Monday, September 30, 2019

Critique of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Essay

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, came as a reaction to the dreadful damages of the Second World War. This declaration was built according to the fundamentals of equality. It lists us all of our rights, all of our freedoms and how we can express them freely. It was constructed on the basic fact of it being just, equal to all, and right. However, are all articles applicable on all of mankind? Or can some of these be questioned? Generally, all of these articles should be applicable for the majority of humans, but not all of them. There is always an exception to the rule. There is always an outlier that doesn’t follow the rules. Many countries have rejected or not signed this declaration, therefore this declaration isn’t pertinent everywhere. One can find a lot of exceptions for many articles. Article 1 states that all human beings are free and equal in dignity and rights, that they are endowed with reason and conscience and should act toward one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Nonetheless, not all human beings are reasonable and conscious of everything they do. Take serial killers for example. Their acts prove of inhumanity. A man with reason and/or conscience would never do such a thing. Also, should we give unreasonable people the same rights as the ones reasonable people have? Should they have the same privilege as others even if they have no sense of reason or conscience? The United Nations General Assembly also mentioned the fact that people should act in a spirit of brotherhood. Look around you, what brotherhood? Is killing each other brotherhood? Is fighting and starting wars brotherhood? Is forgetting every moral and correct way of acting just to get to power brotherhood? A definite no is the correct answer to these questions. There are no signs of brotherhood around us. On the contrary, if one takes a close look to our surroundings and everything around us, humans, one will only notice nothing but signs of rivalry and opposition. Article 2 raises the issue of the fact that we’re all equal in terms of rights and freedoms without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Despite that, distinctions according to race, color, sex, religion, etc still exist in our modern society. Movements of racism, sexism, and religions distinctions still exist, but of course, lesser than before. People are still fighting and battling to erase these distinctions completely. This is a process every person looking for an equal and just world should follow. Article 5 states that no one shall be subjected to torture or to be cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment. What about those who commit inhuman acts, those who torture other humans for the fun of it, don’t they deserve to have a taste of their own medicine? One should be treated the way one treats others. So if one tortures one another, that one shall be tortured or punished. Part 2 of article 15 articulates the fact that no one shall be deprived of his nationality. Well, what if that individual was involved in acts of high treason? What if that person turned his back on his country and denied his own nationality. That person definitely does not deserve to hold his nationality and shall be deprived from it immediately. Articles 18 and 19 talk about the fact that everyone is free to express their thoughts, opinions, religions. Some thoughts and opinions might actually harm others. Physically or mentally. In that way, it will refrain article 1. An example of such opinions/thoughts/religion would be Satanism and the Ku Klux Klan. These associations actions can damage others and hurt them. Therefore, these associations do not have the right to fully express themselves, but partially. They can only express the opinions/thoughts that do no harm to others. To sum things up, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is inconsistent; its articles are not always suitable. This declaration is not functional in all countries as some countries did not sign it. This declaration fails in its goal of it being universal; Exceptions can be found to some articles. Pieces of this declaration can be questioned for some precise individuals. It is not always applicable and it is not always a reliable document.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Maya Angelou’s Phenomenal Woman: Positive Attributes of a Black Woman

â€Å"Now you understand just why my head’s not bowed, I don’t shout or jump about or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing it ought to make you proud I say it’s the click of my heels, the bend of my hair, the palm of my hand, the need for my care cause I’m a woman phenomenally, phenomenal woman, that’s me† (Angelou 1). Phenomenal Woman, a poem written by Maya Angelou about the positive attributes of a black woman. Maya Angelou is a black actor writer and civil rights activist. Growing up during the time black people were fighting for civility, Maya Angelou has come from a generation of black people who were criticized for their skin color; a generation where becoming an actor was as far-fetched as an black woman going to the moon. Even though now there are more black women in the entertainment world the portrayal of the black woman is still pretty much the same. Today the media’s portrayal of black women is a loud foul mouthed hot headed ghetto du-rag wearing hood-rat on welfare who don’t take care of her kids because she chasing after a man. In the 18 to 1900s black women were known as â€Å"sassy mammies who ran their own homes with iron fists including berating black husbands and children† (Abagond 1). Another name that was used towards black women was a â€Å"sapphire†, which was described as bitchy stubborn and hateful. During the early 1900s every role of a black woman was that of a spiteful angry vindictive black woman who demeans and beats her husband. Continuing through the 70s with the show Good Times, Esther Rolle played Florida Evans a house wife who lives in the projects of Chicago, the media once again portrayed the black woman as just that, angry. During the Jim Crow period, when real blacks were often beaten, jailed, or killed for arguing with whites, fictional Mammies were allowed to pretend-chastise whites, including men. Their sassiness was supposed to indicate that they were accepted as members of the white family, and acceptance of that sassiness implied that slavery and segregation were not overly oppressive. Another example of a Sapphire was the character Pamela (Pam) James played by Tichina Arnold, who appeared on Martin, a situational comedy that aired from 1992 to 1997 on the Fox network. Pam, Martin’s girlfriend Gina’s best friend and neighbor was a badmouthed, wisecracking friend/foe of the lead character, Martin. Tichina Arnold, the actress who played Pam, also plays Rochelle, a dominating, aggressive matriarch in the situational comedy, Everybody Hates Chris, which ran from 2005 to 2009, and is still aired on cable television. Although most of the sitcoms are used for entertainment people tend to believe that this is how every black woman is. Using derogatory jargon such Shaniqua and Aunt Jemima to describe African American women, many whites believe that what the media puts out is not a stereotype but the truth. Arnold has mastered the role of the angry, black woman. â€Å"Although the numerical representation of African-Americans in contemporary television advertising has improved in recent years, the authors' analysis illustrates how the potentially positive effects of including more African-Americans in advertisements are often mitigated by subtle racist elements that suggest African-American inferiority. Even in earlier cartoons when blacks were drawn into character, they were drawn to look similar to monkeys with dark skin big pink lips and ears and not very intelligent. Cartoonists went as far as to even put a monkey in the cartoon and make the monkey smarter than the black people featured in the cartoon. This was done for the amusement of white people. From the first cartoons to the first black president black people not just women have been the center of ridicule, calling them coons and monkeys, even going as far as photo shopping Michelle Obama’s face to that of a monkey’s keeping her hair and clothing the same. Cal Thomas a commentator of Fox network stated that black women are â€Å"usually angry about something; they’ve lost a son in a drive by shooting or angry at Bush. So you don’t have a profile of non angry black women† (â€Å"Transcrpit: Fox†, 2008).Works Cited EDu paper Jatau, Mary. (2009). Western Media’s Commodification and Consumption of African Women: A Review of Three News Channels. UC Los Angeles: UCLA Center for the Study of Women. Retrieved from: http://escholarship.org/uc/item/9gs2q469 1. Bristor, Julia M., Michlle R. Hunt, and Re'nee G. Lee. â€Å"Race and Ideology: African-American Images in Television Advertising.† Journal of Public Policy & Marketing 14.1 (1995): 48-59. Print. 2.Rucker, C. E. and Cash, T. F. (1992), Body images, body-size perceptions, and eating behaviors among African-American and white college women. Int. J. Eat. Disord., 12: 291–299 none 3.Schooler, D., Monique Ward, L., Merriwether, A. and Caruthers, A. (2004), Who's That Girl: Television's Role In The Body Image Development Of Young White And Black Women. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 28: 38–47. None Jatau, Mary. (2009). 4. Western Media’s Commodification and Consumption of African Women: A Review of Three News Channels . UC Los Angeles: UCLA Center for the Study of Women. Retrieved from: http://escholarship.org/uc/item/9gs2q469. 5. Abagond (2008, March 7). The Sapphire Stereotype. Abagond. Retrieved from http://abagond.wordpress.com/2008/03/07/the-sapphire-stereotype/. 6. Bad times on the Good times set. (1975 September). Ebony.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Online Job Portal

