How Steinbeck is Reflected in The Pearl essays

How Steinbeck is Reflected in The Pearl essays John Steinbeck shows parts of his life and background in all of his novels. In The Pearl, he shows himself in a lot of different ways. Three of them are determination, hardship, and success. Steinbeck, as a writer, was a very determined person. Even though it took him a long time to finally get one of his novels published, he never quit along the way. Kino, from The Pearl, is also like that. He will not give up on the pearl that he finds. His wife, Juana, is also determined. Throughout the novel, she always insists that the pearl is evil and will destroy then all. Steinbeck also faced also of trouble as a writer. He started to pursue his writing career in 1919, by attending Stanford University. It wasnt until 10 years later, in 1929, that his first novel, Cup of Gold, was published. Kino also faced much hardship throughout the book. First, his only son gets bitten by a scorpion and the doctor would not treat him because Kino had no money. Also, little by little, all the people surrounding Kino slowly become his enemy. The biggest hardship for Kino was when his son was shot in the head and died. The last thing is success. Steinbeck became a very successful author Kino was successful when he found the pearl. Through, things turned out much better for Steinbeck than it did for Kino. Those are only three of the many ways Steinbeck reflected himself in The Pearl. He was reflected by his determination, hardship, and by his success. ...

13 High Paying Non Office Jobs

13 High Paying Non Office Jobs Okay, so you don’t want to sit behind a desk for the rest of your life.  The good news is: there are plenty of good jobs that don’t require 40 hours a week in front of a computer. And some of them pay really well. Here are 13 of the highest-paying jobs out there for anyone who just can’t sit there staring at their screen a moment longer.1. Mail CarrierWork for the postal service, sorting and delivering mail. Median annual pay: over $58k.2. BoilermakerConstruct and assemble boilers and other such structures. Median annual pay: around $60k.3. First-Line SupervisorSupervise construction trades and extraction workers. Make median pay of roughly $62k per year.4. Subway OperatorOperate a subway car (or a streetcar or elevated commuter train). Median income: over $63k per year.5. Signal or Track Switch RepairerMake sure all the systems, switches, and section lines are running smoothly in a rail system. Median pay: nearly $64k per year.6. Farm or Ranch ManagerCoordinat e the management and operation of agricultural businesses. Computer importance: only 41 out of 100. Median annual salary? over $64k.7. Power-Line Installer or RepairerWork in electrics installing or repairing cables or power systems.The median pay is well over $66k per year.8. Transportation InspectorInspect and monitor transportation equipment, vehicles, systems, etc. (for everything except aviation) to make sure safety standards and regulations are met. The median pay is almost $71k per year.9. Ship EngineerSupervise and coordinate the activities of a ship’s crew below and above decks. Median pay: almost $73k per year.10. AcupuncturistTrain to treat people using this ancient Chinese remedy. You could make almost $75k per year.11. Ship, Boat, or Barge MateSupervise or coordinate crew activities aboard numerous kinds of vessels. You can make almost $77k per year in median pay.12. Anesthesiologist AssistantAssist anesthesiologists in and out of surgery and monitor patient stat us and care. The median pay is high: over $98k per year.13. OBGYNIf you can get yourself through med school and become an obstetrician/gynecologist, you can make a whopping $187k+ median annual pay.

Determination of Nitrous oxide in gases Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Determination of Nitrous oxide in gases - Essay Example The paper is a comparative review of a few of the methods used in determination of nitrous oxide in gases. It has been concluded after a time, quality and cost-benefit analysis, that the use of passive diffusion sampling methods followed by thermal desorption and analysis with an EC-GC may be the optimal choice. Ambient air bag sampling- Personnel are fitted with air bags that passively collect fumes of nitrous oxide. The gas is absorbed in an appropriate sorbant material. An active sampling involves filling a sampling bag by means of a personal pump provided with a driving device or another equivalent method. The major disadvantage of the method being that the bags can get punctured and cannot be airlifted unless they are stored in pressurized cabins. Besides the potential for leakage is higher and leak checks using the soap bubble technique have to be performed. (US Govt. NIOSH documents-http://www.cdc.gov/niosh ) Passive dosimeter badges- Workers exposed to Nitrous oxide wear the badges and these absorb the vapour by diffusion principles. The minimum time for exposure is one hour and the maximum is 40 hours (one work day). Sampling capacity 560ppm-hrs, detection limit- 2ppm-hrs, sampling rate- 0.75ml/min, functions between 10%-80% relative humidity, accuracy (Max. Total Error) 25%, functional temperature limits are between 0C-50C (affect result by 5%). The major advantages are that, "no sampling pump is required... The major disadvantage is that badges have to be analysed within one week after the sample period for accuracy. Badges must be used before the expiration date and are usually more expensive than diffusion tubes (http://www.assaytech.com; http://www.labsafety.com) Passive diffusion tubes- Steel tubes packed with molecular sieves and caped with diffusive caps. It has been found that the method is valid for detecting Nitrous oxide between 25 and 1000ppm. The quantitative detection limit is at 2 g. Passive monitors work accurate between 60-90% RH at 25C and can measure concentrations as high as 500ppm for 8 hours. The NIOSH declares the method as, "adequate," for measuring Nitrous Oxide in air as the method is not bulky, does not involve liquids and does not require pre and post calibration. Some types of tubes can be stored in temperatures between 20C-25C for a period of 30 days. Sample recoveries in 30 days were found to be 10% compared to results in day 2. Recovery rates were found to be 98%-100% is varying concentrations. The one disadvantage is because of reliance on samples being tested at the vendor site (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh) Active diffusion tubes- The sample is collected filling a sampling bag by means of a personal pump provided with a driving device or another equivalent method. They consist of a pump that pulls a constant amount of air (usually in l/min), the molecular sieve and a clip for attaching the device onto the breathing zone. No change in results were noted under a Relative Humidity (RH) of 90% under 25 C. Recovery rates were found to be between 99%-100% in varying concentration. The advantage of the method is that it is usually more

