People and Organisation Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

People and Organisation Management - Essay Example The researcher states that HRM can be considered as the base of all management activities but it certainly is not the base for all business activities. The anorexic nature of businesses has made HRM too vital to be restricted to recruitment and people management rather it now demands a balance between achieving business objectives of financial and strategic requirements and meeting the human ambitions. Purcell and Hutchinson specify that by incorporating the responsibilities of HRM with line managers has shown constructive results considering performance appraisal, team briefing, discipline, recruitment, dismissal, staffing, quality circles and employee empowerment. Hall and Torrington determine that the main reason for voluntary resignation in many organizations is the inequity of the supervisors leading to disappointment amongst the employees. HRM should integrate into line with line managers in order to reduce staff turnover. They further state that high employees’ turnover and poor performance is directly related to low motivation – i.e. employees are not satisfied due to many reasons, e.g. unfair HR policies or favoritism/discrimination/biases during the performance appraisal, etc. etc. Katzenbach and Santamaria point out that keeping front-line employees motivated is a crucial aspect for any organization in terms of the long-term success. Line Managers have the direct relationship with employees and customers and play a key role in the HR aspect of general management work by making certain that absence procedures work and a reduced level of the absentee is achieved. HR and Line managers’ interaction The essay basically investigates as a making reference to theoretical aspects whilst focusing on some organizations. It will shed light onto the front line environment of organizations in relation to the interaction between HR and Line manager and evaluate issues associated to the integration of line managers into HRM for the improved perf ormance of the staff and organizations. When investigating from the perspectives of line managers and HR, it is important to discuss how HR involves the functions of Human resource management (HRM) and human resource development (HRD). Line managers embrace HRD activities. Gibb indicates that the relationships connecting line managers to HRM and HRD are questionably changing – i.e. the inclusion of line managers’ has become mandatory in designing and implementing HRD and has now become more crucial than ever before. He further claims that the increased involvement of the line manager in HRD shall certainly demonstrate a more transparent use of HR resources. HRM in practice recruits people and manages employment relationships by involving the planning, acquisition, development, and utilization of manpower. HRM gives great importance to good people management and according to many like a set of specifications developed and customized HR practices quantifiably upgrade the level of performance.

Child Support Agency Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Child Support Agency - Essay Example Applying the knowledge acquired by putting it to best use would hold better meaning and compliment a good systems practitioner. In addition to this experience is a very good teacher and the more experience I get, the more useful it would be in helping me become an asset to any institution as a good systems practitioner. The term ‘managing complexity’ means many things to me. Firstly, as the phrase suggests, it means helping people in various difficult situations to overcome their fears and anxiety and make their lives more simple and easy to accept. Secondly, it means getting people who are in very complex environments to come to terms with their situation by finding good solutions for them. This would greatly serve to boost their confidence and give them enough courage to manage other complexities that they may face in future. For Example, if a lady is facing woman beating in an alcohol abusive marriage and there are children involved, helping her to come out of her complex situation and manage her life and family in the best way possible. Multi- cause diagrams are exceptionally very useful in finding out the root cause to any problem. It is a sort of brain storming with a whole lot of questions that arise from the situation or event which presents itself as a complex problem. These qu estions would give a lot to reflect upon and analyze the chief cause that led to the present complex situation. They serve to untangle one’s thinking, help better understanding and identify areas of intervention. E.g. divorce. The controlled model diagrams are used to visualize and analyzing a situation within a very limited framework to give a more clearer picture and thereby makes it easier to arrive at the solution and intervention stage.  

