Introductory Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Introductory Ethics - Essay Example Kant cites another example of refusing to help others in pursuit of their projects. This maxim according to Kant easily passes the contradiction in conception test but fails to pass the final test of contradiction in will. According to this maxim it is our duty to help people sometimes but only to a certain extent, not in each and every given situation. Kant further cites the example of a perfect duty in keeping the promises you have made to others but actually have little intention of actually keeping the promise. There is a self-contradiction maxim in this intention of making a promise to achieve some kind of desired purpose, but with no intention of keeping it. The contradiction is in the fact that this maxim cannot become a Universal law, because it would then imply that one has to lie every time, in order to achieve the desired result. A.2. In the "murderer at the door" maxim Kant imagines a number of coincidences that may occur when you reply honestly to the murderer's questions. He states that when the person at the door is answering the questions of the murderer, whether the victim is at home, it is likely that the victim may have secretly left the house and thus will not get in the way of the murderer and as a result the murder might not take place at all.

The life of people Essay Example for Free

The life of people Essay The life of people is getting better day by day and the technology is one of factor contributing that outcome. To consider one strong economical country or developed country, people usually look at its technological system. Therefore, I strongly agree with the statement that governments should spend as much money as possible on developing or buying computer technology. Firstly, thanks to technology people can work in an efficient way. Defining the modern life, one usually sees there are more machines to help people. In addition, some countries are using the higher productivity levels in manufacturing as they can in order to increase quality and quantity of products. For instance, Japanese used to be a poor country after the World War II and they had to suffer strongly damage of the war. However, they have realized the importance of technology and have concentrated using technology to produce cars. In present time, Japan is the biggest car industry all over the world. In addition to technology also brings for human being a high quality of living. To some extent, we can easily see the helping of technology in our daily life, such as washing machine or refrigerator. People can keep food within one month, and saving many hours cleaning clothes. Without airplane technology, before if one wants to go travel between countries, he or she has to use boats or trains. It takes so much time, but now we can do that just with few hours. Finally, computer is one of the most useful study aids for students nowadays. Computers have been using widely in schools, laboratories. Students were too tired with schoolbooks, wasting time in transferring from home to school. However, now they can save all their books in their personal computer or even just stay at home and study with an internet connection. Thus, when technology invested more money, students will study easier. Technology strengthens one country indirectly this way. In conclusion, technology is one of a main factor that helps people life more productive. With the reasons I have listed above, governments should give majority amount of money in making technological industry stronger.

Delegation Essay -- essays research papers

What is delegation? Delegation is defined as follows: â€Å"Getting work done through others or as directing the performance of one or more people to accomplish organization goals (Managing & Leading: Concepts, 1997, p. 146). Delegation is a part of management. It allows managers to assign responsibility to coworkers to achieve organization goals through the work of others. In conclusion delegation is the process of achieving performance of certain outcomes for which you are accountable with other individuals who have the appropriate authority to accomplish the work (Sullivan & Decker, 1992, p. 216). Delegation is a complex process that can be quite effective in accomplishing work. It is one of the most effective professional management strategies used which is an art and a skill. Delegation allow managers to transfer work to subordinates, getting work done through others or as directing the performance of one or more people to accomplish organization goals, and turning one authority and responsibility for doing a job to a subordinate; explaining the ‘what’ and ‘why’ of a selected problem or job, while leaving the how to the subordinate (Managing & Leading: Concepts, 1997, p.146). Managers in my organization delegate as part of their management responsibilities to assign the right position or job to the best qualified person that they think can do the job and do the job right. Managers in my organization use delegation because it allows them to achieve more productivity for the company. Managers in my organization delegate to make sure everybody understand what is wanted and expected of all team members on delegated tasks. Managers in my organization delegate someone who really wants to do the task. If he/she may not know exactly how or what to do but if she wants to do it she will seek out the appropriate resources or find help to complete the task (Valerie Gatlin-Best, 1997, pg. 313). Managers in my organization delegate a task- the person being delegated to does not feel demeaned; be consistent-delegate certain tasks to certain people; stimulate personnel by encouraging others; be open, honest when looking at the picture as a whole ...look for positives/not negatives(Debby Kennedy, 1997, p.312). Managers in my organization are accountable for what ever goes on (or does not go on) in their departments. If subordinates make mistakes because they... ...loyees’ knowledge and experience to get the results they want. Delegation is effective when an organization functions well and every individual believe their part is vital to the well-being of the organization as a whole. To be effective managers should never ask an individual to do something that you are not willing to do yourself. Managers should know the people whom they are delegating tasks to in order to match the task with an individual’s skill and talent. Managers should always practice to simply thank individuals after completing specific delegated tasks and treat people with respect at all times. In conclusion delegation is a vital tool in the work force. It allows more accomplishments through sharing responsibilities and work load. If give managers the opportunity to receive input from other when tasks are delegated. Effective managers in cooperates opportunities to increase others’s skills and knowledge by simply learning from each other, provide opportunities to increase communication skills, instill encouragement, and to motivate.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  

Marine Corps

I want to be a Marine Corps Officer to serve my country. It is in my blood That is my first priority and will always be my first priority. Yes, it is great that an NROTC scholarship would pay for my tuition and fees and so on. However, one cannot put a price on the pride and dignity of being an officer in the Marine Corps. No one in the world has greater talent, leadership, and determination to take the initiative, than a Marine Officer. Through Varsity sports, DECA, and over sixty community service hours, I’ve learned how to lead a team, work with others to accomplish a mission, and that being a leader is hard work. However, there is no doubt that I am ready and willing to take on the challenge of being a leader. A leader of men who are the proudest and most feared warriors in this world, a leader of Marines. I live for challenges like these and I am mentally, physically, and morally capable of achieving this dream of mine. This career I strive for is something I’ve wanted to do since the first day I spoke with a Marine Corps recruiter. Marines have something about them that seperate themselves from the other military branches. That â€Å"something† is what I am looking for and is what I need. I believe the Marine Corps can make me into something greater than myself, something that demands greatness. The only thing I am missing is the oppurtunity. Give me the oppurtunity to prove to you and our country that I am a leader and that I have what it takes to become one of the few who can lead Marines.

Psychology, Theology and the Spiritual Life in Christian Counseling Essay

1. This paper is a book review that will deal with the above work by McMinn and the nature of Christian counseling in general. The work is a whole is designed to be easily read, and reads very quickly at the price of sophistication. Its ultimate purpose is one of integration on wto levels: first, the integration of the â€Å"broken† person back into loving relationships, chiefly with God, who is a God of healing, and second, the immensely important integration of theology with the aims of counseling. Counseling without God is a far less complex affair than Christian counseling. The secular counselor can be safely utilitarian, whatever helps heal the person might be tried or advocated. However, with Christian counseling, the idea of integration is all important. Christians have a specific view of the personality that cannot be ignored in counseling. These ideas on the human personality is based around our inherent sinfulness and â€Å"brokenness. † (McMinn, 1996, 32). This is central, all of humanity is in need of counseling of some sort, but the final end of counseling, that of union with God in and by healthy relationships with other persons, provides far more difficult challenges than the more utilitarian secularist. Furthermore, the idea of the integration of the ego out of its sinful (yet natural) drive to self-sufficiency (cf. 35-40ff) is another specifically Christian idea when coupled with the important idea of Grace, the Grace that is, by its very function, a healing balm. Hence, the counselor must also know how to â€Å"give way† to grace, grace that is not in the control of the counselor. The notion of the â€Å"abuse of power† so important to the chapter on â€Å"Sin†is precisely not realizing the fact that the Christian counselor must act as a conduit of grace and not its â€Å"dispenser. † Thus, the counselor that does not realize this gap, the gap between the counselor and the will of God for the broken victim has failed in his duty. The grace for the believer is always present, and Christian counseling must have a sense that his duty is to help the victim find it. The basic thesis of the book is sound from a theological and a psychological point of view: the modern secular mentality stresses ego satisfaction and ones â€Å"control† over ones life. But this is little more than the institutionalization of original sin: this is the problem, not the solution. This desire, natural to fallen man, to be self-sufficient is the root of all psychological problems. Hence, the work takes this fundamental insight through the various ideas that develop in the process of counseling: prayer, scripture, forgiveness, etc. Each concerns itself with bringing the patient to a fuller understanding of the nature of his alienation, both from others an from God. 2. In the section on prayer, I was struck by several things, things that I recall myself going through. I was always taken aback by the attacks on prayer by both mainline psychology and society at large: why would one pray if God is all knowing? Of course this is not an easy question, and the church fathers dealt with it in some detail. I began to see prayer as being of 2 kinds: the intercessory prayer, or the literal meaning of prayer in the sense as â€Å"to ask. † This is not a part of Christian counseling to any great degree. But the second form of prayer, that of communion and oneness, is. The prayerful meditation of the ancient monks has healing properties even apart of belief. Prayer, as McMinn points out, reduces stress, creates a bond with the counselor, and places the problems of man in a theological context (66ff). The same might be said for his section on Scripture: is not Job an excellent case study for the Christian counselor? Is not David and his sins even better? (Cf. 100) It seems to me that the development of my own prayer life since being involved with counseling has more to do with dealing rather than asking. , In other words, it seems to me that pure prayer is not about asking for things: God knows what we need. Pure prayer is about dealing with that which God has given us in our own development. Suffering is no a bad thing with a prayerful attitude: it permits us to reject the world and its comforts, and to seek our rest in God alone. Christians involved in counseling should avoid, as my experience has shown, treating prayer as a means of â€Å"getting† things. This can lead to disappointment and a belief that God is merely a great cosmic vending machine that exists to grant wishes. I recall my older view that prayer was about â€Å"getting,† instead of â€Å"dealing. † Prayer as a means of communing with God in the midst of suffering is both a very Christian idea as well as a powerful tool in counseling Christians. 3. A major issue that arises from reading this book is the difficulty of the task. The author is writing for a popular audience, and hence, can not get into the deep psychology and theology necessary to make his this work. Theology is the highest of the sciences, and this is because the understanding of Christ as Logos gives both the efficient and final cause of creation, including our minds. The Logos is the being of all things so far as they exemplify a cosmic reason, an interconnectedness that makes nature understandable and law-abiding. But our problem arises, both as Christians and as counselors, when we are forced to deal with the affects of the fall: a nature that bears God’s energy (though not her person), but is only poorly reflected in our minds that have been darkened by sin. Christianity has been worried about this healing since St Gregory of Nyssa and Augustine, who have dealt with the church and the Christian life as primarily a psychological affair, an affair of the consciousness, but a consciousness whose own drives seek to obliterate God and his presence in the interests of self centeredness. The very nature of the book in question cannot get into these issues except in trite examples. The book needs to build upon Christ as Logos before any serious psychology can be done. Putting this differently, the point is that Christ is to be found in the human mind in that it bears traces, fingerprints of the creator, but the creator as the Son, the image of the Father. The cosmic reason found in all things. This is an ontological problem, one that needs to inform all Christian psychology. Th reality is that this book is far too simple, far to â€Å"easy† and cannot gt to th heart of the matter. 4. In terms of action, I want to take from McMinn’s section on Scripture. This is likely the most valuable part of the work, and Scripture, to say the least, is only rarely considered a bok of counseling or psychology. Yet, the scriptures are saturated with psychological insight. Hence, my action here is to begin bringing scriptural sources into counseling. Even with secular patients, the Bible, even if the patient does not necessarily believe its divine origin, still contains many positive and negative examples for people to consider. The sins of David, including murder, are helpful is showing the example of repentance and the fact that a spiritual giant like David can be so flawed. I might say the same of Noah, after his drunkenness. God can forgive anything. The prophets such as Jeremiah or Amos were all persecuted for their beliefs and complete refusal to compromise. For people to be treated harshly because of their faith is something Christ explicitly mentions as the lot of the Christian: scripture is about God’s presence amidst a world that does not recognize him, whether it be the establishment of Judah or the Jewish Pharisees. The Christian Will suffer–there is no getting out of that, it is built into the process of both living and counseling. Christ Himself is such an example. Therefore, in dealing with patients, the Scriptures will be the central component in counseling for the examples they contain: examples of righteous suffering, but suffering with a purpose. Suffering with a purpose is bearable, suffering for no reason is not,. There is not a major figure in the Scriptures that is not persecuted for one reason or another by a world that does not understand te godly life. For us as counselors, nothing can be more important, useful or inspiring.

