“Storyteller” by Liz Lochhead

Liz Lochhead's poem â€Å"Storyteller† talks about a woman who worked on a shelter or orphanage for kids. Her formal work was to wash the dishes, cook and clean, but her really work, what mattered about her, was telling stories. In the first stanza Lochhead describes the situation before the woman started telling the story, when she â€Å"sat down at the† table in the already cleaned up room. Stanza number two the audience listening to the stories; none of them â€Å"could say the stories were useless†, this is because they were not. Living in conditions were you have to be with kids that are alone, miss their parents or never had them, and having to deal with them and their possible frequent questions that are not easy to answer, the hunger, the tiredness, is not easy, so when they listen to the stories, they forget about all that stuff and imagine in their head a whole different world. The people listening to the story are presented as a whole, not as individuals, so this gives the reader the idea that there is a lot of people there working. Also because it says: â€Å"five or forty fingers stitched†, this may suggest something uncountable. Stanza three says what people thought about her: they did not care whether â€Å"her soup† was â€Å"tasty† or not, or how good she â€Å"swept† the â€Å"kitchen†, that was not important. What was important were the stories she told, and how she told them. Because it is not only the story itself what mattered, it seems that she had a special talent to tell them, because even though workers â€Å"knew† â€Å"the ending† â€Å"by heart† they were still excited when the moment came. The last stanza describes what happens while she is telling the story and when it finishes. They built â€Å"the fire†, â€Å"peasant's feet† were looking for their â€Å"clogs†, and finally they went to rest. The poem is full of literary resources most of them alliterations spread all over the text. These alliterations are not only words together starting with the same sound, but in the whole of a stanza the same sound is repeated. For example in the first one, the â€Å"s† sound is very present: â€Å"she sat†, â€Å"scoured†, â€Å"swept†. Also in the third line of the second stanza there is an alliteration beginning with â€Å"f†: â€Å"five or forty fingers†. All these resources make the reading easier and faster. It may suggest how the story flows. Other devices are used, not only alliteration, also enjambments, onomatopoeic sounds like â€Å"tongue clacked†, and a metaphor too. This metaphor compares the workers with bats; bats are wonderful animals that are awake at night and sleep â€Å"upside down†. The metaphor is introduced in the second half of the last stanza that says they â€Å"hug themselves upside down† â€Å"till they flew† (like bats). The structure of the poem is completely irregular and has no rhyme. It consists of four stanzas, none of them have the same amount of lines, but the first two are shorter than the others. This may be the way the story she is telling is being told. It starts introducing the main ideas and then can not be controlled.

Psychology and American Psychological Association Essay

The qualitative variables were National Academy of Science membership, election as American Psychological Association president or receipt of the APA Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award, and surname used as a eponym (i. e. , a psychological term such a Pavlovian conditioning or Skinner box) to represent a theory, procedure, or apparatus. Objective: You are going to learn a little bit about the history of psychology and the APA style of citations, by conducting research and writing a 2 to 3 page paper – typed, double spaced and 12 point Times New Roman font – on one of the individuals from the list below: . B. F. Skinner 2. Jean Piaget 3. Sigmund Freud 4. Albert Bandura 5. Leon Festinger 6. Carl Rogers 7. Stanley Schachter 8. Neal Miller 9. Edward Thorndike 10. Abraham Maslow 11. Gordon Allport 12. Erik Erikson 13. Hans J. Eysenck 14. William James 15. David McClelland 16. Raymond Cattell 17. John B. Watson 18. Kurt Lewin 19. Donald O. Hebb 20. George A. Miller 2 1. Clark L. Hull 22. Jerome Kagan 23. Carl Jung 24. Ivan Pavlov 25. Walter Mishcel Though not in the top 25, you can pick Alfred Adler, Karen Horney, Lawrence Kohlberg, Wolfgang Kohler, or Margaret Washburn. Procedures: 1. Select your psychologist by looking him/her up in your textbook. The textbook will help you quickly understand their contribution to the field and also help you with some terminology you may not understand in other sources. 2. After choosing a psychologist, conduct research in order to become an expert on him or her. Make sure you keep track of your sources. You should use a minimum of three sources and one of the three can be your textbook. See my website for links to good websites. I highly recommend the book The Story of Psychology by Morton Hunt which has information on most of the psychologists on the list. You are welcome to borrow my copy and the library also has a copy. In addition, the two volume reference book Psychologists and Their Theories for Students, housed in the library, is also an excellent resource. In fact, this book may help you select a psychologist. 3. Develop your paper around an argument (thesis) for why your psychologist should be number one on the most eminent list. Make sure the title of your paper links to this argument. 4. Do not write a biography! You need to pick and choose what information to use in your paper. What information you select depends on the content of your thesis tatement. You might focus on the major impact of his/her work/theories in the field of psychology, the types of research methods utilized in his/her experiments, the practical applications of his/her research, his/her major publications, and/or the school of psychology to which he/she belongs. The number of body paragraphs you write depends on the number of supporting statements. 5. Cit e your facts using parenthetical citations and format your paper, using American Psychological Association (APA) format (see the attached APA format document or the APA link on my website). Include a cover and reference page. 6. Writing a research paper is a multi-step process. Do not attempt to complete all of the above steps in one night! How to do your references page: Books: Calfee, R. C. , & Valencia, R. R. (1991). The evolution of desire: Strategies of human mating. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Original source found in a current source (e. g. older studies cited in a newer book) Freud, S. (1961). The ego and the id. In J. Strachey (Ed. and Trans. ), The standard edition of the complete psychological works of Sigmund Freud (Vol. 19, pp. 3-66). London: Hogarth Press. Anonymous or unknown author (common in newspapers): Caffeine linked to mental illness. (1991, July 13). New York Times, pp. B13, B15. World Wide Web page: Bixley, T. S. (1995) Sentient microfilaments. Retrieved from http://www. microfilaments. com/consciousness/synchronicity/quantum tube. html. *If there is no date, put n. d. in its place. Group or institutional authors: University of Pittsburgh. (1993). The title goes here. Journal of Something, 8, 5-9. Journal article: Guenzel, N. (1996, Autumn) Altruism in three states. Whitman Journal of Psychology, (5)1, 67-73. Letter to the editor: O’Neill, G. W. (1992, January). In support of DSM-III [Letter to the editor]. APA Monitor, p. -5. Magazine article: Gardner, H. (1991, December 9). Do babies sing a universal song? Psychology Today, pp. 70-76. Newsletter article: Brown, L. S. (1993, Spring). My research with orangs. The Psychology Department Newsletter, pg. 3. Pamphlet: Just Say No Foundation. (1992). Saving our youth. (9th ed. ) [Brochure]. Washington, DC: Author. Article in a Newspaper Schultz, S. (2005, December 28). Calls made to strengthen state energy policies. The Country Today, pp. 1A, 2A. In-Text Citations In-text citations help readers locate the cited source in the References section of the paper. . Whenever you use a source, provide in parenthesis the author’s last name and the date of publication. For quotations, provide a page number as well. The punctuation mark should follow the citation. Example: (Greenwood, 19, p. 2). 2. When quoting, introduce the quotation with a signal phrase. Make sure to include the author’s name, the year of publication, the page number, but keep the citation brief – do not repeat the information. Example: Caruth (1996) states that a traumatic response frequently entails a â€Å"delayed, uncontrolled repetitive appearance of hallucinations and other intrusive phenomena† (p. 1). Example: A traumatic response frequently entails a â€Å"delayed, uncontrolled repetitive appearance of halluc inations and other intrusive phenomena† (Caruth, 1996, p. 11) 3. There are several formats for a summary of paraphrase. Use signal verbs: acknowledge, contend, maintain, respond, report, argue, conclude, etc. Example: Smith (1998) argues that †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 4. When citing a work with more than one author, identify all authors in the signal phrase or in parenthesis. Example: (Harklau, Siegel, and Losey, 1999) Example: (Smith et al. , 1983)

Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 148

Assignment Example There 155 units are supplied to the market at that price. Results are shown in the table in Q.2 An increase in demand as a result of a decrease in prices without a corresponding change in supply will push the demand curve upwards and hence result to a shift of the demand curve to the right, that is, from D to D2. An increase in prices will reduce the consumer’s purchasing power and hence shift the demand curve downwards to the left; from D to D1 as shown by the arrows. An increase in prices will result to an increase in supply and this shifts the supply curve to the right from S to S2. A decrease in prices decreases supply shifting the supply curve to the left from S to S1. The shift is shown by the arrows, demand remains constant. The equilibrium moves to the left incase of a decrease in supply and to the right in case of an increase in supply. An increase in both supply and demand will expand the market resulting in an increase in both the prices of the goods and also the quantity of goods supplied and demanded. The equilibrium shifts to the right (William 12). A decrease in both demand and supply will contract the market leading to lower prices of goods and lower quantities of goods traded. Hence the equilibrium price and quantity shifts to the left (William