The BCG Growth Matrix for BSkyB Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

The BCG Growth Matrix for BSkyB - Essay Example The development of business activities around the world has led to the need for new types of strategic tools that will support daily managerial activities – especially the identification and the evaluation of a firm’s competitiveness within the modern market. Towards this direction, extremely effective strategic tools have been designed and are applied by managers internationally offering the necessary basis for the increase of corporate performance – only where particular rules are followed regarding the adaptation of these tools on a specific market. Emphasizing the importance of these strategic tools Shay et al. (1999) noticed that ‘managers today would benefit from strategic analysis tools that foster an understanding of the competitive environment from multiple perspectives’ (Shay et al., 1999, 559); however, it is necessary than in each case the appropriate strategic tool is chosen by a firm’s managers making sure that its use will benef it the firm both in the short and the long term. The current paper focuses on the examination of the role and the importance of a particular strategic tool, the BCG matrix (see Appendix, Figure 1) for the performance of a specific firm based in the UK, the British Sky Broadcasting Group plc (BSkyB). The specific firm is among the FTSE 100 firms having a significant position in the British market. Therefore, the examination of its daily activities using the BCG matrix has been considered to help towards the identification of the effectiveness of this matrix when used by modern firms especially those with a simultaneous presence in many industrial sectors (like in the case of BSkyB which operates in both the telecommunications and the TV broadcasting sectors).

Enron Essay Example for Free

Enron Essay To provide the students with a thorough and detailed understanding of the underlying concepts and accounting treatment of inter-corporate long-term investments (consolidations and business combinations). To introduce and discuss topics including foreign currency transactions, translating foreign operations, hedge accounting, not for profit accounting, interim and segmented reporting. To discuss and draw student’s attention to current developments within the accounting profession. Course Description:Reporting relevant financial information subsequent to long-term inter-corporate investments. The preparation of consolidated financial statements with emphasis on their economic substance rather than legal form. Texts:Modern Advanced Accounting in Canada, Hilton/Herauf, 5TH Edition C. I. C. A. Handbook Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (specific sections indicated on the syllabus) Evaluation: Final grades will be determined as follows: Mid-term exam 30% Final exam 70% Although the completion of weekly assignments does not factor into the final grade, their importance cannot be over emphasized. The lectures provide the basic knowledge and the assigned problems build on that knowledge. Completion of these assignments is an absolute minimum for the student to gain an understanding of the subject matter. Assignments will be reviewed in class. Students are responsible for all materials for the exams, whether or not it is covered in class. Exams will be a combination of all types of questions based on all sources, and students may be required to integrate theoretical concepts from the text to substantiate their arguments. No make-up tests or make-up assignments are allowed in this course. â€Å"In the event of extraordinary circumstances beyond the University’s control, the content and/or evaluation scheme in this course is subject to change. † Course Requirements:Calculators Only non-programmable, no-tape, noiseless calculators are permitted. Calculators capable of storing text are not permitted in tests and examinations. Dictionaries Dictionaries are not permitted. Handheld Devices Handheld devices capable of storing text and having calculator functionality (e. . Palm, etc. ) are not permitted. Additional Information: Methodology The material covered in the classroom will be used to supplement textbook readings. Each class will consist of a lecture lasting approximately one and half to two hours. The remainder of the class time will focus on review of all assigned problems and exam writing techniques. Every chapter should be read twice. The first reading should be done prior to attendi ng class and the second reading should be done after the class discussion of the chapter. The questions at the back of each chapter follow directly from the reading. Students should be able to answer these questions after a thorough reading of the material. Academic Integrity:Code of Student Conduct McGill University values academic integrity. Therefore all students must understand the meaning and consequences of cheating, plagiarism and other academic offences under the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures (see www. mcgill. ca/integrity for more information). Luniversite McGill attache une haute importance a lhonnetete academique. Il incombe par consequent a tous les etudiants de comprendre ce que lon entend par tricherie, plagiat et autres infractions academiques, ainsi que les consequences que peuvent avoir de telles actions, selon le Code de conduite de letudiant et des procedures disciplinaires (pour de plus amples reseignements, veuillez consulter le site www. mcgill. ca/integrity). Final Exam Policy:Regulations Students should not make other commitments during the final exam period. Vacation plans do not constitute valid grounds for the deferral or the rescheduling of examinations. See the Centre Calendar for the regulations governing Examinations: http://www. mcgill. ca/conted-students/exams/regulations/ Students are required to present their I. D. Card (with photo) for entrance to their examination. Conflicts If you are unable to write your final examination due to scheduling conflicts, you must submit a Final Exam Conflict Form with supporting documentation at least one month before the start of the final examination period. Late submissions will not be accepted. For details, see http://www. mcgill. ca/conted-students/exams/conflicts/ Exam Timetable Examination schedules are posted at the Centre and on the following page approximately 6-8 weeks before the examination period commences http://www. mcgill. ca/conted-cms/exams/ The Centre cannot provide examination dates over the telephone. Classroom Rules:All electronic devices (cell phones and beepers) must be turned off during class time. Assignments Pickup:Marked assignments cannot be picked up from the offices at Continuing Education, therefore if your marked assignments are not available in class before the end of term you must submit a self-addressed stamped envelope to you instructor or these assignments will not be returned. Remember to keep a photocopy or back-up of your creative work before it is handed in to your instructor. Email Policy:E-mail is one of the official means of communication between McGill University and its students. As with all official University communications, it is the students responsibility to ensure that time-critical e-mail is accessed, read, and acted upon in a timely fashion. If a student chooses to forward University e-mail to another e-mail mailbox, it is that students responsibility to ensure that the alternate account is viable.

