Monday, September 30, 2019

Religion and Science Essay

They can actually complement each other. To understand what Einstein meant when he said this, we must first understand his views on religion. When I was first given Einstein’s article â€Å"Religion and Science† in class, I felt like he was very anti-religious. Throughout the first few paragraphs of the article he talked about why people were led to religious thought and belief. According to him, it was fear and the desire for guidance, support, and love – emotions that were considered signs of â€Å"weakness† – that evoked religious notions. It was just this that drove people to look into a higher being as a means of hope. These feelings are what initiated religious beliefs that told people what they can and can’t do to please God. Einstein’s belief that these â€Å"weak† feelings initiated religion, made him seem so opposed to the idea of looking into an unknown being as a sense of security. Later on in his article, Einstein also told us that religion is not necessary for a person’s ethical behavior. You don’t need a God to tell you right from wrong. After reading all of this, I came to the conclusion that Einstein did not believe in religion. However, after further reading on Einstein I realized that I was very much wrong. Einstein did believe in a religion, but his religion was not the typical, traditional, organized religion like most people believe in. Einstein believed in a â€Å"cosmic religious feeling;† he believed in a higher being that controlled the universe, but not one who was interested in the personal affairs of humans. It was his line of work that had become his religion. He was so passionate and devoted to science that it had become his faith. His religious feeling was of â€Å"inklings† and â€Å"wondering. His religion was his thoughts, and it was through this that Einstein studied and came to scientific conclusions. Einstein’s religion was his questions, and science was his means of getting the answers. Einstein once said that you are not a true scientist if you don’t approach science with religious awe. Einstein believed that science and religion were nothing without each o ther. Since religion was Einstein’s â€Å"inklings† and â€Å"wondering,† religion was a sort of motivation for science. After all, what would science be without human questioning? Science would be pointless without religion, and that is what Einstein meant when he said â€Å"Science without religion is lame. † Science is just, as many people see it, a search for answers, and religion gives the questions. Some people choose to follow a religion without any logical thinking of their own; this is what Einstein meant by â€Å"Religion without science is blind. † It doesn’t make sense to believe in something without any logical reasoning. You would have to do some further research and study to give yourself further knowledge and understanding of a certain belief. Many people believe in a certain religion just because their parents believe in it, and that is the faith they grew up in to. They practice this religion because it’s what they were taught to do, not because it’s something they personally believe in. This is an example of a religious belief being â€Å"blind. † The person hasn’t looked into the religion at all on their own to see if there is any truth in it. They believe it just because their family believes it. This is completely illogical. Without proven facts to back up a belief, the belief is simply blind. A belief being blind, meaning that the belief has no evidence to back it up. There is no logical reason to believe in it. Science helps to create an open minded understanding of religion. Without science, religion would be useless and completely illogical. Although religion is not the same to me as it was to Einstein, I completely agree that religion and science are nothing without each other. Religion and science go hand in hand. My religion, Islam, doesn’t only tell me to believe, but it also provokes me to ask questions. Unlike Einstein, my religion is not just a religion of questions, it gives answers as well. However, most of these answers can be scientifically backed up, and the others have not been scientifically disproven either. Religion, or more specifically, Islam, is not primarily scientific; however it does answer some of the same questions as science. I believe that religion is nothing without science because it doesn’t make sense to blindly believe in something without some fact to back it up. Religion is a strong elief, and science may elaborate on that belief. In fact, Islam encourages scientific research. Time and time again, it is mentioned in the Quran (holy book) to reflect, not to just blindly believe. A verse in the Quran states, â€Å"And it is He who spread the earth and placed therein firmly set mountains and rivers; and from all of the fruits He made therein two mates; He causes the night to cover the day. Indeed in that are signs for a people who reflect† [13:3] . This verse encourages us to reflect over these â€Å"signs,† to do research and believe with reason. It is only through research that religion is understood and appreciated even more. In Islam, it is believed that the Quran, the holy book was brought down over 1400 years ago, during the 7th century. That was a time when people didn’t know many of the scientific facts we know now. They weren’t advanced enough, and they didn’t have the correct technology. It was a time when people thought that the world was flat. The Quran, however, stated differently, it hinted at the roundness of the Earth. â€Å"He has created the Heavens and the Earth for Truth. He wraps the night up in the day, and wraps the day up in the night† [39:5]. The Arabic word that translates to â€Å"to wrap† in this verse is â€Å"yukawwir,† which comes from the origin â€Å"kurah† meaning sphere. Also, in this verse, wrapping the night up in the day means that the night slowly and gradually turns to day, which could only happen if the Earth was round. Another example is the formation of rain. The three stages of rain formation are the â€Å"raw material† of rain rising up into the air with the wind, clouds forming from the water vapor, and finally raindrops falling. In the Quran, it is stated, â€Å"It is Allah Who sends the winds which stir up clouds which He spreads about the sky however He wills. He forms them into dark clumps and you see the rain come pouring out from the middle of them. When He makes it fall on those of His servants He wills, they rejoice† [30:48]. The stages of rain formation weren’t discovered until after the weather radar was invented, but the same stages are discussed in the Quran. These are just two of many scientific signs in the Quran, but it shows that in Islam, absolute religious text and absolute scientific fact never contradict. Many people believe that religion and science can’t coexist because they cancel each other out. It is either one or the other, but this just simply isn’t true. In Islam, there is no conflict between absolute scientific fact and absolute religious text; everyone would be able to see this if they really looked into both of these factors. Religion actually encourages people to expand their knowledge through scientific research and come to a deeper understanding of their religion.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Branches of Philosophy Essay

Thesis This essay project with answer different questions to the six branches of Philosophy. The branches are Metaphysics-is something real? Epistemology-How do we know? Ethics-What is right or wrong? Aesthetics- Is something beautiful? Political- What government is best? And Social- How should we act in in society. Six Branches of Philosophy There are six branches of philosophy. There is Metaphysics, Epistemology, Ethics, Aesthetics, Political, and Social. Each branch asks us all specific types of questions that we ask ourselves each and every day. Some of these questions we ask without even realizing that we have done so. Metaphysics is the first branch of Philosophy in this discussion. This asks the question of what is real. At an early age we are taught that there is a heaven and earth. At different times we ask ourselves is there really a heaven. Based on what we are taught I believe there is a heaven and that there will come a time in our life that we will be in the place created by God called heaven. According to the bible, God created man from the dust of the earth. We live in the physical world and the spiritual world depends on each person’s spiritual belief. I believe each one of us has a soul. I believe the soul stays around loved ones until the day of reckoning. I believe all people have free will but different circumstances determine what happens to us thru fate. The psychological world I believe consists of our mind and the world that we chose to create for ourselves to live in. The Epistemology branch asks us the question of how is anything known. Things that are known are taught to us from our parents and by teachers in school. We are taught different things thru text books and by experience. Thru different experiences we learn how to conduct ourselves around other people and we gain knowledge by studying the different works of scientists and scholars. There are not any limits to human understanding. Each person’s understanding depends on them. Some people understand things differently than others and each person’s limits differ from others. I don’t believe there is a relationship between faith and reason. Faith goes along with ethics and morals. I don’t fully understand what artificial intelligence is. The next branch of philosophy is the Ethics branch. We are taught from an early age the difference of right and wrong. Laws tell us what is or isn’t right and as humans if we break these laws we are punished. To me being a good person means to follow the golden rule â€Å"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you†. I believe that virtue does lead to happiness. If you do what is right by others then others will have the tendency to follow your lead. I believe society affects morality. This all depends on the circumstances in which you live. If you live in an area that has a lot of crime and hatred then you have the tendency to follow others in that area. If you set high moral standards for yourself then no matter where you live or the types of people you are surrounded with won’t affect you. I think that morality is more culture based. Each person has to choose how they apply the morals they are taught at an early age to their adult lives. Each person has different morals that they live by and have to decide how these will be applied. The next branch of philosophy we are going to discuss is the Aesthetics branch. This brings up the question of what is beautiful. In my opinion beauty is in the eye of the beholder and each culture has what they regard as to what is beautiful. Art depicts the creator’s feelings or ideas as to what they believe beauty is. Art can be successful and valuable to the creator and also to the person that enjoys different art forms. To one person a piece of art might have beauty to it and to another person it might be just horrendous. So therefore beauty in art may or may not matter to all people. The next topic is the political branch of philosophy. I believe the best type of government is the democratic government. This form of government, people do have a small voice in different matters. I think the government should have limited power and that the government should listen to the common people as to what the needs of the population are. I believe that if the common person had the ability to be more involved in the government of today then the needs of the common person would be made possible thru a vast majority voice. The last branch of discussion is the Social branch. I believe this branch is determined thru the ethics branch of philosophy. People shouldn’t have to give up rights just to live in a specific society. We should be able to live our lives the way we now and by the morals and ethics we have built for ourselves. I think some people act according to the surroundings they are in at different times. With many different cultures of society today, I believe there is a large language barrier. With all the different cultures communications has become a big issue. Each culture believes that their language should be the language spoken. I believe that there needs to be one universal language spoken and then different societies of people wouldn’t feel as if they were being mistreated or neglected. Reference: Baird, F. E. , & Kaufmann, W. E. (2000). Ancient philosophy. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. M. U. S. E. My Unique Student Expeience.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

