Trade Between The United States And Australia - 1610 Words

Trade The United states of America and Australia are very effective trading partners. They trade through the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement, which is a preferential trade agreement that was signed on the 18th of may 2004, but came into effect on the 1st of January 2005. APEC is a trade organization that incorporates 21 nations within the Asia Pacific region, and is used to discuss matters between these nations. Australia and the US are a considerably large distance away from each other, promoting communication through a third source; Guam. Finally, the US has a very detailed demographic statistic, much due to the nearly 319,000,000 people. Through these sub points, Australia’s trade agreement with the US is a very key†¦show more content†¦Australia s equalization of exchange has been unsteady as of late. In the period since 1994, little exchange surpluses were accomplished in 1997 ($0.8b) and in 2001 ($4.3b), with exchange deficiencies happening in every singl e other year. The exchange shortage was a record $22.4b in 2003, because of a blend of elements including the serious dry spell influencing rural fares, the high estimation of the Australian dollar in respect to different monetary standards, and the effect of the war in Iraq on global travel. Australia imports generously a larger number of merchandise and administrations from the USA than it fares to it. As shown in source B1, exports to the US are 15,533 million AUD, compared to the 39,181 million AUD that is imported from America. Australia’s exchange deficiency with the USA has enhanced marginally since 1998, from a top of $14.2b in that year, to $12.5b in 2003. It was at its most minimal in 2011 at $10.7b, when the $A conversion standard was least against the $US. Somewhere around 2010 and 2012 Australia s fares to the USA were worth over $16.2b every year, except they tumbled to $14.2b in 2013. The USA got 10% of Australia s aggregate fares in 2013, down from 12% in 2010. The USA s relative significance to Australia as a wellspring of imports has declined relentlessly in the course of recent years (down from 22% of aggregate imports in 1998

Why Are Mothers Better Parents Than Fathers - 700 Words

In Satoshi Kanazawa’s article, â€Å"Why Are Mothers Better Parents Than Fathers?† he attempts to explain why men are less dedicated and less committed to parenting than women. His argument is weak based on the inadequate and unreliable information he provides. The result is an article that is humorous at the least, but also lacks the logical support needed to make it a good argumentative article. During the course of this essay, I will address why Kanazawa’s argument is flawed and discuss why no gender is better than the other when it comes to parenting. Kanazawa begins his introduction with a scene from the 1999 horror movie The Blair Witch Project, when Heather Donahue’s character sensed her and her friends’ death in the woods so she turned†¦show more content†¦Kanazawa failed to mention that â€Å"the 2000 census found that the number of single-father households rose 62 percent in 10 years† (Armas). The first argument Kanazawa makes, is paternity uncertainty is one of the biological factors that make fathers less committed than mothers. Kanazawa states, â€Å"Because gestation for all mammals (including humans) takes place internally within the female’s body, the male can never be certain of his paternity, whereas maternity is always certain. . . . naturally, men are not motivated to invest in children who have a distinct possibility of not being theirs† (Kanazawa). He then tries to justify his paternity uncertainty explanation by using the clichà © phrase, â€Å"Mommy’s Baby, Daddy’s Maybe†. Later saying, â€Å"†¦no father has ever been completely certain of his paternity. The best he can say is ‘maybe’† (Kanazawa). Kanazawa makes a lot of blank statements with this first example, and the explanation gives no insight to his initial question. In a sense, he centers his statements around paternity tests which quite fran kly cost the same as a large box of condoms so if paternity uncertainty is really the problem, a trip to Wal-Mart or the nearest pharmacy store could solve all questions if we were to really rely on Kanazawa’s assumptions. The second biological factor Kanazawa gives for the absence of men is their higher fitness ceiling, in orderShow MoreRelated The Fathers Rights in Child Custody Issues Essay667 Words   |  3 PagesUnited States today more than one-half of all marriages end in divorce. The purpose of this paper is to examine the reason why women have typically received custody of the children far more often than the fathers. In order to better understand child custody one must first examine how fathers have often times been left out of the picture, and conversely why mothers have had such hard times raising children on their own. This paper will first examine the perspective of a father who has lost custody ofRead MorePoverty Among Teenage Mothers and The Child’s Outcome Essay934 Words   |  4 PagesMany studies have shown that teenage mothers and their child have a high risk of living in poverty, due to not completing high school, being a single parent and their lack of knowledge and readi ness to raise a child because of unplanned pregnancies. Children born of teenage mothers are at a higher risk maltreatment and poor performance in school. In addition, many studies have also shown that teenage pregnancies and poverty have an effect on their child’s development. Teenage pregnancy and theRead MoreMisconceptions About Working Parents1549 Words   |  7 PagesOne such example are parents who work while being parents. Although part of society might see working parents as neglective, that is not the case of all parents, and many are no different than those who stay at home to take care of their children. Working parents have a bad reputation when it comes down to well parenting. Many see them as uncaring and unloving towards their children. Others see them as not having time for their families. Many parents have no choice than to take work and putRead More Psychology - Life With (or Without) Father Essay1473 Words   |  6 Pagespurposes. The first purpose of this study was to better understand the effects of fathers’ antisocial behaviors have on their children while differentiating between those fathers who have very antisocial behavior with those that have very little. The second purpose was the find out if the effects of a father’s being in his child’s life was the same in every family. The third purpose in this study was to find out whether the children of antisocial fathers were going to develop behavioral problems fromRead More What Do Children Owe Their Parents? Essay1693 Words   |  7 Pagesbeen placed on this earth was made by the choice of their parents, who were given the opportunity to procreate. As children grow up and become adults, their parents become elderly and are unable to take care of themselves. Grown children don’t owe their parents anything, but to have a relationship of honoring their parents with love and respect. Parents are role models who are the important key elements in a child’s development. Your parents were there to give you life, to take care of you and toRead MoreAbortion: Every Womans Right Essay810 Words   |  4 Pagesolder than 24 weeks and so cannot feel pain. If the foetus was brought in to the world unwanted, unloved and entering into a life of torture, is this not where the pain comes into it? is it not better that the child had passed away painlessly as an embryo in the mothers womb, rather than living a life if torture. well abortion isnt the only answer here. Adoption is a process that has proven to be successful in the past so why not now. True it means that the mother willRead MoreA Single Mother Working Three Jobs1637 Words   |  7 PagesPicture this, a single mother working three jobs, she has three girls who are all in school. She has to be sure that they are fed, bathed, clothed, get to school, ball practice, tutoring and everywhere else safely. All of that seems like a lot for one person, but one of the most important things was not even listed. Do you know what that was? Providing a home for them to live in, that is the most important task for her, paying the bills to keep all of these things fall under that too. That was theRead MoreMarriage Is Particularly Among Poor, Poor And Poor Essay1497 Words   |  6 Pagesline of thinking often doesn’t work and poor mothers and their children are stuck by themselves, using only one income to survive and still living in poverty. However, having marriage first and then having children can be a successful and significant way to help poor women and their children get out of poverty. First, it is important to understand why the poor do not get married in the first place. When Having Babies Beats Marriage, explains why the poor do not get married. The reasons beingRead MoreEssay about Your first lab link can be found at What Makes a Good Parent822 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿MIREN RULE Your first lab link can be found at What Makes a Good Parent? A written transcript is also available for this lab. What makes a good parent according to Dr. Tanya Byron? According to Dr. Tanya Bryon she states that being a good parent is one that doesn’t worry a lot about being a good one. She said that parents who follow a book or a step-by-step process tend to have problems. Parenting should be done by the heart not from someone or something else. What are some of the common problemsRead MoreSense and Domain for Father Essay840 Words   |  4 Pagesdictionary, father is defined as â€Å"a male parent in relation to his natural child or children.† This meaning is derived from the (nuclear) family view of parent and children relation. Then, what is a family? According to dictionary, family means â€Å"a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household.† In this sense, father is a important participant in the parents and the family domain. Therefore, parents are a base for father (as much as it is also a base for mother) and a family

The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp free essay sample

The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program can be a journey of life changing experiences that can and will build character and leadership. I am currently a freshman and I am enrolled in the JROTC program at Boca Ciega High School, and at first I wasn’t sure what to expect and who I would encounter. Throughout my year so far being a cadet, I am being challenged physically, mentally, and emotionally. But I was able to learn more about teamwork and leadership through this short span. The curriculum consists of practical exercises that directly target an individual’s leadership and character. JROTC has taught me what I would not have learned in any other class in high school. Older cadets have overcome fears and have formed lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories. And I do intend on being like my role models in this program. Overall, they have found that JROTC has molded a sense of character within them just it has for me. We will write a custom essay sample on The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page JROTC is unique because it uses a clear chain of command that consists of the students (cadets) themselves. The fact that the organization is cadet-run is great, because it gives us the independence for us to make decisions that impact us directly and because of that, we are free to make the organization our own. Personally, I gained more confidence, better people skills, great grammar, how to talk in a large number of groups, and personality. JROTC brings out the best in me and my fellow cadets because of the high level of maturity expected of them from the instructors and the huge student participation in running the program. The program also prepares us for life after high school, helping us to learn our personality types and how to interact with other types. We also learned to respect ourselves and others when wearing uniform and when we are not. We learn to step outside our comfort zone and become acquainted with the world around us; the world we are to survive in after graduation. Our JROTC instructors help us to learn what life may bring us after we may not see them again. And as for my opinion on my instructors, I have to say that I have enormous amount of respect for who they are and what they did.

