Gay And Lesbian Children

The current estimates of children who live with bisexual parents, either the gay or the lesbians in United States of America are in the tune of between six to ten million. The census conducted in the year 2000 treated these children as single parent children. At the moment, over twenty percent of the existing gay as well as lesbian relationships have a child in their homesteads. In the American society, the families of gay as well as lesbians forms a fundamental element of the daily life. Introduction It has already been established that partners of the same sex ran their households almost in the entire county. It is also true that the homes led by the gay as well as the lesbians are in the tune of 600 000 in the entire nation† (Leff). It therefore implies that, the numbers of the children with transgender, bisexual, gay or lesbian parents are always on the increase. This category of the children may hail in families of mixed race, adoptive families or even families that are si ngle parent. There is also likelihood that the children are biologically fathered or mothered by one of the parents. This is out of the fact that majority of the gay as well as the lesbians commit themselves in gay or lesbian relationships at the time of being parents. The other fact holds that the gay and the lesbians had children in their earlier life of heterosexual relationship but later got involved in their current sexual status (Leff). Literature review The documentary film that talks about what it is like to grow up with gay or lesbian parents that I have chosen for the purpose of this paper is entitled DADDY & PAPA and from the context as presented, Johnny Symons, who is the film maker played the part of Papa, while William Rogers, who was his partner, played the part of Daddy. The two couples were committed for a period of about ten years although in an informally accepted union. They later got married officially in 2004 at a ceremony highly cheered by their sons (DADDY & PAPA). There are some general ideas that are worth reflection. It is therefore upright in as far as the video is concerned to conclude that multiple and diverse ways exist in which a family can be composed. The existing families assume varied and diverse sizes as well as diverse configurations. There exists ordinary aspect among the variety of families in existence. The existing families have their kinds considered normal. However some kinds of a family may be numerous in relation to others. All of these families once in a while experience conflict of some kind which is part and parcel of the family. It is not practical for the families to be happy at all times. If teasing is a common occurrence in the family, hurt feelings as well as low self-esteem is most likely to be the repercussion to the offended member (s) of the family. It is also a possibility for the interruption of teasing to be done by members of the family who the become allies in as far as the other members are concerned. It is possible for families to experience a transformation just as it is with the people. Families of different kinds are potentially gifted to support one another for the purpose of their individual strengths more than any particular kind of family existing independently of any other (DADDY & PAPA). According to Judith, â€Å"The fact that the child is from a straight family with both mother and father does not warrant that the child will always be happy, safe and have a secure environment at home to allow the child a chance to grow into a productive individual who is properly adjusted. Parents of the same gender as well as parents of opposite gender have the same reaction in as far as stings are concerned, the scraps, the shorts as well as and the joys together with the heartaches affecting childhood in a similar manner as their children† (Judith, 12). According to Elias â€Å"Parents who are open about their sexual orientation, who exhibit mentally healthy behavior and provide supportive communities for their kids, tend to have the most resilient youngsters† (Para 9). Further, paragraph. point number 2 states that â€Å"Gay parents share child care and chores more evenly than heterosexual couples. Both men assume mommy/daddy roles. They're coaches and cooks,† (Para 6) Judith further asserts that â€Å"The potential to become great or otherwise in as far as the parent is concerned has no any relationship to the sexual orientation of a person. Adults who are nurturing are reliable whether they are male or female; they have the potential, and are usually excellent parents† (Judith, 33). She further summarizes the issue with a comment that â€Å"The physical appearance of the family is not actually a reflection of the particular family type† (Judith, 37). The most significant thing is the shared love among the members of that particular family which actually brings about the difference in existence among the members of the family. Taken from the perspective of Levy â€Å"the health as well as the development of the child, there is no significant difference among the child of the heterosexual family and a child from a gay or a lesbian family† (Para 1). The organizations with a strong devotion to the health as well as welfare of the children are in no compromise as far as the health is concerned. The adjustment of the child of couples of the same gender is no different from those ones of children from families of heterosexual nature (Lev). According to Elias, There exists no scientific evidence that sexual orientation determines the parenting effectiveness; any parent can provide supportive and healthy environments for their children. Elias says, â€Å"The children will benefit if their parents are able to marry† (paragraph 1). The only shortcomings facing the children of same-sex marriage is the failure of the efforts by the schools to meet their needs in as far as being more inclusive. This situation is compounded by the teasing and the mockery that they face from children of normal families (Elias). According to Lev â€Å"Much of the research describes four general outcomes for cross-gendered children. One, they grow up to be normatively gendered, heterosexual people. Two, they grow up to be feminine men or masculine women. Three, they grow up to be lesbian or gay† (Para 6). Four, they grow up to be transsexual or transgender. The most common outcome seems to be that gender-variant boys grow up to be gay. Treatment—in the form of behavioral modification programs geared at eliminating cross-gender behavior—are the standard recommendation† (Para 6). Chapter 9 of the same website suggests that â€Å"Something is very wrong here, but I’m not sure it is Kyle who has the problem. In order to decide if something is ‘wrong’ with Kyle, we need to define what we mean by wrong. Do we think it is wrong to be a sensitive heterosexual man? Do we think it is wrong to be a gay man? I suspect most of us will respond to those questions with a resounding No! † (Chapter 9). But the minority group has had to encounter great challenges due to discrimination. According to the article Liberation Was For Others â€Å"Latest research estimates that approximately 10,000 – 15,000 men were sent to concentration camps solely for being homosexual the same article stresses that Some lesbians, as well as feminists, were considered A-Socials† by the Nazis and were sent to the camps in limited numbers. Many served their time in camp brothels servicing the Nazis as well as some camp inmates† (Chapter 3). Conclusion The fact of the matter is that shapes as well as the sizes of various families are also diverse. All types of parents are gifted to raise their children, whether they are married, unmarried, grandparents of the children, single parents, widowed, members of an extended family and foster parents among many others. There are high chances of the possibility that children from gay or lesbian parent enjoy a happier life in comparison to a child from a normal family. The family is a care giver of primary importance and a central focus for the strength as well support in as far as the children are concerned. The security given to a child out of a setting of a stable family is the necessary ingredient responsible for the healthy future of the child. The gay as well as the lesbians have been involved in child rearing from the past, a trend that will continue into the future.

Paul the Spirit and the People of God Essay

Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God by Gordon Fee lays out a prescription for true spiritual success to cure what ails churches of all kinds. The main treatment is the Holy Spirit-led life. Fee’s major work â€Å"God’s Empowering Presence† is foundational in the area of Pauline pneumatology. This book successfully condenses the heavy exegesis of the larger work into an easily readable text. Fee has a lot of poignant and challenging things to say concerning modern-day evangelicalism’s understanding of the Holy Spirit. The difference between Christians today and Paul is staggering. The same spirit that lives in Paul and Jesus is the same spirit that is in Christians today. The western culture of Christians in today’s world live in very similar environment that the early Greco-Roman Western environment of Paul’s day. Disconnection has occurred because as Fee states â€Å"is in the large part to their experience of the reality of the Spirit’s presence.† This presents a very concerning issue with the church today who sometimes take the either/or approach to the Spirit between the gifts and the fruit of Spirit. The Spirit was an empowering force to Christian in the early church era. This power was not limited to signs and wonders, healings, or tongues but it was to empower the whole life of a Christian to grasp the beauty of being made in the image of God. The Spirit of God was the fulfillment of all the Jewish prophesies on how God would return His Presence to mankind again. The Trinitarian views became grounded because of Paul’s revelation on the very real true nature of God. The triune nature of God as one shows the vital importance that God is a relational being. He desires relationships and He has sent His Spirit for the church to be unified as one bride. Even though individual people experience salvation and become children of God, the goal is not a set of individuals for heaven but to create one people that lived a life of heaven in this day and age. A people for His name and glory. Just as important as Christians experiencing the Spirit of God is the understanding of the â€Å"already/not yet† aspect of heaven. The future of heaven has begun by the outpouring of His spirit and it guarantees a future consummation of a new heaven and earth. The Spirit is the key in worship for the people of God, as it gifts people with different diverse gifts might build up the church to live in this state of already/not there yet heaven on earth until the final coming of God. Throughout todays western culture the thought of God and spirituality are separate entities to everyday life. To be spiritual means to read the Bible, listen to worship music, or pray. These ideas are reinforced by the pastors every Sunday and as well as during the weekly men’s, women’s, teen, and children ministry times. After church services Christians go about their life and try to spread the gospel of Jesus because if people believe in God they don’t go to hell. The Spirit of God is a powerful force that is used to speak in tongues, prophesy, and heal people. Westernized Christians see the Spirit as a powerful unreliable tool. The problem with the way this Western mindset is we interpret and see the scripture that Paul speaks of with a tainted eye. Paul sees the Spirit as Gods fulfillment of promise to His people, the people that He adores, and gave His sons life for. The fulfillment to this promise is that Gods presence would once again be among His people but if they accepted Him, He would indwell them and bring them to life! Paul never writes about what Christians should do as a doctrine but he instead is describing a process in how to connect with God. When Paul describes in 2 Corinthians chapter four about him encountering the Spirit of God. Not only is he beholding the Glory of God but he is being transformed into Gods likeness. This love that rushes like a mighty stream to his heart causes him to cry out daddy because of his adoration to God. The children of God are designed to be in a vulnerable relationship with God. They are designed to hear His voice and understand that He is not an impersonal being. The only way is through experience. The western mindset makes it tough to swallow some of Paul’s revelations about life. Especially about the how everyone is part of one body. In a culture that is all about personal achievement and looking out for ones-self, people get trapped in this self-absorbed mentality that has poisoned the church. This imagery that Paul presents to all believers are part of one body. This shows that the spirit brings all people who are children of God together in unity. God is about unity in relationships and according to Paul it is the Spirit that draws us into unity as one body. The amazing part is that the sins that grieve the Holy Spirit are the sins of discord of one another. The Holy Spirit wants the relationships of people to be so vibrant and alive! The denominational churches of today’s age grieve the Holy Spirit. The discourses of beliefs have caused the body of Christ to be ripped apart. Paul does not see Jew or Gentile when he sees people but he sees sons and daughters of God. The church might not see that truth about who they are but through the revelation of the Spirit, he grasps who people really are. As children of God being in Christ through the Spirit all a part of one body. The church must begin to realize and grasp the revelation of the work that the Spirit is doing and not quench it. Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God by Gordon Fee gives the readers a glimpse into the revelation of Paul in the New Testament. Revelation only comes by experiencing the Spirit of God. A remarkable book on how children of God can live in the here/not yet concept of Heaven on earth. Fee will challenge the way the readers view and interact with God and others in order for heaven to be brought down more in every life.

