Tuesday, November 26, 2019

bio lab pill bug Essays

bio lab pill bug Essays bio lab pill bug Paper bio lab pill bug Paper What are the Effect of Different Environments and the Movement of Pill Bugs? Purpose: The purpose of this lab was to analyze pill bugs activity in different environments and determine the effect of wet/dry or dark/light environments have on them and how taxis takes place in their choices in living in areas. Background information: Terrestrial isopods are commonly referred to as sow bugs and pill bugs and have other nick names as well. These pill bugs are also related to lobsters, crabs and shrimp making them breathe with gills. Pill bugs also tend to live in moist cool areas such as underneath rocks and soil in order to keep them from ehydrating. These pill bugs seem to sense their environment with the antennae in front of their body. Males and females are typically distinguished through darker and lighter colors, darker bottom sides being males and lighter being females. They also breathe through their gill like structures within their bodies. Through the first lab experiment that I did, I allowed the pill bugs to move freely without interfering with any of their decisions. After recording the numbers after every thirty seconds I believe that through taxis they chose to move the side where the moist was much higher. Based on my data I have concluded that pill bugs prefer moist living condition than dry. Hypothesis: If pill bugs naturally live under rocks and typically come out during the night, I predict that most of the will prefer the darker setting more than the lighter Materials: Dirt/S0il Roly-polies An apple Mister Shoe box Foam cup Duct tape Procedure: Isopod tracking chart in wet and dry conditions Time (min:sec)# Wet# Dry o:oo 0:30 1:30 2:00 2:30 3:00 3:30 4:30 5:00 5:30 6:00 7:00 7:30 8:00 8; 30 9:00 9:30 100 8 9 7 6 2 3 4 10:oo 9 Isopod tracking chart with light and dark setting Time (min:sec)# Light # Dark :oo 5 5 4:00 6:30 8;30 5 10:oo 7 Discussion: The purpose of this lab was to identify how pill bugs react in different environments and how taxis takes a role in their decisions. Through this lab I was able to acquire an abundant amount of information to support my hypothesis. Based on the data that came out of the light vs. ark experiment I have concluded that pill bugs prefer darker environments than light. In order to support this data IVe done research, which spec ifically states the isopods, like pill bugs prefer darken areas than light due to the fact that the sun puts these bugs at risk of drying out. The most otable error that could have occurred was the bugs themselves run into each other. In order to fix this problem I could have open the passage wider so that they can easily move freely to each side. For future experiments i believe it should be done outside so that the bugs can feel the heat waves so that it gives the lab a little bit more credibility. This lab should also be done on a larger scale with more details, like either giving them more room on in each environment like a shoe box and having the experiment go on for a couple of days instead of minutes. Conclusion: Through this lab IVe discovered that in order for an animal to survive hey go through one of two actions, kinesis or taxi. This is also proof that animals go through natural selection and the fittest will survive. Conclusion Questions: (B) 1 . Based on your observations, do isopods prefer a moist or dry environment? -Based on my results, these bugs prefer to live in moist areas. (B)2. Would the movement observed be an example of taxis or kinesis? -l believe their actions were an example of kinesis due to higher numbers in wet areas. (B)3. Suggest a reason characteristics could lower the possibility of being eaten due to the fact that not very many predators live where they do (C)l . Did the isopods exhibit kinesis and/or taxis? -l believe that the bugs exhibited kinesis until the darker environment was found, and then after experiencing the darker area they chose to stay there by taxis. (C)2. What is the adaptive significance of the behavior you observed? -In order to prevent dehydration these pill bugs instinctively stayed in the darker cool area. (C)3. How can we apply the findings of this experiment to the study of behavior in other organisms? -Through this experiment I found that this sets an example of the animal kingdom and demonstrates how animals encounter different challenges and come about surviving.