Unit Final Project free essay sample

Human resource management systems are a bit of the systems and strategies that are depended upon to be relentless with framework. They affect the behavior f the employees and if these unique practices are obliged to complete assorted frameworks, then these HER methodologies should proficiently change with organizational technique (Peck, 1994). We will discuss how this links and supports the goals of Cataracts as an organization. According to most Of the HARM masters, the practical human resource manage system is truly indispensable to accomplish lifted measures of organizational execution (Dealer, 2009).Steady with them the influential HARM system is essentially proposed to insurance high organizational execution by getting perfect generally yield of the organization. As Reeves and Dare (2007) delineates that we can get high execution from employees by extending their enthusiasm and proficiencies by using any technique. How HER Policies Support Cataracts Goals Human resource policies have been exceptionally powerful on the organizational execution of Cataracts. We will write a custom essay sample on Unit Final Project or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The organization has executed five corporate methods: offer best quality items, guarantee greatest infiltration in business sector, offering an exceedingly social air, give unwinding, create the best working conditions and expansion the gainfulness of the organization by offering high edge items and lessening the expenses (Dyer Reeves, 2007). It has embraced the Laissez Fairer administration style and has four diverse levels of administration in its organizational structure. In the Laissez-fairer administration style, the role of the leader is fringe and staffs deal with their own particular ranges of the business.The leader sidesteps the obligations of administration and ungraceful designation happens. The aptitudes that provide for its playing point of its rivals are the capacity to make drinks and the abilities of employees. At Cataracts, employees are recognized as partners within the organization and furnished trainings to create better impressions of the item and show them new systems for blending and strategies of bargains. They have forces to take choices when required and shift leaders appoint them obligations. Assessments and promotions are utilized to inspire them.The execution of the organization is generally watched through the monetary record of most recent five years as the advantages of the organization have been multiplied as they were in 2005. The procedure of recruitment in Cataracts incorporates numerous devices, like meeting of the hopefuls in which they additionally go to the sessions of espresso tasting and the terms and conditions are continuously created. They are stressed to give notes that are transcribed as opposed to reaction letters likewise the utilization to telephone calls if increased in value.By utilizing all these devices, Cataracts get to know the reaction time of applicable nuts. Cataracts likewise asks its spotters to consistently send blessing cards of Cataracts to its occupation aspirants if they are chosen or not for employment they must be dealt with as clients for t he organization. The procedure of recruitment in Cataracts is particularly intended for the employment that is required to be filled. The mission of the Cataracts is to want the assorted qualities and give the representatives the chance to create themselves.Recruitment/Selection/Retention A representative at Cataracts must have various individual attributes and abilities which will empower them to complete their part. These abilities and attributes are liable to incorporate amicability, scrupulousness, a pledge to giving client administration and a capacity to work in a quick paced environment. Fruitful resounding is to the extent that benefit with hierarchical fit as it is to do with HARM best practice, and along these lines the first phase f recruitment ought to be to embrace a part or individual detail so as to make the aptitudes and properties vital for the part.Fruitful recruitment, choice and maintenance ought to additionally be adjusted to the vital destinations of the firm and consequently m ind and thought ought to be given to the most suitable recruitment and determination routines with a specific end goal to guarantee they will draw in the best potential applicants furthermore that the whole process will bring about long haul worker maintenance. Below is a personal specification template for a Cataracts representative: Requirement Essential or Desirable?Qualifications / Education / Training: No essential qualifications required, food safety or food hygiene would be desirable Desirable Experience: Customer service, food handling, retail Essential Knowledge: Some retail knowledge would be desirable, along with a knowledge of various coffees Desirable Skills Competencies: attention to detail; ability to work in a high pressure environment, customer-centric Essential Personal Attributes: open friendly, keen to provide an exceptional customer experience Essential Other: Prepared to go the extra mile to offer exceptional service and use own initiative when necessary in o rder to promote the brand and concept Desirable Building Winning Teams The idea of cooperation inside organizations has picked up expanding noticeable quality lately and with great reason as very viable groups are more proficient and beneficial. The profits of engaging colleagues inside a part so they feel more captivated with the association and consequently more dedicated to conveying the best conceivable experience for the client or customer. At Cataracts one method for attaining this would be to guarantee that each colleague is completely cross-utilitarian and that they are given trench execution targets which oblige them to fill in as a group.Full cross- usefulness implies that each one colleague has a thankfulness for different parts and thusly they have a tendency to be more chivalrous of conclusions. Additionally, a cross -useful group which has responsibility for it comes about will ordinarily find more viable method for conveying an administration so as to achieve targets. Leadership In the event that Cataracts wish to hold their workers it is reasonable to keep on putting resources into preparing and advancement to guarantee that they are very talented and equipped for reacting quickly to changes in client quest. This may incorporate occupation trades with representatives from other retail outlets to impart best practice, or making a discussion where representatives can advance their recommendations for development.In spite of the fact that these are generally little steps they can help individual representatives to advancement inside Cataracts and this guarantees that Cataracts produces a notoriety for being an executive of decision which encourages home developed ability and treats representatives with reasonableness and admiration. Research into the predominating administration style at Cataracts uncovers that they have a moderately level order which guarantees that it is not difficult to disperse data broadly and viably inside the organization. Cataracts has a reasonable mission: to move and support the human soul one individual, one mug and one area at once.This is completely prove in their preparation strategies and ethos. The structure and initiative style of Cataracts likewise guarantees that the business can be receptive to client needs on the grounds that the baristas are in immediate contact with clients each and every day furthermore have the important systems to guarantee that they can give legitimate and convenient eroticism to their administrators to enhance the client experience. Performance Management So as to screen and enhance representative execution it is first important to situated suitable destinations and targets and to apply measurements and benchmarks to these goals and focuses to dispa ssionately evaluate worker execution and advancement.At Cataracts there are two center components which structure the premise of representative execution; these are specialized ability that is to say the capacity to reliably create an excellent container of espresso, and furthermore the capacity to connect with different takeovers including group associates and clients. The previous can be equitably surveyed by perception against concurred execution measurements, for example, pace of generation and consistency of taste. This has profit to individual representatives and Cataracts in general on the grounds that it guarantees consistency of administration and item quality over the system of establishments implying that the notoriety of Cataracts is kept up furthermore that Baristas are employable over a scope of establishments that they may be arranged to make a trip to, subsequently expanding their worth to the organization.Regarding evaluating Barista execution when collaborating with clients this can be attained through input structures and client impetuses. For instance, it is getting to be progressively basic that receipts from retailers urge clients to give input about their administration on the web. This has the double profit of helping the association to end up more captivated with clients and reaction all the more quickly to client criticism. It can likewise be utilized to accumulate individual barista input if particular inquiries in the criticism poll identify with execution ND administrat ion, for example, pace and inventiveness and accommodation of the Barista.The data assembled from criticism studies can be nourished once again to every barista in general execution audits keeping in mind the end goal to help them recognize regions of improvement and accordingly enhance execution. At long last it is important to consider how Cataracts applies standards of designation so as to rouse Baristas. As talked about beforehand in this audit, Cataracts energize group working and the making of stretch focuses to help Baristas create and to assume liability for their own reticular ranges of generation. This methodology is nearly joined to powerful execution administration on the grounds that enabling Baristas to set and attain their own particular targets serves to rouse them to accomplish as they feel in control of their targets and day by day obligations.Targets can be utilized to screen and assess Barista execution and at every execution survey they can be changed as fundamental so as to help the Barista make strides. For instance, in the beginning of a baristas business this could be to enhance the velocity of creation and to get a certain client administration rating. At the appointed time course this could advancement to inside instructional classes in praiseworthy client administration and client experience. This all- encompassing process additionally helps Baristas to admir e that they are esteemed and accordingly this prompts them getting to be more captivated and propelled and conveying enhanced execution.

Spring Phenology and Climate Change

Spring Phenology and Climate Change As spring arrives we notice the changing of seasons by the weather, but also by a host of natural events. Depending on where you live, the crocuses may poke through the snow, the killdeer may be back, or the cherry trees may bloom. There is an orderly sequence of events that seem to occur, with various spring flowers appearing in order, red maple buds bursting into new leaves, or the old lilac by the barn scenting the air. This seasonal cycle of natural phenomena is called phenology. Global climate change appears to be interfering with the phenology of many species, at the very heart of species interactions. What Is Phenology? In temperate regions like the northern half of the United States, there is comparatively little biological activity in winter. Most plants are dormant, and so are the insects feeding on them. In turn, animals that rely on these insects  such as bats and birds are hibernating or spending the cold months in more southerly locations. Ectotherms like reptiles and amphibians, which take their body warmth from their environment, also have active phases tied to the seasons. This long winter period constrains all the growing, breeding, and dispersing activities that plants and animals do to a short favorable window. That’s what makes spring so vibrant, with plants flowering and putting on new growth, insects emerging and breeding, and birds flying back to take advantage of this short-lived bounty. The onsets of each of these activities add up to so many phenological markers. What Triggers Phenological Events? Different organisms respond to different cues to initiate seasonal activities. Many plants will start growing leaves again after a set period of dormancy, which very roughly dictates the leaf-out window. Cue that more precisely determine when the buds break can be soil temperature, air temperature, or water availability. Similarly, temperature cues can promote the beginning of insect activity. Day length itself can be the operative trigger for some seasonal events. It is only when there are a sufficient number of daylight hours that reproductive hormones will be produced in many bird species. Why Are Scientists Concerned with Phenology? The most energy-demanding period in the life of most animals is when they reproduce. For that reason, it is to their advantage to coincide breeding (and for many, the raising of young) during a period when food is most abundant. Caterpillars should hatch just as the young tender leaves of oak tree emerge, before they harden and become less nutritious. Breeding songbirds need to time the hatching of their young just during that peak in caterpillar activity, so they can take advantage of this rich source of protein to feed their offspring. Many species have evolved to exploit peaks in resource availability, so all these seemingly independent phenological events are indeed part of a complex web of precise interactions. Disruptions in seasonal events can have profound effects on ecosystems. How Is Climate Change Affecting Phenology? The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in a 2007 report, estimated that spring arrived earlier by 2.3 to 5.2 days per decade in the previous 30 years. Among hundreds of observed changes, the leafing out of ginkgo trees in Japan, the flowering of lilacs, and the arrival of warblers have all shifted earlier in the year. The problem is that not all these shifts happen at the same rate, if at all. For example: Winter moths have been timed to hatch just when the young oak leaves burst from their buds. With climate change, both have been happening earlier in the year, but significantly more so for the winter moth hatch. The young emerging caterpillars then starve and die.Some North American migratory songbirds have advanced their arrival data. However, at least one of the main tree species they forage on has shifted its leafing out even earlier. Birds might then be missing the peak in availability of insects that are found on these trees and provide the energy and protein needed by the birds at the beginning of their nesting season. These types of misalignment of important events in nature are called phenological mismatches. There is much research underway currently to recognize where these mismatches might be occurring.

Get aware of various scholarships for Industrial Engineering students

Get aware of various scholarships for Industrial Engineering students Engineering Scholarships for Everyone Industrial Engineering is a challenging, complicated and practical field of studying. If you decide to choose Industrial Engineering, then you should understand that you are to specialize in designing, analyzing and managing production systems, the procedure of creation, including budgeting, human recourses and technology. If you are in this sphere then you should also learn deeply math and extensive science, as they are the basis for successful engineering ideas realization. The main aim of studying is not only to provide students with necessary knowledge but also to prepare them to be involved in the manufacturing and industry on all positions. Nowadays there exists a great demand for skilled technicians and directors who will manage the industrial engineering process in the proper way. Fortunately, there are lots of scholarships which are offered by colleges, professional companies which are encouraging and supporting young specialists in the sphere of engineering. College scholarships in the USA Almost each school which has the department of industrial engineering will offer its students various scholarships. Here are some of them. University of Washington College of Engineering The Ron Crockett Scholarship Fund is a great chance for those who want to connect their life with industrial engineering in the Washington University. The awards provides the most outstanding and talented students with tuition discounts. If you want to be among them, you should be really wise and ambitious and apply till April 1. Texas Tech University College of Engineering Students of industrial engineering are generously awarded with scholarships. Everything depends on your own features, achievements and personal criteria which are checked during the admission process. So you are welcome to apply as soon as possible to check which funding package you may receive. Virginia Tech College of Engineering This college is a home for dozens of scholarships for the most talented and skilled students. The majority of awards go to freshman, still transfer students are also given some scholarships. The process of getting an award is quite easy: you send your application, then it`s transferred to the Department of Industrial Engineering, they check your studying success and their need. So if you struggle to reach something bigger then you are welcome. Scholarships from private organizations in the US There is also a variety of independent organizations which provide students with such scholarships. Check out some of them! Institute of Industrial Engineers This scholarship is available for student members only. It`s created for those who are to continue their work in the field of engineering and reach success. Only those students are encouraged with this scholarship, the main features of which are the following: Undergraduate students with GPA score of at least 3.4 may apply for this scholarship; You can receive up to $4,000 per year, still if you are ambitious and show leader skills then you get preference; A.O. Putnam Memorial Scholarship is offered to industrial engineering students who study anywhere in the USA. Students are chosen on the basis of academic achievements and financial needs, the award is $600; Marcus Scholarship offers $1000 for those who are talented and shows the interest in the future development of engineering. ASCO Numatics This scholarship is sponsored by the Emerson Company, which is in the leads for the century. Students who are interested and successful in the research work and future career in the industrial engineering get $5000 award and there are also a few grants for $1000. Such skills as leadership and knowledge, future plans, past contributions into the development of engineering are taken into account while choosing the winners. If you are doing really good, then you may get an invitation of an internship with the company. Set your plans and try to implement them into life. Before choosing a university check the scholarships they offer, as they can be both your financial aid and a good chance to develop your skills. These programs will make you more self-confident, you will probably work harder. Everything is possible till you want it.

