CORPORATE STRATEGY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

CORPORATE STRATEGY - Essay Example However, the recent Cola-wars forced the company to change its strategy and look beyond the carbonated drinks. The company has undergone massive restructuring and found healthier alternatives to meet the challenges that globalization posed (Jonash, Koehler, Onassis, 2007). The purpose of a true strategy is to master the business environment by understanding and anticipating the actions and strategies of the competitors. Competition is intense in markets without barriers. Competitive advantage that a firm has must be such that it is difficult to duplicate. In other words, a must have some differentiating factor. According to Greenwald and Kahn (2005) the three factors that generate competitive advantage include customer captivity, proprietary technology and economies of scale. Pepsi’s strategy demonstrates a deep understanding of markets and identifying unmet customer needs, identifying existing and potential internal capabilities that could be used to leverage differentiation, clustering innovation opportunities around a strategic platform and investing in innovation and executing on the strategic growth platforms and the opportunities (Jonash, Koehler, Onassis, 2007). Pepsi has entered emerging markets which have opened up their economies. Thus PepsiCo has been following a differentiation strategy, which according to Johnson and Scholes, seeks to provide products or services unique or different from those of competitors in terms of dimensions widely valued by buyers (Business Strategy, 2002). Organic growth refers to the long-term strategy of the company, apart from enhancing its core strength and vitality (Porter, 1979). Although Pepsi has been concentrating on the core growth but in the past five years it has continues to pursue its strategy of growth through acquisition. As a long-term strategy, PepsicCo had entered the sports drinks market through the

Market Failures & Professional Dilemmas Essay Example for Free

Market Failures Professional Dilemmas Essay Based on the Edwards article which market failures or imperfections are present in the â€Å"Lobster Thermidor† case? And can you identify any in your professional life? Based on the Halbert Ingulli reading (â€Å"Making An Ethical Decision†) apply the methods of ethical reasoning to these situations. Two market failures can be observed in the â€Å"Lobster Thermidor† case, a tragedy of public goods and informational deficiencies. First of all, the divers have to dive deeper, to the limit of diving safety, since overfishing has made the lobsters rare and to catch the lobster less than 30 meter down is getting harder and harder. This is the very typical case of public goods, where the public resources such as the lobsters under the sea are usually over-consumed by the individuals who try to maximize one’s interest. Deforestation, which has destroyed the entire farming industry and forced Miskitos out to entirely rely on diving, was another tragedy caused by the overconsumption of the public goods, forest. Secondly, both the divers and the end-consumers make wrong, irrational decisions cause of the lack of information. Divers, who do not recognize the true market price of lobsters as well as the true price of potential risks, bargain away their goods with little danger pay allowances. Also, the consumers, who have no idea about the severe fishing environment in Honduras, are reluctant to pay more than current prices, formed lower than it should be at the cost of human lives. The company where I worked prior to school has always tried its best to remove any little elements of competition in its area. If there were a small but promising start-up with innovative idea and technology, that company used every means –most were legal or grey while a few were nearly illegal- to get rid of the potential threats. For instance, it quickly imitates the new technology of the start-up, take out the similar patent, scout the core human resources, block off the critical suppliers and seed funds, cut the price of competitive goods to the minimum level, and do hostile MA. This case also showed the issues related to public goods and informational deficiencies. The company attempted to minimize the production/dissemination of new technologies, which can be considered as public goods, and the newborn ventures could not protect themselves cause of the limited access to the information. From the utilitarianism perspective, these are reasonable and desirable attempts because the larger number of stakeholders can be satisfied. My company had more than 20,000 employees while the average start-ups have no more than 100 employees. Considering the families of employees, shareholders, subcontractors, and the related industries, maximizing profit of my company could bring higher utilities than the success of small ventures. Even in long-term, my company’s decision would not be wrong since the possibility of success of start-ups are extremely low compared to the global conglomerates. My company, which has the global network, huge infrastructure, and accumulated knowhow can exploit the new technology better and thereby encourage the social progress. In contrast, from the deontological view, it was absolutely wrong. My company not only hindered the fair competition but also committed illegal acts. Whether the result proved positive or negative is not important for the deontologists. Finally, it was not proper when applying the concept of virtue ethics since the motives of the actions of the company was not correct and contributes nearly nothing to the harmonious relationship with the community it belonged.

Love vs. Lust in Andrew Marvells Poem, To His Coy Mistress Essay

I know that there is a unique difference between love and lust. In the Andrew Marvell poem â€Å"To His Coy Mistress,† I would argue over the issue of love versus lust. In this poem, we are introduced to a man who is infatuated with a young woman and wants to become intimate with her. He tries to pursue this young woman, but the woman is playfully hesitant. The man is trying to explain to the young woman if she keeps being resistant to him, they would never get a chance become intimate. Could it be that the man really does have true love for the young woman? Or is that he is just lusting for her gentle touch? In the first stanza of this poem, the man begins by expressing his feelings for the young woman. He starts off by trying to flatter the young woman. He does this by telling her that if he had all the time in the world, he would use it by telling her how beautiful she was. Since he knows that they do not have all the time in the world, he uses his charm and persuasion to try to get her to become intimate with him. In my opinion, at this point of the poem, it seems as if the man has...

Different Types Of Play Essay

1. The materials used in play, what the benefits are and examples. Creative play is when children use their imagination and artistic skills to create what they want whilst doing activities such as painting, drawing, sticking, cutting and play dough. The materials that are used in this play are colouring pencils, scissors, glue, paper, crayons, stamps, aprons, feathers and paints. Creative play helps develop math skills because when they are sticking they are seeing a variety of different shapes and sizes and get a basic understanding of this. When children are being creative they are using and developing their fine motor skills, they are doing this by participating in activities such as painting, cutting and drawing. Children are expressing themselves in creative play using materials other than words and they can work together and socialise in the activities this will help build relationships with other children. Pretend play is what kids do to learn about their world and understand how to interact with the people and things that are in it. Children are being imaginative and act out what their parents do for example they play kitchen and mums and dads. This is an understanding of the world and everyday life. The materials that are used in this play are dressing up, plastic food, play kitchens, doll houses and push chairs. Children can express their feelings through pretend play because they may act out something that has happened to them before. It’s also an opportunity to talk to children about feelings and emotions. When children are pretend playing they are making up stories of their own for example they play ‘schools/ teachers’ and make up what’s going to happen. Children are developing their language skills through this and also their social skills because they will be playing with other children and sharing ideas of their own. Children are learning and developing how to problem solve because they all might want to be the teacher but they can’t so they will need to work out how they are going to do this. Physical play is any activity that you do when your body is involved with movement. The materials that are used in this play are bikes, skipping ro pes, footballs, hopping, hopscotch and apparatus. Physical activity helps develop children’s health and growth development. When children physical play they are improving their physical skills and it provides children with feelings of accomplishment, positive self-esteem and a sense of power and freedom. Children are improving their  gross motor skills because physical play involves coordination, jumping, running and balancing, anything to do with their feet and legs. Manipulative play is a play that involves children building and fitting things together. This play helps children develop their fine motor skills and hand co-ordination. It helps children become more confident in using different objects and equipment they will use as they get older. The materials that are used in this play are building blocks, puzzles and Lego/ Duplo. Children become increasingly skilful with their hands, and it also encourages them to think about their actions, plan them, and learn through trial-and-error. Manipulative play also helps childre n to learn the most suitable ways of performing certain actions. Discovery play is allowing children to learn about the world and how it works. Children grow in self-confidence and to experiment and investigate new things, to form new relationships and to develop as individuals. Discovery play is for children to explore, investigate and make sense of the world around them. They can feel the changes in the weather, discover the natural world and move and develop their physical strength. 3. Questions You have been asked to work with a group of children to make paper hats for a party. What type of play is this? This is creative play. How can you make sure that each child makes a hat in their own way? To make sure that each child makes a hat in their own way you could talk to them and help gather their own ideas to put them on their hat. Encourage the children to do it how they want to and not what everyone else is doing. What equipment and materials would you need? The equipment and materials that you need are glue, aprons, stickers, glitter, feathers, sequins, scissors, colouring pencils, cello tape and stapler. Can you describe what pretend play is? Pretend plays are children being imaginative and make believing. What are the different forms of pretend play? The different forms of pretend play are role play, domestic play, fantasy play, imaginative play, super hero play and socio dramatic play. What equipment or items can be used in pretend play? The equipment that can be used in pretend play is play kitchens, tea sets, and dress up, plastic food, card board boxes, books, dolls house, doctors set, plastic babies, teddies, plastic phones, apparatus and cutlery. How can pretend play fit in with the Early Years Curriculum? Pretend play fits in with the Early Years Curriculum by doing a theme. Within my placement my class had monsters week and children had to dress up as monsters at the end of the week. What are the benefits of physical play? The benefits of physical play are that children develop stronger immune systems and it improves focus and concentration. Physical play can promote problem solving skills and leadership skills. Children respond to their peers feelings while waiting for their turn and sharing their experiences, this helps develop their social and emotional development. Physical play contributes to children’s fine manipulative and gross motor development and body awareness as they use their bodies in activities. This helps their physical development. What type of equipment can be used for physical play and how can this help children develop? What age ranges this is suitable for? The type of equipment that can be used for physical play can be apparatus; this can help children develop their physical development. They are using their gross motor skills and fine motor skills because they are using their hands to grab and pull themselves up and they are using their feet to push themselves up, balance and climb over. The age ranges that are suitable for this would be 3-12 years old. What large pieces of equipment are there and which ones are particularly popular with the children? How do they use them? Within my placement they have slides, tunnels and tricycles in the playground. The tricycles and slides are the ones that are most popular with the children. The children that play with the tricycles they pretend that they are on motorbikes and make the sounds of it. Some children like to race with each other. Many skills are developed when riding a tricycle such as the ability of know when to slow down and speed up, pedal and steer. The slides, children learn to balance and build up their self-esteem. Children see slides as a challenge when they climb and they enjoy playing on it. What is manipulative play and can you give examples? Manipulative play is building and fitting things together. Examples; Lego Train set Puzzles Building blocks What are the benefits of manipulative play? The benefits of manipulative play are that children can work together, or on their own building blocks and this helps develop their social development. Children are developing their fine and gross motor skills, using their fingers to pick up the pieces. Also they are developing hand- eye coordination because if the child was doing a jigsaw they are looking where the puzzle piece may fit. Children are developing their language skills when playing with friends. When children have completed their activity such as a train set they will sense achievement because they completed it on their own, they may even set themselves a goal and do something a bit harder. What equipment can be used in manipulative play, what are the benefits and age ranges? Duplo can be used in manipulative play, the benefits of this are that children can gain confidence because there is no right way in playing with this equipment. Children are using hand-eye coordination and their fine manipulative skills. The suitab le age for this is 18 months- 5 years old. What is discovery play and can you give me some examples? Discovery play is playing that helps children learn and explore new things and how to use and play with them. Examples; Sand and water pit Farm yards Plasticine and play dough Cars What materials can be used to encourage discovery play? Buttons Pebbles Pasta Different coloured paper Rice How could children combine play? Children can combine play by putting toys with another. Examples; Sand pit with dinosaurs. Water with boats, plastic sea creatures or cups. Playing with the Play dough in the kitchen, making things, pretend food. Case study questions 1. How is this type of language helping Ayse develop her language? It helps develop Ayses language because it encourages to communicate with other children when she is around them. 2. What other skills is Ayse learning?  She is using her fine manipulative skills, sensory and thinking skills. 3. Why is it important that the child minder is ready to join in and support this type of play? It’s important that the child minder is ready to join in and support this type of play because it will give Ayse ideas on what to use to pretend feed her teddy. The child minder can make sure that Ayse is safe when playing and is calm. 4. What is treasure basket play and Heuristic play? Treasure basket play is a play that babies use, it’s a basket that has a variety of toys in that are suitable for the child to play with. The baby can choose what they want to play with and it gives them a chance to explore the different toys inside the basket. They can touch, shake, licking, banging and dropping. The materials that are used in this play are corks, shells, string, sponges, leather wallet and metal scoop. Heuristic play is a play that children use who are mobile and have moved on from treasure basket play. It encourages children to explore through the use of children’s senses. The types of things that are put out for the child to explore would be everyday objects. Children do anything to find out what they can and can’t do with the objects that they have been given, they will put things together or put them on top of each other. The materials that are used for this play are cork, plastic bracelets, pompoms, pegs and different sized bottles. The role of the adult is to show what the children need to do because they aren’t going to know what to do with the things in the basket. Showing the children what to do gives them ideas on what else they might be able to do with it. Children love to explore with the different objects.  When the children are playing the adult shouldn’t interfere and just supervise them because they want to explore on their own, only interfere if children need your help. You should have objects that babies can put in their mouth because that’s the first thing babies will do with whatever they have in front of them, it’s how they feel the object. Babies can only grip objects, they aren’t able to feel with their hands properly which is why they put the objects in their mouth.

