Extrinsic Motivation Essay

Extrinsic motivation is directly driven by external factors, as opposed to the internal drivers of intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation drives me to do things for tangible rewards such as money or pressures, rather than for the fun of it. In a workplace this motivation would be the most used because most people work for money. I am employed at the Corcoran State Prison and this is an extrinsic motivation because I get paid to watch and protect inmates and control any possible hostile situations. One way where my occupation wouldn’t apply as an extrinsic motivation, but as an external regulation, is if I was forced to put myself in harm’s way for another co-worker in potential danger or inmate in potential danger for the sake of my job. Extrinsic motivation is based on reward; thus, the level of motivation is based on the level of rewards that are received. Extrinsic motivation applies in most workplaces throughout the world; including the Corcoran State Prison where I am employed as a correctional officer. In my situation, I must protect others to get paid. I must get to work on time and do my job correctly in order to keep making money and to keep my job. For example, many times we do cell extractions because of an inmate being disruptive or he might have a weapon. So we go in and remove him. Also, with even simpler tasks like making sure cells are locked or that everything is fine on the yard. It is part of the job and is something I do to get paid. However, there are many situations where my job becomes a greater risk to my well-being than others. Problems that I’m forced to do, that I don’t get paid extra for, and isn’t in my job entitlement. A situation where extrinsic motivation wouldn’t apply is if I was forced to be motivated to put myself in danger to defend the facility, other inmates, or my co-workers. Other circumstances even cause me to defend and protect myself. There can be situations where an inmate may pull out a weapon on me, and I would now be forced to defend myself. This isn’t listed in my job criteria but, I am involuntary responsible to handle the condition properly. Also, my co-worker may be held hostage with a deadly weapon and I must try with all my will to save this person’s life from this antagonistic state. Again, this wouldn’t be in my profession standards but I’m counted on by others throughout the facility. In addition, there could be a brawl out on the yard and I would be forced to go out and put myself in danger and save the lives of possible defenseless inmates or guards and put a stop to the fight. I could risk getting injured severely, or even die. These are examples of not extrinsic motivation but, external regulations where I’m forced to do without getting paid any extra and it is not in my employment title. The situation where extrinsic motivation does not apply is an enormous problem. This poses threat to the employees of the prisons and also the families of these people. This problem disrupts the work force tremendously. If things aren’t changed, then the state prisons will continue to lose money because of the deaths of employees and will lose productivity. However, I don’t believe this problem can be fixed. State prisons give inmates a lot of privileges that are not deserved for what they have done. If these state prisons remain to let these inmates have privileges than, external regulation becomes a greater risk. Creating new theoretical motivations that will help the work place and its employees is crucial and will have positive effects on both personal satisfaction and on productivity. In the Corcoran State Prison, the inmate population is overfilled creating an even greater hazard to the employees. When a prison is overpopulated inmates get put I the gym. They tier bunks and leave hundreds of them to live there. This prison has five buildings where they store inmates and five yards. If more building and yards were created, this would reduce the risk on employees and create more jobs. Also, the prison gives incentives to people with good behavior, but if the Corcoran State Prison condensed the number of inmates allowed to work, it would help the danger risk of employees. The more employees that work, the more that have access to unsafe tools and kitchen knives. These are a couple of examples that would help create safer environments for employees without affecting the overall mood of inmates throughout the prison. When privileges are taken away from inmates, they tend to become angrier which poses an even greater threat to society when they are released from prison. So, there has to be a certain line drawn to where we don’t take too much creating hostile environments for the society and to where we don’t give too much creating a threat to the employees. This can be a possible double edged sword if not figured out properly. Extrinsic motivation refers to motivation that comes from outside an individual. The motivating factors are external, or outside, rewards such as money or grades. These rewards provide satisfaction and pleasure that the task itself may not provide. However, in many cases, external regulation becomes a huge motivation in the Corcoran State Prison where I am employed. Where extrinsic motivation applies is that I am paid too work there and protect others. Where extrinsic motivation doesn’t apply in situations at work, I am forced to do objectives beyond my job entitlement. This is an on-going problem that must be fixed with new theoretical models of motivation like creating more building and yards for overpopulation in the prison and reducing the number of inmates allowed to work. Every employee of Corcoran State Prison works there to get paid. So, every employee is motivated by extrinsic motivation. However, when tested with external regulation the degree of motivation is based on the level of rewards that are received.

Welcome speech for annual day

Every morning when I put on my Head Girl badge, I am reminded of the responsibility, challenges and leadership I entail. Although Yr 12 is often described as hectic, for me it has been a year of great discoveries. Where I have learnt from positive and negative experiences, learnt about myself and my peers, and gained the acquired knowledge I will need to carry on for the beginning of my adult life. When I think of the Student Council team this year, I see a group of passionate young adults who can work together in making positive changes throughout the school.Their strength, enthusiasm and positivity has been refreshing and assisted us through the years' hurdles. My experiences at Leeming Senior High School have shaped me into the Year 12 Student I am today and I thank the teachers, students and school for all they have contributed. â€Å"Ability is nothing without opportunity' I have been given countless opportunities to enhance my leadership skills and workshop my passion for dram a. I have attended various leadership camps such as the Sir Charles CourtLeaders Program in 2009 and the Amanda Young Leaders Eco-Summit in 2010. Both these camps not only taught me how to develop my leadership qualities but also bring these skills out into the community, and especially our school. My involvement in the annual school productions, ‘Summer of the Aliens' in 2009, ‘Ziggy's Bar – A Cabaret' in 2010 and this year's ‘A Dream Deferred'; can be characterised by the words: magical, emotional and at times, life changing. IVe come to believe the truth is the most valuable gift you can share with other people.Who you are and what you do is priceless. Sharing my experiences and leadership with the rest of LSHS, the class of 2011 and eventually the rest of the world, has and is one of my goals. My stories. My truths. So that we may all come to understand each other a little better. So that we may all find our own definition of what it means to be successf ul. So that our generation will be prepared to lead. I leave you with one last quote from Nelson Mandela, â€Å"Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that generation. â€Å"

Hydrology hw 9 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Hydrology hw 9 - Assignment Example High precipitation results into high surface runoffs which instantaneously increase the streams volume causing floods downstream, the data is generated using long- range radar systems and used to give Early warning systems on floods. Besides, there is also data on climate change and air quality over time and scale in the entire United States which determines the weather patterns. Describe what's available meteorological/hydrological information you have observed from the website at USGS’ Surface Water Information Pages: http://water.usgs.gov/osw/ The site provides data on surface water systems including the river systems, lakes, dams and other related surface water storage systems. This data (R.G. Wetzel & G.E. Likens) II used in analyzing the various surface characteristics such as surface water flows, surface water storages, and its effects on the human and natural environments. There are also data on the threatened and discontinued stream gages due to reasons. There is also information on stream flow measurements using various methods. This is very important in relaying accurate observations and prediction on stream characteristics such as changes in stream volumes, stream discharge, stream composition and velocity. Besides, there is information on climate change and changes in the global atmospheric systems used in making accurate prediction of the global water patterns, both atmospheric water systems, underground water systems as well as the surface water systems. Describe what you learned about both subjects on â€Å"Areal Precipitation Estimation† and â€Å"Hydrologic Loses: Initial Loss and Hydrologic Abstraction† The lesson on areal precipitation estimation is very important on a practical basis as it is very important in determining the surface water bud get. This can for the base line in relating water uses to water availability in different parts of the world. An estimate of the balance between the losses and inlets is a derivat ion for the surface water budget. What are bare, wet HSG’s minimum infiltration rates and other four infiltration estimate methods introduced in the class? Bare, wet HSG infiltration is one of the methods used in estimating infiltration rates referring to the mode of infiltration which takes place after the bare ground overland soil after thorough wetting. HSG is not determined by any other factor such as the effects of vegetation, land use types, ground conditions, slope angle, type of bedrocks among others. HSG however, varies from soil to soil depending on the soil characteristics in each case i.e. highest in loose sandy soils and lowest in clays. Infiltration estimation methods discussed in this class include the use of the Empirical Method: SCS (NRCS) Runoff Curve Number (CN). The curve number CN, is a function of five major variables including: function of land use, cover, soil classification, hydrologic conditions and antecedent runoff conditions. The equation is as sh own; where Q is runoff, P is rainfall, a is initial abstraction, S is potential maximum retention after run off begins, and CN is the curve number, percent of runoff. Holtan Equation, also known as Horton’s infiltration capacity estimation, is another method of estimating infiltration rates. The equation is; f = GI A Sab + fc Where â€Å"

Delivery of Effective E-Government Services. The case of Oman Coursework

Delivery of Effective E-Government Services. The case of Oman - Coursework Example E-government and m-government services have popularized especially in the third world countries as a means of pacing up with the developed world. Various research studies have explored how the government and the people of Sultanate of Oman have embraced e-government services. Besides, they have underscored success stories in the implementation of e-government and m-government services. While, existing literature has delved into policy, plans, strategic measures, legal constructs, utility and quality of information technology, little has been done to monitor and evaluate internalization and ownership of the process and additionally use of m-government services. However, the lack or adequacy of the services lies in how the citizenry and government responds to the challenges associated with delivering e-government services. This topic will be crucial in unraveling the challenges facing implementation of e-government services in the sultanate of Oman find the challenges we are facing including some elements of m-Government and come up with a plan to have fully integrated end to end e-government services. The study uniquely, with gather data and compare with the baseline conditions to obtain current uptake of these services by the people of Oman. The possibility of the project gathering data from urbane youth who are very receptive to technology has a counter effect on data as this bias affects validity. The data collection instruments should be adjusted to involve people of all ages and works of life. Breakdown of tasks   Item Description Purpose Delivery of Effective E-Government Systems. The case of Oman Scope of work Goal, objective and deliverable attainment, effective e-government delivery methods, involving project teams, work breakdown, utility of $45,000 in 22 months starting 30 June 2012. Work Formulation and decisions of mode of delivery Duration 22 months Deliverables Data , delivery modes and tests by Jan 2014 Standards ISO 9001,9004 Acceptance criteria Effectiveness, diffusion, Levels monitoring , Functionality, budget, and timelines Payment schedule Every fortnight Project deliverables   Deliverable 1: Delivery requirements listing It requires precise selection mode and a more data reliability methods which to apply. Data is usually inadequate at the beginning and quite unreliable, therefore specification project scope needs to be defined and listed according to: i. Client needs ii. Inventory data gathered iii. Respondent’s data accessibility, validity of security credentials, and correspondence iv. Workload data accessibility v. Compliance of information with delivery feasibility criteria The phase involving scope definition has a list of delivery channels being the main deliverables. This will be

