Nuclear Power As A Green Energy Source Environmental Sciences Essay

In today ‘s society, atomic energy is a high demanded beginning of energy. It provides electricity to families and concerns with electricity expeditiously for it to be able to run. It is viewed by assorted political and non political groups as risky, menace to climate alteration such as planetary heating, and non a sustainable beginning of energy. Their position of bring forthing electricity and other beginnings energy is to be produced from renewable beginnings such as air current turbines and solar power. Many research workers argue that the menace to environment from the production of atomic energy is non the instance and in fact less harmful to the Earth and produces less nursery gases ( Dawson 2003, 34 ) , some like to see that atomic energy has a nothing C emanation. Nuclear energy is viewed as a cost effectual manner of bring forthing electricity compared to char firing which was seen to be expensive and immense menace to the environment. 1.1 Purpose The intent of this study is to see whether or non atomic power can so be seen as a green and sustainable green beginning of energy. 1.2 Scope This study considers what atomic power is, the hereafter energy demand in relation to planetary heating, the advantages of atomic energy, disadvantages of atomic energy such as the effects of the environment, whether it can be seen as a green solution in bring forthing energy, and a sustainable beginning of energy.1.3 Beginnings and MethodsInformation was collected from books, scholarly journal articles, green peace and greenies internet web site.Nuclear PowerNuclear power is energy that is produced for the intent of turn outing electricity for domestic, industrial, and other industry usage ( Hodgson 1999, 51 ) . The rhythm of bring forthing energy involves mining the U ores, change overing for fuel, enrichment, fiction, the production of a power works, operating, uranium processing, and waste disposal ( Fthenakis and Kim 2006, 2552 ; Lillington 2009, 94 ) . It is made up of a stuff called U which goes through a figure of procedures until is it stacked inside fuel rods. These fuel ro ds are so used to bring forth heat and steam which allows the atomic reactor to bring forth energy ( Fthenakis and Kim 2006, 2552 ) . Nuclear power is seen as a risky procedure of bring forthing electricity ( Hultman 2008, 41 ; Greenpeace. 2010 ; The Greens 2010 ) . Others view as a manner of scheme to cut down nursery gases ( Pasztor 1991, 98 ) and supplying economic stableness ( Green 2008, 15 ) . As mentioned before, environmental groups such as Greenpeace and political parties for illustration the Australian Greens party have fought against administrations in the affair of atomic power and have impeaching them of being the chief job for planetary heating. However society to a great extent relies on atomic power and sees this as a demand or merely a necessity for them to utilize in their day-to-day lives. Nuclear power is easy to bring forth, it can supply a big supply of electricity atomic power and sees this as a demand or merely a necessity for them to utilize in their day-to- day lives. Nuclear power is easy to bring forth, it can supply a big supply of electricity atomic power and sees this as a demand or merely a necessity for them to utilize in their day-to-day lives. Nuclear power is easy to bring forth ; it can supply a big supply of electricity, and is really efficient if supplying the demand for electricity ( Sovacool 2008, 3 ) . The usage of renewable beginnings of energy from solar and air current would non be plenty to supply energy to a house. In fact it can non power two 60 Ws light bulbs for a whole twenty-four hours.Future Energy DemandNuclear power is considered to be a future energy demand in footings of C emanations which is related to planetary heating ( Pasztor 1991, 105 ; Kessides 2009, 323 ) . With the high demand for electricity to better life criterions, many states are still building and runing atomic workss to bring forth atomic energy ( Pasztor 1991, 105 ; Green 2008, 15 ; Hodgson 1999, 119 ) . This is due to increase of populat ion, a rise in incomes in states which develop increases the energy demand. During 2008, the United States had approved another 30 reactors to be built ( Green 2008, 15 ) . States such as Germany, France, and Japan have made investings to better their processing activities in which this will ensue in lower measures of Pu and U needed to bring forth atomic power ( Pasztor 1991, 103 ) . As of 2005, there were 20 states that depended on atomic energy for the usage of electricity. It is seen as a reliable beginning of energy that has no emanation of C. This besides includes the phase during the processing with fossil fuels ( Lorenzini 2005, 33 ) . In the context of planetary heating, research conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT ) show that atomic power should be retained because it is seen as a production of energy that is carbon free ( Dawson 2003, 34 ) .AdvantagesLooking at the component Uranium, one lb of it contains the same energy of one 1000000s of coal ( Lorenzini 2005, 33 ) . This means less excavation activity for Uranium and necessitating less energy. It is seen as been a low C emitter, harmonizing to Pasztor ( 1991, 98 ) it â€Å" can be considered as an alternate beginning of energy in nursery gas decrease schemes † . During the production of atomic energy it is show that little sums of air pollution along with acidic gases are created during the burning phase of the fossil fuels ( Pasztor 1991, 98 ) . It which this can be a better option for bring forthing electricity so coal. However harmonizing to Mortimer ( 1991, 76 ) â€Å" atomic power is found to offer less than its advocators imply. This is when it ‘s looked more into it. Again we can besides take into history Jan Murray who represented the Uranium Institute who supports the fact the C dioxide is non produced by atomic power ( Mortimer 1991, 76 ) . The sustainable development committee references that the production of atomic energy can be seen as a low C emanation ( Kennedy 2007, 3710 ) . Many administrations are presently puting in improved atomic energy production which can be seen as a positive position, in which this will take to a lessening in C emanation ( Kennedy 2007, 3710 ) . Constructing more atomic workss can see a decrease of gas ingestion. At times when there is a deficit, big industries can take advantage of the decrease of gas for their benefit. This means a low impact on the environment, this leads to salvaging energy and necessitating less excavation, conveyance, and geographic expedition ( Kennedy 2007, 3711 ) . When it comes to atomic waste, the coal waste is seen to be more risky. It includes been risky to the environment and to our wellness. However atomic power is less harmful and better for the environment ( Lorenzini 2005, 34 ) .DisadvantagesFor atomic power to be produced, foremost a atomic station demands to be constructed. Constructing requires concrete, aluminum, steel, Diesel to run machinery, and Cu. In which they do necessitate a big sum of it ( Fthenakis and Kim 2007, 2553 ) . The stuffs required for the building is gathered from chiefly mining activities. In which it is seen that excavation does play a function in environmental pollution and emanation of nursery gases ( Kennedy 2007, 3711 ) . As from 2006 cost analysis study, it is estimated to be 2.8 billion lbs to build a works ( Kennedy 2007, 3708 ) . The usage of Uranium to fuel the atomic power works are seen as extremely radioactive, fuel is either fain or reprocessed in storage casks or in pools. However the United States as holding the bulk of bloomerss in the universe ( ) , it does non see recycling fuels. Some claim to hold less emanation and non a subscriber to planetary heating ( Mortimer 1991, 76 ) . However during the enrichment, operation, and production phases of the atomic rhythm. It requires a batch of energy in order for the phases to map ( Fthenakis and Kim 2007, 2553 ) . The terminal of the life rhythm is s till accounted for nursery pollution. All power Stationss and industries that relate to it hold an consequence on the environment ( Hodgson 1999, 117 ) . These effects are seen as a immense impact on our wellness and landscape that is used for mining which can take to destruction to the land ( Hodgson 1991, 119 ) . As mentioned before, we produce more energy to better our life, but pollution is produced during the rhythm of the atomic power which brings our life of standard down ( Hodgson 1991, 119 ) . Coevals of atomic power green goodss waste which is unsafe and seen as a planetary job. Normally wastes are buried belowground and has a mass consequence to the Earth. Care is non normally taken ( Hodgson 1991, 123 ) in which the consequence of radiation pollution can happen.6.1 Chernobyl and Three Mile IslandLooking at the Chernobyl and the Three Mile Island incident ( Greenpeace International 2010 ) these incidents lead a immense taint to the H2O supply and cause of deceases in Ukra ine due to radioactive pollution. The people of Ukraine have besides suffered from birth defects and other cancerous unwellness due to the proper attention non taken into topographic point ( Adamantiades and Kessides 2009, 5160 ) .Green EnergyThe inquiry is raised earlier one is whether atomic power can be seen as green beginning of energy. The universe has witnessed tragic incidents such as the Chernobyl and Hiroshima in which atomic power had made a immense consequence to the Earth ( Tilson 1996, 63 ; Damian 1992, 597 ) . To some certain countries, it can be considered as a green beginning of energy. Adamantiades and Kessides ( 2009, 5151 ) reference that atomic power has shown that it can avoid effects of fossil fuel pollutants. Extinguishing coal and replacing with U would set less injury to the environment and lower the nursery gas emanations. The more atomic power used to bring forth energy can assist to cut down the usage of such minerals such as brown coal, difficult coal, a nd oil. As these minerals are harmful for the environment it would intend less used in exchange for atomic power. Lorenzini references that atomic power is better for the environment and wellness compared to other minerals such as coal ( Lorenzini 2005, 34 ) . However political groups such as The Australian Greens Party argue that atomic power is non a solution to cut downing nursery gas emanations ( The Aussie Greens 2010 ) . Besides Greenpeace international claims that the usage of atomic power is a hazard to humanity and the environment ( Greenpeace International 2010 ) but Lorenzini ( 2005, 38 ) argues that the ends of atomic power is ease the force per unit area on land usage along with the environmental jobs that ‘s occur and extinguish emanations that contribute to climate alteration and human wellness issues. The argument on whether atomic power is green is hard to reply as the positives positions are equal to the negative positions.Sustainable EnergyThe inquiry whethe r atomic power can be seen as sustainable beginning of energy has been. As Lorenzini references ( 2005, 36 ) â€Å" sustainability of atomic power depends on an equal attack to atomic waste † . This is frequently hard due to the troubles in looking for a suited site for waste to be deposed. However the atomic industry has faced this job of waste disposal on whether it should disposed or reprocessed ( Adamantiades and Kessides 2009, 5166 ) . Nuclear waste is either placed in ceramic or glass containers and so taken to an appropriate country for disposal. Due to the Hazardous radiation, Uranium needs to be disposed directly after electricity is produced to in order to hold a less consequence on the environment ( Greenpeace 2010 ) . This is five old ages after the power works has cooled down the waste in its pool in order to forestall it from runing down. Nuclear power can seen as non been sustainable, due to the fact that there is no manner safe manner of disposing it.DecisionT o reason this study, we have chiefly identified the advantages and disadvantages of atomic power in today ‘s society. A batch of betterments have been made on atomic power in footings of its public presentation and injury to the environment. We can see that atomic energy is a measure to been green and is replacing usage of coal to supply electricity. However atomic power is non a sustainable beginning of energy. As it is hard to happen storage topographic points and the consequence it has on the environment one time its transferred for chilling. Many groups such as The Australian Greens Party and Greenpeace International are wholly against this step and see this as load to the environment and to our wellness. But one inquiry that is raised is that why that is these groups target atomic power when other beginnings of generators such as coal are to a great extent used to supply electricity. Overall atomic power is a beginning of energy that we to a great extent depend on ( Sovac ool 2008, 2 ) . Renewable beginnings of energy from solar and weave demand to be improved in order to supply the needed sum of electricity that a family would necessitate.

