August Wilsons Pittsburgh Cycle

August Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle After writing his third play, August Wilson realized he was developing something quite monumental. He had created three different plays set in three different decades, detailing the hopes and struggles of African-Americans. In the early 1980s, he decided that he wanted to create a cycle of ten plays, one play for each decade. Collectively, they would become known as the Pittsburgh Cycle - all but one take place in the citys Hills District. August Wilsons 10 play series is arguably one of the finest literary achievements in contemporary drama. Although they were not created in chronological order, here is a brief synopsis of each play, organized by the decade each one represents. Note: Each of the links connects to an informative New York Times review. Gem Of the Ocean Set in 1904, a young African-American named Citizen Barlow, like many others traveling north in the years after the Civil War arrives in Pittsburgh in search of purpose, prosperity, and redemption. A woman named Aunt Ester, who is rumored to be 285 years old and possess healing powers, decides to help the young man on his life’s journey. Joe Turner’s Come and Gone The title warrants a bit of historical context - Joe Turner was the name of a plantation owner who, in spite of the emancipation proclamation, forced African-Americans to work in his fields. In contrast, Seth and Bertha Holly’s boarding house offers room and nourishment to wayward souls who have been mistreated, abused, and sometimes even kidnapped by members of white society. The play takes place in the year 1911. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom As four African-American blues musicians wait for Ma Rainey, the famous lead singer of their band, they exchange off-the-cuff jokes and cutting-edge barbs. When the blues diva does arrive, the tensions continue to mount, pushing the group towards its breaking point. The tone is a combination of bitterness, laughter, and the blues, an ideal representation of the black experience during the late 1920s. The Piano Lesson A piano that has been handed down for generations becomes the source of conflict for members of the Charles family. Set in 1936, the storyline reflects the significance of objects in relationship to the past. This play garnered August Wilson his second Pulitzer Prize. Seven Guitars Touching upon the theme of music once again, this drama begins with the death of guitarist Floyd Barton in 1948. Then, the narrative shifts to the past, and the audience witnesses the protagonist in his younger days, ultimately leading up to his demise. Fences Perhaps Wilson’s most renowned work, Fences explores the life and relationships of Troy Maxson, an activist-minded trash collector, and former baseball hero. The protagonist represents the struggle for justice and fair treatment during the 1950s. This moving drama earned Wilson his first Pulitzer Prize. Two Trains Running This multiple award-winning drama is set in Pittsburgh 1969, in the height of the battle for civil rights. In spite of the political and social change that sweeps through the nation, many of the characters of this play are too cynical, too down-trodden to experience hope for the future or rage for the ongoing tragedies. Jitney Set in a cab driver’s station during the boisterous late 1970s, this character-driven play features sharp-witted, hustling co-workers who gossip, argue, and dream in between jobs. King Hedley II Often thought of as the bitterest and most tragic of Wilson’s cycle, the play focuses on the downfall of the prideful ex-con protagonist, King Hedley II (the son of one of the characters from Seven Guitars). The mid-1980s setting finds Wilson’s beloved Hills District in a dismal, poverty-stricken neighborhood. Radio Golf With this 1990s setting, the final play in the cycle tells the story of affluent Harmond Wilks, a successful politician and real estate developer - who considers tearing down a historic old house that once belonged to none other than Aunt Ester. It all comes full circle!

Food and Agricultural Nanotechnology Essay Example

Food and Agricultural Nanotechnology Essay Example Food and Agricultural Nanotechnology Essay Food and Agricultural Nanotechnology Essay Introduction This survey uses grounds reappraisal of the literature, adept evocation, and systems kineticss attacks to analyze consumer credence of agrifood nanotechnology. This chapter hence gives a brief overview of the nutrient and agricultural systems and how nanotechnology interacts with the systems. Current and possible nutrient applications of nanoscience and nanotechnology ; stakeholder perceptual experience of emerging engineerings for agrifood merchandises ; overview of systems kineticss and systems patterning ; and overview of adept evocation, are discussed as a background to the survey. The chapter eventually discusses the theoretical foundation and model of survey Overview of Food and Agricultural Systems The possible applications of nanotechnology in the agrifood system were foremost addressed in 2003 in a roadmap published by the United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA 2003 ) . The anticipation was that the full nutrient supply concatenation would be affected by progresss in nanotechnology. Whatever the impacts of nanotechnology on the agrifood industry and merchandises come ining the market, consumer credence will be a cardinal driver ( Roco 2005 ) . Agribusiness by its nature is integrated to the solutions to most rising national issues, such as H2O direction, infective diseases, rural-urban migration, future energy supply concerns, land direction, the wellness shortage, desertification, clime alteration, and terrorist act, among other concerns ( AAFC 2006 ) . The connexion of agribusiness to these precedences has been categorized into the undermentioned wide subjects by the Science Bureau of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada ( AAFC 2006 ) : Public wellness, safety and security: The nexus between nutrient, nutrition, wellness and health ; and the safety and security of the capacity to bring forth nutrient Environmental sustainability and stewardship: Agricultural direction patterns that enhance environmental stewardship Energy: Direct coevals of energy from biomass ( e.g. bio-ethanol, bio-diesel, biogas ) and indirect coevals through bioprocess engineerings such as anaerobiotic digestion, pyrolysis, and gasification Global economic competition: The application of agribusiness scientific discipline and invention to back up the international fight and productiveness of farms