Thursday, December 26, 2019

Early Cognitive Abilities Of Infants - 1842 Words

Early cognitive abilities in infants are critical because they are building blocks of later cognition, and executive functioning (Rose, Feldman, Jankowski, 2016). To further development and have health mental health, caregivers and parents need to provide a secure environment where infants can engage in a number of activities. Research show that social interactions between infants and caregivers are critical for a wide range of human activities, including language learning Grossmann (2015). Additionally, socially integration with others is essential for healthy infant development and functioning throughout their lives Grossmann (2015). Numerous evidence shows that early experiences in language, reading, and emotional regulations in†¦show more content†¦Murray and Egan (2014) state that the average age for parents to begin reading to infants is between 7 months and 9 months. Reading to pre-school-age children can make starting school easier by providing a head start in liter acy and increased cognitive functioning (Murray Egan, 2014). A beneficial advantage of literacy is that it may be retained in later childhood and adulthood. Murray and Egan (2014) reference a study conducted by the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). The researchers in this study found that as part of a child’s early communication environment, the number of books infants at 6 months own, this is a predictor of their expressive language at 24 months (Murray Egan, 2014). In addition to expressive language, the child s school entry assessment is also a predictor (Murray Egan, 2014). In another study referenced by Murray and Egan (2014), a study by DeBaryshe (1995) concluded that early reading has a positive impact on children. Research has shown that when parents and caregivers read to younger children it has a greater effect than reading to older children in the promotion of literacy skills (Murray Egan, 2014. Reading to young children helps childre n develop social skills such as listening and interacting with an adult. Reading to children promotes joint attention, which isShow MoreRelatedHow Do Infants And Toddlers Develop Their Cognitive Abilities?1372 Words   |  6 PagesHow do infants and toddlers develop their cognitive abilities? Essentially, the formative years of research on the aspect of cognitive growth in infants made certain assumptions, for instance, an infant growth was significantly simplified. However, modern research indicates that there is a complex pattern of cognitive development in infants. To answer the question, it is imperative to start by understanding what the cognitive aspect of the development of infants is. Ideally, infants and toddlersRead MoreRelationship Between Security Of Attachment And Cognitive Development1513 Words   |  7 PagesThe relationship between security of attachment and cognitive development creates the underlying foundation from which individual’s operate throughout the lifespan (Carruth, 2006). The security of attachment between an infant and their primary caregiver can have profound consequences for the developing brain, impacting an infant’s future relationships, self-esteem, and ability to self-regulate emotions (Carruth, 2006). Attachment theory , first theorized by John Bowlby (1988), stresses the significanceRead MoreRelationship Between Security Of Attachment And Cognitive Development1513 Words   |  7 PagesThe relationship between security of attachment and cognitive development creates the underlying foundation from which individual’s operate throughout the lifespan (Carruth, 2006). The security of attachment between an infant and their primary caregiver can have profound consequences for the developing brain, impacting an infant’s future relationships, self-esteem, and ability to self-regulate emotions (Carruth, 2006). Attachment theory, first theorized by John Bowlby (1988), stresses the significanceRead MorePersonal Statement1651 Words   |  7 PagesBackground and Inspiration From an early age, I have a strong aspiration to understand how a human mind works. I was fascinated by how complicated the underlying theories and motivations are in human reasoning and decision-making. I first realized I wanted to study psychology after I took a social psychology course during the last year of my degree in economics. While economics gave me a strong mathematical and statistical foundation, I felt that this subject is insufficient to help me fullyRead MoreThe Effects Of Deferred Imitation During The Sensorimotor Period1037 Words   |  5 PagesImitation and observational learning are important in aiding the attainment and portrayal of new behaviours, beginning as early as infancy (Meltzoff, 1993, p. 467). Deferred imitation and mental representations were concepts by developmental psychologist Jean Piaget in his theory of infant cognitive development. Deferred imitation refers to a child’s ability to imitate the actions that they have seen others perform , following a delay, (Slater, Lewis, Anzures Lee, 2011). Piaget proposed that theRead MoreChild Development Is The Growth And Change Within A Child s Intellectual And Mental Abilities Essay959 Words   |  4 Pagesrecognition†, â€Å"affliction†, and â€Å"modulates mood† swings, â€Å"anxiety†, â€Å"and aggression† (Mate, 2013). Parents who are pregnant and use drugs, or use after birth can alter these chemicals by not â€Å"socially interacting† with their infant, â€Å"leading them to drug seeking behavior†, early in his or her â€Å"childhood†, which in turn will â€Å"lead to the death of good brain chemical†, and â€Å"lead to a dangerous overload of worse chemicals† (Mate, 2013). In order to back these findings, one must cross-reference researchRead MoreBenefits Of Breastfeeding On Infants And Children986 Words   |  4 Pagesbenefits breastfeeding has on infants and children. The hypothesis is that feed ing breast milk to infants significantly improves their health and cognitive functioning. Research which supports this hypothesis is discussed in this paper. The paper will discuss the methods and results of each study. Two studies are about the positive effects that breast milk has on the brain and cognitive development. Another study is about the positive effects that breast milk has on infants health. . Read MoreThe Importance Of Childhood Experiences Of Children And The Social And Economic Benefits Of Early Intervention1553 Words   |  7 Pageschildhood experience to later life emotional, social and cognitive development into adulthood in the Uk, using the attachment and behaviorism theory to examine childhood experiences, as it forms parts of child’s development. I will be looking into the factors affecting social, emotional and cognitive development of children, strategies to improving service delivery of early intervention in children and the Social and economic benefits of early intervention. Attachment theory is a concept in developmentalRead MoreInfancy and Early Childhood1106 Words   |  5 PagesInfancy and Early Childhood Stages University of Phoenix Queanna Booth, Marilyn Lee, Virginia Ortega, Shniqua Smith, Linda Van Scholars note the important role that attachment plays in the development of an infant. Mary Ainsworth, a pioneer in the study of attachment describes attachment as an emotional bond between persons who binds them through space and time. Attachment is the basis for social skills. (As stated by Vaughn) According to Vaughn, through loving interactions betweenRead MoreThe Amygdala And Social Cognition830 Words   |  4 Pages1. What does the amygdala contribute to social cognition? Choose two or three specific social cognitive processes and review the evidence in support of amygdala participation. (Please note that you DO NOT need to read outside of our articles. The importance of the amygdala in social cognitions has been examined in both primate and human studies. Use of primates to study the social brain suggests that the amygdala contributes to social cognition. Kluver and Bucy made large bilateral lesions in monkey

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Culture And International Business Negotiations - 1188 Words

Culture and International Business Negotiations Global trades account for more than 60% of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (The Economist, 2014, para. 2), therefore, the important role of International Business Negotiations (IBN) in the global economy. Manrai and Manrai article The Influence of Culture in International Business Negotiations (2010) discusses the art and sciences aspects of successful IBN from a cultural perspective. Culture has been classified in innumerable ways and the comprehension of its influence on a variety of human behaviors is almost impossible, since its nature is extremely complex. Some scholars conceptualized that the influences of culture â€Å"transcend in terms of the beliefs, norms, traditions, and values†. The article’s authors analyzed different theories and suggested that there are six distinct ways in which culture affect IBN, separating them in two blocks: Characteristics of the Negotiators and Behaviors of the Negotiators. Negotiator’s Characteristics 1. Negotiator’s Goals: the expectations and objectives vary, as well as â€Å"how† negotiators expect to achieve them. For instance, some cultures differ as: deal-focused versus relationship-focused, win-win versus win-lose, integrative versus distributive, and competitive versus cooperative. 2. Negotiator’s Inclinations: Indirectly, culture also influences human behavior through predispositions and attitudes. For example, negotiators can diverge in terms of willingness to take risks, orientationShow MoreRelatedThe International Business Negotiations Influenced By Chinese And American Cultures And Differences743 Words   |  3 Pages Discussion on the international business negotiations influenced by Chinese and American cultures and differences Jialin Zhao CMN6060 Professor Stephen Novick October 26, 2016 Abstract Cultural negotiations are business negotiations with different cultural conditions. Under the background of economic globalization and international economic integration, the business ties between countries are becoming more and more closely. In order to avoid cultural conflicts, it is important to understandRead MoreSucceed The Negotiation Process And How The Participants Can Curb The Challenges Leading For Successful Transactions1491 Words   |  6 PagesSucceeding in International Business Negotiations. Denise C Matowa Corpus Christi College BUSN 204 1.1 Introduction International business can be defined as the exchange of goods and services across borders through the use of negotiators. It can be thought of as the deliberate investment into another country with the gain of a commodity in the transaction. Through the fast paced train known as globalization, many companies have found international business transactions to be quite fruitfulRead MoreInfluence Of Cultural Differences On International Business Negotiations Essay1077 Words   |  5 Pagesdifferences on international business negotiations In the negotiation practice, many negotiators often do not understand or pay attention to the important influence of the cultural importance of the negotiations. During the international business negotiating the process, some negotiators may have been aware that the different or hard to understand the concrete manifestation. However, some foreign negotiators, in order to maintain a harmonious relationship between the negotiations, they will payRead MoreCulture Difference in Business Negotiation1456 Words   |  6 Pagesdifference on business negotiation 〠Abstract】International business negotiation is playing a more and more important role in modem society. We can see clearly that there are great differences in international business negotiation. Specially, culture can influence negotiating styles in different ways, because negotiators who may come from another nation is different from us in language, beliefs, behaviors manners, Privacy, Food custom, time, thinking, value and attitudes and so on. Different cultures expressRead MoreHow Does Culture Impact on the Planning and Carrying out of International Strategy and Negotiations1733 Words   |  7 PagesHow does culture impact on the planning and carrying out of international strategy and negotiations. The main motive of this essay is to see how culture impact on plan and implementation of international strategy and negotiations in business world. The essay consist of concept of culture in broad sense. Then the paper present a short overview of Hofstede’s culture framework. The type of culture is broadly classified and majorly distributed into two section namely corporate and national. InternationalRead MoreGlobal Business Cultural Analysis Of Japan Essay1627 Words   |  7 Pages Global Business Cultural Analysis: Japan James Hendricks Liberty University Global Business Cultural Analysis: Japan Technological advancement has made globalization an inevitable factor that businesses of the future will need to consider in order to be successful. Increasingly, companies that have been solely domestic are branching out internationally for a wide variety of reasons, but in the end, it’s all about making profits from previously inaccessible market segments. Read MoreThailand is an Attractive Destination for Foreign Investors Essay611 Words   |  3 Pagesthe near future, as well as the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) between ASEAN and many counterparts (Department of Trade Negotiations, 2014) also help strengthen partnership, cooperation and international relation between Thailand and its trading partners. These policies are set up to help boost Thai economy. Additionally, Thailand is one of potential countries for international investment which has many attracted foreign investors such as Asians, North Americans and Europeans. Among these countriesRead MoreCross Cultural Negotiations953 Words   |  4 PagesCross cultural negotiation is one of many specialized areas within the wider field of cross cultural communications. By taking cross cultural negotiation training, negotiators and sales personnel give themselves an advantage over competitors. There is an argument that proposes that culture is inconsequential to cross cultural negotiation. It maintains that as long as a proposal is financially attractive it will succeed. However, this is a naà ¯ve way of approaching international business. Let usRead MoreEthical Issues With International Business1518 Words   |  7 PagesThe world we live in today revolves around business. International business is sometimes called; â€Å"The Study of Multinational Companies.† Doing business internationally is an interesting task. There are many cultures, behaviors and traditions that different countries have and it is important to be aware of them. Cultures become crossed when different countries negotiate business. Culture influences how people act, think, and communicate. When dealing business internationally, diving in head first isnRead MorePolitical Factors That Affect International Business1020 Words   |  5 Pagesin overseas markets there is often a risk, the risk is referred to as political environment risk, and these factors can facilitate or hinder business operation. Some of the political factors that affect international business include† (Justin Ervin. Zachary Smith A.2008). One significant political environmental factor that influences international business operation is trade agreements. Countries frequently enter into trade treaties to further facilitate trade between themselves. Case in point

