Fundamental Rights of EU Law Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 16500 words

Fundamental Rights of EU Law - Dissertation Example 3Introduction Fundamental rights are defined as the elemental human rights and freedoms of all human beings. All humans are entitled to these by virtue of their dignity as human beings and they apply irrespective of race, creed, religion, gender or place of birth and are enforceable by the 1courts, subject to specific restrictions Some of these fundamental rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom of expression, and equality before the law, and the right to food, the right to have an education, the right to work and to participate in one's culture. History of Fundamental Rights Fundamental rights had been traced to several ancient documents which dates signify that even in those ancient eras fundamental rights had already been practiced and recognised and that the concept was alive and respect for such rights existed thousands of years ago. The Cyrus Cylinder which can be found in the British Museum in London shows that during 539 BC, Cyrus the Great of Persia believed in the fundamental human rights of his own citizens as well as captive citizens of Babylonia which he... As the report discusses fundamental rights then emerged from the Roman concept of libertas which established civil law with liberties and gave it political status. During the 14th century emerged the concept of central sovereign courts of justice where Roman sovereign courts guarantee civil law. Lessius then came up with the theory that God invested men with civil rights at birth. According to the paper findings in England, fundamental rights were recognised in the English Magna Carta of 1215 during the reign of King John of England. The Magna Carta enforced certain rights such as the rule of law, the right of prisons to appeal and to be heard and the writ of habeas corpus. This was soon revised in 1297 and remains enforced up to the present in England and Wales. Its provisions included the right to due process, the right to religion, the right to life and liberty, the right to a fair trial by a court of justice. More legal rights were then recognised in both USA and France with the US Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. But many human rights activists claim that human rights of individuals were given impetus during the Age of Enlightenment or the Age of Reason during the 18th century. Philosophers sprouted during this era, espousing freedom of thought and expression and encouraging people that they h ave God-given rights that they ought to defend.

Identifying the Intertwining Aspects of Free

Identifying the Intertwining Aspects of Freedom Essay To truly comprehend the depth of ones’ determination, a literary character-psychologist must take a step back and realign their perspective with various individualistic and public opinions. In my analysis of Richard Rodriguez’s: Hunger of Memory The Education of Richard Rodriguez and Azar Nafisi’s Reading Lolita in Tehran I shall ponder the intricacies of several major themes associated within these controversial texts. In uncovering the underlying principles, we must first accept that there are intermingling concepts and themes. These themes and concepts are vital to the overall arguments found in each literary work. My analysis shall play a key role in evaluating how each piece plays its own role within the respective work. My diligent analysis shall ultimately focus on: the interweaving significance of self-identity, the essence behind a characters acceptance of public identity, the overwhelming drive to be successful in an ethnocentric society, the challenges associated with overcoming adversity, the complex vitality of ones’ definition of freedom(s), and finally the all-encompassing importance associated with education. My scrutiny of these works shall bring several sources into play in order to support the conclusions being drawn within this paper. Along with two literary works which emphasize the central themes expressed above, I shall be incorporating the movie, iRobot, one magazine article, one newspaper article, a reliable internet source, a singular case study, and lastly a peer interview into the scope of my paper. From the get-go, I shall seek to instill within the reader the acceptance that these themes are both an internalized as well as externalized challenge. We shall be uncovering how these changes affect different individuals on differing emotional, psychological, sociological, and physical levels. Let us proceed with comprehending the significance of how self-identity is formed on the part of our characters and how it affects our perspective of self-freedoms. Self-identity is essentially a private perspective being formed of how one reflects how they see themselves. Per Wikipedia, this self-concept is all about the â€Å"mental and conceptual understanding and persistent regard that sentient beings hold for their own existence† and is key to comprehending who you feel that you truly are on the inside. On the part of Richard Rodriguez, his self-perspective was one of true confusion where his â€Å"words could not stretch far enough to form complete thoughts† and his embarrassment â€Å"to hear (his) parents speak in public (where) their high-whining vowels and guttural consonants† was so unlike â€Å"the way gringos spoke† (14-15). Lost within his own misconceptions of American versus his Mexican immigrate status, he succumbed to being quiet, and timid. In his novel, he reflects that today he hears â€Å"bilingual educators say that children lose a degree of ‘individuality’ by becoming assimilated into public society† but they fail to see that assimilation has its benefits and is a necessity (26). This is because it eventually leads to a public individuality versus the private one; hence, isolation is less prevalent. Feeling secure within the world of books, he delved into reading and acquiring acknowledge as a means to understanding his essence. This tactic was one method of uncovering ones’ self-identity. The old saying that knowledge is power always plays an intricate role within a developing young mind and personality. For Rodriguez, this attainment of knowledge led to a greater comfort level in his sense of freedom. The case study from Economic Mobility of Immigrants in the United States from Economic Mobility Project states that â€Å"†¦second generation immigrants exceed the educational attainment of the first generation†¦(where) education is (considered) one vehicle that immigrants use to help their children get ahead. † This case study indicates that education is a determinant of wages and income in the United States, which Rodriguez had the early foresight to see. The bar graphs presented in this case study show that there is a definite correlation between those without an education from immigrants families and the amount of money they brought in weekly and annually. Because Rodriguez was socially disadvantaged, came from a family without an education, and characterized as lacking linguistic skills, he found himself literally tongue-tied in social environments. Instead he wisely shut himself off from the social world, and uncovered the monumental significance of learning material that children his age perhaps ignored. This level of sophistication created a self-identity tied to sophisticated thoughts and impressions. He indicates that he â€Å"felt that (he) had somehow committed a sin of betrayal by learning English† and though he acknowledges that he â€Å"turned to English with angry reluctance† he felt that his parents â€Å"encouraged (him) to learn English† (30). His social growth was stagnate at first by his overwhelming concern that people did not comprehend his immigrant status, but upon coming to terms with his ethnocentric background and westernization his self-awareness grew by leaps and bounds. As a â€Å"scholarship boy† (62) , he found himself literally memorizing words and phrases presented to students by their teachers. His self-identity became inter-wound with the idea of success, and this was â€Å"his primary reason for success in the classroom†¦(and) that schooling was changing and separating him from the life he enjoyed before becoming a student† (45). His drive for education enabled him to seek out new information and achieve successes that he might otherwise not have sought out. He has had the chance to incorporate his self-identity into an acceptance of his public one. His public identity was fashioned after society saw a well-educated Mexican immigrant who was driven by education and knowledge to pursue his dreams for higher education. Prior, the public had seen immigrants as mainly blue collar works with limited English linguistic skills and considered immigrants to be worthy of only remedial jobs. He reflects that â€Å"dark skin for my mother was the most important symbol of a life of oppressive labor and poverty†¦and the work (his) father found in San Francisco was work for the unskilled. A factory job†¦(where there was)†¦noise and heat.. and the dark stench of old urine† (119-120). These stories from his parents and awareness of blue collar jobs aided Rodriguez in his endeavors to educate himself; thus building a higher level of self-esteem that he otherwise would have lacked considering his preoccupation and concern that he was of immigrant status. His early and youthful withdraw from his family might be considered somewhat of a con, but in fact it showed him that his family in its way supported his desire to be successful and not become part of the blue collar workforce. His assimilation and learning of English lead to â€Å"diminished occasions of intimacy† at home because he â€Å"sensed the deepest truth about language and intimacy: Intimacy is not created by a particular language; it is created by intimacies† where this feeling arose because he used his public language, English, most of the day to move â€Å"easily† through society. (32) Through mature self-awareness he later became aware of the value associated with family and seemingly acknowledges that his family and immigrant background was like a reverse role model-ship. One example of this distance was when his father one day â€Å"opened a closet†¦and was startled to find me inside, reading a novel† (45) which was highly unusual and led to his family joking about what he â€Å"sees in (his) books†. This cultural adversity and mental hardships molded Rodriguez into a man who was ultimately virtuous, highly respected, successful, and knowledgeable. It also encouraged him to intellectually analyze material and find security in learning. This ethnocentric challenge to fit in is not unheard of for first generation children of immigrants. In reality, there are many immigrants from all over the world who come to America seeking to fulfill their hopes and dreams. Some come here under refugee status, some as students, others as H1 workers, and many as illegal immigrants. It is interesting that many have their own story and experience to tell about living in a foreign country. From my driving instructor, Victor Yang, I told that in Saudi Arabia they arrest both the driver and spouse of the driver if they were caught drinking while under the influence. You would think that only the guilty party would be affected, but in this manner the spouse too suffers. Therefore, the husband would probably feel less inclined to commit such a crime again as his loved ones too pay a penalty for violating the law. It might eliminate the freedom of the innocent, but for some it is the psychological and emotional embarrassment suffered by the guilty which limited the violations. I had the opportunity to work with a Muslim refugee from Bosnian who came to America as a teenager, and who was given the hard responsibility of caring for her one-armed mom whose left arm was blown off in the Bosnian marketplace, illiterate father, and young sister. She had to perform all the linguist responsibilities of obtaining paperwork, living space, find a job for her father, enrolling her kid sister in elementary school, running a household, and finally making her way through school. Her determination for education, her drive to live up to her own self-identity, her goals, and her insistence that the family not be on welfare lead to her having a successful job in corporate America. During my many conversations with her, I have heard how difficult it can be to insert your awareness of yourself and goals into a society which covertly favors Americans versus immigrants. Hers too is a story of triumph over adversity. Hers too is the story of many immigrants who faced identity hurdles, but stuck to their determination and knowledge-driven mindset. Her motto is â€Å"Always be self-driven and self-aware. † From my friend’s experiences as immigrant, I found myself curious as an American in uncovering if this â€Å"melting pot† was truly functional or fictional. One newspaper article that I ran into within the Washington Post, â€Å"America’s Racial and Ethnic Divides: Immigrants Shunning Idea of Assimilation† illustrates how a naturalized Mexican does not feel like she is American and she â€Å"resists the idea of assimilating into U. S. society (because she says) ‘I think I’m still Mexican†¦when my skin turns white and my hair turns blonde, then I’ll be an American†. From her external perspective and self-image, like Rodriguez had encountered, she is being differentiated by her skin color. The article points out that â€Å"it is no longer the melting pot that is transforming them, but they who are transforming American society. † Their inputs and idea of freedom and identity enable them to bring new perspectives and ideas into the American society; hence, the melting pot theory is invalid. We might consider it more to be a bowl of chili where every ingredient plays its own role in the end flavor. This ‘segmented assimilation, in which immigrants follow different paths to incorporation in U. S. society’ allows for immigrants to educate themselves and take advantage of opportunities and freedoms that they might not otherwise have. This also enables them to more easily face hurdles and complexities within their public identity. Richard Rodriguez found himself in a more difficult position because of his desire to not be defined as Mexican; which was his own self-identity in question.