Outsourcing – Pros and cons

Outsourcing is utilized to reduce cost, Increase quality, fulfill staffing resources, reduce fixed costs, and Increase profit margins. Any of the aforementioned reasons or combinations offers organizations variable costs (Noreen, Brewer, & Garrison, 2011). Outsourcing has become necessary for many organizations, The economy has changed drastically over the past few years Influencing more organizations to analyze the financial advantages or disadvantages of producing products and services in- house or outsourcing. Numerous components and variances contribute to the cost of doing business.The cost structure is the primary components of organizations. Some cost structures are fixed, variable, or mixed indicating a combination of fixed and variable. Variable cost is cost associated with activity, if activity increases variable cost increases. Variable cost warrant organizations to modify their business model. Some changes decrease expenses and increase return on investment (ROI). Profits are materialized when investments and expenses are maximized to Increase consistent residual Income. Residual Income â€Å"encourage managers to make Investment profitable for the entire company' (Noreen, Brewer, ; Garrison, 0111.The Investment of equipment, faculties, and labor Is related to fixed cost. Labor can be classified as fixed or variable, depending on the country in which the labor occurred. In other words, the flexibility of the management dictates the decision on whether labor is fixed or variable. Mixed cost components would be the monthly rent of a facility, labor, the overtime of production and services, and the increase in productivity (Noreen, Brewer, ; Garrison, 2011). The assignment and paper revolves around outsourcing of production or services.The article regarding outsourcing opens the mind to real life situation. Ford outsourced a portion of their productivity requirement to Visited because of Eviction's expertise. Eviction's client base was limited and may cause shareholders concern If his or her primary revenue was lost. Ford's agreement with Visited equates to 80% of Eviction's revenue stream (Higher, 2003). Organizations cannot depend on excellent revenue to continue generating the same amount of ROI or long-term client base. Materials, labor, fixed costs, and technological advancements, and taxes increase over time.The cost of tit geographic changes caused by wars, acts of God, the unemployment rate, and various other elements beyond control. The need to outsource Ford's business and capture new revenue became apparent. Therefore, Visited contracted with International Business Machines Corporation (MM) to relieve liability of potential revenue loss. IBM has changed directions and narrowed their scope of business. IBM started out manufacturing and selling hardware, mainframes, computers, typewriters, printers, and peripherals. Technology and economics have shaped the direction of most industries.IBM helped technology evolve and tr ansform changes within industries. Additionally, automation found in many organizations was started with IBM technology created more enhancements leading to rapidly deployed product or service offerings. The numerous changes forced industries and organizations to squeeze every area possible to shrink the cost structure. Profits keep the doors open and shareholders investing more money. Diversification is one way to generate revenue and profits. During the diversification process labor and material change organizations mixed cost.The variable cost elements are scrutinized and fluctuate until an organization solidifies direction. Sometimes diversifying includes outsourcing pieces of the business model. The outsourcing pieces vary, depending on the product or service the organization provides. The major focus in diversification relies on labor, materials, and sourcing (Noreen, Brewer, & Garrison, 2011). Labor for all industries have a wide range of wages based on Job descriptions and n umerous other elements. The same Job at another organization or location in the same industry may provide different wages.Labor is an expense requiring considerable analysis. Materials are another area similar to labor expense requiring exploratory analysis. Material and labor are key components to cost structure of organizations. Materials maintain fluctuating costs with location or source influencing the cost delivery timeshare, and expense of delivery. Each country, region, or states adds to the cost structure. Some countries have tax advantages and some have disadvantages depending on location (Eunuchs, Wallace, Wilson, Smith, 2004). Sourcing is an essential part of management duties and location of facilities.The task of developing and maintaining budgets contribute to the performance of an organization. Management's ability to carry out his or her Job duties in the best interest of the organization reflects on budgeting and management skills (Noreen, Brewer, ; Garrison, 2011). When outsourcing is under consideration an organizations core competencies determine the strength of their business model. Some companies have different opinions of a company's strengths. An exercise used in mapping out strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SOOT) is useful to identify areas warranting attention.A representative from all management levels and business units should meet to form a consensus on all four fundamentals of SOOT (Mullions & Walker, 2010). SOOT will add validity to areas vulnerable, missing talent, merit outside engagement, and will benefit from cost adjustments. However, in this case generalities will establish objectives and mind shaping ideas. The strength of an organization is the people, which enhance the core competencies needed to succeed. The employee's skills are prepared to handle the workload.The gaps in delivering a product or service compose the preliminary area a third party vendor s the lack of skilled labor and gaps in deliverabl es to supply the product or service at a cost-effective rate. The labor and materials provided by a third party will increase profits without compromising quality. Opportunities will enhance an organization. The enhancements will deliver new revenue streams. The opportunities may open numerous situations resulting in potential profits. The opposite appears in threats. Threats Jeopardize the organization. Competition is the leading agent in extracting revenue.The operating expenses exceeding ROI, labor, and material can push expenses out of control. However, taking control of expenses by contracting out portions of the business to third parties will off-set expenses stopping the threats and potentially saving the organization from closure or bankruptcy. The decision to in-house or contract to a third party a portion of an organizations product or service depends on the financial outcome. The bottom line for any organization should influence management's decision. The areas of an orga nization requiring employees with skills and expertise demand higher wages.Higher waged Jobs absorb a large portion of the operating expenses. Operating expenses are a huge allocation of the financial structure and cash flow. Operating expenses influences an organizations ability to invest and profits. Therefore, organizations must contain expenses and explorer all options to reduce fixed costs. Labor and material are another part of the operating budget. Every aspect of the operating budget demands scrutiny, evaluation, and comparing in-house to outsourced. In most cases in-house expenses are higher because wages, benefits, and fixed costs are extremely high in comparison to third-party.Wages, benefits, fixed costs, and time enrich an organization adding alee to the mix helps to Justify outsourcing. Value-added components manifest positive results increasing revenue and production. Outsourcing to a third party should add value. A relationship with a third party must create an exten sion of his or her existing organization. The contract between both parties should set the terms, conditions, and expectations to ensure clarity. Additionally, outsourcing benefits the contract organization as well as the consumer. When products or services are outsourced a reduction of cost benefits all parties.Many people do not look at the big picture. Jobs are lost in the country outsourcing but in return the country receives a cost savings to consumer purchases (Gorge & Hanley, 2004). Many companies outsource customer service, information technology help desk functions, and manufacturing, or assembly of parts. Labor and materials in low income, less restrictive labor laws, tax credits, and lower liabilities make outsourcing extremely cost-effective. The reduction in labor, materials, and fixed cost entice management to outsource (Gorge & Hanley, 2004).Outsourcing in many peoples opinion is taking jobs away from one-country and moving them to another. In the United States volume s of research have been conducted with a range of 300,000 to a projected 1. 4 million will be lost to outsourcing. However, the research cannot identify the exact amount of Jobs lost to outsourcing or natural progression and technology advancements (Gorge & Hanley, 2004). A United Kingdom study reveals more than 68% of organizations outsource a portion of products or services offshore. The same study indicates more than 50% of information technological work outsourced was below par.Additionally, more than 10% of work outsourced hampered production rage businesses. Small businesses will not profit or meet standard criteria for outsourcing Jobs (Gorge & Hanley, 2004). Some of the concerns people have in the United States is India and China will continue to take away more Jobs. The Jobs in information technology currently outsourced primarily require a college education. India and China have an average of six percent attending college between the ages of 18 and 24. Nonetheless, less th an one percent of the six percent speak English.Other things to consider -outsourced IT hardware reduced cost on the average of 10 to 30% 70% of Jobs in the United States cannot be outsourced -outsourcing has added Jobs in the import of products -outsourcing has increased the number of live contact with organizations instead of digitized prompting and automated responses -the United States economy has a projected growth rate of 13% that will increase the products and services currently offered -even though IT support is outsourced installation and repair will require local technicians and management of infrastructures -outsourcing businesses produced more than $50 billion in revenue for 2004 (Gorge & Hanley, 2004)Outsourcing is an effective way to lower cost and deliver higher quality service at a more affordable cost. Outsourcing provides an increase in operating efficiency, higher return on assets, and increase in profits. Outsourcing can provide new revenue streams with fewer ris k and lower collateral investment (Eunuchs, Wallace, Wilson, Smith, 2004). The make or buy analysis is a fast way to determine whether to in-house or outsource. Make or buy decision method can use full costing, incremental analysis, or variable costing. Full and variable costing process occurs when income statements are prepared. Income statements are not quickly prepared. The main goal is to decide if making or purchasing a product or service is cost- effective.Another aspect of making or purchasing is outsourcing does not incremental revenue. However, it does allow incremental costs, reduction in fixed costs, and potential savings. The potential savings will materialize in direct labor, material costs, and variable overhead costs (Noreen, Brewer, & Garrison, 2011). The savings from fixed and direct material cost would be seen in reduction of employee salaries, smaller facilities, and smaller facilities should equate to lower utilities. Material cost reduction will be observed by m aking smaller purchases. The reduction of expenses will carry-on to various other organizational expenses (Noreen, Brewer, & Garrison, 2011).Astray supported more than one-third of the Fortune 500 companies before the financial scandal in 2008. Astray is a company headquartered in India with more than 50,000 employees in 66 countries. The company enjoyed nine percent growth rate until the scandal. Satyr's financial scandal devastated the family-owned business. Mr.. Raja managed the company and overstated financial. The inflated financial assets, revenue, and ROI amassed fraud o the level of Enron. Astray is among the largest outsourcing organizations based in India. Outsourcing in the information technology sector generated more than $63 billion in revenue for India. Customer service is the second largest revenue stream in India in the area of outsourced labor (Timings, 2009).India maintains the largest percentage of outsourcing services in the world. The average salary is $10,250, the average income $8,000, and the average unemployment rate is 10%. However, various industries relies on India and China to squeeze out every penny of profit (Timings, 2009). Variable costs peak creating an environment of inconsistent expenses and profits. Consistent revenue enables price hedging for materials and dependable profits. Shareholders and board members manage investment portfolios with higher probability. Revenue steers long and short-term goals with accuracy. The Astray scenario adds to the degree of accuracy in accounting practices.Astray provided outsourcing services creating added value to clients. Visited and IBM added value to Ford and outsourcing services. Astray, Visited, MM, and Ford contracted portions of products, services, or outsourcing skills to improve profits and apply quality expertise. Revenue projections strengthen analytical analysis shaping future stock predictions improving profits. The pros and cons of outsourcing take time and careful considerat ion before the answer is realized on the company's financial statement. The pros and cons have been highlighted and opinions formed. Those opinions have objectivity and a sense of clarity to establish the strategy or mind shaping events.

Assessment Of Students Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Assessment Of Students - Essay Example When assessing learning then the instructors must try to identify specific goals that are set to be achieved in a particular course so that they can gauge the outcome and determine the level at which learning has taken place. Assessment can also make the learning process to be more effective and that are consistent with the course structures and the grading processes to meet the set learning goals (Gà ¼rcan, Dikenelli & Bernon, 2013). It also makes the lecturer be better teachers as they offer specific results on what is working or not in their classrooms and provide a straightforward feedback to the learners about their classroom progress. To assess the students effectively and consistently, the instructor must first provide answers to the following questions: what do they want their students to know and learn? Secondly, what do they do to help their students to learn what they expect they need to understand and know? To get the answer then they should use the following steps: one they should try to identify and articulate what their learners should learn in their classes. Secondly, the instructors should try to develop tools that they can use to measure the levels of the students understanding. Thirdly, they should establish the systems that they will use to compile and analyze the data they have collected using those tools. Finally use the obtained information to improve the curriculum, objectives and even the goals. The nursing course is designed to provide the learners with a wide range of teaching and learning experiences. The class will be sub-divided into smaller group and each group will be allocated a tutor to teach the course. There will be seminars that are specialty based for each of the discipline of the nursing to help focus on the particular health implications and the social policies that are touching on their areas of specialization. Open workshops will also be organized to follow and be  attended by each and every student that is registered for the discussion and debates.