| ONLINE JOB PORTAL Project Duration: Two Months | | | | team membersShivanjali garg kejung kimsing arushi meenaclass teachermrs. uma sharmab. sC (hons) computer science (4th semester)| | ARSD CollegeUniversity of Delhi2012-2013 Academic Year| | 1. Introduction 2. 1 Purpose 2. 2 Scope 2. 3 Functional Requirements 2. 4 Definitions, Acronyms and Abbreviations 2. 5 Objective 2. 6 References 2. 7 Technologies to be used 2. 8 Overview 2. Overall Description 3. 9 Product Functions 3. 10 User Characteristics 3. 1 Constraints 3. 12 Process Model 3. 13 Architectural Design 3. 14. 1 Data Flow Diagram (DFD) 3. 14. 2 Data Dictionary 3. 14. 3 Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD) 3. 14. 4 Sequence Diagram 3. 14 Use case Model Survey 3. 15 Timeline Chart(Gantt Chart) 3. Estimation 4. 16 Problem Based Estimation (Function Point Metrics) 4. Risk Table and RMMM plan 5. Structure design Methodology 6. Testing Software Requirements Specification 1. 0 Introduction â€Å"Online Job portal† is a web-ba sed application, which helps end user to finding a job with searching criteria like preferred location, job type, work profile and packages.One can post his/her details on this portal with all relative information. There are many respective facilities given to end user. This application provides logins to the end user and Employer type. End user can Create, edit and delete information by using his/her user ID and password. Whereas Employer can search the profiles. Application takes care of all the security issues so that only the authorize logins and even only the computers can access the relevant information. There are three primary users in this application: 1. Job Seekers 2. Employer and 3. AdministratorThe system administrator will have the ability to clean, clear and maintain the database and the whole system management issue. I. Administrator 1. Verify users account given them right to access the right 2. Block a user 3. Create categories on job 4. Create subcategories on the type of job II. Employers 1. Create vacancies for job seekers 2. Search candidates based on their profiles 3. Can schedule an interview with technical professionals 4. Can select interviewers 5. Can send email to selected candidates III. Jobseekers 1. Create an account with a complete profile 2. Search for jobs with different categories 3.Edit/update the profile 4. Apply online for jobs 1. 1 Purpose Computerized Online Job Search System is developed to facilitate the General Administrative system to manage the various information of the Job Seeker and Job Provider and the processes involved in a Placement company. So that, the organization can access accurate information quickly and easily as and when required, thereby improving its operational efficiency and effectiveness. In today’s competitive environment, where everybody is on the top, the Information plays very crucial roles. As far as information is accessed and processed, it can give good result.Today internet is a fas t way of transferring Data and Information over wide area, hence we have used internet as a way for exchanging information. Computerized Systems helps to fulfill these goals. Computerization of the official works will help in doing lot of manual work quickly. It will help in easy storage and access of all information, in short period of time. This way convenience will prevail both for the Job Seeker and the Job Provider. The development of this new website contains the following activities, which try to automate the entire process keeping in the view of database integration approach. This Site Can provide the recruitment information sending option for the Job providers * This website can provide the mail alert and mobile alert facility for the jobseekers * Administrator can control both job provider’s and as well as jobseeker’s Information 1. 2 Scope The scope of the Online Job Portal includes the following key points: 1. It should contain all the information about Com panies and Vacancies which is in this site. 2. It should contain all the information of Job seeker such as * Personal Details * Professional Details * Educational Detail etc. 3.It should process and evaluate job registered by companies. 4. It should contain information related to Job expiry and registration. 5. It should have administrator for scheduling administrative work of site. 1. 3 Functional Requirements †¢ The System should enable Project Managers to submit their job requirements to the HR for posting. †¢ System should incorporate an approval cycle where the HR validates the submitted job posting before posting to the portal †¢ On Approval, the job posting is assigned to an Internal Sourcing Team, who will receive a notification of the new job posting. System should enable Internal Sourcing Team to recommend applicants for associated jobs to the Project Manager †¢ System should enable employees to view and apply different jobs, allow discussions about job s etc. †¢ System should enable Project Managers to View their Job Postings, Applicant details and their profiles for a particular Job Posting, Recommended Applicant details and their profiles for a particular Job Posting Comments or Activities on different postings etc.. †¢ On successful selection, system should enable project Managers to close the job posting and the status of the job should reflect as â€Å"Hired† across the shared communities, dis-allowing employees to further apply for the job. 1. 4 Definitions, Acronyms, and Abbreviations: * HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language): It is used to create static web pages. * JSP (Java Server Pages): It is used to create dynamic web content. * J2EE (Java 2 Enterprise Edition): It is a programming platform, belonging to the Java platform, which is used for developing and running distributed java applications.WASCE (Web Sphere Application Server Community Edition): It is an application server that runs and supports the J2E E and the web service applications. * WSAD (Web Sphere Studio Application Developer): It is a designer toolkit which is designed to develop more complex projects by providing a complete dynamic web service. * DB2 (IBM Database 2): It is a database management system that provides a flexible and efficient database platform to raise a strong â€Å"on demand† business applications. * HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol): It is a transaction oriented client/ server protocol between a web browser and a web server. . 5 Objective: This project is aimed at developing a web site for Online Job Portal. It is of great importance to the unemployed people. This site allocates the right job information for suitable persons. All the jobseekers as well as job providers’ information are stored in the database. 1. 6 References * BOOKS * R. S. Pressman, Software Engineering: A Practitioner’s Approach * P. Jalote, An Integrated Approach to Software Engineering 1. 7 Technologies to be used * J2EE: (Servlet, JSP, JAXP, Java Beans) Application architecture. * JAVA: Application architecture. WASCE: (Web Sphere Application Server Community Edition) Web Server * DB2: IBM Database. * Ajax: Asynchronous Java Script and XML. * XML: Extension Markup Language. * Web 2. 0: RSS Feed 2. 0. * Localization: 3 Languages – Hindi, Kannada, and English 1. 8 Overview The SRS will include two sections, namely: * Overall Description: This section will describe major components of the system, interconnections, and external interfaces. * Specific Requirements: This section will describe the functions of actors, their roles in the system and the constraints faced by the system. 2. 0 Overall descriptionThe Online Job Portal System is a package to be used by agencies to improve the efficiency of business. The Online Job Portal System to be developed benefits greatly the members. The system provides jobs catalogue and information to members and helps them decide on the jobs to apply . The Admin can keep the jobs catalogue updated all the time so that the members (Job seekers and the agencies) get the updated information all the time. The main users are users: Admin, Members who are the Job seekers and the agencies. 2. 1 Product Function I. Job Employer Job Employer section, which is further sub-divided into – Call for an interview date ? Call for an interview time Call for an asking Job Seeker want to go for an interview? Call for an asking Job Seeker about feedback of interview facing? Check the status true if selecting in the job. II. Job Administrator Job Administration section, which is further sub-divided into four subsections: Check the status true if call back from the company. Also check the status false if Job Seeker is rejected. Viewing members. Emailing Register New Administrator Add Country Add State Add City Edit/Delete Recruiter Edit/Delete Job Seeker View Reports III. Employee Section * Registration Resume upload in the speci fied format * Upload Video/ Audio Resumes – giving an extra edge to the deserving candidates * References/Video References * Option of Video Interviews * Advance search by keywords, location, job title, skill, industry, company, profile * Interest list for Jobs and the option of posting resumes to the entire list in one go * Option of tracking pervious applications * Directory Services like – â€Å"Best places to work† * Creative Resume writing service (paid service). * Option of having Personal Web Page (Profile Builder) – The professional details could be filled through simple designed form.Upload images, scanned salary slips, academic records, experience certificate, passport copy etc. , with a link and it could be accessed online from anywhere with feature of differential access. * Option of taking Industry endorsed tests for better employability and put them on the personal web page along with the resume * Confidentiality feature to define privacy le vel e. g. block current employer from accessing profile. * Access to Customer care * Spell Check facility for the resume * Interview Scheduler – an alert through the email or mobile phone. 2. 2 User CharacteristicsThe user should be familiar with the internet. The user should have knowledge of the area for which he has to file the complaint. 2. 3 Constraints: * GUI is only in English. * Login and password is used for identification of user and there is no facility for guest. * This system is working for multiple servers. * There is no maintainability of back up so availability will get affected * Limited to HTTP/HTTPS. 2. 4 Process Model SPIRAL MODEL SPIRAL MODEL was defined by Barry Boehm in his 1988 article, â€Å"A spiral Model of Software Development and Enhancement. This model was not the first model o discuss iterative development, but it was the first model to explain why the iteration models. As originally envisioned, the iterations were typically 6 months to 2 years long. Each phase starts with a design goal and ends with a client reviewing the progress thus far. Analysis and engineering efforts are applied at each phase of the project, with an eye toward the end goal of the project. It is an evolutionary software process model that couples the iterative nature of prototyping with the controlled and systematic aspects of the waterfall method. Fig 1. 0 Spiral Model Reasons for using this model in our project: Estimates (i. e. budget, schedule etc. ) become more realistic as work progresses, because important issues discovered earlier. * It is more able to cope with the changes that are software development generally entails. * Software engineers can get their hands in and start working on the core of a project earlier. * It’s a realistic approach to the development of large scale system and software. Architectural Design 12 Data Flow Diagram Level-0 Level – 1 2. 13 Data Dictionary Job Provider Reg-info = User name + Passwords + Em ail ID + Mobile No Login = User name + Passwords Submit = Job id + Job infoView and Post = Job vacancies + update jobs Job seeker Reg-info = User name + Passwords + Email ID + Mobile No Login info = User name + Passwords Receive = notification Update info = Upload resume Apply for a job = Job id + apply for job Receive = interview call letter Admin Login = User name + Passwords Check report = Complain id 2. 11 ER Diagram C-name URL Address Contacts Home Type of Sector Contact Us Sign Up 1 M Visit Job portal Company Login 1 1 1 Visit D -Resume Post M N M N Qualification M Search Job seeker Job Location Name Category Contact Address Criteria Exp DOB Position Job id Salary 2. 5. Sequence Diagram 2. 5 Use case Model Survey Approve the vacancy Administrator Login Put the vacancy on website Download the CV Send the reply to jobseeker Search for job Register Apply the job Upload resume Employer Check their qualification Job seeker 1. ADMINISTRATOR: * Name of use case:- ADMINSTRATOR * Descr iptions:-To manage the user accounts and maintain the database and user accounts. * Pre-conditions:- administrator user name and password. * Normal flow of events:- ?new login, password, details of the user location id, roles, permissions a granted. ?save details. ?manage the permissions of other users. Alternative flow of events:-if login is wrong then message appears. * Post conditions:-Management of user accounts and permissions. 2. REGISTRATION * Name of usecase:-CREATE the account * Descriptions:-the user can create a new account in the site. * Pre-conditions:- ?not a member of the site. ?invalid username and password. * Normal flow of events:- ?enter the details and submit. ?login the site. ?logout the site. * Alternative flow of events:- ?invalid username. ?invalid password. * Post conditions:- User can use the valuable resources in the site and view the various Job Opportunities. 3.JOB SEEKER * Name of usecase:-Job Seeker * Descriptions:-Job seeker can register & login to th e website and can upload his resume and can search for a desired job followed by applying for it * Pre-conditions:- ?Must have prepared his resume. ?Must have all the required job details. ?Must be eligible to apply for a job ?Must have registered for a job ?Must have prepared his resume * Normal flow of events:- ?enter the details and submit. ?login the site. ?upload a resume ?search for a job ?apply for a job ?check his application status ?can access to customer care * Alternative flow of events:- invalid username. ?invalid password. ?not eligible for the job ?not job is available for which the seeker is eligible ?no vacancies in any company ?have already applied for all the vacancies * Post conditions:- user can wait for the companies to give him a call for the interviews and can regularly check his mails for the alerts(if any)send by he administrator 4. JOB PROVIDER * Name of use case:-Job Provider * Descriptions:-Job Provider can register & login to the website and can add the vacancies update and delete them. * Pre-conditions:- ?Must have some vacancies for chances of vacancies in the future ?Must be eligible to register his company registration ?Must have registered to the site * Normal flow of events:- ?enter the details and submit. ?login the site. ?add the vacancies ?update the vacancies ?delete the vacancies ?check who all have register their vacancy and can contact to them personally * Alternative flow of events:- ?invalid username. ?invalid password. ?not eligible for registering ?no vacancies in the company ?no user registered for the vacancy * Post conditions:- Provider can take the note of the seekers who he wants to call for an interview and can contact with them through mails or calls. . 17 Timeline Chart(Gantt Chart) Work Tasks| 1st Week| 2nd Week| 3rd Week| 4th Week| 5th Week| 1. Communication Meet with team in-charge Identify needs and project constraints Establish product statement Milestone: Product statement defined2. Planning Technical task Risk analysis Source requirement Design and product analysis Project time schedule Milestone: Completion of planning3. Modeling Deciding model Analysis used model Milestone: Model selected4. Construction Code generation Testing Milestone: Completed construction5.Deployment Review the project Delivered to the customer Feedback based on evaluation Milestone: Project completed| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3. 2 Computing Function Points Information Domain Value| Count| | Weighting FactorsSimple Average Complex| | | External Inputs| 8| x| 3| 4| 6| =| 24| External outputs| 5| x| 4| 5| 7| =| 20| External Inquiries| 3| x| 3| 4| 6| =| 09| Internal Logical Files| 6| x| 7| 10| 15| =| 42| External Interface Files| 0| x| 5| 7| 10| =| 0| Count Total| 95| To compute function points (FP), the following relationship is used: FP = count total x [0. 5 + 0. 01 x ? (Fi)] = 95x{0. 65+0. 01Ãâ€"46} = 105. 45 Where count total is the sume of all FP entries obtained from the Fi ( i = 1 to 14) are value adjustment factors (VAF) based on responses to the following. 1. Data communication 2. Distributed processing 3. Performance objectives 4. Operation configuration load 5. Transaction rate 6. On-line data entry 7. End user efficiency 8. On-line update 9. Complex processing logic 10. Re-usability 11. Installation ease 12. Operational ease 13. Multiple sites 14. Desier to facilitate change 4. 2. 2 Empirical model based estimation (COCOMO II model) No. f screens in the project: 14 No. of reports: 5 No. of 3GL components: 1 Developer’s experience/capability: Very Low % reuse: 70 Taking the values from the given tables: Thus Object Points= [14X1 + 5X2 ] =24 NOP= (object points) X [(100-%reuse)/100] =24 X 0. 30=7. 2 PROD=4 Thus Estimated effort=NOP/PROD=7. 2/4=1. 8 person-months RISK MANAGEMENT Risks| Category| Probability| Impact| Size estimate may be significantly low| PS| 60%| 2| Large number of users than planned| PS| 30%| 3| Less use than planned| PS| 70% | 2| End users resist system| BU| 40%| 3| Delivery deadline will be tightened| BU| 50%| 2|Customer will change requirements| PS| 80%| 2| Lack of training on tools | DE| 80%| 3| Staff inexperienced| ST| 60%| 2| Poor standard of work| ST| 40%| 1| Poor feedback| BU| 30%| 2| Incomplete requirements| PS| 30%| 2| Risk | Consequence | Action | Size estimate may be significantly low. | Inefficient resource allocation for the software resulting in delivery delays. | Close look at requirement collection process. | Less reuse than planned. | Development time will increase. | Develop efficient SRS. | Customer will change requirements. | Might lead to start of development from scratch. Choose an efficient model that can cope with sudden changes in requirements. | Staff Inexperienced. | Might lead to development of incomplete software. Completed project may receive poor reviews. | Choose the project team efficiently with proper mix of experiences | Poor standard of work. | Will result in a poor q uality project. Some elements may need to be redone. Completed project may receive poor reviews. | Carry out a thorough procurement process looking at issues of experience and quality as well as cost. Include appropriate contingency. | Delivery Deadline may be tightened. Delay in deployment. | Deadline should be carefully calculated keeping all areas in mind. | Poor public response to the software. | Wastage of development efforts with financial losses. | Conduct a survey to get information about market trends. | Requirements are incomplete. | Incomplete software. May get rejected by the customer. | Requirements should be carefully understood and documented. | Lack of training on tools. | Inefficient software product with chances of defects. | Developers should be well trained and comfortable with the development tools. | | | | End users resist system. Redevelopment of the product from scratch. | End users terms and conditions should be mentioned in the SRS. | Larger number of users than planned. | Database will need to be expanded. | Database should be big enough to cope with the worst case situations. | | | | 5. Design 7. 1 Structured Design Methodology Get username & password notifications apply confirmation validate joblist userid resume name&pwd System Database Main Print confirmation Login Apply Notifications Check passwords Check username Get passwords Get username validation login input Send resume Select company pply select view notifications Print Validate Username & password 6. Testing (White Box) 8. 1 Pseudo code 1. If(name==s. name && pwd==s. pwd) 2. then display notifications 3. else re-enter name and password 4. print â€Å"enter valid job category† 5. read j_c 6. if(j_c==s. jc[]) 7. then display job list 8. else print † no such category† 9. display â€Å"select valid job_id† 10. i=1,n=5; 11. do while(i

