Friday, November 29, 2019

The Pulfrich phenomenon Essay Example

The Pulfrich phenomenon Paper Introduction What is the Pulfrich Phenomenon? The Pulfrich Phenomenon is a three dimensional semblance where a traveling object is seen to travel in an anomalous tract when viewed binocularly with a light rarefying filter placed in forepart of one oculus. This creates the semblance that an object oscillating on a frontal plane appears to follow an egg-shaped tract. The most widely accepted theory for this semblance is that cut downing the brightness of a stimulation to the retina of one oculus causes comparatively slower excitement of the photoreceptors ( www.suic.edu ) and hence a delayed processing of the image relation to the other oculus. ( 1 ) This creates a latency difference between the two eyes and as a consequence, information for two different scenes from each retina arrives at the ocular cerebral mantle at the same clip. Information from one oculus will get at the cerebral mantle milliseconds subsequently than the other. A geometric disparity is registered cortically from the input of the two eyes ( 7 ) and this leads to the wrong perceptual experience of the motion and comparative places of objects observed by the person. Many optic or neurological upsets that affect the ocular tract can bring forth a hold in signal transmittal to the encephalon, making a geometric disparity. The semblances created by this geometric disparity produce troublesome symptoms for persons with a status and is why many patients see jobs in mundane life as a consequence of the phenomenon. ( 5 ) Who foremost discovered the Phenomenon? We will write a custom essay sample on The Pulfrich phenomenon specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Pulfrich phenomenon specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Pulfrich phenomenon specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Carl Pulfrich, a physicist with the Zeiss Company, described the phenomenon in 1922. He was non able to detect the consequence himself nevertheless due to a childhood hurt, which left him blind in one oculus by 1905. The phenomenon was foremost noted earlier nevertheless by uranologists utilizing stereo-comparators to seek for planets. ( 3 ) Showing the phenomenon The Pulfrich phenomenon can be observed in a normal single by binocularly sing a vacillation pendulum British shilling whilst keeping a impersonal denseness filter in forepart of one oculus. The pendulum British shilling or mark used to arouse the phenomenon may take the signifier of a mechanical or computerized mark. The impersonal denseness filter lowers the retinal light of the oculus it covers, and this creates the difference in signal transmittal clip between the two eyes. This hold created by a decrease in retinal light is supported by several psychophysical and electro-physical probes. ( 1 ) ( ( 8,9 ) ) The geometric disparity created by the ocular latency difference between the eyes is interpreted by the encephalon as deepness by the binocular disparity sensors. ( 2 ) This is why the pendulum British shilling is perceived to hover in an egg-shaped gesture alternatively of traveling along a frontal plane. The sensed way of the pendulum s swing is dependent on which oculus the filter is covering ; the pendulum appears to revolve clockwise when the filter is placed in forepart of the left oculus and anti-clockwise when it is in forepart of the right oculus. Provoked and Spontaneous Pulfrich Phenomenon s When the Pulfrich phenomenon is induced in a normal single i.e. utilizing impersonal denseness filters, the phenomenon is sometimes called the provoked Pulfrich consequence. Since a hold can happen in persons with eyepiece or neurological upsets that affect the ocular tract, the Pulfrich consequence can happen spontaneously. Such diseases which may ensue in a self-generated Pulfrich consequence include ocular neuritis, an redness of the ocular nervus which can do swelling and devastation of the medulla sheath covering the ocular nervus. Since this medulla sheath helps carry on nervus urges along its axons faster than non-myelinated axons, its devastation will take to a slower transmittal to the occipital cerebral mantle, where the information is processed. Ocular neuropathies with bilaterally asymmetrical demyelination are thought to be the most common causes of the Pulfrich Phenomenon and the ocular symptoms it is associated with. ( website ) Systemic conditions such as Multiple Scl erosis, a demyelinating disease were the fatty medulla sheaths around axons are damaged ( Miller DH, Leary SM ( October 2007 ) . Primary-progressive multiple induration ) , can take to many persons sing the Pulfrich Phenomenon. The Pulfrich Phenomenon has besides been reported in many other diseases such as one-sided cataract or asymmetrical bilateral cataract. A cataract may cut down retinal light or bring forth retinal fuzz therefore taking to a ocular latency in the ocular tract of the affected oculus doing the phenomenon in the person. Anisometropic amblyopia, squint, corneal opacity, anisocoria, one-sided mydriasis, Central serous retinopathy, and age-related macular devolution have all been accountable to bring forth the Pulfrich consequence to some extent in an person. Retinal fuzz has besides been thought to be cause of the consequence, most noticeable in smaller marks. Sokol and Moskowitz ( cat ( 13 ) ) showed that a 12 MS addition in the ocular latency resulted from a 3 diopter refractile mistake. ( ) A self-generated Pulfrich phenomenon is non uncommon and has been found rather often in surveies with patients with optic and neurological upsets. It was found in 24 out of 93 patients with cured ocular neuritis, 16 out of 29 patients with unsophisticated one-sided cataract and three out of 70 patients with assorted squint jobs. ( 3 ) Factors impacting the magnitude of the Phenomenon seen The magnitude of the Pulfrich Phenomenon seen depends on a figure of factors with retinal light being one of the most important. The magnitude of Pulfrich consequence seen i.e. the deepness of the egg-shaped flight, is larger for increasing disparity of retinal light between the two eyes. This may happen in a patient with a self-generated Pulfrich phenomenon, for illustration when one oculus has a much denser cataract than the fellow oculus. It may besides happen in instances of uniocular mydriasis when anisocoria could be induced. ( 2 ) The oculus with the larger pupil receives increased retinal light than the other oculus with a smaller student and hence the phenomenon may be induced. This may besides happen when the Pulfrich phenomenon is provoked, i.e. when a impersonal denseness filter covering the oculus is increased in deepness. Lit ( ( 2 ) 12 ) has shown that the magnitude of the Pulfrich consequence seen, that is the size of the oval, is relative to the denseness of the filt er used. The distance from which a pendulum or similar mark is viewed, besides has an consequence on the magnitude of the Pulfrich phenomenon seen. An addition in the magnitude of the phenomenon can be observed as the distance between the perceiver and mark additions. Target speed besides contributes to the magnitude of the Pulfrich phenomenon. As the mark speed additions, so does the magnitude of the Pulfrich consequence seen by the perceiver, taking to much more noticeable semblances and increased ocular symptoms. Symptoms experienced due to the Phenomenon The symptoms expressed by a patient with the Pulfrich phenomenon to a general practician or oculist can be rather unusual. Objects appear to travel in wrong tracts when either the perceiver or the mark is in gesture. ( 3 ) Objects traveling up and down nevertheless will non show this consequence or lead to symptoms as a consequence of misjudged distances. These symptoms experienced lead to troubles in mundane undertakings. Undertakings such as driving and assorted ball game activities like football, which require good perceptual experience of traveling objects, have been found to be more hard for patients who have the Pulfrich phenomenon. Even the simplest of undertakings such as voyaging through room accesss or pouring a drink have been found to bring forth an increased degree of trouble for such patients. Several surveies have revealed that ocular damage leads to increased auto accidents and trouble drive. Ocular perceptual experience has a cardinal function in the safe operation of a vehicle, assisting prevent drive mistakes and hence prevent accidents and