The American Labor Sector of Today Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The American Labor Sector of Today - Essay Example   The movements drew clear lines between the management of the industries and the labor aspects that based on the issues between the two. This was aimed to advocate for the improvement of their working conditions. It is sentiments like these that the screenwriters and the director of the movie â€Å"Norma Rae† shared and sought to evoke among the audience. The movie highlights the processes and trials experienced in the starting of a workers union (Canby). It shows that although the start of worker unions is marred by challenges, their successful formations eventually result in improved labor conditions. The employers victimize the founding figures of trade unions when they start advocating for the rights of the workers. The movie gives a clear illustration of this aspect that is replicated in nearly all scenarios involving the establishment of labor unions. After hearing a speech from Rueben Warshowsky, Norma decides to unionize her workmates. This does not augur well with the managers of the cotton mill, who confront her (Canby). She in turn writes â€Å"UNION† on a piece of cardboard and stands on a table to display it to her workmates. This makes them shut down their machines. The management views this as a threat to their authority and responds by sacking her and sending her to jail (Canby). Although Reuben eventually frees her, the acts bring out the factor of victimization against unionists advocating for workers rights. The movie brings out the aspect of the different family members reaction to one’s involvement in union activities. After hearing Reuben’s speech Norma starts participating in union formation activities. This invokes negative reactions in her husband who feels Norma is not spending enough time with her family (Canby).

Differences in Mergers Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Differences in Mergers - Research Paper Example The merger between a manufacturing company and one of its distribution channel partners is an example of a possible vertical merger. When IBM acquired Intelliden in 2010 it is an example of another form of vertical merger. The smaller Intelliden in the business activity of automation software technology was vertically merged with the larger IBM, enabling IBM to make use of its automated software competencies, so that it did not have to create these competencies and develop the software available with Intelliden. A conglomerate merger is totally different from a horizontal and vertical merger, as it involves the merger between two companies that operate in different sectors of industrial activity. A clear example of such a merger can be seen from the merger of the financial company Berkshire Hathaway with the railroad and transportation company Burlington Northern Santa Fe (Pride, Hughes & Kapoor, 2010,

John Cleese & Creativity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

John Cleese & Creativity - Essay Example Prostitution has its supporters and opponents. Supporters say that it should be legalized as a form of legitimate sexual work, while opponents argue that it must be continuously criminalized because it demeans women and is connected to other illegal activities. I want a different solution that is one-of-a-kind, in that, it helps existing and potential sex workers find another form of meaningful related work. To ponder on diverse solutions to ending prostitution that can satisfy proponents and opponents of prostitution, I followed Cleese’s five creativity factors a couple of days ago, wherein first, I chose a space for my pondering session. Cleese asserts that people â€Å"can’t become playful, and therefore creative, if [they’re] under [their] usual pressures,† so it is important to seal oneself off in a quiet place with no distractions. I went to a secluded portion of a nearby park when the weather was quite nice and I turned off my cellphone too. At the same time, I informed my friends and family who always send messages (online and offline) that I would go off the grid for three hours, so I would not respond to them. I would have wanted someone to go with me to expand the creativity circle, as Cleese suggested, but unfortunately, the people I wanted to invite were unavailable. The second factor of creativity is time. I gave my pondering session an hour and a half and up to two hours, as Cleese recommended. Cleese said that we need an â€Å"oasis of quiet† for a specific period of time to unleash our natural creativity. During this time, I did some brainstorming by writing down possible original solutions to prostitution without being hampered by ethical, legal, and other potential boundaries to my creativity. It did not matter if the solutions were unscrupulous or silly or impractical. I just wrote down everything that I can think of that can convince prostitutes/sex workers

Learning and Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Learning and Development - Essay Example This report has recommended a multi-tiered and large-scale structural change to the Mumbai, India call centre. The first stage of the change involves the implementation of a training program. The next stage implements employee and customer evaluation practices that establish employee raises, as well as employees who can assume supervisory positions. While statistical models are greatly implemented during this phase, the next evaluative phase implements qualitative research methods to identify individuals for career counseling practices. These individuals will receive career counseling and then be given the option to receive higher levels education and then an upper level management or executive position with Acorn’s operations in the United Kingdom. Finally, the report has demonstrated that human resources contribute to both competitive advantage and business strategy. Introduction Organizational culture and behavior spans a wide array of elements and concerns. One witnesses a great many elements related to organizational concerns in the Acorn call centre that was recently opened in Mumbai, India. Opened in 2003 the Acorn India call centre is an off-shoot of the company’s main United Kingdom operations. While some cultural elements were considered in establishing this centre, including voice and accent training and cultural awareness, it is clear that there is a degree of dissonance between practice and perception. What has emerged is an organization that is experiencing high turnaround and an organizational culture that feels they are not a part of the main United Kingdom operations. Some of the most prominent theories have considered the nature of organizations as conforming to trends and values within the specific institutional environment Leong (1993, p. 42). Referred to an institutional theory this perspective offers an overarching perspective on organizational culture Leong (1993, p. 42). In terms of establishing organizational culture itâ⠂¬â„¢s recognized that such elements are established both within the employee community as well as in the structure the management and executives establish Leong (1993, p. 42). Within the context of Acorn institutional challenges have emerged as the company structure in the United Kingdom has not applied readily to its Mumbia, India operations. This research advances with the overarching contextual recognition that because of this organizational culture major changes needed to be implemented in relation to learning and development and career management. Specific considerations are given to the organization’s training programs, demographics, and in-built career advancement practices. Analysis Learning and Training While career elements constitute perhaps the greatest focus for needed organizational change at Acorn, more foundationally staff training constitutes a major area of concern. Just as Acorn has failed to establish a career management program the organization has also fallen short in establishing adequate training mechanisms. One of the central thorough-puts of this analysis then is the recognition that before Acorn has the necessary corporate infrastructure to implement the career system that will satisfy their employees at the Mumbai call centre it must first establish a

Analyze the associated activities in the evaluation phase of a patient Essay

Analyze the associated activities in the evaluation phase of a patient - Essay Example In any case all practitioners are required to know how to evaluate a patient. Traditionally nurse’s role in evaluating a patient has to record the observations made but not to interpret them. The main observation includespulse, temperature, rate of respiratory, blood pressure and consciousness level (Alice, 1985). The ability of nurse to record such observations accurately will determine the priority of the patient care. Assessment based on priority setting is one of the major skills that nurses that are newly fit may lack. There are elementary evaluation that can be executed on any patient while there are some that are specific to particular cases, for instancediseases that are chronic, trauma and other emergencies (Jacques, 1988). Unfortunately, the essential assessments are not always carried out. After taking patients details such as names and insurance, it is also important to understand if the patient has any historical background of an illness, such information include when the patient was last in the hospital? What disease was the patient last diagnosed? And other historical details of the patient (Allan, 2012). Such information gives a clue as to either the illness is recurrent of it involves new prescription. Patient evaluation is done through history of medical information (Alice, 1985). Physical examination is carried out so as to be able to notice any physical behavior that may likely to be caused by illness; some patients will have a pale skin and other physically observed conditions. Routine laboratory tests are necessary to try and establish the specifics of the disease (Jacques, 1988). Other diagnostic procedures can also be carried out. Physical examination must involve the suitable measurement of blood pressure, with contralateral arm confirmation. Optic fundi examination is also done. Further examination requires calculating the mass index of the body, the BMI calculation, measuring the circumference of the waist is equally

Examine and assess how political order is made and repaired Essay

Examine and assess how political order is made and repaired - Essay Example For example between right-hand-driving and left-hand-driving, they may be indifferent in terms of advantages or disadvantages. In some countries the system of right-hand-drive is followed, and in the others it is left-hand-drive. However, for orderly movement, either right or left-hand-drive is required to be followed, and not both, in a particular country. congestion in roads, pollution, etc. Traffic controls and the related group behaviors resulted into major issues of social order. Road user charges and congestion zone charges and toll charges were used as tools for recovery of cost and as a form of control to bring down the level of traffic. In the case of unwritten rules, assumptions and interpretations come into play. These are largely governed by customs in a society, which vary from place to place. Therefore, for the persons living in an environment which is new to them, the assimilation process or adjustment and readjustments would be frustrating initially. Understanding the disparities within the society and among the societies is very important since these are the two fundamental factors which governs social as well a political order. There are disparities in a society on account of income levels. The governments constantly endeavor to narrow down these disparities, and introduce social welfare programs for economically weaker sections of the society to ensure peace in the society. But, the disparities exist within the society on account of caste & creed, color, origins, religions, culture, etc are deep rooted.   The social order becomes vulnerable to these factors, if common minimum standards are not worked out and accepted by various groups of the society. These common minimum standards are naturally evolved, in different walks of life over a period of time and form the basis for all the activities in the society. â€Å"Ever since the man started living in group, it became an endeavor of the persons to understand the group for

Christianity and the Secular Point of View of Gun Violence Essay

Christianity and the Secular Point of View of Gun Violence - Essay Example A political debate has also been sparked by these mass shootings over gun violence and gun control. In this perspective, the church has adopted a secular view with regard to these shootings. Drawing on the variety of literature, the paper will discuss Christianity and the secular point of view of gun violence/school shootings. Discussion The American Secret Service defines school shootings as the deliberate selection of a school as the location of the attack. The number of mass shootings and gun violence in the U.S is as rampant as the number of people living in America. According to figures from the US Department of Justice and Council on Foreign Affairs, there have been 60,000 people affected by gun violence and mass shootings in 2015 alone. As a result of the magnitude and effects of gun violence and mass shootings, the Church has adopted a secular view to the issue. Conversations about mass shootings often devolve around emotions. In the recent times, the Christians are agitating for their right to bear and own firearms. There is still debate on the effectiveness of guns used in personal defense. A survey carried out by the U.S Department of Justice placed the rate of using guns for personal defense at 1.6 million. However, this is twice the crime rates. The Christians share the view that the Bible was authored long before the gun was invented. It, however, mentions the use weapons in battles and wars. War is portrayed as something that is part of a fallen world (Mark 13:7; James 4:1).

