Why might Livingstone and Lunts approach to infotainment be criticized Essay

Why might Livingstone and Lunts approach to infotainment be criticized from Habermas perspective on the public sphere - Essay Example These realizations led to the postulations that communication had two dimensions with one dimension covering the overall communication of human beings and the other dimension covering the characteristics of communications that result from dynamics that influence communication at a given time and space (Outhwaite 2006, p.98). Therefore, communication is not a new concept. The current approaches to communication involve the works of Jurgen Habermas who approached communication using post-modernism and argued from a philosophical perspective. Herbamas concept of communication is that it should involve a deliberate action between the communicating parties to create harmony through a process known as rationalization. In essence, communication involves actors who take it upon themselves to create harmony and to solve problems through the process of communication. In essence, communication seized to be just an avenue for people to exchange ideas but an active tool that can be used to solve the problems outlined by the English Philosopher Thomas Hobbes (Outhwaite, Habermas: a critical introduction 2009, p.70). Habermas outlines that communicative action is not just communication but that it uses the tools of communication (Outhwaite, Habermas: a critical introduction, 2009). In essence, Habermas implies that for communicative action to take place both parti es have to be active participants. A central postulation to Habermas analysis of communication is that communication has to be rational. The concept of rationality is not new in the field of philosopher and sociology dating back from the times of philosophers like Plato and Rene Descartes. Although rationality is also still surrounded by controversy in terms of definition, the paper will approach rationality as concerning sound mind and reasoning. Communication in the contemporary world has taken a dynamic dimension beginning with the mass production of print media and cable television which has been the major

Chinese Business Culture Essay Example for Free

Chinese Business Culture Essay In accordance with our theories, it is necessary for Western exporters to learn about the Chinese business culture in order to be successful in marketing in China. There is an old Chinese proverb, â€Å"Enter village, follow customs†. The Chinese civilization has a long history and evidence shows that the way to get things done in China is to do it in the Chinese way. Chinese business culture is the key to the Chinese way of doing business and their style of negotiating (Fang 1998, p. 71). In this chapter, we aim to provide a framework to help those Western exporters get a better understanding of Chinese people’s business culture. 1. 0 Influence of Confucianism The Chinese culture encompasses diverse and competing philosophies, of which, Confucianism has been identified as the foundation of China’s great cultural tradition. Confucian values emphasis on interpersonal relationship and has provided Chinese business people with a relationship-based business approach (Bond Wang 1983). An ordinary Chinese person would also agree that business and marketing in China is about relationships to a great extent. The principle of harmony and trust in Confucianism reflects an aspiration toward a conflict-free and group-based system of social relations, and also means that communication in a business negotiation should be harmonious. Further, the principle of hierarchy emphasizes that each individual should be conscious of her or his position in the society, which is also evident in a business negotiation in China, especially in a decision-making process. (Bond Wang 1983) 2. 0 Guan Xi The Chinese term guan xi, rooted from Confucianism and translated into relationships or connections, is one of the most important traits of Chinese business culture, referring to the concept of drawing on connections or networks in order to secure favours in personal or business relations (Davies et al. 1995). It is a set of concentric circles of contacts, typically stretching from close family, to distant, to more distant relatives, to classmates, to friends, to friends’ friends, and so forth. In the Chinese business world, networking of guan xi is a peculiar advantage which can contribute a variety of commercial privileges and a great deal of business potentials for the marketer. This approach contrasts sharply with the deal-focused, task-oriented business cultures of North America and northern Europe (Gesteland Seyk 2002). Therefore, to establish a great guan xi with the Chinese counterpart, partners, customers, even the Chinese authorities and government should be an extremely important marketing strategy of Western exporter that wants to be successful on the Chinese market. 3. 0 Establishing a relationship Being relationship-focused, Chinese prefer to deal with family, friends, and persons who they know well and who they can trust. They are uncomfortable talking business with strangers, especially strangers who also are foreigners (Gesteland Seyk 2002). For this reason, the first step of business negotiation in China takes a lot of time outside of the office for socializing. The Chinese invite foreign guests for dinners, sightseeing, and other activities in order to facilitate the process of getting to know each other. The Chinese will want to know about this foreign company, its reputation and its management, and will be especially interested in the background, rank and personality of the individual foreign executives making the visit. A Western executive may become impatient with this step, both out of pressure to reach a deal quickly and out of the desire to separate business from the private aspect. However, what the Chinese are really doing at this stage is to test the sincerity, intelligence and deference of their prospective business partner before considering doing business with him or her. (Fang 1998) 4. 0 Attitudes to contracts Confucianism’s principles of interpersonal relationship and trust can even make many Chinese business people put relationships before contract (Alston He 1996). Many Chinese believe that risk in the business can be minimized by developing a quality relationship of guan xi with their business partners. They are more likely to see a contract as a basis of relationship rather than a legal document. Most of the Chinese executives involved in international business realize that Western executives require formal documents in which delivery dates, responsibilities and procedures are explicitly stated and will respect the clauses which they have agreed to. While the Chinese tend to think that, once a relationship has been established, future problems can be solved without legal recourse. And the Chinese are inclined to prefer agreements that are less detailed than the Westerner. Because, for them, changes are anticipated and those detailed contracts can become relatively useless. (Alston He 1996) Therefore, for a Western exporter, it would be wise to follow the Chinese model and only enter into business relationships with partners one knows and trusts. 5. 0 Face Another important Chinese cultural trait is the Chinese concept of face. In China, face is one’s good reputation in others’ eyes, one’s self-respect, dignity and prestige. If a Chinese is insulted, embarrassed, shamed or criticized in public, he or she will lose face. People can also give their counterpart face by making compliments and doing small favours. Giving face is an effective way to build a solid relationship (Gesteland Seyk 2002). Face issue is also evident in a Chinese business negotiation context. In the business world, negotiations should be conducted to assure that the Chinese counterparts keep face. Because of face consciousness, a Chinese negotiator would refuse to make any concession. Some of the many delays that Western business negotiators encounter are caused by the Chinese counterpart’s unwillingness to risk losing face. A lot of evidence has shown that a great deal will be gained by helping the Chinese to win face and a great deal will be lost by any slight action which may cause the Chinese losing face. As a result, cognition of the Chinese concept of face plays a critical role in successfully doing business with the Chinese. (Fang 1998) 6. 0 Holistic thinking In general, the Chinese have a deductive cognition, which means reasoning based on theory and logic (Brake et al. 1995). The Chinese are highly deductive in their assessment of opportunities and problems. They usually want to be introduced to a new product, service or other business opportunity by way of a theory. This theory should provide them with a straightforward overview of the opportunity. The meaning and application of the principles of this theory should then be demonstrated with data and facts, although quantitative justification and analysis play a less important role in China than in many inductive Western business environments. Chinese people are likely to be resistant to business proposals which are not presented first in a logical form. (Brake et al. 1995) 7. 0 Speech acts As China has a high-context culture, hinting is an exceedingly common way of communication for the Chinese. Sometimes, Chinese speakers feel that they have been very frank with a clear hint, while the Western listeners still can’t catch the point at all. Elements of â€Å"atmosphere† surrounding the conversation, such as previous experience, hierarchy and many other cultural factors modify the literal meaning of a Chinese speaker’s sentences. For example, â€Å"I agree† might mean â€Å"I agree with 15 percent of what you say†. And â€Å"We might be able to† could mean â€Å"Not a chance†. What is said is often not what the listener is expected to understand. This is one of the biggest culture shocks in many business negotiations between the Westerner and the Chinese (Johnston 1991, p. 209).

Maternal Bond in Toni Morrisons Beloved Essay -- Toni Morrison Belove

Maternal Bond in Toni Morrison's Beloved  Ã‚     Ã‚     The maternal bond between mother and kin is valued and important in all cultures.   Mothers and children are linked together and joined: physically, by womb and breast; and emotionally, by a sense of self and possession.   Once that bond is established, a mother will do anything for her child.   In the novel Beloved, the author, Toni Morrison, describes a woman, Sethe, who's bond is so strong she goes to great lengths to keep her children safe and protected from the evil that she knows.   She gave them the gift of life, then, adding to that, the joy of freedom.   Determined to shield them from the hell of slavery, she took drastic measures to keep them from that life.   But, in doing so, the bond that was her strength became her weakness, destroying the only thing she loved.   Slaves, in the United States, were denied everything -- all forms of identifying with the human race.   They were denied their freedom of life: the very right to appreciate and enjoy the beauty of nature in the world, it not being theirs to enjoy.   Additionally, they were denied the very way in which all humans identify themselves -- through the influence of others.   They were disallowed community and harmony among their peoples.   Children were taken from their mothers, and brothers from their sisters.   Dr. Kubitcheck says, ?Another crucial part of identity and culture, language, also has been lost to the slaves? (126).   Individual slaves were often placed on plantations with other slaves from different parts of Africa, speaking completely different languages, and thus having no way of communication between them.   ?Symbolically,? Kubitcheck says, ?slavery . . . obliterated African identity? (126).   Because... ...ing - the part of her that was clean? (251).   Sethe?s ?commitment to her children remains unshakable,? Kubitcheck says (123).   Though her actions were appalling and disgraceful according to the community, it was done with a sense of love and protection, so as not to break the maternal bond.   The bond between a mother and her child is beyond the grasp of words.   Toni Morrison, in Beloved, tries to take hold of it. Creating a character who is so consumed by her children being a measure of her worth, Morrison shows the strength of the maternal bond.   It is that which has the power to love something or someone with all one?s heart.   It is that love which, giving life, is strong enough to kill. Works Cited 1.   Kubitcheck, MD.   Toni Morrison: A Critical Companion.   London: Greenwood Press, 1998. 2.   Morrison, Toni.   Beloved.   New York: Plume, 1987.      