International security in the 21st century Essay

International security in the 21st century - Essay Example Still there are some key objectives which determine the foreign policy of Beijing. Among them we can see the aim to promote Chinese economy to maintain its double annual growth; an effort to separate Taiwan; the wish to increase the international prestige of China and efficiently compete with the supremacy of the USA. To achieve these objectives in recent years China has concluded a number of bilateral partnerships and agreements, joined or increased its activity in numerous international organizations and established a few organizations, which are not participated by the USA. In some points China’s approach in policy has several advantages compared with that of the USA. Beijing provides â€Å"unrestricted† nature for overseas investments and loans, which is very attractive for foreign governments. Large state-owned Chinese companies are so strongly supported by their government that they can even afford small short-term losses in favor of prospective long-term profits (Boxell, 2004). However, there are weak points in China’s approach in comparison with the USA. Due to China’s â€Å"win-win† method dealing first with easy problems and putting off the more complicated ones, its foreign development policy has a much narrower base. China actively gets and develops the international presence, while this brings a lot of unexpected issues, for example, â€Å"it provides many opportunities for international misunderstanding and cultural conflicts† (Ellis, 2004). And lastly, in contrast to the USA, China does not benefit from well-developed private sector. However, it is clear that China’s growing international cooperation not only with undemocratic governments but also with key U.S. allies gives reasons to focus the attention on its foreign policy objectives. The convincing argument for this is the fact that since its foundation in 1949 the PRC has greatly changed its foreign policy having shifted from the Mao Zedongâ⠂¬â„¢s policy of â€Å"self-reliance† to deep and wide multinational relations. Already in 1978, two years after Mao’s death China actively started looking for foreign presence, investments and technologies. Since 2000 China’s diplomacy became particularly sophisticated and active (Ellis, 2004). China’s â€Å"New Security Concept† This report would not be complete without mentioning some important changes in security policy of China. China’s politicians stress that in post-Cold War world the PRC’s security policy is based on â€Å"mutual trust, mutual equality, and cooperation†. Accordingly, today China does its best to assure the world that its economy, international development and military potential do not threaten to other countries and serve to balance the power of the USA (Goldstein, 2005). It is difficult to define the PRC’s security policy precisely; it neither spreads its ideology, nor aggressively demands for n ew territories. However, it is undoubtedly that it represents a challenge to policymakers of the USA and raises many unanswered questions: does China’s global activity have a pragmatic strategy or it is just aimed to achieve economic advantages? Does China intend to replace the USA as a global power or it just focuses on internal development? Does China feel confident and strong or uncertain and weak? The â€Å"Soft Power† Concept First the term of â€Å"soft power† was used by Harvard professor Joseph S. Nye, Jr. as opposite to â€Å"

Product Market Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Product Market Development - Essay Example Profits generally continue to increase throughout the life cycle caused by industry expertise, economies of scale providing scope to reduce unit costs over time. At growth stage the characteristics are different. After all the market exercises having been done product is recognised by the consumers and demanded at a rapid speed resulting in reduction in cost. Economies of scale are achieved by this time. Sales volume increases quiet high at this stage. When cost is reduced due to economies of scale and sales revenues increases the profitability increases too. Demand factors remaining higher the business tends to increase product prices higher. Once the product is well accepted and becomes a favourite consumer pays the price asked for by the seller. The product acquires a quality image in the minds of consumers and they feel to enjoy a consumer's surplus even at higher price. Simple promotional efforts and advertising help consumers to retain the product in mind that promote the product selling easily. The competition gradually becomes aware of the product and its revenue yielding capacity. They start venturing into the business to get a mark et share and earn profits. The increase in competition exerts pressure in the market thereby reducing the market prices. The product gradually enters into maturity phase. Maturity phase: the business gets a lot of experience in the growth phase. Production volume increases very high. Many competitions enter in to the market arena and put thrust on the product prices and market outlets. The market gradually gets saturated. Extra efforts are employed to retain the sales volume. Prices to lower because of so many products fighting for the same market size. Market share drops that creates pressure on the entire business. Extra marketing efforts, brand differentiation and product diversification with new features have to be introduced costing more to the company. Profit volume tends to lower. Company and its business being old invite demands for higher wages and bonus from workers that put pressure on the profitability of the business. Curtailment in production leading to closure of some departments deprives the company of the benefits of economies of scale. Overall profitability is down and makes the business unsustainable. In course of the growth phase adolescent phase comes which is characterised with high growth and sales volume accompanied by increase in performance and product variance. The product is placed in the star corners of the BCG matrix with high growing sales revenue with offensive product prices. The product is powerful to be offensive and adopts aggressive pricing with a view to create a premium positing in the market to make customers view it as a superior product that can not be matched by the competition. Market growth is accompanied by market fragmentation. This in turn causes competition. But competition in market growth is not less intense compared to the intensity in market maturity. In the growth phase, almost every organization remains in profits because of the growing and greater demand, whereas in maturity, organizations have to struggle for

Personal Training in Chad Evermore ompany Case Study

Personal Training in Chad Evermore ompany - Case Study Example These activities will make sure that there are stronger bones, long drive and more power. Cardiovascular evaluation such as step test and walk test should also be considered. Another important factor to consider in order to produce exemplary good performance is to create and stick to the training program. The latter should include some repetitions and exercises; specific needs that would help grow and maintain quality standards in terms of performance of the body and on the field. In addition, the creation of a periodized training program in weekly basis is important such as the one below: Nutrition is the basic or key to any fitness success. This therefore clearly tells us how important it is to uphold excellent nutrition by taking care of what the client takes into the body as food. There are some basic nutritional strategies and more so, food supplements that have been considered in the recent years to boost immune and general body health. This includes 3 meals a day and 2 smaller snacks in between. Multivitamin and fish oil is advantageous too (Walter & Meir,  2003).

Charles Manson Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Charles Manson - Research Paper Example The presence of malice aforethought as implied by the conduct of the accused constitutes murder; thus, without malice the homicide becomes manslaughter. Apart from malice being a statutory requirement for murder, the unlawful killing must be of a human being; even though, what constitutes a person is controversial issue in law in US since the fourth amendment of the constitution does not recognise foetus as a person yet some states recognise foetus as human being (Carper, McKinsey and West 2008). Charles Manson was notoriously linked to the slaying Sharon Tate an actress and other Hollywood residents even though he was not convicted of carrying out the murders himself; moreover, he was associated with the famous ‘Tate-La Bianca’ killings that immortalised him as the embodiment of the evil. Manson together with his loyal disciples are believed to have carried out at least 35 killings that mainly were never tried because of the lack of proof or because the architects were sentenced for life for the Tate/La Bianca killings. At his birth, he was named as Charles Milles Maddox by his mother, who was at the time, was an alcoholic and a prostitute. The mother later got married to William Manson; nevertheless, the marriage was short-lived and Charles ended up in a boy school. Charles came back to his mother, but she was not interested in him and soon Charles commenced a street life surviving on petty crime (â€Å"Charles Manson†, n.d.). Probation reports revealed that he was suffered from high degree of rejection, psychic trauma and instability thus the struggle for a status; moreover, the reports indicated that he was dangerous, unpredictable and only safe under supervision. Since 1958, Manson was arrested and released for various offenses such as passing of stolen checks and ‘pimping’ which sent him to McNeil Island prison for ten years. While Manson was incarcerated, he discovered his creative talent, gained knowledge in reading musi c and playing guitar, and finally freed in March of 1967. The next year, Manson organized a murderous operation that made him a considerable figure in criminal history. Therefore, Manson indicates a personality trait of passion associated with cult groups, which emerged in 1960’s. He pathologically believed that he was the forerunner of doom regarding the future of the planet similar to the way cult and evangelistic figures claim prophetic knowledge of the end of the world. Drugs, artworks, and music that prevailed at the time influenced Manson; moreover, Manson had strong belief and interest in the concept of the Armageddon in the bible (â€Å"Charles Manson†, n.d.). The first victims of Manson’s criminal activities were guests at a Beverly Hills home that included Sharon Tate an actress of who was seven months pregnant, where Manson gathered most of his devoted followers to accomplish the task. Moreover, the next day, Manson initiated another killing spree at the home of a wealthy couple Leno La Bianca and his wife, for this task, Manson chose his most obedient comrades. Even though, Manson was never directly involved in the killings, he manipulated his disciples and taught them to kill (â€Å"Charles Manson†, n.d.). Developmental life-course considers crime as a product of developmental process that begins prior to birth and progresses throughout an individual’s life. The developmental-life course theory considers the interaction of individual factors like personality and social factors like

Misplaced trust Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Misplaced trust - Essay Example In spite of all my misgivings, I did help her though, and I wish I had listened to my intuitions. A week had gone by since I consented to my sister’s wishes and accommodated Poppy in my house. For the time I stayed with Poppy, all I heard was complaints and shoves in my face, literary, my body ached due to the kicking I had to endure from her gigantic feet. I never had peace in my place again which made me consider my options which of course were not many. Was to either continue living with Poppy or ask her to leave before she could drive me insane. After many considerations, I made a decision after the torturous weeks to dumb her on my friend’s doorstep and I did just that. The following month, I met my best friend who informed me that Poppy was planning on suing her. I was keen to get the facts for I knew the intrigues and drama that comes with being around Poppy. I laughed my heart out when I learned the reason for the latest episode of Poppy’s drama; my friend’s cat scratched her cat’s eye. That was the most ridicules thing I had heard in a long time. As a result of my best friend’s current mishaps, all the blame for her situation was heaped on me, from facilitating Poppy’s move to the tiniest scratch. As a consequence of all these denunciations from my best friend, I had a fight with her about trust as she was accusing me damping these issues on her and therefore she could not trust me anymore because I had lied too much. Our relationship changed from being really close to basically not contacting each other. Poppy of course wanted to move because of what happened, as always, I was the one to rescue her and indeed, I did help her find a place to stay. I sought help from one of another of oldest best friends I have ever had which proved to be a mistake that led to a big disaster. Poppy was not satisfied with the new place, her reason being that the place was far. My

