Class Test on Micro Economics Essay

i) All questions in this section are compulsory ii) Marks for questions are indicated against each iii) Answers for very short answer questions carrying 1 mark must be answered in ONE sentence each iv) Answers for short answer questions carrying 3 marks each should not normally exceed 60 words v) Answers for short answer questions carrying 4 marks each should normally not exceed 70 words vi) Answers for long answer questions carrying 6 marks each should not normally exceed 100 words each. vii) Answers should be brief and to the point – The above word limits should be adhered to as far as possible. 1. Name the characteristic which make monopolistic competition different from perfect competition[1] 2. Why is demand for water inelastic?[1] 3. State one feature of oligopoly[1] 4. In which market form is the demand perfectly inelastic?[1] 5. Distinguish between increase in demand and increase in quantity demanded[3] 6. Goods X and Y are substitutes. Explain the effect of a fall in price of Y on the demand for X.[3] 7. At a price of Rs. 5 per unit of a commodity A, total revenue is Rs 800. When its price rises by 20%, total revenue increases by Rs. 400. Calculate its rice elasticity of demand[3] 8. Explain the implication of freedom to entry and exit of firms under perfect competition[3] 9. Given below is the cost schedule of a firm. Its average fixed cost is Rs 20 When it is producing 3 units. |Output |1 |2 |3 | |Average Variable cost (Rs.) |30 |28 |32 | Calculate its marginal cost and average total cost at each given level of output.[3] 10 Explain the features of â€Å"What to produce† OR Explain any two main features of centrally planned economy.[4] 12. When the price of a commodity falls by Rs. 2 per unit, its quantity demanded increases by 10 units. Its price elasticity is (-)1. Calculate its quantity demanded on its equilibrium price.[4] 13. Explain the effect of increase in income of buyers of a normal commodity on its equilibrium price.[4] 14. State whether the following statements are true or false: Give reasons for your answer (a) When total revenue is constant, average revenue will be constant. (b) Average variable cost can fall even when marginal product is rising (c) When marginal product falls, average product will also fall.[6] 15. Explain the law of variable proportions with the help of total and marginal product curves. [6] 16 Explain producers equilibrium with the help of a marginal cost and marginal revenue schedule [6]

A Quality Leader Essay

Dr. Karoru Ishikawa is one of the world’s idolized leaders in quality control. His famous quote† Through total quality control with the participation of all employees, including the president, any company can create better products (or service) at a lower cost, increase sales, improve profit and make the company into a better organization† ( Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa) . Ishikawa joined the Union of Japanese Scientist and Engineers, a quality research group back in 1949. The Japanese was concerned about their industry sector since it was known that American manufacturing was producing cheap toys and defective cameras. This group took on the responsibility of Japan’s quality-improvement; that was when Ishikawa took the initiative to build on Feigenbaum’s concept of total quality and promoted greater involvement by all employees, from the top management to the front-line staff, by reducing reliance on quality professionals and quality departments. He advocated collecting and analyzing factual data using simple visual tools, statistical techniques, and teamwork as the foundations for implementing total quality. Like others, Ishikawa believed that quality begins with the customer and therefore, understanding customers’ needs is the basis for improvement, and that complaints should be actively sought. (Evans, 2010 pg 110) Background Kaoru Ishikawa was born in 1915 in Tokyo. He graduated from Tokyo University in 1939 with a degree in Applied Chemistry. In his brief tour in the military as a Naval Technical Officer In charge of 600 workers to construct a factory he quoted â€Å"This experience he says was invaluable to Quality Control activities later on. †, (Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa) He worked for Nissan Liquid Fuel Company from 1941-1947 before he was appointed associate Professor of the University of Tokyo. In 1949 He joined the Union of Japanese Scientist and Engineers because he wanted to change the way people thought about work and help management improve the quality of their product. In 1970 Dr. Ishikawa started conducting quality control training seminars. Around 1978 Dr. Ishikawa became the President of Musashi Institute of Technology. Upon Ishikawa’s 1989 death, Dr. Juran delivered this message: â€Å"There is so much to be learned by studying how Dr. Ishikawa managed to accomplish so much during a single lifetime. In my observation, he did so by applying his natural gifts in an exemplary way. He was dedicated to serving society rather than serving himself. His manner was modest, and this elicited the cooperation of others. † (Dr. Joseph M. Juran) Primary work and significant accomplishments Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa accomplishments have include helping thousands of companies, like IBM, Bridgestone, and Komatsu, to turn out higher quality products at considerable lower costs. His book,†What is Total Quality Control? The Japanese Way†, Prentice Hall, Inc. was a best seller in business books. He has been awarded the Deming Prize and the Nihon Keizai Press Prize, the Industrial Standardization Prize for his writings on Quality Control, and the Grant Award in 1971 from the American Society for Quality Control for his education programmer on Quality Control. Process Improvement Japan, 2012). His creation of the fishbone diagram, the user can see all possible root causes of process imperfections. There are many other accomplishments that Dr. Ishikawa has made, which you can find in books and online. These were deserving awards due to his unselfish work ethics and have truly made him a quality genius. Conclusion Through total quality control a company of any type can stay in business, make products at lower cost, and endure great productivity from its workers. Dr Ishikawa wanted to change the way workers and management do business. Quality should start with the customer and it can be done using his writings, fishbone diagram, and other tools like control charts, run charts, histogram, scatter diagram, Pareto charts, and flowcharts. His knowledge was needed in a time when people wanted a product that will last and was supported by the company who makes it. His many accomplishments and strong work ethics influenced many companies to change and many of those companies are still in business today. Dr. Ishikawa is truly a leader in quality control.

Multimedia website report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Multimedia website report - Essay Example ..................................................................................................3 2. Analysis and Requirements Phase.........................................................................................3 2.1. Types of requirements....................................................................................................3 2.2. User requirements...........................................................................................................3 2.3. Client requirements.........................................................................................................4 2.4. Technical requirements................................................................................................. 4 2.5. Survey and critique of similar websites..........................................................................5 2.6. Analysis of requirements.................................................................................................5 3. Desig n Phase..........................................................................................................................5 3.1. Web designs....................................................................................................................6 3.2. Web layouts.....................................................................................................................6 3.3. ... .............................8 3.6. Structural chart.................................................................................................................8 3.7. Categories of information................................................................................................8 3.8. Paper prototypes...............................................................................................................9 3.9. Formative evaluation of designs......................................................................................9 4. Implementation Phase.............................................................................................................9 4.1. Functions and features of the website and the justification.............................................9 4.2. Usability and accessibility...............................................................................................10 5. Evaluation Phase................................................... .................................................................11 5.1. User evaluation................................................................................................................11 5.2. Client evaluation..............................................................................................................11 5.3. Technical evaluation........................................................................................................11 5.4. Human Computer Interaction (HCI) evaluation..............................................................12 6. Conclusion..............................................................................................................................12 7.

Gobal Financial Investment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Gobal Financial Investment - Essay Example This paper illustrates that the first option available to the UAL, Inc. is to borrow the required investment amount of $500 million in the local currency that is US Dollars. At the initiating stage of the loan agreement, the company has to pay an underwriting fee of 0.5% of the total principal amount and therefore, it is added to the cost of borrowing. This option does not involve in exchange rate risk, however, there is surely an element of the change in the inflation rate which could affect the time value of the currency over a period of 10 lean years. However, this element has been ignored for this report. The company can borrow $500 million at a rate of 11% with two semiannual interest payments due in June and December every year. This implies that the rate which is quoted annually needs to be adjusted for semiannual payments and the number of payment periods will also be adjusted for the same reason. The interest rate adjusted will be 11% divided by 2 which is equal to 5.5% of t he total principal amount to be paid semiannually. The total number of payment periods will, therefore, be 20 as the loan period is for 10 years. Moreover, there are no principal repayments during the 10 years tenure and the whole amount of $500 million is to be settled at the end of the loan term. By placing the available information in the following table and calculating the future value it can be ascertained that the future value of borrowing under this option is $1,458,878,745. This value will be compared with the future value obtained under the second option. The second option available to the company is to borrow $500 million denominated in Japanese Yen from the leading Japanese Bank. The current exchange rate between US Dollars and Japanese Yen is at 250 which will result in borrowing of JPY 125 billion at an annual interest rate of 5%. Since the interest payments are semiannual therefore this rate has to be adjusted along with the number of payment periods as in the previous option.