and agri-industries. : Global agribusiness is in a province of flux despite its connexions to these precedences. Since the latter half of the twentieth Century it has undergone both structural and technological alterations ( AAFC 2006 ) . The agricultural system has become more amalgamate and larger in operational graduated table as a consequence of progresss in agricultural scientific discipline and engineering. This has led to reduced operational costs with each phase of the agribusiness system, and increased international competition ( AAFC 2006 ; Malik et Al. 2009 ) . Progresss in production methods and engineerings have led to diminishing trade good monetary values, partially due to flood. The ensuing diminution in net incomes additions force per unit area to bring forth more and to further cut down operational costs ( AAFC 2006 ) . This coiling consequence has resulted in important impairment in farm profitableness and sustainable growing. This has finally affected fight of the sector and the economi c viability of commodity-dependent communities. Industry stakeholders are discerning about a new age of urgency with the turning call for alteration to the industry ( AAFC 2006 ) . New cognition find and its application are portion of the solution. Agrifood nanotechnologies are in the frontier of this new cognition find and have been predicted to convey cardinal alterations to the agrifood industry. New cognition needs to fuel invention ( Bernstein A ; Singh 2008 ) that, in bend, affects every aspect of nutrient production, altering the manner nutrient is grown, processed, preserved, transported, distributed, and consumed, and this is the promise of nanotechnology in agribusiness. Overview of Agrifood Nanotechnology Nanotechnology is an enabling and a riotous engineering that has the possible to transform the full agribusiness and nutrient systems. Historically agribusiness has dealt with heightening nutrient safety and nutrient security by bettering the efficiency of harvest production, nutrient processing, environmental impacts of nutrient production, storage, transit and distribution. Nanotechnology can be used to turn to these historical concerns, and modern-day ends of nutrient defence. Agrifood systems security, bringing systems for disease intervention in workss and farm animate beings, fresh methods for molecular and cellular biological science, development of new stuffs for pathogen sensing and new ways environmental protection are illustrations of the importance of interplay of nanotechnology in the agrifood systems ( USDA 2003 ) . The applications of nanotechnology in agribusiness and the industry of nutrient merchandises come with its possible hazards. The U.S. is a clear leader in n anofood research and development ( R A ; D ) and nanotechnology research in general. Globally one million millions of dollars have been invested in nanotechnology research and applications in all Fieldss including medical specialty, rural H2O supply, energy, agribusiness, defence, biodiversity and environment. However, the degree and rate of investings varies across different states and legal powers. It has been predicted that by 2010, nanofood merchandises deserving $ 20 billion may be on the market ( Downey 2006 ) . If these tendencies should go on, nanotechnology is expected to go a premier driver and focal point of inventions in the agrifood system in the coming decennary ( Downey 2006 ) . Research and development is taking to 100s of agrifood nanotechnology applications and merchandises and there has been a reported addition of investings by many of the taking transnational nutrient and drink companies in these developments ( Garber 2007 ) . Food packaging is the taking agrifood nanotechnology application and presently nutrient packaging merchandises are the most available nanoproducts on the U.S. markets ( Asadi A ; Mousavi 2006 ; Downey 2006 ) . Nanomaterials are of peculiar significance and are being used to better the safety and quality of nutrient. Nanomaterials inhibit the flow of O and C dioxide by functioning as barriers ( Downey 2006 ) . Nanomaterials can besides be embedded in the packaging and engineered to observe and antagonize food-borne pathogens ( McHugh 2008 ) . Research is presently aimed at conveying the benefits of nanotechnology to society through apprehension and application of affair at the nanoscale. The initial aim to understand nanoscale phe nomena and procedures and to make nanomaterials led to a bustle of basic and cardinal research in the early phases of nanotechnology research. Although there is presently a passage from cardinal research to utile applications in nutrient, there is still a batch of basic research traveling on and the emerging translational research is confronting some major challenges that are pulling a batch of attending ( Bugusu 2006 ) . As stated earlier, the U.S. is presently the leader in research into nanofood applications. The USDA through the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service ( CSREES ) supported and funded research plan on nanobased detectors and its assorted applications in the agrifood systems ( Bugusu 2006 ; USDA 2008 ) . Research on packaging and processing are besides being conducted by the nutrient industry. Some of the largest nutrient makers in the universe, including Nestle, Altria, H.J. Heinz and Unilever, are taking this attempt, while 100s of smaller com panies follow their lead ( Garber 2007 ) . Notwithstanding the possible benefits, compared with other nanotechnology applications and merchandises, nanofoods do non acquire a batch of promotion. The ramping argument over nanofood safety and ordinances has been reported to hold slowed the debut of nanofood merchandises as compared to other nanoproducts, but research and development continue to boom ( Garber 2007 ) . It is besides, interesting to observe that, most of the larger companies are maintaining their activities quiet for fright of public recoil ( Garber 2007 ) . Whereas the hazards associated with nanotechnology applications in other countries such as cosmetics and medical specialty, are every bit ill-defined, the public seems to be far less speedy to accept nanotechnology application when it comes to nutrient supply. Although the hazard associated with nanotechnology remains ill-defined, its possible to positively impact agribusiness and nutrient systems is huge in footings of nutrient merchandise safety and quality, and improved environmental and consumer wellness and health ( Bugusu 2006 ) . Kuzma and VerHage ( 2006 ) have extensively discussed the possible benefits and hazards of agrifood nanotechnology. Harmonizing