Novel and Robinson

Religion: A Trivial Conundrum Religion in fiction, much like religion in politics, has grown to be considered taboo. Religious characters are often expected to be comedic and used only as experimental or secondary. Their only true attribute is that of piety, playing on old stereotypes to drive the characterization. In a world where being politically correct gets in the way of day-to-day talk, approaching controversial topics in any form of writing can be seen as potentially unprofitable, too risque. The competitive market of publishing doesn’t allow room for mistakes anymore and it’s easier to stay on the safe route than to stray on alternative, smaller – often more interesting – roads that may or may not lead to success. This makes literature that deals with the religious on a primary level all the more rare and exciting to read. Marilynne Robinson’s Gilead is one such example. Religion is indisputably in the forefront of this tale and, although it may not be the catalyst of the narrator’s writing, it is, without a doubt, one of Gilead’s main themes. The novel’s very format is even done in such a manner that its sole goal seems to emphasize the holy, the divine – religion, in particular, Christianity. The novel is written from the perspective of John Ames, an old Reverend, on his deathbed, writing his final words to his then seven-year-old son in the form of a letter. A writer his entire life, Ames uses his best tool as a measure to insure that his son know something of his life, even if Ames has passed away years before the son ever gets a chance to read the letter. The novel reads somewhat like a diary, a spiritual one at that. At every corner scriptures are referenced or Ames’ faith somehow fits into the narration. Robinson very easily transmits Ames’ constant remembrance of Christianity by plucking in allusions to God, the Church, or his work, not to mention the almost over-usage of the word â€Å"Christlike†. Religion very early on is dealt with as an important subject and as the book continues, it gains more and more time in the spotlight. While initially one could think that the novel would focus less with the nature of Christianity, since Ames even says that he does not with to persuade his son to follow his footsteps in the Ministry – even if he does point out some of its â€Å"advantages†[1] – as it roles forward, the focus drifts ever closer to God and how the world itself reminds Ames of the sacred. The narrator’s descriptive tendencies, in themselves are also a way Robinson finds to allude to the religious. They are Ames’ way of referencing God’s work, attempting to capture the magnificence that he sees in the world, and transmitting it to his son via words, much like God did to Moses. All that is beautiful, all that is right, it would there seem, is thanks to the Almighty. Robinson uses a very poetic tone in her writing of this novel, which helps connect the secular with the divine and emphasizes even more the novel’s religious nature. As Robinson herself said in an interview, â€Å"both poetry and theology push conventional definitions and explore perceptions that might be ignored or passed off as conventional, but when they are pressed yield much larger meanings, seem to be part of a much larger system of reality. † [2] A poetic diction, therefore, lends to the reader more easily identifying with the holy. It is easier to connect with the abstract when using a language that lends itself more readily to emotions and ideology rather than straightforward storytelling and facts. In this manner, the non sequitur tendencies of the novel also lend to the goal of lifting the reader to a theological level. Robinson also has Ames mention poets such as John Donne and George Hebert, stressing the importance of the lyrical. The poetic quality, additionally, is not presented in an overly romanticized fashion, but more as a part of Ames’ view of life. He speaks of the world as God’s masterpiece and, has small details such as, â€Å"smell[ing] the rain†[3] or â€Å"a bubble float[ing] past [a] window, fat and wobbly and ripening toward that dragonfly blue they turn just before they burst,†[4] take on holy connotations to the reader’s. The mortal and divine worlds seem to mesh in Ames’ head – perhaps the consequence of being so close to death. In fact, at times, Ames seems to speak as though he had already passed on, operating from a dead man’s point of view. For instance he says that â€Å"it is actually hard for [him] to remember how mortal [he] is those days. There are pains†¦but not so frequent or even so severe when they come that [he is] as alarmed by them as [he] should be. †[5] As a Reverend, Ames does not fear death, so he allows himself to be swept away with its beauty perhaps a little sooner than he should. His tone is therefore somewhat omniscient, which leads to his sounding rather obnoxious, although that may be a trait that one reserves the right to in old age. The father-son dynamic is also intrinsically important in Gilead. The whole point of Ames’ writing is to find a medium through which to communicate with his son. He aims, through storytelling and somewhat sporadic advice, to give his son some sort of a guide for life. Basically, Ames writes his son his very own, personal Bible. This may seem like a fairly conceited venture for a Reverend to undertake, and one can see from Ames’ voice that he is, even if he denies it, not the humblest of men. At many points throughout the novel, such as when referring to his wife and his grandfather as people God may like to spend time with,[6] Ames ends up comparing himself, to some extent, with Jesus Christ; essentially calling himself Godlike. Humble, he is not. He even reaches the point of informing the reader that in sheer quantity, he has written as much â€Å"Augustine and Calvin. [7] He does so in the calmest of tones, yet still with an undeniable desire to spark some awe in his son. Confusingly, however, he still believes that his life â€Å"does not compare with [his] grandfather’s. †[8] It would seem that a man of the Church would hold God to the highest of esteems, but his grandfather seems to beat out the old white man in the sky at times. Ames views his grandfather in an almost unrealistic idealized view. Even when he criticizes him, the tone is lighthearted and almost playful. At one point Ames goes as far as relating the thunder and lightning striking in the sky with God â€Å"tipping [His] hat to [John Ames’ grandfather]. As if to say, Glad to see you here in the stands Reverend. †[9] Yet, their relationships are hard to pinpoint and Ames’ reverence and faith in God is indisputable; which lends to a quite confusing reading of the book. All the major conflicts and drives in this book seem to regard the father-son relationship. From the desire that leads John Ames’ to write his letter, to the multiple stories about his own father and grandfather, even to Jack Boughton’s struggled relationship with his own dad. Ultimately, it seems that all the referencing to father-son relationships is Robinson’s way of emphasizing the father-son condition human beings have with God. He is the ultimate parent – the nurturer and the punisher, the constant in one’s life. All the various conflicts, â€Å"daddy issues,† and stories in the novel are therefore metaphors and allusions to the larger, more important questions human beings are faced with and their own tribulations and worries with dealing with the theological. Religion is a family affair in the Ames’ household. As John writes his letter, he is already the third consecutive generation of Reverends in his family. He speaks of religion as his vocation, deems himself to have been lucky to have had the Church in his path. The only â€Å"stray† of the Ames is John’s brother, who was initially raised to follow in his father’s footsteps. However, after the brother’s turn to atheism, John seems to take it upon himself to fill his unworn shoes. And now, years later, when John is close to departing this earth, he once again takes it upon himself to continue his family legacy; eternalize his family’s contributions to Christianity in the form of a letter to his son. To John, his family life is undoubtedly linked inherently with his religious one. For example, Ames says that â€Å"A man can know his father, or his son, and there might still be nothing between them but loyalty and love and mutual incomprehension. †[10] Right before this phrase, he speaks of how there are things that he preaches but nonetheless truly does not understand. He very smoothly transitions from religion to family, almost as if in his mind, there were not a clear distinction. This goes to aid the idea that all the familial conflicts in the novel are there as a tool for Robinson to constantly remind the reader of Christianity and its importance in one’s life. Ames writes his letter to his son as his way of carrying on his existence, eternalizing his memory, emphasizing religion’s importance. Ultimately, it does seem that religion is infused in the story not only as plot device and characterization but also with deeper intents from Robinson’s part to spread her faith. The father/son dynamic therefore serves much more as a subtle way of perpetuating the divine in the mundane world. It is much easier for a reader to relate with human emotions and domestic troubles than directly with the divine and celestial. Gilead’s story therefore, is only a means to an end – the glorification of Christianity. While writing this book, Robinson may have very well set out with the intention of spreading the Protestant or Christian word, diffusing is subtly through fiction into the American subconscious. But even if she does, she manages to do so in a peculiar and original manner. She follows the school of the Iowa’s Writer’s Workshop which goes very much against Post-Modernism and believes that a plain style is preferable to an overly decorated one. Nonetheless, Gilead does not have the sound or feel of an obsolete book. The voice is meant to be that of a man from the 1950’s and the novel could have very well been written in that decade, but there is still something quite refreshing and original about Robinson’s style. The tranquility with which she treats the theme of Religion – like it’s just a fact of life – makes so that the preaching really does just sound like fatherly advice. This novel potentially could get quite overbearing with religious undertones but the human-relationships-factor retains enough vitality and presence to overpower it. The metafictional, first person narrative, also brings about the question of reliability. Ames speaks with a certainty that only age brings, he admits ignorance at many points, but they only seem to emphasize his own self-awareness. At some points in the novel, the first-person voice even seems to mix with that of Robinson’s herself. â€Å"I believe I’ll make an experiment with candor here†[11] says John Ames, yet as a reader, I find that Robinson’s own voice resounds through this phrase. It would thus be logical to conclude that Ames’ view of the world, and his desire to spread Christianity onward would coincide with Robinson’s own desires. Even if with ulterior motives, it takes audacity to take a subject as controversial as religion and place it in the limelight of a novel. In an age of Post-Modernism (or is it Post-Post-Modernism? it is almost uplifting to find a piece of work that isn’t trying to take satire and irony to the next level. By strictly following an old-school agenda and format, Robinson manages to be more innovative that most other modern writers – almost in the way fashion repeats itself every few decades and old styles manage to be more cutting edge and modern than that which used to be the next-new-trend. People may criticize Robinson for infusing too much religion and personal agenda into her novel, but in the end, she is still one of the few that manage to do this without sounding overly or even overtly preachy and patronizing. This in itself is modern and forward thinking. Taboo subjects are usually those that are most interesting and worth discussing, so we can’t let public perceptions and social fears impede us of sharing our opinions – whatever they may be. ———————– [1] Marilynne Robinson. Gilead. New York: Picador, 2004. 23 [2] Interview with Missy Daniel. Marilynne Robinson. Religion and Ethics   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Newsweekly. PBS. 9 Oct. 2006 . [3] Robinson 35 [4] Robinson 9 [5] Robinson 75 [6] Robinson 30 [7] Robinson 19 [8] Robinson 39 [9] Robinson 46 [10] Robinson 7 [11] Robinson 7