Internet †Based Learning Versus Traditional Classroom Learning.

Introduction Internet – based learning and traditional classroom learning are the popular learning styles known to some people. There have been several debates and which is still going on about which learning is the best. However, both learning styles have their limitations, advantages and disadvantages, but researchers still argue that one of the learning styles earlier mentioned is better than the other. Critics point out that Web-based training is a good alternative for independent, self-motivated students but that technical issues and the need for human contact limit its usefulness for students with other learning styles.More about these learning styles will be discussed in this paper. Definition of Internet – Based Learning Internet-based learning also known as e-learning is any-time, anywhere instruction delivered over the Internet to browser-equipped learners [1]. According to Allison Rossett, She said; â€Å"Web-based learning is a training that resides on a se rver or host computer that is connected to the World Wide Web. † Rossett also considers internet-based learning to be a training that is delivered partially or entirely through electronic hardware, software, or maybe both [2].Another definition of internet-based or web-based learning is the teaching and learning supported by the resources and attributes of the Internet [3]. There are two primary models of Web-based instruction: synchronous (instructor-facilitated) and asynchronous (self-directed, self-paced). Instruction can be delivered by a combination of static methods (learning portals, hyperlinked pages, screen cam tutorials, streaming audio/video, and live Web broadcasts) and interactive methods (threaded discussions, chats, and desk-top video conferencing). ICT RevolutionThe arrival of Information Communication Technology (ICT) revolution has made the world witness an expansion in Lifelong Learning, and it is also an ongoing process. The new ICT revolution has enabled a cademic institutions to provide more open and flexible learning environment for students. The Internet is possibly the most transformative technology in history for reshaping business, media, entertainment, and the society in amazing ways. But for all its power, it is now being tapped to transform education. Computer based learning and teaching is a rapidly growing area in education.Opportunities are evolving in the area of web-based learning through ICT enabled education as bandwidth and transmission speed increases. These opportunities are increasing accessibilities and the quality of ICT enabled education. The convergence of new information technologies such as computers, satellites, telecommunications, and fiber optic technologies make it easier for institutions to implement Lifelong Learning. Web-based course delivery can offer a vibrant learning environment created through different teaching strategies, activities, and technologies.Traditional forms of education are being tran sformed as the Internet becomes the new medium for communication [4]. Advantages of Internet – Based Learning With the emergence of Internet-based Learning, people are now able to achieve their masters’ degree. Internet-based learning provides flexibility to pursue education at personally convenient times. Internet-based learning also provides opportunity to take time to compose thoughts or ideas contributed in class on newsgroups which is the asynchronous type of web-based instruction.Furthermore, it enables interaction with classmates in different locations with the help of audio CDs, Video CDs, and real time text. Using hardware to provide education is synchronous communication. Internet-based learning reduces the cost of travelling to attend lectures. Students using the Internet-based learning style tend to have wider range of opinions and views about some of the discussion made. Students are able to progress in a course at their pace and in order of their own pers onal needs [5]. Limitation of Internet – Based learning Everything in this world comes with positive and negative points.Similarly Web Based Training also has its share of disadvantages and limitations. Some of the limitations to internet based learning in that it reduces face to face interactions by making it impossible for the student to ask questions because answers can’t be provided. When the student is not motivated, it leads to drop out. The cost of computer equipments and communication infrastructure may limit the number of students that can afford internet-based learning. The internet-based learning may be intimating or awkward for some students to use.Students will have a lack of technical support in their homes to use the software tools needed in the course. Poor technical support or tutorial help can lead to incorrect usage of software tools needed to do assignments [5]. Definition of Traditional Classroom Learning The traditional classroom has been successf ul because it provides a means through which learning happens. Traditional classroom learning also called back-to-basics refers to a room especially designed and furnished to provide a favorable learning environment [6].Advantages of Traditional Classroom Learning The advantage of traditional classroom learning is that it gives opportunity for students to get correct response from the teacher immediately a question is been asked. There is a room for the instructor to conduct secure assessments. Traditional classroom learning is closed and fairly free from outside distractions. It is fairly homogenous and concentrated. Another advantage of traditional classroom learning is that it provides students with a fixed schedule and specific periods dedicated exclusively to learning.In a traditional classroom environment, learning begins with the teacher sharing his knowledge with students, proceeds with discussions between the teacher and the students and ends with the new information writte n in notebooks. The learning atmosphere of the traditional classroom helps them to stay focused and keeps them motivated [7]. Limitations of Traditional Classroom Learning Traditional training emphasizes passing tests, whether or not students understand the testing material. The learning process is thus devalued, and students are not encouraged to understand the methods, techniques and skills required to find answers.It ignores individual learning differences between students. There is also no flexibility in traditional classroom learning. Not all students can afford to travel to the place where they get lectures, considering this, it may present an issue to financially challenged students [8]. Conclusion Traditional forms of education are being transformed as the Internet becomes the new medium for communication. Internet-based learning is a very good form of learning, but the introduction should not necessary mean that traditional classroom form of learning should be eliminated.In ternet-based learning should be used for lecturing and traditional classroom learning for the practical part of learning, workshop and labs. Combining both forms of learning (that is; internet-based learning and traditional classroom learning) will not be a bad idea at all that is, if applied carefully. Works Cited [1] Clark, Donald. â€Å"Defining eLearning. † 8 December 2010. 2 June 2012 . [2] â€Å"Web-Based Instruction Defined. † April 2011 . Learning Technologies at Virginia Tech. 2 June 2012 . [3] Rouse, Margaret. Web-based training (e-learning). † 2005. SearchSOA. 2 June 2012 . [4] â€Å"INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY-SKILLS DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION (ICT-SDE). † 2010. University of Mumbai. 2 June 2012 . [5] Quintana, Yuri. â€Å"Evaluating the Value and Effectiveness of Internet-Based Learning. † isoc. org. 3 June 2012 . [6] â€Å"Traditional Education. † 23 May 2012. Wikipedia. 3 June 2012 . [7] â€Å"Advantages & Disadvantages of Classroom Learning. † 1999-2012. eHow. 3 June 2012 . [8] â€Å"Disadvantages of Traditional Classroom Training. † 1999-2012. eHow. 3 June 2012 .

Of Mice And Men Essays - Literature, American Literature, Fiction

Of Mice And Men Essays - Literature, American Literature, Fiction Of Mice And Men John Steinbeck John Steinbeck was born in Salinas, California, in 1902. He was raised in a fertile agricultural valley about twenty miles from the Pacific Coast. Both the valley and the coast would become the setting for some of his novels and short stories. In 1919 he attended Stanford University, where he took literature and writing classes. In 1925 he left the university. He did not attain a degree before his departure. For the next five years of Steinbecks life, he worked as a laborer and a journalist in New York City. Then he worked as a caretaker for an estate in Lake Tahoe. During these five years, he was also working on his first novel, Cup of Gold. He then got married and moved to Pacific Groove where he published his next two books, The Pastures of Heaven and To a God Unknown. He also worked on some of his famous short stories. He gained success and financial security with his book Tortilla Flat. This was full of stories about Montereys paisanos. In 1952, he published East of Eden, a story about the Salinas valley and Steinbecks own family history. The last decades of his life were spent in New York City and Sag harbor with his third wife. Throughout Steinbecks life he published twenty-five books. After his death in 1968, four more of his books were published. Six years before his death, John Steinbeck won a Noble Prize. Of Mice and Men The book Of Mice and Men is about the trials and tribulations of friendship. Throughout the book, George is continuously telling Lennie that if he were alone he could live so easy. When Lennie gives his answer of leaving, George instantly jumps down Lennies throat and reminds Lennie that he was jus foolin and wants Lennie to stay. The relationship these two characters posses is that of best friends who will be together until the end. Since George never wants Lennie to go off on his own he obviously cares. George gets Lennie out of numerous situations throughout the length of the book. When Lennie is accused of rape, George and him leave town together. When Curley picks a fight with Lennie, George is the one who convinces Lennie to get im. And finally when Lennie accidentally kills Curleys wife, George is the one who puts Lennie out of his misery in order to keep im [from] gettin lynched and to save Lennie from the consequences that would soon follow. The true trials of friendship become apparent throughout the book. It is evident that along with a true friendship comes many hardships. Lennie is Georges hardship, but George loves him regardless. In the book Of Mice and Men John Steinbeck uses his characters to create a theme of friendship overcoming all. Friends are willing to go to any lengths for each other, no matter the consequences. In the book, George puts his life on the line several times in order to save his companion, Lennie. When Lennie gets himself into trouble, is always right behind to save im. Even when George is forced to end Lennies life, he understands that he hadda in order to save Lennies soul. There is no step too large for a true friend to take for another friend. Steinbeck utilized the characters George and Lennie to achieve the theme of friends going to any length for each other. Lennie symbolizes the hardships of friendship. He has the mind of a child and requires someone quick like George to care for him. The relationship between these two men is referred to as that of a family. In this book, Steinbeck also uses his own unique style to create his theme. By the way he shows his characters interacting with one another, the theme becomes obvious. He displays George doing anything and everything he can for Lennie, even though he doesnt gain anything out of it. He also has the two characters speak the way the really would have had it been nonfiction. Steinbeck refers to George and Lennie wanting to live of da fatta the land. This phrase means that the characters were hoping for a life full of wealth and luxuries. He achieves an idea of the characters having high hopes for

