Banned essays

Banned essays One of the most controversial books that frequent the nations Banned Book list is The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain. The novels history outlines years of being criticized, censored and banished from several public bookshelves. Recent challengers target the use of racial epithets and the manner African-American characters in the book are treated. First we must understand the time and place that the author tells the tail. The story takes place in the mid 19th century, in the south, twenty years before the Civil War. At the time the novel originated, it illustrated the society in which Twain lived. Whether correct or incorrect, Twain's language and content mirrored societys treatment towards Africans at the time. The book exposes American history torn by prejudice, violence, and ignorance. The plot revolves around a young boy named Huck, who is the outcast son of the town drunkard, and the adventures he shares with his "colored" friend, Jim. It portrays an adolescent struggle through life and quest for freedom. Jim is a slave who risks his life, breaking the law, to win his freedom and be reunited with his family. Huck is a white boy who befriends a colored boy, and helps him escape. Because of his cultural upbringing, the boy starts out believing that slavery is part of the natural order. Through time, the story unfolds to reveal that Huck too, seeks freedom from the social standard and approval of slavery (#1). The book's us of "objectionable" language and "racist" terms have caused it to be challenged in school districts nationwide. In 1995 the South Bay School Board, in San Jose, CA questioned if the book should remain on required reading lists. School officials selected Huckleberry Finn'' for required reading because it was an American literary tradition. Faculty also agreed that the content was a potential starting po ...

How the HUD Anti-Flipping Rule Protects Homebuyers

How the HUD Anti-Flipping Rule Protects Homebuyers In May 2003, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a federal regulation intended to protect potential homebuyers from potentially predatory lending practices associated with the process of flipping home mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Thanks to the rule, homebuyers can â€Å"feel confident that they are protected from unscrupulous practices,† said then-HUD Secretary Mel Martinez. â€Å"This final rule represents a major step in our efforts to eliminate predatory lending practices,† he said in a press release. In essence, â€Å"flipping† is a type of real estate investment strategy in which an investor buys houses or property with the sole intent of reselling them for a profit. The investor’s profit is generated through increased future sale prices that occur as a result of a rising housing market, renovations and capital improvements made to the property, or both. Investors who employ the flipping strategy risk financial losses due to price depreciation during declines in the housing market. Home flipping becomes an abusive practice when a property is resold for a large profit at an artificially inflated price immediately after being acquired by the seller with little or no appreciable improvements to the property.  According to HUD, the predatory lending happens when unsuspecting homebuyers either pay a price far higher than its fair market value or commit to a mortgage at unjustly inflated interest rates, closing costs or both. Not to Be Confused With Legal Flipping The term â€Å"flipping† in this instance should not be confused with the completely legal and ethical practice of buying a financially distressed or rundown home, making extensive â€Å"sweat equity† improvements in order to truly raise its fair market value, and then selling it for a profit. What the Rule Does Under HUD’s regulation, FR-4615 Prohibition of Property Flipping in HUDs Single Family Mortgage Insurance Programs,† recently flipped homes are not allowed to qualify for FHA mortgage insurance. In addition, it allows FHA to require persons attempting to sell flipped homes to provide additional documentation proving that the home’s appraised fair market value had truly increased significantly. In other words, prove that their profit from the sale is justified. Key Provisions of the Rule Sale by Owner of Record Only the owner of record may sell a home to an individual who will obtain FHA mortgage insurance for the loan; it may not involve any sale or assignment of the sales contract, a procedure often observed when the homebuyer is determined to have been a victim of predatory practices. Time Restrictions on Resales Resales occurring 90 days or less following acquisition will not be eligible for a mortgage to be insured by FHA. FHAs analysis disclosed that among the most egregious examples of predatory lending was on flips that occurred within a very brief time span, often within days. Thus, the quick flips will be eliminated.Resales occurring between 91 and 180 days will be eligible provided that the lender obtains an additional appraisal from an independent appraiser based on a resale percentage threshold established by FHA; this threshold would be relatively high so as to not adversely affect legitimate rehabilitation efforts but still deter unscrupulous sellers, lenders, and appraisers from attempting to flip properties and defraud homebuyers. Lenders may also prove that the increased value is the result of rehabilitation of the property.Resales occurring between 90 days and one year will be subject to a requirement that the lender obtains additional documentation to support the value to add ress circumstances or locations where HUD identifies property flipping as a problem. This authority would supersede the higher expected threshold established for the above-mentioned 90 to 180 day period and will be invoked when FHA determines that substantial abuse may be occurring in a particular locality. Exceptions to the Anti-Flipping Rule The FHA will allow waivers to the property flipping restrictions for: properties acquired by an employer or relocation agency in connection with the relocation of an employee;resales of foreclosed, bank-owned property by HUD under its real estate owned (REO) program;sales of property by other U.S. government agencies;sales of properties by nonprofit organizations approved by HUD to buy single-family properties at a discount with resale restrictions;sales of properties that are acquired by the seller by inheritance;sales of properties by state and federally-chartered financial institutions and Government-Sponsored Enterprises;sales of properties by local and state government agencies; andsales of properties within Presidentially Declared Major Disaster Areas (PDMDA), only upon issuance of a notice of an exception from HUD. The above restrictions do not apply to builders selling a newly built house or building a house for a borrower planning to use FHA-insured financing.

