Friday, November 29, 2019

The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Incorporating A free essay sample

Business Essay, Research Paper The Advantages and Disadvantages of Integrating a Business In order to advert all the advantages and disadvantages of integrating a concern, foremost I should seek to explicate what a corporation is. In 1819, Chief Justice Marshall of the United States Supreme tribunal said: # 8221 ; A corporation is an unreal being, unseeable, intangible, and bing merely in contemplation of the law. # 8221 ; In the Webster # 8217 ; s College Dictionary corporation is defined as # 8220 ; an association of persons, created by jurisprudence and holding an being apart from that of its members every bit good as distinguishable and built-in powers and liabilities. # 8221 ; A corporation is divided into many units called portions of stock. The proprietors of the stock are called shareholders or stockholders. One of the advantages of integrating a concern is that because a corporation has a legal being, portions can be sold at any clip without impacting the operations of the corporation. Besides, portions can be bought at any clip. Another large advantage of integrating a concern is that corporation have limited liabilities. This means that the corporation is responsible for its ain Acts of the Apostless and duties under the jurisprudence. This characteristic protects the shareholders of the corporation because the lone fiscal loss that they may endure is limited to the sum invested. Besides, the creditors of the corporation can non travel beyond the assets of the corporation to fulfill their claims. The shareholders or the stockholders are the 1s who have control over the direction of a corporation # 8217 ; s operation and activities. They are the 1s who elect the board of managers, and the board of managers are responsible to the shareholders. Besides, the board of managers are responsible for the direction of the daily operation of the corporation. They besides decide when and how much of their income to give to the shareholders or stockholders. Another characteristic that can be an advantage of integrating a concern is that corporations may be organized for non-profit-making organisations such as colleges, infirmaries, and others human-centered intents. However, most of the corporations are organized to gain a net income for shareholders. The biggest disadvantage of a corporation is that corporations are topic to revenue enhancements. Corporations are non like proprietary and partnership signifiers of organisation, they must pay federal income revenue enhancements. Besides, shareholders must pay income revenue enhancements on any dividends distributed to them. So, all the corporations are being revenue enhancement twice and it is what is call dual revenue enhancement. There are many advantages of integrating a concern. Before any organic structure decide to make that, they should analyze every instance in a peculiar manner and make up ones mind if it is deserving it to integrate a concern. Most of the biggest concern in the universe have become corporations because it is easy to command and better manner to acquire new capital.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Evaluate the Psychometric evidence underlying Herrnsteins and Murrays Analysis on Class Structure in American Life.

Evaluate the Psychometric evidence underlying Herrnsteins and Murrays Analysis on Class Structure in American Life. Before the title essay is attempted, it is necessary to provide the reader with a brief summary of the book in which these two authors, Herrnstein and Murray analyse Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life. After which the classic Psychometric View of Intelligence will be discussed and alternative and competing theories of Intelligence will be outlined. Finally, the significance of the book in relation to its underlying assumptions will be commented on.................................................................."Enormous explanatory power" (Seligman, 1994), "Very sober, very through, and very honest book" (Sowell, 1995), "incarnation of biological determinism"(Rawat). These could be the answer to the question; "Describe The Bell Curve in just one sentence". Indeed, they are extractions from articles that make up just a few drops in the entire ocean of literature that has been generated in reply to one of the most controversial works of this decade. Unlike any other are as of Psychology, the nature v.Alfred Binet (1857–1911), inventor of the first ...nurture debate in Intelligence has become equated with extremes of political viewpoints. And, certainly in 1994, the authors of The Bell Curve seem to have instigated a spiral of debate amongst the scientific (and non-scientific) community across the world.The general aim of the publication was to analyse the class structure in American life, and thereby illuminate the factors that they, (the authors) believe account for and successfully explain the increasing divide between the 'Cognitive Elite', at the extreme right of the statistical bell curve and the emerging 'Underclass' at the extreme left. This, according to Herrnstein and Murray, this is the way in which American society is shaped - in a symmetrical, normal distribution which houses majority of it's population in the middle portion of the curve.Indeed many human characteristics such as 'height' and 'weight' fit the curve well, and these characteristics are commonly known...

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Blooms Taxonomy of Education and its use in Nursing Education Essay

Blooms Taxonomy of Education and its use in Nursing Education - Essay Example It is apparent that chronic illness is naturally incurable. The indications of these chronic disease factors are constant and unremitting; thus, as regards cognition, the emphasis of nursing should be on care, supportive, and preventative procedures when a patient undergoes unavoidable disease deterioration. The nurses and other health care providers have to learn how to manage chronic diseases in order for them to be able to help chronically ill patients attain independence. An appropriate self-management plan for chronic disease is one of the major cognitive challenges to nurses (Larkin & Burton, 2008). In order to successfully accomplish this, health care professionals should be able to recall information about the patient (knowledge), understand the issues confronted by the patient (comprehension), apply the knowledge gained from interacting with the patient and the other medical staffs (application), differentiate assumptions from facts (analysis), develop a comprehensive care plan (synthesis), and evaluate the value and quality of the care plan (evaluation). On the other hand, the ‘affective domain’ focuses on feelings, core intentions, and attitudes, and thus is strongly applicable to the caring profession of nurses (Emerson, 2007). It is vital that chronically ill patients are empowered and inspired to help themselves. Therefore, nurses should learn to listen attentively and sincerely to their patients (receiving), to show eagerness to respond (responding), to express commitment and develop individualized treatment plan (valuing), to embrace professional ethical codes as regards management of chronic illness (organization), and to work in a team (internalizing values). The third domain—the ‘psychomotor’—involves exercise of motor skills, coordination, and physical aspects (Quinn, 2000). Within this domain, the nurse should learn to observe and compare the behavior of a chronically ill patient to another patient (imitation). In this way,

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Analysis of Advertisements English Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Analysis of Advertisements English - Essay Example The Durex Company produced one prominent set of condom advertisements. These advertisements appeal to a wide audience, utilizing an approach that is unique relative to other condom advertisements. In considering the Durex ads, it’s noted that, †because there’s so much potential to make easy, tasteless jokes, condom advertising requires a more delicate touch; great ads should make us think a little bit harder before rewarding us with the punch line† (Rideout). When examining the overriding communication mechanisms of these advertisements, it’s clear they capture this delicate touch. The most overriding persuasive technique these condom advertisements use is humor, with all the Durex ads implementing a subtle form of wit. Within this spectrum, the advertisements then can be divided along lines of whether they promote the condoms based on safety or enjoyment. For instance, one advertisement features a bed with four framed pictures on a nightstand next to it. The individuals in the advertisements are staring at the bed with shocked faces. Below the visual elements the advertisement contains the tagline, â€Å"Have the sex you tell your friends you have† (Rideout) and a picture of Durex condoms. ... While this advertisement is highly minimal in its presentation, it is highly effective; the minimal visual style functions to enhance the power of the textual message, encouraging customers to greatly consider the essential need to purchase Durex condoms over other brands. Another prominent style of condom advertising was made for Doc Morris Pharmacies. Created by the Grey Worldwide Advertising Agency from Dusseldorf, Germany, the advertisements are for extra safe latex condoms. As the advertisements are for extra safe latex condoms, it should be no surprise that the underlining intentions of these advertisements are to promote the reliability and sturdiness of the brand. While the Durex brand had attempted to emphasize safety concerns, it appears that in this instance the advertisement works to create a market-share through the cultivation of this safety concept. Also similar to the Durex advertisements, humor is used as a major element in the persuasive technique. The advertisement s themselves contain cartoon visual depictions of sperm swimming with a white background. In one version the sperm leading the others has a haircut and mustache that clearly depicts it as Hitler. In another version the sperm contains a beard and a Middle Eastern head arrangement, ostensibly depicting it as Osama Bin Laden. The obvious rhetorical technique implemented here is that in not purchasing a condom, or in purchasing a competitor’s condom, the individual runs the risk of having an undesired child that could potentially become a terrorist or dictator. The humorous elements of these advertisements are very high and successful, however one questions if they have perhaps sacrificed reliability and client trust for

Monday, November 18, 2019

Contemporary Future Trends Executive Memo Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Contemporary Future Trends Executive Memo - Essay Example A common tendency however is to think that current crime trends and violence in prisons and such issues are contemporary because of some social criteria that causes these problems. Security over the years has evolved to a commercial business. Most people have realized the need for commercial security. (Bayley and Shearing, 2001), illustrated on their report that majority of investors who invested in the security industry have got their investment in double. It is important to note that the knowledge, regulation and the impact private security has over the community is evolving daily. While some people have shown interest in the current and future industry trends, the majorities are still fond and prefer the traditional blue-colored police force services (Manning, 2005). The privatization of the security industry is a very delicate matter and if not handled wisely could lead to polarization of security agencies, segregation of some communities especially the marginalized groups. In order to stay informed on the recent developments and trends, it is important to observe its effects on the contemporary world. In keeping up with the current trends, law enforcement agencies and courts have as well been highly influenced to shape up according to the contemporary social expectations. Much influence has been from Hollywood films and television shows. Television shows such as Boston Legal, Law & Order and the like are a major influence on the emerging trends in the courts and Law enforcement. Countries like Russia have eventually adopted the jury system and a lot of credit goes to the television films on the importance of the jury system. It is important for policymakers to decide on the best and most effective way to implement laws and policies and ensure that the social trends expected by the society. There also should be an evaluation of the best approach to take so that a community