Case Study about Group Financiero Inverlat byDaniel D Campbell

About Group Financiero Inverlat byDaniel D Campbell - Case Study Example Mexico is a largely Spanish country while Canadians speak English. It is thus problematic for the Canadian managers to understand the Spanish language. Consequently, the Mexicans have problems with the English language. As a result, it is hard to understand one another on key aspects of the business. The use of interpreters reduces the interpersonal relationships that managers are supposed to have in order to address the challenges facing the company. Another intercultural communication problem is that Mexican managers believe in a non-formal way of business communication. The problem is manifested by the fact that Mexican managers feel humiliated when Canadian managers give strict business instructions. As opposed to the Mexican style, Canadian managers follow a strict protocol that guide all business processes. One of the business activities that require a revamp in communication is meetings. The Mexican culture is that managers had the leeway to walk around and consult verbally during the meeting. Before the takeover, Mexicans rarely communicated precisely on a problem that had been caused by their fellow manager. Indeed, they do not take criticisms lightly. Further, it is not their culture to criticize a manager in front of other managers and employees. However, the Canadian business culture allows these criticisms and prioritize the interest of the business. As noted above, the new BNS management needs the local management team to understand the Mexican business. However, the Mexican managers seem discontented and uncomfortable with the Canadian management style. One of the issues that triggers discomfort was communication. The Canadian and Mexican managers speak different languages and hence it is difficult to understand one another. As a result, the Mexican managers are rarely consulted on major decisions made by the Canadian section. Another issue bringing discontent is the lack of job security. The BNS brought in senior managers from Canada

Demonstration Speech Explain and define how the game of Rugby is Essay

Demonstration Speech Explain and define how the game of Rugby is played - Essay Example During the 19th century, rugby was considered as one of the different versions of football played by the English public schools of the UK. The signature mark of the game of rugby, which is, running forward with the ball, was innovated only in the latter half of the 19th century. As record goes, the first written rules for playing rugby were produced by the Rugby School in 1845. Describing the rules of the game of rugby, the most important thing in the game is to handle the ball. Biscombe and Drewett (2010) have made it very clear in the beginning of their book: â€Å"All rugby players need good ball-handling skills to cope with the various demands of the attacking game: running with the ball, passing and catching at actual game speed, also called pace.† Keeping the possession of the rugby ball is of utmost significance if the rugby player wants to take full advantage of any attacking position. In order to further understand the various laws of rugby, it is important to know the structure of the rugby field. The rugby pitch is a 100 metres long and 69 to 70 metres wide grass field. The sidelines of are called touchlines. It includes two in-goal areas each of which is 10 to 22 metres deep. The front area is a try line while its back is a dead ball line. Goal posts are located on the try line. Other important lines on the rugby pitch are: The game of rugby starts with the tossing of a coin that determines the team which will kickoff first. Each of the two teams consists of 15 players – 8 forwards and 7 backs. The kicker from the team that wins the toss sets the ball on the ground and starts the match on the referee’s whistle by kicking the ball high and short to the opposing forwards. If a receiving team’s forward catches the ball successfully, then he will try to advance the ball running into the opposition. During this chase, there is a continuous effort of the opposing team

Richard III by William Shakespeare Essay Example for Free

Richard III by William Shakespeare Essay This essay is to assess how much sympathy the naà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ve and harmless Hastings deserves after being fooled by the cunning Richard III and falling into his trap of trusting him.  In Act I Scene I, Richard plays the loving, faithful and devoted brother when Clarence arrives at the tower, and sympathises greatly with Hastings. He pretends to be worried by the news of Edwards poor health, suggesting not simply his family loyalty, but also his concern for the nation. In his conversations with both Clarence and Hastings, Richard slanders Queen Elizabeth and her relatives, blaming them for all of the ills that have befallen both Clarence and Hastings, claiming that is was she that convinced the king to have them sent to the tower in the first place. Throughout the conversation with Hastings, Richard flatters his victim, telling him what he wants to hear and as Hastings does not like Queen Elizabeth due to previous events, he is taken in by what Richard has been telling him. More pity that eagles should be mewd While kites and buzzards prey at liberty (1.1.line132-3). In this quotation, Hastings is using a metaphor describing his opinion on the matter of being sent to the tower by claiming that the eagles are he and Clarence who are trapped, whilst the kites and buzzards are the followers of the Queens court, who are allowed to do as they please. The shared dislike of Queen Elizabeth between Hastings and Richard kindles a friendship between them, and as the audience, we arent taken in by his false concern and so know that this technique Richard has used to intrigue Hastings is extremely effective, and Hastings has fallen into the trap of trusting Richard. In this scene, some empathy is directed towards Hastings because in only the first scene we have seen Richard cast Hastings under his spell and Hastings becomes captivated, oblivious to the apparent corrupt and depraved qualities of Richard. As the audience, from the outside looking in, we know a lot more about the sinister Richard than the character of Hastings due to the revelations in the opening soliloquy delivered powerfully by Richard, confessing his plans and motives to become king of England. In Act I Scene III, Old Queen Margaret, widow to the murdered King Henry and mother to the murdered Prince Edward enters a courtroom where persons such as Richard, Hastings, Buckingham and Queen Elizabeth are already present. She opens by reminding those attending of Richards earlier crimes interrupting the dispute to threaten and blame the assembled company that for overthrowing her husband, Henry IV. She is then accused of playing a part in the death of Richards brother, Rutland. Although attacked with allegations, Margaret is not deterred from her aim and proceeds to curse each of the characters in turn and prophesies their destruction. After cursing most of those surrounding her, when she reaches Hastings, she predicts And so wast thou, Lord Hastings, when my son Was stabbd with bloody daggers. God, I pray him, That none of you may live his natural age, But by some unlooked accident cut off (1.3.line 210-213). By saying this, she foresees that Hastings will not live his life to a natural age and will be beheaded. This curse comes true and Hastings happens to remember her prophecy in his last speech before his death. Margaret warns the company against Richard, Thou elvish-markd, abortive, rooting hog, Thou that was seald in thy nativity The slave of nature and son of hell (1.3.line 227-229). Margaret continues to argue with Richard, cursing him continually and then leaves. Rivers and Buckingham seem disturbed by her heavy-handed words but by way of contrast, Richard remains calm and pretends to repent the wrongs that he did Margaret. At the time when Hastings is cursed he seems displaced by Margarets words as he doesnt reply, but later shakes it off by remarking False-boding woman, end thy frantic curse, Lest to thy harm thou move our patience. (1.3.line 246-7) and seemingly does so to prove to the others that he is not worried about the denunciation by overtly putting on a bravado. In this scene, not much sympathy is inflicted towards Hastings, as although he seems to be deterred by the curse, he puts it to the back of his mind, attempting to impress those surrounding him, especially Richard after striking up a friendship, and therefore appears arrogant. Act II Scene I begins with the ailing Kind Edward attempting to make peace between all of his friends and family, endeavouring to tie up all ends before he soon dies. He asks Hastings, Rivers, Dorset and Buckingham to profess their loyalty to each other and for sake of one of the last of wishes of a dying man, they pretend to do so. King Edward, on his deathbed, is attempting to reunite his friends and family, trying to make sure that he can die in peace, knowing that his family is content.

Innocent Man by John Grisham Essays -- essays research papers

The innocent man is the story of Ron Williamson who was unjustly convicted of murder and spent twelve years on death row before being exonerated by DNA evidence. Ron Williamson was born in Ada, a small town in Oklahoma. His future looked bright when he was young and he was an exceptional athlete who was drafted by the Oakland Athletics. After an unsuccessful career in the minors Ron Williamson became a drug addict and an alcoholic whose life steadily got worse. He could not keep any job and he began spending most of his time in bars, and living with various friends. He soon accumulated a criminal record that included DUI?s, check fraud, and two rape charges that did not result in conviction. He became a heavy user of prescription drugs on top of his alcohol abuse, and after his baseball career ended he developed several mental llnesses and began to spend brief spans of time in mental hospitals. When a waitress who worked at a bar he often frequented was raped and murdered he became a suspect. Eventually he was convicted of the crime which he did not commit and was sentenced to death. A friend of his, Dennis Fritz was also wrongfully convicted as an accomplice and sentenced to life in prison. It was a terrible ordeal that Ron Williamson and Dennis Fritz suffered being wrongly convicted of a murder. They both spent 11 years in prison, fritz serving a life sentence and Williamson on death row, locked up with heartless killers and treated like an animal. The book also has a subplot revolving around the abduction of another girl in Ada who to this day has never been found. Two men, Tommy Ward and Kurt Fontenot were convicted of a rape and murder and are currently serving life sentences. Although no concret... ...tem. It is unbelievable how lax, inadequate, and unjust the justice department can actually be in our country that we thought was civilized. It is ludicrous that many of the same people who convicted two innocent men of crimes and nearly got one killed are still working in the same offices even after they were proven unethical, and disrespectful to their duty. This book was not written help Ron Williamson or Dennis Fritz, they have already been exonerated and have received compensation. It was probably not written for money, John Grisham stated in a speech that he feared a lawsuit. (law.virginia.edu) This book was written to make a political point. Even though this book is somewhat biased against the death penalty it still should enrage an American citizen who believes that a person is ?innocent until proven guilty,? and ?has a right to remain silent.?