Space Exploration Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Space Exploration - Research Paper Example The pen worked and also enjoyed some modest success at a novelty item back here on earth. The Soviet Union, faced with the same problem, used a pencil. ABSTRACT NASA and its voluminous funding by the US government have been burning questions from day one. While the proponents of NASA funding have a firm belief that even a penny invested in its prolific research programs will reap insurmountable benefits for the world and humanity in general, the people who condemn NASA and its so-called good for nothing activities have a strong contention that that the profusion of funds that NASA uses are neither worth it nor serviceable for mankind. In this research paper we try to analyse both sides of the argument and try to reach a conclusion as to why the US government should work to dilate the funding of NASA programs, and what should be the role of NASA administration in this regard. NASA AND ITS PROJECT HISTORY In the period starting from 1958 till 2008, the total spending on NASA has been $471.23 billion dollars, which makes an average of $9.06 billion per year. NASA's budget for FY 2008 sums up to $17.318 billion, which is almost 0.6% of the $2.9 trillion United States federal budget for the year, and almost about 35% total academic scientific research spending in the United States. These figures might look huge but the point of consideration is that they have enabled NASA to provide humanity with some emphatic developments and research successes. The most prominent discoveries and developments of NASA are the Pioneer 10, Voyager 1 and 2, Hubble Telescope, Space Shuttle Program, Apollo 13, Mars Pathfinder, and Moon Landing. These benchmarks have proved that the funding provided to the agency was fully utilized for productive purposes. These days there is a contention about whether NASA would be able to carry out on its latest Constellation Program that aims at retiring the space shuttle this year, replacing it Orion (capsule- based vehicles), and luner landers and Space Launch System, etc. But all these prospects rest on the simple debate that whether the amount being spent in this area is really worth it, especially when American debt is making life tougher for the Finance Ministry day in and day out. THE DARK SIDE OF NASA OPERATIONS: It is a known fact that most of NASA’s projects face huge research flaws and take a lot of effort and financial input to rectify those flaws. For example, the Space Launch system that is currently being worked on has billion dollars and still, there are massive security and sustainability issues popping up that place doubts in the minds of the government as to whether the mission would remain viable or not. Another major loss incurred by NASA was the loss of the Mars Climate Orbiter in 1999 in which $327.6 million was invested for the orbiter and Lander and $193.1 million was invested for spacecraft development. Also, $91.7 mi llion and $42.8 million were incurred in launching the mission and operating the activities respectively. This shows that the NASA operations and research efforts, no matter how object oriented they are, always carry huge risks that could not be averted at any cost. This, however, can only be considered an overgeneralization because the success rate of some of NASA’s operations is very high. For example, NASA’s launch service program enjoys 98% success rate that is unparalleled. Similarly, the ULA, United Launch Alliance, has made 50 Delta II launches with 100% success rate completing a wide array of exceptionally imperative science missions. Also with the long list of accomplishments like those mentioned above,

Technology and Cultural Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Technology and Cultural Change - Essay Example Technology has intervened deeply in the prevailing societies and it is due to this intense intervention that life cannot be imagined without its usage. Alongside the numerous revolutionary inventions and advantages of the current technological era, there exists a severe downside to the continuing source of improvement in the society. Technology has started instigating cultural changes in the societies. As a result of these changes, the historical norms, traditions and values are being influenced and taking new forms. The relation between technological changes and cultural changes shall be discussed in this paper in the light of contribution from different researchers in the recent history. 2. Relation between Technological and Cultural Changes Machines and technical equipments were originally invented to provide aid to humans in their work processes to make them faster and easier. With the passage of time, the uses of the equipments and machines started increasing and people began de pending on technology more than themselves. Ross (1991) defines the technological culture as the â€Å"new age† that has formed a subculture of its own. This subculture has modified the face of the heritage that was once the source of pride for millions of people. Ross (1991) also highlighted that the people belonging to the â€Å"new age† have embraced science and technology as their religion since they want logic and reasoning in every aspect of life, rather than compassion and humility. Neil Postman is a renowned author who has raised his concerns in multiple publications regarding the cultural changes that are being witnessed in the prevailing times due to the integration of technology in the lives of individuals. Postman (1993) stated that tools were made to be used by humans but the prevailing times support the contrary; machines have taken over human intellect and thinking capability to such a great extent that it seems like machines are using humans. Cultural c hanges in the societies have been witnessed in different walks of life. Few fields have been discussed below that have been influenced by the technological changes: 2.1 Education Education plays an important role in the life of humans. The concept of education that initiated from the cherished sessions of academic discussions between students and teachers has become a prey of the technological advancement in the current times. The advent of virtual learning management systems and e-learning platforms has totally modified the traditional mode of teaching that had been benefitting individuals for thousands of years. These platforms have been accepted around the world and are continuing to integrate in the field of education at high schools and college levels. E-learning management systems promote the acquisition of education through web platforms. Although the respective concept increases accessibility of course material but encourages them to attend lectures and class sessions on the websites. Sher (2009) pointed out that the most adverse effect of virtual learning is the degree of isolation that the student experiences in the process. Postman (1993) stated that isolated learning processes have destroyed the conventional gains that can only be attained during productive class sessions and personal guidance from the instructors. Personal interactions

The feasibility of climate change negotiation Coursework

The feasibility of climate change negotiation - Coursework Example There is an increasing unanimity among the scientific and the global community at large that the earth’s climate is changing. Human activities have been the number suspects contributing to climate change. Climate change cognizance has been followed by increasing awareness and concern among the public. The earth’s climatic conditions are at an advanced stage of making the world inhabitable. Unless organizations employ the correct mitigation efforts, irreparable changes may be inflicted on natural habitats that are used to feed humans, plants and animals. Climate change problems are shared, and they require a shared, unified and cooperative response. The world community needs to establish climate change mitigation that encompasses radical restructuring of the way the world’s economies function. The developed world is the main contributor of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the consumption and unattainable means of production. The efforts put in place to mitigate climate change by the developed nations are not enough. Nations need to congregate and develop an action plan that can ensure effective climate change preventive measures work. Various climate change negotiations that have been by the United Nations have taken place. The Copenhagen Conference of the Parties (COP15) in 2009 deliberated on climate change as one of its main agendas (Batalha & Reynolds, 2012). The parties demonstrated widespread expectations of commitment for action.

Explain the basic principles of MR image production Essay

Explain the basic principles of MR image production - Essay Example The frequencies absorbed in magnetic resonance are in the megahertz (million cycles per second) and gigahertz (billion cycles per second) ranges. The absorption frequencies for any particular substance are directly proportional to the strength of the magnetic field. This characteristic is unique to magnetic resonance. There are two distinct subcategories of magnetic resonance. One of these, for which the absorbing particles are electrons, is known by either of two interchangeable names: electron spin resonance (ESR) or electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The other category, in which the absorbing particles are atomic nuclei, is called nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).2 The resonances are actually the absorptions of particular frequencies and are found in EPR and NMR arises from some of the most fundamental properties of matter. A general theory of EPR and NMR must be derived from quantum mechanics, but a classical analogy provides some insight. In the familiar model, every atom has a massive nucleus containing N positively charged protons and a number of uncharged neutrons. Outside the nucleus are N negatively charged electrons in various "orbits" or "distributions." The number N, called atomic number, identifies the atom in the periodic table. 3 Every electron and proton possesses, in addition to charge and mass, an indestructible amount of angular momentum or "spin," the property that keeps a gyroscope spinning after the driving force is removed. Because moving charge always has magnetic effects, the combination of charge and spin makes every electron and proton a spinning permanent magnet, the strength or "magnetic moment" being several hundred times greater for electrons. A spinning electron can be compared to the spinning wheel of a toy gyroscope. When the gyroscope's spin axis is off vertical, and the bottom end of the axis rests loosely on a support, the unexpected happens. Instead of falling farther from the vertical under the force of the wheel's weight, the spin axis rotates steadily around the vertical at a fixed angle from it, a motion known as "precession." In EPR the electron is spinning and a microscopic magnet. The externally applied magnetic field supplies the extra force, and the electron's spin axis precesses. Resonant absorption occurs when the source frequency is synchronous with the precession frequency. A similar explanation applies to NMR. 4 Magnetic Resonance Image Production Figure 1 illustrates the a simplified block diagram of generic MR imaging mechanism demonstrating the elements essential for the recognition and creation of MR signals and the demonstration of MR images. These components are as follows: 1) The RF mechanism (a) for the production of the magnitude of the RF magnetic field with the help of a coil for transmitting mode, amplifier and a transmitter, b) for the detection of the free induction decay (FID), which is the result of the net magnetization to an RF pulse this is done by the help of a signal demodulator, a coil for