Mtv And The Madonna Phenomenon Essay -- essays research papers

MTV and The Madonna Phenomenon "Madonna's intuitive grasp on the televisual world in which we live- of the medium's possibilities for engaging spectators in diverse ways- that in part accounts for her success. She is the supreme television heroine." (E. Ann Kaplan 271) "What are the main theories which we have studied so far and how have they affected how you view television?"-This is the question which this paper is supposed to answer. Obviously there is not enough time or space in which to discuss every theory which we have touched on. As a compromise I decided to write about a topic to which almost every theory that we have discussed can be applied: MTV and the â€Å"Madonna Phenomenon†. As E. Ann Kaplan stated in her article on feminist criticism, Madonna is truly the ultimate television heroine. A discussion on contemporary popular culture and especially on media culture could never be complete without bringing up Madonna. She can be discussed in terms of feminism, ideology, hegemony and commercialism as seen in both Kaplan's as well as in John Fiske's article on British Cultural Studies. In order to properly explain how the â€Å"Madonna Phenomenon† has become such an important concept in media studies, one must look first at how influential MTV (music television) has become in the last decade. MTV addresses the â€Å"desires, fantasies, and anxieties† of young people(Kaplan 270) who have, like myself, grown up in a decade when all the traditional institutions and theories that were always respected, are being questioned. It has become the center of discussions of many young people who have grown up idolizing the figures shown on the network. MTV is a culture in itself. With it's own news, fashion and music programs it can easily be the considered the basis for the formation of thought of an entire generation. The images depicted in music videos, of androgynous stars and situations have aided in rendering the clear line between the genders rather blurry. This makes MTV an important aspect in the study of post-modern theories. Videos are often quite abstract and it is hard to figure out their true meanings. Unlike other television programming, videos are usually not made up of clear parts or scenes which produce an easily identifiable and readable image... ...nd in particular those in music videos) quite differently. I would see them,, as I had in the past as victims of the dominant ideology and the patriarchal society which we live in. Madonna proves that women can fight against the regulations which are forced onto women: that if they are sexual beings than they are nothing more than sex symbols, and that society determines how women are portrayed on television. If I could go as far as to describe Madonna in one word it would be â€Å" strong†. I not only enjoy her work but admire her ability to do what she feels like doing, even if she completely disregards society's definitions of decency. She is one of the few women in history who has never asked others to accept or like what she does. To conclude I would like to quote Madonna herself in order to demonstrate her atypical way of thinking which has brought her such undeniable success: â€Å"Poor is the man whose pleasures depend on the permission of another† -Madonna â€Å"Justify my Love†