human deaths. In order to drive safely, a driver must be able to move and respond to the altering environment around him/her. This requires the ability to right gauge the comparative places of traveling and non-moving objects. Some Patients with a self-generated Pulfrich phenomenon have complained of oncoming autos seemingly sheering across the route towards them. This ocular perceptual experience could take to a serious accident and therefore must be treated to assist forestall any casualties. Persons who were subsequently diagnosed with pathologies thought to be the cause of a self-generated Pulfrich Phenomenon have reported the semblance that whilst drive, oncoming autos appear to sheer across the route towards them. Percept of this would take to the driver doing a crisp bend off to get away what he/she thinks is a certain accident. Forty old ages ago, a traffic accident was reported which occurred as a consequence of an induced Pulfrich phenomenon due to one-sided pupillary dilation. ( mention ) Since so, many probes have been carried out to larn more about the consequence a self-generated Pulfrich phenomenon has on driving. It was found that many persons had jobs with judging distances when driving, particularly when executing tactics such as contrary parking into a garage. ( mentions ) Why is it utile for oculists to be able to name and handle the Pulfrich phenomenon? Due to troublesome ocular symptoms experienced by patients known to hold the phenomenon, it is in the involvement of both the patient and Optometrist that the Pulfrich consequence is diagnosed and treated every bit shortly as possible. Assorted surveies have shown that one-sided mydriasis was found to ever bring forth the phenomenon on topics. ( mention ) Because of this, it would be of import for the Optometrist to warn the patient in progress of dilation, the ocular symptoms and trouble judging distance that can be expected, and besides to warn, if possible, the patient should non drive place. It has besides been suggested that, because patients with conditions such as cataract and ocular neuropathy frequently demonstrate the Pulfrich phenomenon, an effectual trial for the Pulfrich phenomenon might be a utile add-on to the trials available to Optometrists in primary attention pattern. The sensing of this phenomenon may help prompt diagnosing of any implicit in pathology therefore t he right direction and intervention could be initiated without hold. Recognition of this phenomenon could be peculiarly helpful in the early diagnosing of Retrobulbar neuritis, the most common signifier of ocular neuritis in grownups and often associated with multiple induration ( Jack J Kanski ) . In retrobulbar neuritis, the ocular phonograph record visual aspect is normal, at least ab initio, because the ocular nervus caput is non involved and so early sensing is hard utilizing direct or indirect Ophthalmoscopy. Testing for the Pulfrich phenomenon is the lone manner to clinically find if gesture stereopsis is normal or non. Ocular Elicited Potentials are non utile in analyzing how gesture stereopsis is affected, as their signals are travel via different ocular tracts. VEP s are besides non available to primary attention oculists. Standard stereo-tests such as the Frisby stereotest normally used in Optometric Practice besides fail to observe any abnormalcies in gesture stereopsis. ( 1 ) Knowledge and apprehension of the Pulfrich would assist the Optometrist appreciate many of the strange symptoms experienced by an person with the Pulfrich phenomenon and the many sorts of jobs faced in day-to-day life by i.e. athleticss games and traffic state of affairss. The symptoms experienced by a patient with the phenomenon can be rather easy ignored or dismissed if the clinician is incognizant of the phenomenon. If oculists had the appropriate equipment and cognition to name the Pulfrich phenomenon in mundane pattern, they would besides be able to handle the phenomenon and its sometimes-disabling effects utilizing simple filtered lenses. This would assist cut down or extinguish any of the jobs experienced as a consequence. Patients, that happen even the simplest of undertakings such as pouring a drink or voyaging through room accesss, may be enabled to transport out these undertakings with easiness after intervention. Management and intervention of the phenomenon may besides let patients who retired from driving a vehicle due to the ocular troubles faced with the Pulfrich consequence to experience confident in driving once more. The unusual symptoms experienced when driving due to the Pulfrich phenomenon, particularly the location of traveling o bjects encountered in traffic, could be eliminated with the simple intervention available. How is the Pulfrich phenomenon treated? The symptoms experienced by patients with a self-generated Pulfrich phenomenon can be reduced or eliminated by puting an appropriate impersonal denseness filter or ocular shade in forepart of the unaffected oculus. ( 3 ) The lens has the consequence of cut downing retinal light of the unaffected oculus and hence creates a hold in signal transmittal to the ocular cerebral mantle, which equals the hold in the affected oculus. To taking a right filter, the patient is shown a scope of filters of changing densenesss and asked to make up ones mind which lens alleviates their symptoms and removes phenomenon. Once the suited lens filter has been chosen, it may so be worn as eyeglassess or as a contact lens. Ocular shades are preferred to impersonal denseness filters as they are more readily available and cost effectual for the patient. ( 3 ) The filters used to handle the phenomenon should stay the same without necessitating to be updated, so long as the underlying pathology remains stationa ry. ( ) Other Diagnostic methods Doctors and other Healthcare professionals have found many different ways of proving for the phenomenon. The most frequently suggested method is to swing a pendulum in 5 different tracts in forepart of a patient. A pendulum is swung in each of the tracts, from A-E. If the right oculus is affected, the tracts C and B produce the most pronounced consequence for the patient. The pendulum appears to swerve towards the patient as it gets closer on these tracts. Picture from Charles J. M Diaper, 1997 Surv Ophthalmol Another technique used by some medical professionals in observing the Pulfrich Phenomenon is when the tester instructs the patient to rapidly walk past the tester whilst seeking to brush his/her shoulder on either side. If the consequence is present the patient s left oculus for illustration as shown in the diagram below, normally the affected eyes side will ensue in a big spread between the patient and the tester. Mistakes in spacial localisation consequence in the misjudgement of the distance between the patient and tester. The patient can be seen to do a class rectification, which can be seen as a rapid stumble off from the tester. ( 6 ) The wrong distance opinion by the patient is a consequence of an semblance caused by the Pulfrich phenomenon taking the patient to believe the tester is closer than what he/she really is. ( 3 ) Note that this spread would merely happen on the same side of the affected oculus. For illustration if the patient s right oculus were affected on the image left, a big spread would non be observed. What my undertaking is about? In this undertaking we are interested in look intoing which trials prove most effectual to an Optometrist in observing the Pulfrich Phenomenon and besides what the optimum parametric quantities are for arousing the Pulfrich consequence in visually normal perceivers. With the ready handiness of computerised stimulations for arousing the Pulfrich consequence, this may now be possible in pattern. We would wish to look into which of the presently available on-line versions of the Pulfrich phenomenon stimulations are most successful and sensitive at arousing the Pulfrich consequence. I will besides prove a scope of impersonal denseness filters of changing deepnesss to see which induces the phenomenon best in a group of visually normal grownups aged 18-30. I will besides be entering the distances at which the topics were placed in relation to the screen throughout the trial to see what consequence this may hold on observing the phenomenon on how sensitive the different stimulations were at observing the Pulfrich phenomenon in the topics.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Quotes From Charles Dickenss Oliver Twist