British Political Structure Essay Example for Free

British Political Structure Essay The british political system is made up of houses of parliament and regional assemblies in Scotland, wales and northern Ireland. where members of parliament (MP’s) discuss four main issues legislation, representation, investigation and financing. The houses of commons The houses of commons is part of the process of british politics. The house of commons currently holds 647 mp’s in parliament which act as a political forum for Britain. Where MP’s can scrutinise, examine and react to the government polices and actions. After having a debate on a certain issue the commons will vote on how to deal with the issue. MP’s are voted in from 647 consituencys in the general election which takes place every five years. the biggest party majority of mps currently labour will form a government. MP’s are seen as having constituency intrests and responsibilities. Which means they ask questions and raise matter in debate concerning the problems of their consistency. The issues from MP’s constituencys are often raised in local meetings and letters from their consituants. Although the political impact of this nationally will be limited locally it be significant in addressing problems. The commons also deals with public petitions, which are debated over if urgent. Petitions are increasingly popular way of getting an issue public attention and is the only way voter can address issues to parliament. The house of lords T The house of lords currently consists of two parts, the Lords Temporal and Lords Spiritual. Lords Temporal include life peers and hereditary peers. However due to on going reforms of the role of herditary peers in the house of lords. The Lords Spiritual represent the established Church of England and consists of 26 members, the Archbishops of York and Canterbury and the 24 most senior Bishops of the church. It currently acts to review legislation formed by the House of Commons, with the power to propose amendments, and exercises a suspensive veto. This allows it to delay legislation if it does not approve for twelve months. The House of Lords is currently also the final court of appeal on civil cases within the United Kingdom although cases can then go on to the European high court for appeal. National assemblies Though the UK parliament remains the main parliament, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have assemblies. All three assembies are elected by proportional representation instead of the traditional system first past the post. The devolved governments have some legislative powers to deal with issues in their country however issues involving the whole united kingdom are still controled by the houses of parliament. they can also have their powers changed by an Act of the UK Parliament. How laws are passed The government is responsible for the majority of new laws. Individual MPs and opposition parties can suggest laws but do not have the time or the support to put laws through parliament. parties usually announce new laws and amedments in there manifestoes for the general elections. The government firstly publishes a Green Paper, A Green Paper is a period of consultation where the government seeks feedback and ideas from specialists, senior members of government and the general public. After the consultation is over, the government will then publish a White Paper. The white paper is how the government states its intention to introduce the new legislation. When the government has decided on the white paper and if it should become legislation they will introduce a parliamently bill . As the bill progresses through parliament, amendments are made which affect what the final law will be. After being debated in the commons the bill is then passed on to the house of lords. the house of lords considers the law in detail and will either pass the bill on for royal assent or denial the bill and send it back to the house of commons to be debated further. The current voting system in local and general elections is called the first past the post system. There are 659 separate areas across the UK each electing one MP. In order to vote you must be eighteen although there is on going debate to bring it down to sixteen so that their be a bigger percentage of voters. Uk citizens who are currently in prison have there right to vote suspended. The general election takes place every five years and can be called at anytime by the current government within the five years. www. Voting takes place in voting stations in each constituency, to vote you must place an ‘x’ next to candidate you like to elect and place it in the ballot box. this process is also a secret ballot to make the voting system more democratic because it doesn’t give any party candidate an advantage and stops any votes being influenced. The candidate with the most votes regardless if the candidate has more than 50% of the vote will become the MP of that constituency. the party with the most MP’s is then elected into government. For example here are three main national parties. Candidate A (labour): 22,000 votes Candidate B (Conservative): 17,00 votes Candidate C (Lib Dems): 13,000 votes In this example, the clear winner is Candidate A with a majority over candidate B of 5000. In the example above, 22 000 voted for the candidate that won that election howver 30 000 voted against the winner therefore the party doesnot have to support of the majority. (www.gaurdian.co.uk) Positives of the first past the post The first past the post is a cheap and simple way to hold an election, as each voter has to place one cross on the ballot paper. Counting of the ballot papers is usually fast and result of a british election is usually known the very next day after polling. The first past the post system creates clear majorities for one party this prevents coalitions for forming which could give extremist minority partys influence on how the countrys run. (www.bbc.co.uk) Negatives of the first past the post there is only one MP elected per area so the people who did not vote for that candidate there views do not get represented. The voting system can put the public off voting because if they vote for smaller parties its seen as a wasted vote and will not make a difference, however if we adopted propostional representation smaller parties will have more of a chance of gaining more seats. The first past the post system works very well if there are only two parties running for an election. but if there is more than two parties running for an election the system becomes unfair on the smaller parties, due to the fact the system works on most votes gained. If we adopted a proportional representation system this would create a fairer voting system for all political parties. (www.bbc.co.uk) Political theorists Charles kenedy commented on the current voting system in may 2005 stating, â€Å"The door is open as far as we are concerned on voting reform.† The Prime Minister could pick up the phone tomorrow if he wishes. Clearly we would be interested in creating a fair voting system. â€Å"The strains on the first-past-the-post system are getting too much, Labour got 130 more seats than their votes entitled them to. The Liberal and other parties received half as many seats as they should have got. One and a half million votes were cast for parties who didnt win a seat, including the Greens and UKIP. (www.independant.co.uk) Nick Herbert, the Conservative constitutional affairs spokesman recently commented on the voting system in august 2007, â€Å"This leaked copy of the review blows out of the water the case for changing Britain’s tried and tested electoral system. The Government’s own report admits that proportional representation has caused voter confusion and not increased turnout. And it says that Alternative Vote would produce even more disproportionate results than any other system. I fear the real reason for the delay in publishing this review is Labour trying to fiddle the dossier. This Government has repeatedly meddled with the electoral system for partisan advantage, undermining public confidence in the integrity of the ballot.†

Women in the Civil War Essay Example for Free

Women in the Civil War Essay In American society during the 19th Century, men and women occupied different realms. Women dealt with private affairs, while men were in charge of public matters. When the Civil War broke out, the rigid distinction between the sexes became flexible. Women changed because the war allowed them to expand their roles to become active in the realm that previously isolated them. From housewives, women became doctors, nurses, and spies. Some even did the extreme; they assumed a masculine appearance to join the army. The concealment of their gender proved to be the downside of the changes in women during the war. They may have had relevant contributions in the war, but it was left unrecognized because of its concealed nature. The Civil War was a defining moment in American history. It was the event which determined the fate of the nation as the American community was divided into two opposing sides. It was also a time of significant social change. The realm of war previously belonged to the men; it was the male soldiers who fought in the battlefields. However, the Civil War altered the situation. The status of women dramatically changed as they became active participants in the war effort. Indeed, the Civil War opened many opportunities for women and allowed them to be active members of society. This research paper aims to discuss how women changed during the American Civil War, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the said changes. In the 19th Century America, men dominated society and women were regarded as inferior to them. Women lived under the authority of the opposite sex, either that of the father, husband or another relative (Massey, 1994). They were confined in the domestic sphere; their main concerns were their home and family. Women had no voice in the political arena because only the men had dealt with public affairs. Not only was it objectionable for women to fulfill men’s jobs, it was also disagreeable for them to wear men’s clothes (Eggleston, 2003). When the Civil War began, the social lines were blurred. Women suddenly were presented the chance to go beyond their realm and participate in the world of men. They were given roles and jobs that were not accessible to them before. Both the Union and the Confederacy allowed women to take part in the war effort. For the first time, the government allowed women to become doctors and nurses (Eggleston, 2003). Women also served as messengers and spies. Meanwhile, there are also those women whose contributions were domestic in nature; these include cooking, as well as mending and sewing uniforms for the soldiers (Eggleston, 2003; Silber, 2005). These activities may have been the same as those women were tasked to do in the past; however, there was a significant change. Before, women only did those jobs due to the necessity in the household. During the war, the women did those jobs due to the necessity of the nation. Their domestic activities were no longer performed for private purposes; they had become part of the public affairs. However, women were not merely passive participants. They were also directly involved in the war effort as soldiers. The battlefield was reserved for males, but the females eventually found themselves fighting the same war. Women became soldiers by concealing their real identities (Eggleston, 2003). There were many reasons why women opted to disguise themselves as male soldiers. There were those who fought in the war to either escape from their betrothal or to be with their loved ones. Some saw the war as an adventure and craved its excitement. There were others who saw fighting for its financial benefits and the opportunity to better provide for their families. Meanwhile, there were women who took part in the Civil War for more noble reasons; they went to war because they were compelled by duty and patriotism (Eggleston, 2003). Women had to resort to extreme measures to appear like male soldiers. There were women who were immediately discharged because the way they acted revealed their real identities (Eggleston, 2003). Meanwhile, there were women who dramatically changed their actions and behavior before enlistment to successfully disguise themselves. They modified the color of their complexion and learned how to chew tobacco. They used vests with pads to conceal their breasts; the pads also made them seem more bulky and masculine (Eggleston, 2003). Having women disguised as men in war had its share of difficulties. The problems arose from the different toilet habits as well as other personal routines (Eggleston, 2003). Nonetheless, the recruitment of young men in the army proved to be advantageous for the female soldiers. The army consisted mostly of boys, who were still shy and reserved around each other. Most of them were hesitant to relieve themselves in the company of other soldiers; to attend their toilet needs, they had to hide in the woods or others areas which offered privacy. The meek nature of young men was beneficial for the female soldiers because it allowed them to seek privacy without appearing unusual. In addition, the young men of the army have not yet started shaving, so it did not appear unusual for the females if they did not shave (Eggleston, 2003). It is remarkable that women have finally reached the public realm during the Civil War, even if they had to pretend as men to do so. However, that kind of participation had disadvantages. Women who had successfully kept their real identities hidden as part of the army suffered all the difficulties which came with war (Eggleston, 2003). Female soldiers were held captive by their opponents, brought to prison camps and killed in the battlefields. There were those who perished and buried without their real identities discovered. Because women soldiers were not supposed to be fighting in the war, their participation in the war was previously not acknowledged. There were even those who denied the direct involvement of women as soldiers (Blanton, n. d. ). The non-recognition of women fighters in the Civil War prevented the discovery of the total number of female soldiers who offered their services. The numbers available on record are merely estimates. This situation posited a real problem, as it undermined and ignored the contributions of women in the battlefield. During the American Civil War, women changed because they went beyond the roles that were initialed assigned to them. The war effort presented them to enter the public realm of men and participate in it. Women had indeed changed during that time, as they progressed from housewives to participants in war. Women even came in disguise to become soldiers. While it is a great thing that women became active members of the community, some of their contributions were not recognized or accurately recorded because of their secret identities. Nonetheless, this does not diminish that fact that women were a significant part of the American Civil War. References Blanton, D. (n. d. ). Women soldiers and nurses of the American civil war. American Civil War Website. Retrieved March 13, 2009, from http://americancivilwar. com/women/index. html Eggleston, L. G. (2003). Women in the Civil War: Extraordinary Stories of Soldiers, Spies, Nurses, Doctors, Crusaders and Others. North Carolina: McFarland. Massey, M. E. (1994). Women in the Civil War. Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press. Siber, N. (2005). Daughters of the Union: Northern Women Fight the Civil War. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press.