Modernity and the Notions of Public Interest Essay

This paper examines the meaning of modernity and the relations between the notions of public interest, ethics and law. By giving an example that raises this issue further, the realm of morality, professional ethics and law is discussed and whether their spheres of jurisdiction would overlap. It also explores the meanings and definitions of the key terms that are of most concern for this topic, and how they relate or differ from each other. A Singaporean example is also shown as evidence to support the discussion. Finally, a counter argument is provided with a reasonable response that follows with this argument. While scholars and philosophers have defined modernity in different ways, the emergence of modernity is also a very important aspect of the term. Before modernity came into prominence, there were the Renaissance and the Enlightenment. â€Å"The essence of modernity can be seen in humanity’s freeing itself from the bonds of the Middle Ages in that it frees itself to itself† (Heidegger, Young, & Haynes, 2002). Modernity refers to human beings starting to rationalize and think for themselves, rather than the traditional way of living life by the rules and teachings of their religion. In simpler terms, it is a shift from religious beliefs to scientific knowledge, as in man thinking by his own free will for himself. The stronghold of the Christian church decreased over the people and science began to be more accepted. The criticism of modernity is that it actually imprisons rather than liberates. Modernity gives rise to people’s opinion and free speech. Therefore, with free speech, restrictions are put into place to protect the freedom of the public. The term modernization refers to the increasing use of science and new technologies, and the political, social and cultural changes that followed through from these developments of modernization (Mann, 2010). Hence modern society is considered modern because of rapid change which is the essence of modern society (Nester, 2010). Today’s society and way of thinking all flourished from modernity. The use of science and technology, the need to understand all things in life through scientific study and experimentation are all traits of what makes modern society ‘modern. Therefore, it promotes a more rational, scientific worldview as religion, superstition and tradition lost their hold over everyday life. With modern thinking, public interest, ethics, law and so on, all of which were taking priority among people in their everyday life and also professionals so that everyone can live in harmony in a liberal democratic society. Public interest is what is justified toward the public which may be against some immediate individual person’s interest† (Downs, 1962). A general explanation for ethics would be that it is concerned with doing the right thing in a moral sense. Fieser (2001) described ethics as systematizing, defending and recommending concepts of right and wrong behaviour, while Spence (2005) said that it is a set of rules and virtues of character that guides interpersonal conduct (Breit, 2007). The Law is a set of rules for society, to protect people’s basic rights and freedoms and to treat them fairly (OrganizationOfAmericanStates, 2007). Certain situations that are of the public’s concern can also be an ethical and legal matter, such as illegal abortions. Abortions are illegal in most countries and even so, some women still require it for the sake of their own well-being. Thus, doctors have to face their own code of ethics in dealing with these issues. This matter is also of public interest because this issue has been an ongoing debate and the public are always concerned about it. In the Singapore context, the case of the ex-MOE scholar, Jonathan Wong having sexual relations with a minor makes a good example that raises this topic. The scholar from the Ministry of Education was at first charged with possessing child pornography in Britain which lead to investigations. The investigations then lead to reveal that he had sexual relations with an underage girl (Channel News Asia, 2012). Although the first charge in 2010 was not a public interest matter, the second charge this year provoked public interest. Aside from the illegality of the case, it sparked public interest due to him being a scholar with the public’s taxpayer money. The MOE’s code of ethics was considered for appointing this student for a scholar. So how do morality, professional ethics and law differ from each other? Morality is an individual’s own personal belief that differentiates right from wrong. It is an individual’s own personal character. Professional ethics is a standard or code of behaviour expected by a group to which the individual belongs to. Morality is a personal trait while ethics is more concerned in the field of profession. Law, however, is another different matter from both morality and professional ethics. But in some cases, their fields of jurisdiction do overlap with one another. In the course reader, Breit (2007) pointed out the ethical dilemma of a journalist on whether to report a story which is in the public interest. The ethical dilemma the journalist faced was due to the embargo of the news, whether to respect it or let the public know about the news immediately. There was also fear of getting sued for not respecting the embargo and for not fulfilling the duty as a journalist. These were the dilemmas that this journalist faced in which the different jurisdictions overlap with one another. Coming back to the example of the case of the ex-MOE scholar, it is illegal to have sex with a minor. This also led to public interest because he was a scholarship student of MOE by taxpayers’ money. Ethical issues were raised on the MOE’s side of the case for choosing this kind of person as their scholar and this reflects badly for the ministry. As for the opposing argument, â€Å"What reasons might be given for thinking that the disclosure of a person’s sexual misconduct serves the public interest? (Archard, 1998)† From the liberalism side of the argument, it states that neither society, government nor anyone else has the rightful authority to tell people what they do in the privacy of their own homes. Each person has rightful authority over how they conduct their own lives in private. Therefore the public does not need to know about all of the intimate details about the case. Although the counter argument is reasonable, the public should have the right to know about this issue because this person was accused for misusing the taxpayers’ money and dealt with actions of misconduct and broke the law in not one but two countries. The first charge was for possessing child pornography while he was studying in Britain and the second was for having sexual relations with a minor in Singapore. Modern thinking has lead to opinions on morality, ethics and law, as well as issues about public interest. Open critical discussions and evaluation of issues that arise from such issues given above is a crucial part of a healthy democracy. In a way, the standards of public interest, ethics and law in each country determines the modernity of the society.