Comparing and contrasting theories of object recognition

Object recognition is one of the most essential elements for the survival of all living creatures. Object recognition is considered the determination of the implication of a certain object. Object recognition is imperative given that humans and other living creatures manage to respond to the imperative features of the presented object. Assuming that present information concerning an object appears in two dimensions within the eye retina, there are many possibilities of confusing the same object with another thus substantiating visual recognition.However objects are not colour coded or labelled for us. Many objects look similar and do not contain one identifying mark or viewed in identical conditions. So why do humans have an extraordinary ability to identify a certain object regardless of its disparity in appearance. Additionally, humans can manage to take a broad view through observation of collections of objects that are not familiar. These objects are often identified from differe nt views, vantage points, sizes and locations. Objects can also be distinguished in cases where they have been partly blocked from view.Various object recognition conjectures present the subject through utilization of different perspectives thus, bringing a clear distinction to understand object recognition. In accordance to Marr and Nishihara, objects ought to be presented within the reference frame implying that it should be founded on the shape it attains. In order to describe an object based on its shape, canonical coordinate frames need to be established prior to the establishment of the form description. The appropriate collection of expressive rudiments for describing a shape is reliant on the degree of features that the shape description encapsulates.Marr and Nishihara proposed that a modular orderliness of shapes with dissimilar sizes be utilized in different degrees. This enables a portrayal at an elevated level to be stable over modifications in well detailed although sen sitive to these modifications has to be present at other degrees. Marr and Nishihara limited their arguments to objects that can be portrayed as collections of one or many generalized cones. According to these theorists, generalized cones refer to surfaces generated by repositioning a cross-section of steady shape although with inconsistent magnitude in the length of an axis.These cones can become either thicker or thinner given that their shapes get conserved. Marr puts forward the idea that it is possible to decipher the shape of an object based on their occluding contours, defined as an objects silhouette. The final point of this theory is that all the points lie in the same plane from the viewer’s point of view. However this can be problematic as some objects produce the same silhouette. The viewer will then locate the axis or axes appropriate to identify the object The approach presented by the two theorists reflected on, the coordinate frame to be used, in working out t he setback of object constancy.They asserted that an object-centered coordinate frame served better place in addressing the setback than viewer-centered coordinate structure. This is because an object-centered frame is never affected by the position or vantage points. The approach a modular, hierarchical arrangement permits for the generalization and sensitivity by permitting dissimilar levels of content in the portrayals. Description procedure necessitates the hierarchical disintegration of objects into collections of articulated components that bear own axis and focal points with the primary axis.In accordance to the conjecture of object recognition, recognition transpires in three dissimilar levels. The levels are the single-model axis where the primary stage in the model is the recognition of the principal axis of the entity or item. The other level is the component axes where the axis of every small, articulated component of the presented object, gets identified. Finally, the 3 D prototype matches where a matchup between the display of the components and a stored 3D prototypical description is carried out in order to categorize a certain object.Even though, object comparisons appear to be rapider in cases where the principal axis of the presented object appears similar to the object that it is being evaluated alongside, no compelling information has been presented to prop up the psychological actuality of the Marr and Nishihara prototype. This idea is supported by Lawson and Humphreys (1996) study in which participants identified objects that had been rotated. However in patients where there had been damage to the right hemisphere they could recognise objects presented in a particular view but not when in an unusual view, Warrington and Taylor (1978).Images of objects with a vital component obscured or the central axis foreshortened as a result of rotation produced a similar result. Humphreys and Riddoch (1984) An alternative would be to consider viewpoint dependant theories which argue that a multi views approach takes account of the appearance of object from different viewpoints and recognition is viewpoint dependant as the time and accuracy of identification of objects would vary depending on decrepancies between percept and target views. However viewpoint dependant theories do not comply to one or more of the conditions for immediate viewpoint invariance.Some work has been carried out that analyses how views learned over experience (Tarr and Pinker, 1989). It is considered that Biederman theory was an extension of the offered theory by Marr and Nishihara with the present supposition that objects comprise of fundamental primitives, known as geons. This theory was worked out in order to take care of primal identification of objects. According to the conjecture, the visual object gets identified through the fitness of the stored object depiction with geon-based data offered by the visual object.Similar to Marr and Nishihara, Biederm an argues a particular aspect of viewpoint-invariant and suggests that objects are disintegrated into smaller components on the grounds of geometrical characteristics of occluding outlines in the image given that these components are embodied with regard to well-defined concavities on the outlines. These components are regarded geometric primitives otherwise known as geons or geometric ions. These comprise shapes such as cylinders and cones. These objects are embodied as structural portrayals founded on the geometric primitives.According to Biederman 36 geons to would be required to create descriptions of all frequently viewed objects. In accordance to the conjecture, the primitives are delineated by attributes such as curvilinearity, parallelism, cotermination, symmetry and collinearity. These properties are non-accidental implying that they are not variable, under alteration and concerning the vantage or viewpoints. In this approach, recognition progresses directly from the image attributes without the precise depiction of the three dimensional manifestation. This can be substantiated by experiments where line drawing of an object becomes blocked out.In a circumstance where adequate information for the geometric ions is recognised, the object is identified effortlessly than in circumstances where the geometric ions or primitives are blocked out. The conjecture presents an analysis concerning the determination of object geons. The preliminary step is edge extraction, which presents receptiveness to disparities in surface attributes, such as viewing a wheel straight on. Creation of an objects account independent of viewpoint is an essential criteria in both Marr and Nishihara and Biederman theories.However some researchers show that there may be inconsistancies with their findings. Buthoff and Edelman (1992) found that participant inability to recognise difficult objects even when presented in a novel viewpoint and should have allowed for an object centred des cription. This indicates that there may be a viewpoint- dependant recognition (Tarr 1995). Biederman presents similar opinion to Marr and Nishihara concerning the segmentation of visual image into geometric primitives or ions. The concave components of the object outline bear significance.However, the outlasting component to the conjecture occurs in determining the edge information that an object holds that is indispensable attributes of the outstanding invariant across divergent observation angles. Invariant properties for the edges include the curvature, collection of positions that are parallel, edges ending at similar positions and points collinear to each other. The conjecture asserts that geons of visual objects are generated from the invariant properties. Foster and Gilson put forward a simple model of object recognition as an alternative with two basic terms.One reflecting the object structure the other reflecting image based features. Together they predict performance that is view-point dependant. Identifying the the number of aspects tin an object is a simple structural component. However further investigation taking account of more complex objects need to be studied. Biederman theory envisions that all intricate forms are generated from uncomplicated geometrical components regarded as geons and that pattern identification include recognition of these elements.Contrary to Biederman, Marr and Nishihara, utilizes the concepts of visual processing regarded as the computational approach. This approach seeks to delineate or outline the stages involved in pulling out constructive three-dimensional (3D) data from two dimensional depictions or representations. Thus, Marr and Nishihara conjecture seems excessively intricate from the beginning since an assortment of sketch and models are engrossed. On the contrary, Biederman conjecture appears to enfold object recognition from the basic levels to the intricate levels.Additionally, the two conjectures appear es sentially dissimilar since Marr and Nishihara conjecture propose that humans recognize objects from their constituents and the contours of these components. These two theories may be considered top-down processing since the objects that is ultimately perceived and the human knowledge of the globe is utilized to recognise at the last part of the procedure. A viewpoint-independent conjecture fundamentally denotes that objects are psychologically depicted as 3D models, therefore, forecasting that these depictions ought to be uniformly available from any position of view.However, Biederman theory barely forecasts that these depictions are available from all view positions implying that two or more structural descriptions are necessitated in order to identify a certain object. Therefore, Biederman’s theory is divergent from the other conjecture since it proposes that when humans observe an object, they are capable of recognizing such an object having viewed analogous patterns in t he precedent. Biederman’s conjecture is founded upon the recognition of object attributes and utilizing these attributes to categorize object geons and their connections.Visual memory is utilized in determining whether the offered objects appear similar to the object that has been perceived. The two theories bear an inevitable relationship since they have a basis in Marr and Nishihara theory. Although, some disparities and similarities exist between the two, a relationship still exists since they are plausible conjectures concerning 3D objection identification. However, Marr and Nishihara conjecture seems more intricate than the Biederman’s theory bearing in contemplation the concepts utilized.

Joint Venture Companies - issues with Intellectual property protection Essay

Joint Venture Companies - issues with Intellectual property protection and Technology Transfer - Essay Example In addition, around half do not perform to the expected strategic and financial prospects set by either of the individual investing companies. The creation of joint ventures is somewhat problematic because the individual companies are separate entities having diverse interests, the association with the business venture is intricate, and the staffing is an issue because the employees are drawn from each parent company. Nevertheless, they have their own merits such as reducing the risks, when entering new markets, and enabling each company to obtain skills they lacked in their workforce to set up the business. With this knowledge, the paper will be divided into two parts. Part A will look at the issues that foreign partners face when they enter a market where the intellectual property rights are normally protected in a poor manner. Part B will focus on the intellectual property rights in the Russian market with the example of one joint venture company. There is a lot of concern considering Intellectual property rights. However, before looking at the effects and impacts of intellectual property rights it is essential to have a clear aspect of what they really are. Intellectual property right is wide-ranging terms that is utilised to imply things such as trademarks, trade secrets, patents, copyrights and many more kinds of rights that are provided for by the law to guard originally developed things. In additions, it also includes the protection of the knowledge that has been created because of the invention. However, the knowledge can be shared, as it is not a physical thing. The reason is that the success of a society is dependent upon the sharing and using of that knowledge, without which development cannot occur. Nevertheless, this is a tricky affair because, when that knowledge becomes free for all, then it beats logic. It beats logic because the

Human Resource Management Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Human Resource Management Report - Essay Example different through the accumulation of relevant information and data; and (4) to write up the report in a way which relates evidence to theory, to provide an appropriate analysis and explanation of the situation described. The case of St. Luke’s Medical Center is hereby proffered to comply with the abovementioned requirements. People constitute an organization’s most important and vital factor in its success or failure. In order to function efficiently and effectively, people must be managed well. Human resources management is the art and science of dealing with people at work for the optimum achievement of individual, organization and society’s goals. While general management is the orchestration of all the resources, human resource management is limited to people management – their motivation, acquisition, maintenance and development. Human resources management solely involves man. Through and by men, the other m’s are acquired and utilized. The quality and utilization of the rest of the resources are almost always affected by decisions about and by human resources. Indeed, the accomplishment of the goals of an organization depends upon the availability and utilization of all these ingredients, the interaction of which, are people-caused. Due to the intricate and diverse characteristics, personalities, values, and preferences of people in the organization, it is only natural that problems on human behavior in organization exist. In this regard, this case report is written to address the following objectives, to wit: (1) ) to identify some HR situation which appears to be amenable to analysis using the course material wherein the situation must be sufficiently complex to generate enough material for the writing of a case which meets the indicated specifications; (2) to consider the concepts and general ideas discussed in class, and see which help make sense of the situation being described; (3) to engage in research activity which allows you to test