Negotiation Case Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Negotiation Case - Essay Example Due to this economic slowdown, General Motors has been forced to take these decisions which are completely in contrast to the policies of is Chief Executive Officer. This has weakened the condition of GM among the other parties. Statements from the Chief Operating Officer, such as ‘We need support’, etc. has portrayed GM as very vulnerable to the oncoming negotiations. It is very challenging to arrive at an accurate BATNA (Best Alternative to Negotiated Agreement), as GM’s only choice is to shut down its operations across four plants as planned. GM expects to get at least $ 4.18 million from Germany and the other countries in the region. This will be the target or the aspiration point for General Motors. This will enable GM to effectively overcome its liquidity issues in Europe. It is also very essential for GM to continue to have a controlling interest and stakes in the functioning of Opel in Germany. The board of GM should continue to own at least 50% of the stakes in Opel in order to have a controlling interest in the company. Hence any claims by the German Government to own more than 50% of Opel will be the walking away point for General Motors. The Government, on the other hand, though has a higher hand, has to consider the main consequence of shutting down the Opel plant in Germany. It has been estimated that around 25,000 jobs would be lost as a result of closing Opel. This will add to the country’s unemployment rate in this global economic recession period. However the country has another option to invest in the overall infrastructure and other sectors within the country which will create more jobs in the country. However, the Government also has to face the Opel Labor union, who has the only goal of retaining their jobs and obtaining job sec urity for the current employees of Opel. Hence the pressure on the

Should Euthanasia be legalized Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Should Euthanasia be legalized - Essay Example Involuntary euthanasia is considered as murder in most countries. This can be said to be euthanasia performed to a person who was able to provide consent on whether he chooses to die or not. As much as this practice has come to form part of some countries in the world, in most countries of the world it is illegal and many are yet to embrace the positive sides of euthanasia. Euthanasia is a term that was first applied in the 17th century, and the term was used to refer to a quick and painless death. Towards the approach of the 21century, more countries got to embrace this as it proved to be a solution towards illness related issues. The act became in the light of many critics including religions like Christianity. According to the Bible, God is the Supreme Being and the giver of life, and from this angle most of church faithful has argued that no man has the authority over the life of another. Euthanasia as a practice is known to be administered to patients who have suffered long illn esses and do not seem to show any form of improvements. The type of illnesses euthanasia is administered are mostly terminal illnesses. A terminal illness is an illness which when one develops, he then has no chance to recover. Definition of terminal illness in a country like Netherlands is that terminal illness is a ‘concrete expectancy of death’, Some countries like Oregon has further illustrated the definition of terminal illness as that illness within reasonable judgments will produce death within six months, this is to state that with terminal illness, death is inevitable. When one suffers from terminal illnesses like cancer or a heart related illness, there are many implications in relation to what he goes through. A family member who develops a terminal condition goes through many hardships which are related to the illness he has, this is in relation to fear of his or her life ending, pain and constant stress. Chemotherapy is a cancer related treatment. In this t ype of treatment, chemicals are used as medication. This treatment is used in cancer treatment as a way of destroying cancerous cells. It is also meant as a way of ensuring that cancerous cells do not spread to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy treatment has been known to be effective in some cases around the world. One disadvantage of this type of treatment is that it is very expensive and not many people can afford it. Chemotherapy has long term and short term effects that a patient may face. Short time effects are such as constant dizziness, constipation, and nausea and general discomfort. The long term disadvantages are that the treatment is time consuming and there are always a risk of the cancerous cells regenerating after the treatment is through. It is for these drastic effects of terminal illnesses that some countries chose to embrace euthanasia as the way out. Spending all of the family money on one member of the family is a decision that can be said to be dangerous in relation to the well being of the other family members. The attempt to treat a family member diagnosed with cancer has been known to put families in tough financial situations. As much as one would give anything for a family member to get better, considerations should always be taken regarding how the remaining members are to continue living. Persistent vegetative state is a condition which is known to be one with both ethical and medical

Capital Punishment Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Capital Punishment - Research Paper Example The arguments in favor and against capital punishment is growing day by day. Even some of the most civilized countries like America has no problems in executing hardcore criminals. However, majority of the religions argue against capital punishment. Religions are of the view that it is ethically or morally wrong to take the life of a person. According to religious point of view, all the living things and nonliving things are the creations of the God and only the God has the authority to take back the lives he created in this world. On the other hand, many atheists and sociologists are of the view that capital punishment is necessary to save the life of innocent people from the threat of antisocial elements. In their opinion, if the execution of one person may save many lives, then it should be implemented without any worry or concern. I have conducted two interviews; one with a Christian priest who argues against capital punishment and another with a sociologist who argue in favor of capital punishment in order to get more insights about this controversial topic. This paper analyses arguments in favor and against capital punishment based on those interviews and ethical theories with respect to this topic. Arguments against capital punishment based on the interview with a priest In response to my questions about the morality of capital punishment, the priest has told me that human do not have the authority to take a life which he is unable to create. In his opinion, the secrets behind life before birth and life after death are still unknown to the people even after huge advancements in science and technology. Human abilities have limitations in understanding the mission of God. According to the priest each person is sent to this world with a mission by the God and doing something against the mission of the God is unethical. In reply to the Priest’s arguments, I asked him; â€Å"Is it ethical to allow the criminals to take the life of others freely?. He r eplied that punishment is necessary for avoiding criminal activities however, the essence of punishment should be correction rather than vengeance. â€Å"Capital punishment never allows a criminal to change his behavior as in the case of other forms of punishments†(10 Pros and Cons of Capital Punishment, 2010). He told me that life term is more acceptable than capital punishment since it prevent us from committing the same mistake as committed by the criminal. The priest strengthened his argument with the help of some of the existing laws in America. He has pointed out that â€Å"American criminal justice system believes that â€Å"partisan advocacy of both sides on a case will promote the ultimate objective that the guilty be convicted and the innocent go free† (Ferdic et al, 2008, p.37). He has pointed out that the chances of executing an innocent person because of circumstantial evidences or fabricated evidences are more and in such cases, nobody can return the lif e of that person even if he has found to be innocent later. In order to substantiate that argument, he has quoted the facts published by Van den Haag. â€Å"In a recent survey Professors Hugo Adam Bedau and Michael Radelet found that 7000 persons were executed in the United States between 1900 and 1985 and that 35 were innocent of capital crimes† (Van den Haag, 1986). In other words, 35 innocent people lost their lives because of capital punishment. He has pointed that the essence of American criminal