The Reproduction In Wolves Health And Social Care Essay

The Reproduction In Wolves Health And Social Care Essay This paper is an essay about reproduction in wolves. It is divided in to three major parts. The first part deals with the thing of the topic which is the wolf. Here the various aspects of the wolves are discussed these are the species, social life, hunting, communication and lifecycle. The second part deals with the main idea of the topic which is reproduction in animals. In this part the reproduction in animals is discussed. The aspects of reproduction that are explained include; the male and female reproductive systems, mating, gestation period where fertilization is explained, parturition and birth are tackled. In the third part the thing and the idea of the topic are combined to answer the questions and hypothesis relating to reproduction in wolves. Here the various aspects relating to the reproduction of wolves are discussed. The parts examined are the male and female wolf reproductive system, mating and the gestation period of a female wolf in terms of fertilization, parturitio n and birth. Introduction According to Whitt (2003) When the dog settled and embraced the community of human beings, its relatives continued to roam in the wild and they have become the most successful canid on the surface of the earth. According to Aamodt and Johnson (1987), the wolf is a wild dog and belongs to the group of animals that have the dog like traits. Scientists believe that they are direct ancestors of the present domestic dog. Even today the dogs and wolves have a lot in common. The average male wolf weighs between seventy and one hundred pound and measures from the nose to the tail, five to six point five feet (Aamodt Johnson, 1987). The two also note that the female ones are smaller and weigh fifty five to ninety pounds and are between four point five and six feet in length (Aamodt Johnson, 1987). Wolves have different colors with the majority having gray color shading but have the same body structure. Wolves like other canids have forty two teeth with twenty and twenty in the upper and lower jaw respectively. When they are moving or running, just like other canids, the wolves keep the back of their feet raised from the ground and this mode of movement is called digitigrades. Wolves are part of the canidae family which has over thirty five species including the foxes, coyotes, dingoes, jackals, dogs and the dholes. According to Mobile reference (2008), canids have long legs which are adapted for chasing their prey. All canids are digitigrades which means that they walk on four toes and their feet raised from the ground. They also have non-rectatile claws, bushy tails and dewclaws on their front feet. The canids also have a penis bone which is used for creating a copulatory tie during mating. The canids give birth to blind young one who opens their eyes after some weeks of being born. Most species in this family live and hunt as a group called pack. The wolves are classified in the canis genus since they are more doglike. According to Reiach et al (2002) there are three main types of species of wolves that is gray species which is the canis lupus, red species which is the canis rufus and the Ethiopian species which is referred to as the canis simensis wolv es. Wolf Anatomy and Taxonomy According to Marshall Cavendish Corporation (2010) all animals are classified by the scientists in to taxonomic groups based on the anatomical, genetic and biochemical similarities and differences. Wolves like other animals fuel their body by feeding food from other organisms they have a dorsal chord called the notochord that runs their bodies. Marshall Cavendish Corporation (2010) also states that on the external taxonomy, the wolves are quadrupeds with a narrow body, bushy tail and deep chest. The wolves according to Marshall Cavendish Corporation (2010) have shaggy fur, large ears, and have a big head with a slender pointed snout. The same Corporation opines that the nervous system of the wolves is characterized by high intelligence, high vision and hearing capabilities and acute smelling sense. The wolves are lithe and athletic animals. They are also muscular around the neck, hips and shoulders. On their respiratory and circulatory system, the wolves are warm blooded with a typic al mammalian circulation. They have large lungs and the larynx and vocal chords can produce a range of vocalizations. The wolves are committed carnivores with teeth that are suited for slicing the meat. They have a short and simple intestine and have a pair of kidneys used to remove metabolic waste through the blood. According to Whitt (2003) the taxonomy of the wolf is as follows. It belongs to kingdom animalia which includes animals with multicellular organs that do not have the cell wall and cannot make their food, it belongs to phylum chordata which include the animals that do have backbones or internal support and fall under the class of mammalian which includes the animals with fur and can produce milk. The wolf order is carnivora which include animals that subsists chiefly on meat and is fall under canidae family which is a group of animals with dog like traits. It is of the genus canis. There are three species of the wolf namely lupus which is the grey wolf, rufus which is the red wolf, and simensi which is the Ethiopian wolf. According Whitt (2003) more than twenty four species have been identified but have in the recent times been reclassified into five sub-species, that is, the arctas which in this case is the name for arctic wolf, lycaon which is the eastern gray wolf, baileyi which i s the Mexican wolf, nubilus which is the great plains wolf and finally occidentalis, which refers to the rocky mountain wolf. The sub-species can be distinguished from one another by use of size, fur color and the shape of the skull. Figure 1: Wolf Taxonomy Kingdom animalia Multicellular organisms that do not have cell walls and cannot make their own food Phylum Chordate Animals that have backbone and internal support. Class Mammalian Chordates that have fur and produce milk Orde Carnivora Mammals that subsist chiefly on meat Family Canidae Carnivores that have dog like traits Genus Canis wolves Species Lupus Gray wolf, subspecies lycaon Eastgern gray wolf Source: Whitt (2003). Species Gray Wolf According to (Whitt, 2003), the gray wolves are the largest in canid family and the male can grow as much as six and half feet (two meters) and stand from twenty six to thirty inches high from the ground . The average weight for males ranges from seventy to one hundred and ten pounds with the weighing fifty to eighty pounds and reaching lengths of six feet. The gray wolf I s also referred to as tundra, timber or silver wolf (Whitt, 2003). According to Harrington (2002), of the three wolf species, gray wolves are the most common and are found around the northern hemisphere the other two are very rare. According to Harrington (2002), Gray wolves have adapted to different kinds of habitats. Have gray fur and are the largest members of the canid family. Adult wolves weigh from eighty to one twenty kilograms. Ethiopian Wolf According to Animal Info (2005) Ethiopian wolves are diurnal. The wolves kill their prey and the kill is cached and retrieved later. They are both pre-eminent and cooperative hunters. Fuller (2004) observes the Ethiopian found is found in the in the Arabian peninsula, in northern Africa and in Ethiopian mountains. They live in pack of about two to twelve paired and related individuals. They prey on small and medium sized animals. They weigh about thirteen to eighteen kilograms. Harrington (2002) observes that the Ethiopian wolves are different from the gray and the red wolves. They are much smaller compared to the red and the gray wolves. They are only wolves that live in Africa. The scientist believed that the Ethiopian wolves were jackals. This is because they are they are smaller than the gray wolves, they are not stocky like the gray wolves instead they have long muzzles, long legs and slender noses just like the jackals and finally they eat small rodent which jackals love to eat . Red Wolf The red wolves are found in North America, weigh between twenty and forty kilograms and live in pairs of between three and ten (Fuller, 2004). Red wolves are similar to gray wolves. Just like the gray wolves the red wolves live in packs and hunt the prey animal. They also care for their puppies and howl to protect their territory. However they are different from gray wolves in that they have more reddish fur and are smaller than gray wolves. Adults weigh only forty to ninety pounds. Types Wolf Behavior Wolf Communication Behavior According to Wolf Haven International (2007) wolves use three types of communication namely the postural which involves the use of body language, vocal and olfactory which refers to use of smell. Olfactory communication involves scent marking which is mostly to mark boundaries, claim and defend the territories. Since they have scent gland in their toes they leave signature on all areas they go. They mark territories and food by urination. According to Wolf Haven International (2007) vocal communication among the wolves consists of howls, growls, barks and whines. They howl to claim territory or assemble the pack; whines are used by female as a sign of affection, growling is from the dominant wolves and are used to convey aggressiveness. Barking in wolves can be used to communicate excitement, raise alarm and call others to chase. Social Structure Socially wolves are organized in to packs. Aamodt and Johnson (1987), the wolves travel, hunt and perform most of their activities a group. The pack consists of members related by blood. They note that the core of the pack is a mated pair which consists of an adult female and a male. The other members are the offspring. They note that the packs may have six or seven wolves on average though the number may go up to fifteen. Like a family the members play different roles Aamodt and Johnson (1987.all the members of the pack are organized as a hierarchy with the breeding pair (alpha) at the top. At the middle of the hierarchy there are the subordinate called the beta and at the bottom there are wolves called the omega. The parent that is the alpha female and male is the oldest in the pack are involved in defending the territory and hunting due to their experience. They make important decisions like when to migrate or go for hunting. According to Aamodt and Johnson (1987) other pack membe rs down the hierarchy are allocated roles that inferior to those of the members. The young puppies and the juvenile do not have an active role in the hierarchy and are not allocated any permanent positions. In the pack the time for dismissing some adult s from the packs depends on the availability of the prey and the number of wolves in the prey. The dispersed members may end up forming a new pack or may join other existing packs. According to Aamodt and Johnson (1987 the social structure of a wolf can be thought of as hierarchy consisting of the layers outlined below. Figure 2: Wolf Social Structure The alpha male and female Beta male (this is the second ranking male sometimes mates with the alpha female) Young subordinates both male and female(often dominated by the alpha young ones ) Male and female juveniles and pups Male and female scapegoat(lives on the fringes of pack and may be mistreated by other members of the pack) Source: Aamodt and Johnson (1987). Territorial Behavior Reiach et al (2002) states that a wolf pack lives in a territory which must be characterized by enough fresh water and prey to feed the pack members. The territorial borders are marked with scent. They leave urine on scent post or upright marker for example tree stumps. The scents posts are constantly marked. Moves establish large territories in order to ensure that there is large supply of water and preys. The wolves mark their territories through methods such as howling, scent marking and direct attacks. Scent marking is done by ground scratching, defecation, and urination. In defending their territories wolves use scent marking which is done regularly and howling in order to prevent other wolves from entering the territories of other wolves. If these methods fail then the wolves may result into fighting the intruders and this can explain the high death rate of the wolves in the world. According to Defenders of Wildlife (2011), Wolves move, live and in packs consisting of four to seven animals. The pack consists of the mother, the father and the young one plus subordinate. The mother and father are referred to as the alphas lead the pack, track the prey, choose dens and mark the territory to be occupied by the pack. Feeding According to Boitani (2003) the wolves after killing their prey, they start by feeding the parts that have the most essential nutrients. The alpha female and male who is dominant feed first. So the feeding order is determined by the roles played by the wolves in the pack Boitani (2003). Boitani also notes that the wolves do not feed on meat alone since they require a balanced intake of nutrients. The most important organ to the wolves is the live since it provides them with a variety of vitamins. They also consume the heart and the lungs due to their high palatability just like the liver (Boitani, 2003). They also feed on the bones which provide calcium and phosphorous to their bodies. When food is not enough the priority is given to the puppies. Hunting According to Defenders of Wildlife (2011), wolves eat large hoofed animals such as the deer, elk and the moose and they also feed on animals that have died. On their part, Munoz et al (1994) opine that the wolves cooperate in hunting which enables them to bring down a prey. However wolves do not remain in the packs for long and this makes it difficult for them to know how to hunt as a group. Single wolves have a higher rate of succeeding in hunting than any other when they are working as a group. They find their preys through smell. According to Boitani (2003) when wolves are hunting not all members are involved in the attack of the prey. The alpha wolves lead other wolves in chasing and attacking the prey. The pack may also be split in to smaller hunting groups although cooperative hunting is emphasized among the wolves. Wolves conceal themselves when approaching their prey. They may attack animals as a herd or may isolate an animal from the rest and then start chasing it. They try to catch the animal before it runs for a long distance but for the big animals the wolves chase them for long distances. One wolf may be involved in distracting the herd of the preys while others may attack the animals from behind. They may also use ambush where they chase their prey towards the areas they have set a trap such as areas where they have dug holes. Denning and Sheltering Behavior Wolves dig holes for their puppies and use areas with natural shelters for examples in areas with thick vegetation, cliffs found in river banks and cracks found in rocks. The dens are usually dug by the female wolves. Life Cycle A wolf goes through series of changes. It is born, matures to an adult wolf which can mate or give birth (Reiach et al, 2002). The cycle begins with the birth pup. Pups are born in litters of two to seven wolves. They are fed by mothers milk. When they are a month old they join a pack when they may stay for the rest of their lives or may leave to join other packs Reproduction in Animals According to Net industries (2011), during sexual reproduction in animals a haploid sperm and an egg cell combine forming a diploid zygote which divides mitotically into an embryo. After