Social Contract Essay - 1355 Words

Social Contract The quality of your individual life would greatly improve in utopia. The burdens you face from corporate monopolies, the overwhelming weight of the devaluation of your currency and the lack of faith in your neighbors to achieve a civilization of peace and mutual respect has taken its toll for too long. Although this sounds as if it was taken directly from George Orwell’s book (1984) itself, the propaganda of a utopian government rule and the current everlasting war breathes as it’s on self-reliant organization today. Weary of the multiple political parties that are emerging every three seconds, we are faced with a question that has been proposed since the beginning of logical thinking. Is it†¦show more content†¦The social contract, rather the ideology surrounding the social contract which can be traced back to the imprisonment of Socrates, argues that Socrates refused to escape due to his feeling that it would undermine the values he f elt obligated to of Athens. This may be difficult to comprehend at first. A teacher accepting imprisonment for trying shape the minds of the youth with logic seems unheard of. Yet Socrates accepted his ill fate arguing the point that by his choosing to live in Athens, he was compelled to live by its laws. Dissecting his defiance to escape wrongful imprisonment, we can find the basis of the social contract which is that the people give up their physical freedoms and agree to abide by centralized laws and rules via mutual consent in order to maintain a civil and peaceful society. John Rawls, who is an American political philosopher, urges for a heightened idea of the social contract in his book â€Å"A Theory of Justice† when he states â€Å"the guiding idea is that the principles of justice for the basic structure of society are the object of the original agreement. They are the principles that free and rational persons concerned to further their own interest would accept in an initial position of equality as defining the fundamental terms of their association. These principles are to regulate all further agreements; they specify the kinds ofShow MoreRelatedThe Function of a Social Contract1676 Words   |  7 PagesWhat is the Function of a Social Contract? Philosophers have been concerned with the theories of a social contract for thousands of years. Plato mentions the concept in Crito and in Republic. These theories have stemmed from the concept of justice and for our society to be just. I will look at the works of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau and finally with John Rawls after which a overall view into the function of a social contract can be derived as well as any problems with the theory(s)Read MoreEssay Social Contract664 Words   |  3 Pages The Social Contract- nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Rousseaus principal aim in writing The Social Contract is to determine how freedom may be possible in civil society, and we might do well to pause briefly and understand what he means by quot;freedom.quot; In the state of nature we enjoy the physical freedom of having no restraints on our behavior. By entering into the social contract, we place restraints on our behavior, which make it possible to live in a community. By giving up our physicalRead MoreThe Theory Of Social Contract1709 Words   |  7 Pagesnot an action is deemed ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ can be understood in terms of contracts, and is furthered with the theory of social contract. Additionally, contractualism can be distinguished from Hobbesian contractualism (also known as contractarianism) and Kantian contractualism, whereby the former looks to contracts made by individuals of a society for the sake of personal gain and benefit, while the latter sees to contracts made b y individuals of any given society that consider each other and themselvesRead MoreThe Social Contract Theory1357 Words   |  5 PagesThe social contract theory is the belief that people live in a society with an unwritten and socially accepted contract for a relationship between the people and their government. The people follow certain rules to protect themselves from violence and the like. The government in turn enforces those rules. In the absence of a social contract, the state of nature exists which citizens actions are governed by personal morals and beliefs. In any social contract people vest their rights to the authorityRead MoreA Critique Of The Social Contract1946 Words   |  8 Pages A Critique of the Social Contract According To John Locke Introduction John Locke embedded his political ideas in the form of two treatises popularly known as Two Treatises on Civil Government that he authored in 1690. In the first treatise, Locke disagrees with the political and social philosophy of Robert Filmer in his work known as Patriacha, authored in 1654. The second treatise contains Locke’s viewpoint on political philosophy where he expounds the origin, authority and the significance ofRead MoreConceptions of the Social Contract Theory924 Words   |  4 Pagestheir own version of the social contract theory. The social contract theory is a treaty or an agreement that developed a set of laws, organized a functional society, and created the need to be governed. It was put into place when man realized that there was no law. Mankind eventually sought the desire for security and order. To receive security and order people shall voluntarily give up all their rights and freedoms and be obedient to some sort of authority. The social contract the ory is made up of twoRead MoreSocial Contract And The Civil Society979 Words   |  4 Pages The social contract and the push for individuals to enter it rely on some conception of a state of nature. Whilst the expected behaviour of persons in the state of nature differs among the social contract theorists, the classical writings all share one common feature, a â€Å"generalised potential for threat† from other persons (Dicus 2015, p. 105). However, the nature of this threat in the hypothetical state of nature is not verifiable, as is the transition to civil society. The â€Å"signing† of the socialRead MoreJacques And The Social Contract Theory1287 Words   |  6 Pagessupporter of the social contract theory, which is considered by him as the source of states legitimacy, criticises social inequality, authoritarianism and feudalism. As an important social contract theorist, he also elaborates that people are the creators of law as well as the subject of law and because they will provide themselves with the laws they wish to live by, the people s sovereignty is assured by the societies contract that is created (Bertram, 2010). In his writings The Social Contract or PrinciplesRead MoreState of Nature and Social Contract1323 Words   |  5 PagesHobbes and Locke are the founders of social contract theory, Hobbes’ Leviathan was the first political philosophy to discuss social contract theory and the state of nature followed by John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government, both of their theories are distinct form each other but yet related. Hobbes and lock are both considered the first classical liberals, they differed from other classical philosophers because of their individualistic society, rather than a communal society that promotes theRead MoreWeaknesses Of Social Contract Theory928 Words   |  4 PagesSocial Contract theory is the idea that in the beginning people lived in the state of nature with no government and laws to regulate them. In order to overcome the issues involved in the state of nature, people entered into agreements to protect themselves and their properties. They did this by uniting, rescinding certain rights under the state of nature, and pledging themselves to an authority that will guarantee certain protections. They all agree to live together under those laws and create a

Why Military Members Are Not Getting Paid Enough - 1612 Words

â€Å"Everyone knows the dangers of being in the military. Many military members put their lives on the line every day, which makes them some of the most underpaid people in America. But there are also other considerations, such as working with hazardous materials and in dangerous situations, being on call 24-7/365, and dealing with long term deployments and family separation†(Guina). I will write about why Military members are not getting paid enough, but not all I will be focusing on military members who are single with no dependents and are part of deployable units and I will be comparing them to their civilian counterparts who are in college. According Meyer, â€Å"Americans ages 16-24 on average earn $429 a week, or times 52 = $22,308 a year†, but that was in 2009. In the link he provides to the Bureau of Labor Statistics it shows that in 2015 the average is now $491 a week, and times 52 = $25,532. â€Å"The average age for a recruit is 19, so the typical pay for a 20-year-old sailor is E-2 = $37,637 a year.† (Meyer). This is the basic pay for an average military member who is not married and does not have any dependents. As you can see the difference is over $12,000 and on top of that military members do not have to worry about things like food. While college students have to pay for their meals or go out grocery shopping, single military members have a â€Å"chow hall† which is a military term for cafeteria. Here they are fed three meals a day and never have to use their paycheck onShow MoreRelatedFamily Violence During Military Families Essay1265 Words   |  6 PagesFamily Violence in military families Family violence, including both child maltreatment and spouse abuse, is a public health concern in both military and civilian populations. Physical abuse represents more than 90% of all substantiated cases of spouse abuse in military families, followed by emotional abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse (Tasso, Whitmarsh, Ordway, 2016). There is 4 types of intimate violence (1) patriarchal/intimate terrorism, (2) violence resistance, (3) common/situational coupleRead MoreCredentials And Licenses Of The Army1063 Words   |  5 Pagesto be hired for a job. The Army is a never-ending cycle of entry and exit situations with in the Garrison environment. Throughout every Service members Army career they all have to make that hard decision every term whether they want to continue as a member of the service, or if they will take their and skills to the civilian circuit. Every Service member has weather Private all the way to General all have experience no matter how small or large. Deployments and training rotations areRead MoreVeterans Administration Services Essay example885 Words   |  4 Pagesare a lot that have friends and family to fall back on that have served the military in the past and for the most have a working knowledge of the Veterans Administration services. There are a lot that have no one to receive the past knowledge form. These men and women could have come from a family that is believers of nonviolence to settle thing. They could be from families that have lost all remaining military family members and now have know one to draw their experience from. They could have beenRead MoreImportance of Honor Guard1338 Words   |  6 PagesMasterlinck. Being a volunteer member of a military base honor guard, there are numerous reasons that require full effort and dedication. It is important that we, ceremonial guardsmen, strive to stay true to the creed put forth for us. Respect, integrity, inspiration, professionalism and tradition are key to being an effective member of the honor guard. Millions of men and women have served in the armed forces before me and millions more will serve after. Some have paid the ultimate sacrifice; someRead MoreThe Cost Of A College Education764 Words   |  4 Pagesbelieve they can afford college. Their parents don’t have the money to assist them and they know working a part time job isn’t going to cover the cost of a college education. These students should have the same opportunities as everyone else which is why the government has setup some programs for students that are in need of financial assistance. Many students may wonder what kinds of federal grants are available. There are a number of grants available; some of these are Federal Pell grants, FederalRead MoreThe Issue Of The Matter Of War1444 Words   |  6 PagesThe matter of war is a global issue that affects millions of people every day, hour and minute. It seems many countries have suitable responses in place, however, they fail to filter through specific reasons as to why war happens. It is likely that every war has a justification thus, takes place. The causes of war is a foundation to solving many financial and political dilemmas. Religion, Race and Culture Within religion, citizens feel vulnerable due to a variety of different reasons. In earlyRead MoreMilitary Politics Of The United States1251 Words   |  6 Pagesis someone s grandfather. Military spending affects everyone living in the US, because the nation’s defense is what keeps us safe. Think about this- world threats are rising, and we are an international superpower. The United States need a strong defense, not a cheap one. Although increased military spending could result in more national debt issues, it would provide a strong defense network for the country and create more military jobs and income. (background)Military budgeting has been a longtimeRead MoreBenefits Of A Registered Nurse1717 Words   |  7 Pageswho has more training and experience than a licensed practical nurse and who has passed a special exam† (Merriam Webster Dictionary). They provide patient care, educate patients and the public, and provide advice and support to patients and family members (Occupational Outlook Handbook â€Å"What They Do† www.bls.gov). Nursing is a very rewarding job. They help take care of sick or injured patients, making sure that they receive the best treatment. RNs can make a difference in a patient’s life, and in someRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Eisenhower s Armies 1096 Words   |  5 Pagesto maintain a working relationship and win the war. However, the book isn’t just about World War II, it also contains the history of relations between the two armies from the French and Indian War to the First World War. It also contains how the members of the two a rmies viewed each other and what they learned from each other. While the book is interesting to read and is very informative it contains several historical errors. The book focuses on the interactions between the British and American armiesRead MoreLooking For A Place To Live1075 Words   |  5 Pagesto live in they consider multiple factors. One of these may be the safety of one’s own being, their freedom from danger. In addition, the laws that govern a certain place. Others look into the jobs they offer, question if they’re going to provide enough money to be able to maintain a stable lifestyle. Others look for a better government. The United States would be a phenomenal place to live in because it meets all of these factors. The United States of America consists of fifty states in total in

