Monday, September 30, 2019

Colorflex and Temperature Measurement in Coffee Production

Coffee industry represents the colour of roasted java as a individual value such as SCAA or HCCI colour criterion. PT. ACI uses Colorette 3b with a graduated table of 0 to 200 to stand for the colour between visible radiation into dark. This instrument can non mensurate the debasement of java colour during roasting which has a wider colour scope. This survey applied the ColorFlex that is designed with CIE criterion colour measuring by using a particular visible radiation beginning and a standard perceiver angle. The samples were measured with the standard visible radiation beginning of Daylight ( D65 ) and the normal observer angle of 100. In some instances, the colour is frequently represented as chrome values but in this survey we used the colour difference ( & A ; Delta ; E ) which was calculated from the CIEL*a*b* co-ordinate to stand for the java colour. The CIEL*a*b* is calculated with following equation. where Ten, Y, Z as the Tristimulus values ;are changeless values of 94.811, 100, and 107.3 severally matching to the light and observation angles. The co-ordinate of L* describe the degree of brightness, a* is the colour strength of ruddy ( + ) to green ( – ) , and b* describe the strength of yellow ( + ) to blue ( – ) . The & A ; Delta ; E is defined as follows. where the indexes of 2 and 1 represent the object being measured and the mention. By presuming a black organic structure as mention ( the colour values are severally close to nothing ) , the & A ; Delta ; E is merely determined by the colour of the object. Therefore, eq.5 can be written as follows. Fig. 3 presents the relationship between the & A ; Delta ; E measured by the ColorFlex with colour value provided by Collorete 3b for the same sample. The consequence indicates a additive relationship ( high value of correlativity coefficient ) between both graduated tables and hence, this ColorFlex can be applied to mensurate the colour of roasted java. The experimental information for each measuring can be illustrated in Fig. 4. The figure presents informations of detector response, grain colour, and points of three roast-degrees ( light-medium-dark ) for each measuring. The response of detectors was so processed into olfactory property forms captured at 3 min interval harmonizing to the observation clip of the colour parametric quantity. After that, the olfactory property form was analyzed to the colour and temperature informations. The same method was applied to the olfactory property form at the three critical points. The effectual detector responsewas presented as a series of an effectual electromotive force detector at t-time after it was subtracted with an initial electromotive force for a mention. In this instance, the response of each detector in the first measuring ( t=180 s ) was considered as the mention. Thecan be written as follows. PCA is a statistical method that is widely used for analysing the distribution of an experimental information. PCA is besides known as the Karhunen-Loeve or Hotelling transmutation which is one based on statistical analysis of extraneous transmutation for change overing a set of experimental informations which may incorporate of correlative variables into a set of new informations which contain of non linearly correlative variables known as chief constituent ( Personal computer ) . Personal computer on the first sequence contains the greatest variant value of the experimental information followed by the 2nd Personal computer, the 3rd, and so on. Mathematically, PCA algorithm can be solved by the method of Covariance. The algorithm is besides described in [ 15 ] [ 14 ] . The covariance matrix of an experimental information is defined as follows. where Ten is the matrix of the experimental informations with size of M x N, M is the figure of informations variable ( e.g. figure of detectors ) and N is the figure of the information, I and J are the index of the informations variable and the figure of experimental informations,is the norm of the informations for each variable,is a individual vector of the form informations containing of the M variable, andis the nothing mean informations. Based on Eq. 8, the covariance matrix of C is an extraneous matrix with size of M x M. PCA algorithm dramas to happen the characteristic root of a square matrix () and eigenvector () of the matrix, which can be described as follow. Eq. 9 can be solved by the Jacobian method. The obtained characteristic root of a square matrix represents the figure of discrepancies of informations stored in each corresponding eigenvector. The eigenvector is besides called as a characteristic vector being used to transform the observation informations. Vector Personal computer as the consequence of this transmutation can be calculated by the undermentioned equation. where I is the index of the input vector variable, J is the index of Personal computer matching to the sequence of the characteristic vector. The distribution of the experimental informations can be visualized by plotting the Personal computers on the Cartesian vector graph for either 2D or 3D. The distribution of the experimental information is visualized on the graph with the degree depending on the sum of discrepancy from the selected Personal computers. In many instances, the usage of the top of 2 or 3 Personal computers already represents more than 80 % of the discrepancy of the analyzed information, and so that the distribution have reflected the existent distribution of the informations. Fig. 5 presents the deformation of java grain colour ( a ) and roasting temperature ( B ) as map of roasting clip. The colour profile tends to travel down demoing the colour debasement from the yellow-green colour for green bean into the brownish colour for roasted bean. This alteration indicates an addition in degree of roasted java along with the length of the procedure. In add-on gives information that shows the colour alteration of a downward tendency, the chart besides provides scope of the colour values at each trying. From the consequence, it appears that the scope colour value of the grain in the early stages tends to be little for all replicates. The longer roasting clip be givening to widen the scope of colour values indicates a difference degree of adulthood of the roasted java. A similar consequence is besides performed by the profile of temperature. In the early stages, the roaster membranophone was set at the same temperature of 2000C before the java sample was inserted . The temperature will drop about 40-500C in the beginning of roasting and so easy traveling up once more as the clip of roasting occur. This is apprehensible because of the dramatic differences between roaster room temperature with the get downing java grain. At that point, the heat will be absorbed rapidly into the java grains. Although the warming component stays on but this soaking up is greater than the supply of thermal. In short, this temperature is profiled by a lessening in the initial stages so the procedure will slowly rise until it reaches a temperature of 2000C. In line with old consequences with the ascertained scope of temperature values for each sampling clip, it is seen an addition in the scope of values. This shows that even though the procedure fixes the initial conditions of roasting, uses top-quality java bean, and adjusts an equal blower gap but the ripeness of the java grains is non equal for each sampling clip among experiment reproductions. These consequence s prove that the both parametric quantity can non be used to reflect the joint degree though with homogenous stuffs. Furthermore, in existent conditions, the java grains as natural stuff in industry are obtained from providers with heterogenous for footings of quality, shelf life, wet content, and denseness. Therefore, the both parametric quantities have restriction to be used as an index of the degree of roasted java.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Longevity

Whether it is or not people's decision how long they live is one of the most important debates nowadays. There are many factors that can affect someone's longevity, some of them are choices people make like smoking, drinking or keeping a healthy diet, but some other aspects Like socio-economic situation and genetic background may not be anyone's election. Penthouse this circumstances might affect the longevity of a certain person, this essay will argue that lifestyle choices are In fact the most relevant factor when It comes to life expectancy.Lifestyle choices like smoking and drinking, affect strongly a person's longevity. Penthouse not every smoking or drinking case ends In death, this lifestyle choices can lead to serious health Issues that can reduce the life expectancy of an Individual. A study held by L. Wilhelmina and other scientists, shows that there are many factors that can affect someone's longevity, and they conclude that non-smokers have a higher possibility of survivi ng.This is because smoking causes injuries in the immune, circulatory and respiratory systems and this further leads to diseases like anger and osteoporosis. But smoking is not the only threat to someone's health, drinking alcoholic beverages is extremely harmful, both mentally and physically, and can result with mortal consequences. According to Patrick M. Krueger, suicides, accidents, cancers and other diseases are the main causes of death in heavy drinkers. Drinking and smoking affect directly someone's life expectancy due to its health and mental consequences.In contrast, some socio-economic circumstances clearly impact on someone's longevity and lifestyle choices. Government interventions like the minimum wage, effect directly somebody's socio-economic situation, and economic instability can influence someone's lifestyle choices and longevity. For example, if the minimum wage decreases, and so does the price of fast food, a worker that earns a basic salary won ‘t be able to choose between fast food and healthy food because his budget only lets him spend in the cheapest food in the market.These can be In many ways someone's decision, penthouse aspects like the ones mentioned In the previous paragraph might Influence an Individual's choices. Obesity and sedentary can reduce someone's life expectancy. A study held by Kelly et al from The university Cambridge on the Impact of obesity In fife expectancy, predicted that overweight would reduce It by 0. 28 years. Longevity By militaries like socio-economic situation and genetic background may not be anyone's election. Say will argue that lifestyle choices are in fact the most relevant factor when it Penthouse not every smoking or drinking case ends in death, this lifestyle choices can lead to serious health issues that can reduce the life expectancy of an individual. Lets him spend in the cheapest food in the market. In countries like The United States income the lower the mortality, making it evident that income might be a method to identify the lifestyle situations, that lead to the health contrast within people of different economic groups (Marmot, 2002).On the other hand, overweight and the lack of physical activity alter negatively a person's life expectancy. These can be in many ways someone's decision, penthouse aspects like the ones mentioned in the previous paragraph might influence an individual's choices. Obesity and sedentary can reduce someone's life expectancy. A study held by Kelly et al from The University Cambridge on the impact of obesity in life expectancy, predicted that overweight would reduce it by 0. 28 years.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Corporate Operations of the BMW Group Case Study

