Water Pollution in South America essays

Water Pollution in South America essays In todays world, water pollution is becoming a bigger issue in South America, as well as around the globe. This problem exists all over South America due to the lack of laws and restrictions made and enforced by the governments in these countries. In some places, sewage treatment plants are almost non-existent and the ones that do exist are out-dated and not in working condition. Did you know that in some places in South America sewage runs right out of houses and into nearby rivers and lakes, causing the drinking water to become severely contaminated? This ends up causing harmful side affects on the inhabitants in the area that must survive off this water. South America is inhabited by 3rd World Countries where development is little, poverty and populations are high, and money is hard up. Governments try to raise money and use tax money to fix the severe problem of water pollution but it is not enough to provide working sewage treatment plants that can accommodate the rapidly growing population and the rapidly decreasing amount of water available for use. Many people are uneducated of what can be found in sewage. The sewage in South America contains grease, nutrients (nitrates, phosphates, and food waste), debris, oxygen-demanding chemicals (BOD, COD) acids/alkaloids/salts, toxic chemicals pathogens (disease-causing organisms) suspended solids, human drugs, human wastes, animal wastes, pesticides, and detergents In Mexico City, Mexico, the cause of pollution is the some 30 million inhabitants that contribute to air pollution, smog, and industries that release their wastes into nearby rivers and tributaries. But, in this case, the shortage of water is also a main contribute to the problem. Underground wells become polluted due to the chemicals found in the soils on the land of what used to be covered with several lakes hundreds of years ago. In other places such as Buenos Aires, Argentina, slaughter houses...

Tasmanian Devil Facts

Tasmanian Devil Facts The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)Â  is the worlds largest carnivorous marsupial. The animals common name comes from its ferocious feeding behavior. Its scientific name means Harris flesh-lover in honor of naturalist George Harris, who first described the devil in 1807. Fast Facts: Tasmanian Devil Scientific Name: Sarcophilus harrisiiCommon Name: Tasmanian devilBasic Animal Group: MammalSize: 22-26 inch body; 10 inch tailWeight: 13-18 poundsLife Span: 5 yearsDiet: CarnivoreHabitat: Tasmania, AustraliaPopulation: 10,000Conservation Status: Endangered Description The Tasmanian devil resembles a dog-sized rat. It has a large head for its body, which allows it to exert the strongest bite for its size of any carnivorous mammal (strong enough to bite through steel wire). It stores fat in its non-prehensile tail, so a thick tail is a good indicator of the marsupials health. Most devils have black fur with white patches, although 16% are completely black. Devils have excellent senses of hearing and smell, plus they use long whiskers to navigate in the dark. The animals eyes can see moving objects, but probably dont focus clearly. CÃ ©cile Boucher / Getty Images Mature males are larger than females. A males head and body averages 25.7 inches long, with a 10-inch tail and a weight around 18 pounds. Females average 22 inches in length, plus a 9-inch tail, and a weight of 13 pounds. Devils can hold food and other objects using four long forward-facing toes and one side-facing toe on each forefoot. There are four toes with non-retractable claws on each hindfoot. Both male and female Tasmanian devils have a scent gland at the base of the tail used to mark the ground. Habitat and Distribution About 3,000 years ago, the Tasmanian devil disappeared from mainland Australia. Many researchers believe dingoes and human expansion may have eradicated the animal. Today, devils only live on the island of Tasmania, Australia. While the animals occupy all habitats, they prefer dry forests. Diet and Behavior The Tasmanian devil rests in a den or the bush during the day and hunts at night. While devils do not form packs, they are not entirely solitary and will share a range. Tasmanian devils can hunt any animal up to the size of a kangaroo, but they usually eat carrion or take smaller prey, such as wombats or frogs. They also eat vegetation and fruit. Reproduction and Offspring Devils reach sexual maturity and start to breed at two years of age. Mating typically occurs in March. While Tasmanian devils are not territorial in general, females claim and defend dens. Males fight for the right to mate a female and the winner ferociously guards his mate to drive away competition. After a 21-day gestation, a female gives birth to 20-30 young, which are called joeys, pups, or imps. At birth, each joey only weighs from 0.0063 to 0.0085 ounces (size of a grain of rice). The blind, hairless young use their claws to move from the females vagina to her pouch. However, she only has four nipples. Once a joey makes contact with a nipple, it expands and holds the joey inside the pouch. The joey remains attached for 100 days. It leaves the pouch 105 days after birth, looking like a tiny (7.1 ounce) copy of its parents. The young remain within their mothers den for another three months. Tasmanian devils can live up to 7 years under ideal conditions, but their average life expectancy is closer to 5 years. Young Tasmanian devils are small versions of their parents. aaron007 / Getty Images Conservation Status In 2008, the IUCN classified the Tasmanian devils conservation status as endangered. The Tasmanian government has instituted protection programs for the animal, but its population continues to decline. The total population is estimated to be around 10,000 devils. Threats The principal threat to Tasmanian devil survival is devil facial tumor disease (DFTD), which is a contagious cancer devils transmit via bites. DFTD results in tumors that ultimately interfere with an animals ability to eat, leading to death by starvation. Devils also die from cancer that may be related to high levels of flame retardant chemicals in the environment. Road mortality is another significant cause of devil death. Tasmanian devils scavenge roadkill at night and are difficult for motorists to see because of their dark coloring. Tasmanian Devils and Humans At one time, Tasmanian devils were hunted for food. While it is true devils will dig up and eat human and animal corpses, there is no evidence they attack people. While Tasmanian devils can be tamed, their strong odor makes them unsuitable as pets. Tasmanian devils look and sound fierce, but they pose no direct threat to humans. CraigRJD / Getty Images Sources Brown, Oliver. Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) extinction on the Australian mainland in the mid-Holocene: multicausality and ENSO intensification. Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology. 31: 49–57, 2006. doi:10.1080/03115510609506855Groves, C.P. Order Dasyuromorphia. In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 28, 2005. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0.Hawkins, C.E.; McCallum, H.; Mooney, N.; Jones, M.; Holdsworth, M. Sarcophilus harrisii. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2008: e.T40540A10331066. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T40540A10331066.enOwen, D. and David Pemberton. Tasmanian Devil: A unique and threatened animal. Crows Nest, New South Wales: Allen Unwin, 2005. ISBN 978-1-74114-368-3.Siddle, Hannah V.; Kreiss, Alexandre; Eldridge, Mark D. B.; Noonan, Erin; Clarke, Candice J.; Pyecroft, Stephen; Woods, Gregory M.; Belov, Katherine. Transmission of a fat al clonal tumor by biting occurs due to depleted MHC diversity in a threatened carnivorous marsupial. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 104 (41): 16221–16226, 2007. doi:10.1073/pnas.0704580104