What It Means To Be An Effective Digital Citizen Assignment

What It Means To Be An Effective Digital Citizen - Assignment Example Such an invention will be used till a better alternative is found. One of the best things that have ever been discovered by man apart from fire is electricity and the computer. The potential and use of these discoveries are wide, diverse and can never be overestimated. However, like any other invention it has the capability of harming humanity and the natural order of things. Digital is the general word to describe computers and their various applications. Digitalization has led to the discovery and boom of a number of devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, laptops, desktops, microchips and other numerous gadgets in the digital world. However, just like any other invention, the digital inventions can be used for various mean and malicious purposes. The Term digital citizenship is used to refer to the various means that digital technology can be made available to everyone (Nine Elements, 2015). This is because making it available to everyone will enhance the efficiency in which humanity communicates information, and manipulate information. It is important to be efficient in matters of information and data since information is power. To some of the scholars, gaining equal digital rights and pushing for the access of digital technology is good of Digital Citizenship. It is bound to be difficult to progress as a society if some part of the society is denied digital technology. Commerce in the digital world; consumers in the digital world need to be aware that business is one of the diverse application of the digital technology. Legal and legitimate tradeoffs occur online by use of digital gadgets. However the users in the digital world need to be aware of the issues that are associated with digital commerce. At the same digital commerse, there is exchange of goods and services and money that are against the morals and virtues of some nations. The

The Land Registration Bill Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

The Land Registration Bill - Essay Example One significant step towards achieving the mirror principle, a step which is particularly welcome, has been the phasing out or complete removal of a number of overriding interests by the 2002 Act. This is because the 2002 Act envisages that the majority of interests in land will only be capable of being created when simultaneously registered. However, admitting to there being overriding interests undermines the ‘mirror principle’. These un-registrable rights, deemed so important that they do not require registration and which have to date been given statutory protection, dilutes the fundamental objective on which the 2002 Act is based. Lord Denning in Strand Securities v. Caswell spoke of the purpose of the overriding interest in Section 70(1)(g) of the Land Registration Act, 1925 (the â€Å"1925 Act†) as being to â€Å"protect the person in actual occupation of land from having his rights lost in the welter of registration†. He further stated that such a p erson may â€Å"simply stay there and do nothing† but will nonetheless be protected. The 1925 Act listed out the ‘old law’ overriding interests in Section 70(1). Section 70(1) consisted of a number of lettered paragraphs. Many of the types of interest listed in Section 70(1) were unimportant; in practice there were five important categories of overriding interest. â€Å"The guiding principle on which it [the Bill] proceeds is that interests should be overriding only where it is unreasonable to expect them to be protected on the Register.†

An Analysis Of The Conventions The Soap Opera Genre Essay Example for Free

An Analysis Of The Conventions The Soap Opera Genre Essay In this essay I intend to explore the genre of Soap Opera and some of the conventions that determine the genre. The Soap Opera genre is defined as A serialized drama usually dealing with domestic problems. Eastenders and Coronation Street are prime examples of the Genre. Soap Operas originated in America in the late 1950s and started being shown in England in the late 1960s. Soap Operas are named after the sponsors of the shows were Soap Products. These shows were a marketing strategy to sell the soap products. The ratings for the 2 Soap Operas mentioned are constantly at the top of the list. The ratings for particular episodes in which a story line is thickening have been up to 10 million viewers watching one episode. Increasing popularity in this genre has provided a phenomenon in spin-off products such as magazines devoted to the soaps. Actors and actresses are becoming celebrities and are appearing on talk shows because of their increasing popularity. The Soap Opera Genre has its own identifiable conventions, some of which will be explored. My particular soap that I will be analyzing is Eastenders. The episode that I will be analyzing is the episode on Monday 25th of November 2002. The time this episode was on TV was 8:00pm. Eastenders has a great slot in the channel schedule. Prime time t.v. is from 7-9pm and Eastenders popularity has also come from the time it is broadcast. The episode is half an hour long. This soap opera is shown before the watershed, which means there are certain things, which cannot be shown. There is never any swearing and hardly any violence used. I selected this soap because it has been going on for over 30 years and is one of the most popular soaps in England. The story lines that are used in this episode are: Phil Mitchell wants to find out what the postcard from Lisa says. Laura and the Doctor are having a meeting to find who wrote the poison pen letters. In the scenes that I will be focusing on the conventions of character will now be explored. There are mostly characters that have a history and meaning they are more rounded characters. There are 2 or 3 stereotype characters. Phil Mitchell is a very aggressive person that few people like. When people that he doesnt like tell him what to do he gets angry and threatens them and doesnt care what trouble he can get in. When he talked to someone about a postcard that had been sent from Lisa he was very aggressive and demanded to read it. The other man said no and told him to stop interfering with his life. Phil told him maybe he would maybe he wouldnt. He does what ever he wants and doesnt care who he tramples along the way. He loves his mother and protects her. He thinks that he can control everybody in the square. He has got into trouble with the police before and is a recovering alcoholic. He has 2 children and when with them he is made to look as if he such a soft character and a loving father rather than what he is everywhere else. Different camera shots are used when filming Phil to make him look powerful and menacing. He is filmed to look as if he is more powerful than anybody else in the same room. He is one of the main characters of Eastenders and is there to cause trouble and tension in the soap. I will now analyze my chosen 5 minutes where there is tension and many conventions used. The 5 minutes that I have chosen are where some of the people from the square are having a meeting to try and find who is writing poison pen letters. As the tension builds up the scene changes to the pub breaking the tension and prolonging you from knowing what was going to come if the scene hadnt been changed. The camera shots used only show 1 or 2 peoples faces to let the viewer see the facial expression of the person. When the scene changes to the pub the camera shots change and a panning shot is used to distinguish who is in the pub. The shot stops to people having conversations in the pub. When the scene changes you can see the lighting is different. It gets darker but there is enough light to see the people and their expressions. The camera focuses in on one of the people when they have something to say. The camera at the beginning of the scene turns around showing all the people in the room but from then on the camera doesnt turn but cuts from person to person. As the scene gets to the end someone is walking in to the room hearing something that shouldnt have been heard. The camera changes back and forth from the person speaking, to the person walking into the room. Eventually when the person walks into the room the camera angle is changed and shows the person who walked into the room taller than anybody else making the rest of the people in the room feel small. The camera cuts very quickly to all the different peoples faces showing their surprise and emotion. The camera stays on the person who walked in on the people until she has finished what she has to say. Then the camera cuts back to the peoples faces. This gives the effect of the people being caught out and the person who wouldnt normally be in this situation the person who caught them out. I think that Soap Operas will be an important part in the TV industry for many years because it has domestic issues and provides entertainment for a whole variety of people and for most age groups. It will also be popular because it opens up many conversations on suggested story lines and what will happen next in the next episode. The soap opera has become more than a marketing strategy for selling soaps.