Friday, September 27, 2019

Child Rape in South Africa Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Child Rape in South Africa - Essay Example Crime is occurring at an unprecedented rate and South Africa now boasts some of the highest rates of violent crime in the world (De Capua & Robertson 2009). Yet, one of the most pressing social issues to emerge is the sexual violence of children. Child rape is occurring at unprecedented proportions resulting not only in the trauma of children but in the increase of HIV/AIDS infections. The South African legal system is struggling to cope with the number of child rape cases and many children's rights advocates argue that the system is flawed in its handling of sexual abuse victims, in particular children. This paper seeks to examine the issues surrounding child rape in South Africa including the role of the legal system in combating this issue. Apartheid emerged in 1948 and was a legalized system of segregation separating the white Boer minority from the Black, mixed-race and Indian majority (South African Government Information 2008). It was a complex set of laws that resulted in the oppression and marginalization of all non-whites in South Africa. Apartheid was brutally enforced by the white minority and state-sponsored violence was commonly used to maintain order and suppresses social uprisings. With the end of Apartheid in 1994, this legacy of social and economic inequality has remained resulting in extremely high levels of violence of which women and children are often victims (Human Rights Watch 2001). Due to social inequality, women and girls are often the most vulnerable victims of violence, in particular, gender-based violence such as rape and sexual abuse (Human Rights Watch 2001). Apartheid was deeply entrenched in South African society and it continues to impact the political, social and economic conditions of the country. Schools, in particular, have felt the brunt of the pervasive violence that has wrecked havoc on the country and its people. According to Human Rights Watch, "the South African education system today is still scarred by the racially discriminatory policies of apartheid and in particular the system of 'Bantu Education' imposed by the National Party government" (2001). During the period of resistance, where freedom fighters waged war against the oppressive Apartheid system, "schools were often transformed into sites of political struggle and frequently become violent spaces" (Human Rights Watch 2001). Since the dismantling of Apartheid, the government has struggled to compensate for the lack of professional teachers.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Air france internet marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Air france internet marketing - Essay Example Search engine optimization can be used to increase the return on advertisement investment. In order to optimize the search engine, the marketers need to identify the correct keywords that should be used for the various advertisements (Clay and Susan, Pg. 237). It should be noted that the company may use so many keywords and search phrases but as long as they are not the correct ones, it may end up making a loss on its investment. Therefore, Air France need to concentrate on identifying the correct words and drop some of the keywords that have no search requests or have below per requests. Customers will normally search the keywords and in the event that they do not find what they want with the first click, most of the will not move to the next page or rephrase the keywords they are searching for (Robinson, Lindsey and John, Pg. 10). The campaign tactics should be adjusted so that they focus more on the correct keywords rather than the number of

John Brown Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

John Brown - Essay Example This essay takes a neutral view at the life and deeds of Brown and finds that John Brown was not a terrorist. If we look back in history we find that this title was given to him because of his revolt against slavery. In that period, slavery was an accepted norm of life and any movement against it was "anti-social". Today when slavery has been wiped out, he can be declared a hero for starting a war against an inhuman practice of slave trade. John Brown born on 9th May, 1800, became the first American to raise his voice against the practice of slavery. He has been one of the most controversial personalities of the 19th century. Even President Abraham Lincoln said that Brown was a "misguided fanatic".( Blue, 2006) Many other intellectuals also called him as terrorist. He had started a liberation movement of the black slaves in 1857-58 in Kansas. He collected some young men and gave them military training at Springdale Iowa. In 1958, he took this small army to Chatham in West Canada and on 8th of May, he called a convention where he declared a provisional constitution for the people of United States. If we read the wordings of this constitution, it goes like "slavery is none other than a most barbarous, unprovoked and unjustifiable war of one portion of its citizens upon another portion." Anyone who has not been influenced by the name "Father of Terrorists", can not say that these words are unjustified and anyone believing and promoting these words and thoughts should be executed. Brown formulated the constitution and also formed a committee. On 10th the committee was finalized and declared adjourned sine die. In July 1859, Brown came to Harper's Ferry under disguise and prepared grounds for his further attack. Finally on 16th October, 1859, he invaded Harper's Ferry with his army of 20 militants. Twelve of these were killed one was captured and executed and one was unaccounted for. Rest four of the them including Brown were turned over to the Sheriff. On 2nd December, 1859, Brown was executed. Historical Interpretations Most of the historians have Called John Brown a terrorist. Later some of them have come up with more cordial view. The friendliest biography of Brown is supposed to be the one written by Oswald Garrison Villard in 1910. Villard was himself the grandson of William Lloyd Garrison who was an abolitionist. While explaining John's arrival in Harpers Ferry he says that his intention was to "begin his revolution in a spectacular way, capturing a few slaveholders and release some slaves( Villard, 1910)". He has expressed admiration for Brown in many places but he has also called him a murderer. Some of the African American writers later presented a positive view about him.(DeCaro, 2005). Even in the middle of the 20th century, some Southern writers expressed strongly negative views about him. In the beginning of the 21st century, there has been a remarkable change in the attitude of the writers. Few of them are Toledo 2002, Decaro, 2002, Peterson 2002, Reynolds 2005 and Carton 2006. There have been some writers in this period also like Bruce Olds 1995, who has written a very negative work on Brown. At the same time Russel Banks has portrayed a fictional work on Brown putting him is the