Examining The Processes Of Data Backup Information Technology Essay

Examining The Processes Of Data Backup Information Technology Essay There are many problems that happen to the computers which will cause damage for it. For example, it cause lose the data and necessary information and this problems may effect to the organization whether losing the data or information and this things will cause stop working and then losing the money. Therefore, to protect your data from the hackers or nature disaster you should take a backup. The backup is making copying a collection of data, the object, from primary to secondary storage for the purpose of recovery in the event of failure. In my project discussed some point which may prevent data from losing or at least reduce the risk which may happen. For example, I indicated to the definition of the backup this will help the users to understand the meaning of the backup. Also, I talk about some reasons about needs of doing backup and some features of backup. Moreover, I mention to the importance of backup software and why we need backup software. In addition I mentioned importance of backup data and why we need backup data. Finally, I talk about backup Documentation. What is the backup? Backup is the process of copying a collection of data, the object, from primary to secondary storage for the purpose of recovery in the event of failure. Its continuation is Recovery, the process invoke on failure or other requirement to return the contents of the collection to primary storage space. To be useful for recovery, the source data images needs to be in a consistent condition throughout the backup. The copy be supposed to provide a non-volatile point of retrieval. In addition a data object may have many copies or recovery points. Failure cause may be logical, physical, accidental or intentional resultant in loss or inaccessibility of the original data. The primary storage is characteristically disk. The secondary storage is characteristically magnetic tape, often called removable media because it is easy to transport to an exchange location. Today, disks/tape combinations and remote disks may serve as secondary storage in addition to other media forms. An exchange location or site is required in the event of primary site destruction or that the site becomes unavailable. In most cases, the legal or guaranty test of backup authority requires a combination of the ability to recover from the media and physical storage of the media at a specified least amount distance from the primary site. In information technology, a backup or the process of backing up refers to making copies of data so that these additional copies may be used to restore the original after a data loss event. The verb is back up in two words, whereas the noun is backup (often used like an adjective in composite nouns). Backups are useful primarily for two purposes. The first is to restore a state following a disaster (called disaster recovery). The second is to restore small numbers of files after they have been accidentally deleted or corrupted. Data loss is also very common. 68% of internet users have suffered from serious data loss. Why using backup? The Backup usefulness in Windows ® XP Professional helps you protect your files and information if your computer fails. For example, you can use Backup to copy the data on your hard drive it on another a disk, hard drive, a DVD, a CD, or another computer. If your hard drive is erased or damaged, you can easily restore the data from the archived copy. Using Backup when Corruption Will data. It is definitely critical that users understand that corruption happens, hard drives will fail, motherboards will short out, and mistakes will erase data. Good conservancy and technical skills may increase the time between errors. Also, using backup to protect your files you can create a backup by using Vistas Backup Status and Configuration tool. A backup set is a set of copies of the files that is stored in a different location from the original files. That location can be a different partition on your computers internal hard disk, an external hard disk, a remote share on a different computer, and even writable media such as CD-R and DVD-R. Type of Backup Full Backup The first backup in a series is full backup (the incremental and the differential backups must start with a full backup). A full backup allows you to backup the all hard drive: folders, applications, and files (or just a select part of your hard drive). A full backup reset the archive bits. Everybody who values data stored on a computer should do a full backup weekly. Incremental Backup This incremental Used to backup only files that have changed as the last backup, whether it was a full backup or an incremental backup. The archive small piece is reset with an incremental backup. Incremental backups are fast and need less data storage space. Restoring data takes longer since you must restore the last full backup and each incremental backup perform since the last full backup. Incremental backups are ideal for those who need frequent backups up till now have minimal backup storage space. Differential Backup Differential backup used to backup only files that changed since the last full backup, but a differential backup does not reset the archive. Differential backups get longer and require more storage space, but restore time is faster because you only need to restore the last full backup and the most recent differential backup. Differential backups are good-looking for those with more storage space and small endurance for lengthy restores. Why Data Backup Software? In the Information age, we cant go a day without needing to use a computer. As a result, a lot of important information is store on our machinery. Computers are target to failure as much as any other type of electronics. And when they do, the results can be catastrophic. Whether youre a small business or a personality, prop up your files is an important exercise. The smallest thing could fetch everything wreck to the earth, so you have to be ready in case something happens. If your system stays secure, you can take breathe a sigh of aid knowing you would be ready in the event of a crash. The data each person stores on their computer is different, so you need to choose the data backup software that meets your specific needs. This practicability can be a difficult and confusing. We are here to help make your attempt a little easier. What to Look for in Data Backup Software You need backup software that is dependable and simple on the way to use or you wont use it. Underneath is the criterion TopTenREVIEWS used to appraise data backup software: Feature Set Backup software features should go further than standard copying of data files; backup software should be lithe sufficient to meet your needs. First-rate data backup software allows you to schedule both full and tradition backups; backup merely what you want and when you want. 1-Ease of Use A computer beginner is supposed to be able to install and use the backup software without help. The control panel should be intuitive, convenient and should offer easy backup scheduling for automatic backups. Some backup programs are designed for advanced computer users, not novices; we remark on this in the backup software reviews. Data Backup Software Buying Review of 2-Backup and Restore Your backup should be simple to set up and easy to restore. Access restore data should be automatic, and the backup should preserve original data files and path. Restore backup files that dont preserve original file organization are almost valueless; youll have to reorganize all your restored data to access it expediently. Consider self-checking backup software that compares the backup to the original to verify correctness (backup confirmation). Look for backup software with a variety of backup choices: full, incremental, differential and individual file backups. A complete system backup (Image Backup) is also a precious asset, as is the ability to create a walking boot disk. Also, consider backup software that can compress data for compact storage. If security is a cause, choose backup software that protect with passwords and encryption. 