cryptonym - definition and examples of cryptonym

cryptonym - definition and examples of cryptonym Definition A cryptonym is a word or name thats secretly used to refer to a particular person, place, activity, or thing; a code word or name. A well-known example is Operation Overlord, the cryptonym  for the Allied invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II. The term cryptonym is derived from two Greek words meaning hidden and name. See Examples and Observations below. Also see: Name That -nym: A Brief Introduction to Words and NamesPseudonym Examples and Observations Cryptonyms are  often temporary, are known to only a select group of people, and are usually of unrelated or at best covert meaning. Some  cryptonyms are  simply combinations of letters and figures.(Adrian Room,  An Alphabetical Guide to the Language of Name Studies. Scarecrow, 1996)Reinhard was the cryptonym for the German plan to exterminate the Jews of Poland.(MichaÅ‚ Grynberg, Words to Outlive Us: Voices From the Warsaw Ghetto. Macmillan, 2002) White House CryptonymsThe Oval Offices next occupant opted for this moniker [Renegade] after being presented with a list of names beginning with the letter R. As custom dictates, the rest of his familys code names will be alliterative: wife Michelle is known as Renaissance; daughters Malia and Sasha are Radiance and Rosebud, respectively.(Renegade: President-elect Barack Obama. Time magazine, November 2008) CIA CryptonymsThe true identities of  cryptonyms are  among the most precious secrets of the Central Intelligence Agenc y (CIA).- The CIA often used multiple cryptonyms for the same entity to strengthen operational security and maintain compartmentalization of the information.In the CIA nomenclature, cryptonyms always appear in capital letters. The first two letters were used for cryptographic security and were based on factors such as the geography or type of operation.  The rest of  the cryptonym  was a word selected randomly from a dictionary, in principle with no particular relation to the place or person  the cryptonym  was supposed to mask. However, it is not difficult to imagine tongue-in cheek CIA officers picking words like wahoo for Albanian, drink for Greece, credo for Rome, gypsy for communist, roach for Yugoslavia, crown for United Kingdom, steel for Soviet Union, and metal for Washington, D.C.(Albert Lulushi,  Operation Valuable Fiend: The CIAs First Paramilitary Strike Against the Iron Curtain. Arcade, 2014)- Vladimir I. Vetrovwho had the cryptonym FAREWELLreported to Weste rn intelligence services that the Soviets had placed bugs on the printers used by the French intelligence service for communications.(Ronald Kessler, Inside the CIA. Simon Schuster, 1992)- The longtime personal physician of the Castros mother and some of her daughters was a reporting source. Bernardo Milanes, known to  the Agency by  his cryptonym  AMCROAK, was recruited in December 1963 in Madrid. At the time he and others were plotting an assassination attempt against [Fidel] Castro.(Brian Latell,  Castros Secrets: The CIA and Cubas Intelligence Machine. Palgrave Macmillan, 2012)-  The Farm was known officially by the  cryptonym  ISOLATION. The names of places and operations were a special language in the Agency.(Don DeLillo,  Libra. Viking, 1988)-  Flower was the overall top-secret code-name designator given to anti-Qaddafi operations and plans. Only about two dozen officials, including the President and Casey, were given access.Under Flower, Tulip was the code name for a CIA covert operation designed to topple Qaddafi by supporting anti-Qaddafi exile movements.(Bob Woodward, Veil: The Secret Wars of the CIA, 1981-1987. Simon and Schuster, 2005) Pronunciation: KRIP-te-nim

Driver Education Key Vocabulary for English Learners

Driver Education Key Vocabulary for English Learners Many ESL speakers and learners are required to take driver education courses to obtain their driver license from the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). In the United States, each state DMV provides a different written test (for example the California DMV has a different test than the Florida DMV or the NY DMV). International driver licenses also sometimes require a written test. The key vocabulary provided is based on a standard DMV written test and is broken up into categories such as Nouns (Persons, Types of Vehicles, Dangerous Situations, etc.) Verbs, and Descriptive Phrases. Study these keywords to help you or your classes better understand driving manuals and driver education courses. Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary: Nouns Persons bicyclistdriverofficerpassengerspedestrianspoliceman Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary: Types of Vehicles and Car Parts bicyclebrakechainsequipmentheadlightslightsmirrormotorcyclepickup trucklicense plateseatsignalssteeringtirestow trucktruckvehiclewindshield Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary: Dangerous Situations accidentalcoholcollisionconvictioncrashdangerdrugsemergencyevidencefoghazardinjuryinsuranceintoxicantslawsoffensereactionriskwarning Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary: Driving arrowdistanceDMV (Department of Motor Vehicles)documentDUII (Driving while Under the Influence of an Intoxicant)guideID (Identification)identificationinstructionlicensespeed limitmovementpermitprivilegeregistrationrestrictionsrequirementssignsspeeding Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary: Roads crosswalkcurvecurbdistrictdrivewayexitfreewayhighwayintersectionlanepavementrailroadramproadwayroundaboutroutesidewalkstop lightsstop signtraffic lights More Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary: Verbs approach a roadavoid an accidentbe alert while drivingbrake a car (step on the brakes)change laneschange lanes, tirescheck, look into mirrorcrash into somethingcross a roaddamage somethingdrive a car, drive defensivelyenforce a lawexit a roadfollow a car or vehiclehit a car, an objectinjure a personinsure  a vehicle or carmerge onto a roadobey a layobtain a permit or licenseoperate a vehicleovertake a car or vehiclepass a car or vehicleprotect passengersreact to a situationreduce speedrefuse to take a testride in a carshow identificationsignal a turnskid on the roadspeed (drive above the speed limit)steer a car or vehiclestop a car or vehicleturn a car or vehiclewarn another driverwear safety beltsyield to (oncoming) traffic Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary: Descriptive Words (Adjectives) and Phrases amber lightsapproaching car or vehiclebehind somethingcommercial vehicleconvicted driverdisabled passengerflashing lightshazardous situationinterstate freewayintoxicated driverlegal documentlicensing departmentmanual transmissiononcoming trafficone-way streetout-of-state license plate, driverpedestrian crosswalkposted signprohibited by law, movementrecreational vehiclereduced speedreplacement tirerequired by law, equipmentsafety feature, seatslippery roadsteering wheelstraight roadsuspended licensetwo-way streetunsafe driving, driver, vehiclevalid drivers licensewarning signals, lights

