Applied Performance Practices Study Guide

APPLIED PERFORMANCE PRACTICES * FINANCIAL REWARD PRACTICES >Financial Rewards- the most fundamental applied performance practice in organizational settings. >Pay has multiple meanings * Symbol of success * Reinforcer and motivator * Reflection of performance * Can reduce anxiety >Meaning of money varies * Higher value to men than women * Cultural values influence the meaning and value of money TYPES OF REWARDS IN THE WORKPLACE * Membership and Seniority * Job Status * Competencies * Performance 1. Membership- and Seniority- Based Rewards * Fixed wages, seniority increases. * (Sometimes called â€Å"pay for pulse†) represent the largest part of most paychecks. Sample Rewards: * Fixed pay * Most employee benefits * Paid time off Advantages: * May attract applicants * Minimizes stress of insecurity * Reduces turnover Disadvantages: * Doesn’t directly motivate performance * May discourages poor performers from leaving * Golden handcuffs may undermine performance 2. ) Job St atus-Based Rewards * Includes job evaluation and status perks. Job evaluation –systematically evaluating the worth of jobs within an organization by measuring their required skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions. * Maintain feelings of equity (people in higher-valued jobs should get higher pay) and motivate employees to compete for promotion. Sample rewards: * Promotion-based pay increase * Status-based benefits Advantages: * Tries to maintain pay equity * Minimizes pay discrimination * Motivates employees to compete for promotion Disadvantages: Encourages hierarchy which may increase costs and reduce responsiveness * Reinforces status differences * Motivates job competition and exaggerated job worth. 3. ) Competencies-Based Rewards * Pay increases with competencies acquired and demonstrated * Employees now receive pay increases within each pay band partly based on how well they have acquired new knowledge and skills. * Skill-based pay-is a variation of compet ency-based rewards in which employees are rewarded for the number of skill modules mastered and consequently the number of jobs they can perform.Sample Rewards: * Pay income based on competency * Skill-based pay Advantages: * Improve workforce flexibility * Tends to improve quality * Consistent with employability Disadvantages: * Subjective measurement of competency * Skill-based pay plans are expensive 4. ) Performance-Based Rewards Here are some of the most popular individual, team and organizational performance-based rewards: * Individual Rewards * Bonuses- many employees receive individual bonuses for accomplishing a specific task or exceeding annual performance goals. Commissions- real estate agents and other salespeople typically earn commissions in which their pay increases with sales volume. * Piece rate systems reward employees based on the number of units produced. * Team Rewards * Bonuses- employees earn a bonus based on how well their store meets or exceeds specific fina ncial goals. * Gainsharing Plans- a reward system in which team members earn bonuses for reducing costs and increasing labor efficiency in their work process. * Organizational Rewards Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) – a reward system that encourages employees to buy stock in the company. * Stock Options- a reward system that gives employees the right to purchase company stock at a future date at a predetermined price. * Profit-sharing Plans- a reward system that pays bonuses to employees based on the previous year’s level of corporate profits. * Balanced Scorecard (BSC) – a reward system that pays bonuses for improved results on a composite of financial, customer, internal process and employee factors.

Accuracy and precision

To learn how to use a balance to weigh objects. 2. To determine the accuracy of various lab glassware as well as the precision obtainable when using each of these. II. BACKGROUND: If a person goes into a restaurant and orders a cup of coffee, how much coffee will be given to the person? Will the coffee arrive in a large, earthenware mug or a delicate, china cup? Do all coffee cups hold a cup of coffee? If, on the other hand, another person Is following a recipe that called for a cup of coffee, how much coffee will that person use?Will there be a difference in how the coffee is measured in these two situations? Recording numerical data is an important part of scientific research. The reliability of these data can Influence the conclusions drawn from the experiment. Although â€Å"accuracy and â€Å"precision† are used interchangeably in common speech, in scientific language, they mean two different things. The â€Å"true value† of any number is a philosophical idea whic h we take as a given/known thing; for example, scientists say that exactly 100. 0000 ml of water weigh exactly 100. 0000 g at 40 C (theoretically 99. 23 g at CHIC – room temperature). An â€Å"error† in data is the numerical deference between the measured value and the true value. An â€Å"accurate† result is one that agrees 100 ml of water, a weight of 100. 001 g is more accurate than 100. 009 g, and that is more accurate than 100. 01 g. â€Å"Precision,† on the other hand, refers to agreement among a group of data, but says nothing about their relationship to the true value. Three measurements of 100. 009, 100. 008, and 100. 007 g might be more precise than three measurements of 100. 009, 100. 002, and 99. 995 g, and yet may not be more accurate.In the above example, which of these methods of measuring coffee is the most accurate? If a measuring cup is used, will that always measure exactly one cup of coffee? Why or why not? What factor(s) could be sour ces of error in the user's measurement? Which of these methods of measuring coffee would be the most precise? Why? There is a variety of glassware here in the Biology Lab – beakers, graduated cylinders, Erlenmeyer flasks, volumetric flasks – that could be used for a lab exercise in which students would be required to measure 100 ml of distilled water (dhow).Because these various types of lab glassware are designed for different purposes, their accuracy and precision vary. Certain types of glassware are manufactured with greater precision than other types and/or yield more accurate agreement of volume. Knowledge of the relative accuracy and/or precision of the various types of glassware can aid in determining the appropriateness of a piece of glassware for a desired use. For example, if a student needs several identical 100 ml samples, which measuring utensil should be chosen? Why?When a scientist comes up with an answer to a question like the preceding one that might b e right yet needs to be tested to see if it is true, this is called a hypothesis (hypo under, beneath; thesis = an arranging). Any testable answer to the previous question such as, â€Å"l think that the _ glassware is more Once a scientist has formed an hypothesis, it is then necessary to figure out how that hypothesis can be tested. The scientist would need to decide what to do (procedure/methods) and what data are appropriate to gather to uphold or disprove the hypothesis.At times, scientists may end up gathering â€Å"negative† data that actually disprove their hypotheses. For this glassware, what could be done – what steps could be followed – to find out if the _ glassware really is the most precise/accurate? Is it enough to use one piece of glassware or should several kinds/styles be tried? Is it enough to take one reading on each piece of glassware or should several tests/trials be reformed on each piece? If a person places a desired amount of water into a piece of glassware, how will that person know if the container is correctly filled?How will (s)he know the container is filled the same amount every time? When viewed from the side, the surface of the water in a transparent glass container is a characteristic shape that is a clue to solving this dilemma. Because of water's affinity for glass (glass is hydrophilic, hydro = water, Philip = brotherly love), the edges of the water's surface will creep up the walls of the container slightly. Especially in small-diameter glassware, the surface of the water is, thus, tactically curved. This curved surface of the water is called a meniscus (Figure 1) (menisci = a crescent).

Essentials of Public Speaking Fifth Edition Cheryl Hamilton Tarrant Essay

Essentials of Public Speaking Fifth Edition Cheryl Hamilton Tarrant country collage-NE Campus - Essay Example This is because sometimes the government relies on certain citizens for contribution; chances to present a speech are almost unlimited. Not only does learning to present speeches is an advantage to the society, but also it helps to improve our careers, many companies have their speaker bureau of which they use them to release their message to the public (Hamilton 6). An example of public speaking includes announcements. When analyzing an audience, first, I conduct a poll that will determine if the audience is familiar with the topic of discussion. I have learnt that I should get to know the audience beliefs, morals, values, sex and age. Moreover, I have learnt to make sure to know what type of audience I have, and plan on how to make them listen to me and still remember. In addition, while researching, I make sure that I do it thoroughly and take notes. In addition, I have learnt to include names of author and page numbers where necessary (Hamilton 71). The best way to improve active listening as described in chapter two and three is by involving my audience (giving them an emotional stake) in what one is saying there are likely to listen attentively to your speech (Hamilton 57). Practice reduces speech anxiety because when one practices they feel more prepared. Speaker anxiety is a feeling of nervousness and uncomfortable while speaking before an audience. Most speakers that undergo speaker anxiety feel that it is almost awkward to get rid of, but the experienced speakers know how to overcome speaker anxiety. One can use negative emotions for example fear, guilt, shame or anger, but one can still use positive emotions such as joy, relief, hope or compassion. One must also make the audience feel there is something in our speech that will benefit them. If a speaker needs his or her audience to trust and understand the hummer and the information in their speech, they need to do the following; they

Contemporary Authors and the Past Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Contemporary Authors and the Past - Essay Example However, the criticism is that young individuals with severe literary ambitions are no longer concerned in the metropolis or big, as well as rich slice of up-to-date life. This is because such writings are normally met with harsh outrage from contemporary authors and other critics (The Independent, n.d). What is lacking from contemporary fiction is the kind of accounting, which prominent Victorian novelists such as Hoban (1980), Rushdie (1980) and Swift (1983) engaged in, and it was through this that they endeavoured to bring successful novels. Certainly, writing about current issues is one of the hardest things to do. People may think it simple since there are so numerous prominent writers on magazines and newspapers around, and, at its best, modern-day journalism approaches what creative writing can do to elucidate the human condition (The Independent, n.d). ... However, his inquisitive mind and eccentric ways differentiated him from his peers (The Independent, n.d). Also, when he notices a remnant of the old time, he puts in motion a chain of events, which might well initiate the end of the world once more. Written in an outstanding and gratifying language, this is a novel that pays off rereading time and again. Hoban’s book was greatly and favourably evaluated when it was first published, with its language granted exceptional attention. This book is told in a language, which attempts the impractical and attains it (The Independent, n.d). The agreement, then, is that the writing is an extremely good mainstream book, which endeavours to attain marvelous things and it does this. The author writes in a kind of postmodern (contemporary) English, which entirely echoes the bow and spear culture of a primitive world (Hoban, 1980). The novel is a marvel of lexical creativity. Hoban (1980) utilises the resources of historical linguistics to d evelop a language, which no other author has used and yet each and every word contributes to the idea of vernacular corruption and degradation. The medium is, in essence, the author’s message for he keeps a vigour control of his language so that he can develop the societal layout of his prospective inland. Primitive punctuation, elementary spelling, folk etymologies, as well as a simple and frequently crude vocabulary shape the psychic background of the prospective individuals and they show the determination and truthfulness of that truth seeker (Hoban, 1980). Underlying the desire for historical novels is maybe a collective feeling, which literary imagination and fiction are not adequate in themselves to make a book worth reading and

