Comparative Negligence and COA Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Comparative Negligence and COA - Assignment Example The Management of European health SPA must be fully informed that they have a duty of care which provides that adequate action must be taken to avoid harm to its members or other people within their property. Policy aspects must be balanced in establishing the extent of their duty of care to patients and other stakeholders. Core components of sustaining an action in negligence include: the prediction of injury to the petitioner in which case it should be clearly identifiable the defendant’s action or inaction projected a sufficient level of certainty that the petitioner would suffer harm. Secondly, there should be a proximate cause between the the defendant’s actions or inaction and the injury or damage suffered by the plaintiff. In this case Rhoda has a right to claim damages given the fact that she is a member of the European Health SPA and the organization is to be morally blamed for not foreseeing and preventing the harm on her. The European Health SPA has a great burden and consequences for their actions of imposing duty and liability to the members as in Valdez v. J. D. Deffenbaugh Co., 51 Cal. App. 3d 494, 124 Cal. Rptr. 467 (1975). In this scenario the test of careless negligence is objective as opposed to being subjective. Rhoda who is the plaintiff must be fully aware that liability on the part of the defendant is incurred in tort when the party at the time of the act of negligence must have considerably foreseen the act that could lead into injury of another. According to Rhoda’s testimony it occurs that the floor had been slippery on all the 25 occasions she used the facilities, but the defendant had failed to exercise duty of care by warning its members or other users of the impending danger of a slippery floor. As a result of this negligence, Rhoda suffered physical injury, which entitles her to

Is Wind Power Really Green Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Is Wind Power Really Green - Essay Example Search for sustainable alternative sources of energy for development on a commercial scale has thrown up several options like the wind power, solar power, geothermal, tidal wave etc. and among these, wind power (and solar power) is coming to the forefront in view of its long history of development and scalability. However, there are distracters, mainly from the traditional fuel suppliers, who find fault with the environmental credentials of windmills. These misgivings are ill-founded and it is quite clear from its growing popularity and rapid technological strides of the industry, that wind power is a sustainable and commercially viable option, which has minimal adverse impact on the environment in comparison with nuclear or fossil fuel power. The current total global energy demand per year, put at 400 x 1015 British Thermal Units (400 quadrillion BTU or approximately 117.2 million GWh), of which 41%, 24% and 22% are the respective shares of oil, coal and natural gas; the share of hydropower and other non-conventional energy sources is just about 13% (US Department of Energy, as quoted by McLamb, 2010). According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), electricity production has risen by about 250% over a 30 year period and this growth has far outstripped the growth of production of coal and natural gas, and was facilitated by vast investments in nuclear power plants, especially in the 1970s and 1980s (World Energy Statistics Manual, IEA, 2005, p.46). IEA points out that during this period, the ‘share of oil decreased from 25 to 8% while the share of nuclear increased from 3 to 17%’ (ibid). Thus while the total energy demand has been rapidly rising and would continue to do so in the foreseeable future, dependence on nuclear power is also increasing. The reasons for increased dependence on nuclear power are not far to seek – firstly, a realization that fossil fuels are not an inexhaustible