A Bias for Action free essay sample

But because of lack of reflection and focus, they end up achieving little. 2 Continual, unreflective activity is costly for the individual. Because these managers identify so strongly with their jobs, they tend to get frustrated or hurt more easily when confronted with setbacks, criticism, or mediocre performance. Frenzied managers also act in extremely shortsighted ways. As they do not take time to reflect, they typically deal with immediate problems while neglecting long-term issues. They underestimate the time needed to implement a strategy. They begin activities without analyzing the risks and long-term implications.Motivation and Willpower The authors draw an important distinction between motivation and will power. Motivation might suffice in helping managers sustain organizational routines. But the more important tasks are usually complex and require creativity and innovation. When dealing with ambitious goals, high uncertainty and extreme opposition, managers have to rely on a different force, the power of their will. We will write a custom essay sample on A Bias for Action or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Willpower goes beyond motivation. It enables managers to execute disciplined action, even when they are disinclined to do something, uninspired by the work, or tempted by other opportunities.Willpower gives managers an insatiable need to produce results. They can overcome barriers, deal with setbacks, and persevere to the end. Willful managers resolve to achieve their intention, no matter what. Every manager is capable of engaging willpower. Willpower is neither limited to a certain set of personality traits, nor to a person’s particular work situation. Willpower flourishes when people develop a clear mental picture of their intention, make a conscious choice to pursue that intention, and develop strategies for protecting their intention against distractions, boredom, or frustration.Rather than simply motivate their people, leaders must create a desire for action without encouraging superficiality. Leaders must ignite people’s dreams while preventing them from making hasty promises. Leaders must make commitment more difficult instead of trying to get quick buy-ins. They must force their people to consider conflicts, doubts, anxieties, and ambivalence. They must discuss the difficulties, rather than paint rosy pictures of the necessary tasks. Willful leadership is not easy or intuitive.

Definition of Community Organizing free essay sample

List down at least 5 definitions of CO based on your literature search a. Community organizing Is the process of building power that includes people with a problem In defining their community, defining the problems that they wish to address, the solutions they wish to pursue, and the methods they will use to accomplish their solutions (Susan, Stall Stocker, 1997). B. Community organizing Is social work concentrating upon the organized development of community social welfare through coordination of public and private agencies(Merrier;Webster, 2013) c.Community organizing is a process by which people are brought together to act in common self-interest (Community Organizing, 2007). D. Community organizing is a systematic problem-identification, problem-solving process whereby the community is enabled to: analyze its problems and set priorities, identify needs and prioritize them, identify ways and resources to solve these problems and act collectively to shovel these problems (DOD). . Community Organizing is a social development approach that aims to transform the apathetic, individualistic and voiceless poor Into dynamic, participatory and politically responsive community (Community Organizing, 2008). We will write a custom essay sample on Definition of Community Organizing or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 2. Which of the definitions do you find most appropriate to your course (I. E. CNN)? Why?I think the most appropriate definition of community organizing to my course, community nutrition, Is the definition given by the department of health. Letting the community engage and participate In the Identification of their own nutritional problems Is basis of nutritionist in making programs for the community. The nutritionist is simple the facilitator to the community as they identify problems and eventually solve them collectively.

Our House free essay sample

Every day, when I clamber off the school bus and walk the five minutes to my newly painted yellow house, I have approximately one hour of quiet to begin my homework. An hour later, while I am wrestling with a math equation, I hear the familiar sound of voices and country music rising from downstairs. Each song plays for just a few seconds before it is skipped. As I enter our kitchen I hear Ben attempting to open the front door, pushing extra hard due to a stray shoe wedged in the gap between door and floor. â€Å"Ezra, come put your shoe away,† I call in the direction of the room where fiddle music is blaring unashamedly. Once the shoe has been taken care of, Ben proudly tells me how much milk each cow produced today: â€Å"Stella 15 pounds, Talia 10, and Artemis just five.† He milks them himself by hand on our small farm. We will write a custom essay sample on Our House or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page He runs off, remembering something. I start setting the table when, in a flash, Ben returns, clutching a letter addressed to me. â€Å"Alya, you have mail. Who’s it from? Do you think they will send me a postcard too?† My four siblings, my parents, and I share our home with seven others. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish between them and my family. I was born in Germany. When I was two my parents moved to England to join a community of people who live and work with young adults with disabilities. Three years ago we moved to a similar place called Triform Camphill Community near Hudson, New York. Ben and Ezra are in their early twenties and have learning disabilities. Slowly, the house begins to fill. Alex, Peter, and Laurie join us, and when our two volunteers from Chile and Germany come, it gets quite rowdy. I grew up alongside people perceived as different, but to me they are totally normal. No one can make me laugh as hard as Ezra, no one can describe as eloquently and precisely what is bothering him as Alex, no one gives me comforting advice like Laurie, and no one can rock a costume at Halloween like Peter. On average I am asked more than a hundred questions every day by my extended family, many of which I do not know the answers to. I am peppered from morning to night, but mostly I enjoy the time with my extended siblings. Before every college visit Ezra asks me, â€Å"Alya, do you think I should come along college visiting with you? I know the dean, and I swear he’ll accept you!† The questions can get repetitive, the constant noise and activity exhausting, but there is no place I’d rather be. Every year Triform’s bell choir drives down to New York City to perform at a fundraising event. This past year I went to help. The ride was just like driving in my school bus, with the same arguments and occasional yelps. We arrived and set up, nervous but patiently waiting in concert dress, the bell ringers wearing white gloves. Soon it was our turn and all became quiet in the hall. The curtain rose. Bells ringing and singing voices filled the room. I looked at the faces in the audience and almost everyone was dabbing at their eyes or smiling from ear to ear. We were all overcoming our limitations, creating something beautiful together in that moment. I felt so lucky. The feeling that I saw on the audience’s faces – I get to experience that feeling in our house every day.

