Juvenille Diabetes Research foundation describe how it helps the Essay

Juvenille Diabetes Research foundation describe how it helps the community - Essay Example JDRF facilitates research to identify ways to gain maximum results with least inconvenience to the individuals suffering from diabetes. A lot of children as well as adults in our country are suffering from obesity. To make it worse, obesity comes with numerous side-effects including high blood pressure and diabetes. Research conducted by JDRF tends to find cure for such diseases as diabetes and high blood pressure. â€Å"JDRF is committed to improving the lives of the type 1 diabetes community by keeping you informed about the latest developments in type 1 diabetes research and by providing a range of support services to help you from initial diagnosis through to managing life with type 1 diabetes† (JDRF b). Thus, JDRF not only targets the direct effects of obesity like individual’s looks, consciousness and self-perceptions but also the symptoms and health conditions indirectly associated with obesity. I place so much confidence in JDRF because it has made a lot of diff erence in the life of my own younger sister, Maria. When Maria was 5 years old, she was diagnosed with obesity by JDRF. We thought she had just put on a few extra pounds that would be gone with a little bit of dieting. It was not until JDRF confirmed she was obese that we stopped thinking she was just overweight. To our surprise, JDRF took Maria’s tests and informed us that she was having type 1 diabetes. We could not imagine a girl as young as 5 years old would be having diabetes! Since I am emotionally too attached to Maria, this came to me as nothing less than a shock. Back then, I couldn’t imagine how awful life would be if I had to live without sugar. JDRF proposed that we took immediate measures to alter Maria’s eating habits and walkout patterns in order to do our bit to make her future secure. Mom, dad and I decided that if Maria was not going to consume sugar, so would be we! Now that about 8 years have passed since then, everything has changed for the better. What came as a shock to all of us 8 years back proved to be a forewarning with the passage of time! When JDRF diagnosed Maria with those diseases, they not only tested Dad, Mom and me for the same health hazards, but also took notes about what we ate, how often we ate, when we ate and why we ate whatever we did. They informed us that they would use that information for research purposes. We assisted them in all ways we could because it felt like a way to do our little bit in the well-being of the whole society through JDRF. At the time when Maria was diagnosed with obesity and type 1 diabetes, mama and I were also overweight. JDRF told us that we were quite likely to become obese within few years from then if we continued with the same dietary and exercise habits. For about 8 years since then, Maria, mom, dad and I have had no chocolates, no carbonated drinks, no deep fried foods, no Big Macs and no junk food. Since the time we consulted JDRF, we have placed full emphasis of living upon fresh foods and vegetables. We have been going for a walk every morning and it has become a very important part of out everyday life, and we did gain positive results! Maria has recently tested negative for type 1 diabetes. All of us are in perfect shape. Today, when I look myself into the mirror, I become overwhelmed to see how nice I look and much of this is due to my smartness. We are grateful to JDRF that they informed us about the potential risks just in time so that we were able to take

Gospel Essentials Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Gospel Essentials - Essay Example In the previous epochs He was thought to be the center of the Universe and literally everything was revolving around Him. With this regard one should also dwell on some characteristics that are attributed to God Who is perceived as â€Å"a being conceived as the perfect, omnipotent, omniscient originator and ruler of the universe, the principal object of faith and worship in monotheistic religions† (God, 2011). Indeed, one of the major aspects that should be mentioned in particular is His perfection: no other being in the Universe can be as perfect. God is also regarded as the Creator of everything (DiVincenzo, 2012). It is quite obvious that everything that exists in the world was created by Him. Prior to the beginning of all things, nothing existed but God. The process of creation is explained in detailed in the book of Genesis. Keeping this in mind, one might ask a legitimate question: if everything was created by God, is evil, death, suffering and other negative aspects of life created by Him as well? According to free will theodicy, it was, but for the purpose of greater good. Speaking of human nature, one should note two important aspects. On the one hand, it must be said that just like all other beings, humans were created; however, â€Å"God created mankind in His own image† (Genesis 1:27). On the other hand, due because Adam and Eve committed the Original Sin, they could no longer live in Eden. There are many opinions about purpose of human life. While some people suggest that there is not distinct purpose since life should be perceived as the greatest gift that a person can receive, others point out that humans were created to praise the Lord. That is why the purpose of the human life is to love the Creator and follow the guidelines that were designed by Him. If people chose not to do so, this causes a considerable number of problems in their lives. Indeed, when humans forget about God and focus on the visible world, with all its