Social Constructionism Definition

Social Constructionism Definition Social constructionism is the theory that people develop knowledge of the world in a social context, and that much of what we perceive as reality depends on shared assumptions. From a social constructionist perspective, many things we take for granted and believe are objective reality are actually socially constructed, and thus, can change as society changes. Key Takeaways: Social Constructionism The theory of social constructionism states that meaning and knowledge are socially created.Social constructionists believe that things that are generally viewed as natural or normal in society, such as understandings of gender, race, class, and disability, are socially constructed, and consequently aren’t an accurate reflection of reality.Social constructs are often created within specific institutions and cultures and come to prominence in certain historical periods. Social constructs’ dependence of historical, political, and economic conditions can lead them to evolve and change. Origins The theory of social constructionism was introduced in the 1966 book The Social Construction of Reality, by sociologists Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckman. Berger and Luckman’s ideas were inspired by a number of thinkers, including Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, and George Herbert Mead. In particular, Meads theory symbolic interactionism, which suggests that social interaction is responsible for the construction of identity, was highly influential. In the late 1960s, three separate intellectual movements came together to form the foundation of social constructionism. The first was an ideological movement that questioned social realities and put a spotlight on the political agenda behind such realities. The second was a literary/rhetorical drive to deconstruct language and the way it impacts our knowledge of reality. And the third was a critique of scientific practice, led by Thomas Kuhn, who argued that scientific findings are influenced by, and thus representative of, the specific communities where theyre produced- rather than objective reality. Social Constructionism Definition The theory of social constructionism asserts that all meaning is socially created. Social constructs might be so ingrained that they feel natural, but they are not. Instead, they are an invention of a given society and thus do not accurately reflect reality. Social constructionists typically agree on three key points: Knowledge Is Socially Constructed Social constructionists believe that knowledge arises out of human relationships. Thus, what we take to be true and objective is the result of social processes that take place in historical and cultural contexts. In the realm of the sciences, this means that although truth can be achieved within the confines of a given discipline, there is no over-arching truth that is more legitimate than any other. Language Is Central to Social Construction Language abides by specific rules, and these rules of language shape how we understand the world. As a result, language isn’t neutral. It emphasizes certain things while ignoring others. Thus, language constrains what we can express as well as our perceptions of what we experience and what we know. Knowledge Construction Is Politically-Driven The knowledge created in a community has social, cultural, and political consequences. People in a community accept and sustain the community’s understanding of particular truths, values, and realities. When new members of a community accept such knowledge, it extends even further. When a community’s accepted knowledge becomes policy, ideas about power and privilege in the community become codified. These socially constructed ideas then create social reality, and- if they aren’t examined- begin to seem fixed and unchangeable. This can lead to antagonistic relationships between communities that don’t share the same understanding of social reality. Social Constructionism vs. Other Theories Social constructionism is often placed in contrast with biological determinism. Biological determinism suggests that an individuals traits and behavior are determined exclusively by biological factors. Social constructionism, on the other hand, emphasizes the influence of environmental factors on human behavior and suggests that relationships among people create reality. In addition, social constructionism should not be confused with constructivism. Social constructivism is the idea that an individuals interactions with her environment create the cognitive structures that enable her to understand the world. This idea is often traced back to developmental psychologist Jean Piaget. While the two terms spring from different scholarly traditions, they are increasingly used interchangeably. Critiques Some scholars believe that, by asserting that knowledge is socially constructed and not the result of observations of reality, social constructionism is anti-realist. Social constructionism is also criticized on grounds of relativism. By arguing that no objective truth exists and that all social constructions of the same phenomena are equally legitimate, no construct can be more legitimate than another. This is especially problematic in the context of scientific research. If an unscientific account about a phenomenon is considered as legitimate as empirical research about that phenomenon, there is no clear path forward for research to make a meaningful impact on society. Sources Andrews, Tom. â€Å"What is Social Constructionism?† Grounded Theory Review: An International Journal, vol. 11, no. 1, 2012. http://groundedtheoryreview.com/2012/06/01/what-is-social-constructionism/Berger, Peter L. and Thomas Luckman. The Social Construction of Reality. Doubleday/Anchor, 1966.Chu, Hyejin Iris. â€Å"Social Constructionism.† International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. Encyclopedia.com. 2008. https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/sociology-and-social-reform/sociology-general-terms-and-concepts/social-constructionismGalbin, Alexandra. â€Å"An Introduction to Social Constructionism.† Social Research Reports, vol. 26, 2014, pp. 82-92. https://www.researchreports.ro/an-introduction-to-social-constructionismGergen, Kenneth J. â€Å"The Self as Social Construction.† Psychological Studies, vol. 56, no. 1, 2011, pp. 108-116. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12646-011-0066-1Hare, Rachel T. and Jeanne Marecek. â€Å"Abnormal and Cli nical Psychology: The Politics of Madness.† Critical Psychology: An Introduction, edited by Dennis Fox and Isaac Prilleltensky, Sage Publications, 1999, pp. 104-120. Kang, Miliann, Donovan Lessard, Laura Heston, and Sonny Nordmarken. Introduction to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries, 2017. https://press.rebus.community/introwgss/front-matter/287-2/â€Å"Social Constructionism.† Oxford Reference. oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100515181

Organisational Behaviour Issues Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Organisational Behaviour Issues - Essay Example Cambridgeshire is a county council in Cambridgeshire, England. It came into existence in 1889, following the enactment of the Local Government Act of 1888 (Cambridgeshire County Council, 2011, p.1). It is an organization which draws its employees from a variety of ethnic and racial backgrounds. It also employs people from both genders, irrespective of their age and whether they are physically disabled or not. Therefore, as an organization of a diverse nature, the Council has put in place structures to accommodate everyone as it strives to benefit from everyone’s skills, innovation, and creativity. The Council attributes its success, partly, to its successful handling of its diverse nature. According to Mullins (2007), diversity in an organization may lead to either its success or failure, depending on how it is handled. Therefore, it plays a very vital role in organizational behavior. As such, every manager with a strong passion to succeed in their duties should not only try a nd understand the diversity within their organization, but they should also effectively capitalize on it (Mullins, 2007). I believe Cambridgeshire County Council has been doing relatively well because its management has made sure that it has managed its diversity at the optimum level. This has, in turn, helped the Council to make a big step in developing its employees. It has, in the recent past, dropped assimilation and highly promoted acculturation throughout its activities (Cambridgeshire County Council, 2010, p.1).... Therefore, as an organisation of a diverse nature, the Council has put in place structures to accommodate everyone as it strives to benefit from everyone’s skills, innovation, and creativity. The Council attributes its success, partly, to its successful handling of its diverse nature. According to Mullins (2007), diversity in an organisation may lead to either its success or failure, depending on how it is handled. Therefore, it plays a very vital role in organisational behaviour. As such, every manager with a strong passion to succeed in their duties should not only try and understand the diversity within their organisation, but they should also effectively capitalise on it (Mullins, 2007). I believe Cambridgeshire County Council has been doing relatively well because its management has made sure that it has managed its diversity at optimum level. This has in turn helped the Council to make a big step in developing its employees. It has, in the recent past, dropped assimilati on and highly promoted acculturation throughout its activities (Cambridgeshire County Council, 2010, p.1). Leadership The Council has also tried to move away, as far as possible, from a somehow dictatorial form of leadership it used to employ, to a kind of participative style. This has been a way of handling power and politics issues within the organisation. To gain cooperation from subordinate employees, managers treat organisational leadership as a political issue; whereby people the employees are allowed to participate in the organisational activities with limited boundaries, and clearly knowing what they are bound to gain from the activities (Steer and Bigley, 1996, p.302). Today its management invests so much on its

Is the death penalty effective Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Is the death penalty effective - Essay Example The society is one which requires deeply and desperately at all times, a capital punishment. If not for the punishment, there would have been a much higher level of murders across the world. Without the capital punishment, the population would tend to use, ‘mob mentality’ in situations where the emotions get out of hand. There are a number of cases, both simple as well as more intense where people have lost their lives and it is important to note that without the prevalence of a death penalty, there would not be any deterrent to murder. If a person was simply to be locked in jail with complete access to food, clothes, and shelter without having to earn it, then people would take this option and would never worry about murdering anyone (Davis, 1998). In simple terms, our society is filed with a number of criminals and is not civilized enough to manage without a clear set down deterrent for the crime. Hence, it is necessary for the death penalty to be applied to ensure a s afer society. A number of experts have also pointed their views to the ineffectiveness of the death penalties and have also brought out the fact that in spite of the death penalties that are being used within the countries, there are still a number of people who tend to do the crime. The process of giving the death penalty is a long one with the criminals living comfortably in prison and this to a great extent tends to reduce the effectiveness of a death penalty. As a deterrent, it is important that the criminals are not given a chance and are executed right away to make the punishment a successful one (Dieter, 1998). However this clearly is not possible considering the number of laws and regulations that need to be considered before giving a person a death sentence, thereby making this method ineffective and inefficient. I personally believe that the death penalties are a very effective method of conducting the society and criminals that have committed murder. This is mainly because, the

Bbus leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Bbus leadership - Essay Example Some of the CSR initiatives which are undertaken by majority of the companies are donation to charities, implementation of carbon emission controlled processes, sponsorships of awards, philanthropic actions, business code of conduct, cause associated marketing, eco-efficiency and many more (Hansen, 34). With the advent of time, the organizations have realized that they can compete effectively by allocating sufficient amount of resources in CSR activities. There are few companies who have initiated environmental reporting trend so that they can disclose information about the measures undertaken by them to highlight their eco-friendly projects (Philips, 12). For biotechnology companies, it is crucial to make it evident that the waste eliminated from their processes is disposed off in an appropriate manner and there are various measures undertaken to control the carbon emission content. Additionally, they are required to adhere to the waste recycling laws to comply with the ethical business code of conduct (Werther and David, 23). Monsanto is among the leading biotechnology companies which has the reputation of being a prevailing player in the commercial GE (Genetically engineered) crops. It has been the innovator and also the leader in the sustainable agriculture. The organization aggressively publicizes the implementation of its technology as the main driver of its goal attainment. It has done advertisement about some of its CSR activities such as conformance to the production of food in an adequate manner, efficient responsiveness to the global warming issue and controlling the negative effects of the agriculture on environment (Union of Concerned Scientists, 1-5). In reality, the company has been unsuccessful in creating an eco-friendly business as it has engaged its production processes in an array of anti-CSR activities. The eight vital constituents of the company’s business show that it is not playing an important role in the

Critically discuss why it has proved so difficult to curb child labour Essay

Critically discuss why it has proved so difficult to curb child labour - Essay Example Even with the implementation of laws within the local and international setting seeking to manage and reduce child labour incidents, this issue has remained a major problem. This essay shall now critically discuss why it has proved difficult to curb the child labour problem. An overview of the child labour problem will first be presented followed by issues and challenges relating to child labour. Possible proposals and recommendations to curb child labour will also be presented in this essay. Body About 246 million children are said to be involved in child labour according to the UNICEF1. About 20% of these children also work under very dangerous, unhealthy, and unsafe conditions, including work in mines, work with chemicals in agriculture, and working with hazardous machines2. Cases of child labour are also very extensive, covering various countries, and being subjected to different conditions, including work in their own homes. A good majority of these children are in the agricultu ral setting. There are also millions of young female children working as household helpers, often open to exploitation as well as abuse. Millions more are exposed to unfavourable conditions as they are subjected to trafficking, debt payments, slavery, child soldiering3, and prostitution4. Estimates indicate how Asia and the Pacific area have the biggest number of child labourers as young as 5 years to 14 years. Sub-Saharan Africa has about 48 million child labourers with Latin America and the Caribbean having about 17.4 million child labourers5. Fifteen percent of children in the Middle East and North Africa are also working with about 2.5 million and 2.4 million children subjected to work for developing and developing states6. This problem will likely continue to escalate and worsen in the years following due to the current unfavourable conditions present in these countries where child labour statistics are high. Child labour is very much related to rural activities. In Pakistan fo r example, close to 70% of their working children are carrying out agricultural works7. The young boys would likely be involved than girls in child labour and the older children are often involved in paid work8. The issue with child labour relates to the impact on the welfare of the children and the impact of such issue on households. In India, courts ruled against the practice of employing children in factories to make fireworks, including other dangerous occupations9. This is the idea which supports majority of the policy discussions on child labour and is the basis for ILO Convention No. 13810. The favourable impact to the household on allowing child labour mostly relates to economic benefits and the decreased educational cost in not sending the child to school11. The main costs relating to child labour refers to the possibly decreased future wages of the child as he or she would enter into the adult workforce; as he or she has lower educational attainment, his or her work qualif ications are compromised. There are specific accepted premises on child labour which should support the discussion. For one, it is very clear that child labour very much indicates poverty among households where children are living. In a review of studies which portray major negative relations between child labour and household income, such relationship is less relevant for the more progressive but