Understanding the Darkness of Writer Edgar Allan Poe

Understanding the Darkness of Writer Edgar Allan Poe When trying to get into the mind and works of 19th century American writer Edgar Allan Poe, it is important to first consider his biographical implications – his life experiences – which the influence the work of all artists. His darker works, like the short stories â€Å"The Tell-Tale Heart† and â€Å"The Fall of the House of Usher,† as well as his famous poem â€Å"Annabel Lee,† all deal with death, sickness, the grotesque, the macabre, even insanity. He is a subject studied by many literary scholars, mostly due to his deeply impressionable and penetrating works that are still read and discussed at length today. One can examine Poe’s life experiences, as well as his obsessions and fears, to better understand the meaning behind his most famous works. He experienced death and loss throughout his life, starting from a young age with the untimely death of his mother just a short time after Poe’s father abandoned the family. Also, years later, his young wife, Virginia Poe, died at the age of 24 due to Tuberculosis. Quite naturally, these horrific events had a definite impact on his life and how he related to people, got close to them, and how he saw the life experience, and this naturally seeped into his creative life: his famous writings. Very little of Poe’s life was pleasant, it seems. After achieving literary success with his famous poem â€Å"The Raven† in 1845, Poe – then 36 years of age – seemed to head downhill. He became a literary celebrity quite young, only to die a few years later a broken, ill, lonely and pathetic man on a rainy, empty street one night in Baltimore, Maryland. He was just 40 years of age. Poe was thought to be a drunk, a womanizer, drug addict and a madman. His life was, unfortunately, one of pain, heartache, and suffering – mostly due to the loss of many of his dearest loved ones. Take a look at his most popular works. They are filled with death and horror, tales and stories that even today demonstrate the work of an insane man – maybe even a brilliant one, both of which are often hard to distinguish in Poe’s works. His poem â€Å"Annabel Lee,† tells of a young couple so deeply in love that even the angels in Heaven were envious. They marry but she ultimately falls ill and is taken away from him, she dies too young, and the narrator is left with the cruel memory of the powerful love they shared. This tragic, though famous, poem is evidently the result of losing his young bride, Virginia. It follows the exact same storyline of Poe’s life, and the famous poem was published just a few years after the untimely death of his young bride. This theme of loss, death, and pain runs in other Poe works, as well. In examining â€Å"The Tell-Tale Heart,† his famous, horrific short story, the reader sees the other side of Poe’s dark tendencies. This time, instead of a person losing a loved one, the narrator becomes â€Å"mad† and plays God himself: he kills another person in cold blood because the narrator is obsessed with the man’s frightening â€Å"vulture† eye. Nothing in Poe’s life provides any insight as to this particular tale and this particular indication of mental illness, but one can point to his assumed madness and depression in order to further understand exactly why Poe wrote it. Perhaps he enjoyed the thought of taking the life of another perhaps because God took the life of his closest loved ones. It may have been a revenge fantasy or a defense mechanism. To conclude, writer Edgar Allan Poe was a dark soul who wrote even darker works of English literature. More than 150 years after his death, Poe is still talked about and highly read in classrooms all across the world. In just a short life, he accomplished so much. And it should be acknowledged that he was at least able to turn such a painful experiences into beautiful works of art. His legacy will endure as long as people experience pain and suffering.

Week Six Question Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Week Six Question - Essay Example (Watkins, 2004) One of the key reasons as to why founding fathers of America refused to consider paper money as a legal tender was the unrestrained use and possession of this money thus causing damage to the society. Since paper money was not backed by the real physical assets therefore its issuance and circulation was considered as morally damaging for the society as a whole. Apart from this, the issuance of paper money by some States has created widespread inflationary pressures on the economy. The case of Rhodes Island is considered as an ideal case wherein Rhodes Island not only issued the currency but also passed legislation that if anyone refuses to accept this as a legal tender, he or she may be fined for $100. The uncontrolled use of paper money also became detrimental for the trade in Rhodes Island. This experiment created a widespread dissent among those responsible for development of a unanimously agreed constitution of the country. (Newcomer, 1986) It is important to note that the US Constitution only prohibits States from issuing paper money but it is relatively silent on the powers of the federal government to issue fiat money. It is however, critical to note that US has started to issue paper money much before even the constitution was adapted in the country. The necessary and proper clause in the constitution also gave powers to the federal government to actually pass any law which may be considered as necessary. (Feeley & Rubin, 2008). The constitutional convention also gave silent powers to the federal government to actually issue paper money but it suggested restraining from inserting an explicit clause in the constitution to allow the issuance of paper money in the country. The current system of issuing currency notes in the country therefore also points out to this constitutional issue as US Mint is responsible for issuance of coins in limited numbers where Fed has been

Not a paper 4 questions in statistics Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Not a 4 questions in statistics - Research Paper Example According to the sample data. It will not be correct to say featured crimes are likely to be cleared by arrests. One might confuse that many featured crimes are cleared by simple arrests if he or she literary looks at the ps ratios. However, it is pertinent that one looks at the denominator through which the ratios get obtained. According to those statistics, as much as the featured crimes may portray a great figure, the denominator through which they get obtained is not the same as that of non-crime line crimes. Therefore it is not likely that featured crimes will get cleared through arrests. According the five step model, the level of interactivity between the liberal arts students and that of the other students is inverse, although the average figures may suggest otherwise. The liberal Arts major students interact more with the information in the books given that they are just bus a fraction of the students, yet able to achieve an average close to that of other

Discuss the problems created by high stakes testing, and give testing Essay

Discuss the problems created by high stakes testing, and give testing alternatives - Essay Example These controversies bring about the concept that people, students in particular, are not being tested with the knowledge that they actually know, therefore being graded unfairly. One of the biggest controversies over high-stakes testing is that the creators of the exams seem to be under the mindset that every student sitting the exam has had the same educational experience. For example, the test may make mention of a specific book, yet is done so without the thought that perhaps not every student has read that book. The majority of high-stakes testing are formed with the assumption that everybody should have the same knowledge when, in reality, not every school, or every teacher, follows the same curriculum as the rest of them. Furthermore, students may not have the knowledge through no fault of their own. Not every student is given an equal opportunity to learn the material that will be present on the test. Another issue that can go hand-in-hand with the previously mentioned problem is that high-stakes testing does not correctly measure the knowledge or skills of the individual. The tests tend to focus on specific subjects such as, as aforementioned, a specific book while claiming to see how well a student has been able to grasp English. Instead of focusing on a broader subject that many students may have learned, the creators of these tests seem to want to focus more on narrower subjects that there is a good chance that few students have learned. While the student may understand the concepts, they are unable to use this unread book to help them solve the answers. These tests seem to be measuring more what someone does not know rather than what they do. A third contention in regard to high-stakes testing is that these tests are attached to questionable rewards, such as high school diplomas. As previously mentioned, it is not always the case in which the students are at

Service brokerage: Learning disability services

Service brokerage: Learning disability services Service Brokerage Explore the role of models of commissioning such as service brokerage and direct payments in the provision of services for people with a learning difficulty/disability This essay will discuss how service brokerage helps in the provision of services for people with a learning disability, by starting with commissioning in relation to services. Followed by an explain on how personalisation is about giving people the power and responsibility to choose what services they want and control over how they are delivered. Subsequently describing service brokerage and how it would help people with learning disabilities. The term Commissioning is described as a process of assessing how a persons need is to be met, through priorities and choices, and allocation of resources. Once this stage has been achieved decisions are made on how services will be delivered, planned and developed by monitoring and evaluating the delivery and effectiveness of services. All the stages in the commissioning process are interlinked and dependent on each other to ensure the best outcome for people. In recent years, the Government has publicised a number of initiatives that would change the way that services for learning disabled people are planned, commissioned and provided, to ensure that learning disabled people have greater choice and control over their lives through personalisation. Personalisation is a moderately new term and has generated different thoughts on what it will mean and how it will work in practice. The idea of personalisation has become central to the Governments policy on social care reform in helping people to become empowered by shaping their own lives and the services they receive (Cabinet Office, 2007, Building on Progress: Public Services).The Government White Paper Our health, our care, our say (2006) gives details of the Governments vision to create real changes, by allowing people more choice and greater access to both health and social care services. This transformation of social care and the personalisation agenda is reinforced in the Governments strategy Putting People First (Department of Health White Paper, 2007). Personalisation reinforces the idea the individual knows best what they need and how those needs can be best met. This allows people to be responsible for themselves and can make their own decisions about what they require, but that they should also have information and support to enable them to do so. In this way services should respond to the individual instead of the person having to fit with the service. Brokerage is a way in which people with learning disabilities can be helped to navigate the social care system. Support planning and brokerage is likely to be of benefit to anyone who receives social care funding, those people who privately pay for their own care, people who are looking for unpaid informal support as well as people who use other sources of funding to assist with leading their lives the way they want to Brokers provide information, advice and technical assistance to develop, cost, negotiate, implement and mediate PLANS as required by individuals. Salisbury B. and Webb P. (2003) Service brokerage was developed in 1978 in British Columbia, by The Woodlands Parents Group, a body of parents who were concerned about the lack of quality of life their children were experiencing in an institutionalized setting. They established a voluntary, community-based brokerage agency called the Community Living Society (CLS). The society was authorised to act as a planning and linkage medium, enabling individuals with learning disabilities (and their families) to navigate what seemed to be a difficult system; to empower decision-making control in identifying and acquiring services that would enable them to live more dignified and self-determining lives in their own communities. It has since been developed and refined and adopted by projects in the United States and a few in the UK, as service brokerage in Britain has until now been the interest of a select few policy makers and academics. However, some schemes do not entirely follow the Canadian model; and, equally, some schemes which are not called service brokerage may integrate the main features. Whilst the language of brokerage may appear new, the functions of brokerage are not and many people will have been receiving this sort of support as part of their existing support arrangements. Therefore this can make Service brokerage a term that can be used to mean many different things to many different people. The role of the broker is: an intermediary who arranges a contract between a purchaser and provider of services. However, in the term of provision of services to people with learning disabilities, the role of the broker has developed to have a wider scope. While the role has been accepted in principle by the government, the details remain undecided in policy, and the cause of much debate and confusion. In that various functions of brokerage could be carried out by a variety of different personal supporters to the individual, as support staff employed by service providers, local authorities can perform brokerage tasks. Because of the roles that support brokers play, the decisions that they make on behalf of the individuals they support can lead to conflicts of interest. Therefore, ideally an independent professional should be the best option to provide support brokerage to people with learning disabilities, i.e. free from accountability or loyalties to the council authorities or service providers, so that they are able to focus on the requirements of the person they are assisting. The independent broker would be directed by the customer and accountable to him/her and working only for their best interests. The broker may also have to work with the family or personal circle of supporters, whilst recognising that the family especially may have conflicting interests to those of the individual. As a broker s/he should remain focused on the aims of the individual and work to their direction; at the same time, it will be important to maintain respectful contact with others concerned and to mediate and negotiate resolution of any conflict. Freedom from conflict of interest and accountability to the individual establishes a good basis for trust. The brokers ethical standards must ensure that they operate within the limits agreed by the individual and within appropriate boundaries of the role and that the relationship is free of any exploitation or abuse. Although working independently, the broker will be able to be more effective if seen by all as competent and trustworthy. People who become brokers (or offer brokerage support) will need to become expert information gatherers and interpreters (CSIP. 2007:11) A support broker is trained to co-ordinate the process of organizing and maintaining a support package for an individual, By supporting individuals make informed choices about their care needs and choosing what services support that best fits those needs, including arranging complex care packages, service finding, service arranging, short term enabling community support and signposting Brokerage can be provided by people who are specifically trained and employed as brokers or by members of the individuals family or friends who may not be paid to undertake the role. The National Brokerage Network promotes a training package, which includes reflective practice and an ongoing commitment from the broker that continual self development is expected. In addition to this a mentoring and supervision programme is also promoted. The National Brokerage Network an authoritative voice for the development of brokerage in the UK, will take a lead role in lobbying politicians and policy makers with the views of the support broker movement and hopes to provide strong leadership and guidance in the development of the growing network. However service brokerage does have its limitations, in that service users have never heard of it. This is mainly due to organisations that represented service users, not being made aware of brokerage or being provided inadequate information about how it worked. Meaning most organisations did not see it as a priority. Service brokerage was meant to increase empowerment for service users, however the lack of promotion in the United Kingdom has left service users excluded and not empowered. Yet other organisations that represent people with learning disabilities are opposed to service brokerage, viewing it as foreign import that has no place in the United Kingdom or in the plans for helping people with disabilities lead an independent life. There is a danger that professionals will take over the role of broker in brokerage, employed by service providers or local authorities, this can lead to a conflict of interests when planning for people with learning disabilities. Brokerage does have good points when it comes to helping in the provision of services for people with learning disabilities, in that a broker is directed by the person with learning disabilities to carry out the tasks necessary for greater control and choice in their lives. In situations where a person may have no informal network of support, a broker can provide the support to carry out the brokerage tasks. An independent broker who is not employed by a service provider or by local authority is outside of the perceived conflict of interests i.e. connection to resources and or the provision of services, and therefore in a better position to give advice, support and implement plans. Brokers are in a good to position to navigate the provider market and see what is available, how the services can be provided and developed and respond to the individuals requirements. The development of brokers can lead to a wealth of local expertise of both support services and/or community resources If brokerage is to achieve its aims, the following key points will require attention or further exploration: brokerage needs to be clearly defined and explained so that the function is understood by people who may need to use brokerage services. Brokerage needs to be advertised to the general public as well as to people with learning disabilities, as many people have never heard of service brokerage or know of its existence. Brokerage allows for personalisation of services for someone with a learning disability, as the person can choose what services they want and how they would like them, this helps the learning disabled person have control over their life and chose how they would like to live their life from day to day. This allows people to be responsible for themselves and can make their own decisions about what they require, the broker provides the information and support to enable them to do. Brokerage is a way in which people with learning disabilities can be helped to navigate the social care system.As Support Brokerage is a key element that enables Personal Budgets and Self Directed Support to work. 3 References Salisbury B. and Webb P. (2003) Service brokers parameters of best practice San Diego. commissioning http://www.doncaster.gov.uk/about/chamber/default.asp?Nav=ReportReportID=9195 http://www.thecbf.org.uk/planning-future/england/knowhelp.htm Self-Directed Support: The role of Support Brokerage within Individual Budgets. Jan 2007. CSIP. Accessed on 23 February 2010 from www.networks.csip.org.uk/personalisationbrokerageadviceandinformationsupport http://www.nationalbrokeragenetwork.org.uk/information.html http://moneycarer.org.uk/articles/articles/29/1/Support-Brokerage-For-Care-Services/Page1.html http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/socserv_adultcommld 3