Crime Crime and Childhood Experiences Essay

Crime Crime and Childhood Experiences Essay Crime: Crime and Childhood Experiences Essay Kya Ross Robert Scholfield Criminology 11/28/2014 Crime is a disorder in society that there is no cure for. There are many types, ranging from petty incidents to outright outrages occurrences. The individuals who commit these violent crimes are looked at as deviants, and to the wishes of the public are systematically imprisoned. These crimes include forcible rape, murder, assault, robbery, and terrorism. It has been made clear that they will not be tolerated. There are many causes for people to commit violent actions such as: environment, childhood experiences, addiction, and mental illness. These factors within a person can drive them to do anything. As a deterrent there are laws with minimum sentences that will, if caught, imprison an individual for a number of years. For the act of terrorism and murder the sentence will most always be death but that still does not halt the actions of the offenders. Environmental factors will cause a person to steal and murder for various reason including basic needs, income or protection. Mental health issues may not allow people the understand the difference between right or wrong actions and therefore they are not competent. Childhood experiences such as sexual assault and battery will follow an individual throughout their lives, in most cases the trauma that was inflicting upon them they will now carry out. Addiction is a disease that will cause a person to commit any type of crime. Rape is the act of forcibly engaging in sexual intercourse with a partner that does not consent. In the past it was not looked down upon because it was believed that a woman was not an equal and to be done with as the man wanted, not unlike a slave. As people's minds and views changed so did laws which made it illegal. Although the laws are in place it is still difficult to convict one of rape because the victim may not report the crime due to fear, shame and uncertainties. The victims of the act are not only women, they can also be men and children. Murder is the act of taking the life of another individual. Through history it has been frowned upon unless it was done in the name of country or God, punished by death in most cases. There are many circumstances surrounding it in such as serial killers, who kill multiple people, or people who kill for protection. Robbery is the act of taking things that does not belong to one's self. In old cultures and even in some existing ones the punishment for theft would be the removal of a hand. America deems this as cruel and unusual, therefore unconstitutional

Manganese Facts - Periodic Table of the Elements

Manganese Facts - Periodic Table of the Elements Manganese  Basic Facts Atomic Number: 25 Symbol: Mn Atomic Weight: 54.93805 Discovery: Johann Gahn, Scheele, Bergman 1774 (Sweden) Electron Configuration: [Ar]4s2 3d5 Word Origin: Latin magnes: magnet, referring to the magnetic properties of pyrolusite; Italian manganese: corrupt form of magnesia Properties: Manganese has a melting point of 1244/-3 °C, boiling point of 1962 °C, specific gravity of 7.21 to 7.44 (depending on allotropic form), and valence of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, or 7. Ordinary manganese is a hard and brittle gray-white metal. It is chemically reactive and slowly decomposes in cold water. Manganese metal is ferromagnetic (only) after special treatment. There are four allotropic forms of manganese. The alpha form is stable at normal temperatures. The gamma form changes to the alpha form at ordinary temperature. In contrast to the alpha form, the gamma form is soft, flexible, and easily cut. Uses: Manganese is an important alloying agent. It is added to improve the strength, toughness, stiffness, hardness, wear resistance, and hardenability of steels. Together with aluminum and antimony, especially in the presence of copper, it forms highly ferromagnetic alloys. Manganese dioxide is used as a depolarizer in dry cells and as a decolorizing agent for glass that has been colored green due to iron impurities. The dioxide is also used in drying black paints and in the preparation of oxygen and chlorine. Manganese colors glass an amethyst color and is the coloring agent in natural amethyst. The permanganate is used as an oxidizing agent and is useful for qualitative analysis and in medicine. Manganese is an important trace element in nutrition, although exposure to the element is toxic in higher quantities. Sources: In 1774, Gahn isolated manganese by reducing its dioxide with carbon. The metal may also be obtained by electrolysis or by reducing the oxide with sodium, magnesium, or aluminum. Manganese-containing minerals are widely distributed. Pyrolusite (MnO2) and rhodochrosite (MnCO3) are among the most common of these minerals. Element Classification: Transition Metal Isotopes: There are known 25 isotopes of manganese ranging from Mn-44 to Mn-67 and Mn-69. The only stable isotope is Mn-55. The next most stable isotope is Mn-53 with a half-life of 3.74 x 106 years. Density (g/cc): 7.21 Manganese Physical Data Melting Point (K): 1517 Boiling Point (K): 2235 Appearance: Hard, brittle, grayish-white metal Atomic Radius (pm): 135 Atomic Volume (cc/mol): 7.39 Covalent Radius (pm): 117 Ionic Radius: 46 (7e) 80 (2e) Specific Heat (20 °C J/g mol): 0.477 Fusion Heat (kJ/mol): (13.4) Evaporation Heat (kJ/mol): 221 Debye Temperature (K): 400.00 Pauling Negativity Number: 1.55 First Ionizing Energy (kJ/mol): 716.8 Oxidation States: 7, 6, 4, 3, 2, 0, -1 The most common oxidation states are 0, 2, 6 and 7 Lattice Structure: Cubic Lattice Constant (Ã…): 8.890 CAS registry number: 7439-96-5 Manganese Trivia: Manganese dioxide is used to make clear glass. Normal silica glass is tinted green and the manganese oxides add a purple tint to the glass that cancels out the green. Because of this property, glassmakers called it glassmakers soap.Manganese is found in the enzymes necessary to metabolize fats and carbohydrates.Manganese is found in the bones, liver, kidneys, and pancreas.Manganese is important in the processes that form bones, clots blood, and regulates blood sugar.As important as manganese is to our health, the body does not store manganese.Manganese is the 12th most abundant element in the Earths crust.Manganese has an abundance of 2 x 10-4 mg/L in sea water (parts per million).The permanganate ion (MnO4-) contains the 7 oxidation state of manganese.Manganese was found in a black mineral called magnes from the ancient Greek kingdom of Magnesia. Magnes was actually two different minerals, magnetite and pyrolusite. The pyrolusite mineral (manganese dioxide) was called magnesia. Manganese is used in steel production to fix the sulfur found in iron ores. It also strengthens steel and prevents oxidation. References: Los Alamos National Laboratory (2001), Crescent Chemical Company (2001), Langes Handbook of Chemistry (1952), CRC Handbook of Chemistry Physics (18th Ed.) International Atomic Energy Agency ENSDF database (Oct 2010)

Relationship Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Relationship Analysis - Essay Example When Harry Met Sally When Harry Met Sally is a film directed by Rob Reiner in 1989, and was written by Nora Ephron. It is listed as one of the top American comedy films of all time and is also considered one of the most romantic movies of all time. Ephron gained an Oscar nomination for this movie. The film also gained a lot of Golden Glove nominations, primarily with Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor and Best Actress. The film follows the story of two people, Harry Burns and Sally Albright. The story is set within a twelve year span, starting in 1977 to 1989, from Chicago to New York. The movie chronicles their relationship: from the point that they do not like each other to the point that they got married. They first met in Chicago, where Harry hitched a ride with Sally on the way to New York. It should be noted that Harry’s girlfriend is Sally’s friend and that’s how they knew each other. They did not go along with each other because of their different opinions regarding relationships between men and women. The film’s theme about relationships is revealed here: Men and women can’t be friends because the sex part always gets in the way (Harry) and Women and men can be friends (Sally). They part ways as soon as they reached New York. The relationship is not romantic, not even friendly. Five years after that encounter, they saw each other at an airport and even share the same plane. Both are in romantic relationships: Sally was with Harry’s friend and Harry is engaged to a woman named Helen. This surprises Sally. Harry suggests that they become friends but further elaborates on this previous rule (but with an exception now because they are both in respective romantic relationships), making Sally reject his â€Å"friendly offer†. After five years, they meet again in a New York bookstore. Harry is now divorced and Sally is now single after breaking up with Harry’s friend, Joe. They have coffee togeth er and they have talked about their previous relationships. At this point, they decided to become friends. They spend more time with each other (platonically), have dinners together, have late night phone calls and have dates with other people. Their dating experiences with other people continue to show each other’s differing beliefs on dating. One New Year’s Party, Harry and Sally danced, and they found themselves getting attracted to each other. They denied their feelings and they set each other up with their respective friends. By some twist of fate, their best friends hit it off and got engaged. One night, Sally calls Harry because her ex is getting married. Harry goes to Sally’s house and comforts her. They had sex unexpectedly, leading to awkwardness the next day. This leads to their friendship’s cooling off, until they have an argument at their best friends’ (the one they set up for each other) wedding, promptly severing their friendship. Ha rry then tries to patch things up with Sally, to no avail. Fast forward to another New Year’s Party with Sally and she felt alone because there was no Harry to be with her, unlike the last New Year’s Party. As she leaves the party, Harry appears and they make up their mistakes and realize that they do indeed love each other. They kiss. The last scene shows that they were being interviewed about their marriage.

Psychology Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Psychology - Personal Statement Example Explaining this fact we see that, on the one hand, it was ethical because it followed the guidelines of a special Stanford ethics committee that allowed and approved it. Experiment’s participants were told that they would be assigned either the role of the guard, or the role of the prisoner in a completely random manner, and they all volunteered to play any of these roles for $ 15 a day for a period not exceeding two weeks. They signed a contract guaranteeing them a minimally adequate diet, clothing, shelter and medical care, as well as monetary rewards, and instead signed an ‘intention’ to perform an interim role during the whole experiment. On the other hand, it was unethical because the participants-prisoners were forced to stay in a simulated prison for the whole day during the study period and they were suffered, being humiliated by their fellows over the period of the experiment. Continuing the discussion of this ethical question we can mention that it was n ot right to trade ‘sufferings’ experienced by participants for the knowledge gained by the research, and understanding this fact the experiment was stopped mush earlier.