birth the young one grows into an adult that can reproduce. The animals bring the sperms and the eggs through internal or external ways. In animals sexual reproduction requires the joining of the male and the female egg. When they combine the result is formation of a zygote. Since the animals produce sexually the male and the female are involved. There animals with one reproductive cycle while there are those with more than reproductive cycle. The female undergo reproductive cycles while the male are always in reproductive activity. The female become receptive to male when they are undergoing ovulation. This state where the female is sexual receptive to male is referred to as estrus. Estrous cycle can therefore be used to mean reproductive cycle. In external fertilization aquatic environment is funda mental for the floating of the eggs before they are fertilized. Male Reproductive System in Animals In internal fertilization the male posses a copulatory organ called the penis which is used for transferring to the female the male eggs (sperms). According fails et al (2009) in animals the male copulation organ can be divided into three areas that is the glans or free extremity, body also called the main portion and two crura or the roots. The internal structure consists of erectile tissues called the corpora cavernosa and has the trabecaculae tissues. In fibrelastic penis the major part of the penis consist of the trabeculae tissues hence the penis remains erect even when not erect. In musculocarvenous penis the blood sinusoids dominate the penis. Erection in musculocavernous penis occurs when the blood flows to the penis and leads to increase in size and turgidity of the penis Reece (2009) while in fibroelastic penis such as that of the swine and the ruminants has no great enlargement as result of blood flowing. The male eggs are formed in mature males through process called sper matogenesis. Female Reproductive System in Animals According fails et al (2009) the female eggs are produced by the female reproductive tract. It deposits the eggs to an area where they can be fertilized by the male sperms. This placement provides a good environment for the development of the embryo and expelling the fetus. According fails et al (2009) the reproductive system consists of the vagina, vulva, two ovaries, two oviducts and the uterus. The ovaries are responsible for the production of eggs through ovulation. Through the oviducts the ova from the ovaries is conducted to the uterus. The vagina acts as the birth canal through which the fetus is delivered and acts as the sheath for the male penis during copulation. The vestibule is the area that is between the external genitilia and vagina. This area has a lot of mucous glands (Fails et al, 2009). The vulva is found on the external genitalia and consists of left and right labia which converge at the clitoris which consists of two roots that is the body and the glans. If ferti lization occurs, the uterus provides a place for the development of the fetus Reece (2009). Through ovulation the female animals produce the female gametes. This happens periodically throughout the menstrual cycle. Mating During mating the penis is brought in to an appropriate position with the vulva of the female through a process called mounting (Reece 2009). According to him, successful mounting is preceded by a receptive stance by the female. In addition, he points out that that mounting can be affected if the male has a problem in the hind-limbs. The male animal introduces and maintains the penis in the vagina and this process is referred to as intromission this is enabled by the pelvic thrusts and abdominal muscles (Reece, 2009). The intromission time varies from one animal to the other. The stimulation continues and this leads to emission and ejaculation where the sperm oozes out of the penis into the vagina of the female animal. Sperm and fluids are ejaculated at the opening of the cervix in some animals while in others it occurs directly or partially in to the uterus. Gestation Period Gestation period refers to the period conceived female carries, in the uterus, the embryo. According to Fail et al (2009) the interval extends from the fertilization of the ovum to the birth of the offspring. It includes fertilization early development the embryo in the lumen of the of the female reproductive tract implantation of the embryo in the uterine wall, the development of the fetal membranes and the continued growth of the fetus while in the uterus. Fail et al (2009) states that gestation period vary from species to species. Normal gestation is when the fetus is carried thought out the gestation period. If a premature birth occurs the fetus is born before it is fully developed and this is called abortion. According Fail et al (2009) fertilization in animals occurs in the uterus. During copulation the sperms are deposited in to the females vagina. The condition where a female has a young one developing in the uterus is referred to as pregnancy (Fails et al, 2009). During pregnancy the animal experiences the development of the extra embryonic membrane which is used to feed the fetus and remove waste products. According Fail et al (2009) the placenta consists of chorion which is the outermost membrane, allantois which encloses the sac, and the amnion which is the innermost membrane. Parturition and Birth The end of pregnancy is marked by the parturition and involves giving birth. The act of giving birth is divided into three stages. The first stage involves the contraction of the uterine contracts to force the fetus to the cervix which takes a few hours. Secondly, the actual delivery takes place, from the cervix to the vagina. The third step involves the delivery of the placenta (Fail et al, 2009). Wolf Reproduction Introduction Wolves reach maturity at the age of two years. When the wolf have found a mate the courtship can last for many weeks. They are monogamous. When they mate the pair remains together in the pack. The age at which the wolves may start reproducing is influenced by the availability of food. The mating of the members of the same pack that is incest is not common among the wolves. According to Aamodt and Johnson (1987) it is only one pair of the wolves that is responsible for reproduction in a pack. It is only the alpha female and male who mate to produce offspring. Although there may be other pairs of wolves in the pack who can produce young ones, they do not in most cases mate. The alpha male uses dominance and force to discourage such wolves from forming pairs or mating. Breeding among the wolves is seasonal. This is because they experience one cycle of ovulation. All female and male wolves reach puberty at the age of twenty two months and they experience their first time production of th e sperms and the ova. The reproduction system in wolves has features that are not common with other mammals. The features of the reproduction is characterized by monogamy, monestrum with diestrous and proestrous phases that are prolonged, the lock and tie nature of their copulation, young adults being integrated into the pack and the leaders of the group suppressing the mating behavior of these young adults. Also wolves even the pseudo pregnant wolves that are those which do not get pregnant after matting are involved in the parental care of the puppies from the other wolves. Although the wolves experience one cycle of ovulation the chances of conceiving by the female are increased by the fact the both male and the female spend most of their time. For example when scent marking, the wolves do it together and this occurs when they are in proestrus phase. Also time in the estrus phase is lengthened thus the male and the female spend more time copulating. Male Wolf Reproductive System Males are twenty percent bigger compare to their female counterparts. They have a penis which supported by a bone called baculum the penis is tucked inside a skin called prepuce. In males that are mature sexually the testes are contained in a scrotal sac and hang between the hind legs. According to Marshall Cavendish Corporation (2010) male wolves have two sperm producing testes located in the external scrotal sac that hangs between the back legs. The Corporation also states that the sperms are produced in the area with the two testes. When the penis is inserted into the vagina of the female, the male wolf may ejaculate and the sperm pass along the urethra which runs through the penis. The male reproductive system can therefore be seen as comprising of several parts paired testes, duct system, scrotum, the prostrate gland and the penis. The sperms are produced in the testicles and stored in the epidermis and they are transported through the vas deferens. Female Wolf Reproductive System Female wolves which are older than twenty two months are capable of giving birth to pups. The females are seasonally monoestrous which means they come into a condition of breeding once in every year. According to the US National Research Council, most of the female wolves in a pack, in one year, give birth to one litter. The committee also highlights that presence of many female wolves with producing potential in a pack makes others not to breed. According to Marshall Cavendish Corporation (2010) the female wolves have two egg producing ovaries and from each ovary a fallopian tube leads to the uterus which has two horns. Marshall Cavendish Corporation (2010) also states that the uterus expands greatly during pregnancy and can hold a maximum of eleven pups. The female reproductive system of a female wolf can therefore be seen as consisting of various parts the ovaries which produce the eggs. After the eggs are produced, it travels through the oviducts to the uterus where it is supposed to meet the male egg and get fertilized. The uterus this is where the fertilized eggs stays and develops in to an embryo where the fetus results and finally into off spring of a wolf. In a female wolf there is a cervix found occupies uterus lower end and also occupies the upper part of the vagina. The vagina is the part of the reproductive system in the female wolf where the male wolf inserts the penis. Below the anus there is the vulva, this is the passage of urine. Phases of the Reproduction Boitani (2003) the reproductive behavior in wolves is related to the seasonal variation in the hormonal production. In autumn there is a rise testosterone hormone in males and estrogen hormones in males. The reproductive phases vary from individuals as a result of interplay of factor such as age, genotype, experience, latitude, body condition and the social environment. Pre-proestrus According to Boitani (2003) this phase occurs early winter or late autumn before the female wolves can produce a discharge from the vagina. In this stage the both the male and the female may express unreciprocated interest in another mate. The flirtatious behavior of the female may be affected by change in hormones resulting form rise in level of the gonadotropin. The Proestrus According to Boitani (2003), this begins when the bloody discharge and rapid growth in the uterine lining. The estrogen levels rise among the female wolves and the adult male s are usually attentive to the smell of the urine and the vulva. This is the communication means that are used for the newly formed pairs and who may be sexually naÃÆ'Â ¯ve. However males who have stayed with their mate may copulate (Boitani, 2003). According to Boitani (2003) the female wolves in this stage send signs to the male mates by prancing, body-rubbing, paw, nuzzling, placing their chin on the back of their males. Estrus According to Boitani (2003), this is the stage in which there is copulation and the female is receptive. He further states that a receptive female wolf shows two behaviors that is flagging which means the female averts the tail to the side of the vulva or may stand still when the male wolf mounts. This phase can also be identified by a vulva that is swollen or soft. The male may respond to females stimuli by licking the genitals and the mounting on her. If a female is non-receptive it may pull away growl, roll over, shove the male wolf away or lie down. The male may spread their hind legs to enhance stability required during mounting. According to Boitani (2003) mounting is followed by pelvic thrusts while the forelegs of the male clasp the ribcage of the female. The thrusting continues until the male ejaculates and this is followed by expansion of the penile bulb (Boitani, 2003). The female wolves get stimulated by this expansion thereby contracting muscle of the uterus to squeeze t he sperms to the ovaries. Metestrus According from Boitani (2003), Progesterone levels are high and pregnancy may result or not. Female wolves in this phase which do not get pregnant are referred to as pseudo pregnant. The males may abandon the pregnant female to look for other estrous females. Pregnancy can be identified by the loss of fur in the bellies and growth of the mammary cells. They may start constructing dens away from areas that can be attacked by other wolves Mating According to Marshall Cavendish Corporation (2010) the wolves courtship and breeding are inextricably bound up with their complex social life. Mating among the wolves is a fairly long- drawn-out affair. The penis of the male wolf swells when inside the females making it impossible for the male to withdraw. The two may remain locked for more than half an hour. This is to the advantage of the male since no other male that can mate with the female and this also enhances the chance of the male fertilizing the egg of the female (Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 2010). Gestation Period According to Mech (2003) the gestation period for r wolves is about sixty- two to sixty- three. After the male wolf ejaculates the male egg travel and in less than a minute meet the female egg and as result fertilization occurs. The fertilization and the early stages of the development of the fetus occur in the in the oviduct and the embryo goes to the uterus after some days. After four weeks of pregnancy it is possible to observe enlargement of the abdomen. Still it is possible to observe mammary gland development as the hair starts to disappear. Parturition in female wolves is identified by decline in the progesterone level. When giving birth, the female wolf undergoes through three stages. Internally the wolf experiences contraction of the uterus relaxing the cervix. The second stage is the expulsion of the fetus from the uterus and finally is the period between the fetus expulsion and placenta expulsion marks the end of this final stage. Because they deliver multiple puppies they alternate between expulsion of the fetus and the placenta. During pregnancy the female wolf does not undergo any hormonal transformation and therefore it becomes hard to differentiate between a pregnant female wolf from a non-pregnant one. Litter According to Boitani (2003) the pups are born with their eyes closed. The number of puppies that a female wolf can have depends on the species of the wolf. For example the fray wolf can produce between four and six offspring although the number may go up to fourteen. In one litter the red wolf can give birth to between two and three pups. The arctic wolf on the other hand can give birth to between four and five pups. When they are born, all the members of the pack have the responsibility of raising the offspring. The health of the pups is determined by the food availability to the mother. The pups are accorded a lot of privileges and freedoms compared to other wolves that are ranked in the lower positions in the hierarchy of social structure. Conclusion