Preparation for counselling and psychotherapy practice Essay - 1

Preparation for counselling and psychotherapy practice - Essay Example EFT gives individuals an opportunity to learn how to tolerate and regulate, reflect on emotions in order to make sense of them and mostly transform them. It systematically meant to help clients be aware and make their emotions be of a productive use. Emotion-focused therapy has its principal of change that it mainly works on Clients have to change after going through EFT. It makes people who attend the session to discover their past experiences and takes through a process of change. Some clients who go for EFT have had past painful experiences that arouse emotions. The therapists use experimental methods to teach clients to make health contacts with physical sensations, memories, feeling and thoughts that have been ignored in the past. EFT provides resources to that can transform maladaptive emotions developed from traumatic experiences (Greenberg, Carlson, American Psychological Association, & Governors State University 2007). EFT has been noticed to work for different individuals and populations. Initially, it was meant to advise couples. EFT primary goal over time has been to reorganize and expand emotional responses. EFT outlines emotional responses that are classified into four types: primary adaptive responses that are initial emotions to a given stimulus. They include sadness, anger, and fear. Primary adaptive emotions are expressed to help solving problems. Primary maladaptive is an emotional response to a stimulus that is from an experience that was traumatic in the past. Treatment, in this case, will aim to transform the individual’s emotions through taking them through new experiences (Power, Philippot, Hess, & Wiley InterScience (Online service) 2010). The third response is secondary reactive emotion response that responds to past emotional responses and replaces it. It is associated with a feeling of hopelessness, desperation, and even helplessness. The therapy will help increase awareness and address primary

Mary, mother of god Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Mary, mother of god - Essay Example First off, the purity of Mary presupposes that she was planned by God to be the extra-ordinary person far from any stains. She is an etalon of the female immaculate power able to touch on each and every heart and soul. She was blessed before she was chosen to bear Jesus in her womb, and, therefore, she was free from the wicked human nature, i.e. from sins as they are (Sheen 38). Thereupon, one is to remember that the blessing of Mary spread over those who once chose Jesus as their savior. On the other hand, at the moment of Mary’s conception she became the first effect of redemption and order of mercy as she came to refuge sinners (Shea 29). Thus, by praying to Mary one should understand her initial significance in the scattering of the first and foremost teaching out of the gospel. To say more, Catholics should not get themselves into the pit of fallacies forgetting about the rest of the Bible and the predominant role of Jesus Christ in saving the humanity. Mary is the beginning of the universal virginity salvation as she was immaculate enough that God beloved her to be the Mother of Child. Shea unveils the need for seeking God’s wisdom between Mary and saints by saying the following words: â€Å"Looking to a florid prayer to Mary or a saint is an excellent way to get a grasp of how Catholics with a strong Marian piety feel† (30). This is why the rational of prayer to the saints rediscovers and allegedly opens the way toward better understanding of the Mystical Body of Christ, meaning the Church itself. Mary could crush the cobra’s head, so to speak, by means of her as a medium between holiness of God and sins of people around. Given that, it is vital to amplify that Mary is the Mother of the â€Å"greatest man ever born of woman† and piety of Catholics leads to pure and clear understanding of God’s will (Sheen 73). Hereby, Mary, promulgates the birth of Jesus who brought the World’s teaching so vivid and

Discussion on the Current situation of Inner Mongolia franchise hotel Dissertation

Discussion on the Current situation of Inner Mongolia franchise hotel industry in marketing and strategy aspect - Dissertation Example Physical data of each hotel is first presented after which the perception of the interviewees would be presented. This would however, not be individually presented but the outcome as a group would be presented. Super8 This is a part of the chain hotel with 136 rooms in Inner Mongolia. Three employees from different managerial levels could be interviewed. The headquarters is in charge of the hotel management while daily operations rest with the manager appointed by the headquarters. They are positioned as a high class hotel and cater to the segment that has a relatively high taste for accommodation, according to the AGM but the FOM and the cashier believe that they are positioned in the industry as a hotel that caters to the price-sensitive customers. The AGM and the FOM consider their neighbors as their main competitors but the cashier considers hotels with similar price structure to be the main competitors. Hailiang Hotel Only the Sales Manager from this hotel could be interviewed. They have 660 rooms and the franchisee require room space and room number. Their main competitors are the hotels that belong to the same star category. They are positioned as a hotel with interests in group and business segment. They are in the Group accommodation franchise model. Haixia Hotel This independent 110 room hotel does not belong to any chain and is an independent hotel with the voluntary chain franchise model. The General Manager, who was interviewed at this hotel, claims that they have no competitors. They maintain excellent relationships with other hotels in the area as they share market information and business groups. The GM declined to answer how they have positioned themselves in the sector. Hua Chen Hotel Hua Chen is a part of the regular chain with 149 rooms and 3 restaurants having a total of 550 sites. Their competitors are those that belong to the same category. They have positioned themselves as a 4 star hotel focusing on the mining business customers. Iron B ull Hotel The Sales Manager of the Iron Bull Hotel with 268 rooms considers Erdos holiday hotel and Erdos Dong Shi Days Inn as their main competitors. They follow the regular chain model and consider themselves as an upscale hotel in Erdos. Phoenix Hotel Two marketing representatives and one sales representative from this hotel were interviewed. They have 280 rooms and the franchisee has no requirements. Their main competitors include Inner Mongolia hotel, Jinjiang hotel, Shangri-la hotel, holiday hotel and Kingshidom hotel. They focus on the upscale independent business traveler. They are a part of the regular chain of the Air China Group and they target the business and conference groups as their primary target and the tourists as the second target segment. The franchised hotels follow certain strategy based on various factors. The responses of the interview have been categorized under different headings to evaluate the success of the franchised models. Factor for success The inte rviews were open-ended which revealed several factors, opinions and perspectives. Thus, to the question on which were the factors they considered as critical to the success of the franchised operations, different hotels came up with different perspectives. The factors ranged from location, pricing, service, clean environment to overall management and training of employees. Some also pointed out the relationship with the travel agents and the local government is critical to the

Balance Training in Recreational Gym Users Essay

Balance Training in Recreational Gym Users - Essay Example Questionnaires are used to provide information on demographics and participation in balance activity within a gym setting. Questionnaires are a cost-effective form of the survey, easy to analyze, non-confrontational and a familiar format for participants to complete. They are a good way of obtaining data with reduced bias (Walonick 2004). They have been used previously to ascertain balance training participation and behavior both as an isolated activity (McInnes 2004) and also as part of the multi-modal regimen (Resnick 2000). They are also effective for the measurement of variables such as motivation, barriers to, and promoters of balance exercise (Kline 2000). The convenience of the setting of the gym and the availability of participants already predisposed to regular exercise informs the choice of venue at which to conduct the survey. Biases such as difficulty with transport or aversion to exercise, generally, are reduced by the said choice of venue. In the absence of sampling frames and population lists, 120 recreational gym users were approached in an effort to provide a representative sample of gym users. All participants who took part in the survey were gym users, male and female, aged 20-80 years. Participants are surveyed from this age range as literature has shown the benefits in reduction of injury rates and falls from balance exercise in the young and elderly ( see for example Handall 2001, Hong 2000). Each respondent had been a member of the gym for more than 12 months and reported attendance of once a week or more. The absence of population lists and sampling frames means it is not possible to determine whether the gender difference (or similarities) is a reflection of the gym user population. A minimum of 85 questionnaires was completed to produce a power calculation of greater than 80% in relation to the aims of the study, as specified by Altman,1991.  

John Updike A&P Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

John Updike A&P - Essay Example Within the play the role of Sammy has been on the sidelines of being a conformist. Inevitable to state here that this nineteen-year-old cashier at A&P does not believe in playing around with his point of view and focuses on what is the right thing. More than that, he is proud to say what he sees and then judge in the light of the same which definitely distinguishes him from the rest of the lot in our society. (Saldivar, 1997) He is a non-conformist to start with and he is one that is not really appreciated by the society norms and customs that are so very religiously followed in the present times. The writer has made Sammy the main character in the play whereby he has written of him from the first person’s perspective. This essentially has made his character look a bit highlighted and one that could be seen as the main one during the course of the whole saga. Add to that, the tone with which the writer has penned down the same has been certainly set by Sammy’s rigid and stern attitude which can be rightly remarked as being nonchalant as well as frank as Sammy does clear the air when a question is raised on his calling the things as he sees them and quite rightly so he comes out as clean as a whistle. His wits are a mode of cynicism and this is an added facet when one speaks highly of the frank and vivid attitude related with the young man. (Lewis, 2003) Add to that, he has turned out to be pretty crude at times during the story which meshes along quite nicely with his attitude and ways that he has so very easily been showing. Another aspect that gives evidence t o his non-conformist ways and attitude is that he loves to be taken as an adult by all and sundry and would really mind if someone, out of the blue, starts calling him like a kid as he is of the perception that he possesses wisdom par with no one and his thoughts and feelings have a deep embedded meaning that is not easily comprehensible by people of his age, let alone the ones

Concepts of Organisational Structure Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 22

Concepts of Organisational Structure - Essay Example Change management is also known as alteration. This case study shall explain the change management, leadership style and organizational structure of the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. It is one of the successful pharmaceutical companies of the world operating its business approximately 180 countries of the world. The firm was founded in 1849. Presently it has around 110600 employees. The strong vision of the company helps it to operate its business worldwide. This American multinational company produces medicine for animals and human. The leaders of this company are very effective and they run the organization in an efficient way. They played an important role in the development of the company. The firm hires good and quality staffs that innovate and develop strategies to achieve the goals of the Pfizer. The company experienced many acquisitions, divestitures and mergers. The change management of this firm has improved the organizational structure of the company. Pfizer’s orga nizational management system experienced many changes which helped the company handle many situations which can even lead to break up of the company. The organizational goal of the company is to deliver its commitments to its customers by maintaining transparency in its activities. Efficient operation of the business is based on its organizational structure. The routine of the company is set by its structure. It helps to determine how the firm will make and implement decisions for performing its various tasks and activities. There are many types of organizational structure like functional, flat, geographical, product, matrix and divisional organizational structures. A divisional organizational structure is mainly implemented in big companies which operates a business in a large geographical area. This structure is expensive because of its scope and size. In a functional structure, each part of the company is grouped according to the work. There are many departments where employees work as per there specific functions. Matrix is a high breed organizational structure. It is a mixture of functional and divisional organizational structure.