Plato and Aristotle Essay Example for Free

Plato and Aristotle Essay Plato and Aristotle were two philosophers who made an impact on philosophy as we know it as today. Plato is thought of as the first political philosopher and Aristotle as the first metaphysical philosopher. They were both great intellectuals in regards to being the first of the great western philosophers. Plato and Aristotle each had ideas in how to better life by improving the societies in which they were part of during their lives. The views of Plato and Aristotle look different but they do have some similarities to them. Plato is mostly known for his Theory of Forms and Aristotle is known for his thoughts in universals. Even though they both thought a bit differently they did agree in a few things. Plato and Aristotle not only had an impact on society in the past but today’s society as well. Plato was a teacher to Aristotle and lived during the Peloponnesian War, which lead to the end of the Athenian democracy. He had eyewitness account of Socrates, his mentor, trial and execution. Unhappy with the political corruption that plagued the Athenian democratic government, he removed himself from politics. He strongly felt that neither a moral individual nor a state could be established in a democratic environment. Plato felt that the common man was not intelligent enough to deal with concepts that influence the state such as economics, policies and other relative matters. He thought of philosophers as being the most intelligent among men. He viewed political incumbents in the Athens government basically as bought individuals in office for the good of themselves and not society as a whole. Another danger was that extreme liberties given to the people in the democratic society could potentially lead an anarchy. Aristotle was a student of Plato’s and teacher of Alexander the Great. He created his own school in Athens. He thought of metaphysics to be the first philosophy, which was a large interest to him. Aristotle’s stated that forms were universal. According to Aristotle, notion of Essential properties makes something what it is, and accidental properties are the differences of that item. Aristotle believed the state and the individual are similar and democracy would be the better government. In Book VII of The Republic by Plato, Socrates describes the Allegory of the Cave. It is a metaphor to illustrate the effects of education on the human soul. It can also be understood as what is real and what is believed to be real in life. Eventhough Plato had his ideal city, the forms was really what people could connect with. There is so much one can take from his thoughts on the forms that could be applied to society today. Plato starts out comparing people that are uneducated to prisoners chained in a cave, unable to turn their head. All they can see is the wall of the cave in front of them. A fire behind them burns bright. Between the fire and the prisoners, there is an area for puppeteers to move around and hold up the puppets to cast shadows on the wall that is in front of the prisoners. This is what the prisoners see every single day. This is all they know; shadows, echoes, the smell of the fire, and darkness. They believe that that shadows are reality. One of the prisoners is allowed to go outside of the cave. Once they reach the outside of the cave, they are blinded by the light because they have not seen such. Once their eyes start to adjust, they start seeing shapes and objects around them. They see that the sun is what creates light and that the tall objects with leaves are trees. They are colorful with moving parts. They go back outside to tell the prisoners, but they are not believed. Those still inside of the cave thinks the person just came in from the outside ill because that is not what they see in the cave, they did not see the outside for themselves, so therefore, it does not exist. So now the person that just came in from the bright sun light cannot see very well in the darkness of the cave, their eyes have not adjusted to the darkness, and people think they are crazy. This is where this view fails for Aristotle because it is not realistic. Aristotle rejects Plato’s Theory of Forms, and makes the way for his realistic approach, which underlines observation first and abstract reasoning second. Being a student of Plato’s, I believe he was indebted to justify at lengths why he disagrees with doctrines of his teacher. He provided detailed arguments against many of Plato’s doctrines, a lot of his major works, focusing in particular on the Theory of Forms. In Aristotle’s critique he thinks this theory is essentially an assertion of the superiority of universals over particulars. Plato argues that particular instances of beauty or justice exists only because they participate in the universal Form of Beauty. Say a there are two objects, one is colorless and the other one is red. The colorless one goes where the red on is located. Since the colorless object and the red object are participating, they areboth red objects. They have a certain nurture and nature. However, Aristotle argues that universal concepts of beauty and justice derive from the instances of beauty and justice in this world. We only arrive at an idea of beauty by observing particular instances of beauty. This universal quality of beauty has no existence beyond this idea that we build from particular instances. He is staying that the particulars come first and the universals come after and therefor, Aristotle places emphasis on the importance of observing the details of this world. Which leads me to understand his thoughts on happiness a little more. With putting the weight on observing happiness can measured by a person’s life. Aristotle lays out in Book X in the Nicomachean Ethic’s, the continuation of his thoughts on pleasure, happiness and the end of life, and ethics and politics. His view on happiness and the end of human life really made me question his way of thinking. Aristotle suggests that happiness is the final end of life because nothing is greater than happiness or the good life and it goes against his universal theory. Aristotle proposes that happiness, or the good life, is taken to be a most final end. â€Å"We said, then, that happiness is not a characteristic, for in that case it could be present even to someone asleep thought his life, living the life of plants, and to someone undergoing the greatest misfortunes. † (Nicomachean Ethics, 1176a-1176b). The good life for humans is the life of choosing to life the life according to the virtues. â€Å"For we choose everything, so to speak, for the sake of something else-except happiness, for it is the end. † (Nicomachean Ethics, 1176b). Also, it seems that only humans can be happy because the happiness is an important nature of every individual human and it is unique to humans in that the function of humans is what distinguishes them from other kinds of things. Happiness is a self-sufficient activity desirable for its own sake. One seeks nothing from happiness beyond the actual experience or performance of it as an activity. Activities that are desirable in themselves are activities in conformity with virtue and indicates that the greatest happiness must be activity in conformity with the highest virtue. It is wrong to confuse happiness with various kinds of amusements involving bodily pleasures, as many people do. Such amusements are neither virtuous nor ends in themselves,but are merely relaxing diversions in which one occasionally engages for the sake of future activity. The greatest happiness is activity in conformity with the highest virtue is excellence. Intelligence is mans highest possession and the objects of intelligence are the highest objects within his grasp. It is clear that the life of contemplation and theoretical wisdom must be the greatest of human virtues and the highest form of happiness. The objects of the contemplative life are the unchangeable and eternal verities that underlie and govern the universe. From contemplation of these truths the soul derives a feeling of purity and stability. â€Å"Further, this active is most continuous, for we are more able to contemplate continuously than we are to do anything else whatever. † (Nicomachean Ethics, 1177a). Also, the wise person is able to contemplate by himself, the wiser he is the more adept he will be doing so. Contemplative happiness is not dependent on other men. It is the form of life in which human beings come most nearly to being divine, the life that harmonizes with intellect, and that life seems to be the happiest, according to Aristotle. There is another kind of happiness, based on moral virtue and practical wisdom, which is concerned with feelings that spring from mans bodily nature. It can be defined as the harmonious coordination of all parts of mans complete being. This kind of happiness is not as exalted as the contemplative, but it helps prepare us for the higher happiness and, since man is not all mind and reason, gives us something to fall back upon when we are unable to remain continuously at the higher level. â€Å"For if there is a certain care for human things on the part of gods, as in fact there is held to be, it would be also reasonable for gods to delight in what is best and most akin to them – this would be the intellect – and to benefit in return those who cherish this above all and honor it, on the grounds that these latter are caring for what is dear to gods as well as acting correctly and nobly. † (Nicomachean Ethics, 1179a). This person is the happiest and a wise person would be extremely happy. I believe this idea has some hints of Plato’s forms. The one person who went outside of the cave and saw it all was brought down by all the people in the cave that didn’t see the outside. Aristotle states that you cannot be happy with a lot of friends because they are not true friends. I believe those excess friendships would be a similar situation in the cave. They would not bring your happiness, only suffering. Aristotle and Plato have similaritiesin their city states as well. Plato gives a place to women, but Aristotle does not seem to care for women. When reading Plato, the texts are in Socrates’s voice. It makes it hard to connect what he is saying, especially in the Republic since it is a play. Also, one cannot tell if Socrates, Plato, is being serious or straightforward or if it’s Socrates’s thoughts or Plato’s. In Nicomachean Ethics, the text is Aristotle’s lecture notes and he is the author of them. While reading, it seems that Plato comes out and gives his opinion on matters, but Aristotle presents them, but does not come out and say what his thoughts are. Plato and Aristotle were two philosophers who made a huge impact on philosophy. They were both great western philosophers. Plato and Aristotle each had ideas in how to better life by improving the societies in which they were part of during their lives. Although they are thought to have completely different views, when laid out, their views have some similarities.