Study On Professional Development For Strategic Managers Education Essay

Study On Professional Development For Strategic Managers Education Essay There are some certain management and leadership skills which are necessary for the growth of any business organization. Both personal and professional skills should remain healthy for the healthy organization like problem solving, decision making and planning etc. in today business environment a leader or a manager must be have some certain qualities which are helpful in order to perform his role. As behavioural theories assume that leader can be made rather than born. So there are the certain skills which differentiate a leader from the others. A successful organization is the one which look after their employees and does something for their carrier development because this is the way through an organization achieve its goals. Personal skills evaluation: Everyone has ability to do something all it need to do is to identify what we have and how we can utilize it in positive sense , these are some common personal skills which are going to be discussed. . 1.1.1 TIME MANAGEMNET: This is the important personal skill through which it is able to do the things efficiently here it need to identify that at what time what we should do or what we should not .for example During the last week my target was to manage my college and my job together which I hardly able to manage it. Yes it is true that I was able to manage my time as for as job is concern and I went to college in time but other target was not achieved which was about the working on assignment thats all about the time management to use the time wisely , managing queries and analyzing the time properly , assessing the day that how much time you giving for your tasks and how can you safe your time by doing the things in time and we can also log the things as well. Find the answers of your questions and try to get the end result by solving these problems. Analyzing time spent to improve productivity This is the skill which we need to be focused to analyze the time where you actually going to spend and how we are dividing the tasks according to the time and to achieve our goal just analyze that are we giving the right time on right thing? and if this is the right thing which we are focusing is it possible that if we spend some more time on right issue, we can increase the productivity for example in Tesco when I work in my section pickles, oil and spices I always start work from oil because more heavy stuff is in that section and comparatively much easier to finish and spices take more time and cower a small section so I quickly do the other job which is more important and much easier to do. 1.1.2 Setting smart objectives: Smart objective are those which are specific, particular on certain task Set the realistic objective which are achievable, on right time make the measureable decision. Objectives are the plan for which you have to fight to achieve a certain goal we might have a many objective like my goal is to get MBA degree its my goal but to achieve a goal I have to set smart objectives which should be realistic, achievable and measureable like what is the thing which I am going to do? Specific: specific means the concern of any selected topic and when we talk about specific always questions coming in our mind that why, how and for who I am going to do this. Realistic: It is not necessary that realistic must be achievable but realistic is something that at least you have the resources to do that task for example its realistic to get the MBA degree foe me but in case I dont have the sources than I am not able to get degree like money is the main source. Measureable: its important for us to measure the task because if we cant measure it we cant do it. Measurement is the tool which we use for comparison. 1.1.3 Prioritising work task: prioritising is the process in which u priorities the tasks according to your mind so simply its a skill which u learn from yourself assess your priorities and then work on them for exp my priority at the time is to get MBA degree not to focus on job because through job I just pay the rent of my flat all I need to do just focus on my study because that is the priority for me right now but with the passage of time priorities change as time to time for exp if I got married at that time or I am having a baby than my priorities will be to feed my family instead of the study. So its so important to analyze and prioritize your work. This is human nature that once you start some new work it looks tough but as long as u keeps going with it you will find it quite easy. So try to find out the priority in the work and keep focus on that to get the desired result. For example I am doing to many tasks in the day I use internet after college, face book, I use to talk to my friends and I play football as well now I have to think that how much time I am going to spend on these tasks and what is my priority and how much time I am giving to my priority work and what changes I need to bring out in order to prioritise my work. 1.1.4 Problem solving and decision making: A problem is an unacceptable condition which is unusual. If you cant find the problem you cant sort the problem. So this is clear that to sort out the problem always we need to know that what the actual problem is and in response to find out the problem we need to develop the skill to make the right decision at right time. We should have the ability to find out the problem and then check what should be the solution and after that take the decision. Decision making is not easy because you always have a fear to make decision you can only make the decision when you know that what the actual problem is. We should able to developed skills of calculated risk in problem solving. 1.2 Professional skills: Personal skills are interrelated to the personal skills because through personal skills a person is able to develop his professional skill for example effective communication and good listening is a personal skill by using these skills in any organization you are able to polish your skills like if you have a good communication skill you are able to let the people understand what you are saying and if you are a good listener than you can easily understand what your bosses are expecting from you. Now we it will be discussed about some professional skills and analyze how these skills are linked to the personal skills. 1.2.1 Coaching skills: This is the skill which a person develops through experience and courses and it is widely used in the organizations to get the required task up to the mark. Coaches are introduced to make the employees skilful for example a area supervisor in the Carlisle security is working as a coach who is always there to train the security staff and guide them what they should do and what they are not suppose to do and in which conditions what steps they need to take and how to tackle with the difficult situations. According to Elizabeth Morgan It is vital for every business and professional organization to increase the knowledge and skills of their employees. They should strive to enhance the quality of performance, to ensure an improvement on the personal and professional front. (Elizabeth Morgan 2008) Now the question is how a person is been able to develop his coaching skills here it need to be understand the need of the personal skills as the good coach has definitely having a good communicational skill and he will be a good time manger and he should must have a stress management skill. It is not necessary that a person who has great coaching skills must be good in practical situation because this is a skill which he has for example in sports an boxing coach might not be a boxing champion but he is able to make the other person a champion. 1.2.2 Leadership skills: Leadership, a critical management skill, is the ability to motivate a group of people toward a common goal. There are some characteristics which make a person a successful leader. A leader is the one who can work in an environment which he can manage himself and others in a stress environment. Now again we see the personal skills stress management and using the time effectively .obviously a leader should have the skill of communication though he can communicate his team in an effective way and should be able to solve the problems when it occurs. There is the example of Tesco where we see what the role of team leader is and why he is the team leader. The reason behind it that he is the team leader because he use to work in every department in Tesco and he is able to motivate the other guys to do the right things at right time and if some time a sales assistant doesnt not know where he had to put the stuff in shelf he will be there and able to guide in seconds that this thing should go to that place so again its been seen that leadership requires a good personal skills. 1.2.3 Multitasking skills: Multitasking means, doing more than one task at the same time. This is the skill which is interrelated to the time management as if someone doing more tasks at same time it means he is going to save his time by that way. Normally the term multitasking is used in computer language because computer is able to process many programs at same time. this is the skill which a person develop with the experience for example if someone doing a office job and he is taking prints from the computer which takes time than in that time he is able to utilize it as he may can check his emails during that time and by checking his mails he is able to use the telephone to make important calls. Here we took a example of the concierge officer in Bryant court which is the reception of the residential flats. The officer is doing the multitasking by keeping eye on CCTV cameras operating phones and communicating with the residents at the same time. 1.2.4 Presentation skills: Presentations skills are achieved through the knowledge, confidence, communication and good learning skills. Presentation means to express your or the company views in front of the people without having any fear. Presentation skill is necessary to present but practise makes it perfect and when you do the practise it mean you are working on your personal skill to achieve professional skill. In Tesco section manger and senior night manager use to give presentation on every Monday to keep the staff up to date and telling them the company target and the role of staff. Now its been analyzed that professional skills are achieved through the practise of good personal skills. Presentation training is useful to develop presentation skills but nothing replaces practice. Effective presentations have targeted, simple, clear and repeated messages. (Roger lever 2009) Conclusion: Through this assignment its been seen that how personal skills are important to develop professional skills so both of these skills are interrelated to each other and a person uses both these skills to get the organization goal. TASK TWO: Personal development To assess my skills, I carried out a survey by giving evaluation forms to my class mates. We made a group of five members and each person rated my skills. With the help of their views I put these ratings in a suitable form. The assessment given by them is presented in the Appendices table and the final rating based on their feedback and my personal assessment is presented below. Rating of Management and Leadership Skills SKILLS RATING Very good 1 Satisfactory 2 Need to improve 3 Bad 4 Learning styles: It is been realised that we learn in different ways and learning styles. Honey and Mumford identified four different characters with quite different learning styles Activist, The Pragmatist, The Reflection the Theorist. Based on a questionnaire survey carried in the classroom, I learned that my predominant learning style is Pragmatist. I realise that pragmatist learning style has better impact in my learning activities. As I carried out a self-confidence survey and the result is presented below Self Confidence Analysis Situations Reasons Ways to Improve Worries of future makes me upset Because I think too much that what will happen to me. To overcome this I should set a proper plan about my future and then have to focus on that plan. I do not learn from my mistakes. Because I always ignore what happened and why was it happened. I should make a note about the failures in a personal diary in order to do avoid in future. I always upset if I cannot get success Because I am getting disheartened from my failures. I should have the courage to face the reality. Some time communication effect my confidence Because my native language is not English. I should develop my language skills I feel myself nerviest when I cannot present what I want. Because when I select a wrong topic of presentation. I should focus on what I want to do Improper dressing makes me feel lack of confidence. Because due to this I cant concentrate on my work. To overcome this always should dress up properly AT the start of presentation I feel lack of confidence Because I always ignore the preparation of introduction. To overcome this makes a proper intro of any presentation in order to reduce the lack of confidence in the start. Assertiveness Analysis This survey is based on questionnaire and I identified that my behavioral style is assertive as I raised my voice if someone do not listen to me but I also listened to them properly and try to make my point clear Weaknesses Ways to Improve If someone does not get my point I might lose my temper. I try to convince other with the solid points In case I am unable to understand a problem. I try my best to think before I speak Sometime when I disagree to someone I do not give them response. I am trying to improve my convincing skills Presentation Analysis Weaknesses Ways to Improve Because of preparation I use to take less sleep before last night of presentation. I should have enough sleep after preparation I have less confidence weather I could make it I should not be worried about it and speak without any pressure In some situations I forget some points during the presentations. I should note down on a piece of paper I feel hesitation while walking in front of people during presentation To overcome this one thing I have to make sure in my mind that I am perfectly all right from all aspects. In some cases I do not have enough material To overcome this always selects a right topic of presentation. At the start of presentation I feel lack of confidence. To overcome this makes a proper intro of any presentation in order to reduce the lack of confidence in the start. I believe under these circumstances, I can learn best in the following ways: I learn better from proven good practice, using the examples and the expertise of others. I like to face the problem with different approaches. I dislike situations where there is nothing to learn Pragmatist situation quite helpful for me. I always work when I have been forced to do job in time The short discussions or less detailed tasks make me unhappy. So I cant get benefit easily. I am expecting to make practical decisions. By presenting myself as practical person because I like to solve problems. I enjoy experimenting to improve techniques. I like frequently come up with the answer to a problem. I have only interest in theories is to see if the work in practice. Swot analysis helps us to analyze our strength and weakness and how we can create the opportunities for us and realizing the threat which are we facing at that time. In reference to the strengths the skills that I am good at are the following. This style shows that how a person utilize his personal skills and get benefit from these skills. Time management skill Supervision Customer service Adaptable skill Decision making ability Conflict Management skill. Coaching skill Weaknesses For an Effective leader I need to polish my skills. I feel some weaknesses to achieve my set targets of the business as a leader of the team. In following areas I think, I must have to improve in order to become an effective manager. Presentation Communication Self confidence Group discussion Planning Motivating Stress management Opportunities: By working on the skills which I already have it is possible that opportunities can be created and after solving out my problem making issue I will be able to make effective decision for myself and my team, it will decrease the failure rate and increase the confidence. After engaging in these activities a person is able to develop his future and carrier. Threats: There is always a aspect of threat which can never be denied ,being a leader a person should have the ability to realize that which threats are there which make a person worry and uncomfortable. The common threats which a leader faces are there. De motivation by top management policy Recession period Lack of knowledge Lack of qualification Self respect Misuse of power Personal Development Plan: Through the skill audit its been realised that which are the skills I need to improve and through which skills I am able to achieve my goal. In the following table I have developed a plan for myself and analyse that what should I do to improve my skills and how can I achieve my targets. Learning and Development needs Aims to learn and achieving goal Which actions need to be taken including resources need to achieve goals Date for achievement/review Presentation skill By developing these skills, I can present myself effectively in front of my senior management and other members of team which can increase the companys efficiency and productivity. It will help me in almost every field of life to achieve what I want to tell others. I should attend seminars, workshops and events Participating team meetings and group discussions. Concentrate on learning resources like tapes, videos and others. Whenever there is opportunity to speak I should go for that. Practising . 25-03-2011 Communicatin skill (English) English is an international language which is recognized all over the world and a person feel more confident and comfortable when he uses to speak foreigners and communicate in an effective way. This can support the personal objective and help to get company objective as well By convincing the people And introducing the business strategy. More Conversation and discussions in English By joining language classes and speaking freely to my mates can develop my skill I should go to the seminars I should watch English movies and other programs on TV. I should read English novels, poetry and other books to increase my vocabulary. I should prepare presentations in English to build my confidence to learn English quickly. 30-03-2011 Coaching Counselling Coaching and counselling is a leadership style which is used to make the employee productive for the organization and polish the skills. By counselling my subordinates I will be much closer to them and can sort the issues related to work which are really affecting their performance. Practical work Career and development training Learning from the teachers and senior management on work More discussion with colleagues and managers. Analyzing what to do and when it need to do Minimizing the work load and need to develop more human interaction. 15-04-2011 Planning Planning is the major key of the success weather a person or for the organization. Through proper planning person can achieve his targets which can help a lot in his progress. I need to identify the major objectives of my life and need to focus on these targets. Finding solution to achieve the targets I should analyze that my objective should be time based and realistic Proper planning to achieve my targets and should start work from today rather than tomorrow. As for as business point of view I should make a proper plan by arranging meetings with the seniors and stakeholders. I should attend conferences and read the survey reports. 20-04-2011 Outcomes of Personal Development Plan against personal objective: Through the skill audit it is been identified that which are things which I need to work on and improve and which are the strength that I am having. Secondly a plan is developed to overcome the efficiencies and to improve my skills. This is my personal objective to improve my capability in language skills but it cannot be achieved until it is not been planned to learn it. It needs to develop a plan that how this objective can be achieved and which are the resources I have, what are my strength and using my strength how I can overcome my efficiency. It can be put the time limits which indicates that within the specific period this goal must be achieved for example my target is to learn the communication skill before I leave this country. Personal objectives are so important in life because there is the purpose to spend the life. Without any purpose of life it becomes useless to live. Every one plans according to its ability to think and work on it but it really does matter how do you think and what you are going to do. Personal development plan is a suitable written form of the person thinking that what does a person want in life and how does he plan to achieve the target. It gives you the time to think and analyze the multiple solutions of the problem and work on them according to the plan like my objective in next three month is to learn presentation skills and it is analyzed that which are the ways through it can be achieved and how to deal with the time wasting and more focus to get the objective. Impact of own learning against the achievement of strategic goals: This is the more effective way to achieve the goal to write down the plan and then focus on your target. All we need to do to identify the objective and realize which is important for us and which is not. It helps us in learning by focus on the working document. Thing which it need to keep in mind is that the objective should be realistic and achievable and it should be clear that what are the strength of a person to achieve his goal and which are the area he need to work on . It does work in a great way as I set a goal for myself that till next three months I will improve my communication skills and I start work on this target by reading newspaper and books, communicating with my friends and colleagues. I have started to watch English movies on TV which did not do before. After a week it is realized that it does work as I feel much comfortable than before. Till the review date I feel most of the job will be done and there will be the difference. I personally learn that there are many things in life which we do not give the importance but a little thing can make the difference as I plan to achieve my goal I realize that it does not take too much time and efforts to achieve the targets. I will definitely implement it in my life by setting objectives in my life and there I will set the time limit to achieve it in time. Once I will get the objective of learning skills I will set more objectives. Appendix No. Skill Person A Person B Person C Person D Result Mode 1 Communication 2 3 2 2 2,3 2 planning 3 2 2 3 2,3 3 coaching 2 4 3 4 2,3,4 4 Presentation 3 2 2 3 2,3,2 5 Motivation 2 2 1 3 1,2,3 6 Time Management 1 2 2 2 1,2 7 Group discussion 2 2 3 3 2,3 8 Decision Making 4 3 4 3 3,4 9 Self Confidence 3 2 2 3 2,3 10 Technical Ability 2 3 3 2 2,3 11 Stress Management 2 4 3 4 2,3,4 12 Conflict Management 3 3 2 3 2,3

