Plasmid DNA free essay sample

Definition, genetic roles, step-by-step isolation process, genetic engineering. PLASMID DNA Introduction Plasmid DNA is one of three related genetic elements of all living organisms, chromosomal DNA, plasmids or plasmid-DNA, and the so-called transposable elements that co-exist with the other two and can enhance genetic instability among organisms (5:28). Plasmids have become crucial to medicine and genetics because they are capable of being transformed artificially and of transmitting on their own, from generation to generation, certain resistances or immunities to antibiotic chemicals or other environmental inputs. The Role(s) of Plasmid DNA Postgate introduces the study of microbiology by revealing that 90 percent of living material lies in the microorganisms; thus, they are responsible..

King Lear Essays - King Lear, British Films, Films, Free Essays

King Lear Essays - King Lear, British Films, Films, Free Essays King Lear The play of King Lear is about a person in search of their own personal identity. In the historical period in which this play is set, the social structure was set in order of things closest to Heaven. Therefore, on Earth, the king was at the top, followed by his noblemen and going all the way down to the basest of objects such as rocks and dirt. This structure was set up by the people, and by going by the premise that anything that is man made is imperfect, this system cannot exist for long without conflict. Through tattered clothes small vices do appear; Robes and furred gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold, And the strong lance of justice hurtles breaks; (IV, vi). The chaos that occurs in King Lear is due the reshaping of bonds within the society. Thus naturally, bonds must be broken, kept and most importantly, formed. This rearrangement of bonds is necessary to Lear understanding his personal identity. Bonds that are broken include those relations between King Lear and his two eldest daughters (Regan and Goneril), between Glouster and Edmund and also between Edmund and Edgar. Lear and Cordelia; Lear and Kent; Glouster and Edgar include those bonds that are existent at both the beginning and conclusion of the play. By the ending of the play, Lear is able to come to terms with himself and with nature. For the rearrangement of the bonds, it is necessary that those based on money, power, land, and deception be to abandoned. In the case of Lear and Goneril and Regan, his two daughters have deceived their father for their personal gain. Furthermore, they had not intended to keep the bond with their father once they had what they wanted. Goneril states We must do something, and i' th' heat. (I, i, 355), meaning that they wish to take more power upon themselves while they can. By his two of his daughters betraying him, Lear was able to gain insight that he is not as respected as he perceives himself to be. The relationship broken between Edmund his half- bother, Edgar and father, Glouster is similarly deteriorated in the interest of material items. By the end of the play, Edgar has recognized who is brother really is and when he has confronted him says the more th' hast wronged me... The dark and vicious place where thee he got/ Cost him his eyes. (V, iii, 203- 207). Since these bonds w ere all based on material items, they were not genuine therefore could not hold in the rearrangement of bonds. Throughout the play some bonds remain true. Lear at first disowns Cordelia because he does not get the flattery from her that he wishes to hear. However, through much torment after he is reduced to nothing, Lear realizes that he cannot always get what he wants just because he is king. Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia, The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught thee? He that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven And fire us hence like foxes. Wipe thine eyes. (V, iii, 22- 26) Tough the two were not in communication through the majority of the play, they still had love for each other and by the end of the play, their bond is reformed. The breaking and reforming of Lear and Cordelia's bond is similar to that of Lear and Kent's bond. Throughout the play their bond remains true, only Lear is not aware of it. Even after Lear has passed away, Kent states, I have a journey, sir, shortly to go/ My master calls me; I must not say no. (V, iii, 390- 391), thus proving that even in Lear's death he remains loyal. The bonds that are present at both the beginning and ending of the play have the consistent elements of loyalty and love. Through the reforming of relationships Lear gains insight which allows him to come to terms with himself and nature. Throughout the play Lear experiences much torment and punishment from nature, for unnaturally giving up his power: Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage, blow! You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout Till you have drenched our steeples, (drowned) the cocks. Your sulph' rous and thought- executing fires, Vaunt- couriers of oak- cleaving thunderbolts, Singe my white

Compare and contrast Goodbye Lenin (Wolfgang Becker, 2003) and La Essay

Compare and contrast Goodbye Lenin (Wolfgang Becker, 2003) and La Haine (Mathieu Kassovitz, 1995) in terms of their significance - Essay Example The struggles that those connected to her must endure can be seen as the struggles that occur whenever an ideology of a culture passes, the growing pains that must happen in order to come to a point where freedoms are fully understood and experienced. In La Haine (1995), the pain of having to deal with the nature of city inequities where race and poverty create a power inequality between authority and the poor is explored through the events of a day in the life of Parisian impoverished youths. In turmoil that is part of the perceived landscape of the European culture, as filtered through Hollywood visions of racial inequality, the nature of life after the fall of communism is reflected. In both films, social issue are examined through personifications of struggles as well as the reactions of those around those personified ideals are explored. The plot to the film Goodbye Lenin (2003) is defined by its connectivity between the present and the past. The first portion of the film connec ts the events that will happen further along within the film through a recalling of 1978 when Sigmund Jahn entered space. Jahn was from East Germany and this is a great source of pride for the main character of the film, Alex. The film becomes an exploration of the way that life is lived before the fall of the wall and how it has developed since that time. Alex’s mother, a supporter of the Socialist Party, sees her son arrested at a protest before the wall falls and has a heart attack which leads to a coma that lasts through the political events that precede and are post the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The nature of the exploration is defined by the way that Alex, his sister Ariane, and his girlfriend must prevent his mother from finding out about the political changes because the shock might cause her to once again fall into cardiac arrest. Through the ways that the three plot to present former oppressive atmospheres to Alex’s mother, Christiane, a revelation of the profound differences before the fall of the wall and since that time can be appreciated. In recreating the oppressed state of life before the wall fell, incidents such as taking out all the brighter decor that has Western influences and replaying old broadcasts of events that happened before the fall of the wall provide a contrast of the ways in which life was experienced on either side of the powerful and transformative event. The adherence to the old ideologies creates an additional sense of the transformation that has occurred during the time of Christiane’s coma. There is a running commentary about the beauty of anarchy, the fulfillment that is created when human beings deny ‘authority’ and assert their right to freedom. In the end, despite her own belief and feelings about conformity, Christiane is scattered after her cremation through the use of a rocket that belongs to Alex. This act is an illegal act, but he does it anyway, freeing his mother from her own constraint and scattering her in the place that she loved, while symbolically celebrating the freedom that they have gained through the fall of the wall and the transformation of their nation. The film, La Haine (1995), explores the tension between anarchy and authority, the police representing authority and having both honorable and corrupt representations available for contrast. The power dynamic is what sets the authority apart from the anarchist youth who explore their

What are the effects of chemicals on children Essay

What are the effects of chemicals on children - Essay Example the most dangerous elements scientists distinguish â€Å"air pollutants, pesticides and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), lead, mercury, arsenic, mycotoxins and hazardous chemicals in the workplace† (Chemical Safety). This study aims to search for the effect of chemicals on children`s health and wellbeing and possible measures of harmful effect prevention. Children may get access to chemicals indoor and outdoor through water, soil, house dust, nourishment and shopper items, in the environment where they dwell, study and play. Since specific chemicals can cross the placenta, they can also be transferred to children during pregnancy. Feeding newborn children with breast milk can also expose children to potentially harmful chemicals. As a rule, nobody realizes to the full extent what chemicals may do harm to individuals, particularly infants and babies who are prone to bite things or rub them on the skin. For a significant number of these mixes, there has been almost no examination to explore kids presentation to them. However, some scientists stress over potential dangers in light of the fact that it is presently clear that many chemicals untested for potential wellbeing impacts are found in ordinary things, for example, clothes, footwear, furniture, and toys. Kids are exceptionally defenseless taking into account their hand-to-mouth pr actices, floor play and developing immune ad nervous systems. Producers claim that there is no any threat considering the substances in an item, and it does not mean that any requirements of manufacture were violated. If some chemical from the list of harmful substances is detected in the item on the Washington state rundown is found in a toy or diversion, it does not consequently mean there are grounds for concern as people cannot have contact with these substances at all (Kay, 2013). Erry et al. explore the influence of PVC on children`s organism, which turned out to be extremely negative. In the research, a number of items