Expected Transitions

Nursey A child will not really know what is going on when they are first brought to a nursery, however the child will be excited at first until they realise that their parent/carer is leaving and will not be coming back straight away,this could make the child become shy,dismissive upset or even anxious.. A child will not trust any of their carers until they a fully settled and are comfortable about where they are and the routine they are following.High school Starting high school is a big time for a young person it is probably the most scary common transition so far in their life,having to deal with leaving some of their childhood friends, and entering a new school feeling scared and alone. They will have many mixed emotions, all based around the experiences they have felt and dealt with when making new friends and starting a new school.The pressure is a little more intense then when they were in primary or middle school as they know what to expect but as they are older anxiousness w ill kick in and the young person will feel self-conscious or very withdrawn and may even start acting out of character. Puberty This change to the young people’s body affects everything about them, so it is a particulary hard time for them.Knowing they do not have any control over what is happening this will make the child become dismissive or argumentative with parents or carers and even their siblings. During this time they tend to focus more on friends and their relationships outside of the home. Puberty is a complicated and confusing time for most young people. They sometimes worry about whether the changes in their bodies are ‘normal', especially if they develop differently – earlier, or at a different rate – from their friends.

Mario and the magician- Cipolla

Thomas Manna's â€Å"Mario and the Magician,† illusion, illness and deformity are only a few of the characteristics used to set the tone of the story. Prior to Cupola's Introduction, the narrator suggests that he should have escaped Tore did Veneer and the fatal Cipolin. At this moment, we have yet to experience the introduction and effects of the true Cipolin; however, we are lead to believe and imagine the worst about Cupola's character based on the narrators comments.Cupola's appearance was obviously quite distinct, like none the narrator had ever seen before, based on his detailed outline of his absurd yet arrogant appearance. Cipolin was described as having: a very distinct noticeable attire, piercing eyes, ravaged face, broken saw- edged teeth, a small waxed moustache, a pointed beard and the utmost unusual hairstyle. He was also subject too very noticeable physical deformity which was described as being awkward and uncommon.Despite Collar's discomfited appearance he was greeted with laughter and anticipation from the majority of the on-lookers who were anxiously awaiting the show. As Collar sat smoking a cigarette, calmly, he scanned the audience hoping to determine their weaknesses and placed, lent, judgment on certain individuals based on knowledge gained from years of experiences as a performer of that nature. After sometime and careful consideration, Cupola's first target was two healthy, strong, young men whom had obviously been chosen based on their brawls features.Their appearances insinuated that, perhaps, they were laborers and not of a learned environment. Cipolin, obviously assuming Just that, chooses them to perform a task that will include writing. When, they cannot complete this task they are ridiculed and mocked because of their inabilities. This was Cupola's initial attempt to demean the audience only to heighten his own esteem. Throughout the story Cipolin demonstrates the consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol to sedate hims elf, as well as, the use of his claw handle whip to command immediate attention.He brutally insults the knowledge of the people of Tore did Veneer by claiming them to be ignorant and UN- enlightened. Cipolin also displays anger through is his inability to portray patience and respect when he inflects a young man with unnecessary intestinal pain for defending his community and the people that reside there. There were other acts that followed in sequence; however, the final most memorable attack was against a ell-known respected waiter in Tore did Veneer, Mario. Mario was envisioned as a symbol of physical perfection.He was young, handsome, well respected and of gentle nature, especially to the children of the area. While Moral was on stage, Collar humiliates him in front of Sylvester, a pretty young girl, whom Moral admires. This humiliation continues when, under Collar's control, Moral Is Instructed to kiss Collar on the cheek. Moral Is mortified because of Collar's choice or method of ruled was taken too far; thus, resulting In Moral shooting and killing Collar. Some live that Mario might have over-reacted as a result of his humiliation, but perhaps he TLD.Cupola's Insecurities with himself, due to his deformities, caused him to find comfort in diminishing the self esteem of others by humiliation. The fact, that Cipolin drank excessively and used a whip to command attention during his characteristics. Cipolin tested the strength of numerous individuals and used his hypnotic abilities to hide his true intentions and emotional insecurities. Cipolin was a very unhappy person whose fate was expected to eventually end unfavorable.