Effectiveness Of Salt Versus Oral Mouthwash Biology Essay

Effectiveness Of Salt Versus Oral Mouthwash Biology Essay This experiment aims to compare the effectiveness of salt versus oral mouthwash in inhibiting the growth of oral bacteria such as Treponema denticola, Fusospirochetes, Porphyromonas gingivalis and so on. These are chosen as subjects of experiment as they cause Periodontal Disease or Gingivitis among people. Finding a solution to prevent the growth of these disease-causing bacteria will help solving the problem.[10] Salt or Sodium Chloride is an ionic compound bonded together by ionic bond between Sodium ion and Chloride ion. Table salt is a processed salt where it is used as a condiment and food preservation. Salt is currently mass-produced by evaporation of seawater. It is also proved to provide medicinal effects. For example, people often heal wounds using salt solution and it is good against infections as it reduces inflammation of wounds. Moreover, researches nowadays have proven salt can bring about an effect in inhibiting the growth of bacteria. This is why people often use a cup of water with two tablespoons of edible salt as mouthwash. Nevertheless, salt solution can be used to treat sore throats. Salt is considered antibacterial because it creates no wet condition for bacteria to grow in. In other words, salt is very good at dehydrating and absorbing water from anything it comes contact with. Salt solution does not kill the bacteria but it inhibits the growth of them. Therefore, it is considered as bacteriostatic.[9][12] Mouthwash is a product made for enhancing oral hygiene. Some brands of mouthwash claim that they can help to kill bacteria causing gingivitis and bad breath. Anti-cavity mouth rinse uses fluoride compound to protect against tooth decay. A person has to gargle the mouthwash without the need of brushing and flossing teeth. Besides, mouthwash can also help removing mucus and food particles which are situated down in the throat. This product is bactericidal where it kills bacteria which are found in mouth. Active ingredients  in commercial brands of mouthwash can include  thymol,  eucalyptol, menthol,  chlorhexidine gluconate,  benzalkonium chloride,  cetylpyridinium chloride,  methylparaben,  hydrogen peroxide,  domiphen bromide  and sometimes  fluoride,  enzymes, and  calcium. Ingredients also include water, sweeteners such as  sorbitol,  sucralose,  sodium saccharin, and  xylitol. However, there is some evidence which shows that mouthwash contributes to oral cancer. This is shown by a literature review by McCullough and Farah from 2008 published in the  Dental Journal of Australia.[13][14] Oral hygiene is very important to prevent dental problems and bad breath. One of the common ways to practise oral hygiene is tooth brushing. Some people may use oral mouthwash to kill the disease-causing bacteria situated inside the mouth. One of the common disease regarding oral hygiene is Gingivitis. Gingivitis is a term used to describe non-destructive  periodontal disease. Gingivitis is often caused by types of bacteria stated above. Bacteria activity caused by these microorganisms can lead to severe effects including refractory periodontitis and acute necrotizing gingivitis, resulting in bone resorption and tooth loss. Gargling with oral mouthwash is effective but the price is expensive. Furthermore, it is not always available at any outlets all the time. Practising to gargle with salt water is a convenient method to keep the oral cavity clean. Table salt can be easily obtained from any outlets and the price is far cheaper than any oral mouthwash. One thing good about salt is it does not cause side effects as no artificially made chemicals are contained within it. But how does the effectiveness vary compared to commercial oral mouthwash?[15] Experimental Hypothesis : There is a significant difference for the effectiveness of commercial mouthwash in inhibiting oral bacteria compared to salt solution of concentration greater than or equal to 0.4moldm-3. Null Hypothesis : There is no significant difference for the effectiveness of commercial mouthwash in inhibiting oral bacteria compared to salt solution of concentration greater than or equal to 0.4moldm-3. Variables : Manipulated variable : Types of antibacterial solution Responding variable : Number of bacteria colony found on nutrient agar Fixed variables : Temperature of incubation period, contents of nutrient agar, type of bacteria cultured, time taken for gargling mouthwash. Apparatus : Bottles of inoculum, work table, sterilised petri dishes, micropipette, 1000ml conical flask, Bunsen burner, incubator, 100ml beaker, electronic balance, 250ml volumetric flask, filter funnel, dropper, stopper, bio-hazard waste bin. Materials : Sterilised cotton buds, sterilised distilled water, distilled water, commercial mouthwash B, disinfectant, tissue papers, Dettol solution, gloves, teats of micropipette, nutrient agar solution, aluminium foil, solid Sodium Chloride. Planning Two trial experiments were conducted in overall. The first trial experiment was carried out to determine which commercial mouthwash is the best in inhibiting the growth of oral bacteria. The commercial mouthwash which has the highest inhibition rate will be compared to salt solution. Three types of commercial mouthwash namely A, B and C were used. Three sterilised petri dishes were obtained. A swab sample was taken before gargling the commercial mouthwash. This was tagged as before to indicate the number of bacteria colony found in nutrient agar before commercial mouthwash was used and acted as a control. Three human subjects were volunteered to gargle each type of commercial mouthwash. This was assuming that the number of oral bacteria in every person is the same. After gargling three types of commercial mouthwash for 10 seconds, three swab samples were obtained from every subject. The bacteria were cultured and platted and the number of bacteria colony found on agar was counted. Al l sterilised petri dishes were then placed in an incubator for a week. The result showed that commercial mouthwash B has the highest bacterial inhibition rate. Types of commercial mouthwash Number of bacteria colony found on nutrient agar Control 7 A 4 B 1 C 2 Table 1.1 : The number of bacteria colony found on nutrient agar with respective commercial mouthwash used. The second trial experiment was done to determine the time taken to gargle commercial mouthwash B in order to obtain the maximum inhibition rate. In other words, this trial was carried out to choose a suitable period of gargling mouthwash. Five sterilised petri dishes were obtained. Four types of gargling period had been chosen in this trial which were 5, 10, 15 and 20 seconds. Four human subjects were volunteered to gargle for every period of time. Commercial mouthwash B was used as it gave the highest rate of bacterial inhibition from the first trial conducted. A swab sample was obtained before the trial proceeded. This was labelled as before to indicate the number of bacteria colony found in nutrient agar before gargling commercial mouthwash B and acted as a control. Every human subject was ordered to gargle commercial mouthwash B with the respective period of time chosen earlier. After gargling, four swab samples were obtained from each subject. The trial was again assuming that the amount of oral bacteria in every person is the same. The bacteria was cultured and platted and the number of bacteria colony found on nutrient agar was counted. All sterlised petri dishes were then placed in a incubator for a week. The result showed that a period of 10 seconds to gargle commercial mouthwash B has the highest bacterial inhibition rate. Time taken to gargle commercial mouthwash B / seconds Number of bacteria colony found on nutrient agar 0 8 5 5 10 2 15 2 20 2 Table 1.2 : The number of bacteria colony found on nutrient agar with respective period of time to gargle commercial mouthwash B. Real Experimental Procedures Preparing salt solution of various concentrations Mass of an empty 100ml beaker was weighed using an electronic balance. For 0.1M salt water, 1.4625g of solid Sodium Chloride (NaCl) was weighed. The weighed solid was then dissolved in the 100ml beaker using distilled water. The solution was poured into a 250ml volumetric flask using a filter funnel. The beaker and filter funnel were rinsed with distilled water and added into the volumetric flask. Distilled water was carefully added into the volumetric flask until the level of solution reached the graduation mark. Dropper was used instead to prevent any exceed above the graduation mark. A stopper was fitted on the mouth of volumetric flask and the solution was shaken carefully. Steps 1 to 8 were repeated by replacing 1.4625g of NaCl with 2.925g for 0.2M, 3.4875g for 0.3M, 5.850g for 0.4M and 7.3125g for 0.5M. Preparing inoculums of bacteria A sterilised cotton bud was used to obtain the swab sample from mouth. The cotton bud was then dipped into a bottle of inoculum containing a quarter volume of sterilised distilled water and labelled as before. The cotton bud was then disposed off. After gargling 50ml salt water with concentration of 0.1M, another swab sample was obtained and dipped into bottle of inoculums containing sterilised distilled water. This was labelled as 0.1M. Step 3 was repeated by replacing 0.1M salt water with 0.2M, 0.3M, 0.4M, 0.5M and commercial mouthwash B. Preparing petri dishes with bacteria Work table was sprayed with disinfectant to kill all the bacteria present. Table was wiped with several pieces of tissue papers. Hands were washed with Dettol solution to ensure no bacteria were found. Gloves were worn on both hands. Three sterilised petri dishes were obtained. A bottle of inoculum (before) was taken. A micropipette was used and calibrated to 200 microlitres. Teat of micropipette was placed at the edge of micropipette. Hands were forbidden to touch the teat so that it would not be contaminated with bacteria. The bottle of inoculum was opened using a hand and the end of micropipette was pressed gently to suck the content of inoculums. The cap of bottle was closed and the content of inoculum was placed in the first petri dish. The lid was opened slightly till the teat can be placed in the petri dish. The end of micropipette was pressed fully to release the sucked content of inoculums. The teat was then expelled into a bio-hazard waste bin. Same procedures were repeated for second and third petri dishes. Steps 6 to 13 were repeated by replacing bottle of inoculum (before) with bottle labelled 0.1M, 0.2M, 0.3M, 0.4M, 0.5M and commercial mouthwash B. Preparing bacterial lawn Nutrient agar solution was poured into a 1000ml conical flask. The solution was left to cool down for several minutes. After several minutes, the mouth of conical flask was heated with a Bunsen burner. This was done so that the aluminium foil could be capped on the mouth of conical flask for sterilising purpose. The mouth of conical flask was placed gently at a petri dish. The culture solution was poured into the petri dish until it was one-third full. This process is known as platting. Aluminium foil was capped back on the mouth of conical flask. The petri dish containing bacteria and agar solution was swirled gently by pressing and moving the petri dish on the table. The petri dish was left on the table for 10 minutes. This was done to ensure that the culture solution is solidified. Steps 1 to 7 were repeated for every petri dishes. All petri dishes were inverted and stored in an incubator for a week. After one-week incubation period, all petri dishes were observed for bacterial activity. Risk Assessment A complete aseptic procedure was used throughout the experiment. The work table was sprayed using a disinfectant to kill all the foreign bacteria present. Hands were washed with Dettol solution and gloves were worn so that I would not be infected by the bacteria when having a meal. Sterilised petri dishes were used because it contained only the oral bacteria when experiment was carried out. This was important to maintain the validity of results obtained. Sterilised distilled water was also used to make sure only oral bacteria were cultured. Teats of the micropipette were disposed off into a bio-hazard waste bin because they were contaminated with bacteria and could possibly infect other people. Disposing off the teats will solve the problem. The lid of petri dish was opened slightly when introducing bacteria into the petri dish. This was done to prevent any foreign bacteria in the lab to grow and reproduce in the petri dish containing agar solution. Distilled water was used to prepar e various concentrations of salt solution to make sure no other impurities would affect the concentration or molarity of the solution. The electronic balance was tarred to reset the reading value before weighing a specific mass of solid Sodium Chloride. Dropper was used to prevent any exceed above the graduation mark of volumetric flask when dilution was carried out. Mouth of conical flask was heated with Bunsen burner to ensure no contamination from other bacteria. Aluminium foil was capped back on the mouth of conical flask to prevent any foreign bacteria from entering the conical flask. At the end of the experiment, all petri dishes were sent for autoclaving for disposal purpose. Results Types of antibacterial solution Number of bacteria colony found on nutrient agar 1stReading 2ndReading 3rdReading Mean Value Control 7 6 8 7.0 0.1M Salt Water 9 6 5 6.7 0.2M Salt Water 8 5 7 6.7 0.3M Salt Water 6 5 7 6.0 0.4M Salt Water 3 2 3 2.7 0.5M Salt Water 2 1 1 1.3 Commercial Mouthwash B 1 0 2 1.0 Table 1.3 : Number of bacteria colony found on nutrient agar with respective types of antibacterial solution used. Keys : 1st reading was obtained from first petri dish. 2nd reading was obtained from second petri dish. 3rd reading was obtained from third petri dish. Graph 1.1 : Bar chart of mean number of bacteria colony found on nutrient agar against types of antibacterial solution. Statistical Analysis There is no significant difference for the effectiveness of commercial mouthwash in inhibiting oral bacteria compared to salt solution of concentration greater than or equal to 0.4moldm-3. The calculated U-values are more than the Ucrit value which is zero at 5% significance level. The null hypothesis is not rejected as the U-values are not lower than Ucrit value. Therefore, null hypothesis is accepted and the experimental hypothesis is rejected. There is insufficient evidence to state that there is a significant difference for the effectiveness of commercial mouthwash in inhibiting oral bacteria compared to salt solution of concentration greater than or equal to 0.4moldm-3. 0.4M salt solution Rank Commercial mouthwash B Rank 3 5,5 0 2 1 3.5 1 1 2 5.5 1 3.5 à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬ËœRank sample 1 14.5 à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬ËœRank sample 2 6.5 Table 1.4 : Calculations for Mann-Whitney Test. Formulae for calculating U-values : U1 = n1n2 + n1(n1+1) à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬ËœRank sample 1 2 U2 = n1n2 + n1(n1+1) à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬ËœRank sample 2 2 Keys : n1 = size of the sample 1 (0.4M salt solution) n2 = size of the sample 2 (Commercial mouthwash B) à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬ËœRank sample 1 = total rank of sample 1 à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬ËœRank sample 2 = total rank of sample 2 Calculations of U-values for both samples U1 = (3)(3) + (3)(3+1) 14.5 = 0.5 2 U2 = (3)(3) + (3)(3+1) 6.5 = 8.5 2 Significance level = 5% Value of Ucrit according to table = 0 Data analysis From the experiment conducted, it is shown that the mean number of bacteria colony found in nutrient agar due to commercial mouthwash B is lower than other salt solutions with various concentrations. When the concentration of salt solution is less than 0.4moldm-3, there is a large difference for the mean number of bacteria colony found between commercial mouthwash B and salt solution. The result changes when concentration of salt solution increases to 0.4moldm-3 where there is only a small difference for the mean number of bacteria colony found in nutrient agar. Commercial mouthwash B and salt solution are proven for inhibiting growth of oral bacteria. The number of oral bacteria found in mouth will drop significantly after gargling because antibacterial solutions kill or prevent the bacteria from growing. The most suitable method to find out the effect of antibacterial solution on the growth of oral bacteria is to count the number of bacteria colony found on nutrient agar after gargling the solutions. The results obtained are compared with the number of bacteria colony found before gargling the solutions which acts as a control. Temperature of incubation is set constant at 36.9oC where it represents the exact body temperature of a human body.[3] Commercial mouthwash B contains an active ingredient namely Chlorhexidine gluconate. It has both bactericidal and bacteriostatic mechanisms of action. It is a type of cell membrane agent. It disrupts the structure of cell membrane, causing the rigidity of the cell membrane to be broken down. This active chemical binds onto lipopolysaccharides, situated at outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, disrupting the structure lipid bilayer consisting of phospholipids. When the fluid lipid bilayer is broken down, cell organelles and metabolites no longer bordered by cell membrane. Loss of metabolites results in death of a bacterium.[1][6] Salt solution has a different mechanism in inhibiting growth of oral bacteria. Every microorganism needs an aqueous environment to thrive in. In low concentration of salt solution, the surrounding environment is hypotonic. The solute concentration remains higher than the surrounding solution. Oral bacteria have the ability to pump in ions with the energy comes from ATP by respiratory enzyme found in mesosomes. This ion pump moves ions from surrounding solution into the body of oral bacteria. There is water potential from surrounding solution to the cytoplasm of oral bacteria. Water moves into the cell by osmosis and this gives an aqueous environment which is favourable for oral bacteria to grow and reproduce. At high concentration of salt solution, the solute concentration in the surrounding solution is greater than the cytoplasm of oral bacteria. This is because the ion pump cannot keep up to pump in more ions efficiently. There is water potential from cytoplasm of bacteria to surro unding solution. Water moves out from cell by osmosis. Oral bacteria are dehydrated and eventually die within a minute. [5][7][8] However, there is a difference in mean number of bacteria colony found when different antibacterial solutions are used. The difference is mainly because active ingredient in commercial mouthwash B kills the bacteria and they can no longer reproduce again. When salt solution is used, bacteria may move away from the solution which has high solute concentration. Bacteria are not killed and may have the chances to reproduce again. Sample number 75% lake water 50% lake water 25% lake water 10% lake water Distilled water Sea water 183 162 154 95 32 10 8 185 24 20 16 4 1 1 186 33 38 29 2 0 2 187 266 247 109 16 3 5 187 224 214 125 17 11 7 188 290 285 146 41 8 14 Table 1.4 : number of bacteria found in respective water sample.[16] (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC545388/pdf/jbacter00775-0012.pdf) From the above data, it was an experiment conducted Dr.Claude E. Zobell and D. Quentin Anderson to investigate the number of bacteria found in different water sample. It can be seen that the number of bacteria colony decreased tremendously when the bacteria were cultured in a sample of sea water. Sea water has a high concentration of salt which will provide a high solute concentration compared to cytoplasm of oral bacteria. The difference from my data and theirs will be discussed in the evaluation section. Evaluation There are a few limitations found in this experiment. Contamination may occur when introducing bacteria into the petri dish. Foreign bacteria found in the air may enter the petri dish and reproduce in the nutrient agar. This was inevitable because lamina floor was broken down and could not be used for this experiment. A known species of a bacterium cannot be used as it is not available in the lab. Therefore, swab samples were obtained and these contained a mixture of bacteria as stated above. Experiment cannot be conducted only on a type of bacterium. Besides, nutrient agar solution may not be sterilised completely as the autoclave machine in the lab was broken down and spare parts were not available by that time. Therefore, nutrient agar solution was sterilised using a pressure cooker. This caused other foreign bacteria to survive and reproduce in the nutrient agar. The period of incubation chosen is a week because the bacteria cultured from swab samples are low in number. This requ ires a longer period for bacteria to grow and reproduce. The human subjects involved may not gargle the antibacterial solutions in a correct way. This will affect the validity of data obtained during observation. Lastly, the genetic makeups of bacteria found in swab samples are not known. This could not be prevented as a specific strain of bacterium was not recognised. As a result, some of the bacteria may have mutated and probably resistant to the antimicrobial solutions. The results obtained will be affected. These are the reasons why the findings are different from this experiment and experiment conducted by Professor above. The experiment can be modified by using a known strain of bacterium. This will increase the validity of data significantly. Moreover, different type of nutrient agar which is favourable for oral bacteria to grow can be used. This will cause the bacteria to grow and reproduce faster than expected. Thus, results can be obtained earlier. Furthermore, nutrient agar solution can be sterilised with an autoclave machine so any foreign bacteria present will be killed. Conclusion There is no significant difference for the effectiveness of commercial mouthwash in inhibiting oral bacteria compared to salt solution of concentration greater than or equal to 0.4moldm-3. Null hypothesis is accepted. Source Evaluation Source 1, 2 and 3 are published books thus the information are reliable. Sources 4 to 8 are journals. They are written by scientists all around the world and these are obtained from Science Direct webpage. Therefore, it is trustable. All the information should be factual and accurate. Source 9 and 16 are websites containing journals as well. Its journals are well-known and most of them are written by famous scientists. Sources 10,11,12,13 and 15 are websites of Wikipedia. Most of the data and information obtained here have citations and they are partially reliable and valid. Source 14 is the official website of Australian Dental Association. The information contained here is mainly about the effect of chlorhexidine. It is very reliable. Therefore, it should not contain any biased points based on arguments made.