Corporate Operations of the BMW Group - Case Study Example The BMW Group is a global manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles. According to the BMW Group website (2008) the company concentrates entirely on premium standards and outstanding quality for all its brands and across all relevant segments. The BMW Group owns the BMW, MINI and Rolls Royce brands and it defines its strategic objective: "The BMW Group is the leading provider of premium products and premium services for individual mobility" (BMW Group 2008). . The BMW Group's headquarters are in Munich, Germany where activities in over 150 countries are coordinated. It has 8 research and development centers - BMW Group Research and Innovation Center (FIZ), Munich; BMW Group Research and Technology, Munich; BMW Group Car IT, Munich; Innovation and Technology Center in Landshut Plant; BMW Group Designworks, Newbury Park, USA; BMW Group Engineering and Emissions Test Center, Oxnard, USA; BMW Group Technology Office, Palo Alto, USA; BMW Motoren GmbH Steyr, Austria; BMW Group Technology Office, Tokyo, Japan; BMW Group Development Office, Beijing, China. It has 17 production facilities in 6 countries: Berlin plant, Dingolfing plant, Eisenach plant, Contract production in Graz (Austria), Goodwood plant (GB), Hams Hall plant (GB), Landshut plant, Leipzig plant, Munich plant, Oxford plant (GB), Regensburg plant, Rosslyn plant (South Africa), Shenyang plant (China), Spartanburg plant (USA), Steyr plant (Austria), Swindon plant (GB), Wackersdorf pla nt. Assembly is done with external partners in different countries - Jakarta, Indonesia; Kaliningrad, Russia; Cairo, Egypt; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Rayong, Thailand; Chennai, India. Sales and marketing subsidiaries are also present in many countries, helping maintain and enhance BMW's presence in key markets - Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, USA. (BMW Group, 2008). The BMW Group deals not only with automotive products, it also develops, produces and markets motorcycles, as well as comprehensive financial services for private and business customers. For its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, the BMW Group it is the only "car maker to pursue a purely premium strategy for all market sectors covered by its brands, from exclusive smaller cars to top-of-the-range luxury limousines", according to the group website (2008). For motorcycles, aside from the strategy to build the best motorcycles, the company has set standards for technology, environmental protection and safety, and customer service in the pre- and after-sales phases. Seeing financial services as a key factor in BMW's successful operations, it has established financing and leasing, asset

Friday, September 27, 2019

Outline a framework for assessing the effectiveness of aid in Essay

Outline a framework for assessing the effectiveness of aid in promoting economic development in developing countries. Critically - Essay Example Thus, the difference between government enacted foreign aid programs and private, charitable, or volunteer groups donating money and services to development causes can be distinguished as two categories of international development aid: public policy and private charity. What is classified as â€Å"foreign aid† for example under public policy and is â€Å"given† to foreign States as part of a nation like Britain or America’s foreign policy might include military and economic aid together in a package that is intended to strengthen State structures of authority rather than indigenous community economic development. Private groups that seek to implement assistance programs independently of foreign States may have different obstacles and program criteria than the government aid assistance programs. Therefore, it is important to understand the difference between public and private development initiatives, and to analyze each on its own unique set of standards and req uirements relating to the way the issues are framed and the policies set into practice. Government aid programs to developing countries may be undertaken unilaterally, as many of the developed economic States such as Britain, the U.S., Japan, France, Finland, China, Denmark and other countries enact as part of their foreign policy. At the same time, these same countries may also engage in official assistance to international aid programs as part of the UN, EU, OAS, or NATO. This foreign aid is intended as economic assistance but donated in relation to the political goals of the nations involved. Historically, this would be considered the aid most easily lost to corruption, most likely to land in the Swiss bank accounts of despots, to be wasted, funneled into military and police repression tectics, and generally used to encourage a greater system of inequality in the foreign country by exacerbating the division of wealth in the society, or the inequality of capital distribution among its citizens. This type of foreign aid may lead to crony capitalism, dictatorships, banana republics, or proxy States that exist in opposition to their populations and actually deter economic and social development through the production of a corrupt and unequal society. These patterns typified foreign assistance aid to Africa in the 1970’s, Central and South America in the 1980’s, and Pakistan, Egypt, and other countries considered vital in the war on terror in the current paradigm. The characteristic of this type of aid is that it goes to a corrupt or undemocratic and non-transparent proxy State of the superpowers and the resources are used exclusively by the corrupt or crony class of insiders related to the local national party structure. This type of foreign development aid is generally the least effective and the least likely to actually â€Å"trickle down† to the communities represented by three billion of the world’s poorest, families who live on less than $1 per day, often lacking any type of clean water, sanitation, education, or electrical facilities. Yet, the government policy driven types of foreign development assistance may also take the form of â€Å"Peace Corps†

Thursday, September 26, 2019

IT Audit & Security controls at ABC Company Essay

IT Audit & Security controls at ABC Company - Essay Example The move is further fuelled by the growing availability of broadband connectivity and increasing competitive market pressure. Some of the factors supporting rapid mobile deployment are: Availability of a variety of communication mediums and bandwidth connectivity Availability of cheaper powerful and multi-functional Smartphones Market competition Development of easily customizable business application platforms Availability of large number of mobile applications integration of wired and wireless applications by using new technologies such as IMS, 3G networks, smart phones, and WiMAX devices Advantages of deploying mobile devices in organization have been tremendous. Major advantages of deploying mobile devices are: Secure, Manageable and Real-Time availability of information Accessibility of information anytime and anywhere Availability of real-time and accurate inventory data to support supply chain management Streamlined inventory management improve productivity and workflow, while reducing error rates, overhead, and administration Better customer relationship management due to on site availability of information which helps in tracking and monitoring a customer Benefits of deploying mobile workforce comes along with various risks associated with it. Security of information is foremost concern for most of the organizations planning for mobile deployment. Some of the major risks deploying mobile devices are as follows: Loss or theft of mobile device Spreading of virus and worm Network compromises Organizations can overcome the risk associated with mobile workforce to some extent by applying various security and precautionary measures. Following recommended course of actions help in successful mobile deployment in an organization: Designing,...workers will be mobile workers and half of European workforce to be mobile by the end of 2007. The principal driving forces behind deploying mobile workforce include both technological and organizational changes. The move is further fuelled by the growing availability of broadband connectivity and increasing competitive market pressure. Some of the factors supporting rapid mobile deployment are: Benefits of deploying mobile workforce comes along with various risks associated with it. Security of information is foremost concern for most of the organizations planning for mobile deployment. Some of the major risks deploying mobile devices are as follows: Organizations can overcome the risk associated with mobile workforce to some extent by applying various security and precautionary measures. Following recommended course of actions help in successful mobile deployment in an organization: Organizations must assess and prepare themselves for short and long term advantages, disadvantages, risks and other impacts of deploying mobile workforce before jumping on board. They have to develop standard business processes so that they can take maximum advantages of the mobile workforce and reduce the risks associated with the move.

Solution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Solution - Essay Example 2014). Content marketing targets attracting and retaining the customers of a business through continuous creation and development of content which are focused on changing the behaviour of the consumers (What is Content Marketing? 2014). The contents for content marketing have to be in association with the particular needs of the business, which would essentially vary from one company to another. Hence in order to achieve successful content marketing, the goals of the business have to be clearly set and planned (Baer, 2014). This step involves identifying the audience to whom the content would be targeted. There should be a particular aim of the execution of a particular content. Hence in this step, the business organization needs to identify the aim or the purpose that the business wants the content to fulfil (Baer, 2014). This is the step where the business needs to identify what it is producing, when, and for whom. This is extremely important since the content will have to be based on this information. The information and the audience have to be connected through the content being developed (Baer, 2014). Atomization would involve considering a key or a major idea related to the business, and executing smaller contents from the big concept. This is a form of reinvention which would help the business to create innovative contents for its purpose of marketing (Baer, 2014). This step suggests that the content marketing needs to be marketed by the business. Contents cannot be just created and people be attracted. Content executions will have to be created such as the product, and they will be required to be launched in the market like a business would do with a product. Integrated marketing tactics need to be followed for this purpose to bring the contents in front of the public (Baer, 2014). Contents are more effective for marketing if they are measured. By this it is meant that the business needs to measure

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Business Policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Business Policy - Essay Example It is thus dynamic in nature so that the organization earns above average returns (Hitt, Ireland and Hoskisson, 2001, p. 6). Strategic management is a broad canvas, which includes strategic analysis, strategic implementation and control. It encompasses all functional areas within an organization. This paper aims to address these issues in the context of finance and marketing. For evolving appropriate corporate policies, it is imperative to do a competitive analysis. This will be done by using the SWOT and Porters five forces. SWOT analysis helps to understand internal environment of the company in terms of its relative strengths and weaknesses, and also external factors in terms of opportunities and threat. Further, as the company intends to enter into emerging markets, its global competitiveness will be examined by using the model suggested by Porter (1985), which includes five competitive forces, which determine the competitiveness of a product in a market. These forces are industr y competitions, potential entrants, substitutes, byers, and suppliers.