Quotes From Charles Dickenss Oliver Twist Charles Dickens second novel, Oliver Twist, is the story of an orphan growing up among criminals in London, England. The novel, one of Dickenss most popular works, is known for its harsh depiction of poverty, child labor, and life in the London slums of the mid-19th century. Poverty Oliver Twist was published at a time when many of Dickenss countrymen were living in great poverty. The most unfortunate were sent to workhouses, where they received food and lodging in exchange for their labor. The protagonist of Dickenss novel ends up in such a workhouse as a child. To earn his gruel, Oliver spends his days picking oakum. Please, sir, I want some more. [Chapter 2] Oliver Twist has asked for more! [Chapter 2] I am very hungry and tired... I have walked a long way. I have been walking these seven days. [Chapter 8] Bleak, dark, and piercing cold, it was a night for the well-housed and fed to draw round the bright fire, and thank God they were at home; and for the homeless starving wretch to lay him down and die. Many hunger-worn outcasts close their eyes in our bare streets at such times, who, let their crimes have been what they may, can hardly open them in a more bitter world. [Chapter 23] Human Nature Dickens was admired not only as a novelist but also as a social critic, and in Oliver Twist he uses his sharp eye to dissect the weaknesses of human nature. The social canvas of the novel, which includes the poor underclass of London and the criminal justice system designed to contain it, allows Dickens to explore what happens when humans are reduced to the basest conditions. The doctor seemed especially troubled by the fact of the robbery having been unexpected, and attempted in the night-time; as if it were the established custom of gentlemen in the housebreaking way to transact business at noon, and to make an appointment, by the twopenny post, a day or two previous. [Chapter 7] Although Oliver had been brought up by philosophers, he was not theoretically acquainted with the beautiful axiom that self-preservation is the first law of nature. [Chapter 10] There is a passion for hunting something deeply implanted in the human breast. [Chapter 10] But death, fires, and burglary, make all men equals. [Chapter 28] Such is the influence which the condition of our own thoughts, exercises, even over the appearance of external objects. Men who look on nature, and their fellow-men, and cry that all is dark and gloomy, are in the right; but the sombre colours are reflections from their own jaundiced eyes and hearts. The real hues are delicate, and need a clearer vision. [Chapter 33] The suspense: the fearful, acute suspense: of standing idly by while the life of one we dearly love, is trembling in the balance; the racking thoughts that crowd upon the mind, and make the heart beat violently, and the breath come thick, by the force of the images they conjure up before it; the desperate anxiety  to be doing something  to relieve the pain, or lessen the danger, which we have no power to alleviate; the sinking of soul and spirit, which the sad remembrance of our helplessness produces; what tortures can equal these; what reflections of endeavours can, in the full tide and fever of the time, allay them! [Chapter 33] Society and Class As the story of a poor orphan, and of the downtrodden more generally, Oliver Twist is filled with Dickenss thoughts about the role of class in English society. The author is highly critical of the institutions that protect the upper classes while leaving the poor to starve and die. Throughout the book, Dickens raises questions about how society organizes itself and treats its worst-off members. Why everybody lets him alone enough, for the matter of that. Neither his father nor his mother will ever interfere with him. All his relations let him have his own way pretty well. [Chapter 5] I only know two sorts of boys. Mealy boys, and beef-faced boys. [Chapter 10] Dignity, and even holiness too, sometimes, are more questions of coat and waistcoat than some people imagine. [Chapter 37] We need be careful how we deal with those about us, when every death carries to some small circle of survivors, thoughts of so much omitted, and so little done- of so many things forgotten, and so many more which might have been repaired! There is no remorse so deep as that which is unavailing; if we would be spared its tortures, let us remember this, in time. [Chapter 8] The sun,the bright sun, that brings back, not light alone, but new life, and hope, and freshness to manburst upon the crowded city in clear and radiant glory. Through costly-coloured glass and paper-mended window, through cathedral dome and rotten crevice, it shed its equal ray.  [Chapter 46]