to their study, there are several possible applications of agrifood nanotechnology in the countries of preciseness harvest and farm animal production. Nanomaterials being developed to heighten the precise usage of agro-chemicals are of peculiar involvement. An illustration is a nanotechnology-based pesticide under development that will merely go active when inside the mark insects ( Downey 2006 ) . Nanotechnology has the potency for supplying more efficient application of pesticides, fertilisers and other agro-chemicals to relieve poorness through improved nutrient security, land usage, and environmental sustainability ( Kuzma A ; VerHage 2006 ) . In relation to functional nutrients, the possible technology of nanomaterials to observe and barricade harmful substances in nutrient, such as unwanted cholesterin or allergens, from impacting the organic structur e will besides be extremely good. The development of nanomaterials that can selectively come in cell walls could convey important nutritionary and wellness benefits ( Downey 2006 ) . However, some of these nanomaterials are inherently different by their nature in footings of chemical responsiveness and physical belongingss from of course happening substances, and could hold unexpected side effects ( Downey 2006 ) . Current and Potential Food Applications of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Nanotechnology is going progressively of import for the nutrient sector, and progresss are already being made in the countries of nutrient packaging and nutrient safety. The incorporation of nanomaterials into nutrient packaging is expected to better the barrier belongingss of packaging stuffs and should thereby assist to cut down the usage of valuable natural stuffs and the coevals of waste ( Sozer A ; Kokini 2009 ) . Edible nanolaminates may besides hold possible utilizations in encapsulation systems for environmental protection ( Chen et al. 2006 ) . These applications could be used in fresh fruits and veggies, bakeshop merchandises and confectionery, where they might protect the nutrient from wet, lipoids, gases, off-flavors and olfactory properties ( Sozer A ; Kokini 2009 ) . Naturally-occurring biopolymers and other biological molecules of nanosize graduated table, such as oligosaccharides or polyoses and proteins, can be used for the encapsulation of vitamins, prebiotics and probiotics preparations, and for drug-delivery systems or nutraceuticals ( Sozer A ; Kokini 2009 ) and as target-specific-recognition agents that could be used as biosensors in nutrients ( Tarver 2008 ) . These biosensors are envisaged to be used as sensors of pathogens and other contaminations in nutrient and for tracking nutrient merchandises to assist ease nutrient callbacks for illustration. These advanced devices and techniques being developed are to ease the readying of nutrient samples and their precise and cheap analysis ( Chen et al. 2006 ) . From this point of position, the development of nanosensors to observe micro-organisms and contaminations is a peculiarly promising application of nutrient nanotechnology. Nanosensors can besides be used in the preparation of nutrient additives such as spirits and antioxidants ( Chaudhry et al. 2008 ) . This is aimed at bettering the functionality of these additives while cut downing their concentration. Although nanotechnology has the possible to happen applications in the full nutrient supply concatenation, commercial applications of many of the methods are presently either excessively expensive or non executable ( Tarver 2008 ) . The most cost-efficient applications of nanotechnology in the nutrient industry are presently in the countries of fresh functional stuffs development, nutrient munition and preparations, nutrient processing at both micro and nano graduated table degrees, nutrient merchandise development, and storage A? ( Tarver 2008 ) . However, the pertinence of nanotechnology in the agrifood industry is certain to increase as research and developments continue to emerge. Consumer credence and the geographic expedition of regulative issues are the chief keys to the success of these promotions. Agrifood manufacturers, makers, every bit good as consumers could do considerable paces in environmental protection, nutrient safety, nutrient security and nutrient defence throug h nanotechnology applications ( Tarver 2008 ) . Stakeholder perceptual experience of emerging engineerings for Agrifood Merchandises Research workers interested in the factors responsible for consumer pick, purchase behaviour, and credence of nutrients processed by novel and emerging nutrient engineerings, such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, ionising radiation, pulsed electric Fieldss, and ultraviolet optical maser intervention, face disputing jobs ( Cardello 2003 ) . Optimizing the centripetal quality of these nutrients is of import to consumer credence and their success in the market topographic point as it is with most nutrient merchandises ( Siegrist 2008 ) . However, optimum centripetal quality, entirely, will non vouch consumer credence. This is because consumer perceptual experiences of nutrient quality do non depend entirely on the intrinsic centripetal features of the merchandise. Rather, they rely to a great extent on a host of factors that are extrinsic to the merchandise ( Cardello 2003 ) . Variables related to both the merchandise and the prospective consumer of the merchandise like contextual, cog nitive, societal, cultural and attitudinal factors are extrinsic to the merchandise. In the instance of fresh nutrients or nutrients that have been processed by novel or emerging engineerings, concerns about the nature of the nutrient and/or the nature of the processing engineerings that have been used to handle the nutrient, become paramount considerations for the consumer faced with pick and purchase determinations ( Cardello 2003 ) . It is by and large agreed that sensed benefit is an of import factor act uponing credence of new nutrients ( Frewer et al. 2003 ) . However, even though a figure of surveies have demonstrated the importance of sensed benefits for the credence of new nutrient engineerings, credence of fresh nutrient by consumers can non be reduced to it ( Siegrist 2008 ) and this is one of the motives for this survey. By and large, consumers see new nutrient engineerings as more hazardous than traditional nutrient engineerings ( Siegrist 2008 ) . Merchandise belongingss besides influence consumer credence of new merchandises. Gene engineering is good accepted for medical applications, but European consumers for case are hesitating to purchase GM