Comparing Christina Rossetti’s Goblin Market and William Wordsworth’s T

Comparing Christina Rossetti’s Goblin Market and William Wordsworth’s The Thorn On the surface, the poems â€Å"Goblin Market† by Christina Rossetti and â€Å"The Thorn† by William Wordsworth appear to be very different literary works. â€Å"Goblin Market† was written by a young woman in the Victorian period about two sisters who develop a special bond through the rescue of one sister by the other. â€Å"The Thorn† was written by the Romantic poet William Wordsworth about a middle-aged man and his experience overlooking a woman’s emotional breakdown. Material to understanding the works â€Å"Goblin Market† and â€Å"The Thorn† is recognizing the common underlying themes of sex and gender and how these themes affect perspective in both poems. In Christina Rossetti’s â€Å"Goblin Market,† the main foci are on feminism and the oppression of women by men. The first part of Rossetti’s message is given through her thoughts on feminism, which is surely a major theme in this poem. For instance, the two main characters, Laura and Lizzie, reside free of any positive male interaction. Considering Rossetti’s background as part of Victorian society, the conclusion can be made that Rossetti longed for a place where she could be free of masculine overbearance. Even so, she understood the impossibility of any such personally ideal world. The poem illustrates this realization by including the Goblin men, who seem to haunt the female characters. The Goblin men’s low-pitched cries follow the girls. Laura and Lizzie constantly hear the goblins in the forest: â€Å"†¦Morning and evening / Maids heard the goblins cry†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Rossetti, 1713.) Even while the characters were a lone or in the exclusive presence of women, the presence of the Goblin men exist... ...seful miscommunication between men and women. Lastly, when looking through the imagined perspective of the thoughtless male tricksters, the reader is shown the heartlessness of men. After this reader’s final consideration, the main theme in each of the presented poems is that both authors saw women as victims of a male dominated society. Works Cited: Jackson, Geoffrey. â€Å"Moral Dimensions of ‘The Thorn.’† Wordsworth Circle. 10 (1979): 91-96. Mermin, Dorothy. â€Å"Heroic Sisterhood in ‘Goblin Market.’† Victorian Poetry. 21 (1983): 107-118. Rossetti, Christina. â€Å"Goblin Market.† The Longman Anthology of British Literature: Vol. 2B. Ed. David Damrosch, et al. New York: Longman, 1999. 1712-1724. Wordsworth, William. â€Å"The Thorn.† The Longman Anthology of British Literature: Vol. 2B. Ed. David Damrosch, et al. New York: Longman, 1999. 319-325.

How the Prologue in Romeo and Juliet Prepares the Audience for the Play Essay

The prologue to Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ prepares the audience by making a short summary of the play so it gets the audience thinking about what the story is about. The prologue is a sonnet which is a 14 line poem, it is also known as an english, elizabethan sonnet which contains 3 quatrains and a rhyming couplet. A sonnet is usually a love poem and that is exactly what ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is about. The first quatrain of the sonnet is about the feud and conflict between the two families. Both of the families have the same status ‘ both alike in dignity’ but they seem to be holding a ‘grudge’ against each other, we aren’t told what causes the hate within the two houses but it is there and drags the households into fights this is particulaly shown in line 4 ‘where civil blood make civil hands unclean’ the word ‘blood’ is meaning that death and injuries occur due to the feud the families have. ‘Civil’ is meant to mean poliet or fair which is a bit ironic since there isn’t any politeness. The second quatrain is about the lovers, Romeo and Juliet, and their deaths. ‘From forth the fatal loins of these two foes’ this line is saying that the two household enemies have produced a pair of lovers, this is mainly emphasised in the phrase ‘ fatal loins’ this implies that these being in love is deadly and they are also involved with the feud of their parents. It also means that their fate has been decided and that death will be their destiny. The second line ‘A pair of star cross’d lovers take their life† this is implying that the stars which is meaning their destinies, since they believed that stars told their destiny like horoscopes, so being star cross’d lovers means that their destinies are entwined but they are also against each other due to the feud. The last line of the second quatrain ‘doth with their death bury their parents’ strife’ this shows that in order to end the feud the deaths of Romeo and Juliet seem to take affect on their parents. The next quatrain is about both love and hate. The first line ‘The fearful passage of their death-marked love’ this means that all the events that they go through will lead them them to their destinies of death. The second line says that their parents anger is something that isn’t easy to take away but in the next line ‘which but their children’s end, nought could remove’ this means that the only thing they can’t stop is their children’s death and it was caused by their hatred to one another. The last line ‘is now the two hours’ traffic of our stage’ this implies that the events that they have mentioned will now take place on the stage by the actors. The rhyming couplet is the last to lines of the sonnet. ‘The which, if you with patient ears attend, what here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.’ These two lines are now directed to the audience and that now they are going to show them the play if they are willing to stay. The phrase ‘patient ears attend’ show that because they are on a stage they don’t usually use scenery so you have to listen and use their imagination to help what is happening. In conclusion the prologue to Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ prepare the audience for the play by mentioning the key facts to the play so they know what to expect when that particular event is being performed also it helps to explain the parts of the play which seem to be a mystery like the parents hatred, the audience would not know that the two families are meant to be sharing the same status just that there are two groups who don’t like each other. It also prepares the audience like a warning saying that death will occur in the play as well as love and hatred.