Implementation of ecotourism principles in Pembrokeshire Coastal Research Paper

Implementation of ecotourism principles in Pembrokeshire Coastal National Park - Research Paper Example arch is carried out which discusses about the implementation of ecotourism in Pembrokeshire Coastal National Park (PCNP) and the reasons why it has been referred as an ecotourism site. The procedure thus followed in this project is mainly secondary and descriptive research followed by primary research.  (Visit Prembrokeshire 2009; Prembrokeshire coast National Park, n.d.; Stopher and Metcalf, 1996)    Primary data being a direct source of information is more reliable as it is collected directly by interviewing the relevant person or from government records. There is no possibility of the data being modified by a third party and this helps in deciding which analytical techniques to use and how to interpret the results. There cannot be a better way to study the tourism industry, which is formed by tourists from different cultural and emotional background, and whether they as well as the local people are aware of the importance of sustainable development and their views about the implementation of ecotourism. At times, much relevant information cannot be gathered from official sources. First- hand information hence can be more apt.   But one disadvantage of primary research is that, it may not be always possible for individuals to travel due to time and financial constraints. (Ithaca College library, August 2009) The secondary research done here is based on existing works in this field. The resources are gathered from government publications, books, journals and articles of the United Nations Environment Program and economic periodicals. This is the very essence of secondary research. Such a research is advantageous as it saves time and money incurred for the research with easy and fast  collection of data. Often secondary data is available for broad subjects about which it would be impossible to gather primary data. But the negatives lies in the fact that the quality of secondary research need to be scrutinized as the source is questionable and there is a

Spotify Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 2

Spotify - Essay Example Through the two theories, Spotify has been identified to be a major competitor in the entertainment industry but lacking a high level sense of taking advantage of opportunities that it has. Some of these opportunities are key markets in key continents like Africa and South America where virtually no markets exists for the company. With the increase of technology in all of these continents, the company is in a position to take advantage. Finally, there is a recommendation for the company to have its own software to make access to music even easier. Introduction Cloud-based music-streaming services are becoming quite common of late with the advent of high speed internet technology (Boyer et al, 2007). Spotify is one company that provides this kind of service for financial gains, meaning that the company is in a highly competitive environment where it has to gain better market shares than its competitors who have been described to be in exceed in modern times. Launched in October 2008, Spotify has gone about the provision of cloud-based music-streaming service with style with the delivery of music-streaming unto both desktop and mobile phone. Another peculiar feature of Spotify would also have to do with the availability of songs that the company has in its database as the company provides wide range of songs from different backgrounds and genres; all of which forms the basis for e-commerce. 2.0 Strategic Situation Analysis The focus of this section of the paper is going to be to look at how Spotify is currently using information system to support its business strategy. 2.1 External Environment 2.11 Political The political environment of Spotify is largely influenced by both local and global legislations and regulations that are made by government to protect the intellectual property of musicians and other works of music. Depending on royalty levels however, some musicians have been reluctant in releasing their songs for use for online services by the company as t here is the fear that songs that are made available online could easily be cyber attacked (Bradley, 2010). Politically therefore, local and international legislations have somewhat affected the number of songs that the company could have access to. 2.12 Economic Spotify’s business growth and development is largely dependent on prevailing economic conditions and climates. Rising cost of living therefore affects the company’s business negatively as in such times, the larger industry to which Spotify belongs, which is the entertainment industry, is considered by many not to be a necessity but a want (Christensen et al, 1998). In effect, even though the use of information systems and e-commerce in general is expected to make products more accessible to customers, accessibility does not automatically bring about patronage in harsh economic times. 2.13 Social The social environment

Boots entering china analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Boots entering china analysis - Research Paper Example The company is dedicated to the provision of quality healthcare and pharmaceutical products to the local community. The company manages its operation through synergies with other companies for the creation of wider opportunities (Bennett, 1988). The company introduces new packaging for its products regularly. Boots focuses on research and development that creates more channels of distribution. For instance, the company introduced online sales through mail orders and electronic commerce. The strategy is unique as it seeks to target new markets (Bradford & Lawrence, 2004). Product development creates a unique avenue for the company to make an introduction of new products into international markets. The strategy focuses on ensuring that the pharmaceutical products gain a greater international market share (Barell, 1990). The strategy involves the development of new methods in product improvement for the new markets. The company uses market diversification, in order, to branch with ease to other international markets. The company seeks to enter the Chinese market for diversification and the creation of new opportunities and pharmaceutical products (Managi & Kaneko, 2008). In the United Kingdom, pharmaceutical companies have led to the improvement of the health status. The country has invested in research and development of pharmaceutical products. This enables pharmaceutical firms, such as Boots, to rely on the reports of the research in the development of their products. The country also poses strict regulations that companies must adhere to before providing their products for either local or international consumption. The government has to test and approve that the products of Boots are fit for consumption. Most companies are in favor of less government influence on their activities. However, it is important for the firms to understand that the government

Profiling 4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Profiling 4 - Essay Example Technology which causes victimization includes cyber net, cell phones, ATM machines, electronic data transfer etc. However, in the contemporary world the most intense victimization is seen over the internet. Within the last few years internet identity crime has gained enough recognition throughout the world (Gray, 2010). This is based upon an individual’s personal identity numbers, bank accounts, school information or any other security code which is unique to every person around the globe. Online criminals hack or steal this information and then they use it for causing financial, physical or moral damage to the victim. Victimization is now increasing with a stimulating rate as compared to the past. Moreover, the lack of awareness regarding internet identity crime has also facilitated it to a greater extent (Gray, 2010). People suffering from victimization are usually reluctant to contact law enforcement agencies because of embarrassment or due to the chances of further victimization by the offender. It is significantly easier for any cybercriminal to harass an individual by staying at a distance. This increases the complexity of the situation for law enforcing agencies since they fail to trace the offenders. Online criminals do not only harm individuals rather they possess the ability of destroying large corporations, for instance, by simply causing them financial loss or interrupting the bank transactions (Gray, 2010). Victims of online crime belong to a relatively narrowed group of people who are largely neglected by the judiciary system. Victimology was only recognized in the middle 20th century, before that, criminals were the major focus of the law enforcement agencies. There are primarily three factors which initiates victimization in this era of technological advancement. These include the environmental affects, characteristics of the offender and most importantly the precipitation of the victim. Environment

Dealing with the cold weather in toronto Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Dealing with the cold weather in toronto - Essay Example However, like all other cities in Canada, Toronto experiences some really cold spells every year. The cold weather is especially common throughout winter when temperatures periodically hit below the freezing point. As a result, residents have developed several suitable ways of dealing with the unpleasant weather that rocks the city, especially during the usual cold months. But, is the cold really an inhibitor of anything? Should anyone worry that the cold season is finally here? These questions can be easily answered by capturing the moods of the residents of the city during the times of extreme cold. The problem of cold weather not only creates fear among residents of Toronto, it also demotivates workers and school-going children who have to constantly brave through the freezing cold to their respective places of work and schooling. Residents have had to try many different ways to overcome the menace. However, the cold season perpetually presents tough times for families; what with contending with waking up unwilling children and later send them off to school in the snowy weather; waking up as a worker and realizing that you have to brave the cold one more day in order to make some few more pennies; and the manager’s impatient wait for late staffs still shaking off their blankets and riding slowly along the foggy roads before they can finally make it to the place of work? Well, reflecting upon the effects that the cold season has on the residents clearly tells you that it is a big problem among the people, and a solution to it is paramount to their happiness and comfort a s they attempt to endure any cold spell. After all, residents here have to put up with temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius. Some of the regularly ways advocated as effective in beating the cold weather have been with us for centuries. As a precaution, the residents of Ontario have adapted to preparing in time for upcoming cold spells. One of the most effective