Friday, November 22, 2019

The Great Barrier Reef - Worlds Largest Reef System

The Great Barrier Reef - Worlds Largest Reef System Australias Great Barrier Reef is considered to be the worlds largest reef system. It is made up of over 2,900 individual reefs, 900 islands and covers an area of 133,000 square miles (344,400 sq km). It is also one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is the worlds biggest structure made out of living species. The Great Barrier Reef is also unique in that it is the only living organism that can be seen from space. Geography of the Great Barrier Reef The Great Barrier Reef is located in the Coral Sea. It is off the northeast coast of Australias state of Queensland. The reef itself stretches over 1,600 miles (2,600 km) and most of it is between 9 and 93 miles (15 and 150 km) from shore. In places the reef is up to 40 miles (65 km) wide. The reef also includes Murray Island. Geographically, the Great Barrier Reef stretches from Torres Strait in the north to the area between Lady Elliot and Fraser Islands in the south. Much of the Great Barrier Reef is protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. It covers over 1,800 miles (3,000 km) of the reef and runs along Queenslands coast near the town of Bundaberg. Geology of the Great Barrier Reef The geologic formation of the Great Barrier Reef is long and complex. Coral reefs began forming in the region about between 58 and 48 million years ago when the Coral Sea Basin formed. However, once the Australian continent moved to its present location, sea levels began to change and coral reefs started to grow quickly, but changing climate and sea levels after that caused them to grow and decline in cycles. This is because coral reefs need certain sea temperatures and levels of sunlight to grow. Today, scientists believe that complete coral reef structures where todays Great Barrier Reef is were formed 600,000 years ago. This reef died off however due to climate change and changing sea levels. Todays reef began to form about 20,000 years ago when it started growth on the remains of the older reef. This due to the fact that the Last Glacial Maximum ended around this time and during glaciation sea level was much lower than it is today. Following the end of the last glaciation about 20,000 years ago, sea level continued to rise and as it got higher, the coral reefs grew on the hills being flooded on the coastal plain. 13,000 years ago sea level was almost where it is today and the reefs began to grow around off the coast of Australia islands. As these islands became further submerged with rising sea levels, the coral reefs grew over them to form the reef system present today. The current Great Barrier Reef structure is about 6,000 to 8,000 years old. Biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef Today the Great Barrier Reef is considered a World Heritage Site due to its unique size, structure and high levels of biodiversity. Many of the species living in the reef are endangered and some are endemic only to that reef system. The Great Barrier Reef has 30 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises. In addition, six species of endangered sea turtles breed in the reef and two green sea turtle species have genetically distinct populations in the north and south of the reef. The turtles are attracted to the area due to the 15 species of sea grass that grow in the reef. Within the Great Barrier Reef itself, there are also a number of microscopic organisms, different mollusks and fish that inhabit spaces inside the coral. 5,000 species of mollusk are on the reef as are nine species of seahorses and 1,500 species of fish, including the clownfish. The reef is composed of 400 species of coral. The areas closer to land and on the islands of the Great Barrier Reef are biodiverse as well. These places are home to 215 bird species (some of which are seabirds and some of which are shorebirds). The islands within the Great Barrier Reef are also home to over 2,000 types of plants. Although the Great Barrier Reef is home to many charismatic species like those previously mentioned, it should also be noted that a variety of very dangerous species inhabit the reef or areas near it as well. For example, saltwater crocodiles live in the mangrove swamps and salt marshes near the reef and a variety of sharks and stingrays live within the reef. In addition, 17 species of sea snake (most of which are venomous) live on the reef and jellyfish, including the deadly box jellyfish, also inhabit nearby waters. Human Uses and Environmental Threats of the Great Barrier Reef Due to its extreme biodiversity, the Great Barrier Reef is a popular tourist destination and around two million people visit it per year. Scuba diving and tours via small boats and aircraft are the most popular activities on the reef. Since it is a fragile habitat, tourism of the Great Barrier Reef is highly managed and sometimes operated as ecotourism. All ships, aircraft and others that want to access the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park need to have a permit. Despite these protective measures, however, the Great Barrier Reefs health is still threatened due to climate change, pollution, fishing, and invasive species. Climate change and rising sea temperatures are considered the greatest threats to the reef because coral is a fragile species that needs water to be about 77ËšF to 84ËšF (25ËšC to 29ËšC) to survive. Recently there have been episodes of coral bleaching due to higher temperatures. To learn more about the Great Barrier Reef, visit National Geographics Great Barrier Reef interactive website and the Australian governments webpage on the Great Barrier Reef.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Childhood Obesity Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Childhood Obesity - Assignment Example Obesity not only brings concern about health but it adds to the financial burden too. Obesity augments the health care costs. Estimates reveal that obesity accounts for approximately 10% of yearly medical expenses, increasing the obesity-associated medical costs to $147 billion in 2008. Obesity has reached an alarming position in USA, and two well distinguished categories have been demonstrated namely obese and extreme obese. Findings disclose that over one-third adults of United States adults were found to be obese during the year 2007–2008 (Flegal, 2010). According to The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the incidence of obesity in the United States could be estimated by means of data for height to weight ratio. The prevalence rate of obesity display that there was a steady increase in obesity equally in both the sexes belonging to all ages from 1976 -1980 to 1988-1994. On the other hand the trend in obesity augmentation between 1988-1994 and 1999-2 000 was significant in other ages except for the males belonging to the age between 40 to 59 years. While data analysis from 2001-2002 to 2003-2004 recommended escalating trends since 1999-2000 in males and not in females (Flegal, 2006).? Complications of Childhood Obesity Reports illustrate that around 7 million American children and teenagers are supposed to have elevated cholesterol concentrations. If LDL concentration rises at young age and when these kids grow as adults they are bound to have prominent LDL cholesterol intensities. Such overweight kids are likely to develop cardiovascular disease and diabetes, these diseases are otherwise associated with adults in their middle-age. A drastic rise in type 2 diabetes have been reported by pediatricians among the children and adolescents (Web: Child Obesity In America). Type 2 diabetes is associated with obesity. Reports reveal that almost 40% of the children are associated with this condition. Beside, the obese child also witnesse s physical health issues and social troubles. Morbidly obese children also suffer from emotional distress as a result they develop profuse eating habits. Observation reveals, obese children are delighted if they get eatables they wish for, thereby develop a tendency to eat constantly and still are not satisfied even after consuming a large full meal. Research reports highlight that that eating behavior of children have considerably altered over the past twenty years or so. Children are consuming greater percentage of their calories from junk food items and snacks, containing high proportion of fat, salt and sugar contributing to the obesity of the child (Ludwig & Ebbeling, 2001). Eating Habits The most favorite food items for kids of present epoch are ice creams, soda pop, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, pizza, French fries made of potatoes that is full of starch, milk shakes that are sugar syrups, chips, and candy bars. These food items are devoid of fibers and are rich in fats and chol esterol. Children find raw fruits and salads icky, as they are

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Biomedical Informatics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Biomedical Informatics - Essay Example Historians have found evidence of the disease as far back as 5000 B.C. It was first described as "the shaking palsy" in 1817 by British doctor James Parkinson. Because of Parkinson's early work in identifying symptoms, the disease came to bear his name. In the normal brain, some nerve cells produce the chemical dopamine, which transmits signals within the brain to produce smooth movement of muscles. In Parkinson's patients, 80 percent or more of these dopamine-producing cells are damaged, dead, or otherwise degenerated. This causes the nerve cells to fire wildly, leaving patients unable to control their movements. Symptoms usually show up in one or more of four ways: This diagram of the brain shows several structures related to Parkinson's disease. Basal ganglia affect normal movement and walking; substantia nigra are types of basal ganglia that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine, which sends messages that control muscles. The globus pallidus is part of a larger structure connected to the substantia nigra affecting movement, balance and walking. The thalamus serves as a relay station for brain impulses, and the cerebellum affects muscle coordination. Though full-blown Parkinson's can be crippling or disabling, experts say early symptoms of the disease may be so subtle and gradual that patients sometimes ignore them or attribute them to the effects of aging. At first, patients may feel overly tired, "down in the dumps," or a little shaky. Their speech may become soft and they may become irritable for no reason. Movements may be stiff, unsteady, or unusually slow. Ref : www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1998/498_pd.html - Basic PD research over the last several decades, including genetics, molecular and cellular biology, characterization of neural circuitry, brain anatomy, and neurochemistry, has formed the basis of therapeutic research being currently pursued for PD. While the causes of PD are still not fully understood, the most prevalent theories suggest that toxic accumulation of protein in cells, dysfunctional protein clearance, and oxidative stress that leads to cell death are primary causal pathways. There is now genetic evidence for each of these pathways, and a prevailing research strategy is to identify points in these pathways that could be exploited for therapeutic benefit. Today's basic science research continues to span a diverse array of fields, from genes and molecules, through cells and physiological systems, to the role of the environment and its interaction with genetic susceptibility. It is expected that these studies will continue to inform preventive strategies and better treatments for PD in the future. The Genetics and Cell Biology of Parkinson's disease One of the most remarkable transformations in PD research over the last decade was the identification of the first gene to be associated with PD, -synuclein. The discovery that genetic mutations could cause PD brought a sea change to a field that had previously focused only on environmental causes of the disease. Since the discovery of alpha synuclein in

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Co-education Female Essay Example for Free