Neurology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Neurology - Essay Example However, with advanced severity, the disease may result in mood swings, disorientation, poor self-care, and language problems. The nutritional concern is in enhancing quality and efficiency of care given. b. Aneurysm refers to a localized bulge in the shape of a balloon that occurs in the walls of blood cells due to blood filling them. Also known as cerebral aneurysm, the disease often goes unnoticed for lack of symptoms but may rupture and release blood into the brain skull; hence, cause stroke. A nutritional concern for the disease would be in relation to vomiting and nausea. c. Arnold Chiari Malformation is a skull malformation or structural defect on the cerebellum consisting of downward displacements of the cerebellar tonsils; hence, causing non-communicating hydrocephalus due to the obstruction of the outflow of the cerebrospinal fluid. The main nutritional concern is in relation to the lack of vitamins in the body. d. Bell’s palsy is a momentary form of paralysis to the face due to the dysfunction of the cranial nerve VII; thus, affecting the movement of the facial muscles. Nutritionally, vitamin therapy for vitamins B6, B12 and zinc are administered to restore nerve functions. e. Cerebral Palsy refers to a general word that is applied in describing a set of neurological disorders or conditions that affect the brain and nervous system; thus, affecting their functions like hearing, movement, thinking, learning, seeing and hearing. Nutritionally, such patients have poor nutrition with occasioned chewing and swallowing difficulties. The ultimate goal of nutritional intervention would be to optimize fitness, health, functions and growth among the patients. f. Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIPD) is a neurological disorder that is characterized by impaired sensory functioning and progressive weakness of one’s limbs. It is caused by the damage that is

Critically discuss why it has proved so difficult to curb child labour Essay

Critically discuss why it has proved so difficult to curb child labour - Essay Example Even with the implementation of laws within the local and international setting seeking to manage and reduce child labour incidents, this issue has remained a major problem. This essay shall now critically discuss why it has proved difficult to curb the child labour problem. An overview of the child labour problem will first be presented followed by issues and challenges relating to child labour. Possible proposals and recommendations to curb child labour will also be presented in this essay. Body About 246 million children are said to be involved in child labour according to the UNICEF1. About 20% of these children also work under very dangerous, unhealthy, and unsafe conditions, including work in mines, work with chemicals in agriculture, and working with hazardous machines2. Cases of child labour are also very extensive, covering various countries, and being subjected to different conditions, including work in their own homes. A good majority of these children are in the agricultu ral setting. There are also millions of young female children working as household helpers, often open to exploitation as well as abuse. Millions more are exposed to unfavourable conditions as they are subjected to trafficking, debt payments, slavery, child soldiering3, and prostitution4. Estimates indicate how Asia and the Pacific area have the biggest number of child labourers as young as 5 years to 14 years. Sub-Saharan Africa has about 48 million child labourers with Latin America and the Caribbean having about 17.4 million child labourers5. Fifteen percent of children in the Middle East and North Africa are also working with about 2.5 million and 2.4 million children subjected to work for developing and developing states6. This problem will likely continue to escalate and worsen in the years following due to the current unfavourable conditions present in these countries where child labour statistics are high. Child labour is very much related to rural activities. In Pakistan fo r example, close to 70% of their working children are carrying out agricultural works7. The young boys would likely be involved than girls in child labour and the older children are often involved in paid work8. The issue with child labour relates to the impact on the welfare of the children and the impact of such issue on households. In India, courts ruled against the practice of employing children in factories to make fireworks, including other dangerous occupations9. This is the idea which supports majority of the policy discussions on child labour and is the basis for ILO Convention No. 13810. The favourable impact to the household on allowing child labour mostly relates to economic benefits and the decreased educational cost in not sending the child to school11. The main costs relating to child labour refers to the possibly decreased future wages of the child as he or she would enter into the adult workforce; as he or she has lower educational attainment, his or her work qualif ications are compromised. There are specific accepted premises on child labour which should support the discussion. For one, it is very clear that child labour very much indicates poverty among households where children are living. In a review of studies which portray major negative relations between child labour and household income, such relationship is less relevant for the more progressive but

Not Without My Daughter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Not Without My Daughter - Essay Example The main character, Betty, meets her husband Dr. Mahmoody is a Michigan hospital. She knows little about him and his past but falls in love at once. In a time, they marry and Betty gives birth to their daughter, Mahtob. One summer, the family travels to Iran, a native country of Dr. Mahmoody. When they come to this country, to their relatives, Betty understands that her husband wants to stay in Iran and keep Mahtob and Betty as prisoners in the house of his sister. She tries to oppose his will but is suppressed by Mahmoody and his family. Living in Iran, Betty knows much about this family and their customs. The most disturbing fact is that Mahmoody and his family are involved in political struggle under slogans of Islamic fundamentalism and nationalistic fanaticism. Betty tries to leave the country, but fails. She contacts her mother in America and asks for an Embassy contact number. Betty is disappointed when knows that Iranian women have no rights on their children: Betty can leave the country but without her daughter, Mahtob. Around the day, Betty is controlled and monitored by relatives of her husband who behave violently towards her. Mahtob is forced to visit a Muslim school faced with oppression and cultural differences. One day, Betty meets another American woman, who helps her to escape. Betty's father fells ill and she decides to visit him in America, but Mahmoody beats her and threatens to kill if she takes their daughter with her. Disappointed and afraid of her future, Betty accepts an escape plan proposed by one of American activists in Iran. She and Mahtob, faced with hardship and the most difficult times, travel through the desert and come to America through Turkey. In this novel, Mahmoody and Hoffer vividly portray the role of the Iranian government and strict social control in lives of ordinary people. The main concepts related to government involve the government control and dominance of religious traditions, low role of women stipulated by the state and political absolutism, feudalism and cult of a political leader, and the state ideology. Of all features of Iran's political culture, religion has by far contributed most directly to the development of both political autocracy and revolutionary movements. This seemingly contradictory role has been played by religion in Iran because of its special relationship to Iran's political institutions. During her first days in Iran, Betty discovers that: "religion as well as their government coerced them [women] in every turn, the practice exemplified by their haughty insistence upon an antiquated and even unhealthy dress code" (Mahmoody and Hoffer 35). In Iran, the power and strength of the government is based on religious traditions and laws. Religion has served as a main cause of political absolutism and as a vehicle for political oppression. Betty and other Iranian women suffer from strict control exercised by the government and its official institutions. The most readily apparent form of inequality stipulated and supported by the government is that between the sexes. Under the Islamic Republic inequality between men and women is sanctioned through official and quasi-official policies that discriminate against women and ensure their subservient position in society both socially and