Sexuality in Bram Stoker’s Dracula Essay Example for Free

Sexuality in Bram Stoker’s Dracula Essay Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula is a blend of legendary motifs regarding the myth of the vampires. The author’s imagination transposes the legend of Count Dracula in modern times. It is significant that the novel is a product of the Victorian Age. It is well known that the Victorians had very exact requirements regarding the social conduct and the education of the individual. The basis of their ethical system was restraint, moderation and the stifling of all instincts. Against this backdrop of inhibition and control of freedom, Stoker’s vampire fantasy appears extremely exotic. The essential element in the plot, Count Dracula’s attempt to leave Transylvania and settle in the midst of the bustle of civilization in England, translates the fear of a civilization of being undermined and destroyed by this wave of exoticism, coming from a distant primitive and superstitious country. The story has moreover notable and strong sexual connotations. The vampire myth can be easily interpreted in terms of sexual symbols. The act trough which a vampire passes on the practice of vampirism as well as immortality resembles a sexual act in the utmost. The vampire’s lust for blood, the piercing bite on the neck and the idea of possession are all strong indicatives of the sexual act. The novel is therefore the fantasy of the civilized world’s plunge into primitiveness, into the obscurity of the instinctual life. As it has been noted, Dracula’s attempt for establishing a vampire cult in the midst of the busy London life is a key element in the novel. To add to the contrast of the primitive world represented by Count Dracula and the mysterious women in his castle and the modern world represented by the story-tellers or journal writers-Jonathan Harker, Mina, Dr. Van Helsing, Dr. Seward, Quincey Morris and so on, Stoker shifts the place of his story form the Transylvanian strange and uncivilized world, where the castle of Dracula is located, to the London scene. The characters move from one place to the other, pointing to the clash of these two worlds. The fantastical legend seems to contain all the elements that the Victorian world perceived as threats. Beyond the obvious religious connotations, the legend imposes a predominance of the instincts over the human reason. The sexual aspect is extremely marked. The victims of Dracula are transformed from virtuous and integer characters, into lustful and wonton creatures. Lucy Westenra, a veritable symbol of purity and sweetness before her contact with Count Dracula, becomes in the end utterly corrupted. The vampires do not only play with the life and death of the body, but also with that of the soul. Through the symbolic bite, the victim also loses his or her soul. Although the symbolism attached to this idea is very complex, one crucial aspect of it is the gradual slide of the victim into a world of complete immorality and lack of scruple. The whole of the story seems therefore to be derived from a dark, subconscious fantasy of power, lust and immorality. The purity and uprightness of the characters is obviously not immune to this corruption. Jonathan Harker is ineluctably attracted into this fantastic world, while he stays at Count Dracula’s castle in Transylvania. Although he is repulsed and horrified by the Count, he cannot be above corruption. His encounter with the three unnamed women vampires, during his stay in Transylvania, is particularly sensual. The description itself is nearly shocking for the Victorian audience. The persistent feeling of uneasiness around the vampires is given by the man’s plunge into the instinctual world. Despite his love for Mina, Harker is inescapably tempted by the voluptuousness of the three women: â€Å"There was something about them that made me uneasy, some longing and at the same time some deadly fear. I felt in my heart a wicked, burning desire that they would kiss me with those red lips† (Stoker 33). The act of vampirism is, at the same time, one of promiscuity. The sexual thrill that Harker feels is at once exciting and repulsive. His body and spirit are drawn, against his will, to the animal – like possession intended by the woman: â€Å"There was a deliberate voluptuousness which was both thrilling and repulsive, and as she arched her neck she actually licked her lips like an animal, till I could see in the moonlight the moisture shining on the scarlet lips and on the red tongue as it lapped the white sharp teeth† (Stoker 34). The act of vampirism is concluded through a symbolic kiss that seals the lapse into the fantastical and unnatural world. Unknowingly, Harker is drawn precisely to these details, being fascinated with the red, voluptuous lips of the woman and her sharp white teeth. Along with Harker, Lucy is one of the most significant victims of vampirism in the novel. She is deliberately portrayed as a thoroughly innocent and vulnerable woman. Her sensibility however is one of the things that lead her to perdition. A crucial aspect of the sexual dimension of Lucy’s possession by Dracula is the time and the nature of their encounters. Everything seems to happen only in her dreams. The dreams are nightly manifestations of the subconscious and, therefore, Lucy is completely subjugated by the Count at a time when her reason is asleep. These nightly encounters with Dracula are the equivalent of erotic dreams. Dracula’s influence is so pervasive, that Lucy is soon completely lost: â€Å"The sweetness was turned to adamantine, heartless cruelty, and the purity to voluptuous wantonness† (Stoker 198). Her initial characteristic sweetness and innocence are transformed into a luring, demoniac voluptuousness. Her tempting invitations to Arthur have a clearly erotic substratum: â€Å"She still advanced, however, and with a languorous, voluptuous grace, said, ‘Come to me, Arthur. Leave these others and come to me. My arms are hungry for you. Come, and we can rest together. Come, my husband, come! ’†(Stoker 198) The sexual act is here almost undistinguishable from the act of vampirism per se. The demoniac possession is realized through debauchery. Sexual orgies seem to be a pattern in cases of demonism. The story also evinces many other sexual connotations. One of them is simply given in the specific conditions in which Dracula is able to exist. He is thus bound to sleep in his coffin during daytime and perpetrated his horrid crimes only during the night. Darkness itself is not only associated with the fear of the unknown, but also with the world of the subconscious. In obscurity, these deeds seem to become even more real. Another important aspect of the novel that is closely related to the sexual connotations of the text is the basic motif of corruption. Dracula defiles precisely the most holy of the characters, choosing his victims among them in order to inflict even more pain: â€Å"Just as their hideous bodies could only rest in sacred earth, so the holiest love was the recruiting sergeant for their ghastly ranks† (Stoker 278). The corruption of the innocent and even holy people is in itself a semi-sexual act, resembling the act of taking away someone’s virginity. In this sense, Dracula’s corruption of the innocents is a sign of violent rape. The gain of immortality through vampirism is another essential aspect of the work. This state is the opposite of the Christian idea of a heaven, where all the reformed souls reside contently. Dracula’s immortality is one in which only the body survives, while the soul dies forever. This demoniac state is synonymous with a state of absolute debauchery and corruption, in which the senses are free and the idea of morality does not exist. In this state, sexuality is practiced in all its forms, without restraint. The vampire symbolically feeds on other human lives, being nurtured by death and by the absence of a soul. It is also notable that this particular form of sexuality is not necessarily similar to the natural form. What is distinct about it is that there are no restraints and no obstacles to it. It is sexuality in the purest beast-like form. This fact is emphasized by another symbol present in the novel. As it is well known, the legend of the vampires must have been initially inspired by a simple, natural element: the bat and its way of feeding itself with blood. This particular similarity between a bat and Count Dracula himself points to the clear hint towards an animal-like life: â€Å"‘Do you mean to tell me that Lucy was bitten by such a bat, and that such a thing is here in London in the nineteenth century? ’†(Stoker 218) The story reveals a civilization that is unable to come to terms with the inherent traces of primitiveness. The ‘bat’ is a symbol for this return to nature and its eccentricities. The above quoted passage best illustrates the fear of a civilization to relapse into a primitive state. The modern world assumes that it can effectively control the whole range of natural phenomena, but as Stoker shows, civilization is still liable to its own myths and ancient beliefs and superstitions. It is significant that the characters have to fight their enemy not only with their modern means, but also through the weapons that are prescribed by popular lore and superstition. Along with garlic and other cures which are prescribed by superstition, the characters have to use yet another weapon to vanquish the demonic influence: the pole or stick that pierces the heart of the vampire and kills it. This phallic symbol is the only weapon that is able to kill a vampire. The scene where Arthur uses this instrument in order to kill Lucy is probably one of the most significant in this sense. Thus, the mythical and the modern world can meet in reality and the belief that science and development can completely eradicate myths and ancient beliefs, may be wrong. Although the book has a happy ending, and the evil is vanquished, the author does not share the optimism of his characters, and in an overall picture, the book actually demolishes the modern myth of a human civilization that moves steadily towards progress and that is not liable to a relapse into primitiveness. Works Cited: Stoker, Bram. Dracula. Ed. by Nina Auerbach and David J. Skal. New York: W. W. Norton 1996.