Co-education Female Essay The debatable issue on Co-education is continually progressing through the State and convincing parents and teachers that sex-separation will reveal a sign of improvement in student’s lives. In the United States, teamwork is a massive aspect in people’s lives where both girls and boys work together in order to achieve their goal , however, both articles provide informative proves that co-education could result in failure because of the different stereotypes in society. The debate mainly focuses on the separation of both sexes in school since â€Å"there is no extra cost. The debate also catches the reader’s attention by the different research that many scientists did in order to prove a fair result that will satisfy the parents and teachers. The separation of sexes in school could result in improvement of education and behavior with boys and girls. Based on Jennifer Medina’s article, teachers will face less problems if both sexes are separated since the boys will tend to focus more on learning than on girls, in addition, girls will tend to feel more comfortable participating in class. Co-education will also result in good teamwork especially in the outside community because both girls and boys will learn to communicate. However, from the boy’s point of view, they will tend to be more comfortable in expressing themselves and learn about â€Å"being a man† in their own bodies. In addition to those articles, the media will affect the parents and the teachers around the state because of highly known and educative people in society. For example, Leonard Sax who is a best seller author of Why Gender Matters and Michael Sax argues about single sex with a huge audience in order to prove their facts about the separation and the importance of it. In contrast, both sex educations could also result in improvement around the state and in schools because boys and girls will learn to communicate together and work hard as one community. In addition, many authors and scientist were seeking for evidence in order to prove that Co-education could be for the good of their community. For example, a research on Bronx’s Eagle school stated that both sexes’ classes tend to have higher test scores around the state and tend to receive high percentages in their community. Both sexes will also learn and appreciate that both sexes are important in everyone’s lives since they communicate and work together outside of the learning community. Researchers also proved that working together as both sexes will also result a sign improvement in teamwork because many girls tend to be left out in single-sex schools in teamwork projects. Comparatively, Co-Education and single education also have their problems in society because of their lack of certain teachings in schools. For example , a study showed that girls tend to be smarter than boys and tend to solve math and science faster and more accurate since there are different brains and each person have a different sign of knowledge and personality. However, since girls are smarter, they tend to ask for more detailed teachings and writing scripts since they will have more things to explain in their writing assignment. When in contrast, boys have to write about a simple sport or a job they seek for in order to prepare them for the future. Although, teachers who support single education tend to have other opinions toward their ways of teaching. For example, Mr. Napolitano claims that he is more comfortable in expressing his feelings and thoughts while teaching to single sex classrooms because the boys will tend to have the same situation. In addition he also shows a book called Patrol Boy in order to show boys that having a tattoo is not a material they should use in co-ed class. In conclusion, this debate tends to prove that single education will show more improvements since the media tend to support it and also the teachers. The reasons that parents should choose single education is because they will improve economically and also their students will face less behavior problems and more school focused. However, co-ed schools tend to have higher scores and will teach the students to work together in order to improve their speech especially outside in society since they will be working together as one team. Both articles prove that both educations will result in bonding together as students and as teachers in this society because at the end of this debate both classrooms will be teaching and learning in the states.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Wedding Toasts to the Newlyweds †Perhaps Others Have Said it Best :: Wedding Toasts Roasts Speeches

Wedding Toasts to the Newlyweds – Perhaps Others Have Said it Best A health to you, A wealth to you, And the best that life can give to you. May fortune still be kind to you, And happiness be true to you, And life be long and good to you, Is the toast of all your friends to you. Down the hatch, to a striking match! Irish Toast "Marriage: A community consisting of a master, a mistress, and two slaves - making in all, two." Ambrose Bierce To the newlyweds: May "for better or worse" be far better than worse. "There is nothing nobler or more admirable than when two people who see eye to eye keep house as man and wife, confounding their enemies and delighting their friends." Homer, from the Odyssey "May you grow old on one pillow." Armenian toast "Two such as you with such a master speed Cannot be parted nor be swept away From one another once you are agreed That life is only life forevermore Together wing to wing and oar to oar" Robert Frost "It's still the same old story, A fight for love and glory, A case of do or die! The world will always welcome lovers As time goes by." Herman Hupfeld. And their misfortunes as light as the foam. "The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances; if there is any reaction, both are transformed." Carl Jung "Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward in the same direction." Antoine de Saint-Exupery "Here's to marriage, that happy estate that resembles a pair of scissors: 'So joined that they cannot be separated, often moving in opposite directions, yet punishing anyone who comes between them.'" Sydney Smith Here's to the new husband And here's to the new wife May they remain lovers For all of life. Anonymous May their joys be as deep as the ocean. Let us toast the health of the bride; Let us toast the health of the groom, Let us toast the person that tied; Let us toast every guest in the room. May we all live to be present at their Golden Wedding. May your love be as endless as your wedding rings. May the saints protect you And sorrow neglect you And bad luck to the one That doesn't respect you "May you have many children and may they grow mature in taste and healthy in color and as sought after as the contents of the glass." Irish toast May your wedding days be few and your anniversaries many. May your voyage through life be as happy and as free As the dancing waves on the deep blue sea Here's to the groom with bride so fair, And here's to the bride with groom so rare!

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Good vs. Evil in Psycho Essay

