent. This is important for the development in the movie, as Vincent is the protagonist we are encouraged to empathise with. Therefore, the use of bias narration and perspective is effective in supporting the ideas presented in the film. Following the opening scene is ‘The Not Too Distant Future’, which cuts to a low angle shot looking up to the bold, symmetrical lines of the building. In this shot, Gattaca is shaded in black and grey tones, also indicating the power and formality of the institution. As the camera tilts down, the strong lines and colouring remain constant as view of the staff are also brought into the frame. Directors have dressed actors in blue business suits, again, enforcing the concept of formality, conformity and sterility. The uniformed staff are very bland and indistinguishable from one another in their uniformed clothing. Silence is broken by the rising volume of diagetic sound effects, such as the beeping sound of accepted ‘valids’ through the turnstile, as well as an anonymous greeting by a placid female voice: â€Å"Welcome to Gattaca†. These techniques develop the idea that society has become lifeless and ‘black and white’, as Gattaca presents characters as clinical and robotic products of genetic modification, teaching audiences about social issues that relate to futures.

Financial Crisis in South Korea in 1997 Research Paper

Financial Crisis in South Korea in 1997 - Research Paper Example The ration between GDP and foreign reserves was less than 30%. It was the lowest ration throughout the developing countries at global scale, even less than several advanced countries as well. Annual budget had also a balanced composition. Therefore, due to this macro analysis, numbers of economic institutions including IMF had no idea of occurrence of an economic crisis that had affected Southeast Asian countries during the summers of 1997 (5). The crisis was so massive that lots of financial experts had predicted a likely sovereign default of South Korea. South Korea, after great struggle, could hardly manage to survive by getting support from IMF, friendly countries, and several other institutions. The extent of economic downturn of South Korea can be evaluated and measured more accurately by utilizing the five macroeconomic parameters i.e. GDP rate, Inflation rate, Unemployment rate, and Interest rate. Korean GDP rate observed a steady phase during 1990 to 1996 as it remained betw een 5.9 to 9.4% with an average growth of about 7.9% per year. Due to financial crisis and reduced exports, the GDP growth experienced a downward trend in 1997. It dropped to a negative 6.8% in 1998. Mishkin and Hahm (2000) described four basic factors which as a combined effect lead to the financial instability. These factor include financial deterioration in in terms of balance sheets, increasing interest rates, worsening of nonfinancial balance sheets, and upturn in uncertainty. All these factors were rightly observed as a source of financial crisis in South Korea. Due to prompt survival of national economy and by the help of IMF, a recovery was observed in 1999 and 2000 (Hardy & Pazarbasioglu, 1998). The main objectives of this paper are to analyze the historical perspective of different economic policies in different political regimes and what did they contribute as well as to discuss the factors that contributed towards this credit-crunch. The role of IMF is discussed briefly that how it affected and supported the country financially. At the end of the paper, a conclusion is drawn, based upon different policies and findings, and few recommendations are suggested for the Korean government in terms of future perspectives. Economic Policies and Performances After independence in 1945, South Korea observed a great financial progress as well as declining phases. These economic ups and downs have been based on numbers of different economic policies which have been devised by different governments in different scenario. These policies could be the reconstructing of institutions (1945-1961), export promotion and growth policies (1961-1972), recovery and stabilization (1973-1981), adjustment and expansion era (1982-1996) or the two economic crisis of 1997 and 2008. The economic policies which were enforced during the regime of Park Chung-Hee are characterized as the government-led model, also referred to as the statist approach (Alice, 1992). This type of policy, the role of government is most important because it is the authority to formulate all the structures and designs of economic policies and then ensures its implementation (Caporaso & Levine, 1992). Park’

From Isolationism to Interventionism. America's evolution Essay

From Isolationism to Interventionism. America's evolution - Essay Example These guiding principles defended their homeland borders and remained self-sufficient and unconcerned with the rest of the world. The policies changed to interventionism, which was founded on the principle of directly intervening in the affairs of other nations. The change was because of the American’s perception of the most decent and had the proper way of living, governing and hence it would take measures to guide other nations towards the same direction. Initially, the nation was largely non-interventionist state, which preferred to focus on domestic affairs and pay attention to economic policies abroad. The change occurred after the Cold World War when America was forced to storm into the war when Japanese pilots bombed the naval base at Pearl Harbor in December 1941. This changed the United States to an interventionist state. The idea of communism and the threat of Soviet Union influenced every foreign policy adopted by the U.S. A recovery program that was passed by Congr ess in 1948 sent relief funds into Western Europe and this created an influx of business in America. America later worked towards freeing nations referred to as the third world. They started practicing a policy of self-determination, not seeking conquest or economic control but instead instilling governments that were friendly. The United States through the United Nations intervened into the war between the communist government of Korea and the Republic of Korea since they saw that the Republic of Korea needed help to avoid being overrun. This war finally settled in 1953 and the borers were restored exactly as they were before the war broke. The conflict in Vietnam began in 1945 when the Vietminh declared Vietnam self-governing from France. The United States though had promised to accept the results of the elections, which were conducted in 1956 to unite the two separate nations under one democratically elected official later in 1956. They ignored it and provided weapons and trainin g for the friend faction in Vietnam and sent CIA Operatives to destabilize the Vietminh clandestinely. During the 1950s, the US government had supported a change in control of Cuba when Fidel Castro led the supporting revolution. After Castro came into power, he severed all ties with the United States and became more open about his socialist leanings. Later, the United States funded and trained troops that led a coup attempt to wrest control from Castro, which failed. John Blight said that the relation between Castro’s government and America was indirectly responsible for the alliance between Cuba and the USSR. President Harry S Truman (1945 to 1952) set before Congress his domino theory, which showed that if one pertinent nation fell into communism, it would drag all its neighbors. This led to the Truman Doctrine in 1947, which contributed to demolishment of communism (Patrick 111). Truman laid out is Point IV Program in 1949 which intended to give technical aid to third wor ld nations and also aided formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization which intended to counter the Soviet threat in Western Europe. President Dwight D. Eisenhower was in power between 1952 and 1960. He propagated the interventionist policies where in 1953 he used the CIA to stage coups and overthrow unfriendly governments in Iran and Guatemala. He helped to form the Southeast Asia Theory Organization after the fall of Vietnam from French control to Vietminh control in 1954. He acknowledged that there were background events and people involved in various aspects of American Interventionism. It became necessary to review the interventionism and look at different sides to debate. One of the issues was that getting involved