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

The Life of an Outsider in New York Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Life of an Outsider in New York - Essay Example On the other hand, Mosley paints a less romantic picture of America by detailing struggles of the working class. He says that although America is a land of great wealth, it has a large population of the poor population. The paradox of the situation is that while the poor people make the wealth for the rich people, the wealth is retained by a smaller part of the population. It is essential to highlight that immigrants usually provides the highest population of workers. Such workers do low-end jobs that involve tedious work. Mosley blames the middle class for their negligent attitude on the phenomenon of income inequality (White 187).   Ã‚  Capitalism, therefore, is a disease to the country since it relies on wage labor as a contributor to profits. In spite of its importance, labor is not adequately compensated for the same. On the other hand, Mosley paints a less romantic picture of America by detailing struggles of the working class. He says that although America is a land of great wealth, it has a large population of the poor population. The paradox of the situation is that while the poor people make the wealth for the rich people, the wealth is retained by a smaller part of the population. It is essential to highlight that immigrants usually provides the highest population of workers. Such workers do low-end jobs that involve tedious work. Mosley blames the middle class for their negligent attitude on the phenomenon of income inequality (White 187). Capitalism, therefore, is a disease to the country since it relies on wage labor as a contributor to profits. In spite of its importance, labor is not adequately compensated for the same.

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

American and Great Civil War Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

American and Great Civil War - Research Paper Example Rising figures of secessionists maintained that this tradition could only be secured by gaining sovereignty. Disciplinary Content The battle itself was ignited by the rejection of the slave countries to accept the judgment of the year 1860 presidential vote, which had spotted the first Republican contender, Lincoln, take the northern part but did not get any electoral ballot in the South. South passed order of secession, took federal installations, and identified out their armed force (Chikering & Forster). These states position up their own union with a pro-slavery organization led by an associate leader, Jefferson, and this fresh government positioned its capital originally at Montgomery, Alabama. The revolt government was ready to get rid of the two remaining central outposts on their region, at Pensacola and at Fort Sumter in Charleston port. Subsequent to a confrontation enduring four months, the union attacked the latter on April the year 1861. President Lincoln reacted by issu ing a public statement calling for seventy thousands volunteers for three months to repress a revolt against centralized authority. Nearly all people involved thought that the disagreement would be for a short time. Maybe it would have been if the separated states had stayed simply seven in number; nevertheless, four significant states of the Upper South, brook away instead of co-operating in the oppression of their sister slave countries. They added not just to the Confederacy's populace and regions but as well to its sparse manufacturing resources (Chikering & Forster). Even though, geography positioned Virginia and Tennessee particularly in the extreme front line suppose military actions escalate. So big was the union that a number of powerful figures disbelieved whether it might be physically engaged and put their hopes in the marine blockade, which was proclaimed on 19 April. Without doubt, the South's physical advantages increased to an established sense of bravery that sovere ignty could be gotten easily. A prevalent certainty in a short battle was supported in the North by an attentiveness of a great inequality in resources. The entire populace of the USA in the year 1860 was 31, 443, and 321. Out of these, the residents of the southern countries were eight million of who three million were slaves. The border countries (Kentucky, Maryland, and Missouri) had a populace of three million. During the year, 1861 to ensure the devotion of the Border countries stayed a top precedence for the Lincoln government. If secession were partial to eleven states subsequently, the upper states could gather together four million war men to the union 1, 100, 000. The industrial inequality was even larger (Chikering & Forster). The regions of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania without help produced more industrialized goods than the whole Confederacy. Differences and Similarities The South could manufacture enough food to nourish itself but did not have the means to ferry it. In the year 1860, only nine thousand miles of the USA total of thirty-one miles of railway trail could be established at the bottom, and southern engineers had finished only nine of the four hundred and seventy locomotives constructed before the year 1860. However, a material inequality in itself does not assure success and Lincoln's main issue was in assembling and organizing

Monday, September 23, 2019

Analysis of the Article - The Effects of Bank Mergers and Acquisitions Research Paper

Analysis of the Article - The Effects of Bank Mergers and Acquisitions on Small Business Lending - Research Paper Example The simplistic analysis makes the assumption that lending tendencies are static and depend exclusively on the size of the bank while neglecting the important nature of mergers and acquisitions as dynamic events which may consider changes in the conduct of the organization further than the simple static aggregation associated with the merging institutions. The study departs from a majority of the existing writings through the examination of the dynamic effect of mergers and acquisitions instead of arriving at assumptions simply from static deductions. It also departs from existing literature through modelling the overall effects of mergers and acquisitions on small business lending as a blend of several separate static and dynamic effects and through the measurement of effects of mergers and acquisitions on lending by other banks in the local market. Ultimately, the research seeks to understand the how mergers and acquisitions empirically in banks affect the tendency to lend to small businesses through measuring static, restructuring, as well as direct effects of the numerous mergers and acquisitions of United States banks from the 70s to the early 90s. The external impact of the mergers and acquisitions on the lending associated will all the banks in their local markets, whether or not the banks are involved in mergers or acquisitions will be measured. The introductory statements were in agreement with the title and can be considered to be of an educational significance. The average leader can easily understand the issue that is being discussed in the paper without the need to go over the literature several times. It is easy to understand why the researcher felt the need to study the issues that are discussed in the introductory literature.  

Sunday, September 22, 2019

What are your perceptions on the universal declaration Essay Example for Free

What are your perceptions on the universal declaration Essay One Amazing Thing by: Chitra Divakaruni. It was first published in the US in voice by Hyperion in 2009 and later published by Penguin books India February 2010. The book also has 240 pages. Chitra B. Divakaiumi is an award winning author poet. Her work is widely known, as she has been published in over 500 magazines. Including Atlantic Monthly and The New Yorker, and her writing has been included in over 50 anthologies. She was born in India and lived there until 1976. At which point she left Calcutta and came to the United States. A young woman Uma, sits in the waiting room of the India passport office. She starts to get very impatient, and she entertains herself by observing the other people in the waiting room with her. Everyone has a reason of why they want to enter into India. In the waiting area their waits an Africa American war veteran Cameron who takes charge, but some are unhappy about it. A Muslim names Tariq. An upper class Caucasian couple that really don’t get alone. A Chinese grandmother with a secret past, and her granddaughter, two visa office workers on the verge of and affair Malathi and Mr. Mangalam, and Uma. As they all set in the waiting area Uma starts to feel a little rumbling and that when the earthquake strikes. When everything settles down, there were some major injuries as well as some minor injuries. People started to go into survival mode, as there is little food to eat. The office starts to flood. So emotional stress seems to much for everyone to handle as they wait to be rescued or die. So that’s when Uma comes up with everyone telling â€Å"One Amazing Thing† , about themselves because she believes that no one can go through life without encountering at least one amazing thing. So everyone begin to tell one amazing thing that they have never told anyone before. With One Amazing Thing everyone discover so much from each other as well as their selves. Elderly Caucasian couple Mr. and Mrs. Pritchet going through a difficult time in their marriage, an Indian-Muslim man Tariq who is disillusioned and angry with the new US, as Chinese lady Jiang who loved and lost a man in her younger days, her granddaughter Lily, a middle age army officer haunted by his guilt Cameron, Malathi a visa officer who is engaging in a affair with her boss, Mr. Mangalam on the verge of an extra-martial affair, an Indian-American student Uma, who is confused by her parents decision to return to Kolkata after living in the US for over 20 years. The plot focuses on a group of strangers who are trapped in a visa office. Most customers even some staff have come and gone, but nine people remain in the office. When an earthquake rips through the afternoon, trapping these nine characters together, their focus first is to survive through the struggle. There is a little food from which came from what people had. The office begins to flood, and everyone starts to panic and get really scared and frustrated. So when the emotional stress seems to be to much for them to bear, the young lady Uma tells them to tell a personal tale about them that no one knows about â€Å"One Amazing Thing†, from what they have been through in life. So all of their stories from the romance, self-discovery, family, etc. This novel really proves the power of a lot of stories and the meaning of us as human’s expressions itself. In my opinion the book â€Å"One Amazing Thing†, is an engaging book because it reinforces the idea that all of us are different and unique in our own ways, and that we all have stories of our lives that may be interesting or not to tell. We all can connect to this book or see one another if we are willing to take the time out to listen to people. Because everyone has a something to tell, and amazing is not always positive words. But describes something that might have changed a life, or the course of someone life. Some of the stories are very heart breaking, but all of them paint a picture in some way of the characters and why they may be who they have become.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Neo Neo Debate in International Relations