â€Å"Psycho† is a classic suspense film directed by Alfred Hitchcock which features a central female protagonist, a seemingly ordinary young woman named Marion Crane, who crosses paths with a dangerous mentally ill motel owner, Norman Bates. As their strange relationship develops, a dominant theme of good versus evil is introduced to the audience through the use of characterisation, editing, mise-en-scene and various other media techniques. From the outset, Hitchcock introduces an initial theme of good versus evil during the opening credits. The title scene could be seen as a reflection of the personality of Norman Bates as the credits themselves are presented as fragmented titles which come together as one on the screen but then shake and split up again, which hints towards the disjointed personality of Bates. The fact that the titles are dotted around the screen suggests that his character is severely unbalanced and not in a stable condition, foreshadowing the idea that his mind is in different places at different times and it is hard to tell when his mind-set will alter. The contrasting colours used in this scene are also important to the later character development as the black, white and grey each reflect the constantly conflicting part of Bates’ temperament. The darker areas on the screen reflect the deepest inner shadow of his mind, while the lighter areas show that he can also be a good person. They show the persistent inner conflict and the constant battle between good and evil. The grey, however, represents the uncertain parts of his split personality but could also be interpreted to refer to the indecision and doubt seen in the character of Marion as the film develops. This primary theme is developed as we are familiarised with the character of Marion Crane, the dominant leading role. We first see her meeting up with her boyfriend, Sam, in a hotel room during her lunch hour. The camera enters the room by zooming through the window and Hitchcock wants us to feel as if we are intruding on a private moment between the characters inside. This sense of voyeurism is clearly accentuated by the very first shot of the couple which is very personal and intimate – making the viewer feel rather awkward. This scene acts as a vital link to the film as a whole and is fundamental for the expansion of the theme of good and evil as it gives Marion a clear reason to steal the money in the scene that follows. Marion is presented as a good character at this point as her good intentions are outlined: we see that she just wants to marry Sam and for them to be able to be together respectably. When Sam states that he would not be able to provide for her, Marion is given an obvious ulterior motive and a chance to make the transition from good to evil, therefore setting up the entire film. We also notice that, the first time we see Marion, she is wearing white underwear: hinting to her kind and innocent personality but, when we see her after she has made the decision to steal the money, she is wearing black underwear. This visual symbolism presents a contrast between the two different stages of characterisation and depicts the character change of Marion as she goes from good to evil. Similar to the original view of Marion, when we first meet Norman Bates he seems like a very ordinary person, but as the scenes progress we begin to notice slight abnormalities in his behaviour. When Marion arrives at the Bates Motel, the heavy rain which forces her to stop is foreshadowing her impending doom while acting as effective pathetic fallacy as she is feeling isolated and guilty at this point. The fact that Norman hesitates before giving her the key to cabin one hints at his irregularity, along with the fact that he opens the window as soon as he enters the room – as if he is setting up his own escape route – and he never mentions the bathroom, foretelling the event which will take place there. Also, when Marion is checking into the motel, what should have been a clear view of Bates is blurred in the mirror: showing that he is changeable and that his personality is hazy. In a similar shot, only half of his face is shown and this clearly symbolises the fact that only one half of him can ever be fully good at any one time – the other half will always remain evil. However, sympathy is also evoked for Norman in this scene as we see that his mother takes an instant dislike to Marion – something which you would not normally see between two strangers. We see how close – and slightly strange – the relationship between Norman and his mother and the unnatural dependence they have on each other, showing that Norman is trapped in his current situation and making him seem like a good person. A similar effect is used throughout the scene in Norman’s parlour by with the use of light and dark as the lighting picks out significant features such as only one side of Norman’s face and the underside of the owl’s wings. The owl with its wings spread signifies his mother controlling his mind and shows that she is ever present, although we never see her, even when he is behaving normally she will always be inside his mind, therefore making the viewer feel sympathetic towards him as he has no control over his actions. Conversely, framing him next to an owl may suggest that Norman is a predator and the owl is his equal. Like the owl, many other birds are featured in the parlour scene, linking back to the recurring theme. Framing Marion next to them when she first enters the room makes her seem vulnerable and presents her as equal to the birds which Norman has stuffed. The shower scene is important to the character development of Marion as we see her clear transition from the evil character she turned into after stealing the money back to the good character we saw in the beginning. She has changed her mind about stealing the money and has made the decision to go home. We are able to pinpoint the exact moment of relief as she flushes the toilet: it is as if she is flushing away her problems and guilt. This effect is also used when the water goes down the plughole in the shower: representing the washing away of her sins. However, I feel that this image could also be taken to represent evil as Marion’s life is being washed away and she is going to down to Hell for the sins she has committed. A contrast between Norman and his Mother is clearly displayed in this scene although we also see that Norman can be evil while being totally himself as we see him spying on Marion before she is murdered. After the murder, Norman is linked to the crime in many ways. The camera work and editing assists this by panning directly to a view of Norman’s house, telling the story without the need for dialogue. Almost immediately following this we see Norman running from the house and consequently directly linking himself to the murder. We see him automatically assume that his mother has killed Marion without questioning her, making the viewer even more suspicious of him. Both good and evil sides of Norman are presented to the audience at this point as, although he seems flustered and hurried when he first discovers what his mother has done, he is able to relax into a state of unemotional professionalism which allows the viewer to realise that this has happened before. By pretending so strongly that it was in fact his mother who killed Marion, I think it is obvious he is trying to convince himself that he has done nothing wrong and, ultimately, that he is not mentally ill. The mise-en-scene when he sinks Marion’s car is representative of this. We see him framed next to a tree with a split trunk, suggestive to his split personality. The contrast between the two sides of Norman’s personality is extended in the scene which features Marion’s sister, Lila, as she searches the house for evidence relating to the murder. When she enters mother’s room, it looks very inhabited: the bed seems as if someone has just gotten up and the wardrobe is full of neatly stored clothes. Despite the clutter, everything is organised and tidy. I believe this highlights the extent of Bates’ mental illness as we see how much effort he has gone to keep up the illusion. The subjective close-up shot of the hands when Lila scans the dressing table suggests that Norman is still in the clutches of his mother and the darker side of his personality hence reminding us that he is not in control of his situation. Norman’s room provides a total contrast when compared with his mother’s. It is a lot smaller and appears to have remained the same since he was a child and contains an eclectic mix of the possessions of a childish boy and those of a twisted man. This conveys the idea that perhaps he is refusing to grow up or his mind has never developed past this stage. This idea combined with the toys explains his dependence on his mother and why he is so unwilling to leave her. The stuffed owl which sits at his door brings back the recurring motif of birds while also representing the ever present Mrs Bates. She is always watching him and he allows her to control him completely and make his decisions – just as if he were a child. The battle between good and evil continues as Lila makes her way down to the cellar and mother is finally revealed. As the scene ends the climax is completed with a close-up shot of â€Å"mother† which allows us to clearly see the light and dark reflecting in her eye sockets – representing the fact that it is possible for Norman to be both a fully good and fully evil character. Although we are now aware that mother is dead in reality, she continues to live on inside Norman. The last time we see the character of Norman Bates, he has been arrested and we are able to see that the dominant evil personality of â€Å"mother† has won and taken over. To display this, we hear Norman thinking in his mother’s voice and understand that he believes that he is her – unnervingly outlining the severity of his mental illness. The medium shot of Norman sitting in the chair is effective as it shows his body language while he behaves like an old woman; the image is creepy and, in my opinion, really gets under your skin. At this stage I think that it is important we hear mother before we see Norman as it allows the audience to realise that he is not really Norman any more, showing that he is still and not fighting with his inner self as it appears the battle for good over evil has finally been lost. As the camera zooms in on Norman, we see his blank stare change to a sinister grin and a super imposed shot of mother’s skull on his face which shows that the good side of him is trapped inside for what looks like forever. For me, the film did have a satisfying ending as we see the detective bring the case to a close so there are no more remaining questions, but the creepy smile we see at the end makes me think otherwise; leaving us at a cliff hanger of sorts. In conclusion, I believe that, with the use of media features such as characterisation and editing, Hitchcock is able to present a highly engaging struggle between good and evil. Although I did feel sympathy for the character of Norman, I believe that he did have the option to control his actions and get help to fight back against his evil personality but, as he relied on his mother too much, he did not want to push her away. However, while Marion’s decision to steal the money was irresponsible and out of character, I still feel that she did it with good intentions. Overall, I felt that the fact that evil came out on top rather than the more typical outcome made it particularly realistic as, in a real life situation, good would not always prevail.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Forward the Foundation Chapter 12