Challenges for Construction Project Planning

Challenges for Construction Project Planning 2.1 Introduction This chapter will review the literature which has been used for this dissertation. A number of important aspects will be covered , including an overview of Construction Planning as well as determining what challenges are faced on a daily basis by construction planners. This chapter will also review research relating to Planning techniques used and software packages available within the Construction industry. 2.2 Construction Project Planning Project Management can be seen as the application of tools and techniques utilised to guide the use of resources towards achieving a n intricate task within the const raint s of time, cost and quality. From conception to completion, a mixture of these tools techniques is necessary to fit the task environment and project life cycle. The British Standard for project management (BS6079 1996) defined project management as, â€Å"The planning, monitoring and control of all aspects of a project and the motivation of all those involved in it to achieve the project objectives on time and to the specified cost, quality and performance.† The UK association of Project Management (APM) have produced a UK body of knowledge UK (BoK) which also provides a definition for project management as â€Å"The planning, organisation, monitoring and control of all aspects of a project and the motivation of all involved to achieve the project objectives safely and within agreed time, cost and performance criteria. The project manager is the single point of responsibility for achieving this.† Project Management as we know today has evolved in order to plan, coordinate and control the complex and diverse activities of modern industrial, commercial and management change projects. (Lock 2007) To allow for effective planning and control of projects, a requirement for systematic and logical methods should be applied along with proven techniques, thus ensuring a successful project outcome for all concerned parties, particularly the client. Without planning it is difficult to envisage the successful conclusion of any project or the effective control of time, money or resources. Planning is also essential in order to deal with construction risks and devise safe working methods. (Cooke 2008) Project Planning is defined as the establishment of a set of directions in sufficient detail to tell the project team exactly what must be done, when it must be done and what resources to use in order to produce the deliverables of the project successfully. (Zwikael 2008). Construction planning is an essential and challenging activity in the management and implementation of construction projects. It occupies the choice of technology, the description of work tasks, the estimation of the necessary resources and durations for individual tasks, and the identification of any interactions among the different work tasks. Hendrickson (1998) believes a good construction plan is the basis for developing the budget and the schedule for work. It is therefore common to adopt a conspicuous importance on either cost control or on schedule control as illustrated in Figure 2.1. Walker (2007) considers that by having a project schedule to work to and sticking to it, you will well be on your way to delivering successful projects. This would be dependant on effective communic ation and efficiency at all stages of the project and with an aim to reducing risk, time and cost. 2.3 The Construction Planner Construction project planning is receiving growing attention as the limitations of formal deterministic planning are becoming more widely recognised. (Winch, Kelsey 2004). There is growing concern over the failure of construction planning to achieve its goals in spite of the considerable resources allocated to it. Deficient planning techniques are commonly blamed for this state. (Laufer, Tucker, 1987) There has been considerable debate over the last decade or so on the effectiveness of construction project planning. However, there is remarkably little research into what construction project planners actually do. Laufer and Tucker provide a critique of construction planning. They protest that:- the planning and evaluation of planning processes are non-existent there is over-emphasis on critical path methods planners lack construction experience planners have poor information gathering methods planning is control-oriented instead of action-oriented Plans are been poorly presented with overly-complex information. In a subsequent paper (1994) Laufer and his colleagues look at the definition and allocation of planning work. They found that there was no clear system at work and planning was done in a multiplicity of ways. They call for the process to be properly co-ordinated by a single individual who will own the planning process and improve communication. Winch and Kelsey (2005) believe the specialist planner has the time to do the work but incomplete practical knowledge. The line manager has the practical knowledge but does not have the quality time to carry out the task. The specialist planner has better strategic decision-making skills than the short-term decision-making focus of the line manager. They then go on to say â€Å"Line managers see the delegation of key decision-making to another as a threat to their position†. These problems are confirmed in Laufer (1992) wider project management study and can result in: The planner preparing a plan which has incomplete information and in-adequate decision making authority. The line manager treating such plans as merely an irrelevant forecast prepared by another. Allen Smallwood (2008) believe Construction planners and the role they perform are little understood both within the construction industry and the wider environment where construction has a daily impact. Planning occupies a central position in the functions of the manager. His responsibilities may vary with organisational philosophy and contingency but planning invariably remains an essential ingredient of his duties. (Steiner, 1979). Much Research and Development effort has been made during the last three decades but progress with techniques has not removed the dissatisfaction with the application and results of construction planning (Choudhury 1981, Mason 1984, Morton 1983). Effective construction planning demands that it is carried out by competent and experienced personnel. While the estimator must remain in charge or pricing the work, most contracts, today, are too complex for the estimator to handle the technical content of pre-tender appraisal. It is here that the construction planner has a major function. 2.4 Planning Techniques Most planning techniques aim to express the work to be done, to a time-scale; some also include resources, and perhaps cost and value. In simple terms, they intend to help control time and cost. The other major factor in project control, quality, is controlled by its own family of control techniques; and quality is related to time and cost through the skill and judgement of the project management team. Neale (1989) believes the major components of planning techniques are: Activities: literally, being busy, expending energy, consuming resources, taking time; in construction planning, this means a job to be done; for example preparing a drawing, an order to be places, a hole to be dug, bricks to be laid in a wall, a flow of water to be diverted. Activity durations: the time required for the completion of each activity Project time-scale: the time structure of the project; it is usual to give each week in the project a number (this makes calculation easier), and these then have to be related to calendar dates, holidays, etc. Event: an occurrence at a specific point in time; for example, the granting of planning consent, of the start or end of a traffic diversion. Work method: the plan must be expressed in some logical way, indicating the sequence of operations, and which activities and events are interrelated; this may be implicit (as with bar charts) or exlicit (in network analysis, where work method is usually called logic.) Resources: often called the four Ms (men, machines, materials and money) but can include overheads (for example, site accommodation), and even such essentials as managerial skill. Costs: what the work has or will cost, often derived directly from the unit costs of the individual resources. Value: what has or can be earned by payment for work done derived from the bill of quantities, the estimate or an internal budget. The calculation of value-to-date can be used as an overall measure of project progress. 2.5 Four techniques are often used in construction planning Bar charts, Network analysis, Line-of-balance Linear programmes. 2.5.1 The bar chart/ Gantt Chart Drafting of a bar chart is popular because it produces results which are easy to understand and not too searching of the planner. Its use is limited to planning straightforward work with simple relationships between the activities. This graphical technique still forms the foundation for most resource scheduling. Its major drawback is that even minor deviations from it require extensive redrafting as a result making it more difficult to having to hand a contemporaneous bar chart that is a reliable indicator of future events. The main features of the bar chart are as follows: The activities are listed on the vertical axis Time is shown on the horizontal axis. This may be an appropriate time unit, such as months or days. Each bar is divided horizontally into two, with the top half representing when the activity is planned to take place, and the bottom shared in, as proportions of the activity are completed. A vertical movable marker line indicates the current time, thus enabling the observer to note if any activities are behind programme, and to what extent. Refer to Figure 2.2 for additional information. The format of the bar chart presumes that the end user (client) can involve the same judgment that was in the mind of the planner when he was compiling it. In highly repetitive or simple work it can be implied that the users will better understand the thought process of the planner. However as project complexity increases the user’s ability to monitor the project in relation to the programme is reduced unless it is understood: What work is important to progress? Of the activities currently behind programme what, if any, effect do they have on overall progress? On the contrary, if most of the actual work is ahead of programme, does this mean that the current prediction is that the project will be complete in advance of the targeted completion date? The answer is definitely not an automatic yes. To provide an informed response, an understanding of the relationships between programme activities is crucial. Neale (1989) consider these deceivingly simple questions contradict issues which are at the heart of many construction disputes, namely considerations for extension of time. 2.5.2 Network Analysis Unlike a bar chart, activities are not shown on an axis of time. What the network portrays is the logical relationship between activities. Network analysis is a powerful, logical and analytical technique. It is most effective when used for complicated projects, especially those with external constraints and complex interrelationships. The technique is based on drawing the logical relationships between construction operations, and from an analysis of the relative durations, establishing which operations have the most crucial effect on the project duration. It can be drawn in a number of ways, the most well-known in the UK being the arrow diagram. The technique is sometimes known as the critical path method (CPM), and critical path analysis (CPA). A version which incorporates a statistical method for calculating the probability that a project will be completed on a specific date is called the programme evaluation and review technique. (PERT) The identification of a â€Å"critical path† focuses the attention of the individuals managing the project and highlights to clients and their advisors the tasks that require to be particularly well managed with regard to time. The duration of critical path represents the shortest duration in which the project can be completed. Delays to activities on the critical path transmit directly through to extend the project completion date. This provides advanced warning of the pending delay to completion and enables the contractor (or employer) to invoke recovery action at a useful point in time rather than waiting until it is manifestly obvious that the completion date is threatened. If the employer or his Architect/Engineer (A/E) instructs additional work which affects the activities on the critical path then the contractor has grounds for a claim for an extension of time. The term critical path is widely used in the construction industry; what is not fully appreciated is how easily the critical path can change. Network analysis has a good and inclusive logical basis, lends itself easily to computer processing, and can be used as an effective control tool. These exceptional characteristics are also known to be its principal weakness as it is easier for the planner to be drawn into a level of planning and analysis that is much to detailed and advanced for most construction projects. 2.5.3 Line of Balance Line of balance is a specialised technique used for repetitive work. It derived from the manufacturing industry and has been found to be effective in planning work truly repetitive. Examples of success applications include planning the construction of identical floors in high rise construction, and large housing developments. Line of balance has been found to be difficult to use on projects which have a high demand for trades or operations to construct each identical unit. The problems arise not from the technique itself, but from the difficult of showing all the information on one chart, particularly when using the technique to monitor progress. When used to plan, it can be an excellent means of relating resources, activity durations and the general pace of work on site. Neale (1989). Illingworth (1993) considers the line of balance approach has largely fallen out of use in today’s industry due to the fact it was designed primarily for housing and did not readily provide clear visual appreciation of the situation at a glance. 