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Globalisation and the Global City

Globalisation and the Global City Introduction Globalization, it is not a new phenomenon (Stead, 2012) but has massive influenced in the late 20th century around the world, which has strongly affected on urban system in Europe, economics, political, cultural, environmental dimensions. People speculate and make hypothesis about globalization is related to competitiveness of cities with strong economic, innovative and creative ideas or structure on city planning. Most of researches about competitive city are premised on cities do compete to each other, however, few scholars do question about it. What is competitiveness? Is it comparison with others? What aim do they want to achieve? Definition of competitiveness The definition of competitiveness is different in several aspects. For companies, it is ability to produce products and service to meet the needs of customers and make maximum profit. For nations, it is degree to extend peoples income and maintain harmony of country with specific conditions within the world (OECD, 1994). For cities, it is an ability to generate better life, better goods, and better investment (Oyelaran-Oyenika, 2013). Competition is everywhere, but to what extent can be defined as competition between cities. It is hard to clearly contend and identify do cities or regions compete, in terms of different dimensions of definition in competition, and different contentions. The competition is between nations- states or cities and regions? It is hard to clarify which one is it, can the competition between cities be the one within states? London as a city usually presents as United Kingdom in global ranking. Such as in wealth of country ranking, technically, most of GDP are from London, which literally can present United Kingdom. This paper is to discover whether cities or regions compete to each other or not, and what do they compete for. Generally, there are two different criteria: economics aspect, and innovation or creativity. To question is global city can present competitive city? Some emerging challenges from globalization, technology changes, new economy, demographic density, and uncertainty for cities and regions. Cities compete? Very few studies have showed cities dont compete. Krugman (1995) contends that cities and regions do not compete to each other, they are fields for companies to compete for innovative and creative people and market.ÂÂ   Nevertheless, Porter (2016), has argued that cities compete to each other. Cities compete in different ways from state-nations, they dont compete to win trading or assert the territory, which nations-states do. Moreover, it is not like business competition, cities competition doesnt concentrate on any single object to make the maximum profit. They do compete funds from government, tourism, population of the city, wealth, employment, investment and good reputation across the country or within the world (Begg, 1999; Saez, 2015; Favero, 2016; Ratcliffe, 2006; Stewart, 1996). The prevailing urban policies are concentrated on social circumstances, affordable housing, for example, these are important for cities competitiveness (Porter, 1994). Such as, in UK, there was a competition for cities and towns, to elect the best city or town through notable feature, significantly regionally/nationally, historical features and forward looking attitude (UK gov., 2001). The title from the competition may lead lots of effects for the city. Competitiveness of city is deemed performance of city occasionally, and it can present quality of life (Begg, 1999; Rogerson, 1999). Production of city is dynamic measurement for citys competitiveness. The main key indicators of competitiveness: economics, technological innovation, environment, global linkages, government management, and social cohesion (Ni, 2013). However, most of researches intensify on economics. In Faveros (2016) paper, he referred that hard economics, such as, cost of labour and employment rate of city are the most common hard economics factors to be discussed in citys competitiveness. When employment rate is higher than others may mean that the city is more competitive. On the contrary, open urban climate may influence competitiveness and is more like soft economics in urban development. Porter (1998) has stated that environment does affect cities competitiveness, economic extension or development may be solution for city growth. In the past, cities could compe te for goods and services, due to the fast- changing environment, contemporary, people is crucial element. Florida (2002) has built 3Ts model, which includes technology, talent and tolerance, these three factors attract creative people flow into cities and lead citys growth. Additionally, Crossa (2016) has asserted that creative city is capable to attract all kinds of professional people turns to be more competitive in this world at present. Cities which are more diverse and innovative may lead inflow of population. Innovative and creative people are fundamental to cities and regions; they are implements to interest firms and investment, lead success and economics growth for the areas (Paas, 2012). However, major competition in cities and regions is unclear or be demonstrated, there are multi- objectives in different areas to compete for, conversely, firms have clear single objective in competition- profits (Porter, 2016). Consequence from competition. Globalization is one of trends in governments, cities are facing some challenges about financial pressure, national security, institutional relations and role of government changing, environmental degradation, cultural and social changing, and lead to borderless, increasing competition and cooperation within cities and regions (Ratcliffe, 2006). Cities can borrow successful ideas and practices from other cities through globalization (Stead, 2012). It may bring legislative and administrative changes of localized institutions and policies, and raise competitiveness in cities and regions. However, while competition is happening, cooperation is acting simultaneously, such as, INTERREG Programme; it is facilitated cooperation by the EU with planners around Europe for their common development. In addition, cooperation between cities and regions can developed by making sister cities to build networking and promote cultural notions. Brakman (2015) claims that cooperation by having twinning c ities can decrease transaction cost and significantly grow faster, which facilitate cities more competitive. Tosic (2007) also asserts that cooperation may lead stronger competitiveness and strategies of planning. Continuing from INTERREG Programme in Europe aids countries, cities, counties, or regions to address problems and derive experiences and apply new approaches from others, also cope with variety of things from different fields. B-Team, it is one of projects from INTERREG Programme which is about development of brownfield before greenfield land as a principle of continuous growth in Belfast, it was involved 14 partners from 11 different countries ran for three years to regenerate brownfield to be more efficient for communities and aimed to help partners to improve regeneration policies and developed integration of planning process. This project illustrates transferability by publishing to share with others who are interesting in it and may adopt it (B-Team, 2012). Significan tly, it has great influence on investment. The participatory urban planning is a method to attract investors, stakeholders and actors to charm their interest and find out innovative solutions and procedures. Cooperation in this project do affect in regeneration process, and learn wider range of implements and manners, additionally, raising competitive in the city. Once city is more competitive, it possesses advantageous position in competitions. Competition between cities and regions has successfully attracted government and investors with forcing local institutions and governance to develop and reform (Lever, 1999). Competitive city generates economic growth and wealth with extending local market, creating opportunities and jobs for commonality, allocating more funds for infrastructures and planning (Oyelaran-Oyenika, 2013). Being competitive attracts creative and innovative individuals and corporations gather. For example, in China, economic boom has been leading strongly influence on construction, which causes more competition between cities. Beijing and Shanghai, two colossal cities were competing the opera houses, which was designed by famous French architect. Contemporary, these constructions have successfully attracted attentions, also brought enormous influence for city (Wyne, 2006). It may lead tourism growth, and economic growth indirectly. The competition can arouse faithfulness and pride of residents and people m ay understand local authorities agenda better. Gospodini (2002) contends there are two parts of cities, which are opposite extremes in European urban system, metropolitan cities and smaller peripheral cities without indigenous resources for development. Rural regions may be more active to competition than urban regions, and try to stand out from it to get more opportunities for region and be more competitive to increase attention in certain competition. However, competition has driven by localized government and institutions, which may lead different results. The Three Sisters competition which is running within Southern Ireland- Waterford, Kilkenny and Wexford, competing the title of European Capital of Culture 2020. The title may bring tourism growth for the county, which lead economic growth in rural and urban area of Ireland. The competition is taking place in 2015 and 2016, which is a long-term form of planning, the result will be released in 2020. For years competing to each other, leading higher reputation and more well kn own, this title may bring growth of tourism and investment, having impact on economic growth. The reputation of the city would boom in the world, especially in Europe. City would have more funds from national government, retrieve local authorities with economic growth. In order to win the competition, local government may propose some policies for locuss development. There may be some special constructions or operations to stress on their characteristics, renewing heritages, or re-planning the place. However, there are some issues in rural area, three counties have limited fiscal resources and innovative ideas, which may cause passive operations on promoting. In Waterford city, for example, promotion flags of the competition are hung in city centre, but realistic situation is that few people have heard or weak understanding or confused about the aim of competition. There is no practical action to promote or implement it from localized government. This is a huge problem for regions o utside metropolitan area. It is important to courage and regenerate area through central authoritys support on centralized or decentralized planning. Global cities Global cities can be seen as competitive cities, which relate to different dimensions in economics, political, informative, cultural, societal, services concepts (Teece, 1990). The overall of global cities index in top 25 is assumption of business activity, human capital, information exchange, cultural experience and political engagement. The first bar chart below (Figure 1.1) displays that global elites are London, New York, and Paris which are hub of cultures, politics and economics with strong business activity and performance of labour, creativity (human capital). The top three have massive gap from last three in the ranking, in terms of strong business activities and performance of labour. Surprisingly, San Francisco and Boston take place in top 5 of good performance of city (Figure 1.2) based on personal well- being, economics, innovation, and governance. Nevertheless, it stands out from other cities may due to endeavour and implementation on innovation. Conversely, Houston instead of Paris or Tokyo squeezes into top 5; four out of five are cities from America, which can be presumed that America has advantageous position on economic and innovation in the world. These two bar charts prove that economic and innovation are the main reasons for city to be global city or competitive city. Figure 1.1 The Top 25 Global Cities Index, Rank and Score Source: A.T. Kearney, 2016 citied in Peterson, 2016, p2. Figure 1.2 The Top 25 Global Cities Outlook, Rank and Score Source: A.T. Kearney, 2016 citied in Peterson, 2016, p2. Evolving challenges Being ranked as a global city can be seen as a city with well competitiveness in environmental, political, spatial, social sites in order to further widen development. The competitive advantages have enormous influence on social welfare, politics position, public infrastructures, local services, financial support, media service, tourism planning, educational support and organization, international trading and may easily become headquarter of company or investment (Han 2005). Nevertheless, some issues and challenges have emerged, such as, new economy, technological changes, demographic density, urban design, and uncertainty (Ratcliffe, 2006). Globalization forces to transfer into new global economy, which may make different trends of competitiveness, politics, welfare, environment, investment and connectivity with others. To carter to sustain competitiveness, policies should be modified. Sometimes, planning policies hardly identify trends or require long-term periods to adapt it. While technological changes, informational functions are affected and implement of communication within cities and regions, progress equipment may influence progress and service. If city doesnt follow up technological changes, probably, it would lose competitive advantage in new era. Inflow of migrants is phenomenon of competitive city, extension of population strongly impacts on urban planning, affordable housing, work opportunities, criminal issues, transportation, greenfield, environmental problems, public infrastructures, education, and quality of life. Urban design and planning in competitive city consider about aesthetics objects, environme ntal dimension, political pressure, economic constraints, residential conditions. Approaches of planning are complex and uncertain, they suppose to adapt into dynamic changes, which means they should be creative and innovative strategies to prepare future changes. Evolving challenges from competition between cities and regions- Globalization is happening, transnational capital and international flows of labours are strongly influenced by it. Conclusion The competition between cities and regions do happen, meanwhile, so do cooperation. Both of them are crucial for cities to be global city. Many evidences demonstrate that cities and regions engage with competitiveness and cooperation (Tosic, 2007; Teece, 1990). The department of trade and industry of UK has published a report (2005) about the position in EU, and it clearly asserts that they do support the competition and open market in Europe in order to attract more creative people and investment, and reinforce on innovation and competition. The competition could encourage cities or regions have new ideas, moving forward, becoming different and better. There are more advantages than disadvantages in cities and regions competition, which brings diversity and implementation. If there is no competition between cities and regions, people dont want to move on, no motivation to improve or change themselves, and no city growth. Less opportunities for city, outflow of population, city will face recession. No one want to get better, city wont be better and wont catch the changing world and eventually, be deserted by the world.ÂÂ   With competitiveness, cities have proven more successful in long term. However, competition and cooperation are acting simultaneously, both are crucial for city growth, it is important to find the balance of them. The solution for evolving challenges may be decentralized in urban area. Localized authority should widen the concentration from centre, regenerating field, identifying role of authorities, following trends of globalization, cooperating with cities, more acquisition of knowledge from others. References Anonymous, 2001. UK Government: Fifteen cities compete for grant of a lord mayoralty. Press release, 25 October 2001. AK Kearney, 2016. Global Cities 2016.[Online] Available at: https://www.atkearney.com/research-studies/global-cities-index/current-research-detail> [Accessed 16 December 2016]. Begg, I., 1999. City and Competitiveness. Urban Studies, [e-journal] 36(5-6), 795-809. Available through: University College London Library website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/library> [Accessed 25 November 2016]. Brakman, S., Garretsen, H., Oumer, A., 2015. Town Twinning and German City Growth. Regional Studies, [e-journal] 50(8), pp.1420-1432. http://www-tandfonline-com.libproxy.ucl.ac.uk/doi/abs/10.1080/00343404.2015.1023282. Crossa, V., Moore, N., 2016. Innovating to Compete: Dublin as Smart and Creative City. Building Material, [e-journal] 18(1), 84-88. Available through: University College London Library website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/library> [Accessed 15 December 2016]. Department of Trade and Industry, 2005.Department of Trade and Industry Departmental Report 2005. [pdf] London: Department of Trade and Industry. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/272133/6536.pdf> [Accessed 10 December 2016]. EU (European Union), 2012. B-Team Final Report: Brownfield Policy [pdf] INTERREG IVC. Available at: https://www.ioer.de/fileadmin/internet/IOER_Projekte/PDF/FB_L/Final_Report_short_B-Team.pdf> [Accessed 03 December 2016]. Favero, A., 2016. City Competitiveness in Poland: Innovative strategies and local governance in a globalized world The case of Poznan. [pdf] University of Edinburgh. Available at: http://www.regionalstudies.org/uploads/Adrian_Favero_-_City_Competitiveness_in_Poland_The_Case_of_Poznan.pdf> [Accessed 02 December 2016]. Florida, R., 2002. The Rise of Creative Class. The Washington Monthly, [e-journal] 34(5), 15-25. Available through: University College London Library website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/library> [Accessed 29 November 2016]. Gospodini, A., 2002. European Cities in Competition and the New Uses of Urban Design. Urban Design. [Online] Available at: http://www.scholars-on-bilbao.info/fichas/GospodiniJUD2002.pdf> [Accessed 10 December 2016]. Han, S. S., 2005. Global city making in Singapore: a real estate perspective. Progress Planning, [e-journal] 64(2), 69-175. Available through: University College London Library website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/library> [Accessed 16 December 2016]. Krugman, P., 1995. Competition, cooperation, and innovation: Organizational arrangements for regimes of rapid technological process. Economic Behaviour and Organization, [e-journal] 18(1), 1-25. Available through: University College London Library website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/library> [Accessed 18 November 2016]. Lever, W. F.,1999. Competitive City In Europe. Urban Studies, [e-journal] 36(5-6), 1029-1044. Available through: University College London Library website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/library> [Accessed 16 November 2016]. Lever, W. F., Turok, I., 1999. Competitive City: Introduction to the Review. Urban Studies, [e-journal] 36(5-6), 791-793. Available through: University College London Library website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/library> [Accessed 16 November 2016]. Ni, P., Wei, J., 2013. Global Urban Sustainable Competitiveness: a comprehensive analysis. In: P. Ni, P. K. Kresel, W. Liu, ed. 2015. The Global Urban Competitiveness Report 2013. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Pub. Ltd. Ch.3. OECD, 1994. Trends in International Trade. OECD Economics Outlook, [e-journal] 56, 38-49. Available through: University College London Library website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/library> [Accessed 15 November 2016]. Oyelaran-Oyenika, B., 2013. Social and technological innovations in the competitiveness of cities. In: P. Ni, P. K. Kresel, W. Liu, ed. 2015. The Global Urban Competitiveness Report 2013.Cheltenham : Edward Elgar Pub. Ltd. Ch.9. Paas, T., Halapuu, V., 2012, Economic Growth in the Framework of Floridas 3T Model: Theoretical Considerations and Empirical Evidence, An Enterprise Odyssey. International Conference Proceedings. Europe, 13-16 June 2012. Zagreb: Croacia. Porter, M. E., 1994. A Competitive Advantages of Far Eastern Business: A Response. Asia Pacific Business Review, [e-journal] 1(2), 1-2. Available through: University College London Library website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/library> [Accessed 18 December 2016]. Porter, M. E., 1998. Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors. [e-book] New York: The Free Press. Available through: Scribd website https://www.scribd.com/> [Accessed 18 December 2016]. Porter, M. E., 2016. Inner-City Economic Development. Economic Development Quarterly, [e-journal] 30(2), 105-116. Available through: University College London Library website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/library> [Accessed 18 December 2016]. Ratcliffe, J., Kelly, R., Gannon, J., 2006. The Competitive Global City 2030: a Future Approach. Future Academy, [Online] Available at: http://arrow.dit.ie/futuresacart/> [Accessed 02 December 2016]. Rogerson, R. J., 1999. Quality of Life and City Competitiveness. Urban Studies, [e-journal] 36(5-6), 969-985. Available through: University College London Library website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/library> [Accessed 05 December 2016]. Saez, L., Perianez, I., 2015. Benchmarking urban competitiveness in Europe to attract investment. Cities, [e-journal] 36(5-6), 969-985. Available through: University College London Library website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/library> [Accessed 05 December 2016]. Stead, D., 2012. Best Practices and Policy Transfer in Spatial Planning. Planning Practice and Research, [e-journal] 27(1), 103-116. Available through: University College London Library website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/library> [Accessed 18 November 2016]. Stewart, M.,1996. Competition and competitiveness in urban policy. Public Money Management, [e-journal] 16(3), pp.21-26. http://www-tandfonline-com.libproxy.ucl.ac.uk/doi/pdf/10.1080/09540969609387929?needAccess=true. Teece, D. J., 1990. Competition, cooperation, and innovation: Organizational arrangements for regimes of rapid technological process. Economic Behaviour and Organization, [e-journal] 18(1), 1-25. Available through: University College London Library website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/library> [Accessed 15 December 2016]. Tosic, I., 2007. City-regions in Europe: The potentials and the realities. The Town Planning Review, [e-journal] 78(6), 775-795. Available through: University College London Library website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/library> [Accessed 17 December 2016]. Wyne. A., 2006. Chinese cities compete for dynamic opera houses. Architectural Record, [e-journal] 194(7), 38-38. Available through: University College London Library website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/library> [Accessed 16 December 2016].