Chemical Control vs Biological Control Essays

Chemical Control vs Biological Control Essays Chemical Control vs Biological Control Essay Chemical Control vs Biological Control Essay Chemical Control Chemical pesticides are substances that are manufactured in laboratories that, when applied to crops, reduce the vitality of pest populations while leaving crops unharmed. There are many chemicals available to help eradicate common pests in a number of ways. Chemical controls can kill pests that come in contact with the chemical (toxicants), eliminate the reproductive potential of pests (sterilants), disrupt their developmental potential (growth regulators) or influence their behaviour (semiochemicals). Most of these chemical controls are fast acting and effective. Biological Control Biological control methods employ the use of living organisms such as predators, parasites and pathogens to control the populations of pests on agricultural crops. Biological control agents can be bred and reared in large numbers and then released into infected crops to reduce the populations of pests (augmentation) or simple land conservation measures can be implemented on agricultural lands that maintain healthy populations of native predators (conservation). Many pests that cause damages to crops thrive because they are invasive and have no natural predators. Finding and importing predators of these invasive pests is essential for effective biological pest control. Benefits Chemical controls are cheap and readily available. Chemical controls, especially toxicants, have been in use since the 1940s and have remained in popular use due to their fast acting and effective results in controlling pest populations. Many new chemicals have been developed in recent years that are even more efficient in controlling pests, maintaining the popularity of chemical control in agricultural practices. However, biological control has seen an increase in use in recent years due to its perennial and organic nature. Many biological control methods remain in effect year after year, limiting pests without any additional costs or synthetic additives to the natural environment. Considerations While chemical controls are often effective they are usually seasonal and require reapplication with each growing season. Biological controls may take a longer period of time to see the desired results, but they only require the initial investment and ntroduction to control pests. Chemical controls also have additional environmental costs. Many chemical pesticides are persistent in the environment, damage organisms other than the pests they are meant to control (including humans) and are not permanently effective, as pest populations can build up a resistance to chemicals over time. Thus, while chemical controls may be more economical and effective in the short term, their use requires caution and consideration for future costs, both environmental and economic. Integration While some landowners look only at seasonal profits and depend on chemical methods, others contemplate only the environmental sustainability of their practices and opt for biological methods. However, many landowners blend chemical and well as reduce the environmental impact on their land. The use of multiple pest control methods is referred to as integrated pest management (IPM). Dense infestations often require the potency of chemical pest control but limited application, coupled with preventative biological control, is the most effective agricultural management practice.

Choosing the Best Anti-Fouling Paint

Choosing the Best Anti-Fouling Paint The earliest anti-fouling systems consisted of two elements. The first was a metal scraper and the second was the lowest ranking sailor on the vessel. But seriously, the buildup of biological matter on the submerged hull is a huge problem for the material and for the efficiency of the vessel. The task of manually scraping bottoms was made much easier when sheet copper was fastened to the bottom of wooden hulled ships. Eventually the technology advanced to produce paint that held copper compounds and slowly released them into the environment. The next major breakthrough was tributyltin which worked very well but it was so toxic to the environment that it was banned three decades later. Improved copper based paints and non-copper alternatives are now available. In fact there are so many specialized paints it’s difficult to leave the copper behind to try something else. Why change? Well in some areas we are already seeing the signs that point to widespread bans. Northern Europe and the West Coast of the U.S. are phasing in bans in some areas and more will follow. Types of Anti-Fouling Paints Ablative Anti-Fouling Anti-fouling paints take different strategies to meet the goal of eliminating plant, animal, and algae growth on the wet parts of the hull. There are three common types of anti-foul available. The most common is ablative paint which wears away like a bar of soap. This soap analogy is very old but really works well for this type of paint. If you use your vessel regularly there should be no problem wearing away the growth. Seasonal boats that have long periods of disuse will not benefit as much of the cleaning takes place while underway. This paint works well since animals like the zebra mussel have difficulty finding a firm hold. They are generally pulled off as the vessel moves through the water. A moderate amount of maintenance is required for this coating since it must be applied to last until the next haul out. Large vessels that cannot be hauled should use a more durable paint. Copolymer Anti-Fouling Copolymers are much tougher than ablatives and don’t have some of the disadvantages of hard paints. They can be exposed to air during maintenance and not lose potency. There is also little chance of paint build up since copolymers are designed to ablate at a much slower rate than a true ablative paint. Unless you have a specific need for an ablative or hard paint this is often the best choice. It is also the safe option if a location has unknown conditions. Some people refer to these as slow polishing paints. Hard Anti-Fouling When a vessel gets to a certain size you no longer want the expense of dry dock or haul out. This is where hard coatings shine. The most common base for these paints is epoxy or some other tough polymer. It releases biocide constantly by allowing the poison to migrate to the surface of the paint and leaches fewer toxins away in the process. This is durable stuff and it does not come off in harsh conditions. In fact it must be removed mechanically by blasting or sanding. Because of the pollution potential of the runoff or dust from these processes produce toxic wastes that have significant costs of disposal. The cost of these paints is generally higher due to specialized application processes. For a smooth finish these paints should be sprayed while the others can be applied by roller and brush. Since this is a low maintenance solution most large commercial vessels use this type of paint. The Biocides Biocides are the toxic element in the paint which deters life from attaching to the hull. There are several types and sometimes combinations in the same product. Cuprous Oxide – This is the most common biocide by far. It is also the target of environmental regulators because it is building up in harbors. This is not necessarily because the bottom paint is leaching too much copper. The problem is thought to be caused by the power washing, scrubbing and sanding done on thousands of recreational vessels.Almost all of this runoff has a short trip from the bottom of the boat to the water it was almost never collected in the past. New regulations are now requiring marinas to collect this waste and dispose of it properly. This will increase the overall cost of maintenance and some services may no longer be available. Cuprous Thiocyanate – Similar in behavior to cuprous oxide but stronger biocides make it useful for high foul areas or low use vessels. Composite Copper – This is still copper but in a better package. The copper is encapsulated in another material that makes it less likely to leach beyond the needed rate. Silica is currently being used as a matrix but this is a rapidly advancing technology. Pyrithione Zinc – One of the best copper alternatives. Alternatives to copper are increasing as bans become inevitable. This biocide is not generally recommended for high fouling areas like the tropics. Non-Metalic Biocides – These are fairly new to the market and are composed of organic molecules most likely modeled from compounds found on a living creature. Anti-Foulings of the Future The future is super slippery and we have been promised something that is more of a thin film than paint. The first of these products have come to market and are best for low-fouling areas. They hold a lot of promise since they have no biocide and may last for the life of the vessel when fully developed. Imagine the days when a coating goes on at the shipyard and never needs replacement and at the same time improves efficiency. Until then somebody go get the scraper. Nanoparticles also hold some promise for the future of low friction coatings of all types.

Public International Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 2

Public International Law - Essay Example Jus cogens symbolizes principles of international law that are considered to be so fundamental that no nation can ignore them. In particular, where international crimes are alleged to have been committed by a former head of State, it is even more important that justice is not executed by local authorities but by the application of the principles of international law, which can ensure that justice is done through the application of impartial principles that are universally valid. In the context of the trail against Saddam Hussein for crimes against humanity, the Iraqi ruler was guilty of crimes against humanity, which by application of the principle of jus cogens would involve the fundamental application of international criminal law. According to Michael Sharf, the Saddam Hussein trial can be classed as one of the most important cases in international law because (a) the scale of atrocities was high (b) Hussein was a top ranking leader (c) interest of the international community due to the coalition led against Iraq (d) sets a legal precedent for international crimes and (e) effect of the trial and whether it was perceived as fair.

Employee motivation and Incentives Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Employee motivation and Incentives - Coursework Example Positive recognition is another very important factor, if an employee comes up with a great solution to a problem, he should be rewarded and appreciated for his creativity, this will also make the organization competition and the other employees will also put their thinking caps on. The fourth and the last method is by providing stock options to the employees, they will not only work for the same organization but they will start going that extra mile to ensure their growth, these are some of the best ways to hold on to employees who perform well in an organization. The most lucrative of all is the employee stock option, employees start working very hard after buying the shares of an organization and that organization grows by leaps and bounds. Part 2: The most common type of compensation is salary, almost every organization compensates its employees by paying them their salaries, organizations who think out of the box give their employees regular performance related bonuses which is the second type of compensation.