The Power of Hardys Tess of the dUrbervilles Essay -- Tess of the d

The Power of Tess of the d'Urbervilles      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   "If an offence come out of the truth, better it is that the offence come than the truth be concealed." Thomas Hardy added these words in the introduction to the fifth edition of this novel (Hardy v). He provided this quote from St. Jerome somewhat defensively, in response to the criticism he received for Tess prior to this edition.    Originally printed in serial form in two magazines, this novel underwent bowdlerization in order to be published. As a requirement of the publisher, Hardy changed scenes such as the baby's baptism, Tess's rape, and Alec's murder. The process of changing the novel angered Hardy, but his financial need of publishing the novel outweighed his negative feelings about doing so. This novel finally became published in its entirety in 1891. This novel caused such a controversy that Donald Hall called this novel "a cause" (417). Considered a radical writer, Hardy included the lower social classes and the plight of women, and he wrote about them in a provoking and defiant manner. Scientists, such as Charles Darwin, and social thinkers, such as John Stuart Mill, affected his thoughts and writings. Writers rarely wrote about these subjects in such a way during Victorian times.    The Victorian times and attitudes victimize Tess, despite the fact that she possesses high morals and standards. The aim of this paper is to show how Hardy illustrates this in many ways. Her family, social, and economic background provide the reader with a perspective of living as a poor woman during the Victorian Era. Another avenue Hardy uses to show the unfairness of life for a poor woman during these times is two men who victimize Tess, Angel Clare and Alec d'Urberv... ... You do Talk!': Some Features of Hardy's Dialogue." New Perspectives on Thomas Hardy. Ed. Charles P. C. Pettit. New York: St. Martin's, 1994. 117-36. Claridge, Laura. "Tess: A Less Than Pure Woman Ambivalently Presented." Texas Studies in Literature and Language 28 (1986): 324-38. Hall, Donald. Afterward. Tess of the d'Urbervilles. By Thomas Hardy. New York: Signet, 1980. 417-27. Hardy, Thomas. Tess of the d'Urbervilles. 1891. New York: Signet Classic, 1980. McMurtry, Jo. Victorian Life and Victorian Fiction. Hamden: Shoe String, 1979. Mickelson, Anne Z. Thomas Hardy's Women and Men: The Defeat of Nature. Metuchen: Scarecrow, 1976. Stubbs, Patricia. Women and Fiction. Sussex: Harvester, 1979. Walvin, James. Victorian Values. Athens: UGA Press, 1987. Weissman, Judith. Half Savage and Hardy and Free. Middletown: Wesleyan UP, 1987.   