Analyses on Different Recruitment and Selection Approaches

Analyses on different recruitment and selection approaches and case study Abstract This report introduces several methods recruitment and selection approaches in HRM and discussed their advantages and disadvantages, as well as cultural differences. While external recruitment is applied widely, internal recruitment is better used in large scaled companies. Personal reference can be applied in emergency situation regardless of its drawbacks. 1. 0. Introduction The importance of recruitment and selection cannot be overstated. The recruitment and selection policies and practices can be perceived as integral.Recruitment and selection not only seek to attract and select applicants for a certain position to achieve the certain objective or strategic goals, but may also have significant influence on the whole composition of the workforce (Beer et al. 1984). There is no perfect recruitment and selection method for every situation. In this report, approaches of recruitment and selection are in troduced and discussed. Recruitment in HRM is defined as â€Å"the different activities of attracting applicants to an organization, and the selection of people to fill vacancies. † (Bloisi, 2007: p. 07) and selection is defined as â€Å"the process ‘by which managers and others use specific instruments to choose from a pool of applicants’† (Bratton and Gold, 2003: p. 221). 2. 0. Analyses on different recruitment and selection approaches In this section, approaches of recruitment and selection are both discussed. Section 2. 1 mainly highlights internal recruitment approaches and cultural differences through the process. Section 2. 2 focuses on some traditional selection approaches and personal reference, illustrating their application, pros and cons. 2. 1. Recruitment approachesRecruitment in HRM includes two important parts: job analysis and person specification. The ultimate target is to combine these two parts, thus selecting the right person for the ri ght position. To accomplish this goal, two basic methods are introduced: internal recruitment and external recruitment. They both have their own pros and cons, and should be carefully applied to different situation. To better analyse the problem, this section only focuses on the methods of internal recruitment approaches. In addition, since the cultural influences on recruitment should never be underestimated especially, arguments are also made in this section.Looking for the right person for a vacancy within company can not only reduce advertisement fees on media, but also provide a good way for current staff to further considering about and acting on their careers in the company, improving their passion for career. The relationship between internal and external recruitment can be viewed in two perspectives: substitute and complementary (Matias-Reche et al. 2006). Today’s large number of staff that are considered as good candidates in internal promotion and reassignment are contingent workers who are initially hired for multiple results.According to studies and research, relationship between the proportion of contingent workers and the level of internalisation of employment practices within company is complementary and positive (Abraham 1990; Gramm and Schnell 2001; Ko, 2003). For these contingent workers, they already had some basic knowledge both for their current job and the company, thus making the further investment and especially trainings fewer, compared with those on a new employee. This advantage is more evident in large scaled companies, since there would be much more rules and standards for operation to learn in big companies (Matias-Reche et al. 006). However, for small companies, the save on further training may not seem evident and the promotion of these contingent workers has possibility of triggering dissatisfaction among current workers, who have managed to enter the company through formal recruitment process. It also reduces the possi bility of outside recruitment, narrowing down the range of choice of HRM. For large scale companies especially international conglomerates, cultural difference should also be taken into accounts in recruiting.Realistic job preview, which has been regarded as one of classical techniques used in recruitment in Western, turned out to be a moderately important one in Taiwan (Hsu and Leat 2000). This fact may result from that in late 1990s, realistic job preview was still new for Taiwanese, and companies were not willing to expose too much and too explicitly about themselves especially those negative information. 2. 2. Selection approaches Traditional selection process include application forms, shortlist, interviewing and etc.These fundamental methods can help HR managers get to know the applicant in a short time. As information is clear, there is no need to consider cultural differences in these processes. However, to cater HR managers’ expectancy, the content in application for m or the answers in interview can be exaggerated by applicants, which can hardly be distinguished immediately. A survey in 1985 showed that over 85% applicants in the USA have ever tried to â€Å"polish† at least one critical item on their CVs (Li 2006). In this way, background investigation can be used to diminish such situation.However, as background investigation can cost a lot manpower and material resources, it’s only preferred in final selection (Li 2006). Interview is one of the most frequent selections in practice. Through observation and communication, HR managers can evaluate the applicant both rationally and emotionally. While questions about applicants can be answered immediately, applicants can get to know the company by asking back, which provide a multi-way communication. However, a well-structured interview requires well preparation and due to limited interviewees at one time, the whole interview can last for a long time.Also, biased opinions may be mad e by interviewers who are inclined to be attracted by certain personal traits, which don’t have much relation to the job requirement. Personal reference is also an efficient way especially when the vacancy is an emergency. The applicant recommended by current staff is usually more acknowledged with the whole situation, job description and proper expectation to the company than an applicant who just â€Å"hears of† the company, which can decrease the length of adaptive phase, being more suitable for emergency.Also, being responsible for the company, the referrer is always cautious and considerate when s/he recommends. However, it also has disadvantages. The authenticity of applicant is not as high as those selected through applicants’ pool, increasing the possibility that the ability of applicant is exaggerated by referrer as a result of personal relationship. Furthermore, the position of referrer is also play an important part in the selection, and even in futur e work, especially when the referrer is in comparatively high position. Problems can appear as the manager of the applicant (future subordinate) has o consider more on punishment or critique for the referrer’s sake. Last, not all positions are suitable to this method. When it comes to managerial and professional recruitment, companies usually prefer to use external recruitment such as advertisement in the media and direct applications more frequently (Hsu and Leat 2000) since the skills and professions can easily be distinguished in those selection process. Culture differences still exist in selection especially in Eastern cultures, where guanxi (a personalized networks of influence) relationship can influence the choice especially for entry-level positions (Fan, 2002). . 0. Reward strategies on real-life job advert 3. 1. Case description In the case, the company is looking for an ideal junior executiv. S/he has to work 37. 5 per week, in which 4 days in PR and 1 day Marketin g, which means that s/he has to be both capable of these two fields. His/her job is to support the Head of PR to increase public awareness and understanding of the organisation as well as assist the Marketing Manager in developing marketing materials and literature . The salary is ? 18,000 per year and base in London. No specific potential career development is mentioned. . 2. Reward strategies For new comers, the most important reward may not have to be material one since most of them are young. Good opportunity and promising future both in promotion in the company and in this working field seem more attractive. Thus, professional work trainings and expected promotion are good rewards. Besides, since this job first requires the staff to do both works in PR and Marketing, the company can offer the free choice of either of these two fields to the staff as a reward after working for a certain period of time.This would not only be beneficial to the staff, but also better for the compan y to develop talent. Also, emergencies and accidents often happen in PR field especially in important events. Rewards can be offered to the staff when the accidents are solved perfectly and more importantly, if s/he finds a perfect way to prevent the accidents from happening again. This evaluation of performance is also in accordance to LeBoeuf (1984)’s ten ways to motivate staffs. The company wish the staff to be able to work during evenings and weekends when it is necessary.As a reward, extra vacations and bonus can be offered according to staff’s performance and the scale of the project. Also, as the staff is supposed to be working overtime, a supplement life insurance and annual physical exam can be provided, as research shows that they are also top choices in rewards and perks (www. hrmguide. com). 4. 0. Conclusion The methods for recruitment and selection should be considered in different situations. Specifically, cultural differences should be taken into conside ration. For entry-level jobs, the material reward is not most important.Leaving more space for the staff to grow and showing respect to his/her choice is also a way of reward. References Abraham, K. G. 1990. , Restructuring the employment relationship: the growth of market-mediated work arrangements, in Abraham, K. G. and McKersie, R. B. (Eds), New Developments in the Labour Market: Toward a New Institutional Paradigm , MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, p 85-120. Beer, M. et al. , 1984. Managing Human Assets, New York: Free Press. Fan, Y. 2002. Guanxi’s consequences: Personal gains at social cost. Journal of Business Ethics, 38 ,p. 371–380 Gramm, C.L. and Schnell, J. F. 2001, The use of flexible staffing arrangements in core production jobs, Industrial and Labour Relations Review 4 (2), p 245-258. Hsu & Leat, M. 2000. A Study of HRM and Recruitment and Selection Policies and Practices in Taiwan. Int. J. of Human Resource Management 11(2) p. 413-435 Ko, J. R. (2003, Contingent and internal employment systems: substitutes or complements?. Journal of Labour Research, 24 (3), p 473-490. Li, D. , 2006. The Recruitment and Selection Methods in HR. Science and Technology Literature Press LeBoeuf, M. , 1984.How to Motivate People. Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd Matias-Reche, F. , & MarFuentes-Fuentes, M. , 2002. The Internal Labour Market and The Employment of Temporary Help Workers in Spain. Personnel Review, 35 (4) p. 378 – 396 Appendix (including job advert) The Sick Children's Trust – PR ; Marketing Junior Executive http://www. graduate-jobs. com/job/the_sick_childrens_trust_pr_and_marketing_ju nior_executive_50615 Salary: ?18,000 Location: London Date posted: 2 November 2012 Job start date: 7-Jan-2013 ————————————————-Application close date: ————————————†”———- 17-Nov-2012 The Sick Children's Trust – PR & Marketing Junior Executive (Four days PR and one day marketing) Hours:  37. 5 per week/FT (Four days PR and one day marketing) Reports to:  Head of PR Job purpose †¢ To support the Head of PR in the development and implementation of a successful media relations programme to increase public awareness and understanding of the organisation †¢ To assist the Marketing Manager in developing marketing materials and literatureResponsibilities †¢ †¢ Assist Head of PR in securing maximum publicity of community events, SCT events, corporate support †¢ Ensure that high quality news releases and statements on the organisation’s activities are researched, produced and disseminated to appropriate media contacts to generate maximum coverage   †¢ Develop and maintain relationships with targeted media contacts †¢ Assist the Head of PR on publicity of national campaigns and fundraising appeals when necessary †¢ Assist on the night of events by assisting Head of PR in o-ordinating press activity and ensure photo-calls are organised where appropriate †¢ When needed assist the Head of PR in rolling out the social media campaign and updating SCT website †¢ Assist Head of PR in celebrity liaison role. †¢ Assist the Marketing Manager on the design and production of marketing materials and literature such as the Direct Mail, Annual Report, Newsletter and charity promotional literature and merchandise. General †¢ Represent the organisation at agreed events organised by the organisation and others e. g. aunches on behalf of the organisation †¢ Build an understanding, as far as possible, of the work, requirements and priorities of the other department teams Administration †¢ Take responsibility for own administration, including filing and handling a range of telephone enquiries †¢ Ensure that The SCT’s internal data base is kept up to date and add media and celebrity contacts according to the database policy †¢ Ensure media/photo consent forms are completed and filed Duties may vary from time to time with development of the post.The post holder will be required to carry out such duties as receiving general telephone enquiries and dealing with general office administration as befits a small office environment. Experience †¢ Degree educated, preferably in relevant subject such as English, Media or Communication Studies (E) †¢ Experience of managing own workload effectively, planning and organising a number of projects at one time to set timescales (E) †¢ Experience of working effectively without close supervision, dealing with problems as they arise (E) †¢ Experience of working in the voluntary sector (D)Abilities ; Skills †¢ Able to produce correspondence and written work using good compositional skills and to produce accurate work to a high standard at all times (E ) †¢ Good oral communication skills (E) †¢ Able to prioritise workload and manage own time effectively to meet deadlines (E) †¢ Can communicate clearly and assertively with a wide range of people at all levels (E) †¢ Ability to generate and identify hard news angles and react where possible (D) †¢ Ability to think creatively (D) Ability to develop and maintain sensitivity, respect and understanding of people linked with the organisation (E) †¢ Uses initiative to perform tasks well and demonstrate pro-active thinking(E) †¢ Work as part of a Team (E) Knowledge †¢ Kowledge of Microsoft Office software in particular, Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook, In-design, PR Max and Photoshop (E) †¢ Good working knowledge of how the media works, including social media (E) †¢ Good working knowledge of marketing (E)Education/Training †¢ Educated to A Level standard at least including English (E) †¢ A journalistic qualification would be a n advantage (D) Other Requirements †¢ Able to work evenings and weekends when necessary (D) †¢ Commitment to work within the principles of the equal opportunities policy (E) †¢ Results orientate approach to working (E) †¢ Represent The SCT according to the values of the organisation (E)