Green Tourism Essay

Environmental concern is one of the major topics under discussion throughout the world due to its detrimental impact which is inevitable given the way in which resources are used and the environment polluted. Going green is a concept adopted by several businesses around the world. Some of these businesses are honestly concerned about the environment whereas others have adopted it as a marketing ploy to make profits. Thus, it is hard to say whether or not green tourism is a marketing ploy but if undertaken morally and ethically then it should not be the case (Kandari & Chandra, 2004). The tourism industry has been under scrutiny for damaging the environment. Hotels and resorts are being constructed in beautiful landscapes in order to attract customers. Moreover, they undertake green tourism marketing campaigns in order to justify themselves (Weeden, 2002). Is green tourism, then a marketing ploy? In order to answer this question we need to know what green tourism is and what impact it has on the environment (http://www. helium. com/items/1115642-green-marketing). What Is Green Tourism? Green tourism is all about the provision of environmentally friendly tourism services of all kinds ranging from leisure, business and recreational tourism services. Green tourism has also been termed as eco-tourism and sustainable tourism. Each of the terms revolves around the same cause i. e. low impact and environmentally friendly tourism. Green tourism is also being an environmentally friendly tourist itself for e. g. taking a leisure trip to a beautiful resort but also, in the processes, have the lowest impact on the environment where you are headed. Generally then; green tourism states that we should not only protect and preserve the place in which we live but also the places where we travel. Should Green Tourism Be Promoted? Whether or not green tourism is a marketing ploy or not is a question we will answer later but firstly we need to know whether or not green tourism should be promoted or not. The environmental impact of businesses around the world has now become a grave source of concern. As the world realized that most of the important natural resources are limited in supply, steps are being taken to help prevent environmental damage and to use the sacred natural resources in the most efficient and effective manner. The tourism industry has been at the center stage of the debate. Let us discuss the various impacts that tourism has on the environment and there effects. Tourism’s Impact on the Environment The environment has a certain limit to the number of visitors it can handle for e. g. rainforest is able to maintain the ecological balance with a few resorts and tourists but if the rainforest gets plagued with resorts, hotels and tourists, the ecological balance will be disturbed and threatened. Tourism has three major impacts on the environment i. e. the depletion of natural resources, pollution and physical impacts (Jones & Munday, 2007). Firstly, natural resources such as water for e. g. are overused by hotels and resorts. In fact tourists tend to use more water at a holiday then they do at home. Golf courses require immense amount of water and contribute to the depletion of water resources. Tourism also puts great stress on local energy, raw material and water resources for a country (Woodside, 2009). By far, land degradation is the most crucial impact of tourism on natural resources. Scenic landscapes and important resources such as minerals, wildlife etc are often destroyed through the construction of tourism facilities such as recreational centers, hotels and resorts. Secondly, tourism also contributes to pollution, especially in environments where pollution can cause much harm for e. g. wildlife reserves in Africa, rainforests in South America, beach resorts in Maldives etc. Pollution caused by tourism comes in the form of emissions, noise, sewerage, waste disposal and littering. Moreover, aesthetic pollution is also a major concern, mostly, tourism structures fail to integrate themselves within the natural landscape and result in the destruction of the scenic beauty. Lastly, tourism also contributes immensely to the physical destruction of the environment. An ecosystem is a structure of living organisms, their physical surroundings and the natural cycles that sustain them. Everything is in perfect harmony but this harmony is often disrupted through tourism. The construction of resorts and hotels calls for land paving, sand mining, terrain restructuring etc. this causes land erosion and loss of wildlife habitats and ecosystems themselves. Deforestation is another very destructive physical impact that tourism has on the environment (Yeoman & Beattie, 2006). Given the immense environmental impact of tourism it is imperative that action be taken to help resolve the problem. Financial assistance in the form of environmental aid, improved environmental management and planning, environmental awareness raising, protection and preservation and various regulatory measures are essential for environment sustainability (Grubler, 2006). One form of achieving all this is ‘green tourism’ in itself. In several European countries, green tourism is promoted and also sponsored by governments themselves. This reflects the fact that several governments are also promoting the marketing of green tourisms. The aim should be to target responsible citizens who would choose green organizations i. e. organizations that are environmentally friendly to purchase goods and services. The Ashdene House and Radisson SAS Hotel: Case Studies To get a better understanding about why organizations and businesses, whether small or large, engage in green tourism we will analyze two case studies from Europe, The Ashdene House, a five room guest house in the south of Edinburgh and the Radisson SAS Hotel in Glasgow, Scotland. Case 1: Ashdene House The Ashdene House is a five bedroom guest house on the south of Edinburgh. It was rewarded the Gold Award by the Green Tourism Business Scheme in 1998 for its dedication towards environmental sustenance. The guest house has worked towards energy and waste management in an eco-friendly manner. They considered the fact that less energy use will lead to less environmental damage and consequently reduction in global warming. Waste recycling is actively pursued with waste being sorted into cardboard, glass, plastic and food. Moreover, energy saving devices and appliances are used to ensure that minimum energy is wasted. Moreover, the guest house also encourages guests to be environmentally friendly by using public transport or walking to the Edinburgh center. To promote biodiversity of the local ecosystem, it has installed bird feeds and water equipment. The owners, Mr. and Mrs. Daulby are the masterminds behind this green initiative. They also use recycled material such as recycled toilet paper and consume organic products. The