1000 word justification of an assessment event implemented in the Essay

1000 word justification of an assessment event implemented in the workplace - Essay Example Rowntree (1987) stated that the purpose of an â€Å"assessment involves selection-formative or summative, maintaining standards-continuity of care and delivery, motivation of students-encouraging learning by questioning and quizzing. Feedback to students-performance can be a means of helping them learn and preparation of life-to utilize in future needs†. A comprehensive assessment consists of a formative and a summative assessment. Formative assessment refers to the process of ascertaining the student’s progress during a period of study (Welsh & Swann 2002). This was accomplished by asking the student to summarise the practical steps for clarification, and determining understanding of the task. This allowed the student to use social learning (Banura 1977 cited in Quinn 1997) and apply previous knowledge to successfully complete the task. Doing this it allowed the student to practice without the stress of being formally graded (Welsh & Swann 2002). Also, a formative assessment allows the student to obtain feedback on their performance and progress, which could be used in the summative assessment. Giving feedback can reinforce positive and negative elements of performance. It is vital to give feedback as soon as possible after the event. Feedback should also be given fairly promptly if it is to affect the student’s performance and ability to complete the skill safely. Feedback is essential because it gives the student the opportunity to ask questions and participate in discussions. Feedback supports the student’s acquisition of the task at hand. The assessment that the student participated in had to cover the set criteria listed in presentation provided by the mentor (Appendix 1). The desired outcome would be that the student demonstrated safe performance of newly acquired skills, knowledge and attitudes. The goal of the assessment focused on integrating theory into practice. Testing the student’s grasp of theory and

Friday, September 27, 2019

Exploring Professional Ethics in Accounting Dissertation

Exploring Professional Ethics in Accounting - Dissertation Example This paper illustrates that the number and the fiscal enormity of the corporate scandals and collapses of the late 1990s and early 2000s have inspired numerous theories about what went wrong, where the fault lies and with whom. Business points to the accounting profession whose mission is to audit the financial presentations of management and issue an opinion about the relative fairness of that presentation as whole. The accounting profession has pointed to the changing business environments and the conflicting demands that it has placed on the profession. The accountants have evolved from their role as the â€Å"watchdog† employed by ownership in the 19th century British corporate model to their own multinational corporations themselves representing the independent audit and attestation role, the tax advocacy role, a management consultative role, as well as the provider of many primary accounting and reporting services for clients. The pressures of business and market demands on independent public accountants as well as the conflicting roles that they are called upon to perform has led the profession to defend itself with a sorry â€Å"my clients made me do it† defense. The United States government has responded to these corporate scandals with the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. This Act contains the most significant reformation of accounting and public reporting standards since the Securities Act of 1933 and the subsequent Securities Exchange Act of 1934. (Thomas, 2004). Intrinsic to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is the restructuring of public accounting firms that removes the confusion in the role required of the public accountant. In addition, however, the Act has mandated requirements of corporate ownership itself in the form of appropriately trained members of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of each public firm restoring much of the responsibility for management’s deeds to owners. However, as Thomas (2004) states, t here are also significant mandates in ethical behaviors of both industry and public practitioners. But critics of and from both sides all seem to agree that the academy ultimately has an important responsibility of its lack of ethics education to those paraprofessionals in its business and accounting programs. Ghoshal (2003) stated that â€Å"faculty members need to own up to their own role in creating Enrons. It is their ideas that have done much to strengthen the practices they are all now so loudly condemning†. It is reiterated by Merritt (2003) who stated â€Å"to clean up ethics in corporations, you have to start at the beginning of a career. Business school, that is.† These quotes are a representative criticism of business and accounting faculty members offered by many in the literature and popular press. It is that criticism of the academic programs and their teaching faculty that has inspired significant activity in business programs to incorporate ethics into the curriculum. 1.1 Background of the Study The demands for improvement in the ethics education of students preparing to enter the fields of both public and corporate practice have become strident as the reality of business and accounting standards are increasingly at odds with each other. The accounting profession is required to legitimize itself in a way that will restore public confidence in its primary mission. The perception of the role of the CPA according to the Securities Exchange Commission as well as the general public is to serve as a trustworthy guardian of the public interest regarding the proper presentation of financial reports of publicly traded companies. In fact, Briloff (2002) referred to the SEC requirement for an independent auditor’s attestation of companies’ financial statements as an exclusive â€Å"franchise† to the profession. However, in turn, that franchise obligates CPAs to fulfill their

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Michael Collins movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Michael Collins - Movie Review Example The British government had ruled the country for over 700 years and the cruelty with which it subjected the rule in the country made them revolt into armed resistance. However, what aggravated the situation more was the killing of a group of Irish rebels who had staged a six-day siege at Dublin’s General Post Office. Among the rebels in the group, only one of them survived the attack, De Valera who was an American citizen of Irish blood. All the other rebels succumbed to shootings in the execution. When a number of De Valera’s supporters are arrested and imprisoned, one of them, Michael Collins walked out of jail with the belief that a new approach was needed to free Ireland from the British rule. He and several other volunteers organized armed resistance by using a combination of terrorists’ acts of violence and guerrilla warfare. The movie is based at the first and fourth stages of insurgency. The first stage of insurgency is characterized by initial use of ter rorism acts in fighting before their increase in numbers to get the capacity to stage a guerrilla fight. If the rebels succeed with their terrorism, they receive support from other angry men and women who form similar groups and join in the fight. The reaction of the dominant government is disruption of lives and hurting the innocent people. This stage is marked in the movie by the use of a combination of terrorism acts of violence and guerrilla war tactics. The various groups attacked the British military in the regions where it showed signs of weakness. The rebels also used informants, with Collins having a key inside informant who gave them crucial information on the plans of the British military. Despite the violent war that they faced from the British, the rebels remained focused and fought with undeterred determination to secure their freedom. Stage four of an insurgency is characterized by the departure of foreigners, while the local surrogates give-up power. The guerrilla fi ghters become superfluous while the leaders of the insurgency become leaders of the government. In the movie, this stage is demonstrated by the announcement of the British government’s willingness to negotiate with the fighters. This lead to the group led by Collins to consider negotiations and bring the war to end. When the negotiations began, radicals such as Collins loosened their view of the war and rebellion when they realized that the violence was causing numerous deaths to innocent people. Collins himself wanted negations to start while the likes of De Valera felt that negotiations were not the best way to go in the struggle to secure Ireland’s freedom. The agreement was that the final political control would be left in the arms of the British, which was an indication of a crucial journey, according to Collins, in achieving true freedom of the people. The rivalry between the two rebel leaders caused violence among the pro-and anti-treaty group factions. The movi e used a guerrilla type of insurgency, where the rebels used armed rebellion against the British authority instituted in Ireland. The rebels organized themselves into groups of volunteer guerrilla fighters, who staged armed war against the dominating British rule. They opted to attack the weakest points of the British military, thereby weakening its forces the country. With the help

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Diversity Trip Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Diversity Trip - Research Paper Example For instance, Cumberland is associated with vast views across Beadon Cove, Cohansey Cove and Dyer Cove bays among others. In the case of String town, the Bakers Bay offers fascinating views. On the other hand, the Venetian Bay offers the Park side estate a fascinating outlook characterized by serene environment. In essence, the three estates are surrounded by vast natural scenes that make them not only attractive but also fascinating. Younger children will have fun in integrating the theory perspective learnt in class about these scenarios with the practical aspect (Black, 39). A child’s world view on these estates differs depending on the distinguishable features. For instance, the numerous bays in South Cumberland creates fascinating scene for the children. The appearance and the pattern of the houses integrated in a well structured street lighting system is an interesting view of the children. This motivates the children learn more about these features and consequently they get the educational motivation and personal satisfaction. Similarly, the String town estate creates a more welcoming feeling for the children who live in the urban suburbs. It offers a sense of better living standards (Black, 57). The children find this estate more friendly because of few people, few passenger buses and numerous bays and beaches. The numerous swimming pools across the estate adds comfort and a sense of belonging to the children. In the case of the Park estates, the children feel isolated and lonely due to the lifestyle of the locals and the sparsely located ap artments. However, this estate offers a pleasant hunting and playing environment for the children. The green and safe forests offer the children a fascinating playing ground for games such as hide and seek. In essence, the three estates offer the children spectacular scenes and comfort irrespective of their background in terms of personal dynamics. It is imperative to note that the children

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Impressions of Nursing inormatics Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Impressions of Nursing inormatics - Coursework Example s era of change and investment in health information technology the nurses must be prepared to face the challenges of leadership and utilize their caring passion to apply the technology and informatics, enhancing the safety and quality of the care they give to families, communities and patients (Johnson et al., 2012). According to American Associations of Colleges in nursing, the nurse informatics must have the knowledge and skills necessary to enable the use of information and technology to manage knowledge, support decision making, mitigate error and to communicate (American Association of Colleges of Nursing Education Consortium, 2012). Nurses rely on information to gain knowledge and in an increasing competitive information arena the nurses must be ready to utilize timely and appropriate information. Nursing informatics is a product of the scientific combination of data in nursing and it consists of ideas from computer science, information science, nursing science and cognitive science (Matney, Brewster, Sward, Cloyes, & Staggers, 2011). Nursing informatics will evolve as more professionals use, access and expand the information, cognitive sciences and compute important to advance nursing science for the good of the professionals and the patients (McGonigle, Kirkwood, Mastrian & Rich, 2014). In conclusion, the nursing professionals need to comprehend the ethical use of information, cognitive sciences and computer to advance nursing practice. Moreover, informatics is an essential aspect in the practice of