Nature and Society in The Dharma Bums and Goodbye, Columbus :: Dharma Bums Essays

Nature and Society in The Dharma Bums and Goodbye, Columbus      Ã‚  Ã‚   From its beginning, the literature of the 1960s valued man having a close relationship with nature. Jack Kerouac shows us the ideal form of this relationship in the story of Han Shan, the Chinese poet. At first, these concerns appear to have little relevance to Goodbye, Columbus by Philip Roth. However, by mentioning Gauguin, Roth gives us a view of man's ideal relationship to nature very similar to the one seen in the story of Han Shan. The stories of Han Shan and Gauguin offer an interesting commentary Neil and Brenda's relationship, as well as insight into its collapse.    From the beginning, 60s literature advocated that man have a close relationship with nature. This is easily seen in Kerouac's The Dharma Bums. In this book, he repeatedly invokes the names of older writers concerned with living a life in harmony with nature. By mentioning such writers as Muir, Thoreau, and Whitman, Kerouac makes a statement about man and nature. The behavior of the characters in the book is in keeping with this environmentalist message. The high points of the book are characterized by a nearness to nature. A good example of this is when Ray and Japhy climb the Matterhorn. The fact that Kerouac peoples his book with characters inspired by people important to the Sixties, such as Gary Snyder and Allen Ginsburg, helps tie these environmental concerns to the decade as a whole.    The most direct example of what Kerouac feels is the ideal relation between man and nature is the story of Han Shan. We are told that Shan is Japhy's hero because he "was a man of solitude who could take off by himself and live purely and true to himself"(Kerouac, The Dharma Bums, 22). By escaping society and living close to nature, he was able to live his life the way the was supposed to. If he had remained in a society in conflict with nature, he would have been twisted and distorted, unable to obtain his true shape. Both Ray and Japhy see reflections of Han Shan in each other.    At first glance, there seems to be little in common between these environmental concerns and Goodbye, Columbus. Nature and Society in The Dharma Bums and Goodbye, Columbus :: Dharma Bums Essays Nature and Society in The Dharma Bums and Goodbye, Columbus      Ã‚  Ã‚   From its beginning, the literature of the 1960s valued man having a close relationship with nature. Jack Kerouac shows us the ideal form of this relationship in the story of Han Shan, the Chinese poet. At first, these concerns appear to have little relevance to Goodbye, Columbus by Philip Roth. However, by mentioning Gauguin, Roth gives us a view of man's ideal relationship to nature very similar to the one seen in the story of Han Shan. The stories of Han Shan and Gauguin offer an interesting commentary Neil and Brenda's relationship, as well as insight into its collapse.    From the beginning, 60s literature advocated that man have a close relationship with nature. This is easily seen in Kerouac's The Dharma Bums. In this book, he repeatedly invokes the names of older writers concerned with living a life in harmony with nature. By mentioning such writers as Muir, Thoreau, and Whitman, Kerouac makes a statement about man and nature. The behavior of the characters in the book is in keeping with this environmentalist message. The high points of the book are characterized by a nearness to nature. A good example of this is when Ray and Japhy climb the Matterhorn. The fact that Kerouac peoples his book with characters inspired by people important to the Sixties, such as Gary Snyder and Allen Ginsburg, helps tie these environmental concerns to the decade as a whole.    The most direct example of what Kerouac feels is the ideal relation between man and nature is the story of Han Shan. We are told that Shan is Japhy's hero because he "was a man of solitude who could take off by himself and live purely and true to himself"(Kerouac, The Dharma Bums, 22). By escaping society and living close to nature, he was able to live his life the way the was supposed to. If he had remained in a society in conflict with nature, he would have been twisted and distorted, unable to obtain his true shape. Both Ray and Japhy see reflections of Han Shan in each other.    At first glance, there seems to be little in common between these environmental concerns and Goodbye, Columbus.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Essay -- Biography

On January 30, 1882, the world welcomed a new born boy by the name of Franklin Delano Roosevelt that would help America countless times recover from the depths of harm and danger and bring her to the shores of safety. He married his wife and distant cousin by the name of Eleanor Roosevelt and she did many good deeds of her own. Through his education, remarkable three terms of Presidency, triumph in a war, endeavor for peace, and struggling through a vicious disease know as polio, former President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the greatest President ever. Franklin Roosevelt learned many vital and crucial lessons throughout his education. Lessons and concepts that would be carried with him everywhere. One of Roosevelt's first lessons was from the founder of the Groton School, Endicott Peabody. As this school was mostly for the rich, the lesson entailed that government service was an excellent method to help those poorer and less privileged than the students attending the school. This moral really appealed to Roosevelt before he graduated from Groton school and went on to Harvard University (Uschan 21). Whenever FDR's name is mentioned, not too many people realize that this notable man went to Harvard. While he attended Harvard, he studied about many different views about government that would help FDR develop his political philosophy (Uschan 22). Education played a minor but imperative role for Franklin on the mission to becoming the greatest President so far. The road for FDR to become President was not harsh or smooth, but it is was he did during those three astonishing terms that really makes this former president outstanding. FDR first term officially started on March 4, 1933, and he entered term faced with the burden o... ... second term, FDR created the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. He also created the March of Dimes, which brought in money for babies with birth defects. He did not life to see the vaccine for polio as Roosevelt died in 1945. However, the U.S congress gave FDR the privileged honor of having his face on the dime since he and the dime were so closely related ("FDR and Polio: Public Life, Private Pain"). FDR was the greatest president ever through his education, incredible three terms of Presidency, victory in a war, endeavor for peace, and for battling through polio. I think about all the things he has done for Americans every day, and people don't realize that he substantially changed the whole country for the better. I hope that I have conveyed to you that FDR is the best president that has ever existed on this planet.

Investment Strategies Order Number Essay

There are many methods an investor can use to determine if a stock is a good buy or not. Three indicators often used to assess the risk of a security are beta, alpha and the Sharpe ratio. One of the most popular measures of risk associated with a security is its beta. Beta is a measure of a stock’s volatility in relation to the market as a whole. The market is given a beta of 1. 0 and individual stocks are ranked according to how much they deviate from the market’s beta. Stocks with a beta of less than 1. 0 are considered less volatile than the market and, therefore, pose less risk. Stocks that have betas higher than 1. 0 are considered more volatile than the market and, therefore, pose more risk. All things being equal, an investor would expect to see higher returns on a stock with a beta higher than the market than one with a beta lower than the market. (1) Beta is also a key component for the capital asset pricing model (CAPM). The original CAPM defined risk in terms of volatility, as measured by a stock’s beta coefficient. The formula is: Kc = Rf + beta Km – Rf) where Kc is the risk-adjusted discount rate (also known as the cost of capital) Rf is the rate of a â€Å"risk free† investment, i. e. ten-year treasury bill Km is the return rate of a market benchmark, such as the S&P 500 Kc is the expected rate of return you would require before you would be interested in a particular stock at a particular price. The CAPM expresses the amount of risk a particular stock has and gives an investor an idea of the expected returns he should expect given a certain level of risk. The more risky a stock is the higher the level of returns an investor would expect for that particular stock. (2) A stock’s alpha is a mathematical estimate of the amount of return expected from a stock’s inherent values, such as the rate of growth of in earnings per share, management strengths or other factors, as opposed to general market conditions. Stocks with an alpha greater than 1. 0 can be expected to outperform the market regardless of what happens to the market as a whole. (3) The Sharpe ratio helps investors determine the best possible proportion of securities to use in a portfolio that can also include cash. The formula for the Sharpe ratio is: S(x) = (Rx – Rf) / StdDev(x) where x is some investment Rx is the average annual rate of return of x Rf is the best possible rate of return of a â€Å"risk free† security (i. e. cash) StdDev is the standard deviation of Rx The Sharpe ratio is a direct measure of reward-to-risk. In other words, the Sharpe ratio is used to characterize how well the return of an asset compensates the investor for the risk taken. (4) Although beta, alpha and the Sharpe ratio are useful for an investor to gauge the risk of a security or portfolio of securities there are also other methods an investor can use to determine whether a security is a good investment or not. The two most common methods used to determine the investment potential of a security are fundamental analysis and technical analysis. Fundamental analysis is the process of looking at a business from its financial statements. This type of analysis typically looks at various ratios of the business to determine its financial health. The goal of fundamental analysis is determine the current worth of a stock and how the market values the stock. (5) Probably the most two important factors looked at in fundamental analysis are a company’s earnings and revenue growth. Investors like to see earnings and revenue increasing by at least 25% for each of the last three quarters and year-to-date. Return on equity (ROE) is also a major fundamental factor. ROE reveals how much profit a company earned in comparison to the total amount of shareholder equity found on the balance sheet. (6) The higher a company’s ROE compared to its industry the better. Investors typically look for an ROE of at least 17%. Technical analysis is a method of evaluating stocks by relying on the assumption that market data, such as charts of price, volume and open interest can help predict future market trends. (7) Investors using technical analysis typically look for trends in chart data and use a variety of technical indicators, such as moving averages, Bollinger bands, fast and slow stochastics, MACD, and RSI to determine the right buy point for a stock. More sophisticated investors use a combination of fundamental analysis and technical analysis to determine whether a stock is a good buy or not. They use fundamental analysis to make sure a company is healthy from a financial standpoint and is a leader in its industry. Once determining a stock is healthy from a fundamental standpoint, these investors will use technical analysis to determine the correct buy point for a stock. A stock’s chart will show the investor how the stock is actually performing in the market and whether it is rising out of a good base or is overbought based on how far its current price is from its 50 day moving average. If a stock’s price is 30% or more above its 50 day moving average, the risk that it will fall into a correction is greater. References: (1) http://www. investopedia. com/articles/stocks/04/113004. asp Beta: Know the Risk (2) http://www. moneychimp. com/articles/valuation/capm. htm CAPM Calculator (3) http://www. allbusiness. com/glossaries/alpha/4943389-1. html Business Definition for Alpha (4) http://www. moneychimp. com/articles/risk/sharpe_ratio. htm The Sharpe Ratio (5) http://stocks. about. com/od/evaluatingstocks/a/Fundanatools1. htm Tools of Fundamental Analysis (6) http://beginnersinvest. about. com/cs/investinglessons/l/blreturnequity. htm Return on Equity (ROE) (7) http://www. investorwords. com/4925/technical_analysis. html Technical Analysis