Daulby’s have made available an environmental pamphlet to keep the guests engaged in environmental protection. The pamphlet requests visitors to sort their rubbish in such a manner that recyclable material is put separately, the pamphlet encourages the use of public transport or walking instead of driving and lastly and most importantly it tells visitors that environmentally friendly activities must not only be engaged in when on holiday but also at home. Case 2: Radisson SAS Hotel The Radisson SAS Hotel in Glasgow takes the environment very seriously. In 2001, it announced a Responsible Business Program which emphasized upon reducing the negative impact of the business on the natural environment. The hotel opened up in Glasgow in 2002 with 247 guest bedrooms. The building design was built in such an architectural manner that it integrated well with the traditional and modern architecture of Glasgow city itself. Soon after inauguration, the hotel in 2003 was awarded the Gold Award for the Green Tourism Business Scheme. The hotel has been a lead player in environmental sustainability. Water, gas, electricity and waste are managed effectively and efficiently. The hotel is given a sustainability target based on resource usage by the head office and mostly it aims to exceed the expectations of the head office by conserving more energy and utilizing fewer resources. All the lighting, air conditioning and electrical appliances of the hotel are controlled through a computer unit. Whenever they are not in use the computer automatically shuts them off to save energy. The hotel also engages in the recycling of glass, paper and cardboard. A pamphlet in all hotel rooms enlightens guests regarding the Responsible Business Program undertaken by the hotel. The hotel markets its environmental efforts actively in Hotelier magazines, their website and various sponsored events. The hotel believes that the green initiative also gives the hotel an advantage, especially with German and Scandinavian visitors. They believe that companies which are certified with the ISO 14001 environmental standards would choose a ‘green’ hotel over one that did not pay attention to the environment. One thing to note here is that the ‘green’ initiative undertaken by Radisson SAS is not a marketing ploy but it is present throughout the organization, at all levels right down till the ground level. Green Tourism: A Marketing Ploy or Strategy? We understand that their can be two reasons for green tourism. Firstly, that an organization is sincerely concerned about the environment and has always been committed to go green or secondly, the organization is following the markets’ trends and faking the whole going green concept. This is also termed as ‘greenwashing’ where organizations advertise products as eco-friendly where in fact they are not. It is obvious that most of the company’s pursue the ‘go green’ concept for the profits that arise out of it. At times, companies have to point out the positive aspects of their products. We can say that this is intelligent marketing because given the economic recession and the global environmental crisis, and organizations will do what it takes to do, even if it is green tourism marketing, in order to keep minting money (Becken, 2005). Companies are in the business for making money; they will do whatever the customers want. The cases discussed above are examples of situations otherwise. Ashdene House and Radisson SAS were sincerely concerned with the environmental impact of their activities. So should be the case given the severe impact of tourism on the environment as discussed earlier. Companies are now in the race of green marketing, using fancy words such as all-organic, pure natural etc to allure customers. It is true that most of the companies are not actually going green but yet again, as the cases presented prove, there are some companies that are genuinely going green with no strings attached and they are sincerely concerned about the environment. Green tourism marketing has the same scenario; many hotels and resorts boast their environmental concern but have little or no prove to support their claims (Mowforth & Munt, 2008). Trade commissions and authorities around the world have made green marketing guidelines stricter so that companies don’t use it as a marketing gimmick. The issue of marketing myopia arises when organizations design products and services which are environmentally friendly, educate customers regarding the environmental efforts and the reasons for their marketing and lastly but most importantly ensure the credibility of the product claims and refrain from making false claims (d’Amore, 1993). Conclusion To conclude, we can say that green marketing or the marketing of products that are environmentally safe has been both a ploy for numerous companies whereas for others it is an honest effort to promote environmental awareness and minimize the impact of their operations on the environment. It is hard to tell whether or not a company is actually concerned about the environment or whether it has undertaken the effort to increase revenue and eventually profits. However, stricter rules and regulations and the important roles played by the International Standard Organization through their ISO 14000 certification are granting companies the environmentally friendly status. At the end of the day, even if a company is ISO 14000 certified, we will never find out whether it markets its certification for increased revenue or if it is actually proud of its success. References Becken S. (2005). The role of tourist icons for sustainable tourism, Journal of Vancation Marketing, Vol 11, 21 – 30. d’Amore L. J. (1993). A Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Socially and Environmentally Responsible Tourism, Journal of Travel Research, Vol 31, 64 – 66. Grubler A. , (2006). â€Å"Doing More with Less: Improving the Environment through Green Engineering,† Environment, Vol 48, 22–37. Helium/Jeff Parsons. Is going green a new marketing ploy? Retrieved March 24, 2010, from http://www. helium. com/items/1115642-green-marketing Jones C. and Munday M. (2007). Exploring the Environmental Consequences of Tourism: A Satellite Account Approach, Journal of Travel Research, Vol 46, 164 – 172. Kandari O. P, Chandra Ashish. (2004). Tourism, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development. 4th Edition. Gyan Publishing House. Mowforth M. , Munt Ian. (2008). Tourism and Sustainability. 3rd Edition Illustrated. Taylor & Francis. Weeden C. (2002). Ethical tourism: An opportunity for competitive advantage? , Journal of Vacation Marketing, Vol 8, 141 – 153. Woodside Arch G.. (2009). Applying Systems Thinking to Sustainable Golf Tourism, Journal of Travel Research, vol 48, 205 – 215. Yeoman I. and McMahon-Beattie U. (2006). Understanding the impact of climate change on Scottish tourism, Journal of Vacation Marketing, Vol 12, 371 – 379.