The Prime Minister of Canada Essay -- Politics, Government

The Prime Minister of Canada is given much power and much responsibility. This could potentially create a dangerous situation if the government held a majority and was able to pass any legislation, luckily this is not the case. This paper will argue that there are many limitations, which the power of the prime minister is subject too. Three of the main limitations, which the Prime Minister is affected by, are; first, federalism, second the governor general and third, the charter of rights and freedoms. I will support this argument by analyzing two different types of federalism and how they impact the power of the Prime Minister. Next I will look at three of the Governor Generals Powers and further analyze one of them. Last I will look at the impact of the charter from the larger participation the public can have in government, and how it increased the power of the courts. Frist, federalism is the division of power between the provinces and the federal government (Cutler 2010, 3). As well, Federal systems tend to be made up of multiple parts, which do not necessarily work together (Brock 2008, 3). There has been an increase on the study of federalism in recent years, which has created a more in-depth look at how federalism impacts the government. (Farfard Rocher 2009, 294). There are two aspects of federalism and both of them put limitations on the influence of the prime minister. The first is called political asymmetry; this encompasses the various attitudes of the different provinces such as the culture, economic, social and political conditions and how it shapes the relationship between the provincial and federal governments (Brock 2008, 4). This can create a problem for the federal government because it means that they may ha... ...ratic process but it at least protects the rights of Canadians and prevents all out domination the majority. This essay has argued that there are many limitations that the Prime Minister is subjected too. The three most important are federalism in Canadian society, the role of the Governor General, and the charter of rights and freedoms. I used two different views of federalism and illustrated how both of them put boundaries on the Prime Minister’s power. Next I explain the powers of the governor general, and explained the ability to dissolve parliament in greater detail. Last I analyzed how the charter of rights of freedoms has limited the Prime Minister’s power with respect to policy-making, interests groups and the courts. The Prime Minister does not have absolute power in Canadian society, there are many infringements on the power that they have to respect.

Death Be Not Proud

The novel, Death Be Not Proud, by John Gunther, is the story of the struggle of a child to stay alive. Johnny Gunther Jr. ’s constant hope got him out of bed every morning with a positive attitude. His outright opposition to the fact that he was going to die and his determination not to, kept a fiery spirit in him so that he didn’t give up. Johnny’s stubborn determination to not accept defeat at so early an age, along with the tremendous courage he showed when realizing that he must accept his defeat, is a strong point portrayed in this novel. Johnny’s hope, determination, and courage kept his death at bay. One of the main reasons that Johnny remained alive for so much longer than he should have lived, was the hope that he possessed. He hoped every day of his illness that he would get better, that his parents would be spared their grief, or that some doctor would come up with a revolutionary idea that would heal him. Because of his hope, Johnny never complained or protested during the entire course of his illness. He always obeyed the doctors’ wishes and followed their instructions to a  «T » because he wanted so desparatly to get well. Although he realized that eventually his life would end, he still never gave up the hope that perhaps he could outsmart his fate to die, if just to steal a few extra hours. Each day, until his last, the determination Johnny had to get well, live a normal life, and even maintain his schoolwork was phenominal. After being away from school for sixteen months, being tested constantly by doctors, and having a rapidly deteriorationg brain, Johnny still managed to graduate with his class and be accepted into Harvard. Throughout his illness, Johnny always had an unwavering will to survive, to awake the next morning and find that he was well, that he had only been dreaming the nightmare of his illness. When Johnny awoke each morning however, he felt the bandage on his head and realized that he was living this horrific nightmare. But even through this tremendous disappointment, Johnny kept fighting, determined to recuperate. Johnny should be admired for not giving up under the intense emotional burden of knowing that each breath may be his last. Johnny’s story is one that will be remembered because of the courage he had. If he had had any fears of death, they were unknown because of his consideration for others and not wanting to burden others with his troubles. One can only imagine what it must have been like to lie awake at night alone in a hospital room, wondering what it is like to die and to awaken the next morning, shed all questions and fears of the night before, and cheerfully greet those around you. Johnny’s inner struggle and turmoil was something that no one knows nor will ever know. Throughout his many medical treatments and moments of pain, Johnny was always strong and brave. He always smiled and hung in there fighting. Even with his final unconcious breath, there was still animation in him, he was still determined to live. Thankfully he died with a smile on his lips, without pain, with dignity, and with courage and strength to face the next world he would enter. Johnny’s gallant fight for life, against the most hopeless odds, should convey a message to anyone who has ever been ill. Through a child’s hope, determination and courage when about to die, a for of a hero is made. Johnny’s manner in facing the awful reality of dying is something that is looked up to by all and we should all strive to achieve this manner. Johnny Gunther accepted his fate to die and not live his life to the fullest with complete acceptance, if not full understanding. By the story of his life and death, we are in awe of how one so young could have achieved an attitude that most people will never reach.