What do Investors Look for in a Business Plan Dos and Donts in a Thesis

What do Investors Look for in a Business Plan Dos and Donts in a Business Plan - Thesis Example This analysis supports the entrepreneur in his decision on what to do next in the process of execution. Thus planning reveals whether it is justifiable to continue with the venture or abandon it. This makes business plans one of the most widely regarded aspects of pre-startup planning (Honig & Karlsson, 2004). The value of planning cannot be questioned because most investors wish to see a business plan first which helps them decided whether to invest or not (Mason & Stark, 2004). However, entrepreneurs, being young and inexperienced, are unable to define their businesses in line with the business plans. The poor business plans that they draw up do not reflect their business objectives. Because of the lack of knowledge and information the business plans do not reflect the mission, objectives, plan of action and financial projections in a manner to attract investors. These challenges lead to greater issues and may even lead to abandoning of projects. They may realize that lack of planning is the cause but by this time they have ended burning up valuable resources such as time and money. A business plan defines how the venture is expected to operate in the current environment. A business plan is essential for both internal and external purposes. Entrepreneurs may have brilliant ideas to start a new venture. They may also have the resources to implement their ideas. However, unless the ideas and plans are compiled together it could soon become confusing for the entrepreneurs as well. Planning is an opportunity evaluation and is important for an entrepreneur who is faced with the decision to enter the market. Therefore, a business plan is absolutely necessary to start a new venture, to attract investors and more importantly, to make the entrepreneurs aware of what they expect to achieve from their business activities. Awe (2006) refers to the Webster definition of an entrepreneur and describes it as â€Å"one who organizes, manages and assumes the risks of

Distinctive toys and games Essay Example for Free

Distinctive toys and games Essay The claim that childhood as we know it is essentially a creation of the 20th century. is led by Phillippe Aries, a French historian, he carried out detailed studies of the developing nature of childhood and family in France and England from pre-modern to modern times. He suggests that childhood, as we know it, meaning the idea of a child individuality, separate from adults is basically the creation of the 20th century. His argument was that in previous times children were effectively miniature adults, and were treated as such. Historical sociologists pointed out how in the past games and play were not separate childhood activities but things in which adults engaged in too, and that they took interest in dolls houses and dresses, and model soldiers. Childhood is actually something, which is exclusive to our own culture and times. Children were part of the adult world with the progress of industrialisation they have been pushed into a specific category and are thought of and considered different to adults. Factors of the problem originated in the middle classes including religious reasons, humanitarian reasons, the need to produce future workers who were numerate and literate, the need to get children off streets and give them a moral upbringing. However it was the working class who confronted moves to remove children from jobs and move them towards compulsory education. Many families were dependent on extra wages, which were brought in by children, to stave of poverty. However can we trust Aries evidence as it is all secondary data and paintings of people who were royalty or rich women not of ordinary people. Childhood in the 21st century is different from childhood in the 16th century or working class childhood in the 19th century. There used to be a large number of orphans, which meant that many children had to look after themselves.  Aries believes that childhood is not just a biological state associated with immaturity and adolescence, it is also a social experience, which differs from one historical period to another. Aries and Lawrence Stone suggest that in medieval society the idea of childhood and adolescence, as independent categories to adults did not exist. Children were considered little adults. They took part in the same work and play activities as adults. They didnt have distinctive toys and games, we now take for granted as childish things. Children were not considered as special as is today. People were indifferent to them even unfriendly. This was probably due to high infant mortality. One quarter or more infants did not survive their first year compared with less than one per cent of infants in the West today. Stone argues a similar view he suggests that pre-industrial families were a unit of production working on land or occupied in crafts together. Children were prepared to help parents from a very young age. Those who did not help with household production usually left to become servants or apprentices. After industrialisation there is some evidence that these attitudes towards children continued, especially in the working class where children were repeatedly found to be increasing family income by working in factories, mines and mills. The middle-class attitudes towards children started to change in this period, when there was a growth in parental and marital love in middle-class families and as infant mortality rate started to fall, although there was a growth in the authoritarian power of fathers.

Computers :: essays research papers

Computers Computer are electronic device that can receive a set of instructions, or program, and then carry out a program by performing calculations on numbered data or by compiling and correlating other forms of information. The old world of technology could not believe about the making of computers. Different types and sizes of computers find uses throughout our world in the handling of data including secret governmental files and making banking transactions to private household accounts. Computers have opened up a new world in manufacturing through the developments of automation, and they have made modern communication systems. They are great tools in almost everything you want to do research and applied technology, including constructing models of the universe to producing tomorrow's weather reports, and their use has in itself opened up new areas of development. Database services and computer networks make available a great variety of information sources. The same new designs also make possible ideas of privacy and of restricted information sources, but computer crime has become a very important risk that society must face if it would enjoy the benefits of modern technology. Two main types of computers are in use today, analog and digital, although the term computer is often used to mean only the digital type. Everything that a digital computer does is based on one operation the ability to determine if a switch, or gate is open or closed. That is, the computer can recognize only two states in any of its microscopic circuits on or off, high voltage or low voltage, or—in the case of numbers—0 or 1. The speed at which the computer performs this simple act, however, is what makes it a marvel of modern technology. Computer speeds are measured in megaHertz, or millions of cycles per second. A computer with a "clock speed" of 10 mHz—a fairly representative speed for a microcomputer—is capable of executing 10 million discrete operations each second. Business microcomputers can perform 15 to 40 million operations per second, and supercomputers used in research and defense applications attain speeds of billions of cycles per second. Digital computer speed and calculating power are further enhanced by the amount of data handled during each cycle. If a computer checks only one switch at a time, that switch can represent only two commands or numbers; thus ON would symbolize one operation or number, and OFF would symbolize another. By checking groups of switches linked as a unit, however, the computer increases the number of operations it can recognize at each cycle. The first adding machine, a precursor of the digital computer, was

Total Quality Management (TQM) :: GCSE Business Marketing Coursework

Total Quality Management Total Quality Management is a structured system for satisfying internal and external customers and suppliers by integrating the business environment, continuous improvement, and breakthroughs with development, improvement, and maintenance cycles while changing organizational culture. A remarkable thing is happening as we see the awakening of the individual and the collaboration of empowered people in the team effort of total quality management. It is a renewing, a reinforcing and a building of a bridge of trust among the individuals responsible for accomplishing a common goal (The Total Quality Review; May 1994). One of the goals is to build an organizational environment conducive to job redesign and cross training in order to facilitate job flexibility. TQM initiatives in areas of common concern provide an opportunity to form and better control the relationship with a company's external vital customers and suppliers. TQM is essential for companies seeking to provide quality goods and services to their customers. The end result is that they will enjoy prosperity and long-term growth. "In order to compete in a global economy, our products, systems and services must be of a higher quality than our competition. Increasing Total Quality is our number on priority here at Hewlett-Packard. -John Young, President of Hewlett-Packard" (www.dmu.ac.uk.htm). Often companies find themselves faced with a dilemma that is rooted to a lack of TQM. This was the case with Apple Computers. They were unable to conceive a working, productive relationship between their managers and engineers. Apple found themselves unable to alleviate this problem, which ultimately hindered it from responding to environmental changes. The positive effects of TQM has transcended down through the ranks. Non-profit organizations have begun to embrace TQM throughout their organization, relying on the positive results found throughout the business world. Even the Health care industry has initiated TQM to promote excellence in nursing, urging nurses to apply quality improvement.