Bring Your Own Device System: Pros and Cons

Bring Your Own Device System: Pros and Cons Table of Contents (Jump to) Introduction Advantage of using BYOD Risks of using a BYOD System How to build a Secure BYOD policy 1. Carry out a survey 2. How does employees use their device on the cooperate network Suggested BYOD Policy Access Control/ Acceptable Use Roles and responsibilities Devices and Support Security Termination of employment ISO standards to follow Benefits of using ISO 27002 Reference list Bibliography Introduction Calathumpian Group is facing a major information integrity issue, the CEO is concern about the way cooperate information are treated. The company is allows BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) system which means that employees can use their personal laptops , smartphones or tablets on the workplace for their daily workload and to connect to the corporate network (Webopedia.com 2015). Advantage of using BYOD Maximise profit by reducing personnel hardware cost The purpose of all organisation is to maximise profit while minimising expenses, BYOD allows minimum-zero technology cost since there is no purchase cost for employees working device and maintenance cost for the devices. Improve employees performance BYOD improves employee’s performance and efficiency at work as by allowing them to use their personal devices with which they use also for recreational or home purpose, they developed automatism that increase their productivity. Tasks and operations are completed faster (Workforce 2014). Reduce hardware alienation BYOD helps to keep employees comfortable in their working environment, since they know how to operate with their work devices. For example: for a new employee, it’s better to work with a device he/she knows than cooperate devices as they will have to be trained. Risks of using a BYOD System Software incompatibility Employees working on different versions of OS or software tools can cause information being not accessible or shared. This is not efficient and restrict data access. Distractions Employees usually have their favourite apps, games or series present on their laptops or smartphones, these entertainment may distract employees during their working hours thus reducing their performance. For example: employees checking their Facebook account every 20 minutes. Security Security is the major problem with BYOD systems, as it puts all your cooperate data in risk. As all employees will certainly use their devices outside the workplace, if they are infected by a virus or targeted by a hacker and connect to the cooperate network, the whole network will be affected and important data may be corrupted, stolen or deleted. How to build a Secure BYOD policy 1. Carry out a survey I order to build an effective BYOD policy, we have to analysis what type of devices are being used on the cooperate network. A survey done by the Forrester’s Forrsights Workforce Employee shows that smartphones and tablets are among the most used device on the workplace, the laptop being the most used device, as illustrated on the image 1, (InfoSec Institute 2013). 2. How does employees use their device on the cooperate network We have to analyse what processes are done by employees on the network, this will enables the BYOD policy to match the business operations. For example: Are they using skype to connect foreign suppliers, what software applications are being used, what mobile application is using the WIFI system to operate. This analysis will help to developed acceptance criteria and limitations for the BYOD policy. Suggested BYOD Policy In order to solve the situation Calathumpian Group is facing we will developed a BYOD Policy that can be implemented in the organisation’s system. The report will contain policy about acceptance use, User responsibilities, Cooperate IT Responsibilities, Devices and Support, Privacy Policy and Security Policy, we will keep the report simple and easy to understand in order to make the implementation of the Policy system better. Calathumpian’s employees must agree to the following policies in order to connect their devices to the cooperate network. If they fail to abide to the policies the company reserves the right to disconnect them to the network and press further charges. These policies are implemented for the well-running of the organisation by enforcing security and protect cooperate data. The template of Megan Berry (2015) will be used to develop the BYOD policy, it is simple and very comprehensive template (Itmanagerdaily.com 2015). Access Control/ Acceptable Use Activities that are productive to the business are considered as acceptable. Certain websites will be blocked on the network for the employees during working hours, only before and after the working hours that these websites will be accessible. This will encourage employees to be on time. Such websites relates to Social Networks (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google +, etc†¦) Video Games related website Betting website Pornographic Torrents Streaming websites The network will only allow a limited amount of software tool to use internet or allowed connection to the network, this will decrease the risks of propagating viruses on other connected devices. Mobile apps that are allowed on the network are : emails , messaging apps (such as WhatsApp , Viber , Messaging , Skype) , system updates Mobile apps that are blocked includes : iTunes , Google Play , Apps Store , Mobile Games and Social networking apps Roles and responsibilities Dividing responsibilities in the company helps to maintain a certain hierarchy and determine how should do what and when. In order to solve the problem Calathumpian Group is facing, roles and responsibilities must be implemented so that the employees knows what are expected from them. In this case a structured IT department is needed. IT Security Manager Since the CEO of the Group might not be comfortable with IT department due to his age, it is better to choose some who is qualified for this job. The IT Security manager will be in charge for the creation and maintenance of the BYOD policy. This involves the risk management, security management and enforcing the BYOD policy. Human resource manager The HR manager will be responsible for the comprehension of the BYOD policy inside the company. His job is to ensure that the employees understand their commitment. IT department This department will provide help for the employees regarding the BYOD policy. For example: when an employee terminate his contract with the company, the IT department is responsible for the deletion of sensible information regarding the company. They are also responsible for the implementation of hardware policies such as: block websites and some mobile application, antivirus configuration (Auto scan on power on), maintenance of the network and other processes. All employees All employees must abide to the set of rules and regulations present in the BYOD policy, not respecting it will cause sanctions from the organisation as they are putting the company’s information at risks. Devices and Support Mobile operating system such as IPhone (4, 4S, 5, 6), Android devices (KitKat and Lollipop), Blackberry and Windows phone are allowed only. Android tablets and IPad are allowed The IT department is not responsible for any device software or hardware failure The IT department has the right to take the mac address of every device connected to the network, for security purpose. The mac address will help the IT department to apply certain restriction to specific employees Security To prevent unauthorised access to devices, employees must use strong passwords to protect their devices. A strong passwords is categories as Having at least 8 characters Combination of lower and upper case letter Must include at least two digits Cannot contain symbols Employees must change their passwords every 60 weeks Every time an employee leave his work place, he/she must automatically lock his/her device to prevent unauthorised access. Employees must encrypt their information such as emails , documents and other files Employee must hand over their devices to the IT department in order to connect to the network Termination of employment In order to prevent cooperate information to be accessible when an employee leaves the organisation for a particular reason, the later must present the device used on the network for inspection. The IT department will be responsible for that (Shrm.org 2015), they will delete all company related data on the device. ISO standards to follow â€Å"A standard is a document that provides requirements, specifications, guidelines or characteristics that can be used consistently to ensure that materials, products, processes and services are fit for their purpose. We published over 19500 International Standards that can be purchased from the ISO store or from our members Tools and techniques â€Å"(Iso.org 2015) In this case the ISO standard that best suit the problem of Calathumpian Group is the ISO/IEC 27002, which focus on information security management. This standards helps to maintain information such as employee details, cooperate financial report or other cooperate related information. Benefits of using ISO 27002 Risk management Find potential risk Helps to eliminate them Security policies Information security management Resource management HR security Physical security Communications management Access control Incident response management (SearchSecurity.co.UK 2015) Tools and Techniques Incident Response Reference list InfoSec Institute,. 2013. Importance Of A BYOD Policy For Companies Infosec Institute. http://resources.infosecinstitute.com/byod-policy-for-companies/. Itmanagerdaily.com,. 2015. BYOD Policy Template. http://www.itmanagerdaily.com/byod-policy-template/. SearchSecurity.co.UK,. 2015. What Is ISO 27001? Definition From Whatis.Com. http://searchsecurity.techtarget.co.uk/definition/ISO-27001. Shrm.org,. 2015. Electronic Devices: Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policy. http://www.shrm.org/templatestools/samples/policies/pages/bringyourowndevicepolicy.aspx. Webopedia.com,. 2015. What Is Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)? Webopedia. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/B/BYOD.html. Workforce, The. 2014. The Pros And Cons Of Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) For A Mobile Field Workforce MSI Data. MSI Data. http://www.msidata.com/pros-and-cons-of-byod-in-mobile-field-workforce. Bibliography 1 | Page Sensoneural Hearing Loss: Features of Patients Sensoneural Hearing Loss: Features of Patients Permanent unilateral and bilateral assymetrical sensorineural hearing loss: Clinical, vestibular, audiological and radiological evaluation. Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical, vestibular, audiological and radiological features of patients with permanent unilateral and assymetrical sensoneural hearing loss (SNHL). Material and methods: Twenty eight patients with either permanent unilateral and asymmetrical bilateral SNHL,diagonosed by means of pure tone audiometry(PTA) have been submitted to clinical,vestibular, audiological and radiological evaluation. Results: Total twenty eight patients with male :female ratio of 2.11 were analysed. 22 (78.57%)patients had unilateral and 6(21.43%)patients had bilateral asymmetrical SNHL.Right :left ratio in cases of unilateral SNHLwas 0.83:1. Both tinnitus and vertigo was present in 12(42.95%)patients and absent in 10 (35.8%)patients.On otoscopy tympanic membrane was intact in all cases.PTA showed profound loss in majority of cases.Tone decay was done in11 patients and was normal in all cases.Cold calorie was done in 27 patients and was absent in 7(25.9%)patients ,hypoactive in 8(29.6%)patients.MRI study was done in 9 patients.Out of 9,7 were normal and rest two showed positive findings. Conclusion: Proper clinical, vestibular and audiological work up is important before radiological investigation is sought to increase diagonostic yield and cost effectiveness in unilateral, bilateral (asymmetrical)SNHL. INTRODUCTION Although a commonly encountered diagnosis by otolaryngolist, unilateral SNHL represents a difficult clinical entity for the specialist. Whereas the diagnosis is easily obtained by PTA, diagonosis of cause and treatment represents the complexity of this clinical situation. Further complicating work up is the evergrowing cost for laboratory and radiological studies(1).Reiss M (1994) carried out study for differential diagnosis of unilateral hearing loss(2).Hendrix RA(1990) carried out study on asymmetrical sensoneural hearing loss.(3).Asymetrical hearing loss is the difference of more than 10 db averaged over the frequencies 0.5,1,2 and 4Khz or 20 db or more at any single frequency(4).A recent study has suggested a rule 3000 where in asymmetry of 15 db or more at 3000Hz require a MRI. If less than 15 db, a biannual audiometric follow –up is sufficient(13).In present study, we present clinical, vestibular ,audiological and radiological features of patients with either permanent u nilateral SNHL or asymmetrical hearing loss. MATERIAL AND METHODS This prospective study was conducted in the department of Otorhinolaryngology,government medical college,Srinagar,Kashmir on 28 patients, consisting both pediatric and adult patients from December 2013 to May 2014. After taking history about hearing loss and associated symptoms, otoscopy and PTA, patients were subjected to audiological and vestibular evaluation. Radiological investigation(MRI) was done in selected group of patients because of financial and other reasons. Sex distribution, laterality, audiological, vestibular and radiological findings are presented in tables1-6. RESULTS A total of 28 patients were included in present study. Out of 28 patients,19 were males and 9 were females with male to female ratio of 2.11.(table 1).Involvement of left ear was more common than right and 6 patients (21.42%) had bilateral asymmetrical loss(table2).Vertigo and tinnitus was associated symptoms in 12 patients(42.95) and 10patients(35.8%) presented with hearing without associated symptoms(table3).Tone decay test was normal in all tested patients.(table4).Cold calorie test was hypo- active in 8 patients(29.6%) and absent in 7 patients(25.9%)(table5).Radiological findings were normal in 7 out of 9 patients(table6). DISSCUSSION We describe 28 patients of unilateral and asymmetrical SNHL which were clinically ,audiologically and radiologically evaluated. Male preponderance was observed in the present study which is consistent to other study.(5). In studies by Cadoni G etal(2005) and Stefano Berrettini(2013), both have female preponderance which is in contrast to present study(6,7). In present study,left ear was more affected as compared to right which is in consistant to study done by Stefano Berrettini(2013).(7). In our study tinnitus is present in 14 patients(50.09%) and vertigo is present in 16 patients(59.3%). Study done by Stefano Berrettini showed tinnitus was present in 87% and vertigo in 44% cases(7). In present study, Tone decay test(TDT) was done in 11 patients.TDT was not done inpatients having profound SNHL. In all patients in which TDT was done ,results were normal. P.L.Bhatia (1969) etal in his study used TDT for diagonosis of retro cochlear pathology(8). It helps in diagonosing neural lesions quite accurately(9). In our study vestibular function test (cold calorie test) was done in all patients except one.CCT was absent(no response) in 7 patients(25.9%) and hypoactive in 8 patients(29.6%).Stafano Berrettini etal used calorie stimulation test in his study(7). Although the findings of decreased vestibular function on calorie testing in ipsilateral side to a SNHL historically has been usefull in suggesting the diagonosis of vestibular schwannoma. But at present ,it is not sensitive enough tobe helpful diagonostically for vestibular schwannoma because a small inferior vestibular nerve schwannoma might not cause an abnormal calorie response(10).Hypoactivity of the affected side is seen in meineres disease(11). In present study,patients having hypoactive calorie test or absent calorie test or in whom tone decay test could not be done due to profound hearing loss were subjected to radiological investigation(MRI).One patient on MRI showed micro haemorrhages in left peritrigonal area and other patient on MRI showed vestibular schwannoma.MRI is now the recommended investigation for diagonosis of retrocochlear pathology.(2,12).MRI scanning with Gagolinium will identify virtually all tumours and was considered to be gold standard(14).Recently T2-weighted fast spin echo MRI has been found to be sensitive and less expensive than gadolinium enhanced standard MRI(15). CONCLUSION Clinical ,audiological and vestibular testing is important in diagonostic workup of unilateral and asymmetric hearing before radiological investigation is done to decrease economic burden and to increase diagonostic yield from definite radiological investigations. REFERENCES 1.Jacques Peltier.Grand rounds presentation,UTMB,Dept. of Otolaryngology Nov10,2004. 2.Reiss M,Reiss G. Differential diagonosis of unilateral hearing loss.Praxis .2000.Feb 3;89(6):241-247. 3.Hendrix R A,De Dio RM,Scalajani AP.The use of diagonostic testing in asymmetrical SNHL. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surgery.1990 oct;103(4):593-8. 4. David M Baguley.Age –related SNHL.Chapter238 a.Scott Browns vol 3 seventh Edition. 5.Prognostic factors of sudden SNHL in diabetic patients.Diabetes care October 2004 vol.27 no10 2560-1. 6.Cadoni G etal.Sudden SNHL:Our experience in diagonosis, treatment and outcome.J.Otolaryngol.2005 Dec;34(6):395-401. 7.Stefano B.etal.Analysis of 3-D(FLAIR) sequence in Idiopathic SSNHL.JAMA Otolaryngol head and neck surgery vol 139(no.5)May 2013. 8.P.L.Bhatia.A Sinha. Tone decay test: A simple and reliable audiological test.Laryngoscope vol79 issue 11 page no 1879-90.Nov 1969. 9.Anirban Biswass.Tone decay test. Clinical and vestibulometry.Fourth Edition. 10. Glasscock-Shambauugh.Surgery of the ear.Chapter 32.Fifth Edition. 11.Abir K Bhattacharya, Jabin thaj. Investigation protocol for SNHL. Otorhinolaryngology Clinics: An international Journal,may-aug 2010;2(2):107-112 12.Mahillon V. Diagonostic management of unilateral SNHL in adults.Rev med Brux 2003 Feb;24(1) :15-19 13.Saliba I, Martineau G,Chagnon M.Asymmetric hearing loss: Rule 3000 for screening vestibular schwannoma. Otol Neurotol 2009 jun; 30(4) :515-521 14.Fergusion etal. Efficiency of tests used to screen cp angle tumours: A prospective study.Br J Audiol 1996,jun :30(30):159-76 15. Shelton C. etal. Fast spin echo MRI: Clinical application in screening for acoustic neuroma. Otolaryngol Head neck surgery 1996:114(1):71-76 Table1: Sex distribution of patients (n=28) Table 2: Laterality of involved ear of patients (n=28) Table 3: Associated symptoms with hearing loss (n=28) Table 4: Tone decay test of patients (n=11) Table 5: Cold Calorie test of patients (n=27) Table 6: Radiological (MRI) findings of patients (n=9)