Monday, September 23, 2019

The atlantic slave trade 1460-1882 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

The atlantic slave trade 1460-1882 - Essay Example The Atlantic slave trade took place from the mid-fifteenth to the late nineteenth century (roughly 1460 to 1882). It is estimated that at least 12.5 million Africans were forcefully transported from Africa during the trade. Many more besides died either during initial captivation, transportation or labour usually from diseases, malnutrition or being killed. This makes it one of the biggest mass migrations the world has ever witnessed made worse by the fact that it was not voluntary but forced, that too under harsh and inhumane conditions. The Atlantic slave trade began in the mid-fifteenth century with the Portuguese. What enticed the Portuguese to the west coast of Africa was gold, but as we now know from history, following their arrival this quickly became not the Gold Coast but the Slave Coast of Africa. Initially, slaves were taken in raids, but then the Portuguese took to the idea of bartering. When they established a ‘factory’ on Arguim Island, it is said that they carried away a thousand slaves every year (Rawley, 2005:19). This was the first European trading settlement in West Africa. The Portuguese settlement on Cape Verdes in 1460 was another milestone because these islands â€Å"were to be important in the Atlantic slave trade, both as importers of slaves and as entrepots for traffic to the New World (ibid). In 1482 they founded the great trading post El Mina to organise the slave trade in West and Central Africa for the Atlantic markets. By now, the trade was in the hands of the Portuguese c rown following the death of Prince Henry. At that time, Europe was expanding its empires, and slaves provided a readily available workforce. Moreover, unlike indigenous Europeans, it was found that Africans â€Å"were excellent workers; they often had experience of agriculture and keeping cattle, they were used to a tropical climate, resistant to tropical diseases, and they

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Investment and Portfolio Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Investment and Portfolio Analysis - Essay Example The understandings of market sentiments are very important for technical analysts and day-traders who try to maximize profits from stock price movement. The analysis of balance sheet of the company is found that the company has strong fundamentals including sufficient assets to cover its liabilities and there are no concerns regarding debt, payables, or inventory. With the help of several technical indicators, an investor will be able to analyze the relationship between price – volume and demand – supply for the overall market as well as the individual stock and make appropriate investment decisions. The company’s management has been able to successfully tackle the slow demand situation by introducing new products in the market at lower cost which increased the company’s sales volumes. With the increase in sales the company’s cost of production also increased at CAGR of 49% during the past three years. On the basis of these analysis and findings a s uitable recommendation can be given to investor regarding the attractiveness of the investment. The investment style of an individual varies from another depending on various opportunities and investment constraints. Individuals generally invest a certain portion of the surplus left after all necessary expenditures are carried out. The most common objective however is to maximize their return on investment. A proper fundamental and technical analysis generally provides a basic idea regarding these aspects and helps investors make informed investment decisions. Other factors like macroeconomic scenario, industry analysis, market sentiments and management analysis also plays an important factor in giving the best idea of a long or short sale investment decision. This report discusses these important investment tools with reference to a particular stock, which will help the investors a clue of

Saturday, September 21, 2019

A View From the Bridge by Arthur Miller Essay Example for Free

A View From the Bridge by Arthur Miller Essay In Arthur Millers play, A View From The Bridge the character of Alfieri is a very important piece of the play. He leads many different roles throughout the play, and is a very useful tool for letting the audience know what they need to do. In this essay, I will be examining the many different roles of Alfieri during the play, and examining what the effects are of these roles on the play, the other characters and the audience. I will also be looking briefly at the background of where the play is set, and also be looking briefly at the author, Arthur Miller. Arthur Miller was born in 1915, in Manhattan, New York. In his early years his family were pretty well off, but when the economic depression hit America in 1929, him and his family lost a lot of money and security. They had to move to a much poorer area of New York called Brooklyn. When Arthur Miller eventually left school at 17, he didnt have enough money or the right qualifications to enter University, and so he tried out a variety of jobs. His many jobs included a waiter, a lorry driver, a crooner on a local radio station and a shipping clerk. He saved all his money, and in 1934 was accepted into Michigan University. He won three awards for playwriting, but was still unemployed when he graduated four years later. During the Second World War, Miller was unable to complete military service due to an old injury he gained, and so instead did manual work at shipyards and some freelance radio scriptwriting. He enjoyed writing plays for live theatre, and his first play, The Man Who Had All The Luck, was first performed in 1949 at Broadway. It later went onto win the Theatre Guild National Prize. His next play, All My Sons, won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award. His two most successful plays, Death Of A Salesman and The Crucible soon followed. He later went onto write the play I am studying: A View From The Bridge. The play is set in Red Hook a slum next to Brooklyn Bridge, New York. The neighbourhood is very rough, and everybody their looks after themselves primarily and their families. Law and Order are not welcome there, and Lawyers and Priests are generally untrusted people. The bay next to Brooklyn Bridge was a favourite place for immigrants to illegally enter the U.  S. A. Between 1820 and 1920, migration to the U. S. A was one of the biggest transportation of people in human history. In those 100 years, more than four million Italians went over to live there, hoping to leave behind the poverty and bad times from where they had previously lived, which in most cases was the South of Italy and Sicily. They migrated because they believed America could offer them more opportunities (including work) than their native land ever could. However, life often wasnt how they thought it would be. The immigrants were often so desperate for work that employers exploited them, by paying them the bare minimum they could. The jobs themselves were all hard manual labour, which would help America to increase its wealth and power. The immigrants found themselves living in the worst and cheapest housing around, but still thought they were better off in America than they would have been back in Italy or Sicily. Indeed, many Americans distrusted Italians, and believed them to be dangerous and violent. It is this idea of immigrants illegally entering the U. S. A that provides the plot for A View From The Bridge. The play is based around Eddie Carbone, a longshoreman, his wife Beatrice, and Eddies niece, Catherine. Eddie is very overly protective of Catherine, and doesnt really want to let her grow up. Beatrices cousins, Marco and Rodolpho, have just entered the U. S. A illegally from Sicily. Eddie and Beatrice agree to hide the cousins in their house. Rodolpho and Catherine become very good friends. Eddie becomes very suspicious of Rodolpho he accuses him of being gay and only wanting to marry Catherine so he can be a legal citizen of the U.S. A. Eddie tries to warn Catherine of his beliefs about Rodolpho, but she refuses to believe a word of it. Beatrice meanwhile, wants Catherine to grow up and so encourages her to marry Rodolpho. Eddie becomes more and more jealous and angry about the amount of time Catherine and Rodolpho spend together. He visits the local lawyer, Alfieri, and asks him if there is any way he can get rid of Rodolpho legally. Alfieri informs him that there is nothing he can do, and that he should just let Catherine go. The situation starts to grow worse and worse. One night, Eddie comes home drunk. He desperately tries once more to split up Catherine and Rodolpho, but he once again fails. After kissing Catherine and then Rodolpho, Eddie goes to visit Alfieri again. Alfieri once again advises Eddie to just let go of Catherine, but Eddie cant do it. Instead, he calls the Immigration Bureau and reports Marco and Rodolphos illegal entry to the U. S. A. The Immigration Bureau come and arrest Marco and Rodolpho, and after a big fight in the street, Marco spits in Eddies face (a huge insult). Alfieri pays bail for the two cousins and then arranges the wedding of Catherine and Rodolpho for the following day. Eddie is furious that Marco spat in his face, and so is desperate for revenge. Marco returns to the house angry for his own revenge, when Eddie turns a knife on Marco. Marco manages to turn the knife around and stab Eddie- who then dies of his injuries. However, it is the character of Alfieri that I will now be focusing on. Alfieri is the first character we meet in the play, which therefore means that everything he says must capture the attention of the audience immediately. In this first opening speech of his, he acts like a special kind of narrator; a character who is filling us in on a brief background of the setting, and setting the scene for the rest of the play. He appears at first walking along the road outside Eddies house, which is where the majority of the play is set. He informs the audience about the neighbourhood where the play is set, and tells them that this particular neighbourhood has no place for law and order: A lawyer means the law, and in Sicily, from where their fathers came, the law has not been a friendly idea since the Greeks were beaten.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Analysis of Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