knockout mouse

knockout mouse Knockout Mouse 1. Introduction Generally, DNA was first transferred by design into an organism and expressed as protein, therefore the potential of the tool that was being discovered must be found quickly by the scientist. Early experiments were limited to bacteria and viruses, but soon after the field of experiments were enlarged to those on animals and plants. (E.Hill, 2002). This topic, â€Å"knockout mouse† relates to the field of genetic engineering which further delves into a more specific technique called transgenic technology. â€Å"Knockoutscience.com†(2009) analyses that transgenic technology refers to the alteration of a certain genomic DNA of an organism in genetic engineering. As the result, both offspring of a transgenic organism and the parents (homozygous) will share the same genotype. The most common type of transgenic organism used in research is the knockout mouse, thoughknockout rats andknockout rabbits have also been developed. A knockout mouse defines a mouse which is being genetically engineered by turning off one or more genes through a process called gene knockout. â€Å"Genome.gov â€Å"also explains that a knockout mouse is a laboratory mouse in which researchers have inactivated, an existing gene by replacing it or disrupting it with an simulated piece of DNA. The loss of gene activity often causes changes in a mouses phenotype, which includes appearance, activities and other observable physical and biochemical characters. â€Å"Knockoutscience.com† (2009) also elucidates that it has become routine to develop knockout mice with disruptions in specific genes. By observing the resulting phenotype, scientists are able to view the effects of this gene disruption from these knockout mice. It is true to say that the phenotype is a direct result of the gene knockout and can offer evidences as to the biological role of the gene, but rarely the phenotype can also be the result of compensatory or indirect effects of the gene knockout. Sometimes the result obtained in a phenotype can be completely unrelated to the disrupted gene. Additionally, some gene knockouts create alethal phenotypewhere the organism fails to develop in utero, making in vivo studies exceedingly difficult. It was claimed that this technique may help to solve dopamine-related neurological illnesses.(Carol A.T, 1996) The technique allows transgenic animals that lack of a certain gene or its associated protein product to grow. In experiments with mice, researchers were able to knockout the animals dopamine transporters, causing the mice to behave as if they had been given huge doses of cocaine or amphetamine. Walinski.H(2009) states that knockout mice have different way of uses. First, the specific functions of particular genes can be tested and the regulation of these particular genes can be observed. The effects of a particular gene can be determined by examining what is happening in anin vivo model, we are able to determine the effects a particular gene may have. These effects would be impossible to observe in a culture dish. Another useful application of knockout technology is in biomedical research and drug development. Knockout mouse can be used to study the evolution of thousands of genetically based diseases at the molecular level in order to seek for the best medications that act on that gene. For Example, Lili.X and Asok.C (2005 ) both agree that Duffy positive and Duffy knockout mice have revealed both human malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax and mouse malaria parasite Plasmodium yoelii by using parasite invasion. Furthermore, the knockout technology may lead to the discovery of the next generation of blockbuster therapies for curing numerous diseases based on novel targets from the human genome. 2. Background Genetics Timeline for the key events in the history of knockout mouse 1900 Japanese fancy mice became mutant resources for mouse genetics. 1915- The first verterbrate linkage (mapping) was discovered between albino (c) and pink-eyed dilution (p) loci in the mouse. 1923- Discovery of X-ray induced mutations in mouse before the phenomenon was confirmed in fruit-flies. 1980- Specific-locus tests were conducted extensively in the mouse with various chemical mutagens, including N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU). 1981-1991- knockout mice are established. 1981- The first embryo stem (ES) cell was identified in the mouse. Martin Evans and Matt Kaufman in Cambridge, U.K., isolate mouse embryonic stem cells, which can develop into the full range of tissues. 1982-Transgenic mouse technology was established through the generation of the â€Å"giant mouse† mutant. 1985- Introduction of the Cre-loxP system by Brian Sauer act as temporal control of transgenic gene expression. 1987- Mario Capecchis team at the University of Utah describes a method for making knockout mice, as does Oliver Smithiess group at the University of Wisconsin. 1989- First knockout mouse was made by combining ES cell and gene-targeting technologies. 2007- International Knockout Mouse Consortium was organized and the Banbury II meeting was held in Brussels, Belgium. Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine was awarded for the development of mouse knockout techonologies. 3. Genetic Technique There are several method to produce knockout mouse, such as gene deletion, homologous recombination method, pronuclear microinjection and gene targeting. However, only gene targeting will be mentioned herein. Gene Targeting is the elimination or alteration of a genes function. One of the advantages of gene targeting is a mutant allele can be mended by substituting a wild-type allele over the mutant one in its normal chromosomal location, and such technique known as gene replacement. In this way, both position effect and the DNA rearrangements associated with ectopic insertion can be prevented, as a single replication of the gene is inserted in its normal chromosomal environmental. (Griffiths.A and Susan R.Wessler,etc, 2008). 4. Social Issues Recently, the evaluation of animal and human welfare as it may be affected by biotechnology is becoming a hot issue. The lack of an conscience and the information of the processes involved is one of the most important fact. ( Marie.B, 1997) Marie.B (1997) also states that the moral evaluation process is complicated by the fact that many techniques and developments in biotechnology are appropriate for patent. Some of the biotechnologists are reluctant to reveal appropriate information is understandable. Therefore, education concerning transgenic animal care and utilize is indeed very importance, involving the careful consideration of the reasons for manipulating the genome of any organism as genetic engineering is a dangerous and sensitive social issue. ( Marie.B, 1997) Pros and Cons of Knockout Mouse Advantages Disadvantages Provides important clues about what that gene normally does because human share many genes with mice. (Genome.gov, 2009) Limitation of the utility of knockout mice as models of human disease. (Walinski.H, 2004) Gives better understanding and observation of the characteristics of knockout mice. ( Genome.gov, 2009) The lack of adult mice limits studies to embryonic development and makes it more difficult to determine a genes function in relation to human health. ( Genome.gov, 2009) Gives information that can be used to better understand how a similar gene may cause or contribute disease in human. ( Genome, 2009) The gene that being examined might serve a different function in adults than in developing embryos, giving a false information. (Genome, 2009) Useful in studying and modeling different kinds of cancer, obesity, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, substance abuse, anxiety, aging and Parkinson disease. Fails to produce an observable change in a mouse or may even produce a different characteristics from those observed in humans in which the same gene is inactivated. ( Genome.gov, 2009) Offers a biological context in which drugs and other therapies can be developed and tested. Producing custom knockout mice is very expensive. It can be from 3000 to as much as 30,000 (Walinski.H, 2004) Useful in drug development and helps to discover the next generation of blockbuster therapies for curing numerous diseases based on novel targets from the humane genome. (Walinski.H, 2004) The cost of equipping and maintaining such a facility is usually very high. ( Walinski.H, 2009) 5.0: Conclusion In conclusion, it is clear that knockout mouse offer a lot of benefits for us. Therefore, a thorough discussion of biotechnology issues is needed, as concurrence must be practiced as to protect transgenic animals. The field of transgenic animal biotechnology is likely to rise as the techniques develop further and will link to more applications by using many more animal species. Thus, it is important that the welfare and ethical concerns must continue to evolve. (Marie.B, 1997) In short, technology essentials together with thoughtful ethical decision-making are equally important to maintain the balance of living creatures. 6.0: Bibliography * Connor A.B, 2007, Schematic and Time Line for the Generation of Knockout Mice, Viewed 25 January 2010, http://web.mit.edu/ki/facilities/transgenic/services/timeline-complete.pdf * Davidson, NC 28036, Homologous Recombination Knockout Mouse, Department of Biology, Davidson College, viewed 15 January 2010, http://www.bio.davidson.edu/Courses/genomics/method/homolrecomb.html. * Eisen, Eugene J, 2005, Mouse in Animal Genetics and Breeding Research, viewed 25 January 2010, http://site.ebrary.com/lib/sunway/docDetail.action?docID=10173945p00=knockout+mouse * Garagna, S, 2004, Mouse Genetics after the Mouse Genome, Viewed 25 January 2010, http://site.ebrary.com/lib/sunway/docDetail.action?docID=10070304p00=knockout+mouse * Genome.gov, 2009, Knockout Mice, Viewed 25 January 2010, http://www.genome.gov/12514551 * Genoway ( 2006), Gene deletion, conditional knockout mouse, viewed 11 february 2010, http://www.genoway.com/conditional_knock_out_mouse.htm * Griffiths.A.J, Wessler.S.R, Lewontin.R.C and Carroll.S.B (2008), Introduction to genetic analysis, W.H,Freeman and Company, England. * â€Å"Google docs†, 2010, Gene targeting construct, Viewed 25 January 2010, http://74.125.153.132/search?q=cache:j6mj7wNqd7gJ:tmc.ctrl.ucla.edu/targeting.pdf+history+knockout+mousehl=engl=my * Hudson, 2010, Taconic enters marketing pact with Transposagen Bio for knockout rat models, viewed 25 January 2010, http://www.pharmabiz.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=53683sectionid= * Marie.B (1997) Transgenic animlas, viewed 11 february 2010,http://www.ccac.ca/en/Current/Current_Transgenic.htm * National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2007, What is transgenic technology? Viewed 15 January 2010, http://www.knockoutscience.com/ * Research Resources, n.d., Transgenic Knockout Mouse, viewed 25 January 2010, http://www.cellmigration.org/resource/komouse/protocols/mouse_timeline.pdf * â€Å"University of California†, n.d., Transgenic and Gene Targeting Core, viewed 25 January 2010, http://cancer.ucsd.edu/tgm/genetargeting.asp#timeline * Table, http://www.knockoutmouse.org/ * Tamminga, Carol A. Molecular biology, I: a mouse knockout. (molecular technique called gene knockout which allows the development of animals that lack a certain gene and its associated protein product).American Journal of Psychiatry153.11 (1996): 1387.Academic OneFile. Web. 6 Feb. 2010. . * Twyman. R, 2003, Knockout Mice: The inactivation of a specific gene in a mouse, viewed on 15 January 2010, http://genome,wellcome.ac.uk/doc_WTD021038.html * Walinski.H, 2004, Studying Gene Function: Creating Knockout Mice, viewed on 25 January 2010, http://www.scq.ubc.ca/studying-gene-function-creating-knockout-mice/ * Walter E.Hill. , 2002, Genetic Engineering, Taylor Francis, Biddles LTd, Guildford and Kings Lynn, Great Britain. * â€Å"Wikipedia†, 2009, Knockout Mouse, viewed on 15 January 2010, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knockout_mouse * Xu, Lili, and Asok Chaudhuri. Plasmodium yoelii: A differential fluorescent technique using Acridine Orange to identify infected erythrocytes and reticulocytes in Duffy knockout mouse.Experimental Parasitology110.1 (2005): 80+.Academic OneFile. Web. 6 Feb. 2010. . * Y. Gondo (2008), Trends in large-scale mouse mutagenesis: from genetics to functional genomics. Nat. Rev. Genet. 9(10):803-810., http://www.nature.com/scitable/content/Knockout-mice-timeline-6638351, Viewed On 11 February 2010.