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Family Resource Centers Essay -- Social Work Children Papers

Family Resource Centers Half the children in this country live in homes in which one or both parents work. Twelve million children in this country do not have health insurance, and over 4.5% of all children are victims of suspected child abuse or neglect (Doktor and Poertner). Believe it or not, these are all indicators of the demand for Family Resource Centers within our school systems. Many question whether Family Resource Centers are worth the money the state pours into them. However, in serving students, parents and teachers, there should be no question of their significance. Due to The Kentucky Education Reform Act in the early 1990's we have seen the development of Family Resource Centers in Kentucky, and they are fulfilling expectations and serve a valuable purpose in spite of some skepticism. Being a social work major and growing up in a school system under KERA, I know that family resource centers are important and that all parents, students and teachers need to be informed of all the good they do for a community. To address these points we will discuss the purpose of family resource centers the controversy that surround them and their effectiveness. Background of Family Resource Centers Before we can look at the purpose and the controversy around Family Resource Centers, we must first consider their background and what Family Resource Centers are. According to an Orientation Guide for Newly Employed FR/YSC Coordinators published by Morehead State University's College of Education, Family Resource Centers originated in the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990. Section 18 of the historical document called for the establishment of a system of statewide coordination of child service agencies though a school base... ... Blocks for Success: States of States Kentucky." Education Week 21.17 (10 Jan 2002):119 Fact Search. Camden Carroll Lib. Morehead State University. 27 Oct 2013. Jones, Doug. Personal Interview. 2.Dec.2013. Messer, David. Personal Interview. 3 Nov. 2013. Rose, Harold. "Preface. "Orientation Guide for Newly Employed FR/YSC Coordinators." Morehead State University College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, May 1991: 1 "Student and Family Support." Kentucky Department of Education: (9 Sept 2003). 3 Nov. 2013 http://www.kentuckyschools.net. Wojciechowski, A. "Assuring the Effective Advanced Degree Nurse as Clinical Education Program Manager." Internet Journal of Advanced Nursing Practice: 5.2 (Jun 2002):43 Academic Search Premier. EBSCO Host. Camden Carroll Lib. Morehead State University. 27 Oct 2013.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Fluke, or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings Chapter 21~22