Jacque Onassis :: essays research papers fc

JACQUELINE LEE BOUVIER KENNEDY ONASSIS Jackie Kennedy will always be remembered for her courage after her husband’s death. Few people know what her life was actually like. In this paper I hope to inform you about the good and bad times of Jackie’s long and at some times treacherous life.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis was born July 28, 1929. She was the oldest of two daughters born to Janet and Jack Bouvier . She grew up with her parents fighting constantly. Only months after her sister was born her parents got a divorce. Most of her classmates and teachers thought that the divorce was the reason Jackie acted up in class. Her mother said it was because Jackie finished all her work before the other children and she just got bored. In 1942, when she was thirteen, her mother married Hugh Auchincloss. Jackie divided her time between her father’s home, â€Å"Merrywood† and McLean, Virginia where her mother lived. Jackie’s junior year of high school she convinced her mother and stepfather to let her study in France for the year. They agreed and soon four of her classmates and her were on their way to France. When in France Jackie found a love for foreign countries that would help in the future. When Jackie came home she foun d out that she had won a photography contest for â€Å"Vogue† magazine. She was invited to work as a photographer for the magazine. Her stepfather thought it was a bad idea and talked her out of it. After Jackie graduated from high school she went to George Washington University where she studied photography. After she graduated her stepfather got her a photography job for a newspaper in New York. Not long after she started she convinced her boss to also let her write columns. In 1942 Jackie met and fell in love with John Husted. They soon got engaged, but her friends and family were skeptical. They thought that Jackie and John didn’t share anything in common. They convinced Jackie to call off the engagement. After she called off her engagement Jackie met John F. Kennedy who was running for senator of Massachusetts. In April of 1953 John was sworn-in as senator. As time went on Jackie and John’s relationship grew and on June 24, 1953 John proposed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  On September 12, 1953 the couple were married in Newport, Rhode Island. As Jackie took on the role of senator’s wife she found herself attending many banquets and balls.

Government Assistance on Welfare Programs

S. B. 311 will reform the current system of welfare. The reform of the national system is based on the Wisconsin Works or W-2 bill. The bill makes it necessary for people receiving financial, medical, and other various types of government assistance to work for what they receive. The goal of this bill is to eventually get everyone off of the current welfare system. This bill requires everyone who is currently receiving welfare to find employment or enter a job training program. The part of the W-2 bill that will be included is the part that deals with job location. Every participant would have to meet with a financial and employment planner, who would help develop a money and time management program for that person. They would also determine which level of employment or training the participant is ready for. Here are the levels from top to bottom: Unsubsidized Employment: People entering at this level will be offered the best available and immediate job opportunity. If the job does not provide a high enough income to support oneself, income credits, food stamps, Medical Assistance, and child care may be accessible for 6 months. This period of time is given to the participant to locate a higher income job. Trial Jobs: These jobs are designed for people who are not able to locate unsubsidized work. The bill would cover added costs to the employer for training an employee which might need extra support in job training for the first 3-6 months. These trial jobs should result in permanent positions. While a participant is working at a trial job the would be eligible for all of the current assistance programs. If a person quits a trial job they will be ineligible for any further financial or any other type of assistance. Community Service Jobs: This category is reserved for people who do not have the job skills necessary to be hired by a regular employer. CSJ workers would receive $700 per week for up to eight months. During this period, a participant would have to work 30 hours a week and have 10 hours of educational training a week. After the eight months, the participant would be transferred to a trial job. Transition: Transition jobs are only for those people unable to perform self-sustaining work. These participants would receive up to $700 a week for up to a year. During this period, a participant would be required to have 30 hours of work and/or developmental training a week and 10 hours of educational training a week. Participants would be eligible for all assistance programs and would be required to move to the CSJ category after a year. These are the measures that would be taken to help people find employment and permanently get them off of welfare. The current national system that is being used for work requirements is TANF. TANF stands for the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families. The required number of monthly hours of participation in the program is 25 hours for 1999. Job skills ttraining, education related to employment, and secondary school or GED completion does not count towards the first 20 hours of participation. They can be in the program for up to 24 months and can receive all of the current welfare benefits. Then job searching is allowed for an additional 3 months, while participants still receive benefits. The only punishment this programs implements for able adults that do not work is that the adult would only receive foods stamps for 3 months out of a three year period. However, the person would still be eligible for other assistance benefits. The current national system seems like a joke. It is practically encouraging people not to work. It has a basis for some practical ideas, but the requirements are far too small and there is virtually no motivation for a person to work. Everyone is not given an equal chance to get a job growing up, but that does not mean working Americans should have to support them. S. B. 311 proposes a practical working plans for unemployed citizens and also has rigid standards. The expectations are high of the participants, but it is time that unemployed people have to work for what they receive. The bill proposes a plan which provides adequate assistance for people receiving job training and assistance to those who are starting unsubsidized work. On the other hand, the guidelines of the bill were designed not to tolerate an unwillingness to work. If a person chooses not to work, or to go through the levels of job training, they will receive no government assistance. This seems harsh, but who wants to support someone who refuses to work? The participants of this program are given more than a fair chance to find employment and if they choose not to work, they will suffer the consequences.

Performing arts Essay

Art, culture, and society; these three elements are closely linked. These three elements affect one another in one way or another. There is often a conflict of interest between the artist, the audience, and the government body. The artist’s aim is to express art freely. The audience’s aim is to view art in forms that are not offensive to them. The government’s aim is to mitigate the conflict of interest between the two parties by implementing policies and restrictions to art pieces that are produced and viewed. Controversy is an issue to take into consideration by the government when funding art and censoring art. This is due to art pieces being widely reached through the advances of technology. Audiences of art are thus easily accessible to art that could influence or offend. However, art is innately challenging and often provocative. Creativity would be stifled if the government funded only art so bland that it offended no one. Creativity would also be stifled if the government creates censorship to limit art that challenges the strongly held beliefs of the society. These concerns raise a few questions to Art in the society. Firstly, how much restriction should the government restrict the type of art forms that could have an adverse effect on the society? Or rather what limitations on censorship and funding should be made for the sake of artist value, or more broadly freedom of expression? Secondly, should it be the responsibility for the artist to take into consideration the effect on the viewer when creating art pieces that may seem controversial to others? In Singapore, Art is increasingly promoted. The promotion of Art in Singapore can be seen from the provision of arts institution that provides full time programmes for the performing arts, the implementation of the yearly Singapore Art Festival which provides a platform for artist to express their talent and for the community to appreciate and to understand Art better, and the funding from the government to arts companies, the opening of the Art Science Museum in February 2012, etc. Although Art is increasingly promoted in Singapore, artistic freedom is being under assaulted. Freedom is threatened by pressures from the government. The society only accepts art that is socially acceptable; one that does not break the law and does not offend any individual. The recent works of a student of an art institution in Singapore is one example that provides evidence for freedom of artistic expression being restricted. The artist printed stickers with captions and pasted them on a pavement and on road traffic signs an act of a guerrilla art scene. She also painted â€Å"My Grandfather Road. † along certain roads in Singapore. While her works portrays certain value of the Singaporean Culture, where singlish and certain forms of lingos are being used in her stickers and paintings, they are then being deemed by the law as vandalism. This specific act of art creation has roared a debate among netizens in Singapore, with many fighting for freedom for creative expression, while the others stating that what she did was merely seeking attention, vandalism, or creating art of no value. In 1994, a performing artist was fined for committing an obscene act. In his performance, he snipped his pubic hair before a small audience as a symbolic protest against police entrapment of gays, punishment by flogging, jail sentences for â€Å"victimless† crimes, and news media exposure of those convicted. He was also prohibited from future public performances. While the artist did this for the love of art and in the interest of expanding the general outlook of art in Singapore, The National Arts Council branded the acts â€Å"vulgar† and â€Å"extremely distasteful. If the government funds and allows only art that is has no controversial value, then wouldn’t creativity be buried in our society? Also, if art works is created to conform to the norm of the society, is art still art? Art is a form of freedom, expression, creativity, and life. However, from the above two examples, it can be seen that there is a constraint place on freedom of artistic expression and the value of art. Artists can express art only with lawful restrictions. Artists who are daring enough to oppose to such norms are either being punish, or their art works are being restricted from the audience. The rest restricts their work to those that conforms to the societal norms. With these restrictions, art can never be expressed in its original form; audience can never be exposed to some brilliant art works which may be vulgar to some but artistic to others. By total restriction of art works that lack redeeming social values, we will be exposed to only art that conforms. This would cause depreciation in the value of art in our society. Despite the fact that art should be freely expressed to preserve its value of creativity, it is important to take into consideration what effect some art works may have on our society. It can be seen that the two artists go against cultural norms to showcase art works that breaks away from the norm and set themselves different from others. By breaking away from the cultural norm, viewers with his or her set of cultural values may be offended. However, by silencing art pieces that the majority considers offensive, we may be oppressing the minority and preventing the society from learning the message that the artist conveys. Thus it is important for an artist to recognize how far he or she should go in order to create art works that do not offend some individuals. It is widely believed that Singapore, being a Cosmopolitan city, has to be very careful when expressing our thoughts on sensitive issues. In our society, censorship is necessary to protect its community from artistic content that lack redeeming social values. It can be argued that artistic content that oppose social values should be restricted. It is stated by our minister that artists can express themselves through many other areas without crossing any red tape. This shows that total freedom of artistic expression is indeed not present in our society. In conclusion, while artists should be able freely express as much as possible, it is only fair for them to consider whether their work would cause harms to others. In both examples, from the artists’ point of view, they are merely creating art freely and creatively. Yet their works did not take into consideration the effects it has on the environment, community, and individuals. Also, although the government has the responsibility and the right to protect its community from inappropriate message and content, individuals should be given certain rights to choose what they deemed suitable for themselves. The definition of obscenity differs among different individuals. What seems obscene to one may not be obscene to others. Thus it is important to have a clear line on what the rights does the government has on implementing policies and guidelines to restrict art works from the audience.