Neo Neo Debate in International Relations The study of international relations is best thought as a protracted competition between the realist, liberal, and radical traditions (Stephen,1998). In international relations theory, there are four Great Debates argued by the international relations scholars. In this paper, the neo-neo debate to the study of international relations is the topic used to talk about. The neo-neo debate in international relations is known as a debate between scholars of neo-realist international relations theory and neo-liberal institutionalism (Steve, 2001). The neo-neo debate is not a debate between two completely opposite viewpoint. This paper is finished under the hammer at revealing the key features and the main contributions of the neo-neo debate to the study of International Relations. This paper is divided into three sections to finish the work. In the first section, the key features of the neo-neo debate to the study of International Relations show in this part. Section two focuses on the main contributions of the neo-neo debate to the study of International Relations. The last section relates to the conclusion of the whole paper. 2.0 Discussion about the features and contributions Neorealism and neoliberalism are the two most contemporary approached to international relations theory and they create the neo-neo debate which has dominated much of international relations theory for the last decade (Powell, 1994). Arguments on the consequence of both anarchy and gains and the prospect for peace form the basis of the neo-neo debate (Taylor, 2006). Though neorealist and neoliberal international relations theorists pursue different arguments, the neo-neo debate is not a debate between two polar opposite worldviews. They share assumptions which focus on similar questions and they agree on very similar, through not identical, set of assumptions about international politics. In a word, there are both similarities and disparity between neorealism and neoliberalism. Taylor (2006) thinks the similarities between thee two schools are from the neorealism. First, both of them think states are rational egoists. Unlikely the classical liberal proposition that the idealistic sel f-abnegation and self-regarding motivations of states (Hobson 2000), neoliberal scholars agree with neorealists that states are rational egoists so that they are self -interested. This similarity formed those baseline assumptions that neoliberalists began to question and argue with neorealism. Despite there are similarities between neorealism and neoliberalism, neoliberals maintained many of the key assumptions from the classical liberals. In this paper, there are some points under the neo-neo debate of international relations to show the incomplete opposite between neorealist and neoliberal international relations theories. Exactly those assumptions borrowed from neorealism and core classical liberalism produce the debate between neorealism and neoliberalism. First, the notion of anarchy in international relations is the most significant part among these two schools. To the classical realist, anarchy means that there is no government of governments and no authority in the world greater than the sovereign state (Fraser, 2010). But to the neorealist, anarchy is the organizing principle that makes states to act the way they do. The world is constituted of nations which are governed by states in relative anarchy (Axelrod Keohane 1993). States are supposed to be rational and unitary actors. In the world of anarchy, states have to use self-help as a predominant tool (Setear, 2010). Waltz (1979) thinks that the effect of anarchy is to create the principle of self-help, because a state can only depend on itself for its survival. States are unable to control in an anarchic climate so that they should prepare to be challenged by opportunistic, stronger states (Hobson 2000). Neorealists stand on the belief that the state is the most important actor in international politics to peace, but they also feel powerless to influence the peaceful action of other states. Though neoliberalism is different from Neorealism, it does not vote down the anarchic nature of the international relations. Scholars of neoliberalism emphasis the neorealists have exaggerated the importance and effect of anarchy. They think anarchy can be mitigated by international regimes and institutions. That is to say they argue that the neorealists underestimate the effect of institutionalised co operation. Neoliberalism believes that interstate cooperation could create institutions and regimes for the peaceful settlement of conflicts (Sheldon, 1994). Another core disparity within the neo-neo debate is the problem of absolute and relative gains. The difference of this disparity is obvious. Neorealists think that all states must be concerned with the absolute and relative gains which produce by international agreements and cooperative efforts. While neoliberals are less concerned about relative gains and considers that both of them will benefit from absolute gains. For neorealists, winning at all costs can make their friends be their enemy in war in the pursuit of relative gains (Taylor, 2006). For neoliberals, if states only pursue absolute gains, they can cooperate with each other and avoid conflict by maintaining the international principle through a positive game (Viotti and Kauppi 1987). This disparity has significant implications on the problems of security concerns of states and the prospects of world peace (Taylor, 2006). Hence neorealists consider conflicts as inevitable outcomes of international relations. Besides, neorea lists focus more on the short-term gains of states in competition while neoliberals pay more attention on longer-term absolute gains (Taylor, 2006). Hence neorealists place a higher emphasis on power-maximizing and security dilemma than economic prosperity (Baldwin, 1993). Neoliberals support that international institution can play an important role in resolving conflicts and that it can make states cooperate and work toward long-term gains rather than relay on short-term gains. Though neoliberals agree with neorealists on that states act only out of self-interest, they can not share the suggestion of neorealists about the possibility of international cooperation. The neo-neo debate has been the dominant focus in international relations theory scholarship in the USA for the last dozen years (Baylis Smith, 2006). Neorealism and neoliberalism turn to be conceptual frameworks which show people the images of the world rather than just theories. Both neorealism and neoliberalism have its limits and deficiencies. Neoliberalism emerged as a new liberal response to realism during the last decade of the Cold War. Interestingly, the neoliberals borrow many neorealist assumptions but distance themselves from the classical liberalist theory so they can restore integrity to liberal ideals (Taylor, 2006). Neoliberalism is always named as neoliberal institutionalism in the academic world. The development of neoliberal institutionalism presents a serious challenge for neorealist analysis. But the debate between them is still an inter-paradigm one. The neo-neo debate refers to the problems of state power, relations among different states, and relations betwee n state and non-state actors. Baylis and Smith (2006) point out neorealism and neoliberalism share many assumptions about actors, values, issues and power arrangements in the international relations theories. During the 1960s and 1970s, the appearance of non-state actors induced the world structure to change. Keohane and Nyne (1972) argue that a definition of politics in terms of state behaviours alone may lead us to ignore important non-governmental actors that allocate view. Then the neoliberalism came out to explain the changes of world structure. Neoliberals think states should not be seen as the unique actor in international politics. Its assumptions clearly challenges and distinguishes itself from neorealism. Neorealists think that states are the primary and unitary actors in international politics. But the truth is globalization provides opportunities and resource for transnational social movements have challenged the state authority and control in some areas (Baylis and Smith, 2006). That is no exaggeration to say that the neo-neo debate comply with the development of international politics. During the development of international relations theory, the development of each school is rooted in argument between different schools. Through those arguments, scholars of international relations extend their thoughts and explore more possibilities, shine their studies, and finally accept the strong points of the others and the weak points belong to themselves. Then they can rethink profoundly on their own theories and make recreation on their works. That is how neorealists and neoliberals affect each other and the development of international relations theories. Powell (1994) points out that much of the neo-neo debate can be seen as a response to Waltzs Theory of international politics and a reaction to those response. Waltzs key contribution to the international relations theories is the creation of neorealism which is also called structural realism by him. Neorealism is a reaction to the classical realism and leads the response from neoliberals. Then the debate between neoreali sm and neoliberals came out to discuss problems which exit in the international politics. The debate between neorealism and neoliberalism is much more deepen and careful than the debate between realism and liberalism. The approach used within the debate has its new features in evidence. It also opens up a new from of debate which not exclude each other and not easy to assert the fault of the other. Some scholars also think the neo-neo debate between these two theories have failed to contribute as much as they could have to the international relations theory. Powell (1994) thinks neorealism and neoliberalism have serious internal weakness and limitations which lead to the neo-neo debate present confuse rather than clarification. Maybe this shortcoming can also be looked as a contribution to the international relations theories. Scholars need to find much more directions for the future theoretical work after they have realized there were weakness and limitations within the neo-neo debate. 3.0 Conclusion Today, many of foundations of the interstate system are challenged by change in international norms. These changes have led to a debate among scholars about whether those international relations theories will survive in its current form or evolve into another theory that does not come out. Neoliberals believe economics is a driving force which can encouragingly increase cooperation among nations in international relations. While neorealists think that military force will continue decide what happens in the world. Both of them are right to some extant. And none of them will replace another. May another new debate will replace them someday, the neo-neo debate is still a great evolution of the study of international relations.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Neurodegenerative Diseases: Systems, Causes and Treatments

