Boyles Law Explained With Example Problem

Boyles gas law states that the volume of a gas is inversely proportional to the pressure of the gas when the temperature is held constant. Anglo-Irish chemist Robert Boyle (1627–1691) discovered the law and for it he is considered the first modern chemist. This example problem uses Boyles law to find the volume of gas when pressure changes. Boyles Law Example Problem A balloon with a volume of 2.0 L is filled with a gas at 3 atmospheres. If the pressure is reduced to 0.5 atmospheres without a change in temperature, what would be the volume of the balloon? Solution Since the temperature doesnt change, Boyles law can be used. Boyles gas law can be expressed as: PiVi PfVf where Pi initial pressureVi initial volumePf final pressureVf final volume To find the final volume, solve the equation for Vf: Vf PiVi/PfVi 2.0 LPi 3 atmPf 0.5 atmVf (2.0 L) (3 atm) / (0.5 atm)Vf 6 L / 0.5 atmVf 12 L Answer The volume of the balloon will expand to 12 L. More Examples of Boyles Law As long as the temperature and number of moles of gas remain constant, Boyles law means doubling the pressure of a gas halves its volume. Here are more examples of Boyles law in action: When the plunger on a sealed syringe is pushed, the pressure increases and the volume decreases. Since the boiling point is dependent on pressure, you can use Boyles law and a syringe to make water boil at room temperature.Deep-sea fish die when theyre brought from the depths to the surface. The pressure decreases dramatically as they are raised, increasing the volume of gases in their blood and swim bladder. Essentially, the fish pop.The same principle applies to divers when they get the bends. If a diver returns to the surface too quickly, dissolved gases in the blood expand and form bubbles, which can get stuck in capillaries and organs.If you blow bubbles underwater, they expand as they rise to the surface. One theory about why ships disappear in the Bermuda Triangle relates to Boyles law. Gases released from the seafloor rise and expand so much that they essentially become a gigantic bubble by the time they reach the surface. Small boats fall into the holes and are engulfed by t he sea.

Effectiveness Of A Competitive Advantage - 1156 Words

Increasingly, firms find themselves, either by design or circumstances, operating in business environments fraught with unprecedented, unparalleled, unrelenting, and largely unpredictable change. Retaining competitive advantage is a constant preoccupation for all companies. Millions of words have been written purporting to identify the principles and practices most likely to enable firms to gain competitive advantage and, thereby, enjoy superior profit margins. Despite all this study, management remains a testing ground where theory, experience, judgment and, sometimes, luck play a role. According to Glenn (2009), approximately 90 per cent of senior executives who took a survey by The Economist’s Magazine Intelligence Unit understand that their organizations have to be agile to thrive in the marketplace. According to Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, to be agile is to have a â€Å"quick, resourceful and adaptable character† (Agile, 2016). Agility has classically been defined as simply the ability to change direction rapidly (Bloomfield, Ackland, Elliot, 1994; Clarke, 1959; Mathews, 1973), but also the ability to change direction rapidly and accurately (Barrow McGee, 1971; Johnson Nelson, 1969). In more recent publications, some authors have defined agility to include whole-body change of direction as well as rapid movement and direction change of limbs (Baechle, 1994; Draper Lancaster, 1985). Based on many researches done we can define organizational agility as aShow MoreRelatedCompetitive Advantage By Michael Porter975 Words   |  4 PagesMost businesses strive to attain competitive advantage, whether they explicitly realize this or not. The concept of competitive advantage was propagated by Michael Porter, in his landmark book Competitive Strategy. He defined competitive advantage as â€Å"Competitive advantage grows out of value a firm is able to create for its buyers that exceeds the firm s cost of creating it.† (Porter, 1985) The concept provided a new paradigm for looking at the role of competition in firm’s success or failure inRead MoreOperational Effectiveness Is Not Strategy1123 Words   |  5 PagesOperational Effectiveness is not strategy In the world of business today, rivals can quickly copy market position, and competitive advantage is temporary. The problem is the failure to distinguish between operational effectiveness and strategy. Operational effectiveness and strategy are very important but they work in very different ways. A company can outperform rivals only if they can deliver greater value to customers or create comparable value at a lower cost, or do both. 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The author will identify the strategies of various companies and identify tactics that make the company successful. Competitive Advantage An organization that has a strategic advantage over its competitors that enables theRead MoreImproving A Competitive Advantage Within The Organization966 Words   |  4 PagesIn order to achieve a competitive advantage, an organization must have resources, competencies, and capabilities. Resources are what an organization utilizes to create value in the organization. Resources are imperative to the organizations value and are tangible and intangible. Tangible resources are financial, physical, and labor. â€Å"Robert Kaplan and David Norton point out that unlike financial and physical resources, intangible resources are hard for competitors to imitate, making them a powerfulRead MoreTaking a Look at Ben and Jerry1762 Words   |  7 Pagesconcentrated on the top level, the two founders and CEOs, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield (Caruana, 1998). Rather than carrying out formal market research, Ben Jerry establishes new flavors solely depends on founders’ own ideas and tastes. Greater effectiveness can be achieved from centralization as it provides ability to control activities (Ruekert ,1985). Therefore, high centralization from the two founders leads to successful implementation of ideas on new line and flavor between 1992 and 1994 in orderRead MoreAdvantages Of Information Technology1743 Words   |  7 PagesInformation Technology, 5-Forces Model, Competitive Advantage, and Strategic Positioning a. In a highly competitive, globalized, flat world filled with challenges and opportunities identify and discuss THREE important reasons why businesses MUST invest in information systems and related technologies (See Laudon Laudon text). Businesses must invest in IT for numerous reasons; three of those reasons are to achieve operational excellence, gain competitive advantage and for the company’s survival. InformationRead Moreâ€Å"Critically Assess the View That Human Resource Management Practices Should Be Designed to Fit the Business Strategies and Objectives†Ã¢â‚¬Æ'1310 Words   |  6 Pagesview that human resource management practices should be designed to fit the business strategies and objectives†Ã¢â‚¬Æ' Dynamism is increasingly becoming a feature of the business environment, so what can businesses do to attain and sustain a competitive advantage? They need to set out clear goals and objectives and then ensure that all internal processes and activities are designed in a manner to attain these goals and objectives. Furthermore, some of these practices should be linked directly to theirRead MoreBus 430 Assignment 1: Lenscrafters Case Study1307 Words   |  6 Pageswhich you: 1. Evaluate LensCrafters’ operations strategy and explain how the organization seeks to gain a competitive advantage in terms of sustainability. 2. Analyze how operation management activities affect the customer experience. Select two (2) operation management challenges and provide the solutions for confronting them. 3. Examine LensCrafters’ value chain and evaluate its effectiveness to operations in terms of quality, value creation, and customer satisfaction. 4. Determine the differentRead MoreEnvironmental Scan Paper1138 Words   |  5 Pagesinfluences on the success of its strategies. The focus of this paper will be an environmental scan of the internal and external environments of two real-world firms, their competitive advantages and company strategies for creating value and sustaining competitiveness, measurement guidelines for verifying strategic effectiveness and their evaluation. Internal and External Environments Environmental scanning of the internal organizational environment focuses on company culture, employee-employee

Gathering of Old Men Essay Example For Students

Gathering of Old Men Essay By: Joey In A Gathering of Old Men, by Ernest J. Gaines, racism plays a huge part of life in the south. When a white man is found dead; his family and friends start to gather to find the man who did this. After time these men start to drink and make a plan to kill the man; who just happened to be black. This just shows how even though the Civil was brought freedom to blacks, there is still hate towards them because of their skin color. After time the black men also start to gather at Mathus house (the man who murdered the white man) and they all bring twelve gauge shotguns. The sheriff arrives and asks who killed that man, and all the black men say, it was me. The sheriff then threatens to take them all to prison, but he cannot because he does not know who the murder is. The sheriff knowing the racism of the town; has a deputy stand on Mathus sidewalk to make sure nothing happens. As time goes by and the white men are starting to get angry the man whos son was killed steps in and say s this cannot go on any longer. This shows how after time color or race does not matter to people, and how after time a man is a man and a woman is a woman. This upsets the rest of the men even more because this shows them how they are not superior to the black men anymore. As time goes on the sheriff is starting to worry even more; because he knows the men have been drinking excessively. When night falls the sheriff and his men go home, praying that nothing will happen. By this time the white men are very drunk and want revenge. To the white mens surprise when they arrive to Mathus house they are out numbered at least two to one. The white men realize that they are going to loose once again. When the white men start to shoot this shows how childish people are when they are not on top of the world. The white men all die and lie dead in the street when the sheriff arrives the next morning. Even though six men were killed the sheriff does not do anything because he knows the whit men were the cause. When the color of a persons skin or their religion means enough to people to kill them, it is childish and this should be put to a stop. Word Count: 421