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Interactive Teaching Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 9750 words

Interactive Teaching - Coursework Example It also provide with the literature review of great historical leaders who contributed a great deal towards improving and introducing new techniques of teaching in elementary schools. It also sheds light on the most effective method of teaching, practical approach. Introduction Interactive Teaching techniques have been existed worldwide as the foundation of formal educational system. It establishes the base for future education. It prepares students in fundamental skills and awareness and can be defined as prior to formal education that comes after that. Most important characteristic of interactive teaching strategy is getting affiliated with peers and creating an identification of children with society and nation. For decades, classroom management has been an issue and many effective teaching lessons have gone array due to student disruption. This critical review of the literature analyzes the elements that can be identified in a successful and effective classroom teaching techniques. Research consistently has shown that traditional lecture methods, in which professors talk and students listen, dominate college and university classrooms. It is therefore important to know the nature of active learning, the empirical research on its use, the common obstacles and barriers that give rise to faculty members' resistance to interactive instructional techniques, and how faculty, faculty developers, administrators, and educational researchers can make real the promise of active learning. Background During science, social studies, and writing time, in my first year of teaching, it has been noticed many students getting off task. They sometimes appeared bored, as if they were not really interested in doing their assignment.... As the report declares most important characteristic of interactive teaching strategy is getting affiliated with peers and creating an identification of children with society and nation. For decades, classroom management has been an issue and many effective teaching lessons have gone array due to student disruption. This critical review of the literature analyzes the elements that can be identified in a successful and effective classroom teaching techniques. According to the paper findings during science, social studies, and writing time, in my first year of teaching, it has been noticed many students getting off task. They sometimes appeared bored, as if they were not really interested in doing their assignment. Some students found any excuse to get up from their desk, go to the bathroom, get a drink, sharpen their pencil, or just roam about; anything other than doing their work. Other students were consistently blurting out, made rude comments to classmates, exhibited disrespect and showed inappropriate behavior. A few students created severe disruptions including tantrums in class. This created management issues and students produced minimal work of low quality. In today’s dynamic and diverse school environment, engagement and creating interest of students is an issue. For students to achieve success academically and in life, they must have access to the opportunity to receive a quality education in a school environment conduct ive and creative to learning.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Favorite location Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Favorite location - Essay Example It is an island that is roughly 10 miles long with a great beach. The ocean is on the one side of the city, while on the other side, it is accosted by the bay. Throughout the length of Ocean City runs a highway, taking a drive on which is a real soothing and pleasant experience. Most of the time, the weather at Ocean City is nice and favorable. This makes it a highly recommended tourist destination. The beach at Ocean City is not only huge, clean and free of debris, but is also quiet, safe and friendly. What makes the beach at Ocean City really special is its ample clean and white sand, lots of waves, no trash and the 24/7 presence of lifeguards. In fact, talking a walk on the beach may sometimes turn out to be a difficult experience as one gets one’s feet sunk in the soft velvety sand time and again. Ocean City offers plenty of beach space and room to all the visitors, so that they may spread around, relax and really enjoy the ocean. Ocean City, Maryland, is a place that has something to offer to a person of any temperament, inclination and preference. Located at just three miles from the Ocean City, Maryland boardwalk is a perfect place to take a soothing walk or an energetic run, or to simply relax as the time glides past unnoticed and unregistered. Not to mention that it is actually at night that the boardwalk really comes to life with a plethora of interesting engagements like acrobatic performers, rides and arcades. No wonder, at night, the boardwalk turns into a scintillating heaven that simply cannot fail to attract even the most placid and restrained of visitors. In the evenings, as the sun sinks down the bay, the sunsets at Ocean City happen to offer unbelievable visual delights. Also, getting up early in the morning to welcome the brilliance and warmth of the rising sun is an amazing experience in itself. Not to mention that Ocean City offers to its patrons a great night life densely