The Watergate Scandal :: President Richard Nixon

The tapes The hearings held by the Senate Watergate Committee, in which Dean was the star witness and in which many other former key administration officials gave dramatic testimony, were broadcast through most of the summer, causing devastating political damage to Nixon. The Senate investigators also discovered a crucial fact on July 13: Alexander Butterfield, deputy assistant to the President, revealed during an interview with a committee staff member that a taping system in the White House automatically recorded everything in the Oval Office—tape recordings that could prove whether Nixon or Dean was telling the truth about key meetings. The tapes were soon subpoenaed by both Cox and the Senate. Nixon refused, citing the theory of executive privilege, and ordered Cox, via Attorney General Richardson, to drop his subpoena. Cox's refusal led to the "Saturday Night Massacre" on October 20, 1973, when Nixon compelled the resignations of Richardson and then his deputy in a search for someone in the Justice Department willing to fire Cox. This search ended with Robert Bork, and the new acting department head dismissed the special prosecutor. Allegations of wrongdoing caused Nixon to famously state "I am not a crook" in front of 400 Associated Press managing editors at Walt Disney World in Florida on November 17. While Nixon continued to refuse to turn over actual tapes, he did agree to release edited transcripts of a large number. These largely confirmed Dean's account, and caused further embarrassment when a crucial, 18Â ½ portion of one tape, which had never been out of White House custody, was found to have been erased. The White House blamed this on Nixon's secretary, Rose Mary Woods, who said she had accidentally erased the tape by pushing the wrong foot pedal on her tape player while answering the phone. However, as photos splashed all over the press showed, for Woods to answer the phone and keep her foot on the pedal involved a stretch that would have challenged many a gymnast. She was then said to have held this position for the full 18Â ½ minutes. Later forensic analysis determined that the gap had been erased several—perhaps as many as nine—times over, refuting the "accidental erasure" explanation.. This issue of access to the tapes went all the way to the Supreme Court and on July 24, 1974 the Court unanimously ruled in United States v. Nixon that Nixon's claim of executive privilege over the tapes was void and they further ordered him to surrender them to special prosecutor Leon Jaworski.

Minor Characters in Arthur Millers All My Sons :: essays research papers

There are many minor characters in Arthur Miller’s play, All My Sons. For instance there is Bert, a eight-year-old boy, who visits Joe Keller twice during the course of the play. there is also Frank and Linda Lubey, neighbors of the Keller’s. This couple bought Ann’s house after she moved out. There is also Dr. Jim Bayliss and his wife Sue, who are friends of the Keller’s. The last minor character is George Deever, Ann’s brother. Out of all of these actors only two of them have and important impact on the course of the play. They are George Deever and Frank Lubey. Both characters have minor parts, meaning they are only seen very infrequently. The reader only meets George in the second scene and he is gone by the third scene, and Frank is only seen very sparsely throughout the play. Frank Lubey is a very important character because of what he represents to Kate Keller. To Kate, Frank is one of the few reasons to believe her son Larry is alive. Larry was reported MIA during World War II, which was three years ago according to the play. Frank Lubey believes in the stars and fate and favorable days. He tells Kate through out the play that a man can not die on his favorable day. Frank sets out to find out if November 25th (the date Larry was reported MIA) was one of Larry’s favorable days. By the end of the play Frank figures out that November 25th was one of Larry’s favorable days. When Kate hears that the stars are telling her that her boy is alive, nothing will dieter her from believing it. Though Chris, Ann and Joe plead with her to let Larry go, she will not believe it. Frank’s major part in the play was to make a horoscope for Kate Keller, in hopes of seeing if Larry could still be alive some where in the world. With out Frank Lubey making the horoscope, every single character in the play would be against Kate’s belief that Larry was alive. Because Frank also agrees with her, Kate has almost solid proof, for herself, that her boy is alive. Kate is a very stubborn woman because no matter what anyone says, she will never let go of what she believes in. Because Frank also believes, with Kate that Larry is a alive, Kate will continue to believe because someone else shares her belief.

The College Experience Essay -- Personal Narrative Writing

The College Experience "Tomorrow is the first day of what I will become." I wrote this in my diary the night before my first day of college. I was anxious as I imagined the stereotypical college room: intellectual students, in-depth discussions about neat stuff, and of course, a casual professor sporting the tweed jacket with leather elbows. I was also ill as I foresaw myself drowning in a murky pool of reading assignments and finals, hearing a deep, depressing voice ask "What can you do with your life?" Since then, I've settled comfortably into the college "scene" and have treated myself to the myth that I'll hear my calling someday, and that my future will introduce itself to me with a hardy handshake. I can't completely rid my conscience from reality, however. My university education and college experience has become a sort of fitful, and sleepless night, in which I have wonderful dreams and ideas, but when I awaken to apply these aspirations, reality sounds as a six thirty alarm and my dreams are forgo tten. Up until recently, I've considered myself a decisive person, able... The College Experience Essay -- Personal Narrative Writing The College Experience "Tomorrow is the first day of what I will become." I wrote this in my diary the night before my first day of college. I was anxious as I imagined the stereotypical college room: intellectual students, in-depth discussions about neat stuff, and of course, a casual professor sporting the tweed jacket with leather elbows. I was also ill as I foresaw myself drowning in a murky pool of reading assignments and finals, hearing a deep, depressing voice ask "What can you do with your life?" Since then, I've settled comfortably into the college "scene" and have treated myself to the myth that I'll hear my calling someday, and that my future will introduce itself to me with a hardy handshake. I can't completely rid my conscience from reality, however. My university education and college experience has become a sort of fitful, and sleepless night, in which I have wonderful dreams and ideas, but when I awaken to apply these aspirations, reality sounds as a six thirty alarm and my dreams are forgo tten. Up until recently, I've considered myself a decisive person, able...