Business process reengineering Essay Example for Free

Business process reengineering Essay This article is about business process reengineering. business processes we can say is the core tasks that are carried out in departments in an organization for the ultimate goal of delivering a product and a high quality one at that and services to the satisfaction of the customer. Business process reengineering is the modeling of the existing processed to steer the organization towards better performance. This is not considered to be done over a long period of time but rather it is something which is done at once so in a way there is a change of the way things are done but the aim is to come up with a better way for a better benefit. Examples of business processes is the manner in which information flows in an organization,management, departmental tasks,, that is the sales and marketing, production, as well as operational and technical support. Business process reengineering strategy is to improve the business competitive advantage. In discussion is its scope and strength. In consideration is the size of the business alongside the composition of the market. Its main aim is improving the existing business processes and sees how they make a business much better than it was before. We can also call it business transformation whereby the existing organization transforms the way work is done with a way of improving the services as well reducing the costs. It is also aimed at adding value to the existing business; processes and maintain the ones which are relevant as they are while at the same time minimizing or getting rid of those that do not add value to the organization. The article also speaks about organizational culture. An organization is a work setting which comprises of employees. These may be in different departments e. g. sales and marketing, production, and transport department. These departments are interdependent and they support one another in their functions. Their main aim is for the organization to achieve its goals and objectives. It comprises of employees who are the human resources. Culture in itself is beliefs, norms, attitudes, values and experiences of an organization and the people who work there. Organizational culture is the way things are done there. There is a trend of the way the management operates and the way people behave and the manner in which they work. An example of an organization culture is the role culture where emphasis is laid on the concentration on the task carried out. Teamwork is also is a type of culture where tasks are accomplished by a group of people working together with a common goal. They however work as a tea m but this they do in order to achieve the organization goals and objectives as a whole. This is the analysis of the existing business processes in which case is the way tasks are carried out in an organization and working towards transforming them and implementing the new process with the aim improving products and services that the organization offers. A group of processes are observed whereby individual tasks are allocated to a team with a wide range of expertise to accomplish with the main aim of achieving the organization goals and objectives. It is also aimed at improving the organization efficiency and effectiveness. The main aim of BPR is to increase an organization competitive advantage and a new competitive edge. An organization can achieve its goals a fresh through business process reengineering since it is as good as new. Cost is the price at which the end product is sold for. In cost strategy the consideration is to penetrate the market with a low price while at the same time offering the standard quality product and even better than that of the competitor but a lower cost. This will be seen to give an organization the competitive edge. The key issue is to maintain the quality of the product while liasing with all the department s in order to ensure that at all costs the cost is reduced from the marketing department to the production department. Cost reduction should be considered in all aspects of the organization and in the whole business process as a whole . this will enable the organisation to reach the consumer with a high quality product and a t a favourable price. Another organization process is production. This is the conversion of the raw materials into a product. The organization has a plant in which there is manual machinery which is used in the production process. Human effort is considered in loading the materials some of them onto the machinery for production. Efficiency is required in order to ensure that the product at the end of the day is prepared on time and also should be of the standard quality. At all times the organization should seek ways to ensure that the costs of production are kept at the minimum in order to ensure that the product reaches the market at a low price, in order to enjoy a competitive advantage. This is the computerized use of machinery. The machinery in the organization is controlled using computers and all the production processes are computer controlled. This will ensure that the product is of high quality, speed will be increased since the machines work much faster than human beings. Efficiency is enhanced where there is continuity of the work being done as well as the uniformity since the machines do not take days off. This will ensure that the supply of products in the market is constant and availability is enhanced. Supplies also can be made even on orders which have been made over a short period of time since the machinery can be able to meet the production to be done with the minimum time possible. This can also ensure that there is a reduction in the cost of production where there are no many human resources required together with the expenses that go with them like medical cover, housing allowances, as well as pension funds. Cost reduction is effective, and it ensures that the product at the end of the day penetrates the market at a very low cost which will enable the organization to build a large customer base, and also expand its market share. This is a combination of beliefs, attitudes, norms adopted by people in an organization and the manner in which they work. It is best described as a collection of norms and values by people and groups working in an organization. This is a type of culture where efforts are directed towards a product or a service being delivered. it brings human resources together and also pulling resources together for the benefit of coming up with the best possible product or service. It is a team culture whereby a team is built and it is assigned a certain project with an aim of achieving a certain goal and objective. In this culture the team is composed of people qualified in different fields of expertise and is marked by sessions of brainstorming where ideas are formed on how to accomplish the set task. There is also an element of friendliness, as the members all the employees working in a team have to combine efforts and hence each one of them is as important and hence they have got to form alliances. It is from expertise that power is derived. Team members have a scope of ideas which they bring on board and contribute towards accomplishment of the set tasks. The main aim is to reduce costs in all aspects of the organization from sales and marketing and other departments to production. This will ensure that the end consumer will enjoy a lower price of the product than that of the competitor. Cutting costs should be considered in all the organization processes. When the cost is reduced the product is able to penetrate the market at a relatively lower price than that of the competitor products. This will increase the market share as well as the profits. When there is an increase in the profits the organization will also be able to run efficiently and be able to meet its consumer needs as well as enjoy growth in terms of better service and product delivery. This can be achieved through mass s production and distribution, reduction of waste and also a reduction of the market force while also maintaining a goal oriented team. This is the time for business process reengineering. It should be considered since it is for the better of the organization where it gets rid of obsolete business processes and introducing and bringing fresh ideas and ways of working in an organization in order to come up with fresh ideas as well as improve the organization efficiency in delivery of products and services. Organization culture plays an important role in the way an organization operates. It is very important that an organization adopts a culture that favours its goals and objectives and enhances the growth of the organization as well as ensure that it encourages the employees to work towards achieving the organization goals.