H.J Heinz Company :: essays research papers

H.J. Heinz Company   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  H.J. Heinz Company, commonly known as Heinz, famous for its â€Å"57 Varieties† slogan, was founded in 1869, by Henry John Heinz, in Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania. In 1869, the 25 year old Henry went into business with L. Clarence Noble as â€Å"Heinz & Noble.† The first product they launched was none other than horseradish. The sauce was unique in that it was sold in clear glass bottles to display its purity, whereas competitors used colored glass to hide the poor quality of their products. There was a reason that founder Henry John Heinz displayed his product in transparent bottles. He took a stand on quality and proudly displayed all of his products to the people and his competitors by using a clear bottle to show that his products where the real deal and the best. From the beginning of Heinz, the driving idea was quality, and quality is what made Heinz the company it is today.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After horseradish came pickles, sauerkraut, and vinegar, delivered by horse-drawn wagons to grocers in and around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Processing, packing and the headquarters offices shared a two-story farmhouse in Sharpsburg, at the city’s northern edge. But within five years, Heinz and partner L. C. Noble had to relocate to larger quarters because of their massive growth. They were on their way to becoming one of the nation’s leading producers of condiments. Heinz & Noble could count among its assets a hundred acres of garden along the Allegheny River – 30 acres of horseradish – along with 24 horses, a dozen wagons and a vinegar factory in St. Louis.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After initial success, the company was forced into bankruptcy in 1875, a year of economic downturn and crop surplus. However, this successful young enterprise was not going to let the banking panic of 1875 stop it from becoming the world’s leading tomato processor.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After the banking crisis, Heinz started over with brother, John and cousin, Frederick, in 1875. The new partnership with his brother and cousin, â€Å"H. & J. Heinz†, came into being. In the depression brought on by the banking collapse, it was a difficult first year, but one in which a new product was introduced and would become its most well-known product – tomato ketchup. Red and green pepper sauce soon followed, then cider vinegar, apple butter, chili sauce, mincemeat, mustard, tomato soup, olives, pickled onions, pickled cauliflower, baked beans and the first sweet pickles ever brought to market.

Factors Contributing To The Energy Balance Environmental Sciences Essay

The Earth is a physical system working a changeless symbiotic relationship with the Sun in keeping the energy balance. Ideally the planet resides in equilibrium, being that the addition of incoming energy from the Sun is equal to the loss of surpassing energy from the Earth. However, over the past 400 old ages at that place are definite fluctuations in the energy balance due to a figure of human and natural factors. The top of the ambiance represents the barrier of which most of the energy base on ballss, the composing of the Earth ‘s ambiance plays a critical function in the changing energy budget as semisynthetic pollution and green-house gas emanations alter the sum of energy entrance and go outing the Earth ‘s ambiance. Other more natural factors such as the fluctuation in the Earth ‘s orbit and fluctuations in ocean circulation besides contribute in changing energy budgets. Following this will be a comprehensive rating of how different homo and natural factors contribute to fluctuations in the energy balance of the Earth over the past 400 old ages. components2.gifFigure1 Figure1, taken from the NASA web site, represents a simplified diagram of the how incoming solar energy enters the ambiance and is dispersed on it ‘s journey to the Earth ‘s surface, accordingly how energy is reflected back to the upper ambiance. Table1: Earth ‘s additions and losingss of radiationEarth ‘s SurfaceAdditionsLosingss51 Visible from Sun 7 Conduction, Convection 96 IR from atmosphere 23 Vaporization 117 IR radiationcyberspace: 147cyberspace: 147Table1 shows the per centum of the radiation going into and off from the Earth. As shown in the tabular array the net radiation, although equal, do non add up to 100 % and this is because nursery gases trap radiation hence doing the temperature addition. tsi_vs_temp.gifFigure2 Obviously depicted in figure2 the planetary temperature shows a important addition during the early twentieth century. This addition in temperature is frequently related to a widespread happening, which poses a menace to society and the environment, known as planetary heating. Global heating is a human-induced phenomenon that affects the planet in many ways ; in relevancy to this try the chief focal point will center upon how planetary heating influences the energy balance. â€Å" Analyzing the yesteryear can potentially inform our apprehension of what the hereafter may keep, † said Michael Mann, Professor of weather forecasting, Penn State. With that said, many have researched on the addition in planetary heating following a timeline and the consequences were amazing. By the early twentieth century there has been an dismaying addition in planetary temperatures due to an addition of green house gases into the atmosphere chiefly stemming from semisynthetic pollution from auto fumess and mills to call a few wrongdoers. An unnaturally produced chemical CFC ; a end point from human activities such as transit, constructing warming and chilling, the industry of cement and other goods, when released to the ambiance thins the ozone bed leting harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun to come in the ambiance hence by and large increasing the atmospheric temperature. The nursery gasses ; methane, C dioxide, and azotic oxide, which increases in concentrati on due to the combustion of fossil fuels absorb infrared radiation ensuing once more in an addition in temperature, ergo planetary heating partly constitutes in the acute addition in the energy budget showed by the important addition ( figure2 ) in the beginning of the twentieth century. On a more natural note maculas may besides lend in the Earth ‘s changing energy budget. Recent satellite measurings of solar brightness, analyzed by Willson ( 1997 ) show an addition from the old rhythm of macula activity to the current one, bespeaking that the Earth is having more energy from the Sun. Willson predicts that if the current rate of addition of solar irradiance continues in this form until the mid twenty-first century, the surface temperatures will increase by about 0.5i‚ °C. This is little, but non a negligible fraction of the expected nursery warming. A Which in the larger image poses as a factor to the addition in the energy balance. figpredic24-1.jpg Figure3: Showing the sun topographic point activity in given old ages. Bottom diagram with a predicted increased as proposed by Wilson. The Albedo Effect is a polar component in the contemplation and soaking up of radiation, because of this land screen is one finding factor in the energy balance. Since the industrial revolution human activities have altered the nature of land screen around the Earth, chiefly through croplands, grazing lands and woods. These human constructed landforms modify the brooding belongingss of ice and snow, which makes it more likely for an addition in solar radiation to be reflected from the Earth ‘s surface, therefore a negative forcing as an addition of energy is forced out. Earthshine_2004.gifFigure4: Albedo anomalousnesss reconstructed from ISCCP orbiter informations ( black ) andA Earthshine-observed reflective power anomalousnesss ( blue ) . The right manus perpendicular graduated table shows negative radiative forcing ( eg – chilling ) ( Palle 2004 ) . Articles that focus on the overarching scientific discipline precedences of the EOS Terra mission emphasis that when flora is cleared from land surfaces ( such as in deforestation or agricultural combustion ) , the bare surface reflects more sunlight back to infinite and there is a net chilling consequence. But, there is besides a counter productive nursery gas consequence that comes from deforestation and biomass burning-the release of C dioxide, every bit good as riddance of flora that would otherwise absorb C dioxide from the ambiance during photosynthesis. While deforestation/reforestation may take topographic point on one-year to decadal clip graduated tables, the life-time of C dioxide in the ambiance is 50 to more than 100 old ages. Consequently, the solar coefficient of reflection chilling and nursery gas warming due to biomass firing take topographic point at really different clip graduated tables, taking to an initial chilling followed subsequently by a warming tendency. Some human activities may lend in positive radiative forcing for case with aircrafts. Aircrafts produce a relentless additive trail of condensation, which appears as condensation trails that signifier cirrhus clouds of which reflects solar radiation and absorb infrared radiation. Linear condensation trails from planetary aircraft operations have increased Earth ‘s cloud cover and are estimated to do a little positive radiative forcing. Variations of clime over the past 500,000 old ages have been analyzed from fluctuations in the composing of deposits at different deepnesss below the bed of the Indian Ocean. ( Pittock 1978 ) A complementary cause as suggested by Linacre and Geerts ( 2002, 2003 ) might be the fluctuation of Sun/Earth distance ( due to the Earth ‘s orbit ) impacting the Sun ‘s gravitative pull on the swirling of the Earth ‘s liquid, magnetic nucleus. The resulting alterations in the Earth ‘s magnetic attraction would change our ambiance ‘s susceptibleness to the solar air current of charged atoms from the Sun. This change of susceptibleness is necessarily another of course induced factor for the changing energy balance as this gravitative pull occurs in different timeframes. Henrik Svensmark from Danish National Space Institute, says that cosmic radiation may impact cloud formation, which, in bend, affects the Earth ‘s energy balance. Variations in cosmic radiation can be big and rapid. He has analysed in item some events with particularly rapid and big decreases in cosmic radiation, and saw that cloud formation in these events well lessenings, but with a hold of 5-6 yearss. Cosmic radiation at nowadays is remarkably high, and will likely shortly diminish. If the theory is right, this should be followed by decreased cloud formation globally. The planetary temperature should besides diminish, since clouds are considered to hold a greater retarding consequence on the Earth ‘s long moving ridge outward radiation than they have on the incoming short moving ridge radiation. ( Nohrstedt, 2006 ) Therefore making a positive forcing. Aerosol atoms influence radiative forcing straight through contemplation and soaking up of solar and infrared radiation in the ambiance. Some aerosols cause a positive forcing while others cause a negative forcing. The direct radiative forcing summed over all aerosol types is negative. Aerosols besides cause a negative radiative forcing indirectly through the alterations they cause in cloud belongingss. The most dramatic alteration in aerosol-produced coefficient of reflection comes when major volcanic eruptions eject material really high into the ambiance. Rain typically clears aerosols out of the ambiance in a hebdomad or two, but when stuff from a violent volcanic eruption is projected far above the highest cloud, these aerosols typically influence the clime for about a twelvemonth or two before falling into the troposphere and being carried to the surface by precipitation. Major volcanic eruptions can therefore do a bead in average planetary surface temperature of about half a de gree Celsius that can last for months or even old ages. This of class contributing as a natural factor in the changing energy balance as volcanic eruptions occur at different clip periods. Water vapor is the most abundant nursery gas, and is by far the most powerful absorber of infrared radiation. As a consequence it is responsible for most of the Earth ‘s natural nursery consequence. Therefore the addition of planetary heating can non be entirely blamed on human activities, as human emanations are minuscule compared to the vaporization of oceans, which take up about 70 % of the Earth ‘s surface. With an addition in planetary heating leads to an addition in the soaking up of radiation which in bend leads to an addition in the energy budget. Fig_9.2_Temperature_changes_relative_to_the_corresponding_average_for_1901-1950.jpg Figure5: Temperature alterations relative to the corresponding norm for 1901-1950 ( A °C ) from decennary to decennary from 1906 to 2005 over the Earth ‘s continents, every bit good as the full Earth, planetary land country and the planetary ocean ( Beginning: IPCC 2007 ) Therefore in decision the fluctuations in the energy balance of the Earth over the last 400 old ages have seen an addition as contributed by both natural and human factors. Different factors have different impacts on the energy balance as discussed in this essay. The negative and positive radiative forcings have to be taken into history, as properties of the different factors, both human and natural, in order to understand the root of the chemical and physical alterations that modify the radiation transportation entrance and surpassing from the Earth ‘s surface which necessarily leads to a changing energy budget over the past centuries.