Reasons for Communication Essay

The reasons why people communicate is to (a) express needs (b) to share ideas (c) to build relationship and socialise (d) to ask question and share experience 1.2HOW COMMUNICATION AFFECTS RELATIONSHIP IN THE WORK SETTING communication affects relationship at work place e.g. with colleagues, people using services, children and their families, help to build trust, understanding of individual needs, communication is used to negotiate, to prevent or resolve conflict and prevent misunderstanding. Relevant theories e.g. tuck man stages of group interaction (forming, storming, norming and performing) Read more: Reasons for communication  essay 2.2 THE FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN PROMOTING EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION Argule’s stages of the communication cycle (ideas occur, message coded, message sent, message received, message decoded, message understood) type of communication for example complex, sensitive, normal or non-normal: context of communication e.g. one-one; group, with people using services, children or young people, with professional/colleagues; purpose of communication; cultural factors, needs to adapt communication; environment; time and resources available 3.1 HOW PEOPLE DIFFERENT BACKGROUND MAY USE AND/OR INTERPRET COMMUNICATION METHODS IN DIFFERENT WAYS People from different backgrounds may use or interpret communication in different ways by looking at that ;an individual background can influence communication for example age, gender, culture, socio economic status: differences in verbal communication e.g. language, vocabulary, dialect, intonations, non-verbal e.g. facial expression, use of body language, eye contact, gesture etc 3.2 THE BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION The barriers to effective communication are: language e.g. dialect, use of jargons, sector specific vocabulary. Environment e.g. noise, poor lighting. Emotional and behavioural e.g. attitude, anxiety, lack of confidence, aggression, sensory impairment health or medical conditions learning disability, effect of alcohol or drugs 3.5 HOW TO ACCESS EXTRA SUPPORT OR SERVICES TO ENABLE INDIVIDUALS TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY To access extra support and services, the use of interpreting services; translation services; speech and language services; advocacy services; third sector organisations example stroke association, royal institute for deaf people (RNID) 4.1 THE MEANING OF THE TERM CONFIDENTIALITY The term confidentiality means one person receives personal or sensitive information from another person. This information should not be passed on to anyone else without the person from whom the personal or sensitive information was received: meaning of confidentiality as contained in principles of current legislation e.g. the data protection act of 1998 4.3THE POTENTIAL TENSIONS BETWEEN MAINTAINIG AN INDIVIDUAL’S CONFIDENTIALITY AND DISCLOSING CONCERNS Maintaining confidentiality in day to day communication in different inter-personal situation e.g. adult receives personal or young person receives personal or sensitive information about other adults or colleagues, child or young person receives personal or sensitive information about an adult, following policies and procedures in own work place setting for example policies from sharing information, situations where unconditional confidentiality cannot be maintained, support and guidance regarding confidential information, role of manager or supervisor, referral, training types of information to the collection, recording and storage of different of information There is a potential tension caused by confidentiality and the need to disclose information when information; understanding when information may be shared without consent, concept of need to know, need for transparent policy and protocols in information sharing Unit 2 1.1THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWN WORK ROLE the duties and responsibilities of own work role are: contractual responsibility e.g. hours, line of reporting, specific roles and responsibilities e.g. behavioural support, supporting children and young people with special educational needs, supporting bilingual children and young people: compliance with policies and procedures of work setting e.g. behaviour, children and young people protection,. Health and safety: keeping up to date with changes to procedures; keeping up to date with practice 1.2 THE EXPECTATIONS ABOUT OWN WORK ROLE AS EXPRESS IN RELEVANT STANDARDS the expectations of own work role as express in relevant standards are example national occupational standards for children’s care, learning  and development (NOS CCLD), national occupational standards for learning and development for support services (NOS LOSS) in relation to duties and responsibilities e.g. role to support children or young people with educational needs , expectation to meet standards 2.1 THE IMPORTANCE OF REFLECTIVE PRACTICE IN CONTINIOUSLY IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF SERVICES PROVIDED The importance for reflective practice in continuously improving the quality of service provided and aiming to continually review progress to improve or change approaches, strategies, actions, benefits to children, young people. Setting and individual of improved performance e.g. enable learning to take place and practice to improve. Enables all relevant factors to be taken into account. Provides clarity, identification of learning cycle (KOLB) 2.3 HOW OWN VALUES, BELIEF SYSTEMS AND EXPERIENCE MAY AFFECT WORKING PRACTICE Personal values, belief system and experience may affect working practice through self-awareness of values, beliefs experience affection approach to working practice example motivation, conformity, cooperation, consistency, respect fairness, creativity of previous experience of learning: ways of own values affect practice positively and negatively e.g. conflict between own values, beliefs and standards 4.1 THE SOURCES OF SUPPORT FOR PLANNING AND REVIEWING OWN DEVELOPMENT The sources of support for planning and reviewing own development can be: sources of support e.g. mentor, supervisor, teacher, manager, local authority, training providers awarding organisation further and higher educational institutions, learning direct, teachers development agencies (TDA). Children’s workforce development council (CWDC) 5.1 THE EVALUATION OF HOW LEARNING ACTIVITIES HAVE AFFECTED PRACTICE Learning activities such as formal lessons, training programmes/sessions research activities observing practice, practical activities can affect practice by applying newly learnt theories and using different approaches. How reflective practice leads to improved ways of working e.g. ways that continually challenging current behaviour has developed and enhanced own practice and skills: how monitoring own practice has enabled changes to take place UNIT 3 1.1 WHAT IS MEANT BY THE TERMS DIVERSITY, EQUALITY AND INCLUSION Diversity- differences between individuals and groups e.g. culture, nationality, ability ethnic origin, gender, age religion, beliefs, sexual orientation and social class Equality- this is the promotion of individual rights, giving choices and opportunity, respect and fairness, services in response to individual needs. Inclusion- individual at the centre of planning and support, valuing diversity 1.2 THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF DISCRIMINATIONS The effect of discriminations is: direct discrimination, institutional discrimination etc. Individual being treated less favourably than others: lack of opportunities, prejudice and injustice. 1.2 HOW INCLUSIVE PRACTICE PROMOTES EQUALITY AND SUPPORT DIVERSITY Promoting equality: policies and procedures in work place setting inclusive practice procedures: challenging discrimination, promoting rights, empowering, removing barriers e.g. physical access to effective communication, improving participation, promoting dignity and respect, individual at the centre of planning and delivery of services. Supporting diversity, valuing differences between using positive images of individual from diverse groups. Celebrating differences 2.1 HOW LEGISLATIONS AND CODES OF PRACTICE RELATING TO EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND DISCRIMINATION APPLY TO OWN WORK ROLE Legislation and codes of practice: codes of practice of sector, policies of work place settings, human rights act 1998, disability discrimination act 2005, special educational needs and disability act2001, race relation (amendment) act 2000,the equality act 2010, the European convention on human rights 3.3 HOW TO CHALLENGE DISCRIMINATION IN A WAY THAT PROMOTES CHANGE In order to challenge discrimination to promote change, I will identify and challenge discrimination behaviour; recognised stereotypes in attitude or written materials; understand and adopt own belief attitude; know how to report concerns; review and develop policies and procedures UNIT 4 1.1 WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE A DUTY OF CARE IN OWN WORK ROLE duty of care in own work role is accountability e.g. exercising authority, managing risk working, safe guarding children and young people, monitoring  own behaviour and conduct, maintaining confidentiality, storing personal information appropriately, reporting concerns and allegations, making professional judgement, maintaining professional boundaries, avoiding favouritism, maintaining high standards for conduct outside the professional role 1.2 HOW DUTY OF CARE CONTRIBUTES TO SAFEGUARDING OR PROTECTION OF INDIVIDUALS The contribution of duty of care to safeguarding and protection of individuals is safeguarding children and young people e.g. protection from sexual, physical or emotional harm, preserving respect and dignity. Engendering trust protecting children and young people e.g. safety in the environment, safe use of resources and equipment, prevention from intimidation or humiliation, protecting self e.g. ensuring against risk of allegation of misconduct or abuse. Avoiding risk of accusation of malpractice 2.1 THE POTENTIAL CONFLICT OR DILEMMA THAT MAY ARISE BETWEEN THE DUTY OF CARE AND THE INDIVIDUAL’S RIGHT The potential conflict or dilemma and individual right that may arise between individual rights and duty of care are e.g. attitudes and unsafe behaviours such as drugs, alcohol, abuse, treating, staying out without permission aggression and violent, bulling and intimidation, vandalism. Individual rights for example respect for views and actions, safety and security, love and belonging, education equality 2.2 HOW TO MANAGE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CONFLICT OR DILEMMABETWEEN AN INDIVIDUAL RIGHT AND DUTY OF CARE In order to manage risks associated with conflict or dilemma will be by e.g. implementing policies and codes of practice, acting in individual’s best interest, fostering culture of openness and support, being consistent, maintaining professional boundaries, following systems for raising concerns 2.3WHERE TO GET ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AND ADVICE ABOUT CONFLICT AND DILEMMA ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AND DILEMMA CAN BE GOT FROM: EG LINE MANAGEMENT, TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, SCHOOL/ college advices, counselling services, mediation and advocacy services 3.1 methods of responding to complaints Ways in which we can respond to complaints are: e.g. listening to complaints, referring complaints to policy, suggesting that complaints be made in  writing, reporting complaint to line manager 3.2 THE POINTS OF AGREED PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING COMPLAINTS The main points of agreed procedures for handling complaints are: e.g. acknowledgement of complaints, stages within procedures, report and recommendation, review and appeals Unit 5 The aim of this assessment is to understand the national and local context of safeguarding and protection of vulnerable people from abuse. The assessment will take into account and how to understand ways to reduce the likelihood of abuse and finally knows how to respond and report unsafe practices. 3.1 THE NATIONAL POLICIES AND LOCAL SYSTEMS THAT RELATES TO SAFEGUARDING AND PROTECTION FROM ABUSE According to the codes of practice, all agencies and individuals involved with vulnerable adults have duty to protect them from abuse. The wishes of the vulnerable adults should be central to the use of the multi-agency policies and procedures for the protection of vulnerable adults from abuse. The policies and procedures respects an adult’s rights to live free from abuse in accordance with the principles of respect, dignity, autonomy, privacy, beliefs and equality. Services will be provided in a manner in which does not discriminate on grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion or b eliefs, disability, gender, age or sexual orientation 3.2 THE ROLES OF DIFFERENT AGENCIES IN SAFEGUARDING AND PROTECTING INDIVIDUALS FROM ABUSE It is the responsibility of everyone to seek to prevent and protect vulnerable people fro abuse. Suspected or actual abuse must be reported to social services or the police within 24 hours. An adult protection enquiry coordinator will be appointed by social services to coordinate the investigation and will a senior practitioner or first tier manager with appropriate skills, in most cases, an inter-agency strategy meeting, chaired by a senior manager at team manager level or above will be converted to determined the action plan 3.3 REPORTS INTO SERIOUS FAILURES TO PROTECT INDIVIDUALS FROM ABUSE Agencies have a duty of care to protect vulnerable adults from abuse and to recognised and take actions within the present legal framework, there will be occasions when vulnerable adults may choose to remain at risk in dangerous situations. Professional staff may find no statutory power in cases where the adult is judge to sufficient capacity to make his/her own choices and refuses the help or treatment which the staff  or carer feels is needed and where public interest consideration do not apply. In this case, the decision of the vulnerable should be respected. At the same time, accurate record must be made of the situation 3.4 SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ADVICE ABOUT OWN ROLE IN SAFEGUARDING AND PROTECTING INDIVIDUALS FROM ABUSE Confidentiality must not be confused with secrecy. Staffs have clear duty to report any concerns they have relating to abuse or suspected abuse of vulnerable adults to their line manager at their earliest opportunity. Workers in all agencies owe a duty of confidentiality to vulnerable adults. A vulnerable adult has a right to expect that information about them and held on them in what ever form, will be treated with due regards to the principles of confidentiality. These principles are applicable to information sharing both within and between agencies in matters concerning abuse.