Environment Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Environment - Assignment Example Although solar energy has been in use for a long time, generating electricity from this source has not been fully adopted hence this has locked up great benefits associated with this alternative source of energy (Foster; Ghassemi, & Cota 47). Even though the solar energy is free, there are hindrances to achievement of this technology. For example, the cost of installation of solar harnessing equipment is extremely high. Also, the availability of solar energy fluctuate from place to another with some parts of the globe receiving maximum solar energy while others have low solar intensity. Also, solar availability is affected by the seasons and time of the day (YouTube). Implementation of this law will result to increase in efficiency of solar energy production since many people will invest in solar energy hence encourage innovation (Foster; Ghassemi, & Cota 47). Although the availability of solar energy may not increase, the efficiency of harnessing this energy will result to increase in the amount of power output lower cost of production (Boxwell 49). The cost saving on environmental management compensates the additional cost of generating solar energy on a large

A marketing research on consumer behavior, focusing on car selection Paper

A marketing on consumer behavior, focusing on car selection on the brand-Honda - Research Paper Example (Hoyer & MacInnis 221) Research on consumer behavior provides firms with information about their target market and the business environment. Researchers provide a careful analysis of the firm’s plans, activities and methods. Relationships that are of interest to consumer researchers are classified as â€Å"correlations and causal†, which is similar to the cause and effect situation. A correlation occurs when statistics among the factors have significant relationship. Examples of variables are advertising and research which can be the subject of correlation research. There is positive correlation when two variables act at the same time. There is negative correlation in a situation where two variables are in opposite direction. Advertising and sales are correlated positively since both increase at the same time. On the other hand, product defects and customer regard for the product have a negative correlation; meaning, as product defects are seen or felt, customer is diss atisfied. (Kardes et al. 368) Consumer behaviour involves the study of psychology and sociology, and it is important to apply this on the Honda market segment. Sociology includes study of different cultures. Culture influences the American decision-making process and their decision to buy. Advertising and promotion can be considered one of these factors, or, it could be that advertising and promotion are the outcome of these factors since these elements take into consideration consumer behaviour first before they are being programmed. â€Å"Gen Yers† are those born between 1977 and 1995 and who will constitute over one-third of the US population by 2015 and now believed the largest U.S. market segment. At present, they account to about 7% of the present US population (qtd. in Rajamma et al. 388). Gen Yers are demanding when it comes to quality. In an October 2008 survey of the U.S. adult population, quality was listed as the number one factor by 86 percent of respondents â₠¬Å"in their next car purchase,† while 82 percent listed safety and 74 percent said fuel economy was their number one priority (Cole and Flynn 67). This essay aims to investigate consumer behavior of Honda of America (HAM) customers who prefer to buy Honda cars and other products despite the popularity and quality make of other brands. The Automotive Industry Statistics from the American Customer Satisfaction Index tell us that the automotive industry

Is the green house effect operating in Earth's atmosphere helpful or Essay

Is the green house effect operating in Earth's atmosphere helpful or harmful Give examples. What are the consequences of an enhanced greenhouse effect - Essay Example But excessive greenhouse effects, induced by human activities such as burning of fossil fuels, emission CFCs, etc are harmful for the atmosphere. Scientists note that during the past 200 years the average global has increased about .40C to .80C (in Fahrenheit Scale about .70 to 1.40). Experts also estimate that if this rate of increase in the temperature remains uninterrupted, the average temperature is supposed to rise up to 10.4 degrees F by 2100. The increase in the atmospheric temperature is mostly a response to a process called greenhouse effect that â€Å"is a natural phenomenon†¦.whereby certain gasses in the atmosphere keep the earth’s temperature significantly higher than it would otherwise be, making it suitable for life† (Dispensa & Brule 87). The gasses prevent the magnified heat radiation to return to the space and preserve it as heat in the environment. Climatologists suggest that global warming is caused mainly by human activities that contribute to the increase in the green-house gas in the atmosphere. Natural causes such as â€Å"sunspots and natural variation of temperature change by the evolution of earth† (Dispensa & Brule 87) may increase the temperature of earth. Though some natural causes are found responsible for the emission of greenhouse gasses, environment also has its own process to absorb them. But the emission of these gasses caused by human activities is so excessive that natural absorption process cannot consume all of the produced gasses. In this regard, Dispensa and Brule (2003) notes, â€Å"The IPCC†¦uses the term climate change to refer exclusively to change in the climate brought about by human activities.† (p.87) Studies show that the occurring of â€Å"killer heat-waves† (Houghton 188) is more frequent than ever. The August of 2003 was the hottest summer in the European continent in 500 years killing almost 27000 people. The rise in the global atmospheric temperature is

Delivering change (changemanagement) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Delivering change (changemanagement) - Essay Example Robert (80-120) states that change management is rather delicate and has to be handled with extra care by the management if the relationships within the organisation are to remain unscathed and for the activities within the organisation to run as smoothly as they previously were. 2. Change within the organisational structure may lead to employees being laid off, others are demoted and others promoted. This leads to strained relationships within the organisation and this may eventually affect the quality of work (Dean 100-20). For successful change management to take place, effective communication strategy within the organisation has to be put in place. Communication bridges any gap among employees or even between the management and the employees (Rob and McCalman 30-45). Employees may understand change, benefits of that particular change as well as its implementation differently and without proper communication, a consensus may never be reached. Instead of the management of Stepney Health centre communicating matters concerning this change through circulation of memos and using middle managers, they should hold a meeting with all the staff members. Face to face communication is encouraged during organisational change management to handle sensitive aspects of the same in order to ensure that the correct message is communicated and understood as it should. Face to face communication is encouraged when laying off employees, demoting them or even promoting them. The Human resource department of Stepney health centre held workshops and board meetings to communicate to the staff as a group on the organisational change. The problem with most managers is that they impose change on their employees instead of fully engaging the employees during the implementation of the change. New structures within the organisation as well as

Roles of a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Room Research Paper

Roles of a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Room - Research Paper Example This research paper focuses on describing the profession and everyday duties of registered nurses, also known as (RN), that are the majority of the employees in the industry of health. They are often responsible for assigning tasks to other nurses, nursing assistants and licensed practitioners. The phrase registered is used for a reason, the researcher explaines, and this is because they are specialized and have more knowledge on a certain area in the hospital environment. Normally, there is a registered nurse for each section of the healthcare like oncology, neonatal and in the emergency room. This research paper discusses their duties and roles while in the emergency room. In conclusion, the researcher states that most registered nurses work as staff nurses, who are members of a medical team that provide critical health care. Nevertheless, some of the registered nurses opt to advance to practice nurses, who work together with other physicians or independently. They may also focus o n the stipulation of primary care services. They provide direct care for patients, and expert consultation services in the various specialties of nursing like psychiatric, mental health. Those who specialized in anesthetists, offer anesthesia and correlated care either before or after surgical or obstetrical and diagnostic procedures. They also offer emergency and pain management services like airway management. Nonetheless, there is an assortment of other areas that nurse could choose to specialize and get registered.

Columbus - Ohio Essay Example for Free

Columbus Ohio Essay Do helium filled footballs travel further than footballs filled with ordinary air? Two experiments were conducted by members of the media in Columbus, Ohio to investigate this question. The experiment conducted using two different footballs, one of which was filled with helium while the other was filled with ordinary air. Each football was kicked four times with the wind and four times against the wind. The results of this study seem striking, the lighter helium filled football went much farther when the wind was at the kickers back, but did not perform so well into the wind. The helium filled football traveled an average of ten yards farther with the wind and an average of five yards less against the wind than its air filled counterparts. This all came about in1993, Auburn University played Mississippi State University in football. Auburn was set up to punt the football. The football was kicked and eyed in disbelief as it sailed an estimated seventy one yards through the air. Shocked, Mississippi State coaches claimed the football was filled with helium in order to produce such a kick. The football was immediately seized by officials and was later tested to see if it had been filled with helium. No helium was found in the football. A single outlier could account for the observed differences. Observing differences in small scales studies are often attributable to chance, if there is considerable variability in the individual results. To determine if there is considerable variability in the data or if there are outliers, people would like to see the actual data. It is difficult to evaluate the results of a study of you are not given the actual date. We don’t know if any randomization was used in the study. One would want to control for difference in the footballs perhaps by using several footballs. Mostly all the kicker for both helium and air filled footballs show a lot of variability with greater variability with the helium filled football than the air filled footballs. They mentioned in the histogram that the pair of kicks comparing a given trial might be viewed as a matched pair. It is often valuable to examine the difference in the pair of values comprising the matched pair. It is hard to see that there is any marked advantage  to kicking a football filled with helium versus one filled with ordinary air. There is weak evidence of a slight advantage for the helium filled football. The results do not substantiate the study, which seem to suggest a much clearer advantage to the helium filled football. There does not seem to be much evidence that a helium filled football outperforms an air filled football. The knowledge could effect the way the kicker kicked the football, kicking the helium filled football more smoothly than the air filled ball when the wind was at his back, while lunging at the helium filled football when kicking into the wind. A smoother rhythm generally produces a longer kick. After hearing all the results, skeptics from The Columbus Dispatch decided to conduct their own experiment with help of a team of physicists and chemists from The Ohio State University, by doing this experiment they learned that the kicks for both the helium and the ordinary air filled footballs show a lot of variability with the helium filled football than the ordinary air filled football. In the histogram the distributions of both are slightly skewed to the left but do have a rough bell shape. The center of the helium filled football data seems a bit larger than that for the air filled football. The difference is small and the variability is the data makes it hard to assert that there is any marked advantage to kicking the helium filled football.