Philosophy paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 3

Philosophy paper - Essay Example What is in question is whether it is the mind/soul that makes us do things or it is the physical body. It is also a question of whether the mind (consciousness, or agent intellect) and body (matter) are one or distinct since it is the physical body that performs the functions. Materialists believe that â€Å"everything in the world is made of physical matter and everything does what it does because of laws that govern physical matter or laws of physics† (Dardis, 2008, nap). As such, what makes things happen in the world according to materialists, are physical properties and as such, the mind is physical. Aristotle rejects this view as he believes the mind or agent intellect is â€Å"separate, inviolable and unmixed† with matter (Caston, 2006, p. 318). The mind thus has non-physical properties. He is also a strong emergentist as he believes in the hierarchical arrangement of souls with each level of hierarchy supervening upon substance of preceding level (supervenience) and in a downward causation. Jeffrey M Schwartz being an emergent dualist on the other hand believes that mental phenomena are in some respects non-physical. This essay will evaluate the views of Aristotle and Schwartz on the nature of mental causation in order to draw out their areas of similarities and differences. Aristotle is of the view that the soul is identical to the body and also inseparable from the body just like wax and seal and that the souls and minds are ways bodies are organized. In his book On the Soul written 350 B.C.E Aristotle defines a soul as the actuality of a natural body whereby the body is the subject matter (Book II, Part 1). This is due to the fact that it is the property exhibited by the body. Just as a statue is made from Bronze, Bronze being the material and the statue being the final form, so is a soul to the body. The soul (physical reality or brain) thus is the form of the body or the primary substance and the body is the matter of