Parkson Corporation Analysis

Parkson Corporation Analysis The objectives of this report is to present the findings of the strategic analysis conducted for Parkson Corporation Sdn Bhd and recommend the key strategies that the organization should implement in order to against with their competitor. So, the report begins by examining the general environment that affect the growth of organization, industry condition by using Porters Five Forces Analysis. The discussion part will describe the three stakeholders that affect the decision making of company and organization direction. Next, review the strength, weakness, opportunities and threats which can call SWOT analysis. The SWOT analysis determines and specifying the objective of the business venture or project and identifying the internal and external factors that are favorable and unfavorable to achieve that objective for company. Lastly, discuss about the key selection criteria and recommendations for Parkson Corporation Sdn Bhd. to identify their strategies to against their main competitiv e and maintain its market share, market value and also their company reputation. 1.3  Scope of the report This report had covered the operations of Parkson Company in China, Vietnam and Malaysia. For information, the report had analyzed the internal and external environment and also its industrial conditions and competitors which are the factors of operation growth for Parkson Corporation Sdn Bhd. Moreover, the online research such as online article, online magazine, online newspaper that related to Parkson Corporation Sdn Bhd is the major information sources for the analysis. 1.4 Limitations Parkson Corporation Sdn Bhd has their limitation too. Firstly, not all customers know the strategy of Parkson Corporation Sdn Bhd. It causes them to lose their confidence towards the company. For example, from the operations of Parkson Company in China, it was showed that the market shares drop significantly. It highly depend on China causes customers to lose confidence because of their lack of the information about the company. Besides, the company sometimes showed some uncertain of their real performance and problems. The reason behind is sometimes the actions do not reflect what the report have mentioned so called transparency issues. Furthermore, Parkson Corporation Sdn Bhd cannot purchase their products through online. It show the inconvenient to the customers when they are not free or busy. In addition, it has their limited target market. They only focus more on the high income ladies. Therefore, it shows that it has no obvious competitive advantage compare with other competito rs. Thus, without the important information, the company will face lots of difficult problem. In order to solve their problems for their company, they must try to improve their operation management. 2.0 Background Of The Organization Parkson was one of the well known shopping malls. There was a lot of Parkson outlet can be found around the world. In other country such as China and Vietnam, there was a lot of Parkson outlet were available to be shop. Parkson was one of the largest department store company in China and Parkson currently has 35 outlets in Malaysia.Parkson branded department stores was divided into 36 brand and 2 Xtra branded. Parkson was established in the year of 1987. In Malaysia, the founder of Parkson was the retailing arm of the Lion Group and it is rapidly became one of the largest shopping malls in Malaysia. As an example, we can find Parkson outlet in Kuala Lumpur such as Subang Parade, Pavilion and other stated as well in Malaysia. Inside the Parkson, it has divided into few departments. The departments were strategically divided into different market segments and locations. The main purpose of the segmentations was preventing the customer to be confusing as the stores are categorized into 3 tiers depending on suitability of market and location. Since the Parkson was one of the successful shopping mall, it has been given a lot of achievements as their growing from strength to strength. Parkson always strive to do away with the conventions and to bring a fresh perspective to the retail industry. As an example, Parkson has been given a title of Malaysia Most Valuable Brands in 2009 or known as MMVB. MMVB is a part of a national brand valuation study commissioned by an Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia and conducted by Interbrand. Other achievement such as Certificate of Excellence Awarded to Parkson Pavilion being the Overall Best Retail Outlet in 2009/2010 and achievements that had achieved by Parkson. Parkson has its own moving forward target or mission. Parkson will constantly stays true to the needs and aspirations of the consumers. It has promises to continue to improve themselves in order to stay relevant. Parkson has emergence of younger age c onsumers who are well travelled, brand or image conscious and lifestyle-oriented will be the key of Parkson considerations which will lead Parkson lead the Parkson brand strategy. 4.0 Strategic Options Based on the situation analysis conducted, several strategic options or alternatives are proposed for the organisation. These strategic options include: 1. Set target customer higher We suggest Parkson Holdings upgrade their operation system and relocation their business direction by set their target customer among medium class income and upper class income customer. Parkson Holdings also can invite more branded company such as Gucci, LV and other come set their shop lot. There are few shopping center that sell luxury goods in Malaysia and previously Parkson Holdings image in public already is a high cost expenses shopping center. So now, we suggest Parkson Holdings try to upgrade their image and specific their customer segment, which medium and high classes income customers. 2. Refurbishing and Construct a new building For example, Parkson renovate the whole buildings by upgrade its store image and profile. Parkson can refine all the merchandise to higher income products and brand mix. This indirectly can enhance the productivity of retail space. Besides revamp the whole buildings, we would suggest that Parkson re-construct the building for instance let Mahkota Parade to be the Parkson Holdings shopping complex. Parkson will do all their business activities inside the shopping complex. Besides that, they also can rent their shop lots to other suppliers or clients to earn profits. 3. Preserving cash for potential MA opportunities and retail property acquisition Table 1. Major MAs Announced During 2006 MA Value (RM Billion) Parkson Retail Group, Lion Diversified Holdings Bhd, and Amalgamated Containers Bhd 4.3 Source: PWC Research As we can see from the Table 1 above, when Parkson Retail Group merged with Lion Diversified Holdings Bhd, and Amalgamated Containers Bhd, it can create the value of RM4.3 billion. Thus, we suggest that Parkson can choose to preserve some cash for potential mergers and acquisition opportunities and retail property acquisition. As mentioned in the first strategy, we suggest Parkson target medium and high classes income customers. Therefore, Parkson can choose to merge with Cold storage producers that sell high quality products like organic foods and used organic production method. We select organic foods as green products and services are now becoming the center attention of consumers. 4. Diversified product line to other industry and Retail space We suggest Parkson to invest in hotel industry other than just Parkson shopping centre complex. For example: we can refer to Hatten square which have their own buildings for retail shopping complex and also hospitality service suites in addition come out the ideas of Information Technology (IT) in their buildings. In addition, according to Parkson, it will target to expand its retail space by 15% 20% each year or 9-12 new stores in the countries where it operates. Hence, we suggest that Parkson can target country like India as India now is a fast growing country. If globalization success, this indirectly can helps in the formation of international financial system. 5. Go green projects For example, we can convey to Parkson Subang Parade, Parkson Corporation Sdn. Bhd. by implemented the No Plastic Bag Day Every Saturday green campaign  to reduce plastic bags in response of Environmental Social Responsibility (ESR). However, this strategy only covers in Selangor State. Thus, we suggest that this strategy can be further implemented to all parts of Malaysia. Furthermore, we also could follow the step of 1 Utama shopping mall in Petaling Jaya by come out a secret garden which has the system that reduces its usage of treated pipe water by 30%, and a building automation system with sensors that automatically adjust lighting and temperature. Moreover, we also can could followed the step of Tesco Greener Living by come out green gifts which using recycle material to handmade products. 6. Involve in Charity Apart from that, money that we earn from the Green projects will donate to the society for charity work. Parkson can also join charities and support groups that concentrate on eco-friendly lifestyles and choices. Parkson can donate items to schools, churches, city clubs and organizations. Parkson can promote themselves at eco-friendly events and give away items like free gifts or sample at school fairs, carnivals, or local cities farmers market. Involved in such events and can help people can become aware of contributing to the health of our planet and indirectly to help Parkson build a superior images in market. Key selection criteria According to Brundtland Commission (1987), sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development is a worthy goal for small and big businesses everywhere, especially for globalization organization. As members of various communities, we know that society, the environment, and the economy are interconnected. In order to maintain sustainable image and revenue, Parkson will appear few strategies that try to create and more focus on awareness, reputation, make profit and efficiency when making strategies. Profit maximisation is the aim of the owners and shareholders. Company will try to make the most profit as possible. One of the essential factors for Parkson needs to focus its sales growth. Parkson need make as many sales as possible. This may be because we believe that the survival of the business depends on being large. Large businesses can also benefit from economies of scale. In order to this cases, Parkson will attempt to upgrade its store image and profile, diversified product line to other industry and also can merger or joint-venture with other sector industry. When Parkson struggle to merger with other sector industry or use differentiation strategy, it can help Parkson establish good reputation by thrust business into the limelight and open doors for Parkson. Besides, it also can assist Parkson to partner with a larger company such as Lion Diversified Holdings Bhd  [1]  , and Amalgamated Containers Bhd to access their large list of customers and it will frankly improve   Parkson profitability and EPS. Parkson can share the risks with partner and help to gain higher competitiveness; nevertheless it can be rigid Parkson to enter the new market and it will become barrier to entry for Parkson. Pay attention to the environmental impact of our economic practices, and try to ensure that our communities are healthy, pleasant places to live. Nowadays, organizations started to paying attention and actively producing greener products and services to create a center of attention consumers. Parkson Corporation Sdn. Bhd. actively involved in sustainable development and follows the pace to adopt environmentally sound business principles and translate these into action. Parkson Corporation CEO raises awareness and reputation at this time, and he believes that the positive impact for the environment is immense for 2011 and well into the future. He adopt this approach because he believe and aware that operating a green business is not only good for the environment but good for their businesss bottom line because conserving resources and cutting down on waste saves money However, Parkson Corporation Sdn. Bhd. promotes No Plastic Bag Day only covers in Selangor State initially, it haven i mplement in other states. Environmentalism is no enough for certain places; it should engage numerous metropolitan areas and every branch in promoting the use of eco friendly bags in order to get more efficient and successful effects. Even thorough Parkson Corporation Sdn. Bhd. had implement eco-friendly, nevertheless it still no adequate to contributing to a healthy world and healthier place for us and for the future. Parkson should put more improvement and enhancement to implement eco-friendly. For example, we can follow the step of Tesco Greener Living by come out green gifts which using recycle material to handmade products. We also can put more focus of store on the eco-friendly category. Parkson can let customers see that there are practicing what their sell. If customers feel like you have a true passion about the environment, it will help them purchase these items with confidence. If customer is interested in an item, try to offer them a similar item that is eco-friendly. It not merely can make contribution to making the world a better place; it also straightforwardly can enhance and create awareness to customers and build customer loyalty. In order to determine where it is going, the organization needs to know exactly where it stands, then determine where it wants to go and how it will get there. Parkson need to carefully establish unique value proposition and strategies compared to competitors, executed through operations that provide different and tailored value to customers and drives continual improvement within the organization and moves it toward its vision in order to become market leaders in market. 6.0 Recommendation Key Questions Option/Hypothesis/ Recommendation Decision Criteria Pros Cons (i)Parkson had started to pay attention to the environmental impact of our economic practices, and try to ensure that our communities are healthy, pleasant places to live. (i)Parkson should propose the shop outlet to have a zero plastic bag day in order to archive a green environment target. (ii)Zero plastic on Saturday was not enough to influence the customer to be more green environmental minded but should apply to other day as well. (i)No plastic bag was given to the customer whenever the customers purchase their stuff in Parkson during Saturday period. (ii)The customers who really or ask for the plastics bag will be charge for 20 cent each. (i) A green business able to provide a better environment and also a good for their businesss bottom line because conserving resources and cutting down on waste saves money. (ii) Able to prevent damaging the environment from the chemicals in cleaning products that are sprayed out into the air. (i)There will be some of the customer dislike the strategy of the Parkson (ii)The customer might be dislike to shop on Saturday. (iii)The non given plastic bag strategy might cause the sales of the Parkson drops. (iv)Other competitors might gains advantages on Parkson strategy and increase their sales. Since everyone of the shopping mall had started to pay attention on the green environment activities, the Parkson also had started the move on it. Most of the shopping complex had their own strategy like no plastic bag will be provide to the customer who purchase stuff or item on Saturday. We believe that it is not enough for Parkson to active on this program. As a result, Parkson can improve it by having more zero plastic bag days for the week. Nevertheless, it is important for the shop outlet in Parkson to be corporate with them as well. The shop outlet also can propose not to provide plastic bag to the customer. In directly, it can help our environment to be a better place and also can help them to save their cost. (ii) How Parkson time to times change improve their Parkson images and environment of the shopping complex? (i) Parkson can create their own super market and no need other super market or hyper market such as Cold Storage. With this, Parkson can have a better environment and gain more competitive advantages. (ii) Once Parkson have their own brand name, they can try to sell their product at other shopping mall in order to have a different shopping environment for the customer. (i)Parkson always construct or renovate their building As an example in Malacca( Mahkota Parade had relocate the shop location and paint their building. (i) Parkson able has a better management for the shop. (ii) Parkson able to generate new image, give new shopping feels and attract more customer to shopping. (iii) They also can rent their shop lots to other suppliers or clients to earn profits. (v) Parkson upgrade their operation system and relocation their business direction. (i)It might comsume a lot capital for the renovation and building construction in order to have a new building. (ii)Is hard to find a new place or location to construct a new building (iii)When there is a renovation, it might disturb the businesses which are going on. (iv)When there is a renovation, A lot of space consuming will be required. Such as the place to store the renovation stuffs and parking lots. When time past, the customer might be started to get bored due to the unchangeable environment or shop in the Parkson. As a result, Parkson had started to change their image and the shopping environmental. As we can see, most of the Parkson had reconstructs their building, painting their building and so on. I believe that it is not enough to satisfy the customer needs. Parkson can try to create their own super market or hyper market instead of renting their space to the Cold Storage or Giant. It can help them to gain more competitive advantage and have a better shopping environment for the customers. It might include a lot of capital but we believe that Parkson able to generate more profit in the future. By that time, Parkson no longer depend to other super market or hyper market but it has it own brand or name of the super market. (iii)What capability should Parkson develop to ensure the success? (i)High diversification to increase the profit. (ii) Since Parkson have their own member card or member day, Parkson should have more attractive reward which can redeem by the customer with the bonus link point. (iii) Parkson should attract more investor to invest in to their share as well. With a huge capital provide from the investor, Parkson can develop more their shopping more or maybe have a better management. (i)High diversification. (ii)Differentiation strategy. (iii)Focusing on their product line. (i)Less risk with the premium pricing and increase retail consumer market. (ii) Parkson able to gain more competitive advantages. (iii) With a interesting or attractive reward, it can indirectly influence the customer to spend more on their products. (i)Economic downturn. (ii)Competitor strategy to counter the Parkson strategy. (iii) If investment by the Parkson fail will cause the investor occurs loss. (iv) The cost of the reward to member might include a huge capital. Parkson was one of the famous shopping mall. In every department of the Parkson, we can find a lot of product sell by them and it has show Parkson product is highly diversified. It is one of a good strategy to increase the profit. But there is a weakness among them. Most of the product sell by them were more to the female department comparing with department. Parkson should implement differentiation strategy and make the diversification in to more wide area. Focus more on the product line and make it balance well be one of the great solutions for this matter.

Comparing Paintings by Pablo Picasso and Alberto Morrocco Essay

Comparing Paintings by Pablo Picasso and Alberto Morrocco I have decided to contrast and compare paintings by cubist artist Pablo Picasso and contemporary artist Alberto Morrocco. I have studied their paintings to find out their influences and any similarities between their work. I have tried to find a source of their motivation and reason for their interpretations. Firstly, I am going to write about cubist artist, Pablo Picasso. Inspired by artist Paul Cezanne, the father of analytical cubism, Picasso attempted many styles of work. He experimented with different media and use of colour, throughout his artistic career. His paintings reflected his moods and attitudes, which changed several times during the course of his life. As a result of this, groups of his painting can be separated into 'periods'. A very famous period Picasso developed was his 'Blue Period', where the paintings of this time were blue in colour and portrayed him to be unhappy. An example of this is ' The Tragedy' painted in 1903. The painting is of a family standing on a beach, frozen like statues. In my perception, it takes on the image of a snapshot, eternally showing these still lonely figures. The painting looks cold due to Picasso's use of blue, submitting further the idea of unintimacy and absence of love within this solemn family. I understand why Picasso adopted such a melancholy atmosphere; it was a result of his friend committing suicide in 1901. His use of thick brush strokes and realistic perception of a family drowned by the presence of poverty, portray an image of deep sorrow and sadness. A painting that resembles Picasso's 'The Tragedy' is the 'Siesta' by Alberto Morrocco painted in 1971. Picasso and artist Henri Matisse had great influence Alberto Morrocco. Inspiration also came from his principal teacher James Cowie, who encouraged Morrocco to make painting his career. The 'Siesta' shows a female child sleeping naked on a table. Sitting behind her is a woman, presumably her mother, who is awake and holing a sunflower. This also can be perceived as a photographic image. I feel as though the woman is staring directly at the camera, her eyes fixated upon me. This highlights one similarity between Morrocco's 'Siesta' and Picasso's 'The Tragedy' purely by choice of composition. Another similarity I have discovered is that both art... ...to be in this painting, the egg would have rolled off. Both these paintings are similar also in colour. The colours used are bright, strong and effective. I believe that the colour concepts bring each painting to life. Picasso used natural colours to represent the natural significance of the objects in this painting. This makes me feel comfortable and at peace. Morrocco chose olive green, reds and blues to capture the essence of his native Italy. This, in my opinion, gives the painting a special quality and is very pleasing to look at. Picasso's 'Bread Fruit Dish on a Table' is a fantastic example of how he experimented with shape and tried to teach himself and learn through experience the techniques of analytical cubism. He later used this new knowledge to develop cubism further and create a new, unique style which he called synthetic cubism. Alberto Morrocco sought inspiration from Picasso's cubist phase and tried out the style himself. ' Homage a Braque' is a very interesting painting which clearly shows similarities between his paintings and those by Pablo Picasso. However, Morrocco gave an incentive of himself into his painting making it his own masterpiece.