Analysis of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) 1.3 DESIGN OF EXPERIMENTS 34, 35 Trans-Pacific Partnership economic framework agreement has clearly defined that many studies must be conducted to develop a formulation. Design of experiments (DOE) has proven to be an effective tool for formulation scientists throughout the many stages of the formulation process. At every step of formulation development, DOE can aid in making intelligent decisions. These steps include excipient compatibility studies, process feasibility studies, formulation optimization, process optimization, scale-up and manufacturing process characterization. Lastly, the product and manufacturing process must be validated before it is on the market. The word optimize is defined as, making as perfect, effective or functional as possible. Optimization may be interpreted as to find out the value of controllable independent variable, that gives the most desired value of dependent variables. The application of formulation optimization techniques is relatively new to the practice of pharmacy when used intelligently, with the common sense, these â€Å"statistical† methods will broaden the perspective of the formulation process. At the Preformulation stage, before any experiment is conducted certain problem arises, it is often not known before hand which variable will significantly influence the response. Screening designs and ANOVA helps to solve this problem. A second serious complication may arise with new excipients and new process factor, for which qualitative or quantitative effects are not known and are unpredictable. The following questions must be answered before choosing any design of experiment. The third complication is that formulated products, in particular dosage form has to confirm to several requirements, very often competing. The formulator has to trade off objectives and choose a compromise. A fourth problem is the lack of insight` to perform an adequate optimization studies. Above all in the performance of an optimization study, the formulation development scientist can also be a factor as personal variation. 1.3.1 Terms used in Design of experiments Variables These are the measurements, values, which are characteristics of the data. There are two types of variables; dependent variables and independent variables. Independent variables(X) are set in advance, which are not influenced by any other values e.g., Lubricants concentration, drug to polymer ratio, etc. Dependent variables(Y) are the outcome variables, influenced by the independent variables e.g., hardness, dissolution rate, etc. Factor Factor is an assigned variable such as concentration, temperature, lubricant agent, drug to polymer ratio, polymer to polymer ratio or polymer grade. A factor can be qualitative or quantitative. A quantitative factor has a numerical value to it for example, concentration (1%, 2%†¦ so on), drug to polymer ratio (1:1, 1:2†¦etc). Qualitative factors are the factors, which are not numerical value, for example, the polymer grade, humidity condition, type of equipment, etc. these are discrete in nature. Levels The levels of a factor are the values or designation assigned to the factor. For e.g. in concentration (factor) 1 % will be one level, while 2% will be another level. Two different plasticizers are levels for grade factor. Usually levels are indicated as low, middle or high level. Normally for ease of calculation the numeric and discrete levels are converted to –1 (low level) and +1 (high level).The general formula for this conversion is Where ‘X’ is the numeric value Response Response is mostly interpreted as the outcome of an experiment. It is the effect, which we are going to evaluate i.e. Disintegration time, duration of buoyancy, etc. Effect The effect of a factor is the change in response caused by varying the levels of the factor. This describes the relationship between various factors and levels. Interaction Interaction is also similar to effect, which gives the overall effect of two or more variables (factors) on a response. For example, the combined effect of lubricants (factor) and glidants (factor) on hardness (response) of a tablet. In the trial and error method, a lot of formulations have to be prepared to get a conclusion, which involves lots of money, time and energy. These can be minimized by the use of optimization technique. 1.3.2 Optimization Process Generally optimization process involves the following steps. Based on the previous knowledge or experience or from literature, the independent variables are determined and set in the beginning. Selection of a suitable model, based on the results of the factor, screening is done. The experiments are designed and conducted. The responses are analyzed by ANOVA, test on lack of fit, to get an empirical mathematical model for each individual response. The responses are screened, by using multiple criteria to get the values of independent variables. Experimental Design Experimental design is a statistical design that prescribes or advises a set of combination of variables. The number and layout of these design points within the experimental region, depends on the number of effects that must be estimated. Depending on the number of factors, their levels, possible interactions and order of the model, various experimental designs are chosen. Each experiment can be represented as a point within the experimental domain, the point being defined by its co-ordinate (the value given to the variables) in the space. 1.3.3 Response Surface Methodology Response surface methodology (RSM) is an experimental strategy that was developed in the 1950’s36. RSM is comprised of a group of mathematical and statistical techniques that are based on fitting experimental data generated from studies established using an experimental design, to empirical models and that are subsequently used to define a relationship between the responses observed and the independent input variables37, 38. RSM is able to define the effect of independent variables alone and in combination with the manufacturing processes under investigation. A typical RSM study begins initially with the definition of a problem to be investigated and involves establishing which variables and associated responses are to be studied, monitored, and measured and how these will be measured. A summary of the subsequent RSM approach includes36 Performance of the relevant DOE. Estimation of the coefficient in the relevant response surface equation. Checking of the adequacy of the equation to describe the fit. Studying the response surface to identify and evaluate the region(s) of interest. The term RSM originates from the graphical perspective generated after fitness of the mathematical model has been established 37, 38 with a graphical representation of the data presented primarily as a three-dimensional (3D) image and/or as contour plots39. The relationship between a response and an input variable can be described by Equation 1.1 y= f(x1, x2, x3†¦xn) +ÃŽ µ Where, y = relevant response f = unknown function of a response x1, x2,..xn = independent variables n= number of independent variables ÃŽ µ = statistical error that represents other sources of variability not accounted for by f Contour plot can be described as: i. Mound-shaped that has elliptical contours with a stationary point at the position of a maximum response. ii. Saddle-shaped that has a hyperbolic system of contours with a stationary point that is neither a maximum nor minimum point. iii. Constant (stationary) ridge response surface in which the contours are presented as concentric elongated ellipses with a stationary point in the region of the design region. iv. A rising (or falling) ridge response surface with a stationary point that is outside the design region 39. The stationary point is a combination of design variables where the surface presents as either a maximum and/or a minimum in all directions. If the stationary point is a maximum in one direction and minimum in another direction, the stationary point is termed a saddle point. When the surface is curved in one direction but is fairly constant and this is considered a ridge response 40. By plotting a response, y, against one or two input variables a surface, known as the response surface can be generated in two or three dimensions. In general the form of the function, f, is unknown and may be very complicated depending on the effect of the input variables on the response. Therefore RSM aims at approximating f by use of a suitable, ordered polynomial equation in some region(s) of the values for the independent process variables41. The mathematical or polynomial equations that describe the relationship(s) between the independent and dependent variables may be first, second or third order, depending on how the output variables or responses react to changes in the input variables. If the response is a linear function of the independent variables, then the function can be written as a first order model (Equation 1.2). In this model the response variables that fit a linear model are generally variables that are significantly affected by a small change in the value of the input factors and that exhibit little or no interaction(s) between the input variable terms. y= ÃŽ ²0+ ÃŽ ²1x1+ ÃŽ ²2x2+†¦..+ ÃŽ µ Second order equations are used to generate linear and quadratic response equations that exhibit interactions between the input factors and can be represented by Equation 1.3. y= ÃŽ ²0+ ÃŽ ²1x1+ ÃŽ ²2x2+ ÃŽ ²12x12+†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦+ ÃŽ µ It has been reported that second order models are also applicable to input factors that exhibit extensive variability over an experimental domain and these relationships are best described using Equation 1.4 y= ÃŽ ²0+ ÃŽ ²1x1+ ÃŽ ²2x2+ ÃŽ ²12x12+ ÃŽ ²11x12+ ÃŽ ²22x22+†¦..+ ÃŽ µ Where y= response x1, x2,..xn = input factors ÃŽ ²0= constant that represents the intercept ÃŽ ²i= coefficient of first order term ÃŽ ²ii= coefficient of second order term ÃŽ ²ij= coefficient of second order interaction The values of the coefficients in the model are generated through multiple linear regression analysis of the data that has been collected. A coefficient with a positive value points to an agonistic effect of the input factor on the response, whereas coefficients with negative values indicate an antagonistic effect. 1.3.4 Choice of Response Surface Design Central Composite Design (CCD) A CCD was originally presented by Box and Wilson and is based on a factorial design with additional points to estimate the curvature of that design. CCD encompasses a full factorial or fractional factorial approach which can be represented, as shown in Figure 1.1, as the eight corners of a cube. There are the six points, known as the axial or star points, located in the centre of each face of the cube with a final point located in the middle of the cube that is known as the centre point 37. The axial points are experimental runs where all but one of the factors to be investigated is set at the intermediate level under consideration. The axial points are all equidistant from the centre point and are denoted using the symbol, alpha (ÃŽ ±). The factors under consideration are usually investigated at five different levels and are always represented by coded values viz., -ÃŽ ±, -1, 0, +1 and +ÃŽ ±. Figure 1.1Schematic diagram representing the levels studied in a Central Composite Design The distance of the axial points from the centre point is dependent on the number of factors investigated in the design and is established using Equation 1.5. ÃŽ ± =2k/4 Where, k= the factor number ÃŽ ± = axial point The number of experiments required for a CCD approach is calculated using Equation 1.6 N= k2+ 2k+ C0 Where, N= the experiment number k= the factor number C0= the replicate number of the central point The number of experiments required in an experimental study is important as it determines how much data will be generated, in addition to being an indicator of the amount of time that will be required to conduct the study. Types of central composite design Central composite design can be divided into three types. Table 1.2 Types of central composite design Box-Behnken Design (BBD) The BBD describes a class of second-order designs based on a three-level incomplete factorial approach which are also represented as coded values viz., -1, 0 and +1 42 . In this design approach, the treatment combinations are located at the midpoint(s) of the edge of the process space and at the centre, as represented in Figure 1.2. Figure 1.2 Schematic diagram representing the levels studied in a Box-Behnken Design The number of experiments for Box-Behnken Designs can be calculated using Equation 1.7. N= 2k (k-1) +C0 Where, N= the number of experiments k= the factor number C0= the replicate number of the central point For experiments in which there are three or less input variables the BBD design offers some advantage over the CCD approach, in that a fewer number of experimental runs are required. However this advantage does not exist when four or more parameters are to be investigated. A further advantage of BBD is that it does not include the need to evaluate situations in which all factors are simultaneously held at their highest and lowest levels. The use of a BBD therefore allows a formulation scientist to avoid undertaking experiments that are to performed under extreme conditions and that may produce substandard results due to the inclusion of data generated from these extreme high and low levels 37. Doehlert Design The Doehlert design is an experimental design approach in which different factors can be studied at different levels simultaneously43. This aspect of the Doehlert design is an important characteristic when using some input variables that may be subject to restrictions such as for example cost or experimental constraints (limited amounts of raw material or limited amount of time available) thereby making it a practical and economic alternative to other, second-order experimental design approaches37.This design describes a circular domain of two input variables, a spherical domain for three input variables and a hyper-spherical space for situations in which more than three input variables are to be investigated and which highlights the uniformity of the input variables to be studied in the experimental domain 37. The schematic design space of a Doehlert design for two variables is shown in Figure 1.3, and is represented by a central point and six points of a regular hexagon. An interesting feature of the Doehlert design is that new factors may be introduced during the course of a study without losing relevant and/or valuable information from the data already generated from the experimental runs that have already been completed. Figure 1.3 Schematic diagram representing the levels studied in a Doehlert Design The number of experiments required for a Doehlert design is determined using Equation 1.8 37 N= k2+ k+ C0 Where, N= the number of experiments k= the factor number C0= the replicate number of the central point 1.3.5 Mathematical Optimization Optimization is a mathematical method used to determine an optimum response and is defined as the most advantageous state of existence of the system under investigation44. Multiple linear regression equations generated from statistically designed experiments provide a description of the change of a response with a change in input factors and further, allows for the determination of input variables that will produce an optimized response. A difficulty that occurs in optimization procedures is the need to establish a compromise between the anticipated response variables. This challenge is often encountered in the process of optimization of tablets where the optimum tablet may be one that has superior strength and little or no friability, yet must also have a short disintegration time. Often an increase in tablet hardness results in an increase in the disintegration time of a tablet and therefore a compromise between these contradictory response variables is necessary to achieve an optimized formulation. 1.3.6 Advantages of RSM The primary advantage of RSM in relation to classical experimental methods and approaches of data evaluation in which only one variable is investigated at a time, is that a large amount of information can be generated from a relatively small number of experiments 38. RSM is therefore less time and cost consuming than the classical approach that requires a large number of experiments to be conducted to be able to explain the behavior of a system 38, 39. A further advantage, with the use of RSM is that it is possible to observe interaction effects of the independent input parameters on the response(s) being monitored 38. The model equation that is generated from the data is able to be used to explain the effect of combinations of independent input variables on the outcome of a process or product. 1.3.7 Disadvantages of RSM A primary disadvantage of RSM is that fitting data to a second order polynomial for systems that contain some curvature is often not well accommodated by the second order polynomials that are produced. If the system cannot be explained by a first or second order polynomial, it may be necessary to reduce the range of independent input variables under consideration as this may then increase the accuracy of the model being considered38. Another disadvantage is that although RSM has the potential to evaluate interaction effects of the independent input parameters, it is unable to be used to explain why an interaction(s) has occurred (210). A further disadvantage is that RSM is poor at predicting the potential outcomes for a system operated outside the range of study under consideration45 1.3.8 Software for Design of experiments Many commercial software packages are available which are either dedicated to experimental design alone or are of a more general statistical type. Software’s dedicated to experimental designs DESIGN EXPERT ECHIP MULTI-SIMPLEX NEMRODW Software for general statistical nature SAS MINITAB