September 11 2001 essays

September 11 2001 essays Every single person in the world has been affected by Tuesday, September 11, 2001. This event will live long in our memory, both those who witnessed the unspeakable horror, those who watched it and cried from afar. Our children's children will hear of this day in future history classes. May we never forget, and may we keep this day, the events and the tears in our minds, our memory and our hearts and take them with us as we carry on. May we always remember this day, and may we find peace in this beautiful world created by god. May this never happen again. Teach your children well. Offer a helping hand, where just a few months ago, you would have just continued on your way. Absorb your spouse's hug, kiss, and your life together; breathe in that moment; today might be their last day. Give your child a cheery, loving smile and hug, make sure they know you love them. Today might be their last day. Call your family; tell them what you have been putting off. Today might be their last day. Stand quietly, peacefully in the wind, listen to the birds, and watch the sun set. Today might be your last day. Treasure each day like it's the last day. What a beautiful sayings. This is a part of an article, which has been edited slightly and found with pictures at (packrat-pro.com/911.htm) check it out; its neat. The reason why this part of the article was put in this report is because it relate to the song for this report. The song chosen is by Michael Jackson Heal the World. It also shows eminent examples of emotions on how this day should be remembered as. Plethora of people thinks of this day as a tragedy; as a day in which a throng of terrorist attacked and destroyed Americas unity. American citizen; dont think like that, lets stand together as a nation and show the terrorists that we are intrepid and nothing could break us apart. Please do not think of revenge; r ...

Free Essays on Technology And Crime

Technology and Crime In solving crimes or committing crimes technology plays a vital role. The method a criminal uses to victimize someone and way law enforcement catches criminals is all tied to advances in technology. The same computer that allows a hacker (a person who uses a computer for exploration and exploitation) to perpetrate a crime is also used to catch him. Computers have evolved into what is sometimes a nightmare for users. Computer criminals today will employ anything from spam, forgery emails, spyware and adware to harass users. On the other side of crime there is forensic DNA, which is a technology coming into play in a lot of legal cases. This paper will focus on a few of the aspects of each side of the scope of technology and crime. Computer crimes have evolved into a wide array of areas in which the internet has only enhanced. Crimes committed with computer use of the internet include; identity theft, use of stolen credit cards, online gambling, stalking (or cyber stalking), distribution of child pornography and hacking. Hackers are able use their technical expertise to commit crimes without anyone ever knowing. The intent of hackers is not always known. Some ideas stem from fired workers bitter with old employers to infecting a system with a virus (a program capable of altering or erasing a computers memory). Viruses can be very lethal in a network. The summer of 2000 the â€Å"I love you† bug hit computers in a huge way. The virus came in the form of a worm, which replicates itself when the message is opened. The worm replicates itself by accessing the address book in a network. Many networks use a global address system that contains thousands of addresses. This allowed the worm to replicate at a rate never seen before. Most systems were crippled for several days. Updated anti-virus software was needed to clean systems of the worm and prevents future replications... Free Essays on Technology And Crime Free Essays on Technology And Crime Technology and Crime In solving crimes or committing crimes technology plays a vital role. The method a criminal uses to victimize someone and way law enforcement catches criminals is all tied to advances in technology. The same computer that allows a hacker (a person who uses a computer for exploration and exploitation) to perpetrate a crime is also used to catch him. Computers have evolved into what is sometimes a nightmare for users. Computer criminals today will employ anything from spam, forgery emails, spyware and adware to harass users. On the other side of crime there is forensic DNA, which is a technology coming into play in a lot of legal cases. This paper will focus on a few of the aspects of each side of the scope of technology and crime. Computer crimes have evolved into a wide array of areas in which the internet has only enhanced. Crimes committed with computer use of the internet include; identity theft, use of stolen credit cards, online gambling, stalking (or cyber stalking), distribution of child pornography and hacking. Hackers are able use their technical expertise to commit crimes without anyone ever knowing. The intent of hackers is not always known. Some ideas stem from fired workers bitter with old employers to infecting a system with a virus (a program capable of altering or erasing a computers memory). Viruses can be very lethal in a network. The summer of 2000 the â€Å"I love you† bug hit computers in a huge way. The virus came in the form of a worm, which replicates itself when the message is opened. The worm replicates itself by accessing the address book in a network. Many networks use a global address system that contains thousands of addresses. This allowed the worm to replicate at a rate never seen before. Most systems were crippled for several days. Updated anti-virus software was needed to clean systems of the worm and prevents future replications...

The Cold War (1945-1989) essay

The Cold War (1945-1989) essay The Cold War (1945-1989) essay The Cold War (1945-1989) essayThe Cold War is considered to be a significant event in Modern World History. The Cold War dominated a rather long time period: between 1945, or the end of the World War II, and 1990, the collapse of the USSR. This period involved the relationships between two superpowers: the United States and the USSR. The Cold War began in Eastern Europe and Germany, according to the researchers of the Institute of Contemporary British History (Warner 15).   Researchers state that â€Å"the USSR and the United States of America held the trump cards, nuclear bombs and missiles† (Daniel 489). In other words, during the Cold War, two nations took the fate of the world under their control. The progression of the Cold War influenced the development of society, which became aware of the threat of nuclear war. After the World War II, the world experienced technological progress, which provided â€Å"the Space Race, computer development, superhighway construction, j et airliner development, the creation of international phone system, the advent of television, enormous progress in medicine, and the creation of mass consumerism, and many other achievements† (Daniel 489). Although the larger part of the world lived in poverty and lacked technological progress, the United States and other countries of Western world succeeded in economic development. The Cold War, which began in 1945, reflected the increased role of technological progress in the establishment of economic relationships between two superpowers.   Ã‚  The Cold War involved internal and external conflicts between two superpowers, the United States and the USSR, leading to eventual breakdown of the USSR.The Cold War: background informationThe Cold War consisted of several confrontations between the United States and the USSR, supported by their allies. According to researchers, the Cold War was marked by a number of events, including â€Å"the escalating arms race, a competition to conquer space, a dangerously belligerent for of diplomacy known as brinkmanship, and a series of small wars, sometimes called â€Å"police actions† by the United States and sometimes excused as defense measures by the Soviets† (Gottfried 9). The Cold War had different influences on the United States and the USSR. For the USSR, the Cold War provided massive opportunities for the spread of communism across the world, Moscow’s control over the development of other nations and the increased role of the Soviet Communist party.In fact, the Cold War could split the wartime alliance formed to oppose the plans of Nazi Germany, leaving the USSR and the United States as two superpowers with considerable economic and political differences. The USSR was based on a single-party Marxist–Leninist system, while the United States was a capitalist state with democratic governance based on free elections.The key figure in the Cold War was the Soviet leader Gorbachev, who was elected in 1985. He managed to change the direction of the USSR, making the economies of communist ruled states independent. The major reasons for changing in the course were poor technological development of the USSR (Gottfried 115). Gorbachev believed that radical changes in political power could improve the Communist system. At the same time, he wanted to stop the Cold War and tensions with the United States. The cost of nuclear arms race had negative impact on the economy of the USSR. The leaders of the United States accepted the proposed relationships, based on cooperation and mutual trust. The end of the Cold War was marked by signing the INF treaty in 1987 (Gottfried 115).The origins of the Cold WarMany American historians state that the Cold War began in 1945. However, according to Russian researchers, historians and analysts â€Å"the Cold War began with the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, for this was when the capitalist world began its systematic opposition to and effo rt to undermine the world’s first socialist state and society† (Warner13). For Russians, the Cold War was hot in 1918-1922, when the Allied Intervention policy implemented in Russia during the Russian Civil War. According to John W. Long, â€Å"the U.S. intervention in North Russia was a policy formulated by President Wilson during the first half of 1918 at the urgent insistence of Britain, France and Italy, the chief World War I allies† (380).Nevertheless, there are some other opinions regarding the origins of the Cold War. For example, Geoffrey Barraclough, an outstanding English historian, states that the events in the Far East at the end of the century contributed to the origins of the Cold War. He argues that â€Å"during the previous hundred years, Russia and the United States has tended to support each other against England; but now, as England’s power passed its zenith, they came face to face across the Pacific† (Warner 13). According to Bar raclough, the Cold War is associated with the conflict of interests, which involved European countries, the Middle East and South East Asia. Finally, this conflict divided the world into two camps. Thus, the Cold War origins are connected with the spread of ideological conflict caused by the emergence of the new power in the early 20-th century (Warner 14). The Cold War outbreak was associated with the spread of propaganda on the United States by the USSR. The propagandistic attacks involved the criticism of the U.S. leaders and their policies. These attacked were harmful to the interests of American nation (Whitton 151).The major causes of the Cold WarThe United States and the USSR were regarded as two superpowers during the Cold War, each having its own sphere of influence, its power and forces. The Cold War had been the continuing conflict, caused by tensions, misunderstandings and competitions that existed between the United States and the USSR, as well as their allies from 1945 to the early 1990s (Gottfried 10). Throughout this long period, there was the so-called rivalry between the United States and the USSR, which was expressed through various transformations, including military buildup, the spread of propaganda, the growth of espionage, weapons development, considerable industrial advances, and competitive technological developments in different spheres of human activity, such as medicine, education, space exploration, etc.There four major causes of the Cold War, which include:Ideological differences (communism v. capitalism);Mutual distrust and misperception;The fear of the United State regarding the spread of communism;The nuclear arms race (Gottfried 10).The major causes of the Cold War point out to the fact that the USSR was focused on the spread of communist ideas worldwide. The United States followed democratic ideas and opposed the spread of communism. At the same time, the acquisition of atomic weapons by the United States caused fear in the U SSR. The use of atomic weapons could become the major reason of fear of both the United States and the USSR. In other words, both countries were anxious about possible attacks from each other; therefore, they were following the production of mass destruction weapons. In addition, the USSR was focused on taking control over Eastern Europe and Central Asia. According to researchers, the USSR used various strategies to gain control over Eastern Europe and Central Asia in the years 1945-1980. Some of these strategies included â€Å"encouraging the communist takeover of governments in Eastern Europe, the setting up of Comecon, the Warsaw Pact, the presence of the Red Army in Eastern Europe, and the Brezhnev Doctrine† (Phillips 118). These actions were the major factors for the suspicions and concerns of the United States. In addition, the U.S. President had a personal dislike of the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin and his policies. In general, the United States was concerned by the So viet Union’s actions regarding the occupied territory of Germany, while the USSR feared that the United States would use Western Europe as the major tool for attack.The consequences of the Cold WarThe consequences of the Cold War include both positive and negative effects for both the United States and the USSR.Both the United States and the USSR managed to build up huge arsenals of atomic weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles.The Cold War provided opportunities for the establishment of the military blocs, NATO and the Warsaw Pact.The Cold War led to the emergence of the destructive military conflicts, like the Vietnam War and the Korean War, which took the lives of millions of people (Gottfried13).The USSR collapsed because of considerable economic, political and social challenges.The Cold War led to the destruction of the Berlin Wall and the unification of the two German nations.The Cold War led to the disintegration of the Warsaw Pact (Gottfried 136).The Cold war provided the opportunities for achieving independence of the Baltic States and some former Soviet Republics.The Cold War made the United States the sole superpower of the world because of the collapse of the USSR in 1990.The Cold War led to the collapse of Communism and the rise of globalization worldwide (Phillips 119).The impact of the Cold War on the development of many countries was enormous. The consequences of the Cold War were derived from numerous internal problems of the countries, which were connected with the USSR, especially developing countries (India, Africa, etc.). This fact means that foreign policies of many states were transformed (Gottfried 115).The Cold War (1945-1989) essay  part 2