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Alzheimer`s Disease (903 words) Essay Example For Students

Alzheimer`s Disease (903 words) Essay Alzheimer`s DiseaseAlzheimers Disease (AD) is one of the most common of the dementing illnesses. Aprogressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain, causing impairedmemory, thinking and behavior. A person with Alzhiemers Disease may experiencepersonality and behavior changes, impaired judgment, confusion and difficultyfinishing thoughts, following directions or even finding the right word to sayin a conversation. Once advanced the sufferer may require a caretaker as dailychores become very difficult to accomplish. Evidence points toward amyloid asone of the main causes for the occurring cytotoxic processes. Researchers havefound that degeneration appears to be caused by interference with intracellularcalcium homeostasis via activation of calcium channels, intracellular calciumstores, and further production of free radicals by calcium-sensitive enzymes. The glutamatergic system seems to be involved in mediating the toxic processes. In the brain, the nerve cells in the part that controls memory and thinking aredamaged, this interrupts the passage of messages between communicating cells. The cells undergo distinctive changes, these are called neuritic plaques (groupsof degenerating nerve cell ends) and neurofibrillary tangles (groups of twistedfilaments which accumulate in previously healthy nerve cells). The cortex (usedfor thinking) of the brain shrinks, the spaces in the center of the brain becomeenlarged causing reduction of the surface area in the brain. Symptoms of ADusually occur in older adults and are the ones most at risk, although people intheir 40s and 5Os may also be affected. The symptoms include a loss ofintellectual capacity, loss of language skills which may include having troublefinding words, poor or decreased judgment, problems with abstract thinking,disorientation in place and time, changes in mood or behavior and changes inpersonality. AD does not discriminate, it affects any race, socio background orsex equally. The classic symptom of forgetfulness is part of the normal agingprocess and usually begins in early middle age, however, normal forget fulnessdiffers from Alzheimers Disease in many important ways. The cause ofAlzheimers Disease is not exactly known. Suspected causes undergoing researchare neurological damage, chemical deficiencies, viruses, environmental toxinsand malfunctions in the bodys disease defense systems and genetics. There isalso evidence of a slightly increased risk of heridity of AD amongst children,brothers and sisters of patients with this disease. It is also important to notethat AD can only be diagnosed 100% after death through an autopsy of theaffected subjects brain tissue. About a third of autopsies turn up a differentdiagnosis and thus family members are encouraged to ask for an autopsy as acontribution to the study of the disease and about the genetics of AD. There isno single clinical test for AD. It is usually diagnosed by ruling out all othercurable or incurable causes of memory loss. A positive diagnosis of this diseasecan only be made by microscopically studying a small piece of brain tis sue afterdeath. The cerebral cortex of an Alzheimer sufferers brain will havecharacteristic abnormalities such as cells marred by plaques and tangles. Aworking diagnosis can be made though through various testing procedures thatinclude a complete physical as well as neurological and psychologicalexaminations. At this time there is no definite cure or treatment for AD,although there are many suppliers of products which claim to help sufferers, butthe products are more like over-priced placebos with no documented evidence ofalleviation of the illness amongst sufferers, but glutamate receptor-selectivedrugs, some antioxidants, nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, calcium channelantagonists, receptor or enzyme inhibitors, and growth factors promise futurehelp in curing this disease. Combinations of drugs that act at different levelsmay also prolong the sufferers life/health. People diagnosed with AlzheimersDisease can live anywhere from 2 to 20 years after memory loss symptoms start tosurf ace. It shortens the sufferers expected life span, but through appropriatecare and medical attention the patients oftenlive for many years. Death cantusually be predicted until the end stages where symptoms are nearing theirworse. Some patients in late or terminal-stage Alzheimers tend to lose weightand have difficulty swallowing, difficulties with bladder control, walking andtalking. They are also known to curl into a fetal position. Sufferers most oftendie through a series of repeated infections such as bladder infections orpneumonia. Although the following estimations are from American literature, asexplained earlier we know that AD has a more or less universal effect amongstthe populations, ratio wise. Alzheimers afflicts approximately 4,000,000Americans and its estimated that one in three of us may have a relative thatwill suffer from this degenerative disease. More than 100,000 die annually whichmakes AD the fourth largest cause of adult death in the US. It is also a verycostl y disease monatary wise in that about half of the patients in nursing homeshave this illness with an estimated $80 billion spent annually on the care of,diagnosis, treatment, etc. People who suffer from AD often require 24-hour careand supervision, this is mostly provided by family and friends in a home. .ubf13ae39ed0bb3ac537063ae59ae4b63 , .ubf13ae39ed0bb3ac537063ae59ae4b63 .postImageUrl , .ubf13ae39ed0bb3ac537063ae59ae4b63 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ubf13ae39ed0bb3ac537063ae59ae4b63 , .ubf13ae39ed0bb3ac537063ae59ae4b63:hover , .ubf13ae39ed0bb3ac537063ae59ae4b63:visited , .ubf13ae39ed0bb3ac537063ae59ae4b63:active { border:0!important; } .ubf13ae39ed0bb3ac537063ae59ae4b63 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ubf13ae39ed0bb3ac537063ae59ae4b63 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ubf13ae39ed0bb3ac537063ae59ae4b63:active , .ubf13ae39ed0bb3ac537063ae59ae4b63:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ubf13ae39ed0bb3ac537063ae59ae4b63 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ubf13ae39ed0bb3ac537063ae59ae4b63 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ubf13ae39ed0bb3ac537063ae59ae4b63 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ubf13ae39ed0bb3ac537063ae59ae4b63 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ubf13ae39ed0bb3ac537063ae59ae4b63:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ubf13ae39ed0bb3ac537063ae59ae4b63 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ubf13ae39ed0bb3ac537063ae59ae4b63 .ubf13ae39ed0bb3ac537063ae59ae4b63-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ubf13ae39ed0bb3ac537063ae59ae4b63:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Lessons of Life EssayBibliographyBliss T. V. P Collingridge G. L (1993) A synaptic model of memory: Long-termpotentiation in the hippocampus, Nature 361 31-39 * Clarris H. J. et al (1994)Secretion of nerve growth factor from septum stimulates neurite outgrowth andrelease of the amyloid protein precursor of Alzheimers disease from hippocampalexplants J. Neurosci. Res. 38 248-258 * Disterhoft J. F et al (1994) The calciumrationale in aging and Alzheimers disease Calcium Hypothesis of Aging andDementia, Annual Academy of Science. N.Y. New York 382-405 * Holschier,C (1998)Neurobiology of disease, Academic Press 5 121-159 * http://www.ahaf.org/alzdis/about/adabout.htm* http://w ww.alzheimers.com/ * http://www.zarcrom.com/users/yeartorem/index4.html