3-Help Documentation Backing up and restore your data can be complex. Help files should offer plain, step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting tips. The language should be simple to understand and the help information should be well organized so you can find answers fast. Whether its corrupted data, viruses, or your computer just calls it quits, with the right data backup software, you have got it covered. Advanced Features Backup Password protection Backup software can use to add a password to your backup so you can delimit access. Backup Password Encryption Backup software encrypts your password so it cant be cut or accessed by power. Data Compression Backup software can use to compress the backup file so you can store more data in the same location. File Filtering Backup software will can use to include and keep out certain files or file types from your backup. Backup Verification After the software performs a data backup, it compares and verifies the backup to the original as a self error check. Drive Spanning Backup software can using to use multiple CD/DVD drives or hard drives for unattended backups. Event Logs Reports Catalog Backups Backup software runs an error-check to reveal if the backup and restore were successful. If there were errors during backup, the software stores them for easy reference (useful for troubleshooting and for avoiding similar hang-ups in the future). Burning Software Included Backup software includes the burning software necessary to create backups to blank CDs or DVDs. CD/DVD Erase Capability Backup software has a feature that allows you to erase rewritable CDs and DVDs. Create Bootable Backup Backup software can make your backup bootable. Usually this tool is available in backup software that creates drive images and disaster recovery disks (a backup of the system in case of a crash). Backup Capabilities Individual File Backup The software backs up just the individual files you select. Files-in-use Backup The software can backup files that are in use. This characteristic is useful to any person who requires several backups every day. Individual Folder Backup The backup software backs up not just the data, but files the locations and all the folders. Without this stooge, reorganize data after restoring would be not easy. Complete System Backup (picture Backup) (Also called Image Backup, Backup Image, Hard Drive Image and Drive Image) Backs up the all hard drive, including the operating system, registry, drivers, and data files-in short and software applications, your entire computer system. One-Click Drive Backup A convenient tool that makes a full system backup with one push button click. Address Book Backup Can using to backup all the names and email addresses stored in your email address books. Registry Backup Backup software can using to backup all your registry setting and files only, without backing up the rest of your computer system. Favorites Backup Backup software allows you to backup all your Internet favorites, including favorite website addresses and look for engine keywords. Backup Scheduling Backup software can using to create a backup table-perfect for busy people who dont have time to backup on a regular basis. Typically, data backup software can use to schedule backups at various intervals, including: during the boot up or shut down, hourly, every day, every week, every month or even yearly. Backup software Backup software is a computer program used to perform a full backup of the file, data, and the database system or server. Backup software enables the user to make an exact copy of everything in the original source. We must also use this program for the implementation of the process of restoring data or system in the event of a disaster. Why do I Need Backup Software? Why not just copy the files of interest to a blank CD and store it in a safe place? There is a good chance irritation factor to do so again and again and will lead to the neglect of the user to do this often as it should. The backup program makes a good base the whole process a little less annoying than it would be otherwise. How? List of features you can expect to find in any decent backup software Data compression. Any backup software worth its salt be able to compress your data does not take up too much space on the storage media the final. The savings can be significant. Some packages even allow you to change the values of pressure. In general, high rates of compression means the backup will take more time to implement that, if it is possible to change the compression settings, you can decide for yourself what time your favorite compression trade-off. Encryption. It should be the backup program allows you to encrypt your data. Some can be personal or commercially sensitive. Whether youre a backup to an external storage device, or elsewhere on the network, when you create a copy of your data you increase the chances of it falling into the wrong hands. Encryption is necessary to make it safe. Should be able to implement additional backup operations, and this means that actually only supported files that have changed up. Without this feature and you have to sort the files manually from the old and new, or just copy everything Every time you did a backup, and of course eating a great deal of time as it has done so.    Scheduling. Almost all backup programs will allow you to set timetables in advance. In this way, the backup can be done automatically at the time that suits you.    Dealing with open files. If you are working with important data on the computer constantly and we want to be backed up data as it is vital to change.    Control the use and CPU. You can copy the backup of the data in some cases, the processor-intensive; interfere with other tasks that you want to execute on your computer. Some backup programs allow you to throttle that will make demands on the resources of the CPU, allowing you to get your work is performed while the backup process unobtrusively in the background. Backup data Backup Data is information that is not presently in use by an organization and is routinely stored separately on portable media, to free up space and permit data recovery in the event of a disaster. To see the backup data, you have to reload it onto a computer from whatever storage media it is on. Why Do I Need to Backup My Data? The importance of data backup well, after five years of providing technical support for a variety of packages and accounting, one thing Ive found that is sure to bring tears to call the support person is the question: How was the last backup of the data good? Backup and data corruption occurs    It is important that users understand that corruption happens, hard drives will fail, motherboards and short out, and errors will erase the data. Have good maintenance and technical skills to increase the time between errors, but in the end, Murphy always wins, you will need to backup your data. Backup solutions for data available    What is important to emphasize that the presence of Data Backup normal does not need to be painful or expensive. Modern technology has brought the hard drive is very large, Zip and Jazz, DVD and CD burning, data backup tape systems within the reach of even a modest budget. Although the question of which of these items are suitable to your needs and data backup budget will depend on your circumstances, but the general need for data backup is not. The real cost of the lack of backup data    Almost as important as admitting that can happen to you, is to recognize the cost of data loss. Most people do not realize how much they have invested in the data on your hard drive. Forget the obvious stuff such as financial statements (receivables, payables, and tax information), which we know would be disastrous to lose. I think instead of hours of work re-install the program on the computer base and the restructuring of your environment to suit your preferences again. Backup documentation In computers, software and product development, documentation and information that describes the product to its users. It consists of evidence of technical products and information over the Internet (including electronic versions of technical manuals and descriptions of the annex to help). The term is sometimes used to denote the source of information about the product contained in design documents and detailed comments on the code, white papers, and notes the session of the board. The term is derived from the idea that engineers and programmers document their products in formal writing. The nearest computer users in some cases, simply handed engineers or programmers documents. The public as output grew, it became necessary to add the professional writers and editors of this process. Today, IBM and other companies to consider the development of information product based on what users need to do when you actually use the product. In this view of task-oriented, information can be divided into the product and sometimes physically organized in these categories task: assessing and planning for the establishment or installation, and air conditioning and management, using, and maintaining the product. Now documents are often built directly into the product as part of the user interface and help pages. Type of documents Stages of drawing out the above approaches and usually produces different types of documents dealing with different tasks and the possibly different target groups. These types of documents, in the case of CLWG, the following: Formal guidelines (specifications) for the area concerned (from the inventory and first proposals phase). Operational guidelines for the practical application of the specifications (from the inventory and first proposals phase). Consensus reports: surveys, descriptions of best practice and first proposals (from the survey phase). Reports on validation exercises (from the validation phase). Conclusion As discussed previously in this project, data can be lost in innumerable ways. In order to stave off such loss, its important to have a good backup strategy. Simple Backup Suite (backups) can be part of such an effort. Also, I discussed backup software, Backup software is a computer program used to perform a full backup of the file, data, and the database system or server. And I discussed backup data, Backup Data is information that not presently in use by an organization and is routinely stored separately on portable media, to free up space and permit data recovery in the event of a disaster. In finally I discussed backup damnation, in computers, software and product development, documentation and information that describes the product to its users. It consists of evidence of technical products and information over the Internet (including electronic versions of technical manuals and descriptions of the annex to help). I should every person using computer use backup for stored your d ata or information so as not loss your data or information.