Monday, November 18, 2019

Judicial Review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Judicial Review - Essay Example Who will then protect the ordinary citizen from suffering from the wrath of the angry Queen of Hearts and give them a chance to have their cases reconsidered and to achieve procedural and substantive justice Our saviour is of course the remedy of Judicial Review which has become more of an eye sore to the Executive in the yester decades as the Judiciary continues to "check and balance" an unruly, highly political executive particularly after the new Constitutional Reform Act 2005 and the not so recent Human Rights Act 1998 which seems to have absorbed in the veins of judicial activism and recent case law with much ease. This Paper explores the process of judicial review of administrative action in the United Kingdom in the context of its constitutional significance. ... migration and Terrorism law post 9/11 and 7/7).Although there have been attempts to circumvent the scope and effect of the doctrine of Judicial Review in the past ( Anisminic Ltd. v. Foreign Compensation Commission2) ,the most recent has been the notorious "ouster" clause in the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants) Bill which has provoked an outcry from the human rights lobby and the constitutional law experts. Also significant is the role of the Human Rights Act 1998 which has to some extent resolved the debate whether judicial review should be based on common law or statute.3 Power must be Checked by Power4 The constitutional basis of Judicial review lies in the concept of "checks and balances" where as the actions of the members of the executive will be "checked" by the Judiciary to see whether they have gone beyond their "power" to prevent the arbitrary abuse of power. Traditionally the English approach to a systematisation of judicial review was remedial based and thus similar to the development of the prerogative writs5 which developed as personal requests by an individual to the King for the redressal of a wrong suffered by another individual.6The UK has no separate system of administrative courts (and the concept never found favour with the system either eversince the abolition of infamous prerogative Star Chamber).Thus the present administrative review system of England can be described as a body that combines both a substantive body of law containing grounds of review and a large number of administrative tribunals dealing with statutory appeals from decisions of public bodies. The subject of judicial review of administrative action thus requires a discussion of the role of the courts in devising and applying constraints to the exercise of