Poetry Coursework Essay

Love poems can be traced back many years, love is typically thought of as lust, commitment and sacrifice all rolled into one and here is a quote from Abraham Crowley on love â€Å"A mighty pain to love it is, and ’tis a pain that pain to miss; but of all the pains, the greatest pain is to love, but love in vain.† Love poems tend to be thought of as very conventional. Traditionally, i would expect a love poem to have comparisons, comparing their loved one to angels or goddesses and to build a image in the readers mind that their love was pure and faultless, they would also include in the poem comparisons between their loved one and goddesses or angels and would describe their facial features to something so pure and faultless. However, i have found that some unconventional love poems describe their loved ones to something ugly or dark, some may compare their loved ones to fleas and insects but yet they say that their love is pure and unbreakable. In From Fidessa written by Bartholomew Griffin which was a petrarchan sonnet written in 1596, Bartholomew Griffin talks about his lady obsessively as he uses the metaphor ‘My lady’s hair is threads of beaten gold’ which gives the reader the image that she has the looks of a goddess which fits in with the conventional images of love. It also fits in with how women were thought of in this time period as they were mainly depicted as goddesses or angels by many men, I think this is obsessive love because its like he keeps ranting on about how beautiful she is and how she is faultless in appearance he even goes as far as to say ‘Her feet, fair thetis praiseth evermore.’ This shows the kind of extent he goes to, describing her feet which shows just how obsessive his love is for this women, he says her feet, should be praised ever more this showed how deep and pure his love is, as he has even fallen head over heels with her feet which is a unsignificant part of the body to find appeasing. This is a conventional sonnet because he makes the comparisons between his lady and pure objects such as ‘beaten gold’ which is expected in a conventional sonnet. In sonnet 18 famously written by William Shakespeare and published in 1592, this sonnet was the 18th in 154 and arguably one of the better known of his sonnets as it is shrouded by mystery by the fact that he is writing a love sonnet to a man while normally love sonnets are traditionally made for women and homosexual relationships were frowned upon in those times as they were thought as ‘not natural’, Shakespeare says this man is more ever-lasting and beautiful then natures beauty, as he says ‘Shall I compare thee to a summers day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate’. This sonnet once again displays obsessive love because Shakespeare compares this man to natures finest beauty, a summer day but yet says that he simply cant for he is far better then a summer day which shows just how in love and obsessed he is with this man. This sonnet is a conventional poem depicting a type of unconventional type of love because although it has all the characteristics of a conventional poem, however it is based on a unconventional love between a man and man where as that type of love is normally shown between a man and a woman and in those times, other types of love relationships were frowned upon which make this type of love unconventional in my opinion . In From Canzoniere written by Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch) in 1484 is a conventional Petrarch sonnet where he shows the reader how strong and demanding his love is as he says ‘Could my own soul from its own self beguile’ he says that his love is so strong for this women that he feels that his soul and his body could be parted which shows just how strong he feels for this women and gives the reader a strong image of exactly how obsessive this man’s love is for this women as he then goes on to say ‘and my sad harp can sound but notes of pain’, where he basically tells the reader that although he loves this women he isn’t loved back and that all that happen is that his love turns to pain as he knows he isn’t loved back and desperately just wants to be loved by this women. This is a conventional poem as he simply is ‘head over heels’ for this woman and makes comparisons to angels when he says ‘ and the soft lightning of the angelic smile’. â€Å"Soft lightning†is a clichà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ because as we know lightning is never soft it simply thunders and is rough so i believe this quote is hiding behind its true meaning because the poet says that although her smile is angelic however when angered or bad tempered the â€Å"soft† lightning within her smile begins to show and he seems not to want to upset his beloved one so he hides his true meaning within a sentence full of praise. However, in The Flea written by John Donne in 1630 it is a unconventional poem as he uses unusual things to describe his love for his beloved and shows a erotic type of love as he says ‘Mark but this flea and mark in this’ which tell us he is asking her to notice the flea and notice what he is about to state but then he goes on to say ‘and pampered swells with one blood made of two, and this, alas is more then we would do.’ He suggests that the flea connects them more then she allows as the flea has bit them both and both their blood has fused into one, he displays erotic love because all he wants to do with this woman is break the barrier between them and have sex with her, by comparing their relationship to a flea shows just how lowly he regards their relationship as he badly wants to have sex with her but yet she keeps denying him and just shows exactly how unconvertible this poem is as it goes against all the rules of a conventional poem by making comparisons between a flea and love. Also in To His Coy Mistress written by Andrew Marvell in 1652, Andrew Marvell also doesn’t follow the conventional way of a poem as he describes her shyness to go to bed with him as a devastating world story as he says ‘Had we but world enough, and time, this coyness lady were no crime’ he says that he would wait for all the time in the world has he the time and says that if so then her shyness would be no crime, which shows that he is longing to have sex with her and he goes on to say that he would wait tell ‘the conversion of the Jews’ but not all Jews would convert so he is saying that he would wait forever if he had the time but he nobody truly has all the time in the world. This is erotic love as he looks solely for pleasure although he shows his love for her he simply just wants to have sex with her and this poem is unconventional because in my opinion he doesn’t follow the conventional rules and praise her looks and compare her to angels and goddesses, he simply says that he cant wait any longer although he loves her forever. In Sonnet 130 written by William Shakespeare in 1592, this unconventional Shakespearean sonnet has William Shakespeare makes comparisons to crude and beastly things rather then things of any beauty or angelic resemblance as he starts off his sonnet by saying ‘ My Mistress eyes are nothing like the sun’ he gives out the image to the reader that her eyes are dark and have no light within them, he then goes on to say ‘If snow be white, why then her breast are dun’ this specific quote famously gives the impression that his mistress could be black as he says the word dun which meant tanned or mud – colored, in those time inter – racial relationships were frowned upon as black people were seen as second class citizens, he also adds ‘ the breath that from my mistress reeks’ the word â€Å"reeks† empathizes the point of her breath being unbearable and the poem generally shows that Shakespeare wants people to see how love really is t hat it cant be perfect as many say it is and that every person has their faults and no matter what is said love is never perfect, this is my interpretation on what Shakespeare trys to show us in this sonnet. Shakespeare also in his poem The Dark Lady he also describes his lover with hair as â€Å"wirey† which shows once again that Shakespeare doesn’t like to â€Å"sugar coat† anything he simply write exactly what he sees. In conclusion, I believe that Sonnet 130 written by William Shakespeare portrays the most effective expression of love because although its not what you expect from a love sonnet he portrays the solid truth with no sugar coating and no silver white lining to hide behind, as although it may seem as he simply is just having a rant about his mistress maybe because she has refused to go on with it a person may say but to me Shakespeare is trying to show the reader exactly what love is about, love is about putting up with the persons faults recognising them and finding a way past them and yet having a relationship together rather then letting people believe that love is about roses, heaven and everything becomes perfect, Shakespeare gives his opinion with no half-hearted approach.