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE I Lick the Body Electric The Maui sunset had set the sky on fire and everything in the bungalow had taken on the glowing pink tone of paradise – or hell, depending on where you were standing. Clay dismembered the bird and put the severed pieces on a platter to transport them to the grill. â€Å"You'll need something to bring those in on,† Clair said. Her dress was a purple hibiscus-flower print, and the orchid she wore in her hair looked like lavender dragonflies humping. She was dicing pickles into the macaroni salad. â€Å"What's wrong with this?† Clay held up the plate with the raw chicken. â€Å"You can't use the same plate. You'll get salmonella.† â€Å"Fine, fuck it,† Clay said, tossing the plate into the yard. The chicken parts bounced nicely, breading themselves with a light coating of sand, ants, and dried grass. â€Å"When did chicken become like plutonium anyway, for Christ's sake? You can't let it touch you or it's certain fucking death. And eggs and hamburgers kill you unless you cook them to the consistency of limestone! And if you turn on your fucking cell phone, the plane is going to plunge out of the sky in a ball of flames? And kids can't take a dump anymore but they have to have a helmet and pads on make them look like the Road Warrior. Right? Right? What the fuck happened to the world? When did everything get so goddamn deadly? Huh? I've been going to sea for thirty damned years, and nothing's killed me. I've swum with everything that can bite, sting, or eat you, and I've done every stupid thing at depth that any human can – and I'm still alive. Fuck, Clair, I was unconscious for an hour underwa ter less than a week ago, and it didn't kill me. Now you're going to tell me that I'm going to get whacked by a fucking chicken leg? Well, just fuck it then!† He didn't know where to go, so he came back in and slammed the screen door behind him, then opened it and slammed it again. â€Å"Goddamn it!† And he stood there, breathing hard. Not really looking at anything. Clair put down her knife and pickle, then wiped her hands. As she came toward Clay she pulled a large bobby pin from the back of her hair, and her long, thick locks cascaded down her back. She took Clay's right hand and kissed each of his fingertips, licked his thumb, then took his index finger in her mouth and made a show of removing it slowly and with maximum moisture. Clay looked at the floor, shaking. â€Å"Baby,† she said as she placed the bobby pin firmly between Clay's wet thumb and index finger, â€Å"I need you to go over to that wall and take this bobby pin and insert it ever so firmly into that electrical outlet over there.† Clay looked up at her at last. â€Å"Because,† she continued, â€Å"I know that you aren't mad at me and that you're just grieving for your friends, but I think you need to be reminded that you aren't invulnerable and that you can hurt even more than you do now. And I think it would be better if you did it yourself, because otherwise I'll have to brain you with your own iron skillet.† â€Å"That would be wrong,† Clay said. â€Å"It is a cruel world, baby.† Clay took her in his arms and buried his face in her hair and just stood there in the doorway for a long time. Amy had been missing for thirty-two hours. That morning a fisherman had found her kayak washing against some rocks on Molokai and had called the rental company in Maui. A life jacket was still strapped on the front of the boat, he said. The Coast Guard had stopped looking already. â€Å"Now, let me go,† Clair said. â€Å"I have to get that chicken out of the yard and rinse it off.† â€Å"I don't think we should eat that.† â€Å"Please. I'm going to cook it up for Kona. You're taking me out.† â€Å"I am?† â€Å"Of course.† â€Å"After I stick this in the outlet, right?† â€Å"You can grieve, Clay – that's as it should be – but you can't feel guilty for being alive.† â€Å"So, I don't have to stick this in the outlet?† â€Å"You used foul language at me, baby. I don't see any way around it.† â€Å"Oh, well, that's true. You go get Kona's chicken out of the yard. I'll do this.† On the second morning after Amy was lost at sea, Clay walked to the seaside, a rocky beach between some condos north of Lahaina – too short for morning runners, too shallow for a bathing crowd. He stood on an outcropping of rocks with the waves crashing around him and tried to let pure hatred run out of his heart. Clay Demodocus was a guy who liked things, and among the things he had liked the most was the sea, but this morning he held nothing but disdain for his old friend. The sapphire blue was indifferent, the waves elitist. She'd kill you without even learning your name. â€Å"You bitch,† Clay said, loud enough for the sea to hear. He spit into her face and walked back home. That old trickster Maui had been sitting on a rock nearby watching, and he laughed at Clay's hubris. Maui admired a man with more balls than brains, even a haole. He cast a small blessing at the photographer – just a trinket for the laugh, a trifling little mango of magic – and then he headed off to the great banyan tree to fog the film of Japanese tourists. Back in what was now only his office, Clay dug Amy's resume out of his files and made the call. He braced himself, trying to figure out how, exactly, he was going to tell these strangers that their daughter was missing and assumed to have drowned. He felt sad and alone, and his elbow hurt from the jolt of electricity he'd taken the night before. He didn't want to do this. He reached for the phone, then stopped and closed his eyes, as if he could make the whole thing go away, but on the back of his eyelids he saw the face of his mother as he had last seen her, looking up at him out of her barrel of brine, â€Å"Make the call, you pussy. If anyone knows how not to get bad news, it's you. Part of loyalty is following up, you sniveling coward. Don't be like your brothers.† Ah, sweet Mama, Clay thought. He dialed the phone – a number with a 716 area code, Tonawanda, New York. It rang three times, and the recorded operator came on, saying that the number he'd reached was not in service at this time. He checked it, then dialed the next number down, which also turned out not to be working. He called Tonawanda information for Amy's parents, and the operator told him there was no such listing. At a loss, he called Woods Hole Oceanographic Center, where Amy had gotten her master's. Clay knew one of her advisers, Marcus Loughten, an irascible Brit who had worked at Woods Hole for twenty years and was famous in the field for his work in underwater acoustics. Loughten answered on the third ring. â€Å"Loughten,† Loughten said.: â€Å"Marcus, this is Clay Demodocus. We worked together on –  » â€Å"Yes, Clay, I bloody know who you are. Calling from Hawaii, are you?† â€Å"Well, yes, I – ; â€Å"Probably, what, seventy-eight degrees with a breeze? It's seven below zero Fahrenheit here. I'm out installing bloody sound buoys in a monthlong blizzard to keep right whales from getting run over by supertankers.† â€Å"Right, the sound buoys. How are those working out?† â€Å"They're not.† â€Å"No? Why not?† â€Å"Well, right whales are stupid as shit, aren't they? It's not like a supertanker is quiet. If sound was going to deter them, then they'd be bloody well deterred by the engine noise, wouldn't they? They don't make the connection. Stupid shits.† â€Å"Oh, sorry to hear that. Uh, why keep doing it then?† â€Å"We have funding.† â€Å"Right. Look, Marcus, I need some information on one of your students who came out here to work with us. Amy Earhart? Would have been with you guys until fall of last year.† â€Å"No, I don't know that name.† â€Å"Sure you do, five-five, thin, pale, dark hair with kind of unnatural blue highlights, smart as a whip.† â€Å"Sorry, Clay. That doesn't fit any of my students.† Clay took a deep breath and trudged on. Biologists were notorious for treating their grad students as subhuman, but Clay was surprised that Loughten didn't remember Amy. She was cute, and if Clay could judge from a night of drinking he'd done with Loughten at a marine mammal conference in France, the Brit was more than a bit of a horndog. â€Å"Great ass, Marcus. You'd remember.† â€Å"I'm sure I would, but I don't.† Clay studied the resume. â€Å"What about Peter? Would he –  » â€Å"No, Clay, I know all of Peter's grad students as well. Did you call to confirm her references when you took her on?† â€Å"Well, no.† â€Å"Good work, then. Abscond with your Nikons, did she?† â€Å"No, she's missing at sea. I'm trying to contact her family.† â€Å"Sorry. Wish I could be of help. I'll check the records, just to be sure – in case I've had a ministroke that killed the part of the brain that remembers fine bottoms.† â€Å"Thanks.† â€Å"Good luck, Clay. My best to Quinn.† Clay cringed. It turned out he really wasn't up for bearing bad news. â€Å"Will do, Marcus. Good-bye.† Clay hung up and resumed staring at the phone. Well, he thought, I knew absolutely nothing about this woman that I thought I knew. Libby Quinn had already called (sobbing) to say that they should have some kind of joint service at the sanctuary for Nate and Amy, and that Clay should speak. What was he going to say about Amy? Dearly beloved, I think we all knew Amy as scientist, a colleague, a friend, a woman who showed up out of nowhere with a completely manufactured history, but I think, because she saved my life, that I came to know her better than anyone here, and I can tell you unequivocally, she was a smart aleck with a cute butt. Yeah, he'd need to work on that. Damn it, he missed them both. Clay decided to kill the day by editing video: time-eating busywork that supplied at least an imaginary escape from the real world. The afternoon found him going through the rebreather footage he'd taken on the day the whale had conked him, for the first time going past the point where he was unconscious, just to see if the camera picked up anything usable. Clay let the video run: minutes of blue water, the camera tossing around at the end of the wrist lanyard, then Amy's leg as she comes down to stop his descent. He cranked the audio. Hiss of ambient noise, then the bubbles from Amy's regulator, the slow hiss of his own breathing through the rebreather. As Amy starts to swim to the surface, the camera catches his fins hanging limply against a field of blue, then Amy's fins kicking in and out of the frame. Both their breathing is steady on the audio track. Clay looked at the time signature of the video. Fifteen minutes when the motion stops. Amy making her first decompression stop. On the audio he hears the chorus of distant singing humpbacks, a boat motor not too far off, and Amy's steady bubbles. Then the bubbles stop. The camera settles against his thigh and drifts, the lens up, catches light from the surface, then Amy's hand holding on to his buoyancy vest, reading the data off his dive computer. Her regulator is out of her mouth. On the audio there's only his breathing. The camera swings away. Ten minutes more pass. Clay listens for Amy's breathing to resume. The motion from her hooking into the rescue tank on the rebreather should move the camera, but there's just the same gentle drift. They move up. Clay guesses maybe to seventy-five feet. Amy is doing another decompression stop, doing it by the book, despite the emergency. Except he still can hear only one person breathing. She pulls him to more shallow depth. The frame lightens up, and the camera swings around, the wide angle showing Clay's unconscious form and Amy kicking, the regulator out of her mouth, looking at the surface. She hasn't used the bail-out tank on Clay's rebreather, and she hasn't taken a breath for, as far as Clay can tell, forty minutes. This can't be right. He listens, watching until the time signature shows sixty and the tape ends – the entire thing having been dubbed to the hard drive. He rewinds it on-screen, slowing down when the camera shows anything but blue, listening again. â€Å"No fucking way.