Saturday, November 16, 2019

The Different Forms and Theories of Governments

The Different Forms and Theories of Governments Government is a group of people either elected or imposed who exercise rule on behalf of citizens. The government should maintain law and order, ensure equality and provide public goods (Goldman et al, 2008). In the social contract theory, before government existed, life was short, brutal and nasty. Insecurity was very rampant due to the fact that there was no system that enabled there to be order in the society so it was survival for the fittest mode of life. Hence man sought for a way to improve the situation which was by giving up some of his powers to a higher authority called the leviathan, to control his selfish nature. They drew up a contract and that was the beginning of government. Ever since, there have been many forms of governments but for the interest of this paper, only three will be discussed presidential, totalitarianism and democracy. Totalitarianism is a form of government where there is no control of state power in the country and hence the ruling class seeks to consolidate its power via whatever means possible. The state is usually under control by one person, a faction or a ruling party with an ideology that controls all the public and private aspects of the people. This is the case in China where the ruling party dictates the affairs of the country and has for years consolidated its power (Li,2008).The state also controls the flow of information in and out of the country. That means that there is state controlled media and the government filters internet content. There is also control of the market economy whereby the state owns the wealth of the nation while the people are left to have a few. There is also the presidential form of government where the executive and the legislature exist two separate entities. In the USA, the Congress and the presidency are separate even though they both check each others powers (Goldman et al, 2008). The cabinet is made up of members who are not in the congress but their appointment must be approved by the congress. They exist for a set time in office after which elections are held. Likewise in Indonesia, the system is the same in that the president can be impeached by the congress if he does not perform according to the required standards and has the power to veto bills passed by the parliament (Ramage, 1995). This system of government has advantages in that decision making is faster and that there are checks and balances which prevents abuse of power. But in cases where there is change of power there is a stop of polices as different presidents come up with different ways of solving problems for example: In the US, the Bush- Obama trans ition that led to economic policies being changed. Democracy is the other form of government which comes from Greek a word demos which means people and kratos which means rule. It is a form of government that is meant to ensure equal representation of people of all kinds and also that they are free to express their views without fear to create a fair and just society (Goldman et al, 2008). Democracy has a number of problems. In the USA, apathy is a factor that has caused democracy to fail in that since it is a capitalist system only the people with money rule the day. The various interest groups who lobby at congress corridors to stop policies bribing legislators at the expense of the people who elected them in power. Also having money means that one can be elected in parliament as elections are costly and also that the electorate can be bribed to vote in a particular way or for a particular person. Although there is free press, this is an impediment to democracy as the media can favor a particular idea more than the others as long a s the people have money. There is also the problem of immigrants who the US government finds them hard to integrate especially radical Muslims. Democracy entails that there be freedom and equal rights but the Muslim beliefs makes it impossible for them not to be held without suspicion in the country. The terrorism threats, suicide bombings have caused the US who is the mother of democracy to be at war all over the world with terrorists (Goldman et al, 2008). In China, democracy has failed due to a closed system of government that has restricted the flow of information in and out of the country and also the control of media content in that whatever the state does cannot be criticized. China views democracy as a Western ideology hence seeks to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“protectà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  its citizens from that influence. Even though there are elections, only the candidates that the ruling party approves will be elected and this means that the people do not have a say on who will represent them (Li, 2008). In Indonesia democracy has failed because of threats from militias who bring terror and intimidation to the people causing them not to vote. This happened in East Timor, where the militia supporting the ruling party intimidated people to vote in a certain way (Ramage, 1995). There is also foreign interference in elections whereby different world powers want a government that will support their interests. The US will tend to back a moderate pers on who will not tolerate the radical Islamists. In conclusion, I still believe even with all these problems caused by the government that it is necessary for us to have one. Countries in a state of anarchy are chaotic women are raped, children are violated, there are massive killings as people are struggling to be in power because there is no one to maintain order. History has taught us that the people have their destinies in their hands and that they can overthrow a government that does not advocate for their interest and put in place people who can bring the change that they want.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Briar Rose :: essays research papers

Jane Yolsen produces a powerful and moving novel that deftly blends the legend of Sleeping Beauty with the historical tragedy of the Holocaust. To Rebecca, Sylvia and Shana, "Briar Rose" was simply a bed time story but in all reality the story they grew up with was an actual event in Gemma's life. Although Gemma always identified strongly with Briar Rose, the sleeping princess, no one had thought it anything but a bedtime story. But when a mysterious box of clippings and photos turns up after Gemma's death, hinting that the accepted version of Gemma's origins is untrue, Becca begins tracing the real story, which bears striking resemblance's to Gemma's fairy tale. Becca then sets off on a journey to Europe to discover her grandmother's true identity. I felt this book was more for adults than for young adults. It was complicated and probably difficult for a young teen to follow. It had language that may not suitable for a young adult. Such as a line like, "Stan expertly braked and simultaneously turned the wheel slightly to the right. "Asshole!" he muttered." (Jane Yolen, 67). It was a remarkable book. I usually don't enjoy reading what I "have" to, but I truly adored this book. When I first started the book I wasn't very enthused but once I read the first four chapters (for the second time) I started falling into the novel. I became so emotionally involved with the characters and the story that I had to finish it. It made me recall everything I had learned in history class about the Holocaust. At that time it did not seem to "click". Now that I read this story and all of its frightful horrors it all comes rushing back. Now that I think about it, this is actually a great book for young adults to read. It teaches them a little about the holocaust and the terrible tragedies that had occurred. It even teaches them a bit about homosexuality. Though the gays were not treated very well in Yolen's novel. I loved the detail that Yolen put into "Briar Rose". It felt like I was actually there, staring down at the mountain of bodies below. Smelling the putrid smell of week old rotting corpses. Sleeping in a trench covered with branches and leaves, with nine to thirteen other escapees, aching for a shower and food in my stomach.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Four Seasons Hotels Essay