Jon Kabat-Zinn Essays

Jon Kabat-Zinn Essays Jon Kabat-Zinn Essay Jon Kabat-Zinn Essay Jon Kabat-Zinn, in his most recent book: Coming to Our Senses: Healing Ourselves and the Mind Through Mindfulness is an important addition to the concept of self discovery. In an age when more and more people are looking for the all healing â€Å"self help book,† Kabat-Zinn offers a  more serious and scholarly look at the benefits of meditation, motivation, mindfulness and the ability to use them in every day life, not just to avoid stress in one’s life, but to reach a higher plain of understanding that is beyond what society has trained our minds to absorb every day. Kabat-Zinn teaches the reader to retrain their mind and to erase the years of harmful conditioning that many in the West have experienced. Kabat-Zinn brings together the many understandings of the self, not just from the Buddhist definitions but uses Western thinkers as well as cites them in his arguments. Some of his favorite Western sources included Einstein and Henry David Thoreau to name only a few. In the end, a book is most successful when the reader can take away from the work of the author, something of practical use in their life. Coming to Our Senses is one such book. In the areas of conflict  and conflict resolution, empathy, mindfulness, meditation and the authenticity of one’s self, Coming to Our Senses offers a helpful guide and reminder of what one can truly be when they allow their mind to be relaxed, void of any outside factors and to let it roam free from any such impediments. Only then can the self become alive and be allowed to roam free and which will help the individual to reach their full potential in all of the above mentioned categories. One of the most important points that Kabat-Zinn includes in his book is the concept of meditation. He defines meditation as: â€Å"a way of being, or, you could say, a way of seeing, a way of knowing, even a way of loving.†[1] In much of this chapter in meditation, Kabati-Zinn tries to dispel the common myths and misunderstandings about meditation which are so very common in Western thought. The growth of yoga and other alternative ways in which to become mentally and spiritually well, it has made some progress in pealing away the erroneous assumptions about meditation. In the event that the reader is not aware of this recent growth, Kabat-Zinn repeats what meditation is not: â€Å"Meditation is not relaxation spelt differently†¦. Mindfulness is the embrace of any practice, pain, or anguish, or for that matter boredom or impatience of frustration or anxiety or tension in the body†¦Ã¢â‚¬ [2] Kabati-Zinn goes on to try to explain meditation as: â€Å"It is the non- clinging, and therefore the clear perceiving and the willingness to act appropriately within whatever circumstance are arising that constitute this way of being that we are calling meditation.†[3]   Kabati-Zinn repeats that meditation is not just the ability to flip a switch in the brain and somehow, one is in a perpetual state of meditation. This is a simplified and incorrect belief on meditation and one which is perpetuated by the media and the culture of the West. Kabat-Zinn has been credited with trying to bridge the gap between the Western and Eastern thought and through his series of books on meditation and the self, many believe, has come very close in achieving this most lofty goal. My personal experience on meditation, I used to think, was relatively new. In a sense, I was enjoying the benefits of meditation without making a conscious effort to be meditating. This seems to be the reality of many people in America. Americans are now busier now then at any time in history. Despite having more cost and time saving appliances at our disposal than ever before, Americans have used these inventions to actually make people busier today than in the past. This, often times, leads to stress and therefore the need for periods of meditation are that much more important. Even as a teenager, I enjoyed being busy and productive but could not cope with my every day requirements and needs unless, at some time during that day, I was alone with my thoughts. Quiet walks at night, regardless of the weather, in which the events of the day are summed up and reflected upon, was always an essential part of my day. I discovered that those days in which I felt that I did not have the time for such things, I end up being more irritable and made careless decisions in the coming days. The positive effect of meditating on the events of the previous day or week and attempting to group them in a passive and indirect way, completely in tune with the guidelines of meditation, I found to be advantageous in every sense of the word. Therefore, not only is my opinion favorable towards the need for meditation, but I have seen it first hand in my own life and there existed a major difference in the level of happiness that I had when I made a habit of setting aside a portion of the day in which to meditate around my thoughts or more commonly, to just let my mind roam free; completely void of the numerous stimuli which often times, impedes one’s level of happiness in their daily lives. One of the next concepts which Kabat-Zinn covers in his book Coming to Our Senses is the idea of mindfulness. â€Å"Mindfulness meditation is most commonly taught and practiced within the context of Buddhism, its essence is universal†¦ Yet it is no accident that mindfulness comes out of Buddhism, which has as its overriding concerns, the relief of suffering and the dispelling of illusions.†[4] In this, Kabat-Zinn ties in the usefulness of mindfulness and meditation as it relates to the health and well being of the body and mind. In the introduction, Kabat-Zinn reminds the reader: â€Å"The journey towards health and sanity is nothing less than an invitation to wake up to the fullness of our lives as if they actually mattered.†[5] In a day when the cost of health care is skyrocketing and drug companies are charging insane amounts on single prescription doses; so much to the degree that often times, people have to chose between eating that day or taking one of the do zens of medications that their doctor has prescribed for them; not only for a month but many times, for the rest of their lives and as a result, placing the individual in a perpetual state of fiscal, mental and physical dependence upon an outside source other than one’s own mind. Kabat-Zinn teaches that through the preventative measure of defeating stress and in the pursuit of a deeper understanding of one’s own self, many of these diseases can be avoided. In each of the eight major sections of the Coming to Our Senses, Kabat-Zinn explores the many different areas of one’s ability to heal oneself. The power of the mind and the advantages of it being in a continued restful state, according to Kabat-Zinn, are advantageous on many different levels. In the spirit of this, Kabat-Zinn has developed an eight week program in which many of these issues are tackled. In 1979 I started a Stress Reduction Clinic. Thinking back to that era, I ask myself now, What stress? so much has our world changed since then, so much has the pace of life increased and the vagaries and dangers of the world come to our doorstep as never before. If looking squarely at our personal situation and circumstances and finding novel and imaginative ways to work with them in the service of health and healing was important then, it is infinitely more important and urgent now, inhabiting as we do a world that has been thrown into heightened chaos and speed in the unfolding of events, even as it has become far more interconnected and smaller.†[6] Its main focus is stress, the individual being able to identify it and to avoid its physical and mental dangers that stress can lead to in the individual. Kabat-Zinn also writes: â€Å"Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Zen master, mindfulness teacher, poet, and peace activist, aptly points out that one reason we might want to pra ctice mindfulness is that most of the time we are unwittingly practicing its opposite. Every time we get angry we get better at being angry and reinforce the anger habit. When it is really bad, we say we see red, which means we dont see accurately what is happening at all, and so, in that moment, you could say we have lost our mind. Every time we become self-absorbed, we get better at becoming self-absorbed and going unconscious.†[7] This moves into the practical use of being mindful of one’s own self. This will become truer, I feel, once I get older but it is a well established fact that stress leads to a wearing down of the body and as a result, makes the individual more suspect able to sickness and disease. This is an opinion of Kabat-Zinn to which I completely concur with as I have experienced such events in my own life and as a result, with the help of Coming to Our Senses, is more likely to identify these stressors in my life and their effects upon my own life. One example of this would be the time in which I was studying for my finals during on particular semester. I had made the mistake of many of my classmates in the fact that the knowledge that the final would be comprehensive was told to us a full month before the final was to be administered. I had been careless in my preparation for these examinations and had not used my time wisely or effectively. As a result, and which millions of college students from around the world have experienced as well, I was stressed out and rushed during that last week leading up to finals.   I was worried about the marks that I would receive in these classes; all of which were difficult classes which did not deal with my subjects of familiarity. As a result, during that last week, I was short tempered, was prone to anger and did not have a complete control of my emotions and senses. However, what would be a more lasting effect would be the average marks which I received on my exams as well as being physically and mentally run down by the time the process was complete. I did not have a heart attack or suffer a mental breakdown; two of the more serious results of an overstressed life, but by the end of final’s week, and perhaps even in the middle of my exams, I felt sick and run down. I had experienced high levels of stress in my life which affected my sleep pattern. This in turn, affected my mental and physical state which resulted in receiving only average marks on my exam. This did not stop the worry and st ress in my life but perpetuated it as I now began to worry about how these low grades would impede my future academic career and if it would help to set the course for a less than stellar academic career. Within this experience, there are obvious elements of responsibility and the importance of planning but there will also occur in one’s own life, elements of stress which came about from no fault of the individual. In those instances as well as in situations which could have been avoided, being in touch with one’s mindfulness and knowing the role that it plays in one’s life, is not only helpful, but essential according to Kabat-Zinn, if the individual wishes to remain mentally and physically stable. Another main point of Coming to Our Senses by Jon Kabat-Zinn is the idea that successful meditation and mindfulness is not an easy process which many believe to be so. This is an all important process which requires constant attention and effort on the part of the individual. If the book could be summed up in three words, they would have to be: â€Å"Stop, look and listen!† as these are repeated in Coming to Our Senses.   Successful meditation, despite there existing more knowledge on the subject than ever before in the West, is met with more hurdles and challenges than ever before as there are more stressors and competitors for an individual’s time than ever before. In one of the most important and insightful passages in the book, Kabat-Zinn gives what may seem to be a simple recipe for contentment but is really a profound statement and one which many people will try but fail to truly achieve: â€Å"So, from the point of view of awareness, any state of mind is a med itative state. Anger or sadness is just as interesting and useful and valid to look into as enthusiasm or delight, and far more valuable than a blank mind, a mind that is insensate, out of touch. Anger, fear, terror, sadness, resentment, impatience, enthusiasm, delight, confusion, disgust, contempt, envy, rage, lust, even dullness, doubt, and torpor, in fact all mind states and body states are occasions to know ourselves better if we can stop, look, and listen, in other words, if we can come to our senses and be intimate with what presents itself in awareness in any and every moment.†[8] When this is realized and understood, the individual possesses a profound advantage over his neighbor who does not realize that often times, people are their worst enemy. When one is able to listen to one’s own self to a greater degree, than that same individual cannot help but listen to others more deeply in the process. This is very helpful in conflict and conflict resolution. Often times, disputes between individuals or even entire countries, can come from an inability or unwillingness to fully listen to the other side. All over the world, disputes are beginning and often times, will have lasting effects, all because the individuals involved were not willing to listen to the other side. Kabat-Zinn, when talking about the importance of mindfulness, states: â€Å"By the same token, it has an equal capacity to influence the larger world within which we are seamlessly embedded, including our family, our work, the society as a whole and how we see ourselves as a people, what I am calling the body politic, and the body of the world, of all of us together on this planet. And all this can come about through your own experience of the practice of mi ndfulness by virtue of that much embedded ness and the reciprocal relationships between inner and outer, and between being and doing.†[9] It is important and many would say, self-evident that one recognizes the importance that mindfulness has, not only with then individuals involved, but in relation to the conflicts which currently plague the world. In the same way, one who implements these practices into their own daily lives, will have a greater sense of empathy towards others. Kabat-Zinn states: â€Å"See if you can give yourself gifts that may be true blessings, such as self-acceptance, or some time each day with no purpose. Practice feeling deserving enough to accept these gifts without obligation-to simply receive from yourself, and from the universe.[10] In this sense, people who respect themselves more, cannot help but respect others in the process. This also ties into the need for meditation as only in those quiet and personal times of soul searching can one free their minds in order to concentrate on their relationship with themselves and others. Through self evaluation, one can then be more readily available to possess empathy for others. Those who know nothing of themselves and their senses, cannot hope to learn and communicate the hurts of others in any consistent and successful way. This, at least, has been my exp erience. Stress and an individual’s inability to know one’s self, is at the root of many problems, both mentally and physically, internally and externally, within a community and the world. Stress leads to a disconnect from the senses as well as the inability to listen to the needs of one’s own mind and body. Kabat- Zinn writes in Coming to Our Senses as a fitting summation: â€Å"But for the particular exploration we will be undertaking together in these pages and in our lives, I find it is both useful and illuminating to draw upon the work of those special people on our planet who devote themselves to the language of the mind and heart that we call poetry.†[11] In the same way some of the great navigators explored the world or how scientists explore aspects of this world which will forever remain a mystery to the lay observer, it is thus, equally important for the individual to explore their own mind through meditation and mindfulness. This will not occur overnig ht and the process is much more arduous than popular culture may lead the individual to believe. However, Kabat-Zinn believes, that those who seek the truth within their own mind and who implement mind-body therapies within their own lives, will not only have an advantage over those who do not, but will be able to communicate on a higher plane with those who practice similar techniques and thus,   will come to a deeper understanding of one’s own self as the true ability of each individual’s five separate senses. In order to achieve this, constant and consistent effort on the part of the individual is required. However, Kabat-Zinn believes that the effort is easily worth the reward.

Pronouncing OE in French

Pronouncing OE in French Whether its an OE or a Å’, learning to pronounce this combination of French vowels is a little tricky. Thats because the sound can change from one word to the next, though there is a common pronunciation. This French lesson will help you navigate the complexities of OE in French words. How to Pronounce OE in French The letters OE  are usually combined into a single symbol in French: Å’ or Å“. When a pair of characters is used in such a way, it is called a digraph. The Å’ is pronounced more or less according to the same rules as EU. In general, if its in an open syllable, it sounds like the U in full: listen.  In a closed syllable, it is pronounced with the mouth just a little more open:  listen. There are quite a few exceptions to this, however. It is important to use a dictionary when trying to determine the pronunciation of any word with OE. You will also find Å’ in words that would otherwise begin with the combination EUI. It will look like this Å’IL and sounds like the OO in good followed by a Y sound. French Words With OE To practice your pronunciation of Å’, give these simple words a try. Click on the word to hear the correct pronunciation and try to repeat it. Å“uf  (egg)Å“ufs  (eggs)sÅ“ur  (sister) How to Type the Å’ When youre typing out French words, how do you type the digraph? There are a few ways to go about it and which you choose will depend on how often you use special characters on your computer. Your options include an international keyboard, which can be as simple as a setting in your operating system. If you use these characters on a very limited basis, your better option may be to  learn the ALT codes. To type Å“ or Å’, on a standard US-English keyboard, you will need the keyboard shortcut. For Windows, this is ALT 0156 for the lowercase and ALT 0140 for the uppercase.For Mac, it is typically ALT q and the shift key transforms it into upper case (OS Sierra may be slightly different).