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Dell Computers :: essays research papers

At age 13, Michael Dell was running a mail-order stamp-trading business, complete with a national catalog, and grossing $2,000 per month. At 16, he was selling subscriptions to the Houston Post. He enrolled at the University of Texas in 1983 as a premed student but soon became absorbed in computers and started selling PC parts out of his college dorm room. He bought random-access memory (RAM) chips and disk drives for IBM PCs at cost from IBM dealers, who often had excess supplies on hand because they were required to order large monthly quotas from IBM. Dell resold the components through newspaper ads at 10-15 percent below the regular retail price. By April 1984 sales were running about $80,000 per month. Dell dropped out of college and formed a company, PCs Ltd., to sell both PC components and PCs under the brand name PCs Limited. He obtained his PCs by buying retailers' surplus stocks at cost, then powering them up with graphics cards, hard disks, and memory before reselling them. His strategy was to sell directly to end users; by eliminating the retail markup, Dell's new company was able to sell IBM clones at about 40 percent below the price of an IBM PC. The price discounting strategy was successful, attracting price-conscious buyers and producing rapid growth. By 1985, the company was assembling its own PC designs with a few people. The company had 40 employees, and Michael Dell worked 18-hour days. By the end of fiscal 1986, sales had reached $33 million. During the next several years, however, PCs Ltd. was hampered by a lack of money, people, and resources. Michael Dell sought to refine the company's business model, add needed production capacity, and build a bigger, deeper management staff and corporate infrastructure while at the same time keeping costs low. The company was renamed Dell Computer in 1987, and the first international offices were opened that same year. In 1988 Dell added a sales force to serve large customers, began selling to government agencies, and became a public company ¡Xraising $34.2 million in its first offering of common stock. Sales to large customers quickly became the main part of Dell's business. By 1990 Dell Computer had sales of $388 million, a market share of 2-3 percent, and an R&D staff of over 150 people. Michael Dell's vision was for Dell Computer to become one of the top three PC companies.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

A Comparison of the Divided Self in Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein :: comparison compare contrast essays

Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein - Theme of the divided self Theme of the divided self within Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Thematically, the divided self is one of the most interesting themes within both novels and is of great importance to the development or ruin of the characters in both 'Wuthering Heights' and 'Frankenstein.' Both authors when primarily exploring this theme focus upon the physical, mental or spiritual division within certain characters. In Emily Bronte's novel 'Wuthering Heights,' the principal characters Cathy and Heathcliff are presented as needing this division within themselves to recognise their need for each other. This endurance of physical, mental and spiritual division whilst alive, allows them only tragically to experience when in death, complete entity within themselves. Primarily Cathy is not depicted as divided; instead, she is presented as belonging to a family unit, which seems to stay intact until the arrival of a 'gypsy brat.' Although Heathcliff creates a divide within the family due to his arrival, Cathy is seen to gain a friend with whom she feels she has an affinity both physically, spiritually and mentally, which will become increasingly evident as the novel progresses. However, this alliance throughout the novel is frequently thrown into turmoil by outside influences or factors. As we are informed from the onset, the "greatest punishment" that could be bestowed upon Cathy was separation from Heathcliff. Cathy and Heathcliff's separation only therefore ensues as a result of their initial outing to Thrushcross Grange. Their promise to grow up together as 'rude as savages,' is destroyed when Cathy and Heathcliff are separated physically by many factors resulting from this visitation. Just as the Linton's dog 'holds' Cathy, so too is the Linton's house symbolically presented as separating her from Heathcliff, when Heathcliff resorts to peering in through their 'great glass panes' to see Cathy, after being physically 'dragged' out of Thrushcross Grange. Cathy is also depicted as physically separated from Heathcliff even when she returns to Wuthering Heights. Instead of a 'wild, hatless little savage' with whom Heathcliff has an affinity with, she returns as a 'very dignified person.' Heathcliff is now therefore separated physically from Cathy, not only by appearance but as he said in the previous chapter, her superiority "to everybody," including him. The presentation of Cathy and Heathcliff as physically divided is not only literally seen through the differing households but also through Cathy's own actions and attire.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Blood And Excerise :: essays research papers

Blood and Excerise Type II muscle fibers oxidize lactate at a very fast rates. When muscle contraction produces a significant amount of lactate, it is then released into the central circulation of the blood, and within seconds it is made available to that muscle for energy. Therefore, 75% of the lactate produced from high intensity exercise is made available for energy production in type II muscle fibers. The remaining 25% of lactic acid is used for energy in the heart, the make up of liver glycogen, and the supply of energy to inactive muscles. A good example of this would be a runner who is exceeding his or her planned race pace in a 10k. The excess lactic acid accumulated in the contracting muscle from insufficient oxygen is then made available to inactive muscles (e.g., the arms) from the central circulation of blood. The remaining lactic acid that is not directly oxidized for fuels is sent to the liver, where it is stored as glycogen. In the process of exercise, glycogen is released into the blood stream to form glucose. Lactate is Good As coach and athlete you must learn how to teach the body to handle lactic acid. It is imperative, if you want successes in today's highly competitive field of athletics to train your muscles, body and mind to accomplish gains in performance even in the presence of lactic acid. Coaches and athletes should design training programs with this being a primary focus. This is done by two basic components of training. Long Slow Distance (LSD) training beyond the normal racing distance, will develop tissue enzyme adaptations that will rely upon the use of free fatty acids for energy production, which will result in less lactic acid being produced. LSD training will also increase the rate of lactic acid removal from the blood and muscles. During continuos steady state exercise, you increase capillary density and mitochondria function in skeletal muscle, These two peripheral adaptations brought on by LSD training will enable your body to handle lactic acid much more efficiency. High intensity training will develop the cardiovascular system to increase the rate of oxygen transport to the contracting muscles so there is less reliance on carbohydrate breakdown to lactic acid. High intensity training such as intervals., and variable pace workouts, will increase your functional capacity (Max VO2). This means that in actual competition you will produce less lactic acid, because your muscles are relying mostly on the use of free fatty acids for fuel. The lactic acid that is produce will be removed by the tissues that can use it as fuel, such as the