Technology from print to pixel Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Technology from print to pixel - Essay Example This reading from the screen and its effectiveness and visible results continues for the rest of the day until the time one will go to bed This new way of reading will definitely change the way people write. As the information flows and is streamed in the screens at a very quick speed, more people will start writing in prose and in other short forms as a way of saving time. This new form of writing will not be strange as translations of the words can be easily got from the same screens and because there is a lot of linking with the new technology in reading, it will not be strange at all. The writing unlike before will continue to increase and a faster pace for that matter as more and more people young and old engage in asking questions and getting written faster and even immediate response hence making them write even more as a way to gain faster knowledge and pass the same knowledge to others through the same

Motivation of Employees in the Real Estate Industry Research Paper

Motivation of Employees in the Real Estate Industry - Research Paper Example Alderfer’s ERG theory eradicates the limitations imposed by the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory to some extent. Unlike Maslow, Alderfer has identified three types of needs. E stands for existence, R stands for relatedness, while G stands for growth. There are quite a lot of similarities along with some differences between the Alderfer’s ERG theory and the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory. Although the number of needs differs between the Alderfer’s ERG theory and the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory, yet there is a correspondence between them. The existence needs in the Alderfer’s ERG theory correspond to the physiological and safety needs of the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory. The relatedness needs correspond to the love and belongingness, and self-esteem needs whereas the growth needs represent the need for self-actualization. In this sense, Alderfer has confined Maslow’s needs to the ERG needs. Like the Maslo w’s hierarchy of needs theory, the Alderfer’s ERG theory is also hierarchical; the most important is the existence need, followed by the related needs and finally the growth needs. There are three fundamental ways in which the two theories differ (NetMBA, 2010). Firstly, Maslow’s theory suggests that different needs’ levels cannot be satisfied simultaneously whereas Alderfer’s ERG theory suggests that they can. Secondly, Maslow has standardized the hierarchical order of the needs for all people whereas Alderfer asserts that the order of needs can vary from one case to another.

Art history research paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Art history - Research Paper Example Various artworks came up as a result of colonization, particularly right about the time when Europe took interest in colonization. One particular artwork that peaked my interest is that of ‘The Women of Algiers in their Apartment’ by a French artist called Eugene Delacroix. Laurel Ma wrote an article about this painting. Eugene Delacroix was a popular French artist whose artwork was hailed all over Europe. Therefore it didn’t come as a surprise when the state of France decided to tag him along on a diplomatic mission to North Africa just two years since Algiers was invaded. This was around the time Delacroix drew the painting of The Women of Algiers in their Apartment in 1834. The timing that the painting came out, which is also the time the French went to Algiers, is suspicious and rightfully so. It tends to shed some light on the imperialist intentions that the French had towards Algiers. Most paintings by the Orientalists were prejudiced against the Orients in such a way as to incite the Westerners to colonize them in the name of doing them a favor. Most of it revolved around sex in particular. The Orientalists would draw paintings with naked women in them as if waiting for the European men to come and save them from the supposed tyranny of their husbands. Of course, a great deal of this work was more of imagination than reality. All the more reason why Delacroix’s work received major applause as it was seen to be more authentic and the fact that it contains aspects that make it seem both imaginative and real caught a lot of people’s attention. The Women of Algiers in their Apartment clearly shows the lifestyle of the people of North Africa. The women often stayed in their harem, which is a sacred place restricted only to the women and their husband. No other person other than the servants was allowed in the harem. Delacroix draws a harem with three women in it along with one black servant woman holding the curtain. Contrary to popular belief as depicted by the works of other Orientalists, the women in this painting do not in any way suggest any sexual intentions. This came as a confusion to many as people were used to paintings with naked women obviously arousing and inviting the sexual desires off those who saw it. In other words, the regular paintings were demeaning to the cultures and values of the people in the East. In Delacroix’s painting the women are fully clothed, almost in a way to suggest that they are overdressed. This could be seen as the painter’s way of proving a point, trying to atone for the mistakes off his fellow artists by clearly stating that the women in the Orients were respectable and were not to e objectified sexually. The painting doesn’t show women yearning or the presence of a man, rather they are comfortable and content with the current situation where they have time to themselves. The room in the painting is lavished with oriental objects such as glas s vases and various patterns on the furniture that relate to the style associated with Orients. There is a servant drawing a curtain. This is to depict the dramatic way in which the harem is unveiled for the authorized Muslim male but now in the painting, the colonizer gets a glance of what he shouldn’t see. The women in the painting are covered in blankets to confirm the stereotype that suggests

Environmental history Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Environmental history - Research Paper Example The big question is â€Å"Does nature cause suffering?† this is an important question because in most cases people suffer and do not know how to blame nature or literally whom to blame. The book, â€Å"The Republic of Nature,† by Mark Fiege ties together most worlds’ greatest events origins including nature as an origin of suffering. The book shows how human life has been influenced by nature in different aspects. The writer puts it in a fascinating way that nature is not fair to humans; however, the humans suffer out of their interaction with it. He speaking of slavery as part of human suffering caused by nature.1 He explains that it was brought about by humans desire to work in the cotton firms. On the other hand, slaves were made to suffer by settlers who recruited them to work in the cotton fields. Through the settler’s exploitation of nature so as to gain from it, they caused suffering.2 This shows clearly that nature is not the cause of human suffering but human activity. Robert J. Spitzer in his article â€Å"suffering caused by nature,† looks at the issue from a religious point of view. According to him, it is cheaper to comprehend why God would permit suffering to be caused by human agents than to comprehend the reason as to why he would let it occur due to natural causation. This point of thinking in some way supports the thoughts of Fiege. Robert wonders why God created such a natural order that is so imperfect, that brings about volcanos, earthquakes and tsunamis.3 What is the definition of suffering?† is an article by yahoo answers website that tries to explain about suffering caused by nature. According to the writer, nature is nature and cannot be controlled unlike humans who can choose to or not make others suffer. He explains that it is natural for a lion to kill a gazelle since it is seeking to feel its stomach, however, a man can chose whether to or not to harm another man whom stole

Mongol Impact Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Mongol Impact - Essay Example Moreover, under the Mongolian regime the communication system greatly improved. As regards to the negative impact of the Mongol invasion, their plunders, devastations and loots executed throughout the continents of Europe and Asia is viewed as their potent negativity. They also raped and brutally treated the innocent citizens thrusting upon them their religion which can be seen as another negativity of the Mongol Conquest. Also, the blood-thirsty image of Chinggis (Genghis) Khan is a well-accepted fact unanimously affirmed by all the historians which cannot be undermined. Overall, the Mongol invasion did have much negative sides when they are treated as plunderers and invaders. However, the great development and unification the Mongols brought about throughout the continents of Asia and Eastern Europe cannot be undermined. The all-around socio-economic development did occur throughout the continents holding the hands of the Mongols under whom the Persian silk trade or the rapid development of communication took place (President and Fellows of Harvard College, 2013; Stetson University,