Ipad vs. Galaxy Tablet

When you want to surf the Internet, what gadgets do you most commonly use: laptop computers, smart phones, or cell phones? Nowadays, many people have smart phones and laptops. However, we now also have access to tablets. So now we will compare two of the newest most commonly used tablets. One is the new iPad, manufactures by Apple, and the other is the Galaxy tablet note 10. 1, by Samsung. The tablets are quite expensive, the iPad is however priced at $629 and the galaxy note is $499. Both are high-resolution tablets.One can get normal usage out of the two if the batteries are fully charged. The main difference lies in the operating software and various other features, one being iOS whereas the latter is android. First of all we will examine the size. The new iPad is 9. 50 inches high and 7. 31 inches wide. On the other hand, the Galaxy note is 10. 3 inches high and 7. 1 inches wide. Hence, the Galaxy note is a bit bigger than the iPad. These sizes are almost half of a laptop. But th e depths of the tablet are very different from a laptop.Galaxy note is a little thinner than the iPad. Moreover, there are great differences in their connections; the Galaxy note has a USB port whereas the iPad does not. The iPad supports 3G Internet, 4G Internet and Wi-Fi Internet, none of which are supported by the Galaxy note. Another important aspect of the two is their respective weights. The new iPad is 1. 44 pounds whereas the Galaxy note is 1. 31 pounds. These are like 20 oz. plastic bottles of water. This makes the iPad a little heavier than the Galaxy note.It is a small difference but it plays a big role because tablets are used frequently and are very useful. They are supposed to be portable for daily use and flexible usage. Finally, we will focus on their prices and critique some reviews. Both these devices have a rating of 4. 5. However, the Galaxy note is priced at a reasonable rate and is more affordable. According to phonearena. com â€Å"From a distance, the two lo ok similar to one another, but once we’re able to grasp both in our hands, the new iPad is able to deliver the impactful wow factor thanks to its premium feel.Well, it’s not to say that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10. 1 isn’t a bad looker, especially when it’s the lighter and slightly thinner tablet, but its all-plastic body doesn’t have the allure to match the impeccable industrial design of the iPad. † After analyzing all these facts I would say that the iPad is any day better because of its superior features and premium construction. However, it’s a person choice which one they prefer to use as the Galaxy is no far behind in the market either.It all depends on the person’s comfort level and personal choice. In conclusion, As per my personal opinion I would choose the iPad first but since it’s a little more expensive I would be inclined to choose the Galaxy note. We have to consider company value and accessories when choosin g a new gadget. We should also check out reviews on amazon. com and other ‘technology geeks’ websites to have a better understanding of what we are spending our money on.

How do The Odyssey and The Crucible use the hero in order to explore the concerns of their times?

The concept of what constitutes a hero varies according to the values, culture, context and setting of the society in question. Homer in his epic poem The Odyssey and Arthur Miller in The Crucible through the portrayal of the hero's in their texts; Odysseus and John Proctor, reflect the values of the time in which the text was set but more importantly provide a social commentary on the context of the texts. Both looking to the past to provide answers and draw parallels with the present. The Odyssey was written approximately in 700 BC and was set in twelfth century BC, in what was known as the Bronze Age. The Greeks believed that this earlier period was a more glorious and sublime age, when Gods still frequented the Earth and heroic, godlike mortals with superhuman attributes populated Greece. The Odyssey is episodic in nature and in many ways consisted of nation building myths which were unifying and drew on what was common in Greek culture by detailing the exploits of the classical archetypal Greek hero, Odysseus. Essentially it is an epic tale in which the wicked are destroyed, right prevails, and the family is reunited. On the other hand, The Crucible was written in the early 1950's in America and is set in 1692 in Salem, a small town in colonial Massachusetts. It follows the witch-hunts of 1692 which began when several young girls were stricken with an illness characterized by symptoms of hallucinations and seizures, which were ascribed to witchcraft. This led to the eventual execution of thirty individuals for the crime of witchcraft. They were tried and convicted in an atmosphere of moral absolutism through which Miller alludes to the events which took place in the 1950's before the House of Un-American Activities Committee in Washington. The Crucible can be viewed as allegorical text not for anti-communism, or as a faithful account of the Salem trials, but as a powerful timeless description of how intolerance and hysteria can intersect and tear a community apart. Furthermore, in contrast with Odysseus, John Proctor is a tragic hero, who would rather die then confess and lived with a marred name. This idea of nobility is inseparable from the tragedy genre. Tragedy in many ways enlightens, in that it points the heroic finger at the enemy of a man's freedom. The quest for freedom is the quality in the tragedy which exalts. Both texts are framed by religious imagery. In The Odyssey Odysseus does not question the power of the Gods and in many ways Homers text can be viewed as a moral lesson, through the omnipresent nature of the god's as they guide the wandering hero home. This reflects the Greek notion that the gods exercise absolute power over the mortal world. In the poem mortals are constantly making sacrifices to the gods to earn their favour. Conversely, offending the gods creates immense problems as is illustrated through Poseidon's grudge against Odysseus for blinding his son Polyphemos. Moreover, it is only through Athena's guidance throughout the text that Odysseus can survive his dangerous adventures. This distinguishes an important point as it reiterates not only the all-powerful nature of the gods but also introduces the idea that if Odysseus the hero cannot survive without guidance from the gods then the rest of the members of society must accept their fate as lying in the hands of the gods. What must also be noted however are the characteristics of the gods, which were a mixture of magical, immortal powers and basic human instincts, the gods were not perfect. Through this portrayal of the gods in the text Homer presents a more glorious time in Greek culture in a time when Greece was only a shadow of its former greatness. This however varies in The Crucible which is set in a theocratic society, in which church and state are one and the religion practised was very austere form of Protestantism known as Puritanism. In this form of society there is no room for deviation from social norms, since any individual whose private life does not conform to the established moral laws presents a threat not only to society but also to the rule of God: â€Å"You must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between†. John Proctor challenges this religious identity of time and shows how man has used god to manipulate and control individuals and it is ultimately his choice not to confess to witchcraft, which is a true religious and personal stance. In this way The Crucible can be viewed a symbolic of the paranoia of the communism which pervaded America in the 1950s. Several parallels existed between the witch hunts of 1692 and the House Un-American Activities Committee's rooting out of suspected communists. As with the alleged witches of Salem, suspected Communists were encouraged to confess their crimes and to â€Å"name names,† identifying others sympathetic to their radical cause. Miller through the actions of the hero Proctor foregrounds the McCarthyist excesses, which wronged many innocents, making a strong political statement. Furthermore, both Odysseus and Proctor are flawed and fallible and both of them fall into the seductive charms of the ‘seductresses' as is portrayed in the texts. Women are presented as either ‘sainted virgins'; Elizabeth and Penelope or ‘seductresses'; Abigail and Calypso this dichotomy represents the patriarchal structures of the context of the texts. Moreover the texts also highlight the dangers of giving women power and of female sexual potency. Odysseus' infidelity when he is trapped by Calypso serves to reflect gender roles and the double standard in Greek society. Homer does not invite the responder to view Odysseus' infidelity with any disdain or disapproval: â€Å"withdrawing into the cavern's deep recesses, long in each others arms they lost themselves in love† (#250-51). It is somehow acceptable for Odysseus to sleep with another woman, while Penelope is represented as morally dubious for allowing the suitors to remain in the house. It is only Calypso who challenges these gender roles: â€Å"You unrivalled lords of jealously/ scandalized when goddess sleep with mortals†¦ † (#131-32). While Homer portrays these sexist views, he also through Calypso's dialogue brings to attention the double standards of the society and more importantly introduces a new idea which may have been viewed as subversive in Greek culture at the time. On the other hand in The Crucible, John Proctor as the play's tragic hero is honest, upright and blunt spoken, Proctor is a good man however his fatal flaw is his lust for Abigail Williams which leads to their affair. Proctor is very self-critical and this in a way reflects how his moral code is a product of the society in which he exists: â€Å"But I will cut my hand off before I'll ever reach for you again†. Once the trials begin, Proctor realizes that he can stop Abigail's rampage through Salem but only if he confesses to this adultery. This highlights how the hero must face a series of trials and tribulations in order to be redeemed, in Proctor's case these are more physiological battles whereas Odysseus faces more physical challenges. This illustrates the way in which the different contexts result in the formation of varying hero's reflecting the values of that particular society. Finally, Arthur Miller once said: â€Å"Nobody wants to be a hero†¦ but in every man there is something he cannot give up and still remain himself†¦ If he gives that up, he becomes a different man, not himself†¦ It is Proctor's self-critical nature which distinguishes him because he does not set out to be a hero. Normally he would not be considered a saintly individual, and he has not great eagerness to be a martyr due to his underlying guilt at his infidelity, which in turn he projects on Elizabeth: â€Å"I do not judge you. The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you. † Nevertheless when put to the final test, the meaning here of ‘crucible', he will go to his death rather than irrevocably compromise his integrity. Through his representation of Proctor as the tragic hero Miller creates a new post-modern ideology of the hero in which the hero is not extraordinary physically or mentally but rather what is heroic is the individual who stands by his personal principals, he does not set out to be the hero but rather the situation merely reveals the hero within. This notion explores the concerns of 1950 America in which the hero's were not the McCarthyist's as it might seem on outward examination but rather those who only through their personal actions transpired to be essentially heroic. In conclusion, The Odyssey and The Crucible through the representation of the hero in text foreground the concerns of their times. The texts have revealed to me that what constitutes the hero varying according to context and setting and can help us gain further insight into the concerns of the society in question. Essentially the characteristics, which form the hero, are fluid subject to the values and culture of the times.