Staffing Orgs DELL :: GCSE Business Marketing Coursework

Staffing Orgs DELL Dell's mission is to be the most successful computer company in the world at delivering the best customer experience in markets we serve. In doing so, Dell will meet customer expectations of:  · Highest quality  · Leading technology  · Competitive pricing  · Individual and company accountability  · Best-in-class service and support  · Flexible customization capability  · Superior corporate citizenship  · Financial stability -Dell Mission Statement Company background Dell’s vision of excellence through quality, innovation, pricing, accountability, service and support, customization, corporate citizenship and financial stability is clear. This mission statement is clear and easy to understand. Producing quality work that leads to the achievement of these lofty goals becomes much more complicated than writing a simple mission statement. One thing is clear, the core capabilities of any business stem from the employees that comprise it. With over 36,000 employees, Dell is a member of the rapidly changing and expanding computer technology industry. This industry had achieved enormous growth in the last decade. Dell’s stock rose 29,000 percent in the 1990’s and as of the second quarter in 1999; Dell was tied for first place in the market. Dell faces stiff competition from technology giants such as IBM, Hewlett Packard, and Compaq. With such robust expansion in the technology industry and the economy, it is becoming increasing difficult for companies such as Dell, who experienced a 56 percent growth in workforce in 1999, to fill positions with quality applicants. Dell is currently seeking applicants for positions in sales, corporate finance, engineering, manufacturing, and most especially, information technology. Dell currently hires approximately 2000 employees a quarter. With such rapid growth and expansion the temptation surfaces to simply fill a position with a body. â€Å"Unless you have a go od process in place, you run the risk of not always hiring the best people. There can be a tendency to say ‘We need people so badly, a fresh body is better than no body,’† as summed up by Steve Price, vice president of human resources for Dell’s Public and Americas International Group. To avoid this scenario, Dell has created a web-based Organizational Human Resource Planning (OHRP) process. These processes help a business unit focus on and anticipate growth and staffing needs. In addition the OHRP process allows managers to do their own succession planning, identify key jobs, and formulate competency planning and employee development. The OHRP process also tries to pick out qualities new employees will need by analyzing the skills and qualities of current top performers.

Pollution and Environment Essay - We Must Act Now to Solve the Problem

We Must Act Now to Solve the Problem of Overpopulation      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In 1804 for the first time in the history of humanity more than one billion people were living on Earth. Then in 1927, 123 years later, the Earth's population surpassed two billion. Another billion was added by 1960, another in 1974, and another-bringing the total to over five billion-in 1987. Estimates are that the Earth's population will surpass six billion in 1999 and reach nine billion people in the year 2054-250 years after first reaching one billion.[1] Traditionally the historically slow increase in population has been attributed to limits on agriculture. Modern analysis of population growth, however, indicates that the primary restriction has been disease. The control of disease and the resulting decline mortality has not always been accompanied by a declining rate of fertility. This has resulted in the huge increase in human population. The rapid increase in the number of humans living on Earth will undoubtedly cause changes in the individual lives of men. T hough the changes will not be as drastic as some authors predict, the changes humans introduce to the Earth's environment must be addressed and fully understood.    Those who believe that man is reproducing himself into destruction are quick to point out that greater numbers of men result in a greater strain on the Earth's resources. In the book A Green History of the World: The Environment and the Collapse of Great Civilizations Clive Ponting claims that humans are doing irreparable damage to the Earth and as population continues to increase this damage will continue. Ponting claims that this increase of population, what he terms the weight of numbers, will lead to the eventual destruction of ... ...and Birth Control, Ed. Garret Hardin. San Francisco: W.H. Freeman and Company, 1969, 107-9. [6] J.H. Fremlin, "How Many People Can the World Support?," New Scientist 415 (1964): 285-7, Rpt. in Population, Evolution, and Birth Control, Ed. Garret Hardin, San Francisco: W.H. Freeman and Company, 1969, 59-66. [7] Robert Thomas Malthus, "An Essay on the Principle of Population," 1798, Population, Evolution, and Birth Control, Ed. Garret Hardin, San Francisco: W.H. Freeman and Company, 1969, 4-16. [8] Ian Thomas, Population Growth, London: MacMillan Education, Ltd., 1980, 11. [9] United Nations Population Division [10] Robert Livernash, "The Future of Populous Economies China and India Shape Their Destinies," Environment 37.6 (1995): 6-32. [11] A.J. McMichael,   "Contemplating a One Child World," British Medical Journal 311.7021 (1995): 1651-3.   