Dynastic Mayan Rulers of Palenque

Dynastic Mayan Rulers of Palenque Palenque is a Maya civilization site located in the state of Chiapas, in Mexico. Occupied between about CE 200-800, Palenques heyday was under Pakal the Great [ruled CE 615-683], one of the most powerful kings of central America in Late Classic times. The rulers of Palenque were called the Holy Lord of Toktahn or Holy Lord of Baakal, and among the king list are several legendary leaders, including Snake Spine and Cha Ruler I. Snake Spine, if he was a real person, lived when the Olmec civilization ruled, and traded extensively into much of what is today considered the Maya region. The very first named ruler of Palenque is GI, the First Father, said to have been born 3122 BCE, and the Ancestral Goddess said to have been born 3121 BCE. The dynastic rulers of Palenque begin with Bahlum-Kuk or Kuk Balahm, the Quetzal Jaguar, who took the throne of Palenque in 431 CE. U-Kix-Chan (Snake Spine or O Pop) 967 BCECha Ruler I (Caspar) 252 BCEKuk Bahlam (Quetzal Jaguar) CE 431-435Cha Ruler (II) (Caspar II) 435-487Butzaj Sak Chihk (Manik) 487-501Ahkal Mo Nahb I (Lord Chaac or Chaacal I) 501-529Kan Joy Chitam (Kan Xul I), 529-565Ahkal Mo Nahb II (chaacal II, Akul Ah Nab II) 565-570Kan Bahlam (Chan Bahlum I, Kan-Balam I) 572-583Ix Yohl Iknal (Lady Kan, Lady Kanal Ikal) 583-604Ajen Yohl Mat (Aahc-Kan, Ac-Kan, Ah Kan) 605-612Janab Pakal (Pacal I) 612-612Muwaan Mat (Lady Beastie) 612-615Kinich Janab Pakal (Lord Shield, Pacal, Pakal) 615-683Kinich Kan Bahlam (Snake jaguar, Chan Bahlum), 684-702Kinich Kan Joy Chitam (Lord Hok, Kan Xul, Kan Xul II), 702-722Kinich Ahkal Mo Nahb (Chaacal III, Ah Kul Ah Nab III), 722-?Upakal Kinich Janab Pakal ?-?Kinich Kan Bahlam II ?-?Kinich Kuk Bahlam (Lord Kuk, Bahlum Kuk) 764-? Source: Robinson, Merle Green. 2002. Palenque (Chiapas, Mexico). pp 572-577 in Archaeology of Ancient Mexico and Central America: An Encyclopedia, Susan Toby Evans and David L. Webster, eds. Garland Publishing, Inc. New York. Stuart, David and George Stuart. 2008. Palenque: Eternal City of the Maya. Thames and Hudson.

Americas Break from Britain essays

America's Break from Britain essays The American Colonists suffered so many grievances because of the British and their tyrannical nature. In my opinion, the Americans had no choice but to break from Britain. The American colonists were justified in waging war and breaking away from Britain by several economic, social, and political issues. Economically, Britain was without a doubt oppressing the colonists. It can be argued that The Seven Years War was primarily responsible for beginning the friction among the British and their American counterparts, but even before the Seven Years war had ended, Britain had made their presence as a tyrant by passing the Writs of Assistance, in an attempt to stop American merchants from trading with enemies of the British in the French West Indies. The Writs of Assistance negated the constitutional rights of the colonists and marked the beginning of a lengthy period of time in which the British would force their authorities upon the colonists by a number of unfair means. Two of the most prominent among these are the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts. John Dickinson, a Pennsylvania political who served in the Stamp Act Congress of 1765, wrote once in Letters From a Farmer in Pennsylvania, The Parliament unquestionably possesses a legal authority to regulate the trade of Great Britain and al l her colonies. I have looked over every statute...and I find every one of them founded on this principle, till the Stamp Act Administration...Never did the British Parliament [until the passage of the Stamp Act] think of imposing duties in America for the purpose of raising a revenue. [The Townshend Acts claim the authority] to impose duties on these colonies, not for the regulation of trade...but for the single purpose of levying money upon us. By straining the still developing economy of America for their own economic growth, Britain left America little choice but to break from that oppressive leadership. No matter how great th...

Appeal Of The Nazi Party History Essay

Appeal Of The Nazi Party History Essay After World War I the country of Germany was no utopia leaving it vulnerable and a perfect target for the Nazi Party. There was depression, food shortage, disorder, social upheaval, anger and a loss of faith within the German citizens. The citizens were all frantically and desperately looking for someone or some party to take charge of the situation, make it better not only for individuals but the country as a whole. One can say that when the Nazi party stepped out of the shadow and into the light, the German citizens were blinded by their past sufferings and anxious desires that they did not see the Nazi party for what it truly was. Nevertheless, the Nazi party was capable of gaining control for a number of reasons; using the past government’s mistakes for their benefit, they used the existing economic troubles to attract people to their party, they used the help of the always appealing and nationalist Hitler but the Nazi party was able to maintain control and power over the country and the minds of citizens through the use of propaganda. The technique of propaganda used by the Nazi party contributed to the success of the political party because it was able to help them gain support from the people of Germany by influencing their minds that contributed to their actions, blind the world into what was in fact the party’s goal and propaganda led to the massacre that occurred within World War II. Nazi propaganda was aimed at appealing to emotions rather than sound or even reasoning and behind it all were messages that were brain washing. Propaganda eliminated individuals so only the Nazi party itself existed and with only one party existing the citizens of Germany were trapped within their own country. The past of Germany allowed the Nazi party to come into the country and use propaganda to take control and maintain power. The Nazis used propaganda to let German citizens who they were and what their power would do. Nazis used propaganda to get the G erman citizens to tag along with what they believed and brought them into a country of chaos, death and a country that alone started World War II. If it was not for the extreme use of propaganda the appeal of the Nazi party would have not been as influential as it was with the German citizens. In Nazi Propaganda written by Zeman he defines propaganda as the art of persuasion: persuading others that one ‘side of the story’ is correct. Propaganda might take the form of persuading others that military might is too great to be challenged; that political might within a nation is too great or popular to challenge or that a government should not be challenged since it is looking out for the best for the nation. Within Nazi Germany, Hitler issued Dr. Joseph Goebbels as head of propaganda. Joseph Goebbels had one important responsibility as the head of propaganda which were to ensure that no one in Germany could observe or examine anything that was argumentative or harmful to the Nazi party. In Nazi Propaganda by Zeman, the author also states that in order to ensure that all was going as followed within Germany; the Reich Chamber of Commerce was established. The organization dealt with literature, art, music, radio, films and newspapers. Each aspect of German society slowly was manipulated into German propaganda which was led by the Nazis. Propaganda was the only way that the Nazi party was able to maintain control because the citizens continued to believe and follow the actions of the party.

The development and effectiveness of the 5-a-day fruit and vegetable Essay

The development and effectiveness of the 5-a-day fruit and vegetable policy in the United Kingdom - Essay Example (Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, 2003.) Hence, the two top causes of these diseases are highly preventable. "It has been estimated that eating at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables a day could reduce the risk of deaths from chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer by up to 20%." (5 A DAY health benefits, 2003, Department of Health's The NHS Plan, 2000.) Breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and gastric cancer are just a few of the cancers that can be prevented. Loaded with plenty of vitamins and minerals, these foods also contain phytochemicals which are "non-nutritive plant chemicals that have protective or disease preventive properties," as defined by Phytochemicals (n.d.). Phytochemicals include flavonoids and fiber along with many other substances that are necessary for sustaining life. Flavonoids are found in the colored portions of the fruits and vegetables prevent the release of histamines, fight free radicals, and increase blood circulation and the immune system. Phytochemicals perform various functions including the prevention of cancer cell replication, prevention of cell damage, and the lowering of cholesterol levels. Amazingly, there are more than 900 different phytochemicals that have currently been identified and one vegetable serving contains 100 different phytochemicals. ... Diet and cancer: the evidence (2006) reports, "EPIC scientists recently found that eating foods high in fiber can reduce one's risk of bowel cancer. People who ate the most fiber had 40% less bowel cancer risk than people who ate the least. Some other large studies have supported these findings." There is much evidence to support the benefits of eating an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables. Groups such as The NHS Plan, The NHS Cancer Plan and the National Service Frameworks for Coronary Heart Disease, Diabetes and Older People also stress diet/nutrition as a top factor in the strategy of prevention. (Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, 2003.) These are just a few reasons why the government created the 5 A DAY programme. The goal of this programme is to inform the public of health benefits gained by consuming fruits and vegetables via targeted action. Most people in England consume less than three servings per day. Children eat less fruits and vegetables than adults. The reasons that people eat such few servings include the cost, availability, and quality especially after inconveniences such as shipping, storing, preserving, etc. The government's 5 A DAY programme aims to raise awareness and change the public's attitude. Many people feel that the cost, preparation, "lack of taste", and other inconveniences are not worth it. In today's hurried society, it seems easier to grab something packaged, processed, and "less expensive". But the cost of one's health and quality of life is quite high and more expensive in the long run. Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption (2003) lists the target actions of the government in implementing and enforcing the programme: National School Fruit Scheme Local 5

The Internet and the music industry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Internet and the music industry - Essay Example Copyright is one of the categories of intellectual property that ensures exclusive rights to the creator of a particular piece of work which can be a publication, a distribution or an adaptation for a particular period of time in preparation to the entry of the said work in the public domain. It refers to creations of the mind that can be creative, scientific, artistic or intellectual in form which is an original idea of the creator (World Intellectual Property Organization, 2009b). One of the most important forms of media covered by the copyright law is the music which can be in the form of musical compositions and audio recordings. The research undertaken targets the presentation of the different issues, problems and controversies that can violate the copyright law. There are different ways that can violate the copyright law in relation to music. One is piracy and the other is the prohibited sharing through the internet. The main goal of the research is the piracy of music through the internet. Internet, being an agent of data sharing and recognized as information superhighway can be considered to surpass the limits of the laws that covers other areas specifically in terms of copyright. This can be attributed to the fact that the said technological advancement cannot be hindered by distance or territorial demarcations (Lehman, 1995; Silverthorne, 2004).