Measuring the development of rural women

Measuring the development of rural women Although it has been difficult to break down the gender blindness of development history, since 1970, gender’s role in family welfare was made as a visible social construct in development (Kingsbury et al., 2004; Bannon and Correia, 2006). Parallel to improvements made in womens position in many societies, the importance of gender to economic analyses (Kadam, 2012) and their active participation in development has been one of the most troubled aspects of the development debate (Kingsbury et al., 2004). In the rural sector, the attention to gender issues is even more challenging. This means that understanding the linkages between gender equity and development effectiveness is essential aspect of rural studies. Therefore, gender issues have been a core priority of governments including Iran. Although Iran has made considerable progress in terms of human development, its rural areas face some important challenges. Today rural people have, more than ever before, access to educatio n, health facilities and occupational opportunities. But close examination of their living conditions indicates that although the aggregate level of production and consumption has increased, the distribution of benefits continues to show persistent inequalities, including the need for more equitable income and wealth distribution, improved access to health and basic sanitation services. The concern for increasing the development of the rural women makes researchers eager to focus on enormous diversity of pathways to human development monitoring and evaluation. These attempts lead to determining list of indicators for monitoring and evaluation a range of economic, social and environmental goals. However, various life domains directly contribute to individual development. Perhaps, human development approach presents an opportunity not only to review achievements in human development domain, but also to determine challenges at different global, national and regional levels, systematica lly. Not surprisingly, the human development approach, which proved very popular in public discussion, has a crudeness that is somewhat similar to mechanical devices of economic development. Besides, this approach is concentrating on what remains undone especially for different regions. Therefore, the validity of the original human development vision has been criticized on a number of fronts. This paper discusses a modified index for measuring rural women development. The present study outlines different concepts important for concerning rural women development, specifically: (1) quality of life; (2) income; (3) social capital; (4) health and sanitation; (5) food security; (6) rate of education; and (7) life expectancy among rural women in Choram County, South-Werstern of Iran. These concepts provide understanding that rural communities are both an environment of care and a cause of disease. Background Since 1990, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has published a series of annual Human Development Reports (HDRs) in which the human development index (HDI) is computed for each country (Sagar and Najam, 1998). HDI embodies Amartya Sen’s â€Å"capabilities† approach to understanding human well-being, which emphasizes the importance of ends (Stanton, 2007). This framework has continued to be the keystone of annual reports from the UNDP on dimensions of human development demand most attention in the contemporary world: to lead a long and healthy life, to acquire knowledge and have access to resources for a decent standard of living. Adult literacy and combined enrolment ratios have been selected as indicators for the knowledge dimension, life expectancy at birth as the indicator for a healthy life and an adjusted GDP as the indicator for the standard of living. In essence, the HDRs have pushed the development debate boundaries beyond a traditional economic per spective (Sagar and Najam, 1998). Despite the positive view of these qualities by many scholars (Streeten, 1994), yet not all sides of the story are positive. However, substantial progress has seen in many aspects of human development, even in countries facing adverse economic conditions (Human development report, 2010). In the other words, the progress was proved in improving health and education and raising income, which expand people’s social capital (power to select leaders, influence public decisions and share knowledge). But not in poverty and deprivation reduction to end the inequality and insecurity around the world. As much as the HDI has introduced new way of development thinking, it has also been faced with a number of criticisms (Sanusi, 2008). Unfortunately, over the years, the HDRs seem to have become stagnant, repeating the same rhetoric without necessarily increasing the HDI’s utility. Progress has varied, and increasing inequality has also seen among people in different countries, across regions, and especially rural areas both within and across countries. The HDI is a measure which reflects its aims imperfectly; and other important questions concerning human development are left out of the HDI altogether. Srinivasan (1994) summarizes the HDI critiques in five main categories: poor data, incorrect choice of indicators, various problems with the HDI’s formula in general, incorrect specification of income in particular, and redundancy. In fact, the authors have modified the index to address many of its sharpest criticisms, and thus the HDI has evolved over the seven issues of the Human Development Report. Plans that maximize the modified index directly trade-off the allocations to consumption, education and health against each other. This leads to plans that balance expenditures across the three components. Engineer et al (2008) consider net income, in education and health expenditure domain, as indicating capabilities not already reflected in the index and argue for a modified HDI that replaces the income component with a net income component; i.e. income that is net of expenditures on education and health. The multi-dimensional nature of poverty is being emphasized by many analysts and policy makers. Addressing these issues requires new tools. Hicks (1997) proposed a method of incorporating distributional inequalities of three measures of income, education and longevity into the HDI framework. He believed that Gi ni coefficients could potentially measure inequalities in human development (annual income, educational, and life-span attainment). A number of attempts have been made to adjust the raw measure of life expectancy to take into account quality of life and time spent in poor health. One concern is that while females generally live longer, their quality of life may be lower due to poorer health than men. The Global Burden of Disease project popularized one such measure, namely disability-adjusted life expectancy (Murray and Là ³pez 1996). The World Health Organization (WHO) measures healthy life expectancy (HALE) based on life expectancy at birth adjusted for time spent in poor health. Although, these new thinking approaches and thus the new measurement tools reinforce the continuing validity of the human development vision (HDR, 2010), the study of development in regional contexts, rural areas, bring a second debate on the fore, that focuses on the extent to which the definition and experience of development is culturally specific. And, are the standardised indicators appropriate applied devises for all regions? Even when progress in the HDI is experienced in the country level, this does not necessarily excel in the local and regional levels. In the other words, as averages can be misleading, it is possible to have an acceptable rate of progress in HDI and be unequal. These patterns pose important challenges for how to think about human development dimensions, its measurement and the policies to improve outcomes and processes over time especially in regional areas and among the mass development neglected target groups, rural women. Perhaps, the understanding, measurement, and improvement of human development especially in local level have been commonly expressed by the term quality of life (QOL) across multiple disciplines (including sociology, economics, psychology, environmental science, and medicine). The term QOL is a complex, multi-faceted concept (Farquhar, 1995; Carr et al., 2001; Holmes, 2005) which according to Costanza et al (2007) is generally meant to represent either how well human needs are met or the extent to which individuals or groups perceive satisfaction or dissatisfaction in various dimensions of their lives. Similarly, Calman as stated by Vyavaharkar et al (2012) defined QOL as a gap or difference between hopes and expectations of a person and the person’s present experiences at a given moment in time. The limited amount of research has focused on QOL in development studies. However, it seems that QOL in the rural setting according to Phillips (2006) is a multifaceted phenomenon determined by the cumulative and interactive impacts of numerous and varied factors (Zaid and Popoola, 2010) like housing conditions, services, infrastructure, access to various qualities and amenities, income, living standards, satisfaction about the physical and social environment (Phillip, 2006). An integrative definition of quality of life contains two sets of subjective (Carr et al., 2001; Holmes, 2005; Phillips, 2006; Costanza et al., 2007) and objective indicators (Phillips, 2006; Costanza, 2007). The subjective indicator focuses on respondents own assessments of pleasure as the basic building block of human satisfaction, happiness well-being or some near synonym of their lived experiences. However, so-called â€Å"objective† indicators of QOL on the other hand, focuses on indices and data that can be gathered without a subjective evaluation being made by the individual being assessed (economic production and security, health, food security, literacy rates, life expectancy, †¦) and may be used singly or in combination to form summary indexes, as in the UNs Human Development Index (Costanza et al., 2007). However, there are well-documented differences in subjective QOL between men and women, and in different localities as reflected in various researches. While discussing the definition of well-being, Arku et al (2008) emphasized that the indicators can differ between urban and rural residents within a country and similarly between men and women within the same society because of differences in needs, priorities (Chambers, 1997). Shek et al (2005) and Diener and Suh (2000) mention that the indicators are socially and locally constructed based on the cultural values of communities. Veenhoven (2005) also arguing for the need of incorporation of cultural-specific indicators in determining people’s quality-of-life. Similar results are found in the study of happiness. In a recent exploration of this theme, Camfield et al (2009) revealed that the definition and experience of happiness is culturally specific. To understand the position of Iranian rural women in the development debate, it is necessary to modify HDI and thus examine the status of women within household and community structures regarding indicators which were chosen to reflect the average quality of life (QOL) – defined as subjective social well-being, food security, social capital, education and training, income, and life expectancy. Women living in rural areas of Kohgilouyeh and Boyer Ahmad, Iran, are generally known to be suffering from general deprivation including access to and control over land and other productive resources, services and infrustructures, opportunities for employment and income-generating activities, and access to health care. This paper sets out to evaluate development status of rural women in Choram County, Kohgilouyeh and Boyer Ahmad province, South-Western Iran. It proposes ways in which the modified HDI can be improved to better reflect its conceptual intent. The scope of this essay then is not to nit-pick on the finer details of the proposed index, but rather to conceptualize a constructive discussion on how the modified proposed index can be improved to better fulfill its own goal of measuring human development in rural areas.