Superstition in a Taiwanese Family

Final Writing Assignment: Superstitions in my family Talking about superstitions is a common fact in my family, and in ours modern societies. Even the more reasonable person at least once in his life had been superstitious. Even if we are not extreme in this belief; whom had never crossed their fingers or ran away if we see a black cat. We all even unconsciously believe in fate, good or bad luck. Some people are really extreme in their belief of superstitions but I tend to think that is a way for them more easily to accept some facts whenever the science can not explain it.Superstitions are not limited to a particular part of the globe, people, or community. All superstitions exist, in one form or another, and get different degrees of implication. Superstitions are passed on from one generation to another, through habits or religious practices. No doubt that less educated people are more sensitive to these believes because their understanding of the world and sciences are limited. I am however a rational and educated person. I tend to believe more in reason than feeling but I also happen to be superstitious.My superstitions are those ones my family has, and more precisely my mother conveyed to me. Also my country, Taiwan, where I have grown up is full of superstitious beliefs. Superstitions are a real part of the Asian culture. I totally experience it everyday in my proper family. Some examples of common superstitions of my culture are: you have to knock the door when you enter a room in a hotel in order to tell the ghosts that they have to leave. Or do not use your finger to point the moon or you take the risk to get your ears cut.Another, the most common in all over the world as well as in my country is the belief is link to a number for us the number four which pronunciation in Chinese is really close to the word, die. The another is that a black cat crossing your path can affect your luck, something bad will happen to you soon or later. Firstly, I think it is important to know what a superstition is: According to The Oxford Dictionary, superstition is â€Å"excessively credulous belief in and reverence for the supernatural.A widely held but irrational belief in supernatural influences, especially as leading to good or bad luck, or a practice based on such a belief. † Now for the really scientific mind this belief can seem totally stupid or wrong. But I tend to think that there is no real rational explanation to this belief, we just follow those superstitions because we may be unconsciously afraid of the consequences in next second if we do not follow. For example, my mother used to tell me since I am a kid that do not whistle during night because hypothetically some ghost could be attract by the sound and follow me home.The elder generation really keeps and respects this kind of belief and we grow up with. Lots of people in Taiwan respect those believe that most of foreigners who do not know it and make the mistake are rapidly warned. Maybe this superstition could seem preposterous but most of people here believe in it, so you tend to believe too. For other example, in my family everybody believes that during the Ghosts month, it is inauspicious to travel, to marry, to swim, or stay late outside at night because they believe that all the ghosts of the universe walk on the earth during that month.So, that is why my mother asks me not to stay out at night because she wants to prevent any possibility that I meet any of this â€Å"unknown but possibly dangerous ghosts. † My country may be full of superstitions but many of them can be mock through scientific experimentation. For example, my mother believes that a woman during her pregnancy cannot use any sharp tool or glue without take the risk that her baby gets some bad after-effects. So does it mean that during all her pregnancy, she cannot use a knife so she cannot eat meat by herself.If we think more reasonably I do not see which does not enter the body can get the baby any consequences. This superstition must have evolved with the science but still in Taiwan that lots of family believe in it and really pay attention to pregnant woman. I ignore from where this superstition comes from but we still scare of the unknown and invisible things. In conclusion, the superstitions had been through centuries brought down from our ancestors. All these superstitions affect people’s life and have been kept and brought forward until now.In Taiwan superstitions are a real part of our customs and traditions. I really think that my family is really affected by these beliefs and divided between tradition and modernity. Eventually though I am a realistic person, I sometime get caught up in my mother's superstitions. I do not believe in superstition but unconsciously, I put myself into these through my youth. These superstitions are more than only simple beliefs they are my culture, and my identity. I would love to know how people of my ge neration and other countries live their proper superstitions.

What Dia She Say

What Dia She Say Art of Diverse Cultures What Did She Say? There is this wonderful painting by a Native Amirican named Juan "Quick to See" Smith. In this particular painting we see two figures faceing one other and what looks as if they are having a conversation. It is believed that "Quick to See" Smith is speaking to her ancestor however, we are not quite sure we know what about. That is what I plan to do There are so many questions one could ask their ancestors. I don't really know much about were I came from but I do remember asking my mom. She told me that I am a bit Cherokee Native American and somewhat related to the Wright brothers. " Quick to See " Smith, whose heritage and life style is almost completely gone, is standing, asking questions that cannot be interpreted. When I look at the painting, I see a Childs finger painting figures with every stroke of color and words so small that they are just that, words.The Wright brothers at the International Aviation ...