Neurodegenerative Diseases: Systems, Causes and Treatments Simon Mendy Compare the symptoms, causes and available or future treatments for Motor Neuron Disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Myasthenia Gravis. Neurodegenerative diseases are hereditary (inherited) and sporadic (acquired during a person’s life) conditions caused by progressive nervous system dysfunction (http://ec.europa.eu/health/major_chronic_diseases/diseases/brain_neurological/index_en.htm). Motor neuron disease and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (shrink) are neurodegenerative conditions that arise due to motor neurons dysfunction and Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune neurodegenerative disorder. Motor neuron disease is caused by damage to motor neurons; Spinal muscular atrophy is due to deterioration of the motor neurons connecting the brain and spinal cord; Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune condition that arises due to the damage or blocking of muscle receptors by antibodies accidently produced by the immune system. All three disorders result in weakness, making there diagnosis very hard, because weakness is a very common symptom of many conditions. However, possibilities are ruled out depending on the age of the pers on affected. If someone exhibiting muscle weakness is 1 year old, it is more likely that the person has SMA than the MG or MND, because SMA generally affects children ranging from less than six months to around the age of three, whereas MND is common in teenagers and young adults, and MG normally affects middle aged adults. Motor neurone disease is a unique condition of unknown aetiology that occurs when motor neurons (specialist nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that relay signals from the brain to the muscles) become damaged and ultimately stop working (http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Motor-neurone-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx). This causes the muscles that the damage nerves supply to gradually lose strength, usually with wasting of muscles. It is unclear exactly what causes motor neurons to stop working, but, there is not thought to be a link with factors like lifestyle, race and diet. In a small number of cases (about 5%), there is a family history of either motor neuron disease or a related condition known as frontotemporal dementia. However, there is no single test to diagnose MND and diagnosis is solely based on the opinion of a neurologist, on the basis of the symptoms observed and a physical examination. In some cases a specialised test is needed to rule out other possible conditions. Symptoms of motor neurone disease begin gradually over a period of weeks and months, generally only on one side of the body at the beginning, and gradually get worse with time. Symptoms normally include having clumsy fingers or weaker grip (early signs of weakness). Other symptoms include: wasting of muscles, muscle cramps, hardships with swallowing and communication, excess saliva (difficulties swallowing saliva), and coughing after swallowing. After sometime, a person with motor neuron disease may find themselves unable to move. In a small number of cases (10-15%), motor neuron disease is associated with a type of dementia called frontotemporal dementia that can affect behaviour and personality. The main types of motor neuron disease are: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (accounts for 60-70% of all cases), progressive bulbar palsy (PBP), progressive muscular atrophy (PMA), and primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) (http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Motor-Neurone-Disease). Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal (a chromosome that is not allosome) recessive genetic disease that causes muscle weakness and progressive loss of movement (http://www.fsma.org/FSMACommunity/understandingsma/WhatCausesSMA/). Around 1 out of every 40 people are genetic carriers of the disease (they carry the mutated gene but do not actually have SMA) (http://www.fsma.org/FSMACommunity/understandingsma/WhatCausesSMA/). Gene mutation is a permanent alteration in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/mutationsanddisorders/genemutation). Gene mutation occurs in two different ways: they are either inherited from parents (known as hereditary mutation) or they are acquired at some time during a person’s life (known as acquired mutation). Hereditary mutations happen when mutations are present in both the egg and sperm cells. A person that has inherited this type of mutation has it present in virtually every cell in their body, throughout th eir lifetime. Acquired mutations occur in individual cells at some time during a person’s lifetime. These changes can occur due to environmental factors like ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, chemicals, and radiation, or if a mistake is made whilst DNA copies itself during cell division (mitosis and meiosis). Acquired mutations are only inherited if they occur in sex cells. According to the National Genome Institute, almost all diseases have some kind of genetic factor. These disorders can be cause by multiple gene mutations, a mutation in a single gene, combined gene mutation and environmental factors, or by chromosome damage or mutation. Gene mutation has been identified as the cause of numerous disorders including spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), haemophilia, Tay-Sachs, sickle cell, anaemia, cystic fibrosis and some cancers (http://biology.about.com/od/basicgenetics/ss/gene-mutation.htm). The term SMA is used mainly for the most common form spinal muscular atrophy, which is caused by a genetic problem where one copy of the genetic error (mutation in autosomes) is inherited from each parent. SMA is classified into four different categories, from Type I IV. The classification of SMA depends on the age at which symptoms of the disease arise and the severity of the symptoms. Symptoms of SMA normally include problems with breathing, eating, moving and swallowing; floppy arms and legs (In children with either Type I or II SMA); twitching of the muscles in the arms, legs or tongue. Type I SMA is the most severe, it develops in babies under six months old. Type II is less severe that Type I SMA, it affects babies between the ages 6 to 18 months. Type III and Type IV are the mildest types of SMA. Type III normally affects children around 3 years old. Type IV affects adults. In the most severe cases of SMA (Types I and II), fatal respiratory problems usually develop during chi ldhood. In mild cases such as Types III and IV SMA, life expectancy is normally unaffected (http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Spinal-muscular-atrophy/Pages/Introduction.aspx). Spinal muscular atrophy is caused by the deletion of the survival motor neuron gene 1 (SMN1) (http://www.fsma.org/FSMACommunity/understandingsma/WhatCausesSMA/). In healthy people SMN1 produces a protein known as the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. In a person with mutated genes, the supply of this protein is absent or is significantly decreased. This results in the deterioration of the nerve cells (motor neurons) connecting the brain and spinal cord to the body’s muscles, therefore causing muscle weakness and gradual loss of movement, because the SMN protein is critical to the survival and health of motor neurons. Spinal muscular atrophy affects 1 in 6000 to 1 in 10000 people. Myasthenia gravis is a unique long-term autoimmune condition which affects the nerves and muscles, resulting in the muscles becoming weak. An autoimmune condition is caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking and destroying healthy body tissue. Ordinarily, the immune systems white blood cells protect the body from harmful substances, known as antigens. For examples: viruses, bacteria, toxins, etc. antibodies are produced as a counter measure by the immune system that destroy the antigens. In people with autoimmune disorder, the immune system has difficulty distinguishing between antigens and healthy body tissue. Due to this an immune system response that kills healthy body tissue is produced. The cause of the immune system no longer being able to distinguish between antigens and healthy body tissue is unknown at present. A theory suggests that drugs or microorganisms (like bacteria or viruses) may trigger some of these changes. In myasthenia gravis, the immune system accidental ly produces antibodies (proteins) that damage or block muscle receptor cells. This stops muscles contracting because the antibodies prevent messages being past from the nerve endings to the muscles. However, it is not understood why the immune system of some people produce antibodies that attack the muscle receptor cells. Symptoms of myasthenia gravis generally include impaired eye movement and weakness of muscles that are voluntarily controlled, therefore affecting functions such as facial expressions, eye and eye lid movement, chewing, talking and swallowing, and weakness of neck and limbs. However since weakness is a common symptom in many different diseases and conditions, diagnosis of myasthenia gravis is normally delayed or missed. Myasthenia gravis is diagnosed through Blood tests, Genetic tests and Electromyogram. In the U.S about 20 in 100,000 people are diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. Presently there is no known cure for MND, SMA, OR MG, however there are treatments that can be initiated with aims to ease symptoms to help the person feel more comfortable and have a better quality of life, and compensate for the gradual loss of bodily functions like mobility, communication, breathing and swallowing. For example, for MND, muscle relaxants can help reduce muscle stiffness; medicines such as phenytoin can treat muscle cramps; a breathing mask can help reduce shortness of breath. Right now, the only available treatment for MND that affects the progression of the disease is Riluzole, however it doesn’t stop the progression of motor neuron disease, but only slows it down by a few months (http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Motor-neurone-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx). With SMA, depending on the severity, treatment could involve: exercise, to prevent joint stiffness and improve range of movement and flexibility; assistive equipment such as motorised wheelchairs and walk ing frames if someone with SMA has difficulty moving; nutrition advice and feeding tubes; bracing and surgery to treat scoliosis (curvature of the spine) (http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Spinal-muscular-atrophy/Pages/Treatment.aspx). For patients with MG, medication such as pyridostigmine and neostigmine (less common), can prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, an important chemical that assists the muscles in contracting (http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Myasthenia-gravis/Pages/Treatment.aspx). If pyridostigmine is ineffective, steroid tablets can be used to lessen the symptoms. Doctors also often prescribe azathioprine, methotrexate or mycophenolate, to suppress the immune system. Muscle strength can be improved by controlling the production of abnormal antibodies through the use immunosuppressants. In some cases of MG, surgery to remove the thymus gland (a thymectomy) may be recommended. The thymus gland is part of the immune system and is found underneath the breast bone, it is someti mes abnormal in people with MG. In numerous cases, treatment of MG substantially improves muscle weakness allowing a person with the condition to lead a comparatively normal life. Some people may experience permanent or temporally periods where symptoms stop and treatment is no longer needed. Permanent remissions occur in about a third of the people who have a thymectomy (http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Myasthenia-gravis/Pages/Treatment.aspx). Currently, the hope of many is that stem cells of extraneural or neural origin might be modified in vitro (i.e. transforming skin cells into induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS)) (http://www.eurostemcell.org/factsheet/motor-neurone-disease-how-could-stem-cells-help) to differentiate into motor neurons that would migrate to sites of motor neuron loss and restore the motor pathways lost in MND by forming functional connections (Boulis, 2011). The most promising cells so far that can be used for stem treatment of MND are spinal cord stem cells, which are able to produce both motor neurons and a cell call glia. Many of the proteins known as growth factors that contribute to motor neurons development are secreted by glia. There is also a possibility that non-neuronal cells such as glia can be used to prevent further damage to motor neurons and encourage repair through the production of the working version of the protein SOD1, which in some types of MND doesn’t function properly (htt p://www.eurostemcell.org/factsheet/motor-neurone-disease-how-could-stem-cells-help). Stem cell therapy also has to the potential to be used as a possible cure for SMA, MG and other neurological conditions. Gene therapy uses genes to prevent or treat a disease by introducing genetic material in cells to compensate for abnormal genes or to make a beneficial protein (MacKenzie, 2010). Gene therapy was found to be well suited as a future treatment for SMA by the Kaspar group: who described a self-complementary (sc) AAV9 vector that crosses the blood-brain barriers after systemic administration; because of scAAV9’s remarkable efficiency in central nervous system (CNS) gene transfer, after intravenous delivery in mice and other larger animals. Using this as a base, the Kaspar group along with Arthur burgees, detail the most successful rescue reported yet in a mouse model of severe SMA. This was achieved by injecting scAAV9 that is carrying SMN1, into the facial vein of mice pups on their day of birth (MacKenzie, 2010). The approach of injecting scAAV9 into mice pups, resulted in the transduction of 40% of motor neurons, and an extension of the lifespan of the mice from 2 weeks to more than 250 days, combined with almost normalised neuromuscular electrophysiology and normal motor function (MacKenzie, 2010). This preliminary data obtained in the gene therapy rescue of SMA in the mouse model, reported by the Kaspar group and Arthur Burghes (a pioneer of SMA), suggests that the same approach could be used in primates. The authors investigated systemic injection of scAAV9-GFP in a cynomolgus monkey (1 day of age). After four weeks, the magnitude of GFP in spinal motor neurons recorded was similar to that shown by the mice (MacKenzie, 2010), boding well for possible application to humans. This news, along with recent encouraging reports of AAV gene therapy of retinal disease, supports the further rehabilitation of gene therapy as a credible therapeutic alternative for neurological diseases, including MG, SMA and MND. The stage seems set: with seemingly untreatable disorders of unknown pathogenesis; an unknown presymptomatic way of diagnosis; and, the small possibility of a cure through gene therapy and stem cell therapy, which are by far the best hopes, not only for MND, SMA and MG, but also for other neurological diseases. However, gene therapy and stem cell therapy are subject to a lot of public disagreement. For gene therapy this is due to fact that, gene therapy targeted at germ cells (egg and sperm cells), (known as germline gene therapy) could be pass on to next generations. Whilst it spares a family and their future generations from a specific genetic disorder, there’s a possibility it could affect the development of a fetus in unexpected ways or have yet unknown long-term side effects (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/therapy/ethics). Because the people who are going to be affected are not yet born, they are unable to choose whether to have the treatment, resulting in big debates on e whether germline gene therapy should be used. Other ethical concerns involve negative impacts on what society thinks is â€Å"normal†, and discrimination toward those with the â€Å"undesirable traits† that arise from using gene therapy as a form â€Å"modification† for unwanted traits or to make â€Å"genetic improvements†. The idea of stem cell therapy is also controversial. Whilst it can used for the treatment of many diseases including neurological ones, there are ethical problems involving how it is obtained. For example, stem cells obtained from the embryo, because the embryo is viewed as a potential person. Due to this, taking stem cells from an embryo is considered to be murder, however, it’s argued that, an early embryo that hasn’t be implanted into the uterus doesn’t have properties we associate with being a person, and therefore can and should be used for the benefit of patients (who are persons). Bibliography: http://ec.europa.eu/health/major_chronic_diseases/diseases/brain_neurological/index_en.htm (20/07/2014) http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Motor-neurone-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx (20/07/2014) http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Motor-Neurone-Disease (20/07/2014) http://www.fsma.org/FSMACommunity/understandingsma/WhatCausesSMA/ (04/07/2014) http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/mutationsanddisorders/genemutation (20/06/2014) http://biology.about.com/od/basicgenetics/ss/gene-mutation.htm (21/06/2014) http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Spinal-muscular-atrophy/Pages/Introduction.aspx (20/07/2014) http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Spinal-muscular-atrophy/Pages/Treatment.aspx (04/07/2014) http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Myasthenia-gravis/Pages/Treatment.aspx (21/07/2014) http://www.eurostemcell.org/factsheet/motor-neurone-disease-how-could-stem-cells-help (05/07/2014) Nicholas M. Boulis. (2011). Gene Therapy for Motor Neuron Disease.Gene Vector Design and Application to Treat Nervous System Disorders. 33 (3), p41-49 Alex MacKenzie. (2010). A severe inherited neuromuscular disease is corrected in mice by intravenous gene delivery.Gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy. 28 (3), 235-237 http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/therapy/genetherapy, (27/06/2014) http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/therapy/ethics, (28/06/2014) http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/therapy/procedures, (27/06/2014)