Confinement in The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Confinement in The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman      Ã‚   Charlotte Perkins Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper is a commentary on the male oppression of women in a patriarchal society.   However, the story itself presents an interesting look at one woman's struggle to deal with both physical and mental confinement.   This theme is particularly thought-provoking when read in today's context where individual freedom is one of our most cherished rights. This analysis will focus on two primary issues: 1) the many vivid images Gilman uses to illustrate the physical and symbolic confinement the narrator endures during her illness; and 2) the overall effect of, and her reaction to, this confinement.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Yellow Wallpaper begins with the narrator's description of the physically confining elements surrounding her.   The story is cast in an isolated hereditary estate, set back from the road and located three miles from town. The property boasts protective hedges that surround the garden, walls that surround the estate, and locked gates which guarantee seclusion.   Even the connecting garden represents confinement, with box-bordered paths and grape- covered arbors. This isolation motif continues within the mansion itself. Although she preferred the downstairs room with roses all over the windows that opened on the piazza, the narrator finds herself relegated to an out of the way dungeon-like nursery on the second floor, appropriately equipped with "rings and things" in the walls.   Windows in each direction provide glimpses of the garden, arbors, bushes, and trees.   The bay is visible, as is a private wharf that adjoins the... ...age or How to Read Your Own Life."    Charlotte Perkins Gilman: The Woman and Her Work.   Ed. Sheryl Meyering.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ann Arbor: UMI Research Press, 1989.   75-94.       Works Consulted:    Ehrenreich, Barbara and English, Deirdre."The 'Sick' Women of the Upper Classes," The Captive Imagination: A Casebook on the Yellow Wallpaper, ed. Catherine Golden, New York, Feminist Press, 1992, 90-109.    Hedges, Elaine R. Afterword. The Yellow Wallpaper. 1973: 37-63. Twentieth-Century Literary Criticism 9. Detroit: Gale: 1988.    Shumaker, Conrad. "'Too Terribly Good to Be Printed': Charlotte Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper'" American Literature. 57 (1985): 194-198.    Treichler, Paula A. "Escaping the Sentence: Diagnosis and Discourse in The Yellow Wallpaper"' Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature. 3 (1984): 61-77.    Confinement in The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman Confinement in The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman      Ã‚   Charlotte Perkins Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper is a commentary on the male oppression of women in a patriarchal society.   However, the story itself presents an interesting look at one woman's struggle to deal with both physical and mental confinement.   This theme is particularly thought-provoking when read in today's context where individual freedom is one of our most cherished rights. This analysis will focus on two primary issues: 1) the many vivid images Gilman uses to illustrate the physical and symbolic confinement the narrator endures during her illness; and 2) the overall effect of, and her reaction to, this confinement.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Yellow Wallpaper begins with the narrator's description of the physically confining elements surrounding her.   The story is cast in an isolated hereditary estate, set back from the road and located three miles from town. The property boasts protective hedges that surround the garden, walls that surround the estate, and locked gates which guarantee seclusion.   Even the connecting garden represents confinement, with box-bordered paths and grape- covered arbors. This isolation motif continues within the mansion itself. Although she preferred the downstairs room with roses all over the windows that opened on the piazza, the narrator finds herself relegated to an out of the way dungeon-like nursery on the second floor, appropriately equipped with "rings and things" in the walls.   Windows in each direction provide glimpses of the garden, arbors, bushes, and trees.   The bay is visible, as is a private wharf that adjoins the... ...age or How to Read Your Own Life."    Charlotte Perkins Gilman: The Woman and Her Work.   Ed. Sheryl Meyering.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ann Arbor: UMI Research Press, 1989.   75-94.       Works Consulted:    Ehrenreich, Barbara and English, Deirdre."The 'Sick' Women of the Upper Classes," The Captive Imagination: A Casebook on the Yellow Wallpaper, ed. Catherine Golden, New York, Feminist Press, 1992, 90-109.    Hedges, Elaine R. Afterword. The Yellow Wallpaper. 1973: 37-63. Twentieth-Century Literary Criticism 9. Detroit: Gale: 1988.    Shumaker, Conrad. "'Too Terribly Good to Be Printed': Charlotte Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper'" American Literature. 57 (1985): 194-198.    Treichler, Paula A. "Escaping the Sentence: Diagnosis and Discourse in The Yellow Wallpaper"' Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature. 3 (1984): 61-77.   

The History of Alcatraz Essay -- American America History

The History of Alcatraz INTRODUCTION Alcatraz is an island that is 22 acres and according to geologists it is a drowned mountain peak and is made up of mostly rock and dirt. The island itself is a part of a cluster of islands that are in the San Francisco Bay area. The island's name came from a Spanish explorer, Lt. Juan Manual de Ayala, and the ship's pilot, Jose de Canizarer, on August 12, 1775. He called it La Isla de los Alcatraces, in English is Island of the Pelicans. Alcatraz is just the singular form of Alcatraces. The owners of the island have changed three times in its history. First Spain owned it until 1822, then Mexico won its independence and claimed ownership and finally in 1846 Mexico/California went to war and it then became the property of the United States. On the day of November 6, 1850, President Millard Filmore agreed to make Alcatraz official government property. It was to be turned into a fortification to protect the city from hostile vessels and the reason for putting it there was because it was on an island in the middle of the bay- very strategic. There would be two batteries on both ends of the island along with a two-story brick wall that would enclose all of it. Inside there would be soldiers' barracks, guard houses, powder magazines, and warehouses that would be the backbone of Alcatraz. The official day of opening of Alcatraz was in December of 1859 and it had two purposes, one of fortification and another of a prison. The prison was there for military members that committed various crimes. The prison had about 15 - 50 prisoners there, but they were not all military, some were local citizens and politicians who committed crimes of varying degrees. The idea of having a prison on an is... ...aying that any land that was in surplus would be theirs. Then the City of San Francisco wanted the island so they could destroy what was one their and start commercial development. However, that did not happen because there were to many protestors about saving Alcatraz. Then there was of period of 4 or 5 years of many proposals about what to do but in 1972 it was decided to turn it into the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Alcatraz was now open to the public and today you can go down and get on a tour to see where some of the U.S. most famous criminals stayed. BIBLIOGRAPHY http://www.geocities.com/~marguerite_b/ http://alcatraz.san-francisco.ca.us/ http://www.sf50.com/alcatraz/ http://library.thinkquest.org/21109/alcatraz/index.htm "Alcatraz." The World Book Encyclopedia. 94 ed. 1994. "Alcatraz." Encyclopedia Britannica. 15th edition. 1985.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X :: Malcolm X Civil Rights American History Essays

The Autobiography of Malcolm X Malcolm Little was born on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. At the time of his birth, Malcolm's father was a Baptist Minister. His mom was a writer of Marcus Garvey. Before he was born, his father had 3 children with his previous marriage and 3 before him with his mom. Malcolm's father played a big role in scripting his life from early childhood by the beliefs that he carried and gave to the children by Garvey's teachings . He taught Malcolm to be a very strong man to be able to provide for himself without any help. Marcus Garvey was the founder of the U.N.I.A (Universal Negro Improvement Association) which was to raise the banner of black race purity and exhorting the negro masses to return to their ancestral African homeland. The Ku Klux Klan was a big threat to Malcolm's family so it forced them to move around quite a bit. Then suddenly one day, Malcolm's mother and father got into a big dispute that forced Malcolm's father to go out and take a walk to clear his head. Malcolm's mom felt very strange and uncomfortable about it. So before he had gone to far, she tried to catch up with him and tell him that she had a bad feeling and for him to come home. So later on that night two policemen came to their house to inform the family that Malcolm's father had been killed by an train cart. The accident was speculated because it was said that he was forced under the cart for it to hit him by the Klan. This whole ordeal had an very negative impact upon Malcolm's life growing up. After the father's death, the family was forced to be put on welfare. This was very hard for the kids and especially the mother to accept because they were use to the father being the provider, and it went against everything that they were taught by their father. They had welfare personnel coming by to check up on them very often. The mother felt so helpless and was unable to provide and care for the kids like she used to. It was even harder to try to discipline the kids without the father there to enforce the punishments.

Many films are a bad influence on young people Essay

The film industries of the world are developing day by day. Today there are so many films being produced that you can barely keep count. Some of them are for the benefit of the community but most of the films have a bad influence on the young people as well as on the community. These films are responsible for increase in violence, crime, illegitimacy in the society. And I completely agree with the statement that many films are a bad influence on young people because of the following reasons. It has been noticed that boys and girls are crazy of watching movies. And they spent averagely three to four hours in watching movies daily. This fast growing bad habit is expensive because of increasing electricity bill and the waste of precious time which can certainly be devoted to healthier, less wasteful and more gainful pursuits. The extreme setting in front of TV is harmful for education and health also. The studies are affected because youth like to watch television when parents are not there in home, and having no self-discipline. Many teens have shortsighted because of this. And it caused the problem like fat. Staying at home will let you become lazier. Our body needs to do sports, exercise etc The youth also try the actions done by heroes in the films. In the Indian films there is extreme level of violence, crime and other deviations from normal human behavior. The re-enactment shows shown on different channels of about robbery, murder etc, and are extremely dangerous for the country in future because youth learn about the new methods of criminal activities. Education and other experts have repeatedly found that the main source of eve teasing and assaults on girls in our towns and cities, in the market place and elsewhere, is the cinema. Young people see on the screen a hero running after a heroine, approaching and tempting her in subtle ways. Such talk and gestures naturally catch the attention of the immature cinema fans and affect their thinking and conduct. Thus, the social fabric and the morals of the young people are adversely affected. Another notable aspect of the situation is that whenever some enterprising producer presents a simple, true-to-life story, based on the works of famous short story or fiction writers as Prem Chand or Sarat Chandra, such films, and also art films free of glamour, seldom prove successful and prove to be flops at the box office. The modern audiences want songs and dances, spectacle and gorgeous costumes, love scenes and fights. What sort of citizens can the country hope to produce when the films the young see are totally misleading, lack aesthetical values. However, there are some positive effects of the films like movie â€Å"Tara Zameen Par† in which a child which is been weak in one subject can be good in other subject and the strictness of the parents on the weak subject can make the child mentally disabled. In the last movies and films are bad for the youth because positive effects are lesser than negative effects.