† Clay backed away from the monitor, watching as the video ran out again and froze on the image of Amy holding him steady at twenty or so feet down, no regulator in her mouth. He ran out the door, calling, â€Å"Kona! Kona!† The surfer came shuffling out of his bungalow in a cloud of smoke. â€Å"Just tracking down navy spies, boss.† â€Å"Where did you guys put the rebreather? The day they took me to the hospital?† â€Å"She's in the storage shed.† Clay made a beeline for the bungalow they used to store dive and boat equipment. He waved Kona after him. â€Å"Come.† â€Å"What?† â€Å"Did you guys refill the oxygen or the bail-out tanks?† â€Å"We just rinsed it and put it in the case.† Clay pulled the big Pelican case off a stack of scuba tanks and popped the latches. The rebreather was snug in the foam padding. Clay wrenched it out onto the wooden floor and turned on the computer that was an integral part of it. He hit buttons on the display console and watched the gray liquid-crystal display cycle through the numbers. The last dive: Downtime had been seventy-five minutes, forty-three seconds. The oxygen cylinder was nearly full. The bail-out air supply was full. Full. It hadn't been touched. Somehow Amy had stayed underwater for an hour without an air supply. Clay turned to the surfer. â€Å"Do you remember anything that Nate showed you about what he was working on? I need details – I know in general.† Clay wasn't sure what he was looking for, but this had to mean something, and all he had to fall back on was Nate's research. The surfer scratched the dreadless side of his head. â€Å"Something about the whales singing binary.† â€Å"Come show me.† Clay stormed through the door and back to the office. â€Å"What you looking for?† â€Å"I don't know. Clues. Mysteries. Meaning.† â€Å"You gone lolo, you know?† CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO Deep Below, Bernard Stirs About the time that Nathan Quinn had started to master his nausea in the whale ship's constant motion (four days on board), another force started working on his body. He felt an uneasiness come over him in waves, and for twenty or so seconds he would feel as if he needed to crawl out of his skin. Then it would pass and leave him feeling a little numb for a few seconds, only to start up again. Poynter and Poe were moving around the small cabin looking at different gobs and bumps of bioluminescence as if they were gleaning some meaning from them, but, try as he might, Nate couldn't figure out what they were monitoring. It would have helped to be able to get out of the seat and take a closer look, but Poynter had ordered him strapped in after he made his first break for the back orifice. He'd nearly made it, too. Had dived at it just like he'd seen the whaley boys do, except that only one arm had gone through, and he ended up stuck to the floor of the whale, his face against the rubbery skin, his hand trailing out in the cold ocean. â€Å"Well, that was phenomenally stupid,† said Poynter. â€Å"I think I've dislocated my shoulder,† Nate said. â€Å"I should leave you there. Maybe a remora or two will latch on to your hand and teach you a lesson.† â€Å"Or a cookie-cutter shark,† said Poe. â€Å"Nasty bastards.† The whaley boys turned in their seats and snickered, bobbing their heads and blowing the occasional raspberry, which could inflict considerable moisture off a four-inch-wide tongue. Evidently Quinn was a cetacean laugh riot. He'd always suspected that, actually. Poynter got down on his hands and knees and looked Nate in the eye. â€Å"While you're down there, I'd like you to think on what might have happened if you'd been successful at launching yourself through that orifice. First, we're at – Skippy, what's the depth?† Skippy chirped and clicked a number of times. â€Å"A hundred and fifty feet. Beyond the fact that you'd probably have blown out your eardrums almost immediately, you might think on how you were going to get to the surface on one breath of air. And should you have gotten to the surface, what were you going to do then? We're five hundred miles from the nearest land.† â€Å"I hadn't worked out the whole plan,† Nate said. â€Å"So, actually, I might be looking at success, right? You just wanted to test the outside water temperature?† â€Å"Sure,† said Nate, thinking it might be best to stay agreeable. â€Å"Can you feel your hand?† â€Å"It's a little chilly, but, yes.† â€Å"Oh, good.† And so they'd left him there a couple of hours, his hand and about six inches of his arm hanging out in the open sea as the whale ship swam along, and when they finally pulled him up, they put him in his seat and kept him restrained except to eat and go to the bathroom. He'd tried to relax and observe – learn what he could – but then a few minutes ago these waves of uneasiness had started hitting him. â€Å"He's got the sonic willies,† said Poe. Poynter looked away from Skippy's console. â€Å"It's the subsonics, Doc. You're feeling the sound waves even though you can't hear them. We've been communicating with the blue for about ten minutes now.† â€Å"You might have said something.† â€Å"I just did.† â€Å"Couple of hours you'll be in the blue, Doc. You can stand up again, walk around a little. Have some privacy.† â€Å"So you're communicating with it in low-frequency sound?† â€Å"Yep. Just like you thought, Doc, there was meaning in the call.† â€Å"Yeah, but I didn't think this, that there were guys, and guylike things, riding about inside whales. How in the hell can this be happening? How can I not know about this?† â€Å"So you're giving up on the being-dead strategy?† asked Poe. â€Å"What is it? Space aliens?† Poynter unbuttoned his shirt and showed some chest hair. â€Å"Do I look like a space alien?† â€Å"Well, no, but them.† Nate nodded toward the whaley boys. They looked at each other and snickered, a sort of wheezing laughter coming from their blowholes, paused, looked back at Nate, then snickered some more. â€Å"Maybe on their planet sentient life evolved from whales rather than apes,† Quinn continued. â€Å"I can see how they might have landed here, deployed these whale ships, and kept under the radar of human detection while they looked around. I mean, man obviously isn't the most peaceful of creatures.† â€Å"That work for you, Doc?† asked Poynter. â€Å"On their planet they developed an organically based technology, rather than one based on combustion and manipulation of minerals like ours.† â€Å"Oh, that is good,† said Poe. â€Å"He's on a roll,† said Poynter. â€Å"Unraveling the mystery, he is.† Skippy and Scooter nodded to each other and grinned. â€Å"So that's it? This ship is extraterrestrial?† Quinn felt the small victory rush that one gets from proving a hypothesis – even one as bizarre as space aliens riding in whale ships. â€Å"Sure,† said Poe, â€Å"that works for me. You, Cap?† â€Å"Yeah, moon men, that's what you guys are,† Poynter said to the whaley boys. â€Å"Meep,† said Scooter. And in a high, squeaky, little-girl voice, Skippy croaked, â€Å"Phone home.† The whaley boys gave each other a high four and collapsed into fits of hysterical wheezing. â€Å"What did he say?† Nate nearly snapped his neck trying to turn around against the restraints. â€Å"They can talk?† â€Å"Well, I guess, if you call that talking,† Poe said. He exchanged high fives with Poynter at the expense of the whaley boys, who paused in their own laughter to roll the whale ship in three quick spirals, which tossed the unsecured Poe and Poynter around the soft cabin like a couple of rag dolls. Poynter came up with a bloody lip from connecting with his own knee. Poe had barked his shin on one of the whaley boys' heads as he went over. Strapped in, Nate concentrated on not watching a rerun of his lunch of raw tuna and water. â€Å"Bastards!† said Poe. â€Å"That what you expected in your race of super-intelligent, space-faring extraterrestrials, Nate?† Poynter wiped blood from his lower lip and flung it at Scooter. Carl Linnaeus, an eighteenth-century Swedish doctor who specialized in the treatment of syphilis, is credited with inventing the modern system that is used for classifying plants and animals. Linnaeus is responsible for naming the humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae, or â€Å"big wings of New England,† and later naming the blue whale Balaenoptera musculus, or â€Å"little mouse†: at 110 feet long, over a hundred tons, an animal whose tongue alone is larger than a full-grown African elephant – the largest animal to ever live on the planet. â€Å"Little mouse†? Some speculated that this ironic misnomer was perpetrated entirely to confuse Linnaeus's lab assistants, as in Run out and bring me back a â€Å"little mouse,† Sven. Others think that the pox had gone to Carl's head. Quinn was crouched over the back orifice, Skippy and Scooter holding him by either arm, Poynter and Poe crouched before him, saluting. He could feel the texture of the opening under his bare feet, like wet tire tread. â€Å"It's been a pleasure, Doc,† Poynter said. â€Å"Have a great trip.† â€Å"We'll see you back at base,† said Poe. â€Å"Now, just relax. You're barely going to contact water. Hold your nose and blow.