Assignment 1 Small Business Opportunities Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

1 Small Business Opportunities - Assignment Example Lending fund to small businesses and to the consumers at low rates is more profitable since more businesses will borrow thus providing fund to more small business (David, 2007). Lending of fund will expand the small business and the consumers and other retailers will benefit thus generating income and the economy becoming healthy. The federal government can use tax toolkit to consider my business and other type of businesses to boost the businesses in the market. Lower tax cut can be a powerful boost of the small business as an encouragement to ensure its continuity in the market. Another booster of small businesses is to give direct contract to them which will make it easier for the businesses not to compete with other large companies in the area (John, 2013). The federal government should advocate for direct contracts to small business so that they can encourage it and boost it. Historical underutilized business zone (HUB Zone) increases the chances of landing a government contract (Michael, 2004). The program encourages small businesses which are designated in high unemployment, where low income earners are granted contracts by the federal government. One of the criteria that I need to meet for my small business to be under Underutilized Business Zone is that the business must be owned and controlled by 51% of United States citizens. Again the business must have an office in HUB Zone and the employees of the small business must be living in the HUB Zone. The federal government has set a side $2,500 to $100,000 to small businesses. Since the business is in United States, I have the opportunity to get the contract from the federal government thus boosting the business. Since I have qualified to submit the relevant document for my business to become a HUB Zone company, then the federal government can offer HUB Zone contracts. The use of Smart Pay program manages a set of master contracts through

Non-Financial Rewards Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Non-Financial Rewards - Dissertation Example Moreover, free pension entitlement or private medical care can also be considered as the non financial rewards. Research Question What is the impact of non-financial reward on employee satisfaction? Literature Review The non financial rewards are cost effective for the organizations. According to Armstrong (2010), non financial rewards focus on the reorganization, achievement, autonomy, influence, personal growth and responsibility needs of the employees (Armstrong, 2010, p. 47). There are two types of non financial rewards namely tangible non financial rewards and intangible non financial rewards. Intangible non financial rewards are referred as the relational rewards. Work life balance, quality of work life fall in the intangible non financial rewards category. On the other hand the tangible non financial rewards are referred as the non cash rewards. These non cash rewards support several recognition programmes. Low valued matters or objects like flowers and chocolates are consider ed as the tangible non financial rewards. Several vouchers and substantial value offers like holiday package are also considered as the tangible non financial rewards. ... This scheme helps an organization to increase performance outcomes. It can be seen that several global organizations implemented this specific recognition schemes in order to increase their business efficiency. Generally larger organizations use this recognition schemes as it is both time and cost effective. These recognitions can come in both non tangible and tangible forms. According to Perkins and White (2010), an effective employee recognition programme should be prevalent, visible, spontaneous, personal and memorable (Perkins and White, 2011, p.72). The organizations implement these recognition schemes in order to achieve several organizational objectives. It motivates the employees to provide effective work performance. It creates a positive organizational work environment. The organization can maintain their ethics and morale through these recognition schemes. Moreover, these recognition schemes encourage the employee loyalty and support several cultural changes. According to Lewis (2006), involvement policies, thank you prizes, communication strategies, imaginative job designs and effective performance appraisal are majorly considered as the non financial reward (Lewis, 2006, p.107). According to Armstrong (2007), achievement, influence, personal growth, recognition and responsibility are the key objectives of non financial rewards (Armstrong, 2007, p.69). Employee recognition programme is a key aspect in employee motivation process. It is important for the management of the organization to link it properly and strategically to the organizational objectives and goals. It will help to increase the motivation of employees and business output of the organization.

Impressionist painter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Impressionist painter - Essay Example People and every human being have their own kind of expressing their feelings. Some, give some tune for love, sung songs, create lyrics of a very emotional song, and several people who are such have given the talent and have the skills of making their hands work and draw something beautiful, and even apply some colors and blends it up for the whole thing.The so-called avant-grande committed their selves to art, painting itself, as an expression of them to the situation happening their place. But others would view others work differently. Each one makes his art beautiful, most probably for himself. Making he free from depression and as he release it from his very deep heart with the help of his powerful mind.As I move on to my days in life, I also made some expressions of myself in a form of art. I feel so good about it, though it's not perfect. But how about those professionals who have made very deep meaning portraits, how are they going to look and see mine For I know what would th eir be , but let me be them and explain my impression to such art that I never had seen before.First of all, a wonderful precious thing to see will probably catch up my eyes. Leading it up to its colors, the hues, and the intense it brings. I would probably look at its wholeness and the whole picture it wanted to show the people. As I will observe it I'll take a look on the marks which the paint has started to spread, the directions of the brush on it. What makes it different from mine and from others Criticizing of it is the best thing to do. I'll beseech from its physical view up to the inner side, of its owner. Aside from the beauty of a paintwork; that was brought to the mass of people is the entire reflection of its owner who made it, this might show that the person is in vain, happy, or angry, inspired by love and family and even his sadness. Everybody can say that due to the colors he used and how bold the shades are. Mood can affect one's acts and his/her feelings, emotionally coming from his bare heart sending to the points where we use to act and even our brain reacts and as a result a product of this feeling comes out. Some paintings can be recognize as a work of an impressionist painter if the paint art is consistent with some signs to give clues about the theme of it and others which you can never tell, how it was expressed by the artist. Mainly those with experiences, identify some works not that easy for they need to judge and criticize it in different ways and aspects. There he in his self have categories and some factors to consider as to comprehend with others work of art. As far as I know our beloved popular painters such as Michaelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa masterpiece is such a great work and to analyze others work of art you can merely say if the person who made it is an emotional individual, a naturalistic, patriotic, and spiritual. The audiences and or the people can read the message from the paintings others work can be judge and clues they give. They not just see the picture itself, its beauitiful colorblendings, the shades of a wonderful tree and a house on it, but, the message it sents, the message which does touches our souls. Critical overlooks, judgements and comments and some opinions are gained by simply viewing a masterpiece. Though such painters have the qualities on their work they also have the differences, their own uniqueness that

Non-Financial Rewards Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Non-Financial Rewards - Dissertation Example Moreover, free pension entitlement or private medical care can also be considered as the non financial rewards. Research Question What is the impact of non-financial reward on employee satisfaction? Literature Review The non financial rewards are cost effective for the organizations. According to Armstrong (2010), non financial rewards focus on the reorganization, achievement, autonomy, influence, personal growth and responsibility needs of the employees (Armstrong, 2010, p. 47). There are two types of non financial rewards namely tangible non financial rewards and intangible non financial rewards. Intangible non financial rewards are referred as the relational rewards. Work life balance, quality of work life fall in the intangible non financial rewards category. On the other hand the tangible non financial rewards are referred as the non cash rewards. These non cash rewards support several recognition programmes. Low valued matters or objects like flowers and chocolates are consider ed as the tangible non financial rewards. Several vouchers and substantial value offers like holiday package are also considered as the tangible non financial rewards. ... This scheme helps an organization to increase performance outcomes. It can be seen that several global organizations implemented this specific recognition schemes in order to increase their business efficiency. Generally larger organizations use this recognition schemes as it is both time and cost effective. These recognitions can come in both non tangible and tangible forms. According to Perkins and White (2010), an effective employee recognition programme should be prevalent, visible, spontaneous, personal and memorable (Perkins and White, 2011, p.72). The organizations implement these recognition schemes in order to achieve several organizational objectives. It motivates the employees to provide effective work performance. It creates a positive organizational work environment. The organization can maintain their ethics and morale through these recognition schemes. Moreover, these recognition schemes encourage the employee loyalty and support several cultural changes. According to Lewis (2006), involvement policies, thank you prizes, communication strategies, imaginative job designs and effective performance appraisal are majorly considered as the non financial reward (Lewis, 2006, p.107). According to Armstrong (2007), achievement, influence, personal growth, recognition and responsibility are the key objectives of non financial rewards (Armstrong, 2007, p.69). Employee recognition programme is a key aspect in employee motivation process. It is important for the management of the organization to link it properly and strategically to the organizational objectives and goals. It will help to increase the motivation of employees and business output of the organization.

Adolescence as Depicted in Clueless Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Adolescence as Depicted in Clueless - Case Study Example Puberty denotes two main types of physical development which mark the transition towards young adulthood. The first physical development involves a dramatic increase in weight and height, muscle content, and body fat. The second physical development involves a change in reproductive organs and the presence of secondary sexual characteristics such as body and facial hair, and growth of breast. Cher Horowitz manifests medium-sized breast and wide hips, which are proportional to her slender physique. Her facial features also present adult proportions as she exhibits enlarge lips, prominent jaw, and protruding forehead. Kyle (2007) stresses that it illustrates physical changes experience by adolescents aged 14 to 16 years. Kyle further reiterated that female adolescents aged 14 to 16 years-old reached peak weight and heights manifest an increase in muscle mass, hip breadth, chest, and shoulder. Cher Horowitz exhibits on-time physical developments.  Puberty denotes two main types of phy sical development which mark the transition towards young adulthood. The first physical development involves the dramatic increase in weight and height, muscle content, and body fat. The second physical development involves a change in reproductive organs and the presence of secondary sexual characteristics such as body and facial hair, and growth of breast. Cher Horowitz manifests medium-sized breast and wide hips, which are proportional to her slender physique. Her facial features also present adult proportions as she exhibits enlarge lips, prominent jaw, and protruding forehead. Kyle (2007) stresses that it illustrates physical changes experience by adolescents aged 14 to 16 years. Kyle further reiterated that female adolescents aged 14 to 16 years-old reached peak weight and heights manifest an increase in muscle mass, hip breadth, chest, and shoulder. Cher Horowitz exhibits on-time physical developments.   Adolescents continue to develop their fine and gross motor skills. The former pertains to movements that require dexterity and precision, while the latter refers to movements of major parts of the body or the whole body. Cher Horowitz’s abilities to dance and drive the manifest increase in gross motor skills. Meanwhile, her ability to use the cellular phone, write legibly and manipulate objects represents an improvement of fine motor skills. Cher Horowitz can be classified into the preoperational stage of Piaget’s cognitive developmental theory. Maturation serves as a driving force for the individual’s development. The preoperational stage involves the application of logical principles acquired in the concrete operational stage into abstract and hypothetical situations. Cher sought to lead a meaningful life throughout the film. She chose to concentrate on doing good deeds instead of focusing merely on her popularity. The last part of the film exhibited how she volunteered in the relief efforts of the school to live a meaningful li fe.  