Oath of Allegiance to the United States

Oath of Allegiance to the United States The Oath of Allegiance to the United States, legally called the â€Å"Oath of Allegiance,† is required under federal law to be sworn to by all immigrants who wish to become naturalized citizens of the United States. The complete Oath of Allegiance states: I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure (or renounce) all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God. The basic principles of U.S. citizenship embodied in the Oath of Allegiance include: Supporting the Constitution;Renouncing all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which the applicant was previously a subject or citizen;Supporting and defending the Constitution and laws of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic;Bearing true faith and allegiance to the Constitution and laws of the United States; and Bearing arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; orPerforming noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; orPerforming work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law. Under the law, the Oath of Allegiance may be administered only by officials of the U.S. Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS); immigration judges; and eligible courts. History of the Oath The first use of an oath of allegiance was recorded during the Revolutionary War when new officers in the Continental Army were required by Congress to disavow any allegiance or obedience to England’s King George the Third. The Naturalization Act of 1790, required immigrants applying for citizenship simply to agree â€Å"to support the Constitution of the United States.† The Naturalization Act of 1795 added the requirement that immigrants renounce the leader or â€Å"sovereign† of their native country. The Naturalization Act of 1906 along with creating the federal government’s first official Immigration Service, added wording to the oath requiring new citizens to swear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution and to defend it against all enemies, foreign and domestic. In 1929, the Immigration Service standardized the language of the Oath. Prior to then, each immigration court was free to develop its own wording and method of administering the Oath. The section in which applicants swear to bear arms and perform non-combat service in the U.S. armed forces was added to the Oath by the Internal Security Act of 1950, and the section about performing work of national importance under civilian direction was added by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. How the Oath Could be Changed The current exact wording of the Oath of Citizenship is established by a presidential executive order. However, the Customs and Immigration Service could, under the Administrative Procedure Act, change the text of the Oath at any time, provided that the new wording reasonably meets the following â€Å"five principals† required by Congress: Allegiance to the United States ConstitutionRenunciation of allegiance to any foreign country to which the immigrant has had previous allegiancesDefense of the Constitution against enemies foreign and domesticPromise to serve in the United States Armed Forces when required by law (either combat or non-combat)Promise to perform civilian duties of national importance when required by law Exemptions to the Oath Federal law allows prospective new citizens to claim two exemptions when taking the Oath of Citizenship: Consistent with the First Amendment’s assurance of religious freedom, the phrase â€Å"so help me God† is optional and the phrase â€Å"and solemnly affirm† can be substituted for the phrase â€Å"on oath.†Should the prospective citizen be unwilling or unable to vow to bear arms or perform non-combat military service because of their â€Å"religious training and belief,† they may omit those clauses. The law specifies that the exemption from vowing to bear arms or perform non-combat military service must be based solely on the applicant’s belief in relation to a â€Å"Supreme Being,† rather than on any political, sociological, or philosophical views or a personal moral code. In claiming this exemption, applicants may be required to provide supporting documentation from their religious organization. While the applicant is not required to belong to a specific religious group, he or she must establish â€Å"a sincere and meaningful belief that has a place in the applicant’s life that is equivalent to that of a religious belief.†