Reflection About Platos Allegory of the Cave Essay

This should already be clear to you: -The shadows of ideas projected on the wall = opinions, illusions. -The wall = the material world seen by us. -Ideas are the basis of reality and not the material world. The most important thing you can do is: ‘ Know thyself’, practice self-reflection, learn more about yourself than what you believe you are. Here I will go further: The material world is largely an illusion, it is always changing. By just looking at it, one cannot learn anything. There is also another world: an eternal world of ideas. It is made up out of eternal unchanging forms of things. This world can be known through reason alone. The material world (world of things) is a manifestation of this eternal world of ideas. Using the allegory, Plato pictures the everyday situation of man. He can speak, hear, and encounter the world without actually being aware of the world of Ideas. True knowledge can only be gained from the world of ideas. The world of things merely generates opinions or illusions. lato depicts these worlds as existing on a line that can be divided in the middle: the upper part of the line is the world of ideas and the lower part is the world of things. Each region can further be divided in two. In the world of things, there are â€Å"illusions†, which composes the lower region, and â€Å"beliefs†, which composes the higher region. The illusions are the shadows represented by the artistic works of the craftsmen and poets. The beliefs are man’s knowledge of individual things, which may sometimes be true but is often times false because individual things are constantly changing. The world of ideas, on the other, can be divided into â€Å"reason† (the lower part of the region) and â€Å"intelligence† (the higher part of the region). Under reason is the knowledge of things like mathematics. And under intelligence is the knowledge of the highest and most abstract categories of things, for example, understanding the ultimate good. Here are some examples that I want to give: – the idea of giving: ‘when you give something to a person, you create a bond between yourself and the other’; the other shows you gratitude for your gift. BUT in real life (material world) it can be so that a particular person has had some nasty experiences with giving presents (some people aren’t that gratefull) and therefore creates an aversion for ‘giving’. He has formed a wrong ‘opinion’ about the idea of giving. – Poker hands: in poker KK is a very good hand, this is mathematically so. Some pokerplayers however lost a lot of chips with this hand, because an Ace fell on the table. This means that in the future they will tend to misjudge their hand (because of their experiences with it) and underestimate it (contrary what is known in probability theory) – e.g. you learned from your environment that all black people are bad. This is in a sense a shadow on the wall of the cave. Instead of fixating on the shadow, you must force yourself to look behind that what you have learned (or passively accepted) before. Then you will find out that what you have learned before isn’t the truth. – fear of snakes: you start panicking because you thought you saw a snake in your yard, but it is only a garden hose. When you return you see the truth, it was your own fear that gave you a misjudgment. – The entire idea behind science is basically based on this: instead of assuming certain things to be true, scientist tend to do a lot of research and experiments before they will claim a theory about something. In a real situation you should discard your own opinions and strife for the truth. The truth will hurt (just as staring in the flame). It wil hurt you AND others. It is in part conquering your fears, and be open minded in all situations. Questioning yourself always is truely a hard task. (many who have left the cave, came back because it was just too difficult living in the light of reason)

Balancing On-line College Studies, Work, and Personal Relationships

Balancing On-line College Studies, Work, and Personal Relationships On-line college studies bring forth various challenges for a student as the concept of time may easily be disregarded or forgotten along with problems regarding distractions and the sense of presence (â€Å"Online Study Techniques†). In this sense, if a student also takes into consideration pressing issues such as those that stem from work, family, and friends, then the difficulty of successfully completing on-line college studies become even worse.However, the presence of such problems, difficulties, and challenges does not mean that every student going through on-line college studies has a myriad of excuses so as not to excel in their educational pursuit. In fact, given the right mind set and the right approach in decision making, it is most likely that a student will be able to optimally accomplish each task in his or her on-line studies while still being able to perform at work and maintain relations with family and friends.Personally, I incorporate concepts of time management and effective prioritization in order to attain efficient decision making. As mentioned, in decision making, I utilize effective prioritization in order to come up with the best possible options for a given situation. In this sense, I build up a hierarchy of considerations and events which may come up and how I should perceive each and every situation given if such situations overlap. In addition, I also develop a sense of hierarchy in relation to studies, work, friends, and family.Although it may seem that such an approach seems to be quite effective and one may bring up questions as to why even though people tend to have a similar approach but fail at decision making. The answer is quite simple, the reason for the inability to utilize prioritization as a tool for guiding decision making is not strictly followed and such individuals opt to choose the easier or more pleasurable choices instead of selecting the more important tasks.In my case though, I prioritize and decide according to which choice would bring the most positive effects. To expound upon the potential use of effective prioritization in terms of decision making, it is only proper to discuss through the use of specific examples. In this sense, a good example comes in the form of accomplishing additional tasks at work which basically translates into a bigger payout while also considering the progress through on-line studies and coursework.Considering that I already have a stable amount of funds and have a good amount of saving, then working for additional hours even though additional pay is given would not have been an efficient choice since technically my funds are already in excess. On the other hand, in relation to the on-line studies that have progressed slowly, allocating ample amounts of time and effort for such will definitely be not an excess and if I really want to attain my specialized associates' degree through dist ant learning, then I should spend more time to work on my studies.Hence, I chose to accomplish the latter option. However, sometimes one cannot simply choose an option over another especially if one or more of the possible choices are with added urgency. Since it is quite often that I am placed in a situation wherein I have to decide between different possible tasks in which time is of the essence, I have developed a way to incorporate efficient time management aside from effective prioritization into my decision making skills.To expound, efficient time management in my own perspective pertains to how the hours of the day or the days of the week are scheduled effectively in order to progress in my work and studies while still being a significant presence to my family and friends. Also, time management pertains to the reality that some decisions made or tasks accepted may be done on another day while some events cannot simply be accomplished if missed the first time around. In relati on to prioritization though, not every opportunity or task that may not reoccur on a definite time is not always the best option so time management in relation to decision making.A good example for the use of efficient time management in relation to decision making is in terms of choosing between the options of attending the birthday of my beloved niece and continuing my on-line studies. In the situation, it is quite expected that the birthday party, along with the opportunity to greet her and give her a gift in person, would only occur at a specific time and date. Considering that I am lagging behind in terms of my on-line studies, I also thought about using my free time to catch up with the remaining coursework.Of course, thinking that my studies are more important in the long run, and my niece would probably not hate me that much if I miss her birthday, my initial reaction was to just stay at home and continue my studies. Later on, I realized that if I missed the birthday then it might create an unavoidable stress between us. Taking into consideration that on-line studies are characteristically flexible in nature and progress may be made at one's own pace, then I simply went to the birthday, stayed for a while, and later on went back home to finally continue the coursework that should be completed.Hence, both tasks were accomplished. The important aspect of the decision making process in this sense, is the capability to postpone something to be done at a later time but still making sure that the postponed task is accomplished. In addition, it is also important to know which tasks should be conducted first and at the same time realize which tasks can really be set aside initially.In this sense, what works for me personally as discussed, is to utilize both time management and prioritization in deciding which tasks or events should be considered to be done first. Of course, such a method has some negative points as well. In most cases though, from a personal s tandpoint, it is definitely useful to use efficient time management and effective prioritization in relation to decision making as reflected through the stability of my personal relationships with family and friends, as well as good productivity at work and on my studies.