Consumer Law Undergraduate Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Consumer Law Undergraduate - Case Study Example In instances of failure, CIF has determined that the buyer may reject tender of the documents, refuse acceptance of the goods and argue breach of contract.2 FOB terms are in concurrence with the stated, as is SoGA (1979). Sections 14, 2a and 14, 2b places equal emphasis on conformity. Insofar as the sale of goods contract references specified goods, the buyer is obligated to provide the seller with goods which confirmed to those referenced in the contract. 3Assuming that the goods are conforming, the seller is further responsible for making the necessary arrangements regarding the affreightment and insurance of the goods, the issuance of a commercial invoice and the tender of the relevant documents to the buyer within a reasonable timeframe, or as specified in the contract.4 Case law emphasises the liability of sellers in instances of proven non-conformity. In the matter of Slater v Finney (1996),5 the buyers claimed breach of implied condition of fitness, in accordance with SoGA(1979), Section 14, 3, maintaining that the shipping vessel which they purchased from the sellers did not satisfy the purpose for which they purchased it. ... In the matter of Soules Caf v PT Transap of Indonesia (1998) the court found that the buyer had the right to reject the documents since they were inconsistent with CIF terms pertaining to insurance and as a consequence of the seller's failure to perform his CIF obligations.7 The meaning of this is that the right to reject is immediately linked to the question of whether or not the seller fulfilled his obligations and not to whether the goods were damaged during the voyage or not. Therefore, even if the goods are damaged, Baxwell, must fulfil all of his obligations. The fact is that a significant percentage of the goods have been damaged, inhibiting Baxwell from exploiting them for the purpose for which he bought them. SoGA, Sections 15A and 15B, provides that the goods delivered should be in the type and condition which allow the buyer to satisfy the purpose of purchase.8 CIF terms additionally emphasise this right.9 Consequently, it is apparent that even though Sweet does not appear liable, as he had fulfilled his contractual obligations, Baxwell should not carry the financial burden potentially imposed upon him by the damage done to the goods. Assignment of liability for the damages, necessitates a review of the concepts of property and risk, as outlined by SoGA and CIF. The first consideration is the separation between passage of proprietorship and passage of risk. The CIF terms on which the sales of goods contract between Baxwell and Sweet is founded upon separates between the two. Property passes from the seller to the buyer upon the tender of the documents and the payment of the sums owed. Risk, however, and especially as delivery is at a distant port, does not