2.5.4 Linear Programme (or time-chainage chart) Linear programming is a specialised technique for linear work. This is a basic tool of UK road contractors. Other successful applications include the construction of a large canal in a developing country, and it is especially useful in tunnelling. Illingworth (1993). Similar to line of balance, this is a simple two- dimensional graphical technique and can show clearly only a limited amount of information and limited degree of complexity. Figure 2.6 – Linear Programme (Neale 1989) Linear Programme Activities (Neale 1989) 2.6 Which technique? The experienced planner in construction needs to be aware of the techniques available, together with the value of each, both in the planning analysis role and how then can be applied to give effective control and communication to management on site. Illingworth (1993). Like any other professional, the planner has to select the right tool for the job. To make the correct decision, it is therefore a requirement to examine what is wanted in a particular situation programme. Illingworth (1993) believes the main points of this choice are as follows: Does the method aid initial analysis of the situation and especially in establishing the best sequence of events? Are deficiencies in progress shown up as the work proceeds? Can visiting management obtain and immediate view of the contract situation on arrival on site? With the preponderance of subcontractors on site today, does the programme method give assistance in cash flow control? According to Illingworth, from these questions it is unlikely to be the answer to all desires. Therefore it is said to be better to consider the situation in two stages – tender planning on the one hand and the operational planning after the contract has been won, on the other. 2.7 Planning Practice In order to explore further the reality of construction project planning semi-structured interviews were conducted between July and December 2000 with 18 experienced planners from five leading UK construction firms. Most of the planners interviewed were currently involved in planning at the tender stage including assembly and presentation of the tender documentation. About half of those were also involved at the tender/ pre-construction stage. Only a few were further involved during the site works. (Refer to figure 2.7). Generally, although a number of the interviewed planners had on-site experience the typical pattern is that a planner works either at the pre-tender, pre-execution stages or on site but not simultaneously. The exceptions tend to be where planners work for some time on a single large project. In such cases it may make sense (from the employer’s point of view) for their work to carry on to the execution stage. 2.8 Programming Considerations at the Tender Stage Upon receipt of tender documentation, the contractor will appoint human resources tasked with compiling a tender submission based upon the tender enquiry. One of the main individual in this team is the person accountable for producing the tender programme, the construction planner. Whether or not the contractual terms require a programme to be produced or not should be irrelevant at this stage. The tender programme is an important document produced by the contractor which is used for measuring many risk and cost related issues. In particular, the assessment of cost of the contractor’s time related preliminary items as drawn off the content of the tender programme. For example, the anticipated on site durations for different members of staff, periods of scaffold hire and duration for site accommodation are items that cannot be priced by the estimator without reference to the tender programme. When compiling the tender programme, the construction planner must incorporate the information supplied with the enquiry noting any specified constraints contained in either the contract bills, specification or drawings. Conflict between documents often exists and a view had to be taken on how to proceed. Clarification may be sought from the employer or his agents, assumptions made and stated along with the submission or the conflict may be ignored and the information that best suits the contractor is assumed without qualification or statement. It is accepted in the industry that many bids are won or lost on the programme duration alone. This happens frequently where a bill of quantities is being priced and the experienced contractors tend towards similar prime cost for similar items. On completion of reviewing tender documents, drawings, specification and bills, which may be typically done over a period of one or two weeks, the construction planner will establish the work scope which will be addressed in the creation of a tender programme. The main objective is to be aware of the specified period for construction. Additional to the completed programme should be a schedule of resources which corresponds with the programme and a series of method statements signifying construction techniques and equipment to be employed in carrying out the work. 2.9 Programming on Site When the contract is won, the site planning is equally important. It is usually at this point that the site manager will have his first chance to examine the methods on which the job was priced. What is important to recognise, at this point, is that planning must be seen as an addition to management. Thus the site manager must have the right to question the planning methods on which the contract was priced. To do so, site manager’s require the technical expertise to assess what has been put forward. In so doing, the manager concerned must, for his part, accept that if he wants to change the method from that in the priced tender, he must demonstrate that his alternative is obviously cheaper, or at least as cheap, as that priced in the tender submission. When final agreement has been reached, the planning function can be established on site and develop the final method to be adopted. This, in turn, will lead to the contract master programme and such subsidiary programmes as may be necessary. On completion of all methods being confirmed the construction planner continues to have a significant role on site. First, in developing control and short-term programmes for all organisations contributing to the contract under the main or managing contractor. Second, the construction planner’s cherished knowledge of how the work was originally planned makes him uniquely placed to examine the potential consequences of alterations to what has to be built. In this area he is a valuable source of information to the site quantity surveyor when assessing where possible contractural claims may arise. Today, with the ever increasing use of trade sub-contractors as well as specialist service contractors, the experienced construction planner has the option of either seeing the role as satisfying its own right, or as an essential ingredient of experience for becoming a successful site manager. Illingworth (1993). 2.10 Purpose of a Programme The values applicable to the mechanics of construction planning are similar whether you are a main contractor submitting a quotation to an employer, a sub-contractor quoting to the main contractor, or even a construction manager providing programme assist to an employer. Common principles apply when compiling a construction programme, that of methodical analysis. The contractor’s construction programme is an important common reference. It shows how the planner they have interpreted the contract documents and other information from which the statement of intent for construction is issued. As the key programme for the construction work, its content is of the utmost significance to all parties charged with handing over to the employer a building fit for purpose within the contract time stated. A well prepared programme is vital to every construction project. Many activities have to be cautiously defined and given a time scale, and it necessary not only to assemble and list the information but also to display it visually in terms of the contract’s objectives and the calendar. The working sequences and the relationships between individual activities must be clearly conveyed in this visual presentation.† The Chartered Institute of Building (2001). They consider the construction programme to be a statement of intended actions, which when properly used provides management with its plan of campaign. It should communicate with ease, providing the common reference for the timing of all activities related to the project. 2.11 Construction Planning Software An expert planner faced with the task of producing and analysing a network for a project containing only few activities will undoubtedly produce the fastest results by drawing a freehand arrow diagram and analysing it mentally. Lock (2007). He believes it is likely to take longer when using a computer because of the formalities needed to set up the new project files in the system and enter the data. David Arditi and Ann Rackas compiled a short report in May of 1986 with an aim in ascertaining the need for computer software to assist is construction planning and scheduling. This report concluded, the individual needs of a given construction company are the primary reasons for choosing a particular software package. For example, one of the participating general contractor’s basic requirements was to have a 40-character activity description field: â€Å"a particularly individual need†. They continued to suggest if a program is to survive the inevitable shakeout that occurs after the initial development and interest have peaked; it must offer the features and capacities that are required by the user. In addition, every effort should be made to make computers less mysterious and confusing as they will be dealing with the construction market. Today there are many planning software packages available to the construction industry. Asta Powerproject, Microsoft Project, Primavera, PERT Master to name a few. Each package is commonly suited to the individual needs of the planner. Some programs present a blank Gantt chart on the screen as soon as they are booted up, and it is apparent to the user that task data can be typed in immediately. Most programs allow the user/ planner to establish project durations, critical path network, allocate resources, assign costs to tasks and monitor progress throughout the project. As a result, most construction planning professionals use such packages daily. 2.12 Construction Planning Challenges Lock (2007) considers anyone planning a project of significant size will soon find out that there are a number of factors, both inside and outside the project organisation that can have an effect on the planner’s intentions. These are as follows: 2.12.1 External Factors All projects are subject to risk, many of which can have an enormous impact on plans. Lock (2007) deems the following are just four from the long catalogue of happenings that can be categorised as Acts of God: An earthquake devastates a project organisations headquarters. A hurricane and flood put a project site under a metre of water and delay the start or ruin the work in progress. An influenza epidemic puts half the project workforce out of action. (Swine flu outbreak 2008 recorded thousands of people off work for over 5 days.) The project manager (a keen golfer) is struck by lightning. The national government can play an important part on the smooth running of a project. E.g. the project could be government-funded and is cancelled or abandoned through a political decision. Lock (2007) also considers less immediate concerns which are the wider and longer-term economic consequences of government policy leading to downscaling of projects, delays and cancellations in all sectors of industry. Decisions made outside the project team can also have an affect on many characteristics of planning. E.g. a decision is made at directorate level to carry out a project in a different company within the group from that initially anticipated or a strategic decision is made to cut short all new staff recruitment resulting in a lower number of available resources formerly expected to be available for projects. 2.12.2 Working Factors Lock (2007) These are items which are likely to affect the project team on a daily basis. Examples include availability of resources, materials etc. People are believed to be a construction organisations greatest resource. â€Å"Construction operations depend on the knowledge and skills of people planning and executing the work†. Muir (2005.) Research has been carried out to reveal that the construction industry is typically viewed as being one of the least attractive industries in which to work. Safety plays an important part in the running of a project. Construction by nature is unsurprisingly dangerous with a high degree of hazard and risk. The Health Safety Executive believe each year: Over 1 million injuries and 2.3 million cases of ill-health are experienced by workers; Around 40 million working days are to lost; and Over 25000 individuals are forced to give up work because of injury or ill health. These cost British employers on average  £3.3 to  £6.5 billion each year. Most organisations are oblivious of these figures and are often astonished to find out what the actual costs are. Recent HSE Examples (2009) An injury to a worker using an unguarded drill cost a small engineering company  £45,000. And that was not all. The managing director was prosecuted from which two employees had to be made redundant to  keep the company afloat. At the other end of the scale the Piper Alpha explosion killed 167  people and incurred estimated costs of over  £2 billion. Accidents in construction can account for 3 6 % of total project costs. 2.12.3 Contribution of effective Planning Effective Planning and scheduling influences the results of a project as is promotes well-organised working. Personnel who are not trying continually to overcome crises caused by bad planning can dedicate more time to achieving high quality standards. A well-planned project stands more chance of being completed on time and on budget. 2.13 Chapter Summary Description Author Source To allow for effective planning and control of projects, a requirement for systematic and logical methods should be applied along with proven techniques. Cooke 2008 Improving Construction planning through 4d Planning Project Planning is defined as the establishment of a set of directions Zwikael 2008 Critical Planning Processes in Construction Projects A good Construction plan is the basis for developing the budget and the schedule for work Henrickson 1998 Construction Planning Techniques Having a project schedule to work to and sticking to it, you will be well on your way to delivering successful projects Walker 2007 Project Management in Construction, (5th edition) Construction Planners and the olr they perform are little understood both within the Construction industry and the wider environment Allan Smallwood 2008 Improving Construction planning through 4d Planning Major Components of planning techniques are: Activities, Activity durations, Project time-scale, Event, Work method, Resources, Costs Value Neale 1989 Engineering Management. Construction Planning Four techniques often used; Bar chart, Network analysis, Line-of-balance, Linear programmes Neale 1989 Engineering Management. Construction Planning Experienced planner in construction needs to be aware of the techniques available Illingworth 1993 Construction Methods and Planning Likely to take longer when using construction planning software Lock 2007 Project Management, 9th edition, Planning a project of significant size will soon find that there a number