The Four Seasons Company, as per current financial, seems very profitable and the earnings per share are increasing each year. From 1997 to 1998 EPS increased by 66% and from 1998 to 1999 it increased by 22%, actually from 1997 to 1999, the value has more than doubled. The main reason for the increase seems to be a total net earnings increase of 112% in two years. (See Exhibit # 1 for figures). This is a result of increase in revenues and also because costs increased less than revenues. This indicates that in addition to higher sales, efficiency improvements have been effective as yearly costs for operating items dropped 68% and the interest costs also have decreased by 105%, making it interest income. Based on this information, the company is recommended to continue their emphasis on high personal service and quality for their hotels as the customer base are not price sensitive but concerned about service and luxury. It is important to have non-complaining, satisfied customers as this  group is more satisfied than those where service recovery is needed, even when service recovery is performed at a high level. Also, satisfied customers are more loyal and a key to continue having a financially strong company. A key to this development is to continue to focus on employee satisfaction and employment procedures as this is resulting in low turnover (compared to the industry average), highly experienced and motivated staff and consequently excellent service. Also, the strong financials support FSH’s (costly) growth strategy, and would further indicate that the company has the ‘back-bone’ to support such a strategy. 3.0 Leverage the website for marketing purposes The Four Season Hotel (â€Å"FSH†) should further leverage their impressive website. First, they should maximize the site for mass – marketing purposes. For example, the site would allow customers to appreciate all FSH properties, and a customer who has never seen a FSH can view rooms, conference halls, restaurants etc. The website can further provide up-to-date information on vacancies, promotions, city tours etc. This same information could be updated at any time to reflect specials across respective FSH. For instance, the Milan hotel might anticipate low vacancy one week, and could attempt to fill some vacancies by listing a Milan resident special on the site e.g. with a two night stay and get a free dinner in the restaurant. Internal marketing is another great possibility for the FSH, as long as the â€Å"high – tech† is followed by â€Å"high – touch†, and the system is not used to replace the human element. The intranet site should focus on cost-saving promotions, healthy competition between across respective FSH’s, employee feedback pages etc. Management should use the intranet as an additional medium to disseminate information to employees and as a means to obtain information from employees. An easy to use e-commerce site for the hotel would be interesting for select  Four Season’s customers. Again, this should not replace the â€Å"high – touch† that the FSH brand is identified with, but rather add another convenience for its customers. For example, some customers like making their reservation via the Internet and having an additional option with regards to making a hotel booking could turn out positively. 4.0 Establish and manage a common customer awareness database The hotel should change the existing database containing guest preferences into a centralized database available to all FHS properties. This should be deemed a high priority. It would be a typical one-time fix to enhance customer satisfaction and for implementation it could leverage FSH’s existing intranet platform. The main driver for a change of this sort would be its potential to further improve the FSH’s customer service. For example, as existing FSH customers are highly concerned about time there should be no need for them to fill in forms with preferences for each new hotel they arrive at. Also, it would be perceived as impressive for the customer arriving at a new hotel where the personnel would already know their preferences. This would increase the feeling of intimacy and personal touch during the hotel stay and consequently enhance customer loyalty and satisfaction. Additionally, the fact that only 9% of Four Season’s hotel guests are using multiple properties should not lower the importance of making such a change. In fact, 9% of their customer base means that approximately 400.000 customers each year use multiple Four Seasons Hotels. (See Exhibit #1) Also, the positive word-of-mouth this change would bring will most likely increase the number of guests staying at multiple properties. Furthermore, as the hotel has a growth strategy, the number of hotels and rooms will continue to increase and as such enhance the need for the common database. Also, in addition to customer satisfaction, having one database for all hotels would decrease costs for the chain in the long run as it will not have to maintain 50+ different databases. 5.0 Four Season’s management should solicit select feedback from customers. The idea here is quite simple and essentially comes down to ensuring that the hotel maintains its brand. The FSH has done very well by establishing a strong brand and enjoys a high % of repeat customers. Management and employees alike know what the Four Seasons stands for and the experience they aim to offer the customer. That said, and as technology races forward it is important for businesses to leverage it where possible and ‘profitable’. The key for the Four Seasons is to leverage it in a way that does not negatively impact their brand i.e. detract from the overall customer experience offered by Four Season’s employees, which is highly personal, intimate and customer oriented. For example, management could solicit feedback from customers as to whether they would use an automated (electronic) checkout service and whether customers view this as something consistent with the Four Season’s brand. This selective feedback could be centralized at first in that it is sponsored by the corporate office (so as to solicit feedback that could be leveraged across all properties) and then ‘tweaked’ per location to take into consideration cultural specifics etc. Findings could be leveraged across properties and stored in the central database to eventually maintain, reinforce and ultimately improve the Four Season’s brand, customer experience and ultimate profitability. 6.0 Implement a â€Å"Seasons Pass Loyalty Program† Enhancing Customer Loyalty. Implementing a Loyalty program contributes to making guests feeling special, which undoubtedly makes a difference in his or her experience. A loyalty program could even extend to other value chain partners, thereby, allowing for further tracking of guest preferences. Without a loyalty program, FSH loses out on building strong relationships with its guests. As switching costs are minimal, loyalty is low unless a competitor differentiates and thereby increases its odds of attracting return guests. In order to compete successfully within this tier, a reputable brand name is imperative, which also represents a significant barrier to entry for potential new entrants. The common database will undoubtedly enhance the relationships because clients enjoy the sense of community that is established when being part of a loyalty club. Therefore it is important to have mechanisms in place to ensure guests to remain loyal to FSH and choose the company as his or her accommodation provider. To facilitate this, the hotel should introduce a frequent guest card, the ‘Seasons Pass’, which will serve two functions: 1. Track guest activities within FSH so that their preferences can be recorded. 2. Allow guests to collect points every time they stay at a Four Seasons property and use them towards service companies affiliated with Four Seasons, creating loyalty as a result. It will also aid individual FSH locations to better understand which facilities within the hotel or resort are the most sought after and will be able to segment the information based on the region of the world or type of consumer (leisure or business). Through partnering with external companies such as high-end car rental companies, airlines, and travel agencies, FSH will be able to offer guests a solution to every decision they may encounter during their stay. Thus the Seasons Pass and the networked database will ultimately be the bridge to building and maintaining positive guest relationships. Exhibit 1: Financial data for the Four Seasons Hotels – EOY 1997 to EOY 1999: Exhibit # 2: Number of customers using multiple Four Season Hotels each year * Assumed average coverage rate through the year is based on information in case, â€Å"The Roccoco New York Hotel† by Anna S. Mattila. Using the rate accomplished by the Roccoco New York boutique hotel. ** As no information of number of customers per room is provided, one per room is assumed.