Monday, September 23, 2019

Nursing Care Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Nursing Care Management - Essay Example This paper shall consider one care management episode from practice, assessing and evaluating the ways by which patient care is affected by negotiated, team performance, and multi-agency collaboration. It will discuss the impact of team work and the MDT on patient care. It will also discuss variables which impact on the efficacy of the team and the different programs of care. This paper will also analyse the ways by which my reflections and analysis will impact on my personal contributions for the team as a registered practitioner. The patient’s confidentiality will be protected at all times with assumed names assigned to individuals involved during my placement. The subject of this paper is Mrs. P, admitted to the hospital due to discomfort from her pubic catheter which already increased to moderate pain. She had one carer seeing her daily to manage her daily activities; but she got worse, and needed an increased care package as the carer could no longer manage her well. The fact that she was also asthmatic made the management more complicated. She stated that she needed 24 hour care and could no longer manage being alone at home. ... She was again sent home with pain medications and antibiotics which still did not do much to relieve her symptoms. Prior to her discharge, the pharmacy helped sort out her medications, with the doctor assessing her condition on a regular basis and assessing if she was stable enough to be discharged. These professionals also organized her discharge letter. The nurse attended to her daily needs and monitored her vital signs, as well as her symptoms. The physiotherapist evaluated her mobility and her daily activities. Social services also participated in her care in order to help manage her home needs by assigning carers before her discharge. Being a student nurse involved in the nursing management process, my role was to assess the patients assigned to me in terms of routine nursing roles. Nursing care also involves the evaluation of individual patient needs (Gaberson and Oermann, 2010). In patients with identified health issues, the management process would often include the assistanc e of the multidisciplinary care team. Teamwork in the hospital setting is very much important because it helps ensure the efficient management of the patient’s illness, often allowing their effective transition into the community setting, and preventing readmissions (Komatsu, et.al., 2011). Teams are individuals working with each other using similar tools and methods, seeking common goals via group efforts, and eventually establishing services which are more complete and superior in quality (Komatsu, et.al., 2011). In the hospital setting, there are various health professionals working with each other and sharing information with each other. Factors affecting the success of care programmes

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Interpretation of the Bible. How the critical reading of John assists Essay

Interpretation of the Bible. How the critical reading of John assists in the interpretation of the gospel - Essay Example The book presents an account of the ministries of Jesus in the public1. The book opens with witnesses and affirmation of John the Baptist and it concludes with the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. The book follows the three synoptic including Mathew, Mark and Luke. Reading the gospel of John therefore, aids in the interpretation of the Gospel because of the information or rather the summary it relays and the various factors that the author put into consideration. II. Interpretation of the bible Interpretation of the bible can be done on the major purpose of the gospel. The book on its entirety can be interpreted on what the author wanted to pass to the audience2. Reading the book, it demonstrates that the author wanted people to believe in Jesus Christ to be able to have life, salvation and eternal life. The book recounts many of the miracles that Jesus did and how he overcame death. These accounts demonstrates clearly to the believers and non-believers that indeed, th ere is God and therefore, by trusting in His name, we are assured of eternal life. John through the book aspires to reach out to the believer and his intention is to strengthen their faith in the gospel3. Going through the book, it is evident that Jesus performed all his miracles in the presence of his disciples. He wanted them to bear witness that indeed he had the power to perform miracles as directed by the Almighty Father in Heaven. John in John 2:11, mentions the effect of first sign.4 Furthermore, there are various omissions that John omits in his book probably because of the fact that some of the issues are covered in the synoptic gospels. Therefore, much information on the background of the narratives is omitted in the book. Omissions include various events and characters that happened in the New Testament and the life of Jesus Christ. The gospel’s last chapters themes from John 13-17, may not have any impact to the nonbelievers5. These chapters talk about Jesus final instructions to his disciplines, his priestly prayers and the last super that he shared with his disciplines. Non-believers may not be encouraged and motivated to change their beliefs based on these chapters. Going through John 20:31, John evangelizes the gospel of Christ through very strong words6. He tells the readers that it is written that Jesus Christ is the son of God and therefore, whoever that believes in him will have eternal life. This is a very strong message that John is passing to the readers. The verse, send a very strong message to the nonbelievers as well as believers to accept salvation to be able to inherit the kingdom of God. Reading John helps us to understand the gospel as well as other three books of the gospel. The book continued to put emphasis on witnessing and this is illustrated through various episodes such as the Samaritan at the well and John the Baptist7. Therefore, the book helps the readers both the unbelievers and believers to have and strengthen t heir faiths. There is enough evidence that is provided about the deity of Jesus through the claims of Jesus as well as many miracles that Jesus did during his life. The synoptic gospels; Mathew, mark and Luke, have also addressed some of the issues or events that are presented in John but the way they are presented in John is precise and concise hence fostering easy understanding8. John selects specific material, which he uses to fulfill his themes and purpose, and this has made the gospel to be clear and

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Do Societies Choose to Fail or Survive Essay Example for Free

Do Societies Choose to Fail or Survive Essay The society is a very important aspect on the life of any human. The very definition of the term society which is entwined on the aspect of relationships of a group of people, who depend on each other in either way make it to be of utmost importance. When viewed in broader terms, the society depicts people in a certain region and most certainly has common bonds such as culture, language or any other factors that brings them together. It is therefore common knowledge to note that although the society has the gist of prospering, other societies have fallen and the question that arises is whether a society chooses to fail or survive. Various arguments have been put across with some of the hardliners taking passionate stands on what they believe in with regard to the prosperity or failure of a society (Diamond, 2005). One of the authors who has been vocal in examining the survival of societies Jareed Diamond, probes why some of the societies in the past were able to survive and why some feel out rightly. The author bases his research mainly on concentrating on the past right to the modern world. In his award winning book titled Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Survive, the author in the prologue states that the book â€Å"employs the comparative method to understand societal collapses to which environmental problems contribute†. The author in writing this book tends to offer a historical context of societies that have on the â€Å"collapse or survival† of the society. The author thus seems to argue that â€Å"input† variables have significant effect on the â€Å"output† (Diamond, 2005). The author highlights some of the factors that have in the past been culprits in collapse of societies. Some of them are overfishing, overpopulation, deforestation and others. He also goes further to include factors that may in the future aid in the survival or collapse of societies. The author uses the Anasazi collapse to put forward his arguments on why societies fail at sometimes. The Anasazi who are a Native American society are used by the author to clearly illustrate the link between population growth and environmental damage directly to the collapse of the Anasazi. The author as he tries to highlight is that the warfare that took place was not a significant contributor to the failure of this society (Diamond, 2005). Another incisive and highly critical book of how society thrives is the book Questioning Collapse: Human Resilience, Ecological Vulnerability and the Aftermath of Empire. The book which has an impressive number of 15 scholarly scientists, provide an incisive look at this issue with each of the personalities contributing significantly. The authors of this book borrow appraise Diamonds work and use his â€Å"provoking inquiries† to give their valuable insights into this issue (Norman and McAnamy, 2010). Another highly critical and analytical book Marketing Conquest and the Vanishing Indian: an Indigenous Response to Jared Diamond’s Archaeology of the American Southwest, the book tries to respond to Diamond’s work. The essay seems to suggest that Diamond’s are some of the most important aspects with regards to conquest. In Diamonds books, he seems to suggest that â€Å"colonialization and conquest† were what he refers to as ‘accident’ and that modern collapses of various societies can be avoided by studying the root causes of these earlier conflicts. This essay is a direct response to Diamonds assumptions and it mainly questions the authenticity of his assumptions and comes to the conclusion that diamonds are actually an important aspect of conquest. References: Diamond, J (2005). â€Å"Prologue. † Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Survive. New York: Penguin . â€Å"The Ancient Ones: The Anasazi and Their Neighbors. † Chapter 4 of Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. New York: Penguin, 2005. McAnamy, P. A. and Norman Y (2010). Questioning Collapse: Human Resilience, Ecological Vulnerability and the Aftermath of Empire. New York: Cambridge UP, 1-20 Wilcox, M. â€Å"Marketing Conquest and the Vanishing Indian: An Indigenous Response to Jared Diamond’s Archaeology of the American Southwest. † Eds.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Overview Of Reality Television Programming