† Quinn did. Poynter counted, â€Å"One, two –  » â€Å"Meep.† Nate was sucked out the orifice, felt a brief chill and some pressure pushing back against his ears, and found himself in a chamber only a little taller than that in the humpback, with a fairly amused woman. â€Å"You can stop blowing now,† she said. â€Å"Yet another phrase I didn't think I'd be hearing in this lifetime,† Nate said. He let go of his nostrils and took a deep breath. The air seemed fresher than in the humpback. â€Å"Welcome to my blue, Dr. Quinn, I'm Cielle Nu;ez. How do you feel?† â€Å"Pooped.† Quinn grinned. She was about his age, Hispanic with short dark hair peppered gray and wide brown eyes that caught the bioluminescence off the walls and reflected what looked like laughter. She was barefoot and wearing generic khakis like Poynter and Poe. He shook her hand. â€Å"Cute,† she said. â€Å"Come forward with me, Doctor. I'm sure it's been a while since you were able to stand up straight.† She led him down the corridor, which reminded Nate of when, as kids, he and his buddies had explored storm drains in Vancouver. It was tall enough to walk in, but not tall enough to stand in comfortably. â€Å"Actually, Cielle, I'm not a doctor. I have a Ph.D., but the doctor thing –  » â€Å"I understand. I'm captain of this rig, but if you call me ‘Captain, I'll ignore you.† â€Å"I wanted to hear the humpback sing before I left. You know, from the inside.† â€Å"You will. There'll be time.† The corridor started to widen as they moved forward, and Nate was actually able to walk normally, or as normally as one can walk when barefoot on whaleskin. This skin had a mottled appearance, whereas on the humpback it had been nearly solid gray. He noticed that on this ship there were wide veins of bioluminescence on the floor, casting a yellow light up upward that gave everything a sinister green glow. Nuà ±ez paused by what appeared to be portals on either side of them. â€Å"This is as good a place as any,† she said. â€Å"Now, turn sideways and take my hand.† Quinn did as he was asked. Her hand felt warm but dry. She was a small woman, but powerfully built, he could feel the strength in her grip. â€Å"Now, we're just going to walk as the ship moves. Don't stop until I say, or you'll fall on your ass.† â€Å"WHAT?† â€Å"Okay, Scooter, roll it.† â€Å"Scooter?† â€Å"All pilots are called Scooter or Skippy. They didn't tell you?† â€Å"They weren't very forthcoming with information.† â€Å"Humpback crews are a bunch of yahoos.† Nuà ±ez smiled. â€Å"You know the type, like navy fighter pilots topside? All ego and testosterone.† â€Å"I got more cretin than yahoo,† Nate said. â€Å"Well, with that particular bunch, yes.† The whole corridor started to move. â€Å"Here we go, step, step, step, that's good.† They were walking across the walls as the ship rolled. When they were standing on the ceiling, the roll stopped. â€Å"Nice, Scooter,† Nuà ±ez said, obviously communicating through some sort of hidden intercom. Then, to Nate, â€Å"He's so good.† â€Å"We were upside down to make the transfer?† â€Å"Exactly. You're a smart guy. Look, these are cabins. She touched a lighted node on the wall, and a skin portal folded back on itself. Again Nate was put in mind of the blowhole of a toothed whale, but it was so big, nearly four feet across, it was just†¦ unnatural. Lines of light pumped to life past the portal to reveal a small cabin, a bed – apparently made of the same skin as the rest of the interior – but also a table and a chair. Nate couldn't make out what material they might be made of, but it looked like plastic. â€Å"Bone,† Nu;ez said, noticing him noticing. â€Å"They're as much a part of the ship as the walls. All living tissue. There are shelves and cubbyholes for your stuff in the bulkheads, closed now. Obviously everything has to be stowed for little maneuvers like the one we just performed. The motion isn't as bad as on the humpbacks. You'll find you'll get used to it, and then you can move about just as if you were on land.† â€Å"You're right. I didn't even notice we were moving.† â€Å"That would be because we're not,† said Nu;ez. The sound of whaley-boy snickering wheezed down the corridor toward them. â€Å"You guys are supposed to be working,† Nu;ez said to the air. â€Å"Prepare to get under way.† She turned to Quinn. â€Å"Can I buy you a cup of joe? Maybe answer some of your questions?† â€Å"You're offering?† Quinn felt his heart jump with excitement. Information, without Poynter and Poe's goofing obfuscation? He was thrilled. â€Å"That would be fantastic.† â€Å"Don't pee all over yourself, Quinn. It's just coffee.† The corridor opened up into a large bridge. The head of the blue was huge compared to the humpback's. On either side of the entry a whaley boy stood grinning at them as they passed. They were both taller than Quinn, and unlike the Scooter and Skippy of the humpback, their skin was mottled and lighter in color. Nate paused and grinned back at them. â€Å"Let me guess – Skippy and Scooter?† â€Å"Actually, Bernard and Emily 7,† said Nu;ez. â€Å"You said they all were –  » â€Å"I said all pilots were named Skippy and Scooter.† She gestured to the front of the bridge, where two whaley boys sitting at control consoles were turning in their seats and grinning. Maybe, thought Nate, they always appeared to be grinning, much like dolphins. He'd made an amateur mistake, assuming that their facial expressions were the analog of human expressions. People often did that with dolphins, even though the animals had no facial muscles to facilitate expression. Even sad dolphins appeared to be smiling. â€Å"What are you two grinning at?† asked Nuà ±ez. â€Å"Let's get on the way.† The pilots frowned and turned back to their consoles. â€Å"Well, crap,† Nate said. â€Å"What?† â€Å"Nothing, just another theory shot in the ass.† â€Å"Yeah, this operation does that, doesn't it?† Nate felt something stirring in his back pocket and spun around to see a thin, fourteen-inch-long pink penis that was protruding from Bernard's genital slit. It waved at him. â€Å"Holy moly!† â€Å"Bernard!† Nuà ±ez snapped. â€Å"Put that away. That is not procedure.† Bernard's unit drooped noticeably from the scolding. He looked at it and chirped contritely. â€Å"Away!† Nuà ±ez barked. Bernard's willy snapped back up into his genital slit. â€Å"Sorry about that,† Nuà ±ez said to Nate. â€Å"I've never gotten used to that. It's really disconcerting when you're working with one of them and you ask them to hand you a screwdriver or something and his hands are already full. Coffee?† She led him to a small white table around which four bone chairs protruded from the floor. They looked like old-style Greek saddle chairs – no backs, organic curves, and the high gloss of living bone – but more Gaudi than Flintstone. Quinn sat while Nuà ±ez touched a node on the wall that opened a meter-wide portal that had concealed a sink, several canisters, and what looked like a percolator. Nate wondered about the electricity but forced himself to wait before asking. While Nuà ±ez prepared the coffee, Quinn looked around. The bridge was easily four times the size of the entire cabin in the humpback. Instead of riding in a minivan, it was like being in a good-size motor home – a very curvy, dimly lit motor home, but about that size. Blue light filtered in through the eyes, illuminating the pilots' faces, which shone like patent leather. Nate was starting to realize that even though everything was organic, living, the whale ship had the same sort of efficiency found on any nautical vessel: every spaced used, everything stowed against movement, everything functional. â€Å"If you need to use the head, it's back down the corridor, fourth hatch on the right.† Emily 7 clicked and squealed, and Nu;ez laughed. She had a warm laugh, not forced; it just rolled out of her smooth and easy. â€Å"Emily says it seems as if it would be more logical for the head to be in the head, but there goes logic.† â€Å"I gave up logic a few days ago.† â€Å"You don't have to give it up, just adjust. Anyway, facilities in the head are like everything on the ship – living – but I think you'll figure out the analogs pretty quickly. It's less complicated than an airliner bathroom.† Scooter chirped, and the great ship started to move, first in a fairly radical wave of motion, then smoothing out to a gentle roll. It was like being on a large sailing ship in medium seas. â€Å"Hey, a little more warning, Scooter, huh?† said Nu;ez. â€Å"I nearly dumped Nathan's coffee. Okay if I call you Nathan?† â€Å"Nate's good.† Moving with the roll of the ship, she made it back to the table and put down the two steaming mugs of coffee, then went back for a sugar bowl, spoons, and a can of condensed milk. Nate picked up the can and studied it. â€Å"This is the first thing from the outside that I've seen.† â€Å"Yeah, well, that's special request. You don't want to try whale milk in your coffee. It's like krill-flavored spray cheese.† â€Å"Yuck.† â€Å"That's what I'm saying.† â€Å"Cielle, if you don't mind my saying, you don't seem very military.† â€Å"Me? No, I wasn't. My husband and I had a sixty-foot sailboat. We got caught in a hurricane off of Costa Rica and sank. That's when they took me. My husband didn't make it.† â€Å"I'm sorry.† â€Å"It's okay. It was a long time ago. But, no, I've never been in the military.† â€Å"But the way you order the whaley boys around –  » â€Å"First, we need to clear up a misconception that you are obviously forming, Nate. I – we, the human beings on these ships – are not in charge. We're just – I don't know, like ambassadors or something. We sound like commanders because these guys would just goof off all day without someone telling them what to do, but we have no real authority. The Colonel gives the orders, and the whaley boys run the show.† Scooter and Skippy snickered like their counterparts on the humpback ship, Bernard and Emily 7 joined them – Bernard extending his prehensile willy like a party horn. â€Å"And whaley girls?† Nate nodded toward Emily 7, who grinned – it was a very big, very toothy grin, but a little coquettish in the way one might expect from, say, an ingenue with a bite that could sever an arm. â€Å"Just whaley boys. It's like the term ‘mankind, you know – alienate the female part of the race at all costs. It's the same here. Old-timers gave them the name.† â€Å"Who's the Colonel?† â€Å"He's in charge. We don't see him.† â€Å"Human, though?† â€Å"I'm told.† â€Å"You said you'd been here a long time. How long?† â€Å"Let me get you another cup, and I'll tell you what I can.† She turned. â€Å"Bernard, get that thing out of the coffeepot!†