Using your Memory Better :: essays research papers

The task of learning and remembering all the different physical properties of lipids and proteins in Organic Chemistry can be an extremely challenging duty. Being an athletic-training major here at the University of Iowa, it is one of my many obligations to understand and be able to recall such properties very quickly. By using mnemonic strategies, memory aid techniques that use vivid imagery and organization devices, I am able to defeat the challenge in my Organic Chemistry class of getting all the physical properties of lipids and proteins into my Long Term Memory and then recall them whenever I need. In order for me to understand and remember the physical properties of lipids and proteins, I must first relate personal experiences to the information my professor gives. For example, by using the mnemonic strategy of relating an object to an image, also known as the â€Å"peg-word† system, I can remember things such as the structural make up of a saturated fatty acid, a long bumpy tube, versus an unsaturated fatty acid, a bent bumpy tube. Also with this mnemonic strategy, I can remember the structural make up of a Liposome by relating it to what a flower looks like. I can turn the task of remember what an Alpha- Helix protein looks like by associating it to the picture of a spring. A difficult subject to remember is easily turned into something easy by relating them to everyday symbols. This particular mnemonic strategy works extremely well for me because it associates items, such as the structure of Amino Acids, which are harder to understand with items that I can relate to in my everyday life, chains and springs. This technique puts the information I need to know and remember into my own words so to speak. It chunks the information into acronyms that I am familiar with. I am a visual learner, so this strategy is easier for me over others because I am more likely to recognize a picture and relate it to its short form. To get the information about lipids and proteins out of my Long Term Memory I have to do the task of recall, which is the ability to retrieve information not in conscious awareness. There are many ways to in which I can make retrieving information stored in my Long Term Memory easier. One is by putting myself back in the context of where I experienced what I learned. Using your Memory Better :: essays research papers The task of learning and remembering all the different physical properties of lipids and proteins in Organic Chemistry can be an extremely challenging duty. Being an athletic-training major here at the University of Iowa, it is one of my many obligations to understand and be able to recall such properties very quickly. By using mnemonic strategies, memory aid techniques that use vivid imagery and organization devices, I am able to defeat the challenge in my Organic Chemistry class of getting all the physical properties of lipids and proteins into my Long Term Memory and then recall them whenever I need. In order for me to understand and remember the physical properties of lipids and proteins, I must first relate personal experiences to the information my professor gives. For example, by using the mnemonic strategy of relating an object to an image, also known as the â€Å"peg-word† system, I can remember things such as the structural make up of a saturated fatty acid, a long bumpy tube, versus an unsaturated fatty acid, a bent bumpy tube. Also with this mnemonic strategy, I can remember the structural make up of a Liposome by relating it to what a flower looks like. I can turn the task of remember what an Alpha- Helix protein looks like by associating it to the picture of a spring. A difficult subject to remember is easily turned into something easy by relating them to everyday symbols. This particular mnemonic strategy works extremely well for me because it associates items, such as the structure of Amino Acids, which are harder to understand with items that I can relate to in my everyday life, chains and springs. This technique puts the information I need to know and remember into my own words so to speak. It chunks the information into acronyms that I am familiar with. I am a visual learner, so this strategy is easier for me over others because I am more likely to recognize a picture and relate it to its short form. To get the information about lipids and proteins out of my Long Term Memory I have to do the task of recall, which is the ability to retrieve information not in conscious awareness. There are many ways to in which I can make retrieving information stored in my Long Term Memory easier. One is by putting myself back in the context of where I experienced what I learned.