Overview Of Reality Television Programming Reality television programming has been around since the first broadcast of Candid Camera in the late 1940s, but this type of programming became more popular in recent years as a result of different factors. Rowen, (2000) attributed the debut of the Survivor in the year 2000 as the beginning of the infiltration of reality programming in todays television landscape. This type of television programming has now becoming popular among different television audience globally and has also gained recognition of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences who in 2003 added Best Reality Show as an Emmy category. While studies in reality television are relatively limited despite the recent surge in its programming, efforts is hereby made in this study to review or summarize previous research on reality television programming. The increase in reality television programming may undoubtedly be related to with the increasing number of cable channels, which allows advertisers to reach smaller markets (Hiebert and Gibbons, 2000) with the majority of reality television programming is geared towards the individuals under twenty five years old (Frank, 2003). MTV has been presenting the Real World to this target younger demographic for more than ten years. Frank (2003) suggests that younger viewers are attracted to reality television programmes because the programmes show individuals and situations which relates to what they are used to on daily basis. According to Rowen (2000), the popularity of reality television began with the debut of Survivor which was first aired in 2000. From thence, this genre of television programming started gaining attraction and attention on network primetime television. This was when reality programmes started to target an older demographic. There is a variety of programmes that still target the younger demographic, but now there are more programmes that target a much wider demographic. For example, network primetime programmes such as The Apprentice target the 18 49 demographic (Rowen, 2000). Because of this age range, it is most likely that a greater percentage of individuals now watch reality television today than in the time past. Nabi, Biely, Morgan, and Stitt, (2003) examined the genre of reality television programming itself. It was observed that a multidimensional space analysis of all television programmes indicates that reality television is a genre that is distinct from all of the other pre-existing genres. However, not all reality programmes can be considered as one cohesive genre. There are two dimensions with the first one is presented as a continuum due to its suitability for primetime programming. The second dimension is fiction-real, this is a continuum based on whether the programmes were portrayed as fictional or realistic based programmes. Some reality programmes have been listed as fictional because for some reasons, audience members do not perceive them as realistic (Nabi et al, 2003). Interestingly, not all reality programmes were classified as reality, and not all fictional programmes were classified as fictional. In another study, Nabi, Stitt, Halford and Finnerty, (2006) used multidimensional scaling to understand the subgroups of reality television programming. There were two dimensions along which viewers thought about reality television romance and competitiveness. Dating programmes were found to be a unique type of programming with no relationship with other programme types. The other subgroups of reality television programming were found to be fluid and difficult for viewers to separate one from another because of the overlap among the categories. As a way of creating better understanding, Nabi et al (2006) encourages reality television researchers to focus on the qualities of the programmes and not the categories. Some research has sought to discover why people watch reality television programmes. Reiss and Wiltz (2004) in a study, asked individuals to rate themselves on Reisss 16 basic life motives and also to report how much they viewed reality programmes and how much they enjoyed these programmes. Results indicated that the appeal to reality television programmes was dependent on the amount of reality television programmes watched by the individuals. The more reality programmes an individual reported liking, the more status oriented the individual is likely to be. Individuals found to place a higher value on vengeance were found to be more motivated by social life, less motivated by honour, more focused on order, and more concerned with romance. Reiss and Wiltz (2004) found that the reality television programmes that people prefer to watch are those that stimulate their motives and fundamental values the most. For example, people who place premium on romance in relationships are very much l ikely to watch The Bachelor, but if they value work or entrepreneurship, then they may prefer to go for The Apprentice reality programme. Therefore, it can be concluded that the motif for watching reality television programmes is based on their individual values and desires. Many individuals would easily indicate that they enjoy watching other people on reality television programmes, but this is not to say that the competitors are not aware that they are being watched. Nabi et al (2003) in their study concludes that people watch reality programmes because they enjoy watching real people instead of actors and that the uses and gratifications sought by reality television audiences is the reason why regular viewers watch the programmes because they find it entertaining, for the enjoyment of watching other peoples life, and the self-awareness they receive from these programmes. Cognitive and emotional predictors of reality television were examined by Nabi et al (2006) and found that happiness, para-social relationships, dramatic challenge social self-awareness, comparison and negative outcomes are factors which affect the enjoyment of reality television programmes. It was also found that reality television programmes did not appeal much to the audience when compared to other genres of television programming. However, this was attributed to the limited ability of the programmes to evoke positive emotions rather than the negative emotions which the programmes provoked. They also determined that perceived reality was not related to enjoyment from viewing reality television programming and that various dimensions of perceived reality were related, but not as a whole. Hall (2006) conducted focus groups to understand why participants enjoy watching reality television programming. It was found that participants enjoyed reality programmes most because of their humour and suspense as well as the fulfilment of social functions which participants get from watching the programmes. The participants noted that they have watched reality programmes with friends, and also discussed about the reality programmes they watched with their friends too. The study revealed that the participants view of reality television programming as realistic was just weak as the criteria for judging (realness) were different from show to show and changed as new programmes were broadcast. This therefore, makes perceived reality to be a difficult concept to measure. Papacharissi and Mendelson (2007) examines the gratifications sought from reality television and their findings indicates that respondents reported watching reality television programmes mainly to pass the time or for e ntertainment purposes. They noted that the respondents who reported watching for entertainment reasons were most likely to perceive the programmes as being real. Barton (2006) examined reality television programming and gratifications obtained by audience members. Findings from the study indicated that the content of the reality show influenced the gratifications obtained by the viewers. A new gratification known as personal utility which has not been studied was identified in the study. Personal utility was identified as one of the strongest predictors of overall gratifications obtained by reality television viewers. Personal utility refers to the viewer gaining something personally useful from the programme. It is therefore important to understand that viewers watch for different reasons. These reasons may lead to differing perceptions by viewers and thus differing effects. Therefore, individual difference variables have also been found to moderate why people watch reality television programmes (Barton 2006). Nabi et al (2003) while examining the gratifications received from reality television programming, discovered sex as a significant distinguishing factor. For instance, men were noted to be more entertained by reality programmes and as such, formed para-social relationships more often than women do. Reiss and Wiltz (2004) in their study examined how sex moderates the effects of reality television programming on their respondents and reported that they did not find sex as a significant influence on reality television outcomes. Rather, age was found to be a significant influence on reality television outcomes. Younger viewers reported becoming more self-aware and entertained from watching reality programmes, while older viewers reported engaging in social comparisons from viewing reality television. Race was also found to have an impact on media use outcomes. For instance, whites were found to identify with the characters, while non-whites were found to learn more information from reali ty television programming (Nabi et al, 2003). 2.1.2 Perceived Reality and Reality Television Programming Before the development of reality television programmes, perceived reality has been generating much interest among media researchers. Potters (1988) conceptual definition of perceived reality is a construct composed of three dimensions, with the first being defined as the belief in the literal reality of television messages (p.31). This component, known also as the magic window deals with how much the viewer believes that the mediated message from television reflects the outside world. Secondly, utility is defined as the practicality of the viewer applying what is viewed on television in his/her daily living. It also denotes the importance and extent to which people can relate the information they get from television into their own lives. Thirdly, identity refers to relating with a character or personality television programmes and this is also seen as the extent to which the viewer thinks a character plays a part in the viewers actual life (Potter, 1988). Magic window, utility, and identity are central to the understanding of a viewers perception of reality because each of these components will affect how a viewer perceives reality in a television programme. In examining perceived reality, Cavender and BondMaupin (1993) examined crime reality television programming, looking at programmes like Americas Most Wanted. This was done based on story selection, the techniques of cinematographic as well as the producers claims. Crime based reality television programmes were found to depict a very real sense of danger to the audience as they were found to be high in the identity component. Because of the images presented in crime reality programme programmes, it was easy for the viewers to identify with the characters that were presented as victims. Cavender and BondMaupin (1993) notes that participating in reality programmes means that the viewers are now part of the reality. This obviously makes it difficult to distinguish the reality in the programme from any other aspect of life. Their study suggests that reality programming has a unique form because of the presentation of realistic characters, settings, and plot. Another study which examined the perceived reality of reality television programmes is Meng and Lugalambi (2003). The study found that respondents did not view reality programmes as real. Perceived believability of the program mediated the relationship between the type of programme viewed and the perceived utility. The researchers argue that the best manner to examine perceived reality is by the degree of personal utility that the viewer receives from the reality programmes. 2.1.3 Defining reality television programming Reality television programmes are gradually becoming the toast of television stations and networks in recent times (Hall, 2006 and Stern, 2007). Since the success of the genres first big network hit, the Survivor (CBS), the number of reality programmes on television has multiplied, both on broadcast and cable networks. To Seibel and Kerschbaumer, (2004), Reality television programmes were first recognized as an official genre of television in 2004 even though it has become immensely popular in the years prior. Reality programmes or, as they are alternatively known, unscripted dramas have been somewhat difficult to define, due to the rapid growth which has caused the genre to expand into various forms (Hall, 2006; Nabi et al., 2003). While they are all considerably different, programmes like the Big Brother Show, Biggest Looser, The Apprentice, Gulder Ultimate Search, Survivor, Fear Factor, etc. have all been considered to be reality programmes, although each is structured in a slightly different form. There must be caution in describing reality television as simply programming that represents reality because this would force the inclusion of news programmes and talk programmes, which, are generally not considered as part of the genre. Nabi et al (2003, p. 304) while attempting to situate the precincts of reality television programming described them as programmes that film real people as they live out events (contrived or otherwise) in their lives, as these events occur. This description b ecomes Important as it assumes that the events on the television screen are chronological, and that the participants are not working from a script, the show is filmed in a non-studio environment and that the purpose of the programme must be entertainment. While it leaves room for a wide range of programming, this definition excludes talk programmes which, in some ways, draw upon some of the same appeals and strategies to attract viewers, and have been considered as forerunners of reality television (Reality Television, 2004). However, Hall, (2004) notes that the popular press has considered programmes, such as American Idol and Shocking Behaviour Caught on Tape, to be reality fare, even though they do not meet these criteria. Deery (2004) notes that reality television does not necessarily have to be realistic, nor does it have to depict common or everyday experiences. Deery further notes that the reality of reality television programmes is usually translated as the experience of rea l or ordinary people (i.e., unknown non-actors) in an actual and unscripted environment. It does not require that the situation must be ordinary, but that there should be a particular kind of viewer access. The definition of reality television to audiences seems to be as inconsistent as it is in academia, though slightly more inclusive. In a study of the public perception of reality programmes, Hall (2006) notes that some programmes such as Real World and Cops were unanimously considered by most respondents to be of the reality genre. Most of the respondents in the study believe that the presence of non-actors behaving independently from any sort of script was a mandatory criterion for reality television. Additionally, for some, a competition element helped define a show in the reality category. Hall noted that this was not necessarily a criterion because the competition was realistic, but rather that it seemed to be a central element for a large number of programmes that have been labelled as reality. The most defining characteristic for these research participants was the realism factor. Perhaps the most central element in determining the strength of a particular programmes membership in the programming category, however, was the nature of the show when compared to real life situations. Hall (2006, p. 198) notes that the understanding that the programme was non-scripted, which carries the implication that the behaviour of the cast members is self-determined and a true expression of their own personalities and wills, was repeatedly implied to be a determining factor of whether a show should be considered a reality programme. It seems, however, that a viewers task of determining whether or not the content of a programme is real may not be a simple task. Stern (2007) points out that the reality element of reality television is, at best, only a claim. The desire of producers to create an entertaining programme often leads them to distort events to make them more dramatic. The result is a programme that dances on the line between truth and fiction, often leaving the viewers confused about what is real and what is not. Stern notes further that manipulation of reality can manifest as producers interference with the cast, in addition to creative editing techniques. 