Reflective Essay Essays - WWE Hall Of Fame, , Term Papers

Reflective Essay Highs And Lows Of Being A Fan Of The World Wrestling Federation I Love the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), I have watched and supported the WWF for over 8 years, I remember Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage and Jake Roberts and now today my idles are Triple H, The Rock and The Undertaker. What is it about the WWF that I like, if you asked me 6 years ago I would say that is because I think that Bret Hart is great and is a champion, but what about now, there is no Bret Hart or Hulk Hogan, is it the violence or the soap opera story lines. The WWF at present day is very publicised, a lot of lights and very expensive entrance music composed by well-known artists, such as Run DMC, Kid Rock and Method Man. The olden days as I call them were different, Superstars would enter the ring at the sound of drums or sometimes even a fully composed song, like for Hulk Hogan, "The Real American" that was a song that if played at an event would send chills up your back and goose bumps over my body because it was time for Hulkamania. Then there were themes that would get me into a state of seriousness, like the original Undertaker theme or Earthquake. These themes would be slow or loud and would make you think here comes the bad guy. Now all the themes sound good, The bad guys are sometimes better than the good guys, For example Triple H is a brilliant theme and is better than The Rock's theme, but the goose bump giving spine tingling effect of the rocks theme is still there and that effect has been there through out WWF history, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, The Rock and of Hulk Hogan. I feel the arena quality these days are very good, there are live events at lots of well-known arenas like, Madison Square Garden, Joe Louis Arena, Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio and there are many others. Tours around the United States, the usual cities include, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, Texas, Washington and so many more. WWF Tours of Britain used to take place; they would stop off in Newcastle, Glasgow, London, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, Birmingham and Bristol. Now they come to the U.K twice a year, Manchester for Insurextion and Sheffield for Rebellion. It is very hard to get tickets to the events, I am really upset that I cannot go; they sell fast, Wrestlemania 16, sold out in 20 minutes. I will go to an event one day even if it means being apart of it I will get to a Pay-Per View event. My favourite 5 superstars, Triple H, The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho and Mr. Ass (Billy Gunn). Triple H, his real name is Paul Levesque, and was born in Greenwich Connecticut, I look up to him because he is a champion. The Undertaker, the dead man now known as The American Bad Ass, his real name Mark Colloway, he is very tall and sticks up for what he believes in. Shawn Michaels, he uses vanity to get across to views and fans, although it does not have the same effect when I do it. Chris Jericho, or Chris Irvine as he is known to his mother, I look up to him because I think he is great. Finally Mr. Ass, Billy Gunn, he is just amazing he always wins as well. The fans love him to. I have been a fan of the WWF for nearly 8 years as I stated earlier, in that time I have seen faces come, faces go, talent born, bad turn goodie, goodies turn baddie and champions crowned. My most recent memory of a new champion crowned is at No Mercy 2000, when Kurt Angle (Olympic Gold Medallist at Atlanta 1996.) won the WWF title from the Rock. Jericho has been a Intercontinental Champion and a European Champion. Hulk Hogan has been a Champion as well. So in conclusion why am I a fan of the WWF, I like the superstars, Chris Jericho, HHH, Kurt Angle and The Undertaker, but I liked the old stars as well, Hogan, Savage, Roberts and The

buy custom Securing The Companys Servers essay

buy custom Securing The Companys Servers essay Introduction Any serious company cannot ignore the importance of securing its Windows and Unix/Linux servers from known shortcomings/vulnerabilities. This is due to the fact that the Windows machines may end up having serious security problems. As a matter of fact, Windows has a bad security record when it comes to operating systems (Dubin, 2005, p. 123). There is need for the company to create a set of layered defenses and avoid the idea of running capricious programs. It is also better for the company to substitute programs that have a terrible security track record with more reliable programs (Dubin, 2005, p. 127). The role of the Company information security officers is to ensure that the windows and Unix/Linux servers are secured from shortcomings and vulnerabilities; otherwise the company may risk being targeted by hackers (Brown, 2011, p. 58). The dynamic internet ecosystem sees the myriad of VLAN switches, firewalls, routers, and other devices, thus making servers and devices unreachable from a simple configuration error (Brown, 2011, p. 185-9). Today, cyber criminals are more organized than before, it is therefore paramount for the company to react with focus and effective stratagem in the key areas of technology (Brown, 2011, p. 219). Information security officers are therefore properly trained and well informed of all advancements regarding technological improvements in the communication industry. For example, the security personnel are well trained to monitor occurrences of reverse social engineering, social engineering and shulder surfing and how to avoid them (Dubin, 2005, p. 128). Securing Company Network Servers As the Information Security Officer, I will give priority to the use of digital certificates in company servers security. The installation and use of digital certificates will enhance optimal management and security ofClient Access servers. This can be installed with a default self-signed digital certificate (Danseglio, 2005, p.175). The digital certificate will help the company since it authenticates the holder. This will secure the servers from unauthorized users. In order to ensure safety and security of data that is exchanged online, digital certificates must be considered. It helps in protecting company and client data from theft or tampering by hackers (Danseglio, 2005, p.175-176). To ensure secure connectivity between the management and the client the company and client servers must be secured. I will thus advocate for the installation and use of server certificates. This will limit incidences of theft and hackings from server criminals. The server certificate helps in enhancing client server authentication (Danseglio, 2005, p.123).This will provide the company with a stronger server security. It will demand that a client or any other user of the company server supply a valid trusted certificate. To further support server and information security, I will recommend and introduce the use of trust model certification. For example, the hierarchical trust model will protect the company and client information. Hackers interccept emails and confidential information through email interception if the servers are not secured. The hierarchical trust model ensures that users of the company server have valid certification for accessing the company servers (Brown, 2011, p. 185-9). This will help in enhancing server security. This high security system will enhance protection of the servers against spyware and browser hijackers. The Importance of Securing Windows and Unix/Linux Servers from Shortcomings/ Vulnerabilities Attacks on company software are now very serious crimes in the world today. It is therefore very important for the company information security officers to protect its servers by ensuring that certificate authorities are only with the authorized personnel to reduce chances of sharing adware sites and also chances of social engineering (Brown, 2011, p. 75). Furthermore, there is a possibility of the computer hackers waging cyber warfare against the company. The companys employees may also be at risk of falling prey to credit card fraud and rob it of lots of money and can only avoid this by employing the use of secure socket layer, wired equivalent privacy or transport layer security (Brown, 2011, p. 75-6). In conclusion, in pursuing the efforts to secure the company servers, it is very important for the company to develop an infrastructure security that will improve its Network Operations Center security and confidentiality. Developing a secure and efficient server room is a priority for the information and communication in the company. Buy custom Securing The Companys Servers essay