Monday, December 2, 2019

Organisational Design and Performance Management

Introduction This paper is based on the topic of organisational design and performance management. It seeks to explore the topic by looking at two companies namely Tesco and Marks Spencer (MS).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Organisational Design and Performance Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The paper is divided into two parts. Part one looks at the two companies in terms of organisational design and how the various aspects of organisational design are integrated with the companies’ business strategies. It also evaluates the e-business models and approaches adopted by the two companies and how the models and approaches have enhanced innovation, growth, and service provision of the two companies. Part two looks at how Tesco can incorporate mobile phone technology in its business strategy to enhance its performance both internally and externally. It also looks at some Key Performance Indicat ors (KPIs) which can be used for assessing the improvement of Tesco’s business. The paper uses various reading materials from the internet and the companies’ websites. Other specific references include the Aberdeen’s group report and IBM’s guidlines on creating a compelling mobile user experience. Part I Overview of Organisational Design Organisational design is a synonym of organisational structure. However, in the literature of organisational behaviour, organisational structure is commonly used. According to Sims, organisational structure refers to how various units of an organisation relate to each other (Sims 2007). The purpose of organisational structure is to make sure that organisations get their work done, which is made possible by division of labour. All the jobs in an organisation taken together form the structure, where each job relates to others either in horizontal or vertical manner.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The structure of an organisation greatly influences its culture. The reason is that organisational structure is about how various jobs relate to each other. For instance, if employees of an organisation fear their managers, then the organisation is likely to have a rigid organisational culture. On the other hand, if employees and managers interact with each other without fear, then the organisation is likely to have a flexible organisational culture (Jeremy Steve 2012). Some organisational structures are horizontal and are associated with line management. In organisations with horizontal structures, there are several managers working under a senior manager. These managers are presumed to be at par in terms of power and as a result, none of them can give orders to the rest. Instead, they are in charge of specific departments but work in collaboration with each other. Under the line managers, there a re project or program officers who are charged with implementation of the core activities of the organisations (Schermerhorn 2010). One distinct form of organisational structure is the entrepreneurial structure. This structure encompasses a centre of power that is dominant in an organisation. In organisations with entrepreneurial structures, the behaviour of employees is a true reflection of the behaviour of the managers. In an entrepreneurial structure, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of an organisation has good relationships with all departmental heads and team leaders of the organisation (Pearce Robinson 2011). Another common form of organisational structure is the bureaucratic structure. This structure is mostly associated with strict rules and regulations, which are commonly associated with red tape.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Organisational Design and Performance Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Lea rn More Some characteristics of the bureaucratic structure include hierarchical authority, written rules, and regulations which specify the exact nature of relationships among the employees and how tasks are carried out. The opposite of the bureaucratic structure is the independent structure, which is characterised by a centralised support system that enables various organisational departments to work independently without supervision and coordination (Fox 2009). In the literature of organisational design, the concept of specialisation refers to a situation where different employees are assigned different tasks which they are qualified for based on their training, education, and experience. Specialisation enables employees to work efficiently and effectively due to their ability to focus on specific areas which they are passionate about (Stanford 2007). Comparison of Tesco with MS Tesco is a multinational company dealing with grocery and general retail merchandise. Its headquarter s are at Cheshunt, United Kingdom (Tesco 2014). According to information posted on its website, it is the third largest retail merchandise in the world after Wal-Mart and Carrefour. Its main market is in the United Kingdom but it has grocery stores in more than 13 countries across the globe (Tesco 2014). Tesco’s mission is to be acknowledged by its customers as the premier drilling Services Company while the vision is to become a customers’ strategic partner in elimination of non-productive time. The core values of the company include compliance to work ethics and provision of a safe work environment.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Tesco’s expansion strategy is coined to respond to the needs of all its customers, both in the United Kingdom and in other countries where it has operations (Tesco 2014). The challenges associated with entering new markets abroad were the key determinants of Tesco’s expansion strategy, where it used mergers and acquisitions to penetrate those markets. Examples of mergers by Tesco include the partnership with Samsung in South Korea to form Samsung –Tesco home-plus merger and in Thailand where it went into partnership with Charoen Pokphad to form a merger called Tesco-Lotus. In 2005, the company acquired several companies in South Korea. With the advent of globalisation, Tesco managed to move to China where the culture and values are completely different from those of the United Kingdom. The company entered China in 2004 after acquiring about 50% of the Hymall. It also operates in various cities and towns in China such as Shanghai, Weifang, and Taizhou where it de als with imported wines, beers, and cheese products especially from Italy, Netherlands, and France (Tesco 2014). MS is a British multinational company which specialises in food products, clothing, home products, and other luxurious domestic products. Its headquarters are at Westminster in London. It was started way back in 1884 by Mark and Spencer. In the United Kingdom, MS has a total of 622 stores and 270 others in 34 countries. The company’s mission is â€Å"to make aspirational quality accessible to all† (MS: the official board 2010). As per the company’s mission statement, the company’s strategic direction is coined around meeting the needs of its customers by providing them with high quality products and services at affordable prices. In terms of organisational design, both Tesco and MS are structured in a bureaucratic manner, that is, they both have chains of command. It is through the chains of command that authority and power to make decisions ar e entrenched. The two companies are therefore layered, with the boards of directors being at the top. Since the two are multinational companies, the bureaucratic structure is the most appropriate because it enables them to be guided by formal rules and regulations which are communicated well through the chains of command. Both companies have rules of conduct at the workplace. Such rules govern things like working hours, holidays, and communication protocols within the companies. The bureaucratic approach views organisations as being guided by rationality. Employees are selected not on the basis of friendship but on merit and qualification. The approach does not encourage the mixing of friendship or family issues with organisational business. All employees are therefore selected through a transparent and competitive process. In terms of remuneration, employees are remunerated according to their positions and qualifications, meaning that those at the top of the hierarchy get higher re muneration than those at the bottom. However, in terms of responsibilities, those at the bottom are mostly involved with daily activities of organisations while those at the top are mostly involved with policy issues and public relations activities. The approach recognises positions in the hierarchy by their designations not by the individuals who hold them. It means that there is no personification of ranks within organisations and as a result, discipline and respect are able to prevail. The idea of addressing positions by their designations in the hierarchy also ensures that there are no unnecessary arguments between different officials in the chain of command. The bureaucratic structure is based on the bureaucratic theory, which is characterised by clearly defined rules and procedures at the workplace. These rules and procedures make things easy for employees because there is no ambiguity since the employees are able to focus on their duties and responsibilities. The clear chain of command also ensures that there is proper communication because all employees know where to receive instructions from and as a result, there is no conflict of interest between various levels in the organisational structure (Osterwalder Pigneur 2010). The recruitment of employees based on merit and professional qualification ensure that the right people are employed for the right jobs. It also ensures that there is efficiency and high quality production in organisations. The separation of employees’ personal issues and those of organisations enables employees to focus only on their duties and responsibilities at the workplace. However, the organisational designs for the two companies vary to some extent, with Tesco having a more rigid structure than MS. In the case of MS, the managing director is at the top followed by the executive directors, then the general staff (MS: the official board 2010). This structure means that MS is able to make decisions faster than Tesco beca use at Tesco, all decisions pass through a longer chain of command than at MS. As a result, MS has managed to move to more countries than Tesco. The reason is that managers at MS are given the leeway to make business decisions based on the situations on the ground (MS: student information 2010). It is important to mention that MS had a rigid structure just like Tesco. However, in 2009, MS was restructured after its top leadership experienced slow growth and stiff competition from its business rivals. The leadership attributed its slow growth to its rigid organisational structure, where the procurement of decisions took longer than necessary. After restructuring, MS has realised increased growth of business and improved customer satisfaction (MS: the official board 2010). E-Business Models and Approaches for Tesco and MS Organisational Strategy As shown in the diagram above, the success of any organisation is depended on three key pillars. The business strategy is equivalent to orga nisational mission. For organisations to achieve their mission, they must put in place proper organisational infrastructure in terms of organisational and information strategies. The organisational strategy comprises both short-term and long-term goals, while the information strategy comprises internal and external communication channels. The three pillars are interwoven; meaning any change in one of them affects the others. In other words, the success of each pillar is depended on the other pillars. However, business strategy is the key pillar which provides overall direction of the organisations (Pearson Saunders 2013). Since the start of the 1990 decade, Tesco emerged as a global leader in e-business. Through its Information and Technology (IT) department, the company developed a vibrant e-business model which has been described as very efficient and effective. According to its IT director Mr. Mike McNamara, Tesco’s e-business model focuses on various business aspects nam ely marketing, e-procurement, e-training, supply chain management, customer relationship management, and online selling. According to a survey done by an organisation known as Datamonitor, Tesco accounted for more than half of total sales done online in 2014 (Rogers 2015). On its part, MS has not been in the e-business for long like Tesco. However, it has incorporated technology in its business and as a result; it has been able to boost its revenues by 40% in the past decade. Just like Tesco, MS’s e-business model is focused on marketing and sales (Strinfellow 2010). The marketing strategies of the two companies involve advertisement on various platforms on the internet. Examples are explained below. Facebook The two companies have Facebook pages where they post information about what they do, the kind of services and products they deal with, their uniqueness, and how customers may get their products and services. Facebook has a function that allows people to ‘like†™ the companies’ pages by clicking on the ‘like’ button. When people ‘like’ the pages, they are able to access the companies’ business information such as services offered, physical addresses, companies’ mission and vision among other information. On the Facebook pages, the companies invite those who ‘like’ their pages to give their views regarding the companies’ operations. In other words, the companies operate an online suggestion box, which they use to improve their services. Facebook is therefore not only used as an advertisement and marketing tool but also as a platform to improve the quality of products and services offered by the two companies (Bodnar Cohen 2012). Twitter The two companies also have twitter handles where those who want to know more about them are requested to ‘follow’ the twitter handles. Once they ‘follow’, they are able to access the companies’ business in formation. The companies use their twitter accounts to advertise and market their businesses. They also use them to update customers on new products and services. In other words, the companies use twitter for acquiring and retaining customers (Jones Silverstein 2009). Google + It is a product of the giant search engine company called Google. Google + is among the latest forms of social media and has improved features compared to twitter and Facebook. The google+ application can be downloaded into mobile phones and computers. Many people who use it prefer it due to its many features such as live videos, music, data storage functions, You Tube, google maps, and google play among other features. Just like Facebook and twitter, for people to join google+, they are required to register by creating their profiles. Companies may as well create their google+ profiles and invite customers to be part of the events on their google+ profiles. Both Tesco and MS use the google+ feature to market their products and services. One of the interesting features of google+ is You Tube. This feature enables the companies to store videos and pictures of various products. Due to its ability to store huge files, google+ enables the companies to share as mush information as possible with their customers, a feature which is missing on Facebook and twitter. As a result, it becomes easy and convenient for the companies to reach many customers with comprehensive information about their products and services (Harman 2014). Google+ has a high value when it comes to advertisement and marketing. It also has the advantage of having a huge data storage capacity, which ensures that the companies do not lose their confidential information due to various reasons such as natural disasters, vandalism, or sabotage by business rivals. E-mail Lists The electronic mail, popularly known as the e-mail is one of the oldest methods of communication via the internet. It is mostly used for confidential commun ication between people, and especially for official purposes. However, the recent days have experienced an increased use of the e-mail, especially after companies started using it for marketing their products and services (Loomer 2013). Companies do so by creating a function in their websites, where those who visit the websites are able to subscribe using their e-mail addresses and start receiving messages about different products and promotions in their e-mail inbox (Pearson Saunders 2013). Both Tesco and MS use the e-mail for advertisement purposes. Through the e-mail, the companies have been able to increase their audience on the social media. The reason is that over 85% of people who have an e-mail account are also on social media. For instance, Facebook has a feature for customising audience using the e-mail. Once Facebook users ‘like’ the Facebook pages of the companies, the feature directly connects Facebook to the users’ e-mail accounts. Once that happen s, the users are able to receive updates on various products and services in their e-mail inbox (Pearson Saunders 2013).. Just like Facebook, majority of people who are on twitter also have e-mail addresses. The reason is that many people use their e-mail addresses to register with twitter and Facebook. In an effort to increase audience for various advertisements, twitter has a tailored audience feature which enables those with e-mail addresses to get updates from twitter via their e-mail addresses. Part II Advice to Tesco The mobile phone technology is one of the most recent milestones in the