Environmental history Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Environmental history - Research Paper Example The big question is â€Å"Does nature cause suffering?† this is an important question because in most cases people suffer and do not know how to blame nature or literally whom to blame. The book, â€Å"The Republic of Nature,† by Mark Fiege ties together most worlds’ greatest events origins including nature as an origin of suffering. The book shows how human life has been influenced by nature in different aspects. The writer puts it in a fascinating way that nature is not fair to humans; however, the humans suffer out of their interaction with it. He speaking of slavery as part of human suffering caused by nature.1 He explains that it was brought about by humans desire to work in the cotton firms. On the other hand, slaves were made to suffer by settlers who recruited them to work in the cotton fields. Through the settler’s exploitation of nature so as to gain from it, they caused suffering.2 This shows clearly that nature is not the cause of human suffering but human activity. Robert J. Spitzer in his article â€Å"suffering caused by nature,† looks at the issue from a religious point of view. According to him, it is cheaper to comprehend why God would permit suffering to be caused by human agents than to comprehend the reason as to why he would let it occur due to natural causation. This point of thinking in some way supports the thoughts of Fiege. Robert wonders why God created such a natural order that is so imperfect, that brings about volcanos, earthquakes and tsunamis.3 What is the definition of suffering?† is an article by yahoo answers website that tries to explain about suffering caused by nature. According to the writer, nature is nature and cannot be controlled unlike humans who can choose to or not make others suffer. He explains that it is natural for a lion to kill a gazelle since it is seeking to feel its stomach, however, a man can chose whether to or not to harm another man whom stole

ARTICLE REFLECTION Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

ARTICLE REFLECTION - Essay Example One of the biggest hindering factors to poor decision-making Mauboussin points out is overconfidence. People make poor decisions because they tend to think they are above-average; are optimistic; and have the illusion of having control over the situation. The experience and training people gain over the years influence their perceptions which inevitably lead to poor judgments and predictions. Another, major factor which influences decision-makers is the perception of the outside world. When decision-makers are confused by their internal information, they turn towards the outside world to gauge how others have dealt with similar problems. People try to find trends and events to base their own decisions on. Sometimes this is effective but at other times miscalculation can occur due to wrong interpretation of data, information bias and sometimes simply because trends do not account for ad hoc situations. Nevertheless, this outside view, according to Mauboussin is a more realistic approach because it gives a "reality check" to decision-makers. It offers decision-makers the opportunity to evaluate and contemplate which is an important in decision-making. However, I am of the view that decision-making is a combination of both internal and external knowledge. One cannot negate the fact that internal knowledge, ones professional experience and learned processes are also critical for decision-making. Mauboussin seems to have leaned on external factors more as opposed to internal factors for effective decision, a bias in my view. If all decision-makers start to rely exclusively on external information and trends, then it would be difficult to make instantaneous decisions in the field such as in the case of doctors, paramedics, firefighters and other life-saving professionals. Furthermore, I feel that Mauboussin has overly relied on his financial background in writing

Social Interaction in People with Autism Essay Example for Free

Social Interaction in People with Autism Essay People with Autism tend to face difficulties in social interaction. This study examined the possibility that the cause of these social difficulties is heightened anxiety in response to social situations. First year psychology students were asked to complete three surveys online, in order to test their anxiety levels, as well as the extent to which they demonstrate autistic-like traits. The results indicated a link between anxiety and autistic-like traits in the general population. Due to the fact that this study was based on the general population, further research using participants who have autism would be beneficial to ensure the validity of this link. If this link was reinforced in future studies, it could potentially have significant implications for the treatment of Autism. By developing ways to reduce anxiety, clinicians may be able to make patients more comfortable in social situations and improve their quality of life. Social Interaction in People With Autism: The Link Between Anxiety and Social Communication Deficits Individuals with Autism exhibit â€Å"abnormalities in social and communication development, in the presence of marked repetitive behavior and limited imagination† (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 1994). One of the most prominent issues for people with Autism is their tendency to experience difficulties in social interaction. They tend to lack conversational skills, find it difficult participate in social events and are often seen to behave in a generally strange manor (Kanne, Christ, Reiersen, 2009). The reason for this lack of social interaction is unclear. It is possible that people with Autism are simply not interested in social interaction, however it is more plausible that this lack of social interaction is due to heightened anxiety in social situations. Research has identified that those with significant Autistic-like traits are more prone to loneliness. Loneliness implies that these individuals are not content in being by themselves and are experiencing negative feelings as a result (Bauminger, Shulman, Agam, 2003). Furthermore, research has illustrated that many individuals with Autism have expressed a desire to develop friendships and sexual relationships (Jobe White, 2007). These results indicate a desire to engage in social activities; therefore it seems likely that this avoidance of social interactions is due to elevated anxiety rather than disinterest. One recent study compared the anxiety levels in children with autism, with the anxiety levels of two control groups. The results indicated that the children with autism had â€Å"considerably higher† anxiety than the control groups (Gillott, Furniss Walter, 2001). An alternative study examined the link between autism and anxiety in adolescents. Similarly, the results indicated significantly higher anxiety in people with autism. Both studies listed a limited sample size as a limitation, and suggested future research with a larger sample size (Bellini, 2004). This study will build upon the foundation provided by these and other studies and further examine the link between anxiety and autism with a larger sample size. Autism is often considered to be a â€Å"spectrum disorder. † This means that those with Autism are high in particular traits, which can be found to a lesser degree in all members of the general population (Jobe White, 2007). Therefore, the general population can be used to examine the link between autistic-like traits and elevated anxiety. This report will use three questionnaires, namely the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS, Mattick Clarke, 1998), the Autism Quotient (AQ, (Baron-Cohen, Wheelwright, Skinner, Martin, Clubley, 2001) and the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation (BFNE, Carleton, McCreary, Norton, Asmundson, 2006) to analyse the link between Autistic-like characteristics and anxious tendencies in the general population, which can then be related to people with Autism. The aim of this report is to clarify the cause of social deficits in people with Autism. It will examine the notion that these social difficulties are linked to heightened anxiety levels in response to social situations. It is expected that the data will reflect this link, and higher AQ scores will be positively related to higher scores in the BFNE and SIAS. Method Participants The research was based on a sample of first year psychology students studying at the University of Western Australia. There were 356 participants- both male and female- ranging from 17 to 56 years old. Participants were asked to take part in the study as a part of the course requirements for PSYC1102. There were no additional selection criteria; all students were invited to participate in the study regardless of age, sex or ethnicity. Materials The data was collected using three surveys: the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS), the Autism- Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation (BFNE). The SIAS provides a list of social tendencies and skills and asks participants to identify whether the statement is characteristic of them. Participants are given 20 statements such as â€Å"I have difficulty making eye contact with others† and are asked to select the option that most accurately reflects them from a five-point Likert scale between â€Å"not at all† and â€Å"extremely. † Participants receive a score between 0 and 80 based on their answers. The BFNE seeks to assess participants’ fear of negative evaluation; it does this by providing 12 statements such as â€Å" I am afraid of other people knowing my shortcomings† and asking participants to select an answer on a five-point Likert scale from â€Å"not at all characteristic of me† to â€Å"extremely characteristic of me. † Participants receive a score between 0 and 60 based on their answers (Carleton, McCreary, Norton, Asmundson, 2006). Finally, the AQ is a 50-question questionnaire, which assesses where the participant lies on the Autism Spectrum. It assesses the participant on five areas: social skills, attention switching, attention to detail, communication and imagination (Baron-Cohen et al. 2001). It offers statements such as â€Å"I prefer to do things on my own rather than with others† and invites participants to select an answer on the five-point Likert scale from â€Å"definitely agree† to â€Å"definitely disagree. † Participants receive a score between 0 and 50 based on their answers. (Baron-Cohen et al. 2001) The current study aimed to clarify the cause of social deficit in people with Autism. It was hypothesised that these social difficulties are linked to elevated anxiety levels in response to social situations. It was expected that the data recorded from the AQ, BFNE and SIAS questionnaires would be consistent with this hypothesis and highlight the link between autistic-like traits and heightened anxiety. The results show no link between the AQ and the BFNE. However, they do indicate a positive relationship between the AQ and SIAS, and a positive relationship between the SIAS and BFNE, as expected. This indicates that there is some truth to the hypothesis that the social deficits faced by people with autism are linked to anxiety. This study has some limitations, which should be considered when discussing the results. Firstly, participants of this study were first year students, largely under the age of 20, and of similar level of intelligence. These factors make the sample somewhat limited, and it is unlikely to be a true refection of the general population. Future studies would benefit from conducting surveys with a more diverse sample group. A random sample of participants would provide a more rounded and accurate representation of the general population. In addition, this study assessed members of the general population, and most –if not all- participants do not have autism. Therefore, it could be argued that the results may not be entirely valid. While there is research to suggest that autistic-like traits are evident in the general population, this does not necessarily mean that the link between autistic-like characteristics and anxiety established in this study can be transferred to people with autism. Future studies may need to assess this hypothesis with people who have autism for more valid findings. A further possible limitation of this study is that of the 931 students, only 356 participated in the study. It is logical to expect that the students who completed the survey are likely to be the more diligent students. The more diligent students may share similar characteristics, and may have more autistic-like tendencies; this could indicate some bias in the sample group. This study indicates a link between autistic-like characteristics and anxiety in the general population. If this link was proven in future studies to be also relevant to people with Autism, the information could be used to improve the quality of their social interactions. Clinicians could potentially take this link into account when working with patients with Autism. By developing ways to reduce anxiety, clinicians may be able to make patients more comfortable in social situations. This study has supported the theory that there is a link between autistic-like characteristics and anxiety. This could be further developed with more extensive research into anxiety in people who have autism. With further research, clinicians may be able develop methods to target anxiety in people with Autism and reduce the severity of their social deficits.