A Game of Thrones Chapter Thirteen

Tyrion The north went on forever. Tyrion Lannister knew the maps as well as anyone, but a fortnight on the wild track that passed for the kingsroad up here had brought home the lesson that the map was one thing and the land quite another. They had left Winterfell on the same day as the king, amidst all the commotion of the royal departure, riding out to the sound of men shouting and horses snorting, to the rattle of wagons and the groaning of the queen's huge wheelhouse, as a light snow flurried about them. The kingsroad was just beyond the sprawl of castle and town. There the banners and the wagons and the columns of knights and freeriders turned south, taking the tumult with them, while Tyrion turned north with Benjen Stark and his nephew. It had grown colder after that, and far more quiet. West of the road were flint hills, grey and rugged, with tall watchtowers on their stony summits. To the east the land was lower, the ground flattening to a rolling plain that stretched away as far as the eye could see. Stone bridges spanned swift, narrow rivers, while small farms spread in rings around holdfasts walled in wood and stone. The road was well trafficked, and at night for their comfort there were rude inns to be found. Three days ride from Winterfell, however, the farmland gave way to dense wood, and the kingsroad grew lonely. The flint hills rose higher and wilder with each passing mile, until by the fifth day they had turned into mountains, cold blue-grey giants with jagged promontories and snow on their shoulders. When the wind blew from the north, long plumes of ice crystals flew from the high peaks like banners. With the mountains a wall to the west, the road veered north by northeast through the wood, a forest of oak and evergreen and black brier that seemed older and darker than any Tyrion had ever seen. â€Å"The wolfswood,† Benjen Stark called it, and indeed their nights came alive with the howls of distant packs, and some not so distant. Jon Snow's albino direwolf pricked up his ears at the nightly howling, but never raised his own voice in reply. There was something very unsettling about that animal, Tyrion thought. There were eight in the party by then, not counting the wolf. Tyrion traveled with two of his own men, as befit a Lannister. Benjen Stark had only his bastard nephew and some fresh mounts for the Night's Watch, but at the edge of the wolfswood they stayed a night behind the wooden walls of a forest holdfast, and there joined up with another of the black brothers, one Yoren. Yoren was stooped and sinister, his features hidden behind a beard as black as his clothing, but he seemed as tough as an old root and as hard as stone. With him were a pair of ragged peasant boys from the Fingers. â€Å"Rapers,† Yoren said with a cold look at his charges. Tyrion understood. Life on the Wall was said to be hard, but no doubt it was preferable to castration. Five men, three boys, a direwolf, twenty horses, and a cage of ravens given over to Benjen Stark by Maester Luwin. No doubt they made a curious fellowship for the kingsroad, or any road. Tyrion noticed Jon Snow watching Yoren and his sullen companions, with an odd cast to his face that looked uncomfortably like dismay. Yoren had a twisted shoulder and a sour smell, his hair and beard were matted and greasy and full of lice, his clothing old, patched, and seldom washed. His two young recruits smelled even worse, and seemed as stupid as they were cruel. No doubt the boy had made the mistake of thinking that the Night's Watch was made up of men like his uncle. If so, Yoren and his companions were a rude awakening. Tyrion felt sorry for the boy. He had chosen a hard life . . . or perhaps he should say that a hard life had been chosen for him. He had rather less sympathy for the uncle. Benjen Stark seemed to share his brother's distaste for Lannisters, and he had not been pleased when Tyrion had told him of his intentions. â€Å"I warn you, Lannister, you'll find no inns at the Wall,† he had said, looking down on him. â€Å"No doubt you'll find some place to put me,† Tyrion had replied. â€Å"As you might have noticed, I'm small.† One did not say no to the queen's brother, of course, so that had settled the matter, but Stark had not been happy. â€Å"You will not like the ride, I promise you that,† he'd said curtly, and since the moment they set out, he had done all he could to live up to that promise. By the end of the first week, Tyrion's thighs were raw from hard riding, his legs were cramping badly, and he was chilled to the bone. He did not complain. He was damned if he would give Benjen Stark that satisfaction. He took a small revenge in the matter of his riding fur, a tattered bearskin, old and musty-smelling. Stark had offered it to him in an excess of Night's Watch gallantry, no doubt expecting him to graciously decline. Tyrion had accepted with a smile. He had brought his warmest clothing with him when they rode out of Winterfell, and soon discovered that it was nowhere near warm enough. It was cold up here, and growing colder. The nights were well below freezing now, and when the wind blew it was like a knife cutting right through his warmest woolens. By now Stark was no doubt regretting his chivalrous impulse. Perhaps he had learned a lesson. The Lannisters never declined, graciously or otherwise. The Lannisters took what was offered. Farms and holdfasts grew scarcer and smaller as they pressed northward, ever deeper into the darkness of the wolfswood, until finally there were no more roofs to shelter under, and they were thrown back on their own resources. Tyrion was never much use in making a camp or breaking one. Too small, too hobbled, too in-the-way. So while Stark and Yoren and the other men erected rude shelters, tended the horses, and built a fire, it became his custom to take his fur and a wineskin and go off by himself to read. On the eighteenth night of their journey, the wine was a rare sweet amber from the Summer Isles that he had brought all the way north from Casterly Rock, and the book a rumination on the history and properties of dragons. With Lord Eddard Stark's permission, Tyrion had borrowed a few rare volumes from the Winterfell library and packed them for the ride north. He found a comfortable spot just beyond the noise of the camp, beside a swift-running stream with waters clear and cold as ice. A grotesquely ancient oak provided shelter from the biting wind. Tyrion curled up in his fur with his back against the trunk, took a sip of the wine, and began to read about the properties of dragonbone. Dragonbone is black because of its high iron content, the book told him. It is strong as steel, yet lighter and far more flexible, and of course utterly impervious to fire. Dragonbone bows are greatly prized by the Dothraki, and small wonder. An archer so armed can outrange any wooden bow. Tyrion had a morbid fascination with dragons. When he had first come to King's Landing for his sister's wedding to Robert Baratheon, he had made it a point to seek out the dragon skulls that had hung on the walls of Targaryen's throne room. King Robert had replaced them with banners and tapestries, but Tyrion had persisted until he found the skulls in the dank cellar where they had been stored. He had expected to find them impressive, perhaps even frightening. He had not thought to find them beautiful. Yet they were. As black as onyx, polished smooth, so the bone seemed to shimmer in the light of his torch. They liked the fire, he sensed. He'd thrust the torch into the mouth of one of the larger skulls and made the shadows leap and dance on the wall behind him. The teeth were long, curving knives of black diamond. The flame of the torch was nothing to them; they had bathed in the heat of far greater fires. When he had moved away, Tyrion could have sworn that the beast's empty eye sockets had watched him go. There were nineteen skulls. The oldest was more than three thousand years old; the youngest a mere century and a half. The most recent were also the smallest; a matched pair no bigger than mastiff's skulls, and oddly misshapen, all that remained of the last two hatchlings born on Dragonstone. They were the last of the Targaryen dragons, perhaps the last dragons anywhere, and they had not lived very long. From there the skulls ranged upward in size to the three great monsters of song and story, the dragons that Aegon Targaryen and his sisters had unleashed on the Seven Kingdoms of old. The singers had given them the names of gods: Balerion, Meraxes, Vhaghar. Tyrion had stood between their gaping jaws, wordless and awed. You could have ridden a horse down Vhaghar's gullet, although you would not have ridden it out again. Meraxes was even bigger. And the greatest of them, Balerion, the Black Dread, could have swallowed an aurochs whole, or even one of the hairy mammoths said to roam the cold wastes beyond the Port of Ibben. Tyrion stood in that dank cellar for a long time, staring at Balerion's huge, empty-eyed skull until his torch burned low, trying to grasp the size of the living animal, to imagine how it must have looked when it spread its great black wings and swept across the skies, breathing fire. His own remote ancestor, King Loren of the Rock, had tried to stand against the fire when he joined with King Mern of the Reach to oppose the Targaryen conquest. That was close on three hundred years ago, when the Seven Kingdoms were kingdoms, and not mere provinces of a greater realm. Between them, the Two Kings had six hundred banners flying, five thousand mounted knights, and ten times as many freeriders and men-at-arms. Aegon Dragonlord had perhaps a fifth that number, the chroniclers said, and most of those were conscripts from the ranks of the last king he had slain, their loyalties uncertain. The hosts met on the broad plains of the Reach, amidst golden fields of wheat ripe for harvest. When the Two Kings charged, the Targaryen army shivered and shattered and began to run. For a few moments, the chroniclers wrote, the conquest was at an end . . . but only for those few moments, before Aegon Targaryen and his sisters joined the battle. It was the only time that Vhaghar, Meraxes, and Balerion were all unleashed at once. The singers called it the Field of Fire. Near four thousand men had burned that day, among them King Mern of the Reach. King Loren had escaped, and lived long enough to surrender, pledge his fealty to the Targaryens, and beget a son, for which Tyrion was duly grateful. â€Å"Why do you read so much?† Tyrion looked up at the sound of the voice. Jon Snow was standing a few feet away, regarding him curiously. He closed the book on a finger and said, â€Å"Look at me and tell me what you see.† The boy looked at him suspiciously. â€Å"Is this some kind of trick? I see you. Tyrion Lannister.† Tyrion sighed. â€Å"You are remarkably polite for a bastard, Snow. What you see is a dwarf. You are what, twelve?† â€Å"Fourteen,† the boy said. â€Å"Fourteen, and you're taller than I will ever be. My legs are short and twisted, and I walk with difficulty. I require a special saddle to keep from falling off my horse. A saddle of my own design, you may be interested to know. It was either that or ride a pony. My arms are strong enough, but again, too short. I will never make a swordsman. Had I been born a peasant, they might have left me out to die, or sold me to some slaver's grotesquerie. Alas, I was born a Lannister of Casterly Rock, and the grotesqueries are all the poorer. Things are expected of me. My father was the Hand of the King for twenty years. My brother later killed that very same king, as it turns out, but life is full of these little ironies. My sister married the new king and my repulsive nephew will be king after him. I must do my part for the honor of my House, wouldn't you agree? Yet how? Well, my legs may be too small for my body, but my head is too large, although I prefer to think it is just large eno ugh for my mind. I have a realistic grasp of my own strengths and weaknesses. My mind is my weapon. My brother has his sword, King Robert has his warhammer, and I have my mind . . . and a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.† Tyrion tapped the leather cover of the book. â€Å"That's why I read so much, Jon Snow.† The boy absorbed that all in silence. He had the Stark face if not the name: long, solemn, guarded, a face that gave nothing away. Whoever his mother had been, she had left little of herself in her son. â€Å"What are you reading about?† he asked. â€Å"Dragons,† Tyrion told him. â€Å"What good is that? There are no more dragons,† the boy said with the easy certainty of youth. â€Å"So they say,† Tyrion replied. â€Å"Sad, isn't it? When I was your age, used to dream of having a dragon of my own.† â€Å"You did?† the boy said suspiciously. Perhaps he thought Tyrion was making fun of him. â€Å"Oh, yes. Even a stunted, twisted, ugly little boy can look down over the world when he's seated on a dragon's back.† Tyrion pushed the bearskin aside and climbed to his feet. â€Å"I used to start fires in the bowels of Casterly Rock and stare at the flames for hours, pretending they were dragonfire. Sometimes I'd imagine my father burning. At other times, my sister.† Jon Snow was staring at him, a look equal parts horror and fascination. Tyrion guffawed. â€Å"Don't look at me that way, bastard. I know your secret. You've dreamt the same kind of dreams.† â€Å"No,† Jon Snow said, horrified. â€Å"I wouldn't . . . â€Å" â€Å"No? Never?† Tyrion raised an eyebrow. â€Å"Well, no doubt the Starks have been terribly good to you. I'm certain Lady Stark treats you as if you were one of her own. And your brother Robb, he's always been kind, and why not? He gets Winterfell and you get the Wall. And your father . . . he must have good reasons for packing you off to the Night's Watch . . . â€Å" â€Å"Stop it,† Jon Snow said, his face dark with anger. â€Å"The Night's Watch is a noble calling!† Tyrion laughed. â€Å"You're too smart to believe that. The Night's Watch is a midden heap for all the misfits of the realm. I've seen you looking at Yoren and his boys. Those are your new brothers, Jon Snow, how do you like them? Sullen peasants, debtors, poachers, rapers, thieves, and bastards like you all wind up on the Wall, watching for grumkins and snarks and all the other monsters your wet nurse warned you about. The good part is there are no grumkins or snarks, so it's scarcely dangerous work. The bad part is you freeze your balls off, but since you're not allowed to breed anyway, I don't suppose that matters.† â€Å"Stop it!† the boy screamed. He took a step forward, his hands coiling into fists, close to tears. Suddenly, absurdly, Tyrion felt guilty. He took a step forward, intending to give the boy a reassuring pat on the shoulder or mutter some word of apology. He never saw the wolf, where it was or how it came at him. One moment he was walking toward Snow and the next he was flat on his back on the hard rocky ground, the book spinning away from him as he fell, the breath going out of him at the sudden impact, his mouth full of dirt and blood and rotting leaves. As he tried to get up, his back spasmed painfully. He must have wrenched it in the fall. He ground his teeth in frustration, grabbed a root, and pulled himself back to a sitting position. â€Å"Help me,† he said to the boy, reaching up a hand. And suddenly the wolf was between them. He did not growl. The damned thing never made a sound. He only looked at him with those bright red eyes, and showed him his teeth, and that was more than enough. Tyrion sagged back to the ground with a grunt. â€Å"Don't help me, then. I'll sit right here until you leave.† Jon Snow stroked Ghost's thick white fur, smiling now. â€Å"Ask me nicely.† Tyrion Lannister felt the anger coiling inside him, and crushed it out with a will. It was not the first time in his life he had been humiliated, and it would not be the last. Perhaps he even deserved this. â€Å"I should be very grateful for your kind assistance, Jon,† he said mildly. â€Å"Down, Ghost,† the boy said. The direwolf sat on his haunches. Those red eyes never left Tyrion. Jon came around behind him, slid his hands under his arms, and lifted him easily to his feet. Then he picked up the book and handed it back. â€Å"Why did he attack me?† Tyrion asked with a sidelong glance at the direwolf. He wiped blood and dirt from his mouth with the back of his hand. â€Å"Maybe he thought you were a grumkin.† Tyrion glanced at him sharply. Then he laughed, a raw snort of amusement that came bursting out through his nose entirely without his permission. â€Å"Oh, gods,† he said, choking on his laughter and shaking his head, â€Å"I suppose I do rather look like a grumkin. What does he do to snarks?† â€Å"You don't want to know.† Jon picked up the wineskin and handed it to Tyrion. Tyrion pulled out the stopper, tilted his head, and squeezed a long stream into his mouth. The wine was cool fire as it trickled down his throat and warmed his belly. He held out the skin to Jon Snow. â€Å"Want some?† The boy took the skin and tried a cautious swallow. â€Å"It's true, isn't it?† he said when he was done. â€Å"What you said about the Night's Watch.† Tyrion nodded. Jon Snow set his mouth in a grim line. â€Å"If that's what it is, that's what it is.† Tyrion grinned at him. â€Å"That's good, bastard. Most men would rather deny a hard truth than face it.† â€Å"Most men,† the boy said. â€Å"But not you.† â€Å"No,† Tyrion admitted, â€Å"not me. I seldom even dream of dragons anymore. There are no dragons.† He scooped up the fallen bearskin. â€Å"Come, we had better return to camp before your uncle calls the banners.† The walk was short, but the ground was rough underfoot and his legs were cramping badly by the time they got back. Jon Snow offered a hand to help him over a thick tangle of roots, but Tyrion shook him off. He would make his own way, as he had all his life. Still, the camp was a welcome sight. The shelters had been thrown up against the tumbledown wall of a long-abandoned holdfast, a shield against the wind. The horses had been fed and a fire had been laid. Yoren sat on a stone, skinning a squirrel. The savory smell of stew filled Tyrion's nostrils. He dragged himself over to where his man Morrec was tending the stewpot. Wordlessly, Morrec handed him the ladle. Tyrion tasted and handed it back. â€Å"More pepper,† he said. Benjen Stark emerged from the shelter he shared with his nephew. â€Å"There you are. Jon, damn it, don't go off like that by yourself. I thought the Others had gotten you.† â€Å"It was the grumkins,† Tyrion told him, laughing. Jon Snow smiled. Stark shot a baffled look at Yoren. The old man grunted, shrugged, and went back to his bloody work. The squirrel gave some body to the stew, and they ate it with black bread and hard cheese that night around their fire. Tyrion shared around his skin of wine until even Yoren grew mellow. One by one the company drifted off to their shelters and to sleep, all but Jon Snow, who had drawn the night's first watch. Tyrion was the last to retire, as always. As he stepped into the shelter his men had built for him, he paused and looked back at Jon Snow. The boy stood near the fire, his face still and hard, looking deep into the flames. Tyrion Lannister smiled sadly and went to bed.