Monday, September 16, 2019

Reasons Why the Holocaust Didn’t Happen

Briel BrownFeindert ENGWR 48027 September 2016 Critique of â€Å"50 Reasons Why the Holocaust Didn't Happen†In the forum post titled â€Å"50 Reasons Why the Holocaust Didn't Happen,† the author, only identified as Ted, puts forth a list of reasons that individuals who are already convinced that the Holocaust is a myth can use to persuade others. It is found on a forum called The CODOH Revisionist Forum, a website that lends itself specifically as a safe space for Holocaust revisionists. The post begins with a few sentences of introduction, briefly mentioning why it can be hard for many to give his point of view a chance. He goes on to criticize the media, comparing them to the church during the dark ages in the way that they can withhold information, with random and slightly irrelevant statements sprinkled throughout. He concludes the preface with the statement â€Å"No proof has even been given that 6 million were murdered,† and proceeds to go more in depth. The rest of the article is arranged in a numbered list format. The reasons are listed unsystematically, each one being followed by explanations of varying length. Many of his reasons focus on criticizing the media for refusing to allow Holocaust revisionists to have a voice. Others try to prove the Holocaust either scientifically or fiscally impossible. He makes many statements that attempt to paint witnesses and historians as liars, and goes as far as to accuse many of having an agenda that would benefit from the falsification of an atrocity such as the Holocaust. The article is void of a concluding paragraph, instead ending on a proof numbered 50, consisting of three unrelated and vague statements that offer nothing but confusion. Brown 2The posting as a whole is a vague and disorganized mess. Failure to proofread is obvious; there is no clear form of organization, it is riddled with spelling and grammatical errors, and irrelevant ramblings are left in the middle of what could have been a strong statement. The author manages to include a few decent rhetorical questions that can cause a feeling of doubt to arise in the reader, but the evidence included is rarely tacked on to these. When evidence is used it is often either false, from an unknown source lacking in credibility, or merely quoted and left unexplained. The author's argument is presented in an unorganized and visually cluttered manner. Contradictory to the title reason five is skipped, reducing the list to only forty-nine author specified reasons. The evidence is often listed in a fashion that betrays the numbering, with a shift in focus occurring multiple times within one section. For example, instead of expanding on the statement, â€Å"Reinhold Elstner burnt himself alive in protest against the holocaust lies,† that begins the concluding reason, we see an illogical shift in discussion topic to â€Å"German farmers are told to shut up if they find bones and try to arrange their burial† (Reason 50). Many pieces of evidence appear on screen as if the formatting was ruined in a copy-paste mishap with unnecessary jumps to new lines appearing prior to the end of the quote. While not terrible, it can be slightly confusing for the reader when it appears that a new paragraph has been started, only to see that the quote continues on. This author makes similar mistakes when it comes to expanding upon his case, again including unnecessary jumps in spacing when simply starting a new sentence would be sufficient. Vague statements, â€Å"Germans highly civilised and more so than the Brits and Yanks etc.,† (Reason 40) fragments, â€Å"Obliteration propaganda.,† (Reason 32) and run on sentences and comma splices â€Å"People can't understand how so many eyewitnesses can lie, they have seen the television programmes,† (Reason 2) litter the posting. In addition, the Brown 3author occasionally goes on racist tirades that add little to his argument and can deter readers who may come looking for an unbiased argument. For example, â€Å"Are Jewish lives worth more or something? And if we are westerners why should we give a damn? Are we too gentle to survive in a harsh world?† (Reason 20). The above coupled with the frequent spelling errors further add to the confusion that could be experienced by the reader, making it look more like a set of notes meant to be understood only by the author than an article intended for consumption. It even contains conventional errors in the title, with the failure to capitalize any word in it and the lack of an apostrophe for the word â€Å"didn't.† While the posting is filled with links and quotations, often they are either unreliable, false, or left without explanation. While it is rather easy for a reader to look up a name that is mentioned, attempting to establish credibility for sources within the piece could add weight to what one pulls from a source. Writings from individuals such as David Irving, a revisionist author, are linked without even formally identifying him in. Some quotes are even from individuals identified in ways as vaguely as â€Å"one guy on the BBC,† (Reason 6) and â€Å"From a letter from the British ministry of information,† (Reason 10). In the author's attempt to criticize the media, he claims that they have made repeated efforts to silence those critical of the Holocaust; however, not one specific example is listed. In his attempts to criticize accounts given at the Nuremberg trials, he claims that â€Å"It takes about 5 minutes of reading the Nuremberg documents to realise that the Holocaust is a hoax,† (Reason 8) but again, gives not one clear example. He continues to claim â€Å"Violation of Occam's razor, again and again,† (Reason 12) an extremely vague statement that is expanded upon only by asking the reader to examine the counterargument of a book. The author could have very easily added weight to his argument by citing at least one example, but he neglected to do so.Brown 4Due to the lack of concrete evidence used in the author's attempts at making logical appeals, the strength of this posting is rooted in the author's ability to manipulate the reader's emotions. In quoting a 1958 text from Tel Aviv, â€Å"If some know-it-all tries to expose you, the others will not listen to him and will condemn him, because by exposing you he is proving them guilty of stupidity, and the crowd will not forgive this,† (Reason 2) the author provides a statement that can make the readers feel somewhat guilty for their refusal to question what they have been taught. Decent use of figurative language is employed to describe the media with the metaphor â€Å"The carrot and stick are there to make people obey† (Reason 26), which again can pull on people's fear that they have overlooked something. His plays on fear and guilt do begin to get somewhat excessive at times, as his deliberate use of language becomes offensive. In using phrases such as â€Å"politically retarded,† (Reason 16) â€Å"The parallels with religious arguments should make intelligent people suspicious,† (Reason 34) and â€Å"Only an idiot would believe in stories such as lampshades of human skin,† (Reason 40) to describe those who disagree with him, the author may invoke an insecurity in some readers that can cause them to give his viewpoint a second chance. Just as easily, however, it can cause readers to disregard the writings due to the offense that they may take. The author's attempt to create a list of reasons that would help a fellow revisionist argue their case mostly for naught. While like-minded individuals can pull some rhetorical questions to get others thinking, there is little offered in way of credible argument material. It is organized in an unpleasant and confusing fashion that makes the posting almost unreadable. The grammatical errors and failure to proofread suggest an apathy, or perhaps an intellectual incompetence, from the author that does not help his case. Individuals who are willing to look can surely find something to aid them in whatever they sought the posting for, but for a casual reader not Brown 5desperate for argument material, the posting is comically inarticulate and slightly frightening when the sincerity behind the writing is considered. Words: 1375Brown 6Work CitedTed. â€Å"50 Reasons Why the Holocaust Didnt Happen.† The CODOH Revisionist Forum, 25 Aug. _____2004, https://forum.codoh.com/viewtopic.php?t

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Ashlynn Blocker

Ashlyn Blocker was born with a condition called congenital insensitivity which leaves her feeling absolutely no pain. The disease is caused by two found gene mutations which cut off the pain signals that are sent to Ashlyn’s brain. Her doctor’s name is Dr. Roland Staud who is a pain expert and professor in the University of Florida‘s college of medicine. There are only 20 documented cases of insensitivity to pain in our entire country which makes Ashlyn’s health issue â€Å"one in six billion†.Ashlyn lives with her family in Georgia, her parents struggle to keep her safe. Ashlyn never cried when she was a baby so her parents just thought that she was a happy child however when Ashlyn was diagnosed with a corneal abrasion and was smiling in her mother’s lap it was evident that she doesn’t feel pain like a normal child. For a long time, Ashlyn’s parents knew something was different about her but nothing could be diagnosed. Dr. Stau d was able to discover what gene was the cause of Ashlyn’s insensitivity to pain.Tara and John Blocker were ecstatic when the four year process came to an end. The SCN9A gene was mutated. This gene contained the signal that starts the production of the molecules that stimulate pain-signaling nerve cells so they can send the pain impulses to the brain. There are two extremes caused by the mutation, too much of the molecule so the patients feels extreme pain or too little of the molecule which causes the patient to not feel pain.Ashlyn can feel a tickle or a touch but not a painful pinch or a burn. This is because the mutation decreased her sensitivity to pain and did not eliminate it entirely. It’s dangerous because Ashlyn doesn’t know when she’s harming her body. Pain is warning signal that alarms a person to stop whatever they are doing because it’s hurting your body. Since Ashlyn does not have a sense of pain, she has no empathy when she sees oth er people crying because she can’t relate with the pain that they are feeling.Scientists could use gene therapy to manipulate the genes to allow Ashlyn to feel pain but the risk is epilepsy or hypersensitivity to pain. Dr. Staud wants to do more research before performing any gene therapy on Ashlyn because it could cause her to constantly feel pain. In the article we read in class about Ashlyn Blocker, the gene that caused her rare disease was still unknown. Ashlyn was only 5 years old, now she is 11. Ashlyn still cannot feel pain however her parents are more at ease because they know the exact cause of the disease.Her parents now have more precise answers to why their daughter cannot experience pain. It took Ashlyn’s doctor four years to discover the gene that was mutated. The more recent article describes the cause of Ashlyn’s condition which is a gene mutation. Ashlyn is now a patient of Dr. Staud who is a pain expert. Ashlyn’s case was brought to his attention by the USA today article and segment we read in class. Dr. Staud started a research study to take a closer look at Ashlyn’s condition.It also explains how Ashlyn is also suffering psychologically because of congenital insensitivity. Ashlyn cannot empathize with others since she can’t identify with the physical pain that her peers are feeling. If she sees a friend crying because they hurt themselves she can’t understand why her friend is so upset. The article also names various injuries that Ashlyn has suffered including breaking an ankle while riding her bike and then her parents not noticing it until days later.The recent article explains treatment called gene therapy that Ashlyn could possibly undergo one day to be able to feel pain. The risk is that she might feel too much pain and become hypersensitive to it instead of insensitive. Pain is necessary because it tells our brain when we’re hurting our body so we stop doing whatever it is that i s causing the pain. Since Ashlyn cannot feel pain she is at a high risk of damaging her body permanently since she doesn’t get the signal to stop harming her body. Ashlyn still has to deal with being different.I doubt her teachers still try to help her blend in like they did in the older article. Ashlyn now needs to learn how to cope with her disease on her own. Ashlyn’s body cannot produce the molecule that stimulates the pain-signaling nerve cells. She can feel a tickle or a touch but she can’t differentiate between temperature extremes. Later in life, Ashlyn will not be able to know when she is experiencing heart troubles or trouble breathing because she won’t feel any pains which are the warning signs of the life threatening conditions.