nutrients ( Boecker A ; Nzuma 2007 ) . This clearly illustrates that credence of a new engineering may be influenced by belongingss and usage of the merchandise. Another factor related to the merchandise is the monetary value. A bulk of British consumers seems willing to buy GM nutrients if they are cheaper than traditional nutrients ( Spence A ; Townsend 2006 ) . On the whole, perceived naturalness seems to be an of import factor act uponing credence of fresh nutrient engineerings in add-on to comprehend benefits, perceived hazards, quality and monetary value ( Cox et al. 2006 ) . Consumers have really limited cognition of new engineerings, such as nanotechnology ( Cobb 2005 ) . As a consequence, most consumers are unable to make up ones mind whether new nutrients produced by such engineerings are associated with possible hazards. A manner people deal with deficiency of cognition is to trust on trust to cut down the complexness of determinations ( Siegrist 2008 ) . Some surveies have found that trust in establishments, or in scientists carry oning research on familial alteration or utilizing modified merchandises, is an of import factor act uponing perceptual experience of cistron engineering ( Siegrist et al. 2007a ) . Trust is said to hold an impact on sensed hazard every bit good as on sensed benefit and an indirect impact on the credence of, or willingness to purchase, GM nutrients. It has besides been postulated that attitudes toward new nutrient engineerings may be embedded in a system of general attitudes and values ( Grunert et al. 2003 ) . Peoples use semantically connected information for these appraisals and the rating of a new engineering has been found to depend on the constructs and images that are related to this new nutrient engineering ( Siegrist 2008 ) . Environmental attitudes have besides been found to hold a moderate influence on credence of cistron engineering ( Siegrist 2008 ) . Consumers hesitate to accept fresh nutrient engineerings and nutrients processed with emerging engineerings associated with potentially new hazards without any clear benefits. It is of extreme importance, hence, that consumers and the populace in general be informed and educated about possible benefits and hazards of fresh nutrient engineerings ( Siegrist 2008 ) . If a new engineering allows the debut of new and advanced merchandises with clear and touchable benefits, consumers are most likely to accept it ( Bruhn 2008 ; Siegrist 2008 ) . Successful merchandise development is driven by consumer demands, and consumer credence is a cardinal facet ( MacFie 2007 ) . The nutrient engineering used to make a merchandise may act upon consumers willingness to purchase it ( Siegrist 2008 ) . However, the nutrient engineering is less of import when the merchandise is extremely good and satisfies consumers demands. Consumers may non accept a new nutrient engineering when they are convinced that the engineering provides no extra value to them or to society and may merely hold advantages for manufacturers and the industry ( Siegrist 2008 ) . There are barely any negative public reactions to high force per unit area treating engineerings of nutrient although it has besides got its attender hazard and some degree of uncertainness ( Butz et al. 2003 ) . In contrast, other nutrient engineerings, such as cistron engineering, are non good accepted in Europe ( Gaskell et al. 2000 ; Boecker A ; Nzuma 2007 ) . Public credence is, nevertheless, an unfastened inquiry for other nutrient engineerings such as nanotechnology ( Siegrist 2008 ) , which has the possible to bring forth radically new nutrient merchandises and is progressively being employed in the countries of nutrient production and packaging ( Kuzma A ; VerHage 2006 ) . How the populace will respond to nanotechnology nutrient merchandises is, at present, ill-defined ( Siegrist et al. 2007a ) . In order to examine these and other inquiries, this survey is utilizing grounds reappraisal of the literature, experts sentiment, and systems mapping to analyze consumer attitudes towards agrifood nanotechnology. Overview of Systems Dynamics and Systems Modeling Harmonizing to Barlas ( 2008 ) the term system refers to world A? or some facets of world. He defined a system as a aggregation of interconnected elements, organizing a meaningful whole A? ( Barlas 2008 ) . It is common hence, to speak about a transit system, a fiscal system, an invention system, a societal system, a legal system, a political system, a health care system, a production system, a distribution system, an ecological system, an educational system, an agrifood system, or a biological system. Every individual one of these systems is made of different factors and belongingss interacting and linked in a eventful manner, so that the system on the whole can presumptively function its intents ( Barlas 2008 ) . Modeling A? is a normally used scientific attack for job designation and creative activity of solutions infinites. A theoretical account can be defined as a representation of selected facets of a existent system with regard to some particular job ( s ) A? ( Barlas 2008 ) . Therefore, theoretical accounts of systems, A? are non built, but theoretical accounts of selected facets of systems to analyze specific jobs are built. As with this survey, agrifood systems are non being built, non even agrifood nanotechnology systems, but merely a constituent with agrifood nanotechnology consumer credence. The chief factor that drives the usage of mold is a job. The term dynamic, in mundane usage, means in gesture or altering over clip and dynamic jobs have variables that change significantly over clip. System kineticss as a subject uses systemic feedback mechanisms to cover with dynamic policy jobs ( Barlas 2008 ) . Such jobs arise from the interactions between the different variables that characterize the system and from the feedbacks between the decision-making actions and the corresponding system s reactions. The chief end of a system kineticss survey is to place a dynamic job and to understand the causes of the job, and so hunt for policies that alleviate or eliminate those jobs ( Barlas 2008 ) . System kineticss patterning is a tool that can account for complex and dynamic characteristics of systems. It is in its babyhood for turn toing policy inquiries related to scientific discipline and engineering, yet it has been shown to be a powerful and edifying tool for concern determinations. System kineticss is an attack that allows for the apprehension of complex systems over clip. Whereas, most theoretical accounts are additive with get downing and end points, system kineticss sees the