Effect And Consequences Phenomena Of Habitat Fragmentation Biology Essay

Effect And Consequences Phenomena Of Habitat Fragmentation Biology Essay Habitat fragmentation is currently one of the most concern topics in threatening process of biodiversity. It is a natural process which a particular habitat is separated and divided into smaller pieces due to physical barriers such as mountains, rivers and other landscapes. This process takes place within a long period of time, and speciation occurs through it. However, the interference of human activities has increased the rate of habitat fragmentation. The activities include rural development, agriculture, and urbanization; and habitat destruction caused by these activities happened in short period of time. Species are unable to adapt to the rapid changes of their surrounding, subsequently some species are endangered and eventually go extinct. In this essay, an overview on the effects and consequences, and the solutions of habitat fragmentation will be explored. Over centuries, people especially prospective developers have been debating on the issue of the protection and conservation of habitat. What is the important of habitat and why do we need it? This is the most common question people asked. Despite human gain profit from the natural environment, we seldom appreciate and understand the need for taking care of it. A habitat is a place which consists of biotic and abotic factors that favor the survival of various species in a particular area (Miller Hobbs 2007). Each species plays an important role to the environment and formed a biodiversity. Correspondingly, we obtain many natural resources through biodiversity. For example, medicine, food, woods, and water are sources that come from the natural environment. Furthermore, habitat is essential for future resources such as new cure for diseases from a plant species that are not yet discovered. Habitat maintains the genetic diversity of species and supports life; therefore there is a need to protect the habitat so that it continues to support life. Effect and Consequences Phenomena of habitat fragmentation Habitat fragmentation begins when there is a decrease in the total area of habitat due to habitat loss. The fragmented habitats areas are smaller and separated with further distance from each other. Similarly, the species population is also divided into smaller groups but increase in the number of patches. As a result, isolation of species occurs and prevents breeding in different areas. The flow of gene remains in the same population and are not allowed to exchange to a broader area. The genetic diversity of a species eventually decreases and the gene variation become lesser. Habitat loss The loss of habitat caused limited resources for the species to survive. There will be less food source and nesting site. Furthermore, species have higher chance of getting expose to their predator. For example, the reproductive rate of forest bird was affected by high level of nest predation and parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) in highly fragmented forest located in the Midwestern state of United State (Sanderson Moulton 1999). This can be assumed that the loss of habitat provide insufficient nesting sites for the forest bird to reproduce. On the other hand, cowbirds can easily find and target the nests of the forest bird. Eventually, this factor contribute to high mortality rate while low reproductive rate of forest birds. Edge effect Habitat fragmentation also leads to habitat  ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½edge ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½, which is a boundary formed between the habitat and the disturbed environment. The zone formed prevents species to migrate from place to place, thus limited the abundance and distribution of species in certain area. The risk of breeding failure is higher for species which live in a small fragmented forest due to small population, compared to the species in large habitat ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s size. In addition to that, the habitat  ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½edge ¿Ã‚ ½Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ acts as a physical barrier to the species in small fragmented forest, hence they are unable to cross over to other larger fragmented area. Consequently, this factor has increased the loss of species. For instance, a research has conducted on the study of species-area relationship in a threatened monkey community (Marshall et. al. 2010) and found that the habitat area has the greatest contribution to the abundance and diversity of monkey species. L ikewise, a small habitat does not favor in species diversity. Impact to human Some people think that habitat do not affect much on the human society, nevertheless habitat destruction brings massive negative impacts on human being. First of all, the loss of habitat indicates that the loss of biodiversity and this further implies on the loss of many bioresources which is essential to us. Habitat destruction also leads to imbalance on ecological cycles such as nitrogen and carbon cycle. The natural habitat plays an important role on converting nitrogen in air to nitrogen-contained compound which can be used by living organisms, as well as reduces level of carbon in the atmosphere. The disruption of these cycles by human eventually leads to many unfavorable situations such as acid rain, climate change, etc. Moreover, habitat destruction also increases the occurrences of natural disaster such as flood and landslide as habitat serves as a protection from it. Solutions to Habitat Fragmentation Habitat Restoration Habitat restoration refers to the action that contributes to the re-building process of a habitat. The purpose of habitat restoration is to restore biodiversity by protecting and improving the damaged habitats. Strategy used for habitat restoration depends on different situations. Figure 1.0 shows the determination of conditions before developing the goal for habitat restoration. Figure 1.0 Requirement for the development of habitat restoration strategy (Miller Hobbs 2007). Agri-environmental schemes are introduced by the British government in order to maintain the vegetative structure and prevent further habitat destruction by agriculture. Research (Moro Gadal 2007) has showed that the relationship between the abundance and diversity of small terrestrial mammals and the restored fragmented forest have a positive association. It indicated that habitat heterogeneity provides more vegetative structures, thus more small mammals species can cope with their surroundings. Challenges in habitat restoration Despite conservation of habitat becomes one of the concern topic globally, there are still others problem that must be solved and these problems have opposite direction to habitat restoration. The rapid growth of global human population is the main factor of all. The increase in human population size requires more land for urbanization. Food crisis is also another factor contribute to deforestation for farming in order to supply more food. Therefore the government should project a suitable plan in order to maintain the balance between human need and the biodiversity of the natural environment. Conclusion In summary, habitat fragmentation caused by human activities leads to negative effects on the biodiversity as well as to human benefit. The problem of habitat fragmentation should be aware by the public so that actions can be taken and stop the continuing of habitat destruction.?

The Long-Term Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse Essay -- Adult Manifes

Child abuse is a serious issue in today's society. There are many victims of child abuse. There are three kinds of child abuse: emotional, sexual, and physical. Many researchers believe that sexual abuse is the most detrimental of the three. A middle-aged adult who is feeling depressed will probably not relate it back to his childhood, but maybe he should. The short-term effects of childhood sexual abuse have been proven valid, but now the question is, do the long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse affect middle-aged adults? Many contradicting views arise from the subject of childhood sexual abuse. Researchers and psychologists argue on this issue. Childhood sexual abuse has the possibility to damage a child physically, emotionally, and behaviorally for the rest of his or her childhood, and the affects have been connected to lasting into middle-aged adulthood. The Victims Research has been conducted on what type of children are the most at risk of being sexually abused. Childhood abuse has a greater chance of happening to children of certain backgrounds. One researcher states that Child sexual abuse occurs more frequently in children from socially deprived and disorganized family backgrounds. Marital dysfunction, as evidenced by parental separation and domestic violence, is associated with higher risks of child sexual abuse (Mullen 4). Mullen also states that "The possibility has been raised that characteristics such as physical attractiveness, temperament, or physical maturity might increase the risks of children being sexually abused" (4). Behavioral Problems Many researchers link behavioral problems in adultho... ...essed Memories of Child Abuse may be Valid." Child Sexual Abuse. Ed. Bruno Leone. San Diego: Greenhaven, 1998. 27-34 Kasner, Shane. "The Relationship Between Adult Psychological Adjustments and Childhood Sexual Abuse." Journal of Interpersonal Violence 15:12 (Dec 2000): 1243-1267 Kliest, George A. "Research on Long-term Effects of Child Abuse." Family Journal 7 (Apr 1999): 154-163. Galileo. 11 Nov 2001 McKeown, L.A. "Research Reveals Changes in the Brain Years After Abuse." Aug 2000. Online Posting. WebMD Medical News. {http://webmd.lycos.com/content/articles/1728.599557} Mullen, Paul E. "Long-term Effects of Child Sexual Abuse" Issues in Child Abuse Prevention 9 (Aug 1998): 989-1011 Whiffen, Valerie E. "Mediators of the Link Between Childhood Abuse and Adult Depressive Symptoms." Journal of Interpersonal Violence 15:10 (Oct 2000): 1100-1121 The Long-Term Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse Essay -- Adult Manifes Child abuse is a serious issue in today's society. There are many victims of child abuse. There are three kinds of child abuse: emotional, sexual, and physical. Many researchers believe that sexual abuse is the most detrimental of the three. A middle-aged adult who is feeling depressed will probably not relate it back to his childhood, but maybe he should. The short-term effects of childhood sexual abuse have been proven valid, but now the question is, do the long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse affect middle-aged adults? Many contradicting views arise from the subject of childhood sexual abuse. Researchers and psychologists argue on this issue. Childhood sexual abuse has the possibility to damage a child physically, emotionally, and behaviorally for the rest of his or her childhood, and the affects have been connected to lasting into middle-aged adulthood. The Victims Research has been conducted on what type of children are the most at risk of being sexually abused. Childhood abuse has a greater chance of happening to children of certain backgrounds. One researcher states that Child sexual abuse occurs more frequently in children from socially deprived and disorganized family backgrounds. Marital dysfunction, as evidenced by parental separation and domestic violence, is associated with higher risks of child sexual abuse (Mullen 4). Mullen also states that "The possibility has been raised that characteristics such as physical attractiveness, temperament, or physical maturity might increase the risks of children being sexually abused" (4). Behavioral Problems Many researchers link behavioral problems in adultho... ...essed Memories of Child Abuse may be Valid." Child Sexual Abuse. Ed. Bruno Leone. San Diego: Greenhaven, 1998. 27-34 Kasner, Shane. "The Relationship Between Adult Psychological Adjustments and Childhood Sexual Abuse." Journal of Interpersonal Violence 15:12 (Dec 2000): 1243-1267 Kliest, George A. "Research on Long-term Effects of Child Abuse." Family Journal 7 (Apr 1999): 154-163. Galileo. 11 Nov 2001 McKeown, L.A. "Research Reveals Changes in the Brain Years After Abuse." Aug 2000. Online Posting. WebMD Medical News. {http://webmd.lycos.com/content/articles/1728.599557} Mullen, Paul E. "Long-term Effects of Child Sexual Abuse" Issues in Child Abuse Prevention 9 (Aug 1998): 989-1011 Whiffen, Valerie E. "Mediators of the Link Between Childhood Abuse and Adult Depressive Symptoms." Journal of Interpersonal Violence 15:10 (Oct 2000): 1100-1121