Total Quality Management In Construction

Total Quality Management In Construction Free Online Research Papers The major new element in world market competition is quality. During the 1970?s and 1980?s, the Japanese and their U.S. companies demonstrated that high quality is achievable at lower costs and greater customer satisfaction. It was the result of using the management principles of total quality management (TQM). More and more U.S. companies have demonstrated that such achievements are possible Using TQM as a new way to manage. Such companies also found that they were recognized with everyone pulling in the same direction.Improvement had become a way of live. Improving competitive position and profit has always been the responsibility of management. Before the 1980?s, U.S. management was broadly successful. Until then the dominant management model was that of the autocrat.Management, primly senior management, decided how the business was to operate, including what the policies and objectives were; how it was organized; what jobs were established; and how should they be done. It was an unquestioned axiom that if everyone did what the upper management required, the business would be successful. Organizations are composed of the people in them and the managers who lead them. People respond strongly to leadership expectations and rewards. If they are given little power in their jobs, they have little interest in improving them. If leaders exhort the members for better output but reward (promotions, bonuses, recognition) for mostly higher output, they get the behavior they reward. Quantity over quality has been a common management philosophy in the United States. The first step in implementing TQM requires the an upper-management change in both philosophy and behavior. Managers must adopt the objectives of customer satisfaction and continuous improvement. They must implement the change to achieve these objectives through their personal and continuous involvement and in the reeducation of everyone in the organization in TQM principles and practices. The past philosophy of management can work reasonably well if a company dominates world markets. When markets become complex and worldwide with more and stronger competitors, a new model is needed. Asian companies and some in the United States have demonstrated that there is a more effective way to manage, quite different from the autocratic model: It is employee involvement in quality improvement. These companies also introduce high quality at lower cost as a competitive element, thereby changing the competitive equation for everyone. TQM is a way to continuously improve performance at every level of operation, in every functional area of an organization, using all available human and capital resources. Improvement is addressed toward satisfying board goals such as cost, quality, market share, schedule, and growth. It demands commitment and discipline, and an ongoing effort. The quality management process includes the integration of all employees, suppliers, and customers, within the corporate environment. It embraces two underlying tenets: Quality management is a capability which inherent in your employees. Quality management is a controllable process, not an accidental one. The idea of an integrated, human-orientated systems approach to management was successfully used by W. Edwards Deming in the 1950?s. Deming told the Japanese that they could become world-class leaders if they followed his advice and they did. He lectured top Japanese business leaders on statistical quality control. He proposed a system that would change the approach to management in many ways. Today, this system is the pillar of TQM philosophy. These components make up the strategic portion of the quality pyramid (figure. 1). There are mainly eight functional elements from which other concepts flow. These are: 1.Organizational vision Organizational vision provides the frame work that guides a firm?s believes and values. The gist of the corporate vision should be a simple, one sentence guide or motto that every employee knows, and more important, believes. If well crafted, the vision statement can serve through a torrent of change in product and service technology. T he strategic vision needs to consider both the external customer and the employees, but should lack a defining or differentiating phrase between them. For example, General Motors provides all employees a card with its strategic vision, including a cause-effect diagram that indicates the importance of team work (figure 2). Simply stating a vision is not enough. It needs to be demonstrated by the actions of the executives, managers , superiors, foremen, and individuals. It should be done continuously in all their actions and initiatives. Moreover, deliberation must be exercised in developing these goals and strategies. They must reflect the values and culture of the work force. While top-management commitment is essential, managers should realize when to lead and when to get out of the way. In a sense quality management is management from the bottom up. An atmosphere of responsibility must be created toward the customer for whatever product is produced or service is rendered (fig.3, below). Figure 3 Strategies in Successful Vision Implementation Demonstrate commitment. Inform suppliers. Maintain a constancy of purpose. Take a long-term view. Create more leaders. Establish meaningful goals. Examine your mission. Discuss TQM with peers. Behavior and action must be consistent with goal. Build awareness. 2. Barrier Removal It is inevitable that change will be resisted. In fact, a great deal of effort in quality management is expended in overcoming such resistance, usually by allowing change to come from individuals directly involved, rather from management. The whole idea of continuous improvement leads to continuous change. Some of these barriers are: ?. We know what they really want (without asking them). ?. Quality is not a major factor in decisions-low initial cost mentality prevails. ?. Creative accounting can increase corporate performance. ?. Can?t manufacture competitively at the low end. ?. The job of senior management is strategy, not operations. ?. Success is good, failure is bad. ?. If it isn?t broke, don?t fix it. ?. The key disciplines from which to draw senior management are finance and marketing. ?. Increase in quality means increase in cost. ?. Thinking that time, quality, cost are the worst mutuality exclusive, at best we can only choose two out of three. The following are the steps to barrier removal: I. Identify barrier. As seen above some of these barriers may apply effecting progress. II. Place into categories. Related barriers and their systemic causes may now be analyzed. Categorization may be facilitated by using either cause-effect diagrams or quality function deployment. III. Establish priority. An objective process that is not influenced by management or hidden agenda must be developed. At this stage barriers are judged on their validity in accordance with the severity of the problem. IV. Problem solve. This means more than symptoms removal. Sick organizations do not recover for the long term if the symptoms are masked. It is vital to address the root of the problem. The elimination of one barrier may solve many problems for example poor communication between management and staff. Keep in mind that analyzing the problem should include estimates of resources required for it solution. V. Goals and strategies for resolution. Resolution of problems may entail goals over a period of months or years. Goals should be realistic and attainable with the given resources. Strategies ensure that goals can be accomplished. Bear in mind that numerical goals as such may not be what is required. Numerical goals may also limit the amount of growth, particularly in organizations used to working up to an average. 3.Communication Communication is the glue that binds all the techniques, practices, philosophies, and tools. Communication may be written, verbal, or nonverbal. Understanding and refining skills for each main type communication is an ongoing process for everyone. All forms of communication involve four elements: the sender, the receiver, the message, and the medium. The medium is the method of delivery, and can effect the message. It was said that the medium is the message, referring in part to the filtering effects that can happen to the message and how personality factors may influence our understanding (figure. 4). VI. Written Communication. Office memos and reports are the result of hundreds of hours (studies indicate anywhere from 21% to 70% of office workers? time is spent in manipulating written information) of work, and their final form should be worthy of spending some time to get words right. The use of white space and graphical elements such as charts and figures enhances the readability of any written piece. Given the vast amount of time spent on reading and creating memos, letters, proposals, and the like, the byword on written communication should be more is better, and the less is permanent (memos sent electronically, faxes, hand notes on the bottom of the letters, rather than typed, recorded reply) the better. VII. Verbal. Verbal communication takes place in many different settings, and the form of the communication will vary. One sort of vocabulary may be used to address shareholders and a different idiom may be used altogether when chatting with construction workers. The skills principally lacking in verbal communication are public speaking and small group interactions. Public speaking scares people to death. This fear may be overcome by training(organizing and practice), videotaping the presentation (to review latter), and practice(on small group to build confidence). Small group interactions are essential to buildup comfort and ease among the group. It will provide a sense of team work and it is vital to have small talk among the team. VIII. Nonverbal. Humans infer a great deal of information from nonverbal clues. This non verbal clues includes body language as well as things as dress for success. Psychologists believe that nonverbal clues lead to gut feels about how to interact with another person. Despite the similarities of nonverbal communication, there are cultural differences, and is probably most important to understand these, rather than reading individuals body language. It is easy to fall into the trap of overanalyzing nonverbal clues and infusing them with meaning, when, for example, someone may be hard of hearing or near/far-sighted rather than being inattentive (or too attentive). 4.Continuous Evaluation Feedback is essential to continuous improvement. How else would we know if our goals are being reached?. These feedback mechanisms may be simple oral or written reports, information systems, or complex automated statistical analyses integrated with our expert systems. The key is to receive the information in time to allow initiating corrective action. For example, in construction feedback from engineers, subcontractors and so forth can help us as managers to find new ways to reduce cost and schedule. Feedback may also help architects to find the best way to construct a building and therefore effecting the design. We also should understand and separate assessable causes from chance causes. Assessable causes have distinct reasons for there existence, while chance causes are those causes that we have no control over. 5.Continuous Improvement Unlike innovation, which require great resources, and no small amount of serendipity, continuous improvement is easier to manage and utilize everyone?s talent. Japanese companies have used this idea for some time, and call thisapproach kaizen. This idea fits hand in hand with team building approach. Kaizen and innovation are compared in figure 5 below. Figure 5. Improvement versus Innovation Continuous Improvement Innovation Effect long term and long lasting but undramatic. Shot term, but dramatic. PaceTime frame Small steps.Continuous and incremental. Big steps.Intermittent and nonincremental. Change InvolvementApproach Gradual and constant.Everybody.Collectivism, group efforts, systems approach. Abrupt and volatile.Select few champions.Rugged individualism, individual ideas and efforts. Mode Maintenance and improvement. Scrap and rebuild. Spark Conventional know-how and state of the art. Technological breakthroughs, new inventions, new theories. Practical requirements. Requires little investment but great effort to maintain it. Requires large investment but little effort to maintain it. Effort orientationEvaluation criteria People.Process and efforts for better results. Technology.Result for profit. Advantage Works well in slow-growth economy. Better suited to fast-growth economy. To reduce cost and time and increase productivity, in any industry, the focus must be projected on the process that produces the product. Improving the process in construction, for example, reduced or may eliminate costly change orders and therefore reduced complexity and time. Through inspection and analysis of the process, everyone shares a common learning experience and the accumulated knowledge and understanding of the process become the basis for improving it. Precepts of Quality Improvement ?. Quality leadership must begin with top management. ?. The most important aspect of quality is identifying the activities within the organization that effect quality. ?. Written procedure are one of the necessary communication media by which the management functions of directing and controlling are exercised. ?. One of the most critical activities in quality improvement is preparing a clear, concise description of the services to be acquired. ?. The cost, time, and effort devoted to evaluating and selecting suppliers must be commensurate with the importance of the goods and services to be procured. ?. Quality audits must determine the adequacy of, and compliance with, established policies, procedures, instructions, specifications, codes, standard and contractual requirements. Quality audits must also assess the effectiveness of their implementation. ?. The simple objective of most quality audits is to gather enough reliable data through inspectio n, observation, and inquiry to make reasonable assessment of the quality of the activity being audited. ?. the foundation of quality control is having timely and accurate information so that systems that are not capable of producing consistent quality can be identified and improved. ?. An effective quality cost program can help the management team to allocate strategic resources for improving quality and reducing costs. ?. Productivity, profit, and quality are the ultimate measure of success of the production system. 6.Customer/Vendor Relationship The hearing the voice of the customer has become a key phrase in the past few years. This would seem to be a obvious point but it?s not. After world war II, The United States was the only major country that did not have a devastated economic infrastructure. Therefore, it was able to produce items of any quality and sell them. Industries were internally driven and not customer driven. As the glob markets grow, new competitors with new technologies approached these markets providing better quality products and involving the customers. This approach worked miracles for these new industries and valuable lessons should be learned from this. Here are some strategies for improving customer and vendor relation: ?. Link organizational vision to customer satisfaction. ?. Reward suppliers. ?. Move to a single source. ?. Minimize the overall number of vendors. ?. Identify the internal and external customers. Identify end users and distributors. ?. Establish routine dialogue with customers. ?. Involve the customer in planning and development. Keep in mind that vendors must be qualified and have policies that are compatible with yours. Viewing these vendors as partners, rather than adversaries leads to the ability to implement successfully such cost-saving measures as just-in-time, whereby materials arrive as needed to the construction site. 7.Empowering The Worker Empowering the worker means enabling the worker to achieve his or her highest potential. For most American companies, this is new, and may be the most powerful and useful concept in quality management. Allowing and facilitating workers to achieve their highest potential may seem obvious or impossible, but in fact it is neither. Empowering requires turning the organizations chart upside down, recognizing that management is in a place to aid the worker in overcoming problems they encounter, not to place new roadblocks on the way. Empowering strategies may include: I. Ownership. A key strategy in empowering employees is to allow them ownership of tasking,project, or division. Ownership implies trust and requires a delegation of authority commensurate with the responsibility of the task. Ownership can also be granted to a team. Ownership also demands that the final resolution of the tasking be in the hands of the owner. II. Value all contributions. Whether or not we appreciate them, it is important to enhance self-esteem of the contributor to accept their contribution and evaluate it. III. Every one has a value. If they didn?t why would they be employed? Treat everyone with respect. All work has dignity to it. IV. Teams must own problem. Teams are a waste of time if management vetoes or substantially changes their recommendation. If management is unable to trust the recommendations that come from the team, then management fear rules, and will spiral to lower and lower productivity. V. Delegate authority to the lowest possible organizational level. Constantly ask: why should I do this? If you have hired competent people, let them do there job. No one knows about the job than the person directly involved with it. 8.Training The outcome of training is modified behavior. It may be enhanced interpersonal skills or specific manual skills, but there is a direct, identifiable modification. Training need not consist solely of traditional classroom instruction. Employees can train other employees very effectively. A company-wide curriculum should be developed that address the needs of each department. Courses should be just long enough to be effective. Anything over three or four days is unlikely to immediately be absorbed into daily work habits. Immediate reinforcement of the training is necessary to be effective. Bibliography 1. R. Stein, The Next Phase of Total Quality Management., Macel Dekker, Inc.,1994. 2. T. Cartin, Principles and Practices of TQM., ASQC Quality Press.,1993. 1. W. Schmidt and J. Finnigan, TQManager., Jossey-Bass Publishers., 1993. 1. B.Brocka and S. Brocka, Quality Management: Implementing The Best Ideas Of the Masters. Irwin, Inc.,1992. 2. H. Kerzner, Project Managment., Van Nostrand Reinhold.,1992. The Catholic University of America Total Quality Management In Construction Research Papers on Total Quality Management In ConstructionThe Project Managment Office SystemAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaDefinition of Export QuotasOpen Architechture a white paperBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalPETSTEL analysis of IndiaInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesTwilight of the UAW