Thursday, September 19, 2019

World War One the most Important cause of the March Revolution :: WWI WW1

Was World War One the most Important cause of the March Revolution? Nicholas II the eldest son of Alexander III and the Tsar of Russia was born at Krasnoye Selo in May 1868. Nicholas II ruled from 1894 until his abdication in 1917. Nicholas II signed his abdication on 15 March 1917 after the Russian Army High Command recommended it. There are many reasons why Nicholas abdicated including, the financial state of the country, its wide and varied population and their dissatisfaction with the way the country was being ruled. As Russia was already in a weak state and the people had been suffering for many years, the First World War proved the last straw for the Russian people and whilst was possibly not the most important cause was certainly the trigger or catalyst for the March Revolution and Nicholas’ abdication. When The Russian army entered WWI they were huge but poorly led and very badly equipped, there were not enough guns for everyone. They just had lost the war with Japan so heavy casualties meant loss of morale and spirit yet they were expected to go into war again. To make up for the losses in Japan they had to recruit peasants for their army. In a backward country with little money there would have been no chance to train the peasants to be effective soldiers. Their equipment and method of fighting was also no match for the German Army. The Russian’s were trained in charging at the enemy with bayonets, the German troops had machine guns. As a result of this, whilst the Russians were defending the German attack on Poland, half their army was destroyed. Going into a war with such little chance of winning, did nothing to make the Russian people respect Nicholas. The decision that Tsar Nicholas II took in August 1915, to take over the command of the Army, lead to further problems. Being so closely linked to the Army’s failure in the WWI meant even The Duma began to loose faith in his abilities to run the country. Also, while he was away, he left his wife, Alexandra, and Rasputin, a monk who had physic powers who knew when Nicholas’ son was in trouble, to run the country. This was a bad decision Nicholas made because they constantly sacked Ministers and allowed the transport and food problems to descend into crisis. Also Alexandra was half German, when she took charge rumors spread suggesting that she was a German spy. World War One the most Important cause of the March Revolution :: WWI WW1 Was World War One the most Important cause of the March Revolution? Nicholas II the eldest son of Alexander III and the Tsar of Russia was born at Krasnoye Selo in May 1868. Nicholas II ruled from 1894 until his abdication in 1917. Nicholas II signed his abdication on 15 March 1917 after the Russian Army High Command recommended it. There are many reasons why Nicholas abdicated including, the financial state of the country, its wide and varied population and their dissatisfaction with the way the country was being ruled. As Russia was already in a weak state and the people had been suffering for many years, the First World War proved the last straw for the Russian people and whilst was possibly not the most important cause was certainly the trigger or catalyst for the March Revolution and Nicholas’ abdication. When The Russian army entered WWI they were huge but poorly led and very badly equipped, there were not enough guns for everyone. They just had lost the war with Japan so heavy casualties meant loss of morale and spirit yet they were expected to go into war again. To make up for the losses in Japan they had to recruit peasants for their army. In a backward country with little money there would have been no chance to train the peasants to be effective soldiers. Their equipment and method of fighting was also no match for the German Army. The Russian’s were trained in charging at the enemy with bayonets, the German troops had machine guns. As a result of this, whilst the Russians were defending the German attack on Poland, half their army was destroyed. Going into a war with such little chance of winning, did nothing to make the Russian people respect Nicholas. The decision that Tsar Nicholas II took in August 1915, to take over the command of the Army, lead to further problems. Being so closely linked to the Army’s failure in the WWI meant even The Duma began to loose faith in his abilities to run the country. Also, while he was away, he left his wife, Alexandra, and Rasputin, a monk who had physic powers who knew when Nicholas’ son was in trouble, to run the country. This was a bad decision Nicholas made because they constantly sacked Ministers and allowed the transport and food problems to descend into crisis. Also Alexandra was half German, when she took charge rumors spread suggesting that she was a German spy.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Darkness At Noon Essay -- essays research papers

The Saving Grace of Rubashov Despite its brevity Darkness at Noon by Arthur Koestler packs an enormous amount of thought provoking dialog and insight into what may go through the mind of someone who is going through an extreme ordeal. One theme which ran throughout the book was Rubashov’s actions that were taken as matters of self-preservation and what he must do to atone for them. The first instance of this was on page 45 where he asked if it is necessary to pay for deeds that were necessary and right. This was brought on by Rubashov’s attempt and his witnessing of his neighbor’s attempt on his behalf. More is said about this during Rubashov’s first journal entry on page 80. Here he attempts to explain the logic behind the party’s eradication of thought that goes against party doctrine. That the party is in fact more interested in wiping out these ideas which can act as seeds taking root in future generations. Then it is in punishing people. During this entry Rubashov makes no attempt but rather feels that everything shall be sorted out by history. But for him the most painful of all of his sacrifices, was his surrendering of in his secretary and lover, Arlova. Rubashov suffered much as he antagonized over weather this was in fact the correct choice to be made. The pain felt by Rubashov over this decision was amplified by his wi tnessing his old friend being taken much the same way as Avolora. After finishing this book I was amazed at how I did not feel...

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

An American Family Essay

Critics predicted that â€Å"[b]y the end of the mid-century, the American family will no longer exist as we know it†Ã¢â‚¬â€a line that holds true on the current situation of the country. The image of an American family is as fluid as fashion. This connotation is evident with the number of juvenile delinquents, divorce hearings and domestic violence cases that is reported each day. The advent of democracy and liberalism has perhaps triggered the immense transformation on viewing an American family. Globalization for one, takes the largest piece of this shift. The country’s unbolting wrap on the issue of foreign affairs has created a large impact on every American’s life. Diversity they say, has made the Americans mature. But what most do not realize is that the country has been divided by these ‘borrowed’ or ‘adopted’ ordeals. Similar to the American dream, an American family’s dignifying character has shifted to a somewhat aggressive and liberal type (Glick, 2006). Conceivably, this change can be charged to the saying that the world is in constant flux. However, republicans would resent the changes that has transcribed. Given the percentage of migrating individuals and the increase of Americans going abroad—it is most likely that other culture will blend in (or in the near future dominate) with what is inside the core of American virtues. Simple logic would explain this argument. To date, a laissez faire scenario is occurring. More and more changes are to occur if Americans will not pave a way to keep the tradition. It is a fact that every country has their respective culture, beliefs and tradition. And the endpoint of this matter would either be of the benefit of the alien or of the resident. Hence, the real picture on this squabble marks as to whether these changes have preserved the distinctive quality of an American family or otherwise. And in this case, there is a huge possibility that the picture will be dominated by the visiting forces. The shift is in fast pace—the critics may have predicted the future accurately. Reference Glick, P. C. (2006). The Family Life Cycle and Social ChangeThe Family Life Cycle and Social Change. Family Relations, 38(2).