TERM PAPER Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6000 words

TERM PAPER - Essay Example Yet in an information security survey of 4,255 information technology and information security managers, forty one percent of respondents said they do not have formal security policies (Anthes, 1998). When asked to identify potential threats to their security, the respondents were almost twice as likely to identify hackers over employees as the threat. However, from the literature, it appears that when comparing outside hacking to insider intruding, the greatest threat to computer security comes from the latter (Salierno, 2000; Anthes, 1998; Davis, 1997; Ernst & Young Survey, 1995; Fillon, 1990; Jelcich, 1987). Given that the literature seems to indicate employees pose the greatest threat to information security in general, this leads more specifically to questions about the security of medical records at hospitals. The objective of this study is to gain a better understanding of the impact of information security policy and its effect on the number and seriousness of computer abuse incidents that involve the security of personal medical information maintained at hospitals. In addition, further research may be needed to convince other organizations that information security policy is a vital ingredient in the formula for maintaining a competitive advantage (Schneider and Therkalsen, 1990). The proliferation of electronic patient records (EPR) within the health care information infrastructure presents significant benefits for healthcare providers and their patients, but also creates challenges for those healthcare providers. The benefits include enhanced patient autonomy, improved clinical treatment, advances in health research, and public health surveillance The challenge to providers due to this proliferation is the creation of legal challenges in three interrelated areas: privacy of identifiable health information, reliability and quality of health care, and tort based liability (Hodge, et. al., 1999). Our medical records contain some very mundane information about us such as our height, weight, color of hair and eyes, blood type, and our bouts with colds and other illnesses. However, our medical records also contain information on our fertility, emotions, psychiatric makeup, sexual behavior, substance abuse, and genetic predisposition to disease. Access co this information must be controlled because it is information that could potentially be used to the detriment of the patient (Rindfleisch, 1997). Just as corporations protect their proprietary information, patient health records must be

US Government Interest Groups Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

US Government Interest Groups - Research Paper Example Economic interest groups safeguard some sort economic merit for their members and are the most common kind of special interest groups. In capitalist societies like America, money occupies a central position, and thus economic groups are many and very influential. Economic groups are well financed as members are willing to part with money with the hope of garnering greater political benefit. Economic groups operate to attain private goods where only members of the group will enjoy (Paddock, 2005). Â  Business groups seek to influence the government on policies regarding the economy and business. For instance, the National Manufacturers Association operates to limit the government regulation in the manufacturing industry in America (Miller, nd). Â  A labor group represents unions that operate to enhance the wages and promote favorable working conditions for skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled employees. AFL-CIO is one of the biggest labor groups in America. Â  An agricultural group represents the interests of farmers and farm businesses. The National Farmers’ Union is the interest group that represents small-scale farmers while American Farm Bureau Federation represents the interests of large-scale farmers. Â  These are official groups that formulate ground rules for a certain profession, monitor practices, and foster standards of conduct. For instance, American Psychological Association safeguards regulate and foster the rights of psychologists. Â  This group plays an enormous task in governing drugs prescription, influencing drug authorization, as well as monitoring the price and disbursement of pharmaceuticals. An example of Interest groups and prescription drugs is the Food and Drug Administration. Â  

Northern Emancipation 1783 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Northern Emancipation 1783 - Essay Example Both the religious leaders and the revolutionist were instrumental and played important role in the events that finally lead to emancipation of the north in1783 (Fiske, 2003). During this time, the African Americans were freed through escape, legal petitions and cases and manumission and hence the process did not take place in a fortnight but was a gradual process. However, one of the reasons for freedom of the African Americans was that the slavery was not economical like the other parts of the America because there were very few firms while the immigrant’s work force was on the higher end. The uneconomical; nature of slavery together with the efforts of the revolutionists enlightened the most people of the north and their moral views on slavery begun to change gradually. This was also coupled with the push for wage labor by the market economy because of the higher immigrants and low agricultural productivity (Fiske, 2003). As observed by Fiske (2003), in the north, the slave ry begun to wither because the slave-owners realized that slavery was impractical due to the agricultural limitations as well as the lack of plantation agriculture that was witnessed in other parts of the nation. This was also accompanied by the non agrarian economic activities that made it even difficult to practice agricultural activities in the region. This resulted into the increase in the other forms of entrepreneurship and hence slavery was becoming irrelevant. Slaves were looked at as liabilities for the owners but were no longer viewed as important assets. As a result there was a shift in the economy of the northern part of the nation. These economic changes forced the slave owners to abandon their slavery. According to Ludlow (1862), this happened because â€Å"the slave owners were forced to confront their own hypocrisy, having born witness to the heroic efforts of black patriots during the revolution, chose to abandon slavery on economic and moral grounds. Most of the bl acks had participated in the colony’s struggle for freedom and hence it was immoral for the white to keep them as slaves while they had shown their patriotism to the nation while they struggled for independence. The blacks were mainly influenced by the Jefferson’s discourse on the natural rights and liberty (Ludlow, 1862). As a result of this, many whites in the north took the issue of rights and liberty seriously and hence begun to emancipate their slaves while the revolutionary war was heightened. Because of these efforts and revolutionary influences, Vermont became the first to abolish slavery in the north during the year 1777. This was then followed by Massachusetts in the year 1783 which resulted into the ending of slavery in many other states that were practicing slavery. Other states that followed were Rhode Island and Connecticut in the year 1784. New York and New Jersey abolished slavery in the years 1785 and 1786 respectively (Ludlow, 1862). This indicates th at the lack of agricultural productivity only did not influence the abolishment of slavery trade but there were also some important revolutionary influences. Jefferson played an important role in the process since he initiated a discourse that would finally lead to the change in perception and the views of the northern whites with regard to slavery activities. The northern emancipation was however very unique and special compared to the other end of slavery

TERM PAPER Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6000 words

TERM PAPER - Essay Example Yet in an information security survey of 4,255 information technology and information security managers, forty one percent of respondents said they do not have formal security policies (Anthes, 1998). When asked to identify potential threats to their security, the respondents were almost twice as likely to identify hackers over employees as the threat. However, from the literature, it appears that when comparing outside hacking to insider intruding, the greatest threat to computer security comes from the latter (Salierno, 2000; Anthes, 1998; Davis, 1997; Ernst & Young Survey, 1995; Fillon, 1990; Jelcich, 1987). Given that the literature seems to indicate employees pose the greatest threat to information security in general, this leads more specifically to questions about the security of medical records at hospitals. The objective of this study is to gain a better understanding of the impact of information security policy and its effect on the number and seriousness of computer abuse incidents that involve the security of personal medical information maintained at hospitals. In addition, further research may be needed to convince other organizations that information security policy is a vital ingredient in the formula for maintaining a competitive advantage (Schneider and Therkalsen, 1990). The proliferation of electronic patient records (EPR) within the health care information infrastructure presents significant benefits for healthcare providers and their patients, but also creates challenges for those healthcare providers. The benefits include enhanced patient autonomy, improved clinical treatment, advances in health research, and public health surveillance The challenge to providers due to this proliferation is the creation of legal challenges in three interrelated areas: privacy of identifiable health information, reliability and quality of health care, and tort based liability (Hodge, et. al., 1999). Our medical records contain some very mundane information about us such as our height, weight, color of hair and eyes, blood type, and our bouts with colds and other illnesses. However, our medical records also contain information on our fertility, emotions, psychiatric makeup, sexual behavior, substance abuse, and genetic predisposition to disease. Access co this information must be controlled because it is information that could potentially be used to the detriment of the patient (Rindfleisch, 1997). Just as corporations protect their proprietary information, patient health records must be