Korean Wave Being South Korea’s Economic Growth Booster Essay Example for Free

Korean Wave Being South Korea’s Economic Growth Booster Essay Korean Wave is the growing aspiration to know more about South Korean culture. South Korea itself is an export-orientated country with a total trade volume of 884.2 billion in 2010, which makes South Korea the 7th largest exporter and 10th largest importer in the world. The cultural sector is the second biggest contributor after technological sector to the South Korea’s economic growth. The goods produced by the cultural sector are brought by the Korean Wave not only to the Asian but also to the American and Western markets. Korean Wave does give big contribution to South Korean’s economy through movies, pop music, tourism, and traditional arts. When we think of Korean Wave, we should mainly think of Korean drama and film industries. For example, the Korean wave took an extra boost with the popular TV dramas like â€Å"Winter Sonata† and â€Å"Jewel Palace†. For film, we can take â€Å"Old Boy† and â€Å"Bin Jip† as examples, which were extremely popular, even in Europe. The fact that importing a Korean dramas is a lot cheaper than having to purchase it from any other country can be a reason as well as the emotionally powerful plots they have. Besides Korean movies, Korean pop music also deserves a place on the list of exported Korean culture. K-Pop or Korean Pop is a musical genre originating in South Korea consisting of pop, dance, electropop, hip hop, rock, RB, and electronic music. Let’s say Super Junior, 2NE1, SNSD, Wonder Girls, Big Bang, 2PM, JYP, IU, and many more, who does not know them? In 2011, these groups and singers have donated 35 trillion rupiah to South Korea’s GDP. These idols have a big impact on their fans’ culture, including food, fashion, make-up trends, and even plastic surgery. Leading talent agencies such as S.M. Entertainment Co. and YG Entertainment said recent concerts held by Korean entertainers in the United States and Europe have shown the potential for growth in markets outside of Asia. Korean big business is trying to transform those fans into consumers of Korean products and services. Korean Wave is exposing the beauty attracts that both of their celebrities and the places used by their popular movies have. The locations of the Korean movies took place has become a main destination for tourists. These tourists are mostly the fans who are willing to collect all their savings and travel to Korea just to see the place where their favorite scene in their movie took place, or even to watch their idols on a live show. The filming location of †Full House† in Shido Island, â€Å"Jewel in the Palace† in Daejanggeum Theme Park, Winter Sonata in Nami Island, and so on. Another tourism spots that people aim to visit in Korea are â€Å"Locks of Love† in Namsan Tower, a historic pagoda-style gateway Namdaemun, and another shopping places like Myeong-dong shopping area and Busan market. South Korea is also well-known as a hot spot for medical tourism, the country is expanding its one-stop plastic surgery centers to deal with the influx of foreigners fly ing in for surgical procedures. The government’s goal is to attract one million foreign patients by 2020. Thus, interest in flying to Korea is rising, so is the national income. There are also some Korean traditional arts that interest foreigners to visit Korea. They are like Hanok, Jeongjae, Buchaechum, Nongok, and Taepyeongmu. Hanok is Korean traditional house, whereas Jeongjae , Buchaechum, Nongok, and Taepyeongmu are Korean tradional dances. And don’t forget the Korean ceramics and Korean pottery, that most of them are went to Japan The road to Korean Wave is trodden everyday by new visitors who are warmly welcomed by Korean people and fascinated by the culture. The drive to know more about Korea stimulates Korean Wave to develop into more sophisticated cultural forms, which in turn, brings Korean Wave to a higher level. With this Korean Wave showing the advanced condition of South Korea itself, another countries’ awareness to invest in South Korea increases.

Healthcare Technology and Big Data

Healthcare Technology and Big Data Introduction As technology advances, medical devices are able to record increasing amounts of information. These devices are also becoming much more assessable to consumers than in the past. In Adam Tanner’s article â€Å"Health Entrepreneur Debates Going To Data’s Dark Side,† he discusses the company Safe Heart. Safe Heart is developing medical devices for consumer use. These devices are able to measure values like blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, and perfusion index. Being able to collect these massive amounts of data, places these devices in the realm of big data. Although the topic of big data imposes its own issues, the medical nature of the data creates an additional set of important issues. Safe Heart is not the first organization to develop devices that collect â€Å"big† quantities of data. In recent years, many organizations have begun to capture and use large quantities of medical data. Hospitals, credit agencies and researchers have all started to use medical data to the advantage of either the patient or their own corporation. With all the data being captured, there are legal and ethical issues that become apparent. Main Issues The most prominent issue related to big healthcare technology data is a legal one. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), protects health data that is transmitted by a certain groups and organizations [1]. It states that consent must be obtained from the patient to distribute any information to a third party. The organizations included are health plans, health care clearinghouses, and some health care providers [1]. This would mean that non-health organizations transmitting health information would not be subject to HIPAA. The previously mentioned organization Safe Heart, would not be subject to HIPAA because they are not an organization covered by the act. Safe Heart would be able to transmit data in a variety of ways and not be limited by the restrictions of HIPAA. Another act that has the power to govern patient data, but is not optimized for current technologies, is the Privacy Act [1]. The Privacy Act protects data that is distributed by the federal gov ernment. To distribute data, the government must remove personally identifying information from the records [1]. After the information is removed, this allows the government to distribute massive amounts of civilian health data publically. As long as explicitly identifying attributes like name and address have been removed, the Privacy Act does not limit how much, or where the data can be distributed. There are few bounds on what the government can do, making this a pressing legal issue. Big data also imposes several ethical issues on healthcare technology. Even though health agencies may anonymize data in accordance with the Privacy Act, it is still possible to associate the data back to the individual. The Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission released a dataset in the 1990s, and they assured the public that the data had been completely anonymized. A graduate student at the time combined this dataset with voting data and was able to associate medical data back to the correct patient. Shortly after this, it was shown that an American can be identified with only their zip code, birthdate and sex [2]. This imposes a myriad of issues on medical technology companies like Safe Heart. If a released dataset is not properly anonymized, the large amounts of data collected by the devices can be associated back to the patients. This also has powerful ethical implications when considering the results of a study done by the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. This organization stud ied a collection of mobile health and fitness applications for both iOS and Android operating systems. The study found that many of the applications transmitted data, without user notification, to third parties. The data transmitted included items like latitude, longitude, and zip code data [3]. Since many of the developers were not medical entities, the data sharing is not limited. The medical data can be used for marketing of products and can be sold to third parties for other uses. This is a large invasion of user privacy and creates one more way to link consumers to their already existing medical data that has been â€Å"anonymized.† Major Stakeholders The winners here are largely marketing and advertising agencies. After buying a, or using a publically available, dataset marketers can use the few remaining pieces of identifying information like location, age and gender to target specific consumers. With improved consumer targeting, marketing and advertising agencies can increase their revenue and further their own product line. The consumers are also winners depending on how their data is handled. If the data is handled correctly, the profits from the distribution of the data would allow companies, like SafeHeart, to subsidize the cost of the medical devices [4]. Subsidized devices would allow medical technological companies to reach a broader demographic, providing increased public benefit. The data gathered by the consumer medical devices can also be used to enhance medical research providing additional benefit to the consumers [5]. Finally, the collection of data can benefit consumers because it enables improved tracking of dis eases among an entire population [6]. If diseases can be detected faster, a large portion of the public would benefit. Although consumers can reap a large number of benefits from big data in healthcare, they are losers as well. There will be many consumers who do not want their data to be affiliated with marketing or advertising agencies. To these consumers, this is viewed as an extreme invasion of privacy. In addition to the undesired sharing, these users may be subject to the re-identification process. Even though the shared medical data contains few identifying attributes, the remaining information can be used to associate the original consumer with the appropriate medical record [2]. This too in an invasion of the consumer’s privacy, contrary to many of their desires. After consumers, some medical technology entities are also losers. For companies like Safe Heart, the profit from released datasets would reduce costs to the consumer. As a medical company, improving the public’s health is one of their primary missions. The potential that consumers may be re-identified, or targeted by marketing, with the data discourages release. The apprehension to release data limits data available to researchers making them losers as well. If data were released, researchers would be able to expedite research and provide solutions to prevalent health problems [5]. Consumers may resent the release of their data, but those trying to benefit them can produce worthwhile returns. Summary Advances in healthcare technology have also given birth to an increase in the amount of big data created by medical devices. Medical big data creates a unique set of legal and ethical issues that companies like Safe Heart must, and are, considering. Legally, acts like HIPAA and the Privacy Act do not sufficiently protect the data of patients. Data can move considerably freely and it is not always transferred in a completely anonymous state. It has been shown that organizations are not handling the data in an ethical manner. The release and negligent handling of the data completely invades the privacy of the patient. For marketers, this aids when trying to increase revenue. Due to many of these issues, companies have started to limit what data they share when medical devices generate it. Without accessible data sets, progress of researchers is slowed and the standard of care for the public falls. Both the benefits and risks must be considered when medical big data is involved. Conclusions Health devices transmitting big data are already involved in our lives. It is a serious legal issue that HIPAA and the Privacy Act do not govern our health data properly. It is critical that our laws catch up with this rapidly developing technology. A reasonable person may argue that health data should be completely restricted and there should be no transmission, or distribution, at all. It is true that data laws need to be revisited and improved, but complete restriction would be an extreme waste of the potential that medical big data stores. After the laws have been optimized for the technology, the data has the ability to improve health care throughout the nation. Big data can be extremely useful for entities like hospitals. Using patient data, hospitals can monitor a patient’s condition and know more quickly when they are due to worsen [7]. Advanced algorithms can also predict and help to prevent conditions like renal failure, infections, and negative reactions to drugs [7 ]. When physicians are combined with big data indicators, more patients can be helped and conditions can be monitored more reliably than in the past. In conclusion, I think that big data in healthcare should be embraced, but not before we strengthen the laws governing it. References [1] Kalyvas, James R. and Overly, Michael R. Big Data: A Business and Legal Guide. Auerbach Publications. 55-58. [2] Anderson, Nate. â€Å"Anonymized† data really isn’t—and here’s why not. 9/8/09. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2009/09/your-secrets-live-online-in-databases-of-ruin/ [3] Njie, Craig Michael Lie. Technical Analysis of the Data Practices and Privacy Risks of 43 Popular Mobile Health and Fitness Applications. 7/15/2013 http://www.privacyrights.org/mobile-medical-apps-privacy-technologist-research-report.pdf. [4] Tanner, Adam. Health Entrepreneur Debates Going To Datas Dark Side. 9/16/14 http://www.forbes.com/sites/adamtanner/2014/09/16/health-entrepreneur-debates-going-to-datas-dark-side/ [5] Standen, Amy. How Big Data Is Changing Medicine. 9/29/14. http://blogs.kqed.org/science/audio/how-big-data-is-changing-medicine/ [6] Schmarzo, Bill. Big Data Technologies and Advancements in Healthcare. 3/25/14. https://infocus.emc.com/william_schmarzo/big-data-technologies-and-advancements-in-healthcare/