universe as it is, with non-linear and interacting parts that feedback to and impact each other. It uses basic constructs like stocks A? ( degrees of measures that change over clip and necessitate to be tracked ) and flows A? ( rates of alteration ) . System kineticss patterning is a tool which addresses complexness and incorporates feedback cringles in systems, and the consequences of system kineticss theoretical accounts have shown to be valuable in placing factors that affect results of pro cedures, plans, and determinations ( Sterman 2001 ) . The first usage of system kineticss patterning day of the months back to 50 old ages ago for industrial kineticss A? or determinations about concerns, work force, and merchandise markets ( Forrester 1958 ) . Since so, system kineticss has been used to foretell results of medical intervention, land, economic, lodging and environmental policy ( SDS 2007 ) . In several cases, research workers have been able to accurately foretell unintended effects of public policies through utilizing system kineticss believing, function and theoretical accounts, such as the unforeseen impact that low cost lodging plans increases unemployment ( Forrester 1969 ) . Many groups are utilizing system kineticss to develop systems theoretical accounts collaboratively with the multiple ends of bi-directional communicating and acquisition, public battle, and better word pictures of real-world system ( Stave 2002 ) . The agrifood sector extends from input supply industries and agribusiness to nutrient processing, nutrient distribution, and retail ( Porter 1998 ) . In the flow of merchandises throughout the value concatenation as shown in figure 2.1 the sequence of different phases of sourcing, production, processing, and distribution involved in the proviso of nutrient to consumers , the interrelatednesss between the histrions constitute a classical ? ?System Dynamics environment, which is characterized by procedures that incorporate feedback loops every bit good as sequences of causes and effects with possible clip holds in between ( Fritz A ; Schiefer 2008a ) . The interrelatednesss spans nutrient supply ironss where they might stay stable due to contracts or imposts or nutrient supply webs where interrelatednesss develop dynamically through altering trade relationships from within a web of different endeavors that are active at each one of the phases of the value concatenation ( Fritz A ; Schiefer 2008b ) . The web scenario, which is dominant in most of the sector, poses a specific challenge for research to originate and back up the necessary invention and development kineticss to guarantee merchandise features like nutrient safety, nutrient quality or nutrient beginning at the consumers terminal ( Thompson, 2007 ) . This dynamics go even more interconnected when one considers the multidisciplinary nature of nanotechnology and its applications in the agrifood system ( Please refer to calculate 1.1 ) . The systems kineticss package used in this survey is Vensim. Features include dynamic maps, subscripting ( arrays ) , Monte Carlo sensitiveness analysis, optimisation, informations handling, application interfaces, and much more A? ( Vensim A ; Acirc ; Â ® 2008 ) . System dynamics theoretical accounts consist of assorted sorts of factors with different variables interconnected by causal pointers. Conventionally stock variables or accretions are represented with a box. Flows A? go in and out of stocks and are responsible for commanding the rate of alteration in a peculiar stock over clip. The altering stocks so provide the dynamic alteration over clip in the overall system. System dynamics methodological analysis is widely applied in patterning and analysing supply concatenation behaviour under unsure environment ( Vo A ; Thiel 2008 ) . The nature of a system in system kineticss methodological analysis is demonstrated by causal cringle ( influence ) diagrams which describes the major feedback mechanisms ( Georgiadis et al. 2005 ) . These mechanisms are either negative ( equilibrating ) feedback cringle which displays a goal-seeking behaviour where after an break, the system tries to return to a province of equilibrium, or positive feedback ( reenforcing ) loops where initial break creates a subsequent alteration bespeaking an unstable equilibrium ( Vlachos et al. 2007 ) . Causal loop diagrams play two major functions in system kineticss: ( 1 ) they serve as the initial studies of causal hypotheses during theoretical account development, and ( 2 ) they are used for the simplification of how a theoretical account is represented ( Georgiadis et al. 2005 ) . The representation of a dynamic system theoretical account incorporates both stock ( province ) and flow ( rate ) variables. Stock variables are what is referred to as the accretions ( i.e. stock lists ) , within the system, while flow variables show the flows in the system ( i.e. order rate ) , which are the by-product of the managerial procedure. The theoretical account construction and the interrelatednesss among the variables are represented by stock-flow diagrams. The mathematical function of a system dynamics stock-flow diagram occurs via a set of differential equations, which are numerically solved via simulation ( Georgiadis et al. 2005 ) . Although there are fluctuations in attacks to a typical system kineticss study depending on the nature of the job and manner of the modeller, specific standard stairss are by and large followed ( Barlas 2008 ; Maani A ; Cavana 2000 ) : Problem designation and definition ( purpose ) ; dynamic hypothesis and theoretical account conceptualisation ; formal theoretical account building ( The formal simulation theoretical account is built during this measure ) ; model credibleness ( cogency ) testing ; analysis of the theoretical account ; and design betterment ( After to the full proving and understanding the belongingss of the theoretical account, the concluding measure is to prove policy options to better the kineticss of the theoretical account ) . In this last measure, policy options are formulated and so tested by running simulations ( Barlas 2008 ; Maani A ; Cavana 2000 ) . In this survey, as portion of job designation and theoretical account building, adept evocation and grounds from the literature were used to bring forth the needed information. Overview of Expert Elicitation The term expert has non been defined utilizing any quantitative step but has been used to depict any single or group of individuals whose current or past Fieldss are in the country of survey, and who is/are seen as being more knowing about the topic ( Cooke A ; Goossens 2004 ) . Adept designation for a peculiar topic implies acquiring persons or individuals whose country of work or pattern is in that peculiar capable country and whom others regard as knowing. Although adept cognition is non a certainty it has ever played a big function in scientific discipline, engineering and technology and it is used within certain degree of assurance, acceptableness or grade of belief ( Van der Fels-Klerz et Al. 2002 ) . There is a wide acceptableness of adept judgement as merely another type of scientific informations, and methods are progressively being developed for handling it as such ( Goossens et al. 2008 ) . Adept sentiment is on a regular basis sought when proficient uncertainness or ambiguity impacts on a determination procedure ; and beging adept advice in such instances is non new ( Aspinall 2008 ) . Historically, it has been approached on an informal footing, and it has neer been found wholly fulfilling or immuned to legalize unfavorable judgment, by all stakeholders ( Aspinall 2008 ) . To avoid these defects, a well-designed expert judgement evocation is designed to handle adept sentiments as scientific information in a formal determination procedure by subjecting the whole procedure to transparent methodological regulations ( Aspinall 2008 ; USEPA 2009 ) . Assorted methods for arousing and measuring experts judgement and uniting adept uncertainness are available in the literature and have been used in pattern ( Morgan et al. 2001 ) . The simplest and the most preferable method in the absence of a better alternate, is to take all expect tonss to hold equal weight ( Cooke A ; Goos sens 1999 ) . Although this attack has an obvious entreaty, it has its jobs. An expert with a really strong divergent sentiment from the other experts can hold a immense impact on the resulting decision. This becomes a critical issue if this expert s appraisals can non be decently explained ( Hoffmann 2006 ) . However, as more and more experts are brought into the survey, the weight of the mark of an single expert tends to go rather diffuse. Another job associated with adept evocation is the systematic certitude exhibited by both experts and non-experts ( Morgan et al. 2001 ) . That is, given their cognition ; their subjective chance distributions tend to be excessively narrow A? ( Morgan et al. 2001 ) . After the set of experts has been identified as portion of the procedure, a determination is made as to which experts to utilize in the survey. In most surveies, the largest figure of experts is chosen based on the degree and handiness of resources ( Cooke et al. 2000 ) . Experts used in some old noteworthy surveies have been within the scope of 5 20 ( Linkov et al. 2006 ; Morgan A ; Henrion 1990 ) . Harmonizing to Cooke et Al. ( 2000 ) a panel of eight experts is to be recommended as a regulation of pollex ; and in any event, at least four experts for a given topic should be chosen A? . The usage of experts names is another repeating issue in the literature. The general consensus nevertheless, is that adept names and associations should be portion of the published study but single experts should non be associated by name with their appraisals ( Cooke A ; Probst 2006 ; USEPA 2009 ) . Based on several different grounds, the association should b

Strategies of Advertising Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Strategies of Advertising - Essay Example By this time most people carrying out the advertisements were not in apposition to pay for the media expenses. However, currently viewers are in a better position to comprehend the advertisements much more easily as almost every body can access the media. This, subsequently have made the advertisements easily visible as well as audible (Amazon.com, 2007). The ultimate outcome normally depends on the manner advertising techniques are employed. There has been, on the other hand, a wide application of what is called custom publishing which usually aims at reaching a particular community segment. This, for instance may include anti-smoking advertisements which has been employed by the cancer charities and other anti-smoking groups in collaboration with several government health departments in trial to contain the tobacco advertisement (Sheriga, 2008). They thus establish their own advertisement in order to bring to lime light the negative impacts of smoking. Initially, several commercial advertisements usually assisting cessation of smoking as well as reduce to risk posed lung cancer and its aftermath. Several advertisers employ some sneaky strategies in order to get the attention of the consumers. Generally, advertisements are expected and as well accepted in every society. They are perceived to have nothing wrong in them by most people who usually view them every day. Most people have created the notion that the products advertised are always good ones and that the products being advertised on televisions have nothing wrong in it. Convincing the consumers to buy the products being advertised came about with some strategies. Several commercials which have nothing to do with a product on the other hand have been employing certain lifestyles (Carroll, 2009). Some of the commonly used strategies include: i). Ideal Families and Kids. Research by Raylight (2007) indicate that most TV adverts targeting families usually show up perfect families that appear to be having a hip looking modern styles such as latest hair cuts, hottest fashions as well as toys. These families appearing in the adverts acts as representatives of the type of ideal families the several children viewing the commercial would prefer their families or even themselves to appear. This subsequently leads the children's families to buying the product being marketed in these commercial adverts. The fact is that buying of these products can not make them perfect families. All what the advertisers want is for you to purchase their products. ii). Star Power Some celebrity stars have been employed to market several products through advertisements. Someone's music star, for instance, convincing them to purchase the products they are advertising would make the music fan to buy the goods without realizing that they don't necessarily possess those products or even use them but they are there just for the money. Celebrity stars are used to get attention of the fans as well as watchers who acknowledge them (Raylight, 2007). iii) Sounds Good The attention of the watchers is sometimes gotten in commercial advertisement by playing some good music and sounds which can add some excitement to the viewers. This mainly applies to commercial products meant for kids.