Consolidating the Directv Acquisition

Case 7: News Corp. in 2005, Consolidating the DirecTV acquisition The case focuses on the acquisition and consolidation of DirecTV by media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. After the acquisition, Murdoch’s content-and-distribution empire spanned four continents, with more than 26 million subscribers. Murdoch, News Corp. ’s chairman, had ambitions to build one of the most powerful media companies in the world. He aspired to have a balance between subscription and advertising revenue, the best mix of content and distribution and the widest geographic spread in the world.There are a various aspects of the general environment firstly; the political/legal aspect of the general environment was initially most significant in the purchase of DirecTV by News Corp. FTC concerns of potential market concentration issues if EchoStar purchased DirecTV forced the two to drop discussion, paving the way for News Corp. ’s purchase of DirecTV. Technology is probably the most important current aspect of the general environment.Secondly, Demographic segment Growing markets worldwide for various communication and entertainment media content. Thirdly, Socio-cultural segment largely due to rapid changes in technology, as well as increased overall globalization efforts, consumers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the quality and type of communication and entertainment that they expect. Communication, news and entertainment provided by DirecTV and similar services have become viewed as nearly a necessity in a modern world.Fourthly, Economic segment while general economic conditions and level of economic development in a particular country or region may hinder some feasibility of these types of services, in general, they are needed and used by markets worldwide regardless of overall economic conditions. Fifthly, Political/legal segment The FTC, the government’s watchdog arm that oversees competition policy, is responsible for ensuring that cons umers’ interests are protected. If an industry is getting increasingly concentrated, the FTC can use antitrust laws to prevent further consolidation of the industry or break up previous consolidation.The FCC, the government’s watchdog arm that oversees the communications industry, is responsible for overseeing companies that sell communications products and services. Finally, Technological/global segment The 1980s and 1990s saw a worldwide race to deliver television programs to global markets. Cable operators invested in laying cables and beamed programming content through these cables into subscribers’ homes. Satellite television had a much wider reach, because satellites orbiting the earth sent the programming content directly into the home without the need for a cable connection.By 2000, cable had an important advantage over satellite in that it offered high-speed, two-way access, including phone capability. Satellite was still mostly one-way. However, it wou ld take cable companies years of multi-million dollar investments to upgrade to digital technology. DirecTV competes in a broadly defined media industry. Several sectors of this industry might include communications (e. g. telephone, internet, cable, satellite TV), news services, entertainment (e. g. , cable and network programming, movies, pay per view, gaming). There are various characteristics of the dominant industry.Market size is the most providers are regional or national competitors, depending on the facet of media in which they compete. Life cycle stage is growth. Growth rate is rapid. Scope of rivalry is fragmented in some respects, but rivalry is fierce among those that go head to head in specific sectors. Rivalry concentration is the media industry is dominated by large and powerful companies, but most of these are regional, national or multi-national players. Pace of industry change is the technology change is rapid in telecommunications and related fields, which drives significant rapid change in all aspects of media.Product/service differentiation is the consumers often have changing options for substitute products. Porter's five forces model of competition to the industry. Generally media is a very attractive industry with substantial growth opportunities, both domestically and internationally. Extensive economies of scope and scale are becoming increasingly influential in this industry and its related sectors. Threat of entry: new technologies fuel the constant threat of new entrants into some facet of content and/or delivery in the media industry. Bargaining power of suppliers: Bargaining power of suppliers is not significant here.Content suppliers must deal with DirecTV due to its massive size and market share. Bargaining power of buyers: Customers’ bargaining power is very significant, as consumers increasingly have choices of how and when they take delivery of content. Threat of substitute products: many potential substitutes exist, along with many ways to access content. Rivalry amongst existing competitors: Rivalry is fierce, as News Corp. had substantial content that cable providers needed for product scope, permitting premium pricing. Cable and satellite are constantly battling for new or switching customers.Critical success factors DirecTV must continue to be aggressive in its acquisition and implementation of new technology. They must also be keenly aware of customer tastes and preferences for content and delivery options. There are two types of resources Tangible and intangible. News Corp. ’s tangible resources are its global satellite platform and its strength in both content and distribution, as well as an impressive set of fast-growing networks such as Fox News, Fox Sports, National Geographic and Speed Channel and satellite distribution in Europe, Asia and Australia. Before its acquisition of DirecTV, News Corp. as a global company, but had no direct broadcast satellite presence in the United States. DirecTV had three primary components at the time it was acquired by News Corp. , all of which appear useful for expanding News Corp’s scale and scope of offerings: it was the largest US provider of direct broadcast satellite, giving customers access to hundreds of channels of digital-quality video and audio programming; PanAmSat owned and operated 25 satellites that covered 98% of the world’s population; and broadband satellite networks and services were provided to both consumers and enterprises.Intangible resources an aggressive corporate culture used to dealing in the high-pressure, ever-changing media industry, which fuels significant interest in developing scope and scale of product content and delivery. There are unique internal resources and capabilities of DirecTV that played a prominent role in Murdoch’s decision to acquire DirecTV. DirecTV was the first entertainment service in the US to deliver all digital-quality multi-channels TV programmin g through an 18-inch satellite dish. In 2003 DirecTV had 12. million subscribers, 10. 7 million of which were DirecTV subscribers, and the remaining receiving DirecTV service from members and affiliates of the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative. This unique capability potentially provided Murdoch with a vast American market and the ability to shake his programming from the seeming stranglehold of American cable companies. The rivalry like between News Corp. and its competitor(s) during the acquisition of DirecTV. In September 2000, Murdoch offered $22 billion for a 35% stake in DirecTV.In Feb 2001 Hughes stock declined, and Murdoch reduced his bid for a 30% stake. As News Corp. negotiated with Hughes Electronics for the sale of DirecTV, the progress was very slow. In 2001, EchoStar surprised many by making an unsolicited bid to buy Hughes for $30. 4 billion in stock and $1. 9 billion in assumed debt. EchoStar was in the US satellite pay-tv market and a combined DirecTV an d EchoStar would control as much as 92% of that market. Murdoch used this knowledge to lobby intensely to block the merger on antitrust grounds, and DirecTV and EchoStar dropped their deal.In April 2003, News Corp. acquired GM’s 19. 9% stake in Hughes and a further 14. 1% from public stakeholders. The feature of the external environment does News Corp. use to fend off its rivals. Murdoch used a US government regulatory body, the FTC, to make sure that his rival EchoStar did not get a chance to buy DirecTV. He forced the issue to the FTC that combination of DirecTV and EchoStar would create a monster that would control 92% of the market. Once the sale to EchoStar was blocked, News Corp. went forward and made a successful bid for the purchase of DirecTV.The News Corp. integrates the newly acquired DirecTV into its global strategy. DirecTV was immediately re-structured. Labor disputes were settled and half the employees were retrenched. DirecTV became increasingly focused on cor e business, selling its 80% stake in the satellite launch business for $2. 5 billion, and its set-top-box manufacturing and XM Satellite Radio. The proceeds of these sales were used to pay about $1. 4 billion for rural satellite companies that had 1. 5 million subscribers, dramatically increasing market share.The factors inhibit News Corp’s strategy from delivering its full potential. In order to close the DirecTV deal, News Corp. had to make some concessions: (1) Since the FCC had already banned large cable operators from discriminating against rival programmers, DirecTV could not use its muscle power to its full advantage (2) News Corp. had to submit to arbitration if cable operators accused it of using its popular channels as bargaining tools. These restrictions were temporary, as they expired within six years.

How to Find the Mean of a Set of Numbers Formula and Examples

How to Find the Mean of a Set of Numbers Formula and Examples SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Are you taking the SAT or ACT and want to make sure you know how to work with data sets? Or maybe you’re looking to refresh your memory for a high school or college math class. Whatever the case, it’s important you know how to find the mean of a data set. We'll explain what the mean is used for in math, how to calculate the mean, and what problems about the mean can look like. What Is a Mean and What Is It Used For? The mean, or arithmetic mean, is the average value of a set of numbers. More specifically, it's the measure of a "central" or typical tendency in a given set of data. Mean- often simply called the "average"- is a term used in statistics and data analysis. In addition, it's not unusual to hear the words "mean" or "average" used with the terms "mode," "median," and "range," which are other methods of calculating the patterns and common values in data sets. Briefly, here are the definitions of these terms: Mode- the value that appears most frequently in a data set Median- the middle value of a data set (when arranged from lowest value to highest) Range- the difference between the highest and smallest values in a data set So what is the purpose of the mean exactly? If you have a data set with a wide range of numbers, knowing the mean can give you a general sense of how these numbers could essentially be put together into a single representative value. For example, if you’re a high school student getting ready to take the SAT, you might be interested to know the current mean SAT score. Knowing the mean score gives you a rough idea of how most students taking the SAT tend to score on it. How to Find the Mean: Overview To find the arithmetic mean of a data set, all you need to do is add up all the numbers in the data set and then divide the sum by the total number of values. Let’s look at an example. Say you’re given the following set of data: $$6, 10, 3, 27, 19, 2, 5, 14$$ To find the mean, you’ll first need to add up all the values in the data set like this: $$6 + 10 + 3 + 27 + 19 + 2 + 5 + 14$$ Note that you don’t need to rearrange the values here (though you may if you wish to) and can simply add them in the order in which they’ve been presented to you. Next, write down the sum of all the values: $$6 + 10 + 3 + 27 + 19 + 2 + 5 + 14 = \bo86$$ The last step is to take this sum (86) and divide it by the number of values in the data set. Because there are eight different values (6, 10, 3, 27, 19, 2, 5, 14), we'll be dividing 86 by 8: $$86 / 8 = 10.75$$ The mean, or average, for this set of data is 10.75. How to Calculate a Mean: Practice Questions Now that you know how to find the average- in other words,how to calculate the mean of a given set of data- it’s time to test what you’ve learned. In this section, we'll give you four math questions that involve finding or using the mean. The first two questions are our own, whereas the second two are official SAT/ACT questions; as such, these two will require a little bit more thought. Scroll past the questions for the answers and answer explanations. Practice Question 1 Find the mean of the following set of numbers: 5, 26, 9, 14, 49, 31, 109, 5. Practice Question 2 You are given the following list of numbers: 4, 4, 2, , 6, $X$, 1, 3, 2. The arithmetic mean is 4. What is the value of $X$? Practice Question 3 The list of numbers 41, 35, 30, $X, Y$, 15 has a median of 25. The mode of the list of numbers is 15. To the nearest whole number, what is the mean of the list? 20 25 26 27 30 Source: 2018-19 Official ACT Practice Test Practice Question 4 At a primate reserve, the mean age of all the male primates is 15 years, and the mean age of all female primates is 19 years. Which of the following must be true about the mean age $m$ of the combined group of male and female primates at the primate reserve? $m = 17$ $m 17$ $m 17$ $15 m 19$ Source: The College Board How to Find the Average: Answers + Explanations Once you’vetried out the four practice questions above, it’s time to compare your answers and see whether you understand not just how to find the mean of data but also how to use what you know about the mean to more effectively approach any math questions that deal with averages. Here are the answers to the four practice questions above: Practice Question 1: 31 Practice Question 2: 3 Practice Question 3: C. 26 Practice Question 4: D. $15 m 19$ Keep reading to see the answer explanation for each question. Practice Question 1 Answer Explanation Find the mean of the following set of numbers: 5, 26, 9, 14, 49, 31, 109, 5. This is a straightforward question that simply asks you to calculate the arithmetic mean of a given data set. First, add up all the numbers in the data set (remember that you don’t need toarrangethem in order from lowest to highest- only do this if you’re trying to find the median): $$5 + 26 + 9 + 14 + 49 + 31 + 109 + 5 = \bo248$$ Next, take this sum and divide it by the number of values in the data set.Here, there are eight total values, so we'll divide 248 by 8: $$248 / 8 = 31$$ The mean and correct answer is 31. Practice Question 2 Answer Explanation You are given the following list of numbers: 4, 4, 2, , 6, $X$, 1, 3, 2. The arithmetic mean is 4. What is the value of $X$? For this question, you’re essentially working backward: you already know the mean and now must use this knowledge to help you solve for the missing value, $X$, in the data set. Recall that to find the mean, you add up all the numbers in a set and then divide the sum by the total number of values. Since we know the mean is 4, we’ll start by multiplying 4 by the number of values (there are nine separate numbers here, including $X$): $$4 * 9 = 36$$ This gives us the sum of the data set (36). Now, the question becomes an algebra problem, in which all we need to do is simplify and solve for $X$: $$4 + 4 + 2 + + 6 + X + 1 + 3 + 2 = 36$$ $$33 + X = 36$$ $$X = 3$$ The correct answer is 3. Practice makes perfect! Practice Question 3 Answer Explanation The list of numbers 41, 35, 30, $X, Y$, 15 has a median of 25. The mode of the list of numbers is 15. To the nearest whole number, what is the mean of the list? 20 25 26 27 30 This tricky-looking math problem comes from an official ACT practice test, so you can expect it to be a little less direct than your typical arithmetic mean problem. Here, we’re given a data set with two unknown values: 41, 35, 30, $X, Y$, 15 We’re also given two critical pieces of information: The mode is 15 The median is 25 To solve for the mean of this data set, we will need to use all the information we’ve been given and will also need to know what the mode and median are. As a reminder, the mode is the value that appears most frequently in a data set, while the median is the middle value in a data set (when all values have been arranged from lowest to highest). Since the mode is 15, this must mean that the value 15 appears at least twice in the data set (in other words, more times than any other value appears). As a result, we can say replace either $X$ or $Y$ with 15: $$41, 35, 30, X, 15, 15$$ We’re also told that the median is 25. To find the median, you must first rearrangethe data set in order from lowest value to highest value. Sincethe median is more than 15 but less than 30, we should put $\bi X$ between these two values. Here’s what we get when we rearrange our values from lowest to highest: $$15, 15, X, 30, 35, 41$$ There are six values in total, (including $X$) meaning that the median will be the number exactly halfway between the third and fourth values in the data set.In short,25 (the median) must come halfway between $X$ and 30. This means that $X$ must equal 20, since that would put it 5 away from 20 and 5 away from 30 (or halfway between the two values). We now have a complete data set with no unknown values: $$15, 15, 20, 30, 35, 41$$ All we have to do now is use these values to solve for the mean. Start by adding them all up: $$15 + 15 + 20 + 30 + 35 + 41 = 156$$ Finally, divide the sum by the number of values in the data set (that’s six): $$156 / 6 = 26$$ The correct answer is C. 26. Practice Question 4 Answer Explanation At a primate reserve, the mean age of all the male primates is 15 years, and the mean age of all female primates is 19 years. Which of the following must be true about the mean age $m$ of the combined group of male and female primates at the primate reserve? $m = 17$ $m 17$ $m 17$ $15 m 19$ This practice problem is an official SAT Math practice question from the College Board website. For this math question, you’re not expected to solve for the mean but must instead use what you know about two means to explain what the mean of the larger group could be. Specifically, we're being asked how we can use these two means to express, in algebraic terms, the mean age ($\bi m$) forbothmale and female primates. Here’s what we know: first, the mean age of all male primates is 15 years. Secondly, the mean age of all female primates is 19 years.This means that, in general,the female primates are older than the male primates. Since the mean age for male primates (15) is lower than that for female primates (19), we know that the mean age for both groups cannot logically exceed 19 years. Similarly, because the mean age for female primates is greater than that for male primates, we know that the mean age for both cannot logically fall below 15 years. We are therefore left with the understanding that the mean age for the male and female primates together must be greater than 15 years (the mean age of the males) but also less than 19 years (the mean age of the females). This rationale can be written as the following inequality: $$15 m 19$$ The correct answer is D. 15 $\bi m$ 19. What’s Next? Tolearn even more about data sets,look at our guide to the best strategies for mean, median, and mode on SAT Math. Taking the SAT or ACT soon? Then you'll definitely want to know what kind of math you're going to be tested on. Check out our in-depth guides to the SAT Math section and the ACT Math sectionto get started. What are the most important math formulas to know for the SAT and ACT?Get an overview of the 28 critical SAT formulas and the 31 critical ACT formulasyou should know.