Talent Attraction And Retention In Employee Branding Management Essay

Talent Attraction And Retention In Employee Branding Management Essay Employer branding is one of the most significant developments in recent times. Organisations are increasingly recognising that most brand promises are delivered by people not products. Many studies have shown the gap between an average and a top performer has widened than ever before, and in a downturn, productivity and results matter even more. Having motivated and talented employees can make the difference between business success and failure. Simon Borrow is acknowledged as the creator of the term employer brand as early as 1990 (Thorne K., 2004). According to Ulrich D., 1997, employer branding focuses on how the company is seen by current and potential employees with the aim of winning the war on talent. Moreover, Employer Branding helps in recruitment, retention and in becoming an employer of choice. It sets up the uniqueness of the firm as an employer. It labels the firms principles, systems, strategies and behaviors towards the objectives of attracting, and retaining the firms existing and potential talent employees. Additionally, in a labor market where applicants, more than ever before, are smart consumers constantly assessing the value and rewards of their employment experience, its becoming critical for organisations to communicate and market their strengths and image as an employer of choice for a competitive advantage. 3.1 Talent attraction and retention Figure 1: Talent attraction and retention model Attraction material is often the first point of contact with candidates and so it must resonate immediately with the target audience. Uday Chawla, Managing Partner, Transearch, It is an entire process wherein attracting happens first, which should ideally be followed by retention. If we are able to attract talent but fail to retain them, then the entire process of attracting goes to a waste. Attracting and retaining are inter-dependant. Failure in one area affects the other. One cannot exist without the other. 3.1.1 Talent management. According to SHRM India (2008), in an article titled Corporate Indian companies: Forging New Talent Pipelines and creative career Pathways, in the banking and financial services industry, talent is considered to be premium. Talent management has been high on the agenda of HR professionals in the UK over the past few years. TM is a multi-faced concept that has been championed by HR practitioners, fueled by the war for talent and built on the foundation of strategic HRM. . Since 1997, TM has become increasingly popular when the consultancy firm Mckinsey exposed the war for talent as a critical driver of corporate performance, (Chambers, 1998). The starting point of TM is people, namely talents as mentioned in the article Is talent management just old wines in new bottles? A case of multinational companies in Beijing by Xin Chuai et al (2008). Talent is defined as individuals who have the capability to make a significant difference to the current and future performance of the company Morton (2004, p.6). CIPD defines talent management as the systematic attraction, identification, development, engagement/retention and deployment of those individuals with high potential who are of particular value to an organisation. On the other hand, Duttagupta (2005) asserts that TM assures that a supply of talent is available to align the right people with the right jobs at the right time, based on strategic business objectives. Besides, Stainton (2005) supports this argument by claiming that TM is concerned with having the right roles in the right environment with the right manager to enable maximum performance. For example, The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is currently making the move from succession planning to what it describes as action-oriented talent management. They see this as a more fluid and holistic concept when it comes to getting the right person, in the right place, at the right time. Talent management can also be used to enhance an organisations image and supports employer branding in the labour market as well as providing a means of enhancing employee engagement to improve retention. 3.1.2 Talent management framework In order for Commercial banks to gain competitive advantage they need to develop a strategic approach to talent management that suits their business and gets the best from their people. Talent management can also contribute to other strategic objectives, including: firstly building a high performance workplace, secondly encouraging a learning organisation and lastly adding value to the employer of choice and branding agenda. In an article titled A framework for talent management in real estate. Deborah R. Phillips et al (2009), proposed a talent management framework for industry practitioners. The framework consists of five key elements: attracting, selecting, engaging, developing and retaining employees. Firstly, an organisation have to be creative when developing a recruitment strategy and should adopt modern methods of recruiting such as interactive networking sites, open house events, referral programs, internships, and online job boards. Secondly, it is becoming more common to include an objective measure of performance, such as psychological assessment, in combination with other recruitment tools in order to improve a companys chances of matching the right person to the job. Thirdly, engaged employees are not difficult to spot in an organisation. They are willing to go the extra mile to help the customer (Gostick and Elton, 2007). When HR managers measure their own organisations engagement, they immediately want to find ways to improve engagement among all ranks. On their side, Gostick and Elton (2007) report that employees will stay where there is: a quality relationship with his or her manager; opportunities for personal growth and professional development; work-life balance, a feeling of making a difference; meaningful work and adequate training. Additionally, employee retention is closely linked to an organisations performance management system. Performance management systems should also address how the different generations in the workplace view feedback and the drivers of employee retention. Therefore, the five strategies recommended in the proposed talent management framework measure performance on all sides. It is very easy to recognise the problem and apply the framework but the toughest part lies in the execution. 3.2 Employer of choice As the market for well-qualified and experienced job applicants becomes more competitive and with more people likely to change jobs than they ever have been, employers are becoming increasing aware of the need to manage the image of their organisations that applicants receive. The phrase employer of choice is becoming increasingly common among employers trying to attract new people, and retain key staff. Another point is that the image the organisation creates as an employer and potential employer seems to be recognised as a competitive differentiator in the same way as customer perception has also been held to be. For example, Baver and Aimen-Smith (1996) found that graduates were more likely to apply to organisations that strongly articulate their environmental policies in their recruitment literature, regardless of whether they consider themselves particularly pro-environmental. Moreover, it is important to recognise, as shown in research by Gatewood et al (1993), that the image of an organisation or company will be perceived differently by different people. This suggests that it is particularly important to present a clear, consistent and credible image of organisation to potential applicants. Finally, Employer of choice in recognising the importance of talent as a source of competitive advantage, are looking to win talent by tailoring employment policy to capture the dynamism of the modern era (Ashton et al, 2002). Typical measures might include package of initiatives such as offering career development opportunities, providing challenging, inspiring, enjoyable and flexible work, providing progressive benefits, paying attention to healthy workplace practices, improving incentives and encouraging participation and open communication (CLC,2000; Hewitt Associates, 2000;lowe 2001a) Based on a fact sheet from the Australian Bankers association Inc, the Australian banking industry aims to be an employer of choice and individual banks have adopted people management frameworks aimed at ensuring that: employees maintain a healthy balance between work/life balance, supported by specific policies such as working partly from home; the make-up of the workforce is aligned over time with the broader Australian community and reflects  diversity, including self-identified disability and ethnicity. 3.2.1 Employer of choice strategies The global vice president of recruitment for Philips, Jo Pieters, says it is important to include and measure both internal and external elements of an employer branding exercise and also Each and every employee should act as an ambassador of your brand and that requires a strong and recognised internal and external employee value proposition, One of the most familiar tools of employer branding is employer advertising where organisations use advertising to promote the unique employment proposition they offer potential recruits (Ewing et al., 2002). While advertising is a well accepted tool of employer branding, the employment brand itself encompasses the organisations values, systems, policies and behaviours toward the objectives of attracting, motivating, aligning and retaining the organisations current and potential employees (Gunasekara, 2002). 3.3 Branding concepts Branding has always been an important part of every companys marketing and advertising campaigns. Branding is an ongoing process where all the tangible and intangible elements that constitute a companys image and reputation are organised and communicated. A brand is a symbol that encapsulates that many associations that are made with a name (Gardner and Levy, 1995) and many things can be branded (Levitt, 1980) including the company itself. However, Swystun (2007) argues that a brand is a mixture of attributes, tangible and intangible, symbolised in a trademark, which if managed properly, creates value and influence (p.14). Employer branding may be the least known type of branding yet it is becoming more important to organisation. According to the conference Board report on employer branding (Conference Board, 2001) organisations have found that effective employer branding leads to competitive advantage, help employees internalise company values and assists in employee retention. 3.3.1 Corporate branding The corporate brand provides a source of competitive advantage by bringing together the company vision, culture and values, with organisational systems and networks, to form a unique organisational value proposition for customers (Knox et al., 2000; Hatch and Schultz, 2003). Moroko and Uncles (2008) contend that consumer, corporate and employer branding share similar characteristics; that is, a brand has to be noticeable, relevant and resonant, and unique. Notwithstanding, similarities between corporate branding and employer branding can be observed. According to Ambler and Barrow (1996, p. 187), an employer brand is the package of functional, economic and psychological benefits provided by employment, and identified with the employing company. In addition, Park et al (1986) categorise brands based on how they fulfill the functional, symbolic and experiential needs. 3.3 2Employer branding Employment branding is the process of placing an image of being a great place to work in the mind of targeted candidate pool. Employer branding is similar to the concepts of employer of choice (Fox, 2003). The link between employer branding and employer of choice has been stated by Harrison Kim (2005) Successful employer branding is built on the employers ability to deliver on its promise and when this happens the organisation becomes an employer of choice. According to Martin et al, (2005) the concept was first discussed by marketing academics and after some delay, by a lagging interest from HR academics. In todays knowledge driven company, all departments play a strategic role in bringing the right kind of people into the organisation. Employer branding is defined as a targeted, long-term strategy to manage the awareness and perceptions of employees and related stakeholders with regards to a particular firm (Sullivan, 2004). Furthermore, it conveys your value proposition the totality of your culture, systems, attitudes, and employee relationship along with encouraging your people to embrace and share goals for success, productivity, and satisfaction both on personal and professional levels