Management 101 Essay Example

Management 101 Essay Example Management 101 Essay Management 101 Essay This subject is concerned with principles of managing business organisations. Management is important to organisations? business and survival.The dynamic nature of today? s organisations means that managers require certain knowledge, skills and competencies to manage organisations effectively. The aim of this subject is to provide students with an introduction and overview of management within organisations. The subject will examine management principles, concepts and theories of management, and give students an appreciation and understanding of various challenges facing managers in organisations in today? competitive global environment. OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this subject, students should be able to: ? ? ? ? understand and critically discuss the evolution of management thoughts; critically evaluate and apply management theories, models and concepts of management; be familiar with the structure, behaviour and environment of organizations, and be aware of the importance of mana gement towards attaining organisational goals in today? s competitive world.TOPICS Topic 1 Topic 2 Topic 3 Topic 4 Topic 5 Topic 6 Topic 7 Introduction to Organisations and Management Evolution of Management Planning and Strategic Management Decision Making Organisation Structure and Design Managing Work Teams Managing Human Resource 2 Topic 8 Topic 9 Topic 10 Topic 11 Topic 12 Topic 13 Leadership, Motivation and Communication Organizational Control and Information Technology Management Managing Change Innovation Managing Conflict Organisational Environment and Culture International Management Managerial Ethics and Social ResponsibilityPRESCRIBED TEXT Daft R. L. , (2012) New Era of Management, International Edition, 10th edition SouthWestern Cengage Learning USA. RECOMMENDED REFERENCES Robbins, S. P. DeCenzo D. A. (2005) Fundamentals of Management, Essential Concepts and Applications, International edn, Fifth edn, Pearson Prentice Hall, USA. Jones G. R. George J. M. , (2007) Ess entials of Contemporary Management, Second Edition, McGraw-Hill, USA. . 3 Subject Outline / Teaching Plan Department Lecturer Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 : Business Studies : Mr.Vincent Oh Topics Managing in Turbulent Times The Evolution of Management Thinking Planning and Goal Setting Strategy Formulation and Implementation Corporate Culture and the Environment Ethics and Social Responsibility Managing in Global Environment Quiz 1 (15/7 – 19/7) Human Resource Management MID-TERM TEST/ BREAK ( 29/7 2/8/2013) BREAK Leadership Motivation Individual Assignment (23/8/2013) Communication Quality and Performance Teamwork Quiz 2 (2/9 – 6/9) Group Presentation Decision Making Designing Adaptive Organizations Group Presentation FINAL EXAMINATION 16/9 – 28/9/2013 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapters 17 and 19 Subject Code : D2MGT100 Subject Title : Organizations and Management References Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapters 7 and 8 Chapter 3 Chapter 5 Chapter 4 Chapter 12 13 Chap ter 18 14 15 16 Chapters 9 and 10 Prescibed Text: Daft R. L. , (2012) New Era of Management, International Edition 10th edition South-Western Cengage Learning USA. 4 ASSESSMENTS There are 6 assessment items for this subject. Assessment Items 1. Mid Term Test (Closed Book) 2. Quiz 1 (Open Book) 3. Quiz 2 (Open Book) 4.Individual Assignment 5. Participation (Group Presentations) 6. Final exam (Closed Book) Value 20% 5% 5% 10% 10% 50% Due Date 29/7 2/8/2013 15/7 – 19/7/2013 2/9 – 6/9/2013 23/8/2013 Weeks 13 14. 16/9 – 28/9/2013 (TBC) REQUIREMENTS To gain a pass in this subject, students must: ? ? Achieve a passing grade in the final examination i. e. score a minimum of 25 marks out of 50, if there is an examination for this subject Attempt ALL areas of assessment; and achieve a total result of 50% or better overall. ** Please check on the notice board and My Acel for the actual date. HELP University reserves the right to make any changes to the above where appro priate. 5ASSESSMENT DETAILS D2MGT100: ORGANISATIONS AND MANAGEMENT SEMESTER 2 2013 INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT (10% of total assessment) CASE STUDY: WALMART PART TWO: THE ENVIRONMENT OF MANAGEMENT – Yao Ming, Jackie Chan, and Walmart: China Embraces Big Stars and Big Box Retailing. When you? re an American retailer with thousands of stores liberally throughout the best shopping areas of the United States, at some point the question arises: â€Å"what next? † Top brass at Walmart were asking this question in the late 1980s, when stores were booming in the Southeast and spreading to all 50 states. Their answer? â€Å"Go global. † Walmart? s first step toward international retailing occurred in 1991 with the opening of a Sam? s Club near Mexico City.Today Walmart International is the company? s fastest growing business unit, accounting for 25 percent of total revenues. After official launch in 1993, the overseas operation expanded into 15 countries including Brazil, Can ada, the United Kingdom, and Japan. But the greatest buzz has centered on China, an emerging market of 1. 3 billion people. Walmart? s adventure in the land of dragons and emperors began in 1996 when rollout teams built a supercenter in Shenzhen, a city just north of Hong Kong. Walmart? s China entry was made possible by economic reforms introduced in the late 1980s under Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping. In a break from its isolationist past, China? communist-led government began making modest concessions to capitalism and Western businesses. The move sparked two decades of rapid economic growth, and Chinese consumers now buy everything from flat screen TVs and cars to designer apparel – they even purchase lattes at Starbucks and chicken at KFC. China? s modernization has become symbolized by pro-basketball star Yao Ming, Supergirl singing phenom Li Yuchun, Olympic world champion Liu Xiang, and Karate Kid martial-arts actor Jackie Chan – Sino celebrities who have achieved Western-style fame and lucrative sponsorships with American businesses. As Walmart? s spread throughout the People? Republic indicates, big box retailing is a hit with Chinese consumers. In 2004, Walmart operated 39 stores in China. In 2010, the number reached 290 total units, including 104 Trust Mart Hypermarkets, 178 supercentres, and 4 Sam? s Clubs. The early success has caused analysts to speculate that Walmart China will eventually have more stores than the domestic American market. Walmart China? s supercenters have much in common with their U. S. counterparts. The expansive stores are stocked with mountains of low-price merchandise, proving that Sam Walton? s â€Å"stack? em high, watch? em fly† philosophy has transcended cultural boundaries. But differences exist as well. First, 75 percent of Walmart? s nternational stores operate under different banner, reflecting the web of acquisitions and joint ventures Walmart uses to enter foreign markets. Next, the selection o f merchandise offered in China supercenters is oriented to the unique tastes of Walmart? s 7 million weekly Chinese shoppers. Grocery sections are stocked with live frogs, turtles, and fish – fresh apples of Chinese diets – and familiar American products are curiously altered, 6 as with Tide detergent, which is sold as a handwash laundry product due to the scarcity of washing machines in China. Douglas McMillion, Walmart International? s president and CEO, says that despite visible variations among stores, the company? s goal is the same in every area of the world. The primary objective is to save people money so they can live a little better,† said the head of Walmart? s fast-growing segment. â€Å"Our goal in every market where we operate is not only to deliver products at a great value, but also to ensure that all of the products we sell are made in an ethical and sustainable way. † But running a multinational operation in â€Å"an ethical and sustaina ble way† is easier said than done. In 2010, Google exited China over the country? s strict censorship policy and poor record on human rights. Years earlier, The Gap caused a firestorm of criticism by unintentionally sourcing products made by child laborers in India. Intent on learning from others? istakes, managers at Walmart have developed an Ethical Standards Program to audit suppliers and ensure the ethical procurement of goods. â€Å"In our „Standard for Suppliers,† says McMillion, â€Å"we outline our expectations that our suppliers must compensate all workers with wages and overtime premiums and benefits that meet or exceed local legal standards, local industry standards, or collective agreements, whichever are higher. † Rajan Kamalanathan, vice president of Ethical Standards, notes that the program is in place to do what is right for factory workers and the environment: â€Å"We not only bring sustainable and positive change to working conditions in factories, we also help build ladders to a better life in the countries where we? re sourcing. The new program is showing results: In 2006m the ethical standards team conducted 8,873 factory audits – more than any other company in the world – leading to a 23 percent decrease in high-risk standards violations. Policing the workplaces and ecological footprints of thousands of international vendors may be a herculean task, but executives at Walmart say it? s a necessary one. Chairman Lee Scott, in a discussion forum sponsored by Fortune magazine, laid out the case for international ethics and corporate social responsibility. â€Å"If China is allowed to produce the world? s goods without following reasonable protocol in protecting the environment and protecting people,† Scott reasoned, â€Å"ultimately governments will react and do something to balance that. So I think it? s in China? s best interest, and I think China understands that. Scott added that socially responsible business is simply good business – by reducing waste and energy usage throughout the supply chain, Walmart is lowering costs and paving a path to higher profits for all. â€Å"We? ve been able to go in and work with individual factories, where instead of costing them more money to do it the right way, the factory is actually able to save cost by doing it the right way. † QUESTIONS 1. Which market entry strategy is Walmart primarily using to enter foreign markets, and why has management chosen this approach? (15 marks) 2. What challenges do Walmart China managers encounter in the international business environment (10 marks) 3. Which of Walmart? s sustainability initiatives do you believe will have greatest positive impact on China? Explain. (15 marks) 7Assignment marking table Individual Report (10% of the module marks) Module Code: D2MGT100 Module Title: Organisations and Management. Student? s Name: _______________________ ID number: _____________ Assessm ent Criteria Question 1: Able to identify the market entry strategy is Walmart primarily using to enter foreign markets, and provide explanation why the management has chosen this approach? Question 2: Able to identify the challenges encountered by Walmart China managers in the international business environment Question 3: Able to discuss Walmart? s sustainability initiatives that have greatest positive impact on China? Explanation is provided.Knowledge of theory: Assignment demonstrates integration and innovation in the selection and handling of theory Clarity of Expression Accuracy, spelling, structure, clarity of messages and information TOTAL 10% of the module marks Comments Marks /15 /10 /15 /5 /5 /50% /10% 8 INSTRUCTIONS 1. The assignment is in essay format with headings and subheadings. The assignment must be TYPED and DOUBLED-SPACED. Font type is Times New Roman and font size must be 12 and justified. 2. The word limit is 1,000 – 1,300. The assignment must contain a word count. 3. The DUE DATE is on Friday, 23rd August 2013. All assignment must be submitted to the Department of Business Studies within the due date with the acknowledgment of receipt from the Department. 4.Sources of information contained in the assignment should be referenced appropriately using Harvard referencing. Assignment should have a complete BIBLIOGRAPHY with listing all books and articles. Plagiarism is a serious form of cheating and is not acceptable which will result in a failure of the coursework. No proper referencing will result in PLAGIARISM. 4. Students would be penalized for not STRICTLY adhering to the instructions. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA: 1. Evidence of understanding of relevant management concepts and Theories. 