A Guide to a Painless Undergrad Econometrics Project

A Guide to a Painless Undergrad Econometrics Project Most economics departments require second- or third-year undergraduate students to complete an econometrics project and write a paper on their findings. Many students find that choosing a  research topic  for their required  econometrics  project is just as difficult as the project itself.  Econometrics is the application of statistical and  mathematical theories  and perhaps some computer science to economic data. The example below shows how to use  Okuns law  to create an econometrics project. Okuns law refers to how the nations output- its  gross domestic product- is related to employment and unemployment. For this econometrics project guide, youll test whether Okuns law holds true in America. Note that this is just an example project- youll need to chose your own topic- but the explanation shows how you can create a painless, yet informative, project using a basic statistical test, data that you can easily obtain from the U.S. government, and a computer spreadsheet program to compile the data. Gather Background Information With your topic chosen, start by gathering background information about the theory youre testing by doing a   t-test. To do so, use the  following function:   Yt 1 - 0.4 Xt Where:Yt  is the change in the unemployment rate in percentage pointsXt  is the change in the percentage growth rate in real output, as measured by real GDP So you will be estimating the model:  Yt b1 b2 Xt Where:Yt is the change in the unemployment rate in percentage pointsXt is the change in the percentage growth rate in real output, as measured by real GDPb1 and b2 are the parameters you are trying to estimate. To estimate your parameters, you will need data. Use  quarterly economic data  compiled by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. To use this information, save each of the files individually. If youve done everything correctly, you should see something that looks like this  fact sheet  from the BEA, containing quarterly GDP results. Once youve downloaded the data, open it in a spreadsheet program, such as Excel. Finding the Y and X Variables Now that youve got the data file open, start to look for what you need. Locate the data for your Y variable. Recall that Yt  is the change in the unemployment rate in percentage points. The change in the unemployment rate in percentage points is in the column labeled UNRATE(chg), which is column I. By looking at column A, you see that the  quarterly unemployment rate  change data runs from  April 1947 to October 2002  in cells G24-G242, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics figures. Next, find your X variables. In your model, you only have one X variable, Xt, which is the change in the percentage growth rate in real output as measured by real GDP. You see that this variable is in the column marked GDPC96(%chg), which is in Column E. This data runs from April 1947 to October 2002 in cells E20-E242. Setting Up Excel Youve identified the data you need, so you can compute the regression coefficients using Excel. Excel is missing a lot of the features of more sophisticated econometrics packages, but for doing a simple linear regression, it is a useful tool. Youre also much more likely to use Excel when you enter the real world than you are to use an econometrics package, so being proficient in Excel is a useful skill. Your Yt  data is in cells G24-G242 and your Xt  data is in cells E20-E242. When doing a linear regression, you need to have an associated X entry for every Yt  entry and vice-versa. The Xts in cells E20-E23 do not have an associated Yt  entry, so you will not use them. Instead, you will use only the Yt  data in cells G24-G242 and your Xt  data in cells E24-E242. Next, calculate your regression coefficients (your b1  and b2). Before continuing, save your work under a different filename so that  at any time, you can revert back to your original data. Once youve downloaded the data and opened Excel, you can calculate your regression coefficients. Setting Excel Up for Data Analysis To set up Excel for data analysis, go to the tools  menu on the top of the screen and find Data Analysis. If  Data Analysis  is not there, then youll have to  install it. You cannot do regression analysis in Excel without the Data Analysis ToolPak installed. Once youve selected  Data Analysis  from the  tools  menu, youll see a menu of choices such as Covariance and F-Test Two-Sample for Variances. On that menu, select Regression. Once there, youll see a form, which you need to fill in. Start by filling in the field that says Input Y Range. This is your unemployment rate data in cells G24-G242. Choose these cells by typing $G$24:$G$242 into the little white box next to  Input Y Range  or by clicking on the icon next to that white box then selecting those cells with your mouse.  The second field youll need to fill in is the Input X Range. This is the percent change in GDP data in cells E24-E242. You can choose these cells by typing $E$24:$E$242 into the little white box next to  Input X Range  or by clicking on the icon next to that white box then selecting those cells with your mouse. Lastly, you will have to name the page that will contain your regression results. Make sure you have New Worksheet Ply selected, and in the white field beside it, type in a name like Regression. Click OK. Using the Regression Results You should see a tab at the bottom of your screen called  Regression  (or whatever you named it) and some regression results. If youve gotten the intercept coefficient between 0 and 1, and the x variable coefficient between 0 and -1, youve likely done it correctly. With this data, you have all of the information you need for analysis including R Square, coefficients, and standard errors. Remember that you were attempting to estimate the intercept coefficient b1  and the X coefficient b2. The intercept coefficient b1  is located in the row named Intercept and in the column named Coefficient. Your slope coefficient b2  is located in the row named X variable 1 and in the column named Coefficient. It will likely have a value, such as BBB and the associated standard error DDD. (Your values may differ.) Jot these figures down (or print them out) as you will need them for analysis. Analyze your regression results for your term paper by doing  hypothesis testing on this sample t-test. Though this project focused on Okuns Law, you can use this same kind of methodology to create just about any econometrics project.

The Implementation Of The Localism Act Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

The Implementation Of The Localism Act - Essay Example In the United Kingdom, there is a remarkably high demand for social housing. Local authorities have had long waiting lists for individuals who intend to have access to social housing.2 Many individuals considered for social housing are those with a high vulnerability to becoming homeless. Therefore, the local authorities conduct reviews of all applicants and identify the situations of applicants that qualify them for accommodation.3 For many years, social housing has served to prevent homelessness in the United Kingdom. The introduction of the Localism Act allows local authority property owners to define new terms of fixed tenancies. Fixed tenancies offer the flexibility that defines the private rented sector.4 Opponents of the Localism Act have argued that the law will bring about positive changes, motivating individuals to take in for social housing to work hard and become homeowners. On the other hand, there are increasing critics who do not support the Localism Act, highlighting that it may present more cases of homelessness as well as anxieties and uncertainties of expiring fixed tenancies.5 This paper will critically analyse parliaments move to diminish the security of tenure of local authority tenants to the level provided by the privately rented sector. The emergence of social housing in the United Kingdom was a venture towards helping workers to upgrade from poor quality private rented homes to the remarkable housing at cheaper rates. Social housing began in the early 1970s, and it has exhibited remarkable growth to play a critical role in low-income families.6 The shift from providing accommodation to workers to a needs-based approach seeks to reduce homelessness. In 2014, social housing accounted for about 17% and 24% of the residential areas in England and Scotland respectively.

The role of nursing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The role of nursing - Essay Example Significant studies in the area have suggested that the effect of reduced nurse staff on patient outcomes is an inverse relationship between the two whereas positive outcomes result when there is adequate nurse staffing. Therefore, the effect of nurse staffing on patient outcomes has been one of the most essential areas of nursing research and this qualitative research makes a profound analysis of the published literature on the topic in order to determine the various aspects of nurse staffing in relation with patient outcomes. The research question of this nursing research proposal proposes to analyze the various aspects of nurse staffing in relation with patient outcomes and the research question is: What is the effect of nurse staffing on patient outcomes and how can favorable staffing ensure better patient outcomes The research question analyzed in this paper incorporates various important secondary questions such as 1) What are the various aspects of patient outcomes affected by nurse sta... ) What are the determinants of favorable staffing, and 4) What is difference in the results of adequate staffing and that of the reduced nurse staffing. The Purpose or Aim of the Research The research purpose usually reflects the type of study conducted and the main purpose of this qualitative research on the effect of nurse staffing on patient outcomes is to determine the relationship between nurse staffing and patient outcomes. The most important aim of this study is to help the nurses improve their practice by making their aware of the positive relationship between nurse staffing and patient outcomes. Examining the effect of various nurse staffing levels on the patient impact can highly determine the aspects of good practices of health care and in turn produce positive results in the organizational outcomes of health care. Therefore, the purpose of the research proposed in this paper is to contribute to the practice of nursing, health care, and patient outcomes. Keywords to search for The keywords related to this study include: nurse staffing, patient outcomes, reduced nurse staffing, adequate nurse staffing, etc, Scope of the Study (Who is written for) The scope of the proposed study, i.e. the effect of nurse staffing on patient outcomes, covers various aspects of the practice of nursing, health care industry, and patient outcomes. Therefore, this proposed study is intended for the various people engaged in the practice of nursing, health care, and the health industry and this will help in improving the quality of nurse staffing in order to help better patient outcomes. Population of interest The population of interest in this research includes nurses belonging to different levels of nurse staffing and the patients in the related areas of nursing. It will also

English Literature essay Buddha of Suburbia Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

English Literature Buddha of Suburbia - Essay Example The paper is aimed to analyse the different issues that the said literary work discussed with the focus on the view of class hierarchy and popular culture. To be able to achieve the main objective, it is important to include pertinent issues such as the point of view and background of the author, the content and plot of the book and the interpretation of the different concept tackled. The discussion on the socio-political issues specifically the class hierarchy and popular culture then follows. The Buddha of Suburbia is debut novel of Hanif Kureishi which was first published in 1990. It is a recognized literary work that tackles the cultural issues related to races, classes and popular culture. The plot tells a story of Karim Amir and the issues, adventures and hardships encountered by a person with biracial origin in contemporary Britain, specifically the 70’s.1 Although the said situation is presently considered common in the rise of the one nation view, biracial heritage in the time when the book was written is an important topic, even considered as an advanced issue to discuss for its time.2 This issue can also be related to the different socio-cultural issues that are touched and tapped by the literary piece. Basically, there are issues simultaneously presented by the book through the life of the main character. These includes the British culture in London during the time, the language, the diversity of culture and the convergence of different traditions and practices that can lead both ways, either good or bad. It is also the time wherein cultural equality in the country is such a necessity, that even the government is struggling to be able to appease the people.3 Like any other teenager, Karim wanted to escape from the life he has with his family in the suburban area in the south of London. He is dreaming to take his chance in the city. But the reputation of his father and the respect that he has

Poverty and Economic Devastation in Jamaica Essay

Poverty and Economic Devastation in Jamaica - Essay Example This essay analyzes not only positive changes that independence gave to Jamaican people, but also the negative role of multinational corporations, that was foreseen as early as 1776 by the father of Economics, Adam Smith. In his ground-breaking book, â€Å"Wealth of Nations† that was discussed in the essay and set the foundation for the field of modern Economics, Smith wrote that corporations would eventually work to cleverly escape the laws that govern the market, they would narrow the competition, raise their profits and try to meddle with setting of prices and control of trade. Such negative role of the corporation in the country's history happened in Jamaica as well. amaica’s problems began in 1962 when it secured independence from England. This essay focuses on effects of struggling economy that is characterized by chronic debts, illiteracy, and an ancient medical system. The researcher describes that the country badly needed finance to address its problems and app roached private banks, but only got the cold shoulder treatment. The researcher also describes Jamaican government policies on social topics and refers to cultural features of modern Jamaica and it's citizens through examples such as movies, books on the topic of economic devastation and poverty in the country. The Rastafari movement, that emerged as a platform to fight local poverty and disenchantment also is mentioned in the essay. In conclusion, the researcher hopes that proper boost in tourism can generate much needed revenue to Jamaica and its beleaguered citizens.