Colony Collapse Disorder

The Buzz on Colony Collapse Disorder Denise Collins According to the National Geographic News website, the domestic honey bee population has decreased 50% in as many years (Roach, 2004). Many reasons are blamed for the decrease in honey bee numbers including diseases and pesticides. Scientists have given the decline in honey bee population phenomenon a name, Colony Collapse Disorder. While some experts maintain that Colony Collapse Disorder is a nuisance and not a catastrophe, it is a serious problem affecting domestic honey bees worldwide. Colony Collapse Disorder is a phenomenon affecting domestic and wild honey bee colonies worldwide. Basically what is happening is worker bees are leaving the hive and not coming back but disappearing. There are warning signs of a hive on the verge of collapse. Queen bees are seen outside of the hive is one warning sign of impending collapse. Another is juvenile bees making up the workforce. The juvenile bees are not capable of caring for the larvae. Bees also will not eat their own stores. Once a hive has collapsed, the hive appears to be abandoned by adult bees with young still in the hive. After a hive has collapsed, some of the bees predators, like wax worms, will not invade the hive (Eccleston, 2007). pic] The New York Times, 2007 One believed cause of this disorder is bees being infected with micro-organisms. These micro-organisms might be affecting the bee’s immune system (Barrionuevo, April, 2007). Most researchers are blaming a parasite for the heavy decline in the bee population. The parasite, varroa mites, is a blood-sucking mite that hitches rides on worker bees backs. Once the mites are in the hive, the female mites bury themselves into the bottom of brood cells. The female mites then feed on the larvae and lay their own eggs (Bejamin, 2008). Once a colony is infected with this mite the colony an collapse within a few days (Latham, 2008). This still does not explain why the bees leave and do not return or why there are few dead bees in the collapsed hive. Some researchers believe that since almost all the cases of Colony Collapse Disorder have occurred among commercial bee keepers that the problem must be with the beekeeping practices (Eccleston, 2007). One possible cause is the use of pesticides on commercial crops. This could be a reason it appears that most of the commercial bee keepers are showing problems with Colony Collapse Disorder. The effects to our everyday life would reach into all areas. First, the shrinking bee population would affect our grocery lists. We would lose honey followed by most fruits and vegetables. We would no longer have cotton. Animals that are dependent on grain would come next. With the loss of cows, goats, and other milk giving live stock, cheese, milk, ice cream, and other dairy products would be eliminated from our diets. One would also have to take into consideration of the life saving medicines that are made from botanicals (Barrionuevo, April, 2007). Presently there is research being done all over the United States and the world looking for a solution to this problem. A researcher with the state of Pennsylvania is looking at the possibility of an â€Å"immune suppression† type of disease that is affecting the honey bees. This disease is being compared to the AIDS disease in humans (Barrionuevo, February, 2007). Pesticides have been considered for controlling the mites believed to be afflicting the honey bees. There are risks with using these pesticides. Keeping this in mind, researchers are looking for alternatives to using pesticides. One possibility is a fungus that only attacks the mites and not the bees. The problem researchers are faced with is how to introduce the fungus into the hives (Roach, 2004). Robbin Thorp, an emeritus professor at UC Davis, has suggested using other bee species to do the work of the honey bees (Nielsen, 2006). Still others say that commercial farming has destroyed the honey bees’ natural habitat through weed free farming and pesticides. To rectify that, new habitats need to be created and protected (Nielsen, 2006). Spanish researchers have recently announced they have found the cause of Colony Collapse Disorder. The scientists are suggesting that the honey bees are being attacked by a fungus called Nosema ceranae. Through further testing of infected hives, the researchers may have also found a cure. Simply enough, an antibiotic has been found to be effective in curing the colony (Ford, 2009). I believe that more research needs to be done to further evaluate the Colony Collapse Disorder. We need to make sure that all possible causes have been checked and rechecked. There could be more than one cause to the devastating disorder. There could also be more than one remedy to the problem. The first item that needs to be completed is do extensive study of the both the wild and domesticated honey bee. This study of both types is to be done to see why commercial honey bee colonies are affected more often than wild hives. A healthy hive needs to be quarantined for the control. When a colony is suspected of being on the verge of collapsing, miniature transponders will be attached to worker bees to track its movements. Every aspect of the honey bees’ life needs to be studied and documented. The first sign of a colony in danger of collapse needs to be documented. When a remedy is found it can be treated as soon as possible. This step needs to be completed as quickly as possible before it becomes critical. I am estimating a time frame of 12 to 18 months to gather data, analyze the data, and distribute the findings. The next step is to interview commercial and hobbyist bee keepers and to record their observations. Since they are working with their bees on an everyday basis, they would be more apt to see subtle changes to their hives. This would be like a mothers relationship with her child. This step can be done in conjunction with the first step. This step should take three to six months to complete this part of the plan. The third step is to educate bee keepers on what to look for in their hives. The bee keepers need to be able to recognize the initial signs that one of the hives is beginning to collapse. Education will be the key in solving this problem. Education should be an ongoing process. There will need to be not only pamphlets and manuals to distribute, but the county agriculture extension offices need to provide training to both commercial bee keepers and hobby bee keepers. This way the keepers can identify symptoms in the early stages. Flyers need to be distributed into the communities. The public can be aware of the bees that have transponders. The flyers will contain information on where to report bees that are found with the transponders. If this plan is followed as laid out, a solution should be found within two years. The benefits for following this plan would be to find a solution and implement it to save the honey bees. To save the honey bees would be to save our way of life. Educating the bee keepers will help to keep track of the progress being made. Communication with the bee keepers will allow researchers to track any new symptoms or outbreaks of Colony Collapse Disorder. Challenges for my plan will consist of not being able to control the accuracy of the data collection from the bee keepers. I would have to trust that the keepers are keeping accurate records. Another challenge would be to secure the necessary funding to keep research going for two years. The federal government will need to provide the funding for the research through grants. I will also need a moderate sized lab to perform the necessary testing of bees and hives. Funding can provide for the lab or the government can provide us with a lab in a central location. The commercial growers need to commit to helping the commercial bee keepers with observations of the bees. When transponders are attached, commercial growers need to help with locating the bees that leave the hive and do not return. The general public should become actively involved in reporting found transponder bees. Private citizens could be contracted to create habitats that are conducive to improving the numbers of honey bees. Flower gardens planted with plants that are favored by the honey bees and not treated with any pesticides can be created by both the public and the local governments. Colony Collapse Disorder is everyone’s concern not just commercial bee keepers or commercial growers. The global community should be aware of any and all evidence of potential out breaks of Colony Collapse Disorder. Information on the research being done is to be shared with other countries that are dependent on honey bees. While some experts maintain that Colony Collapse Disorder is a nuisance and not a catastrophe, it is a serious problem affecting domestic honey bees worldwide. The occurrences of Colony Collapse Disorder are quickly spreading worldwide at epidemic rates. This disorder affects honey bees and the hives. Honey bees are important for more than just food. In order to control or even stop this epidemic there needs to be research done on the causes of the disorder. There then needs to be education for the keepers, growers and general public. In the end, it is the world’s responsibility to solve this issue or hunger will affect more than third world countries. Botanical compounds used in medicines will disappear. At some point, the human race will have to face extinction. Let’s not let it happen without a fight. Barrionuevo, Alexi (February 27, 2007). Honeybees Vanish, Leaving Keepers in Peril. The New York Times, Retrieved from http://www. nytimes. com/2007/02/27/business/27bees. tml? pagewanted=1&ei=5088&en=3aaa0148837b8977&ex=1330232400&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1245258136-9BkLxjVu7rXlI15p1S/g Barrionuevo, Alexei (April 24, 2007) Bees Vanish and Scientists Race for Reasons. The New York Times, Retrieved from http://www. nytimes. com/2007/04/24/science/24bees. html Bejamin, Alison and McCullum, Brian (June 25, 2008). As mystery pl ague threaten to wipe out bees, scientists reveal: our survival depends on them. Mail Online, Retrieved June 10, 2009 from http://www. dailymail. co. uk/sciencetech/article-1028560/As-mystery-plague-threatens-wipe-bees-scientist-reveal-survival-depends-them. html Eccleston, Charles H. (2007). The case of the disappearing honeybees: An Environmental harbinger? , Wiley InterScience Ford, Matt (April 16, 2009) A cure for colony collapse. arts technical. Retrieved June 15, 2009 from http://artstechnica. com/science/news/2009/04/a-cure-for-colony-collapse. ars Latham, Marc (September 26, 2008). Global Bee Deaths Threaten Foods. Suite101. com, Retrieved June 3, 2009 from http://zoology. suite101. com/article. cfm/bee_deaths_threaten_essiential_ Foods Nielsen, John (October 18, 2006) Declining Bee Population Threatens Major Growers: NPR. Npr, Retrieved June 10, 2009 from http://npr. rg/templates/story/story. php? storyId=6299480 Roach, John (October 5, 2004). Bee Decline May Spell End of Some Fruits, Vegetables. National Geographic News, Retrieved from http://news. nationalgeographic. com/news/2004/10/1005_041005_honeybees. html The New York Times. (April 24, 2007). [Graph of states that are reporting colony Collapse disorder as of March 2007] Disap pearing Bees. Retrieved June 17, 2009 from http://news. nationalgeographic. com/news/2004/10/1005_041005_honeybees. html Watanabe, Myrna E. (May, 2007). Bee Seige. Bioscience, 57(5), 464. Doi: 10. 1641/B570516

Thesis proposal about antibiotic resistance pathogens in fomities Dissertation

Thesis proposal about antibiotic resistance pathogens in fomities - Dissertation Example Few pathogens exhibit resistance to antibiotics. Genes that confer resistance to drugs can however be transferred between microorganisms (Hawkey and Jones, 7). This transfer can occur through three different ways namely; transformation, transduction or by conjugation. This transfer makes many bacteria to develop resistance. Antibiotic resistance can, therefore, occur naturally. In this natural occurrence, the causative gene becomes shared between organisms in close proximity of one another (Birgit Strommenger, 3). In such occurrence, the bacteria cannot be exposed to treatment. Exposure to antibiotics at this stage can cause evolutionary stress which leads to the development of the resistant trait. Plasmids can be defined as DNA molecules separate from the chromosomal DNA with the ability to replicate on their own (Abad and R M Pintà ³, 65). Most antibiotic resistant genes reside within these plasmids. The ability of plasmids to replicate independently makes it extremely difficult t o kill the microorganisms residing in them. Some organisms possess several resistant genes. Multidrug resistant is the formal name given to such organisms. Informally, they can be referred as superbugs. Executive summary This is a research based proposal which seeks to explore into the area of antibiotic resistance by commonly found infectious bacteria. ... The factors which aid the pathogens in the spread have also been put into consideration within this proposal. Introduction The extensive use of antibiotics in modern day medical treatments has brought about many challenges into the field of medicine. Several microorganisms when exposed to these drugs develop resistance to the drug. This in turn translates to a difficult dilemma to medical practitioners. The only way to treat these infections is through exposing them to drugs. This exposure, however, makes them develop resistance to the same drugs (Hawkey, 4). This proposal explores the various pathogens which have developed this trait. The role of these pathogens in Hospital Acquired Infection and the transmission routes for the pathogens are also evaluated. Causes of antibiotic resistance Numerous reasons have been cited for the widespread resistance to antibiotics in modern medicine. The extensive use of antibiotic in modern medicine has been one of the major contributors to this e merging trend. Overreliance on antibiotic has been a leading factor to the development of multidrug resistance among pathogens (Hawkey and Jones, 7). The multidrug resistant pathogens have also become prevalent between many bacterial species which did not previously exhibit these characteristics. This can be attributed to the ability of certain bacteria to transfer the resistant gene to others. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics by both doctors and patients alike has been quoted as the major cause of drug resistance. Other factors have been the addition of antibiotics into animal feeds, and fraudulent practices among the manufacturers within the pharmaceutical industry. There is a need for the individuals

Organization Analysis - Wal-Mart Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Organization Analysis - Wal-Mart - Essay Example The organization has a reputable brand that is globally recognized allowing it to outshine competitors in the field. The company’s brand is distinct; furthermore, Wal-mart has established a group of loyal customers. Spotts (2005) asserts that consumers usually respond to less costly products to sustain their daily needs especially in a current time of economic hardships. Since the company makes purchases in large quantities, it obtains huge discounts that it can pass to its customers. This enables it to offer products at a reduced cost. Furthermore, the organization manufactures its own products allowing it to sell them at subsidized rates. Wal-Mart’s huge capital and customer friendly operations promote the marketing capacity. The strategic pricing is the prominent marketing strength that offers the company a competitive advantage. The organization has a policy that governs the procedures for determining prices for the products. This restricts management from hedging p rices. Furthermore, the company conducts a Rollback promotion strategy that targets customers. This system lowers the prices of the already subsidized products making the company out-price their competitors. The company understands the concept of customer value as highlighted in their customer-oriented scheme. The organization has one of the best contentment guaranteed models that enhances customer goodwill. The organization allows customers to return the purchased products that do not please them and claim a refund.

The Psychosocial Model of Shamanic Trance Assignment

The Psychosocial Model of Shamanic Trance - Assignment Example The shamanic experience fits into the culture's mundis imaginalis, the way the members of a certain culture perceive the world. The shaman's role as healer requires communal recognition and acceptance. When a shaman is in training, there are often spirit helpers and human assistants who facilitate the process of the shamanic journey. The shaman's assistant will help to increase the vividness of the visions summoned in the shamanic trance by encouraging recollection of some things and avoiding others. In a trance state, mental imagery resulting from temporal and occipital lobe activity is perceived as real. The more perceptually real and detailed a vision is, the greater its cognitive and psychological effect will be. Just as keeping a dream diary will tend to sharpen the recall and intensify a person's dreams, the shaman's training has a similar effect. One essential aspect of training is the ability to control visions. The trainee learns to start and stop visions at will. The proces ses are kindled and tuned by the trainer. A shaman who is unable to control the vision process will be perceived as a bad shaman, as lack of control indicates that the spirits are in charge. In societies where oral traditions are observed as the main method of transferring information from one generation to the next, the shaman helps the community to remember the sacral world by recalling and interpreting and re-enacting it. The shaman is active in different areas, including the role of diagnostician and healer. But the role in preserving the tradition of the culture also constitutes a vital contribution to society.  The therapeutic triangle is described by Jane Atkinson in her investigations on the Wana people in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Contrary to Western medicine, where the pathological process and the healing rituals are confined to the patient suffering the symptoms, the shamanistic healing traditions extend treatment to involve the entire community.