2. Clear and realistic answers. 3. Ability to apply concepts and theories. 4. Clarity of written expression (well structured and ogical flow of ideas; Attention to grammar). 5. Standard of presentation (good layout; careful checking for spelling mistakes and typing errors). 9 Assignment No. : __ Assignment Cover Sheet Student Information (For group assignment, please state names of all members) Name ID Grade/Marks Module/Subject Information Module/Subject Code Module/Subject Name Lecturer/Tutor/Facilitator Due Date Assignment Title/Topic Intake (where applicable) Word Count Declaration Office Acknowledgement Date/Time . I/We have read and understood the Programme Handbook that explains on plagiarism, and I/we testify that, unless otherwise acknowledged, the work submitted herein is entirely my/our own. I/We declare that no part of this assignment has been written for me/us by any other person(s) except where such collaboration has been authorized by the lecturer concerned. . I/We authorize the University to test any work submitted by me/us, using text comparison software, for instances of plagiarism. I/We understand this will involve the University or its contractors copying my/our work and storing it on a database to be used in fut ure to test work submitted by others. Note:1) The attachment of this statement on any electronically submitted assignments will be deemed to have the same authority as a signed statement. 2) The Group Leader signs the declaration on behalf of all members. Signature: mail: Date: 10 Feedback/Comments* Main StrengthsMain Weaknesses Suggestions for improvement Student acknowledge feedback/comments Grader? s signature Date: Note: Student? s signature: Date: 1)A soft and hard copy of the assignment shall be submitted. 2)The signed copy of the assignment cover sheet shall be retained by the marker. 3)If the Turnitin report is required, students have to submit it with the assignment. However, departments may allow students up to THREE (3) working days after submission of the assignment to submit the Turnitin report. The assignment shall only be marked upon the submission of the Turnitin report. *Use additional sheets if required. 11 Department of Business StudiesACADEMIC INTEGRITY Honesty a nd Responsibility Academic integrity is an important tenet for HELP University. In pursuit of the highest standards of academic integrity, the Department of Business Studies holds it students to the highest ethical standards defined by the Rules and Regulations section of the Academic Handbook. All students at the Department of Business Studies are subjected to and are bound by the Student Academic Misconduct Rule to assure academic honesty. Students are required to sign a pledge on the assignment cover sheet before submitting your assignments to the Department of Business Studies. What is Plagiarism? Plagiarism is academic dishonesty or academic theft, and it is a serious academic offence.Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the followings: 1. quote, paraphrase or summarize someone else? s ideas, theories or data, in whole or in part, without appropriate acknowledgement 2. borrow ideas, opinion or words, in whole or in part, from other sources without properly crediting the author(s) 3. use any facts, statistics, diagrams or graphs, in whole or in part, without acknowledging the source clearly 4. claim or imply original authorship of someone else? s ideas, theories or data, in whole or in part, as your own 5. employ or allow someone to help to revise, amend or write your work and pass off as your own original work 6. collaborate with or allow other students to copy your work 7. raw on sources more than what you have acknowledged by citations While a student is not discouraged to discuss an assignment with his/her friends or classmates, the work he/she submits must be done by the student alone. If a student shares his/her assignment with other students and they plagiarize it, the student is as guilty as those students who plagiarized his/her assignment. All parties to plagiarism are considered equally guilty. Under no circumstances should a student be involved in collusion with other students unless he/she is permitted to work on an assignment jointly b y the lecturer/tutor. If a student is unsure what constitutes plagiarism, he/she is obliged to consult the lecturer/tutor on the matter before submission of his/her assignment. When and How to Reference? Knowing when and how to cite is a student? s responsibility.If he/she is in doubt or need more help on this matter, the student may consult the lecturer/tutor. The following list comprises some of the sources a student will need to reference. The list is by no means exhaustive, but simply consists of the most common sources used by students to complete their work. 1. Books 2. Chapters in books 12 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Journal articles Conference papers Newspaper articles Magazines Websites Study guide Students are advised to cite in the following cases [1]: 1. When he/she quotes two or more words verbatim, or even one word if it is used in a way that is unique to the source 2. When he/she introduce facts that he/she have found in a source 3.When he/she paraphrase or summarize ideas, int erpretations, or conclusions that he/she find in a source 4. When he/she introduce information that is not common knowledge or that may be considered common knowledge in your field, but the reader may not know it 5. When he/she borrow the plan or structure of a larger section of a source? s argument (for example, using a theory from a source and analyzing the same three case studies that the source uses) 6. When he/she build on another? s method found either in a source or from collaborative work in a lab 7. When he/she build on another? s program in writing computer code or on a notcommonly-known algorithm 8.When he/she collaborate with others in producing knowledge In general, a referencing system requires two parts: 1. In-text citations This is information about a source within the text of an assignment. 2. List of references This is a list of all sources a student has used to research his/her assignment. It is alphabetically arranged by author surname and appears immediately aft er the last page of an assignment. Different faculties or departments may have different requirement on how referencing for an assignment should be done. The various formats used for in-text citations and list of references are available in the following websites: 1. Harvard System ( delaide. edu. au/library/guide/gen/harvard. html) 2. Chicago Style ( chicagomanualofstyle. org/index. html) 3. American Psychological Association or APA Style ( apastyle. org) 4. Modern Language Association of America or MLA Style ( mla. org) Once a student has selected a referencing style for his/her assignment, he/she must follow the same style consistently throughout the assignment. We strongly suggest that the student consults the lecturer/tutor about which method to use before submission of his/her assignment. 1 yale. edu/bass/writing/sources/plagiarism/warning. html, accessed May 18, 2008. 13What are the Procedures and Penalties for Plagiarism? When a lecturer/tutor encounters a possible case of plagiarism, the lecturer/tutor shall report the matter to the Head of the Department, who then initiates an investigation on the matter. The following procedures would be carried out: 1. The lecturer/tutor shall provide evidence that substantiates an academic offence has occurred. The following documentations must be ready prior to reporting of alleged plagiarism: a. Copy of the alleged plagiarized assignment b. Copy of the source material (e. g. articles, websites, newspaper, etc. ) c. Report of plagiarism d. Any other information that would support the claim of plagiarism 2.If the evidence warrants an accusation of academic offence, the Head of Department shall establish a Board of Inquiry comprising 3 academic staff. The Department shall provide all necessary documentations, including report on prior academic offences if applicable, to the Board of Inquiry. 3. The Board of Inquiry shall put the matter to the student in writing and give him/her an opportunity to respond to the acc usation within 3 working days. 4. The student will be required to attend a meeting with the Board of Inquiry. After meeting the student, the Board of Inquiry shall decide whether or not the alleged plagiarism has occurred. The following documentations shall be submitted to the Head of Department at the end of the meeting: a. Findings of the investigation b.Recommended action(s) to be taken or imposed 5. The Head of Department shall review the Board of Inquiry? s report with supporting evidence and shall decide on an appropriate action(s) based on the recommendation of the Board of Inquiry. 6. The decision of the Head of Department shall be put in writing to the student. Copies of all documentations will be retained in the Department. 7. If the student feels that he/she has been unfairly accused or treated, the student may appeal to the Head of Department within 5 working days. 8. The Head of Department shall review the appeal and the final decision will be communicated to the studen t in writing and a copy will be kept with the Department.Once a determination of plagiarism and penalty has been made by the Head of Department, the investigative process will be deemed to have ended and the student will not be allowed to appeal. Possible penalties for plagiarism range from mark reduction for the assignment to expulsion from the University. The student will not be allowed to make up the assignment. If plagiarism has been found to have occurred, the Department will take action(s) as determined by the forms of plagiarism implicated: 1. Complete plagiarism Verbatim copying another person? s work without acknowledgement 1st offence : A grade of â€Å"F† in the subject and a warning letter will be issued 2nd offence : Expulsion from the University at the discretion of the Head of Department 2. Substantial plagiarism Near-verbatim copying another person? work by simply altering the order of the sentences or the format of presentation or by changing a few words or p hrases without acknowledgement. 14 Zero mark on the assignment and a warning letter will be issued nd 2 offence : A grade of â€Å"F† in the subject and a warning letter will be issued 3rd offence : Expulsion from the University at the discretion of the Head of Department 3. Minimal plagiarism Acknowledgement is made but paraphrasing by changing and/or eliminating some words 1st offence : Deduction of 50% of available marks on the assignment and a warning letter will be issued nd 2 offence : A grade of â€Å"F† in the subject and a warning letter will be issued 3rd offence : Expulsion from the University at the discretion of the Head of Department 4.Unintentional plagiarism Insufficient acknowledgement by not applying citation or quotation marks correctly 1st offence : Deduction of up to 50% of available marks on the assignment and a warning letter will be issued nd 2 offence : A grade of â€Å"F† in the subject and a warning letter will be issued rd 3 offence : Expulsion from the University at the discretion of the Head of Department Pleading ignorance or unintentional plagiarism does not constitute valid reasons for plagiarism and will not avoid the penalties from being imposed. Excuses for acts of plagiarism such as the following, but not limited to, will not be entertained: 1. I don? t have time to do the assignment 2. I have too many assignments due on the same day 3. I don? t know, I really didn? t do it 4. I am not aware 5. I don? t understand what plagiarism means 6. I have no intention to plagiarize 7. I forgot to cite the reference 8. I forgot to include the bibliography 9. My English is not good 10. My lecturer/tutor did not explain to me 11. In my country, it is alright to copy someone else? s work 12. My friend copied my ssignment when I let him/her to look at my assignment 13. My friend copied my assignment when I allow him/her to use my laptop 14. I did my assignment in the computer lab, someone must have copied my work 15. I asked my friend to submit my assignment and he/she copied my work 16. I discussed my assignment with my friends, so our answers are the same/similar 17. Even though I do not have in-text citation but I have bibliography/reference list Students should be reminded that it is their responsibilities to take due care throughout their written work to effectively reference or cite when they use others? ideas from any source. 1st offence : 15