NanoGene Technologies Essay

NanoGene Technologies, Inc is a life sciences start-up based on nanotechnology. The firm was founded by an unusually large number of people; five employees of the Eastern Institute of Technologies Advanced Materials Sciences Lab (AMSL). The founders worked in different sections of AMSL, but they were working on a set of technologies that were linked in the human genome project. Together, the founders developed techniques and compounds that caused the genes to ‘stretch out and straighten up’ making it much easier for labs to do the cutting and manipulation that is required in diagnostic testing. NanoGene planned to use this technology, which is owned by the Eastern Institute of Technologies, to begin to sell the patented substrate material to diagnostic testing labs around the world. As the business model of NanoGene formed, the founders decided to equally split the equity among the five members and all of them would have the same salary of $120,000. Will Tompkins, one of the founders, was named the CEO. In the first year, NanoGene secured the required intellectual property to the technology by offering the Eastern Institute of Technologies 15% in equity and a 3% royalty on sales. Will Tompkins used one of his contacts, an active angel investor, to obtain the angel funding of $600,000 at $2.25 million post-money valuation. The value proposition, customer segment, and revenue streams are fairly straight forward. NanoGene’s technology offers their target customers, diagnostic testing labs around the world, an easier and faster way to complete diagnostic testing. The sales of the substrate material will provide NanoGene with its source of revenue. Currently, NanoGene is trying to recruit Paige Miller, a Havard Business School graduate who has been doing some consulting for NanoGene. Additionally, NanoGene is in their Series A funding. NanoGene is looking to raise $10 million which will be sufficient to fund them for 18 months, to prove their technology, and to get them to a pilot production. At a meeting with a venture capitalist, NanoGene learned about the issues VCs have with the firm. The first concern the VCs have involves the founding team. The founding team is quite large, five members, and all of the founders are pure scientists with little to no business experience. Generally, the VCs invest in technology based start-ups with a founding team of two to three members. Usually one of the founders has had experience driving the commercialization of technology, typically as a Chief Scientific Officer at an established  firm. The unique size of NanoGene’s founding team and their lack of experience is an area of worry for the VCs. The VCs are also concerned about the founding team’s decision to compensate all founders equally. The scientists are splitting the equity evenly and are receiving a salary of $120,000 which is, at a minimum, $30,000 more than the annual salary of their former jobs at AMSL. VCs believe the founders and future employees should be compensated based on their added value to the company; a strategy commonly practiced in the business world. Typically, biotech CEOs have a higher salary and will retain about 2.5 times as much equity as VP-level founders. The VCs think Will Tompkins should be compensated more and the rest of the founders should be compensated less. NanoGene needs to address the VCs concerns in order for NanoGene to be a viable company. Paige Miller, a consultant for NanoGene, should be part of the solution in eliminating the VCs concerns. The founders have little to no background in business and have not been very professional as a team. In business, team members communicate and are not afraid to disagree with each other. With NanoGene, the founders want to make everyone happy. The scientist agreed to compensate equally since it would have been disruptive in their opinion to try to determine equity share and compensation based on a more complicated set of principles. Members didn’t want to upset the rest of the team. Additionally, the founders are already having disputes about how to compensate future employees. NanoGene needs someone with business experience who can be professional and focus on the goal of the company.  Paige Miller has the business experience and personality NanoGene requires. The only complication is her compensation of $175,000 in salary and 3% of the company equity. Paige Miller can lead the company through the disagreements and difficult challenges they will face in the early stages of development. Will Tompkins does not have enough experience to lead the company and commercialize the technology. The CEO should instead be Paige Miller, who is more qualified than Tompkins. Instead of increasing Tompkins salary and share of equity, NanoGene can compensate Miller. Installing Miller as the CEO will help solve the CEO payment issue and the lack of business experience found at NanoGene. At present, the founders may not be happy about their smaller share of equity and potentially lower salaries, but in the long run, the action of making Miller CEO will pay off. Miller has valuable knowledge of in commercializing technology and running a business, and can guide discussions on the hiring process, the potential compensation policies, the company goals, and company culture. She will also bring the professional touch NanoGene needs. Miller is also one of the few people familiar with the technology and business ideas of NanoGene since she has worked with NanoGene in the past. Without Miller, NanoGene may not get the funding they need to continue as a company. Another top priority of NanoGene is proving the technology. This can’t be done if there is no funding for the VCs. In the future, NanoGene should conduct more market research on diagnostic tests. Currently, NanoGene has a simple value proposition with a very general customer segment. NanoGene needs to identify specific customer segments of high growth and low competition. Research in other value propositions such as cost and accuracy will help also NanoGene’s profitability.

Comitatus Essays - Maldon, Essex, Local Government In England

Comitatus Essays - Maldon, Essex, Local Government In England Comitatus The concept of comitatus is important for understanding the actions and attitudes of a thane and his relationship to his lord. A band of thanes pledged themselves to a feudal lord who was known for his bravery and generosity. They swore to defend him to their death, and they considered it shameful to leave the battlefield if their chief was slain. According to their loyal code, if their leader was killed, his life must be avenged. He was their lord, and they were his loyal, proud retainers. They were known for their courage, bravery, recklessness, and foremost, for their loyalty. In return the lord provided them with protection and shared his weapons and wealth with them. The Battle of Maldon is a glorification of the ideas of comitatus. This pure heroic poem exemplifies the 'glory' of heroism that is undimmed by the defeat. The real subject of this poem is not the battle but the deeds and deaths of heroes. In many ways, these Anglo Saxon ideas can even be seen in general American society today. Citizens in today's society relate to their leaders in similar ways as thanes related to their lords; this contemporary use of comitatus can be seen in present day sports teams, religious orders, country defenses and fraternities. The American society, however, does not portray the ideas of comitatus when it comes to their political leaders and government. High level of competitiveness in present day sports demands good leadership and comitatus from team members for success. Team leaders are like the lord represented in The Battle of Maldon, because they encourage their teammates to be intent on succeeding in their 'battles' against the opponents. Byrhtnoth, the leader of the English army, encouraged his thanes, urging every young man to be intent on fighting if he wished to win fame at the Dane's expense (112). Comitatus is shown by the teammates who do not give up during the 'battle' and fight until the very end of a match or tournament. The teammates of a team always want to keep their honor and the honor of their captain by fighting hard and never returning home without a valiant effort. Like the thanes in Anglo Saxon literature, the teammates must live with a sense of honor and honor is shown in competitiveness and success. Religious orders in today's society also show sense of comitatus. Like thanes they will fight for their Lord until death and will demand resistance even when all hope of success is gone and retreat would be wiser. In all religions, priests vow to spread the word of their Lord and are ready to loose their lives in doing so. The thanes in The Battle of Maldon also wanted to either lose their lives or avenge their lord (114). Members of a country's defenses have always followed comitatus. As warriors for their country, they are bound by the code of loyalty to their country and are ready to risk their lives in battle. This spirit-code is also seen in The Battle of Maldon, where the brave young men stood brave in battle, eagerly intent on who might be the first in taking the lives of the doomed with their weapons. The slain fell to the earth, but they stood resolute (112). Leaders of present day defenses, however, do not seem to follow the comitatus as in Anglo Saxon literature; they do not fight in a conspicuous place in the front line. Byrhtnoth, lighted down in that place where he most wished to be, where he knew the loyal men of his own household were (109). Fraternities in present day colleges in the US also have a representation of the Anglo Saxon idea of comitatus. Fraternity brothers show a code of loyalty and respect is given to the leaders. They vow to assist each other and encourage each other to success. The thanes also followed this code of loyalty as is shown in The Battle of Maldon: it is needful for us all for each to encourage every other warrior in the fighting (114). The American society does not seem to follow the ideas of comitatus when it comes to their leaders and government. In Anglo Saxon literature, leaders were respected at all times and were