BUS law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 4

BUS law - Essay Example It is further observed that the terms and conditions submitted by Wrench LLC to Taco bell on their request was not approved but still Alfaro, representative of Taco Bell continued promoting the caricature based on the ideas of Wrench LLC, which leads to the violation of rights under  §106 of Copyrights Act. Taco Bell is liable to be prosecuted for breaching implied contract as it has used the concepts, ideas and materials of Wrench LLC in its marketing before and after rejecting the terms of Wrench LLC. The above facts satisfy the requirements for an implied contract and Taco Bell is liable to pay for the losses incurred by Wrench LLC as it is upheld in Metrano v. Fox Broadcasting that â€Å"suit for breach of a promise not use †¦.ideas without compensation does not require proof of any element that is not required by the Copyright Act† (Anschell, Hodulik and Rohrer, 24). Anschell, J.H., Hodulik J.B. and Rohrer A.S. The Whole Enchilada: Wrench LLC v Taco Bell Corp. and Idea Submission Claims Communications Lawyer, The Journal of Media, Information and Communications Law, 21(4). 2004.

Free

Free Will Essay Vilayandur S. Ramachandran came from a distinguished family in Tamil Nadu, India, and was neuroscientist, which is a field of study encompassing the various scientific disciplines dealing with the nervous system. Ramachandrans views on the brain and how it works are discussed in his work â€Å"The New Philosophy†. In his essay he discusses the nature of consciousness, discussing the effects of certain mental states and their influence on the body and the brain. One of his main topics, however, is the Ramachandrans view of free will. He suggest that â€Å"neuroscience intersects with philosophy because the question of free will has been a philosophical problem for hundreds of years and more† (Jacobus 569). He discusses the significance of the brain imaging that shows a â€Å"readiness potential† and what it really means to have a free will. Through his essay, though, it is interesting to point out where religion and Christianity stands on the issue of free will and whether Christians are puppets under Gods command. Ramachandran poses this question about free will: â€Å"Is your brain the real one in charge, making your free will only a post-hoc rationalization; a delusion..?† When a special experiment was underway, it was discovered that when a person was told to move their finger within the next ten minutes at their own free will, their brain would kick in almost a second before the actual willingness to move the finger. This posed the original question stated above and brought on other questions as well. If this person is now shown the screen displaying the signal from the EEG scanner hooked up to your brain, they can then see their free will. They will then have three options: 1) They will experience a sudden lack of will, feeling as though the machine is controlling them, making them feel like a puppet. 2) They will refuse to have their belief of their free will to be altered but instead believe that the machine has some â€Å"paranormal precognition by which it is able to predict your movements accurately† (Ramachandran 559-60). 3) The person will reconfigure the experience in their mind, and cling to their sense of freedom, denying what their eyes have seen as evidence and maintain that â€Å"the sensation of will precedes the machines signal, not vice versa† (Ramachandran 560). The point when the brain would â€Å"kick in† before the movement is called the â€Å"readiness potential†. The â€Å"readiness potential† is what happens when there is a change in the electrical activity of the brain that occurs before the subjects conscious decision to move a muscle (medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com). Ramachandran believes that â€Å"there is an inevitable neural delay before the signal arising in one part of the brain makes its way through the rest of the brain to deliver the messagenatural selection has ensured that the subjective sensation of willing to delay deliberately to coincide not with the onset of the brain commands but with the actual execution of the command by your finger† (Ramachandran 560). Ramachandran is a firm believer in evolution, believing that the events must have some sort of evolutionary purpose. â€Å"On one hand,† he says, â€Å"this experiment shows that free will is false and cannot be causing the brain events because the events kick in a second earlier. But on the other hand, the pause must have some purpose, otherwise why would the delay have evolved† (Ramachandran 560). Though these events have a purpose, evolutionary is not the answer. In Joshua 24:15 it says â€Å"Choose for yourselves this day who you will serve, as for me and my household we will serve the LORD.† God gives mankind a choice to follow Him and so free will is a gift from God as something to be accepted. Humans have the gift of God to reject or take the free gift that He offers. If humans really are descendants of apes, then when did the gift of free will come into the evolutionary chain of todays mankind? John 7:37 says â€Å"Anyone who is thirsty may come to me.† It is an offer. Not a demanding command. Anyone who is thirsty may come to me, shows us that God does not want us to be without his living water and without him, but it is our choice whether we choose to accept Gods free gift of salvation. When studying free will in the Bible and through works of literature like Vilayandur S. Ramachandran, there will always be people on both sides of the argument. Do we have control of our own destinies or are we merely puppets in Gods giant game of the world? My personal beliefs on the subject are as I have stated in this paper: Though God has a control over the destiny of the world and each of our lives, he gives us a chance to make a decision to follow him or to ignore the free gift of his son that he has offered to us. John 3:16 it says: â€Å"For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believed in him would have eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.† Works Cited Jacobus, Lee A. A World Of Ideas. 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2008. Print. The Free Dictionary. Medical Dictionary. Online source. http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/readiness+potential Bible. New Living Translation.