Friday, November 8, 2019

Gun control or government cont essays

Gun control or government cont essays When you hear the term gun control, many things may come to mind such as school shootings, like Columbine or Rocori, kids killing kids, the Brady Law and second amendment rights. As Americans face an ever-growing problem of violence, these issues have all prompted a controversy over how firearms in our society should be regulated. We cant afford to ignore the damage that criminals are doing to our society and we must find a way to stop the violence. However, the efforts of some misguided individuals to eliminate legal gun ownership, does not address the real problem at hand and simply disarms the law-abiding citizens who are most in need of defending themselves. We must preserve the right of Americans to own and carry firearms. To fully understand the different reasons behind gun control efforts, you must understand the major role of firearms in the history of our country. The Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States makes firearm ownership legal in this country and states that a well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. This amendment clearly states that the citizens of America have the right to own firearms. When the colonists of early America felt that the burden of the British oppression was too much for them, they took up their personal firearms and went to war against the greatest military forces of the time. If these citizens had not been willing to form a militia to fight against the British Armies, we never would have won the independence that we have today. The founding fathers of this country knew that arming the general population was instrumental in fighting off oppression. This is why they made the right to keep and bear arms a constitutionally guaranteed right. As our country expanded westward into unsettled territo ...

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Sexual Harassment at Hooters

Sexual Harassment at Hooters AbstractManagers and employees periodically face various forms of ethical dilemmas. The manner in which they decide to deal with these dilemmas can have a compelling impact on the goals of the corporation. This paper outlines a few of the more common ethical dilemmas that managers and employees can face at Hooters of America, Inc., sexual harassment and supervisor subordinate dating.Company HistoryThe first Hooters restaurant opened in 1983 and since then the Atlanta based franchise has over 445 locations worldwide. Over half of Hooters 25,000 employees are employed as Hooters girls. Throughout the years beautiful woman have quite literally become synonymous with the restaurant chain. Hooters of America (2008) pride itself on what they describe as, "a pro active lead in the industry addressing issues raised by individual acts of sexual harassment." (About us P10)The company has adopted and implemented a non harassment policy which disallows any form of verbal or physical behavior tha t is deemed inappropriate.Five ways to fight sexual harassment(public servic...IntroductionThe Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) (2008) defines sexual harassment as "Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment." (Sexual Harassment P2) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects any employee against discrimination based on sex this includes any form of sexual harassment. According to EEOC web site (2008) the harasser or the victim can be either male or female. The harasser can be anyone employed by the organization including a non employee. The conduct performed by the harasser must be unwelcomed in order for the circumstance to merit sexual harassment. The EEOC (2 008) notes that during 2007 they received over...

Monday, November 4, 2019

ART Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 9

ART - Essay Example In this case, one can definitely say that the painting is not at all beautiful. On the other hand, if the painter uses same color shades all over the body parts, that painting can be considered as a beautiful one. In short, color combination plays an important role in deciding whether an artwork is good or bad. Different societies perceive beauty differently. For example, earrings, bracelets, chains, bangles etc are considered as beauty enhancing materials in some societies whereas in other societies, such things are not at all considered so. For example, David Beckham wears an earring in one ear. For many British and European people, that earring is definitely enhancing the beauty of David Beckham. â€Å"According to the BBC, "more lads than ever are buying jewellery - not for their girlfriends, but for themselves. Experts think it is because they are being influenced by famous kings of Bling, like David Beckham and rappers† (To pierce? Why pierce? He pierced). It is not necessary that an Indian or Chinese may consider the earring of Beckham as a beauty enhancing ornament. Many people do believe that earring enhance the beauty of females rather than that of the males. In short, beauty is highly individualistic and subjective and the perceptions of it vary from societies to

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Hellenistic Art Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Hellenistic Art - Personal Statement Example Each of these generals co-opted the art of the time to display the unique influences that their particular kingdoms engendered. However, the unifying mark that united these differing pieces is the gigantism and baroque nature that the art oftentimes entails. However, this was taken to such an unbelievable extreme that the art lost a great deal of its appeal and became overtly tacky. As a result, gone was the era of the muted and reserved art forms of the classical era. As previously stated, the art form of the Hellenistic period was anything but restrained. Rather than showing the ideals of human and godly actions/virtues, Hellenistic art focused on the very extreme. As such the art oftentimes showed individuals in the throes of mortal combat, characters prostrating themselves in various poses, defeated warriors downing poison, men overcome by fear, the loss of honor in death, and many other such expressive/explosive emotions. In this way details such as the forcefulness of the action or circumstances and the violence of the movements associated with these are amplified. Interestingly, although the same can be said for the mosaics other art forms, the pottery and other earthen rare remained largely unchanged and muted. One could reasonably expect that this was the result of the fact that the artists were attempting to extol the highest degrees of grandeur in the public displays of Hellenistic art; whereas the more muted domestic settings required art forms that did not necessarily need to be so bold and overbearing.