2.2 Features of reality television (Characteristics) Within the confines of reality television programming exists two sub-genres: voyeur-based programmes and competition-based programmes with the emphasis within each being on the different dramatic aspects of the reality being captured. The first sub-genre, voyeur-based programmes, can most closely be compared to a documentary-style production. Programmes in this category are sometimes referred to as docu-dramas or docu-soaps (Jones, 2003). The component of producer involvement which is generally lacking in documentaries is accentuated in the voyeur-based programmes. However, this is a major area of differences between voyeur-based programming and actual documentaries. That is to say, voyeur-based reality programmes highlight the fact that the participants are incorporating the production units into their daily routines. The second sub-genre of reality-based television is competition-based programmes. These programmes tend to bear a resemblance with traditional game shows, with the distinguishing factor being that game shows typically do not offer comprehensive surveillance of the contestants. The competition-based programmes focus on how human interaction is affected when contestants are forced to interact with each other while trying to succeed against each other in various events. The following are the qualities that make a programme reality based. Reality-based programming is not scripted The most fundamental criterion for a television show to fall within the reality genre is that is must not have a script for the participants or contestants. This means that their actions and spoken words must be spontaneous. In its place, reality-based programming relies on established rules that govern the way the contestants interact with each other and their environment. These rules in essence act as a substitute for scripted materials in that they provide the contestants with a framework that dictates how their exchanges will be enacted. The idea behind this is that it offers an alternative to the predictability of fictional programming (Andrejevic, 2003). Reality-based programming involves ordinary people instead of actors It is argued that one thing that makes reality programming appealing is that it draws its contestants directly from the audience. Dovey (2000, p. 86) notes that ordinary people and their dramatic experiences are the staple of Reality television Syvertsen (2001 p. 319) describes ordinary people as, those people who are not known in the media, they are not experts, celebrities or newsworthy for any other reason people who are, in principle, interchangeable with one another. Andrejevic (2003, p.4).) notes that part of what makes reality-based programming appealing is its lottery-like ability to make a star out of nobodys'(sic) Reality-based programming is characterised by spontaneous actions The freedom for contestants to act on instinct or to adapt as they deem fit to any situation is a key element in what makes reality programming entertaining and unique. In most ways, the contestants are in control of the programme. There are rules governing the conduct of the contestants and operating within those set rules is an attribute possessed by reality programming alone. Andrejevic, (2003, p. 103) quoting The Real World and Road Rules producer, Jon Murray, said that we dont have a lot of control during the production process, what we have is the control to make choices during editing. The naturalness and ingenuity displayed by the contestants is what makes reality-based programmes unique from other forms of unscripted programming such as traditional game shows. Ultimately, with reality programming, viewers get what really happens first hand since there are no re-takes or re-shoots as only that which is natural and uncontrived will be captured and ultimately aired. When looked at in terms of the benefits of spontaneity compared to traditional scripted programming, Andrejevic makes the case that the free-will of the contestants can prove to be one of the most powerful tools reality television possesses. Andrejevic, (2003) concludes that in reality programming, content becomes detached from the normal concept of scriptwriters and directors, which is now replaced by the spontaneous rhythms of real conflict and real romance. Some element of producer involvement exists in Reality-based programming Reality-based programming can be seen as a contrived reality where the producers create the reality in which the contestants live in. This could mean the establishment of rules for how they will get food as on Gulder Ultimate Search, Survivor and Big Brother, or requiring that they regularly update the audience through confessionals or video diary entries as on Big Brother, Gulder Ultimate Search, and The Real World Show. This is one of the key distinctions that have been made between reality-based programming and documentaries. Dovey (2000) clearly notes that interviewing participants, involving directors, producers, or cameramen in the production or in any way interacting with the subject of a documentary is considered interference and is a serious taboo in documentary filmmaking. These techniques, however, have all been used extensively in reality-based programming. There is a comprehensive surveillance of subjects in Reality-based programmes The primary component that distinguishes reality-based programmes from similar forms of entertainment including traditional game shows and programmes is that it provides the viewer with a perspective of how the participants are feeling and behaving outside the confines of a limited event. For example, viewers are not given the opportunity to see how contestants interact with each other after the final round has been played. This is exactly what separates reality-based programming from traditional game shows (Andrejevic 2003). According to Andrejevic (2003, p. 102), the difference between reality-based programming and traditional game shows lies in the fact that they (reality television programmes) are based not on the documentation of exceptional moments but on the surveillance of the rhythm of day-to-day life. This last criterion shows programmes such as The Debators, Maltina Family Dance All, and NBCs Fear Factor cannot be considered as reality-based programmes. This is because, the producers of these programmes shows film exceptional moments and do not offer comprehensive surveillance of the contestants behaviours and interactions with others. 2.3 Reality television programmes and young audience Reality programmes has generally been thought to appeal to a lower-income demographic (Nabi et al., 2003). The reality genre in general has been criticized as being exploitive of some of the worst characteristics, behaviours and ranks of the human race, and was long considered by the television industry to be low-brow entertainment (Freeman, 2001). Even as reality television programmes began to be accepted by the networks, advertisers were still sceptical about investing in them, primarily discouraged by audience demographic and possibly questionable materials in the programmes. Supporting Freemans view, Atkinson and Fine (2004, p. 1) averred that Advertisers once didnt like the thought of associating with what they regarded as often sleazy down-market fare A study in 2001 confirmed advertisers suspicions when it found that 58% of regular reality audiences were in the middle to low income bracket, with annual incomes falling below $50,000 (Gardyn, 2001, p. 1). Carter (2003) notes that reality television appeals to a younger group of viewers between the age ranges of 18 49 years, or even narrower, between 18 30 years. This demographic profiles of the audience he notes, represents a coveted demographic for advertisers. 2.3.1 The appeal in reality television The appeal of reality television ranges from mere voyeurism to a hope that it offers insights into the human condition. Nabi et al. (2003) found that the initial draw for casual viewers is generally related to boredom, while regular viewers of reality television tune in to be entertained. Some of the appeal may be the lure of watching real people on television. A study in 2001 revealed that 37% of the Americans polled preferred to watch real people on television, as opposed to scripted actors (Gardyn, 2001). However, Nabi, Finnerty, Halford and Stitt (2006) suggests that some of the appeal of reality television may not reside in the quality of the reality, but rather in the drama and suspense, elements of good storytelling, that are often found in reality programmes. Voyeurism has also been cited as a gratification of watching reality television (Hall, 2004). Although Nabi et al. (2003) questions whether or not voyeurism is an appropriate term to describe audiences motivations for viewing because cast members are aware that they are being watched and network constraints assure that explicit material does not make it on the air. Rather than the desire to view forbidden or immoral contents, the audience simply sit and enjoy watching other peoples lives and interpersonal relationships. There is also the notion that reality television fulfils the ever growing American obsession with celebrity and stardom. Conlin, (2003, p. 1) avers that by making perceived nobodies into overnight superstars, reality programme seem to appeal highly to a set of American audience who are obsessed with stardom and those who crave for something different from Hollywoods celebrity system. Andrejevic (2005) also notes that part of the appeal of reality programming is the viewers sense of access, or the thinking that the participants in the programmes could just be them. On a more basic level, reality programmes require minimum commitment from its audience. 2.4 Criticisms of reality television programmes The actual realism of reality television (or lack thereof) and its presentation as real has been a subject of criticism. Nabi et al. (2003) found that while viewers perceived the casts of reality programmes to be real, they did not however see events in the programmes to be sufficiently real. Bagley (2001) says that much of what may be marketed to the public as real may actually be a creatively manipulated or faked reality brought about by the process of production and editing. In his criticism of the Real World, Bagley discusses the potentially misleading production practices that attempt to give reality programmes the appearance of being real by borrowing from the documentary style. Real World, one of the first and most taunted prime examples of the reality programming, hold its authenticity to both its means of presentation and by direct statements. Every reality programme begins with the same claim of being original and authentic. In fact, Bagley (2001, p. 62) notes that this is a true story of seven people, picked to work together, have their lives taped and find out what happens when people stop being polite and start getting real Deery (2004) describes the reality genre as postdocumentary. This implies that the genre has been transformed from its parent genre, documentary, but still retains some of its original elements, which are mainly in the form of its production. This semblance to documentary production is what Bagley (2001) refers to as deceivi ng. Real Worlds manner of presentation critically determines its acceptance as faithful documentation of material existenceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ with aspirations perfectly coinciding with other forms of nonfiction productionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Being patterned after the television journalistic style, Real World borrows on the confidence that genre provokes in its audience, and manages in the process to evoke its own mystique of authenticity that, in the final analysis, furnishes viewers with the rationale to successfully negotiate the shows authorial ambiguity (Bagley, 2004, p. 61-62). Other scholars (Murray, 2006; Bagley, 2001) have argued that the Shaky, camera being moved about, the normal day light, natural environmental sounds, the cheap production values, the surveillance as well as the interview sections by way of confessions help to further boost the claim that Real World reality programme actually depict reality. Some or all of these presentation tactics can be seen in various other reality television programmes such as Big Brother (CBS) and The Bachelor (ABC). At best, reality television, according to Bagley (2004) is a mixture of fiction and non-fiction. Bagley (ibid) notes specifically that most people, when placed before a camera, perform in one way or another, rather than behaving as they would in their natural settings. Again, the long period of editing which is required to reduce long hours of daily footage down into a 30 minute storyline is done with little objectivity in the mind of the produce. The production process is not influenced by the desire to accurately present situations as they are in their traditional forms of non-fiction media, but rather by a desire to entertain and sell. Bagley (2001) notes that this fact alone discredits the genre as a subjective representation of reality because its purpose goes beyond capturing unmediated human relations and events but has veered i nto the commercial realm. 2.4.1 Third person-perception Other criticisms of reality television have emerged indirectly from studies of third-person perception, and have indicated that reality programmes may be socially undesirable in the minds of audience members. Materials that are not socially desirable have been the focus of some studies conducted on third-person perception (Paul, Salwen, and Dupagne, 2000). As noted by Bissell, Peek, and Leone (2006), numerous studies have supported the idea that people perceive others to be more affected by media messages than themselves, particularly the negative contents. The phenomenon of negative contents has been shown in studies of political campaign messages, political advertising, commercials, rap music, and public service announcements, among other types of media (Bissell et al., 2006). In their 2006 study, Bissell, Peek, and Leone (2006),in a study which examined the perceptions of 640 college students concerning reality television (Real World, Fear Factor and Joe Millionaire) found that the students believed that reality programmes negatively impacted others more than themselves, which the researchers suggested indicated their perceptions of reality television as socially undesirable. 2.4.2 Drama Although it has not been extensively documented, the content of reality television tends to be hyper-dramatized turning seeming unimportant events into crises. This is not surprising, given that its purpose is to entertain audiences. Real World producers carefully select cast members to produc