What Patriotism Means to Me Essays

What Patriotism Means to Me Essays What Patriotism Means to Me Essay What Patriotism Means to Me Essay What Patriotism Means To MePatriotism, the very sound of the word compels in my heart feelings of loyalty and pride like winter brings snow. I feel loyalty for my country and my countrys ideals and I feel pride for those before me who fought and sacrificed for the freedom of my country.I love and honor my country I feel a sense of duty to this country that has been my home since my birth. As I look at the pages of our countrys history I am inspired by those who have spoken out and fought against those who have threatened our countrys security and ideals.Our forefathers had dreams of a nation with liberty and justice for all. They gave all they had, every single ounce of strength to make that dream come true. Therefore they waged war against one of the most powerful empires of the time so that they could remain true to their ideals.Patrick Henry is one of the examples of patriotism in that time. His words Give me liberty or give me death stir feelings of pride and courage in me. I am proud to live in a country with such heritage. As I hear those words I am filled with courage to stand up for my country and its ideals.General Dwight D. Eisenhower had courage to invade France and lead our Allied troops against those that threatened not just our but world security. Also he was willing to sacrifice his life for the freedom of the world. To me patriotism is not only fighting for the freedom of our country but also for the freedom of man.Martin Luther King Jr was willing to lead a movement against segregation in our nation. In fact he had the courage to tell our nation that it’s policy of segregation was wrong. To me, he is a true patriot not only being willing to fight for our country but willing to try to change it so that our ideals are preserved. He caused a surge of patriotism.I request you America to fight to keep the flame of patriotism alive. We are our countrys future. We must dig deep inside ourselves and find the courage

Classical History

Sappho - Greek Poet in Ancient / Classical History Basic Data on Sappho: The dates of Sappho or Psappho are not known. She is thought to have been born around 610 B.C. and to have died in about 570. This was the period of the sages Thales, considered, by Aristotle, the founder of natural philosophers, and Solon, the lawgiver of Athens. In Rome, it was the time of the legendary kings. [See Timeline.] Sappho is thought to have come from Mytilene on the island of Lesbos. Sapphos Poetry: Playing with the available meters, Sappho wrote moving lyric poetry. A poetic meter was named in honor of her. Sappho wrote odes to the goddesses, especially Aphrodite the subject of Sapphos complete surviving mode, and love poetry, including the wedding genre (epithalamia), using vernacular and epic vocabulary. She also wrote about herself, her womens community, and her times. Her writing about her times was very different from her contemporary Alcaeus, whose poetry was more political. Transmission of Sapphos Poetry: Although we do not know how Sapphos poetry was transmitted, by the Hellenistic Era when Alexander the Great (d. 323 B.C.) had brought Greek culture from Egypt to the Indus River, Sapphos poetry was published. Along with the writing of other lyric poets, Sapphos poetry was categorized metrically. By the Middle Ages most of Sapphos poetry was lost, and so today there are only parts of four poems. Only one of them is complete. There are also fragments of her poetry, including 63 complete, single lines and perhaps 264 fragments. The fourth poem is a recent discovery from rolls of papyrus in Cologne University. Legends About Sapphos Life: There is a legend that Sappho leaped to her death as the result of a failed love affair with a man named Phaon. This is probably untrue. Sappho is usually counted  as a lesbian the very word coming from the island where Sappho lived, and Sapphos poetry clearly shows that she loved some of the women of her community, whether or not the passion was expressed sexually. Sappho may have been married to a wealthy man named Cercylas. Established Facts About Sappho: Larichus and Charaxus were Sapphos brothers. She also had a daughter named Cleis or Claà ¯s. In the community of women in which Sappho participated and taught, singing, poetry, and dance played a big part. Earthly Muse: An elegiac poet of the first century B.C. named Antipater of Thessalonica cataloged the most respected women poets and called them the nine earthly muses. Sappho was one of these earthly muses. Sappho is on the list of Most Important People to Know in Ancient History.

Minister who must respond to queries from the opposition during Essay

Minister who must respond to queries from the opposition during question period in the House - Essay Example On Thursday last week, some members of the opposition pointed out the sudden increase in the operating cost of some airplane. They also cited the case of a large number of people who have lost their job due to increased operating cost in the airline industry (Hsu, 2011). There was a proposal by some members for the carbon tax to be abolished in order to prevent loss of jobs and increase cost of living. The carbon tax faces some challenges in its current form and therefore requires your intervention. A number of environmental experts are of the opinion that the carbon tax should not be abolished; instead, it should be revised and a section of the contentious clauses such as cost be repealed (Gandhi et al., 2007). A report from the environmental shield agency has cited increased awareness and conformation to the carbon tax and advised against its abolition. A detailed, comprehensive and insightful statement is expected from you by 25th March, 2014 in order to convince the house members on the relevance of the carbon tax. Further, evaluate the contentious clauses and look for a solution from environmental experts. Gandhi, V. P., Cuervo, J., Gandhi, V. P., & International Monetary Fund. (2007). Carbon Taxes: Their Macroeconomic Effects and Prospects for Global Adoption A Survey of the Literature. Washington, D.C: International Monetary Fund Hassett, K. A., Mathur, A., Metcalf, G. E., & National Bureau of Economic Research. (2007). The incidence of a U.S. carbon tax: A lifetime and regional analysis. Cambridge, Mass: National Bureau of Economic

History of Germany Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

History of Germany - Assignment Example 2. The environmental concerns were multiple. First of all, because of enormous coal mining in Germany, the coal resources were slowly reducing; moreover, because of the coal mining there were huge mounds of rock and waste of the industry, which occupied huge territories. Also, development of industries was gradually destroying atmosphere and polluting air. Furthermore, the issue of air pollution was extremely important in those times, because they were new and people hadn’t yet created any solutions for the issues like that. The population boom rose up a question concerning overpopulation in Germany and hence the demand for production of goods and resources also increased, which led to partial depletion of natural resources. 3. Weimar Constitution was very vicious as it was extremely delusional in its democratic focus. First of all, it made people think that they lived in democratic republic and had their right to take control over political power. In fact, it helped Hitler to rise to power, as he used the opportunity of free speech and liberal values in order to establish his authoritarian power. The problem was that Hitler’s party was the biggest in those times and therefore it acquired more votes than any other party in the elections of 1933. Moreover, people were dissatisfied with Socialist Democrats ruling, so Hitler’s party was the only appropriate choice for them. 4. The very first reason why women voted for Hitler back in 1933 was that Nazi Party was proclaimed to be a Christian party and they stated that they were standing for Christianity, so women, who are considered to be greater fighters for their religious values than men, were glad that such a religious party was going to rule. Talking about urban women, they were more open-minded and well-informed of what was going on in the country, so voting for Nazi Party was the only choice for them, as well as for the men who agreed that Socialist

Vitamin A and skin Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Vitamin A and skin - Essay Example While some claims have some rationale and are based on adequate research, it must be accepted that some of these claims are quite spurious with lack of adequate and extensive evidence from research before them being recommended to be used (Weiss et al., 1988). In this assignment one such claim published in a reputed newspaper will be critically examined whether local dermal application of vitamin A could be recommended to delay or reverse aging of the skin, whether it is intrinsic or extrinsic aging. The report that will be examined here was published in Science Daily, May 22, 2007, issue with the heading "Vitamin A Helps Reduce Wrinkles Associated With Natural Skin Aging" which states essentially that there has been research which supports a claim that local application of vitamin A to the skin apparently improves the wrinkled appearance of the skin associated with natural aging. This claim has been correlated to the findings from research that locally applied vitamin A may promote repair of these age wrinkles through production of "skin building compounds". The claims can be quoted here. The main claim was "Topical retinol improves fine wrinkles associated with natural aging" and to support this, in this report there are two other claims which point to the scientific basis of the claim, which are "Significant induction of glycosaminglycan, which is known to retain substantial water, and increased collagen production are most likely responsible for wrinkle effacement" and "With greater skin matrix synthesis [production of compounds that form skin], retinol-treated aged skin is more likely to withstand skin injury and ulcer formation along with improved appearance" (JAMA and Archives Journals, 2007, May 22). Identical reports supporting these claims also appeared in the Internet version of Cosmetics Design (Pitman, 2007). Scientific Evidence for the Claim The authors of this media report bases on a scientific journal article published in the Archive of Dermatology from the American Medical Association. For the purpose of better critical analysis of the rationale behind such claims, this writer has accessed that article by Kafi et al. (2007). The findings from that critical review will be presented in a subsequent section of this assignment. However, it appears from this report that the reporter in this media report utilizes quotation from that article to provide the lay reader a grasp of scientific rationale behind such claim. In the beginning of the report, the two different forms of aging of skin have been discussed. It is well known that age-associated wrinkles and brown spots appear prominently in the exposed skin, and although sun exposure has been related to aging through a less dramatic identical process, the intrinsic aging process in the skin that occurs naturally causes the skin to lose its appearance due to changes in its t exture. The natural aging renders the skin "thinner, laxer and more finely wrinkled", more prominent in specific areas such as upper inner arm (JAMA and Archives Journals, 2007, May 22). Histologically, this can be correlated to a reduced synthesis of collagens and elastic tissues in the