Identity :: Technology, SNS Profiles

Some young people create profiles as their friends have, they desire to join in their peer group and to share a common experience with their friends. Joining like-minded peers appeals to their collective self-esteem, which eventually, gives them the unexpected pleasure in expressing themselves on SNS profiles. Often, young people provide specific information (e.g., name, birthdate, relationship status) on SNS, although such disclosure is often considered as personalized. Profile generation is an explicit act of writing oneself into being a digital environment (Boyd D., 2008) and participants must determine how they want to present themselves to those who may view their self-representation or those they wish might. With the ability to post, share and tag photos on SNS represents an important advancement in the ability to communicate. Before, if one wanted to share digital photos, one had to email everyone to let them know. With SNS and News Feeds, when one post new photos on Facebook, the friends get automatically notified in their News Feed. People will see the photos on the wall when they visit the profile page. Apart from being a place for self-presentations, profiles are a place where people gather to converse and share. Conversations happen on profiles and a person's profile reflects their engagements. Consequently, young people do not have complete control over their identities. Users are asked to invite their friends to the SNS once they have create their profiles. When relationship is confirmed, the two become Friends in SNS and their relationship is included in the public ‘News Feed’ wall. These four features – profiles, photos, friends and news feed - differentiate Facebook from other types of computer-mediated communication. Many young people join SNS to maintain connections with their friends. While viewing profiles, they are given links to their friends’ friends and so they can spend hours surfing the network, clicking from ‘Friend’ to ‘Friend’. By looking at others’ profiles, young people often get a sense of what types of presentations are socially appropriate; others’ profiles provide critical cues about what to present on their own profile. (Boyd D., 2008) Many young people also manipulate the profiles to express themselves with the choice of pictures and the answers to questions. As Manuel Castells (1997) points out, identity is people’s source of meaning and experience. From a sociological perspective, humans come into the world with an identity based on qualities such as their gender, race, family’s economic status, etc.

Fast Food or Sit down Restaurants Essay

Enjoying your food with warm cooked bread along with sweet butter to spread and an iced cold drink to top it all off, or Rushing to eat your food because you feel as if you have to scarf it down before it gets to cold. Sit down restaurant or fast food what would you prefer? Sitting down talking, ordering refills and desserts is my favorite while at a sit down restaurant but sometimes I am in a bit of a hurry and need to swing bye and get something fast that is easy to eat in a short amount of time. Some people may think fast food compared to sit down restaurants are almost the same but they do have many differences. Comparing two local food businesses such as Taco Bell and Texas Road House, there prices I would like to say are a little low but the other are a little high. Taco Bell is considered a fast food joint, and is a place to go when you may be low on cash or even when you may want something fast and easy after a long day at work to feed your family. Taco Bell always has deals and low prices for those times when you want something good not to expensive but worth your money. Texas Road house on the other hand is the opposite this is the place to go when you just got a really good paycheck and feel as if you and your boyfriend need to be spoiled or maybe just want to have a night and go somewhere that will have fun serving you and also do not mind if you get a little crazy cause that’s what having fun is all about.. Texas Road House is considered a Steak House and it is somewhere to go when you want to enjoy a delicious meal and maybe even some drinks to have just a great night out ye s you will be spending way more then you would if you went to Taco Bell but Texas road house always fulfills my taste buds and its worth the money every time. For some people the environment Is the most important part about eating at a restaurant. Some like it quiet and not to be bothered others like it loud and packed. When picking a place like taco bell it is a very quiet place to go and eat and rarely do you go in and enjoy your meal. Texas Road House on the other hand is very loud and there is always a long waiting list because it’s so packed. Not only is the environment important but also how clean the place is to, taco bell is always on top of cleaning and how nice and clean  there lobby is and also there bathrooms too. Texas Road house is clean besides all the peanuts you bring home on your shoes bathrooms are always kept up and you always leave with a full stomach.. To me having something fun at your restaurant is good it gives the place character and everyone knows where to go when they just feel like a bag of peanuts, or when you need some extra hot sauce packets at home. When it comes to different food items at these two places, they are different but that’s what makes each place unique. Taco bell has burritos, tacos, nachos, Mexican pizza etc. Texas Road House has a variety of things burgers, steaks, salads, baked potatoes, bread rolls, and so much more but each place does have a signature sauce they serve, taco bell has there mild ,medium, hot, and Verde sauce while Texas road house there steak sauce and there butter that everyone loves. Not only do you need the sauces and butters with your meal but you do need drinks as well. Taco bell has a variety of different pops, while Texas road house has pop, tea, lemonade, beer, margaritas, shots, etc. Taco bell compared to Texas Road house are very different in their own ways.