Monday, September 16, 2019

Minicase San Pico

San Pico is a rapidly growing Latin American developing country. The country is blessed with miles of scenic beaches that have attracted tourists by the thousands in recent years to new resort hotels financed by joint ventures of San Pico businessmen and moneymen from the Middle East, Japan, and the United States. Additionally, San Pico has good natural harbors that are conducive for receiving imported merchandise from abroad and exporting merchandise produced in San Pico and other surrounding countries that lack access to the sea.Because of these advantages, many new businesses are being started in San Pico. Presently, stock is traded in a cramped building in La Cobijio, the nation's capital. Admittedly, the San Pico Stock Exchange system is rather archaic. Twice a day an official of the exchange will call out the name of each of the 43 companies whose stock trades on the exchange. Brokers wanting to buy or sell shares for their clients then attempt to make a trade with one another. This crowd trading system has worked well for over one hundred years, but the government desires to replace it with a new modern system that will allow greater and more frequent opportunities for trading in each company, and will allow for trading the shares of the many new start-up companies that are expected to trade in the secondary market. Additionally, the government administration is rapidly privatizing many state-owned businesses in an attempt to foster their efficiency, obtain foreign exchange from the sale, and convert the country to a more capitalist economy.The government believes that it would conduct this privatization faster and perhaps at more attractive prices if it had a modern stock exchange facility where the shares of the newly privatized companies will eventually trade. You are an expert in the operation of secondary stock markets and have been retained as a consultant to the San Pico Stock Exchange to offer your expertise in modernizing the stock market. What w ould you advise? Explain. Most new and renovated stock exchanges are being established these days as either a partially or fully automated trading system.A fully automated system is especially beneficial for a small to medium size country in which there is only moderate trading in most issues. Such a system that deserves special note is the continuous National Integrated Market system of New Zealand. This system is fully computerized and does not require a physical structure. Essentially all buyers and sellers of a stock enter through their broker into the computer system the number of shares they desire to buy or sell and their required transaction price. The system is updated constantly as new purchase or sale orders are entered into system.The computer constantly searches for a match between buyer and seller, and when one is found a transaction takes place. This type of system would likely serve San Pico’s needs very well. There is existing technology to implement, the bug s have been worked out in other countries, and it would satisfy all the demands of the demands of the San Pico government and easily accommodate growth in market activity MINI CASE: SARA LEE CORP. ’S EUROBONDS The International Finance in Practice boxed reading in the chapter discussed a three-year $100 million Eurobond issue by Sara Lee Corporation.The article also mentions other bond issues recently placed by various foreign divisions of Sara Lee. What thoughts do you have about Sara Lee’s debt financing strategy? Suggested Solution to Sara Lee Corp. ’s Eurobonds Sara Lee is the ideal candidate to issue Eurobonds. The company has worldwide name recognition, and it has an excellent credit rating that allows it to place new bond issues easily. By issuing dollar denominated Eurobonds to Swiss investors, Sara Lee can bring new issues to market much more quickly than if it sold domestic dollar denominated bonds.Moreover, the Eurodollar bonds likely sell at a lower yield than comparable domestic bonds. Additionally, it appears as if Sara Lee is raising funds in a variety of foreign currencies. Sara Lee most likely has large cash inflows in these same currencies that can be used to meet the debt service obligations on these bond issues. Thus Sara Lee is finding a use for some of its foreign currency receipts and does not have to be concerned with the exchange rate uncertainty of these part of its foreign cash inflows.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Benjamin D. Powell

Benjamin D. Powell makes an argument in his paper â€Å"Exploring Mirror Neurons: Rethinking Performance and Communicative Processes† that will make every self-avowed video game dork ecstatic. The concept that by observing an action repeatedly our mirror neurons learn to perform the action will appeal to thousands or even millions who spend their days in front of a television or video screen rather than out experiencing life. Powell adds the caveat that without practicing the action, the body will not be able to perform it with the skill of a trained athlete, but argues that the presence of mirror neurons explains why he was not more injured when hit by a car. The paper claims that the presence of mirror neurons may indicate that more study is needed regarding how our bodies develop skills and what effect activities like playing video games have on our neurological development. At worst, Powell’s theory is an interesting pipe dream. At best, it is hope for the people who spend too much time playing â€Å"World of Warcraft†. Unfortunately, the reality is it seems to be something of a pipe dream. It is much more likely that he simply got lucky when the car hit him and instinctively tucked and rolled. And, the car, which he described as barreling toward him, probably was not moving with the speed he believed it to be.   Writing for the British Journal for the Philosophy of Science, Kathleen Wilkes seems to echo parts of Powell’s basic thesis. (Wilkes 111). She argues that the possibility exists that people are capable of learning simply through observation, but there is no hard science to defend either her statement or Powell’s. The reality is that this is some odd combination of philosophy and science, with people speculating on something that science has yet to be able to measure or prove. In the end, while the philosophy of a mind-body link so deep that the mind can control the body’s actions after merely observing an action seems plausible there is no science to back it up. Powell’s evidence is merely a corollary, coincidental and not direct proof of a tie. To actually prove Powell’s theory would be difficult and complicated. One would have to prove that there was simply no other way, short of mirror neurons that the test subject could have learned to complete a specific action. And, the researcher would have to be able to determine how much of the action and the response to it is based on intellectual knowledge versus muscle knowledge. In short, the researcher would have to prove that simply watching someone swing a bat repeatedly would equate to the ability to do it and that the ability is more than the intellectual knowledge of where to place one’s hands on the bat. He would have to prove that Powell’s escape from injury was more related to his ability to tuck and roll than his knowledge that tuck and roll was the right way to minimize the force of impact of an oncoming car. Ultimately, Powell’s problem becomes in determining what actions are effective because of the mental processes telling us how to do them and which ones are effective because of the muscle knowledge of when to flex or release. Even making the differentiation there could take years. WORKS CITED Powell, Benjamin D. â€Å"Exploring Mirror Neurons: Rethinking Performance and Communicative Processes.† Wilkes, Kathleen V. â€Å"Brain States†Ã‚   The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science, Vol. 31, No.2. June, 1980. pp. 111-129.   

Saturday, September 14, 2019

1984- Orwel’s Parallelism to Modern Times Essay

Orwell wrote at a time when communism seemed likely to spread across the word, which is a similar situation that we see today in some countries. Studying the Orwell’s works is relevant as it parallels with modern times. Orwell’s writing mostly focused on the nature of human in the society; his opinion about the non-democratic world and central authority focused in social and political areas. He wanted to educate people and expose everything he was against. Through the use of symbolism, extended metaphors and intensive imagery, Orwell wrote â€Å"naturalistic novels with unhappy endings, full of detailed descriptions and arresting similes† (Orwell, Why I Write) thus turning his harsh words into an art form. In his essay, ‘Why I Write’, Orwell stated that he wanted to capture the truth of human nature. As exemplified in his story of poverty, Down and out in Paris and London; he captured the realism of life during the Spanish Civil War in Homage to Catalonia, and in The Road to Wigan Pier, Orwell studied human misery in an exploitative social order. In 1984, Orwell described utter and total hatred to people who are different, hate of evil and hate of all other humans. It is where love is described as absurd, and totally unnecessary. People are raised to hate, and hate is the primary emotion that people feel. The lack of love and kindness is what brings the society to a complete totalitarian state. Human beings instinctively crave love and care to thrive; without it, no one can experience happiness or freedom. This works well for 1984 because of its hate-driven society; however the lack of love causes unrest with those who can see the importance of love. Orwell’s non-fictional works greatly differ from his fictional works though; they both constitute the same understanding of human decency. His fictional works contained many details with the use of imagery, themes and symbolism. On the other hand, Orwell’s non-fictional works is structured differently as he utilized a first person point of view, colloquial diction and a tone that points out the moral decency of humanity. Orwell’s trend in his writing, since 1936, had been directly and indirectly against totalitarianism and for democratic socialism. Orwell confessed that he wrote â€Å"because there [was] some lie that [he wanted] to expose, some fact to which [he wanted] to draw attention, and [his] initial concern [was] to get a hearing [in the world’s politics]† (Orwell, Why I Write). While Communism might have exited the world stage in terms of competing for dominance, there needed to be a mindful and attentive presence taken against what happened when a central authority took over. Orwell didn’t criticize the act of revolution itself but the misery it could cause if the leaders grow to be corrupt, shortsighted, greedy and indifferent. He wanted to expose the most important issue that affected everyone in the world. Animal Farm was the first book he wrote to expose the Soviet myth of socialism. Even in his finest fictional novels, Orwell conveys the same basis of human reality. Nineteen Eighty-Four explored his hatred towards totalitarianism and government security. Animal Farm was his satirical, allegorical and metaphorical masterpiece elucidating his abhorrence of Stalin’s dictatorship in the Soviet Union. Orwell’s use of symbolism in 1984 reveals more about what he wanted to portray in a new creative way. His use of symbolism allowed readers to easily understand his message as well as appreciate his writing style simultaneously. For example, in 1984 Orwell used Big Brother as a symbol to represent the Party. The citizens were told that Big Brother is the leader of the nation and the head of the Party, but Winston could never determine whether or not he actually existed. In any case, the face of Big Brother symbolized the Party in its public manifestation; he is a reassurance to most people (the warmth of his name suggests his ability to protect), but he is also an open threat (one cannot escape his gaze). Big Brother also symbolizes the vagueness with which the higher ranks of the Party presented themselves—readers are left wondering who really rules Oceania, what life is like for the rulers, or why they act as they do. Additionally, in Animal Farm he used the farm to symbolize Russia and the Soviet Union under a Communist Party rule. Generally, Animal Farm stands for any human society are it capitalist, socialist, fascist, or communist. The farm reflects the dynamics of a nation represented by animals: the government (the pigs), the police force or army as the dogs and the working class as the other animals. Its location amid a number of hostile neighboring farms supports its symbolism as a political entity with diplomatic concerns. Orwell portrayed detailed symbolism in 1984 and Animal Farm, keeping both novels renowned up to the day. Orwell remains an important author as his themes reoccur in the twentieth century. His writing gives a sense of how life is a struggle but it is not to be feared – that fitting in and belonging need not be the most important goals in life. Orwell was willing to go out there and fight in trenches for what we believed and he wrote about what he thought was important. He was a great representational novelist, as seen in Nineteen Eighty-Four, for portraying the realities of mundane life in totalitarian societies in such original and artistic manner.