Stolen Generation Essay Example for Free

Stolen Generation Essay The present day Australia is widely known as a beacon of multiculturalism. Every year, more and more immigrants are settling down in the country in a bid to seek better employment, education or even advance their quality of life in general. It is a policy that has strengthened the cultural development of the nation. Australias census in 2011, which is the official count of a population, reported that one in every four Australians is born overseas. This clearly demonstrates Australias vast idea of unity in diversity. Despite the movement of accepting multiculturalism into the nation, Australia is still involved in one of the biggest racial injustices in history by trying to breed out Aboriginal heritage from their land. Starting from the year 1910, the Australian government carries out actions to breed out the Aboriginal bloodline. They hoped to end the Aboriginal culture within a short time and get rid of the Aboriginal problem. In the early 20th century, a new policy started in which about 100,000 children were forcibly removed from their parents by the Australian government. This policy of removing children is infamously referred as the stolen generation, which this essay will be heavily based upon. Due to the vast amount of topics that Australias stolen generation covers, this essay will discuss how the Aborigines settled on Australian soil, the motives behind the stolen generation and attempts of reconciliation from the Australian governing bodies. Having lived in the land thousands of years prior to the arrival of the Europeans, Aborigines are one of the most primeval settlers of the Australian land. However, the arrival of British captain James Cook in 1770 marked the beginning of the end for the native Australians, as he claimed the land to be in possession of his home country, ignoring the fact that the land was already densely populated. All indigenous rights are extinguished ever since as they have no British citizenship rights. Captain James Cook claims that the Aborigines had no laws towards the ownership of the land. Taking social Darwinism into account, this would be one of the major reasons on why the British has taken abrupt control over the Aborigines or why the  stolen generation is occurring. The theory of social Darwinism strongly believes that only the strong will survive. The Europeans saw themselves to be superior towards the Aborigines hence their ruthless move to gain control on the Australian acreage. This case is further validated when the power-hungry Europeans conquered the African continent. Various European countries colonized the African land in mid 1880s, leaving only Liberia and Ethiopia as the remaining independent countries. Former Australian prime minister Paul Keating also acknowledged that European settlers were the ones who were largely responsible for the injustices caused to the Aboriginal people during his speech in 1992. Dubbed as the Redfern speech, it was largely known as one of the most notorious in Australian history. Publicly expressed to a large number of Indigenous Australians, Paul Keating expressed culpability over how Aboriginal people were treated. The people thought that the Aborigines were to have a better life if they were to become more like them, and this policy led to an act of injustice which was referred earlier as the â€Å"stolen generation,† and the children with Aboriginal descendant were separated from their parents and were institutionalized in secluded camps. The mentality of the white society was that it would be the best decision to remove the children from their parent’s influences and abandon their former lifestyle. In almost every state and territory in Australia, the children were forced into labor and received little or no education. The girls did domestic chores such as cleaning along with cooking while the boys mainly worked as stockmen. They worked in unfit working conditions. Their food was unclean and was infested with maggots. Despite working from the early hours for seven days a week, the children were only rewarded with a small amount of money or even worse, they receive nothing at all. The children were physically abused for speaking Aboriginal language and those who were sent to prison for rebellious acts often committed suicide. More children were taken as they were not as resistant compared to the Aboriginal adults. These actions were tremendously exhibited in Phillip Noyces film called The Rabbit Proof Fence which was released in 2002. Receiving numerous accolades, the story follows 3 aboriginal girls- Molly, Daisy and Gracie who escaped from an institution after being forcibly removed from their families to be trained as domestic staffs. They travelled as far as 2,400 kilometers on foot, hoping to return to their home. The movie was adapted from a book of the same name which was written by Doris Pilkington in 1996. Most of these acts finally stopped when many people who were inspired by the Civil Rights movement in the USA, saw the poor conditions that the Aborigines were living in and decided to take acts about the problem. In the year 1967, they met up with the Aborigines and they took steps towards a fairer treatment and attempted to change how the natives were treated in society. The revolution took steps but it worked and settled in well. By 1990, large amount of the land were returned to the Aborigines and they were able to have rights towards an equal citizenship, along with the power to vote. Steps towards reconciliation continue to take place until today, although the past acts have created a lasting, negative feeling towards the locals. The governments have also played an instrumental role in these attempts of reconciliation. This was signaled by former prime minister Kevin Rudds apology in 2008 towards the native Australians for their profound grief, suffering and loss. Thousands of Aboriginal Australians gathered in Canberra to watch the historic event which was also televised around the nation. On February 2009, the Australian government established the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation which is designed to deal with the trauma of the Aboriginal people after the effects of the conducts of the stolen generation. Financial supports have also been generated by the governments. In 2012, they announced that a total of $35 million will be spent to assist healthcare for the native Australians. Another $28 million will also be shelled out to upgrade houses in the remote areas, enabling better accesses to transportation routes, medical centers among other essential services in the  particular areas. A total budget of $206 million has also been green-lighted to support the lives of over 18,000 Aboriginal Australians living in rural areas. The area of education has also been a key improvement towards the Aborigines. In the 2011 Australian census, about 27% of the native Australian population have completed year 12 or its equivalence, compared to 22% in the 2006 census and a mere 20% in the 2001 census. More Aboriginal people are also getting widespread recognition for their achievements in todays society. Widely known as one of the best female tennis players of all time, Evonne Goolagongs efforts has led her to 14 Grand Slam titles. A testament to her talent materialized in 1976 as she was named as the best female tennis player in the world. Numerous Aboriginal Australians have also been noted for their remarkable contributions to Australian politics. People such as Neville Bonner and Aden Ridgeway has been named as the first Indigenous Australians to be named as the senator of Queensland and the senator of New South Wales, respectively. Although there have been numerous reconciliation attempts by the governing bodies, the removal of Aboriginal children is still widespread throughout Australia. As of 2013, almost 14,000 children has been removed. The Australian government, however, has denied any accusations towards the matter. The reason why the Aborigines doesnt find it easy to forgive and forget alone is the reason why I think the Australians should say sorry to the Aborigines. Thus, I conclude that after numerous years of prejudices, I feel that these acts of injustices should be stopped. Numerous apology and reconciliation attempts for the injustices are desperately needed to set an example for the younger generation, to prove that Australia has a proud and forgiving historical legacy, not a cruel and prejudiced country as exhibited beforehand.

Children and Self-Harm

Children and Self-Harm A new study reveals that young people are influenced to an alarming degree by videos they watch on the Internet. This can include videos of other teens in the act of injuring or harming themselves. According to MedPage Today, most such videos lack warnings or viewing restrictions, making them popular among young adults and teens. Researchers worry that such videos may encourage copycat behavior of self-harm in children. It is important for parents to be aware that some adolescents try to harm themselves due to emotional issues. This self-injuring behavior may include cutting, severe scratching, mutilating the skin with sharp objects, biting, poisoning, and more, and it occurs among 14 to 21 percent of children, teens, and young adults. Apart from the power of videos to sway their behavior, self-harm in children and young adults is linked to low self-esteem and depression, as well as other emotional health issues, such as bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive behavior. Spotting the Warning Signs of Self-Harm in Your Child Children and teenagers who hurt themselves do so in secrecy, which is often the main indication that something is wrong. While it is normal among adolescents to pull away from parents when they are highly involved with friends or experiencing pressure, it is not normal for them to be physically and emotionally withdrawn for long periods of time. Though self-harming behavior can be dangerous, the actions do not include suicidal thoughts or attempts to end life. What are the red flags of self-injuring behavior? Could your child be doing this without you knowing? As a parent, it is important to know the following signs that your child may be self-injuring: Unexplained cuts or burn marks on different parts of the body, particularly on the arms, legs, and abdomen Presence of sharp objects, such as razors, blades, and knives, in your childs possession Prolonged periods of withdrawal or isolation, particularly in the bathroom or bedroom Changes in eating habits, such as deliberate self-starvation or binge eating Excessive exercising Wearing inappropriate clothing for the weather with the intention to hide the body marks Unhygienic practices, such as refusal to bathe or brush teeth Common Reasons Why Children Self-Harm It is estimated that around 10 percent of young people harm themselves at some point. Knowing the signs can help you understand the underlying origins and allow you to respond better. Self-harm in children is often an attempt to manage overwhelming emotional issues caused by the following: Social problems-may include bullying, academic difficulties, relationship conflicts with family or friends, sexual disorientation, cultural adjustments, etc. Traumatic experiences-may be in the form of physical or sexual abuse, death of a loved one, or a violent event such as an accident or an act of terrorism. Emotional causes-such as dissociative disorder, borderline personality disorder, or schizophrenia. These issues can cause intense feelings of anger, hopelessness, guilt, and self-hatred. If not addressed properly, the emotions can build up, triggering possible self-harm to release the pent-up feelings. Discovering Your Child Is Self-Injuring Learning that your child is engaging in self-harming behavior can be scary. Your initial reaction may be shock that your child is intentionally hurting himself or herself. You may also deny the behavior, as your memory conjures the image of a happy child, until the realization hits you that your child is in emotional distress. Its a valid feeling to be angry or frustrated with the fact that your child has lied or hid the truth from you. You may feel guilty for not noticing the change in your childs behavior or for disregarding it as part of the growing process. At the end of the day, you may try to grasp how your child feels to help you understand his or her condition better. Finally, you may blame yourself if you think you have not offered enough love and attention to your child. Help Is Available The good news is that self-harm can be treated with professional intervention. Resolving self-harm in children doesnt require hospitalization unless the conduct is so severe it endangers life. Self-harm is generally not a sign of suicidal intent, but a struggle to overcome emotional pain; thus, it takes counseling to treat self-harming behavior issues in children. Take the first step toward seeking help for your child at Carolina Counseling Services in Pittsboro, NC. One of the independently contracted counselors at CCS is the right-fit therapist to evaluate and help discover the root cause of your childs condition. Getting early help can be invaluable for your child to get over self-harm and get better. Call now to request an appointment.

Foreshadowing in A Tale of Two Cities Essay -- Tale Two Cities Essays

Foreshadowing in A Tale of Two Cities    How does diabolically spilt blood and mysterious footsteps become important in a historical fiction novel? What makes these murder-mystery traits relevant? Charles Dickens, author of A Tale of Two Cities, creatively foreshadows future events using suspenseful topics: A forbidden declaration of love, a tragically beautiful sunset streaked with crimson, echoing footsteps of a past that will not be forgotten, and wine stained streets soon to be smeared with blood. The aforementioned events are pulled together in this story of love and sacrifice. Collectively, they are an example of successful use of foreshadowing to create an atmosphere of foreboding and intrigue.    Dickens dedicated many of his long-winded paragraphs to the scene where the Defarge's wine was spilt. He describes in detail how eager and needy the French peasants were... drinking wine from muddy streets, feeding the drink to the youngest and oldest of their ranks. Such a scene may seem unimportant, but, since it was thoroughly described, Dickens m...