Marketing Youtube video Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Marketing Youtube video - Essay Example This is a good advertisement. One on hand it gives a good display of product features and on the other hand provides a hilarious backdrop of three office executives. The linkage of the backdrop with real life events would induce repeat viewing. This is an example of an excellent advertisement. The innovative backdrop would induce repeat viewership, the advertisement shows a husband and wife fighting for the car devoid of the consequences, which is likely to make the product attractive and would enhance the positioning of the brand. An excellent advertisement with an innovative backdrop which effectively correlates with the tagline of the product ‘extremely strong’ as it shows a mouse doing something impossible after consuming a piece of cheese. The innovative backdrop would induce repeat viewership. Extremely innovative advertisement which communicates the product features in an innovative manner which would induce repeat viewership. The character portrayed in the advertisement effectively correlates with the product features which are likely to generate a good impact on the customers. This is an average advertisement that on one hand effectively promotes the product features but lacks in the aspect of inducing repeat viewership as the backdrop appears to be lengthy and somewhat uninteresting in

A history of ultrasound physics and the properties of the transducer Research Paper

A history of ultrasound physics and the properties of the transducer - Research Paper Example Prior to the second World War, sonar, which is the technique of transmitting waves of sound through water and observing the echoes that return to characterize the objects that are submerged, was an inspiration to the pioneers of ultrasound investigators in exploring ways and in turn applying the medical diagnosis concepts. This paper will highlight the history of ultrasound and discuss the properties of transducers. History of ultrasound According to Orenstein, (2008) Pythagoras, popular for his theory about right-angled triangles was the pioneer of ultrasound, since he invented the sonometer, which was used to study musical sounds. Boethius (c. 480-c.525) was the first to give comparison between sound waves to waves that were produced when a pebble was dropped into calm water. Pierre Curie, a French physicist discovered piezoelectricity in 1877, the moment that ultrasound was conceived. Later on, as Orenstein continues to assert, sonographic imaging was developed by French professor and physicist Paul Lavengin. Many scientists had the desire to see inside the human body and in turn developed probes and scopes for diagnosis and treatment during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. For instance, the discovery of X-rays by William Conrad in 1865 played an important role in the history of ultrasound. Moreover, in 1912, when the Titanic sank while on its maiden voyage made people to be curious in detecting submerged s ubstances. Like many other technological advances, ultrasound also owes its development to the World War. Lavengin was called upon by the French government to develop an object that was able to detect the sub marines of the enemy during the World War One. The device he invented applied the piezoelectric effect he had learned as Curies’ student (Orenstein, 2008). The transducer is one of the most critical componenets of any diagnostic ultrasound system. There exists various types of ultrasound transducers that can be chosen prior to performing an ultrasound investigation, therefore, much attention should be accorded towards choosing the most suitable transducer for the ultrasound application (Gibbs, Cole, & Sassano, 2009 p27). However, Lavengin did not complete the device he developed in 1917 so that it could be used during the First World War, but it indeed formed the basis of sonar detection that was developed in the World War II (Orenstein, 2008). In 1928, Sergei Sokolov, a Russian physicist made important suggestions that saw ultrasound being used for industrial purposes that included detecting flaws in metallic devices. Ultrasound is a new aspect in the field of medicine. For instance, in the 1920s and the 1930s, ultrasound was used by members of European football clubs as a physical therapy. Additionally, as reported by Orenstein, ultrasound was utilized in the sterilization of vaccines as well as for cancer therapy in conjunction with radiation therapy. Subsequently, in 1948, other ultrasound pioneers such as Douglas Howry subjected his efforts towards developing a B-mode equipment that compared pathology to cross-sectional anatomy. The late 60s and early 70s was the period of sonic boom. A 2D echo was pioneered by Klaus Bom. Don Baker, John Reid and Dennis Watkins were able to develop a pulsed Doppler in 1966, which was able to detect the flow of blood from the different corners of the heart. Real-time ultrasound was developed in