Critical Review: Bradley A. Thayer, Bring in Darwin: Evolutionary theor

In Thayer’s article, he makes an attempt to incorporate Darwin’s Evolutionary Theory into the international security studies. The article tries to answer a central question that what are the implications of Evolutionary theory to realist theory of international security and in what way can peace be achieved if warfare is part of human nature? This paper agrees with Thayer that Evolutionary theory provides a scientific theory foundation for realism and is an ultimate cause for war and ethnic conflicts, as well as the assumption that origin of war is intrinsic in human nature as part of their evolution history. This paper will also suggest that a balanced structure of the world could contribute to temporary peace. But it need to be noted that the theory is also limited since Evolution theory could not fully explain many other forms of security problems like civil wars and terrorism. To review Thayer’s article, first, the paper will briefly explain how Evolutionary theory act as an ultimate cause for realist theory in terms of two human traits: egoism and domination. Following that, the paper will discuss the implications of Evolutionary theory to international relations. This paper will also evaluate the theory by comparing it with Waltz’s and Gleditsch’s theory on peace and war. Finally, it will conclude the paper by summarizing main points. Thayer seeks to understand Evolutionary theory as the ultimate cause of realism. In Evolutionary theory, humans like other animals have to evolve to survive and reproduce from natural selection, which develops two basic human traits: egoism and dominance (Thayer, 2000, p.130). In order to survive and for fitness, an organism tends to places its security over the others and according to Evoluti... ...dens the understanding of international relations and correspondingly broadens the understanding of security. Built on Thayer’s and Waltz’s theory, the paper suggests that structure of the international system is central to international security and to achieve peace, suitable strategies are necessary to balance the power relations. While it should not be ignored that the Evolution theory still falls within realism realm with many other forms of complex security problems unexplained. Reference: Gleditsch, N. P. (1999). Peace and democracy. Encyclopedia of Violence, Peace and Conflict, 2, 643-652. Thayer, B. A. (2000). Bring to darwin: evolutionary theory, realism and international relations. International Security, 25(2), 124-151. Waltz, K. N. (1988). The origins of war in neorealist theory. Journal of Interdisciplinary History, XVIII(4), 615-628.

Irish English literature interaction

The notion of Irish literature is often the subject of much critical contention. For some people Irish literature is reserved for works in the Irish language. The fact that the Irish language was almost eradicated during the nineteenth century is still, however few people actually now speak or write it in contemporary Ireland, an inescapable fact of Irish history and Irish literary history. Its eradication was, in part, a matter of political compulsion and also, in part, a matter of the tragic history of the vast scale of emigration which followed on the Irish Famine of 1845-8.This is why, among Irish writers who write in the English language, language itself becomes the focus of their reflection. Literature in English in Ireland has been a literature in which ideas of Ireland — of people, community and nation — have been both created and reflected. To understand how it is true it is necessary to contemplate the conceptions of a distinctively Irish identity which have b een articulated, defended, and challenged. Another point to consider is how the perception of alienation, felt almost by all Irish writers, influences their choice of themes for literary works.For the material of my study I have chosen the works of two great Irish writers, prose writer Joyce and poet Heaney and American writer who nevertheless is regarded as English writer, Thomas Stern Eliot. The reason I choose to include Eliot in this essay is that he is much like Joyce and the comparison between those two geniuses with help to trace the ways of intersection and similarity of two cultural traditions. Another reason for choosing to study Eliot, together with Joyce and Heaney is that all three writers were exiles, the fact that influenced their literary style and themes.They knew and influenced each other.. Eliot founded new literary movement, and Joyce's technical innovations still occupy his followers like Heaney. The work of all three great moderns exhibits the characteristic fe atures of modern art in being difficult to the point of obscurity, complex, allusive, experimental in form, and encyclopedic in scope. The work of all three writers, especially Heaney’s, is imbued with the modern attitude to the past–that the past was radically different from the present but eternally haunts it and so is inescapably past-present.Of the three writers, Joyce was clearly driven into exile in order to write. Joyce wrote with scrupulous naturalism with its fidelity to detail and habit of naming names, and satiric vein. Outwardly rootless Joyce was not inwardly so. His life and art were transfixed, rooted in the Dublin he had known as a young man, which was the subject of all his work. Joyce constantly carried feeling of alienation in relation to his homeland. Joyce rejected his home, family, society, nation, and religion. Alienation is explicitly detailed in Dubliners, the collection of short stories focused on the exploration of Irish theme.One of those st ories Araby focuses on a vagrant boy energized by a desire for escape from the confinement of Irish culture. The desire for such escape appears already in the first story of collection, continues in the second and finally materializes in the third. The epiphanies at the end of first three stories metaphorize the promise of freedom. To gain clear understanding of this metaphor of the travel in quest of liberation we have to illustrate what was the place of Irish culture in the broader aspect of British literature and how it is reflected in Joyce’s literary work.This story is a metaphor for Joyce’s life too, for his search for place where he would have been able to work. Joyce's issue is to present the lives lived by his people and their characteristic and characteristically Irish ways of trying to make sense of them. The image of Dubliners illustrates more than the human condition; it illustrates the Dublin condition, which may be defined as an excessive degree of susce ptibility to decay and loss. It is a condition not of excess but of deprivation. The first three stories The Sisters, Encounter and Araby are connected by the common hero, a boy, who is looking for something that is not there.Araby opens with an inspection of the empty back rooms of an abandoned house on a blind street: An uninhabited house of two stories stood at the blind end, detached from its neighbors in a square ground (Joyce, 29), concludes with the lights going out in an emptied hall: The upper part of the hall was now completely dark. Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven and derided by vanity (Joyce, 36), and in between tracks the narrator as his money and the dreams built on it come, by degrees, to nothing.The story gives much attention to detail. In the scene at the marketplace, the narrator offers vivid metonymic of the boy's world. The boy aspires to commence his journey to Araby, a journey which is metaphorized as chivalric quest. His destinati on is eastward, the East is even more important metaphorically to the boy: â€Å"The syllables of the word Araby were called to me through the silence in which my soul luxuriated and cast an Eastern enchantment over me† (Joyce, 32).Because he had thought the East would be the proper place in which his desire might be realized, he is disillusioned, as readers, of Araby by his encounter with the actuality of the â€Å"empty† bazaar with its â€Å"magical name. † On arrival to the Araby the boy discovers absolutely discouraging scene which makes him describe himself, in this confrontation with the real world, in one of Joyce's most famous sentences: â€Å"Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven and derided by vanity; and my eyes burned with anguish and anger† (Joyce, 35).What the boy had expected as the completion of his traveling toward Araby, namely the validation of his mastery, ends by confirming, at least in his own eyes, his power lessness. The wanted to find what the priest, the dead father, has lost: faith in the ability to liberate himself and thereby to make at least the journey, into the unknown. Furthermore, he must find a means of bringing that â€Å"poetry† found in the books into touch with the â€Å"prose,† or reality of ordinary Dublin life. Eliot, like Joyce, was an exile.He left United States and found in England an organic society which satisfied his hunger for tradition and order; society, politics, and religion were more closely related and institutionalized in England than in the United States. Unlike Joyce Eliot’s poetry is universal but there is little specifically local attributions, Eliot's work is not as local as Joyce's is. When we look at his poems for physical evidence of his adopted country, we find little. Such images as there are of city, village, church, or stately home are universalized, made symbolic.Eliot in his poetry tends to touch upon unconventional phi losophical issues like what will happen if we lose the capacity to see the community between persons and lose the capacity to believe in any real community between persons. Such a hypothetical situation is exemplified in The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock where the â€Å"eyes that fix you in a formulated phrase† (Eliot, line 56) have made the community between persons unable to be seen. The climax is in the middle of the poem, where we see most clearly what the theme of this poem is; it is the peculiar affliction of our age — metaphysical blindness.The middle is the most intricate one in the poem, but if we concentrate on what is essential, following Prufrock as he struggles up the stairs, as he wrestles with the dead lumber in his head, and as he draws near to the person he has come to visit, there is a moment of suspended thought, a moment when Prufrock is his experience, a moment typical of in Eliot’s works, where the door out of the corridor suddenly opens, and we are invaded by a sense of reality. The opening here is not much more than a crack: the flash of light to light as the lamplight is reflected from the brown hair on the woman's arms.But it is sufficient not only to throw Prufrock off his bent: â€Å"Is it perfume from a dress/ That makes me so digress? † (Eliot, line 65) but almost to bring him to act. His â€Å"Shall I say . . . ?† shows him on the verge of entering a real present. But then he falls back, and rejoins the arthropods, because he has nothing to act with, just as he had nothing to confront the streets with: here, for example, he did not see the light answering light. This scene illustrates what is meant by the theme of metaphysical blindness. The poetic collection Prufrock & Other Observations had made Eliot famous in the English-speaking literary world.The interplay between Irish and English literature is continued by Joyce’s follower Seamus Heaney. This divided tradition states the essenti al condition of the modern Irish mind. The Irish literary tradition proffered a sense of identity which became the preoccupation of Irish writers of the early twentieth-century like Joyce; that identity still confounds contemporary poets like Seamus Heaney. Modern poetry in general is haunted by the divided mind, a reflection of man cut off from his past, confused about meaning, and attempting to reconcile himself to his solitude.In the Irish literary tradition that reconciliation is defined in cultural and national terms. The struggle for reconciliation becomes embroiled in the question of identity. Heaney wrote in the early seventies, his poems have as their focus the relation of England to Ireland which tends to be that of domineering male to helpless female. His was a witness of cruelty in Belfast when Catholic student arranged civil rights marches. Heaney moved from Belfast at the peak of this conflict, but his poem Punishment presents his experiences: â€Å"I can see her drow ned / body in the bog, / the weighting stone, / the floating rods and boughs†.(Heaney, 1975) In this poem Heaney explores a theme of revenge for betrayal but admits his own feebleness when facing violence inculcated for ages: â€Å"I almost love you / but would have cast, I know, / the stones of silence. I am the artful voyeur / your brain's exposed and darkened combs†¦ † (Heaney, 1975) This poem as other in collection North, are Heaney's ‘bog poems', in which he disturbs very dark emotions and appeals to the political and social situation in his native Northern Ireland.Heaney's through the interpretation of the past gives his comments on the present in concealed yet strong manner. In conclusion, Heaney, Eliot, and Joyce all exemplify the case of the artist who due to various reason is forced to abandon his homeland. Eliot freed himself from America in order to transplant himself elsewhere. Joyce was trying to find a perfect place for his creative activity. D espite his love-hate relationship with Ireland Joyce remained faithful to Ireland in spirit. Heaney deserted North Ireland because of unstable political situation but often resorted to it in his works.Thus we see, beyond certain similarities in their work, striking contrasts in the lives of these three writers. Joyce preceded and prepared the way for Heaney, as an Irishman writing happily in English. These should enable us better to understand them and the general problem of the alienation of the modern artist. Works Cited List: Eliot T. S. â€Å"The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock† in Prufrock and Other Observations. New York: Bartleby. Com, 2000 Heaney, Seamus. â€Å"Punishment† in North. London: Faber and Faber, 1975 Joyce, James. Dubliners. London: Penguin Group, 1996