telecommunication sector. As the name implies, it is a technology which is based on the mobile phone. When the first mobile phone was invented about two decades ago, it was viewed as a major discovery that revolutionised how people communicated with each other. As opposed to earlier methods of communication, the mobile phone came with a unique feature of portability. The first mobile phone wa s used mainly for making calls and sending text messages. As a result, people were, and are still able to move with their mobile phones from one place to another and communicate with others using various mobile phone networks. Since then, the mobile phone technology has witnessed major improvements, which have been occasioned by continued innovation and creativity in the telecommunication sector. The first feature to be added to the mobile phone was the internet. The manufacturing of mobile phones which were internet enabled was a major step towards making the mobile phone part and parcel of human life. Currently, the mobile phone is equipped with a wide range of applications such as Facebook, twitter, WhatsApp, Bluetooth, wi-fi among other advanced applications. In a nutshell therefore, the mobile phone is slowly rendering the computer irrelevant. The reason is that despite its small screen, the mobile phone is capable of doing any task which the computer can do. In business circle s, the mobile phone has not been left behind. As explained earlier, companies of different sizes and complexities have incorporated technology in their business strategies. However, many of the technologies are based on the computer. Due to globalisation, the business environment has become more competitive than ever. The main driving forces of globalisation include the advancement in information and communication technology, improved transport systems, and liberalisation of trade and immigration policies. As a result, companies are always thinking of ways of increasing their competitiveness so as to increase their revenues and expand to new markets. Companies have therefore been investing immensely in innovation with the aim of coming up with unique products and services which can be appealing to their customers. As mentioned earlier in this report, Tesco’s expansion strategy is coined to respond to the needs of its customers irrespective of their locations and nationalities . Tesco has managed to incorporate technology in its business strategy to some extent. However, it has not effectively utilised the mobile phone technology and as many commentators have pointed out, the company has a great potential of increasing its revenues if it fully integrates its business strategy with the mobile phone technology. Tesco can borrow the example of IBM, which is one of the few organisations which have realised the potential of the mobile phone technology to grow businesses. According to IBM, the mobile phone technology is becoming the target of many companies which want to appeal to their customers as much as possible. The reasoning behind the application of mobile phone technology in business is that there are more people who are able to access and use the mobile phone than those who are able to access and use the computer. The reason is that the mobile phone is portable and easy to use. According to Facebook, which is one of the leading social media companies i n the globe, over 350 million people use Facebook on their mobile phones daily for various activities such as posting updates, communicating with friends, and sending photos. It therefore means that if properly used, the mobile phone technology has a great potential of growing businesses. According to IBM, the overall objective of companies which use the mobile phone technology in their businesses should be what the customers want. If the companies can be able to accurately know the needs of their customers, then they can be in a position to design applications which may meet those needs. As a result, such companies should follow IBM’s simple guidelines when using the mobile phone technology as a strategy for creating business advantage. These guidelines are the ones which I would advise Tesco to follow if it aspires to succeed in its strategic objectives both at home and abroad (IBM global business services: White paper: creating a compelling mobile user experience 2012). As per the IBM’s model, companies such as Tesco should focus on the mobile phone user’s experience with the aim of making it different from that of using the computer. Basically, a mobile phone application should not be a replica of a website because the mobile phone is remarkably different from the computer. Tesco should therefore aim at designing mobile phone applications which are easy to use, bearing in mind that mobile phone users are more prone to interruptions than computer users. As a result, there is no room for sophisticated applications on mobile phones because they only help in diverting the attention of the users elsewhere. The user interface for the mobile phone should therefore be user-friendly and equipped with clear guidelines and steps which make the user’s experience hustle free (IBM global business services: White paper: creating a compelling mobile user experience 2012). The other aspects which Tesco should focus on while integrating its busin ess strategy with the mobile phone technology include making applications which take into account simplicity, rich experiences, sociability, innovativeness, and smart evolution. All these aspects are focused on the customers; with the objective of making their mobile phone technology experiences enjoyable. If the applications are kept simple but of high quality, customers would be willing to use them for their shopping. Since the goal is to make the customers use their mobile phones to make their shopping experiences easier, Tesco should ensure that the details which are given in all applications are valid and not confusing. For example, if a customer wants to order a certain product using a mobile phone, then the application for performing that task should be equipped with adequate details about the product and its unique features. Something else for Tesco to put into consideration is that applications for online shopping should also be sensitive to customers’ feelings. In s ome cases, some applications may require customers to disclose their personal details such as age, name, location, and so forth. In such cases, the applications should clearly explain why such details are needed and have an option for accepting or declining to reveal such details. That makes it possible for customers to give their personal details without fear of victimisation. If adequate explanations are not provided, customers may become suspicious when asked to disclose their personal details and abandon the whole thing altogether. Mobile phone applications for business purposes should also focus on addressing customers’ key concerns. The reason is that all customers who use mobile phone applications have specific concerns which they expect to be addressed. It should not just be a matter of making applications for the sake of making them, but rather, Tesco should first understand which applications are available in the market and what customers think about them. Once that is done, the company should invest only in applications which are completely different from those in the market. The company may also make improvements on the existing applications and install them in mobile phones. The reason is that customers are always excited by the realisation that a mobile phone application has the ability of improving their mobile shopping experiences. Something else of crucial importance when designing a mobile phone application is speed. The reason is that customers do not have all the time to wait for low-speed applications to execute a command. Low-speed applications also consume a lot of battery power and data bundles, something which does not go down well with customers. The applications should therefore be of good speed and have the ability to open several windows at the same time. I would therefore advise Tesco to be proactive and empower its IT department with the necessary equipment and resources for it to fully incorporate the mobile phone technol ogy in the company’s business strategy. If Tesco is able to advance its mobile phone technology by following IBM’s guidelines, then the potential of outperforming its competitors such as Wal-Mart would be increased. Key Performance Indicators If Tesco embraces IMB’s guidelines by incorporating them in its business strategy, it would realise significant improvements. Such improvements would include customer satisfaction, better work environment, and improved quality of products and services. In order to asses the improvements, I have developed a group of KPIs which may be used to asses Tesco’s improvements. The KPIs are adopted from the Aberdeen’s group report and focus on three key areas namely internal business processes, customer satisfaction, and organisational learning. These are discussed and illustrated below. As indicated earlier, Tesco’s mission is to be acknowledged by its customers as the premier drilling Services Company while its vision is to become a customers’ strategic partner in elimination of non-productive time. The mobile phone technology relates to Tesco’s mission in that it would increase the customer base and lead to improved financial performance, which would in turn lead to reduction of prices. It relates to the vision of becoming a customers’ strategic partner in elimination of non-productive time in that through it, customers would not waste time using computers to do their online shopping but would do it using their mobile phones at their places of convenience (Aberdeen group report: Enterprise mobility management 2012). Through the mobile phone technology, Tesco would be able to initiate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs at the community level. These CSR programs would comprise things like setting up foundations for helping the less fortunate in the society to attain education, establishment of healthcare initiatives, and environmental conservation. These pr ograms would not only make people live good lives but would also enable them to benefit from the profits made by the company. The programs would also lead to increased customer satisfaction due to improved efficiency. Objective Indicator Target Initiative Increase the customer base The number of new customers per week and the rate at which they purchase goods and services using the mobile phone technology The rural communities, the affluent, the African Americans, the suburbanite, the Hispanic Americans, and the so called ‘empty-nesters’ Design mobile phone applications which are user-friendly Improve customer satisfaction Increased number of customers and improvement of sales All the categories of customers named above and any others Improve the quality of goods and services Initiate CSR programs Number of CSR programs established and the number of beneficiaries The less fortunate in the society Establish CSR initiatives and create awareness about their existe nce and benefits using the mobile phone technology The mobile phone technology would improve Tesco’s internal business processes through increased efficiency. The increased efficiency relates to the company’s vision in that through it, the company would be able to utilise its resources effectively. The effective utilisation of resources would enable the company to provide goods and services which are of high quality at affordable prices, thus enable the customers to live good lives because they would be able to save money through purchasing goods and services at low prices. The increased efficiency relates to the company’s mission in that it would increase the output of the company’s capital and lead to expansion to new markets. The other objective of improving the internal business processes is the improvement of the quality of goods and services produced and sold by the company. This objective relates to Tesco’s mission in that improved qualit y of goods and services would lead to increased sales. As a result, many people would save money and live good lives. The objective relates to Tesco’s vision in that the provision of quality goods and services would increase the competitive advantage of the company in the retail industry, and enable it to move closer towards being a world leader in the retail industry. The improvement of the quality of goods and services is related to the company’s overall strategy because the high quality goods and services would enable the company to increase its customer satisfaction. Consequently, the customers would increase the volume of their shopping and enable the company to improve its financial performance (Parmeter 2010). Objective Indicator Target Initiative To increase company’s efficiency Reduction of the time used for making one unit of production To reduce the time used for making one unit of production by half Develop mobile phone applications for various organisational processes such as supervision of staff Improve the quality of goods and services Production of goods and services which are of high quality Improve the quality of all goods and services Use mobile phone technology for constant communication between various departments of the company Conclusion The success or failure of any organisation is determined by its structure. Different organisations are designed differently to conform to their social, economic, and political environments. Even though Tesco and MS have bureaucratic structures, MS has a less bureaucratic structure than Tesco. MS’s structure enables it to make decisions easily. Both companies have embraced e-business and have applied the latest forms of technology in their business activities. The incorporation of technology in their businesses has enabled the companies to boost their revenues and increase their global recognition. For instance, Tesco has realised an exponential growth of customers wh o do their shopping online. However, there is need for the company to integrate its business strategy with the mobile phone technology. If Tesco effectively integrates its business strategy with the mobile phone technology, it would be in a good position to effectively compete with its business rivals. Through the mobile phone technology also, Tesco would be able to increase customer satisfaction because many customers would be doing their shopping using their mobile phones at their places of convenience. For the company to be able to fully benefit from the mobile phone technology however, it needs to apply the guidelines provided by IBM and develop mobile phone applications which are user-friendly, easy to use, and able to meet customers’ needs and expectations. Reference List Aberdeen group report: Enterprise mobility management 2012, viewed on http://content.maas360.com/www/content/ar/Aberdeen_SoMoClo_2012.pdf Bodnar, K Cohen, J.L 2012, The B2B social media book: become a marketing superstar by generating leads with blogging, linkedln, twitter, facebook, e-mail, and more, Wiley, Hoboken, N.J. Fox, W. M 2009,The management process : an integrated functional approach, Information Age Publishing, Charlotte, N.C. Harman, W 2014, 5 google+ tips to improve your networking, viewed on http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/google-plus-tips-on-networking/ IBM global business services: white paper: creating a compelling mobile user experience 2012, viewed on http://www- 935.ibm.com/services/uk/cio/pdf/Mobile_UX_Whitepaper_02May12_VK.pdf Jeremy, H Steve, P 2012, Beyond performance management: why, when, and how to use 40 tools and best practices for superior business performance, Harvard Business Review Press, New York. Jones, S.K Silverstein, B 2009, Business-to-business Internet marketing: seven proven strategies for increasing profits through Internet direct marketing, Maximum Press, Gulf Breeze, FL. Loomer, J 2013, 4 creative ways to target your email list with facebook custom audiences, viewed on http://www.jonloomer.com/2013/10/29/facebook-custom-audiences-target-email-list/ MS: student information 2010, viewed on http://corporate.marksandspencer.com/aboutus/student_info MS: the official board 2010, viewed on http://www.theofficialboard.com/org-chart/marks-and-spencer-group Osterwalder Pigneur 2010, Business model generation, John Wiley Sons, Hoboken. Parmeter, D 2010, Key Performance Indicators (KPI): developing, implementing, and using winning KPIs, John Wiley Sons, Hoboken. Pearce, J Robinson, R. B 2011, Organisational structure. dans: strategic management: formulation, implementation and control, McGraw Hill, S.l. Pearson Saunders 2013, Strategic Management of Information Systems, John Wiley Sons, Hoboken. Rogers, J 2015, Tesco.com leads the world, says datamonitor, viewed on http://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Tescocom-leads-the-world-says-Datamonitor Schermerhorn, J 2010, Management, Wiley, Hoboken, N.J. Sims, R 20 07, Human resource management: contemporary issues, challenges and opportunities, Information Age Publishers, Greenwich, Conn. Stanford, N 2007, Guide to organisation design: creating high performance and adaptable enterprises, The economist Newspaper Ltd., New York, NY. Strinfellow, A 2010, About flat organisation structure, viewed on http://www.ehow.com/about_5087590_flat-organization-structure.html Tesco 2014, Mission, vision and values, viewed on http://www.tescocorp.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=4-1167 This report on Organisational Design and Performance Management was written and submitted by user Alberto Sloan to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Hamet Film Writing Assignment Essay