Earth Essay Example for Free

Earth Essay Earth is the planet on which we live. Earth is the third planet from the sun. The particles which compose of the mass of the earth but more particularly the particles which from the mould on the surface of Earth. The Earth is the largest member of the group of inner planets and is also the most massive. When the Earth is compared with its planetary neighbors, marked similarities as well marked differences are found. Of course, what singles the Earth out from any other planets is the fact that it has an oxygen-rich atmosphere and a temperature that makes it suitable for life of the kind we can understand. Were the Earth slightly close to the sun and slightly farther away, life here might not have developed. The purpose of this research is to let us learn more about our Planet that we are living and also aims to help us understand more about our planet. Even we have an idea what Planet Earth is all about, we must dig deeper and know the characteristics of Earth that we haven’t yet know. `The completion of this paper was made possible through my research in library, and computers. Some books, encyclopedia, dictionary, some magazines computer encyclopedia and other website, I got all I want to know. They are very helpful for my research, and thanks be to God for giving me wisdom to do this term paper alone and by myself. Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar Systems four terrestrial planets. It is sometimes referred to as the world, the Blue Planet, or by its Latin name, Terra. Earth formed approximately 4. 54 billion years ago, and life appeared on its surface within one billion years. Earths biosphere then significantly altered the atmospheric and other basic physical conditions, which enabled the proliferation of organisms as well as the formation of the ozone layer, which together with Earths magnetic field blocked harmful solar radiation, and permitted formerly ocean-confined life to move safely to land. The physical properties of the Earth, as well as its geological history and orbit, have allowed life to persist. Estimates on how much longer the planet will be able to continue to support life range from 500 million years (myr), to as long as 2. billion years (byr). Earths crust is divided into several rigid segments, or tectonic plates, that migrate across the surface over periods of many millions of years. About 71% of the surface is covered by salt water oceans, with the remainder consisting of continents and islands which together have many lakes and other sources of water that contribute to the hydrosphere. Earths poles are mostly covered with ice that is the solid ice of the Antarctic ice sheet and the sea ice that is the polar ice packs. The planets interior remains active, with a solid iron inner core, a liquid outer core that generates the magnetic field, and a thick layer of relatively solid mantle. Earth gravitationally interacts with other objects in space, especially the Sun and the Moon. During one orbit around the sun, the Earth rotates about its own axis 366. 26 times, creating 365. 26 solar days, or one sidereal year. The Earths axis of rotation is tilted 23. 4Â ° away from the perpendicular of its orbital plane, producing seasonal variations on the planets surface with a period of one tropical year (365. 24 solar days). The Moon is Earths only natural satellite. It began orbiting the Earth about 4. 53 billion years ago (bya). The Moons gravitational interaction with Earth stimulates ocean tides, stabilizes the axial tilt, and gradually slows the planets rotation. The planet is home to millions of species, including humans. Both the mineral resources of the planet and the products of the biosphere contribute resources that are used to support a global human population. These inhabitants are grouped into about 200 independent sovereign states, which interact through diplomacy, travel, trade, and military action. Human cultures have developed many views of the planet, including its personification as a planetary deity, its shape as flat, its position as the center of the universe, and in the modern Gaia Principle, as a single, self-regulating organism in its own right Formation The earliest material found in the Solar System is dated to 4. 5672Â ±0. 0006 bya; therefore, it is inferred that the Earth must have been forming by accretion around this time. By 4. 54Â ±0. 04 bya. The primordial Earth had formed. The formation and evolution of the Solar System bodies occurred in tandem with the Sun. In theory a solar nebula partitions a volume out of a molecular cloud by gravitational collapse, which begins to spin and flatten into a circumstellar disk, and then the planets grow out of that in tandem with the star. A nebula contains gas, ice grains and dust (includingprimordial nuclides). In nebular theory planetesimals commence forming as particulate accrues by cohesive clumping and then by gravity. The assembly of the primordial Earth proceeded for 10–20 myr. The Moon formed shortly thereafter, about 4. 53 bya. The Moons formation remains a mystery. The working hypothesis is that it formed by accretion from material loosed from the Earth after a Mars-sized object, dubbed Theia, had a giant impact with Earth, but the model is not self-consistent. In this scenario the mass of Theia is 10% of the Earths mass, it impacts with the Earth in a glancing blow, and some of its mass merges with the Earth. Between approximately 3. 8 and 4. 1 bya, numerous asteroid impacts during the Late Heavy Bombardment caused significant changes to the greater surface environment of the Moon, and by inference, to the Earth. Earths atmosphere and oceans formed by volcanic activity and outgassing that included water vapor. The origin of the worlds oceans was condensation augmented by water and ice delivered by asteroids, proto-planets, and comets. In this model, atmospheric greenhouse gases kept the oceans from freezing while the newly forming Sun was only at 70% luminosity. By 3. 5 bya, the Earths magnetic field was established, which helped prevent the atmosphere from being stripped away by the solar wind. A crust formed when the molten outer layer of the planet Earth cooled to form a solid as the accumulated water vapor began to act in the atmosphere. The two models that explain land mass propose either a steady growth to the present-day forms or, more likely, a rapid growthearly in Earth history followed by a long-term steady continental area. Continents formed by plate tectonics, a process ultimately driven by the continuous loss of heat from the earths interior. Ontime scales lasting hundreds of millions of years, the supercontinents have formed and broken up three times. Roughly 750 mya (million years ago), one of the earliest known supercontinents, Rodinia, began to break apart. The continents later recombined to form Pannotia, 600–540 mya, then finally Pangaea, which also broke apart 180 mya. Evolution of life Highly energetic chemistry is thought to have produced a self-replicating molecule around 4 bya and half a billion years later the last common ancestor of all life existed. The development of photosynthesis allowed the Suns energy to be harvested directly by life forms; the resultant oxygen accumulated in the atmosphere and formed a layer of ozone (a form of molecular oxygen [O3]) in the upper atmosphere. The incorporation of smaller cells within larger ones resulted in the development of complex cells called eukaryotes. True multicellular organisms formed as cells within colonies became increasingly specialized. Aided by the absorption of harmful ultraviolet radiation by the ozone layer, life colonized the surface of Earth. Since the 1960s, it has been hypothesized that severe glacial action between 750 and 580 mya, during the Neoproterozoic, covered much of the planet in a sheet of ice. This hypothesis has been termed Snowball Earth, and is of particular interest because it preceded he Cambrian explosion, when multicellular life forms began to proliferate. Following the Cambrian explosion, about 535 mya, there have been five major mass extinctions. [55] The most recent such event was 65 mya, when an asteroid impact triggered the extinction of the (non-avian) dinosaurs and other large reptiles, but spared some small animals such as mammals, which then resembled shrews. Over the past 65 myr, mammalian life has diversified, and several million years ago an African ape-like animal such as Orrorin tugenensis gained the ability to stand upright. This enabled tool use and encouraged communication that provided the nutrition and stimulation needed for a larger brain, which allowed the evolution of the human race. The development of agriculture, and then civilization, allowed humans to influence the Earth in a short time span as no other life form had, affecting both the nature and quantity of other life forms. The present pattern of ice ages began about 40 mya and then intensified during the Pleistocene about 3 mya. High-latitude regions have since undergone repeated cycles of glaciation and thaw, repeating every 40–100,000 years. The last continental glaciation ended 10,000 years ago.

Essay --

Emily Kotroco Paper 1 Wordsworth poems â€Å"Tintern Abbey† and â€Å"Preface to Lyrical Ballads† During Wordsworth time as a poet he made it his mission to have poetry be read by not only the aristocrats but also now the common man something that has never been done. In both poems Wordsworth makes his poems relatable by incorporating themes that everyone can relate to even if they haven’t personally had that experience, although both poems do differ when it comes down to structure and form but also when trying to convey a message, these poems are important because these ideas have never been done before and now even the average Joe can finally participate in a conversation about poetry and this brings two world together. Wordsworths â€Å"Preface to Lyrical Ballads† is his ideas on how he is going to be writing his poetry. In the â€Å"Preface to Lyrical Ballads† The Principal Object of the Poems. Humble and Rustic Life (Wordsworth 434) he discusses how in his poems he wants to create a situation in common life and have all different kinds of people relate them to a personal experience they once had in a common language,â€Å" To throw over them a certain colouring of imagination, whereby ordinary things should be presented to the mid in an unsual way; and ,further, and above all, to make these incidents and situations interesting by tracing them truly through not ostentatiously, the primary laws of our nature: chiefly, as far as regards the manner in which we associate ideas in a state of excitement.† by saying this in this stanza one can directly relate it to how he then writes â€Å"Tintern Abbey†. In â€Å"Tintern Abbey† Wordsworth uses this imagination to mak e things like walking through a abbey with your sister can become a magical incident that sends... ...eople that are from two different classes could talk about one poem and how they feel about it. This really changed the how poetry was viewed considering Wordsworth was one of the best of his time other poets look at what he was doing and responded to his actions and thoughts. Wordsworth explores common themes of the romantic era and makes them apparent to his readers by finding something important to the common man and using common diction. Before William Wordsworth wrote "Tintern Abbey" and â€Å"Preface to Lyrical Ballads†, poetry, was written pretty exclusively for and about rich people. Wordsworth's mission was to open up literature and to make it more accessible and enjoyable to normal, everyday people. He did this by setting up his thoughts in â€Å"Preface to Lyrical Ballads† and then exhausting them in â€Å"Tintern Abbey† and showing how poetry really should be written.