Nightmare Before Christmas | Analysis

Nightmare Before Christmas | Analysis Tim Burton rings in my ears as one of Hollywoods most eccentric directors. There is a distinct and unique phenomenon in his films: the genre of his most films are between animation films and real person films; his animation films overturn the world of traditional fairy tales, showing the darkness of horror, but did not give us the feel of fear. Nightmare before Christmas, which reflects his typical paradigm, is a fantasy mixed of horror, magic, darkness, holidays, the jolly guys, and an interesting skeleton. The features of Nightmare before Christmas have a similarity with Bakhtins theory of carnivalesque. In Bakhtins view, everyone lives a carnivalistic life as long as those carnival laws. His feel of carnival is full of grotesque realism, which can get rid of the horrable things in the world. And the grotesque style can also turn the world into a bright and cheerful one. (Bakhtin,1989). There is always a feel of carnival surrounded in Nightmare before Christmas. Because of the feel, audience can get away from the fear successfully. On the other hand, Bakhtin believes that carnivalistic life is a life drawing out of its usual rut; it is to some extent life turned inside out, the reverse side of the world.( Bakhtin,1989) Similarly, Burton sets two worlds to make a comparision: the human world and underground world; the grotesque world of Halloween and the happy world of Christmas. The confrontation of the two worlds represents Burtons inclination. The happy world is boring while the eerie wolrd is vivid and interesting. In my Nightmare before Christmas lingers on the edge of conventional culture and popular culture, it challenges the conventional culture and queries on the popular culture. So Burton makes an utmost effort to prove the rationality of his subversion in this film. It takes delight in talking about Burtons Gothic darkness of horror. The story happens in the world of ghosts and monsters where we are totally un familiar. The vampire bats, red eye demon , black monsters and even the wretched green, these gothic images are everywhere in the film. They stand in stark contrast to the simplicity of traditional animation films. However, the audience feel more closer to them and come to realize their subsistence status trenchantly. The American animation films have a heroism complex, but Burton deconstructs our expectation of the traditional hero. In Nightmare before Christmas, the character Jack is frightful and he has no mission to save the world. Other character is treated equally, eg. the pet comes along with Jack is soul of a dog instead of a brilliant white horse. More importantly, Burton wants to create a balance between creepy and interesting. So he gives life to the grotesquery Jack who actually is virtuous. He demonstrates the characters individual emotions and action which has no relationship with hero. Specificly, the modeling of Jacks eyes are just two black holes which thoroughly give expression to the meaning of the character. Lets turn to the other film: No Country for Old Men In this film No Country for Old Men the genre pushes the envelope of sanity. It is an unconventional western film, mixed with action, crime drama and dark humor. The McCarthys novel No Country for Old Men is an ideal vehicle for the Coen brothers, who have used violence and emptiness laced with dark humor as an artistic aesthetic in their directing careers. The films greatest achievement is its ability to transport the audience into a world where the predestination, death, fears, choices, morals and realities of life are strikingly brought to life and make the audience reflect upon and look back with careful consideration after the whole experience. The violence and bleakness of it all is not to simply evoke reaction or engage the audience, it is to tell a story and impart an experience of great intention, to which the Coens have brilliantly succeeded. To some extent, this film is a character study of Sheriff Bell, an honest lawman who is wise, observant, grounded in reality, and has a long memory. No Country for Old Men is really his story. And also, The Coen brothers direction of the particularly intense chase scenes between Chigurgh and Moss are masterful, evoking emotions of suspense to the highest level and pushing the audience to the very edge of their seats. At the same time the movie is a character study on the effects of evil and innocence lost, an exploration on the themes of fate and chance, an analysis of the freedom to choose and its consequences, a reflection on evil and good as forces of society and the investigation of basic human emotions such as hope, fear, love, violence and aspiration in the face of a variety of situations. The ending of the film is about death. Faced with the overwhelming fact of death, all of us humans find meaning only by making up their own spiritual codes. The murderers code, the good old boys code, the sheriffs code, the wifes codethey are all equally meaningless, equally inadequate in the face of death, but they are all perfectly legitimate responses to the fact of universal death. The film is also about predestination and free will, Chigurgh doesnt believe in free will, I got here the same way the coin did , he is almost like a robot , and scientifically he is totally right we dont have free will , Chigurgh is not guilty , he just has killer genes and his mother didnt hug him so thats why he turned out to be this way, there are no choices in matter , just cause and effect , only quantum psychics can show some difference. In conclusion, Film genres can take culture as very important elements into consideration. And also, we can characterize a culture by its genre set. Obviously through the film review, we can see that genre can function as a tool to define and describe a culture. Heroes and Villains: Historical Analysis Heroes and Villains: Historical Analysis Heroes, Villains or Both? Austin Rappel What I found most interesting in this weeks readings was the myths behind the men; specifically Ulysses S. Grant, general in chief of the United States Army, William T. Sherman, general in The United States Army and Abraham Lincoln, president of the United States. Grant was considered a drunk, Whatever happened, the story of his drinking became a staple of gossip in the old army. (McPherson, pg.114) Sherman was considered crazy; But Sherman could never entirely escape the reputation of madness (McPherson, pg 114) Lincoln was considered passive: a basic trait of character evident throughout Lincolns life: the essential passivity of his nature. (McPherson, pg. 206) I think it is important to determine if these things were true or if there is enough evidence to ever know for sure the mindset or character of the men that are known to us as the men that defined and ultimately were the victors of the Civil War. Grant quickly rose through the ranks during the Civil War; command of a brigade, a division, an army (Army of Tennessee), an army group, an all of the armies of the United States. (McPherson, pg 110) These accomplishments are a big contrast to what one could consider could be an accomplished by a drunkard. Brooks Simpson , a biographer concluded, Although Grant sometimes took a drink during the war, and may on occasion have taken two, his colleagues who knew him best and were in the best position to observe him were unanimous in their testimony that he was rarely if ever drunk. (McPherson, pg. 114) Grant was also given the reputation as a butcher when the general most deserving of the title was Robert E. Lee. (McPherson, pg 113) Sherman is best known for his March to the Sea; a march of over 700 miles, in which psychological warfare was used in order to stop the war. As stated in McPherson, The terror that his soldiers provoked among Southern whites was a power, he wrote, and I intended to utilize it to humble their pride, to follow them to their inmost recesses, and to make them fear and dread usà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ We cannot change the hearts and minds of those people of the South, but we can make war so terrible and make them so sick of war that generations would pass away before they would again appeal to it.(McPherson, pg. 124) As stated in the article by Matt Carr, General Shermans March to the Sea, Shermans plan was to attack the infrastructure of the south and therefore end the war; After more than three years of violent and seemingly endless conflict, Sherman had decided to take the conflict beyond the battlefield and subject Georgia to a level of devastation that would make its population realise that w ar and ruin are synonymous terms. (pg. 30) Its hard to imagine that these strategies were those of a crazy man. Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States and the author of many documents most notably the Emancipation Proclamation was seen at least by one biographer, David Herbert Donald, to be passive. However, as stated in McPherson, at the very outset of his presidency Lincoln demonstrated traits that were the opposite of what Donald calls his essentially passive personality. (McPherson, pg. 207) Its hard to believe that the man that set into motion the Civil War and wrote one of our most historical documents has a passive personality. Maybe the passivity noted by some is more a compassion than anything else. As stated in, Lincolns Legacy, Lincoln Lives Through His Words by Gail Fineberg, Lincolns first draft of the Emancipation Proclamation, which he presented to his cabinet on July 22, 1862. Nobody liked it Sellers said. Lincoln came back to his cabinet with a second draft in September, and admonished members to comment not on substance but on his style. (pg 38) The quote goes witho ut saying to the mindset of a determined man more so to the mindset of a passive man. Although it may never be known the actual character of Grant, Sherman or  Lincoln, it will be left up to the readers and historians perceptions of whether are not these men were heroes, villains or maybe a little of both during and after the Civil War. It goes without saying that these men, however viewed, will always be remembered for the mark they left on the Civil War and wars to come. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): Optimization Parameters Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): Optimization Parameters IGHODARO OGHOGHO UYIOSA Polymerase chain reaction (PCR): Evaluation of different optimization parameters for appropriate PCR process. Abstract PCR is a method used to produce relatively large amounts of a specific DNA sequence. The productivity of PCR method depends on different reaction conditions such as the concentration of the DNA template, concentration of magnesium ions, DNA template dilution and polymerase concentration. The aim of this study was to find optimal reaction conditions required for appropriate PCR process. To check the correct conditions the agarose gel and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were used. One single, strong amplified band and no unspecific product describe the most suitable amount of given conditions. In the results of this experiment, the most suitable annealing temperature was 62oC, the most proper amount of concentration of magnesium was 2nMol, and the best template dilution was 2 µl. The important parameters evaluated in this experiment were template optimisation, annealing temperatures and magnesium chloride concentrations with and without touchdown PCR. Introduction PCR is a simple, enzymatic assay, which allows for the amplification of a specific DNA fragment from a complex pool of DNA. PCR can be done using source DNA from a variety of tissues and organisms, including peripheral blood, skin, hair, saliva, and microbes. Only trace amounts of DNA are needed for PCR to generate enough copies to be analysed using conventional laboratory methods. For this reason, PCR is a sensitive assay (Lilit andNidhi 2013). To carry out a PCR it is essential to have the following reagents: DNA template, forward and reverse primers, PCR buffer, magnesium chloride (MgCl2), dNTP and DNA Taq polymerase. The annealing temperature allows for the annealing of the primers to the single stranded DNA. It depends on the length and composition of the primers. If the temperature is too high, then the primers will not anneal correctly, and if the annealing temperature is too low then the primers will anneal non-specifically (Hecker et al. 1996). Magnesium ions interact with the DNA polymerase enzyme during this process. The magnesium ion interacts with negatively charged molecules in the reaction. Positive ions of magnesium interact with the negatively charged DNA strands to mask the forces of repulsion (Markoulatos et al. 2002). Template DNA is a fragment of DNA which is needed to create required copies. DNA Taq polymerase is a polymerase enzyme, which is essential for DNA replication, this means that DNA polymerase synthesizes DNA molecules from their nucleotide building blocks (Huang et al. 1992). The nucleotides include the four bases – adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine (A, T, C, G) – that are found in DNA. These act as the building blocks that are used by the DNA polymerase to create the resultant PCR product. During this experiment, two methods were used to visualise the PCR products formed. These were Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and Agarose gel electrophoresis method. Electrophoresis is a separation procedure which is based on the separation of DNA fragments by size, shape and charge. The clue of this process is the mobility of ions in an electric field (nucleoid acids, which are negatively charged migrate to the anode – positive electrode) (Stellwagen, 1998). Aim The aim of this experiment was to assess which parameters as annealing temperature, concentration of magnesium, and template DNA influence DNA amplification efficiency and specificity. 