Northern Emancipation 1783 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Northern Emancipation 1783 - Essay Example Both the religious leaders and the revolutionist were instrumental and played important role in the events that finally lead to emancipation of the north in1783 (Fiske, 2003). During this time, the African Americans were freed through escape, legal petitions and cases and manumission and hence the process did not take place in a fortnight but was a gradual process. However, one of the reasons for freedom of the African Americans was that the slavery was not economical like the other parts of the America because there were very few firms while the immigrant’s work force was on the higher end. The uneconomical; nature of slavery together with the efforts of the revolutionists enlightened the most people of the north and their moral views on slavery begun to change gradually. This was also coupled with the push for wage labor by the market economy because of the higher immigrants and low agricultural productivity (Fiske, 2003). As observed by Fiske (2003), in the north, the slave ry begun to wither because the slave-owners realized that slavery was impractical due to the agricultural limitations as well as the lack of plantation agriculture that was witnessed in other parts of the nation. This was also accompanied by the non agrarian economic activities that made it even difficult to practice agricultural activities in the region. This resulted into the increase in the other forms of entrepreneurship and hence slavery was becoming irrelevant. Slaves were looked at as liabilities for the owners but were no longer viewed as important assets. As a result there was a shift in the economy of the northern part of the nation. These economic changes forced the slave owners to abandon their slavery. According to Ludlow (1862), this happened because â€Å"the slave owners were forced to confront their own hypocrisy, having born witness to the heroic efforts of black patriots during the revolution, chose to abandon slavery on economic and moral grounds. Most of the bl acks had participated in the colony’s struggle for freedom and hence it was immoral for the white to keep them as slaves while they had shown their patriotism to the nation while they struggled for independence. The blacks were mainly influenced by the Jefferson’s discourse on the natural rights and liberty (Ludlow, 1862). As a result of this, many whites in the north took the issue of rights and liberty seriously and hence begun to emancipate their slaves while the revolutionary war was heightened. Because of these efforts and revolutionary influences, Vermont became the first to abolish slavery in the north during the year 1777. This was then followed by Massachusetts in the year 1783 which resulted into the ending of slavery in many other states that were practicing slavery. Other states that followed were Rhode Island and Connecticut in the year 1784. New York and New Jersey abolished slavery in the years 1785 and 1786 respectively (Ludlow, 1862). This indicates th at the lack of agricultural productivity only did not influence the abolishment of slavery trade but there were also some important revolutionary influences. Jefferson played an important role in the process since he initiated a discourse that would finally lead to the change in perception and the views of the northern whites with regard to slavery activities. The northern emancipation was however very unique and special compared to the other end of slavery

Strategic Management and Strategic Competitiveness Essay Example for Free

Strategic Management and Strategic Competitiveness Essay What started as a store geared towards the rugged outdoorsmen has grown into one of leading retailers for the upscale college student as well as the adventurous young adult with a fashion to go along with their adventure. Abercrombie Fitch (AF) sells a variety of casual sportswear apparel, including shirts, graphic t-shirts, jeans, shorts, and sweaters, as well as perfumes/cologne and personal care products, and accessories for both sexes and children. As of February 1, 2014, the company operated 843 stores in the United States and 163 stores outside of the U. S. (SEC, 2014). With a footprint this large in the outdoor apparel it only made since to look into the e-commerce market to continue to expand and grow their business. Strategic management deals with decisions a company makes to stay afloat and have a competitive advantage. Over the past years, AF has encountered a few financial setbacks brought forth by turbulent economic times and a controversial advertising campaign that not only affected sales, it drew negative publicity and sometimes not all publicity is good publicity. If, however, the leaders of the organization can make good tactful and strategic moves, this company might be able to turn around and be profitable. Globalization and Technology AF understood that in order to be competitive, they must venture overseas and do it wisely as well as strategically. Companies that take the chance on foreign opportunities are often met with challenges set forth by governments, including local sourcing requirements, tariffs and restrictions on foreign direct investment. Not only must the area be able to support the new business, AF had to make sure any other requirements from local areas are met. This may be why competitors American Eagle Outfitters Inc. and J. Crew Group Inc. had not made the move. Despite the challenge, Abercrombie took their business overseas in 2007, starting in London (Eaton, 2013). At that time, Gap Inc. was the only major competitor overseas, with one hundred sixty eight stores internationally. Having the information available that Gap Inc. has been successful, allowed for AF to save on financial resources of placing stores in certain areas. Knowing that Gap Inc. stores were making profit then AF stores should make a profit in the same area. The  company capitalized on this opportunity, and it paid off. The company recorded revenues of $3,318.2 million during the fiscal year ended January 2007, an increase of 19.2% over 2006. The operating profit of the company was $658.1 million during fiscal year 2007, an increase of 21.3% over 2006. The net profit was $422.2 million in fiscal year 2007, an increase of 26.4% over 2006. The company has made over $7 million in the current year with direct to consumer sales (Abercrombie Fitch, 2007). Bringing the product to the consumers’ fingertips allows for them the opportunity to shop from their couches, beds, or even workplace and have their items delivered to their homes. The world of e-commerce has helped AF solidify itself as a leading outdoor clothier. Dramatic changes in technology have occurred rapidly over the last ten years. As noted in the textbook, â€Å"personal computers, cellular phones, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, massive databases, and multiple social networking sites are only a few examples of how information is used differently as a result of technological developments† (Hint, 2012). With such advances over the past decade, there has been an increased focus on online sales in order to remain competitive. Multichannel shopping has enabled companies to expand margins and tap into new and emerging markets including China, the leader in use of Internet sales channels (PricewaterhouseCoopers, 2013). Abercrombie has a good online store, accessible to both domestic and international consumers which expand the number of customers dramatically compared to brick and mortar stores only. Abercrombie plans to improve their direct-to-consumer operations by upgrading their website and offering, an assortment of web exclusive styles, by making the items web exclusive it brings those consumers that would not normally use e-commerce to their website and allows them to gather information about their consumers to continue to target the correct demographics. Abercrombie also plans on improving mobile capabilities, expanding international language and payment options. This will enable Abercrombie to be more marketable to the online environment and easily available by any consumer worldwide. Industrial Organization Model and Resource-Based Model The industrial organization (I/O) model describes how above-average returns are earned when companies use the information gained from the external  environment to target a specific area within the industry and apply a winning strategy. Recognizing that 2013 was not a good year financially, AF created specific objectives to help improve investment capital. These objectives (recover productivity and profitably in US stores, improve international growth, increase direct to consumer sales and reduce expenses) will enable the organization to look within each area and focus on improving those areas and begin making a profit. AF has a plan and upon proper implementation the company should begin to see a positive as well as above average return. The textbook explains that the resource based model, â€Å"assumes that each organization is a collection of unique resources and capabilities. The uniqueness of its resources and capabilities is the basis of a firm’s strategy and its ability to earn above-average returns.† (Hint, 2012) At one point AF tried to use their elite and upscale brand as an enticement, making clothing for those wear a size â€Å"large† or lower. Chief Executive Michael S. Jeffries—according to Business Insider—had a core marketing strategy that exclusive sells and that including everyone would make his business â€Å"boring.† (Business Insider, 2013). The â€Å"no plus size† strategy proved not only unsuccessful, but disastrous. It is not uncommon for small boutique stores to attempt to cater only to a particular crowd, however for a major chain store like Abercrombie Fitch making that decision alienated a good portion of the profit potential because of Chief Executive Michael S. Jeffries’ decision. AF reported a quarterly drop in same-store sales for the seven quarters straight, and its stock price fell 10.4 percent (Business time, 2013). Vision Statement and Mission Statement of the Corporation Abercrombie and Fitch focuses upon high-quality merchandise that compliments the casual classic American lifestyle. The organization uses this statement to not only help define how Abercrombie and Fitch do business, but what the company is trying to sell to the consumer. Many consumers around the world understand and accept they will not live in America but if that consumer can somehow have a piece of America in his/her closet through the classic American lifestyle being offered by Abercrombie and Fitch then the person will purchase what they want. The Abercrombie and  Fitch brand is as much about the company and what is provided to the consumer as the actual shirt on the persons back. A person see the words Abercrombie and Fitch across a shirt it will make those around think about where the person made his/her purchase and does that person remind them of themselves and want that same brand. How Stakeholders Impact The Overall Success Of This Corporation. There are many types of stakeholders and each one adds value to and can affect the outcome of an organization. For this paper, three types are focused on – capital market, product market and organizational. Capital market stakeholders are the shareholders. Shareholders have an invested financial interest in the firm’s standing. Shareholders always want the company to make a profit and continue to grow so that their financial interest continues to grow. Product market stakeholders are the customers – those who are interest in the product being sold. Customers not only want the latest and trendiest fashions they also love the brand that is associated with Abercrombie and Fitch. That brand loyalty will keep the shareholders happy and continue investing their profits into the company, which can in turn produce more for the consumer. Organizational stakeholders are the internal workers – employees and management. Employees are the management, supervisors, and laborers who expect a positive work environment where they can grow and gain knowledge. With good working conditions, outstanding organization to work for, and strong benefits package. Abercrombie and Fitch is a strong organization headed in the right direction using advanced technology and expanding beyond the borders of the United States. By taking the brand international, allows for a stronger market share and more profit. Great strategy must always be used when expanding beyond an organization’s normal area of control. Government to include federal, state, local, and international will affect potential growth with possible tariffs or other unforeseen expenses. Having the ability to use the unique brand and capabilities of Abercrombie and Fitch will allow them to move into the future with a strong business plan that will bring positive profits. Abercrombie and Fitch mission/vision statement is more than a way to shape the business it is a brand that consumers want. That want allows for Abercrombie and Fitch to remain relevant going forward. Stakeholders are the driving force in any business and shareholders want profits, consumers want products, and employees want a comfortable lifestyle. References Abercrombie and Fitch. (2014). Form 10-K 2014. Retrieved from SEC EDGAR website http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml Abercrombie Fitch Begs the Fat Kids for Another Chance. (2013) Business time. Retrieved from http://business.time.com/2013/11/06/abercrombie-fitch-begs-the-fat-kids-for-another-chance/ Abercrombie Fitch Refuses To Make Clothes For Large Women. (2013) Business Insider. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/abercrombie-wants-thin-customers-2013-5#ixzz2z3gtRZA4 Company Overview 2007. Abercrombie Fitch SWOT Analysis, p. 4, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost Hitt, Michael A.; Ireland, R. Duane; Hoskisson, Robert E. (2012-01-01). Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases: Competitiveness and Globalization (Page 11). Cengage Textbook. Kindle Edition. SECTION D100 Simon Fraser University. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.sfu.ca/~sheppard/478/syn/1137/G_E_1137.pdf United States Of America: Abercrombie Fitch announces (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.fibre2fashion.com/ news/apparel-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=160117