Compensation Management Essay

Compensation does not refer, however, to other kinds of eployee rewards such as recognition ceremonies and achievement parties. The ultimate objectives of compensation administration are: efficient maintenance of a productive  workforce,  equitable pay, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations based on what companies can afford. The basic concept of compensation administration—compensation management—is rather simple: employees perform tasks for employers and so companies pay employees wages for the jobs they do. Consequently, compensation is an exchange or a transaction, from which both parties—employers and employees—benefit: both parties receive something for giving something. Compensation, however, involves much more than this simple transaction. From the employer’s perspective, compensation is an issue of both affordability and  employee motivation. Companies must consider what they can reasonably afford to pay their employees and the ramifications of their decisions: will they affect  employee turnover  and productivity? In addition, some employers and managers believe pay can influence employee work ethic and behaviour and hence link compensation to performance. Moreover social, economic, legal, and political forces also exert influence on compensation management, making it a complicated yet important part of managing a business. Compensation and Reward system plays vital role in a business organization. Since, among four Ms, i. e Men, Material, Machine and Money, Men has been most important factor, it is impossible to imagine a business process without Men. Advantages of Fair Compensation System: Therefore a fair compensation system is a must for every business organization. The fair compensation system will help in the following: 1. If an ideal compensation system is designed, it will have positive impact on the efficiency and results produced by workmen. 2. Such system will encourage the normal worker to perform better and achieve the standards fixed. 3. This system will encourage the process of job evaluation. It will also help in setting up an ideal job evaluation, which will have transparency, and the standards fixing would be more realistic and achievable. . Such a system would be well defined and uniform. It will be apply to all the levels of the organization as a general system. 5. The system would be simple and flexible so that every worker/recipient would be able to compute his own compensation receivable. 6. Such system would be easy to implement, so that it would not penalize the workers for the reasons beyond their control and would not result in exploitation of workers. 7. It will raise the morale, efficiency and cooperation among the workers. It, being just and fair would provide satisfaction to the workers. 8. Such system would help management in complying with the various labor acts. 9. Such system would also bring about amicable settlement of disputes between the workmen union and management. 10. The system would embody itself the principle of equal work equal wages. Encouragement for those who perform better and opportunities for those who wish to excel. Need for designing of compensation Policy: After going through the role and essentials of a sound compensation system, it becomes imperative that every business organization should be set up for itself a proper Compensation Policy. The Management of the organization must have well-designed Compensation Policy. The policy calls for deciding the criteria for promotions, up-gradations etc. It would also be necessary to fix up the standard expectations from each and every workmen/employee. The policy should determine the norms to be followed for Performance Appraisal or Job Evaluation. It should also chalk out the need for training, provisions for fringe benefits, welfare schemes etc. It must prescribe the manner in which such benefits would be extended and levels within the organization to which such benefits are extendable. The incentive schemes and its details, Pay package structure, Tax implications etc. are matters of concern while designing the compensation Policy. Importance of Compensation System: Money makes the mare go is the proverb. It holds good for all the factors participating in the business process expects its fair share of prosperity of the business. Compensation/ Reward System play a vital role in the business organization. And its importance can be very well ascertained as follows: 1. Sound Compensation/Reward System brings amicability and peace in the relationship of employer and employees. . The system brings out the best out of every employee in the organization. It aims at creating a healthy competition among them. And as such, encourages them to work hard and efficiently. 3. The system provides adequate opportunities to those who wish to perform better. The system provides growth and advancement opportunities to the deserving employees. 4. The system upholds the principle of equal wages. It provides transparency and parity too. 5. The perfect Compensation system provides platform for happy and satisfied workforce, this minimizes the labour turnover. The organization enjoys the stability. 6. The organization is able to retain the best talent by providing them adequate compensation thereby stopping them from switching over to another job. 7. The business organization can think of expansion and growth if it has the support of skillful, talented and happy workforce. 8. The sound Compensation system is hallmark of Organization’s success and prosperity. The success and stability of organization is measured with pay-package it provides to its employees. 9. Both employer and employees get benefited because of the sound Compensation System. 0. A sound Compensation System helps the organization keep pace with changing environment. It helps the organization to cope up with the wage levels in neighboring industries. 11. Sound Compensation System minimizes the complaints from the employees, provides them the congenial work environment to perform better and sets up for them the targets to be achieved. Definite targets help employees kn ow their role in the organization, which minimize wastage, and enhance overall efficiency. It also helps organization to reduce the cost of production and maximize profits The Compensation System Time RatePiece rate BonusProfit sharingIndirect Monetary Incentive Time Rate System: This system is divided into three categories. Time Rates Ordinary level High Wage LevelGraduated Time Rates Ordinary Level: It is calculated on time (daily, monthly, weekly etc. )The formula for calculation of salary is Rate per hour X Hours worked = Earnings (RPH X HW=E). High Wage Level: It is calculated on hourly basis put over time is not paid. The formula for calculation of salary is RPH X HW = E Graduate System: Payment: the basic is linked with dearness cost of living. The index of cost of living is varying and that is considered for calculating the remuneration. Formula: Basic Salary is Rs. 2,000/- and Cost of living Index (D. A) is 100% then, Rs 2000+100% of Rs 2000 as cost of living is added, thus total remuneration is Rs. 4000/-. It is after 6 months, cost of living index change 150%. Then basic salary + 150 % of basic salary si. e Rs 3,000/- will make it Rs, 5000. Piece Rate/ Payment Rate (Payment by Results) System of Piece Rate (Payment by Results) Straight Piece RatePiece ;amp; Time Combination Differential Piece Rate Taylor System Merrick System Gantt Task System Straight Piece Rate: Payment: Flat rate is applicable per unit, which is predetermined. The time spent is not considered. Formula: PPR X O = Earnings. Piece Rate and Time Rate Combinations: Payment: It is a dual rate system, designed to perfect inefficient workers. The worker is ensured to get the minimum payment. If the payment is calculated on the basis of piece rate guarantees and number of pieces fall below the minimum wages guaranteed, he is paid by time Rate. Differential Piece rate: Payment: In favour of piece rate system, minimum wages were assured. However, under this system, instead of combining time-rate and piece-rate, there are dual rates for different efficiency level. The purpose behind keeping high piece rate for higher efficiency is as the level of production increases, the cost per unit falls. Bonus: Bonus is given by the company to their employees as a reward. It is been fixed by the government i. e 8. 33%. Bonus encourages the employees to work hard. It is a motivating factor for the employees to improve their efficiency. Profit Sharing: Profit Sharing is the most motivating factor. When the company makes profit it gives some kind of share to their employees as an Annual increment. This helps to motive employees to work hard and get more increment. Indirect Monetary Incentive: Indirect Monetary Incentives like traveling allowance, HRA, Dearness allowance, medical facility etc. are very motivating for the employees. Elements or ingredients of a good wage plan: Before we discuss these two plans, it would be fruitful to know the ingredients of a good wage plan. These are:- 1. It should be easily understandable i. e all the employees should easily understand what they are to get for their work. They should be instructed in how the wage plan works. 2. It should be capable of easy computation i. e. it should be sufficiently simple to permit quick calculation. Mathematical tables may be supplied, by reference to which calculations can be quickly made. 3. It should be capable of effectively motivating the employees, i. e it should provide an incentive for work. If both the quality and quantity of work are to be stressed at the same time, a plan should be selected that will not unduly influence the worker to work too fast or to become careless about quality. . It should provide for remuneration to employees as soon as possible after the effort has been made. Daily or weekly payment of wage would be preferable to induce employees to work. 5. It should be relatively stable rather than frequently varying so that employees are assured of a stable amount of money. Reasons or factors affecting wage differentials: Wages differ in different employments or occupations, industries and loc alities, and also between persons in the same employment or grade. One therefore comes across such terms as occupational wage differentials. Wage differentials have been classified into three categories: First, the differentials that can be attributed to imperfections in the employment markets, such as the limited knowledge of workers in regard to alternative job opportunities available elsewhere, obstacles to geographical, occupational or inter-firm mobility of workers, or time lags in the adjustments of resource distribution and changes in the scope and structure of economic activities. Examples of such wage differentials are inter-industry; inter firm and geographical or inter-area wage differentials. Second, the wage differentials which originate in social values and prejudices and which are deeper and more persistent than economic factors. Wage differentials by sex, age, status or ethnic origin belong to this category. Third, occupational wage differentials, which would exist even if employment markets were perfect and social prejudices, were absent. Wage differential arises because of the following factors:- a. Difference in the efficiency of the labour, which may be due to inborn quality, education and conditions under which work may be done. . The existence of non-competing group due to difficulties in the way of the mobility of labour from low paid to high paid employments. c. Difference in the agreeableness or social esteem of employment. d. Differences in the nature of employment and occupations. Norms for Fixation of Wages in Industry: 1. While computing the minimum wages, the standard working class family should be considered as consisting of four consumption units and t he earnings of women, children and adolescents should be excluded. . The minimum food requirements should be determined on the grounds of a net intake of 2700 calories as laid down by Akroyd for a normal adult in India. 3. Clothing needs should be established on the basis of a per capita consumption of 16. 62 meters per year. 4. As regards housing, the minimum wages should be determined from the standpoint of the rent corresponding to the minimum area specified under the government Industrial Housing Scheme. 5. Miscellaneous expenditure on items such fuel, lighting etc. hould from 20 per cent of the total minimum wage. The resolution further prescribes that the authorities involved in the issue should justify any deviation from these norms. Retirement benefits related enactments in India: Employees’ Provident Fund Act The Act was passed with a view to making some provision for the future of the industrial worker after his retirement or for his dependents in case of his early death and inculcating the habit of saving among the workers. The object of the Act is to provide substantial security and timely monetary assistance to industrial employees and their families when they are in distress and or unable to meet family and social obligations and to protect them in old age, disablement, early death of the bread winner and in some other contingencies. The act provides for a scheme for the institution of Provident Fund for specified classes of employees. Accordingly, the Employees’ Provident Funds Scheme was framed under Section 5 of the Act, which came into force on 1st November, 1952. Main features of the Act The Act is applicable to factorize and other establishments engaged in specified industries classes of establishment, which have completed three years of their existence and employing 20 or more persons. The Act, however, does not apply to co-operative societies employing less than 50 persons and working without the aid of power. An establishment, which is not otherwise coverable under the Act, can be covered voluntarily with the mutual consent of the employer and the majority of the employees. Employees drawing a pay not exceeding Rs. 5000 per month (And now it is amended to Rs. 6500/- ecently) are eligible for membership of the fund. Every employee employed in or in connection with the fund from the date of joining the factory or establishment. The normal rate of contribution to the provident fund by the employees and the employers as prescribed in the Act is 10 percent of the pay of the employees. The term â€Å"wages† includes basic wage. Dearness allowance including cash value of food concession and retaining allowance, if any. Employees’ State Insurance Scheme The Employees’ State Insurance Scheme Act, 1948 is a pioneering measure in the field of social insurance in our country. This act came into force from 19th April, 1948. The Scheme under the Act aims at providing for certain cash benefits to employees in the case of sickness, maternity, employment injury and medical facilities in kind, and to make provisions for certain other matters in relations thereto. The term â€Å"employee† has wide connotation and would include within its scope functions of clerical, manual, technical and supervisory. Persons whose remuneration (excluding remuneration for overtime work) does not exceed Rs. 6500 a month are covered under the Act. The Act does not make any distinction between causal or temporary employees or between technical or non-technical employees. Employees employed directly by the principal employer and those employed by or through contractor. However, the definition of â€Å"employee† does not include any member of the Indian naval, military or air force. Compensation Structure and its components: One of the most vital factors the motivation, retention and the morale amongst the employees is the compensation system, policies and review philosophies of any organization. While the bargain able employees generally have their unions to negotiate or review terms with the Management-which are governed by the Long Term Settlements- the terms of the managerial employees are mostly seen to be at the mercy or the goodwill of the organization, reviews of which may or may not be regular or timely, or often do not seem to meet the expectations or logic of such employees. Management Compensation therefore, now plays a very significant part along with the working style and environment, empowerment etc. in the organization’s success strategy. While individual organizations may have differences in their methodologies based on factors best suited their perceived needs, some general directions are evident, and are discussed below. 1. Salary, Basic Salary or Consolidated Salary continues to remain as the major component of compensation, though Salary Scales are often discarded these days, or used only as guides. Individual Salary is generally decided initially using the Scale, but thereafter performance, contribution to targets or results generated determine the revisions periodically, which may vary widely from individual to individual. Salary broad handling is therefore, getting recognition and acceptance. 2. Grade wise flat Allowance is being considered generally, except where tax exemption benefits are still available, when they continue as separate components. Allowances may be linked to the Salary as a percentage or by slabs, but preference is for flat amounts, which do not increase automatically, and therefore increase could be discretionary, and therefore controllable. 3. Reimbursements of expenses incurred on Company work has become limited, and in line to conform to the tax laws. Being actual in most cases, they are not considered as a part of the compensation, unless it is provided towards personal benefits. 4. Annual payments: Bonus or Commission, and Leave travel are common features some tax reliefs apply for the latter. 5. Benefits generally comprise of mostly unfurnished company owned or leased accommodation, use of company or leased vehicles, medical coverage, retrial benefits covering Provident Fund, Pension or Superannuation and Gratuity, post-retrial medical assistance, easy loan schemes at low or zero interest rates for house building, cars or vehicles, furniture or utility items etc. enting employees owned housing, club entrance free reimbursement etc. Minor benefits could be provision of security, driver or gardening assistance, else of products or assets at a concessional rate, relocation and transfer expenses including admission etc. fees for children, credit card fees, phones etc. 6. Employee stock option schemes which has been popular in IT in dustry-,is not extensively used yet, not being tax advantageous to other industries, nor seen as being very attractive with lesser growth trends for their share values especially in the well-established older companies. 7. Most companies, as against earlier visible costs, use the â€Å"Total cost to the Company† concept as basis. Cost of the most benefits are averaged or computed on actual basis, and within the system of the overall cost, but with greater compliance to tax laws, this basket concept is on the wane. 8. Retiral benefits: Some in recognition of the past contribution of pensioners, and to partly offset the inflation post retirement practices periodic improvement in pensions, or a guaranteed grade minimum pension. 9. Performance Bonus that does not increase future liability is being given more as recognition of results generated. It requires transparent, balanced and fair systems and benchmarks, and also agrees targets by the managers in advance during planning and review discussions. 10. From the earlier grade oriented compensation system within reasonable boundaries, compensation often has to be somewhat tailor made for specialist or key contributors to retain them in the very volatile job market. 11. Compensation review periods have become annual generally and sometimes oftener, as compared to every three to five years earlier, in the fast changing market situation. Conclusion To summarize, the need to regularly carry out detailed compensation reviews both within and out of the organisation with full support and commitment from the top is essential. Openness and transparency are important to the managers in the very sensitive and personal issues of management i. e. remuneration, and therefore policies and practices should match. The remuneration and the system have to be fair and dynamic Dealing with human feelings still remains a competitively attractive feature.