Comparison of Parks: Central Park and Forest Park

Comparison of Parks: Central Park and Forest Park The Central Park Construction began on 1858, continued during the American Civil War, and was completed in 1873. New York as the most important economic center in Eastern United States, rises and falls several times, and the Central Park rises and falls as well. And today it is one of the most successful park in the city. The Forest Park, which opened in 1876, more than a decade after its proposal. St Louis as big city locate in Mid-Western United States, plays a very important role in the US history, The Forest Park changes several times, also rises and falls in its history. These two parks participate a very important role in the city, both of them are very large parks, and built contemporarily. In this paper, I will compare the similarities and differences between these two parks and try to find out the reason by using the urban design knowledge based on the development of the city. â€Å"Forest Park was originally designed as an English Romantic park with open, flowing spaces and diverse environs. Today it retains much of that character, especially in the eastern half of the park. Many of the spaces envisioned in the original 1876 plan, which designed by M. G. Kern, and 1904 Worlds Fair plan remain in some capacity, with a range of modified uses. The parks topography changes a lot after River Des Peres brailed into concrete sewer tubes. In 1876, Forest Park already had a prepared plan and was established. The park was envisioned as a great romantic landscape, with winding trails and carriageways through deep woods and pastoral fields surrounded by informal water bodies and naturalistic streams. At that time, the land had several owners and was primarily the site of farms and coal mines. The River Des Peres wandered through the northern and eastern parts of the area and a major east-west thoroughfare, Clayton Road, passed through the property. The first park commissioners authorized a plan for the new park, â€Å"To preserve the natural beauties of the ground, so that it will always appear in fact as well as in name, a Forest Park.† The plan called for a hippodrome, floral decorations, a bandstand, and a Forest Park Zoo. In preparation for Opening Day, June 24, 1876, 19 miles of roads and 20 miles of walkways were built along with some bridges, water and sewer pipes, including Round Lake, Pagoda Lake and a portion of Peninsula Lake. Other facilities included a restaurant, bandstand, a large race track, and superintendent’s home. A small zoo was built and later a fenced area for five buffalo became a major park attraction. By 1891, there was a variety of animals to be viewed by the public at no charge. In 1876-77 St. Louis City and St. Louis County separated, with Forest Park remaining part of the City. By 1894 the park had 2.5 million visitors, brought there by street car and improved roadways. Park activities were diverse, including annual bicycle race, carriage rides, boating, cricket, lacrosse, baseball, tennis, croquet, golf, and harness racing. The most significant changes to the park came as the result of the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition, which was held over much of the parks western half. To accommodate the fair, most of the trees in the western part of the park were removed, except for what today is Kennedy Forest. Large portions of the park were land-filled to accommodate the new structures. The River Des Peres was rerouted, channeled and sections of it were placed underground. The Art Museum and the Zoos Flight Cage were remained. Grand Basin and Post-Dispatch Lake were reshaped from Peninsula Lake. The plan for the fair required that the park be returned to its original condition after the conclusion of the fair, but too many trees had been cleared and the added wear and tear of the fair left an indelible mark on the parks natural systems. In addition, after the fair, the park became the home for cultural and recreational facilities the Jefferson Memorial, Zoo, and Worlds Fair Pavilion were soon added- all done in a piecemeal fashion that did not adhere to any comprehensive plan. In the years following the Worlds Fair, up until the late 1920s, Forest Park underwent a series of changes which altered the shape, design, and use of many areas of the park. Many of these changes involved the addition of active recreation facilities in the park, under the guidance of Park Commissioner Dwight Davis. The changes, while greatly expanding the attraction of the park for many citizens, resulted in a park whose natural systems and linkages were disturbed, a condition that exists to this day. The park continued to change, as new facilities, institutions, and amenities were built. In 1930, the River Des Peres disappeared from the park as it was buried in two underground sewer pipes. More and more of the parks passive green space was replaced by buildings, athletic fields, golf courses and paths. Highway 64/40 and the Forest Park Parkway were routed through the parks perimeters during this time. Some attempts were made to plan for the parks continued growth during this period, but none had any significant physical impact. The 1983 plan was adopted by the Community Development Commission of the City of St. Louis as the only comprehensive plan for the park since the 1904 plan for the fair and the original plan of 1876. However, it was not significantly implemented. There have been a number of changes to the park subsequent to the 1983 plan. The most significant have been a number of road removals, road re-surfacing and in-fill of the lagoons around Post-Dispatch Lake. In Fall 1993, a plan was prepared by the New York firm of Kelly/Vernell Landscape Architects to augment the 1983 plans landscape component. However, it was never adopted or implemented. †[1] A comparison between the 1983 and 1993 plans reveal different approaches to the park. The most significant differences are: different attitudes regarding Grand Basin/ Art Hill and Post-Dispatch Lake area in terms of active recreation and access, circulation and parking; the 1993 Plan incorporating a more extensive lake and lagoon system; different resolutions for the cultural institutions expansion needs; and some differences in roads and paths. â€Å"Central Park is of great importance as the first real park made in this country – a democratic development of the highest significance and on the success of which, in my opinion, much of the progress of art and esthetic culture in this country is dependent. â€Å" Frederick Law Olmsted, August 1, 1858 The creation of Central Park is the beginning of the nation’s urban landscape park tradition. It plays a role of open space on the island of Manhattan: â€Å"the dynamic tension between pavement and pasture, between city noise and rural quiet, between fresh air and foul; between private and public land, between city and state government; between city square and urban park.†[2] It shows how an extraordinary work of public art emerged from the crucible of New York City politics. By 1800 New York City’s burgeoning commercial future was clear. The Central Park was not a part of the government’s plan until 1855, which the population of the New York City get four times than 1811’s. The City officials recognized the need to plan for the growth which to build a big park to makes more open space. In 1857, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won the Central Park Design Competition. Before the construction of the park, the original inhabitants of the land inhabited need to leave, however most of them are low income African-American, German or Irish immigrants, which lived in a relatively small village (such as Seneca Village), around 1,600 residents occupying the area at the time. In 1857, by public land expropriation legislation was imposed, the lands were recovered, while Seneca Village and other communities were demolished to make room for the construction of the park. In 1860 by the effort of park commissioners, theyfinalize the negotiations for the purchase of an additional 65 acres at the north end of the park, between 106th and 110th Streets. Between 1860 and 1873, most of the major hurdles to construction were overcome, and the park was substantially completed. â€Å"Following completion, the park quickly slipped into decline. One of the main reasons for this was the lack of interest of the Tammany Hall political machine, which was the largest political force in New York at the time. Around the turn of the 20th century, the park faced several new challenges. Cars were becoming commonplace, bringing with them their burden of pollution, and peoples attitudes were beginning to change. No longer were parks to be used only for walks and picnics in an idyllic environment, but now also for sports, and similar recreation. Following the dissolution of the Central Park Commission in 1870 and Andrew Greens departure from the project, and the death of Vaux in 1895, the maintenance effort gradually declined, and there were few, All of this changed in 1934, when Republican Fiorello La Guardia was elected mayor of New York City and unified the five park-related departments then in existence. Robert Moses was given the task of cleaning up the park. Moses, about to become one of the mightiest men in New York City, took over what was essentially a relic, a leftover from a bygone era. Despite the increasing numbers of visitors to the park, Robert Moses departure in 1960 had nevertheless marked the beginning of a twenty-year period of decline in its management. The city itself was also experiencing economic and social changes, with some residents fleeing the city and moving to the suburbs in the wake of increased crime. The Parks Department, suffering from budget cuts and a lack of skilled management that rendered its workforce virtually ineffective, responded by opening the park to any and all activities that would bring people into it—regardless of their impact and without adequate management, oversight, or maintenance follow-up. Some of these events nevertheless became milestones in the social history of the park, and in the cultural history of the city. Management of the restored landscapes by the conservancy’s zone gardeners proved so successful that core maintenance and operations staff were reorganized in 1996. The zone-based system of management was implemented throughout the park, which was divided into forty-nine zones. Consequently, every zone of the park has a specific individual accountable for its day-to-day maintenance. Zone gardeners supervise volunteers assigned to them, (who commit to a consistent work schedule) and are supported by specialized crews in areas of maintenance requiring specific expertise or equipment, or more effectively conducted on a park-wide basis.† [3][4] Central Park which is the first park made in US, leads the American parks movement that occurred in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. It did not change a lot after it was built, but the different management could leads a very different result in this Park. A good maintenance makes it more vibrant and serves people well in the city Forest Park is a unique land asset that seems caught between the need for reform and the need for revolution. It requires reform to correct the inadequate copy of the plan for New York’s Central Park, to redress damage from massive deforestation and earth moving for the 1904 World’s Fair, and to adjust the park to the automobile and other realities of the world of 1976. To compare those two parks we can find: The designer of the Forest Park probably was influenced by the Olmsted-Vaux plan for Central Park, Several of the features of the original design of Forest Park, the Grand Drive, the Promenade, the Sheepfold, the irregular lakes, reflect similar features in Central Park and other parks such as Prospect park in Brooklyn, which designed by Olmsted and Vaux as well. To compare the Forest Park and Central Park, we can find Olmsted and Vaux solved the problem of crossing park traffic brilliantly with four grade-separated east-west crossing and so successfully screened these from view. However the Forest Park visitors are acutely aware of the north-south commuter traffic passing their park. Kern’s curves and loops were designed to serve only a single system of traffic, whereas the designers of Central Park built into its infrastructure four grade-separated movement system: the transverse roads already mentioned plus pedestrian paths, bridge trails, and carriage drives. Unfortunately , lacking grade-separated transverse roads and because of the location of certain traffic-generating uses deep within the boundaries of the park, we cannot at the present time as in Central Park ban the automobile altogether on certain days and turn the entire park over to cyclists and pedestrians. Forest Park today is the result of these various plans as they were overlaid on each other over time. It is clearly apparent that the park is essentially split down the middle, with the eastern section being more reminiscent of the pre-Worlds Fair design approach and the western section reflecting the post-Worlds Fair design approaches. â€Å"Prosperous cities of that period sought to display their municipal pride with civic adornment, and parks ranked high as a cultural expression of the new wealth.†[2] In addition, the dynamic of intense urban growth which had been set in motion by Post-Civil War industrialization brought about a change in the contemporary attitude toward land use: the rapid obliteration of so much open space caused civic leaders to put a value on openness itself. Parks were viewed as therapeutic and often referred to as the â€Å"Lungs of the city,† More demonstrable perhaps than their effect on the health of the constituent populace was their effect on adjacent land values, an argument that was often candidly advanced by park proponents of the period. It was not accidental that, as in New York baronial mansions began to march up Fifth Avenue in response to the creation of Central Park, The fashionable quarter of St. Louis grew up at about the same time on the perimeter of Forest Pa rk. Nor was it accidental in either of these cities that their chief cultural resources clustered in or near their premier parks. In sum, Both Central Park and Forest Park are the treasures of their cities. For the government the park is also the very important cultural resources, and a good maintenance could makes the park more valuably. As the development of the city, the park may needs to be changed to match the people’s developing requirements , but the main idea of creating a great Park is never changed, which makes people living a better place. Bibliography Forest Park master plan: City of St. Louis. St. Louis, Mo.: Commission, 1995. Print. St. Louis Forest Park R/UDAT, Oct. 28-Nov. 1, 1976. St. Louis: St. Louis Chapter, American Institute of Architects, 1976. Print. Heckscher, Morrison H..Creating Central Park. New York, N.Y.: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2008. Print. Central Park. Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 6 Mar. 2014. Web. 3 June 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Park>. Olmsted, Frederick Law, Charles E. Beveridge, and David Schuyler.Creating Central Park, 1857-1861. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1983. Print. Lehnerer, Alex.Grand urban rules. 2nd ed. Rotterdam: nai010 Publishers, 2013. Print. Martin, Richard.The New urban landscape. New York: Olympia York Companies (U.S.A.), 1990. Print. Dams, Bernd H..Central Park NYC an architectural view. by Bernd H. Dams, Andrew Zega.. New York: Rizzoli, 2013. Print. Altman, Sally J., and Richard H. Weiss.Forest Park: the jewel of St. Louis. St. Louis, Mo.: St. Louis Post-Dispatch Books, 2007. Print.

The Relationship Between Crime and Guns in the United States :: Second Amendment The Right To Bear Arms

The right to bear arms is an American right featured in the second Amendment of the Constitution. In the 18th century when the constitution was written, times were different, there was a need for citizens to arm themselves to insure the safety of the society as a whole. In the modern world, the police department preserves the safety of society and there is no need for citizens to carry weapons. The founding fathers of the Constitution could never have imagined the horrendous outcome of their actions. Every year too many lives are claimed as the result of American's owning an excessive number of firearms. Compared to other western countries that have considerably stricter gun control laws America is still viewed as â€Å"The Wild-Wild West† (ARPP, 66). However, is there a relationship between crime and firearms? In this second amendment our right to have a gun, are we dooming ourselves with higher crime rates and more horrific crimes just to have the right to have a gun in our house? This paper will set forth and find the results of studies conducted to find a conclusion. This is a very important issue when it comes to sociology and our society. The importance of violence and force as sources of power has only recently begun to achieve recognition among sociologists. Power has traditionally been conceptualized as deriving from lasting attributes of persons and from their position in the social structure such as sex and race. However, when power is examined at the interpersonal level it is typically viewed as deriving from family role and gender. These sources of power ultimately derive to some extent from a capacity to use physical force and violence. This capacity often relies partly on a rather transitory attribute of the person, the possession of weaponry. The single most important factor that sets human violence apart from aggression among lower animals is arguably the human’s greater technological capacity to inflict harm on another creature. These â€Å"tools of death† are readily available to humans and are vastly more lethal than even the most deadly natural equipment of any other species (Kleck, 670). Yet, little is known about the impact of weaponry on violence or how weaponry is used to coerce compliance in hostile social encounters. Firearms are seen as violence enhancing devices, it is just assumed that the possession along with the use of firearms increase the chances of the victim to be injured or killed.

Book Review Of Star Wars: X-wing Rogue Squardron :: essays research papers

Book Review of Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squardron Dan Boughen 9A The title of the novel is Star Wars : X-Wing Rogue Squadron. The author's name is Michael A. Stackpole. The type of book is fantasy / adventure. Main Characters A) Corran Horn : Corran is a pilot in training for the Alliance or the Rebellion. He is the best rookie pilot on the Rogue Squadron. He is a silent person who does not like the social life but does like the spotlight once in a while. He was a CorSec security officer on the planet Correlia in his late teens'. B) Kirtan Loor : Kirtan is a cold, isolated man that lives on the planet of Churba. He is a high ranked officer for the Imperial Army. He later gets promoted to a commanding officer and sits on the right side of the head leader of intelligence for the Emperor. Setting : The setting first takes place in the Rebel's secret base. The setting then moves to a swamp planet by the name of Imdaar. The setting then moves to Imperial headquarters on the planet of Coruscant. Plot Summary : Corran and his new partners are given a limited amount of training time and are sent out on a mission in just weeks of forming the new Rogue Squadron X-wing fighter group. This book switches the first-person perspective between Corran and Kirtan Loor. While Corran and the Rogue Squadron are off fighting TIE fighters and Star Destroyers, Kirtan is hunting down information on the squadron and it's pilots. Personal Reaction : I found this book a little hard to read because of the long complicated sentences and the complex words Michael Stackpole chose for his book. I would say the reading level would probably be around grade 11 or 12 because of the intricate words and long sentences. I liked this book because it not only was exciting and kept me on the edge of my seat, but because of the easy to