Hamet Film Writing Assignment Essay Hamet Film Writing Assignment Essay Madi Gonsalves Mrs. Bruszski R1/ Hamlet Film Writing Assignment December 2014 1) To create our reenactment of Hamlet’s soliloquy in Act 3 Scene 2 we watched several videos to see how the interpreted the play before we created our own. The one that inspired us the most was David Tennant, Patrick Stewart, & Penny Downie’s video. The element of the film that best illustrated my understanding of the play was how the actor used his tone in voice, how long he drew out the words, and his overall reactions while speaking the soliloquy. In this particular film Hamlet was found speaking into a camera almost contemplating ideas with random bursts of anger and deep thought. This seemed to make the greatest connection to the play and made the most sense to me because in the play he is going over how he should deal with his mother, which I interpreted as full of anger but with random moments of deep thought and realization that he couldn’t do this to his mother. 2) The most interesting choice that David Tennant, Patrick Stewart,

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Learn About the Tarantulas Family Theraphosidae

Learn About the Tarantulas Family Theraphosidae Tarantulas look big and scary, but theyre actually rather docile and virtually harmless to people. Members of the family Theraphosidae exhibit some interesting behaviors and share certain traits. Description Chances are, you would recognize a tarantula if you came across one, without knowing much at all about the traits that define it as a member of the family Theraphosidae. People recognize tarantulas by their enormous size, relative to other spiders, and by their conspicuously hairy bodies and legs. But theres more to a tarantula than hair and heft. Tarantulas are mygalomorphs, along with their close cousins the trapdoor spiders, the purse-web spiders, and the folding-door spiders. Mygalomorphic ​spiders have two pairs of book lungs, and large chelicerae bearing parallel fangs that move up and down (rather than sideways, as they do in araneomorphic spiders). Tarantulas also have two claws on each foot. See this diagram of the parts of a tarantula for more information about the tarantula body. Most tarantulas live in burrows, with some species modifying existing crevices or burrows to their liking, and others constructing their homes from scratch. Some arboreal species climb off the ground, living in trees or even on cliffsides. Classification Kingdom – Animalia Phylum – Arthropoda Class – Arachnida Order – Araneae Infraorder - Mygalomorphae Family - Theraphosidae Diet Tarantulas are generalist predators. Most hunt passively, by simply lying in wait near their burrows until something wanders within reach. Tarantulas will eat anything small enough to catch and consume: arthropods, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and even small mammals. In fact, theyll even eat other tarantulas given the opportunity. Theres an old joke that tarantula keepers tell to illustrate this point: Q: What do you get when you put two small tarantulas in a terrarium?A: One big tarantula. Life Cycle Tarantulas engage in sexual reproduction, although the male transfers his sperm indirectly. When hes ready to mate, the male tarantula constructs a silken sperm web and deposits his sperm there. He then sucks the sperm back up with his pedipalps, filling special sperm storage organs. Only then is he ready to find a mate. A male tarantula will travel at night in search of a receptive female. In many tarantula species, the male and female engage in courtship rituals before mating. They may dance or drum or quiver to prove their worth to one another. When the female appears willing, the male approaches and inserts his pedipalps into her genital opening, and releases his sperm. He then quickly retreats to avoid being eaten. Female tarantulas usually wrap her eggs in silk, creating a protective egg sac which she may suspend in her burrow or move as environmental conditions change. In most tarantula species, the young emerge from the egg sac as bald, immobile postembryo, which require a few more weeks to darken and molt into their first instar stage. Tarantulas are long-lived, and typically take years to reach sexual maturity. Female tarantulas can live 20 years or more, while the males  life expectancy is closer to 7 years. Special Behaviors and Defenses Although people often fear tarantulas, these big, hairy spiders are actually quite harmless. They arent likely to bite unless mishandled, and their venom isnt all that potent if they do. Tarantulas do, however, defend themselves if threatened. If they sense danger, many tarantulas will rear up on their hind legs, and extend their front legs and palpi in a kind of put up your dukes posture. Although they dont possess the means to inflict much damage on their attacker, this threatening posture is often enough to spook a potential predator. New World tarantulas employ a surprising defensive behavior – they fling urticating hairs plucked from their abdomens at the offenders face. These fine fibers can irritate the eyes and respiratory passages of predators, stopping them in their tracks. Even tarantula keepers need to be cautious when handling pet tarantulas. One tarantula owner in the UK was surprised when his eye doctor told him he had dozens of tiny hairs lodged in his eyeballs, and they were the cause of his discomfort and light sensitivity. Range and Distribution Tarantulas live in terrestrial habitats throughout the world, on every continent except Antarctica. Worldwide, about 900 species of tarantulas occur. Just 57 tarantula species inhabit the southwestern U.S. (according to Borror and DeLongs Introduction to the Study of Insects, 7th edition). Sources Bugs Rule! An Introduction to the World of Insects, by Whitney Cranshaw and Richard RedakBorror and Delongs Introduction to the Study of Insects, 7th edition, by Charles A. Triplehorn and Norman F. JohnsonTarantulas and Other Arachnids: Everything About Selection, Care, Nutrition, Health, Breeding, Behavior (Complete Pet Owners Manual), by Samuel D. MarshallThe Natural History of Tarantula Spiders,  by Richard C. Gallon. British Tarantula Society website, accessed online December 26, 2013.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Controversy analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Controversy analysis - Essay Example The bottled water industry opposes the views that their products are not environmentally friendly. They stress the efforts of the industry to recycled bottled waters, and they underscore that many other consumer products have larger ecological footprints than bottled water (Foley). Should bottled water be banned in local communities with safe tap water? Tap water has been criticized for quality issues, and so several individuals and organizations insist that the public is entitled to access to bottled water. Stephen C. Edberg, director of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory of the Yale-New Haven Hospital and professor of Laboratory Medicine, Internal Medicine and Chemical Engineering at Yale University, explains why bottled water is the preferred choice for many citizens. He notes that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) assessed that tap water has limited filtration and disinfection processes, so it advised the public that: â€Å"Because you cannot be sure if your tap water is safe, you may wish to avoid tap water, including water or ice from a refrigerator ice-maker, which is made with tap water and/or drink bottled water.† If the CDC already knows that tap water is not entirely safe, it is clear why many people continue to buy bottled water. Furthermore, Edberg shows that bottled water is safer than tap water because the former goes through several filtration processes. He stresses that while tap water undergoes less specialized filter and disinfection processes bottled water, such as adding chlorine only, bottled water employs â€Å"a more controlled process that can avoid external contamination from the source through the bottling process.† Bottled waters are also hygienically sealed, which seals in freshness and quality, while tap water cannot make the same claims (Edberg). Banning bottled water can expose citizens to