A person career choice should be determined by his or her interest

Career choice is an important choice in our life. It may lead you success if you choose a right career, and it also may make you failure if you choose a wrong career. Even though most people think that career choice should not be determined by his or her interest, but I strongly agree that career choice must be determined by his or her interest because interest can lead his or her got a great motivation, and can develop strong sense of dedication. However, it is undeniable that a person choosing their career based on their interest is unrealistic. Interest can lead person got a high motivation. This is true because his or her got interest in their career, they will do whatever they can on their job without abandon. They will not complain or criticize their job when facing the problem, they only will try their best to find out the problem and solve it. Compare with whose do not have any interest in their career, they only will lazy, shirk responsibility and maybe will quit their job when facing problem. Having a high motivation can lead success in a person career. They may receive a merit from their employers or get promote to a higher level if employers realize they pay high commitment for the company. Another reason why a person career choice should be determined by his or her interest is because they can develop strong sense of dedication. If you are chose a job you’re interesting, you’re willing to dedicate yourself into the work. You’re willing to spend more time and energy to achieve the best result and outcome. For a person no interesting on their current work, they will loaf on the job and not willing to dedicate for the company. It may bring about they cannot get promote and having a block on their career. Some people think that a person choosing their career based on their interest is unrealistic. This is because majority of this type of job need to pay high commitment but having less in return. In this reality life, we must work for our life but not interest. However, I strongly disagree with all these views. If you are pay high commitment and fully dedicate into the work. You will be got high return in last. This maybe need wait for long time but the effort will never be wasted. It depends on how we are look upon the career choice. Having a job you’re interesting will be a wonderful thing on our life. In conclusion, career choice must be determined by his or her interest because interest can lead his or her get a high motivation, and can develop strong  sense of dedication. Therefore, we should have all positive views towards choose career based on their interest is a thing that may change our life to be more wonderful. What is more important, people must need to know what is their interest before his or her choosing their career. Having presented my arguments, I once again strongly agree on that ‘career choice must be determined by his or her interest’.

Business Organisation and Policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Business Organisation and Policy - Essay Example Moreover, if any firm buys or merges with any other firm which is at a different level of the value chain and the chain of production, it will be called vertical integration. There are two types of vertical integration namely: Backward vertical integration and forward vertical integration. Backward integration occurs when a firm merges with or takes over firms at an earlier level of the chain of production than itself. For example, when a big retail store such as Wal-Mart, purchases a factory or plant which processes and produces frozen food, it would be called backward vertical integration as Wal-mart is ensuring a stable and secure supply of frozen food. Backward vertical integration is helpful where the suppliers have a stronger network and a stronger negotiating power in the industry. On the other hand, forward vertical integration occurs when firms take over or merge with firms which are at a later level of the value chain of production. For example, if a raw material supplier b uys a factory or when a clothes manufacturer opens up a retail outlet, it will be called forward vertical integration. Forward vertical integration opens doors of a steady revenue stream for firms. ... ADVANTAGES OF HORIZONTAL INTEGRATION When a firm expands horizontally, it is likely to experience economies of scale from the increased output. Firms can increase their profitability as per unit cost decreases with the increased level of output. For example, if a huge retail store merges with another chain of retail store, it can achieve economies of scale in the form of more discounts from manufacturers owing to bulk purchasing. As the store would now technically be purchasing close to twice as much as it did before under one umbrella, it would receive large discounts from manufacturers as well. Similarly, if a manufacturing firm merges with another, not only this would be the merger of capital, assets and liabilities, but also the firm would now share each other’s competencies and specialties. This might even include more cost-efficient production processes, vendor relationships, discounts on bulk purchase of raw materials etc. Besides this, the business would also expand on its geographical reach to the market. For example, when the Royal Bank of Scotland merged with Faysal Bank in Pakistan, all of Royal Bank of Scotland’s network of branches and accounts spread throughout Pakistan came under Faysal Bank’s control and brand name. Unilever’s taking over of Polka ice-cream in Pakistan is another example of geographical expansion through horizontal integration. This gave them an easy access to the market of Pakistan. However, as opposed to vertical integration, firms might enter into businesses which are out of the scope of their operations and specialization. This could misallocate resources into less profitable ventures if not unprofitable and even lead to money being drained on the

The Effects of Leakage Radiation from X-Rays Coursework - 120

The Effects of Leakage Radiation from X-Rays - Coursework Example The paper reveals the contribution of Heinrich Hertz to the history of radioactivity through the discovery of the presence of radio waves. However, it was Henri Becquerel, who conducted further studies on the beneficial effects of radioactive waves. The paper reveals that the work of the two scientists led to the discovery of the possible uses of radioactivity. Madame Curie is credited for having carried out researches that led to the discovery of more uses of radioactivity. The paper also reveals the contribution of Thomas A. Edison about the use of the most effective calcium tungstate-based option in the radiation process. Hal Gray is credited for having discovered the health-related use of radioactive waves while Herman Muller was the scientist who is credited for the discovery of the fact that radiation directly contributed to the production of new genetic traits.Radiation refers to the process through which energy is emitted in the form of waves or particles. Radiation pioneers played a very important role in radiation history effects. Scientists started making the first discoveries about radiation and atomic structures in the 19th century. A scientist by the name Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen is credited for the discovery of the basic properties of X-rays. Henri Becquerel was the one who first discovers radioactivity. All these discoveries and studies had a significant effect on the history of radioactivity. From the ideas that the pioneers discovered, other scientists are able to discover more about the use of radioactivity. In comparing the understanding of the concept of radioactivity during the 19th century, and the understanding of the same currently, it is evident that there is a significant improvement in the understanding and application of radioactivity in various fields.

Explain the significance of purity and pollution in the caste system Essay

Explain the significance of purity and pollution in the caste system - Essay Example But as time passed, the caste system became a water tight social compartment. Caste system is not peculiar to India. It existed and still exists in parts of Egypt, Europe etc, though in some milder forms. The world caste owes its origin to the Portuguese word 'casta' meaning 'lineage' (Ghurye, 1999, 31). PA Sorokin in his book "Social Mobility writes "Unstratified society with real equality of the members is a myth which never been realized in the history of mankind and when class is somewhat strictly hereditary, we may call it caste" Many theories have been promulgated to account for the origin of the caste system in India (Dumont, 1961, 75). The political theory states it was a shrewd trick of upper class Brahmins. The occupational theory traces it origin to the family's occupation. The racial theory traces its origin to the fact that different races organize their own race to form a separate caste. The mythical theory points towards its creation by the god to perform different functions And last of all comes, the Evolutionary Theory. This theory maintains caste system as a social phenomenon, the origin of which lies in social evolution which came into being through a long and slow evolutionary process. It is quite possible that during the evolutionary process some ugly things did make their entry into the system. The one and probably the worst was the custom of 'untouchability'. With improvement in education, this social evil has almost disappeared from the society. Right from the beginning of twentieth century British officials have used the term 'backward classes' to indicate low status backwards castes, and 'depressed classes' to mean the former untouchables or Scheduled castes (now dalits). They do not seem to have been particular about the terms used, and such sloppiness has continued in independent India. It so worth noting that terms such as Backward classes and Scheduled Castes also served as euphemisms for such unpleasant realities as low castes ands untouchables' (Beteille, 1965, 46). Still the caste system is not without its merit, which should not be ignored. It was based on the division of labor and thus enabled society to function efficiently. It made labor more efficient as the hereditary skill in at was transformed from father to son. Castes served as the social insurances in the society and helped their members in time of need. The caste system solved the problem of choosing careers and the problem of unemployment did not arise. The system provided united action against exploitation. Also by eliminating competition, it protected the poor. Thus for a Hindu the caste system has proved, '' his club, his trade union, his benefit society and his philanthropic society" (Ghurye, 1999, 67) To sum up, in each linguistic area there were about two hundred groups called castes with distinct names, birth in one of which, usually determined the status in society of a given individual, which were divided into about two thousand smaller units- generally known as sub- castes-fixing the limits of marriage and effective social life and making for specific cultural tradition. These major groups were held together by the possession, with few exceptions, of a common priesthood. There was a sort of an overall counting which grouped all of them into five or six classes overtly expressed or tacitly understood. Over a large part of the

Project Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Project Management - Essay Example Documentation is an important aspect of project management. Heerkens asserts, â€Å"Proper documentation is a crucial support function of project management†.2 Richman asserts that project management skills help the managers in completing the projects on time.3 After going through the Project Management Institute website, it becomes clear that PMI is dedicated towards providing worldwide advocacy for project management through highly recognized standards, research programs, and various development opportunities for project management professionals. One of the main aims of PMI is to bring cultural, educational, and social advancements through providing knowledge and understanding of various project management techniques to the professionals. Lewis asserts that the PMI has attempted to determine a minimum body of knowledge that is needed by a project manager in order to be effective.4 First one of the other project management websites, which I visited, was maxwideman.com. This website is designed to assist project managers in taking important decisions regarding different projects. Another website, Projecttimes.com, is one of the most popular online project management resource website and makes use of various articles, online training, white papers, and books to provide project management education to the users. If we talk about projectmanagement.com, we can say that it is a great website as it provides valuable and helpful project management content to the managers in the fields of construction, IT industries, and finance. Startwright.com is another leading reference website that is specifically designed to help information technology professionals in effectively carrying out various project management activities. Last one of the top five project management websites is projectsmart.co.uk. This website provides an important knowledge base in the shape of weekly u pdates, articles, and

Abraham, Issac and Regan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Abraham, Issac and Regan - Essay Example This brief vignette brings to mind the first line of Anna Karenina, â€Å"Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.' Joan and Kate are both unwise 'in their own way.'Consider the case of Joan's wasted life. Early in her career Joan took a highly ethical stand on an issue central to academia, student grading. Specifically, she refused to grade students on the basis of anything other than the work they submitted and her assessment of it. Undeniably, this decision effected the arc of her entire career. However, this is no reason to remain embittered throughout her life. Many people at the age of fifty deeply regret decisions they made with little thought half a lifetime earlier. This does not condemn them to a live of regret. Joan's academic discipline is not specified but if it were anything other than cost intensive-scientific research (history, languages, writing) she might have continued with her research.She could easily have moved from the 'ath letic factory' she could not see eye-to-eye with into teaching at smaller, private universities without a deep commitment to athletics and admiration for her academic integrity. Joan is unwise to have abandoned her personal search for fulfillment because a significant, but single aspect – her career – was unexpectedly disrupted early on in her adult life.Kate, in a nutshell, is leading an unexamined life. She viewed her early unethical behavior as 'unfortunate'. However, nowhere does the case mention that she made use of her profile and success.