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Suicide: The Motives And Inner Thoughts :: essays research papers

People commit suicide because they feel they have no other choice or way to handle their problem. They feel that this is the only way out. Everyone knows this but everyone doesn’t know what goes through a persons mind during and after they decide to make the absolute decision.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Last year on the night of the Halloween dance, a student from Washington High had a terrible fight with her boyfriend. She saw him kiss another girl at the dance and became enraged. The first thing she did was try to talk to him about it in a calm rational manner, but being the inconsiderate jerk he was, he ignored her and walked away every time she confronted him. As the night came closer and closer to ending, the more depressed she became. It wasn’t her fault he hurt her but as much as her friends tried to help her, she became more depressed and angry with her boyfriend. There was absolutely nothing anyone could do to make her realize that she didn’t need him to be happy, after all, there were never any happy moments shared between the two during the relationship. She just didn’t want to let go of him. When she started to leave that night things just got even worse. He stopped her in the parking lot to tell her that he was going to tell everyone that she was a â€Å"whore† and that he would make up any story he wanted to in order for people to believe what he was telling them. (They hadn’t even had a sexual relationship.) Her friends drove home with her and told her to cheer up as she got out of the car. For the first time since she was born, her parents weren’t home to comfort and protect her. This is when she decided to end her problem for good. She took off the costume she wore to the dance, took a shower, and put on comfortable pajamas. She thought to herself â€Å"If I’m going to die, I may as well be comfortable.† As she went down to the kitchen, all she could think about was the cruel things, her now ex-boyfriend, said about her. He had always been degrading to her but this time he went too far. She could still hear him screaming at her an kept reliving the moment, in her mind. She got her mother’s heart pills and a glass of water to prepare for her death. She kept praying to God to help her find some other way to deal with her problem.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

MCM sonar technology :: essays research papers

ABSTRACT Searching for mines is a time consuming and relatively hazardous operation that is heavily weighted in the favour of the miner if the defending force has not prepared the battlespace beforehand. In simple terms, if the environment in which the enemy is likely to launch a mine attack is known, and the defending forces are familiar with the bottom conditions then the enemy mines are more easily localised and subsequently eliminated. The method of achieving this familiarity with the environment is known by a number of terms but most commonly used is Q-Route Survey or just Route Survey. From the introduction of minehunting sonars in the 60’s Navies have been interested in developing databases of the minelike bottom objects with theareas that they may operate – the battlespace. These efforts have been plagued by a number of fundemental equipment and philosophical problems. Apart from the difficulties faced with precisely positioning the mine-like objects on the bottom the general navigation and plotting accuracies of the vessels was very poor. This contributed to so great a lack of confidence by succeeding vessel commanders about the validity of the database of bottom objects that the databases invariably failed. The failure of a MCM database is catastrophic for the defenders, after an attack, as it means that all bottom objects would need to be reinvestigated to prove they were not mines. Even in moderately cluttered bottom conditions such as in harbours or approaches where there may be 300-400 objects per kilometer of 600m wide channel the investigation and discrimination of all these objects would involve a speed of advance for the dedicated minehunting vessel of less than one knot! There had to be a more efficient way. In the early 80’s the sidescan sonar systems were being supplemented by the fabulously powerful 286 computers. This allowed the sonar signal to be digitised, displayed on a screen and recorded to magnetic medium then stored. This opened the way for the sidescan sonar to be used to define the battlespace. The first generation systems have done a quite good job of achieving the aims when employed by efficient, well trained crews. However, this has been the exception rather than the rule, and the quality of the data so far collected probably less than optimum. In addition the storage of this early data was invariably based on the basis of positioning all the â€Å"minelike contacts† geographically and a consequent lack of care with storage of the original sonar data.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Essay --

Dune is a novel by Frank Herbert about the rising of a messiah. The planets Dune, also called Arrakis, and Caladan serve as the setting for the story. The novel takes place in the far future, a dystopian future where humans are trained to function like computers of old, which have been banned from being built after a popular uprising against machines known as the Butlerian Jihad. Paul Maud'Dib is shown to be the Messiah the Fremen are searching for in that he starts the terraforming of Dune, the fact that he parallels Christ, his changing of the culture of the Fremen, and the fact that his genes mark him for greatness, and the irony of the Baron's actions. Ecology is a strong literary element in the novel Dune. plays a quite large part in Dune. Dune is a desert world, a sterile planet, devoid of life. Not uUntil one goes underneath the surface of Dune, then a whole new ecosystem is seen, based around water or the avoidance of it. Fremen use technology called "stillsuits" to conserve their body's water. Stillsuits recycle any moisture that is excreted by the body. This water is then drunk again, and used again. The Fremen, used to life that requires hoarding water, are astonished at the fact that there are other planets with open water on them. Sandworms are a quite important part of Dune's ecosystem. They, wWhile infants, sandworms produce the spice melange, the spice so precious to human life on Arrakis. These infant sandworms, after being in a spice blow and surviving, eventually grow into the monstrosities that are adult sandworms, the "Old Men of the Desert." (citation) The Water of Life is a potent poison and prescience drug, only obtainable by drowning a sandworm. Its opposite is the Water of Death (citation), ... ...on's actions earlier in the novel lead to his downfall and death later in the novel. His hatred for the Duke Leto Atreides leads to the rise of Paul Maud'Dib, Leto's son and heir. Another irony is the fact that the Baron Harkonnen takes the dead Leto's Mentat, Thufir Hwat, and makes Hwat his Mentat. ""Another matter," the Count said. "We learn that Duke Leto's Mentat, Thufir Hawat, is not dead but in your employ." (Herbert 212). Keynes, the Imperial Planetologist, is killed by his own planet, which is an ironic moment in itself. "Then, as his planet killed him, it occurred to Kynes†¦" (Herbert 180). Paul's mission is ultimately to make Dune a planet full of life. He is there to change Arrakis, to make it ecologically more diverse. The first part of his mission is completed in Dune. He makes Dune a safe place for the Fremen to live in, free from persecution. Essay -- Dune is a novel by Frank Herbert about the rising of a messiah. The planets Dune, also called Arrakis, and Caladan serve as the setting for the story. The novel takes place in the far future, a dystopian future where humans are trained to function like computers of old, which have been banned from being built after a popular uprising against machines known as the Butlerian Jihad. Paul Maud'Dib is shown to be the Messiah the Fremen are searching for in that he starts the terraforming of Dune, the fact that he parallels Christ, his changing of the culture of the Fremen, and the fact that his genes mark him for greatness, and the irony of the Baron's actions. Ecology is a strong literary element in the novel Dune. plays a quite large part in Dune. Dune is a desert world, a sterile planet, devoid of life. Not uUntil one goes underneath the surface of Dune, then a whole new ecosystem is seen, based around water or the avoidance of it. Fremen use technology called "stillsuits" to conserve their body's water. Stillsuits recycle any moisture that is excreted by the body. This water is then drunk again, and used again. The Fremen, used to life that requires hoarding water, are astonished at the fact that there are other planets with open water on them. Sandworms are a quite important part of Dune's ecosystem. They, wWhile infants, sandworms produce the spice melange, the spice so precious to human life on Arrakis. These infant sandworms, after being in a spice blow and surviving, eventually grow into the monstrosities that are adult sandworms, the "Old Men of the Desert." (citation) The Water of Life is a potent poison and prescience drug, only obtainable by drowning a sandworm. Its opposite is the Water of Death (citation), ... ...on's actions earlier in the novel lead to his downfall and death later in the novel. His hatred for the Duke Leto Atreides leads to the rise of Paul Maud'Dib, Leto's son and heir. Another irony is the fact that the Baron Harkonnen takes the dead Leto's Mentat, Thufir Hwat, and makes Hwat his Mentat. ""Another matter," the Count said. "We learn that Duke Leto's Mentat, Thufir Hawat, is not dead but in your employ." (Herbert 212). Keynes, the Imperial Planetologist, is killed by his own planet, which is an ironic moment in itself. "Then, as his planet killed him, it occurred to Kynes†¦" (Herbert 180). Paul's mission is ultimately to make Dune a planet full of life. He is there to change Arrakis, to make it ecologically more diverse. The first part of his mission is completed in Dune. He makes Dune a safe place for the Fremen to live in, free from persecution.