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 217

Assignment Example Issues arose when it came to the income statement. Although Gabel Boarding School not for profit organization meaning its primary organizational objective is not profit maximization, the school is heading towards the dark end. The financial statements indicate that the company spends more than it earns in one trading period. When there are many expenses that the income, the school generates the chances of the operations of the school getting paralyzed are very high. The financial statements of Gabel Boarding School also indicate that the biggest source of funds for the school loans from banks and other financial statements. Ideally not for profit organization do not get their revenues from their activities but donors and investors. Donors and investor are parties interested in the good will of the project. Loans tend to drain all the funds from the operations and the little income the school gets. Another issue with the financial statements of the school is that there are many miscellaneous expenses. The miscellaneous expenses generate not revenues for the school and thus act as a fiscal restraint. Not for profit organizations usually have their income statements include few details. They add up all items from their expenditures and record them as one item. Their statements have a particular audience who are the donor and investors. Because of the audience they attract they only list important activities of the organization, unlike Gabel Boarding School where all items are in the list (McCarthy, Nancy and John 132). The first recommendation that the school must work on immediately reduce their expense accounts. Reducing the expense account does not necessarily mean that the school stops carrying out its operations but instead either raise the revenues they have from other sources or get rid of activities that are no a must do. The best way to reduce expense from the organization’s activities is to have a checklist (McCarthy, Nancy and

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Disability Assignment Essay Example for Free

Disability Assignment Essay Ageism has been addressed and there have been many solutions made to help stop it. The ADA was established to stop the discrimination of the disabled, which many elderly people are. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) was established to protect workers 40 years of age or older from being fired because of their age and replaced with younger workers who presumably would receive lower salaries. None of these have been a miracle, but they have slowed down the discrimination of the elderly. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Meachan v. Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory stating that employers under ADEA had to prove that laying off older workers wasn’t based on age but â€Å"some reasonable factor† (Schaefer, 2012). Is the number of aging population expected to rise in numbers or decrease? The number of the aging population is expected to rise in numbers. According to  The Demographics Of Aging  (2009), today, one out of every 9 Americans is old—another former youth turns 50 every 8 seconds. Those age 65 and older now exceed 35 million, a number poised to explode. The upcoming aging population will be different from those of past decades. They will live longer, maintain better  health  and have more active life styles than previous generations. With the increase in the elderly population comes the need for more Social Security, disability and medical care. This could affect the economy in a negative way. †¢ What types of legislation may or may not be affected by the aging population? I think Bills will be affected by the aging population because they will need to be enforced more. There are many Bills and laws that have been passed for the equal rights and fair treatment of the elderly. There are many private and public bills that I am sure will be enforced more with the increase in the elderly population. With the rise of the elderly, there will be a rise in voting also. More elderly people vote during an election year than any other age group. These are the only two ways that I can think of that would be affected by the ageing population. How does poverty affect the ageing population? Many elderly people live right at the poverty level because of all the expenses they have. Prescriptions, doctor’s appointments, housing, etc. are all expenses that elderly people have to pay for every month. Most elderly people have insuran ce, such as Medicare, but this doesn’t always pay for all the medical expenses they incur. Poverty can affect the ageing population in negative ways. They can become stressed that they might not be able to pay all their bills, which can lead to health issues. If Social Security benefits did not exist, an estimated 44%  of the elderly would be poor today, assuming no changes in behavior (Cawthorne,  2008). There are many in the ageing population who are still working today because they don’t have the means to retire. With the downfall of the economy, many have to come out of retirement and become employed again because their government benefits aren’t enough. Part III †¢ How have people with disabilities been treated in the past? The disabled population has been treated very unfairly in the past. They are discriminated against and are shown prejudice because of their state. Many were denied employment because of their disabilities and public venues didn’t have the proper means to accommodate a disabled person. Some disabled individuals were treated like they had a disease. They were given dirty looks or were stared at like they were a zoo animal. The disabled were left in institutions or homes to live out the rest of their lives because no one wanted to â€Å"deal† with them. They weren’t given the same treatment as the non-disabled. There were also cases of parents of a disabled child being told they were better off â€Å"putting them out of their misery† because there weren’t very many resources available. All of this treatment led to the passing of laws and the creation of many organizations to help the disabled receive fair treatment. †¢ How has the attitude toward people with disabilities changed over time? The attitude toward and treatment of people with disabilities has changed drastically over time. Since the introduction of the ADA, which is the Americans with Disabilities Act, the disabled have been receiving equal rights and have been able to fight against discrimination. Almost every public venue has the means to accommodate the disabled, such as a wheelchair ramp or automatic opening doors. There are events now made specifically for the disabled so they can still be a part of their community, like the Special Olympics and charity events. My nephew has Down Syndrome and they have a special baseball league every summer that he participates in called the â€Å"Miracle League†. People are embraced more for their disabilities instead of being shunned. There is much more technology available in order to keep the disabled active and social. Also, with the passing of the ADA, there are more disabled individuals gaining employment. Granted, the jobs they acquire aren’t top level executives, but they do provide them with a sense of security and pride. †¢ What are some unique circumstances or issues encountered by people with disabilities? There are quite a few unique circumstances or issues that I can think of encountered by people with disabilities. If the disabled individual is in a wheelchair, they have many obstacles they have to overcome. They are the first to board an airplane since they take the longest to get on the plane. When they go through metal detectors, they have to be wanded afterwards because they go off every time. Disabled individuals with any kind of physical disability have a harder time moving around places and enjoying the same recreational activities as a person without a physical disability. Individuals who are blind have braile on signs and also can’t enjoy the same activities that the seeing population can. Disabilities to me are a unique circumstance in itself that other individuals have to be kind and respectful about. †¢ What is being done to address those issues? The ADA has been passed which prevents the discrimination of the disabled. They cannot be discriminated in the workforce, restaurants, transportation, etc. There have been many disabled individuals who have fought with the basis of the ADA behind them. There are resources that can be used by the disabled in order to make their lives easier, such as wheelchair ramps. These things make the lives of the disabled much easier. There is also Social Security Disability available for those who cannot work and need the income to live. †¢ What types of legislation have been introduced to address issues faced by people with disabilities? There are many types of legislation that have been introduced to help the disabled. The ADA, which I have already discussed in previous answers, protects the disabled from prejudice and discrimination. The Developmental Disabilities Assistance Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) ensures that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families have access to community-based services and supports to promote opportunities for independence, productivity and inclusion. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities. The Rehabilitation Act (Rehab Act) authorizes the formula grant programs of vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, independent living, and client assistance. It also authorizes a variety of training and service discretionary grants administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration.

Friday, November 15, 2019

should scarlet letter be published :: essays research papers

Dear Perma-Bound,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It has come to my attention that you are currently debating on whether or not you should publish The Scarlet Letter and introduce it into the literary world. I feel that it would be in your best interest for you to go and publish this novel for all to read.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This novel is a superb piece of literature and people all over the world could reap benefit from its contents. Throughout the novel we feel, not only the suffering of being publicly humiliated for one’s sins, but also the suffering of the guilty one who has not yet let his sins known to the world. We feel the shame Hester feels as the other villagers scorn and torment her for her sin. We can sense her strength as she goes through the first few years without ever once lashing out at anyone for the way they treated her. Hester just accepts it has the part of her punishment. Reverend Dimmesdale’s guilt is so strong and runs so deep that we, as the readers, cry out with sympathy for him and his inner turmoil. Not only does this novel bring us into the souls of its characters in order to better understand them, but it also shows us just how easily friends can turn their backs on you. These villagers that were tormenting Hester had, at one point, been her friends. As soon as these â€Å"friends† found out about what Hester had done they became her enemies. All of the virtues about Hester that they had known were forgotten and in its place was put the knowledge of her sin.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Sony Playstation Being Hacked