Explain the significance of purity and pollution in the caste system Essay

Explain the significance of purity and pollution in the caste system - Essay Example But as time passed, the caste system became a water tight social compartment. Caste system is not peculiar to India. It existed and still exists in parts of Egypt, Europe etc, though in some milder forms. The world caste owes its origin to the Portuguese word 'casta' meaning 'lineage' (Ghurye, 1999, 31). PA Sorokin in his book "Social Mobility writes "Unstratified society with real equality of the members is a myth which never been realized in the history of mankind and when class is somewhat strictly hereditary, we may call it caste" Many theories have been promulgated to account for the origin of the caste system in India (Dumont, 1961, 75). The political theory states it was a shrewd trick of upper class Brahmins. The occupational theory traces it origin to the family's occupation. The racial theory traces its origin to the fact that different races organize their own race to form a separate caste. The mythical theory points towards its creation by the god to perform different functions And last of all comes, the Evolutionary Theory. This theory maintains caste system as a social phenomenon, the origin of which lies in social evolution which came into being through a long and slow evolutionary process. It is quite possible that during the evolutionary process some ugly things did make their entry into the system. The one and probably the worst was the custom of 'untouchability'. With improvement in education, this social evil has almost disappeared from the society. Right from the beginning of twentieth century British officials have used the term 'backward classes' to indicate low status backwards castes, and 'depressed classes' to mean the former untouchables or Scheduled castes (now dalits). They do not seem to have been particular about the terms used, and such sloppiness has continued in independent India. It so worth noting that terms such as Backward classes and Scheduled Castes also served as euphemisms for such unpleasant realities as low castes ands untouchables' (Beteille, 1965, 46). Still the caste system is not without its merit, which should not be ignored. It was based on the division of labor and thus enabled society to function efficiently. It made labor more efficient as the hereditary skill in at was transformed from father to son. Castes served as the social insurances in the society and helped their members in time of need. The caste system solved the problem of choosing careers and the problem of unemployment did not arise. The system provided united action against exploitation. Also by eliminating competition, it protected the poor. Thus for a Hindu the caste system has proved, '' his club, his trade union, his benefit society and his philanthropic society" (Ghurye, 1999, 67) To sum up, in each linguistic area there were about two hundred groups called castes with distinct names, birth in one of which, usually determined the status in society of a given individual, which were divided into about two thousand smaller units- generally known as sub- castes-fixing the limits of marriage and effective social life and making for specific cultural tradition. These major groups were held together by the possession, with few exceptions, of a common priesthood. There was a sort of an overall counting which grouped all of them into five or six classes overtly expressed or tacitly understood. Over a large part of the

Abraham, Issac and Regan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Abraham, Issac and Regan - Essay Example This brief vignette brings to mind the first line of Anna Karenina, â€Å"Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.' Joan and Kate are both unwise 'in their own way.'Consider the case of Joan's wasted life. Early in her career Joan took a highly ethical stand on an issue central to academia, student grading. Specifically, she refused to grade students on the basis of anything other than the work they submitted and her assessment of it. Undeniably, this decision effected the arc of her entire career. However, this is no reason to remain embittered throughout her life. Many people at the age of fifty deeply regret decisions they made with little thought half a lifetime earlier. This does not condemn them to a live of regret. Joan's academic discipline is not specified but if it were anything other than cost intensive-scientific research (history, languages, writing) she might have continued with her research.She could easily have moved from the 'ath letic factory' she could not see eye-to-eye with into teaching at smaller, private universities without a deep commitment to athletics and admiration for her academic integrity. Joan is unwise to have abandoned her personal search for fulfillment because a significant, but single aspect – her career – was unexpectedly disrupted early on in her adult life.Kate, in a nutshell, is leading an unexamined life. She viewed her early unethical behavior as 'unfortunate'. However, nowhere does the case mention that she made use of her profile and success.

The crucible - oral assignment Essay Example for Free

The crucible oral assignment Essay 1. There are many strengths and weaknesses of both these people. The way they act to other people and their reaction in certain situations both give you information about what has happened in the past, but also adds drama to the play. Elizabeth Proctor has loyalty to people she loves, you can see her love for John when she says oh! I forgot! I will tomorrow. She said this after John asked her about putting some flowers in the house to brighten it up. This shows that she wants to please him, because she believes that it is slightly her fault for what John did with Abigail. This loyalty could be seen as strength and a weakness, its a strength to their relationship because John Proctor will always know he has somebody to help him and believe in him. It could also be a weakness because if she believes in him too much, and he does start to have feelings for Abigail again. Then she would never trust in him again and feel ignorant for believing in John in the first place. If she stands by John for too long and he starts to fall under the pressure she will go down with him and be seen as outcasts from Salem. Some of her other strengths are that she is very honest, and even though she is portrayed as a cold woman, she has strong feelings for John and her children. When she says things like I mean to please you, John, you can tell that she is really a tender loving person, but their marriage has been facing a few problems over the years. One of her weaknesses is that she tries to take charge of some of the situations which is good, but when it is involving her husband and her trials then she can begin to become more forceful. This side of her is shown when she says and what of tomorrow? She will cry me out until they take me! John on the other hand has different strengths because his character is very strong and forceful in some ways but in other ways he becomes very weak. These are normally to do with his affair with Abigail; he still loves her although he does not want to love her. This relationship between John Proctor and Abigail causes Proctor many times in the play to hesitate taking action in clearing the good names of the many townspeople that Abigail has accused as being linked with the Devil . These weaknesses will show when he is trying to get Elizabeth out of prison and must admit to the court about his secret relationship with Abigail, this in itself will make him an outcast and would signal his downfall as well as Elizabeths. He has many strengths though because of he is the only person in the play who can see that the girls are just making this up. He can tell that what the people are saying is for their personal satisfaction, such as the Putnams with their children being supposedly killed. Even though he is the only character that acts this way he doesnt testify until the end of the play because he does not want to disgrace his name. These are the main strengths and weaknesses of the two characters. 2. The relationship between John and Elizabeth Proctor is very distant; this is mainly because of the affair with Abigail and John Proctors lechery. In there relationship you have a distinct feeling that they are both trying to praise each other and give all they can to the other one. Elizabeth Proctor is a very honest woman and stays by John even in the midst of his adulterous affair. Although Elizabeth is portrayed as cold and aloof at times, she is a dedicated and devoted wife and mother. The fact that she loves her husband becomes obvious when she is brought into the court to verify John Proctors affair with Abigail. She wants to protect him from being punished for adultery and for that reason lies. You can also see this loving relationship in John when he tells Elizabeth I mean to please you Elizabeth, and she replies I know it John. This shows that they really do love each other, but because of the affair Elizabeth feels as if she cannot trust John yet. This is why they do not share their love physically but more verbally in the play. There is love between the two and even after all that has happened they still live with each other, although you have to question whether John is doing this so no to lose his reputation in the village which he cares so deeply about. Also the laws about marriage and divorce in Salem, Massachusetts were very strict and if these two wanted to separate they would have to explain why because the puritans believed that marriage was binding and should last as long as they lived. Their marriage is real although they are going through some rough times and a separation would have seemed easier to deal with. These two people have stayed together to help each other but they are also helping their own image in the town by keeping this quiet. Although it doesnt stay this way throughout the play and near the end when the secret comes out they stand by each other and try to help each other as much as they can. 3. In Act two there are many parts were you feel sympathetic for both John and Elizabeth Proctor. This is because you learn more about their past and find out what has happened in their lives. This is a technique that Arthur Miller uses a lot in the play to describe the characters and to give the reader or actor more information about the person in general. Elizabeth is normally given more sympathy because she is the victim in her husbands affair. John is seen as a hero and given admiration but this is only because he is trying to save his husband and wants the rest of the people to be released. Some would sympathise for him because of the way he has to risk his reputation in saving all these people. Even though it is his fault for getting into the situation in the first place by having the affair, but if the affair was never found out then the consequences would be very different. Miller has tried to make people sympathise for John more by changing Johns age from 60 to 30 and Abigails age from 11 to 17 as to not make people think he is somewhat a paedophile. There is some admiration for Elizabeth as well because she takes control of the scene and stands up to John about Abigail and how she has been talked about in the court. John loses some of his control and his is not really sympathised because he could stop all these people going to prison and being hung. He is somewhat cowardice and vain because he only cares about his reputation if the town finds out what happened between him and Abigail. I think that the reader would be more sympathetic towards Elizabeth because she is being targeted by Abigail and even though she has support from John he is not going to tarnish his name by telling the people of Salem about his actions with Abigail. This is mainly why I think Elizabeth is sympathised more.