Residual welfare model in Hong Kong

Residual welfare model in Hong Kong Residual view of social welfare Social welfare is a significant issue in a society. The social issues let us know which welfare should provide and to what extent the welfare can be provided. In fact, the ways to provide social welfare may vary between different societies. The social welfare system in Hong Kong is adopting the residual welfare model. Hong Kong has followed the big market, small government ideology for many years. It is based on the idea of the residual welfare model that there is no need for the government to engage in the distribution process of social welfare. This is because people can resolve the problems themselves. The needy can find support through the market mechanism, family or the nonprofit organizations. The government will only provide support to people when the needy really can’t solve the problems themselves. Therefore, according to the big market, small government principle, the government holds the belief that people have the ability to get rid of the difficulties. The government is the last and temporary resort of the needy. The government can provide the immediate support to the needy. However, in the long term, the needy have to find ways to help themselves. Due to the residual welfare model, the policies in Hong Kong are not universal. The social assistances in Hong Kong usually have the means test because the government just will help people who are under a very poor financial or living condition. I will use the education and housing aspects in order to show that the policies in Hong Kong demonstrate the ideology of residual welfare model. For education, the government provides funding in the form of loans and grants for students who live in the low income family. The students might get full grants of their tuition fee but they should undergo the means test first. Besides, in order to protect people’s basic living need, the government launches the public housing scheme. The government provides affordable housing for low-income residents. If people want to apply for the public house, they should pass the means test in the public housing scheme. From the policies of education and public housing, we can know that Hong Kong is under the residual welfare model because every policies are not universal and they will set some requirements for people to attain which this is match the beliefs of residual welfare model. Thus, the laissez-faire style and ‘positive non- interv entionism’ are regarded as two main features of Hong Kong’s policy. Despite the education and housing policies, the retirement protection system also demonstrate the ideas of residual welfare model. The aging population problem is becoming more serious in Hong Kong. The aging population of aged 65 and above is getting increasing from 12% to 17% in 2002 to 2012 (Census and Statistics Department, 2013). Hong Kong is experiencing the aging problems over the past decade. In my following part, I will focus on the retirement protection policy within the elderly welfare system. Three-pillar retirement protection approach In order to deal with the aging problems, the World Bank implements the multi-pillar-model. There will be three pillar approaches toward the retirement protection system when the World Bank first times to launch the scheme. The Pillar I is a public retributive and defined-benefit system. It is so called the ‘pay as you go’ approach. Besides, the Pillar II is a private, funded and defined contribution system. Also, the Pillar III is a private, voluntary and supplementary defined contribution system (Roller, 2012). The two more pillars were added in the models later which are the Zero Pillar and Pillar IV. The Zero pillar aims to protect people’s basic need. It holds the belief that everything should undergo the process of means test. It is also related to the Pillar I because both of them are wishing to alleviate poverty. Both of them believe that all citizens should engage in the welfare process (Castells, 2010). Moreover, Pillar IV is talking about some support f rom family which might not be related to the money (Chou, 2009). Even though the model of the World Bank has five pillars nowadays, Hong Kong is still adopting a three-pillar approach toward the retirement protection policy. First, the Zero pillar exists in Hong Kong which aims to provide the basic need to the elderly. In Hong Kong, when the elderly meet the age requirement, they can receive the CSSA and Old Age Allowance (OAA). The CSSA and OAA can act as spare money for the elderly to fulfill their daily living. Second, Hong Kong has the Pillar II which the example is the MPF. If you get a job, there is no doubt that every employee has to engage in the MPF. Third, Hong Kong has the Pillar III which is related to the voluntary private savings(à ©Ã¢â‚¬ ºÃ‚ ·Ãƒ ©Ã‚ ¼Ã… ½Ãƒ ©Ã‚ ³Ã‚ ´Ã‚ ¼Ã…’2011). In order to have a better living as a retired person, they might use their own savings to support their daily life. For the retirement protection policy, we can know that the government is obeying the rule of ‘big market, small government ’. It means that the government and the other institutions also have the responsibility toward the retirement protection policy. The Means tests are the primary method for determining eligibility when applying the CSSA and Old Age Allowance. Selective cash assistances are reserved for people defined within the context of the policy as in need. Means testing is used to identify people with limited resources. This selective process determines the eligibility for welfare benefits or services so it shows the ideas of residual welfare model. The government uses the three pillars approach in order to provide the basic need to the elderly. However, it is not problem free with the three pillars approach. Hong Kong Council of Social Service finished a statistic about aging population last year. There are a third of people aged 65 and over are living under poverty (à ©Ã¢â‚¬ ºÃ‚ ·Ãƒ ©Ã‚ ¼Ã… ½Ãƒ ©Ã‚ ³Ã‚ ´Ã‚ ¼Ã…’2011). They are regarded as very poor people among the world. Thus, people argue that if the CSSA and Old Age Allowance which the elderly rely on can really provide the basic necessities for them. Besides, people also argue that the MPF covers only working people. Housewives and others who are not employed are not covered by the MPF. There is little difficulty in understanding that people will feel doubt that how the retirement protection of the housewives is. Obviously, the existing retirement protection policy is trying to tackle the financial problems of the elderly. When the elderly really need help, the government can provide them with the basic need. The report from the Census and Statistics Department shows that the aging population will be increasing quickly in the coming years. The elderly aged 65 and above will increase from the 1.0 million last year to 2.6 million in 2041. This statistic suggests that by 2041, around one in three persons will be elders (Census and Statistics Department, 2013). Thus, due to the limitations in the retirement protection policy I mentioned, there is no doubt that the government should make improvement toward the retirement protection policy. Experiences from Taiwan Taiwan is the same as Hong Kong that it also has the aging population and with the similar geographic background as Hong Kong. As the retirement protection policy in Taiwan is quite well developed, it can be Hong Kong’s reference when improving the retirement protection policy. Taiwan follows the five-pillar approaches when dealing with the elderly policy. I will focus on talking about the National Pension Program in Taiwan because the other retirement protection policies in Taiwan are nearly the same as other countries. The National Pension Program aims to provide the elderly with the basic needs in their daily living. For the elders who want to apply for the National Pension Program, they ought to undergo the process of means test and there is a residency requirement that they have to pass. In order to maintain the sustainability of the National Pension Program, the government should not pay the money to the elders in one time. They should pay the money step by step, such as monthly (Roller, 2012). Urge for a universal retirement protection scheme Hong Kong and Taiwan have the similarities in the reform process. However, their pension reform is very different. Taiwan implements the National Pension Program successfully whereas Hong Kong just focuses on the CSSA and Old Age Allowance. With reference in Taiwan, some people suggest that Hong Kong ought to expand its retirement protection policy which is to introduce a retirement protection scheme which is for all citizens. This scheme is later explained by Professor Nelson Chow Wing-sun. He proposed to set up a universal retirement protection scheme in Hong Kong. In the scheme, HK$3,000 monthly pension will be given to people aged 65 and above (à ¥Ã¢â‚¬ËœÃ‚ ¨Ãƒ ¦Ã‚ °Ã‚ ¸Ãƒ ¦- °Ã‚ ¼Ã…’2013  ¼Ã¢â‚¬ °. In order to maintain the stability of the scheme, the employers and employees need to contribute and the government would be responsible for some of the fund. This new scheme eliminates means tests and other administrative procedures because age criteria are the only eligibility to decide if you can get the pension or not. I think that the retirement protection scheme proposed by Professor Nelson Chow has the same meaning as the National Pension Program in Taiwan because both of them focus on the people who are not in the labor market. They all want to protect these people from being poor. For the existing three pillar approach, I feel doubt of their effectiveness in meeting the needs of the elderly. With the low rates of return, the MPF can’t support people’s daily living. Thus, if the elder just rely on the MPF system, it is not rational for them. Due to the shortcoming of the three pillar approach, I have a quest for a universal retirement protection scheme as what Professor Nelson Chow proposed. However, based on Professor Chow’s proposal on universal retirement protection scheme, I think there should add the means test into the scheme. The aim of the universal retirement protection scheme is to alleviate elderly poverty. Thus, the poor people serve first. We should target on t hose with a genuine need and some form of