Microsoft Opens the Gates: Patent, Piracy, and Political Challenges in China Essay

Microsoft faced many macro risks when operating in China. Many of these risks included software piracy, Chinese government pressure to transfer technology, host government promotion of competitor products, discriminatory procurement practices by sub-national authorities in China, and the strong encouragement for Microsoft to enter joint ventures with local firms. One main micro risk that Microsoft faced was when the Beijing Municipal government avoided Microsoft by awarding operating system software contracts for 2,000 PCs to Red Flag Linux. I see these risk increasing due to the fact that the Chinese Central Bank has put new restrictions to foreign exchange transactions in attempt to control the flow of convertible currency out of the country. This restriction set in place by the Chinese Central Bank was described as a â€Å"crackdown† on illegal transactions. This change will effectively make it more difficult for both domestic and international companies to move capital in and out of China. In result, only increasing the risks for MNCs to do business in China. Another main reason why I see the risks increasing is that the Chinese government has not made an effort to control the piracy/counterfeiting issues. Counterfeiters are China’s largest state owned factories. These risk are also found in other developing countries such as India where piracy and counterfeiting is a big issue. After the U. S. – China accord on intellectual property rights in 1992, it encouraged Microsoft to explore further opportunities in China. In order to manage political risk in China, initially, Microsoft signed various agreements with Chinese PC producers to pre-load its software on their computers. Other approaches to manage political risk included opening Microsoft Research China (Microsoft’s second international research lab and the first one in Asia) and signed agreements with China’s top four computer makers to preinstall Windows XP on their machines. One of the most notable approaches was when Microsoft signed an accord with the Shanghai Municipal government whereby agreed to help develop Shanghai’s software sector, expand its Shanghai regional support center into a global support center, and train thousands of software architects. Ultimately, Microsoft continued to manage political risks throughout the years by continuing to build agreements with Chinese PC manufacturers, develop new partnerships and better its relations with the Chinese government. I favor the strong ties that Microsoft built over the past two decades with the Chinese government and feel that all the techniques they used to manage political risk were needed in order to conduct profitable business in such a scrutinized country and economy. Going forward, Microsoft should continue to try and enforce IPR and keep healthy relationships with the Chinese for obvious reasons. They should keep developing partnerships and build a Microsoft oriented software sector in China through training/certification to strengthen the company’s forecast. By having to deal with lower levels of government, it created an initial challenge to â€Å"win† over the lower level of government in order to strengthen Microsoft’s overall relationship with China. Specific challenges included when the they signed agreements with China’s State Development & Planning Commission to invest in education/training, signed a large investment and cooperation deal with the Beijing Commission on Science & Technology and struck partnership deals with various Chinese companies such as Petro China. Although Microsoft kept making strong efforts to strengthen the relationship with China, they still faced many challenges to overcome China’s discrimination towards the company by requiring all ministries to purchase Linux based software. These challenges created new opportunities for Microsoft to create new initiatives to benefit the Chinese economy which in result helped them build a strong footprint in China. Yes other firms do have the same risk management options as Microsoft did. Other firms did have the same risk management options because all MNCs faced the same macro/micro issues that Microsoft faced when entering the China markets which included pressure to transfer technology, host government promotion of competitor products, discriminatory procurement practices by sub-national authorities in China, and the strong encouragement to enter joint ventures with local firms. Microsoft is creating serious risks by supporting, financing, and transferring technology to local Chinese software firms but had to do so in rder to have success in China. By them giving back to the Chinese economy, in return a large percentage of software users are using Microsoft product legally and illegally. In result, the end user is most likely using a Microsoft product and creates brand awareness. Microsoft used the appropriabiltiy theory to manage their risks by only sharing information with their partners that is only appropriate in order to make the partnership work.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

The Legacy of the Canadian Residential School System

We all have an identity in this world. When we were born as human beings, we were all given an identity based on our gender, ethnicity, and the society we were born in. This identity is further strengthened by our experience throughout the journey to adulthood, creating a bond and belongingness to one’s own culture. When a language is eventually learned during childhood, it becomes one of the major factors in determining our identity. Cultural customs are also integrated into our minds as we grow up.As we approach adulthood, our basic cultural identity is shaped; we maintain our cultural identity as we enter the local society, as it is the label that sticks with us for the rest of our lives. Along the way, we have the freedom to choose which of the religions to believe in, but our choices will most likely be affected by our identities as well. The First Nations people in Canada are suffering from a loss of language, religion, and identity due to the horrible past they had suff ered in the past century.In the 1880s, the residential school system was established by the government of Canada (Miller 2011). From then on, First Nations children were forced to attend these Catholic schools instituted based on European standards and regulations. Injustice went on for almost another century, in which many First Nation cultures were diminished and obliterated. Steven Harper may have apologized to the First Nations for the rest of the Canadians, but the damage is already done (Dorrell 2009). The Residential School System extinguished the hopes of Canadian First Nations in maintaining their own cultures.In this article we will use St. Mary’s, a residential school located in Mission, BC, as a case study to investigate the severity of the impact the RSS had on First Nations cultures. Language is the mean of communication of a society and a significant factor in cultural and social development. It is also the distinct identifier of a specific culture. By analyzin g the complex systems of the languages of different cultures, sociolinguists can relate the languages’ properties to aspects of the culture.Language is also tightly intertwined with the culture of a civilization: the Chinese and Japanese consider calligraphy—the act of writing in an unique but artistic way with ink brushes—a major art along with music, painting, and the chess game of Go; the Medieval Romans were inefficient and limited in their mathematics due to their numeral system until the Arabic system was introduced. In short, languages can be considered as the backbone of a culture. It is also the backbone that the First Nations began to lose as soon as the Residential School System was initiated.In residential schools, any languages other than English were forbidden; the violators of this rule were severely punished. In Terry Glavin’s Amongst God’s Own, one of his interviewee Meredith Hourie (2002: 61) commented that the nuns at St. Maryâ⠂¬â„¢s referred to the native tongues as â€Å"devil’s language†; in their eyes, speaking another language in a Catholic residential school is blasphemous. Benjamin Paul Millar (Glavin 2002: 66) felt that he was beginning to improve in his native language until he was discouraged by slaps in the face and on the backside for breaking the rules; now he could only recall a few words of his native tongue.Genevieve Douglas (Glavin 2002: 62) admitted that she cannot understand her own native language due to the policies at St. Mary’s; students were not allowed to answer to questions unless they can fully interpret what was asked and know how to respond in English, hence the students had to focus their limit in language acquisition on English. Children who were new to the residential schools (such as St. Mary’s) were not familiar with these rules. They felt alienated and were desperate to fit in.As a result, these new First Nations students had to resocializeâ⠂¬â€or â€Å"Westernize†Ã¢â‚¬â€themselves in order to survive. While these cases might seem trivial at first glance, consider this: there were 80 residential schools scattered across Canada at its peak, with over 11000 students being taught (Kirmayer, Simpson, and Cargo 2003). The magnitude is immense, and numerous dialects of the native tongues were lost. It is also worth noting that the majority of students who enrolled in St. Mary’s had Western first names and last names instead of native ones.Under these circumstances, a child would feel even more out of place when comparing one’s own name to the elders’ more native names. They might believe that they were not welcomed in their society and opt to blend into the Western society instead. For instance, a Scotland-born Chinese child would likely to grow up to be more attached to the Scottish culture if his last name was chosen by his parents to be McGregor instead of Lee. Traditions are also identifiers for the cultures they belong to. Each culture has their unique customs, beliefs, and mythologies.For example, the Gods with the most power in terms of mythologies are mostly male due to the fact that almost all cultures are male-dominant. In ancient Greek mythology, Zeus was regarded as the ruler of Mount Olympus and said to be the â€Å"Father of Gods and Men† by Hesiod, reflecting the differences in the status of genders in ancient Greece. In Chinese mythology the Gods were told and categorized as emperors, royal families, and government officials, ultimately referring to the hereditary monarchy political system that the dynasties of China followed for millennia.While First Nations traditions may not be as well known as the bigger cultures in other parts of the world, they have their unique and intriguing perspective in the world they live in. Their view on how all things ranging from animals to inanimate objects have spirit and soul is echoed by Plato’s world-soul idea. However, their inspirations cannot be further explored in the future since these First Nations beliefs are facing extinction. These traditional practices such as Shamanisms were discouraged, as they were viewed as witchcraft in the eyes of Catholicism.Due to the nature of residential schools, children could hardly see their family during their time as a student. Wayne Florence (Glavin 2002: 68) was severely injured by one of the nuns at St. Mary’s, and even then he could not gain the privilege to meet with his family, or even talk to them through the phone for that matter. This separation leads to the inability to learn of and be familiar to their customs. Not only were the children prohibited from learning of their own cultural religion and heritage, they were led and forced to believe that there is only one â€Å"correct† religion—Roman Catholicism.According to Catholic rules, all other religions are false and are blasphemous. First Nations students lear ned that they were not born with freedom, but with sins to be cleansed of; this idea induced fear in them and contempt in their traditions. Aside from a loss of culture, it was estimated by scholars that as many as half of the children died during their involvement in the residential schools, either from abuse or committing suicide (Robertson 2003). We are living in the generation of globalization. In Canada, it is not uncommon for one to have multiple cultural backgrounds.We can notice numerous people of Chinese descent who do not know a single word of Mandarin nor Cantonese; Scandinavians who do not feel the urge to assimilate into another culture’s customs, and even Indian-Canadian comedians who became successful amongst the public by showing observational humor with regards to racial dissimilarities. These people of the general public—whose voices can be heard through the media—are of a majority; whether they are currently living in their affiliated society they were born in or have their homes on the other side of the globe, they feel that they are a member of their culture.No matter which part of the world it is, dates with cultural significance like Christmas, the Lunar New Year, and the Ramadan are celebrated and practiced annually. The same cannot apply to the First Nations in Canada after the residential school system tragedies. Imagine that no one can understand your first language and cultural customs—while communication with others will still be possible through other means like secondary and body language, you can hardly feel the familiarity and ease in comparison to talking freely in your own first language. If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?If you know a language but no one else can comprehend it, does it still exist? If no one in the world other than you knew the family gathering tradition on Thanksgiving, would this day still mean anything at all? While these question s may seem hypothetical to us, the First Nations in Canada are facing these issues today. Writings and symbolic arts in dying tribes may never see their original meaning comprehendible ever again. Canada may consider First Nation reserves and universities as national treasures, but the fact is that cultural maintenance in these smaller tribes is not encouraged and our treasure is continuously decreasing in depth.All cultures in the world are established by the contributions of their people over time; they are the condensation of knowledge, customs, heritage, and language. Each culture is unique in its own way, and should be preserved with the most effort. However, not only did settlers and colonizers took over the First Nations’ lands by force, they also nearly wiped out their culture with a weapon in the form of the Residential School System. These residential schools, such as St.Mary’s, denied the students of their chance to inherit their respective culture, and even took away some of their lives as a byproduct in resocialization. As a result, First Nations languages and traditions were lost; some First Nation survivor might even be the last remaining member of his or her tribe. These are losses that we simply cannot put ourselves into their perspective. I sincerely hope that the government of Canada will not only compensate, but also try their best to maintain the enduring First Nations cultures someday; an apology is simply not enough.