Physical Education and Academic Achievement in 10th grade Essay

Physical education in high schools in the United States of America is the one branch of academic filed which is gaining fast attention on the side of the Government policy, the schools administration. More and more emphasis-shift is being observed toward orientation of the students and their parents with regard to the importance of physical education and its connection with real life, health, and, above all, with higher academic achievement. In schools, although all grades bear importance with relation to physical education and higher academic achievement and attendance rate, it is, however, the ninth and tenth-grades where there is a turning point for the students. Therefore, it is the time for the schools administration to pay more attention toward the planning and application of the physical education in these grades. â€Å"Physical activity is critical to the development and maintenance of good health. The goal of physical education is to develop physically educated individuals who have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity† (aahperd. org) It is apt to say that the way their physical education is planned and implemented required different parameters. This is so because the demands of students are different. They need to be exposed to such physical activities which not only excite them but also create a sense of responsibility in them; the main focus of such activities should then be to prepare them for real-life situation and challenges. Read more:  Physical Education Essays The present paper examines the link between physical education in 10th-grade and higher academic achievement in secondary schools of the United States of America. It also focuses on the link between physical education and its advantages when it comes to higher attendance rate and so on. The paper also investigates the findings of some major studies conducted in the area of academic achievement and its hypothesized relationship with such other diverse areas as after-school pursuits, homework phenomena, types of activities in and out of school, cross gender and ethnicity issues. This is to give the reader a proper understanding of the major issues in the present debate of achievement in high school and particularly of the tenth-graders. Review of Literature Physical education is a â€Å"systematic instruction in sports, exercises, and hygiene given as part of a school or college program† (infoplease. com). Thus, there are certain goals to be met by implementing the physical education scenario. There have been considerable attempts in encircling the physical education curriculum in the United States of America. However, it is only recently that more and more emphasis is being laid on the importance of physical education and its link between higher academic achievement and proportionate significance of attendance rate. Since the year 1987, NASPE (the National Association for Sport and Physical Education) has been in constant pursuit in the updated information about the awareness in public of physical education in US education system. There are certain reservations that come to us in this regard. Three of them are mainly discussed in the present literature about physical education in the US educational system. These are: (1) There is no federal law, as yet, which says that physical education is to be provided to the students in the US education system; also there are not listed any incentives to offer physical education programs. 2) Although states may come up with some ground for the physical education policies, the state schools are free to work on their own in promoting, retaining, reducing the physical education portfolio in their own way. ) Another issue is that many states let go the responsibility for all content taught in schools to local school districts. (pe4life. com) The evidence is also found on other literature and net resources that plainly make it public that in the United States of America, physical education is not something prioritized. Even physical education in high school and elsewhere are â€Å"in sorry shape† and that the physical education â€Å"has been squeezed out of school by new curriculum requirements and other factors† (ducationworld. om). Apart from this, there is now word by such professionals as physicians who see that physical education is very necessary for a better future generation. More solid evidence comes form the Report to the President: Promoting Better Health for Young People through Physical Activity and Sports. In this report, Donna Shalala, Health and Human Services Secretary, and Richard Riley, Education Secretary, boldly wrote: â€Å"Our nation’s young people are, in large measure, inactive, unfit, and increasingly overweight. This report should stimulate action to make sure that daily physical activity for young people becomes the norm in our nation† (pe4life. com). Although we can see that today more and more attention is being paid to the physical education policy in US education system, there are grave critical areas that need to be addressed for a better physical education policy. For example there are trends of abating physical education time in schools because of pressure from academic side. This is very much a problem present in today’s education system. The simple fact is that more and more research findings are coming along with results that show that the old maxim â€Å"sound mind in a sound body† is aptly right. Thus it is now acknowledged that the students who are physically fit perform better on the academic side as well. In this connection we see that: â€Å"a 2002 California Department of Education study found a direct correlation between higher levels of physical fitness and higher academic test scores. According to Delaine Eastin, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, â€Å"We now have the proof we’ve been looking for: students achieve best when they are physically fit† (pe4life. com (b)). As such, a new educational approach is now being said to be coming up on the educational front of the US schools that is called ‘total mind, total body educational approach’. In addition to the above, U. S. Surgeon General Report states that â€Å"Nearly two out of three adult Americans, or 130 million of us, are overweight or obese†; as such The health problems related to our growing girths are well known – more heart diseases, diabetes and other weigh-related ailments that send 300,000 Americans to an early grave every year. In fact, if childhood obesity continues to grow at current levels, some health officials contend, this generation of youngsters may actually have a shorter lifespan than their parents – a first in history† (smc. edu). When the report gives this alerting call to the nation, it is of much relief that in the same report the U. S. surgeons also carve out some strategies to overcome the problem. Among these strategies, the most prominent place is give to the physical education for the youths in the high schools. However, this is also not wrong to state that with the advent of the recognition of physical education in high schools, specially in ninth- and tenth-grades, another debate has taken birth: Whether or not physical education grade be included in high school students’ GPA. This school of thought considers that inclusion of physical education grades in student’s GPA will boost up students’ morale and will encourage them to do better in the physical education class because â€Å"Physical education is truly a microcosm of life, and every lesson taught has the potential to translate into the â€Å"real world† and prepare students to become healthy, productive members of society† (elibrary. bigchalk. com). Whatever the arguments are, we can be certain that in today’s literature about physical activity and high schools, physical education is something that needs more and more space in schools policies so that a better tomorrow can be handed down to our future generation that is already getting more pressure from academic side. If we look at the schools curriculum regarding physical education of ninth- and tenth-grades, we find that there are no serious attempts at defining the education. For example, a school in US states only three basic goals for physical education for the ninth- and tenth-grades (benton. k12. wi. us). Another school very shortly gives only the names of the physical activities to be observed by the students (rockingham. k12. va. us). This kind of treatment is in abundance and needs serious attention on the part of the government and school administrations to bring solid measures for the improvement in this area. Physical Education and Academic Achievement in 10th-grade When it comes to physical education in high schools, we find that it is very important for people who are in grades ninth and tenth because â€Å"This is an age when students begin to impose self-judgement in terms of accepting their physical appearance and their willingness to involve themselves in positive physical activities† (teacherweb. com). According to the Physical Activity and Health (a report of the surgeon genera) there is deep linkage between physical education and academic achievement. Physical education makes it possible for a better and healthy start in life enabling students to go for challenges that are not touched upon by those who are not active through physical activity. Moreover, the report suggests that schools should create such programs that can offer students opportunities by which they can get into physical activity. At this stage, this becomes more important because that report informs that as people grow, they show more and more declination in goring for physical activity: â€Å"Physical activity declines dramatically with age during adolescence† (cdc. gov). Thus, there is stark need that students of ninth and tenth-grade must be made aware of the importance of physical education and their academic achievement. The physical education should also be given priority by the school administration so that a sound educational environment can be achieved for healthier and academically better grounds for the students of high schools. This has been found through the research that physical activities may enhance cognitive functioning of the brain. This, as a result, may explain the relationship found between the students’ involvement in physical activities and their academic success (nps. 12. va. us). There are three major findings in the literature that relate physical activity involvement and the cognitive functioning. These are: 1) There is a significantly â€Å"positive relationship between physical activity and cognitive functioning in children†; 2) â€Å"Results support possibility that participation in physical activity causes improvements in cognitive function†; 3) â€Å"Acute bouts of physical activity exert short-term positive benefits on the behavioural and cognitive functioning of youths†; ) It has also been found that â€Å"Being on a school sports team and having a positive achievement orientation were positively associated with physical activity levels† (holidaycalendar. dsr. wa). Therefore, from this very analysis it becomes pretty clear that in 10th grade (or roughly in high school), physical education plays a very important role as far as the phenomena of long, healthy life is concerned; as far as real-life active participation by the youth is concerned; and, above all, their academic achievement is concerned. However, looking at the picture more closely, we find that the present scenario in the United States of America, when it comes to physical education, academic success, link between physical education and academic success and real-life situation; there are certain challenges present to the Government. For example, â€Å"Nearly half of young people aged 12-21 are not vigorously active on a regular basis and physical activity declines dramatically with age during adolescence† (arlington. k12. va. us). And this has surely given the government a call of high alert because it is simply suggested that less physical activity on the side of the youth will give rise to ailments that will in return proportionately affect academic achievement of the students. Thus, today we can see that the United States of America is building more solid policies for coping up with the situation. In this very connection, a recent example is the President’s Challenge program, which purely focuses on bringing the people of the U.  S. to the physical activity grounds so that a healthier society for the future can be the possibility. This is â€Å"a program that encourages all Americans to make being active part of their everyday lives. No matter what your activity and fitness level, the President’s Challenge can help motivate you to improve† (presidentschallenge. org). The Presidential Challenge program is all about remaining with an active lifestyle and the program specifically focuses on how to assess the citizens in this regard. This program also introduces some rewards for the participants of the program like PALA (Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (presidentschallenge. org). This simply gives us the idea that the government of the U. S. has come up with grave policies which focus on the physical fitness of the citizens for a better tomorrow and a healthy society. Physical Education and Academic Achievement Debate  There are different schools of thoughts within the research that circle around the relationship between academic achievement in students and such other phenomena as physical education, homework, social loafing, and so forth. A considerable area of research exists that especially takes into examination the students of eighth to tenth grade. For example the article After-school pursuits, ethnicity, and achievement for 8th- and 10th-grade students which is one of the remarkable piece showing the contribution of people like James B.  Schreiber , Elisha A. Chambers, Walberg, Paschal, & Weinstein, Cooper, and so on. Thus the proponents of homework suggest that â€Å"Homework has been shown to have a positive relationship with† academic achievement. And that there is also a proportionate difference between the amount of time spent on homework (After-School Pursuits). However, the other side of the pole comes up with the argument that there is not total contribution that can be related to homework alone when looking into the matter of higher academic achievement. This school of though aptly analyzes the effects of physical education on academic achievement of the students. For example, a research review by Holland and Andre in the year 1987 brought into their examination the relationship, if any, between physical education or athletic participation and academic achievement in the students. Their findings brought some more elements of debate in the intellectual circle because they found that there were sex-related differences among students as far as physical education and academic achievement is concerned. They reported that the research demonstrated that male high school athletes received somewhat higher grade point averages (GPAs) than did nonathletes. However, when one considers standardized achievement or aptitude tests, boys whose only after-school activity was sports scored lower than national averages on the Standardized achievement Test. No significant differences in GPAs or standardized tests were observed between female athletes and nonathletes† (After-School Pursuits).

How to Do Business Like the Mafia: the Italian and American Mafia’s Role in Businesses Essay