means testing is necessary. There is no doubt that the elderly deserve a decent and better retirement. If we have the means-tested in the universal retirement protection scheme, some people can’t receive the public pension due to their income level. Thus, people might argue that it is not a retirement protection for all citizens so it is unfair. However, if there is no means test and everyone aged 65 or above can receive the pension, it might damage the economic development of Hong Kong and increase burden on employers. Moreover, any retirement protection scheme without means test is regarding as ‘welfarism’. This might cause the financially infeasible for the government to shoulder the burden of a universal retirement protection scheme over time. Therefore, in order to make a good use of the universal retirement protection scheme, I suggest that there should include a means test in Professor Nelson Chow’s proposal which is the same as the Taiwan’s National Pension Program. There is not a new thing when talking about the aging problem. Hong Kong and Taiwan have many similar characteristics toward the elderly policy. However, Taiwan developed its retirement protection policies at a faster pace. Thus, Hong Kong should learn from the Taiwan’s National Pension Program that to implement the means test in the universal retirement protection scheme. The advantage of the scheme is that it provides the protection to the non-employees. For the existing retirement policy, such as the MPF system, it excludes the protection of the housewives. Thu, a universal retirement protection scheme can complement this problem. Besides, for some people, they argue that the financial pressure will be mounted on working people under the universal retirement protection scheme because they have to bear the cost of the scheme. Thus, in order to make a good use of the fund, the universal retirement protection scheme should include the means test. Moreover, the means test can act as a resource distribution. This is because the needy elders can be found and they can get help from the government. Improvement of the three pillar approach Many people hold the belief that it is a huge concern for the population development that one in three people will be aged 65 years old and above in the coming years. This phenomenon threatens the economic growth because there will be more people but less that are working. Thus, fewer people will contribute to the economy. If we have more elderly people in Hong Kong, it is a must to review the retirement protection policy. For our future planning of retirement protection system, Professor Nelson Chow’s universal retirement protection scheme can be one of the measures. We can’t find a model answer to tell us how to set up a good retirement protection policy due to the diversity of different countries. Despite Professor Nelson Chow’s proposal, there is essential for the government to make changes on the three approach model toward the retirement protection policy. For the Zero pillar, CSSA and OAA act as a safety net for the needy elderly. However, there might have some problems toward the CSSA. When applying the CSSA, the elderly’s family members, such as her son or daughter, have to sign the declaration that they won’t provide financial support for the elderly. Thus, if the elderly is in bad relationship with her family members, here son or daughter might not able to sign the declaration for her. Thus, the elder can’t get the CSSA. Also, the money in the CSSA might not be able to provide basic needs for elderly because of the inflation. Due to the inflation, we have to pay more money when buying things. In order to help the elderly during inflation, the government should adjust the money in CSSA more frequently. In addition, we should improve the MPF system in the Pillar II. The employees should feel free to choose their MPF program due to the different sets of requirements. There should be no barriers for employees when choosing the MPF program. Furthermore, the government ought to offer incentives to encourage voluntary savings in Pillar III. The pillar III is related to the voluntary contributions to the MPF system. In order to encourage personal savings, the government needs to provide the tax incentives for people. For the three pillars approach, the government needs to assess the financial sustainability regularly. As suggestion before, the existing three pillars policies should be reinforced and enhanced. Future planning of the retirement protection policy Everyone agree that the universal retirement protection scheme is not implemented in Hong Kong for the elderly at this moment. The government only focuses on the Zero pillar. The government set some rules for the elderly to meet. If they can pass the requirements set by the government, they can get assistance. When planning the future policy for retired people, the scheme proposed by Professor Chow could be the way out. We should consider the concept of ‘responsibility’ when planning the future retirement protection policy. Hong Kong is under the residual welfare model that people solve the problems through the family and market. The government is the last way to help people. Thus, for the retirement protection policy, it is related to the concept of ‘who is responsible?’. Some people think that the old age living protection should be the responsibility of individuals and their family and not be laid on others nor should it be wholly financed by the governme nt. Thus, the role played by the government in retirement protection policy can be different from various parties. In the perspective of limited financial resources, the government should only provide for the financially needy elderlies and not for all senior citizens. On the contrary, with the level of Hong Kong’s economic development and the huge financial reserve, some people proposed that the government have the capacity and means to provide for basic livelihood protection for all senior citizens. The perception toward retirement protection policy will influence the role of the government. If people link the retirement protection policy with the income, it causes heavy burden on public finance and may have influence on the economy. On the other hand, people who universal retirement protection scheme points to a kind of benefit for all senior citizens, unrelated to their past work history or salary. They hoped for the setting up of some kind of universal livelihood protection grant. There is obvious that Hong Kong uses the three approaches toward the retirement protection policy. Many elderly received the cash assistances from the government. They still live under poverty. This might people argue that if the CSSA or other cash transfer programs are viable or not. Nowadays, people have a higher expectation on the welfare support. They have the quests for universal retirement protection scheme. The scheme supposed to provide better protection for retired people. However, how the scheme should be implemented is still under a negotiation process. There are many things we have to decide when implementing the scheme, such as to undergo the means test or not. The universal retirement protection in Taiwan implement in a very successful way. Even some people claim that Hong Kong is better developed than Taiwan, we still should learn from Taiwan’s experience and decide how to initiate a universal retirement protection scheme. We should launch the scheme according to the specific features of Hong Kong. In fact, some people claim that the political environment affect the implement of the retirement protection scheme. This is related to people‘s conservativeness toward a policy. Thus, we should be aware of the political issues when designing the retirement protection policy. The retirement protection policy is a very complicated subject which affects all HongKonger and has far-reaching impact on the fiscal sustainability in Hong Kong. In order to find a suitable way of the development toward retirement protection policy, people should clarify the concept which is related to ‘responsibility’. References à ©Ã¢â‚¬ ºÃ‚ ·Ãƒ ©Ã‚ ¼Ã… ½Ãƒ ©Ã‚ ³Ã‚ ´Ã‚ ¼Ã… ¡Ãƒ £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…  Ãƒ §Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ºÃƒ ¤Ã‚ »Ã¢â€š ¬Ãƒ ©Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ¼Ãƒ £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…’à ¥Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã‚ ¨Ãƒ ¦Ã‚ °Ã¢â‚¬ËœÃƒ ©Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€š ¬Ãƒ ¤Ã‚ ¼Ã¢â‚¬ËœÃƒ ¤Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ Ãƒ ©Ã… ¡Ã…“à ¥Ã‹â€ Ã‚ ¶Ãƒ ¥Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ¦Ãƒ £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ Ãƒ ¤Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ Ãƒ ¥Ã‚ Ã‚ ¯Ãƒ ¨Ã‚ ¡Ã…’ ¼Ã… ¸ à £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ã‚ ¼Ã…’à £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…  Ãƒ ¤Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ¡Ãƒ ¥Ã‚  Ã‚ ±Ãƒ ¨Ã‚ ²Ã‚ ¡Ãƒ §Ã‚ ¶Ã¢â‚¬Å"à ¦- °Ãƒ ¨Ã‚ Ã… ¾Ãƒ £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ã‚ ¼Ã…’2011 à ¥Ã‚ ¹Ã‚ ´4 à ¦Ã…“ˆ4 à ¦- ¥. à ¥Ã¢â‚¬ËœÃ‚ ¨Ãƒ ¦Ã‚ °Ã‚ ¸Ãƒ ¦- °:à £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…  Ãƒ §Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ¾Ãƒ ¦Ã…“Æ’Ã ¦Ã¢â‚¬ Ã‚ ¿Ãƒ §Ã‚ ­-à §Ã… ¡Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ãƒ ¨Ã¢â€š ¬Ãƒ ¥Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ µÃƒ ¥Ã¢â‚¬â„¢Ã…’à ¥Ã‹â€ Ã‚ ¶Ãƒ ¥Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ¦Ãƒ £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ã‚ ¼Ã‹â€ 2013  ¼Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¼Ã…’à ¤Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ­Ãƒ ¨Ã‚ Ã‚ ¯Ãƒ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ºÃ‚ ¸Ãƒ ¥Ã‚ ±Ã¢â€š ¬ Castells, M. (2010), The Shek Kip Mei Syndrome: EconomicDevelopment and Public Housing Development in Hong Kong and Singapore, UK. Pion Ltd. Census and Statistics Department (2013), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chou, L.K. (2009). â€Å"Retirement Income Protection in Hong Kong†. Ageing in East Asia Challenges and Policies for the Twenty-first century (pp. 105-137). London: Routledge. Roller, E. (2012). The welfare state: the equality dimension. The scope of government, New York: Oxford University Press. 1