Discrete and Combinatorial Mathematics (Week 4) Assignment

Discrete and Combinatorial Mathematics (Week 4) - Assignment Example 8.) Figure 11.10 shows an undirected graph representing a section of a department store. The vertices indicate where cashiers are located; the edges denote unblocked aisles between cashiers. The department store wants to set up a security system where (plainclothes) guards are placed at certain cashier locations so that each cashier either has a guard at his or her location or is only one aisle away from a cashier who has a guard. What is the smallest number of guards needed? 15.) For the undirected graph in Fig. 11.12, find and solve a recurrence relation for the number of closed v-v walks of length n ≠¥ 1, if we allow such a walk, in this case, to contain or consist of one or more loops. 22.) For the graph in Fig. 11.37(b), what is the smallest number of bridges that must be removed so that the resulting subgraph has an Euler trail but not an Euler circuit? Which bridge(s) should we remove? You are an electrical engineer designing a new integrated circuit involving potentially millions of components. How would you use graph theory to organize how many layers your chip must have to handle all of the interconnections, for example? Which properties of graphs come into play in such a circumstance? If the likelihood of the edge (v1, v2) is 50%, then there are equal chances that that edge will not be a section of the edge set. Similarly, for all the pair of vertices we can say that there is equal probability of having or not having an edge between those two. So, if there are n vertices in the vertex set then there can be maximum n "single connected component" (in which no edge is there) of that graph or minimum one connected component in which all the vertices are connected to each

Practice and Principles of Nursing Essay Example for Free

Practice and Principles of Nursing Essay Principles and Practices of Nursing We will describe collaborating with other health care professionals in the management of health care, and what should be done according to this regulation. (Oklahoma Board of Nursing, 2011). We will describe confidentiality and discuss how it affects the Nurses professional decision making in this Case study. We will discuss the ethical implications of placing this patient on the ventilator. We will discuss things the Patients brother Mr.Y should consider before agreeing to allow Dr. K to place the Patient Mr. E on the ventilator, and facts that affect the Patients Advance Directive. We will discuss violations of HIPAA seen in this Case Study. We will discuss the conduct of the Nurses in this case study. We will discuss the steps the professional Nurse should take based on the ANA code of ethics. Collaboration is not just cooperation, it is the combined efforts of a team to provide the best care possible (Nursing World, 2010). The Physician and nurse should be working together to achieve the best care for this Patient. The Nurse and Physician should discuss the Patients condition and wishes and the wishes of the family if the Patient is incapable of making decisions for himself (Nursing World, 2010). The nurse and Physician should make certain the patients brother knows about the advance directive, so he will be able to make an informed decision about his brothers care. Confidentiality is very important in the medical field. Confidentiality represents a relationship between Patient and care giver of trust and respect for his privacy (Nursing World, 2010). If a Patient is unsure of privacy then the communication will be adversely affected. The Nurse in this scenario should never discuss patients in the dining area, the waiting room, or anywhere else that privacy can not be guaranteed (Nursing World, 2010). The nurse should never discuss the patients condition with family members if they do not have medical power of attorney or been given permission by the medical power of attorney to do so (Nursing World, 2010). The nurse should not discuss patient with other staff members unless they are directly responsible for giving care and have a need to know (Nursing World, 2010). This Patient has signed an Advance Directive and has named his brother as Power of Attorney (Nursing World, 2010 ). This fact was never discussed with the brother before this Patient was put on the Ventilator. The patients brother was not the one who gave permission for the procedure to put patient on the ventilator(Nursing World, 2010). The brother needs to tconsider these facts before giving Dr. K permission to place the patient on the ventilator. The patient has a low oxygen level of 88%. He has a low grade temp of 101 degree F. His mental capacity may not be adequate to make this decision without assistance (Nursing World, 2010). The brother needs to consider the fact that the patient had the Advance Directive before he became ill, and consider his ability to make decisions at the time he signed the advance directive (Nursing World, 2010). There were several HIPAA violations noted in this scenario. The physician spoke to the niece about the condition of the patient without consent of the power of attorney or the patient (Sheahan, 2011). The nurse spoke to other staff who were not directly responsible for the care of this patient (Sheahan, 2011). The nurse also discussed patient information in a very public place where anyone could overhear the conversation (Sheahan, 2011). The nurse who was directly responsible for this patient did not advocate for this patients rights. The nurse had information that she never gave to anyone in a position to make decisions for this patient (Nursing World, 2010 ). The nurses used derogatory language when speaking of this patient (Nursing World, 2010). The nurses had no consideration for the patients privacy or dignity in this scenerio. None of the nurses offered to help educate the nurse who admitted she knew nothing of HIPAA. The Nurse needs to protect the Patients privacy at all times. The nurse should Advocate for the Patients rights to refuse treatment or have his Power of Attorney make this decision for him (Nursing World, 2010). The nurse needs to insist the Physician or she herself speak with the brother again to clarify that the niece could give permission to place Patient on Ventilator before the procedure is performed. The nurse should never have gone to lunch before she had obtained permission from the power of attorney to allow the procedure to be performed. The Nurse should also give her fellow employees in the cafateria a copy of the Nurse Practice acts of Oklahoma, the Nurses Code of Ethics and HIPAA. She needs to be certain that all of the nurses involved including herself understands all three of these papers. The nurse should request that they not speak in a derogatory fashion of any patient, and make certain they understand that they are in violation of the nursing code of ethics and HIPAA (Nursing World, 2010). We have discussed the nursing regulation collaborating with other health professionals in the management of health care, it’s importance, and what the health care team should do in this situation (Nursing World, 2010 ). We have discussed confidentiality, and the professional Nurses role in maintaining confidentiality. We have discussed the ethical implications of putting this Patient on the ventilator. We have discussed things his Brother needs to know and consider before making this decision for the patient and things that could interfere with the Advance Directive. We found several HIPAA violationa.  We have discussed the conduct of the nurses in this scenerio. We have discussed the things the professional nursw should do.