Advantages and Disadvantages using facebook by students Essay

Facebook is an account which can help everyone to connect with different people from anywhere in the world, include the students. It will improve their knowledge about other places, customs and cultures. For example English students can improve their English by using chatting application that is provided in Facebook. In facebook, students be able to chat with foreigner in other countries. Therefore, students can learn about how to speak English well. In addition, Facebook also gives the students the opopportunity to communicate with their friends very easily. Students can use Facebook for group study by creating a group only for studying. Students can share any information’s and learn about homework, assignments, exams, etc in that group. Establish social connections with students at your school and at institutions across the country Connect with like minded individuals, and individuals with similar interests Stay in contact with old friends Snow Day – Update! Not sure if school will be open or closed on a snow day? Check it out on your teacher and/or Principal’s page on Facebook. You’ll find the answer and a whole lotta comments. Reaching out to a student in need Students shared that sometimes it’s hard for them to approach a teacher or even really reach out for help face-to-face. Sharing a disappointment on Facebook can be easier. Students shared how touched they were by encouraging words from a teacher either on their page, or as a face-to-face follow up. Disadvantages of of using Facebook by Students: It regards to students education, students are more often subjected to reading Facebook update than reading books Facebook users, most likely always want to know about update status, so that every day without they realize it takes time. They are stimulated to write unimportant things. Students will have study distraction; students will be ignoring their valuable time to do homework and to study before the exams. In addition, students are spending more time in Facebook than review their lessons. When  students browsing on the internet to search assignments, they prefer to chat with their friends about nonsense thing. Badly, Facebook like drugs that will make the students get addicted. Students can spend hours just to read their friends updates and looking at the latest pictures. Another problem by using Facebook is spending much money, in term to pay the internet costs. Students online disclosure of illegal activities, such as substance abuse, can be used if students come under investigation for related offenses. Potential employers may use facebook to discover information about students Facebook- Facebook (formerly [thefacebook]) is an online social networking service headquartered in Menlo Park, California. Its name comes from a colloquialism for the directorygiven to students at some American universities. Facebook was founded on February 4, 2004, by Mark Zuckerberg with his college roommates and fellow Harvard University students Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz and Chris Hughes. The founders had initially limited the website’s membership to Harvard students, but later expanded it to colleges in the Boston area, the Ivy League, and Stanford University. It gradually added support for students at various other universities and later to their high-school students. Facebook now allows anyone who claims to be at least 13 years old worldwide to become a registered user of the website, although proof is not required.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Representation of Indigenous Cultures Essay

Since the European settlement of Australia, the Indigenous people have been represented in a myriad of ways. The Rabbits (1998), an allegorical picture book by John Marsden (writer) and Shaun Tan (illustrator) and Rabbit Proof Fence (2002), a film directed by Phillip Noyce, are just two examples of this. Techniques such as music, changing camera angles and symbolism are utilised in Rabbit Proof Fence to represent the Aboriginal people as strong-willed and spiritual and in The Rabbits, exaggeration, different colour themes and perspective are used to portray the Aborigines as technologically inferior and overwhelmed against the Europeans. In both texts, the Indigenous people are represented as oppressed by the Europeans. The Rabbit Proof Fence uses techniques such as slow motion close-ups, quick transition camera shots and intense music to show the strong-willed nature of the Aboriginals, which are be used in the scene where the three girls are taken by constable Riggs. Just before constable Riggs, we already hear the music building up the tension with some soft, yet ominous music and as they see the car, there is a slight silence before the intense music slams suddenly to support and symbolise the chaos and confusion of this part of the scene. This brief respite in music and the slow motion close-up shots of the horrified expressions on the faces of all of them emphasises the chaos that was about to happen when constable Riggs chases and captures the girls. Even after the girls were obstructed by the car and constable Riggs was taking the girls one by one, they continued to resist, especially Molly, who screamed and kicked the door shut as Riggs attempted to shove her inside the back seat. The quick transition camera shots that accompany this section of the scene from one character to another, exemplifies the franticness of it. During this scene, we clearly see the considerable amount will of resistance the Aborigines have because of the fact that, although they were powerless against the Europeans, they resisted to the bitter end. On the other hand, in The Rabbits, the Aboriginals (the Numbats) are represented as technologically inferior by the use of techniques such as: colour schemes, exaggeration and vanishing points. Colour schemes in this book are used effectively to emphasise the Indigenous population’s simplicity in life as the Aboriginal colour schemes consist of hues that blend well and warmly with its surroundings so the general overview of the texture of the painting in smooth. However, when analysing the Europeans (the Rabbits’) settlement in panels such as four and five, the colours are very sharp and more suited to the use of creating hard edges, which has been done as seen from the geometric construction of the objects within these two panels. In the tenth panel, the exaggeration of the wheat collectors is used to show the Europeans’ superior knowledge in machinery, in not only size, but also the quantity of objects that are attached like the taps. In the eighth panel, another representation of the Aboriginal’s inferiority in equipment is portrayed in the bottom right hand corner by an absolute domination in manpower and weapons. This is also epitomized by the vanishing point in that particular frame, which basically shows the reader that the army of soldiers is close to infinite. The spirituality of the Aboriginal people towards their land is portrayed in Rabbit Proof Fence by using symbolism, music and camera shifts, when Molly and Daisy on the verge of losing hope in the desert. In this scene, the very slow, lamenting music gives an audio representation of the two girls’ fatigue and hopelessness, using small accents to do so at every step. When the girls do collapse onto the ground, Molly sees an eagle soaring in the sky above them. This eagle, as explained by Molly’s mother in opening scene, was a symbol of protection and safety in Aboriginal culture. The appearance of this eagle in their time of need emphasises how the Aboriginals are truly bonded, psychologically and physically, to their land and culture. In this scene, the camera shifts back and forth between their elders back at Jigalong and the girls in the desert. This constant transition conveys the relationship between the girls (protected by the eagle) and the elders praying in an Aboriginal dialect for the girl’s safety. With these few examples, we can see how the Indigenous people have a special bond with their land through their cultural religion, which, in return, assists them when it is needed. Powerlessness of the Numbats (Aboriginals) against the Rabbits (Europeans) in The Rabbits is shown through the use of words within the mise en scene. Within this picture book, Marsden contributes to the meaning of the story to the readers through very short, but powerful sentences such as: â€Å"Sometimes we had fights/But there were too many rabbits/We lost the fights. † The way these sentences are structured so that it places emphasise the appropriate scenario that is occurring in each panel. With Shaun Tan, he conveys the powerless nature of the Indigenous by placing the Europeans in the foreground and the Aboriginal’s away from the focal point. For example, in panel eleven, the rabbits (Europeans) arjplaced in the foreground of the scene, holding up the words, â€Å"and they stole our children† and the tiny numbats (Aboriginals) are off into the far distance, holding up their hands in a fruitless gesture whilst their children are being taken away from them. This representation of the numbats in the background shows how the Europeans have gained most of the control in their land, causing a massive imbalance in power. The Rabbits and Rabbit Proof Fence provide audiences with different representations of the Indigenous culture by presenting various ideas by using visual and literary techniques to support them with: music, changing camera angles, exaggeration and perspective being a few that were discussed.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Handicraft Industry in Nepal