Acupuncture essay

Acupuncture Acupuncture is a traditional Eastern therapeutic technique that uses fine needles, inserted into specific points on the body along the meridians in proper speed to achieve a specific therapeutic goal. Acupuncture originated in prehistoric China, and it is based on such theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine as treating blockages of Qi, yin-yang balancing, five elements theory and pulse diagnosis. The functional system of channels and organs uses concepts of yin-yang balancing. Nowadays, acupuncture has become commonly used in many Western countries as well. Around 200 B. C. the Yellow Emperor’s textbook of physical medicine called Huang Di Nei Jing described the essential metaphysics of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The ancient Chinese doctors saw man as an integral part of nature and all things both in Yin and Yang around him were related to him, and things in Yin and Yang should be in balance. The original meaning of Yin is the shady side of the hill, and Yang is the sunny side of the hill. The opposites complement each other in a dynamic process. Thus, Yin and Yang cannot exist without the other, and the two forces always combine to make up the whole. This polar system of Yin and Yang has an important role in medicine and in the description of life processes in the human body and of their pathologic disturbances. † (Gabriel Stux, Brian Berman and Bruce Plmeranz, 2003, p88) Qi is the vital energy or life force, and it is omnipresent in nature and is apparent in all life in the form of change and movement. The action and movement of Qi expresses in every life process and every organic function. â€Å"In the body, Qi accumulates in the organs and flows in channels or meridians that are called Jing and Luo in Chinese. (Gabriel Stux, Brian Berman and Bruce Plmeranz, 2003, p. 88) The general theory of acupuncture is based on the premise that there are Qi. The fluent flow of Qi throughout the body is essential for optimal health. Blockag e of this energy is thought to cause disease. The aim of the treatment in Chinese acupuncture is to harmonize the flow of Qi by dissolving blockages and stagnation in the organs and channels. If the Qi of an organ is weakened, the function of this organ will be incomplete or faulty, but if Qi of an organ is present in xcess, the function of this organ will be excessive. Acupuncture can balance the conditions of excess or deficiency in the organs, and thus achieve an undisturbed function. The system of â€Å"five element†, like yin-yang balancing, is a philosophy concept and is a way of recognizing and analyzing things. The five elements are wood, fire, earth, metal and water. This system is used to explain the reasons of interaction relationship between all things in the nature through the interlinked relationship between the five elements.These basic elements are intimately interlinked. Each element is controlled by another, while itself simultaneously controlling a third ph ase. According to Chinese medicine, Qi flows through meridians, and there are11 organs interact intimately with the channels. The 11 organs are described as functional systems and subdivided into six Yang organs and five Yin organs. Large intestine, small intestine, stomach, urinary bladder, gallbladder and â€Å"Sanjiao† are the six Yang organs, and lung, heart, spleen, kidney and liver are the five Yin organs. Pericardium (a double-walled sac that contains the  heart  and the roots of the great vessels) is not considered as a Yin organ, but as part of the heart, having a channel. † (Gabriel Stux, Brian Berman and Bruce Plmeranz, 2003, p122) The 12 main channels form a system of three courses of channels at the body surface. Each course of channel consists of two pair Yin-Yang channels. One pair runs in parallel along the arm, and the other along the leg. This three courses flow in similar form. One Yin and one Yang organ form a functional unit, which involves a pa rticular tissue and the corresponding channels.Acupuncture points are located on those channels. By the application of needles, heat, or massage on acupuncture points, acupuncturists can make some damaged organs function better. A pair of channels consists of a Yin and a Yang channel. â€Å"Yang channels run laterally or on the dorsal side of the body, while Yin channels run medially or on the ventral side. † (Gabriel Stux, Brian Berman and Bruce Plmeranz, 2003, p125) There are 12 main channels, like the months of the Chinese zodiac, each representing a major organ system of the body. In addition, there are two extraordinary channels named Ren Mai and Du Mai.Ren Mai is the conceptional vessel, which counts as a Yin channel, while Du Mai is the governing vessel, which counts as a Yang channel. These two extraordinary channels and the 12 main channels together make up the system of 14 channels on which the 361 classic acupuncture points are situated. The 12 main channels form a system of three courses or cycles of channels at the body surface. Each course of channel consists four main channels, two Yin and two Yang channels. â€Å"One Yin-Yang pair runs in parallel course along the arm, and the other along the leg.An internal branch of the channel derives from the main channel running to the corresponding Yin or Yang organ. † (Gabriel Stux, Brian Berman and Bruce Plmeranz, 2003, p125) The first course is located on the ventral side of the body. It is made up of the lung, large intestine, stomach, and spleen channels. The lung channel starts at the chest wall and runs along the volar side of the arm to the corner of the thumbnail, and it belongs to the Yin polarity. The large intestine channel starts from the index finger and runs on the dorsal side of the arm to the face, and it belongs to the Yang polarity.The stomach channel starts from the face and runs ventrally down the body to the second toe, and it belongs to the Yang polarity. The spleen ch annel runs from the foot along the inside of the leg back to the chest wall, and thus it belongs to the Yin polarity. The second course is located on the dorsal side of the body. It is made up of the heart, small intestine, urinary bladder and kidney channels. The third course is located on the lateral side of the body. It is made up of the pericardium, Sanjiao, gallbladder and liver channels. These courses flow similar to the first course.A Yin or Yang channel axis is made up of two adjacent Yang channels or two adjacent Yin channels in the same course of channels. The Yang channel axes pass downwards from the arm to the leg through the head and body. The Yin channel axes pass upwards from the feet to arms through the body. The channel axes are important for diagnosis as well as for treatment. Acupuncture are very useful in treating some disorders, such as respiratory disorders, mental disturbances and illness, neurological disorders, skin disorders and disorders of the sense organ s, etc.. Many respiratory disorders are successfully treated by acupuncture.Especially in chronic conditions, such as chronic sinusitis, bronchitis, or bronchial asthma, acupuncture is more effective than other forms of treatment. External climatic influences such as cold, wind, dryness, and occasionally heat are sometimes the causes of a weakened lung Qi. Thus, acupuncture can dissolving the blockage and can strengthen the Qi. Acupuncture treatment is very effective in a large number of psychosomatic disorders, such as agitation or exhaustion conditions, insomnia, depression, sexual disturbances, drug addictions, obesity, and headache. Acupuncture has a harmonizing, sedative, or tonifying effect. Many points of the Du Mail, heart, pericardium, and gallbladder channels have strong psychological effects. † (Gabriel Stux, Brian Berman and Bruce Plmeranz, 2003, p287) Also, organs that are affected in mental disturbances can be treated by stimulation of the points of the correspon ding channels. Acupuncture also shows a good effect in migraine, chronic headache and trigeminal neuralgia. According to traditional ideas, chronic headache and migraine are attributed to a blockage of Qi in the Yang channels of the head.The pain in chronic headache is mostly caused by an internal disturbance of organs. The location of pain is very important in planning for an individual acupuncture treatment. However, trigeminal neuralgia is attributed to a blockage of Qi caused by wind, cold, or heat, together with pronounced internal disturbances of the liver or stomach. â€Å"In the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, a large number of points in the face are needled on the contra-lateral side; they should be manually stimulated over and over again, for dispersing stimulation. (Gabriel Stux, Brian Berman and Bruce Plmeranz, 2003, p296) Acupuncture treatment is also effective in many skin disorders, such as neurodermatitis, acne, herpes zoster, psoriasis, and eczema. According to traditional ideas, the skin is related to the lung and the large intestine, and skin disorders are therefore treated with points on the channels relating to the lung and the large intestine. What worth mentioning is that points surrounding the disordered skin area should not be needled especially ulcerated regions.Acupuncture treatment is highly effective in disorders of the sense organs, deafness, tinnitus, vertigo, conjunctivitis and visual deficiency. According to traditional concepts, the ear is related to the functional system of the kidney and urinary bladder, while the eye corresponds to the liver and gallbladder. In addition, the ear is closely connected to the Sanjiao channels, which circles round the ear. Stimulation of the distal points of the Sanjiao is higyly effective in ear disorders. Negative effects of acupuncture were rarely reported, however, they do exist and special attention should be paid to. The most frequent complication of acupuncture treatment is the vasov agal episode. More serious complications reported include rare pneumothoraces, lacerations of viscera, compression of nerve trucks due to local hematomas, sepsis, transverse myelopathy, eschars and scarring, endocarditis, and broken needles. † (Ceniceros, Salvador and Geroge R. Brown, 1998) The first needles were sharp flints, and later metal needles had replaced sharp flints. Different acupuncture needles have different length and diameter. Usually, the length varies from 1. 5 to 15 cm, and the diameter varies from 26 to 36 gauge (0. 2 to 0. 5mm). Disposable needles are usually made of stainless steel with handles wrapped in copper wire. Today, most used needles are filiform steel needles because the steel is flexible and unbreakable. Filiform needles consist of a tip, a body and a handle. In most cases, 0. 3mm thick needles are used in acupuncture. When insert acupuncture needles, acupuncturist should hold them vertically use three fingers, the thumb on one side of the needl e and the index and middle finger on the other side.The needles should be held perpendicular to the three fingers and 1-2cm from the tip of the needles should not be held, especially with long needles, which are more liable to bend. There are two methods of insertion. One is fast method, and the other is low method. Fast method causes less pain, while low method may be painful. The insertion can be perpendicular (90 °), oblique (30 °-60 °), or occasionally tangential (10 °). The depth of insertion and the direction are given with the specific acupuncture point, but they can vary depending on the constitution of the patient.In China in the 1960s, electro-acupuncture (EA) was introduced into clinical practice, especially for treatment of chronic pain and neurological diseases. â€Å"Electro-acupuncture is aimed at stimulate the points electrically by attaching flexible wires (via small alligator clips) to the needles. † (Gabriel Stux, Brian Berman and Bruce Plmeranz, 20 03, p315) Electro-acupuncture uses one pair of needles which are attached flexible wires (via small alligator clips) to stimulate the points electrically, instead of twirling the acupuncture needles by hand.Pulses of electricity with the pulse width from 0. 1 to 1. 0 ms in duration are applied to the needles in order to stimulate nerves. One major advantage of Electro-acupuncture is that it is more convenient than manual therapy, and requires less skills and accurate needle placement. Acupuncture was first introduced to Europe in the 17th century. However, at that time, it was not widely accepted by Europeans. Most Western skeptics claimed that the traditional Chinese theory of acupuncture was merely anecdotal; therefore cannot be reliable.This situation has dramatically changed in the past 20 years. Lots of publications who went to China and saw the use of acupuncture have revealed the reductionism, causal mechanisms for many of the acupuncture effects in many leading Western journ als. It is estimated that over 300,000 physicians of over one million practitioners outside China use acupuncture treatment for chronic pain. About 90% of the physicians that were found in a recent study of German pain clinics used acupuncture. Also, there are over 11,000 physicians were interested in acupuncture in the USA.In Canada, more than 2000 physicians have taken courses given by the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada. In North America, besides physicians, veterinarians, chiropractors, and naturopaths also use acupuncture. In conclusion, acupuncture based on the Tradition Chinese theory of Yin-Yang balancing, five elements theory to dissolve any blockages in the vital energy Qi. Acupuncture treatments are very useful in variable areas of disorders; despite there may few adverse effects. Nowadays, acupuncture is more familiar to Westerns, and it is accepted by growing number of people in the world.