Johann Pachelbel's Canon Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Johann Pachelbel's Canon - Essay Example Pachelbel in his youth was taught music by Heinrich Schwemmer. He was quick to grasp the gist of music and his talent was eminent. He portrayed outstanding music abilities in his early days and this encouraged his early teachers to nature the talent in him. He went to primary school at the Auditorio Aegediano and in St. Lorenz Hauptschule in his birth town of Nuremberg. He was a quick learner and performed brilliantly in school. He later on went to the University of Altdorf where his family was unable to raise the school fees for his education midway in his course and he was compelled to quite school. On sporting his talent and academic ability, he was offered an opportunity for further education where he joined Gymnasium Poeticum which is in Regensburg where he studied on a scholarship. He did not disappoint as he performed exceptionally well and was among the top students. He was in fact offered an admission in the school to be a surplus in the number of students as the school had already filled its maximum capacity number. Pachelbel got married twice with the first marriage ending by a plague which killed his wife and only son at the time. It was a very tragic event which put him under a lot of stress and even threatened his career in the music industry. Barbara Gabler died in October 1683 only two years after their marriage and leaving him a devastated man. Pachelbel got married to Judith Drommer ten months after the death of his first family as a way to reinvent himself and fill the gap that was so deeply intrenched into his heart. In this second marriage this time he bore two girls and five boys. This was seen as a way to keep an insurance for himself just in case such an event as that of the plague took place again then he would have someone dear to him to live with and to gain emotional support from when he needed it. He fortunately lived a happy life and got to be celebrated widely for his music. He finally died on the 3rd of March 1706 while working a s a church organist and was laid to rest at the St. Rochus Cemetery in his birth place, Nuremberg, Germany. II. Historical Information Pachelbel lived during the historic era of the reign of the Habsburg empire and the Baroque era. It was an extensive empire at the time (17th Century) which had its capital at Vienna. The empire had most of its culture and its taste of music being influenced by predominantly by the Italian culture and this in a major way influenced the music of Pachelbel to have a flare of Italian touch. He grew very famous in the empire and was so fond of the capital Vienna that he spend more than one quarter of his entire life living and practicing music in Vienna. The musicians during the time of Pachelbel made a living almost entirely out of music alone. There were quite a number of job opportunities for anyone who was good in music. Pachelbel is one of the veteran musicians of the time and he spent his life making a career out of music till his death at the age of 53. In fact at some point in time Pachelbel was offered jobs but he declined. He already had a job at a church where they considered him a very important part of the society and his departure will would leave a huge gap in the community. This led to the church offering him an increase of salary and he opted to stay on in the church for another four years. Musicians at the time worked as court organists, church organists, tutors in

Marketing Planning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Marketing Planning - Essay Example The marketing planning is thus required to first inspect the mission and vision objectives in the light of data obtained from changing external scenario through conducting marketing surveys. Use of information technology is also considered as an effective tool to gain potential data about changes in consumer preference patterns. With such data in hand analysis should be made pertaining to the internal strengths and weaknesses of the concern to help counter the external changes. Further the marketing plans for a company are required to encompass several strategic models to analyse the potential of the company in gaining on in changing market opportunities. Similarly the product, pricing, distribution and communication strategies need also be developed to effectively penetrate the consumer sphere. Finally owing to the changes being brought in the strategic marketing sphere the company needs to design an effective budget to help meet the needed changes. The business corporation is also required to render effective controls over the activities and modifications brought about in the managerial implications to render effectiveness in meeting changed objectives (Neves, 2003, p.9-10). An evaluation of Nokia’s capability for future marketing planning (LO 1.2) Nokia to compete in the international gaming market and thereby to counter competitive threat from companies like Sony and Nintendo came out with a product development venture. The product developed was named as N-Gage which penetrated the consumer gaming market through working on high quality gaming software. However the initial product was launched in the market by the company without conduct a pre-test of consumer and market ideologies. N-Gage in the initial stage gained a rapid market acceptance for having highly innovative features that at that time exceeded expectations of the consumers. However of late Nokia started facing criticisms from the consumer sphere in that they wanted a more customised gamin g product that wound render larger number of gaming variants at highly affordable prices. Again, the N-Gage failed to satisfy the communication features of a phone for it required to be held in a lateral position to the face while talking which made the whole process quite cumbersome. Nokia honoured the criticisms from the consumers and thereby focused on designing and modifying the N-Gage into N-Gage QD. This product launched reflected a better battery life with a wide and bright screen. It also reflected better controls over the game by the consumer. However the initial failure of Nokia to gauge the needs and desires of the consumers led the other competitors to design and modify their own products and this led in enhancing the competitiveness of Nokia in the gaming market (Parasuraman, Grewal and Krishnan, 2009, p.6). Details of techniques for organisational auditing and analysis of external factors that may affect marketing planning (LO 1.3) Techniques for Organisational Auditin g Organisational auditing is conducted by an auditor through some specific techniques or

Johann Pachelbel's Canon Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Johann Pachelbel's Canon - Essay Example Pachelbel in his youth was taught music by Heinrich Schwemmer. He was quick to grasp the gist of music and his talent was eminent. He portrayed outstanding music abilities in his early days and this encouraged his early teachers to nature the talent in him. He went to primary school at the Auditorio Aegediano and in St. Lorenz Hauptschule in his birth town of Nuremberg. He was a quick learner and performed brilliantly in school. He later on went to the University of Altdorf where his family was unable to raise the school fees for his education midway in his course and he was compelled to quite school. On sporting his talent and academic ability, he was offered an opportunity for further education where he joined Gymnasium Poeticum which is in Regensburg where he studied on a scholarship. He did not disappoint as he performed exceptionally well and was among the top students. He was in fact offered an admission in the school to be a surplus in the number of students as the school had already filled its maximum capacity number. Pachelbel got married twice with the first marriage ending by a plague which killed his wife and only son at the time. It was a very tragic event which put him under a lot of stress and even threatened his career in the music industry. Barbara Gabler died in October 1683 only two years after their marriage and leaving him a devastated man. Pachelbel got married to Judith Drommer ten months after the death of his first family as a way to reinvent himself and fill the gap that was so deeply intrenched into his heart. In this second marriage this time he bore two girls and five boys. This was seen as a way to keep an insurance for himself just in case such an event as that of the plague took place again then he would have someone dear to him to live with and to gain emotional support from when he needed it. He fortunately lived a happy life and got to be celebrated widely for his music. He finally died on the 3rd of March 1706 while working a s a church organist and was laid to rest at the St. Rochus Cemetery in his birth place, Nuremberg, Germany. II. Historical Information Pachelbel lived during the historic era of the reign of the Habsburg empire and the Baroque era. It was an extensive empire at the time (17th Century) which had its capital at Vienna. The empire had most of its culture and its taste of music being influenced by predominantly by the Italian culture and this in a major way influenced the music of Pachelbel to have a flare of Italian touch. He grew very famous in the empire and was so fond of the capital Vienna that he spend more than one quarter of his entire life living and practicing music in Vienna. The musicians during the time of Pachelbel made a living almost entirely out of music alone. There were quite a number of job opportunities for anyone who was good in music. Pachelbel is one of the veteran musicians of the time and he spent his life making a career out of music till his death at the age of 53. In fact at some point in time Pachelbel was offered jobs but he declined. He already had a job at a church where they considered him a very important part of the society and his departure will would leave a huge gap in the community. This led to the church offering him an increase of salary and he opted to stay on in the church for another four years. Musicians at the time worked as court organists, church organists, tutors in

ECO BUS 4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

ECO BUS 4 - Essay Example 7. The manager expects to be shown the respect due to his position and this will mean that, from a Western perspective, an undue amount of deference may be shown. Respect is given for position held, but age is also worthy of respect. It is difficult, therefore, for older Taiwanese to accept being managed by younger expatriate managers. Equally, a younger western manager on a trade mission is likely to be less well received than a visibly older colleague. 10. Taiwanese will make effective group members, they like working in an harmonious environment but they expect to be given directions by the senior team member, but when working with a Taiwanese team one has try to avoid incidents that may cast a member in bad light in front of other members of the group. Company A is a US based Company, the culture usually followed there is â€Å"democratic management†. The opinions of all concerned parties are considered before the decision is taken unlike in the Taiwan management where dictatorial style is followed and it would not be considered proper if an employee intervenes in the management’s key decision. Therefore while operating there, the most important decision for the A company would be the hiring of the Manager. If a local manager is appointed, he shall have more knowledge of the local markets and will be able to communicate more properly. Company A has to focus its attention to create an environment where the employees will participate in the decision making process and the Manager has to learn to give importance to the ideas generated by the employees even in the lower chain of command. He has to learn to accept that he will gain respect with his abilities as a manager and not because of his position. Company A may also appoint a Manager who does not belong to that culture. For example, he may be transferred here because of his interactive managerial skills and analytical decision making. Such manager will already have an idea of the

Darwins Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection Essay Example for Free

Darwins Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection Essay The mechanisms for individuals in a population to survive heterogeneous habitats have been a strong debate within the scientific community. The native European Littorina obtusata are a great model organism to study Darwin’s Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection. This is because of their vast phenotypic characteristics, particularly their evolving shell thickness throughout history due to predatory pressures of the new arrival of Carcinus maenas. Here we test whether L obtusata three most critical tenants of Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection; variation within a population, heritability, and selection. By observing the shell thickness of East Coast of N. America L. obtusata where predatory C. maenas are common versus the West Coast of N. America where C. maenas are not found, it will further provide evidence whether these shell thickness differences are due to natural selection predatory or phenotypic plasticity occurring. This was tested by placing banded crabs in both East and West populations of L. btusata and observing how their shell thickness decreased, further proving that L. obtusata cannot sense or smell the presence of C. maenas. These findings provide further evidence for Seeley’s research that the accelerating morphological changes of L. obtusata shell thickness was in response to strong selection by C. maenas and not because speciation occurring. Some believe that Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection is operating the morphological breaks found in fossil records within a population. Darwin’s book On the Origin of Species listed four basic postulates to natural selection; there must be variations among individuals in a population, variations must be heritable, survival and reproduction must be variable and non-random (Darwin, 1859). As a result, every generation there will be slight changes in the population. One scientist in particular, Robin Seeley, tried understanding Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection by studying the thickness of shells of flat periwinkles, Littorina obtusata, of Appledore Island and the new arrival of predatory green crabs, Carcinus maenas. Seeley noted acceleration in natural selection that normally is not observed within the L. obtusata population in response to strong selection by C. maenas. This is because shell thickness affects the survivability and reproduction of L. obtusata when C. maenas claws break them to meal (Trussel, 1996). The observation confirmed that when C. maenas were introduced in the East Coast of N. America, L. obtusata range of shell thickness increased compared to the West Coast of N. America L. obtusata populations where predatory C. maenas were not found (Seeley, 1986). These vast morphological differences in their shell thicknesses was thought to occur because of the C. maenas selection for the thinner-shelled L. obtusata. Seeley’s research further showed that speciation was not occurring within the intertidal snails as many previous scientists claimed.