Deal of Downsizing in Corporations, Businesses and Other Organizations

Abstract: In recent years, there has been a great deal of downsizing in corporations, businesses and other organizations throughout the United States. According to the two papers noted below, the negative effects of such layoffs cannot be completely eliminated, but they can be helped or reduced moderately through specific actions such as increased communication and counseling and trust- and team-building. Amundson (2004) notes that corporate downsizing has become an important area of study due to the increasing impact on the American workforce. Most companies do little to prepare their employees for such negative measures. The majority of studies on this topic have focused on the victims of the layoffs; few have centered on the survivors. The studies that focused on survivors primarily used survey methods that assessed commitment, motivation, level of performance, job satisfaction, stress symptoms, and coping mechanisms and how these are related to self-affirmation, gender and organizational level, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and intent to leave the organization. In Amundson's review of literature, he found only two related studies in which a semi-structured group interviewing format was used. Evans (1995) studied U.S. soldiers in the downsized military and Noer (1993) interviewed employees of a downsized private organization. Similar themes emerged from both of these studies: increased stress; decreased motivation; reduced performance with extra workload, distrust/withdrawal of management/leader; and experiencing the emotions of anger, sadness, guilt, insecurity, and fear. Research by Armstrong-Stassen (1998) used mail-in questionnaires to analyze the individual traits and support resources that helped 82 managers in a Canadian federal government department over a 2-year period cope with downsizing. Acknowledging that â€Å"reactions of the remaining employees will largely determine the effectiveness and quality of the services provided by the federal government in the future† (p. 310), she found managers reported a significant decrease in r job performance and commitment. To add to the literature regarding both positive and negative impacts to downsizing, Amundson (2005) interviewed 31 employees from a variety of organizations, including a federal human resources department, hospital, retailer, private employment consulting group, and two oil and gas companies. All individuals had remained in their organizations throughout the time of restructuring. Thirteen of the participants were men, and 18 were women. Their ages ranged from early 20s to mid-50s. Participants were interviewed within six months of the completion of downsizing in their organization. Participants were asked to describe, in behavioral terms, the positive and negative incidents they experienced during the downsizing period. The interviews highlighted three major questions: (a) What recent changes have you experienced in the organization? (b) What helped you to adjust to these changes (the positive incidents)? and (c) What hindered your adjustment (the negative incidents)? The responses by the interviewees of both negative and positive incidents demonstrated the mixed and sometimes confused reactions that survivors have to the downsizing experience. Participants reported both hindering and helpful aspects, regardless of gender or line of work. No event or concern was experienced as negative by everyone, although there definitely were more negative incidents. Throughout the interviews, survivors explained their experiences during the notification and implementation of the layoffs and the downsizing process and the way it was communicated. As the ramifications to downsize became clearer, workers reacted to the possible loss of their own position, changing coworker relations, organizational support programs, leadership, and the effect work changes had on their home life. The survivors cited 102 critical incidents (75 negative, 27 positive) about the restructuring process. The high participation rate, 65 percent for negative and 42 percent for positive incidents, demonstrated the survivors' desires to be knowledgeable and part of developing the restructuring process. These individuals saw themselves playing a major role in a successful transition. Survivors felt better when involved. They felt frustrated when their input was ignored. Survivors also criticized counter-productive and wasteful processes. Nineteen survivors reported 31 negative incidents and 12 reported 18 positive incidents regarding fellow employees prior to the downsizing. The vast majority of negative incidents concerned grieving for laid-off peers. Survivors who were transferred away from their coworkers felt isolated and lonely and expressed guilt and envy. Positive incidents involved coworkers supporting each other through the uncertainty of the situation and seeking methods to communicate with one another after downsizing. Survivors also discussed the manner in which the organization treated their colleagues during the layoffs. Fair and sensitive treatment was reassuring to survivors; unfair or insensitive treatment resulted in resentment and anger. Management's actions to facilitate or hinder the downsizing are significant. A total of 48 incidents–36 negative and 12 positive–were reported, with participation rates of 18 (58 percent) for and 8 (26 percent) respectively. Many employees were concerned about company leadership. They felt ambivalent when managers would look out for employees but, ultimately, had their own best interests at heart. Managers were perceived as untrustworthy when withholding information. Employees were angry when supervisors did not offer direction, guidance and information required by employees, but appreciated supervisors who were proactive and showed a positive attitude toward the change. Effective communication could calm fears, conflicting communication increased confusion and anxiety. Although survivors had jobs, their sense value diminished. Morale also decreased, with high incidents of people feeling angry, fear and anxiety. Although employees received support from family many experienced problems outside of work, including illness. Most employees considered the possibility of job loss currently or the future. Negative and positive critical incidents regarding job loss were reported by 13 (42 percent) and 9 (29 percent) of survivors, respectively. Survivors, found efforts to support employee mental health helped and that they would choices if they lost or left their jobs. Amundson concluded that the negative aspects of the downsize can be reduced or helped