Alice Walkers Short Story Everyday Use English Literature Essay

Alice Walkers Short Story Everyday Use English Literature Essay In Alice Walkers short story Everyday Use, there are many different things that Walker conveys throughout the story all of which deal with the African Americans history and values. The one thing that sticks out the most in the short story is the character of Dee who is developed into a very important character throughout the story. Walker is able to express her essential idea of heritage through Dees attitude, her behavior, and her actions in Everyday Use. Dee is a very unthankful and unappreciative of her history, and in result the reader can develop an understanding of African Americans heritage. Through Dees characteristics shown by her attitude, personality, and actions, Walker in Everyday Use conveys the central idea of heritage in the short story. Dee is an individual that doesnt particularly stick to her true heritage and shows a feeling of embarrassment toward her ancestry, her mom, and her sister. Dee comes across as one that holds herself above her mother and sister especially since she received an education. Nancy Tuten understands Dee as one that wants so badly to go to school to become educated so that she is not seen as stupid, showing that she is not exactly proud of her past. She doesnt appreciate her mother and sister living in the same way they have for years, suggesting an idea of embarrassment toward her past (Tuten). Tuten points out that Dee always attempts to devalue their lifestyle, and seems to have a desire that Mama and Maggie be something that they are not (126). Tuten notes that Mama hates the selfishness that Dee brings to the table, but still wishes to get respect from her daughter. Tuten brings in a source from Lindsey Tucker who suggests that Dee basically carries a white middle-class identity (126). Another valuable piece of information brought in for Tutens article is Valerie Smiths thoughts interpreted by Marianne Hirsch explaining Maggies feelings of embarrassment in front of Dee. Smith points out the part of the story when Mama is interpreting how Maggie will react to Dee and her arrival. Mama supposes that Maggie will be nervous until after her sister goes: she will stand hopelessly in corners homely and ashamed of the burn scars down her arms and legs, eying her sister with a mixture of envy and awe (Walker 108). Hirsch views Maggie as one that seems powerless and pathetic (Tuten 127). All of these aspects that Dee has brought to the table make her appear to the reader that she is under-appreciative of what her heritage has really done for her which leads to the interpretation that she is embarrassed. Dee also goes far enough into her fairytale life and changes her name, attempting to disregard her familys identity, clearly showing her shame for it. Tutens article also points out Hirschs view regarding this change of name in Everyday Use. She understands Mama as one that hasnt shown any frustration toward Dee until this section when Dee cant even keep her name and a portion of her past. Hirsch notes that Walker changes the verb tense in that conversation over her identity change, creating a voice for Mama that has much more power (Tuten). This power is eventually used, says Tuten, to help Mama, affirm her allegiance to Maggie and to assert her emotional freedom from Dee (128). David Cowart also discusses the disloyalty of Dee by changing her name which was passed from generation to generation in their family all the way back and past the Civil War. Cowart views this disloyal action along with her clothes, her hair, her sunglasses, her patronizing speech, and her Black Muslim compa nion as Dee trying to declare a deplorable degree of alienation from her rural origins and family (172). Dee doesnt grasp the idea that her name connects her to her heritage, and by changing that she is seen as trying to disregard where she comes from. Cowart knows Dee as one that has basically detached herself from a nurturing tradition (172). Dee chooses to disengage herself from her ancient name which was passed down in her family for something classier such as Wangero. Her name was also her great-grandmothers name, and by changing it, Dee appears to not have much care for her family. She believes it is much classier, but Helga Hoel notes that the name is distorted from the original reference to a Kikuyu name. Hoel brings in a source from Barbara Christian clarifying that names are extremely important in African and African American culture as a means of indicating a persons spirit (Hoel 37). In conclusion to this remark, Dee can be seen as one that is trying to get rid of her name and heritage which links her to the rest of her family that is a supposed to be a very important part in her life. Hoel declares that Dees identity change of her first and middle name do not even represent one ethnic group, instead it relates to the entire East African area. Hoel notices this mistake and views it as something that shows Dees s uperficial knowledge of Africa and all it stands for (37). This point made contributes to the thought that Dee doesnt appreciate her heritage because she is trying to alter it and doesnt even understand what is truly behind her new one either. Dee wants to take several items in the house to represent her familys ancestry put on display at her house rather than putting them into everyday use. She disconnects herself from her family name, but still believes that she should be able to take many family items to be put on display. Cowart understands Dees desire for the quilts, the churn lid, and the photographs for purposes of display, reminders that she no longer has to live in such a house, care for such a cow, and have daily intercourse with such a mother and sister (175). Donna Haisty Winchell in Cowarts article implies that Dee makes the mistake of believing that ones heritage is something that one puts on display if and when such a display is fashionable (Cowart 175). Dee does not see the wrong to take these items from Mama and Maggie, failing to appreciate their heritage. Instead, Cowart proposes that she, who wants only to preserve that heritage as the negative index to her own sophistication (175). When Dee comes home to visit Mama and Maggie, she takes her share of photos. She takes several shots, those of the cows, Maggie, and of course the house. Whitsitt notes that she photographs everything and frames the image of Maggies and Mamas lifestyle, making it resemble a life she is not a component of. The source from the Bakers in this article says that they know this as Dees fashionably aesthetic distance from southern expediencies, and her framed experience of her heritage (Whitsitt 449). In addition to Dees desire for family items, she also brings along a characteristic of overlooking these possessions and devaluing items such as the quilts which should mean something to her and her heritage. Elaine Showalter notes in Cowarts article that the quilts, fought over by Wangero (Dee) and her mother indicate an ancestry that is much more personal and immediate than the intellectual and deracinated daughter can see (Cowart 179). Quilts are seen as the creative legacy that African Americans have inherited from their maternal ancestors says Barbara Christian in Sam Whitsitts literary critique (Whitsitt 443). The quilts connect women and men and families to their later generations to their past by resembling the tradition and pieces of their past which will be passed to those in the current days (Whitsitt). Cowart says that the quilts illustrate the ancestry that Dee has already abandoned which she now doesnt even share her name with the people in her family whose lives were p ieced together from their old scraps of clothes into quilts (Cowart). Barbara Christian in Cowarts article remarks that the heritage in the eyes of Maggie and Mama is depended on by living a tradition. The quilting and butter churning along with their developed nags for it are passed down from each generation in their family. She believes that Mama and Maggie should continue to be put these items into everyday use as they continue to keep up the trend in doing everything and living the tradition. Maggie is the one that can quilt, and if Dee is the one that gets the quilt, then the tradition along with the learned skills will stop and discontinue throughout the family tree (Cowart). Whitsitt also notices a verb tense after Dee announces her identity change which he believes gives Mamas voice more power along with creating an invisible frame that sets apart Dee from Mama and Maggie and their lifestyle. When Mama changes tenses to gain more authority after Dee tells her of her identity change, Whitsitt believes that Mama is then starting to be framed with Mama outside with a different view on lifestyle and the familys heritage (Whitsitt). In the story the reader views Mamas excitement of Dee coming home as her ready to enjoy time being spent with her daughter. She understands that she has left to become educated and changed her lifestyle which partly results in their different views on everything. Whitsitt brings in a quote from Hirsch, who notices the discrepancy of the two but says that Mama does a great job of making her decisions by herself and not changing her values of her heritage like her daughter did. He says that she has an ability to maintain a distance from Dee without visibly rejecting her (Whitsitt 451). When Dee introduces her identity change, Whitsitt notices this verb shift as Tuten did and recognizes it as Mamas epiphany when something hit me in the top of my head and ran down the soles of my feet, leading Mama to take charge and do something that I never had done before: hugged Maggie to meà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (Walker 113). He understands the unframed to framed, present tense to past tense forms to represent the idea of alteration and Walkers attention paid toward it. Whitsitt concludes that the central characters in the story have changed throughout Everyday Use. He points out that Dee, whose insensitive intrusion, who in spite of herself brings Mama to claim a voice (Whitsitt 454). Dees change helps Mama develop and change in the story by eventually gaining voice and sticking up for herself along with Maggie and the quilts (Whitsitt). Dees actions of trying to take the quilts which were promised to Maggie, characterizes her as a thief. One who notices the cruel action is Whitsitt, who considers the attempted action as stealing from her innocent sister, Maggie. He notices that Dee wants to take the quilts along with other items of the house, but without any connection such as an obligation to them which Whitsitt views as denigrating the quilts, and then claiming they are priceless (456). Dee gets very angry and frustrated after Mama says that she promised the quilts to Maggie, and she blames Maggie noting that she is too backward to know the difference between things of value and of no value (Walker 112). Whitsitt believes this comment and finger-pointing is also done in an indirect way pointed not only at Maggie but also toward Mama and their standard of living (Whitsitt). Regardless of all of Dees disloyal actions, attitudes, and undermining, she still wants to use the quilts to put up on her wall to represent her ancestry. She is unappreciative of the material things such as the quilts, but she still believes that she deserves them even though she is embarrassed of her past. She mistakes her own heritage and changes her name to something that isnt even correct from her country. She takes her heritage for granted by changing into some would call a phony (Cowart172). Dee values her heritage for all the wrong reasons such as when she is said to use it as aesthetics to put on display in her house but really only to show that she is no longer a part of it anymore. She always puts down Maggie and Mama, hinting that they need to change and quit living in the past, but really Maggie and Mama feel that they should be living in tradition rather than changing their everyday life. Dee recognizes herself as confirming her African heritage especially by changing h er name to Wangero, by changing her way of life, and by changing her appearance, but she only seems to belittle her cultural background.