On April 27 the world was shocked to find out that the Germans hacked one of the biggest companies in the world. Sony Play station has been around for many of years, they have grown to be a big accomplishment to the world. The Sony Company has television, video games, and online access. The only company I really grew up using was being hacked, and had to shut the whole system down. The gamers aren’t the only ones in trouble from being hacked, but if you bought anything from Sony such as a television, or a game on the internet the hackers may have your credit card number. The reason why this article interested me, because you would never think in a million years that this would happen to a big company that everyone uses. Hackers would have your personal information that you should only know. One thing that stands out the most is that they have to shut down the whole system, so by you having a Playstation 3 your internet is down. That means no Netflix, downloading, or anything right now that has to do with the system. The United States is a big thing on technology, that’s what we rely on to get use through our everyday life. This is a big economical and social problem for the users of Sony. They have hacked more than 77 million user’s information, which mean that by them doing that they have messed up a lot of people trust with the company. The new users wouldn’t trust the company, and probably go to a company that they will feel that their personal information will be in safe hands. The Company will not be making money, because they had to shut the whole system down. That’s mean no buying movies, downloading games, etc, and that where the big money comes from.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

“A Conversation with My Father” Response Essay

In the short story â€Å"A Conversation with My Father,† there are two narratives intertwined. This story brings to light a generation gap between the past and the present. This generation gap leaves the dying father and his writer daughter with different views not only in life but also in literature. Paley’s use of characters exemplifies her efforts to combine realism with experimentation. This story is a great example of her style of writing: telling stories through the use of characters. Paley blends real life and literature, portraying her characters as practical people with realistic problems. Every character has his/her own unique opinion on life. The two narratives mirror each other in the sense that they are about the relationships between parents and their children. Read more: Essay About My Father Goes to Court The daughter hates the kind of story her father wants, while the father rejects her tale because he sees in it her inability to face tragic realities of fiction and life. Their different attitudes towards the possibility of opportunities and change, fictional or real, stem from their different worldviews and experiences. Not only are the intertwined narratives paralleled, but the overall story might also reflect Paley’s relationship with her father. Did Paley have issues with her father regarding her career choice? In the story the daughter writes for her dying father, the father she would rather have surfaces as the mother who uses drugs as a mean of being closer to her son. This idea might be Paley’s way of expressing her desire to have a father like the mother her protagonist created. In a way, Paley puts herself into her work as the protagonist and uses the hidden message in her work as a way to express her problems.

Friday, November 8, 2019

Henry Ford and the Auto Assembly Line

Henry Ford and the Auto Assembly Line Cars changed the way people lived, worked, and enjoyed leisure time; however, what most people don’t realize is that the process of manufacturing automobiles had an equally significant impact on the industry. The creation of the assembly line by Henry Ford at his Highland Park plant, introduced on December 1, 1913, revolutionized the automobile industry and the concept of manufacturing worldwide. The Ford Motor Company Henry Ford was not a newcomer to the business of automobile manufacturing. He built his first car, which he christened the â€Å"Quadricycle,† in 1896. In 1903, he officially opened the Ford Motor Company and five years later released the first Model T. Although the Model T was the ninth automobile model Ford created, it would be the first model which would achieve wide popularity. Even today, the Model T remains an icon for the still-existing Ford Motor Company. Making the Model T Cheaply Henry Ford had a goal of making automobiles for the multitudes. The Model T was his answer to that dream; he wanted them to be both sturdy and cheap. In an effort to make Model T’s cheaply at first, Ford cut out extravagances and options. Buyers couldn’t even choose a paint color; they were all black. By the end of production, however, the cars would be available in a wide variety of colors and with a wide variety of custom bodies. The cost of the first Model T was set at $850, which would be approximately $21,000 in today’s currency. That was cheap, but still not cheap enough for the masses. Ford needed to find a way to cut down the price even further. Highland Park Plant In 1910, with the aim of increasing manufacturing capacity for the Model T, Ford built a new plant in Highland Park, Michigan. He created a building that would be easily expanded as new methods of production were incorporated. Ford consulted with Frederick Taylor, creator of scientific management, to examine the most efficient modes of production. Ford had previously observed the assembly line concept in slaughterhouses in the Midwest and was also inspired by the conveyor belt system that was common in many grain warehouses in that region. He wished to incorporate these ideas into the information Taylor suggested to implement a new system in his own factory. One of the first innovations in production that Ford implemented was the installation of gravity slides that facilitated the movement of parts from one work area to the next. Within the next three years, additional innovative techniques were incorporated and, on December 1, 1913, the first large-scale assembly line was officially in working order. Assembly Line Function The moving assembly line appeared to the onlooker to be an endless contraption of chains and links that allowed Model T parts to swim through the sea of the assembly process. In total, the manufacturing of the car could be broken down into 84 steps. The key to the process, however, was having interchangeable parts. Unlike other cars of the time, every Model T produced on Fords line used the exact same valves, gas tanks, tires, etc. so that they could be assembled in a speedy and organized fashion. Parts were created in mass quantities and then brought directly to the workers who were trained to work at that specific assembly station. The chassis of the car was pulled down the 150-foot line by a chain conveyor and then 140 workers applied their assigned parts to the chassis. Other workers brought additional parts to the assemblers to keep them stocked; this reduced the amount of time workers spent away from their stations to retrieve parts. The assembly line significantly decreased the assembly time per vehicle and increased the profit margin. Assembly Line Customization As time passed, Ford used assembly lines more flexibly than he is generally given credit for. He used multiple parallel lines in a start-stop mode to adjust output to large demand fluctuations. He also used sub-systems which optimized extraction, transportation, production, assembly, distribution, and sales supply chain systems.   Perhaps his most useful and neglected innovation was the development of a way to mechanize production and yet customize the configuration of each Model T as it rolled off the block. Model T production had a core platform, a chassis consisting of engine, pedals, switches, suspensions, wheels, transmission, gas tank, steering wheel, lights, etc. This platform was continually being improved. But the body of the car could be any one of several types of vehicles: auto, truck, racer, woody wagon, snowmobile, milk wagon, police wagon, ambulance, etc.  At peak, there were eleven basic model bodies, with 5,000 custom gadgets that were manufactured by external companies that could be selected by the customers. Impact of the Assembly Line on Production The immediate impact of the assembly line was revolutionary. The use of interchangeable parts allowed for continuous workflow and more time on task by laborers. Worker specialization resulted in less waste and a higher quality of the end product. Sheer production of the Model T dramatically increased. The production time for a single car dropped from over 12 hours to just 93 minutes due to the introduction of the assembly line. Ford’s 1914 production rate of 308,162 eclipsed the number of cars produced by all other automobile manufacturers combined. These concepts allowed Ford to increase his profit margin and lower the cost of the vehicle to consumers. The cost of the Model T would eventually drop to $260 in 1924, the equivalent of approximately $3,500 today. Impact of the Assembly Line on Workers The assembly line also drastically altered the lives of those in Ford’s employ. The workday was cut from nine hours to eight hours so that the concept of the three-shift workday could be implemented with greater ease. Although hours were cut, workers did not suffer from lower wages; instead, Ford nearly doubled the existing industry-standard wage and began paying his workers $5 a day. Ford’s gamble paid off- his workers soon used some of their pay increases to purchase their own Model Ts. By the end of the decade, the Model T had truly become the automobile for the masses that Ford had envisioned. The Assembly Line Today The assembly line is the primary mode of manufacturing in the industry today. Automobiles, food, toys, furniture, and many more items pass down assembly lines worldwide before landing in our homes and on our tables. While the average consumer does not think of this fact often, this 100-year-old innovation by a car manufacturer in Michigan changed the way we live and work forever. Sources and Further Reading Alizon, Fabrice, Steven B. Shooter, and Timothy W. Simpson. Henry Ford and the Model T: Lessons for Product Platforming and Mass Customization. Design Studies 30.5 (2009): 588–605. Print.Upward, Geoffrey C. A Home for Our Heritage: The Building and Growth of Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. Dearborn, Michigan: The Henry Ford Museum Press, 1979. Print.Wilson, James M. Henry Ford Vs. Assembly Line Balancing. International Journal of Production Research 52.3 (2014): 757–65. Print.

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Ancient Nepal, ca. 500 B.C.-A.D. 700