The Human Body in the Art World Essay Example

The Human Body in the Art World Essay Example The Human Body in the Art World Paper The Human Body in the Art World Paper There is no debate that today’s civilization is obsessed with the human body. Plastic surgery exists to perfect the flaws people find with their bodies. Make-up exists to disguise imperfections and beautify. Exercise has become less about health and more and more about improving physical appearance. So it is safe to say that nowadays society focuses on beauty and obtaining the ideal, perfect silhouette, but people have focused on the body to the point of obsession almost since the beginning of time. This is known today because the human body has been a major theme in artwork for hundreds upon thousands of centuries. Throughout time, different cultures have portrayed the human body in a myriad of fashions through the use of art. Certain body parts may be emphasized or concealed, some artworks show bodies in a more idealistic or surrealistic manner, as opposed to a realistic manner, and vice versa. Although there are countless works of art that focus on the human body, there are five in particular that show how various cultures of varying time periods, portray the human body: the Venus of Willendorf, the Woman from Syros, Menkaure and Khamerernebty, the Snake Goddess, and Weary Herakles. The first work of art that focuses on the human body is from the Paleolithic Age, dates from 28,000 to 25,000 BCE, and is known as the Venus of Willendorf. It was given this name after its discovery in Willendorf, Austria. Made of limestone and at a mere four and a half inches high, the Venus of Willendorf was thought to have been a talisman. A talisman is a small figure believed to have magic powers and to transfer its magic to those who possess it. Although small in stature, this work of art showcases exaggerated body parts of a nude woman. The breasts and stomach with arms perched atop are round and pronounced, and the pubic area is clearly defined. The ball-like shapes of the body are due in part to the sculptor’s response to the natural shape of the limestone that was chosen for carving, but mainly because these anatomical exaggerations suggest that the Venus of Willendorf served as a fertility image. This is suggested of the tiny figurine because the body parts that are exaggerated are typical Paleolithic representations f women, whose child-bearing capabilities ensured the survival of the species. It is rather obvious that, due to its disproportionate shape, the sculptor of the Venus of Willendorf was not concerned with realism or naturalism. This female figurine is an idealization in the eyes of people from the Old Stone Age; they saw the ideal woman as a fertile woman and the anatomical exaggerations represent the features a fertile woman should have. The lack of facial features and the simple representa tion of hair show that the face was not an important part of the body. It also emphasizes and reinforces the fact that people from the Paleolithic Era were concerned with the fertility of a woman and saw beauty in signs of fertility, not in their faces or hairstyles. Such a stress of particular features shows that the human body is a main theme in the Venus of Willendorf. This theme is not only apparent in the tiny Willendorf figure, however. A second work of art that represents the human figure is the Woman from Syros. Its name originates from its discovery sometime between 2,500 and 2,300 BCE in Syros, Greece, now modern day Crete. Though larger in size than the Venus of Willendorf, the Woman from Syros stands only at one foot, six inches and is made of marble. It is assumed that it was meant to lay flat on a surface because it is only half an inch thick. It is also a figure of a nude woman, but the Woman from Syros is in no way round in shape like the Venus of Willendorf. The sculptor of the Woman from Syros rendered the body schematically in a series of triangles. Its body tapers from top to bottom; from an exceptionally board shoulder line to tiny feet. The breasts and pubic are clearly defined, the former with protruding triangles and the latter being etched in. There are no facial features save for the nose, created by making another geometric shaped protrusion. The Woman from Syros’ arms are folded across its abdomen. Its stomach is slightly swollen, suggesting pregnancy. This is a sign that this figure was also a fertility image. Like the Venus of Willendorf, the Woman from Syros’ focus is strictly on the body, specifically the human body. The parts of the body that define a female, such as the breasts and pubic area are clearly emphasized on the figurine, though not in a realistic or natural manner. The highly geometric pattern of the Woman from Syros shows the simplicity and cleanness of Cycladic art, but more importantly show how the theme of the human body remained prevalent in artwork as time progressed. The next work of art, Menkaure and Khamerernebty, are shares the theme of the human body. Made of greywacke and dating between 2,490 and 2,472 BCE, Menkaure and Khamerernebty is larger than either of the two former works of art, standing at four feet, six and a half inches tall. From Gizeh, Egypt, during the Fourth Dynasty, this double portrait of Menkaure and his wife displays the conventional postures used for statues designated as substitute homes for the Egyptian ka, known as uscheptes. The figures are still connected to the stone they were made from, classifying this artwork as a high-relief sculpture. Menkaure’s pose is rigidly frontal with the arms hanging straight down and close to his well-built body. His hands are clenched into fist with the thumbs facing forward. His left leg is slightly ahead of the right, but there is no shift in the angle of the hips to correspond to the uneven distribution of weight. This is ironic because the position of his legs is a pose that humans naturally gave, but the disregard of weight shift in the sculpture is highly unnatural. Menkaure’s wife, assumed to Khamerernebty, stands in a similar position to her husband. Her right arm encircles his waist while her left hand rests on his right arm above the elbow. This frozen stereotypical gesture indicates their marital status. Both of the figures have stoic, frozen faces that are looking straight ahead. The artist’s intent was not to accurately portray living figures, but to illustrate the timeless nature of the stone statue. These figures are far from an accurate depiction of Menkaure and his wife. They were created to fit the idealization of the human body according to Egyptian standards. The human body is a major theme in Menkaure and Khamerernebty because the figures focus on the ideal bodies desired by the Egyptians. It also shows that as time progressed, the importance of fertility decreased while the importance of portraying the ideal body type increased all the while keeping the human body the main focus. The Snake Goddess is a Minoan work of art whose theme is also the human body. It was created around 1,600 BCE in Knossos, Greece, now modern day Crete. Made of faience, as low-fired opaque glasslike silicate, the figure is one foot, one and a half inches high. It has been argued that the Snake Goddess represents a priestess, but it is more likely that it is a bare-breasted goddess. She holds a snake in each hand and has a feline on her head, both signifying her power over the animal kingdom. The frontality of the figure is reminiscent of Egyptian and Near Eastern statuary. However, the costume, with its open bodice and flounced skirt, is characteristic of Minoan culture. The prominently exposed breasts suggest that the Snake Goddess stands in a long line of prehistoric fertility images usually considered divinity. During this time period, the Minoans were a maternal society. Women’s breasts were exposed because they were a symbol of beauty and power. The statue’s waist is so small because Minoan women’s waists were small. This was because when they were young Minoan females, they had a metal ring soldered around their waists to make sure that they stayed small and grew to have an hourglass figure; this was the ideal body shape for Minoan women. If the statuette does indeed represent a goddess, then it is an example of how humans fashion their gods in their own image. The human body is a major theme in the Snake Goddess because it is a representation of the Minoan ideal of the female body. Although Minoan women were essentially forced into having the body shape that the Snake Goddess has, the statuette is still not a realistic representation of the human body because it is show how Minoan women should look. The final work of art that focuses on the human body is not of a woman, but rather a man and is known as Weary Herakles. The original Weary Herakles was created by the sculptor Lysippos of Sikyon around 320 BCE and was made of bronze. Unfortunately, the original copy of the sculpture was lost, but a Roman copy was made. This copy is made of marble and stands at a colossal ten feet, five inches high. The sculpture is a portrayal of Herakles after he obtained the golden apple of the Hesperides. He is sculpted with exaggerated muscular development and is shown leaning on his club for support. His face shows signs of pain and weariness. This is ironic because the mythological strongman looks so muscular and powerful with his large size and his defined and toned body that it is surprising that such a man could be tired and weak. This artwork is different from the four others in that save for its size, it is very realistic looking; so much to the point where the viewer can almost see Herakles breathing heavily. Weary Herakles also looks realistic because he is not stiff like the other works of art; he is standing in a natural, human position and is made even more human by the fact that his body language and facial expression radiates signs of fatigue. Although the sculpture is very realistic, his figure is still sculpted to match the Greek’s idea of what the ideal body type is like. Weary Herakles is an eloquent testimony to the Late Classical sculptor’s interest in humanizing the great gods and heroes of the Greeks. This entire sculpture is a focus on the human form from its facial expressions and arm gestures to its anatomical accuracy and contrapposto position. The human body has been a focus, nay an obsession of homosapiens since the dawn of time. From Prehistoric times up to today, the human form has been a major theme of countless amounts of artwork. Whether portrayed in a realistic or unnatural manner, different cultures have explored the human body in a vast amount of ways through the use of art. It is only certain that as societies become more and more infatuated with the human form, it will remain a prevalent theme and dominate the world of art.