13 Up and down. Up and down. Up and down. Gleb Andorin watched Gambol Deen Namarti trudging up and down. Namarti was obviously unable to sit still under the driving force of the violence of his passion. Andorin thought: He's not the brightest man in the Empire or even in the movement, not the shrewdest, certainly not the most capable of rational thought. He has to be held back constantly-but he's driven as none of the rest of us are. We would give up, let go, but he won't. Push, pull, prod, kick. Well, maybe we need someone like that. We must have someone like that or nothing will ever happen. Namarti stopped, as though he felt Andorin's eyes boring into his back. He turned around and said, â€Å"If you're going to lecture me again on Kaspalov, don't bother.† Andorin shrugged lightly. â€Å"Why bother lecturing you? The deed is done. The harm-if any-has been done.† â€Å"What harm, Andorin? What harm? If I had not done it, then we would have been harmed. The man was on the edge of being a traitor. Within a month, he would have gone running â€Å" â€Å"I know. I was there. I heard what he said.† â€Å"Then you understand there was no choice. No choice. You don't think I liked to have an old comrade killed, do you? I had no choice.† â€Å"Very well. You had no choice.† Namarti resumed his tramping, then turned again. â€Å"Andorin, do you believe in gods?† Andorin stared, â€Å"In what?† â€Å"In gods.† â€Å"I never heard the word. What is it?† Namarti said, â€Å"It's not Galactic Standard. Supernatural influences. How's that?† â€Å"Oh, supernatural influences. Why didn't you say so? No, I don't believe in that sort of thing. By definition, something is supernatural if it exists outside the laws of nature and nothing exists outside the laws of nature. Are you turning into a mystic?† Andorin asked it as though he were joking, but his eyes narrowed with sudden concern. Namarti stared him down. Those blazing eyes of his could stare anyone down. â€Å"Don't be a fool. I've been reading about it. Trillions of people believe in supernatural influences.† â€Å"I know,† said Andorin. â€Å"They always have.† â€Å"They've done so since before the beginning of history. The word ‘gods' is of unknown origin. It is, apparently, a hangover from some primeval language of which no trace any longer exists, except that word. Do you know how many different varieties of beliefs there are in various kinds of gods?† â€Å"Approximately as many as the varieties of fools among the Galactic population, I should say.† Namarti ignored that. â€Å"Some people think the word dates back to the time when all humanity existed on but a single world.† â€Å"Itself a mythological concept. That's just as lunatic as the notion of supernatural influences. There never was one original human world.† â€Å"There would have to be, Andorin,† said Namarti, annoyed. â€Å"Human beings can't have evolved on different worlds and ended as a single species.† â€Å"Even so, there's no effective human world. It can't be located, it can't he defined, so it can't be spoken of sensibly, so it effectively doesn't exist.† â€Å"These gods,† said Namarti, continuing to follow his own line of thought, â€Å"are supposed to protect humanity and keep it safe or at least to care for those portions of humanity that know how to make use of the gods. At a time when there was only one human world, it makes sense to suppose they would be particularly interested in caring for that one tiny world with a few people. They would care for such a world as though they were big brothers-or parents.† â€Å"Very nice of them. I'd like to see them try to handle the entire Empire.† â€Å"What if they could? What if they were infinite?† â€Å"What if the Sun were frozen? What's the use of ‘what if?† â€Å"I'm just speculating. Just thinking. Haven't you ever let your mind wander freely? Do you always keep everything on a leash?† â€Å"I should imagine that's the safest way, keeping it on a leash. What does your wandering mind tell you, Chief?† Namarti's eyes flashed at the other, as though he suspected sarcasm, but Andorin's face remained good-natured and blank. Namarti said, â€Å"What my mind is telling me is this-If there are gods, they must be on our side.† â€Å"Wonderful-if true. Where's the evidence?† â€Å"Evidence? Without the gods, it would just be a coincidence, I suppose, but a very useful one.† Suddenly Namarti yawned and sat down, looking exhausted. Good, thought Andorin. His galloping mind has finally wound itself down and he may talk sense now. â€Å"This matter of internal breakdown of the infrastructure-† said Namarti, his voice distinctly lower. Andorin interrupted. â€Å"You know, Chief, Kaspalov was not entirely wrong about this. The longer we keep it up, the greater the chance that Imperial forces will discover the cause. The whole program must, sooner or later, explode in our faces.† â€Å"Not yet. So far, everything is exploding in the Imperial face. The unrest on Trantor is something I can feel.† He raised his hands, rubbing his fingers together. â€Å"I can feel it. And we are almost through. We are ready for the next step.† Andorin smiled humorlessly. â€Å"I'm not asking for details, Chief. Kaspalov did and look where that got him. I am not Kaspalov.† â€Å"It's precisely because you're not Kaspalov that I can tell you. And because I know something now I didn't then.† â€Å"I presume,† said Andorin, only half-believing what he was saying, â€Å"that you intend a strike on the Imperial Palace grounds.† Namarti looked up. â€Å"Of course. What else is there to do? The problem, however, is how to penetrate the grounds effectively. I have my sources of information there, but they are only spies. I'll need men of action on the spot.† â€Å"To get men of action into the most heavily guarded region in all the galaxy will not be easy.† â€Å"Of course not. That's what has been giving me an unbearable headache till now-and then the gods intervened.† Andorin said gently (it was taking all his self-restraint to keep from showing his disgust), â€Å"I don't think we need a metaphysical discussion. What has happened-leaving the gods to one side?† â€Å"My information is that His Gracious and Ever to Be Beloved Emperor Cleon I has decided to appoint a new Chief Gardener. This is the first new appointee in nearly a quarter of a century.† â€Å"And if so?† â€Å"Do you see no significance?† Andorin thought for a moment. â€Å"I am not a favorite of your gods. I don't see any significance.† â€Å"If you have a new Chief Gardener, Andorin, the situation is the same as having a new administrator of any other type-the same as if you had a new First Minister or a new Emperor. The new Chief Gardener will certainly want his own staff. He will force into retirement what he considers dead wood and will hire younger gardeners by the hundreds.† â€Å"That's possible.† â€Å"It's more than possible. It's certain. Exactly that happened when the present Chief Gardener was appointed and the same when his predecessor was appointed and so on. Hundreds of strangers from the Outer Worlds-â€Å" â€Å"Why from the Outer Worlds?† â€Å"Use your brains-if you have any, Andorin. What do Trantorians know about gardening when they've lived under domes all their lives, tending potted plants, zoos, and carefully arranged crops of grains and fruit trees? What do they know about life in the wild?† â€Å"Ahhh. Now I understand.† â€Å"So there will be these strangers flooding the grounds. They will be carefully checked, I presume, but they won't be as tightly screened as they would be if they were Trantorians. And that means, surely, that we should be able to supply just a few of our own people, with false identifications, and get them inside. Even if some are screened out, a few might make it-a few must make it. Our people will enter, despite the supertight security established since the failed coup in the early days of First Minister Seldon.† (He virtually spat out the name, as he always did.) â€Å"We'll finally have our chance.† Now it was Andorin who felt dizzy, as if he'd fallen into a spinning vortex. â€Å"It seems odd for me to say so, Chief, but there is something to this ‘gods' business after all, because I have been waiting to tell you something that I now see fits in perfectly.† Namarti stared at the other suspiciously and looked around the room, as though he suddenly feared for security. But such fear was groundless. The room was located deep in an old-fashioned residential complex and was well shielded. No one could overhear and no one, even with detailed directions, could find it easily-nor get through the layers of protection provided by loyal members of the organization. Namarti said, â€Å"What are you talking about?† â€Å"I've found a man for you. A young man-very naive. A quite likable fellow, the kind you feel you can trust as soon as you see him. He's got an open face, wide-open eyes; he's lived in Dahl; he's an enthusiast for equality; he thinks Joranum was the greatest thing since Dahlite cokeicers; and I'm sure we can easily talk him into doing anything for the cause.† â€Å"For the cause?† said Namarti, whose suspicions were not in the least alleviated. â€Å"Is he one of us?† â€Å"Actually, he's not one of anything. He's got some vague notions in his head that Joranum wanted sector equality.† â€Å"That was his lure. Sure.† â€Å"It's ours, too, but the kid believes it. He talks about equality and popular participation in government. He even mentioned democracy.† Namarti snickered. â€Å"In twenty thousand years, democracy has never been used for very long without falling apart.† â€Å"Yes, but that's not our concern. It's what drives the young man and I tell you, Chief, I knew we had our tool just about the moment I saw him, but I didn't know how we could possibly use him. Now I know. We can get him onto the Imperial Palace grounds as a gardener.† â€Å"How? Does he know anything about gardening?† â€Å"No. I'm sure he doesn't. He's never worked at anything but unskilled labor. He's operating a hauler right now and I think that he had to be taught how to do that. Still, if we can get him in as a gardener's helper, if he just knows how to hold a pair of shears, then we've got it.† â€Å"Got what?