The Jealous Husband by Robert Browning :: essays research papers

The Jealous Husband That's my last Duchess painted on the wall, Looking as if she were alive. I call That piece a wonder, now: Frà   Pandolf's hands Worked busily a day, and there she stands. 5 Will't please you sit and look at her? I said Frà   Pandolf'; by design, for never read Strangers like you that pictured countenance, The depth and passion of its earnest glance, But to myself they turned (since none puts by 10 The curtain I have drawn for you, but I) And seemed as they would ask me, if they durst, How such a glance came there; so, not the first Are you to turn and ask thus. Sir, 'twas not Her husband's presence only, called that spot 15 Of joy into the Duchess's cheek: perhaps Frà   Pandolf chanced to say 'Her mantle laps Over my lady's wrist too much,'; or 'Paint Must never hope to reproduce the faint Half-flush that dies along her throat';: such stuff 20 Was courtesy, she thought, and cause enough For calling up that spot of joy. She had A heart—how shall I say?—too soon made glad, Too easily impressed; she liked whate'er She looked on, and her looks went everywhere. 25 Sir, 'twas all one! My favor at her breast, The dropping of the daylight in the West, The bough of cherries some officious fool Broke in the orchard for her, the white mule She rode with round the terrace—all and each 30 Would draw from her alike the approving speech, Or blush, at least. She thanked men—good! but thanked Somehow—I know not how—as if she ranked My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name With anybody's gift. Who'd stoop to blame 35 This sort of trifling? Even had you skill In speech—(which I have not)—to make your will Quite clear to such an one, and say, 'Just this Or that in you disgust me; here you miss, Or there exceed the mark';—and if she let 40 Herself be lessoned so, nor plainly set Her wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuse –E'en then would be some stooping; and I choose Never to stoop. Oh sir, she smiled, no doubt, Whene'er I passed her; but who passed without 45 Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands; Then all smiles stopped together. There she stands As if alive. Will't please you rise? We'll meet The company below, then. I repeat, The Count your master's known munificence 50 Is ample warrant that no just pretense Of mine for dowry will be disallowed; Though his fair daughter's self, as I avowed At starting, is my object. Nay, we'll go Together down, sir. Notice Neptune, though, 55 Taming a sea horse, thought a rarity,