during downsizing by certain actions, since the integrity of the downsizing process can either destroy or build new loyalties: the trustworthiness of management is imperative, there is a real need for clear and open communication during all stages of the process.. The importance of support from family members is critical, as is ongoing counseling from the company in regards to the issues they face in the new environment. As Amundson finds, there are ways to help or reduce the â€Å"downs† of downsizing. Amabile (1999) decided to see how such aspects as creativity and teamwork could be improved in downsizing environments. If creativity usually declines during downsizing, the work environment plays a central role. Context encompasses all elements of the psychological climate of both the formal organization of policies and procedures and informal organization of values, norms, and interpersonal relationships. Research has shown that context can be important not only in affecting survivors' reactions, but also in determining the impact of those reactions on job performance. A threatening situation ranks high as problematic. Threats are defined as external events or circumstances in which individuals, groups, or organizations perceive negative or harmful consequences for their vital interests. This leads to dysfunctional employees and organizations. However, studies of creativity stress the role of an organization's environment in affecting creative behaviors. The componential model of creativity and innovation shows that five environmental components affect creativity: encouragement of creativity: autonomy or freedom in the day-to-day conduct of work; resources, or the materials, information, and general resources available for work; pressures including both positive challenge and negative workload; and organizational impediments to creativity such as conservatism and internal strife. High-creativity projects were generally higher on work environment stimulants to creativity and lower on work environment obstacles to creativity. Thus, it appears that there is indeed a relationship between the work environment and the level of creativity produced by individuals in teams. Amabile's study (1999) examined the work environment for creativity at a large high-tech firm before, during, and after downsizing. Most creativity-supporting aspects of the work environment decreased greatly during the downsizing but increased somewhat later: The opposite occurred for creativity-undermining aspects. Stimulants and obstacles to creativity in the work environment mediated the effects of downsizing. These results suggest ways in which theories of organizational creativity can be expanded and ways in which the negative effects of downsizing might be avoided or alleviated. Although Noer (1993) suggested that survivors may not recover from the negative effects of downsizing, this research suggests the perceived work environment can improve modestly. Perhaps, some people eventually accept ongoing change within this company, as Noer suggested. However, it is also seen in his study that experienced downsizing was a less a predictor of work environment than was work group stability or downsizing. Thus, suggests Amabile, future research should focus attention here. The work group stability results are largely consistent with the theory of the need to belong suggesting that ongoing relational human bonds are a strong, basic, and pervasive motive that has long-lasting positive effects on emotional patterns and cognitive processes. The anticipated downsizing results suggest that, even if an employee's work unit has been eliminated, the certainty of knowing the process is over leads to a generally more positive work environment than the expectation of future downsizing in a presently intact unit. That is, the anticipation of the negative event may be less tolerable than the actual experience. This study's results suggest the possibility of adding a dynamic element to the componential model of organizational creativity. Presently, the componential model is static and specifies relationships between the perceived work environment and creative behavior at any one point in time. It does not address the dynamics of change in the work environment or how events within organizations might lead individuals to perceive their work environments as creativity-supporting or creativity-undermining. What types of events give rise to such environments, and what sorts of events lead to change in those environments? If this is so, events may prove to have a particularly powerful effect on the work environment for creativity. In future research, there could be an investigation of the mechanisms by which anticipated downsizing and work group instability might lead to degraded work environments. The threat theory could be especially helpful in guiding such studies, because it directly addresses possible changes in organizational environments under negative circumstances. Specifically, the following effects could be predicted: a centralization of control would lead to perceptions of lower autonomy/freedom, (2) a conservation of resources would lead to perceptions of less sufficient resources, (3) restriction of information flow would lead to perceptions of less encouragement of creativity from the organization overall (organizational encouragement), from one's own supervisor (supervisory encouragement), and from one's work group (work group supports), and (4) reliance on familiar routines would lead to perceptions of more organizational impediments to creativity, through a generally greater conservatism. Researchers may use this information to understand how downsizing and other organizational events bring about change in the perceived work environment for creativity. Most important, reports Amabile, â€Å"first, and most obviously, it is important to do it right.† Since downsizing decreases creativity, managers must first be sure that downsizing is a truly necessary. Second, when it is not possible to maintain team stability, it may be helpful to undertake team-building efforts as soon as new groups are formed–especially when high levels of creativity are desired. Finally, organizational creativity will be less apt to suffer in a downsizing if the process is concluded in a timely manner and if a downsizing moratorium can be identified for some meaningful period of time afterward. Overall, concludes Amabile, â€Å"Our study †¦suggests that corporate decision makers of the future should approach downsizing with great caution. The long-term negative effects of such actions on creativity and innovation may only retrigger the corporate woes that started the cycle in the first place.†