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery Essays

Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery Essays Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery Essay Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery Essay Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery The facility started operations in 1927 with the purpose of artificial breeding and rearing of fish. One may ask why fish numbers do not deplete despite the continuous fishing in areas like Michigan that earn much revenue from fishing. This facility produces fish for stocking the lakes, streams, and rivers of the state. Transformations have been made on this hatchery since its establishment to accommodate the latest hatching machinery, and more expansions are expected in 2018. The facility operates under the Department of Natural Resources of the state of Michigan whose main objective is preservation of natural resources which are used as recreation facilities thus creating income for the state. The hatchery headed by Martha Wolgamood, the area manager, Matt Hughes is the hatcherys biologist and others who include technicians, maintenance supervisors, fish culture technicians, transportation biologist, a state worker, maintenance mechanics and a trades helper. On a need basis, the hatchery hires fisheries assistant and employees who assist in fish marking (Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 2017). The facility shares a secretary with other three facilities in the region. Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery outsources the fish health services from an Aquatic Animal Health Lab which whose base is at the Michigan State University. Equipment used at the hatchery include the fish weir for harvesting the eggs of the salmon and steelhead fish breed for further breeding. The fish pass allows fish to migrate back to their spawning grounds thus maintaining the fish population. The clarifier collects fish waste and restores the aquatic systems to natural health before getting in the ponds. A specially designed vehicle known as the Petersons stocking unit is used for fish transportation. A polyurethane foam insulates the vehicle to maintain adequate temperatures for fish. The hatchery produces a variety of fish species however they are classified as either cold water or cool water species. The former refers to fish that the hatchery breeds for stocking in either the Great Lakes waters or for cooperative groups while the cool water species are those that can be stocked in either inland waters or the Great Lakes waters. Cold water species kept at the facility include 234,477 chinook salmon spring fingerlings and 459,062 steelhead fall fingerlings trout. The walleye muskegon is the mostly stocked cool water species at 13,155,600. Other cool water species include 53,145 fall and 6,306 spring fingerlings of the Great Lakes muskellunge type. The Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery relies on grants and partnerships assistance for its continuous existence. One their partners is the Michigan Muskie Alliance a group which conserves the Muskie fishery based in Michigan. This team supports the hatchery through financial assistance, volunteer activities and educational exhibits. Other groups that partner with that hatchery include the neighbouring Kalamazoo Nature Center, Audubon Society of Kalamazoo, Michigan Trout Unlimited and the Van Buren Conservation District. Others include state and recreational grants. This hatchery and others contribute between $2.4 billion and $4.2 billion to the economy of the state through fish breeding, stocking and fish sporting activities. The facility creates employment opportunities and facilitates a balance in the ecosystem. Also, the hatchery has nature trails from which some wildlife such as birds and turtles are seen. The visitor centre teaches on the history of Great Lake Fisheries and fish ethics. In conclusion, the Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery is a fantastic place where people should visit and learn more about breeding and rearing of fish for stocking the states lakes and rivers and how it contributes to the economic development of Michigan State. If not that enjoy the hiking through the nature trails spotting various birds species. Reference Michigan Department of Natural Resources. (2017). Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery. Retrieved from michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10364_52259_28277-22498,00.html

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

How I Got Noticed on Wattpad (and Won the Wattys)