Leadership interview Essay

Our group interviewed five leaders varying from business owners to Sr Vice Presidents of different organizations. As we began to analyze the interviews from our leaders we noticed more common themes than differences amongst them. The first common theme was that three out of the five leaders stated that they defined themselves as participative leadership styles. They functioned as a facilitator rather than simply issuing orders to those that they support. The leaders encouraged active participation from their teams allowing them to express their opinions and be able to demonstrate their abilities. Our leaders participative leadership styles allows the skills of all their team members to be utilized in making suggestions and decisions but the leader is still responsible for making the final decision. This will allow everyone to have their input and provide a well rounded decision that will create a positive environment which will only bring profitability to the organization. As the tra its theory of leadership, most of our leaders agreed that leaders are born with leadership characteristics. They also agreed that there are certain characteristics that can be strengthened and developed by the leaders through their childhood years, beliefs, the environment in which they surround themselves, the ability of how they learn, and most importantly how they react when being provided with feedback. Leaders can enhance and learn certain characteristics through advice, observation of others, and their own experiences. Everyone is born with certain characteristics that will develop into strengths and weaknesses. A good leader will identify these characteristics and apply then into their leadership capacity. As far as the common characteristics that the leaders valued in their employees commitment to the vision of the organization was among the most common. By having the same vision people have a better understanding of the future environment where they are operating, a better understanding of what the organization must be like in the future to be successful, a common goal for building team work and a common vision ensures that everyone makes decisions based on the same direction. Our leaders agreed that result driven employees were another characteristic that they value. Our leaders explained that they like their teams to bring forth not only the problem but possible solutions tha t will help make the best decision for the team and at the same time enhancing the  teams’ decision making skills. Trustworthiness and interpersonal skills were also common characteristics that our leaders stated that they valued in their employees. Interpersonal skills are needed on a daily basis which would include verbal communication, non-verbal communication, listening skills, problem-solving, and decision making. One of the leaders stated that â€Å"the biggest challenge day to day is people and remembering that people are people.† This is when having a person with good interpersonal skills can be very useful to the organization. When it came to the decision making process our leaders stated that they like to take their time in making the correct decision but at times when time is limited they need to follow their instinct based decision. When time is not of the essence our leaders stated that they make their decisions in the following steps: 1) Identifying and clarifying the issue in question this gives them an opportunity to gather facts and ask questions about the issue in question 2) Possible solutions or options 3) Process the information that has been provided to them and then finally 4) Implementing the decision. This process allows the leaders to strengthen the communication between the leaders and their team. This goes back to making a decision where everyone has input based o n the vision and culture of the organization. Consistency with solutions to issues will bring consistency when the need for a resolution arises within an organization. You will have the ability to treat issues equally and know that you have done your due diligence in gathering as much facts and data necessary to make the right decision. One thing that our leaders agreed is that they lead by example. Leading by example is one of the strongest ways to show your dedication the team. As a leader you have to remember that actions speak louder than words. Our leaders know that treating our employees with honesty and respect in another motivation for their employees. Leaders understand that how they treat a person is the same way that the person will treat them. As far differences between leaders there were not noticed during the interview process there were not any that were noticeable. They all seemed to have the same values when it came to their teams or departments. They all expressed that they have confidence in the teams and the people that work with them. The answers provided by the leaders tie into what we have learned in class because as the interviews were being conducted we looked at leadership styles of each individual leader. We also analyzed the examples  that they provided as they explained their styles an d made sure that the style matched the examples that they were providing us. For example, in the case where our leaders stated that they considered themselves Participative style we looked for examples that clearly matched the style like the leaders being supportive of their teams and the input. All leaders mentioned a clear vision of the organization that they support. In order for our leaders to expect that others follow that vision that would need to understand it themselves. It was very interesting to see that all the leaders had a vision that coincided with the value system of the organization. The most important lesson that we learned about true leaders is that leaders will support and help strengthen characteristics of those that are willing to follow to the vision of the organization. We have a better understanding of what leaders expect from their teams and will make the team be effective.