Tourettes Syndrome in Children

Tourette's syndrome, also called Tourette's disorder is named after the neurologist, Gilles de la Tourette. Sometimes it is referred to as GTS but more often it is simply called Tourette's or ‘TS’. It is an inherited neurological disorder marked by movement-based (motor) tics which are abrupt, repetitive, stereotyped, non-rhythmic movements, as well as vocal (verbal or phonic) tics which are involuntary sounds produced by moving air through the nose, mouth, or throat. Tourette's is defined as part of a spectrum of tic disorders, which includes transient and chronic tics.This disorder may appear in multiple family members, and often appears (co-morbid) with other behavioral disorders, in particular – â€Å"obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)† (Hawley 2008). People with this disorder have normal life expectancy and intelligence, but symptoms can lead to decrease in normal activities (Walkup, Mink & Hollenbec k 2006). Tourette’s syndrome, as described in the psychiatric diagnostic tool DSM-IV-TR criteria is â€Å"associated with distress or social or functional impairment† (Hawley 2008). Onset and Diagnosis.The most common first sign to alert people to visit the doctor for a possible presence of Tourette’s is a facial tic such as â€Å"rapidly blinking eyes or twitches of the mouth† (NTSA 2009). Unintended, involuntary sounds such as throat clearing, shrugging or tics of the limbs may be initial signs but in certain case, although rare, the symptoms become abruptly with multiple symptoms of movements and sounds. Chronic tic disorder is diagnosed with the presence of single or multiple tics, and the presence of motor or phonic tics (but not both) which is present for a year or more.On the other hand, Tourette's which falls under the category of above is diagnosed when there are multiple motor tics occurring at the same time with one phonic tic and is manifested for more than a year. As a general rule, simple motor tics like blinking are first noticed on the child at around 5-10 years old, while vocal tics start manifesting after 8 years old but before the child is 15 years old. Symptoms of the disorder can be seen in infancy but this is a rarity. As a rule, the symptoms may come and go and children show identifiable signs at round 7 years old (Hawley 2008), and before 18-21years old (Black 2007).Studies found the most onset was between 9-14 years of age (Leckman 2003, Black 2007). Another study showed that tics started below 18 years, but 5 relatives had an onset after the age of 21 years. Affected persons will â€Å"blink, jerk, grunt, clear their throats, swing their arms, grasp or clasp others, have obsessive-compulsive behaviors or use verbal expletives (coprolalia) uncontrollably† (Tabers 2001, 2207). In some cases, people suffering from Tourette’s can control the verbal expletives in public but they will express it vig orously once they are in private.Coprolalia, â€Å"the uncontrollable utterance of socially objectionable or taboo words or phrases† is the most popular symptom of Tourette's but it is not required for a diagnosis hence about 90% of patients afflicted with it only Tourette's does not have coprolalia. The most common, initially noticed motor tic is eye blinking and the vocal tic is repetitive throat clearing (Black 2007). The disorder often persists throughout the individual’s lifespan but severity peaks in adolescence and thereafter decreases to a point that it is almost not bothersome to the person.This average though can be very misleading because some form of fluctuation or recurrence have been documented although it is not severe. There have also been rare cases that reported a recurrence of tics that is bothersome enough to seek medical attention, and have had to maintain lifelong treatment due to progressively worsening of tic activity (Black 2007). Prevalence. T ourette's syndrome used to be known as a rare condition but it is now contended by doctors and psychologists that it may be more common but misdiagnosed because some cases are so mild that patients and their families discard it as being an oddity rather than Tourette’s.Most children with TS have mild, barely bothersome, non-disabling symptoms, and it is difficult to distinguish the signs of the disorder as opposed to a child acting out such as Mimicking others, blinking being viewed as tormenting someone who may have done so because they wear glasses, or by doing things that others would view as the child just trying to get attention, therefore, medical attention is not a thought to the parents of the child who is doing these things.In some patients the tics improve and disappear as they grow older; hence, they never seek medical attention. The estimated prevalence is 0. 7-4. 2% (Hawley 2008) based on children checked in public schools. Tourette’s is known to be famili al and its prevalence rate in first-degree relatives is 5-15% (about 10 times the prevalence rate in the general population). Chronic motor tics occurring, without vocal tics has also been documented as being common in relatives (Black 2007).In special education programs, 26% of students identified tics, as compared to 6% of students in mainstream classrooms led to identification of co-morbidity with having symptoms of TS included ADHD and OCD (Hawley 2008), impulse control disorders, anxiety and mood disorders, as well as difficulties with living and adaptation (Walkup, Mink & Hollenbeck 2006). It is estimated that 1 in 10 children per 1,000 have Tourette’s disorder, and as many as 1 per 100 people may have tic disorders.In children, male to female ratio varies from 2-10:1 (Hawley 2008), boys have an increased prevalence for chronic tics compared to girls in exhibiting 5:1 ratio, although some studies show between 2:1 and 10:1 ratios (Black 2007). If OCD data is included as a variant of Tourette’s, their quantities added to the total, the ratio between boys and girls become equal (Hawley 2008). Causes. Environmental factors may contribute to the cause but up to now exact causes of the disorder is still are not known.The clinical phenomenon are very similar across social classes, ethnicity and culture which suggests a genetic basis and the disorder has been reported globally (Hawley 2008). As children pass through adolescence, the tics decrease in severity and it is extremely rare for Tourette's to persist in adulthood. Whether the resolution is a compensation of the neuro system or a resolution of the underlying pathology is unclear (Hawley 2008).Adults who show signs of the disorder are likely to have shown symptoms since childhood, although these may have been so mild that they were generally unnoticed and undiagnosed. In the US though, most diagnosed patients being examined at research centers and affiliated with lay organizations are white. But this does not necessarily mean that Caucasians have a predisposition, it may merely be due to differences healthcare-seeking behaviors. A non-genetic cause may also exist and is still under research and investigation.Additional evidence is being gathered regarding the differences in severity between affected twins with the twin having experienced peri-natal complications experiencing increased symptom severity (Hyde 1992, Black 2007). Also garnering much attention is the theory that Tourette’s syndrome may be caused by an abnormal immune response to streptococcal infection. In several documented cases, tics began suddenly after a streptococcal infection. As a result of this the case definition for a â€Å"post-streptococcal autoimmune neuro-psychiatric disorders† came into being (Snider 2003, Black 2007).The difference between other movement disorders such as choreas, dystonias, and dyskinesias and that of Tourette's – these are â€Å"temporarily suppressib le, non-rhythmic and more often than not are preceded by a premonitory urge† (Black 2007). Just before an onset, an afflicted individual feels an urge that is similar to one felt before a sneeze or an itch that needs scratching. This is often pictured as a buildup of tension and energy which they are then able to consciously release so the sensation is relieved.It is further described as â€Å"something stuck in one's throat, a localized discomfort in the shoulders that leads to the need to clear one's throat or shrug the shoulders† (Hawley 2008). The actual tic is eventually felt as relieving this tension or sensation, similar to clearing the throat or shrugging the shoulder. This is how â€Å"premonitory sensory phenomena† or premonitory urges are described by sufferers. Medication and Treatment. Often, medication is unnecessary and a safe and effective medication for each and every case of tic is yet to be introduced.There have been medications as well as ther apies that help to reduce certain types of tics, but not cure it. In general, the medical management of Tourette’s is the treatment of coexisting behavior symptoms, change in diet, patient and family education. The patient and family are educated regarding how to effectively handle the manifestations of the disorder, and if an effective adaptation is made, they can avoid the use of medications. Medication is only considered when there is substantial interference with social and academic performance, as well as activities of daily living.The target is not for completely eliminating the symptoms but merely to alleviate the social embarrassment and discomfort so as to improve the social and academics life of the child. Various pharmacological agents are used to reduce the symptoms’ severity but it only treats the symptom and often the medications are have neurological effects whereas it has been argued that the disorder is a neurobiological condition. No curative or preve ntive treatments are atill available for this neurobiological or even biological aspect.There is a growing movement to go against medications because this being a chronic disorder, the goal should be long-term benefit rather than quick improvement at any cost. Families are also getting increasingly worried that the medications might have a detrimental effect in their children, that perhaps in the end, it ‘damages’ them rather than helping. It has been Resources for the child and families are available in several way which include educating students and school personnel regarding the nature the syndrome as well as improving the school environment will help the patient to avoid pharmacotherapy.Parents and families members of a child who has TS can turn to agencies such as the National Tourettes Association, counseling with the doctor’s, videos, and self help books. Reference List Black, Kevin J.. , Webb, Heather. Neurology: Pediatric Neurology: Tourette Syndrome an d Other Tic Disorders. Mar 30, 2007. Available from eMedicine Specialties at http://emedicine. medscape. com/article/1182258-overview Hawley, Jason S. , Darnall, Carl R. , Gray, Sharette K. Pediatrics: Developmental and Behavioral – Tourette Syndrome. 23 June 2008.Available from eMedicine Specialties at http://emedicine. medscape. com/article/289457-overview. National Tourette Syndrome Association, Inc. Tourette Syndrome: Frequently Asked Questions Website http://www. tsa-usa. org. Available at http://www. tsa-usa. org/Medical/Faqs. html. 2009. Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. Tourette’s Syndrome. (pp. 2207-2208). Philadephia, PA. F. A. Davis Company. 2001. Walkup, John T. , Mink, Jonathan W. , Hollenbeck, Peter J. Edition: Tourette Syndrome. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2006.

All About the Genre of Character Writing

All About the Genre of Character Writing A brief descriptive sketch of a class or type of person (such as a city slicker, a country bumpkin, or a grumpy old man) rather than of an individual personality. Character-writing became a popular literary form in England following the publication in 1592 of a Latin translation of Theophrastus, an ancient Greek writer of similar sketches. Characters eventually became more individualized and were integrated with the essay and the novel. Also Known As: character sketch Examples of Character Writing The Character of the Man in Black, by Oliver GoldsmithA Definition of a Gentleman, by John Henry NewmanGood Souls, by Dorothy ParkerThe Landlord, by Henry David ThoreauMr. Barlow, by Charles DickensThe Plumber, by Anthony TrollopeThe Satirist, by Robert Louis StevensonStatus Details in Tom Wolfes DescriptionsThree Characters by John EarleThe True Friend, by Joseph Hall Etymology From the Latin (mark, distinctive quality) from the Greek (scratch, engrave) Observations and Examples: The 17th of a Character: The AnchormanHe graduated from drama school and looked for parts in television. Because he had prognathous jaws like a cowboys and every cilium of his light-brown hair seemed to be nailed into his skull for keeps, he was steered into the news department. At first, like all beginning newscasters, he had to leave the building...He would stand in front of the building and hold a microphone covered in black styrofoam and recite AP or UPI copy about [an] event. He could do this without skipping a beat, and he maintained his head of hair nearly intact, and soon he did not have to leave the building anymore. He was promoted to the anchor desk of the stations six oclock news broadcast, where he reads the AP and UPI copy from the Teleprompter. Only two things stand in the way of his goal of reaching the network news desk. One is the Anchorwoman, a fireproof blonde who is so aggressive, such a nutcracker, that she terrifies him. His on-air Happy Hour Chitchat with her sounds as if it is being extracted by water torture. The other is the ever-so-imperceptibly widening part in his hair.(Tom Wolfe, Success Stories: The Anchorman. In Our Time, Farrar, 1980) The Theophrastian CharacterTheophrastus (c. 371 of a Character: The Penurious ManThe Penurious man is one who, while the month is current, will come to ones house and ask for a half-obol [a silver coin]. When he is at the table with others he will count how many cups each of them has drunk; and will pour a smaller libation to Artemis than any of the company. Whenever a person has made a good bargain for him and charges him with it, he will say that it is too dear. When a servant has broken a jug or a plate he will take the value out of his rations; or, if his wife has dropped a three-farthing piece, he is capable of moving the furniture and the sofas and the wardrobes, and of rummaging in the curtains. If he has anything to sell he will dispose of it at such a price that the buyer shall have no profit. He is not likely to let one eat a fig from his garden, or walk through his land, or pick up one of the olives or dates that lie on the ground, and he will inspect his boundaries day by day to see if they remain the same. He is apt, also, to enforce the right of distraining, and to exact compound interest. When he feasts the men of his parish, the cutlets set before them will be small: when he markets, he will come in having bought nothing. And he will forbid his wife to lend salt, or a lamp-wick, or cummin, or verjuice, or meal for sacrifice, or garlands, or cakes; saying that these trifles come to much in the year. Then, in general, it may be noticed that the moneyboxes of the penurious are mouldy, and the keys rusty; that they themselves wear their cloaks scarcely reaching to the thigh; that they anoint themselves from very small oil-flasks; that they have their hair cut close; that they take off their shoes in the middle of the day; and that they are urgent with the fuller to let their cloak have plenty of earth, in order that it may not soon be soiled.(The Characters of Theophrastus, edited and translated by R.C. Jebb. Macmillan, 1870)