Friday, September 13, 2019

Food journal analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Food journal analysis - Essay Example Of these foods, the yogurt and the cheese are complete proteins while the beans are an incomplete protein. The beans and cheese combined together become a complementary protein. I took in more than the daily recommended amount of protein. This did surprise me because I didn't include any meat into my daily intake, which is what I would have assumed would take me over the daily limit. Clearly meat is not the only food that can serve as a good protein source. In order to bring my protein down and to better balance my diet I can cut down the portion sizes that contain protein such as the servings of beans and cheese, and I can add more fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables, as well as some more fiber rich foods such as whole grains. If I had eaten beans and cheese only once during the day rather than twice, I probably would have taken in the recommended amount of protein and I could have then eaten some of the other foods that I am lacking in place of that unneeded protein. Protein is one of the most essential elements of our diet and is often referred to as the building block in our body because of its function in the growth and repair of our tissue. According to the CNPP website, proteins are involved in the production of many hormones and are necessary to maintain the immune system and fluid electrolyte balance. They are also involved in the transport of nutrients throughout the body. Given these facts about protein, it is easy to see how insufficient amounts of protein intake could leave the body unable to do some of its most vital functions. Without enough protein the body's tissues would not be capable of repairing themselves. In addition, our muscles, which are fueled by protein, would not grow and develop as they should, and our organs, many of which are made up of muscle tissue, could ultimately suffer and cease to function optimally. Also, our immune system would not be able to function as it should, which would cause more frequent, as well a s more prolonged illness, and our electrolytes would become unbalanced causing all types of health problems.In contrast, too much protein can also pose a problem for the body. According to the CNPP website, too much protein coupled with a lack of enough other essential foods can cause the body to go into a state of ketosis which can wreak havoc on the body causing all types of medical problems. Additionally, many times, high protein intake is coupled with high saturated fat intake, which is also bad for the body and can cause disease and general health problems. Also, a higher than normal protein intake can often coincide with a diet that lacks in other essential areas such as whole grains, vegetables, and fresh fruits. This lack in the diet can also lead to health problems and illness. Given these facts, it seems clear that keeping with the recommended daily protein allowance will help to ensure that one's diet remains as healthful as possible as well as adequately and appropriatel y balanced. My fiber intake for the day was 22 grams, which is 3 grams less than the recommended daily intake of 25 grams. I think that this intake is a bit low and I would like to come up to the recommended amount of 25 grams per day. I would like to raise my fiber intake the remaining three grams because I know that fiber is good for me and can serve to help keep my weight under control and my general food

Thursday, September 12, 2019

The British Economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The British Economy - Essay Example However, in order to facilitate these activities and to increase efficiencies, new concepts, theories and method have been developed. In this process, the accuracy and efficiency has enhanced but complexities have also increased significantly. International trade has a great economic importance as it helps to bring economic prosperity to a country. International trade activities include import and export which influences foreign and domestic exchanges. Besides, certain economic risks are also associated with international trade and hence, government always try to control international trade related activities (Seyoum, 2000, p.8). This paper will attempt to deal with foreign exchanges policy of UK. Earlier, the UK pound was used to be determined using the fixed exchange rate policy by comparing to other foreign currencies. However, due to certain shortcomings of fixed exchange rate policy, the UK Government has shifted to floating exchange rate policy. This paper will present explanat ions on fixed and floating rate policies and how the UK Government plays crucial role in controlling and deciding the foreign and domestic currency policies. ... The per capita GDP was nearly was $35,100 with real GDP growth rate of 1.6% in 2010.Regulatory authorities including the central bank (Bank of England) is responsible for managing and controlling the economic affairs. The inflation and unemployment in 2010 were 3.3% and 7.9%. During the financial crisis of 2007-2008, the UK’s economy was heavily affected. However, currently, the economy is recovering at higher speed as policy makers have taken necessary steps for improving the overall economic condition (CIA 2011). Nearly 75% and 23.8% of total GDP is contributed by the services sectors and Industries. The major services sectors include -financial, distribution, business, communication, hotels, transport etc. Currently, the country is suffering from high trade deficit due to higher import comparing to lower export. During 2009, net export of goods and services were recorded $351.3 billion; whereas, net imports of goods and services were higher i.e. $473.6 billion (U.S. Departm ent of State, 2010). As per the updated information, the value of 1 British pound is compared to other major foreign currency in the given below. Table 1: British Pound and Other Foreign Currency (Source: MSN Money, 2011) Fixed Exchange Rate System and Role of UK Government The foreign exchange rate is very important for controlling the major aspects of economy like import, expert, interest rate, inflation etc. The foreign currency market is exposed to different types of risk that affect the entire economic policy like inflation, interest and unemployment etc. There are two types of foreign currency policies i.e. fixed and floating. Earlier, UK Government used to

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Technology and the Curriculum Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Technology and the Curriculum - Essay Example In later years, students can make use of ICT to do research and create innovative pieces of work. Libraries are available online, where students are able to access a wide range of literary and scholarly work of famous authors. Technology must be incorporated into the curriculum so that students may enjoy their educational activities while enhancing independent thinking. Technology is required not only for learning but also for social adaptation (Wilmarth, as cited in Jacobs, 2010a, p.80) and media literacy (Baker, as cited in Jacobs, 2010b, p.133) that is beneficial for students in their personal and professional lives. For example, In case of capturing digital images and making videos, children would require digital cameras and camcorders, respectively. The hardware required has got its benefits and weaknesses. The benefits include easy capturing of images and trouble-free video recording (Sheskey, as cited in Jacobs, 2010c, p.195). There is ease of use together with fun and educational learning. The main weakness of this hardware is that it is too expensive to be used by young children at EYFS and primary stage. If the camera is too complex in structure for young kids to understand, they will get frustrated and might stop using it. Still, with correct supervision, all technological tools can prove to be very beneficial for students. Skype is one example of such a forbidden resource that can prove to be very helpful for students (November, as cited in Jacobs, 2010d, p.186). With the growing use of ICT in schools, there is no reason why children with special needs should be ignored. There are a lot of technological tools available in the market and online that help children with special needs adapt to their new learning environment which is more efficient and more helpful to them. These tools help children who find difficulties such as language hurdles, cultural hurdles, writing trouble (dysgraphia), reading difficulties (dyslexia), math