Philosophies, Beliefs and Teaching Methods of Rudolf Steiner Essay

Philosophies, Beliefs and Teaching Methods of Rudolf Steiner - Essay Example However, intelligentsia within the country concerned with educational matters has endeavoured to bring about improvements from time to time by incorporating the accepted philosophical ideologies and evidence based scientific principles discovered, tried and tested through continuous research. Rudolf Steiner’s methodologies which promote nurturing a child’s inherent talents through a unique practice of interactive teaching aims at building personalities’ which emerge out of a child’s own initiative and desired goals in life. Compared to traditional public education where strictly defined and delineated subjects are to be mastered at specific stages in the child’s life, Steiner’s model has been considered to be a better method to impart real education by its proponents. However, deciding what the traditional model lacks as compared to Steiner’s model is a difficult task as all teaching activity at the early stages of a child’s lif e takes into consideration the capabilities, interests and limitations within which a young learner performs. Even in the tried and tested traditional model, teachers are careful and considerate of a pupil’s capabilities and deliver knowledge through well designed and attractive course curricula specifically designed for particular age groups. The propensity of Steiner-Waldorf schools is sparse in Britain, but the existing schools employing this model of teaching are vying for recognition and state financial sponsorship for their institutions amidst growing interest amongst some parents for seeking alternative methods of education delivery for their wards. The supposedly holistic pattern of education, which nurtures the creative and imaginative abilities of the pupil, is being looked upon as a better method for allowing children to grow up as responsible adults. The traditional model of education which stressed upon the 3R’s (reading, ‘riting, ‘rithmetic) a nd its regular evaluation amongst pupils has stood the test of time in Britain and is still the generally accepted mode of education as it existed in the better part of the late twentieth century (Willis, 2009). However, a trend has been noticed in which the revival of the progressive methods of education suggested by philosophers like Rousseau, Pestalozzi, Froebel, Steiner and Montessori during early years’ of a child’s life is being favoured (Willis, 2009). British education policy has witnessed twists and turns in favour of child-centred to traditional pedagogical methodologies. The Plowden Report of 1967 favoured the former while James Callaghan, the PM reiterated return to traditional methods in the year 1976 (Willis, 2009). The traditional methods were propagated by successive governments but a rethink after falling educational standards within the country again suggested return to the alternative methodologies, particularly in the last decade. The Early Years Fo undation Stage (EYFS) implementation in 2008 is a step in this direction (Willis, 2009). Steiner’s methodologies have been implemented in other European countries, Australia and the US with some degree of success. However, there is sharp criticism from some quarters as opponents believe that his methodologies are religion inspired and thereby do not conform with the cosmopolitan character of modern society which has widespread ethnic

Framing, persuasion, and emotions Research Paper

Framing, persuasion, and emotions - Research Paper Example There has been an emphasis on the need to use gain-framed messages that promote positive behavioral changes by highlighting the potential benefits of behavior adjustments. On the other hand, many scholars have highlighted that loss-framed messages may promote the undesirable behavior. Notably, both gain-frames and loss-framed messages may contain similar information. However, different studies have revealed that gain-framed and loss-framed messages have a different capacity in persuading people. According to Seo and Shen (2013), there are different persuasive effects of gain and loss framing. These authors recognized that gain and loss framing determined the kind of decision that individuals are interacting with the message made in the end. The researchers placed emphasis on the need for advanced research in an effort to identify the frameworks that explain the different persuasive effects of gain and loss framing. Seo and Shen also explored the need to combine visual images with a persuasive message. They highlighted that visual imagery combined with framing registers a high level of persuasion. These authors highlighted the exemplification theory is of critical importance in explaining how a mediating mechanism does exist between an image and the persuasive outcome. In addition, the authors highlighted that the duo coding theory is of critical importance in understanding how verbal and nonverbal mental systems encode information gained from the interaction with the enviro nment. Because the verbal, mental system focuses on language and symbols, the non-verbal system gives close attention to non-symbolic types of information. For this reason, framing corresponds to the verbal system while the use of visual images corresponds to the non-verbal system. Seo and Shen also described persuasion as a process, which constitutes of numerous linked changes. For this