Pressure Pulse Production of Train Passing to Adjacent Line

Pressure Pulse Production of Train Passing to Adjacent Line This topic concerns the pressure pulse produced by one train on another being passed on an adjacent line. Although studies of this phenomenon had been undertaken for research and development purposes during the 1970s, a need to quantify the magnitude of the effect for existing and future high speed service routes arose in the late 1980s due to adverse comments from train users. The comments were relatively rare, but mainly centred around passengers being startled by the banging of doors (particularly of external sliding doors used on some types of Multiple Unit) and windows (particularly hopper windows) when passed by other trains at high speeds. In addition, coffee and other drinks resting on tables on the side adjacent to the Fast line, mainly in other HSTs, were regularly spilt by passing HSTs. This was caused by a rapid displacement of the coach wall against which the tables rested. Although the events could not be called serious, it was evident that a criterion was needed for the design of new trains for the: i) Door and window mounts and for the structural side-wall stiffness of vehicles likely to be operating on high speed routes ii) Future high speed train nose shapes, (as it was known that it was the aerodynamic shaping, as well as speed, of the source train that sized the pulse magnitude). Subsequently, tests were undertaken by the Research Division of BRB in 1988 to assess the magnitude of the largest pressure pulses produced by service trains at that time. Tests were undertaken on ECML with a test vehicle being passed, during both static and moving tests, by a number of service trains. Of particular interest was HST, as it was often the offending train and was operating at speeds up to 125 mi/h on tracks at a nominal spacing of 3.4m. In some places, track spacing was known to be less than this and, of course, considerably more than this in other places. In addition, the Class 91 loco was being produced and it was necessary to choose a criterion bearing in mind future operation of the IC225 train (also on ECML). In that event, it was decided during discussions between the senior managements of the Research Division and the IC225 Project Team that IC225 operation at 225 km/h should form the limiting condition for defining the pulse limit. At that time, prior to tests being undertaken with Class 91, it had been assumed that the pulse characteristics generated by the nose shape of the Class 91 would be similar to HST, and therefore that a criterion based on an HST result scaled up from 125 mi/h to 225 km/h (140mi/h) should be adopted. Results from the tests produced a mean value, (taken over several passes at different track spacings and speeds of both trains), for the HST normalised to 3.4 m nominal track interval, which was given by the non-dimensional parameter, à ¯Ã‚ Ã¢â‚¬Å¾CP = 0.6. At 225 km/h, this equated to 1.44 kPa peak-to-peak amplitude. Subsequent tests with IC225 showed the Class 91 to have slightly better characteristics than HST, but the 1.44 kPa value was adopted for future project design purposes. An indication of this is given in the attached letter involving a proposed lC250 development for WCML operation written by the Technical Director (Research) of British Rail Research to the Project Director IC225. It is important to note that, in this letter and elsewhere, the 1.44 kPa criterion was defined in association with 3.4 m track spacing. Similarly, acceptance tests undertaken during development work on new train designs were checked against a limit of 1.44 kPa at 3.4 m track spacing. Further, BR Research advised that, for practical purposes during track tests, compliance with the criterion was to be checked against a measurement taken at mid-window height on a stationary observing train on straight track on a calm (no wind) day. The result then was to be corrected to nominal 3.4m track spacing. Observations In the same way as for the original tests and for the nominal service condition chosen by Research and DMEE management, there will be circumstances now when 1.44 kPa is exceeded. For example, movement of the observing train, the presence of cross-winds, reduced track spacing and track curvature can all increase the pulse amplitude. Thus, it is important to adopt this specification of the reference set of conditions under which the criterion is to be met. Note that the above implies that rolling stock operating on high speed routes should be structurally designed to a criterion in excess of l.44kPa for the train passing pressure pulse case. For the proof load case of unsealed trains, this will usually be covered by the Q.5kPa specification for vehicle body structures (see Railtrack Gp. Stds. GM/TT0l22, GM/TTOl23, GM/RC2504). Sealed trains will be covered by their own more stringent limits. However, fatigue load cases particularly for unsealed trains may need to incorporate higher values associated with regular exceedances of the 1.44 kPa value. It would appear, therefore, that the original Railtrack Spec. for WCML mistakenly omitted reference to 3.4 m track spacing in its definition of the conditions under which the 1.44 kPa criterion   should be met. Incidentally, the corresponding Railtrack Spec. for ECML does define 3.4 m as the reference condition.

How We Acquire Knowledge :: Education Educating Essays

How We Acquire Knowledge When I think about knowledge the first thing that comes to my mind is education. I believe that knowledge comes to people by their experiences in life. In other words, life is an instrument that leads me to gain knowledge. Many people consider that old people are wise because they have learned from good and bad experiences throughout their lives. Education requires work, dedication and faith to gain knowledge. We acquired knowledge through the guidance of from parents, role models, college/University teachers and life experiences. When we were little our parents had to guided us because we did not have the ability to live by ourselves. Sometimes, for some people, their parents taught them or they sent them to school to develop their knowledge. Parents helped their children to do their homework. They encouraged them to continue their early education. Parents help their children to build confidence in their life. A child with confidence is able to has a positive attitude in school. Also, help the child to be positive in his leaning. Many children have problems learning in school because parents do not give them support. Instead, they tell them that they are not good nothing. Also, parents help to build ways of learning at an early age. When we were, little we did not know how to study, how to read. Our parents found the best way to learn the basic education. As students, knowledge is very important to guide us to continuo our education. A way to acquire knowledge is to have a role model in our lives. In this society almost every child, adult and elder has o had has a hero in their lives. It is very important to have someone to admire because it helps to increase our interest in education and eventually it will lead us to gain knowledge. Role models make the students to feel positive that they will be able to fulfill their dreams. For example, I grew up in a Christian family. My role model since I was a little girl was Jesus. I wanted to be like him, and follow all his teachings. I knew that I could gain knowledge through his words. I know that most religions have a leader that most of the people follow. In schools, teachers can be role models. Many students want to be like their favorite teacher.

Differences Between the Republican National Party and the Democratic Na

Differences Between the Republican National Party and the Democratic National Party Since the beginning of American politics, we have lived in a two party political system. These two parties play a very important role in our government, they are a source of ideas for public policy, and they legally oppose each other, forcing compromises of ideas that are beneficial to the people of the United States of America. Though these two parties generally always oppose each other on the issues, some people believe that there are not significant differences between the Democratic National Party and the Republican National Party. When the domestic economic issues of the 1996 and 1992 presidential elections are examined, the Republican National Party and the Democratic National Party show themselves to be very different. A 1996 Gallup poll showed that approximately 45% of Americans believe that there are no significant differences between the Republican National Party and the Democrat National Party ("Draft Democratic National Platform" 35). These people feel that because both democrats and republicans talk about the same issues (tax cuts, education, the deficit), that they are in fact similar. These people do not know that, while both democrats and republicans talk about the same issues, the two parties often have very different views on these issues. On the issue of taxes in the 1992 presidential election, the Republicans called for more tax breaks than did the Democratic Party. Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton called for â€Å"a research and development tax credit; a low income housing tax credit; [and] a long term capital gains proposal for new businesses and business expansions† (â€Å"First Presidential Debate, 1992†). The Rep... ...l Platform (1996 Democratic National Platform).† Congressional Quarterly Guide to the Democratic Convention. 17 Aug. 1996: 35-52. â€Å"First Presidential Debate, 1992.† Commission on Presidential Debates. Commission on Presidential Debates. 1996. 5 Oct. 1999 http://www.debates.org/Debates/92-1a.htm. â€Å"Party Stresses Family Values, Decentralized Authority (1992 Republican National Platform).† Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report. 22 Aug. 1992: 2560-2581. â€Å"Second 1996 Presidential Debate.† Commission on Presidential Debates. Commission on Presidential Debates. 1996. 5 Oct. 1999 http://www.debates.org/sdiego.htm. â€Å"Second Presidential Debate, 1992.† Commission on Presidential Debates. Commission on Presidential Debates. 1996. 5 Oct. 1999 http://www.debates.org/Debates/92-2a.htm. â€Å"Transcript of the First Presidential Debate.† The Washington Post. 7 Oct. 1996: A08.