Since the Mafia’s appearance in the 1800’s, these Italian criminal societies have infiltrated the economic and social realms of Italy and now play a large role in many countries throughout the world. Today the Mafia is considered one of the most notorious and widespread criminal organizations that has ever existed. The most prominent parts of the world that the Mafia exists are in Italy and America where they play a large role in these countries economies, most notably through their control of small and large businesses. Just like the origin of the word mafia, the history of Sicily, which is considered the birthplace of the Mafia, and its relationship with this organization, is very unique. Because of its geographic location, Sicily has always been a desirable location for trade and colonization. Generally speaking, the mafia is thought of as an Italian secret crime society, but the origins of the Mafia start way before the introduction and use of automatic weapons and illegal drugs. It was born long before it was given its name, through a long historical process in which the administration of justice was extremely fragmented and corrupt, guaranteeing impunity to the criminals. In a time of hardship and poverty, the Mafia began as a way of life: a way to protect one’s family and loved ones from the injustice of the government. Sicily’s violent and oppressive government history and its numerous corrupt and inconsistent rulers, especially regarding their justice system, fostered an atmosphere of self-reliance and cooperation among the Italian people. Through fear, inspired by threats and violence and supported by an organization of family and friends, the Mafia was able to gain and maintain this reliance and respect. It is important to acknowledge the origin of the Mafia because it is through these institutions and social structures that the Mafia was able to gain an immense amount of power and thus control businesses around the world today. In 241 BC the Romans gained control over Sicily in the first Punic War. The Romans introduced the economic and social system called the Latifundia, which created a hierarchy of people and a system of taxation that would be central to Sicily’s economy until Italian unification in 1861. Although the Roman’s actions in Sicily have no direct influence in the creation of the Mafia, they did set up the social structure of hierarchy from which the Mafia would emerge and eventually control areas of land and inadvertently control a large part of the Italian economy. In 826 the Roman Empire fell to the Arabs who brought an important aspect of life to the Sicilian people that would eventually become part of the Mafia culture; internal justice. Instead of having a system of authorities to deal with crime and misconduct, they used personal and internal justice to avenge crimes and set records straight in order to keep their businesses under their own control. The Normans were the next group to annex Sicily in the 11th century and they greatly magnified the feudal structure established by the Romans. The Spanish conquered Sicily in 1500 and they are considered the longest and most important foreign presence in Sicily. The Sicilian people were not represented by the government and eventually organized into guilds that acted as a judicial system. These guilds were unlike other European guilds and took care of their problems internally and did not include state or local authority. Internal justice led by these guilds was another step towards the formation of the Mafia (Servadio). In the late 1500’s and the early 1600’s Sicily’s feudal system went through some administrative changes. In the early 1600’s large landholders in Sicily lived in Palermo, handing over the command of their estates to estate managers called gabelloti. Appointed by the landlord, these men who were usually already prominent and respected within their region could use their power to control the people who inhabited the land. The use of the gabelloti continued through a succession of leaders and became the principle method of rule. The gabelloti, using the power given to them by the landlord, began to create entourages consisting of uomo di fiducia. The uomo di fiducia served as tax ollectors, and they had direct contact with the people. They were accompanied by campieri who were armed forces that kept the peace through fear. The emergence of these new groups also marks the creation of the middle class in Sicily, and from the middle class emerged the Mafia. All members of the Sicilian middle class used dissident tactics to gain power and money. Middlemen exploited peasants for money, artists kept people out of guilds to perpetuate their own success, and magistrates and attorneys delayed cases in an already twisted legal system. During the late 1700’s and early 1800’s these separate but powerful groups started to make contacts with each other. In addition to befriending each other, they also befriended local and regional magistrates. It is clear that as these groups began to unite themselves with the government to become a stronger and more formidable force in Sicily’s justice system, they were also gaining political ties that would allow them to carry out their business without interaction from the authorities (Servadio). Sicily’s long history with multiple judicially inept governments led to the creation and necessity of the Mafia. The Mafia was able to give people the business and protection that they not only wanted, but needed. These corrupt government institutions fostered an environment where those who were clever enough could manipulate the system to their advantage creating wealth, power and prestige through the exploitation of land, peasants and political officials in Italy as well as America. The Mafia was never just a group of gangsters, even from the beginning. There were those who carried out the dirty work, but the leaders, known as the godfathers, were often more political and business thinkers than gangsters. The Mafia used their power, gained through fear, to not only exploit the landowners and peasants but also used their political ties to carry on illegal activities without problems from local or state authorities. As the Mafia gained power and influence over the various regions and government officials, these illegal activities would expand greatly, inadvertently increasing their overall control as an organization. By the 1900’s the Mafia had become a very powerful and widespread organization throughout Italy despite an extensive amount unemployment and overty that permeated not only Sicily, but the rest of Europe as well. This is still true to this day when many countries around the world are suffering economically, the Mafia manages to stay afloat and even increase their success. Many underprivileged Italians began to immigrate to America to find better jobs to support their families. This is also when the Mafia formally entered America and began to set up small organizations throughout the country. By 1922 Mussolini and Fascism had taken a firm grip on Italy and began to crack down on the Mafia, either sending them to prison or assassinating them. Mussolini assigned Cesare Mori prefect of Italy in order for him to defeat the Mafia. Prefect Mori wanted to bring Sicily under control of the state so he suspended their rights, humiliated and arrested them and took women and children hostage in order to force the Mafia to surrender. Mussolini’s wrath pushed more and more Mafiosi out of Italy and into America (Servadio). The Mafiosi originally settled in large cities, like Chicago and New York, where industry was predominant and there were opportunities for crime, fraud and racketeering everywhere. Initially the American Mafia gangs focused primarily on â€Å"protection rackets†, but with the coming of Prohibition they began to expand to gambling, bootlegging and prostitution. It is in these fields that the American Mafia became enormously wealthy and powerful. One of the main reasons the Mafia in Italy, as well as America, has been so successful is due to its influence and heavy involvement in businesses around the world. These businesses allowed the Mafia to maintain a powerful presence in various regions by exploiting landowners, construction companies and other lucrative industries, such as drug trafficking, through fear. Despite the global recession that hit Europe in 2009, the Mafia was the one business that continued to thrive during this lean economic time. The Italian Mafia’s revenue for 2008 jumped 40 percent and sales increased to 130 billion Euros, or $167 billion, up from 90 billion Euros in 2007 according to figures supplied by Eurispes and SOS impresa (Harwood). Over the past 50 years, the main source of revenue for the Mafia has been drug trafficking, which brings in around 59 billion Euros a year (Harwood). â€Å"Studies show the criminal market never suffers during a crisis,† says Roberto Saviano, author of the best-selling book Gomorrah, the story of the Camorra crime bosses. â€Å"I’m convinced that this crisis is bringing huge advantages to criminal syndicates† (Harwood). The Italian mafia also relies on its â€Å"tried and true profit generating scheme: the protection racket† (Harwood). It is estimated that the mafia takes away over 6 percent of Italy’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, through extortion. That’s 92 billion Euros a year, 250 million Euros a day, and 10 million Euros an hour (Harwood). Crime organizations have never been more powerful or more profitable. A small-business association called Confesercenti estimates that the Mafia collected revenues of â‚ ¬90 billion, $128 billion, in 2006, a sum equivalent to 7 percent of Italy’s GDP indicating that the Mafia’s influence as well as success continues to increase (Harwood). The Mafia does not only focus on exploiting businesses and trafficking drugs in Italy but has also extended its power to the UK; British cities are key locations in the Mafia’s vital money-laundering operations (Kington). In December of 2009, a British gambling company known as Paradise Bet Ltd was suspended when Italian police froze its assets. This action was an attempt by the Italian police to break up a Mafia clan who was in control of this company; members were accused of drug smuggling, money laundering and attempted murder. In an operation code-named â€Å"Domino†, police raids seized 227 properties, 680 bank accounts, 61 luxury cars, nine stables, 71 horses and 35 businesses said to be worth ? 200 million (Kington). Members of the Secondigliano Alliance, which is a group within the Camorra, are suspected of owning shops in London that turn out fake designer goods and act as hideouts for fugitives and fronts for drug trafficking. These are two prime examples of the Mafia’s control and dominance over businesses, land and other profitable assets. In 2000 it was reported that the Mafia controlled one in five business in Italy. Their profits were being invested in real estate, clinics, retirement homes, supermarkets, hotels and restaurants. The fortunes made by the mafia through these exploitations would be enough to pay off the public debt (BBC News) By obtaining power over these types of businesses the Mafia eventually gains authority over entire areas and even regions. The Mafia is notorious for gaining control of institutions by using a mixture of bribery and fear, and then murdering those that cross them. Control over businesses is the main reason why the Mafia is able to maintain its income as well as overall power. The Mafia uses discreet tactics to acquire land and businesses so they do not attract attention from authorities. By owning a group of small companies or even a restaurant, the Mafia is able to exploit money from them without being obvious, adding to the reasons why the inner workings of the Mafia are so secretive. Francesco Forgione, Italy’s leading expert in organized crime describes how the Nadrangheta’s Fazzari clan has two suspected members that are buying up property in London’s Wed End district. They have yet to kill but are instead investing in property and other companies to gain control over various areas in this region (Kington). Another example of the Mafia’s role in business is Antonio La Torre, a Camorra boss, who was arrested in 2005 for setting up a small commercial empire as a money-laundering operation in Aberdeen. This business included an olive oil and prosciutto-importing company and restaurant that offered jobs to Neapolitans (Harwood). It is here that you can see that the Mafia does not always resort to drug trafficking but is able to gain the same amount of power and money through what seem like legitimate businesses in order to cover up their corrupt actions. Recently, the Italian Mafia has also begun to infiltrate the wind farm business. Known in parts of Italy as â€Å"Lords of the Wind† the Mafia now owns many wind farms in Sicilian mob strongholds like Corleone (Schwartz). The reasoning behind this sudden takeover is quite simple; the power from wind farms is sold at a high rate because of generous government subsidies intended to expand the renewable energy sector. With 30 wind farms already built in Sicily and another 60 on the way, it is suspected that the Mafia will eventually control many of them. Not all 30 wind farms are owned by the Mafia but many are and locals are afraid to do anything to combat this issue, thus exemplifying the Mafia’s ability to maintain their influence and control over businesses through fear. Green energy could be the next big company that becomes a casualty of the Mafia’s criminal activity (Schwartz). Once the Mafia began to arrive in American in the 1920’s, it became clear that their initial business ventures were different from that of their homeland. Many who fled here in the early 1920’s helped establish what is known today as La Cosa Nostra or the American Mafia. Learning from their organizations back in Italy, the traditions of the Sicilian â€Å"honored society,† which absolutely forbade involvement in either narcotics or prostitution, the Mafia left the eroin business to the powerful Jewish gangsters who dominated organized crime in the 1920’s (Servadio). The Mafia was content with the substantial profits to be gained from controlling the bootleg liquor industry. By the 1920’s The United States and the provinces within Canada had adopted prohibition. It was during that era that North America gave birth to some of the largest crime syndicates, most vicious criminals, and mafia leaders. For the Mafia, prohibition meant employment, easy money and control over businesses and the people. The tainted money, prostitution, extortion and other criminal rackets did not make nearly as much money in comparison to the intake from bootlegging. Prohibition created an atmosphere that allowed crime to flourish; an atmosphere, which the mafia exploited and used to gain control over the people, businesses and subsequent regions of the United States. Prohibition was the first step that allowed the American Mafia to gain control over one of the most lucrative business America had ever seen. The leader of this Mafioso movement was Salvatore C. Luciana, known to the world as Charles â€Å"Lucky† Luciano. Lucky pioneered organizational techniques that are still the basis of organized crime today and forged an alliance between the Mafia and prominent Jewish gangs that has survived for almost 40 years. With the end of Prohibition in sight, Luciano made the decision to take the Mafia into the profitable prostitution and heroin rackets. This decision was determined more by financial considerations than anything else. The dominance of the Mafia over its Jewish and Irish rivals was built on its success in illegal distilling and rum running. Its continued supremacy, which Luciano hoped to maintain through superior organization and business, could only be sustained by developing new sources of income; drug trafficking (Servadio). Heroin was an attractive substitute to illegal distilling because it had recently become illegal. This in turn left a large market that could be easily exploited and expanded. Although heroin addicts in no way compared with drinkers in numbers, heroin profits could be just as significant: heroin’s light weight made it less expensive to smuggle than liquor, and its limited number of sources made it more easy to monopolize. Although illegal, this was a smart business venture for the American Mafia and enabled them to control a significant part of the liquor and drug trafficking business. Heroin, moreover, complemented Luciano’s and subsequently the Cosa Nostra’s other new business venture: the organization of a prostitution ring. Luciano found that addicting his prostitutes to heroin kept them quiet, steady workers, with a habit that could only be funded by this occupation. This also forced many small-time pimps out of business. By 1935 Luciano controlled 200 New York City brothels with twelve hundred prostitutes, providing him with an estimated income of more than $10 million a year (Servadio). Supplemented by growing profits from gambling and the labor movement, The Cosa Nostra was once again on a secure financial footing due to their influence and involvement with profitable and productive business ventures such as alcohol and drug trafficking as well as prostitution; they acknowledges what the people wanted and provided them with a service they would be unable to find anywhere else thus monopolizing that specific industry. It is clear that the Mafia has not only infiltrated the business of Italy but America as well and through these institution it has remained a dominant part of these societies. Although illegal in many aspects, the business ventures that Mafia undertake are incredibly lucrative and give them the opportunity to expand their organization on a large scale. Although governments are taking significant action in combating the Mafia, they continue to grow and dominate the economies of many societies to this day.

Analysis Of US International Trade Commission Decisions In Antidumping, Countervailing Duty And Safeguard Cases Essay