How I Got Noticed on Wattpad (and Won the Wattys) Winning the World’s Largest Online Writing Contest – A Reedsy Success Story Author Rhà ³n is brand new to the writing world, but his Frontier Fantasy novel Oakwood Grange was recently selected out of 75,000 entries for a Wattys award - an annual international contest of authors held by Wattpad. The story also earned him a â€Å"Featured† spot on the website’s homepage for a monthly audience of 45 million, and later ranked in the top 40 of the Fantasy genre (top 40 of over 200 million stories). Here he shares some tidbits about how that success came to be, how other authors might do the same and get noticed on Wattpad.â€Å"Have you heard of Wattpad?†Three years ago I met a dude named Taran Matharu who asked me this while we were riding in a tour bus up the coast of northeastern Australia. Taran was in his early twenties at the time, traveling for adventure, as I was, and typing something on a laptop that - little did we know - within months would snowball several million online readers and earn him a top-tier agent, a six-figure adva nce from a major publisher, and a position on the New York Times Best Sellers list.â€Å"It’s this website where you post your stories and people read them and leave comments,† he explained.â€Å"Ah.†I had no idea what he was talking about, for back then it had not occurred to me to â€Å"post† my writing anywhere at all. To me, as far as writing was concerned, the well-trodden path was still the best to follow (albeit steeply uphill and exhausting): first, you finish the manuscript, then you query agents and get published. That’s what authors did if they wanted to go pro.Paths are not always as clear-cut as they first appear.In the years that followed I wrote my novel Oakwood Grange, my first, basically a stewpot of strange fantasy and Western grit - a Coraline meets Little House on the Prairie kind of tale, and when I finished it I recalled that old tour bus conversation and the website Wattpad.The latter seemed like a good place to start. I wan ted to get some eyeballs on my novel in order to find out what the global public thought of my ability to tell a story. It turns out they thought quite a bit. Within months I’d gone from absolute obscurity to winning a Wattys â€Å"Hidden Gems† award and attracting over 40,000 reads.Here’s how it was done, and how you might do the same†¦A Leaf in the Wattpad Forest: How to Get NoticedFor those using Wattpad for the first time, the initial steps are simple: sign up and create a profile, write some text (or, in my case, paste some text already written), click a button that says â€Å"Publish†, and presto - an audience of 45 million instantly have access to your story.The next steps are more daunting. As I write this, there are over 200 million independent story uploads on the site, every genre you can think of, with thousands more uploading every day. It’s a virtual avalanche of fiction, and most who venture there are buried from the start.So, to get noticed, my early strategy was to look for stories that were already immensely popular. This was easy. Wattpad categorizes all works by their respective genre, and each genre has its own â€Å"Hot† list ranking all that genre’s stories by their current level of readership. Leaving an insightful comment on a top-ranking author’s story encourages them to read your own story, and hopefully vote for it as well - reads and votes which automatically re-post as notifications to that author’s followers on a public feed.Another thing I did was socialize with Wattpad’s community at large. The website has a high-traffic forums section with various discussion â€Å"Clubs† (e.g. Romance, Fantasy, Teen Fiction, Horror, Classics, etc.), places where you can post questions or responses to the other users, occasionally mentioning what you’ve written. To me, the forums proved the best place to raise awareness of my story. I created threads that I could easily tie to some aspect of  Oakwood Grange, responded considerately to what others posted in reply, and also provided useful feedback to younger authors still cutting their teeth on concepts like â€Å"inciting incident† and â€Å"theme† and â€Å"active voice.†Write masterfully. Aim for Tolkien or Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Austen, Rowling, or Dickens - not the soon-to-be-forgotten E. L. what’s-her-face or others of her ilk. People notice quality and pass it on to other people.Edit. Nobody likes typos. Revise and then revise again. If you can afford an editor, on Reedsy, for example, all the better.Make sure that your book cover is fantastic . . . or at least make sure it doesn’t suck. I did the cover to Oakwood Grange myself. It’s okay, functional by Wattpad standards, but not what I would call amazing, and admittedly not good enough for the larger publishing industry.Post your full completed manuscript. Wattpad’s system a llows stories to be serialized, but common sense will tell you that most readers don’t want to begin reading something that’s half-finished.Add tags. Tags help people find your work by searching for relevant keywords. The more specific to the story, the better.Communicate with the community. At its core, Wattpad is a social site. So socialize. If you read someone else’s work, or comment or vote on it, they’re much more likely to reciprocate. Likewise, if you make an effort to engage new readers, or keep in contact with the readers you already have, more readers will be interested.Don’t get discouraged. A common complaint among new Wattpad authors is that no one reads their work. The good news is that wattpad readers are voracious. They want something fresh and good to feed their endless cravings, and they’re always prowling for that next delicious meal. If your story is enticing, trust me - they will sniff it out.Send Wattpad a request to m ake your story 'Featured'. Obviously, a website with 200 million stories cannot put all of them on its homepage, so there is an application and review process, and of course many disappointed authors. Nevertheless, the 'Featured' list is free, and highly visible, and it can bring your story thousands of new readers every week.The Sunlight in the CanopyAt this point, you might be wondering what value an author can get from Wattpad, or what makes it worth the cost of time and effort. Indeed, the sad truth is that the website offers no direct means for its authors to make money on their work, no Amazon-esque payment system, and that means that despite the legions who have read my story I still have not yet made a penny on it. Does that bother me? Nah. Awareness is my intention here - helping people realize that my work exists and it is work worth reading. In due course I expect that all of this awareness will pay off in the form of a publishing contract, as it did for Taran, as it has for many others. And even if that doesn’t happen, my author platform is steadily rising to a good place from which to dive into self-publishing.Meanwhile, Reedsy has been exceptionally useful in connecting me with an editor, Aja Pollock, who helped refine my story’s prose to prepare it for the greater wilderness beyond Wattpad. I came here for a level of professional expertise, wordsmithing, and attention to detail not easily found in other spheres, and I was not disappointed. After all, contests are admirable, but polishing a story until every facet shines and sparkles perfectly- that’s the real gem.You can read Rhà ³n's stories on Wattpad here!  Have you tried putting your stories up on Wattpad? Have you had any success from it? Let us know your thoughts and experiences, or any question for Rhà ³n, in the comments below!

Monday, November 4, 2019

Finance and its importance In the Business world Essay

Finance and its importance In the Business world - Essay Example Usually corporations only give 7 days credit term at most is 15 days credit term. If it will go more than that then they have to seek bank loans in order to provide buffer or answer the shortfall of cash for its operating cost. A lending company has available funds for $300.00. The average amount borrowed in a month is usually $200.00. If in case, one borrower name Sally cannot pay the amount of $100.00, they still has a buffer left in the amount of $100.00. In case the borrowings on that week go as high as $300.00, then they are going to the bank to make a short term loan in lower interest rate. This thereby affects their income since the interests that they paid with the bank already eat up a portion of the income that they generate out of the transaction. Still they have to put up the funds, otherwise they cannot maintain their line of borrowers. It is the idea of financing of contingencies and seasonal peaks in working capital. Inventory is the art of warehousing. It entails a list of the raw materials, equipment and parts, office supplies needed to run the business or production without faltering. The list is readily available at the stores section or at the warehouse for the requisition of other departments.

Saturday, November 2, 2019

The constitution of the United States Research Paper

The constitution of the United States - Research Paper Example In addition, the US’ constitution’s interpretation, political stability, principal nature of the constitution, and its invariability have become the most important distinctiveness that have guided the civilization process that the country has undergone in order to become the world’s super-power. This expose elucidates on the United States constitution while considering its contents and drafting process as a basis for discussion. Importantly, the constitution drafting occurred during a time that the country faced the problems of peacetime government, which is the period between 1775 and 1783.1In effect, this underlines the emphasis that nations draft their constitutions. In this regard, it is evident that most nations drafted their constitutions during a time of conflict or during crisis that the nations wanted to resolve. In effect, America’s constitution was a result of leading political leaders such as George Washington and Alexander Hamilton who led the discussion on how to create a strong government that enforced laws that aimed at making the country powerful and united. In effect, these statesmen wanted a nation that negotiated with the Indian tribes who were the native communities in the country, a government that addressed the payment of a large national debt. In addition, it was important to bring the nation together in order to pay the large national debt that the country was facing. This way, the constitution was essential in helping the nation pay its debts by regulating trade within and outside its boundaries and collecting taxes, which could not be possible without a new constitution.3 In this regard, the Articles of Confederation failed to specify the laws that authorized the government to collect taxes from its citizens. It is important to consider the representative nature that led to the drafting and writing of the US constitution. In this regard, the very nature of the authors of the constitution makes it a document to behold by citizens and residents of the US since it contains a rich history regarding the drafters. In this case, the authors of the constitution were the founding fathers who became the Framers of the constitution.4 The framers constituted special delegates who represented different States, ethnic groups, professions, and different backgrounds, which enhanced their representativeness of diversity in the US. In effect, the group involved people and professions as diverse as it involved retired soldiers, ordinary citizens, politicians, jurists, diplomats, and teachers, retired soldiers whose role was to review the Articles of Confederation and effectively formulated the Constitution of the United States.5 In effect, the diverse nature of the Framers ensured the input of all Americans to develop the document that has shaped the American life through different periods. The role of the Framers was not to draw the constitution of the United States. However, the constitutional conventional that Hamilton helped bring and met in Philadelphia, in 1787 was expected to revise the Articles of Confederation, which acted as the law in the United States.6 Nonetheless, the delegates in the conventional, that later became to be known as the Framers, embarked on a process that aimed at writing a plan for