Project Management Organizational Structures Paper Essay

Introduction At the start of every project, it is important to select the organization structure. There are three organizational structures the functional, matrix, and pure project structures. Each structure has its advantages and disadvantages. All three are different and when it comes to structuring a project the project managers is in charge of deciding which organizational structure is best fit for the project. This paper will focus on functional structure, matrix structure and pure project structure. Functional Project In a functional project structure, employees are departmentalized by task similarity, and projects are performed inside the departmental unit such as accounting, marketing and human resources departments are examples of units grouped together based on the functions they perform (Murray, 2014). Functional project structure is the most successful and oldest structure. In functional project structure components are divide into two a project is assigning to a functional manager who coordinates with others to assigning the project to different departments. Each department is in charge of completing their portion of the work and reporting to the department managers. Advantage and Disadvantages Functional structure project has both advantages and disadvantages. One of the advantages is the flexibility and staff contributions. Employees are switched back and forth between projects. The department will be able to provide professional and technical personnel and after completion of the work it can go back to his original work. The disadvantage is that this structure is not very effective when used on more complex projects. The individual accountability is not recognized. An other disadvantages the focus is not set on the client it is focused on activities rather than function, slow responses , lack of interest and motivation in certain areas, and difficulties in communicating.Difficulties in coordination is an other  disadvantage since project manager are only responsible for part of the project and others are responsible for other parts of the project. Matrix Project The matrix structure is a combination of both the functional and pure project organizational structures. The matrix structure was evolved from the flaws of the functional and pure project structures. In the matrix structure, functional managers and project managers have the equal powers. Since both functional and project manager are equal the staff generally works under two bosses. This structure works well when more than one project is being coordinated. Advantage and Disadvantage The advantage of the matrix structure is the highly skilled and capable resources can be shared between the functional units and important strategic projects. An other advantage is that efficiency is higher. A disadvantage is that staff has to report to two bosses, which can add confusion, and conflicts may arise since both bosses have equal authority and power. The disadvantages of the Matrix structure include balancing out who is in charge of the project, failure of project due to lack of negotiating skills, and balancing time, cost, and performance. Pure project The pure project structure dedicates it resources and self-contained staff to work full time on the project. Pure project structure is mostly used on complex projects since it strongly focuses on the work and completing the project. This structure reacts rapidly to the needs of clients contrary to those in the functional organizational structure. In this structure each project manager is appointed and is responsible to conduct all responsibility associated with the project. The project manager has full authority of the of the project. Advantage and Disadvantage The pure project structure advantages are that it is clear of who has the projects authority, it access special expertise, the project is focused and prioritized, as well simplified communications. This structure allows the project to be separated from the rest of the parent system becoming a self contained unit with its own staff, administration, and tying to the parent  firm through periodic progress reports and oversight (Meredith, 2012). In this structure staffs only report to on person so decisions are made quicker. Pure project structure disadvantages are include duplication of effort, rivalries, uncertain reintegration of resources and unclear motivations and loyalties as well goals and policies can be ignored. This structure disadvantages also include the transfers in technology and the use of resources, inconsistencies, and the project taking on a life of its own. Best Method Not any of the three organization structure is better than another. Each structure has its advantages and disadvantages as discussed above. When it come into choosing which organization structure to use decision depends on what the project manager is trying to accomplish. All three structures work differently depending on the project so the project manager has to decide which organizational structure best suits that project. In doing so the factors that contribute to the project manager decision are the available resources, finances, and the timeline that project needs to be completed. For the project to be successful the project manager must compare and contrast the three organization structures and decide which is most suitable. Conclusion Organizational structures show the methods that can be used by an organization. The use of these structures determine the success and improvement of the productivity in an organization. Each structure is used to improve how organizations report and communicate with the other elements within the organization. Organizational structures are viewed as guidelines to set in place to assist task performance to all involved in the project. Functional organization, Pure Project organization, and Matrix organization are the three most popular project management structures that are still used today due to their success. REFERENCES Kerzner, H. (200). Project management: A systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling (10th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Meredith, J. R. (2012). Project Management: A managerial approach (8th Ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. What is a functional project management structure?. (2010-2012). Retrieved from http://www.projectmanagementquestions.com/2966/what-is-a-functional-projectmanagement-structure Murray, L. (2014). The Advantages of Functional Project Organizational Structure. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-functional-project-organizational- structure-2739.html Three types of Project Management Organizations. (2010-2012). Retrieved from http://www.mypmhome.com/three-types-of-project-management-organizations/

What Are the Problems That Wal-Mart Has Faced, and What Has the Company Done to Address Them

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , is an icon of American business. From small-town business to multinational, from hugely controversial to a leader in renewable energy, Wal-Mart has long been a lightning rod for news and criticism. With 2008 sales of over $405. 6 billion and more than two million employees worldwide, the world’s largest public corporation must carefully manage many different stakeholder relationships. It is a challenge that has sparked significant debate.Although Wal-Mart reportedly can save the average family $3,200 annually, the company has historically received plenty of criticism regarding its treatment of employees, suppliers, and economic impacts on communities. Feminists, activists, and labor union leaders have all voiced their beliefs that Wal-Mart has engaged in misconduct in order to provide low prices. However, Wal-Mart has been turning over a new leaf. New emphases on diversity, charitable giving, and sustainability have contributed to Wal-Mart’s revi talized image.The story of Wal-Mart and its low prices includes both positive and negative impacts on society. Positively, Wal-Mart reportedly saves consumers over $287 billion annually, equating to about $950 per person. On the flip side, research shows that communities can be negatively impacted by Wal-Mart’s arrival in their areas. This analysis attempts to show both sides of the controversy. It begins by briefly examining the growth of Wal-Mart, and then discusses Wal-Mart’s various relationships with its stakeholders, including competitors, suppliers, and employees.Some of the ethical issues concerning these stakeholders include accusations of discrimination, illegal immigration issues, and leadership misconduct as demonstrated by Wal-Mart former vice chair Thomas Coughlin. Yet, in an effort to show Wal-Mart’s attempts to position itself as a socially responsible company, this case also examines Wal-Mart’s sustainability plans, its ethical initiative s, and former CEO Lee Scott’s impressive leadership qualities. The analysis concludes by highlighting Wal-Mart’s strategy during the most recent recession and recovery.

A) Explain why many Basques in Spain feel they are not Spanairds and Essay

A) Explain why many Basques in Spain feel they are not Spanairds and b) discuss the socioeconomic organization of the French Basque Community of Santazai. Make reference to the readings - Essay Example By 1876, all the land belonging to Basques was divided between Spain and France. The Basque culture and language in the Spanish territories were prohibited during the time of General Francisco Franco. By 1950s, resistant groups had been formed, mostly the Basque Homeland and Liberty and the Euskadi Ta Askatasuna symbolized by (ETA). The ETA decided to commit terrorist attacks in 1970s and 1980s after the Spanish had ruled over the Basques were later liberalized when Franco died in 1975. Three Spanish Basques provinces were united together in 1980 as Basque autonomous Community (Cooper 65). The three provinces out of four were; Navarra, Vizcaya, and Guipuzcoa. The residents were given limited recognition of their language, culture, and autonomy and control over their police force and schools. The ETA were representing a small minority group, but they continued fighting for independence. There has been no comparable activity between Basques in Spain and French Basques who were subjected to the same repression. ETA has been provided with safe havens and material as sistance by sympathizers in the French side. Basque country consists of three regions on the French side and four regions in Spanish side. The regions on the Spanish side are; Navarra, Vizcaya, Alava, and Guipuzcoa (Cooper 46). The regions on the French side are; Soule, Labourd, and Basse-Navarre. The Basques renamed these regions collectively as Euskal-Herraia or Euskadi meaning land of the Basques. These regions were unified approximately a thousand years ago. The geographical area is varied, it contains foothills and ridges, mountain streams, narrow and steep valleys, and short coastal plains. The land of Basques is densely populated, with 3 million residents. Out of the 3 million inhabitants, 0.5 million are in France while 2.5 million are in Spain. Genetic information including blood types suggests that the Basques are ancient people

Nowruz Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Nowruz - Essay Example The Nowruz celebrations do not restrict members from inviting other people because it takes place across the world. For instance, the Iranians living in other distant places still observe the day and may feel free to invite their colleagues. This implies that those people who do not follow the Persian calendar can join their friends for the ceremony. The vital aspect of the Nowruz was the setting up on the table with decorative items for appreciating life and other components. The Haft Seen is a traditional norm that takes place in the New Year holiday of the Iranians (Flaskerud 209). It involves the setting up of the table with seven different items that contain separate meanings. It is apparent that each piece in Haft seen is a sign from Regeneration, productiveness, profusion and Wealth among others. For instance, the Sib (Apple) is a prevalent item in the Haft Seen tables and symbolizes beauty and good health of the people. The Iranians believe that the apples enabled them to see the day and it is a way of appreciating their beauty. The other item is Senjed, which is a sea-buckthorn that symbolizes wisdom, love and regenerate. The Serkeh is a vinegar that signifies the old-age and satisfaction. The Persians use vinegar to relieve stress from their daily endeavors and this formed the essential part of their Nowruz celebrations (Flaskerud 209). The Samanu is another item made from germinated wheat to signify affluence and bravery. It was mostly prepared by the older women in the ancient Islamic Persian Empire to appreciate the authority of the leaders. The Seer was symbolized by Garlic in the Haft Seen setting and was instrumental for medicinal values. It was considered a stimulation symbol that would encourage the Iranians to keep healthy and respect other people’s rights. The Somaq is a sumac fruit that was part of the set up to symbolize life and the new dawn of

College drop-outs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

College drop-outs - Essay Example It is very difficult for an average student to afford education in a good university. People start their journey of education with a hope to get higher education one day. But by the time they reach that stage, they find their pockets too empty to even think about that. This becomes the cause of drop-outs for a lot of students. This is, indeed, a very unfortunate thing that someone who is capable of studying cannot study only because they don’t have money. There are some students who take loans to afford their education, but they go through a very tough and demanding experience emotionally, psychologically, and physically. Homesickness is a common reason for the drop-out from colleges, both among the native and the international students. Most of the 21.8 million students attending colleges and universities in America would be leaving their homes to explore a new environment, develop new relationships, and do everything by themselves; â€Å"More than a few of those students wi ll suffer homesickness, which can turn into depression, low motivation, insomnia, stomach aches and loneliness -- and their dropout rates are three times higher than non-homesick students, according to one 1993 study† (Lorenz). Native students living in hostels to save the cost of having to move from home to university every day have to live away from their families. Not only do they have to cope with homesickness, but they also have to deal with a lot of other challenges like bullying. A hostel, in no way, compares to a home in terms of environment. There are a lot of distractions in hostels. Young boys and girls form groups and gangs and tend to bully a certain student. The student finds it very difficult to deal with such groups, and eventually drops-out. Things are no less tough for the international students who have come from different countries to study in a certain university. International students also have to deal with many more problems in addition to homesickness; they have to find suitable accommodation and work in order to be able to manage their expenses. They miss their families back home. Those among the international students who cannot deal with all these challenges simultaneously eventually drop-out of colleges. In order to pay the college fee, many students work. This is typically observed among the international students. They come from underdeveloped and developing countries in search of better educational and life opportunities. Their parents are not that rich to pay their fees. Knowing that they have to manage everything by themselves, most international students work along with studying. Most of the times, they find menial jobs like dishwashing and when it comes to pay, every hour counts. They feel obliged to work as many hours as they can in order to be able to earn more. They face a lot of problems trying to manage work with education. Gradually, they realize that even if they drop-out but continue with their work, it would n ot only make their life easier, but would also lend them an opportunity to settle down in the foreign country. They also realize that they are earning more than they possibly can in their native countries. Hence, many international students drop-out of the colleges. Concluding, drop-outs are commonly observed among students of all ages in general and the ones in higher education in particular. While there are many causes of drop-outs, some of the prominent causes include

The case study of focused scenario#3 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The of focused scenario#3 - Case Study Example Pt enjoys gardening, volunteers at the local library for 4 hrs. each wk. and teaches a Sunday school class at her church. During the subjective history taking, the headaches experienced by the patient is to be assessed for the quality (deep or superficial, localized or radiating, aching, throbbing, sharp, shooting, burning) and intensity (subjective pain scale) Location or path is also important to ask, especially if the headache is of radiating type. Any medications taken should also be noted. As for the "funny sensation" on the patient's extremities, the onset and character should be assessed as well as any accompanying numbness on the affected areas. Physical to the head, diseases such as stroke, meningitis and encephalitis are important to ask in the Past Medical History Family History should be more thorough and note the presence of any hereditary neurologic disease, mental retardation, epilepsy or seizure disorder, weakness or gait disorders and metabolic disorders such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus (Seidel, et.al, 2006). Since the patient does gardening, it is important to ask the patien t for exposure to insecticides, organic solvents and other gardening chemicals. Use of alcohol and drugs should also be asked. patient's complaints are neurologic.