                 International trade commission Introduction                        International trade commission (ITC) is definite by US Legal as an independent quasi-judicial federal agency with broad investigative responsibilities on matters of trade. The agency mainly focuses on the investigation that surrounds the effects of dumped and subsidized imports on the domestic market and industries and conducts some global investigation with the aim of safeguarding. ITC also deals with the cases that deal with the imports violation of property rights (Knes). Thus, the system mainly deals with providing the rules that govern the international trade. History                     The issue of international trade and tariffs had a great impact on the United States economy in the late 19th century. This was because the country was experiencing unprecedented industrialization and expansive trade with partners beyond the borders. Through an act of 15th May, 1882 President Chester A. Arthur appointed a tariff commission under the Treasury to investigate the country’s economic activities and make recommendations on the tariff regulation. Another commission was appointed in 5th August 1909 pursuant to Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act, with the mandate collecting useful information that would help the government administer tariff laws. However, the commission was abolished in the mid-1912. A permanent solution was required on the issue of tariffs and international trade. The process to establish a tariff commission that would easily address international trade issues in the long term was started initiated in 1914, with the realization came in 1916 (Usitc.gov).                     The agency was formed by the US government, through the US congress, as an independent agency in the year 1916 and was named the Tariff Commission (Usitc.gov). The name of the agency was later changed to the United States international trade commission. The change was effected through section 171 of the Trade Act of 1974. The agency has three major elements in its mission that include: to administer US trade remedy laws within its mandate in a fair and an objective manner (Usitc.gov). The second element is to provide the president, and the congress with independent analysis, information, and support on matters of tariffs, international trade, and US competitiveness. Finally, the last element of the mission n relates to the maintenance of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS).                   In this light, to achieve it mandates, the commission is run by six commissioners who are tasked with implementing the various regulations and duties mandated to the commission. The six commissioners are appointed by the president through the advice and the approval of the senate. The term of the commissioners is mainly a nine years term although the term might be shorter if a commissioner is appointed to refill an unexpired term (Usitc.gov). Mandate                     The commission was set to fulfill certain mandates that were very crucial to the American economy. Mainly, the commission has five major operations which are aimed at serving the commissions clients who are mainly external clients (Usitc.gov). The operations are import injury investigations, intellectual property-based import investigations, industry and economic analysis, tariff and trade information services and trade policy support.   Import injury                   This operation mainly regards the investigations that are undertaken to assess the antidumping and countervailing duty or subsidy. This operation is done in collaboration with the United States department of commerce. Although the investigations are done in collaboration, both institutions address different goals in these investigations (Usitc.gov). The department of commerce main focus is on establishing whether the occurrence of the dumping and subsidizing as well as the level of dumping and subsidizing amount. On the other hand, the commission aims at establishing whether the US economy and industries are threatened by the said dumping and subsidizing (‘US Federal Trade Commission Recommends Privacy Be Put At Heart Of Facial Recognition Tech’).                        Investigation on the import injury is prompted by the petitions that are filed by the US industries, who believe that the imports are sold in the US market at a price that is lower than the fair value. Prices lower than the fair value indicates dumping. Additionally, the industries petition against the imports that are advantaged in the sense that they enjoy counter available subsidies that are provided through the foreign government programs (Usitc.gov). The main reason for petitioning is because these acts make the marketing space unfair; thus the industries aim at leveling the playing field.                     If the decisions are arrived at by the both agencies are affirmative of the petitions laid to them by the industries petitioners, the commerce department issues an order to restrict this imports. The omission is also responsible for conducting investigations that relate to the global safeguards and market disruptions that may cause harm to the American industries (Usitc.gov). In effect, the commission makes recommendations to the president; these recommendations are aimed at offering remedy to the injury caused and facilitate industry adjustment to competition from outside products.   Intellectual Property Based Import Investigations                   The commission is highly involved in petitions regarding intellectual property rights. These petitions rate to patent and trademark infringements that are caused by imported goods. The investigation if successful results to a remedy that informs the customs prevent infringing imports from entering the boundaries (Usitc.gov). Furthermore, the commission may issue orders that bar those who are engaged in unfair acts from entering the country. According to a newspaper article written by Soder indicate that, â€Å"the commission has agreed to investigate whether 17 retailers — including big-name brands such as the Gap, American Eagle and Abercrombie & Fitch — are importing jeans made in a way that violates patents owned by RevoLaze LLC of Westlake.†   Industry and Economic Analysis                      The commission is also mandated with industrial and economic analysis task. This analysis is done by two offices that are: the Office of Industries and the Office of Economics (Usitc.gov). The commission offers this two offices technical support on economic matters (Pandit, Pg. 15). A good example is when the commission was requested by the US Senate Committee on Finance to investigate the effects of the digital trade in the US and the world economy in general (USITC, Pg. 1).                           The commission put the finding in three level tiers, where the findings were grouped as the firm level finding, industry level findings and economy level findings. The firm-level research was conducted on ten digital intensive industries (USITC, Pg. 32). The firms were questioned on the reason and the benefits they derived from using digital technology. The results of individual firms culminated to the results of the various industries. The economy wide findings summed the benefits of all the companies and industries and summarized them to general benefits (USITC, Pg. 33). This report gives a clear indication of the importance of the commission in providing the technical support to the various arms of government. Tariff and Trade Information Services                      The commission is also tasked with investigations that regarding tariffs. The United States economies practices some harmonized tariffs mechanism (Usitc.gov). Therefore, the commission makes recommendations regarding the modifications of the harmonized tariffs schedules so that to ensure the tariffs are in line with the World Custom Organization recommendations (Greenbaum et al., Pg. 160). A blog posted by Ngoriel indicates the commission conducted research to determine the hurdles that the US SMEs are facing when trading with the EU. The research findings indicate that the SMEs are facing various barriers that are unduly heavy on them when compared to the large companies. The commission made suggestion that the SMEs should be included in the trade negotiations between the US and the EU. Ngoriel indicated that, â€Å"among the challenges that were affecting the SMEs included high tariffs and inconsistent EU rules and testing mandates non-science-ba sed regulations, and a lack of harmonization between U.S. and EU standards.† Trade Policy Support                     The trade policy makers, both in the executive and the legislative branch of the government, source for the technical support from the commission (Usitc.gov). Additionally, the commission offers the government information on the various international trade issues through their various researches, briefings and meetings, and testimonies at the congressional hearings. Additionally, under this operation the commission is tasked with the work of making some final decisions on behalf the office of the president as well as drafting the President’s decrees and other documents (Usitc.gov). Benefits of the Commission to the US Economy                     The commission offers significant benefits to the United States economy. One, the commission offers noteworthy advantages to the country’s industries, especially when they are facing unfair competition from Imports. According the article published by V. James Adduci II and Tom M. Schaumberg in The American Corporate Counsel Magazine, the intellectual property owners have discovered the commission offers them an efficient and cost effective mechanism for protecting their rights (Caddel).                         In this regard, several jurisdictions around the globe have amended their laws and regulations in order to make them be congruent with the Act through which the Commission was founded. The Uruguay Round Agreements Act (â€Å"URAA†) amended its section 337 to make compliant with US international obligations (V. James Adduci II and Tom M. Schaumberg).                        In addition, the commission is helpful in establishing fair trading environment for the firms in the United States. According to Ngoriel, the commission improved the SMEs voice on the unfair treatment in their trading with the European Union. The commission affirmed the SMEs position on the high tariffs which the SMEs have to meet in their international trade operations (Usitc.gov). The commission emphasized on the need to incorporate the SMEs in any international trade negotiations with the United States trading partners.               Furthermore, the commission is essential in ensuring that the government is furnished with proper international trade information. This is done through research that is conducted by the commission and ultimately providing precise and accurate information that would guide the government to make proper decisions (Usitc.gov). A good example is the research that the commission conducted on behalf of the Senate (Bilmes). The research enabled the commission to make conclusive arguments regarding the impact of digital technology on the US firms, industries, and the economy as well as the world at large. Challenges Faced by the Commission                      The most significant challenge or difficult the difference of the trade laws among the various US trading partners. Some trade partners are very crucial to the running and success of the United States economy (Usitc.gov). Therefore, difficulty arises when the commission tries to harmonize the trading laws that govern the partners and the United States. This is seen in Caddel (Pg. 9) research paper, where the Caddel states that, â€Å"The Customs Court Act of 1980 created a special U.S. Court of International Trade with exclusive jurisdiction over appeals from the ITA and ITC. This act specifically provides standing for foreign companies and other domestic industries to challenge decisions and even allows the Court to hold hearings in foreign countries to ensure that foreign companies have the opportunity to respond. The result is a court that commonly rules against decisions of the ITA and ITC and maintains a rough balance between protectionism and free trade.†                     Additionally, although the commission is an independent institution, it faces some restriction in its operations. One the commission acts as an arbitration court for various issues it handles. After the commission makes a determination, the ruling is subjected to additional reviews by the US Court of Appeals (McDermott Will & Emery, Pg. 7). Moreover, all the determinations made by the commission are subjected to the presidential review. Although the presidential reviews are limited in scope by the public policy concerns, there have been a handful of instances when the commission recommendations and determinations have been rejected or overturned by the president (McDermott Will & Emery, Pg. 7). Also, the commission faces some challenges through political interference. Caddel (Pg 1) states that, â€Å"Research on the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), an independent agency responsible for adjudicating AD/CVD claims, finds mixed evidence of po litical influence in these cases.† This demonstrates the political influence on the commission activities; the political influence is attributed to the congressional dominance. The congress influence is seen through its oversight powers over the commission (Caddel, 5). Recommendation to the Challenges                   The commission is very crucial to the running of the countries affairs in the international arena. Therefore, the government should work tirelessly to improve the trade relationship with its partners which will easily ease the operations the commission operation (Knes, Baldwin and Steagall). Due to the free trade agreements with partners like Canada and Mexico, the commission easily deals with these economies when dealing with trade harmonization operations (Knes). Moreover, the commission should be given a strong judicial framework that will earn the confidence of many individual, companies and economies. This judicial strength will enable the commission ruling to be taken as final, thus minimizing the appeals of the commission rulings. In effect, the consequential results will be an increase confidence in the commission. Conclusion                        The United States International Trade Commission is an important organ in the US economy and the relations with the global players. The commission has gone through significant metamorphosis that started in the late 19th century. The commission has increasingly been helpful in solving various issues that are face the United States industries. The commission has been in the forefront of protecting the economy’s players from unfair trade practices. References Adduci II, V. James Adduci II, and Tom M. Schaumberg. ‘Section 337 Offers Significant Advantages When Facing Unfair Competition From Imports | Adduci, Mastriani & Schaumberg LLP’. Adduci.com. N.p., 2013. Web. 8 Dec. 2014. Baldwin, Robert E, and Jeffrey W Steagall. Analysis Of US International Trade Commission Decisions In Antidumping, Countervailing Duty And Safeguard Cases. London: Centre for Economic Policy Research, 1994. Print. Bilmes, Jack. ‘Generally Speaking: Formulating An Argument In The US Federal Trade Commission’. Text & Talk – An Interdisciplinary Journal of Language, Discourse Communication Studies 28.2 (2008): 193-217. Web. Caddel, Jeremy. ‘Domestic Competition Over Trade Barriers In The US International Trade Commission’. International Studies Quarterly 58.2 (2013): 260-268. Web. Greenbaum, Noam et al. ‘Paleohydrology Of Extraordinary Floods Along The Swakop River At The Margin Of The Namib Desert And Their Paleoclimate Implications’. Quaternary Science Reviews 103 (2014): 153-169. Web. Knes, Michael. ‘U.S. International Trade Commission – Duties, Benefits’. Referenceforbusiness.com. N.p., 2014. Web. 8 Dec. 2014. Ngoriel,. ‘U.S. International Trade Commission Releases Report On How T-TIP Will Benefit Small Businesses’. Sba.gov. N.p., 2014. Web. 8 Dec. 2014. Pandit, Ram. ‘US Trade Barriers And Import Price Of Canadian Softwood Lumber’. The International Trade Journal 23.4 (2009): 399-421. Web. Soder, Chuck. ‘U.S. International Trade Commission To Investigate If Retailers Are Importing Jeans Violating Revolaze Patents’. Crain’s Clevleand Business 2014. Web. 9 Dec. 2014. ‘US Federal Trade Commission Recommends Privacy Be Put At Heart Of Facial Recognition Tech’. Biometric Technology Today 2012.10 (2012): 1-2. Web. USITC,. Digital Trade In The U.S. And Global Economies, Part 2. 1st ed. United States International Trade Commission, 2014. Web. 8 Dec. 2014. Usitc.gov,. ‘About The USITC | USITC’. Usitc.gov. N.p., 2014. Web. 8 Dec. 2014. Usitc.gov,. ‘E-Discovery Limits — USITC Considers Proposal To Streamline Section 337Investigations’. Usitc.gov. N.p., 2014. Web. 8 Dec. 2014. Source document