Cyber Bullying Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Cyber Bullying - Research Paper Example With the rapid advances in technology, however, bullying evolved into a form of harassment that can be perpetuated anytime and anywhere. Specifically, the use of the Internet and mobile technologies has enabled many bullies to harass their victims even when they are at home or sleeping. Unfortunately, authorities seemed to be caught off-guard when cases of bullying online reportedly caused several suicides across America recently. This highlighted how it has become imperative to solve this issue immediately because the degree of harm of cyberbullying is clearly pervasive and fatal today. To underscore the severity of this issue, there are already several research findings that found the prevalence of the problem. For instance, a survey conducted by I-Safe America found that 37 percent of middle school students admitted to being bullied or threatened online. (Shore 2006, p. 19) Pew Internet and American Life Project supported this with their report that one in three online teens has e xperienced online harassment. (The Colorado Trust 2008) The statistics established the numbers that should alarm responsible authorities. The issue is no longer some figment of imagination or opinion of alarmists that needed to be substantiated. The facts are already there for everyone to see. The implication of the above trend is that youngsters are no longer safe from bullies. The perpetrators only need a computer, Internet access or a cellphone in order terrorize hapless victims. This is aggravated by the fact that bullying acts can be done anonymously. Almost anyone can invade someone else's life and ruin it at a click of the mouse, enabling bullies to be more vicious and consistent with their attacks. According to Shore, this is demonstrated in two ways: first, there is the argument that bullies can strike out at others with the knowledge that they will not be caught; and, secondly, â€Å"by being removed from their targets and thus not seeing the impact of their actions, cybe rbullies can delude themselves into thinking they have not really hurt anybody† effectively taking away their ability to feel empathy or remorse for their victims. (p. 20) It is easy to understand, hence, how helpless victims find it difficult not only to escape the kind of torture due to the sheer pervasiveness of the Internet and the huge number of its users but also to bear the stress of online attacks against their persons for its sheer viciousness and intensity. In the past face-to-face bullying has been difficult to quantify because victims are hesitant to report them. The case has been complicated by technology further. The anonymity that technology provides bullies has made it extra difficult for its detection. This development is already a main contributor to the growing number of suicides as evidenced by the case of Tyler Clementi, who jumped off a bridge after his sexual encounter was streamed over the web by his dormmates for everyone to see. Unfortunately, this po sting of hurtful content is just one of the many types that could significantly cause harm to young minds. Maggio listed numerous ways by which cyberbullies can attack their victims using technology. The most serious of these include the posting of abusive content against victims such as threatening and embarrassing messages that are easily accessed by

Globalization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 24

Globalization - Essay Example Depending on the merits and merits of globalization to various states, proper measures are instituted accordingly. Various factors will continue to encourage globalization. On the first note, improved technology will continue to serve as the primal driver of globalization. Technology advents such as the internet and mobile phones have played a major role in bringing globalization to its current state. Technology will continue to spread across the world since it is the main force behind significant integrations. Improved technology translates to better communication and information sharing (Ashford & Hall, 2011). Secondly, the world is undergoing a period of increased free trade. Free trade will continue to be an important factor of globalization since it has earned the support of World Trade Organization (WTO), which encourages global trading. Thirdly, stepped-up mobility of labor from one country to another will promote globalization. Developing countries have come to realize the big role that remittances of global trade plays in their economies. Fourthly, meliorated mobility of capital in the past few decades will stretch into the future to step-up the pace of globalization. Capital barriers have been trivialized, making it possible for capital to flow to and from various economies. In effect, firms are able to acquire financing, a trend that will continue to the future. Fifthly, a drop in the cost of transportation is not expected to deteriorate in the future. The advent of containerization means that the distribution of products, across the world, is cheaper. Consumers in all parts of the world will continue to access products, thanks to the reduced cost of transport (Zedillo, 2014). In unison, these factors will correct the pace of globalization that has been affected by the financial crisis in the world. All the same, there are factors that will hinder the prosperity of globalization. First, the increasing concern of environmental

Saving the world Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Saving the world - Essay Example Notably, a vast majority of the tiger population is indigenous to the southeast and far-east Asia (Chundawat et al. 1). Due to continued conflict between tigers and humans, at least three subspecies of tigers are presently extinct while the remaining subspecies are under threat of extinction. In fact, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the remaining six subspecies of tigers as endangered with at least two subspecies being termed as critically endangered and on the brink of extinction (Chundawat et al. 1). Saving tigers is of critical importance since tigers are magnificent creatures, which are renowned for their ferociousness and prowess, and act as a major attraction to the wild scene. Consequently, tigers enhance revenue levels of the tourism industry (Dinerstein 510). The beauty and power inherent in the tiger species is beyond doubt. Tigers play an integral role in maintaining equilibrium in the ecosystem. Tigers are a significant link in the food chain, thus play a crucial environmental role. The tiger is an emblem of wilderness and typifies the well-being of the ecosystem. Therefore, saving tigers is tantamount to conserving the entire wilderness ecosystem. Tigers play a vital role in maintaining the health of the wilderness ecosystem since they represent top carnivores at the peak of the food chain. Consequently, the removal of such a top carnivore from the ecosystem can negatively impact the equilibrium of the ecosystem, for instance, by causing a marked abundance of herbivores within the food chain (Karanth et al. 173). Tigers, alongside other notable carnivores such as lions and leopards act as a pivotal control mechanism for herbivores in the wild. The habitats formerly set aside for tigers have reduced quite dramatically as a result of continued human intervention (Sanderson et al. 2). As a consequence, the global tiger population has diminished dramatically over the course of one century. In most countries, tig ers have been hunted for their body parts and skin, which are sold on the international black market. The international trade of tiger parts is presently a multi-billion dollar industry, which extends across all continents. At least one century ago, there were approximately 100,000 wild tigers; however, today, there are only about 3200 wild tigers (IUCN 1). Today, there are more tigers in captivity, for instance, in Texas, than there are wild tigers in their indigenous land (Asia). If the present trend ensues, the tiger population will dwindle and tigers will soon join animals such as mammoths on the extinct species list (Karanth and Sunquist 260). Current conservation efforts targeted at saving tigers are proving to be relatively ineffective since wrong practices such as poaching of tigers continues in the wild. In addition, if efforts to save the species fail, future generations will be unable to appreciate the majesty of these creatures as the only evidence of tigers will be foun d in museums. Furthermore, if tigers become extinct, they will subtract a significant part of the food chan, ultimately creating a lack of balance in the wild. Saving the existing tiger population is quite feasible, especially considering the urgency with which conservers are seeking and employing innovative ways of saving the species

Summary of Benjamin R. Bates. Audiences, Metaphors, and the Persian Essay

Summary of Benjamin R. Bates. Audiences, Metaphors, and the Persian Gulf War - Essay Example The American public was crucial to the Persian Gulf War. A number of communication scholars viewed Bush's actions as critical to acquiring and retaining this domestic public endorsement. However, some appeals that might work wonders with a domestic audience are not likely to be convincing to an international audience. For instance, appeals to American nationalism, American civil religion, or American exceptionalism may work well for an American audience, but are not likely to influence Omani, or Senegalese audiences. Other appeals, though, may persuade both domestic and international constituencies. Appeals that cross audiences are especially important in war rhetoric. Instead of being the persuasion of the whole cosmopolis, international persuasion can be considered the persuasion of opinion leaders that hold power in other states. In constructing persuasive appeals to international opinion leaders, Bush cannot simply speak however one wishes. According to Bates research Bush did four things successfully to persuade international opinion leaders. First, Bush identified appropriate international opinion leaders for persuasion. The Persian Gulf War was framed as a military issue. Therefore, Bush sought to convince the heads of other states to join the American military coalition. Bush also created the manifestation of consultation and dialogue through telephone diplomacy and personal consultations. Con

Cause and Effect Essay Example for Free

Cause and Effect Essay Many people in the world struggle to achieve their goals in life. And the word â€Å"struggle† differs for each individual. Some have to sacrifice their personal property whereas some have to live away from their family and home. It is tough to adjust a new lifestyle in a completely different place and that too all alone. One has to be very strong and have to start taking care of everything on his own. And the effects of living in a foreign country would prove to be on a positive note. It makes an individual independent. Living away from your country can be a really interesting and unforgettable experience, but at the same time it has very important effects on ones life. There are people who like to have privacy and like to be in their own world, but there are also people who dislike living alone and they always want someone with them. So these kind of people may find it very difficult to adjust and enjoy their own company. The major effect, and also a very common one, is that once you start a regular life away from home, you miss everything. This fact doesnt mean that you are unhappy but that you are aware of being on your own. Missing your family and the attention they all paid to you is a very usual thing to do. Little details like sitting on a Sunday morning watching TV alone instead of helping your dad organizing his things or having a nice chat with your mom makes you realize how valuable your family really is. It is also completely acceptable to miss all the facilities you used to have back at home, like your house, your car, your bed, and your bathroom. Its obvious then that you have started to appreciate everything you had back where you belong. The second main effect would be learning how to accept another type of society and culture into your daily life. Since you are living in a place with different customs and traditions from yours, you have to be able to develop yourself in unknown conditions. This means making new friends, learning other points of view, accepting different opinions and values, and seizing every opportunity you have to go to new places. Therefore, youll be able to achieve true knowledge. Suggesting to change your mind totally or to be square minded would be foolish; the best thing to do would be to stick to your most important values and, according to them, change those that you believe could be improved. The most significant effect of living away from home is the independent behavior that grows inside of you. Living on your own far from your family gives you a lot of experiences toward organizing your life. Since it is up to you and no one else to go to school, clean your room, wash your clothes, and organize your expenses, it is predictable that you will have a good and strong meaning of responsibility. Being independent and responsible will help you get through life every goal you want to achieve. Living far from home, even for a short period of time, can be really hard at the beginning. We have to remember that all changes are difficult, but they are necessary to go through them to build character. Most important of all, it helps us appreciate everything we have. Not realizing how lucky we are can be a really bad mistake because things dont last forever and we have to make the best out of them. References Words of Wisdom, LLC, English Composition, Editorial Board, 2011, Edition 1.