Disadvantages and Alternatives to Public Sector Strikes Essay

Strike replacement occurs when employers hire or use individual to perform the work of employees on strike. In the United States, it is not unfair labor practice for employers to replace the striking workers with others in effort to carry on the company’s business. Most other industrialized nations, however, do not allow permanent strike replacement. The United States is already unique among its trading partners in allowing permanent strike replacements and ban on permanent strike replacement would probably raise labor costs and harm international competiveness. For decades, employers have been permitted to hire permanent replacements for striking employees, Congressional action may change this situation, and however, any legislative changes on this issue will most likely become a political hot potatoes for most member of congress or face a probable presidential veto. (Budd, J.W) â€Å"But to maintain a balance of power between employees and employers, hiring permanent replacements is not allowed† and The United States Congress should outlaw the use of permanent replacement workers during strikes and I would argue the followings: workers investments, minimize strategic behavior, encouragement of collective bargaining, voice, Mackay doctrine, role of the law, employer has no real incentive to negotiate, Striker replacements, mandatory or permissive issue, What if negotiations fail and Italian model and Advantages, Disadvantages and Alternatives to Public Sector Strikes. I assert that the key distinction that should be made in the law of striker replacements is one based on the degree of firm ­ specific investments made by the workers involved in the strike. By focusing on that feature, the law  could prevent the use of a strike or the hiring of permanent replacements as an opportunistic behavior weapon designed to expropriate the other party’s rents. Although several proxies could potentially be available to the courts or the NLRB, there are no clear guidelines or definitions that facilitate such distinctions. Banning of replacement workers during strike would further the argument that if Congress make the decision of whether to hire striker replacements a mandatory issue of bargaining, unions and employers could make the distinction between firm-specific and general investments made by workers and thus enforce the contract so as to minimize strategic behavior. Outlawing strike replacement workers would support among the goals of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) which was the promotion and encouragement of collective bargaining. The sponsors of this Act viewed collective bargaining as the means to promote a new labor policy without having to directly regulate the terms of the employment relationship. In enacting the NLRA, Congress rejected a more interventionist approach and opted instead for a system that emphasized the distinct roles of labor and management in which outcomes were to be determined by the ability of the parties to impose economic pressure on each other through the negotiation process. Furthermore, it is somewhat ironic that among the several alternatives that have been progressive to deal with the striker replacements issue, in cases where replacement workers were used, there has been no attempt to use the collective bargaining process as a possible solution. But by incorporating the striker replacement decision into the bargaining process a non-zero-sum situation can be created which makes both parties better off, while at the same time advancing the NLRA’s objectives of industrial peace and collective bargaining by protecting the exercise by workers of full freedom of association, self-organization, and designation of representatives of their own choosing, for the purpose of negotiating the terms and conditions of their employment or other mutual aid or protection which is voice, and I contend that bargaining over the striker replacements issue creates a cooperative solution because in the cooperative game theory of bargaining, the parties can both benefi t by cooperating with each other. Banning Strike Replacement would further support Mackay doctrine to distinguish between â€Å"opportunistic behavior† by either the union or the employer, and behavior that is â€Å"no opportunistic.† Therefore, whatever modification proposal is introduced should be measured by its ability to redress this problem of strike replacement. The United States Congress need to ban strike replacement because I would argue here that the law if passed is based on the assumption that through the negotiation process the parties themselves will be best able to resolve disputes concerning the hiring of striker replacements by making the necessary trade-offs and establishing rules that commit them to mutually enforce the contract. In the law and economics parlance, if someone values an asset more than its owner, then there is scope for mutual gain by exchange. Though, under the Mackay approach to striker replacements, the decision to hire striker replacements is not amenable to resolu tion through the collective bargaining process because the rule makes bargaining over this decision too costly for a union and makes it easy for an employer to behave opportunistically. Strike Replacement Ban by United States Congress if enacted should then focus on providing the proper framework in which negotiations or mutual exchange should take place. In this sense, the role of the law is threefold. First, the legal framework should allocate the initial rights or entitlements in a way that increases the likelihood of successful bargaining. Second, the law should seek to minimize the transaction costs associated with bargaining. Finally, the legal framework should provide adequate enforcement mechanisms for cases in which bargaining fails. However, bargaining situations characterized by zero transaction costs are rare. If there are no obstacles to exchanging legal entitlements, they will be allocated efficiently by private agreement, so the initial allocation by the courts does not influence the efficiency of the final allocation; and the assignment of property rights does not matter when the transaction costs are zero. By negotiating to an impasse and then hiring permanent replacements. The employer has no real incentive to negotiate over the striker replacement issue because any negotiation will by definition make the employer worse  off. Even if the union places a high value on protecting at least those employees that are subject to opportunistic behavior, and even if the union is willing to compromise on the protection of other (less-skilled) employees or on any other issue, no bargaining is likely to ever take place under the Mackay rule. In this sense, and using the language of bargaining theory, the Mackay doctrine makes it less likely that bargaining will take place and in that sense it is inefficient. It is necessary, therefore, that any reform pro ­posal start by changing the initial allocation of rights, by granting union protection against the hiring of permanent striker replacements. On the other hand, giving unions protection against the hiring of permanent replacements, without an ything more, will also result, as developed above, in the likelihood of opportunistic behavior by the union. Thus, if unions are allowed to strike, knowing that their members cannot be permanently replaced, they will be free to engage in strikes and in that way negotiate more freely. Ban on Strike Replacement would more likely if making the striker replacement issue a mandatory subject of bargaining, therefore, providing this protection, will make it more costly for employers to force a strike in the hope of getting rid of the union. The employer will only be able to accomplish this by paying a fairly high price. Even though another means of union bursting is closing operations. By making it a mandatory subject of bargaining, will minimize transaction costs by giving the union, the party which probably values this right the most, the opportunity to exchange the protection against permanent replacements for other bargaining demands they might value more highly. In this sense, the proposal facilitates bargaining by making more explicit the types of exchanges the union has to make. Striker replacements: mandatory or permissive Issue? The NLRA imposes on the employer and the union a duty to bargain in good faith. This duty requires the parties to bargain to impasse over mandatory issues. Permissive issues can be brought to the bargaining table, but neither party is required to bargain over them. But a question that is likely be raised by the proposal of banning strike replacement workers would be, is whether the duty to bargain over the decision to hire permanent. The rationale for arguing that unions will, as opposed to the employer, be more likely to bargain over the  striker replacement issue if given the initial legal entitlement, is based on the realities of the industrial relations process. First, the protection against striker replacement does not make the strike a â€Å"risk free† venture for the union. The adversity of doing without a paycheck and health insurance puts enormous pressure on the strikers to settle a dispute as soon as possible. Most American workers have no cushion, no money socked away to make house payments and car payments, to buy food or to pay doctors’ bills. Second, unreasonable pressures or unwillingness to bargain over this issue could represent a matter of survival for the union. Workers have no incentive to make demands that will throw their employers into bankruptcy or otherwise cause permanent economic harm to their employers. The worker, after all, is dependent on the employer’s long-term economic health. Workers realize this, and this realization significantly moderates worker demands. What is the scope of this duty: For the purposes of my argument, to bargain collectively is the performance of the mutual obligation of the employer and the representative of the employees to meet at reasonable times and confer in good faith with respect to wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment. The Supreme Court classified subjects of bargaining as mandatory, permissive, or il legal. Mandatory subjects are defined as those that regulate wages, hours, and other conditions of the relationship between employer and employees. Permissive issues are those dealing with subjects other than wages, hours, and working conditions. Replacements can be characterized as a mandatory issue of bargaining. I would contend that bargaining during contract negotiations over the utilization of striker replacements in the case of a strike should clearly be considered a mandatory topic. Although there do not appear to be any cases directly on point, the striker replacement issue could be considered a mandatory subject based on several grounds. First, like a no-strike provision, bargaining over the use of striker replacements involves a critical aspect of the relationship between the employer and the union, and should on these grounds be seen as a mandatory bargaining subject. Second, similar to work rules such as attendance and absenteeism policies, the striker replacements decision deals with the obligation of the employees to report to work under the employment contract. As such, they regulate an issue central to the day-to-day employer-employee relationship, and finally, making the striker  replacements provision a mandatory issue of bargaining could be sup ­ ported as a means of advancing the objectives of the NLRA in evading industrial conflict and what happens if all out negotiations fail. What if negotiations fail, it could be argued that if Congress by banning Strike Replacement will not, in practice, produce results any different than could be accomplished by merely overruling the Mackay doctrine. Thus my contention could arguably say that bargain to impasse over the striker replacement issue, call a strike, and then behave opportunistically, because employers will not be allowed to replace economic strikers. I argue from both a practical and theoretical perspective that a contrary dynamic will likely prevail. As discussed above, the bargaining process by distributing the initial allocation of rights in a way that is conducive to mutual gain exchange. Bargaining over the striker replacement issue is not likely to occur under current law because employers are given the right to permanently replace strikers and the general issue is not clearly defined as a mandatory topic of bargaining. Thus, under the current scheme of things, there is almost no incentive for employe rs to bargain with respect to this issue. By overruling Mackay, while at the same time making the striker replacement issue a mandatory topic of bargaining, it increases the likelihood that the two parties will reach an agreement. The collective bargaining agreement between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Olin Corporation, for example, provides: The employees as well as the Union shall cross all picket lines for the performance of work which is essential to the maintenance of the Company’s plant and equipment for standby operations.†189 Similarly, the agreement between the Steelworkers and Harbison-Walker Refractories, provides that: No strike or lockout shall occur at the establishment covered by this Agreement during the life of this Agreement, and continuous kilns shall be maintained at all times at a temperature which will result in no loss of ware or damage to the kilns, and periodic kilns under fire shall be burned off. Pumping operations shall also be continued during any strike or work stoppage that may occur. These two labor contracts clearly indicate the ability of unions and employers to, through the collective negotiations process, devise rules governing behavior in the event of, and during, strikes. An instructive example can also be found in  recent labor legislation enacted in Italy which regulates strike activity involving essential public services. Act 146 of the Italian Labor Code, enacted in 1990 follows the recent trend in Italian labor law towards consensual regulation. It relies in part on collective bargaining as the means of regulating the impact of strikes on the provision of essential services. Indeed, collective bargaining agreements have proven to be the main source of strike regulation under the new Italian law. Agreements have been negotiated with respect to most of the so-called essential services covered under the Act. Bargaining has occurred at both the national and local levels, with local agreements being used as a means of tailoring the rules to the specific needs of the participants. For example, the national agreement covering urban and suburban transportation establishes the principle that during a strike, service must be guaranteed for six hours a day at â€Å"peak times.† The local agreements then specify the definition of peak times and indicate the number of employees required to guarantee the service, as well as the way of selecting those employees. The Italian experience demonstrates, albeit in a different setting, that bargaining is likely to occur on the issue of the regulation of strike activity when and if the proper legal framework and structure is provided to the parties. Although I am not advocating the adoption of the Italian model in the United States, I believe that it provides some hope that a negotiations approach to the striker replacement issue of the kind we have here could bring positive net results to unions, employees, employers, and the general public. In sum, the striker replacement issue and the outlawing or legislative over ­ ruling of the Mackay doctrine are highly controversial and command considerable attention. The issue is, as exemplified in the strike during the fall of 1993 at American Airlines, fraught with emotion, with one side decrying the â€Å"union-busting hiring of scabs† and the other pronouncing the right to hire permanent striker replacements as essential to the preservation of free enterprise and a free society. Though, economic  efficiency of the Mackay doctrine as it currently operates, I would however, dispute the debate that the Mackay doctrine promotes â€Å"economic efficiency.† In particular, I content that employees that have made firm-specific investments are â€Å"inefficiently† vulnerable to an employer’s opportunistic behavior given the ability of employers to permanently replace such workers during a strike. To reform this situation I advocate: (1) the repeal of the Mackay doctrine, thereby granting unions protection against the hiring of permanent replacements; and (2) requiring that the issue of striker replacements be explicitly made a †mandatory† bargaining subject under the NLRA, with any agreements regarding this issue clearly surviving contract expiration. With the 1990 Italian strike regulation statute serving as a general model, the idea is that the resolution of this controversial issue can be most efficiently accomplished through negotiations between the parties themselves. I highly recommend these proposed statutory reforms to Congress and others currently studying reforms of the NLRA. There are however, differences, advantages and disadvantages between private and public sector strikes. (Budd, 2013) â€Å"Prohibiting public sector strikes is rooted in several traditional beliefs: that striking against the government is an unacceptable threat to the supreme authority of the government, that public sector employee bargaining power is too high there are no markets-based checks on their demand, and that government services are too critical to be interrupted†. Advantages and Disadvantages to Public Sector Bargaining From the perspective of the public sector union and the workers they represent there can be seen a number of advantages and disadvantages to bargaining in an environment like the public sector. Advantages: A few of the advantages available to union bargaining representatives seem simplistic in nature, but there is a definite advantage present. First of all, public sector employers do not have the option of relocating. One very important bargaining advantage possessed by public sector unions concerns the mopolistic nature of public services. Public sector labor can exert more pressure than can their private sector counterparts because there are generally few good substitutes available for public services, and any withholding of these services will immediately be felt by those depending upon the service. This increases the incentive for public employers and managers to settle with the union and avoid any action by the union which might result in their having to face an angry public. In case of impasse and strikes occurs: Advantages available to public sector unions and employees as a bargaining tool is the potential that a strike can have as a bargaining weapon in some ways the strike has the potential for being more formidable tactic for the public worker than for private sector unions. For many government services there are few good substitutes available for the service. When the service is denied by a public worker job action, then the public has few available alternatives to turn to in place of the service. The greater the inconveniences to the public brought about by the strike, the greater is the pressure up on the public employer to make concessions and end the work stoppage. Unions can also strikes in the public sector so that they occur when they are the most politically effective. This also increase the incentive for an early settlement. In short, the effectiveness of the public sector strike depends upon public opinion and consequent political pressure that would coerce management in the public sector to concede to the demands of labor. Disadvantages: So far it may seem that labor has controlling advantages in terms of the public sector bargaining relationship, but some very definite disadvantages also face unions in the public sector. The political process and decision approval in the levels of benefits to public workers go through political process. Public managers have far less authority and flexibility in their decision making than do their private sector partners, and the decision making process may take place far away from the actual agency. Strikes in the public sector, labor relations, and the issue which is most controversial and elicits the most attention is the strike issue. In the  past, public sector workers have frequently resorted to the work stoppage in an attempt to exert pressure on public sector management. These workers actions have net with varying degrees of disfavor from public sector management, and have had mixed results as to being successful. There is an important economic implication of denying public employees the right to engage in a work stoppage. In order for the rights of public workers under collective bargaining to be upheld there must be some sort of cost or incentive for managers to bargain seriously. The public sector strike, however, has a few disadvantages which can keep it from being effective. While strikes in the private sector impose costs upon management by preventing the organization’s operation, strikes in the public sector exert no economic pressure. However, there are alternatives to the strike, the strike has significant potential as a bargaining tool in the public sector, but the problems involved with the strike make it a very risky and unpredictable tool to use. There are a number of alternatives to the strike that perform the same basic function as the strike weapon does, namely, that of protecting the right of public workers to bargain effectively. These alternatives also have the added advantage of protecting the rights of public sector employers as well as the general public. Such alternatives are not equal in effectiveness, however, and each possesses its own unique advantages and disadvantages over other types of dispute resolution. Fact Finding: finding is used, the two parties to a dispute select a neutral third party to act to investigate the dispute and to submit recommendations as to the proper course of action. It is not the job of the fact finder to reach an agreement on the dispute. It is important to note that the fact finder’s report is advisory and not binding in nature. One or both of the parties to the dispute may reject the recommendations of the fact finder. The fact finder’s report, however, will become a part of the public record, and if one party has taken an unreasonable stance in bargaining this will soon become apparent to all. In public service industries sensitive to public opinion, the threat of publication is particularly effective as an incentive to bargain in good faith. Another alternative is the mediator who acts as an advisor in bargaining to both parties, and uses his own persuasive influence and other techniques available to him to bring the  parties to an agreemen t