† â€Å"Got someone who can approach anyone we wish-and do so without raising the flutter of a suspicion-and get close enough to strike. I'm telling you he simply exudes a kind of honorable stupidity, a kind of foolish virtue that inspires confidence.† â€Å"And he'll do what we tell him to do?† â€Å"Absolutely.† â€Å"How did you meet this person?† â€Å"It wasn't I. It was Manella who really spotted him.† â€Å"Who?† â€Å"Manella. Manella Dubanqua.† â€Å"Oh. That friend of yours.† Namarti's face twisted into a look of prissy disapproval. â€Å"She's the friend of many people,† said Andorin tolerantly. â€Å"That's one of the things that makes her so useful. She can weigh a man quickly and with very little to go on. She talked to this fellow because she was attracted to him at sight-and I assure you that Manella is not one who is usually attracted by anything but the bottom line-so, you see, this man is rather unusual. She talked to this fellow-his name is Planchet, by the way-and then told me, ‘I have a live one for you, Gleb.' I'll trust her on the matter of live ones any day of the week.† Namarti said slyly, â€Å"And what do you think this wonderful tool of yours would do once he had the run of the grounds, eh, Andorin?† Andorin took a deep breath. â€Å"What else? If we do everything right, he will dispose of our dear Emperor Cleon, First of that Name, for us.† Namarti's face blazed into anger. â€Å"What? Are you mad? Why should we want to kill Cleon? He's our hold on the government. He's the facade behind which we can rule. He's our passport to legitimacy. Where are your brains? We need him as a figurehead. He won't interfere with us and we'll be stronger for his existence.† Andorin's fair face turned blotchy red and his good humor finally exploded. â€Å"What do you have in mind, then? What are you planning? I'm getting tired of always having to second-guess.† Namarti raised his hand. â€Å"All right. All right. Calm down. I meant no harm. But think a bit, will you? Who destroyed Joranum? Who destroyed our hopes ten years ago? It was that mathematician. And it is he who rules the Empire now with his idiotic talk about psychohistory. Cleon is nothing. It is Hari Seldon we must destroy. It is Hari Seldon whom I've been turning into an object of ridicule with these constant breakdowns. The miseries they entail are placed at his doorstep. It is all being interpreted as his inefficiency, his incapacity.† There was a trace of spittle in the corners of Namarti's mouth. â€Å"When he's cut down, there will be a cheer from the Empire that will drown out every holovision report for hours. It won't even matter if they know who did it.† He raised his hand and let it drop, as if he were plunging a knife into someone's heart. â€Å"We will be looked upon as heroes of the Empire, as saviors. Eh? Eh? Do you think your youngster can cut down Hari Seldon?† Andorin had recovered his sense of equanimity-at least outwardly. â€Å"I'm sure he would,† he said with forced lightness. â€Å"For Cleon, he might have some respect; the Emperor has a mystical aura about him, as you know.† (He stressed the â€Å"you† faintly and Namarti scowled.) â€Å"He would have no such feelings about Seldon.† Inwardly, however, Andorin was furious. This was not what he wanted. He was being betrayed. 14 Manella brushed the hair out of her eyes and smiled up at Raych. â€Å"I told you it wouldn't cost you any credits.† Raych blinked and scratched at his bare shoulder. â€Å"But are you going to ask me for some now?† She shrugged and smiled rather impishly. â€Å"Why should I?† â€Å"Why shouldn't you?† â€Å"Because I'm allowed to take my own pleasure sometimes.† â€Å"With me?† â€Å"There's no one else here.† There was a long pause and then Manella said soothingly, â€Å"Besides, you don't have that many credits anyway. How's the job?† Raych said, â€Å"Ain't much but better than nothing. Lots better. Did you tell that guy to get me one?† Manella shook her head slowly. â€Å"You mean Gleb Andorin? I didn't tell him to do anything. I just said he might be interested in you.† â€Å"Is he going to be annoyed because you and I-â€Å" â€Å"Why should he? None of his business. And none of yours, either.† â€Å"What's he do? I mean, what does he work at?† â€Å"I don't think he works at anything. He's rich. He's a relative of the old Mayors.† â€Å"Of Wye?† â€Å"Right. He doesn't like the Imperial government. None of those old Mayor people do. He says Cleon should-â€Å" She stopped suddenly and said, â€Å"I'm talking too much. Don't you go repeating anything I say.† â€Å"Me? I ain't heard you say nothing at all. And I ain't going to.† â€Å"All right.† â€Å"But what about Andorin? Is he high up in Joranumite business? Is he an important guy there?† â€Å"I wouldn't know.† â€Å"Don't he ever talk about that kind of stuff?† â€Å"Not to me.† â€Å"Oh,† said Raych, trying not to sound annoyed. Manella looked at him shrewdly. â€Å"Why are you so interested?† â€Å"I want to get in with them. I figure I'll get higher up that way. Better job. More credits. You know.† â€Å"Maybe Andorin will help you. He likes you. I know that much.† â€Å"Could you make him like me more?† â€Å"I can try. I don't know why he shouldn't. I like you. I like you more than I like him.† â€Å"Thank you, Manella. I like you, too. A lot.† He ran his hand down the side of her body and wished ardently that he could concentrate more on her and less on his assignment. 15 â€Å"Gleb Andorin,† said Hari Seldon wearily, rubbing his eyes. â€Å"And who is he?† asked Dors Venabili, her mood as cold as it had teen every day since Raych had left. â€Å"Until a few days ago I never heard of him,† said Seldon. â€Å"That's the trouble with trying to run a world of forty billion people. You never hear of anyone, except for the few who obtrude themselves on your notice. With all the computerized information in the world, Trantor remains a planet of anonymities. We can drag up people with their reference numbers and their statistics, but whom do we drag up? Add twenty-five million Outer Worlds and the wonder is that the Galactic Empire has remained a working phenomenon for all these millennia. Frankly I think it has existed only because it very largely runs itself. And now it is finally running down.† â€Å"So much for philosophizing, Hari,† said Dors. â€Å"Who is this Andorin?† â€Å"Someone I admit I ought to have known about. I managed to cajole the security establishment into calling up some files on him. He's a member of the Wyan Mayoralty family-the most prominent member, in fact-so the security people have kept tabs on him. They think he has ambitions but is too much of a playboy to do anything about them.† â€Å"And is he involved with the Joranumites?† Seldon made an uncertain gesture. â€Å"I'm under the impression that the security establishment knows nothing about the Joranumites. That may mean that the Joranumites no longer exist or that, if they do, they are of no importance. It may also mean that the security establishment just isn't interested. Nor is there any way in which I can force it to be interested. I'm only thankful the officers give me any information at all. And I am the First Minister.† â€Å"Is it possible that you're not a very good First Minister?† said Dors, dryly. â€Å"That's more than possible. It's probably been generations since there's been an appointee less suited to the job than myself. But that has nothing to do with the security establishment. It's a totally independent arm of the government. I doubt that Cleon himself knows much about it, though, in theory, the security officers are supposed to report to him through their director. Believe me, if we only knew more about the security establishment, we'd be trying to stick its actions into our psychohistorical equations, such as they are.† â€Å"Are the security officers on our side, at least?† â€Å"I believe so, but I can't swear to it.† â€Å"And why are you interested in this what's-his-name?† â€Å"Gleb Andorin. Because I received a roundabout message from Raych.† Dors's eyes flashed. â€Å"Why didn't you tell me? Is he all right?† â€Å"As far as I know, but I hope he doesn't try any further messages. If he's caught communicating, he won't be all right. In any case, he has made contact with Andorin.† â€Å"And the Joranumites, too?† â€Å"I don't think so. It would sound unlikely, for the connection is not something that would make sense. The Joranumite movement is predominantly lower-class-a proletarian movement, so to speak. And Andorin is an aristocrat of aristocrats. What would he be doing with the Joranumites?† â€Å"If he's of the Wyan Mayoralty family, he might aspire to the Imperial throne, might he not?† â€Å"They've been aspiring for generations. You remember Rashelle, I trust. She was Andorin's aunt.† â€Å"Then he might be using the Joranumites as a stepping-stone, don't you think?† â€Å"If they exist. And if they do-and if a stepping-stone is what Andorin wants-I think he'd find himself playing a dangerous game. The Joranumites-if they exist-would have their own plans and a man like Andorin may find he's simply riding a greti-â€Å" â€Å"What's a greti?† â€Å"Some extinct animal of a ferocious type, I think. It's just a proverbial phrase back on Helicon. If you ride a greti, you find you can't get off, for then it will eat you.† Seldon paused. â€Å"One more thing. Raych seems to be involved with a woman who knows Andorin and through whom, he thinks, he may get important information. I'm telling you this now so that you won't accuse me afterward of keeping anything from you.† Dors frowned. â€Å"A woman?† â€Å"One, I gather, who knows a great many men who will talk to her unwisely, sometimes, under intimate circumstances.† â€Å"One of those.† Her frown deepened. â€Å"I don't like the thought of Raych-â€Å" â€Å"Come, come. Raych is thirty years old and undoubtedly has much experience. You can leave this woman-or any woman, I think-safely to Raych's good sense.† He turned toward Dors with a look so worn, so weary, and said, â€Å"Do you think I like this? Do you think I like any of this?† And Dors could find nothing to say.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Order of States in Ratification of the US Constitution