How I was Introduced to Ansel Adams :: Photography Photographers Artists Essays

How I was Introduced to Ansel Adams Ansel Adams was more than just an artist; he was environmentalist and a photographer. Adams was born February 20th, 1902 in San Francisco California. This is where I was born before I moved to Andover Massachusetts’s. I was too young to appreciate his work then, but when I went back a few summers ago to visit my sister in San Francisco, all I saw at the tourist’s sites was Ansel’s photographs of the Golden Gate Bridge. I remember it like it was yesterday looking at this photograph of Ansel’s, the picture is in black and white, and it looks as if the sun is setting, just about 6p.m. I couldn’t believe how real this picture looked to me, I knew I had to buy it, and it is still up on my wall to this day. Ansel took photographs so expressively, you felt like you were right there with him. Before Ansel’s photographs, I really had no appreciation for nature or how people could spend sixteen hours a day to capture one photograph that was perfect. Ho wever, after I saw Ansel’s work it all made sense to me, that people were looking for the beauty in everything, even a bridge can move people and make them think of that moment in time. Adams eventually married a girl in California, named Charles Hitchcock Adams. Even when he was a child, Adams had an appreciation for nature. This was brought on because he lived with his grandparents who were extremely conservative. This caused Ansel to be very shy in the public arena and at school, and this played havoc with Ansel’s education. So as a solution, he received home schooling by his grandfather, and this is where Ansel found his love for the outdoors. His grandfather thought nature was a special thing and he wanted to share this knowledge of the outdoors with Ansel. This is the reason why he spends a good amount of time every year at the Yosemite Sierra Park, leaving behind his beloved Golden Gate Bridge. He explored all different kinds of sceneries when he went to Yosemit e, just so he could see what nature had to offer. Early Life of Ansel Adams Also as a young boy he developed a great sense of music and was able to play the piano at the age of twelve. It was an impressive accomplishment because he was self taught.

Asa Framework :: essays research papers

In recent years businesses in the United States are becoming more diverse places in which to work. Workforce diversity with respect to race, gender, and ethnicity has increased as result of socio-cultural changes, and is to some extent protected by law. While demographic diversity in American businesses has become more apparent, a range of individual differences in the values, attitudes, beliefs, and personalities of their employees is assumed to have existed for some time. However Benjamin Schneider, a psychology professor at the University of Maryland, argues that the range of individual differences in the above mentioned psychological variables becomes less common within businesses over time. Schneider has proposed an attraction-selection-attrition (ASA) framework to explain how organizations behave (440). The main proposition of Schneider’s work is that businesses do not determine behavior. Instead employees determine the company culture. Attraction to a company, selection by it, and attrition from it yield particular kinds of persons within a company. These people determine organizational behavior (Scheneider,1987). From 1997 to 1999 I was employed with a company named TNA North America. This was a company based out of Sydney-Australia, dedicated to selling and servicing packaging equipment to various customers in North America. At this company we all had very similar values, attitudes and beliefs. One of the employees who was very different from the rest of us was the general sales manager. He was different from rest of us in many ways. TNA North America is well known for servicing well to its customers, and all of us at TNA were very used to work ten or twelve hours each day to make sure our customer’s needs were satisfied. In the other hand was the sales manager who only worked six to seven hours each day, and very often did not go to the office for days. Business travel is a big portion of the company budget, therefore we always got the most economical plane tickets. The sales manager was known for flying first class and spending lots of company funds during trade shows, customer visi ts and conferences. This behavior was just not acceptable to the rest of the company. He came to work for us from a company that was our competitor, and he came with good references and showed an extensive knowledge about the industry. During his first 6 months he tried to get along with the rest of the employees, and he also tried to get some projects going with different customers.

Descriptive essay on an attractive woman

An attractive woman is a woman who is attractive to you because she has certain attributes or she has certain inner qualities which appeal to your senses. Beauty is the qualities which god graces a person with. Attractive is how a person carries herself. I other words, the way she portrays her assets to the world.Judgment of attractiveness of a woman depends on a particular society, culture or time period but most of all it is a matter of personal preference (1). In spite of significant differences in opinion among different cultures, there are certain physical traits which are perceive as attractive by individuals irrespective of different cultures. A healthy skin adds a natural radiance to a woman’s face.The general symmetry of the face and the proportionate size of the features like the eyes, nose and ears and their proper placement adds to the attractiveness of a woman. Generally men prefer women shorter than his height. But in this age of fashion and modeling, men conside r women with greater height as attractive.A woman is attractive when she has a low waist to hip ratio. In other words, she has less flab on her waist. And her body weight is proportionate to her height. Men of cross culture believe a woman as attractive who is not too thin or not obese or over-weight. In Asian countries like India may prefer fair skin as compared to tanned skin in western countries but in general, men do not think a woman attractive who has very dark complexion. The smell of human body (not body odor) is sexually attractive to the opposite sex.Though beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, according to ‘Physiognomy’, (2) beauty of the woman has to be judged on the whole considering all the parts together. An attractive woman has big and lustrous eyes with eyebrows like a perfect bow. Her hair is long soft and silky. Her nose is straight and of normal length. She has a round face which is soft and smooth to the touch. Her attractiveness is enhanced by h er rosy cheeks and red and well shaped lips. When she smiles, she shows her perfect shaped pearl like teeth.She has a smooth and conch like neck. She has well shaped arms with soft, delicate and beautiful hands. She has a flat belly and narrow waist. A well shaped back and legs completes her beauty. Ideally, a woman’s height should be average. An attractive woman has a clean fragrance. Sometimes the application of perfume or cologne adds to the attractiveness of a woman.   A physically attractive woman also has a sweet voice.An attractive woman has a proper dress sense. She dresses herself according to the demand of the occasion. She may not posses’ perfection of all her features, so she uses make-up to highlight her best features. An attractive woman is a good communicator and she is socially successful.Attraction is not always the outer surface of the person, sometimes it originates from within. If a woman has loveliness of the soul, it adds ethereal glow to her be auty.Therefore, an attractive woman is a woman who is not only physically attractive but also has some intrinsic values like good communication skills and presence of mind. She should be also good at heart. So that when people meet her, they are not only attracted to her physically but are also attracted to her soul.