Bio Lab essays

Bio Lab essays Every minute there are thousands of chemical reactions occurring in cells that are controlled by enzymes. (Vodopich) Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions. As catalysts, enzymes lower the amount of energy needed to trigger a reaction. Enzymes are proteins with their own shapes determined by amino acid structures. The active site complexes on these structures determine what specific changes a substrate (reactant molecule in a catalyzed enzyme) will go through becoming a different substance with a different shape. (Weiss 2001) During this experiment the enzyme catalase was used to reduce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to water and oxygen. After adding aliqouts of reaction mixture we removed small amounts of sample at different time intervals we analyzed the molar concentration of H2O2 and the velocity of molar change per minute. Assaying denatured enzyme samples at different time intervals of 0, 0.5,1,1.5,and 2 minutes to review spectrophotometer readings of the c orresponding samples of H2O2. Our absorbency readings at 500 decreased from .921 at 0 minutes to 0.086 at 2.0 minutes. The concentration of H2O2 also decreased according to time, from .28 moles at 0 minutes to 0.026 moles at 2 minutes. Between 1 and 1.5 minutes the velocity of molarity change per minute peaked at a velocity of .16 and decreased to be .108 at 2 minutes. Confirming that with an adequate amount of subsrates, enzyme reactions increase. Accordingly depleted substrate reactions decrease with time. Graphically enzymes with an abundant substrate concentration rate appear linear with time. (Weiss 2001) Enzymes are catalysts, accelerate reaction rates, in Biological sequencesthat when left alone can speed up reactions 14-20 times while in ideal conditions such as 37 degrees celsius and neutral pH. Also enzymes are protiens which are made of specific amino acid sequences. The shape of an enzyme is determined by its amino acid sequence which controlt...

EFL to Foreigners

A Beginner's Guide for Teaching ESL / EFL to Foreigners There are many non-professional teachers who are teaching English as a 2nd or foreign language. The teaching setting varies widely; to friends, at a charity, on a volunteer basis, as a part-time job, as a hobby, etc. One thing quickly becomes clear: Speaking English as a mother tongue does not an ESL or EFL (English as second language / English as a foreign language) teacher make! This guide is provided for those of you who would like to know some of the basics of teaching English to non-native speakers of English. It provides some fundamental guidelines which will make your teaching more successful and satisfying for both the student and you. Get Grammar Help Fast! Teaching English grammar is tricky as there are so many exceptions to rules, irregularities of word forms, etc. that, even if you do know your grammar rules, you are probably going to need some help when providing explanations. Knowing when to use a certain tense, word form or expression is one thing, knowing how to explain this rule is quite another. I highly recommend getting a good grammar reference as quickly as you can. Another point to consider is that a good university-level grammar guide is really not appropriate for teaching non-native speakers. I recommend the following books which have been specially designed for teaching ESL / EFL: British Press Practical English Usage by Michael Swan published by Oxford University Press - Advanced - great for teachersEnglish Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy published by Cambridge University Press - for both beginners and intermediate American Press Understanding and Using English Grammar by Betty Schrampfer Azar published by Pearson ESL - Intermediate to advancedThe Advanced Grammar Book by Jocelyn Steer and Karen Carlisi published by Heinle Heinle Keep It Simple One problem that teachers often encounter is that of trying to do too much, too quickly. Here is an example: Lets learn the verb to have today. - OK - So, the verb to have can be used in the following ways: He has a car, Hes got a car, He had a bath this morning, He has lived here for a long time, If I had had the opportunity, I would have bought the house. Etc. Obviously, you are focusing on one point: The verb to have. Unfortunately, you are covering just about every usage of have which then also brings into play the present simple, have for possession, past simple, present perfect, have as an auxiliary verb etc. Overwhelming to say the least! The best way to approach teaching is to choose just one use or function, and focus on that specific point. Using our example from above: Lets learn the use have got for possession. He has got a car is the same as saying He has a car... etc. Instead of working vertically i.e. uses of have, you are working horizontally i.e. the various uses of have to express possession. This will help keep things simple (they are actually pretty difficult already) for your learner and give him/her tools on which to build. Slow down and Use Easy Vocabulary Native speakers are often not aware of how quickly they speak. Most teachers need to make a conscious effort to slow down when speaking. Perhaps more importantly, you need to become aware of the type of vocabulary and structures you are using. Here is an example: OK, Tom. Lets hit the books. Have you got through your homework for today? At this point, the student is probably thinking WHAT! (in his/her native language)! By using common idioms (hit the books), you increase the chance that the student will not understand you. By using phrasal verbs (get through), you can confuse students who may already have quite a good grasp of basic verbs (finish instead of get through in this case). Slowing down speech patterns and eliminating idioms and phrasal verbs can go a long way to helping students learn more effectively. Maybe the lesson should begin like this: OK, Tom. Lets begin. Have you finished your homework for today? Focus on Function One of the best ways of giving a lesson shape is to focus on a certain function and take that function as the cue for the grammar that is taught during the lesson. Here is an example: This is what John does every day: He gets up at 7 oclock. He takes a shower and then he eats breakfast. He drives to work and arrives at 8 oclock. He uses the computer at work. He often telephones clients... etc. What do you do every day? In this example, you use the function of talking about daily routines to introduce or expand on the simple present. You can ask the students questions to help teach the interrogative form, and then have the student ask you questions about your daily routines. You can then move on to questions about his/her partner - thereby including the third person singular (When does he go to work? - instead of - When do you go to work?). In this way, you help students produce language and improve language skills while providing them with structure and understandable chunks of language. The next feature in this series will focus on standard curriculums to help you structure your study and some of the better classroom books that are currently available.