American History Since 1877 Essay

While it may be the case that a popular and misinformed view of the entry of the United States into World War Two has displaced that of historical accuracy for the majority of casual observers of history, those with a deeper immersion in the historical facts recognize a more complex and perhaps more profound set of reasons and circumstances that led to the US entry into the war. The casual and uninformed observer no doubt believes that Hitler’s conquests in Europe along with the terror-inspiring Nazi-sponsored U-boat warfare in the North Atlantic and beyond, along with the imperial Japanese invasion of China are the reasons for the US entry into the war. These ideas are sound enough, but they tell only a partial story, the exterior of the issues and events. Admittedly, the concrete reason for war was the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, a single event which demonstrated the intention of the Axis powers to rule the earth. However, this surprise attack gave rise to one of the war’s most enduring and over-riding myths: that America’s entry into the war was precipitated primarily on moral grounds. This idea proves to be particularly specious given the historical evidence: although moral obligation might be given as the reason for US entry into the war, one, with study can easily â€Å"rejects the purely moral justification of American entry into the war against Hitler,† (Russett, 1997, p. 44) and it is equally as thorny, although just as tempting,, to frame US conflict with Japan on purely moral grounds. While it is true that the Japanese, â€Å"were often unkind conquerors,† (Russett, 1997, p. 44)they were also â€Å"welcomed in the former European colonies of Southeast Asia, and Japan† (Russett, 1997, p. 44) and they were able to keep some good relations native rebels; so Japanese territorial expansion and influence was in no way one-sided or always regarded as brutal. Whether or not moral justification was desired or necessary for the US to declare war on Japan, it is â€Å"Hitler, not Tojo, who is customarily presented as the personification of evil† and therefore it is Germany, not Japan, which carries most of the weight of â€Å"moral justification† for the US entry into World War Two,† (Russett, 1997, p. 44) although even this position is tenuous weighed against the very real historical ambivalence displayed by the American government during Hitler’s rise to power and Germany’s subsequent campaign of European conquests. When Adolf Hitler rose to power in 1933 he had already divulged most of his far-reaching plans for war in Europe and especially for war in the east, against Russia. Also divulged was his violent antisemiticism and his ambition to attain global German and Nazi hegemony. In his celebrated â€Å"autobiography† Mein Kampf, Hitler made clear to whomever was paying attention (presumably the world) his â€Å"attitudes and plans which were the basis of the Nazi government and of his foreign policy. † (Goldston, 1967, p. 60) The policies and ambitions were â€Å"frankly stated for all the world to read† (Goldston, 1967, p. 60) and it is to the sorrow and pity of millions that Hitler’s blatant pronouncements went unheeded by politicians and generals throughout Europe. In fact, if a moral imperative played any role in the mind-set of the Western, future-Alllied, powers during this time, it was an imperative of peace. And it was precisely this imperative toward preserving peace: for Britain to prevent another Great War in Europe and for America to refuse involvement in another European war, which led to the tragic escalation of what began as a localized conflict into a global catastrophe. This mistake would be repeated at least three more times as the world sped toward World War Two. On at last three occasions: during the Anschluss when Hitler integrated Austria into the German Reich, again during Hitler’s military conquest of the Sudentland and, once more, when Hitler engineered the political conquest of Czechoslovakia at Munich, the post-war Treaty of Versailles had been broken. From the base of 100,000 troops permitted under the Versailles Treaty, Hitler, on 1 October 1934: ordered a trebling of army size, as well as the creation of an air force, which had been illegal under the Versailles terms. On 7 March 1936, troops were sent into the Rhineland, unilaterally abrogating the demilitarization of Germany’s western frontier provided for under the Locarno Pact† (Black, 2003, p. 4). Later, after this initial violation, â€Å"troops were sent into the Rhineland,† which broke the Treaty of Versailles openly. (Black, 2003, p. 4). In each of these cases, military intervention by France, Britain, and Russian was not only lawful, it was indicated by treaty: and, as is obviously the case looking back on history, each of the chances provided an opportunity for the Allied powers to prevent World War Two. During the invasion of the Sudentland, Hitler’s true ambitions lay elsewhere, he desired to invade Czechoslovakia, and in doing so, secure the German flank for an eventual invasion of the Soviet Union. Clearly, Germany was heading in the direction of war. So, any argument that Hitler or Germany’s were hidden or hard to understand is weak, if not plainly foolish. This fact, however, seemed to have little influence of the European policy of appeasement, which allowed not only human rights abuses in the Reich to continues unchallenged, but allowed for blatant military conquest of sovereign nations by Germany. Meanwhile, America’s isolationist vision towards continued, leaving Hitler with a free hand after his shrewdly engineered â€Å"Pact of Steel† had been concluded with his sworn enemy the Soviet Union. The US entered World war One slowly, and after â€Å"the conclusion of hostilities there was a wave of revulsion against war and military activity, † (Aldcroft, 1997, p. 8) which resulted in a public unwillingness to support intervention which might lead to military conflict. Though the pattern of appeasement followed by France and Britain in the wake of Hitler’s string of highly-visible conquests is difficult to understand, the apprehension toward war which had been seeded in the aftermath of World War One, â€Å"pacifism was strong in both Britain and France, in large part in response to the massive casualties in World War One† (Black , 2003, p. 4). as well as serious problems with the ensuing Treaty of Versailles are the best explanation for the malaise of the Allies. Instead of â€Å"responding forcefully against the successive breaches of the Versailles settlement,† (Black , 2003, p. 4). France and Britain decided to take a pretty much passive position in regards to Nazi Germany. Clearly these actions â€Å"encouraged Nazi expansionism† (Black , 2003, p. 4). even though the British and French governments were blind to the dangers of Nazism and believed that they were averting a war through their diplomatic efforts. Meanwhile, everyone concerned hoped Hitler’s conquests would be limited and that he would spend his time â€Å"ruling Germany† and not seeking conflict or expansion throughout Europe. Of course, these hopes turned out to be foolishly placed because â€Å"†Hitler’s aim–as he had set it down in Mein Kampf[†¦ ] was an expansion of Germany† (Jarman 206) and the outbreak of the war made those who had sought to make diplomacy the leading idea for dealing with Hitler had to admit that his diplomacy was merely a smokescreen to his desire to make war on those he believed were his enemies or those who opposed his plans for expansion for Germany. That he had already made all of his ambitions clear in his book was not important to the European leaders who dealt with Hitler initially; they just believed whatever he said to the loss of territories and thousands of peoples lives. (Jarman). Nothing seem to limit or stop the Allied policy of appeasement at Munich, which sacrificed the nation of Czechoslovakia to Hitler and the Nazis without a shot being fired. Hitler was also â€Å"determined to destroy Czechoslovakia, a democratic state that looked to other great powers for support† (Brown, 2004, p. 40); this would be a demonstration of the Reich’s power and intentions to expand its territories in the face of European opposition. Later, just â€Å"six months before the start of the Second World War, Czechoslovakia had ceased to exist,† (Brown, 2004, p. 40). and was incorporated into the Reich. Munich provided the most dramatic, and obvious, representation of Hitler’s ambitions and yet the irony is Germany would have been unable to match the military forces of the Allies during any of the three conquests outlined above. At the time of Munich, the German army could â€Å"muster only 31 divisions or regular troops and 7 reserve divisions;† (Brown, 2004, p. 40) this in contrasted with Allied powers â€Å"the French could hurl over 100 divisions and simply walk to Berlin. † (Brown, 2004, p. 40). In fact, the Czech army itself might have provide for its own protection had it been allowed to fight. Instead, Hitler was allowed to digest his conquests and plot his eventual war with the Soviet Union. No matter how considered the overwhelming historical evidence is that the Allies could have prevented the rise of global Nazism and the eventual outbreak of World War Two by abandoning their policies of appeasement and confronting the Third Reich with overwhelming military force. If moral justification had been lacking, one might interpret the Allied non-response to Hitler’s early acts of conquest and aggression as an act of graciousness — in sparing not only the soldiers but civilian populations from needless bloodshed. After-all, Germany had, her self only recently emerged from a terrible ravishment in the fiery end of World War One and her suffering under the Treaty of Versailles and the extraction of war-debts had brought Germany nearly to collapse. Even the Germans deserved better than a second war so closely following upon the Great War. If this had been the reasoning, in the absence of moral imperative, in the absence of signed treaties, and in the absence of military superiority, then even the Allied appeasement at Munich might have been at least understandable. Although the the Hitler-Stalin pact of August 1939 offered Germany protection from Soviet military retaliation and allowed the proposed invasion of Poland to take place without fear of Soviet reprisal. The Wehrmacht defeated the Polish army in just over 25 days and later when Spring allowed a more forceful and aggressive campaign strategy, the Wehrmacht descended upon the ‘low countries:† Denmark, Belgium, Norway, and the Netherlands. After two and a half months, the French surrendered. And even though the majority of the British expeditionary force to the continent escaped at Dunkirk, the British experienced the loss of their heavy equipment† (Russett, 1997, p. 25). Ultimately, Mussolini decided to launch Italy into the war only a fear days after France’s surrender. Meanwhile, America’s involvement in the war was limited to the implementation of the â€Å"The Lend-Lease Act, which was to pour billions of dollars of supplies into Britain† (Russett, 1997, p. 26) and also, pave the way for military involvement. Not only did US forces occupy Iceland, but â€Å"President Roosevelt had agreed that American ships would escort convoys–including British ships† (Russett, 1997, p. 26) to Iceland. This convoying was not entirely peaceful, it meant that â€Å"if German U-boats approached the American escorts were to â€Å"shoot on sight† (Russett, 1997, p. 26) to insure that the goods got through. These were steps to protect Britain and also steps toward total war. However, the role of â€Å"Lend_lease† itself proclaimed a total lack of moral imperative on the behalf of the American people regarding Hitler’s conquests in Europe. While Hitler was gobbling up Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Poland — and even before his physical conquest, during his rise to power — the same ethical and moral reasons for making war against the Nazi Regime existed as would exist many months later, after the destruction and deaths of millions of Europeans, Africans, Russians, Americans, and Japanese was assured by the conflagration of a World War. If there was a time when a moral imperative should have played a role in the events which ed to America’s involvement in World war Two, Munich makes much ore an apt case than Pearl Harbor. Looking back over the vents which preceded the invasion of Poland, there seems to be no moral impediment for American intervention in Hitler’s rising Nazi state. Meanwhile, in the Pacific war, where America’s ambitions and motivations toward war were much less ambiguously articulated, Japan continued with an â€Å"exhausting and seemingly endless war† (Russett, 1997, p. 45) which started with the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931, and was â€Å"greatly escalated by the clash at the Marco Polo Bridge which expanded into severe open warfare with China in 1937† (Russett, 1997, p. 45); such considerations were deeply incongruous with American ambitions in Southeast Asia. The imperative, however, was not one of moral obligation but one of geopolitical power. The same can be said for the Hobson’s choice ultimately faced by the Japanese. Although the attack on Pearl Harbor appeared to the American public as an act of ruthless aggression; to the Japanese, given the dwindling options for an Imperial future, as we will discuss directly, the act might easily have been viewed as a defensive military act of aggression. The friction between the US and Japan over the â€Å"China Incident† stemmed basically from an opposition of geopolitical ambitions. Japan considered itself and Imperial power, one which was as entitled to territorial expansion and expansion of influence as Britain or the United States and it viewed Southeast Asia and China as residing within its natural spheres of influence. To give up ambitions in China would be admitting that Japan was a second or third-rate world power and the elite of Japan’s military and civilian leaders found such a decision impossible because it gave in entirely to American demands. Faced with such a choice, the Japanese began to orbit around diplomatically and then join into the Nazi-led Axis, since it was obvious that the British? American alliance was likely headed toward a Allied war in Europe anyway. In July of 1941, Japanese assets were frozen in America, and â€Å"the consequent cessation of shipment of oil, scrap iron, and other goods from the United States, Japan’s economy was in most severe straits and her power to wage war directly threatened† (Russett, 1997, p. 46) and her ability to make war was becoming severely threatened by the ongoing embargoes against her. Japanese military planners estimated that â€Å"reserves of oil, painfully accumulated in the late 1930s when the risk of just such a squeeze became evident, would last at most two years† (Russett, 1997, p. 46) by which time it would be far too late to make a stand, militarily, against the United States in China or elsewhere. Somehow, Japan had found its way to a â€Å"no good choices† scenario, with acquiescence to American demands dooming Japan to a less than coequal status with the world’s dominant powers, or war with the United States — sooner than later — before supplies dwindled below practical abilities to make war. Diplomatic efforts proved useless when â€Å"The United States, and the British and Dutch,† (Russett, 1997, p. 47) would end the embargoes only as a response to â€Å"Japanese withdrawal from air and naval bases in Indochina† (Russett, 1997, p. 47); and at this time the Japanese military began to consider war with the U. S. inevitable. Most of the Japanese elite â€Å"were opposed to any settlement which would in effect have meant withdrawal from China† (Russett, 1997, p. 47) which would also mean the increase of Western, particularly American influence, in precisely those ares which Japan’s ruling castes believed were the natural provinces of the Japanese Empire. It is impossible to view the preceding acts perpetrated against the Japanese as anything other than aggressive, if falling short of actual military warfare; it was clear that Japan was being pushed just about as far to the brink of war as any nation could be pushed. It is impossible to extract from the American non-intervention in Europe coupled with its seeking intervention by economic and diplomatic means in Manchuria and Southeast Asia a policy which is driven by moral, rather than global-poltical, imperatives. In fact, positing American neutrality throughout the early days of Hitter’s conquests with American proactive intervention in Japanese Imperial expansion requires one to admit very little in the way of moral imperative. While the Japanese military planned for war, the American government also planned for an escalation of hostilities: â€Å"By autumn 1941, however, opinion was crystallizing in the highest levels of the American decision-making system† (Russett, 1997, p. 50) this process was leading to war. Roosevelt â€Å"informally polled his cabinet on the question of whether the country would support war against Japan† (Russett, 1997, p. 50) and the result was that â€Å"All members responded in the affirmative† (Russett, 1997, p. 50); with public support behind the war, conflict with Japan seemed immanent. By the beginning of December their attack was irrevocably set in motion. The Japanese conviction that war could not be limited to the British and Dutch had to be based wholly on inference. Yet it was a correct analysis and a solid conviction, as shown by the otherwise inexplicable risk they took at Pearl Harbor â€Å"the attack ensured American popular support for the war in the Pacific, just as the moral argument against Hitler in Europe worked to fuel public support for the American entry into World War Two† ; so, in effect, where the brutality and obvious territorial ambitions of Hitler had failed to ignite American sentiment for war, the attack by Japan ignited an inferno that would draw the US into the most notable global conflict of the twentieth-century. (Russett, 1997, p. 51) In conclusion, the US entry into World War Two when studied at more than a popular â€Å"mythic† level, is a story which combines the global-political ambitions of many nations with the propagandistic impulse which is necessary to â€Å"sell† even just wars to the soldiers who must fight them and to the publics which must support them. The US entered World War Two not so much as an agent of moral â€Å"good† or to stop a great evil which was recognized as emerging from the Third Reich. As we have seen, if this had truly been the motivation for a US war against Germany, moral justification had been provided as early as 1933 when Hitler rose to power declaring his ambitions to shirk off the Treaty of Versailles, wipe out Soviet Russia and destroy the Jews. Certainly, by the time of the Munich agreement, Nazi Germany was a recognized threat to both world order and world morality. The facts of history, while deepening and shadowing the more broad strokes of myth, fail to eliminate altogether the essential ideas contained within the myth. While it is true that the US entered World War Two in what could properly be described as a â€Å"tardy† fashion, and failed to seize the opportunity to help to push the European Allies to a timely confrontation with the burgeoning Reich before the loss of millions, the fact remains that US involvement in World War Two was the triumph of good over evil adn did provide a victory for freedom, democracy, and humanism which did not exist in the Nazi state. However, it is important also to realize that one of the key Allies, Soviet Russia, stood as perhaps an even more corrupt regime than the Nazis, slaughtered as many, if not more, Jews, political prisoners, and Russian citizens, combined as the Nazi regime — the truths of history provide the seeds of myth and from those seeds, often, the fruit of what is essential can be tasted. If history shows that the US entry into World War Two was based less in moral grounds than myth would have us belive, it is also true that American morality and strength of character provided an indelible asset in claiming victory against both the Nazis and the Japanese during the Second World War. References Aldcroft, D. (1997). The Versailles Legacy. History Review, (29), 8+. Black, J. (2003). World War Two.New York: Routledge. Brown, M. D. (2004, December). The S. O. E. and the Failure of the Slovak National Uprising: Martin D. Brown Tells the Little-Known Story of How British and American Soldiers Disappeared in Slovakia’s Tatra Mountains during the Remarkable Episode of Slovakia’s National Uprising against Its Nazi-Supporting Government during the Second World War. History Today, 54, 39+. Jarman, T. L. (1956). The Rise and Fall of Nazi Germany (1st ed. ). New York: New York University Press. Russett, B. M. (1997). No Clear and Present Danger: A Skeptical View of the United States Entry into World War II. Boulder, Colo. : Westview Press. Goldston, Robert. (1967). The Life and Death of Nazi Germany. New York, Fawcett Premier. Payne, Robert. (1973). The Life and Death of Adolf Hitler. New York