Breaching Experiment Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Breaching Experiment - Research Paper Example For this experiment, in which the student will assume the personality of a FaceBook creeper, the reaction to being a creeper is the most important point. If the social breach succeeds and social norms are compromised, how people react is evidence of mechanisms through which they attempt to combat the breach or make sense of the abnormal behavior (Garfinkel, 2011). Whereas it is expected that lighthearted breaches in the FaceBook creeper experiment will induce curiosity, confusion, and laughter, breaches of a more serious nature are expected to cause anger and anxiety. It was also expected that the experiment would show how uncomfortable people are about unexpected notification or information. The Facebook picture creeper experiment was chosen for this study, in which I had to go through the photo album of an acquaintance on Facebook and comment on about fifteen to twenty photos. These photos were supposed to be more than six months old and the comments were to be posted over a period of three days. In addition, the experiment required that only positive comments were written on the posts, such as â€Å"cute photo† and other positive comments. After posting, I was to check back to identify whether anyone else had commented on photo as a result of my posts and a description of the responses was to be made, as well as a description of how I felt about making these posts. For the experiment, I picked one of my friends from high school, whom I had not seen or talked to for some time and was not a friend on Facebook. I searched for her name on Facebook and identified her photo, after which I made a friend request that was accepted. Immediately after we became friends on the site, I commented on twenty of her photographs from her photo album and, as required by the experiment, I ensured that all my comments on the photos were positive. In the beginning, I commented on only a few photographs

The importance of SOC broth for bacterial transformation Article

The importance of SOC broth for bacterial transformation - Article Example The elementary one of it is Lysogeny Broth. SOC is associated with it (Hannan). SOC is a variant and a further refined form of SOB. While SOB is devoid of glucose, it is the presence of glucose to SOB which makes it a SOC. It also helps identifying and determining different colonies of bacteria, their growth time, and their overall nomenclature. SOC media is enriched with glucose which makes it more sought after for the formation and lateral transformation of bacteria. However the presence of bacteria is a concern since it strengthens the overall cell existence and ultimately more resistance. Other advantage to SOC broth is its adjustment to the PH level around 7, which is most desired and provides options towards a neutral usage. Apart from this, SOC contains certain percentage and proportion of MgSo4. Hence all these traits and possessions make SOC broth more suitable for bacterial transformation than the

A Discussion on the Renaissance Art and Its Influences Essay Example for Free

A Discussion on the Renaissance Art and Its Influences Essay 1. The Renaissance style is considered as a collective movement related to the reawakening of art – particularly drawing, painting, sculpture, and architecture – that centered in Italy from 1300-1600 (Cunningham and Reich, 2009, p. 265-266).   This movement evolved over the years as people – tired of the medieval life of poverty and sickness – started to develop new world views.   These world views centered on essential and profound questions related to human beings, their lives, and their purposes in lives.   They formed striking similarities to the Greco-Roman intellectual discourses, which were overshadowed during the dark times of the medieval age but rediscovered during the reawakening period of the Renaissance. Experts agreed that the Renaissance movement started in Florence, Italy, then a trading center between Europe and the rest of the world and a platform for exchange of ideas, purchase of arts, and commissioning of literary works (Cunningham and Reich, 2009, p. 267).   In Italy, people began to question tradition and authority, focus on life on earth, shape their own destinies, educate their selves and revisit the classical teachings from Greece and Rome.   Teachings from Italy were then dispersed elsewhere in Europe and the world through the printing press, a revolutionary invention during the Renaissance (Cunningham and Reich, 2009, p. 265). See more: Homelessness as a social problem Essay One example of a Renaissance art that is a symbol of the inner health of the people during that era was Raphael’s School of Athens (Cunningham and Reich, 2009, p. 315).   This painting pictured the great minds who existed in the city of Athens in Greece – Socrates, Plato and Aristotle – who were gathered in what appeared to be a school.   In the painting, the great minds seemed to be enthralled in a lively exchange of ideas.   Experts said that School of Athens attempted to show that the ancient greats of Greece were as good as the Renaissance men of Leonardo, Raphael and Michelangelo.   In fact in the painting, the three Renaissance artists were supposed to be Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Another example of a Renaissance art that embodied the dynamism and transformation peculiar to the period was the sculpture of Michelangelo of David when the artist was at a relatively young age of 26 (Cunningham and Reich, 2009, p. 286). David was depicted as a civilized and a thinking individual who contemplates on challenges without immediately resorting to unnecessary brute.   David was said to represent the brightness of the Renaissance man.   It was also said to epitomize the confidence that the people then were feeling in influencing their destinies in terms of trouncing evil and gaining victories. Renaissance humanism is a notion that sprang during this period.   This notion placed emphasis on the capacity of human beings to manipulate their future without overreliance on the church (Cunningham and Reich, 2009, p. 287).   Although much of the art works had religious themes, the works portrayed religious icons as humans.   Such portrayal made light of the religious canons imposed by the church.   Instead, the portrayal highlighted the human spirit and its capacity to elevate to great heights.   One example of an art work that displayed humanism was Sandro Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, which depicted the goddess as an innocent woman with the use of pastel colors.   Another example is Simone Martini’s Annunciation, where an angel painted in realistic human dimensions and appearance appeared to tell Mary that she will bear God’s son. The rebirth of the artistic movement in Italy was largely attributed to the successful businessmen in the city of Florence who fed, trained, educated and provided for the basic needs of the artists (Cunningham and Reich, 2009, p. 268).  Ã‚   These patrons commissioned works based on clear-cut agreements. The powers of these businessmen from the Medici family stretched all the way to Rome, allowing many artists to secure contracts to accomplish religious works of arts for the Catholic Church.  Ã‚   The patronage of the Medici family for the artists was crucial to the Renaissance as artists were elevated to a stature important to the beautification and strengthening of the culture of Florence.   When the Medici family declined, artists went to Rome where they received the patronage of the pope (Weekly Lectures, n.d.). 3. Prior to the Protestant Reformation, there had been a fierce and widespread sentiment about the perceived abuses of the Catholic Church (Cunningham and Reich, 2009, p. 240).   People felt that the leaders of the church were leading extravagant lives that contrasted with the generally modest, if not poor, living of the majority of the people.   There were classes within the population that wanted to lead  Ã‚  Ã‚   towards positive change.   People were also weary of being caught in the cross-fire of conflicts between the Catholic Church and Kings, both desired power and wealth. To top these off, people were staring to change their beliefs about the capabilities of human beings during the Renaissance. These situations were the precursors to the ushering of the Protestant Reformation, which was set off by German monk Martin Luther.   Luther questioned the corruption and moral degradation in Rome and in the whole of the Catholic Church through his writings in The 95 Theses.   The Church however was not willing to change its ways.   It then financed the Counter-Reformation (Cunningham and Reich, 2009, p. 297). Immediately, art became the medium of propagating the beliefs of the Protestants, who had their bailiwicks in northern Europe, and Catholics, whose strongholds were in the south.   For the Catholics, art must focus on religious contents with certain symbolisms that magnify the holiness of the contents.   The Catholic art was similar to the art that had prevailed in the Middle Ages.   For the Protestants, Catholic religious contents in arts were idolatrous that must be destroyed through iconoclastic movements during the Protestant Reformation. The Protestant art was similar to the art of the humanist Renaissance artists who depicted contents in realistic settings. As a response to the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Church introduced a Counter-Reformation.   It instituted a few changes within the church but became more austere in regulating heresy.   Regulations covered the arts, sending Catholic painters to produce religious contents similar to those done during the Middle Ages. Content in arts was the distinguishing factor between the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation.   For the Protestants during the Reformation, paintings centered on mundane activities of everyday existence.   Occasionally, paintings drawn out of scenes from the Bible were made.   However, these paintings depicted the religious contents in a humanistic manner.  Ã‚   Simple scenes found in regular occasions were also contained in paintings.   Generally, the contents did not attempt to glorify contents through symbols. For the Catholics during the Counter-Reformation, paintings focused on idealized religious contents that contained symbolisms of holiness, omnipotence, and great glory.   These religious contents were idealized in terms of appearance and the environment in which they were depicted to move.   Painters did not paint flaws.  Ã‚   They likewise veered from common scenes experienced by common people.   Some of the religious contents depicted in the Counter-Reformation included Catholic saints, sacraments, traditions, and codes of belief taught by the Catholic Church. The arts during Protestant Reformation and Counter-Reformation were divergent largely because of the opposing world views espoused by the Protestants and the Catholics.   On one hand, the Protestants believed that man could shape his destiny and approach God because the sacrifices of Christ were enough to save human souls.   On the other hand, the Catholics believed that intermediaries like saints and the Virgin Mary were needed to help Catholics approach God and enter the gates of heaven. Because intermediaries were needed, Catholics created relics where divine powers were supposed to reside.   A form of these relics is a typical painting created during Reformation.   Catholics worshipped the relics and sought from these relics intervention in order to get the graces of God. Because Protestants believed in the value of man and Christ’s sacrifices, they loathed these relics and called these relics channels of idolatry.