Industry in Nepal Industrial Social Work Submitted by: Submitted to: Bikina Chhetri Kesh Malla 6th Semester Date: 1st October, 2010 Concept: Handicrafts are unique expressions that represent a culture, tradition and the heritage of a country. Nepal is well known for its exotic Handicrafts legacy and tradition. A wide range of Nepalese Handicrafts represents the diversity of Handicrafts Tradition in Nepal.Handicraft is an artwork that needs tremendous artistic skills and creative mastery. Variety of designs and finishes are available in Nepalese market that reflects excellent artistic skills of craftsmen. . Handicraft, also known as craft work or simply craft, is a type of work where useful and decorative devices are made completely by hand or using only simple tools. Usually the term is applied to traditional means of making goods. The individual artisanship of the items is a paramount criterion; such items often have cultural and/or religious significance.Handicrafts were the predom inant form of production until the appearance of large-scale machine industry, with which they coexist, although they have lost much of their former importance. The characteristics of handicrafts are the use of simple implements of labor; the decisive importance of the artisan’s skill, which makes possible the production of high-quality, artistic goods; and small-scale production, in which the artisan works alone or with an extremely limited number of assistants. Often, the concept of handicrafts does not include domestic handicrafts, which are designated by some other term.For example, peasant domestic handicrafts may be known as domestic industry. Sometimes, only commissioned handicrafts are included in the concept of handicrafts, and handicrafts for market are referred to as cottage industry. The term â€Å"handicrafts† sometimes designates commissioned work and marketed work only at the stage when artisans are small-scale, economically independent producers who per sonally own the means of production. Nepalese Handicrafts can be categorized into two major divisions: Traditional/ConventionalProducts such as metal statues, ethnic costumes, traditional silver jewellery, wood carving, religious and ritual objects like bells, vajra, stone sculpture, metal utensil, paubha painting, ceramics, Handmade Paper, Hand Knitwear, filigree, Bell, Vajra products are traditional Nepalese crafts. Contemporary/Modern Products like home furnishing material, floor covering, modern painting, patina products, puzzle toys, macrame (knot crafts), pashmina, leather products, modern silver jewellery gift ware, decorative items, dolls & puppets, crazy hats, batik, bead crafts, bone & horn products, natural buttons, felt craft etc. re some of the modern forms of Nepalese handicrafts. Origin: Handicrafts emerge with the rise of human productive activity. Developing along with technology under different social formations, handicrafts assume various forms. In conform ity with the stages of the social division of labor, they are usually subdivided into domestic handicrafts, commissioned (made-to-order) handicrafts, and handicrafts produced for the market. Domestic handicrafts, the earliest form, prevail before handicrafts develop into an independent sector of the economy.Produced by the members of a household to satisfy their own needs, they are an inseparable part of the subsistence economy. Nepalese handicraft history can be traced back to the Stone Age when human beings were inadequate of tools of any kind. The history of artistic handicrafts only began during the 5th Century A. D. , when different religions began to form their bases among the people of Nepal. Hence we see a lot of religious influence on Nepalese handicrafts. Introduced by the Nordic Aryans, mixed with different groups of Mongolians, nurtured by Buddhist and Hindu concepts adapted the taste of market.The historical development of Nepalese handicraft industry is very old althou gh has its rise and falls. According to the reference found in Kautilya's Economics about various productions and exports from Nepal, during the time of Chandra Gupta Mouriya, in fourth century, Nepal was known for quality rainproof woollen blankets. The blankets were made of eight pieces joined together of black colour known as â€Å"bhiringisi† as well as â€Å"apasaraka†. Similarly the good quality blankets are mentioned in the epics of Jain religion â€Å"Brihatakalpasutra Vhashya†. Various famous Chinese travellers like Wanghunshe and Huansang in 648 A.D. have appreciated Nepalese arts and crafts and the skills of Nepalese craftsmen and artisans in their travelogues. From the beginning up to the mid-nineteenth century, the rulers of the country promoted national industries and trade to various measures of production, promotion and encouragement. Saving national industry only imported commodities which were not produced locally. Towards the end of the ninete enth century Nepalese arts and crafts industry and the entire home based industries in general suffered a lot due to the general liberal import policy of the government.Prior to the establishment of British regime over India and entering a peace treaty with Tibet in 1904 A. D. Nepal was interpreted as the main route to Tibet for external trade with other countries. But the treaty of 1904 A. D. facilitated the British to open a new route between India and Tibet through Chumbic Valley and the trade route treaty of 1923 A. D. between Nepal and British India, which was not in favour of Nepal and had very unfavourable effects both on industries and on flourishing trade of the country. In Nepal, the production of handicraft is an age-old practise.Novel handicraft is also developed in harmony with changing market taste. For the last 25–30 years, export of handicrafts has been growing. The development of handicraft helps the conservation of national heritage and culture of country; w hich in return contributes to appease poverty by creating job opportunities. The handicrafts of Nepal is produced in a traditional way, from generations to generations leading the footpath of ancestors or from forefather to grandfather to father and to son and this continuity has given the survival to Nepalese handicrafts, preserving their heritage, cultural values, aspects and tradition.More recently, these arts and crafts is one of the major exporting industry of Nepal, earning foreign exchange and providing employment to thousands of Nepalese craftsmen, artisans, promoters and businessmen generating revenue to government. There are many online websites on Nepalese handicrafts, which are used by international customers for ordering products. Importance to the Development and Economy: Handicrafts have remained stronger in economically underdeveloped countries, where they still account for a significant percentage of the output.Even in these countries, however, handicrafts are givin g way to factory industry. Handicrafts have both cultural and economic importance for any country. Handicrafts are the potential medium to preserve the rich traditional art, heritage ;amp; culture, traditional skills ;amp; talents. On other side handicrafts play significant role for economic development in Nepal and provides ample opportunities for employment and boosts the tourism industry.Handicrafts in Nepal are associated with different festivals, rituals, religion and beliefs as there is diversified culture and tradition all over the Himalayan kingdom, like Mandla Art, Buddha jayanti, Christmas Decorative, Buddhist Sculptures, Sculptures of Hindu Deities, and Mithila arts from Janakpur. There is a huge demand for Nepalese handicrafts products in both domestic and international market. Major part of Handicrafts Industry is dominated by small ;amp; medium scale enterprises. To deliver quality products ;amp; match the demand ;amp; supply there is need of greater technological supp ort ;amp; innovativeness in industry.Handicrafts are an integral part of Nepalese Culture and will continue to play a major role in the Cultural and Economic well being of Nepal. MAJOR EXPORT COMMODITIES 1990/91 Rs. Mn Carpets (hand knotted woolwn) 3701. 99 Readymade garments 1343. 57 Jute ;amp; jute products 1343. 57 Hides and skins 277. 70 Pulses 241. 67 Vegetable oils 215. 00 Oil cake 87. 50 Niger seeds 86. 50 Catechu 76. 5 Ginger 61. 40 Handicrafts 49. 18 Silverware and jewellery 44. 67 (source: ministry of industry of Nepal) The above given result shows that handicraft also plays a significance role for the economic development of the country. Not only has this but it also helps in utilization of raw materials and creating employment opportunities for the people. So, it can be termed as one of the vital area to work for increasing the GDP. Federation of Handicraft Association of Nepal:Federation of Handicraft Associations of Nepal was established in 1972 to enhance and promote handicraft trade and industry. Originally, its name was Handicraft Association of Nepal (HAN). It is registered under Institution Registration Act of Nepal. It is a service oriented non-profit organization of private sector business and artisan community. It helps its members to improve their productivity, explore markets and introduce them to the international arena. It also works as liaison between its members and the Government and Non-Government Organizations. The Government of Nepal has not specified a typical policy for handicraft.The handicraft has been included inside the industry policy while there is a Federation of Handicraft Association of Nepal which works hand in hand with government and has developed some functions for handicraft which are: 1. Organize seminars, symposiums and conferences on various topics relevant to strengthening the handicraft trade ;amp; industry. 2. Organize exhibition and trade fairs to highlight handicraft products ;amp; create public awareness in its usage. 3. Activate and increase contacts with National and International Agencies for the growth of handicraft trade ;amp; industry. . Explore additional markets for the handicraft products. 5. Institute award in recognition of highest export and best craftsmanship. 6. Arrange participation in international trade fairs ;amp; exhibitions for its members. 7. Publication of news bulletins, books, catalogues, members’ directory and other materials relevant to promote handicraft trade ;amp; industry. 8. Act as catalytic agent for management of training programmes for the benefit of its members. 9. Documentation ;amp; dissemination of information regarding handicraft trade ;amp; industry. | Analysis:The market of handicraft is increasing day by day. Now a day’s people are showing their interest in handicrafts as it looks beautiful, attractive and primitive. In my view it is important to understand the present state of craft trade and the experience of the people who produce and sell crafts. The quantity of each handicrafts product at the outlets is generally small due to which the people involve in this business are not able to gain attention from the government. A major problem in supplying the retail outlets is that they order very small quantities.Due to the small scale of their business, they might keep products on consignments and pay groups for what they sales and return what does not sell. Craft groups are rapidly loosing ground due to some reasons like most of artisans do not get to hear about the schemes made for them. Even if they hear also, they don’t seem to be getting more benefits as they are unable to compete in larger urban market, both domestic and international. At the producers’ and financial constraints, lack of raw materials, changes in market trends are the problem that has to be tackling in this business.On the other hand Government of Nepal is also not much interested in handicrafts as it has not declared a ny policy for handicrafts. But somehow many NGO and other small scale industry have given it some priority and have been working accordingly. May be this will help the government to realize the importance of handicraft in future and give special priority towards it as a means of economic development of the country.References: www. wikipedia. com www. ekantipur. com www. fhan. com. org www. moics. gov. np