WHITNEY Surname Meaning and Family History

WHITNEY Surname Meaning and Family History The Whitney surname has several possible meanings: Dweller by or on the white island, from the Old English hwit, meaning white, and ea, meaning water, or ige, meaning island.One who came from a place named Whitney (such as parish of Whitney in Herefordshire, England), a place name meaning white island. First  mentioned in the  Domesday Book  as  Witenie.   Surname Origin: English Alternate Surname Spellings:  WITNEY, WHETNEY, WHITTENEY, WHITENEY, WYTNEY, WHITNY Famous People with the WHITNEY Surname Eli Whitney - American inventor; best known for inventing the cotton ginAmos Whitney - American mechanical engineer and inventorAsa Whitney  -  highly successful dry-goods merchant and  transcontinental railroad  promoterCarl Whitney  -  American Negro League baseball playerJohn Whitney  - founder of the prominent American Whitney  family- notable for their social prominence, wealth, businesses and philanthropy- who left   London, England, to settle in Watertown, Massachusetts in 1635.Mary Watson Whitney - American astronomer Where is the WHITNEY Surname Most Common? The Whitney surname, according to surname distribution information from Forebears, is the 10,104th most common surname in the world. It is most commonly found today in the United States, where it ranks 875th. It is also fairly prevalent in Australia and New Zealand, as well as England- especially in Northamptonshire and Herefordshire. WorldNames PublicProfiler indicates the Whitney surname is found in greatest numbers in the United States, with the greatest numbers living in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Washington, Utah and Idaho. Genealogy Resources for the Surname WHITNEY Whitney Family Crest - Its Not What You ThinkContrary to what you may hear, there is no such thing as a Whitney family crest or coat of arms for the Whitney surname.  Coats of arms are granted to individuals, not families, and may rightfully be used only by the uninterrupted male line descendants of the person to whom the coat of arms was originally granted. Whitney DNA ProjectMany individuals with the Whitney surname have joined this Y-DNA project to work together to use DNA testing along with traditional genealogy research to help determine Whitney origins and distinguish between various Whitney lines. WHITNEY Family Genealogy ForumThis free message board is focused on descendants of Whitney ancestors around the world. Search the forum for posts about your Whitney ancestors, or join the forum and post your own queries.   FamilySearch - WHITNEY GenealogyExplore over 820,000 results from digitized  historical records and lineage-linked family trees related to the Whitney surname on this free website hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. WHITNEY Surname Mailing ListFree mailing list for researchers of the Whitney surname and its variations includes subscription details and a searchable archives of past messages. GeneaNet - Whitney RecordsGeneaNet includes archival records, family trees, and other resources for individuals with the Whitney surname, with a concentration on records and families from France and other European countries. The Whitney Genealogy and Family Tree PageBrowse genealogy records and links to genealogical and historical records for individuals with the Whitney surname from the website of Genealogy Today. Ancestry.com: Whitney SurnameExplore over 2.7 million digitized records and database entries, including census records, passenger lists, military records, land deeds, probates, wills and other records for the Whitney surname on the subscription-based website, Ancestry.com - References: Surname Meanings Origins Cottle, Basil.  Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. Baltimore, MD: Penguin Books, 1967. Dorward, David.  Scottish Surnames. Collins Celtic (Pocket edition), 1998. Fucilla, Joseph.  Our Italian Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 2003. Hanks, Patrick and Flavia Hodges.  A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1989. Hanks, Patrick.  Dictionary of American Family Names. Oxford University Press, 2003. Reaney, P.H.  A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1997. Smith, Elsdon C.  American Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 1997. Back to  Glossary of Surname Meanings Origins