Biology Lab

Lab   #1   ? Introduction   to   the   Microscopy   & Observation   of   Prokaryotic   and   Eukaryotic Cells Introduction Many   of   the   cells   and   organisms   that   you   will   be   studying   are   at   the   lower   limits   of   visibility   of   light   microscopes;   therefore,   it   is   extremely   important   that   you   attain   critical   lighting   and   focussing. It   is   also   important   to   handle   the   microscope   competently   to   avoid   damaging   either   the   microscope   or   the   preparation   you   are   studying. Even   students   who   have   previously   used   microscopes  should  read  the  instructions  carefully. Guide  Biolabo Using a web rowser, go to   the   following   web   site: http://salinella. bio. uottawa. ca/biolabo/   (you   can   try   it   from   home). Under   Microscopy   you   will   find   links   to   pages   that   describe   both   type   of   microscopes   you   will   use   this   semester,   as   well   as   how   to   set   up   and   use   them. It   is   strongly   recommended   that   you   visit   these   pages   prior   to   attending  your  first  lab. Image  J  /  Qcapture Although   you   can   make   all   your   observations   by   watching   directly   through   the   oculars,   it   also   can   be   done   on   the   computer   screen   using   the   digital   camera   attached   to   each   microscope.For   that,   you   will   use   the   Image   J   program   together   with   a   capture   plugin called   Qcapture. Visit   the   lab   website   to   learn   how   to   use   Image   J   (link   on   the   homepage). All   observations   can   be   made   on   your  computer   screen   or   in   the   oculars. Each   method   has   its   advantages   and   drawbacks;   you   will   have   to   choose   which   one  it  more  appropriate  (or  the  one  you  prefer): Oculars Screen ? Greater  resolution ? Wider  field  of  view ? Can  share  observation  with  others ? More  comfortable  for  users ? Take  pictures  while  observing Lab1  ? Microscopy The  Compound  Microscope On   the   Guide   Biolabo   page   click   on   the   CX41   Compound   Microscope   link   then   on   Parts   and   Function. This   will   bring   up   a   labelled   line   diagram   of   your   microscope. Familiarize   yourself   with   the   various   components   shown   in   this   figure. Then,   click   on   Setup   and   Bright   field   alignment   in   order   to   know  how  to  use  and  handle  the  microscope. Now,   locate   your   compound   microscope   in   the   cupboard   below   the   sink   of   your   workstation. Place   it   on   the   counter   between   the omputer   and   the   end  of  the  counter. Be  sure  that  whenever  you  transport  the  microscope,  it   is   always   kept   upright;   the   ocular   lens   will   fall   out   if   the   scope   is   tilted   or   swung. Even   though   you   don’t   need   the   dissecting   microscope   right   now,   take   it   out  of  the  cupboard  and  install  it  beside  the  compound  microscope. Connect   one   firewire   cable   to   each   of   the   cameras   installed   on   top   of   the   microscopes. This  way,  everything  is  setup  for  further  observations  both  on   your  computer  screen  and  through  the  oculars. Parts  of  the  compound  microscopeThe   microscope   consists   of   a   system   of   lenses,   a   light   source,   and   a   geared   mechanism   for   adjusting   the   distance   between   the   lens   system   and   object   being   observed. There   are   a   number   of   important   components   and   it   is   essential   that   you   be   able   to   identify   them   and   understand   their   function   before  you  can  proceed. By  going  through  the  different  modules  in  Biolabo   and   using   the   microscope   you   will   develop   a   competency   for   bright   field   microscopy. Identify   the   following   components   using   Biolabo   (Parts   andà ‚   functions   figure)  and  your  microscope:REVOLVING  NOSEPIECE:  Supports  the  various  objectives  ? You  will  only  use   the  4x,  10x  and  40x  objectives  in  the  BIO1140  labs  (not  the  100x). STAGE:   Supports   the   specimen   being   observed. A   system   of   knobs   on   the   side   of   the   stage   allows   you   to   move   the   specimen   under   the   objective   on   the  X  and  Y  axes. Try  and  move  the  stage. COARSE   FOCUS   KNOB:   Permits   rapid   change   in   distance   between   the   specimen   and   the   objective   thereby   allowing   for   rough   focussing   –   Do   not   use  when  focusing  with  the  40x  objectiveFINE   FOCUS   KNOB:   Permits   small   changes   in   distance   between   the   specimen   and   the   obje ctive   and   thereby   allows   for   final   focussing   of   the   image. 10 Lab1  ? Microscopy OCULAR   OR   EYEPIECE:   A   magnifying   element   in   the   microscope,   usually   10X. It   is   through   the   ocular,   or   eyepiece   that   one   looks   at   the   specimen. All   our   microscopes   are   parfocal,   so   that   when   an   object   is   in   focus   with   one   objective,   the   focus   will   not   be   completely   lost   when   changing   to   the   next  objective. OBJECTIVES:  The  magnifying  element  which  is  closest  to  the  specimen.See   figure  1  to  find  out  about  the  engravings  on  the  side  of  each  objective. CONDENSER:   System   of   lenses   that   concentrates   the   light   furnished   by   the   illuminator. It  does  not  magnif y  the  object. CONDENSER   HEIGHT   ADJUSTMENT   KNOB:   Allows   one   to   focus   the   concentrated  light  onto  the  specimen. APERTURE  IRIS  DIAPHRAGM:  Used  to  reduce  glare  from  unwanted  light  by   adjusting  the  angle  of  the  cone  of  light  that  comes  from  the  condenser; Production  of  Image  by  a  Compound  Microscope The   most   important   part   of   a   microscope   is   the   objective.All   the   other   parts  of  the  instrument  are  designed  to  help  the  objective  produce  the  best   possible  image. The  best  image  is  not  the  largest;  it  is  the  clearest. There  is   no   value   to   a   high   magnification. If   the   resolution   is   poor   you   will   have   no   better  understanding  of  the  specimen. light  beam ocularà ‚  lens Magnification Numerical  aperture  (NA) Determines   the   resolving power  of  the  objective* Optical   tube   length   /   max. coverslip  thickness  in  mm prism objective  lens specimen condenser  lens Figure  1:  Objectives  engravings light  sourceFigure  2:  Image  production  in  a  compound  microscope. 11 Lab1  ? Microscopy *Resolving  power  is  the  ability  to  see  two  objects  that  are  very  close  as  two   separate  objects. The  human  eye  will  resolving  power  is  about  100 µm. Using  the  compound  microscope Always   handle   the   microscope   GENTLY! It   is   an   expensive,   delicate   and   heavy   instrument. Carry   it   with   two   hands,   one   hand   on   the   arm,   and   the   other   hand   under   the   base. If   the   ocular   or   objective   is   dir ty,   wipe   it   clean   using   ONLY   Kimwipes   or   special   lens   tissue   and   cleaning   fluid   supplied.If   you   use   anything   else   you   may   scratch   the   lens. Wipe   up   any   cleaning   fluid   immediately;   otherwise   it   will   dissolve   the   glue   which   holds   the   lens   in   place. REMEMBER,  your  demonstrator  is  here  to  help,  so†¦ ASK! 1. Make   sure   that   the   power   cord   is   plugged   into   the   back   of   your   microscope  and  into  a  power  outlet. 2. Using  the  letter  Ã¢â‚¬Å"e†Ã‚  microscope  slide  provided,  follow  steps  2  through  13   in   the   Setup   and   Bright   field   alignment   procedure   of   Biolabo. Remember,   observation  can  be  done  on  screen  or  through  the  oculars. Orientation  an d  working  distance . Starting   your   examination   with   the   4X   objective,   position   the   letter   â€Å"e†Ã‚   slide  on  the  stage. 2. Draw  what  you  see  in  the  microscope:_________________ 3. What  would  a  slide  with  the  letter  Ã¢â‚¬Å"t†Ã‚  look  like  under  the  microscope? _________________ 4. Using  the  knobs  located  on  the  side  of  the  stage  and  looking  through  the   microscope,   move   the   slide   slowly   to   the   right,   then   to   the   left. Record   your  observations. ___________________________________   5. Now,   move   the   slide   slowly   away   from   you,   then   towards   you   while   observing  through  the  microscope.Record  your  observations   ____________________________________ 6. Focus  on  the  slide  at  10X. Check  the  dist ance  between  the  objective  lens   and  your  slide  (=  the  working  distance,  see  also  the  reference  at  the  end  of   this   chapter). Now   switch   to   the   40X   objective   and   check   the   working   distance. What   happens   to   the   working   distance   as   your   magnification   increases? 12 Lab1  ? Microscopy Depth  of  field  (depth  of  focus) Lenses   have   a   depth   of   focus. It   is   the   number   of   planes   in   which   an   object   appears   to   be   in   focus.Extend   your   fist   at   arm’s   length   in   front   of   you   and   hold   your   thumb   up. Concentrate   on   your   thumb   and   notice   that   the   objects  past  your  thumb  on  the  other  side  of  the  room  are  not  clearly  seen. Similarly   withà ‚   a   microscope,   when   it   is   focussed   on   one   surface,   the   surfaces  lower  or  higher  will  be  out  of  focus. 1. Position   a   prepared   slide   with   coloured   threads   upon   the   stage. At   low   power,  4X,  focus  on  the  area  where  the  threads  cross. 2. Using  the  fine  focus  adjustment,  focus  up  and  down  slowly. 3. Repeat   using   different   objectives.What   can   you   say   about   the   depth   of   field   at   different   magnifications? Has   it   increased   or   decreased? (i. e. ,   can   you  see  more  threads  in  one  focal  plane  at  4X  or  40X? ) ____________________________________________________________ Magnification The  magnification  given  by  objectives  and  oculars  is  engraved  on  them. The   total   magnification   for   any   combination   of   objective   and   ocular   is   the   product  of  the  magnification  of  each  lens. Objective  magnification Ocular  magnification Total  Magnification Light  intensity Working  distance 4x 10x 40x High 22mm 10x 10x 100xMedium 10. 5mm 40x 10x 400x Low 0. 56mm Table1   . Comparison   magnification,   working   distance   and   brightness   at   three   different   objective  magnifications. You  also  can  calculate  the  magnification  of  your  picture  using  the  following   formula: Magnification  factor=  measured  size  of  object  =  (  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  X) Actual  size  of  object 13 Lab1  ? Microscopy Specimen   size   and   Magnification   of the  picture Before   you   start   this   exercise,   make   sure   you   have   carefully   read   the   website   section   rele vant   to   the   software   you   will   use   to   take   digital   pictures  (ImageJ/Qcapture).The   goal   of   this   section   is   to   teach   you   different   techniques   that   will   allow   you   to   determine   the   size   of   objects   you’re   observing   under   the   microscope. The   general   principle   is   fairly   simple:   2   objects   have   the   same   relative   size   (expressed   as   a   ratio)   in   the   real   world   and   under   the   microscope. actual  size  of  object  A  Ã‚  Ã‚  =  on? screen  size  of  object  A  Ã‚  ? A1  =  A2     actual  size  of  object  B  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  on? screen  size  of  object  B  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  B1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  B2 The  following  exercises  are  applications   of  this  formula. Place  a  sli de  under   the   microscope.Choose   the   right   objective   and   adjust   the   focus   and   light   level. Then,  choose  a  structure  you  want  to  measure  and  take  a  picture. A? First   method:   Measuring   an   object   using   the   field   of   view  (FOV): The   simplest   way   to   determine   the   size   of   an   object   is   to   use   the   known   size  of  the  whole  field  of  view  (FOV,  the  whole  picture  from  left  to  right). 