The Role Of Global Manager Commerce Essay

The Role Of Global Manager Commerce Essay Global manager is a manager who has specialization to manage in different skills of management. A person who manages or works globally/internationally. Who has a head quarter. He has to play multidimensional role by combining his technical skill, people skill and soft skill. A manager must have combination of hard as well as soft skills. He must be able to organize analyse and motivate people at international level. Â   A manager whose portfolio may include securities of firms that are located throughout the world -:- GLOBAL MANAGER -:- There are 3 types of specialists irrelevant field of managing. Business Managers Country Managers Functional Managers There are top executives at corporate Headquarters . Who manages the complex interactions between the three and can identify and develop the talented executives that a successful transnational requires. Transnational integrate assets, resources diverse people in operating units around the world. Through a flexible management process in which business,country and functional are included. 1. Business Managers: Business Managers are the managers who manages business of a particular organization or a firm. 2. Country Managers: Country managers are the mangers who manages nationally. Say for example. (Prime Minister) is said to be Country Manager. 3. Functional Managers : Functional managers are the managers who manages a particular department only. Global Management is a capability that achieves multinational businesses value and need in the international marketplace. Companies that operate across international borders need executives and managers who understand cross-cultural customs and business practices and how to promote efficiency and optimize profitability in a global environment. Global Management goes beyond how to organize and run a business. It also includes how to operate it in todays business world where many corporations work across international borders. To compete around the world, a company needs three strategic capabilities: global-scale efficiency, local responsiveness, and the ability to leverage learning worldwide. No single global manager can build these capabilities. Rather, groups of specialized managers must integrate assets, resources, and people in diverse operating units. Such managers are made, not born. And how to make them isand must bethe foremost question for corporate managers. Drawing on their research with leading transnational corporations, Christopher Bartlett and Sumantra Ghoshal identify three types of global managers. They also illustrate the responsibilities each position involves through a close look at the careers of successful executives: Leif Johansson of Electrolux, Howard Gottlieb of NEC, and Wahib Zaki of Procter Gamble. The first type is the global business or product-division manager who must build worldwide efficiency and competitiveness. These managers recognize cross-border opportunities and risks as well as link activities and capabilities around the world. The second is the country manager whose unit is the building block for worldwide operations. These managers are responsible for understanding and interpreting local markets, building local resources and capabilities, and contributing toand participating inthe development of global strategy. Finally, there are worldwide functional specialiststhe managers whose potential is least appreciated in many traditional multinational companies. To transfer expertise from one unit to another and leverage learning, these managers must scan th e company for good ideas and best practice, cross-pollinate among units, and champion innovations with worldwide applications. -:- The Skills Of Global Manager -:- This management training course focuses on the interpersonal and management skills you need to be an effective manager. Its an ideal primer for new managers and a helpful refresher for those who have long been in a management role. Discover the difference between leadership and management and what you can do to become a better leader. Understand your role in team communication and what you can do to ensure fewer misunderstandings. Use the Myers-Briggs Personality Indicator and understand how to effectively communicate, deal with conflict and difficult people, and motivate and create a positive team atmosphere. In this class, youll learn how to build, motivate, and maintain an effective, high-performing team. Make the most of your employees skills and abilities by delegating appropriately and avoiding micromanaging. Learn how to link feedback, coaching, performance management, and progressive discipline to ensure top performance and to deal effectively with under performers. Also, learn how to manage time, set priorities for you and your team, and negotiate those priorities with your boss. [As important as] open-mindedness, I think, is recognizing that global management is all about legitimizing diversity. We often talk about diversity in terms of race or gender. But it is really about a total perspective. It is about legitimizing diverse views in an organization, including those based in cultural differences. People from other cultures think, argue, and perceive things very differently. A manager who is sensitive to that will understand and respond much better in a global context. Just living in that world of trade-offs can be invaluable. Understanding how the need for global efficiency cannot always trump the need for local responsiveness, for example. Or having the experience of finding that the brightest marketing person in your organization is in Australia. Or finding the best new product ideas coming out of the U.K. Such experience is invaluable in developing the needed skills and perspectives. Overall skills of Global managers can be measured in a method which is called as PEST+EL. P-Political E-Economical S-Sociological T-Technological E-Environmental L-Legally It can affect political Example: strike in the country. It can affect Economical Example: Economically Country or a Firm should be Sound. It can affect Sociological Example: Due to culture change society is affected. It can affect Technological Example:Technologically it should be correct. It can affect environment Example: environmentally it should be in favour of country. It can affect legal Example: legally taxes in Malta is higher than in U.K. due to jurisdiction. All the above points, any Global managers has to face in their working area. Any Manager who tackles this Situation and get a way out in profit of the company is said to be a sound Global Manager. -:- GLOBAL MANAGERS ROLE -:- GLOBAL MANAGER HAS FOLLOWING ROLES : 1. IN THE CAPACITY OF COUNTRY MANAGER. The global manager has to deal with clients, legal bodies, and immigration authorities on behalf of his office. 2. IN THE CAPACITY OF FUNCTIONAL MANAGER. The global manager has to select right technique, right resources, and software projects to compete at international level. 3. IN THE CAPACITY OF BUSINESS LEADER. The global manager has to make changes in the organization keeping in mind the trend of World and requirement of outsourcing. 4. Multicultural approach to reflect global operations. 5. Shift of focus on soft tools vision ,process and people to achieve objectives . 6. Collaboration with a network of vendors, partners, and customers. 7. Recrutment from global talent pool. 8. Global transfer of human resources 9. Creating a learning Organization 10. Focus on Big Picture respond rapidly to global business environment change. -:- WORK CHART OF GLOBAL MANAGER -:- GLOBAL MANAGER ITALY HEAD QUATER (VODAFONE) MALTA SPAIN INDIA BUSINESS MANAGER BUSINESS MANAGER BUSINESS MANAGER BUSINESS FUNCTIONAL MANAGER FUNCTIONAL MANAGER FUNCTIONAL MANAGER COUNTRY MANAGER COUNTRY MANAGER COUNTRY MANAGER -:- Conclusion -:- In short, Global Manager works worldwide .He responsible for all globally business for the achieve the strategic goal of business .

The Wars by Timothy Findley Essay -- Justifying Wars Timothy Findley E

The Wars by Timothy Findley Justification. Defined as the act of justifying something. To serve as an acceptable reason or excuse for our actions, based on actual or believed information. Throughout the history of not only the modern world, but certainly back to the â€Å"barest essentials of reason† our species have made decisions that have effectively shaped our world into what it is today. Or have not. The judgments made in the past may also have been relatively insignificant to a larger picture, but would still be important in one persons or a group of people’s day-to-day life. Either way, choices made in any way, shape, or form, are based on what the decision maker believes to be true or morally right. Timothy Findley displays the abovementioned opinion-based judgments in the novel The Wars. From the background behind the novel, to the ending scene of the main character being burned to the ground in a flaming barn, many choices are made. Whether large and important or small and insignificant, Mr. Findley asks us as readers and as humans to look into ourselves to uncover the reasoning behind the choices, as well as our own actions and the actions of our leaders. The justification for most of the aforementioned incidents in The Wars can be classified under 3 broad-based ideas: safety, self-interest or the moral/general good. The first of these main ideas brought up in the novel is safety. The time setting of the story starts in 1915, almost a year after the First World War has begun. At the beginning of this war, the first major decision based on the idea of public safety was made: going to war in the first place. Assassination at Sarajevo sparks what would be a catastrophic loss for nations all across the world. This decision that directly affects the main character, Robert Ross, is Britain declaring war on August 5, 1914. This automatically makes Robert’s home country, Canada, at war as well, as they were part of the British Empire. In the past century, public safety has been the main justification for most types of war. But is going to war really safe? The conceived viewpoint of the author, often referring to the battlefield as lifeless and, in essence, counterproductive, says no. 9,000,000 casualties in four years across the world says no. Many attempts at peace by the UN and peacekeeping coun tries such as Canada say no. Yet, world leaders still pos... ...n for his condition after the fire, Robert would have been in prison for his actions. Instead, his almost lifeless body was guarded all day, even though it was stated by doctors that he would never be able to function or be capable or reason again. Or treason again. Second Lieutenant Robert Ross was a tyrant or pioneer. â€Å"Bastard† or â€Å"hero†. This is for us to decide for ourselves. Throughout The Wars, the main character is involved in many decisions, most of which fit under three main ideas or categories of justification: moral/general good, self-interest, and safety. Timothy Findley indirectly asks the readers of his novel to take these ideas into our own lives, and apply them to the decisions we make as a person or as a society. These decisions may be as simple as what type of bread we buy in the morning to more significant, such as who we vote for on Election Day. For any action we take there is always some type of justification or reason for doing what we are doing. It occurs today as it has occurred in centuries before. And surely, as we look into the future, the decisions will remain, only the justifications will differ, based on information we believe or know to be true.