International Trade between China and Africa

International Trade between China and Africa Introduction Despite the collapse of Doha negotiations and world economic crisis, international trade is increasing rapidly. The move is even facilitated further by globalisation and development in information, communication and technology.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on International Trade between China and Africa specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Different countries trade on comparative advantage and absolute advantage policies and aim to guarantee the availability of goods and service to consumers, when they need it. International trade is hampered sometimes by trade barriers like tariffs and quotas; it has become inevitable for sustainable growth and development in a country. Africa is one of the world developing continents, with an estimated population of 1.3 billion. The continent though individual countries (it has 54 countries) or using economic bloc is participating in international trade. The conti nent level of industrialisation is lower than that of developed countries but it’s trying hard to improve its standards. The continent has great potential in agriculture and its major exports are raw and semi processed goods (Krugman Obstfeld, 2008). The main import of the continent is manufactured goods, machinery, motor vehicles and electronics. China on the other hand, assumed world’s second largest economy from Japan in September 2010. The largest economy is United States of America. Its population is slightly higher than one billion and has taken over African trade from Western countries like Germany. Many African countries are willing to trade with China for a number of reasons. This paper evaluates trade between China and Africa. Literature review Current statistics Despite the world being in a recession, trade between china and Africa is increasing daily. There are increased trade in terms of volumes between China and Africa. Despite the growth of trade, trade between Africa and other continents is on a flat rate or is decreasing. According to African Development Bank (AfDB), statistic 2010, trade between Africa and china alone has hit the ten percent mark (total international trade in Africa has 10% trade with China). China assumed the largest trading partner with Africa in 2008, when it hit a total collection of 106.8 billion U.S. dollars.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This was up from an estimated value of $10 billion in 2000. The rate of increase in trade between the two partners is estimated to increases by a rate of 33%. The report went further and said that the trade as per September 2010 statistics amounted to a total of $114 billion with $52 billion as exports and the remaining $62 billion being imports (African Development Corporate Website, 2010). This brings a trade deficit in Africa with China to $10 billion. Europe has for a long period being African largest trading partner but since 1990’s, the trade has reduced with over 50% and only enjoys slightly above 30% of trade exports with Africa; it still is the major importer but the trend is declining. The trade is focused to China and not to other Asian countries for example trade with Japan is also declining. China sees Africa as a source of highly needed energy and food products and in return is willing to offer from the tinniest hair piece to complicated equipments and machinery. Both the countries see each other as a trade partner to benefit from the trade. South Africa, the largest African economy is the largest trading partner with China, followed by Nigeria. They account for 20% of the total trade. There is also a growing interest in growing Rwanda economy after years of war. China is playing a great role in this development (African Development Corporate Website, 2010). Mutual agreements and co-operation The re ason for the increased trade between China and Africa has been analysed by economists to be as a result of deliberate strategic moves made by the two partners to grow their trade relations. China has developed mechanisms to ensure that it has tapped the growing African market. Such strategies include the 2006, Beijing Summit  which aimed at discussing trade relation between China and Africa. One of the ways that was suggested by the summit to facilitate good relations among the two countries was facilitation of trade. In the negotiations mechanisms to ensure mutual benefit between the two partners was set. In a move seen to follow the requirements of the summit, an evaluation conducted in 2008, showed that there has been a total of over 5 billion dollars investments in Africa made by china. The need to invest is seen as move to assist Africa recover successfully from the global financial crisis. The summit observed that Africa has for a long period relied on foreign aid, grants an d investments where it has its own potential to undertake development. China has thus invested in infrastructures, local infrastructures and international African infrastructures, to facilitate transport of goods and services.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on International Trade between China and Africa specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The country is currently working on a road development program in Kenya aimed at facilitating trade with the country. The trade between the country and many African countries has embarked on service and technology from China which is exported to African countries (Geda Meskel, 2008). Development interventions Other than trade, China has embarked on developmental issues and activities in Africa. These include investment in Agriculture, mining, education and manufacturing industries. These investments have boosted African investment in a great deal. Such investments have assist ed in creation of employment as well as economic developments. The government is involved directly in facilitating the trade with some major involvements being; In 2004, Chinas Sinopec engaged in a contract with Gabonese oil field; the contract offered that the country will be selling crude oil to china; this was the first time that oil from Gabon was getting its way to China. To facilitate the deal; terms of sale of the product was higher than what the country was getting from other international trading partners. To facilitate it further, China made massive infrastructure development in road and port networks to facilitate the movement of the produce. On the ground it put technological developments to facilitate efficient oil exploitation project (African Development Corporate Website, 2010). In 2005, Angola got a loan of $2 million from China which it used to develop its infrastructure. In the same year, they received a grant of $1 Billion to automate and increase efficiency in o il field. China benefited from the deal by importing crude oil from the country. In 2006, China made its largest overseas acquisition when it took a share of Nigeria’s oil fields at a cost of $2.3 billion. This was followed by allocation of a tender to Chinese by Algerians worth $7Billion for road construction which was to link Tunisia to Morocco, the road was 1300kilimetres. In 2006, after the Beijing Summit, show the negotiations and agreements reach another new level, this was when Chinese government through Chinese President Hu Jintao pledged $5billion to Africa in terms of grants, aids and loans and increasing the same to $10 Billion in 2009. This saw a signing of 16 agreements by 12 Chinese firms and 11 African countries. This has been termed as the largest trade agreement in the world.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More One factor that is facilitating the trade is consistency between the two partners. They both honour the promise they made to each other and aim at developing mutual benefit among them. When the Chinese are making infrastructures, with their developed technology, they aim at assisting Africans gain the experience through subcontracting smaller African companies to make part of the infrastructure and offering internships to engineering students of the contracting country. Comparative Advantage and absolute advantage trading Africa is a developing continent and suffers lack of highly technologically developed infrastructures. This is so despite the continent having a high potential in natural resources. One of the resources that the continent has is climate. The continent has good climatic condition which facilitates growth of agricultural foods at an efficient and cheap manner. It is also rich in minerals like oil but their level of exploitation is not very efficient. Africa has a com parative advantage in these sectors and uses the sector as its strong hold. On the other hand China is highly developed in technology. It exports technology and finished goods to Africa to assist in various developmental issues. Major exports to China include Cotton, oil, horticulture and timber. Africa imports machinery, technology, education, electronics, textiles and hi-tech products. Tourism is also growing drastically between the two partners with Africa as the major beneficially (National Bureau of Statistics China, 2010). Problems facing the China-Africa Trade Despite the growing trade among the two partners, there are some problems faced. Some of the problems include; Non tariff barriers China has been accused of using non tariff trade barriers to control trade between the two partners. This is seen in terms of standard that they want to get from African exports. An example is the standards that the country has put on South African fruits. They are Sanitary and pyto-sanitary requirements; these are high standard that are seen as unnecessary and unattainable using the technology adopted by South Africa. When shipping the fruits, they are expected to go through grey channel (through Hong Kong) instead of going direct to China. There is also a requirement to have a high cold chain sterilisation. This is seen as a barrier to effective trade since when fruits are kept under these conditions their quality is affected and they lose their competitiveness when they get to Chinese market. Despite this being raised again and again, China has held to such rules. Brain wash/brain drain China is highly developed in terms of technology, thus when called upon in African countries to develop a certain thing say a road network, it uses the high technology and leaves Africans as consumers of technology and never developers. The availability has made African professionals being denied the chance to develop strategies which would solve African issues. The two partners have education exchange programs where African student/Chinese students can study in either partner state. This is through scholarships and information sharing. Though this is a good move, many are the times that African talented professionals fail to return to their home country after studies. This has resulted to an African continent with drained experts and professionals (WTO, 2003). Theory and methodology Information about China-African trade has been gotten from a wide review of academic journals, books and periodicals. To get an updated statistics, the researcher has utilised various current publications relating to current happenings between the two partners. Of great assistance was report of a trade visit of President Hu Jintao to Africa a move that was seen to have facilitated trade between the two partners. In the visit, the president gave a detailed report on trade statistics between the two partners. A review of Beijing summit was conducted as it offered a platform to evalua te the policies set and how well they have been complied with. The approach is a qualitative method of data collection which moved from a generally known fact; which is †trade between China and Africa has been growing drastically in the recent past†, to a specific interpolation of what is happening in the trade. This is where specific data was collected. This is a deductive reasoning approach. Deductive reasoning approach is a systematic method of obtaining knowledge where one proceeds from a general point of view to a specific statement. The research starts from the known and explains the unknown. It provides for a means of testing validity of a conclusion by having major premises and minor premises. A major premise is where there exists a previously established relationship and minor premises are the particular case under research for conclusion. Newspaper, Media reports and internet sources were avoided since it was difficult to authenticate their truthfulness (Neuman , 1997). Data analysis and results After collecting of data, qualitative and numeric, the data was analysed using a time frame analysis which assisted in getting a view of the China-African trade trend. The information was collected from late 1980s to the current 2010 statistics and evaluated accordingly. Different major trading countries were recognised from their growth rate in trade with China. This was derived from an analysis of trade data and statistics in those countries. Data analysis followed the followed procedure; Data understanding This is an in-depth reading and understanding of data collected. When doing this, all information collected from all sources are merged to one document and give an overview of the trade situation in trading partners. Focus the analysis This stage similar data was merged together, the sorting was in terms of countries and products and services which are traded between the two partners. Sorting in terms of years that a certain statistic was coll ected assisted in interpolation of the trade trend over time. Identify connections and patterns in codes This was the final stage in the analysis where a pattern and more focused information were developed. In this stage, data that could be classified together and reported together was segregated from other data. A final report was then written (Neuman, 1997). Results Trade between China and Africa has been on the rise for the last two decades. The trade is facilitated by existence of comparative and absolute advantages in the two partners, a move that have facilitated the need for trade among them. Africa major export goods are raw materials mostly agricultural and mining raw and semi-processed goods. China on the other hand, exports hi-tech goods and services to the continents. It has also embarked on massive foreign direct investments in the continent. Both the countries benefit from the trade; Africa for instance has been able to develop high tech infrastructure through assistan ce offered by China, these is through contacts undertaken with the high technology , grants and aids. When china invests in African countries, they are assisting the countries in developing their economies. Chinese companies and malls have offered a big number of Africans jobs and exposures they can use to self develop themselves (International Monetary Fund, 2010). Chinese have a wide range of products; when she is trading with Africa, market for the goods is guaranteed and this assists in making and development of better goods. Efficiency in China has been facilitated by existence of market. In making agricultural final products, China depends on supplies from Africa; this has assisted the country get raw materials for its industries. Mining products have also boosted Chinese manufacturing industry. The major aim of international trade is to ensure that counties have adequate supply of goods and services for their consumption; China-Africa trading has resulted to attainment of thi s goal in both countries. Good relations between the two partners have resulted to improvement in research and development as developers and researcher get a wide statistics about an issue they are looking into. Though the two partners have benefited from the trade, there are some problems facing the trade. They are mostly non tariff trade barriers (Ademola, Bankole Adewuyi, 2009). Recommendations Although China-Africa trade is growing drastically and either party is benefiting, there is much that have not been tapped. To tap this China should aim at assisting Africa develop but not assisting it exploits its resources. Such a move can be attained when trade and non trade barriers have been removed from the partnership. Having a well define framework of operation that will ensure that African goods are competitive in Chinese market will be of great help. On the other hand, Africa should not depend on grants, aids and foreign direct investments to automate and develop its manufacturi ng industry but must aim at developing better strategies of producing fully manufactured goods. To avoid brain wash and facilitate technology transfer, the two partners should develop measures to ensure that professional who study in China get back to their country of origin to assist them develop (Maswana, 2009). Conclusion China is world fastest growing economy, and the second largest economy in the world. The country has embarked on massive international trade with the most noted one as trade with Africa. In 2008, the country became the largest trading partner with Africa. This was after the Beijing summit in 2006, which was seen as the major international summit that forged a way forward to facilitate trade between the partners. Africa trade as individual countries and as trading blocs like EAC (East African Corporation), SADDAC and ECOWAS. Good infrastructures in information, communication and transport, good corporate relations are some of the factors which have facilitated th e trade. Good from Africa are mostly agricultural produce like fruits, cocoa, coffee, cotton and flowers. Imports by Africans are mostly hi-tech goods like machinery, electronics and technology. The trade has been beneficial to both partners as they are able to develop their economies from goods and services from each other. References Ademola, O., Bankole, A., Adewuyi, A. (2009). China-Africa Trade Relations: Insights from AERC Scoping Studies.  European Journal of Development Research,  21(4), 485-505. Retrieved from EconLit database. African Development Corporate Website.(2010). Retrieved from https://www.afdb.org/en Geda, A., Meskel, A. (2008). China and Indias Growth Surge: Is It a Curse or Blessing for Africa? The Case of Manufactured Exports.  African Development Review/Revue Africaine de Developpement,  20(2), 247-272. Retrieved from EconLit database. International Monetary Fund.(2010). Data and Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.imf.org/en/Data Krugman, P andà ‚   Obstfeld, M.(2008). International economics: theory policy. Pearson Education, ISBN. 0321553985, 9780321553980 Maswana, J. (2009). Can China Trigger Economic Growth in Africa? An Empirical Investigation Based on the Economic Interdependence Hypothesis.  Chinese Economy,  42(2), 91-105. Retrieved from EconLit database. National Bureau of Statistics China. (2010). Retrieved from stats.gov.cn/english/ Neuman, W. L. (1997). Social Research Methods, Qualitative and Quantitative approaches. Boston: Allyn and Bacon WTO.(2003). Trade by region. : INTERNATIONAL TRADE STATISTICS 2002. Retrieved from https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/its2002_e/its02_byregion_e.htm