Marketing Plan On Frasers Hill In Pahang State Tourism Essay

Marketing Plan On Frasers Hill In Pahang State Tourism Essay Malaysia is a country in South-East Asia, located on a peninsula of the Asian shares a border with Thailand. In an effort to diversify the economy and make Malaysias economy less dependent on exports the government has pushed to increase tourism in Malaysia. Malaysia has become third largest source of income from foreign exchange,  ¹ and accounted for 7% of Malaysias economy as of 2005.  ² As of 2009, Malaysia ranks 9th among the top most visited countries in the world, after Germany. There are several tropical islands in Malaysia; some have been voted the most beautiful in the world. The islands in Malaysia are: Labuan , Langkawi, Pangkor, Penang Island, the western half of Penang, which is heavily industrialised, Redang Island, Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, Perhentian Islands, Kapas Island, Lang Tengah Island and Sipadan Beside tropical islands, Malaysia has several national parks and nature reserves. The national parks and nature reserves are: Bako National Park, Sarawak famed for its wildlife, especially bearded pigs and proboscis monkeys, Batang Ai National Park, Sarawak, Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Gunung Gading National Park, Sarawak, Lambir Hills National Park, Sarawak, Niah Caves National Park, Sarawak, Loagan Bunut National Park, Sarawak, Kinabalu National Park, Sabah home of 4100 metre peak Mount Kinabalu, Taman Negara National Park the self-proclaimed Worlds Oldest Rainforest, spanning Kelantan, Pahang and Terengganu, Endau Rompin National Park, Johor. Source: Place of interest of Frasers Hill (http://malaysiabudgethotel.com/destinations/pahang/fraser-hill.html) Executive Summary Frasers Hill Its name derives from Louis James Fraser, a solitary Scottish pioneer, who setup a tin ore trading post in the 1980s ³. Later it was turned into one of the tourist attractions in Malaysia. Location Frasers Hill includes seven peaks and is located at the altitudes between 1,220 and 1,525 meters above sea level. Year round temperatures are between 17 °C 25 °C. The resort is situated 64.6 miles from the capital city, Kuala Lumpur. At the foot of the steep ascent, at an altitude of only 800m, is The Gap, where a colonial rest house remains open. Then winding 8km single track road up from The Gap is open in alternate directions each hour; the drive takes 30 minutes. Some visitors prefer to walk up, spotting birds and enjoying the noticeable fall in temperature4. A new alternative road was opened in 2001, but from time to time this is closed due to landslides5. Place of interest Golfing The first golf course in Malaysia is constructed on Frasers Hill in 1925. The 9-hole course was built on former tin mines. Then 18-hole course was added at Jeriau, abot 3km from the main town in the 1970s. Source: Frasers Hill Golf (ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Frasers_Hill_Golf_Course.JPG) Bird watching Bird watching at Frasers Hill is a notable centre. The hill has over 270 species of local and migratory bird flocking here together. Each year the Annual International Bird Race is held in the second weekend of June, organized by the Frasers Hill Development Corporation in collaboration with WWF-Malaysia and the Malaysian Nature Society. Participants throughout the world converging on the hill station in a team competition. They need to identify and record the highest number of species of birds stated in the official check list. Other Place of interest In Frasers Hill, there are many more place of interest such as Clock Tower, Jeriau Waterfalls, hiking at Hemmant Trail, Bishops Trail, and Pine Tree Trail and Tennis. Situation Analysis Frasers Hill has become popular and growing in the 60s and 70s, and now it has gradually it reaching maturity and moving toward the decline stage. Frasers Hill seem not been well perceived by the locals and foreign tourist in recent years. The arrival of the tourist and occupancy rates of hotels and resorts have decline in recent years. The tourism industry players have brought this problem to the federal government. Source: product life cycle: Frasers Hill (http://www.quickmba.com/marketing/product/lifecycle/) To analyze the environment of Frasers Hill, let use the SWOT analysis to analyze. SWOT analysis Strength Frasers Hill has its beauty of it. It surrounding by green, forest, cool and fresh air. It gives people peace of mind and also its cool and invigorating weather throughout the year. Since Frasers Hill was established by Birtish, it has been built up with some British design of chalets and hotels. Therefore this will enhance the British image in Frasers Hill which can bring people an image of little Britain as an attraction for tourist to visit this place. This could let the people who had been to Britain get the feel and people who never been to Britain to get the feel of how Britain is. Opportunities This could be the best reason to attract more visitors then it could gain its market share. The natural greenery, forest walks, fresh air and exotic flower landscape is the main attraction for tourism. There are potential to popularise Frasers Hill as more and more people are aware of staying near to nature. Weakness The major problem is the road condition to Frasers Hill only single track road. Even though new track has been built but it was not usable due to landslide has deter local and foreign tourist to visit Frasers Hill. To overcome this problem, the road should be rebuilt or modified to become two track roads which allow more traffic go up to the hill and come down of the hill. Other weakness is that there are not many activities going on in Frasers Hill. The local and foreign tourist especially the younger generation find Frasers Hill have become boring and no excitement at all. Threats As the decline of the Frasers Hill attraction, this could result to deter the development of Frasers Hill to become an attraction place of interest. This cause the tourist arrival rate has declined, accommodation sector in Frasers Hill has running low. This is mainly due to lack of critical mass for Frasers Hill, which ahs caused the tourism industry players such as the hotel and resort operates unable to operate at economical or sustainable level. This causes some of the restaurant and hawker operators in Frasers Hill operate their business on weekend and school or public holidays only as this is not economical and profitable to sustain the business during weekdays low season periods. Furthermore, site enquiries also revealed that most of them run the businesses on part-time basis and this could cause limited supply and variety of fine dining offer at Frasers Hill. Objective Setting Company Mission Frasers Hill development mission is to bring back the attraction of the resort to local and foreign tourist. It aims to fill up the vacancy of accommodation sector in Frasers Hill. This could allow the tourism industry to operate at economical and sustainable manner. Marketing Objectives Specific objectives to bring back the attraction and popularisation of Frasers Hill and to popularise the International Bird Race held every second week of June each year. This Frasers Hill International Bird Race is actually a fun event where human participants and nature lovers, from Malaysia and overseas, will outdo each other to sight, identify and record the most number of bird species within a set time frame and location in this cool highlands. Achievable As Frasers Hill currently loss it popularity and attraction, therefore it would need some campaign to bring the awareness of this hill resort to local and foreign tourist. It could be achievable to promote it attraction in Tourism Malaysia Board and also during the MATA fair. Time Frasers Hill has lost it popularity for sometime, there for it would need some time to recover and accepted as one of the attraction by the local and foreign tourist. It would take one to two years for it to develop. Strategy Development Choice of growth strategy to analyse Frasers Hill are using Ansoff Matrix. Source: Ansoff Matrix (www.tutor2u.net/business/strategy/ansoff_matrix.htm) Below are strategy development suggestions to achieve Frasers Hill mission. Market Penetration By applying market penetration, modifying the image of Frasers Hill could bring some fresh changes and attraction to the tourist. This would not divert to different direction or market but make it more interesting and maintain its score beauty. Market Development Market development are use to enter into new market. Frasers Hill has its market; they are target to company weekend break, family gathering, seasonality tourism holidays, school and industrial holidays. It could also attract those younger generation who like sports, like hill climbing, rock climbing, jungle trekking, and bird watching and get to know types of flora and fauna. Based of these two strategies, Frasers Hill not only maintain and keeping the existing customers but also able to attract younger generation to come over to visit, who are now willing to spend time with the families for relax and recreation. The also create awareness of the younger generation to get closer to nature. Marketing Mix Now, we would use tactic to make them work. We can have a short term plan to inform or create awareness to new market especially about the change we are now. We can create awareness by doing advertisement or advertorial in most popular local newspapers, travel magazines to inform changes we had made or what are our attractions again. Meanwhile we can have some promotion like free breakfast for 2 nights stay etc. The tactical applications are: Product