1? On   the   computer   screen   (using   a   ruler   and   without   writing   anything   of   the  screen),  measure  the  object  of  which  you  want  to  determine  the  size  (=   A2) 2? Then,  measure  the  width  of  the  whole  picture  on  the  screen  (=B2). ? Refer   to   table   2   on   page   20   to   know   the   actual   size   of   the   field   of   view   for  the  objective  you’re  using  (=B1) 4? Use  the  following  formula: Actual  size  of  the  object  (A1)  =  Actual  size  of  the  FOV  (B1)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  x  Ã‚  Ã‚  on? screen  size  of  the  object  (A2) on? screen  size  of  the  FOV  (B2) Example:   On   a   snapshot   using   the   4x   objective,   an   insect   has   an   on? screen   length  of  10cm. The  whole  picture  is  20cm  wide. What  is  the  actual  size  of  the  insect? ______________________________ 14 Lab1  ? Microscopy B? Second   method:   Measuring   an   object   using   a   scale   bar  file:From   Image   J   (using   the   file   /   open   command),   open   the   file   that   contains   the   relevant   scale   bar   in   the    (T:/BIO/BIO1140):   new10X. jpg   for   the   10x   objective,  and  new40X. jpg  (for  the  4x  and  40x  objectives). Then,   using   a   ruler   measure   the   following   distances   directly   on   the   computer  screen: 1? The   on? screen   length   (or   width)   of   the   object   whose   size   you   wish   to   determine  (=A2) 2? The  width  of  the  scale  bar  on  the  screen  (=B2)   You  now  can  calculate  the  actual  size  of  the  object  using  the  formula: actual  size  of  object  =  on? creen  length  of  object  Ã‚  x  Ã‚  actual  size  of  scale  bar*        Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  on? screen  length  of  scale  bar ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A1  =  A2  x  B1 B2 *The   actual   size   of   the   scale   bar   is   indicated   on   the   scale   bar   file   (ex:   on   the   new10x. jpg   file,  the  bar  represents  0. 2mm  at  10x  or  0. 02mm  at  100x)  =  B1 Example:  I  took  a  picture  of  a  small  insect  larva,  using  the  4x  objective. The   larva   length   is   60mm   on   the   screen. The   scale   bar   on   the   new40x. jpg   is   30mm  and  represents  0. 2mm. What  is  the  actual  size  of  the  larva? _________________________Do  not  put  the  compound  microscope  back  in  the  cupboard  you  will  need  it   later  this  afternoon. Points  to  remember  concerning  microscopes 1. Always   work   with   a   clean   microscope. Use   only   the   lens   paper   provided. Don't  forget  to  clean  the  slide  too! 2. Always   locate   the   specimen   under   low   power   and   work   your   way   up   to   the  high  power  objective. 3. Never   use   the   coarse   focusing   knob   when   the   high   power   lens   is   in   position. Use  only  the  fine  focus  knob. 4. Never  use  the  100x  in  1st  year  labs  (we  didn’t  teach  you  how)   5.Always   readjust   illumination   whenever   you   change   the   objective. Too   much  light  will  give  you  a  blurry  image  that  you  cannot  focus  on. 15 Lab1  ? Microscopy The  stereoscopic  microscope (dissecting  microscope) The   stereoscopic   microscope,   also   called   stereoscope   or   dissecting   microscope,   is   used   to   view   objects   that   are   too   large   or   too   thick   to   observe  under  the  comp ound  microscope. Stereo   microscopes   are   always   equipped   with   two   oculars   producing   a   stereoscopic   or   three? dimensional   image. Unlike   the   compound   microscope,  the  image  is  not  inverted.Our   stereo   microscopes   provide   magnification   in   the   range   of   6. 7X   ? 45X   using   a   zoom? type   lens   system. By   rotating   a   dial   located   on   the   right   side   of   the   stereo   microscope   head,   the   viewer   obtains   a   continuous   change   of   magnification. Our   stereo   microscopes   can   be   used   with   reflected   or   transmitted   light. Reflected   light   is   directed   unto   opaque   specimens   from   above   and   is   reflected   to   the   viewer. Transmitted   light   is   used   with   translucent   specimens   and   passes   through   the   specimen   from   beneath   the   stage   and   into  the  viewer's  eyes.Use  of  the  stereoscopic  microscope 1. On   the   Biolabo   home   page   left   click   on   Stereoscope   (Dissecting   microscope)  and  then  on  Stereoscope  setup. 2. Click  on  Step  1  and  read  it  carefully. Obtain  a  stereo  microscope  from  the   same  cupboard  as  your  compound  microscope  if  you  haven’t  yet. 3. Click  on  and  read  steps  2  through  7. 4. Place  a  coin  on  the  stage. 5. Using   the   focussing   knob   on   either   side   of   the   arm,   lower   or   raise   the   objective   until   the   coin   is   in   focus. Examine   it   in   both   reflected   and   transmitted  light.Which   is   best   for   an   opaque   specimen? Try   t he   various   magnifications   by   turning   the   zoom   knob. The   reflected   light source   is   similar   to   a   spotlight   and  its  orientation  can  be  adjusted  manually. Try  rotating  the  light  upwards   and  downwards. 6. Examine  other  materials  such  as  brine  shrimp  larvae  (Artemia)  in  a  watch   glass   using   both   reflected   and   transmitted   light. Add   1? 2   drops   of   â€Å"proto? slow†Ã‚   solution   to   slow   down   the   larvae. Estimate   the   actual   size   of   one   larva:  __________ 16 Lab1  ? Microscopy Prokaryotic  and  Eukaryotic  cellsIt   has   long   been   recognized   that   living   organisms   are   composed   of   basic   structural   and   functional   units   called   cells. Cells   can   be   divided   into   two   general   type s:   prokaryotic   and   eukaryotic,   based   on   the   presence   of   a   nucleus  and  other  membrane  bound  organelles  in  the  latter. Prokaryotic   cells   belong   to   2   big   groups:   archaea   and   eubacteria. They   are   usually   smaller   than   eukaryotic   cells   (typically   1? 5 µm). These   unicellular   organisms  may  be  small,  but  they  are  the  most  abundant  organisms  on  the   planet,   representing   about   half   the   biomass   (Biology,   Brooker   et   al. 010,   McGraw? Hill&Ryerson). They   are   devoid   of   membrane   bound   organelle   such   as   the   nucleus,   mitochondria   or   chloroplasts. Their   genetic   material   is   usually   composed   of   one   circular   chromosome   plus   other   extra   chromosomal  elements  called  plasmids. Euka ryotic   cells   are   usually   much   larger. They   possess   a   membrane   bound   nucleus,   their   organelles   are   more   complex   and   numerous,   and   their   genome   is   larger   than   prokaryotes. Eukaryotic   organisms   can   be   uni? or   multicellular. You   will   have   a   chance   to   observe   many   eukaryotic   cells   during  this  semester:  Amoeba,  Lilly,  Whitefish†¦.In   today's   exercise   you   will   take   a   first   look   at   the   similarities   and   differences   between   prokaryotic   and   eukaryotic   cells   as   well   as   the   diversity  within  these  groups. You   should   familiarize   yourselves   with   a   whole   array   of   cellular   structures   and   organelles   you   will   probably   encounter   during   the   course   of   this   exercise. Before   your   scheduled   lab   session,   write   down   the   definition   and   function  for  each  of  the  following  terms:  plasma  (cell)  membrane,  cell  wall,   protoplast,  cytoplasm,  vacuoles,  nucleus,  nucleolus  and  chloroplasts.Eukaryotic  Cells:  Elodea  (plant) 1? Get   a   young   green   Elodea   leaf   from   the   jar. Mount   it   in   a   drop   of   water   on   a   clean   microscope   slide   with   the   convex   side   of   the   leaf   uppermost. Cover  the  preparation  with  a  coverslip. 2? Observe   the   preparation   at   4X,   then   at   10X. If   you   see   brownish   oval   structures   on   the   leaf   surface,   ignore   then. These   are   probably   epiphytic   diatoms. Concentrate  your  attention  on  the  cells  near  the  cent ral  rib  at  the   base  of  the  leaf  and  on  the  marginal  cells  at  the  edge  of  the  leaf. Can  you  distinguish  several  layers  making  up  the  leaf? ____ ? What   is   the   average   length   ______   and   width   ______   of   the   cells   in   micrometres? 17 Lab1  ? Microscopy 3? Focussing  at  40X  locate  the  cell  wall,  the  vacuole,  the  cytoplasm  and  the   numerous  green  chloroplasts. ? What   important   biological   process   takes   place   in   the   chloroplasts? _____________________________________ ? What  pigment  is  responsible  for  their  green  colouration? ________________________________________________ ? What  is  the  shape  of  chloroplasts? ____________________________________________ ? Are  the  chloroplasts  moving? What  sort  of  movement? ____________________________ _____________________ ? The  phenomenon  you  are  observing  is  called  cytoplasmic  streaming   or   cyclosis. What   do   you   think   the   function   of   such   a   process   could   be? ___________________________________________________ 4? You   have   probably   realised   that   the   plasma   membrane   cannot   be   seen   in   plant   cells. It   is   too   thin   to   be   resolved   with   the   compound   microscope.In   order   to   see   the   true   limiting   boundary   of   the   cytoplasm   it   is   necessary   to   treat   the   cells   in   such   a   manner   that   the   plasma   membrane   becomes   withdrawn   away   from   the   rigid   cell   wall. This   can   be   done   by   placing   the   cell   in   a   strong   salt   solution. This   will   cause   water   toà ‚   diffuse   out   of   the   cell   by   osmosis,   thereby   decreasing   the   cell   volume. The   unaffected   cell   wall remains  in  its  original  state. What  can  then  be  seen  is  a  space  between  the   cell  wall  and  the  limiting  boundary  of  the  protoplast  (the  cell  minus  the  cell   wall)  which  thereby  becomes  visible. Remove   your   Elodea   slide   from   the   microscope   stage. Delicately   remove   the   coverslip,   add   one   drop   of   5%   NaCl   solution   then   put   back  the  coverslip  on  your  preparation ? Refocus   at   40x   (don't   forget:   you   must   first   focus   at   4X,   then   10X   and  finally  at  40x). ? Are   the   cells   plasmolyzed? (If   not   wait   a   while   longer). How   do   they   look  like  now? __ ____________________ ? Has  the  cell  wall  been  affected? _________________   ? What   becomes   of   the   large   central   vacuole   during   plasmolysis? ______  _______________________________________________ Take  a  picture  of  a  plasmolyzed  Elodea  cell. How  does  it  compare  to   the  previous  picture? 18 Lab1  ? Microscopy Prokaryotic  Cells:  Lyngbya  (eubacteria:  cyanobacteria)   1. Take   a   close   look   at   the   sample   in   the   jar. Which   colour   would   best   describe  its  appearance? ___________________ 2. Prepare  a  wet  mount  of  fresh  Lyngbya  by  the  following  procedure:   ? With   forceps   or   an   eye   dropper,   put   a   very   small   amount   of   green   matter  on  a  clean  slide ? Add  a  drop  of  water  from  the  jar. ? Carefully   place   a   co verslip   over   it. Make   sure   it   lies   flat   on   the   preparation.Don't   worry   if   there   are   just   a   few   air   bubbles. With   practice,   your   skills   will   improve. However,   if   too   many   air   bubbles   are   present,   your   preparation   risks   to   dry   out   very   quickly   during   viewing,  compromising  your  observations. 3. Starting  with  the  4X  objective,  focus  on  your  preparation. ? Can  you  see  numerous  green  filaments? _______ ? Are  the  filaments  moving? __________ 4. Switch  to  the  10X  then  the  40X  objective  and  focus  using  the  fine  focus   knob  only: ? Do  you  see  the  individual  cells  making  up  each  filament? ________ ? Estimate  the  width  of  one  filament  in  micrometres:_______ What’s  the  filamentà ‚  width  in  millimetres  (mm)? ________ ? REMEMBER:   You   are   working   with   living   cells. Work   quickly   and   keep   your   specimen   wet   at   all   times. Dead,   dry   or   damaged   biological  preparations  are  useless. Returning  the  microscopes  after  use After   completing   all   observations,   turn   and   click   the   low   power   objective   (4X)  on  the  compound  microscope  into  position. Remove  the  slide  from  the  stage  and  return  it  to  its  correct  box. Wipe  the  stages  with  a  clean  paper  towel. Carefully  disconnect  the  camera  from  the  firewire  cable.Make   sure   you   turned   off   the   light   on   each   microscope,   then   unplug   the   power  cord  and  make  a  loose  coil  of  it  around  the  eyepieces. Return  the  microscope  in  the  cupboard. 19 Lab1  ? Microscopy TAs   will   check   that   you   properly   returned   the   microscopes   in   the cupboard   with  the  cord  properly  attached  and  no  slide  present  on  the   stage. You   will   lose  marks  for  this  lab  (and  other  labs)  if  you  don’t  do  so. Evaluation A   short   quiz   on   microscope   components,   specimen   observations   and   measurement  of  objects  will  take  place  at  the  beginning  of  Lab2.Be  on  time,  the  quiz  will  start  at  2:30. References: 1? Metric  system  (see  also  appendix  IV  at  the  end  of  lab  manual):   1  centimetre  cm  =  10? 2  metres  (m) 1  millimetre  mm  =  10? 3  metres 1  micrometre  ? m  =  10? 6  metres 1  nanometre  nm  =  10? 9  metres 2? Size  of   camera  field  of  views  (fov): Table  2:  Fields  of  View:  Olympus  CX41  Compound  Microscope   Objective 4X 10X 40X 100X Camera  field  of  view (width  in  mm) 1. 75 0. 70 0. 175 0. 070 Table  3:  Fields  of  View  Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚  Olympus  SZ61TR  Dissecting  Microscope   Zoom  Setting 0. 67X 0. 8X 1X