anthropic principle :: essays research papers

The Anthropic Principle In the early 1970s, Brandon Carter stated what he called "the anthropic principle": that what we can expect to observe "must be restricted by the conditions necessary for our presence as observers" (Leslie ed. 1990). Carter’s word "anthropic" was intended as applying to intelligent beings in general. The "weak" version of his principle covered the spatiotemporal districts in which observers found themselves, while its "strong" version covered their universes, but the distinction between spatiotemporal districts and universes, and hence between the weak principle and the strong, could not always be made firmly: one writer’s "universe" could sometimes be another’s "gigantic district". Moreover, the necessity involved was never -- not even in the case of the "strong anthropic principle" -- a matter of saying that some factor, for instance God, had made our universe utterly fated to be in telligent-life-permitting, let alone intelligent-life-containing. However, all these points have often been misunderstood and, at least when it comes to stating what words mean, errors regularly repeated can cease to be errors. Has Carter therefore lost all right to determine what "anthropic principle" and "strong anthropic principle" really mean? No, he has not, for his suggestion that observership’s prerequisites might set up observational selection effects is of such importance. Remember, it could throw light on any observed fine tuning without introducing God. Everything is thrust into confusion when people say that belief in God "is supported by the anthropic principle", meaning simply that they believe in fine tuning and think God can explain it. As enunciated by Carter , the anthropic principle does not so much as mention fine tuning. Being aware of possible "anthropic" observational selection effects can encourage one set of expectations, and belief in God another set. If suspecting that Carter’s anthropic principle has practical importance, you will be readier to believe (i) that there exist multiple universes and (ii) that their characteristics have been settled randomly, some mechanism such as cosmic inflation ensuring that all was settled in the same fashion throughout the region visible to our telescopes. True, the believer in God can accept these things too, yet he or she may feel far less pressure to accept them. Even if there existed only a single universe, God could have fine tuned it in ways that encouraged intelligent life to evolve. A possible argument for preferring the God hypothesis runs as follows. A physical force strength or elementary particle mass can often seem to have required tuning to such and such a numerical value, plus or minus very little, for several different reasons.

Blood Typing Lab

Name_____________________________________ Block__________________ Date_____________________ Forensics Mystery Blood Typing Lab Scenario: Police are called to a house where they discover a body near the back door. There is a fresh pool of blood by the victim’s head. Officers question the neighbors and learn that a plumber and an electrician made service calls to the house just hours before. They were able to trace both. They recover a shirt with a dark stains from the service van of the plumber and rags with similar dark stains from electrician’s van.Your forensics lab receives the following items to test: Sample 1: Stained cloth from plumber’s van Sample 2: Stained cloth from the electrician’s van Sample 3: Blood collected from under the victim’s head Test Background: The phenolphthalein test is a highly sensitive, being capable of detecting blood spots practically invisible to the eye. In an actual criminal case, a positive phenolphthalein test wou ld be followed by tests to determine the species that produced the blood and if these tests indicate the blood is human, by tests to determine ABO, Rh and other blood groups.There is no point in pursuing typing and species identification procedures if the phenolphthalein test is negative. The phenolphthalein test is not absolutely specific for blood because most plants and some animal cells can also cause a positive reaction. Discussion Questions: 1. Does a positive phenolphthalein test prove that a stain is caused by blood? 2. Does a positive phenolphthalein test prove that a stain is caused by human blood? Procedure 1: 1. Test the shirt and rags to determine if the stains are caused by blood. 2. Place a drop of phenolphthalein/peroxide solution on each stain. 3.Observe if a color change occurs. A purple-violet color reaction indicates that blood (heme) is present (positive reaction). Absence of this reaction indicates that blood is not present. 4. Record your results: Color reacti on for Sample 1:_________________________ Color reaction for Sample 2:_________________________ Based on the results of this test, which person, the plumber or the electrician becomes your prime suspect? ____________________________________________________________________________ Additional Information: When confronted, your chief suspect claims to have a nosebleed, thus accounting for the blood stain.Investigators have now been able to recover a blood sample (Sample 4 ) from the suspect’s van. It is suitable for blood typing. You ask and receive a blood sample from the suspect (Sample 5). Proceed to Procedure 2. Test Background: Blood groups are created by molecules present on the surface of red blood cells. The table shows the four ABO phenotypes (â€Å"blood groups†) present in the human population. When red blood cells carrying one or both antigens are exposed to the corresponding antibodies, they agglutinate; that is, clump together.People usually have antibodies against those red cell antigens that they lack. The ABO Blood Groups Blood Group| Red Cell Antigen (Protein on blood cell)| Serum Antibody (Produced by Body)| A| A| Anti-B| B| B| Anti-A| AB| A and B| Neither| O| Neither| Anti -A and Anti -B| Discussion Questions: 1. How do you determine a person’s blood type? 2. Can a person’s blood type prove or disprove that he/she committed a crime? How? Procedure 2: 1. Add a drop of synthetic anti-A (blue) to the well labeled A. Replace cap. . Always replace the cap on the vial before opening the next vial to prevent cross contamination. . Add a drop of synthetic anti-B (yellow) to the well labeled B. Replace cap. 3. Add a drop of synthetic anti-Rh serum (clear) to the well labeled Rh. Replace cap. 4. Using the dropper vial, place a drop of Sample 3 (the victim’s blood) in each well of the blood typing slide. DO NOT TOUCH THE WELL! 5. Replace the cap on the dropper vial. 6. Using a different color mixing stick for each well (blue for anti-A, yellow for anti-B & white for anti –Rh), gently stir the synthetic blood and anti-serum drops for 30 seconds.Remember to discard each mixing stick after a single use to avoid cross contamination. 7. WAIT 60 Seconds. 8. Carefully examine the thin films of liquid mixture left behind. If the film remains uniform in appearance, there is no agglultination (no clumps, negative reaction). If the film as clumps, agglutination has occurred (positive reaction) 9. Determine blood type of the sample using the data table below. Answer yes or no as to whether agglutination occurred in each sample. A positive agglutination reaction indicates blood type. 10. Record the results for each blood sample in the data table.Data Table | Sample 3| Sample 4| Sample 5| Anti-A| | | | Anti-B| | | | Rh| | | | Blood type| | | | 11. Then repeat steps 1-9 for Samples 4 and 5. Record each results on table. 12. Thoroughly rinse the blood typing slides and return all materials. Conclusion: Bas ed on your results, did the blood collected from the suspect’s van come from the suspect? ____________________________________________________ Could this blood have come from the victim? ____________________________ What can you conclude from your results? (Remember to cite your data). __________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________