Frasers Hill is a product that is profitable. It is a tourist attraction place for foreigners as well as local people and weekday long-stay guest. This could be the proposed plan for Malaysia Second Home Programme. Price The price is varies according to accommodation provided by different tenants. Having a discussion meeting with those tenants not to charger higher price as compare to Genting Highland or especially to Cameron Highland who is our competitor. Place Frasers Hill is located at a very suitable place with cool weather throughout the year. It is between 1,220 and 1,525 meters above sea level and year round temperatures are between 17 °C 25 °C. As Malaysia is a hot year round country, therefore is a benefit for tourist to chill at the hill resort. Promotion Create some promotion activities such package with accommodation and jungle activities organisation in for a group and jungle trekking for individual. Such as accommodation package stay of 3 days inclusive free breakfast or accommodation package stay inclusive of activities and meals. Frasers Hill could implement strategic alliance with bus company to have a direct transport from big city such as Kuala Lumpur to travel to Frasers Hill, this could save lots of trouble for people who would to go to Frasers Hill without any transport. It could also work well to foreigners who come to visit Frasers Hill. This could save the tourist hassle to look for transportation arrangement People People play a crucial role in the tourism sector especial Frasers Hill. Expertise with knowledge of Frasers Hill is crucial as it would be the main source of information delivered to the tourist. Local people living in the surround area are important as well. They would provide the history and development of Frasers Hill as they see it develop from the early age. As people who work in the resort or recreation park will need to gain product and service knowledge of Frasers Hill surrounding area as they would need to recommend to the tourists the attraction, activities and position of each attraction. Process In order to provide a good customer service, the people of the organisation should be trained but also it is important to have an efficient and effective order process and procedure. An intranet should be installed so that all the relevant departments are able to access to it and response to whatever inquiry or problem that may encounter. Service feature are important to improve Frasers Hill as a tourism attraction. Investment to improve the infrastructures, internet connection, telecommunication and interactive information on Frasers Hill need to be accurate and informative. Accessibility of information and location of Frasers Hill need to be easily accessible. Map and travelling would be a very great help to assist the tourist to reach their destination without any trouble. Physical evidence Physical evidence is important as Frasers Hill is a kind of service to our customer. Hence website design, the ambience has to carry its tagline, objectives and vision i.e. to be a little Britain. The total ambience has to carry English image, design and slogan. The website should always carry it tagline like McDonald Im lovin it. This will project a full image of what Frasers hill is to all customers. Frasers Hill surrounding areas should be clearly noticeable and attractive to the tourist as this would be a first impression to the tourist. Tree and grass need to be trim if it has become obstacle to the beauty of Frasers Hill. Appearance of staff working in Frasers Hill need to be as helpful, friendly, easy going, clean and fresh facial appearance, excellent customer service and excellent communication skills. It will bring an excellent image of Frasers Hill to the tourist. Leaflet and brochure information of Frasers Hill are accurately printed at actual time (latest information) and actual map with clear instruction or information so tourist could refer to it easily. Frasers Hill would need to invest to create a good website to introduce it place where tourist can easily get information without any hassle. Information are keep up to date with it current weather condition and temperature can be easily found. Action and implementation Action The above marketing strategy and tactics need to turn into action plans. No matter how good is the strategy or tactics been set, it would not be in place if we do not have to appropriate people to make it happen. It will not help at all. Hence research on information about Frasers Hill need to be updated. Latest photo of Frasers Hill should be update so it looks attractive and feel good when the tourist look at it. For employees who work in the resort or hotel, training is require, a clear vision and objective need to inform all employees in order for them to carryout their job well and bring excellent service to tourists. Some plan need to be outsourced because Frasers Hill may lack of expertise on it field such are marketing, advertisement, and training. By outsourcing, it would proof the efficiency and effectiveness of promoting Frasers Hill to regain it glory and well know to local and foreign tourist. Advertisement need to plan in advance according to it budget. As Frasers Hill are not doing so well now it would need to advertise it within it budget. Frasers Hill will not choose to advertise on the media as it is a very expensive cost to advertise. There are other options for it to advertise. It could advertise with local travel agents, leaflet, website, and hospitality, Tourism Board Malaysia, MAS Airlines, Air Asia, and sponsoring of golf tournament. By this mean of advertising, it will help Frasers Hill to promote and reach out to people about it location and attraction. Implementation Implementation of marketing plan includes three activities: Allocating tasks and responsibility Once a specific plan has in place, then the next steps is to allocate the tasks and responsibility. As for Frasers Hill; Advertisement is the responsibility of it marketing people to draw up an appropriate concept to bring the message to the tourist. Training is the responsibility of it human resources people to train the employees with the latest information about the surrounding area and attraction place. Operations Day to day job to maintain Frasers Hill operations would be taken care by it Operations Manager to make sure that every area are cover and operate efficiently. Communication Public relations are very important. Therefore, communication with the public, media and journalist is very important as it will bring a great impact on Frasers Hill re-launch it present as an attraction to the people. Scheduling of marketing activities Below is the Gantt chart for Frasers Hill project schedule 2010/11. This project will take 7 months for it initial planning. Research for improvement will take place for one and half month from September to mid-October 2010. Then follow by the strategy planning which will take place for one and half month from October to mid-November 2010. The marketing will start at the end of October to end of November 2010. Then the advertising will be running for longer period from December 2010 until February 2011. This will takes three months to advertise Frasers Hill. Then training will be held for two months from February 2011 till March 2011. This would give a proper view and time management on how the project will be able to execute successfully and this prevent any wastage cost. Gantt chart Frasers Hill Project Schedule 2010/11 Setting the marketing budget As Frasers Hills have not been doing well, there the cash flow will be very thing. The method of budget will be percentage of it sales (as the sales figure are unavailable), the other options will be based on historical budgetary records. It would be estimate the budget for this advertisement would approximately  £15,000. Monitoring and Control Once the marketing plan starts to be implemented, the next task of management is to monitor and control what goes on. Monitoring This is to check that everything is going according to plan and according to time set as in the Gantt chart. As this is an ongoing project, the key performance indicator will be evaluating to check how far the progress of the plan is. Control Control means taking corrective actions as early as possible if things are not going according to plan. After all these advertisement planning, implementation and training, we need to monitor the progress, and control from time to time. So that, the initial stage of the plan would not go far away from the objectives. There are few option of control can be down such as benchmarking, balanced-scorecard, the marketing audit, profitability control and sales control. The best method of control is the benchmarking method. Benchmarking This is the process of comparing the Frasers Hill products and services and processes to those of competitors such as Cameron Highlands to find ways to improve quality and performance. Appendix SOSTAC Model SOSTAC is summarizing the main steps of strategy marketing by Paul R.Smith (1990). Situation Analysis is looking at analysing where we are now using SWOT analysis, PEST analysis, Marketing Mix or Competitive Position. Objective is looking at where we want to go using Ashridge Mission model, 5Ps model or SMART. Strategy is looking at how we going to get there using market segmentation or positioning. Tactics is looking at some details of the strategy using Tools communication. Actions are looking at implementation putting the plan to work using Action plan, RACI model, CSF or KPIs. Control is track progress through measuring, monitoring, reviewing, updating and modifying using compare performance management or balance scorecard.