Ancient Nepal, ca. 500 B.C.-A.D. 700 Neolithic tools found in the Kathmandu Valley indicate that people were living in the Himalayan region in the distant past, although their culture and artifacts are only slowly being explored. Written references to this region appeared only by the first millennium B.C. During that period, political or social groupings in Nepal became known in north India. The Mahabharata and other legendary Indian histories mention the Kiratas (see Glossary), who still inhabited eastern Nepal in 1991. Some legendary sources from the Kathmandu Valley also describe the Kiratas as early rulers there, taking over from earlier ​Gopals or Abhiras, both of whom may have been cowherding tribes. These sources agree that an original population, probably of Tibeto-Burman ethnicity, lived in Nepal 2,500 years ago, inhabiting small settlements with a relatively low degree of political centralization. Monumental changes occurred when groups of tribes calling themselves the Arya migrated into northwest India between 2000 B.C. and 1500 B.C. By the first millennium B.C., their culture had spread throughout northern India. Their many small kingdoms were constantly at war amid the dynamic religious and cultural environment of early Hinduism. By 500 B.C., a cosmopolitan society was growing around urban sites linked by trade routes that stretched throughout South Asia and beyond. On the edges of the Gangetic Plain, in the Tarai Region, smaller kingdoms or confederations of tribes grew up, responding to dangers from larger kingdoms and opportunities for trade. It is probable that slow and steady migration of Khasa (see Glossary) peoples speaking Indo-Aryan languages were occurring in western Nepal during this period; this movement of peoples would continue, in fact, until modern times and expand to include the eastern Tarai as well. One of the early confederations of the Tarai was the Sakya clan, whose seat apparently was Kapilavastu, near Nepals present-day border with India. Their most renowned son was Siddhartha Gautama (ca. 563-483 B.C.), a prince who rejected the world to search for the meaning of existence and became known as the Buddha, or the Enlightened One. The earliest stories of his life recount his wanderings in the area stretching from the Tarai to Banaras on the Ganges River and into modern Bihar State in India, where he found enlightenment at Gaya still the site of one of the greatest Buddhist shrines. After his death and cremation, his ashes were distributed among some of the major kingdoms and confederations and were enshrined under mounds of earth or stone called stupas. Certainly, his religion was known at a very early date in Nepal through the Buddhas ministry and the activities of his disciples. continues... Glossary KhasaA term applied to the peoples and languages in the western parts of Nepal, closely related to the cultures of northern India. KirataA Tibeto-Burman ethnic group inhabiting eastern Nepal since before the Licchavi Dynasty, just prior to and during the early years of the Christian era. The political struggles and urbanization of north India culminated in the great Mauryan Empire, which at its height under Ashoka (reigned 268-31 B.C.) covered almost all of South Asia and stretched into Afghanistan in the west. There is no proof that Nepal was ever included in the empire, although records of Ashoka are located at Lumbini, the Buddhas birthplace, in the Tarai. But the empire had important cultural and political consequences for Nepal. First, Ashoka himself embraced Buddhism, and during his time the religion must have become established in the Kathmandu Valley and throughout much of Nepal. Ashoka was known as a great builder of stupas, and his archaic style is preserved in four mounds on the outskirts of Patan (now often referred to as Lalitpur), which were locally called Ashok stupas, and possibly in the Svayambhunath (or Swayambhunath) stupa. Second, along with religion came an entire cultural style centered on the king as the upholder of dharma, or the cosmic law of the universe. This political concept of the king as the righteous center of the political system had a powerful impact on all later South Asian governments and continued to play a major role in modern Nepal. The Mauryan Empire declined after the second century B.C., and north India entered a period of political disunity. The extended urban and commercial systems expanded to include much of Inner Asia, however, and close contacts were maintained with European merchants. Nepal was apparently a distant part of this commercial network because even Ptolemy and other Greek writers of the second century knew of the Kiratas as a people who lived near China. North India was united by the Gupta emperors again in the fourth century. Their capital was the old Mauryan center of Pataliputra (present-day Patna in Bihar State), during what Indian writers often describe as a golden age of artistic and cultural creativity. The greatest conqueror of this dynasty was Samudragupta (reigned ca. 353-73), who claimed that the lord of Nepal paid him taxes and tribute and obeyed his commands. It still is impossible to tell who this lord may have been, what area he ruled, and if he was really a subordinate of the Guptas. Some of the earliest examples of Nepalese art show that the culture of north India during Gupta times exercised a decisive influence on Nepali language, religion, and artistic expression. Next: The Early Kingdom of the Licchavis, 400-750The River System In the late fifth century, rulers calling themselves Licchavis began to record details on politics, society, and economy in Nepal. The Licchavis were known from early Buddhist legends as a ruling family during the Buddhas time in India, and the founder of the Gupta Dynasty claimed that he had married a Licchavi princess. Perhaps some members of this Licchavi family married members of a local royal family in the Kathmandu Valley, or perhaps the illustrious history of the name prompted early Nepalese notables to identify themselves with it. In any case, the Licchavis of Nepal were a strictly local dynasty based in the Kathmandu Valley and oversaw the growth of the first truly Nepalese state. The earliest known Licchavi record, an inscription of Manadeva I, dates from 464, and mentions three preceding rulers, suggesting that the dynasty began in the late fourth century. The last Licchavi inscription was in A.D. 733. All of the Licchavi records are deeds reporting donations to religious foundations, predominantly Hindu temples. The language of the inscriptions is Sanskrit, the language of the court in north India, and the script is closely related to official Gupta scripts. There is little doubt that India exerted a powerful cultural influence, especially through the area called Mithila, the northern part of present-day Bihar State. Politically, however, India again was divided for most of the Licchavi period. To the north, Tibet grew into an expansive military power through the seventh century, declining only by 843. Some early historians, such as the French scholar Sylvain LÃ ©vi, thought that Nepal may have become subordinate to Tibet for some time, but more recent Nepalese historians, including Dilli Raman Regmi, deny this interpretation. In any case, from the seventh century onward a recurring pattern of foreign relations emerged for rulers in Nepal: more intensive cultural contacts with the south, potential political threats from both India and Tibet, and continuing trade contacts in both directions. The Licchavi political system closely resembled that of northern India. At the top was the great king (maharaja), who in theory exercised absolute power but in reality interfered little in the social lives of his subjects. Their behavior was regulated in accordance with dharma through their own village and caste councils. The king was aided by royal officers led by a prime minister, who also served as a military commander. As the preserver of righteous moral order, the king had no set limit for his domain, whose borders were determined only by the power of his army and statecraftan ideology that supported almost unceasing warfare throughout South Asia. In Nepals case, the geographic realities of the hills limited the Licchavi kingdom to the Kathmandu Valley and neighboring valleys and to the more symbolic submission of less hierarchical societies to the east and west. Within the Licchavi system, there was ample room for powerful notables (samanta) to keep their own private armies, ru n their own landholdings, and influence the court. There was thus a variety of forces struggling for power. During the seventh century, a family is known as the Abhira Guptas accumulated enough influence to take over the government. The prime minister, Amsuvarman, assumed the throne between approximately 605 and 641, after which the Licchavis regained power. The later history of Nepal offers similar examples, but behind these struggles was growing a long tradition of kingship. The economy of the Kathmandu Valley already was based on agriculture during the Licchavi period. Artworks and place-names mentioned in inscriptions show that settlements had filled the entire valley and moved east toward Banepa, west toward Tisting, and northwest toward present-day Gorkha. Peasants lived in villages (grama) that were administratively grouped into larger units (dranga). They grew rice and other grains as staples on lands owned by the royal family, other major families, Buddhist monastic orders (sangha), or groups of Brahmans (agrahara). Land taxes due in theory to the king were often allocated to religious or charitable foundations, and additional labor dues (vishti) were required from the peasantry in order to keep up irrigation works, roads, and shrines. The village head (usually known as pradhan, meaning a leader in family or society) and leading families handled most local administrative issues, forming the village assembly of leaders (panchalika or grama pancha). This ancient history of localized decision making served as a model for late twentieth-century development efforts. The River System of Nepal One of the most striking features of present-day Kathmandu Valley is its vibrant urbanism, notably at Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhadgaon (also called Bhaktapur), which apparently goes back to ancient times. During the Licchavi period, however, the settlement pattern seems to have been much more diffuse and sparse. In the present-day city of Kathmandu, there existed two early villagesKoligrama (Village of the Kolis, or Yambu in Newari), and Dakshinakoligrama (South Koli Village, or Yangala in Newari)that grew up around the valleys main trade route. Bhadgaon was simply a small village then called Khoprn (Khoprngrama in Sanskrit) along the same trade route. The site of Patan was known as Yala (Village of the Sacrificial Post, or Yupagrama in Sanskrit). In view of the four archaic stupas on its outskirts and its very old tradition of Buddhism, Patan probably can claim to be the oldest true center in the nation. Licchavi palaces or public buildings, however, have not survived. The truly impor tant public sites in those days were religious foundations, including the original stupas at Svayambhunath, Bodhnath, and Chabahil, as well as the shrine of Shiva at Deopatan, and the shrine of Vishnu at Hadigaon. There was a close relationship between the Licchavi settlements and trade. The Kolis of present-day Kathmandu and the Vrijis of present-day Hadigaon were known even in the Buddhas time as commercial and political confederations in north India. By the time of the Licchavi kingdom, trade had long been intimately connected with the spread of Buddhism and religious pilgrimage. One of the main contributions of Nepal during this period was the transmission of Buddhist culture to Tibet and all of central Asia, through merchants, pilgrims, and missionaries. In return, Nepal gained money from customs duties and goods that helped to support the Licchavi state, as well as the artistic heritage that made the valley famous. Data as of September 1991 Next: The River System of Nepal Nepals Climate | Chronology | Historical Setting Nepal can be divided into three major river systems from east to west: the Kosi River, the Narayani River (Indias Gandak River), and the Karnali River. All ultimately become major tributaries of the Ganges River in northern India. After plunging through deep gorges, these rivers deposit their heavy sediments and debris on the plains, thereby nurturing them and renewing their alluvial soil fertility. Once they reach the Tarai Region, they often overflow their banks onto wide floodplains during the summer monsoon season, periodically shifting their courses. Besides providing fertile alluvial soil, the backbone of the agrarian economy, these rivers present great possibilities for hydroelectric and irrigation development. India managed to exploit this resource by building massive dams on the Kosi and Narayani rivers inside the Nepal border, known, respectively, as the Kosi and Gandak projects. None of these river systems, however, support any significant commercial navigation facility. R ather, the deep gorges formed by the rivers represent immense obstacles to establishing the broad transport and communication networks needed to develop an integrated national economy. As a result, the economy in Nepal has remained fragmented. Because Nepals rivers have not been harnessed for transportation, most settlements in the Hill and Mountain regions remain isolated from each other. As of 1991, trails remained the primary transportation routes in the hills. The eastern part of the country is drained by the Kosi River, which has seven tributaries. It is locally known as the Sapt Kosi, which means seven Kosi rivers (Tamur, Likhu Khola, Dudh, Sun, Indrawati, Tama, and Arun). The principal tributary is the Arun, which rises about 150 kilometers inside the Tibetan Plateau. The Narayani River drains the central part of Nepal and also has seven major tributaries (Daraudi, Seti, Madi, Kali, Marsyandi, Budhi, and Trisuli). The Kali, which flows between the Dhaulagiri Himal and the Annapurna Himal (Himal is the Nepali variation of the Sanskrit word Himalaya), is the main river of this drainage system. The river system draining the western part of Nepal is the Karnali. Its three immediate tributaries are the Bheri, Seti, and Karnali rivers, the latter being the major one. The Maha Kali, which also is known as the Kali and which flows along the Nepal-India border on the west side, and the Rapti River also are considered tributaries of the Karnali. Data as of September 1991 Nepals Climate | Chronology | Historical Setting