Brazilian foreign policy

The fact that Brazil is one of the most important emerging nations can not be denied. There is no doubt that this country leads the pack when it comes to economic and political supremacy in the southern part of the American continent. This has been made possible by the desire of this country to become a regional and global power to reckon with. To this end, most of the presidents that have ruled this nation since the end of the military rule in the 1980’s have come up with foreign policies that can be viewed as assuming an international look while at the same time trying to maintain the sovereignty of this nation.Most notable of these foreign policies is the one that is adopted by the current Brazilian president. When Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took the helm of this country in 2003, he came up with a foreign policy that seemed to be in contrast in some ways to his predecessor’s. Fernando Henrique Cardoso’s foreign policy, when compared to that of Lula, shows some remarkable differences. Lula has been vocal in opposing the hegemony that is associated with American foreign policies.He tries to create an economic and political system that is independent on the American influence while at the same been recognized by America as an equal, rather than a puppet of the American government. This stance seemed to be criticized when he developed a brief relationship, a close one, with George W. Bush when he came to power in 2002. This may be the reason why his foreign policies have been regarded as been inconsistent. But he maintains a pessimistic view of the globalization phenomenon. He regards it as the tool that is used by the rich nations to stifle and exploit both the poor and the emerging nations.This paper is going to take a critical look at Lula’s foreign policy. The strong points of his policy will be reviewed, as well as the weaknesses and challenges. Lula’s Foreign Policy: Assertive? According to Hurrell (51), Lula can be descri bed as having taken a stand on international system that can be described as been mildly interesting. He views this international system with doubt, but goes ahead to say that it is possible for brazil to maintain an â€Å"activist and assertive foreign policy† (Hurrell 51).Cardoso’s foreign policy was regarded as not been assertive enough. He was once quoted saying that â€Å"creating friction with Washington is to lose† (Hurrell 53). This administration was not seen as defending the interests of this Latin American nation sufficiently. Lula sought to adapt a different style, aided by his supporters in the Workers Party. Lula emphasized the fact that the instability of the international system coupled by the centralization of powers in few hands was not a recipe for the development and sovereignty of Brazil.He was of the view that United States, together with a handful of allies, held far too much power in the international arena, such that if anything were to happen to them, it will affect most of the world’s nations negatively (Hurrell 51). He has always pointed to the current economic crisis as an example of how blunders committed by the wealthy nation of the world led to miseries of the poor nations. His disdain for the developed nations was evident when he talked down on Gordon Brown in a press conference in March 2009. He made the quote that made international headlines for days.â€Å"This crisis was caused by whiter people with blue eyes (sic)†¦. they pretended to know all about economics† (SkyNews 2009). He said this in front of Gordon brown, one his so called â€Å"white people with blue eyes†. Apart from showing how much he detested western powers, this statement was a clear indication of the fact that Lula does not fear these greedy westerners. He will stand by what he believes to be the truth, even if it did not go down well with the whites. The only other head of state that can be expected to make su ch a statement is maybe the Muslim leaders. But a president from a reportedly friendly nation to the Americans!Lula contends that the hyped global economy is more injurious than it is beneficial to the emerging nations (Hurrell 52). By this form of trade, the western nations entrench themselves in the world political and economic arena, while crises are created for the poor. A pointer to this is the current economic crisis. There is also a lot of inequality both internally and externally. This is because global trade benefits few individuals inside the local economies and few nations in the international arena. Lula’s administration has always sought to maintain the autonomy of this nation in the international arena (Hurrell 52).But at the same time, it needs to forge ties with other nations around the world. Lula has concentrated in forming ties with other emerging nations, shunning the western and developed countries (Barriaux 1). This will mitigate the external vulnerabili ties associated with disassociation with the world superpowers. That is why Lula has shunned the North American’s Free Trade Area. Instead, he has resorted to strengthening regional cooperation with neighbors like Uruguay, Paraguay and others across the continent like South Africa, china and India (Fitzpatrick 1).Lula has started to give Washington jitters when it became obvious that he was intent in developing Brazilian nuclear technology (Hurrell 52). His administration is engaged in industrial secrets. But at the same time, he is wise enough to maintain friendly relations with the nuclear inspection teams that have been deployed to Brazil. Lula’s Foreign Policy: Successful? His policies have been hailed by many people as been a success story. This is considering the fact that countries which have tried to defy the western superpowers have fallen by the way side.But Brazil blazes ahead, albeit jerkily, even after defying America Washington and London. But still, some critics have been opining that Lula’s foreign policy is inconsistent. But maybe, the consistency of Lula’s foreign policy lies in its inconsistency. Perhaps the strength of his foreign policy lies in these so called inconsistencies. Brazil has always maintained a tough stance when it came to global trade. She was defiant that no dumping of low quality goods from foreign economies will be done on her economy.This was contradicted when Lula’s administration acknowledged China as a â€Å"market economy† (Fitzpatrick 1). This was in 2004. What this means is that Brazil can not stop the flow of low quality goods from China. China is known for her tendency to flood the international economy with her cheap, low quality goods. This is death sentence to the local industries. Brazil has resisted this until this point in time. China refused to back Lula in his bid to get a permanent slot at the United Nations’ Security Council (Fitzpatrick 1). This was seen as inconsistency in Lula’s stance of an autonomous nation.However, in 2009, Lula was in Beijing. This was perhaps payback time for China. While he was there, he signed a deal with Hu Jintao that would see Brazil export a total of 200,000 barrels of crude oil to Beijing (Barriaux 1). Also, a loan was offered to him from the Chinese government that was to spur development in Brazil. This was in excess of 10-billion dollar (Barriaux 1). He took his disdain of the American regime there when he said that plans were underway to abandon the American dollar as the medium of exchange when the two countries were conducting trade.This is the consistency of Lula’s inconsistent foreign policy that the writer is talking about. Lula, by signing the contract with the Chinese government, expressed his desire of cementing ties with other nations apart from the West. Brazil is a gross exporter of agricultural products, and this is the backbone of her economy (Fitzpatrick 1). When Lula an d his lieutenants take the pessimistic and negative regard of the global market, one is left wondering where Lula plans to sell the entire Soya from this country.However, Lula has been calculative as ever. He led a boycott of the Doha round table talks in 2003, leading a group of developing nations out of the venue until the developed nations addressed their concerns. Celso Amorim, the foreign minister, led a successful crusade against subsidies that the European Union and America offered to their farmers (Fitzpatrick 1). All this was geared towards safeguarding the agricultural exports of the country. Lula has worked hard to revive Mercosur, the regional trade bloc of the Latin American nations (Hurrell 55).This is assign that he is interested in asserting regional control and influence in this region. Been a member of this organization, Lula will be able to bargain with the Americans and Britons when it comes to trade matters. This has given Lula leverage such that he is able to s hun the western nations and at the same time make himself relevant to them. He has opted for this organization while at the same time resisting the Free Trade Area espoused by United States. Conclusion Lula has adopted a foreign policy stance that is bold but at the same time risky.He has sought to assert the presence of the Brazilian nation in the global arena while at the same time refusing to ride on the tail coats of the developed nations, like America. He has a pessimistic view of the global economy. This is risky considering the fact that Brazil is an exporting economy, and thus has to rely on the global market for success. Lula has tried to forge coalitions with other emerging nations like India and China. This way, Lula has eliminated the external vulnerability that the western countries would have taken advantage of by alienating Brazil with the rest of the developing nations.References Barriaux, M. C. Lula Signs Financial Agreements with Beijing. Retrieved from http://news . yahoo. com/s/afp/20090519/wl_asia_afp/chinabrazildiplomacytradecurrency_20090519162806, on 13th June, 2009. Fitzpatrick, J. K. Inconsistency of Brazil’s Foreign Policy. Retrieved from http://www. brazzil. com/2005-mainmenu-79/159-december-2005/9491. html, on 13th June, 2009. Hurrell, S. A. Lula’s Brazil: A Rising Power, but Going Where? Oxford: Oxford University, 51-57. SkyNews. White People with Blue Eyes. Retrieved from http://www. foxnews. com/story/0,2933,510954,00. html, on 13th June, 2009.