Cabaret Essay -- essays research papers

'How do the cabaret songs and routines comment on the social issues which are the background for the story of Cabaret?' Satirical on every level, Bob Fosse's 1972 film Cabaret redefines the previously accepted genre of the musical. Using the songs and routines as cunning tools of social commentary the musical numbers both predict and interpret the world of Berlin in 1931. The opening routine, 'Wilkommen', is a powerful introduction to the opposing worlds of the protagonists Brian and Sally and also indicates the significance all songs in the Cabaret will be instilled with. As the camera moves from the distorted mirror to the grotesquely masked face of the Master of Ceremonies (Joel Grey) who claims, 'I am your host, wilkommen', the need to look below the 'beautiful' surface of both the cabaret and Berlin is established. As the opening progresses the MC welcomes in three languages, English, French and German, communicating from the outset that the satirical and political messages of the film are universal, but often in need of personal interpretation. It is obvious the the MC as a good host will meet all our needs and it is vital to note that it is with him that we establish our initial identification; the relationship with Brian (Michael York) is secondary even though he is the protagonist. Like the audience, the MC is an observer who seeks to critiqu e the world of Berlin. The initial establishment of the female protagonist, Sally Bowles (Liza Minnelli), is also undertake...

International Aspirations of an Emerging Market Firm

International Aspirations of an Emerging Market Firm Arcadia, a Turkish appliance manufacturer controlled by Turkeys largest conglomerate company named Crock Group. From the beginning, Recall products more than half of Turkeys appliances, including air conditioners, dishwashers machines, cooking appliances, and refrigerators. But since trade barriers declined in sass and sass, many competitors such as SSH, Hairier, General Electronic, Whirlpool, and Electrocute were threatening Recalls market share.In global household appliance industry, consumers tend to view home appliances as commodities, and often value low prices. Some applicants carry small profit and have long life span, using automated manufacturing plants and low-cost labor Is only help in short run for the manufacturers. In order to sell in premium price and increase profit margins, some appliance makers differentiate their product by Innovative, value-added technology and features. However, innovation is costly. Which caus ed most major appliance manufacturers began to globalize (Cassavas, Knight, & Rosenberg, 2008, up. 277-278).Arcadia sees its best prospect In emerging, fast-growing markets in Eastern Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Perhaps Singapore could be one of those markets that allow Arcadia to be a lead player in the industry as its aims. Issues Economic in Singapore. Singapore economic is the first issue that attracts Arcadia to enter Into this emerging market. Singapore GAP shows Gingersnap's buying power, which also affects Arsenic's products. Analysis Economic in Singapore. According to Political Risk Yearbook: Singapore Country Report stated; â€Å"real GAP growth for the second quarter of 2010 surged to anIncreasable rate of nearly 19%, on top of registering nearly 1 7% growth in the first quarter, and that performance has now positioned Singapore to be one of the fastest growing economies in the world. † (2010, p. 4). Singapore is one of the world's leading business centers an d a major destination for foreign Investment. The first reason Is monetary stability In Singapore Is good. Second, the legal and regulatory framework for the financial sector is transparent and efficient. The government influence in the sector is gradually being reduced.Third, anti-corruption laws are strong and well enforced. Moreover, foreign and domestic Investors are treated equally, and openness to global commerce fosters competitiveness. With prudent and sound banking practices, the financial sector has weathered the global financial turbulence relatively well (Miller and Holmes, Para. 3). These should be good enough reasons to attract Arcadia entering Singapore market. Issues Singapore Consumer Lifestyle. The second Issue that Recall need to know before doing business in Singapore Is consumer lifestyle.In order to know which products appropriate to consumer lifestyle in Singapore, Arcadia should be marketed precisely; ongoing research in Singapore consumer lifestyle will defi nitely help Arcadia reaching their goal. Analysis Singapore Consumer Lifestyle. According to Global Marketing Information Database (GIMP), point out that Singapore have their busy lifestyle. They spend more time on working, and spending less time in other thing else. As Gingersnaps become busier, the demand for convenience has been on the rise. Thus, the household appliances should sales something that help Singapore save time such as microwaves and freezers.As Gingersnaps workers have less time for grocery hopping, having a freezer will help them to purchase more food. Likewise, microwaves will be great help to save time in cooking for Singapore busy worker. Moreover, Singapore is very attuned to high-technology lifestyles, and technology- based products and services are extremely popular. On the other hand, over the short-term the economic downturn will drive many consumers to be much more discerning, and they will search hard for the best deals (GIMP, 2011, Para. 1-13). Commercia l risks in Singapore.The last issue that Arcadia need to study carefully is attention risks in Singapore, including country risks or political risks, cross-cultural risks, commercial risks, and currency risks. Although Singapore has lower rate of corruption than other Asian countries and its Singapore Dollar (SAG) is quite strong, there is commercial risks that need to be considered. Analysis Commercial risks in Singapore. Although the Business Monitor International mentioned that the Singapore Dollar (SAG) is safe, there are commercial risks in Singapore.From Smog's information, Arcadia may adapt its products, prices, and promotions in order to minimize commercial risks while doing business in Singapore. In addition, there are several competitors who already have niches in Singapore should appliances market share such as, LEG Electronics, Panasonic, Samsung, and Careful. In order to compete with those strong competitors, Arcadia could apply its advantage, which is its knowledge of how to produce products for lower-income countries. â€Å"It operates 11 manufacturing plants in Turkey, Romania, Russia and China.Arcadia is a member of the Koch Group of companies, which holds a majority stake in the company. † (Denominator, 2010, p. 50). All those manufacturing plants allow Arcadia to produce appliances less expensively than some competitors. The retailers in Singapore are also important to Arcadias business. The main retail chains selling home appliances in Singapore are Harvey Norman, Best Dense, Courts and Gain City. Large department stores such as Tasmania and Siesta also carry a variety of major brands of home appliances.Conclusion Arcadia should expect to be better in emerging market such as, Singapore because this county offers good opportunity to household appliance businesses. Singapore has strong position in economic and continuously growth in household occupants. Arcadia should be attracted by consumer demand by households. In order to maximize company performance, Arcadia could study Singapore consumer life style and adapts its products to meet Gingersnap's demands. Reclaim has strong distribution network with close to 4,500 dealers in Turkey and 366 aboard.

Alka-Seltzer Experiment Ideas Essay

1.) Put Alka-Seltzer in different liquids and observe the reactions. 2.) Put Alka-Seltzer in different sealed containers (film canisters, sandwich bags, etc. and observe the reactions. 3.) Explore activity using Pop Rocks candy. 4.) Put Alka-Seltzer tablets into four different liquids (milk, orange juice, Coke, water) observe the reactions. 5.) Place Alka-Seltzer on a plate and pour a steady stream of water on it to see if it reacts any differently than dropping it into a cup of water. 6.) Does the temperature of the water make a difference in the amount of time it takes the tablet to dissolve? 7.) Will different liquids affect the time it takes to dissolve? 8.) Take three cups of water filled to the same height. Drop  ½ tablet in one cup, one tablet in another cup, and 2 tablets in the third cup. How long will it take each to completely dissolve? 9.) Compare/contrast what the reactions will be then Alka-Seltzer is dropped in a glass of milk, another carbonated drink, as well as water. 10.) Place a plant in a sealed environment. Somehow extract all air and place an Alka-Seltzer and water into the sealed environment. The CO2 released can be observed to see if it will enhance plant growth. 11.) Place Alka-Seltzer in a small bottle of water. Fit a balloon to the top of the bottle. The balloon will fill with â€Å"air.† 12.) Have children create their own rocket from construction paper. Affix  rocket to a film canister. Place Alka-Seltzer in the film canister with water. Have children put the lid on the film canister, set it down, and observe â€Å"lift-off.† 13.) Place an Alka-Seltzer tablet inside of a water bottle and immediately seal the bottle so that there is no air flow going into or out of the bottle. What will happen? 14.) Compare/contrast the time it takes to dissolve in water and soda pop. 15.) * Balloon * grind up Alka-Seltzer * put in balloon * add water, tie off * watch balloon expand Explore – Why does it expand? What will happen over time to expand the balloon? Explain – Gas if formed and causes balloon to expand. Balloon will shrink over time due to gas expanding.

Breakfast Eating Habit: A Statisical Research Project Essay

Every day millions of people around the globe turn off their alarm clocks and start their day. Some will jump out of bed and hit the door running full tilt because they are already 10 minutes late. Others are up hours before they are required to be anywhere, soak in the sunrise and settle into a predefined routine, of which breakfast may or may not be a part of. But who eats breakfast? Are there any significant factors that predispose certain people to eat breakfast or not eat breakfast? One approach to determining dependency of environmental variables and eating habits is to class individuals according to one of many possible variables. The topic for discussion in this paper is breakfast eating habits among women and the variability of children, specifically, whether women with pre teen children living at home eat breakfast more frequently than women without pre teen children. In theory, a person might assume that that women with pre teen children will tend to eat breakfast more so than women without pre teen children due in part to the responsibility they have to wake up early and prepare their children for the days events including school and sports. Different factors of each home can vary results in either direction but our research attempts to determine the dependency that pre teen may have on their mothers own breakfast eating habits. There is a tremendous amount of research done on the benefits of eating a health breakfast not only for adults, but children as well. Researchers have found that when healthy, lean women skipped their morning meal, it raised their cholesterol levels and diminished their bodies’ sensitivity to insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. In addition, the women tended to eat more calories on breakfast-free days, suggesting that over time, skipping breakfast could spur weight gain. Past studies have also suggested that women who eat breakfast, particularly whole-grain cereals, have lower cholesterol and insulin levels. Along with past evidence, new findings suggest that making time for breakfast is likely to have long-term health benefits. Whether one of those benefits results in a smaller waistline remains unclear. Some research has found a direct correlation between eating breakfast, particularly whole-grain foods, and lower body weight. Conversely, other studies have found no such relationship exists. What is clear is that researchers have found evidence that Mom was right: breakfast may really be the most important meal of the day, especially for growing children. It is essential for children to regularly consume a balanced breakfast. Data supports that the more often adolescents eat breakfast, the less likely they tend to be overweight. Additional studies have shown children are more focused in school and do better academically than those who skip breakfast. Children show the tendency to have more energy throughout the day and are more likely to participate in school activities and sports. Psychologists have determined children mostly observe their parents and follow their actions. A healthy habit of eating breakfast would tend to be a learned trait by following generations and influence the children to continue eating breakfast into adulthood. Experts also surmise that if breakfast is regularly consumed as a family meal, it may reduce the likelihood of drug use as children mature into adults. The feeling of family  closeness and nurturing support is a significant factor in reduced propensity of crime related activities with children. In order to help determine whether or not any dependency exists between breakfast eating habits and having pre teen children, our team created a survey that asked very basic questions relating to age, pregnancy, children, and how many times those women ate a breakfast that consisted of more than water or coffee. Our research chose to exclude women that where pregnant with their first child in order to rule out any difference in opinion of whether or not those women had a child at all. Our research also specifically excluded women under the age of 18 due to a litany of factors that we will not discuss in this paper. The breakfast quantities were lumped into three groups: 0-2 times per week, 3-5 times per week, and 6-7 times per week. We then randomly distributed our survey via the internet in order to capture a diverse group of woman and collated the responses. Since our research focused on determining dependency between pre teen children and eating breakfast, our null and alternative statements were simple: Null Statement – There is no difference in breakfast eating habits of women in relation to having pre teen children or having no pre teen children living in the house. Alternative Statement – Women with pre teen children living in the house eat breakfast more frequently then women who do not have pre teen children living in the house. Failing to reject the null statement would be an indication that no dependency lies between having children and eating breakfast. Conversely and what we expected to see was that a dependency did exist between the two. Our survey yielded 39 respondents, of which the category breakdown is as follows: Breakfast 0-2 Breakfast 3-5 Breakfast 6-7 With Preteen Children 1 7 6 Without Preteen Children 4 4 17 While the data may indicate a correlation between having children and breakfast eating habits exist, performing a Chi Squared Test for Independence revealed that we are 95% confident that no such relationship exists as shown by the graph on the following page: Our research dictates that we need to fail to reject the null hypothesis thus determining that with 95% certainty, no relationship exists. In conclusion, while having pre teen children in the home has no bearing on whether or not women age 18 and higher eat breakfast more often, there may be other factors that would lend itself to a dependency. Actively working, reporting time, time of year, and perhaps a survey on men might be other explored variable in an effort to determine any dependency relating to breakfast eating habits. It was interesting to note that respondents that did not have children ate breakfast in the 6-7 times a week range disproportionately higher than the other two categories. Further research is needed to ferret out any identifiable variable that would support this evidence. It is important to note for further discussion that the test statistic calculated high enough to the critical value that based on a larger sample size, a possibility may still exist that a dependent relationship is real, but not within our sample. Eating breakfast has been determined beneficial for adults and children alike, if research could identify correlations, education could be tailored to specific at risk groups and encourage those within the preferred band of dependency.