Best Private Schools in Texas

Best Private Schools in Texas Looking for the best private school in Texas for your child? Check out some of these top institutions in around the Dallas/Fort Worth area of the Lone Star State. Presented in alphabetical order, this list of college prep schools has been generated by considering several key assessment factors, including student and parent reviews on multiple sites, class sizes, college graduation and placement, as well as testing scores. Please contact each school directly for the most updated information about each institution listed. Cistercian Preparatory School Founded in 1962 by monks escaping communist Hungary,  Cistercian Preparatory School  is a Catholic school for boys in grades 5-12.   349 students enrolled6:1 student teacher ratio66% of faculty hold masters degrees and 13% hold doctoral degrees24% students of color20% of families receive financial aid The Episcopal School of Dallas Educating students from different faiths, The Episcopal School of Dallas is a strong co-ed college-prep school with students in pre-school through 12th grade. 1,150 students enrolled20% students of color28% Episcopalian students52% boys 48% girls$3.5 million awarded to students for financial aid20% of students receive financial assistance7:1 student teacher ratioAverage class size of 16 Greenhill School In Addison,  Greenhill School  is an independent co-ed PK-12 school whose mission is to encourage excellence and openness in learning. 1,292 students enrolledAverage class size of 16 (Preschool is 15)44% students of color61% of faculty hold advanced degrees15% of students receive financial aidMore than $5 million in financial aid available to qualified families The Hockaday School The Hockaday School  for girls in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, and sends 100% of its graduates on to college. With a 9:1 student to teacher ratio, this school provides an educational experience that promotes success.   486 students enrolled74 boarding school students enrolled36% students of color16% of students receive financial aid Parish Episcopal School Parish Episcopal School is a pre-K through 12th co-ed school for students of all faiths. Parish graduated its first class of seniors in 2007. 1,100 students enrolled8:1 student teacher ratio in PK-K, 14:1 in grades 1 and 2, 17:1 in all other grades22% diversity23 faith backgrounds100% of graduates are accepted at four-year colleges and/or universities St. Marks School of Texas Dallas, Texas boasts a number of single-sex schools, including St. Marks School of Texas, a non-sectarian, college-preparatory independent day school for boys in grades 1-12. 865 students enrolled8:1 Student Teacher RatioAverage Class Size: 1571% of faculty with advanced degrees100% of seniors attend a 4-year college or universityAdmits 22% of applicants annually46% students of color$2,400,000 budget for financial aid awards to qualified families Trinity Valley School Trinity Valley School is a K-12, independent, coeducational, college-preparatory school that has remained committed to a broad liberal education in the arts and sciences, culminating in the knowledge, skills, and wisdom to enable our students to excel at an appropriate college or university.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   970 students enrolled10:1 student to teacher ratioApproximately 20 students per class Ursuline Academy Ursuline Academy is a Catholic college-prep high school for girls in grades 9-12. The alma mater of philanthropist Melinda French Gates (who has given millions of dollars to the school to build a state-of-the-art science, math, and technology center), Ursuline Academy is also the oldest Dallas school in continuous operation. More than 800 girls enrolled30% students of colorMore than $1.2 million in financial assistance and merit scholarship awards given26% of students receive some form of financial assistance Yavneh Academy Founded in 1993 for Jewish students of all affiliations, Yavneh Academy is a modern Orthodox high school for girls and boys. 120 students enrolled3:1 student teacher ratioAverage class size of 10Less than 10% students of color Click here for a full list of​ Private Schools in Texas Article edited by  Stacy Jagodowski

Mental Health Nursing Mental Status Exam on a mental health patient Essay

Mental Health Nursing Mental Status Exam on a mental health patient - Essay Example The patient herself does not have an extensive prior hospitalization history. She does have history of: depression, hypertension, diabetes. Treatment recommendations are: management per psychiatry. She does not have any prior history of mental illness or a family history of mental illness. She is a retired school teacher, and worked for nearly 40 years before retiring. There is nothing in her professional record to indicate any psychiatric problems. Though she does claim that she has been depressed all her life, Interviews with family members indicate a person who is generally lived a balanced life . Though she and her husband never had any children and had only each other for company, they seemed generally to be a normal old couple. Financially, while they were not very well off, They seemed generally comfortable. She says she is in the hospital because she is losing weight and is overwhelmed with things at home. Her husband died while both of them where in the hospital , he was sic k for a very long time with cancer in his lungs and he never went to the doctor because they had no insurance and no money for doctor visits. She went in because she was dehydrated and getting sick. She feels now that her husband is gone that once she gets back home that she is going to be overwhelmed and have no idea how to take care of the herself, the house and bills.