SAT Security Protocols What to Expect on Test Day

SAT Security Protocols What to Expect on Test Day SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips The security of standardized testing materials is critical in preserving the relevance and fairness of the test as a whole. Since so many students around the world take the SAT, it can be difficult to prevent leaks, but the College Board does have many measures in place to keep confidential questions from being released to the public. In this article, I'll go over the specifics of theSAT security measures, explain the most recent breaches in test security, and review what all of this means for you. Why Is SAT Test Security a Concern? Test security is a huge concern for the administrators of standardized tests like the SAT.If anyone manages to access test questions before the exam is administered, the whole system is compromised by the students who had an unfair advantage. The invalid scores of students who cheatedwill ruin the curve, which just ends up hurting the scores of other students who didn't get a sneak peek at the test. This means that the integrity of the test is extremely important for all students.If people are able to access materials before the exam, their unfair advantage can actively hurt your scores by creating artificially high numbers of top scorers. Breaches in test security also undermine the overall validity of the SAT as a measure of academic ability, which is a huge problem for the College Board and for universities that rely on SAT scores to assess candidates. How Does the College Board Ensure SATSecurity? There are a variety of measures that the College Board implements to ensure that test questions don't fall into the wrong hands. These regulations come into play throughout the test registration and administration process. Registration Security Regulations The College Board shares scores and registration information with each student’s high school. If an investigation into a student’s scores is conducted, this information will also be shared with any colleges where he or she has been admitted.Keeping all parties in the loop ensures that it’s much more difficult for someone to take the SAT for another person or circumvent the regulations in any other way. The College Board also implements an â€Å"intended use† policy, which means they take steps to ensure that everyone who registers for the SAT is using it to apply to colleges or scholarship programs.People who are taking the SAT for other reasons can only take it on dates in October, January, and May (January will be replaced with August in the 2017-18 school year) because the College Board discloses the test form for those dates with its optionalQuestion and Answer Service. For example, everyone here at PrepScholar originally signed up for the first administration of the 2016 SAT in March. However,all of our registrations were transferred to the date in May instead because we were just taking the test to get a feel for the new exam, not to apply for anything (and also very few of us could pull off a 21 Jump Street thing).If anyone who takes the test has the opportunity to order the QAS, the test material will be out there for the public to see anyways, so there’s no real risk of compromising the integrity of the exam.All students are prohibited from discussing exam content unless it's released in the form of the QAS. Accurate depiction of me taking the SAT Test Day Security Regulations The College Board also takes measures to keep test materials secure before, during, and after the exam. If you’ve taken the SAT before, you know that you have to break a seal on the test booklet to begin, which ensures that no one can read the questions ahead of time without the College Board’s knowledge.Test materials are secured in lock boxes when they’re sent to international locations to prevent the theft of test booklets. Every student must have a valid photo ID and admission ticket to be allowed into the test center. Photo IDs are checked against your admission ticket multiple times throughout the testing process to ensure that no one can swap identities. You have to upload a photo of yourself during SAT registrationso the test coordinators can verify that you are who you say you are. As you might expect, phones and other electronic devices are banned from test centers to prevent people from documenting the content of the exam. No one is allowed to read test materials without completing an answer sheet or leave the building before the test is finished. If you do, you will be dismissed, and your scores will be canceled.These actions are red flags that the person might have registered for the exam just to get a look at the test content and share it unlawfully. Even if you've been given extra time, you’re not allowed to skip ahead to preview sections before you start them.Seeing the questions before the section starts, even if it only happens during an earlier part of the test, leads to an unfair advantage. Prepare for separation anxiety when you can't look at your phone every five seconds (I do this too - I'm not just making fun of teenagers here). Recent Breaches in SAT Test Security The College Board has experienced some issues in the past few years with people obtaining test materials ahead of time.In fact, in 2013, they brought in an independent consultant who recommended additional security measures to ensure the confidentiality of not just physical test materials but also the College Board’s servers, storage, and data.The potential for system hacking complicates the security measures the College Board has to take to ensure exam safety, meaning sometimes things slip through the cracks. Also, for international test administrations, the College Board sometimes reuses questions or entire sections that have already been given to students in the US. This greatly increases the risk that students will have prior knowledge of the material.Problems with SATsecurity are particularly prevalent in Asia, where the College Board has delayed score releases and even canceled test administrations several times after finding evidence that the material was previously released to the public. In January of 2016, test administrations were canceled in China and Macau due to evidence of leaked test materials.In May of 2013, all scores in South Korea for both the SAT and SAT Subject Tests were canceled. The latest version of the SAT, introduced in March of 2016, has experienced major issues with question leaks.Reuters reported that a disgruntled ex-College Board employee with access to the materials showed them hundreds of confidential test questions.The College Board confirmed that these were official questions and that their public circulation would have dire consequences for the integrity of the test. They even got the FBI involved.Agents raided the home of the whistleblower in question, seizing computers and other potentially incriminating materials. This matter is still under investigation, and the College Board is working to switch out sections of future tests that they fear may have been compromised. The College Board treats the release of confidential test questions to the public as an extremely serious criminal matter. This makes sense because of the huge amount of time and money that went into creating questions that are now essentially useless. This is the actual whistle that was blown to call out the College Board for shoddy preparation of test materials. Just kidding, this one is far too whimsical for such purposes. It was definitely a more robust metal whistle. How the College Board Is Cracking Down on SAT Cheating In February 2017, the College Board announcedthey will begin implementing new regulations to crack down on SAT cheating in both the US and abroad.Some of these new measures include: Reducing how oftenthe SAT is administered overseas. (The SAT will now be offered four times a year overseas, in October, December, March, and May.) Reducing the number of questions that are reused formultiple tests. Providing the names of people andfirms suspected of cheating to law enforcement and federal agencies(both in the US and abroad). Preventing people from taking the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, or AP Exams if the College Board has found they were guilty of past cheating offenses. Making it easier for test takers and proctors to confidentially report suspected cheating. These new measures won't eliminate cheating completely, but they should help make it even harder to cheat on the SAT and get away with it. Reducing the number of SAT questions used on multiple exams should especially lower the number of studentswho walk into the SAT already knowing some of the questions and use that information to inflate their scores. What Does SAT SecurityMean for You? For the most part, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about this issue.However, it’s in your best interests to protect the security of the test by following protocol during the exam, not sharing confidential information, and reporting any leaks you hear about to the College Board. Leaks of test materials create unfair advantages for certain groups of students and damage the credibility of everyone’s SAT scores.Such incidents may lead the College Board to cancel the scores of a large group of students if they aren't sure who had access to the test beforehand, which is very unfair to people who played by the rules. When you arrive at the test center, make sure you have a valid photo ID and admission ticket ready to present to the test coordinator. During the test, don't peek at sections ahead of time or try to go back and fix mistakes on sections that have already passed. Don't discuss exam content during breaks or leave the building for any reason. The only electronic devices you should have are a watch (if you want) and an approved calculator. Keep your smartphone turned off and in your backpack for the duration of the test. It's best not to risk violating any of these rules because if you're caught, you may be dismissed and have your scores canceled. You should also refrain from discussing or posting about specific questions in the aftermath of a test administration.These same questions may be reused overseas or on a future SAT test date in the US.Once the questions are out there on the internet, there’s no telling who will find and take advantage of them. Conclusion To ensure security of SAT test materials, the College Board takes steps to preserve the integrity of the test questions both before and after the exam is administered. Despite these precautions, there continue to be question leaks and cheating scandals that have affected many students' scores. Test security is extremely important due to the nature of standardized tests, and it is especially critical for the SAT considering how popular it is around the world as a college admissions assessment. As you go through the process of registering for and taking the SAT, make sure you avoid sharing confidential information. This could have a huge negative impact on the validity of your scores and the scores of potentially thousands of other students. What's Next? What is SAT test day really like? Read this guide to learn exactly what to expect after you arrive at the test center. You don't want to bring anything to the SAT that might compromise your scores. This article will tell you which materials to bring and which to leave at home. Finally, if you notice any suspicious behavior during the test, it's in your best interests to speak up. Find out how you can report cheating and address other issues at your test center. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points?We've written a guide about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Input Prices and R&D Allocations Analysis for Tablet Development Corp Research Paper

Input Prices and R&D Allocations Analysis for Tablet Development Corp - Research Paper Example However, there are major drawbacks in the existing price and R&D budget allocation strategies that have undermined the new product development cycle in the organization. In order to bring a revolution in the existing business practices of the company, it is important that a new pricing strategy is devised that is based on the strategic objectives of each product individually. Furthermore, the decisions for the allocation of funds for the Research & Development (R&D) of each product should be taken individually and on annual basis to achieve the desired objectives of the product and the company. 1.1 Aim The aim of this report is to discuss the new pricing and R&D allocation strategy for the core products X5, X6 and X7 and to reflect on the subsequent performance of each product in response. 1.2 Objectives To study the new pricing decisions and R&D budget allocations for each core product, namely: X5, X6 and X7 taken in 4 years (i.e. from 2012-2015). To analyse the subsequent performan ce and life cycles of each product due to the difference in the decisions. To review the financial performance of each product and their impact on the market factor like consumers and market saturation. To conclude with the explicit difference in performance and the rationale behind the total score achieved. 2 Development of Pricing and R&D Allocation Strategy 2.1 Pricing Strategy The pricing strategy is largely used as the competitive force for the companies to achieve maximum market share in a particular marketplace. For instance, Apple Inc. uses the low-pricing strategy along with its innovative product catalogue to attract largest customer share of the global marketplace. In the study conducted in 2010, Blevins, Cunningham, Ivanova, Koke and Sullivan (2010) found that Apple Inc. has adopted an international price distribution strategy to achieve competitive advantage over its competitors; mainly the Microsoft. In this regard, it has a separate price strategy for each region whic h is consolidated and central in nature. Likewise, Tablet Development Corp.’s largest competitors are Acer, Apple, Samsung and Microsoft that are involved in the production and manufacturing of tablet computers and applications. In order to enter into the established marketplace, Tablet Development Corp. has to undertake the penetration pricing strategy. A penetration pricing strategy is used when the company has to enter into an established marketplace and to attract the market in a substantial manner through low-pricing techniques. After a while, the prices of the product are gradually increased with a strong focus on the product performance that is measured through the customer base and sales volume of each year. In the year 2012, the price of product X5 was set at the lowest possible price of $180 and it was increased by $5 every year. Similarly, the price of X6 was set at $300 only and was increased by $10 each year. The price of X7 was kept at $50 and is increased by $1 0 each year (See Annex 1). 2.2 R&D Budget Allocation Strategy Wind (1990) postulated that there are four purposes of R&D investment, namely: (1) Support and enhancement of existing products and services, (2) Line extension of existing products and services, (3) Discover new products and markets, and (4) Develop new products and services and market portfolios. The first two R&D activities are integral to keep the existing product catalogue of the company operational and thriving. This is a compulsory investment which varies

Service Request - HR Systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Service Request - HR Systems - Essay Example The information gathered from this group of stakeholders is highly imperative since they act as the core connection to all other members of the company (Stellman & Greene, 2008). Information gathering is a very vital stage in ensuring that the Human Resource system is a success as it acts as the focal point to capturing the right set of information expected to deliver the precise functional requirements for the system. In order to achieve this, the following set of information gathering techniques are proposed for the project. Firstly, Interviewing, a process that employs both one on one and team based data capture from the expected users of the system will provide a wide set of relevant information for the project. Secondly, the Joint Application Development method that utilizes conduction of workshops with the key stakeholders of the system will ensure that the stakeholders are willing and motivated to providing relevant information. ... the system and then testing it against the expected functionalities guarantees that all important information regarding system functionality is captured and put into proper use in the system (Stellman & Greene, 2008). Since the ability of information to satisfy its targeted users to the highest degree lies on information analysis, the following data analysis tools are proposed for the project. The Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) is a data analysis tool that is highly significant in performing a thorough analysis of statistical information gathered. Thus, the SPSS perfectly fits for this project, as it will provide well-organized information about the services to be offered by the system. In addition, the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) is further proposed since it can play an important role in aiding programmers with information retrieval from existing software, data management and quality improvement (Stellman & Greene, 2008). Thus, the above proposed data analysi s tools are very essential in making sure that the information gathered is precisely analyzed with emphasis laid on meeting the user requirements. As aforementioned, information gathering is a key determinant of the system’s success. That is, it aids in clarifying the set of both functional and non-functional requirements for the Human Resource system. When the right information as regards to the expected functionality of a system is gathered, it provides great room for the system to function as expected by its targeted users (Stellman & Greene, 2008). In this sense, the following factors act as the driving ends to ensuring that the information required for the project is successfully gathered. Planning is a very crucial factor in information gathering (Stellman & Greene, 2008). It aids