Questions to Ask During an Academic Job Interview

Questions to Ask During an Academic Job Interview Every year graduate students, recent graduates, and postdocs to make the rounds on the academic job interview circuit. When youre looking for a faculty position at a college or university in this difficult academic job market, its easy to forget that your job is to evaluate how well the position matches your needs. In other words, you should ask questions during your academic job interview. Why? First, it shows that youre interested and attentive. Second, it shows that youre discriminating and wont just take any job that comes along. Most importantly, its only by asking questions that youll obtain the information that you need to decide if the job is really for you. Questions to Consider The following are various questions that you can examine and custom fit for your specific interview: How is the university organized? What are the major units and administrators of the school and what are their responsibilities? What does the organizational flow chart look like? (Note that you should do your homework beforehand and be somewhat familiar with the university; ask additional questions to clarify your understanding.)How are departmental decisions made?How often are departmental meetings held? Are decisions made in departmental meetings? Who is eligible to vote on departmental decisions (e.g., all faculty or only tenured faculty)?May I have a copy of the departmental annual report?Whats the relative importance of teaching, research, and service for promotion and tenure?What is the average time that faculty members spend in each academic rank? How long is it before assistant professors are reviewed for promotion and tenure?What is the nature of the tenure review process?About what percent of faculty receive tenure?Can grants be used to supplement salary?What type of retire ment program is there? What percentage of the salary goes to retirement? What does the school contribute? What type of health program exists? What are the costs and benefits?How many undergraduate and graduate students are presently in the department? How are their numbers changing?Tell me about your student population.Where do the undergraduate students go after graduation?What kinds of technology are available in the classroom?How well does the library meet departmental needs? Are the reserves adequate?What courses are you looking to fill?How do the department and university support the improvement of teaching?What are the departments research strengths and weaknesses?What are the departments plans for growth and hiring?What resources for research are available within the department (e.g., computer facilities, equipment)Is there a research office on campus to help faculty write grants?How important is research in determining tenure and promotion?Is outside grant support essential for promotion and tenure?How are graduate students supported?How do graduate students select research advis ors? What kinds of financial support are available for research and supplies?Is this a new position? If not, why did the faculty member leave? Final Advice One final caveat is that your questions should be informed by your research on the department and school. That is, dont ask questions about basic information that can be gleaned off of the department website. Instead ask a followup, in-depth questions that show that youve done your homework and that you are interested in knowing more.

How the eye is suited for the purpose of converting visible light into Essay - 1

How the eye is suited for the purpose of converting visible light into neural activity and how visual information is then conveyed to the visual cortex - Essay Example The paper will also highlight some of the challenges the eye faces while it performs its functions. The eye’s first adaptation to its interaction with light is referred to as the papillary light reflex. When responding to different levels of light, the rods and cons work independently but back up each other. This modus operandi espouses the eye’s adaptation to dark light.. While the rods are sensitive to light, they have the tendency to take a significant amount of time to adapt to darkness, in this case the rhodopsin, situated in the photoreceptors take full charge through photo bleaching. On the other hand, the regulation of the eye’s sensitivity eye’ s to light is espoused by the changes in the intracellular calcium ions. In order to adapt to light, the eye first adapts to the background so that it is capable of detecting and distinguishing the background objects; the entire process of adaption to light takes a period of approximately five minutes Whenever light is reflected on a surface or remitted from an object, the eye detects the light that first encounters the cornea; from here, it is then focussed to the lens. The lens in turn functions to vary the focus depending on the distance that exists between the eye and the object. The focal adjustment of the light by the lens is called accommodation. The lens alters its shape depending on the distance of the object; for objects that are distant, it elongates, flattens and pulls out whereas for objects that are close by, it only needs to assume its natural round shape for clear vision. The light first passes through the space between the cornea and the lens that is filled with fluid called aqueous humour. It consequently goes through the t pupil ‘s circular aperture that is surrounded by the iris diaphragm muscles prior to going through the lens (Jones, et al 2004). However, the quantity of light that passes through the pupil is determined by the pupil’s diameter a nd still goes ahead to be

Innovation Diffusion and New Product Growth Models Essay

Innovation Diffusion and New Product Growth Models - Essay Example A number of organizations consider these innovations as a critical driver for economic performance. Researcher Silva, (2009) has agreed that the 21st century is totally based on information, innovation and knowledge-based economy. The success of organizations is hugely depended on the gaining of competitive advantages by effectively managing the current technologies and work processes while simultaneously creating innovations for the future. Innovation within the organizational processes can be viewed as the proper and efficient application for better solutions for the existing as well as changing and evolving marketing needs (Silva, 2009). Â  Innovation is the most important tool to success for the organizations in the post-Fordism business era. Post-Fordism elaborates the ability of organizations to improve their flexibility and adaptability towards the changing demand and preferences of the local as well as a global market by emphasizing on small batch production, economies of scope and new communication procedure (Amin, 2011). On the other hand, the percentage of failing of organizations is also increasing day by day from 2% in 1960 to 14% in 2008 (Edmondson, 2011). A large number of once leading companies, such as Kodak, Nokia Xerox, Motorola, and Polaroid, has experienced a huge failure due to the acquisition of wrong organizational practices and behaviors, while the market is continuously reforming and modernizing with new sets of behavior and practices. The organizational design and stereotypical practices are hampering the desired growth for the various leading organization while small firms are making their w ay to secure a successful position in the market (Edmondson, 2011). The lack of expertise to suspect the future has caused for overconfidence in such organization (Edmondson, 2011).