Order of States in Ratification of the US Constitution The United States Constitution was created to replace the failing Articles of Confederation. At the end of the American Revolution, the founders had created the Articles of Confederation as a method to allow states to keep their individual powers while still gaining of the benefit of being part of a larger entity. The Articles had gone into effect on March 1, 1781. However, by 1787 it became apparent that they were not viable in the long term. This especially became clear when in 1786, Shays Rebellion occurred in western Massachusetts. This was a group of people who were protesting rising debt and economic chaos. When the national government tried to get states to send a military force to help stop the rebellion, many states were reluctant and chose not to get involved. Need for a New Constitution Many states realized the need to come together and form a stronger national government. Some states met to try and deal with their individual trade and economic issues. However, they soon realized that this would not be enough. On May 25, 1787, the states sent delegates to Philadelphia to try and change the Articles to deal with the issues that had arisen. The articles had a number of weaknesses including that each state only had one vote in Congress, and the national government had no power to tax and no ability to regulate foreign or interstate trade. In addition, there was no executive branch to enforce nationwide laws. Amendments required a unanimous vote, and individual laws required a 9/13 majority to pass. Once the individuals who met in what was to become the Constitutional Convention realized that changing the Articles would not be enough to fix the issues facing the new United States, they set to work to replace them with a new Constitution.   Constitutional Convention James Madison, known as the Father of the Constitution, set to work to get a document created that would still be flexible enough to ensure that states retained their rights yet created a strong enough national government to keep order among the states and meet threats from within and without. The 55 framers of the Constitution met in secret to debate the individual parts of the new Constitution. Many compromises occurred over the course of the debate including the Great Compromise. In the end, they had created a document that would need to be sent to the states for ratification. In order for the Constitution to become law, at least nine states would have to ratify the Constitution. Ratification Was Not Assured Ratification did not come easily or without opposition. Led by Patrick Henry of Virginia, a group of influential colonial Patriots known as the Anti-Federalists publicly opposed the new Constitution in town hall meetings, newspapers, and pamphlets. Some argued that the delegates at the Constitutional Convention had overstepped their congressional authority by proposing to replace the Articles of Confederation with an â€Å"illegal† document - the Constitution. Others complained that the delegates in Philadelphia, being mostly wealthy and â€Å"well-born† landowners had proposed a Constitution, and thus a federal government, that would serve their special interests and needs. Another often-expressed objection was that the Constitution reserved too many powers to the central government at the expense of â€Å"state’s rights.† Perhaps the most impactful objection to the Constitution was that the Convention had failed to include a Bill of Rights clearly enumerating the rights that would protect the American people from potentially excessive applications of government powers. Using the pen name Cato, New York’s Governor George Clinton supported the Anti-Federalist views in several newspaper essays, while Patrick Henry and James Monroe led the opposition to the Constitution in Virginia. Favoring ratification, the Federalists responded, arguing that rejection of the Constitution would lead to anarchy and social disorder. Using the pen name Publius, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay countered Clinton’s Anti-Federalist Papers. Beginning in October 1787, the trio published 85 essays for New York newspapers. Collectively titled The Federalist Papers, the essays explained the Constitution in detail along with the framers’ reasoning in creating each section of the document. To the lack of a Bill of Rights, the Federalists argued that such a list of rights would always be incomplete and that the Constitution as written adequately protected the people from the government. Finally, during the ratification debate in Virginia, James Madison promised that the first act of the new government under the Constitution would be the adoption of a Bill of Rights. The Delaware legislature became the first to ratify the Constitution by a vote of 30-0 on December 7, 1787. The ninth state, New Hampshire, ratified it on June 21, 1788, and the new Constitution went into effect on March 4, 1789.   Order of Ratification Here is the order in which the states ratified the US Constitution. Delaware - December 7, 1787Pennsylvania - December 12, 1787New Jersey - December 18, 1787Georgia - January 2, 1788Connecticut - January 9, 1788Massachusetts - February 6, 1788Maryland - April 28, 1788South Carolina - May 23, 1788New Hampshire - June 21, 1788Virginia - June 25, 1788New York - July 26, 1788North Carolina - November 21, 1789Rhode Island - May 29, 1790 Updated by Robert Longley