Away Essay Essay

Discoveries and discovering can offer new understandings and renewed perceptions of ourselves and others. This is evident in Away by Michael Gow which focuses on aspects of discovery including realisations within oneself which can uncover further perceptions of ourselves or others. Gow also includes concepts based on the idea that the recognition that death is inevitable forces people to discover the meaning of life. Emotional turmoil and heartbreak may be a catalyst for discovery and acceptance of a situation and similarly, it must be discovered that healing can occur through love and reconciliation. Realisations within oneself can uncover further perceptions of ourselves or others. During the play â€Å"Away†, Gow portrays Gwen as a distraught woman as she has a meltdown. This is as a result of her obsession with social status, wealth and material possessions which has turned her into a cynical, angry woman. Gwen’s initial realisation occurs when Vic, who saw a lost woman in Gwen, suggests a walk and uses the inclusive pronoun â€Å"us girls† to provide a gentle approach. Walking is used by Gow as a catalyst but also a metaphor for progress and change. The walk up the beach helps Gwen to realise the elements of life are more important than her concerns over wealth and after being unable to take the BEX powder, she is no longer able to find consolation in such simplistic solutions which implies that Gwen has come to the realisation for more sophisticated thinking. The BEX powder is a symbol for Gwen’s attempt to artificially create happiness. â€Å"I want to take it and I can’t†. Gow has expressed the discovery of Gwen as very confronting yet rewarding as these new perceptions of herself lead to new perceptions of her relationship with her family and others. The recognition that death is inevitable forces people to discover the meaning of life. Coral is battling with the loss of her son in the Vietnam War, which also portrays a controversial issue at the same time. Coral’s detached attitude to life clashes her ironic statements, such as â€Å"aren’t we lucky to live in such a rich country† and â€Å"there is a price to be paid of course†. The play within a play is a cathartic experience for Coral. â€Å"I’m walking, I’m walking, I’m walking† is shown in a metaphorical and literal sense and symbolises the evident reconciliation with herself and for her son’s death. Tom has made a significant impact in Coral’s life which has caused her to change her perspective and reconcile with Her interaction with Tom  and the recognition that he will die allows Coral to overcome her intense mourning. Emotional turmoil and heartbreak may be a catalyst for discovery and acceptance of a situation. Harry and Vic are hoping the camping trip will help them overcome the shock of learning that Tom will die. â€Å"A few weeks just with ourselves. Just with you. It’ll be good.† Tom and his parents have accepted his inevitable death; however, there is still uncomfortableness between them in some situations. â€Å"Harry: when you’ve got your own family- Tom: do you want a drink or not?† In this scene, Gow uses the pause in Harry’s dialogue to the show the tension which has been created. Their tent symbolises their social status but also their lack of concern for material possessions as they are more focused on improving their relationships and spending time together. This makes them a happier family than the other two presented in the play. It must be discovered that healing can occur through love and reconciliation. Roy has been in conflict with Coral over her â€Å"strange† behaviour as he feels it is affecting his professional standing in the community. After losing a son in the Vietnam War, Roy has been impacted deeply but has, however, moved on whereas Coral is weighed down with a continuing grief which has caused struggle within the relationship. â€Å"Do you want me to arrange shock treatment?† Roy is obviously irritated with Coral’s detached and â€Å"ghostly† behaviour but it is not until Coral discovers reconciliation that she finds her happiness. During the dumb show, there is a visual representation of reconciliation as Roy buries his head in the shells and kisses Coral’s hands to symbolise the resolution of conflict. Therefore, discoveries and discovering can offer new understandings of renewed perceptions of ourselves and others as shown evidently within Away by Michael Gow. Gow has demonstrated a use of concepts within the play which reflect a theme of discovery as they can offer new understandings of ourselves and others, leading to renewed values and ideas and future possibilities. This is shown within the relationships between characters throughout the play, including Roy and Coral who find reconciliation portrayed in the hat of shells, Harry and Vic who discover and accept the inevitable death of their son and Gwen who, within herself, rediscovers happiness which allows a new perception of her relationship with her family and others.

Failure Is the First Step to Success

â€Å"Failure is the first step towards success† is one of the most heard quotes and is again and again told to us in every step of life, but how often do we realize its importance or live by its mantra? Honestly, we don’t! We just expect the fruit to come to us without working over its plant. Getting up requires falling. If a nine month old gave up trying to walk after his first fall, he would never be able to walk again, simply because he gave up. We can relate this to anything we do or anything we try to. To succeed in something, we need to keep this in our mind that we are going to fall. A very famous quote regarding this explains very clearly that â€Å"ITS NOT THE FALLING PART THAT’S HARD, IT’S THE GETTING UP† . The only way we can learn to rise is when we have been through certain circumstances. When we know what we did wrong in the first place, when we have tried every known method that’s exactly when it will dawn on us – the right way to get up. Success depends on you. If you have fallen time after time, its time to build a different strategy for getting up, you will succeed! Many people have a serious misconception when it comes to â€Å"failure† because they put negative labels on people they deem to have failed. It's important to understand that any time we fail at something, whether it's large or small; we are one step closer to success. Nothing ends in failure, if you don't let it, and your attitude is what will lead you into turning failure into success. As an easy mind up, a man fall but then get up then again, fall and then again get up, and every time the man try again, he learns and earns more experience and gains guides on how to handle his getting up the next time. You shouldn’t be dishearten or anything with the fall you get the first time, but instead learn from it on how to handle the situation again in a much easier way! Forget about the consequences of failure. Failure is only a temporary change in direction to set you straight for your next success. So just go ahead and don’t let these meaningful falls get on your nerves! Go ahead and get up!

Death of a Salesman Idealism and Truth Essay

?Idealism describes the belief or pursuit of a perfect vision often based upon unrealistic principles. This pursuit is often contrasted and opposed by truth. The truth and reality in an individual’s life is what enables this person to remain grounded and down to earth. An individual must set themselves high expectations in order to be their best, but they must also acknowledge the fact that everything they desire is not achievable. The imbalance of idealism and truth in an individual’s life can have calamitous effects. It is significant in an individual’s life because it can lead to the deterioration of an individual’s sanity, destruction of family relationships and ultimately death. This is exemplified in Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, by Willy Loman. Willy spends his whole life pursuing the American Dream. This pursuit leaves him in debt and lacking less than a sliver of sanity. This man lacks the capacity to face the truth; the reality of his situation. The negative effect that his dream has on his family and life is simply overlooked and ignored. As Willy’s life swerves out of control, he tumbles deeper into the abyss of his idealism, to a point of no return. The inability for an individual to achieve a single-minded dream can lead to the deterioration of their sanity. In Willy’s case, he has spent his whole life pursuing the American Dream; a dream that is impossible to achieve. His inability to cope with the failure of his life at first simply causes him to feel lost, but eventually causes him to go insane. Ironically enough this man, so set on having the perfect life, has an affair with a secretary of one of the buyer. This is simply a financial transaction of gifts for sex and access to the buyers. Willy does this to escape the truth of his life, and in the process completely contradicts his goals. In an attempt to protect himself from the reality of his life, he goes into self-protection mode. His own mind morphs his memories to achieve and establish his desires. Willy’s constant flashbacks lay the groundwork to support that he is becoming senile and that his idealistic tendencies caused him to lose the ability to recognize reality from illusion. Willy is a very insecure individual, and he tries to make himself look better by lying to himself and his family. In his world of delusion, Willy is a hugely successful man. He disguises his profound anxiety and self-doubt with extreme arrogance. Biff nails it on the head when he points out the fact that Willy â€Å"had all the wrong dreams. All, all, wrong. † The overpowering pursuit of idealism over truth can lead an individual to lack the ability to cope with reality. Willy has a lot of potential, but he also has a whopping case of self-deception paired with misguided life goals. He has based his whole life on supporting others and does not know how to live any other way. The effect of lacking a manly figure during his youthful development is substantial effect in how Willy raises his own sons. In Willy’s pursuit of the American Dream, he clearly instills in his sons that being well-liked is more important than character. By emphasizing likability as being the most desirable quality for success he places a higher premium on outward projection over inner strength of character. He simply passes on these unrealistic qualities to his sons. â€Å"I never in my life told him anything but decent things. † Willy’s memories reveal that the values with which he raised his sons has made Biff comes to consider himself exceptional and entitled to whatever he wants regardless of how hard he works or whether it harms others. Biff’s perfect illusion is shattered when he discovers that his father is having an affair and he feels hateful and confused about his father’s actions. His excessive pursuit of idealism shatters Willy’s relationship with his son; this is something that he does not have the ability to repair. Willy’s pursuit of idealism in his life was extremely unrealistic and eventually prevented him from having the ability to see the truth in life. He spent his whole life trying to provide for his family. He wanted the life of a salesman. To be well-liked and have a massive funeral when he dies. The reality is that he spent his whole life pursuing unrealistic dreams based on negative personal values. Willy himself points out that he’s â€Å"worth more dead than alive. † It’s quite tragic that Willy believes he has to kill himself to feel that he is worth something to his family. The reality of the situation is that his death is in vain. The Loman’s only had one more payment left on the house, and don’t actually need the money anymore. But in his blinded illusion, Willy cannot see through or cope with his failure. This causes him to believe that he is worth nothing more alive and kills himself to enable his family to collect his life insurance money. The unevenness of idealism and truth in an individual’s life can lead to the loss of sanity, deterioration of relationships and even death. By having a good balanced of idealism and truth, there is a greater potential that an individual will discover contentment in life. While pursuing an ideal, an individual may be confronted with truth that must be recognized, and if ignored will have cataclysmic effect. Idealism provides a good source of motivation to strive for excellence and truth reminds us that we are all flawed. Together, with an appropriate balance of both, you have the tools to live a life happy.

Constant struggle between environmental laws and economic growth in Essay - 1

Constant struggle between environmental laws and economic growth in correlation with 'the american dream' - Essay Example While the truth is that the opportunity exists, that group still only represents 1% of all Americans. Thus, the power of the dream is such that the public will support policies that diminish services to the majority to protect the potential success that all feel that they may someday enjoy. Some of the way sin which this type of thinking is engaged in the cultural structures that support this type of thinking is through policies that fail to protect the environment because lawmakers and the public have bought into the myth that to over regulate industry is to create economic hardships that are too hard to navigate and will ultimately destroy industry. This type of thinking is based upon a fear-based campaign that is intended to threaten the ‘dream’, thus tying the hands of scientists and more enlightened politicians when they approach solutions for the real problems that have been created through hazards that are the result of industrial destructive forces that strip the environment of vital resources. However, suggesting that change will ruin the future of industry is tantamount to telling Ford not to invent the combustion engine because it would destroy the horse and buggy industry. Time and technologies change, and in growing any industry, including the environmental solutions industry, the American dream can find a way to exploit it for resources in jobs, economic support, and in creating a future for the planet. One of the most important resources is based upon a continued future which is only provided for through industries who are implementing sustainable practices. Through sociological and political theories, man has the ability to change the world. Social Ecology provides for a world where man and technology join to promote the perpetuation of the planetary eco-systems and the ways in which resources are sustained. With an attitude that leads