2.0  Materials and methods This section was divided into two parts. In part A, a PCR reaction 1 set-up using optimised PCR mastermix was done, while in part B, a PCR reaction was set-up to test four different variables to optimise a PCR reaction. 2.1  Part A Setting up the PCR reaction A mastermix enough for four reactions was made. 30 µl of H2O, 50 µl of 2X PCR mastermix and 4 µl each of forward and reverse primers were pipetted and mixed in an Eppendorf tube from which, 24 µl of the mastermix was pipetted into three separate PCR tubes (i.e. tube 1, 2, and 3). 1 µl of sample DNA, 1 µl of 1/10 diluted DNA and 1 µl of H2O were added to each tubes respectively and each amplified on a PCR block running the following programme: Denaturing step done at 94oC for two minutes Amplification step done at 94oC for 30 seconds, 55oC for 30 seconds and 72oC for 1 minute. This step was repeated for 35 cycles. Finally, the extension step was done at 72oC for 3 minutes. Agarose gel electrophoresis (2% agarose gel for PCR) An agarose gel was submerged in a gel tank filled with TBE buffer. Then 5 µl of gel loading buffer was added to each sample and mixed. Next, the first well was loaded with the molecular weight marker and then 10 µl of each sample was loaded into each respective wells. Next, the gel was run for 45 minutes at 80V. Finally, the gel was visualised on the gel documentation system to show separation and migration of the DNA. 2.2  Part B PCR optimisation reaction For this protocol, PCR reactions were set up and individual components of the reactions were varied in other to optimise them as follows: Annealing temperature optimisation 17.75 µl of water, 2.5 µl of 10x reaction buffer, 0.75 µl of Magnesium Chloride (50mMol), 0.5 µl of dNTPs, 1 µl each of forward and reverse primers, 0.5 µl of Taq polymerase and 1 µl of DNA were pipetted into 5 separate tubes (i.e. tube 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) which were then placed on a gradient PCR block, with one tube at each of the following temperature 46oC, 52oC, 55oC, 58oC, and 65oC. Next, the PCR block was set to the following programme: Denaturing step at 94oC for two minutes Amplification step at 94oC for thirty seconds, 46-65oC for thirty seconds, and 72oC for one minute. This stage was repeated for thirty-five cycles. Finally, the extension step was done at 72oC for three minutes. Template optimisation A PCR mastermix containing 13.75 µl of water, 2.5 µl of 10x reaction buffer, 0.75 µl of 50mMol magnesium chloride, 0.5 µl dNTPs, 1 µl each of forward and reverse primer and 0.5 µl of Taq polymerase were pipetted into five tubes. Next, 5, 2, 1, 0.1, and 0.01 µl of template DNA and, 0, 3, 4, 4.9. 4.99 µl of H2O were added to each tubes respectively. Next, the tubes were then amplified on a PCR block using the same cycle parameters as set out in part A. Magnesium concentration A PCR mastermix mastermix containing 16 µl of water, 2.5 µl of 10x reaction buffer, 0.5 µl dNTPs, 1 µl each of forward and reverse primer, 0.5 µl of Taq polymerase and 1 µl of DNA were pipetted into five tubes (i.e. tube 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5). Next, a Mgcl2 dilution was prepared to get a final Mgcl2 mMol of 0.5, 1.5, 2, 3 and 5mMol which were then added to each tubes respectively to give a final volume of 25 µl. Next, the tubes were then amplified on a PCR block using the same cycle parameters as set out in part A. Touchdown PCR A PCR mastermix was prepared using the same variables outlined for magnesium concentration. Then the touchdown PCR programme used was as follows: 94 °C for 3 minutes then 94 °C for 30 seconds, 64 °C for 30 seconds and 72 °C for one minute for three cycles, 94 °C for 30 seconds, 61 °C for 30 seconds, and 72 °C for one minute for three cycles, 94 °C for 30 seconds, 58 °C for 30 seconds, and 72 °C for one minute for three cycles, 94 °C for 30 seconds, 55 °C for 30 seconds, and 72 °C for one minute for three cycles, 94 °C for 30 seconds, 53 °C for 30 seconds, and 72 °C for one minute for thirty cycles, and finally 72 °C for three minutes. Sample preparation and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis After all the different optimisation protocols, the samples to be loaded into the gel were prepared by adding 5 µl of loading buffer to each PCR reaction and mixed. Next, 5 µl of DNA ladder was pipetted into the first well while 10 µl of sample were pipetted into each designated wells. The gel was then run at 100V for 45 minutes. After which, the gel was recovered and placed in a weighing boat containing 1x TBE buffer. Next, 5 µl of ethidium bromide was carefully introduced into the weighing boat and left for 10 minutes before visualisation with a gel documentation system. 3.0  Result PCR reactions were set up in 5 different PCR tubes with all the required components for complete PCR reaction , save for a particular factor which was varied to ascertain the optimal concentration necessary for the production of the highest amount of pure specific product. The results obtained from these various optimised factors are represented in the gels below. Part A Optimized PCR 1 µl of DNA template was loaded in the well labelled neat DNA and it revealed the highest amount of product formed, the well containing a 1/10 diluted DNA had a much lower amount of product formed while the well with the water blank yielded no product. Also, unspecific products were not formed. Figure 1: Optimised PCR agarose gel. Part B The results of different PCR optimisation reactions PCR annealing temperature optimisation Figure 2: PCR annealing temperature optimisation polyacrylamide gel. Key: L-molecular weight ladder, lane 1- 48 °c, lane 2- 52 °c, lane 3- 55 °c, lane 4- 62 °c, lane 5- 65 °c, unspecific product, specific product. From Figure 2 above, there are three unspecific products formed in lane 1, a greater specific product with insignificant unspecific product formed in lane 2, insignificant unspecific products formed in lane 3 and there is also a decrease in the intensity of the specific product formed compared with that of lane 2. While in lane 4, there is a minor decrease in the intensity of the specific product formed thus, the intense quantity of the specific product formed (i.e. there is a strong amplification here) and in lane 5, there is a major decrease in the quantity of specific product formed. Therefore, the quantity of the product decreases as the quantity of the template DNA decreases, and the quantity of the specific and unspecific products increases as the quantity of the template DNA increase. Template dilution optimisation Figure 3: Template dilution optimisation polyacrylamide gel. Key: L -molecular weight ladder, lane 1- 5 µl, lane 2- 2 µl, lane 3- 1 µl, lane 4- 0.1 µl, lane 5- 0.01 µl template DNA, specific product, unspecific product. From the gel above, there are three unspecific products formed in lane 1 and also the intensity of the specific product formed is high, the unspecific product formed in lane 2 is insignificant and the specific product formed is greater in intensity (i.e. has a higher amplification) compared with that of lane 1, in lane 3 and 4, the intensity of the specific product formed decreased compared with that of lane 2, while in lane 5, there is a major decrease in the intensity of the specific product formed. Therefore, the quantity of the product decreases as the quantity of the template DNA decreases, and the quantity of the specific and unspecific products increases as the quantity of the template DNA increase. Magnesium dilution optimisation Figure 4: Magnesium dilution optimisation polyacrylamide gel. Key: L -molecular weight ladder, lane 1- 0.5mmol, lane 2- 1.5mmol, lane 3- 2mmol, lane 4- 3mmol, lane 5- 5mmol, specific product, unspecific product. Form the gel above, there is an unspecific and a specific product formed in lane 1, in lane 2 there is a decrease in the intensity of the unspecific product formed and also there is an increase in the amount of specific product formed. In lane 3, there were no production of unspecific products and the intensity of the specific product formed remained high. In lane 4, there is evidence of the presence of an unspecific product formed but the intensity of the specific product formed remained high. While in lane 5, there is a minor reduction in the intensity of the specific product formed while there is visible presence of formation of unspecific products. Magnesium touchdown optimisation Figure 5: –Touchdown magnesium concentration optimisation. Key: L – molecular weight ladder, lane 1- 0.5 mMol, lane 2- 1.5 mMol, lane 3- 2mMol, lane 4- 3 mMol, lane 5- 5mMol, unspecific product, specific product. From the gel above, in lane 1, the intensity of the unspecific product formed is the same with that of the specific product formed. While in lane 2, 3 and 4, the intensity of the specific products formed are the same while the intensity of the unspecific products gradually decreased. There was no unspecific product formed in lane 5, however there was a reduction in the intensity of the specific product formed compared to that of lane 4. Discussion This experiment was performed to evaluate different optimisation protocols to optimise PCR reactions. For the PCR reaction using an optimised PCR mastermix in part A, the highest amount of products formed was observed in the well containing 1 µl of DNA template.The annealing temperature is the most important optimisation, because it can have an influence on the specificity of the reaction. If the temperature is too high, the hybridization will not take place thus, templates and primers remain dissociated. If the temperature is too low, mismatched hybrids will occur. Correct annealing temperature must be low enough to start hybridization between template and primer, and also high enough to prevent forming mismatched hybrids (Roux, 2009). According to the results from annealing temperature optimization polyacrylamide gel (Figure 2), the most suitable annealing temperature was 62oC, because the band was clear and single as opposed to the 48oC, 52oC and 55oC, where the smears (i.e. unspecific products) were shown. The intensity of the band in 62oC was the strongest compared with that o f 65oC. The most suitable template dilution for PCR was 2 µl, because it gave in the polyacrylamide gel in Figure 3, the most bright, single band with very low amount of unspecific products formed. Besides, annealing temperature and template dilution parameters, PCR reaction components could also lead to non-specific amplification. Two variables, which are reported to greatly influence the specificity of the PCR reaction, are magnesium and dNTP concentration (Dwivedi et al. 2003). For magnesium dilution touchdown (Figure 5), the molarities at 1.5, 2 and 3mMol showed very similar amount of products formed indicating the importance of the magnesium in PCR amplification while for magnesium dilution without touchdown (Figure 4), it was found that 2mM yielded the best results. Magnesium concentration is known to play a critical role in amplification as it can affect DNA strand denaturation, primer annealing specificity and enzyme fidelity. These observations are in agreement with earlier studies (Innis et al. 1990; Eeles et al. 1993). Even brief incubations of a PCR mix at temperatures significantly below theTmcan result in primer-dimer formation and nonspecific priming. Hot-start PCR methods (Erlich et al. 1991;Ruano et al. 1992) can dramatically reduce these problems. In this experiment, two methods were used to visualise the PCR products formed. They are, Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and Agarose gel electrophoresis. Agarose gel is the most popular medium for the separation of moderate and large-sized nucleic acids and have a wide range of separation but a low resolving power, since the bands formed in the gels tend to be indistinct and spread apart. This is a result of pore size and cannot be largely controlled (Stellwagen, 1998). However, Polyacrylamide gels are normally more difficult to prepare and handle, and it requires a longer time for preparation than agarose gels. However, polyacrylamide gels have a greater resolving power, can accommodate larger quantities of DNA without any significant loss in resolution and the DNA obtained from polyacrylamide gels is extremely pure (Guilliatt, 2002). Hence, they are better than agarose gels. It should be noted that polyacrylamide is a neurotoxin (when unpolymerized), but with proper labo ratory care it is no more dangerous than various commonly used chemicals in the laboratory (Budowle Allen, 1991). Conclusion Optimisation of Polymerase Chain Reaction is very important for PCR performance to minimize failures, avoid the production of non-specific products and increase specificity of the reaction. The knowledge of proper conditions allows to use PCR correctly and to receive good results. According to the results of the research the most suitable annealing temperature was 62oC, the most proper amount of concentration of magnesium was 2nMol, and the best template dilution was 2 µl. Those parameters give DNA amplification specificity and efficiency. (Harris and Jones, 1997). References Alka, D., Sarin, B., Mittar, D., Sehajpal, P. (2003). OPTIMIZATION OF 38 kDa BASED PCR ASSAY FOR DETECTION OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS FROM CLINICAL SAMPLES. 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