The Effect of a Global Oil Shortage on the US Economy Essay Example for Free

The Effect of a Global Oil Shortage on the US Economy Essay Oil is a very important 21st century product. It is a vital source of energy, an irreplaceable transport fuel, and an essential raw material in many manufacturing processes. Crude oil is a source of great economic power. Since its production cost in many places is far below its selling price in world markets, the ownership and control of oil reserves have been a means by which great wealth has been earned and lost (Deffeyes, 2001). Oil has become the world’s most important internationally traded item in both volume and value terms and changes in this trade have had enormous financial, political and socio-cultural repercussions on the parties involved. Wars, revolutions and mass migrations are perhaps only the most visible manifestation of oil shortages. The purpose of this study is to explore what implications a global oil shortage would have for the US economy. Toward this end we will scrutinize the economic valuables being influenced by oil supply, analyze the ability of the US to meet domestic demand as well as extent of oil–dependence of the country, and make the conclusion. There are three major players in the global oil marketplace – the consuming countries, the producer countries and the international oil industry which mediates between them (Cleaver, 2002). The three biggest consumers in 2000 were: the United States (18. 7 million barrels per day), the European Union (13. 3 million barrels per day) and Japan (5. 5 million barrels per day). As a group the OECD countries exert most pressure on world markets, since they have the highest incomes yet produce insufficient oil to satisfy their own needs. OECD countries consume 62. 4 per cent of the world’s oil, yet produce only 28. 1 per cent (Cleaver, 2002, p. 169). Could the US Produce Oil Supply Sufficient to Satisfy Own Needs? The US has always been a significant producer but its mature oilfields have been in slow, steady decline since the mid-1980s. But perhaps of greater importance is that the country holds some 2. 8 per cent of the world’s reserves volume and, in addition, its oil is not cheap to produce. For instance, in 1985 Saudi oil was estimated to cost less than US$1 a barrel to extract, compared with $7-$8 for Alaska and the North Sea (Cleaver, 2002, p. 181). Thus, the US cannot drill its way to petroleum self-sufficiency in the long run, or to lower gas prices in the short run. Even if Congress opened the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling tomorrow, the oil would not begin to flow very soon. The US Geological Service estimates 3. 2 billion barrels of economically recoverable oil lie beneath the refuge – enough to meet the nations current demand just for six months. At peak production, the refuge would meet about 2 percent of the nations projected petroleum demand (Stanke, 2002, p. 912). Tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, or bringing a new arctic field on line, would not change the US fundamental energy outlook: continuing growth in demand, declining domestic production and increasing dependence on imported oil (Chapman Khanna, 2000). What Implications the Global Oil Shortage Would Have on the US Economy The implications of oil shortages spread throughout the industrialized world, causing classic microeconomic reallocation of resources. Oil supply and prices affect decisions to invest billions of dollars in different industrial projects: whether to build major highways or rail networks trains or electric cars; offshore drilling platforms or nuclear power stations. Oil shortages also affect macroeconomic variables such as the levels of national incomes, aggregate spending and the balance of payments. The enormous sums involved affect countries’ rates of economic growth, levels of international debt and the overall functioning of the world’s financial system (Hunt, Isard Laxton, 2002). As Deffeyes (2001) ascertains, the coming oil shortage cannot be avoided. He suggests that U. S. political leaders, the news media, and the public are either unaware of or uninterested in the problem, although detailed reports forecasting the peak in world oil production have appeared in many scientific journals. The US oil industry itself maintains its focus on such issues as improving technology, drilling deeper for oil, finding new reserves, and accelerating production. None of these measures can have a significant impact on the coming oil shortage, argues Deffeyes (2001). He forecasts that a permanent drop in oil production will begin within current decade. Deffeyes (2001) argues that the list of fundamental activities is short: agriculture, ranching, forestry, fisheries, mining, and petroleum (p. 159), thus, a permanent drop in oil production will pull one of the blocks out from underneath the pyramid. If Deffeyes is right, the implications are enormous. He anticipates that sharply higher oil prices will bring difficult economic, social, and political passages for those societies most dependent on oil, especially on imported oil (Deffeyes, 2001), as the US is. Exporters will charge top dollar: a gigantic windfall for the Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other big oil producers. He implies that the tumult will be greater than that occasioned by the oil price hikes of 1973 and 1979 (Kohl, 2005). Three things could upset Deffeyes prediction: the discovery of huge new oil deposits, development of drilling technology that could squeeze more oil from known reserves, and a steep rise in oil prices, which would make it profitable to recover even the most stubbornly buried oil (Cleaver, 2002). Previous oil shocks have all followed periods of strong economic demand, accelerating inflation from higher levels than prevail currently, a weak dollar at least in terms of the major foreign currencies, actual or threatened cuts or disruptions in oil production, and hostilities in the Middle East. Yet each episode also exhibited some unique features that aggravated the oil price increases (Little, 2001). For instance, an examination of the US postwar quarterly GNP data shows a slowdown in GNP growth after the oil crisis in 1973. Scholars consider the slowdown in growth after the 1973 oil crisis as an event external to the domestic economy (Zivot Andrews, 2002, p. 25). But, it seems reasonable to regard the formation of the OPEC as an exogenous event, there were other big events such as the 1964 tax cut, the Vietnam War, and the financial deregulation in the 1980s that could also be viewed as possible exogenous structural breakpoints (Zivot Andrews, 2002). Nevertheless, the financial world has reorganized since 1980. Effects of oil shortages and subsequent price rises, during the late 1970s, took months to years to spread from industry to industry; from price increases to wage demands. In the new economy, the shock of an oil price rise will spread in milliseconds (Deffeyes, 2001). Moreover, recent rising gas prices are a signal that the consequences of relying on imported oil will become harder to bear (Tonn, 2004). Petroleum is priced in dollars, and the value of the dollar has declined steeply against major currencies If oil were priced in euros or yen, the price per barrel would appear more stable. The American appetite for imported oil may end the dollars privileged status as the leading currency of trade (Kohl, 2005). The great oil dependence of the US economy could be shortened by means of more extensive use of nuclear energy, but unfortunately the US failed to take full advantage of this kind energy for political reasons. While nuclear-power plants are large capital investments, once those costs are sunk the marginal cost of nuclear fuel is very low-currently corresponding to about $4 per barrel of oil (Miniter, 1991, p. 37). Volatility of oil prices during the oil shortage will be aggravated by the unusually large imbalances between the US supply and demand associated partly with the recent unexpectedly rapid global growth. Over the medium term, moreover, the long lag times between decisions to drill new wells or build new refineries and increased supplies of petroleum products can amplify these instabilities (Cleaver, 2002). For instance, recent estimates by the OECD suggest that even a $10 increase in the price of oil maintained for a year is likely to add 0. to 1 percentage point to overall consumer price inflation and to cut 0. 2 to 0. 5 percentage point from output growth in the major industrial countries within two years after the oil shock (Little, 2001, p. 6). Economists have proposed a variety of mechanisms linking oil price increases with economic downturns. These include terms-of-trade shocks, negative productivity shocks, shifts in relative prices that may induce a costly reallocation of resources across sectors, and the monetary policy response to the increased price pressures. In the case of a terms-of-trade shock, an oil price increase acts like an excise tax – with a major part of the income gains going to foreign oil producers (Cleaver, 2002). The global oil shortage also would have an impact on the wages in all the US industries. Economists propose an efficiency-wage model in which an increase in the real price of oil resulting from oil shortage, as an important input price, leads to a decline in real wages as firms seek to avoid losses. They find that real oil prices and real interest rates explain the overall path of U. S. nemployment from 1979 to 1995 reasonably well (Hunt, Isard Laxton, 2002). Rotemberg and Woodford in 1996 presented related evidence that introducing a modest degree of imperfect competition in product markets considerably magnifies the impact of oil price changes on real wages and output beyond what might have been expected given oils relatively small role in the US economy (as cited in Little, 2001, p. 9). This would have an enormous negative impact especially on the small and medium–sized enterprises which contribute largely to the US GNP and are major contributors of new jobs using more labour-intensive production. They will have to shut manufacturing units and discharge workers because of the surging costs of electricity. But some factors testify that the picture is not despairing. Thus, increased energy efficiency, robust economic conditions, enhanced central bank credibility, and stable inflation expectations in the US suggest that the impact of possible global oil shortage in the nearest future will be more muted and manageable than in previous oil shocks (Tonn, 2004). Conclusion The discussed above demonstrates that the implications of the global oil shortage for the US would be very negative in many sectors of its economy due to substantial dependence of the country on the oil import, impossibility to satisfy domestic demand by own oil resources, recent weakening of the US dollar and poor progress in developing alternative sources of energy. The United States can restrain oil demand as a matter of public policy, or wait for rising prices to force consumers to cut back. Now the country has chosen the latter course by default. The efforts of the US public to swing energy policy in the direction of renewable kinds of energy are blocked by the Bush Administration and its fossils fuel industry supporters. Thus, the USA remains vulnerable to oil supply and price shocks. One implication is that current US policy, in promoting still heavier investment in fossil fuels, is misguided. If we dont shift away from oil, we may as well gift-wrap the entire budget surplus and send it to the oil producing countries – Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other. As Deffeyes (2001) reasonably ascertains, rather than have the crisis sneak up on us, we can see it coming and initiate some of the long lead-time projects in advance. Forewarned is forearmed (p. 187).