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Improve Business Writing Skills by Measuring What Matters

Improve Business Writing Skills by Measuring What Matters Business leaders understand the importance of "good business writing" skills and can differentiate good writing from bad. However, in order to improve your team's business writing skills, it's essential to actually measure business writing skills to develop metrics to track improvement. Defining the right measurements allows you to assess the current business writing performance level of your team and helpsimprove business writing skills accordingly. Here are three steps measure your employees’ business writing skills 1. Separate Substance and Syntax Measurement The first step is to measure the substance and syntax of the document separately. These are two distinct aspects of a document that are unique to business writing. The document can have good substance that is poorly worded. Conversely, a poorly worded document can lack substance. Always remember that in business writing, substance precedes syntax. A document that has perfect syntax but meaningless substance is still going to fail to convey information. More worrisome, it may lead readers in the wrong direction, wasting time and potentially introducing risk and cost implications. 2. Analyze Substance of a Typical Document Once you are able to differentiate between substance and syntax, the next step to improve business writing skills of your employees is to specifically analyze the substance of your documents. There are five crucial elements to substance that differentiate good business writing from bad. These include: Awareness of audience Correct content for audience needs Logically categorizing that content Sequencing the content logically And, of course, good style, tone, and grammar. Once you break down the substance according to these 5 elements, it becomes easier to assess the document and the skills of the writer. Using this baseline, you can identify writing gaps and deficiencies, thus informing business writing training emphasis. 3. Analyze Syntax Syntax is the last measurement step in analyzing the team's writing skills. Syntax is actually easier to measure and correct than substance errors. Employees who possess strong analytical skills – who often work in engineering, scientific, and finance positions–are naturally adept at integrating multiple concepts. This typically translates into strong substance. However, not all employees with analytical skills will also have clear syntax skills. But, it's easier for those employees with stronger analytical skills to quickly and easily improve business writing skills because they possess the raw requisite skills. The concept of measurement is just as important in writing as in any other field. Using these steps, you can access the performance levels of your employees' business writing skills. However, do know that measurement alone is not enough. Measurement is just the start to better writing. Once you identify the gaps, you can then start the improvement process. Download my eBook, â€Å"Four Steps to Improve Your Team’s Business Writing Skills"to learn more about helping your employees write better at work. Or, schedule a complimentary consultationwith a business writing expert to receive specific recommendations for your team.

Saturday, November 2, 2019

The satisfaction level of e-government in Saudi Arabia Dissertation

The satisfaction level of e-government in Saudi Arabia - Dissertation Example Moreover, the trust of people to the particular schemes seems still to be rather low – despite the efforts for the continuous increase of these systems’ safety. The proposed study focuses on the examination of the effectiveness of e-government in Saudi Arabia. Emphasis is given on the level of the citizens’ satisfaction regarding the particular systems. A series of related issues are also critically discussed, as analyzed in the study’s Research Objectives section. At a first level, the performance of e-government in Saudi Arabia seems to be satisfactory; however, if reviewing the resources engaged in the realization of the particular plan it is made clear that the specific plan has not achieved the targets of its initiators. The reasons for this failure are going to be investigated through this study; suggestions will be also made for the system’s improvement so that citizens’ satisfaction is increased. Current study will help to understand the progress of e-government in Saudi Arabia based on the level of satisfaction of the citizens. In this way, the system’s advantages and drawbacks will be revealed. E-government is of particular importance for the government in Saudi Arabia. The proposed study will offer valuable details both on the system’s performance up to now and its needs for updates/ improvements in order to become more effective. Background In accordance with Al-Tameen et al. (2008) the development of e-government in Saudi Arabia has been initiated because of a series of factors, which have been all important in the plan’s development. Strategic motives seem to have been combined with economic reasons for supporting the development of the particular framework. In general, the development of e-government in Saudi Arabia should be characterized as quite satisfactory – both in terms of the system’s quality and the time spent on the system’s development. In a recent inte rview of the country’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Ahmed Mulla, the country’s government has set the effective development of e-government across the country as a priority (Oxford Business Group 2010, p.247). The above plan is combined with efforts for improving the quality of IT systems engaged in various governmental projects and increase the volume/ quality of education provided to these systems’ users. In accordance with the minister, the value of the above efforts is reflected to the Saudi E-government Achievement Award, a prize that has been introduced in order to reward the efforts towards the development of e-government across the country (Oxford Business Group 2010). Research Aim The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia established an e-government framework that could be used regularly by citizens. However, problems have been identified in the system’s performance; more specifically, complaints have been stated by citizens who use e-government services either regularly or periodically. This research aims to examine the satisfaction level of e-government in order to get a high level of satisfaction. The identification of the system’s failures and the suggestion of appropriate solutions will help to the