The Golden Ratio: Importance

The Golden Ratio: Importance The great architect of age and every culture, the basis of which is Golden Ratio. Thesis statement: What is the Golden Ratio? How can one number be so important that countless historical figures have spent many years of their lives studying it and proving its existence? And why is it still so relevant in todays design and architecture? Introduction What is the most satisfying proportion in today design? The Greeks thought they knew. Their temples were designed according to certain rules relating to the golden section. (Which is what we, layman, know as the Divine Proportion, the Golden Proportion, the Golden Number or even the Golden hat Mean.) In the 13th century, Fibonnaci, an Italian mathematician, put it all down on paper. He said, the golden section or perfect proportion was 0.618034 to 1 (about 5 to 8). The Parthenon (a temple in the Athenian Acropolis that the Greeks built, dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena) fits into Fibonnacis Golden rectangle. Incidentally, so do the pyramids at Giza. Does this make the Golden proportion a necessary rule to follow in design? In the 16th century, Leonardo Da Vinci wrote a book on geometric recreations called Divine Proportion. In 1948 Le Corbusier also wrote a book on mathematical proportioning. Others who have benefited this ratio are biologists, artists, psychologists and even mystics have pondered and debated on the basis of ubiquity and appeal. It is fair to say that the Golden Ratio has inspired thinkers of all disciplines like no other numbers in the history of mathematics. Throughout the generations, many architects have also searched for the golden rule of design, thinking that it is that of the Golden Ratio. However, their search is far from over. This is because mathematics alone will not tell you what the most eye-pleasing proportion for a buildings structure is. Proportion must be generically correct and determined by the nature of the material. In other words, it is one thing for stone, another for concrete, and something else for steel. This, we would discuss further in another segment. Present technology has also given architects and engineers unlimited range to compose new forms of design and exciting spaces. My stand is that the Golden Ratio is an important aspect in designing a building but it is not the most crucial. Besides having proportion in a building, functionality is also important. A creative design through the creative intuition of a designer will make the building outstanding. History Background Renaissance Period The Golden Ratio is related to many things in the world today, not only during the times of Renaissance, Le Corbusier and Alberti. It exists in architecture, art, music, design and even fashion. Since Renaissance, many artists and architects have proportioned their works to the Golden Ratio, especially in the form of golden rectangle, in which the ratio of the longer side to the shorter in the Golden Ratio, causing this proportion to be aesthetically pleasing. Mathematicians have studied this because of its unique and interesting properties applying it to geometry. Since then, it has opened up doors for me how I view design and architecture and how it balances harmony to architecture design in this modern world. Others who have benefited this ratio are biologists, artists, psychologists and even mystics have pondered and debated on the basis of ubiquity and appeal. It is fair to say that the Golden Ratio has inspired thinkers of all disciplines like no other numbers in the history of mathematics. B Body The Golden Ratio in the Past Firstly, let us consider what the ancients were trying to achieve by including the Golden Proportion in their design. Taking the building of the Parthenon temple as an example, the Greeks have shown a clear example of proportioned Golden Ratio and design, with it being circumscribed by golden rectangles. Some scholars, however, denied that the Greeks had any aesthetic association with Golden Ratio. It could have been just pure sense of good proportion by the architects at that time. Making a building pleasing to ones eyes and creating harmony in space was the main objective. the Greeks simply wanted to achieve perfection that pleases their God, Athena. The Parthenons facade is, or? Unlikely I feel, as it is seen from the pictures, the measurements and the superimpose golden rectangles, these choices are so well made that there must be some work of the mathematical calculations to derive such proportioned structure of a building. They feel that it was not until Euclid that mathematical properties were studied. Before Elements (308BC) the Greek merely regarded the number merely as an interesting irrational numbers, with regular pentagons and decagons and dodecahedron (a regular polyhedron) and regular pentagons. But one thing for sure, it was the Euclid where it is showed how to calculate the value. Vitruvius (a Roman writer, architect and engineer) discussed proportions where it can be expressed in whole numbers, as opposed to irrational proportions. Secondly, Are modern designers concerned with the issue of Golden Ratio to architectural design? Whether they still apply Golden Ratio? Le Corbusier is said to have contributed to many modern international style architecture, centering on harmony and proportion. Its faith in the mathematical order was closely bound by the Golden Ratio and the Fibonacci series. He uses the Golden Ratio in his modulor system for the scale of architectural proportion. He saw this system as a continuation of the long tradition of Vitruvius, and others who used the proportions of the human body, to improve the appearance and function of architecture. In addition to Golden Ratio, Le Corbusier based the system on human measurements, Fibonacci numbers and the double unit. He took Leonardos suggestion of the Great Ratio in human proportions to an extreme, he sectioned his model human bodys height at the navel with the two sections in the Golden Ratio, then subdivided those sections in Golden Ratio at the knees and throat; he used these Golden Ratio proportions in the Modulor system. The Villa Stein in Garches exemplified the Modular system. The Villas rectangular ground, elevation and inner structure closely approximate golden rectangles. Thirdly, Fractal Dimensions in Modern Architecture Recently, fractal dimensions have been calculated to be used frequently for Frank Lloyd Wrights and Le Corbusiers buildings. It can be found that both architects use the method of increasingly smaller rectangular grids. Frank Lloyd Wrights buildings display a self-similar characteristic over a wide range of scales (far and spaced versus micro small sizes), so those buildings are intrinsically fractal. However for this specific project, Wright was following the brilliant example of his teacher, Louis Sullivan. By contrast, Le Corbusiers architecture displays a characteristic over only two or three of the largest scales. In more detail, Le Corbusiers architecture is flat and straight, and therefore has no fractal qualities. A fractal dimension between one and two characterizes a design that has an infinite number of self-similar levels of scale, whereas the fractal dimension of Le Corbusiers buildings immediately drops to one. (Bovill, 1996. Salingaros, 1999.) Golden Ratio has also proven in the Art and Nature Leonardo da Vincis illustrated yet another divine proportion in the infamous painting of Mona Lisa. Other equally well known painting which has made use of the Golden Ratio is The Sacrament of the Last Supper by Salvador Dali. The Golden Ratio is expressed in the arrangement of branches along the stems of plants and of veins in leaves and even to the skeletons of animals including their veins and nerves, to the proportions of chemical compounds and the geometry of crystals, to the use of proportion in artistic endeavours. From this, the Golden Ratio has become a universal law in strive to create completeness and beauty, with both nature and art, in structure, forms and proportions, organic and inorganic, in the human form. According to Volkmar Weiss and Harold Weiss the Golden Ratio also affects the clock cycle of brain waves, known as psychometric data. Golden Ratio is Relevance in Present Times Modernising the Traditional Intimate Relationship Between Architecture and Mathematics The traditional intimate relationship between architecture and mathematics has changed in the 20th century. Architecture students no longer need to have a mathematical background according to the article Architecture, Patterns and Mathematics by Nikos Salingaros. It may be promoting an anti-mathematical mindset. Mathematics is a science of patterns, the presence or absence of patterns in our surroundings influences how easily one grasp the concepts that rely on patterns. However, it has been seen that an increase in technological advances, rather especially in the area of environmental factors, has made mathematics almost redundant in architecture. Environmental psychologists know that our surroundings influence the way we think, so if we are raised in an anti-mathematical environment, then we would deem to subscribe more human qualities. This is not an argument about preferences or styles, it concerns more about a trained functionality of the human mind! An example to illustrate the meaning of functionality in the human mind is made by Christopher Alexander where: the need for lights from two sides of a room; a well-defined entrance; interaction of footpaths and car roads; hierarchy of privacy in different rooms of a house and etc. It speaks about specific building types, about building blocks that can be combined in an infinite number of ways. This implies a more mathematical and combinatoric approach to design in general. Alexandrine patterns represent solutions which repeat itself in time and space, thus relating to visual patterns transforming into other dimensions. A new concept: Organic Architecture In recent years, there has been a shift in architecture looking away from Golden Ratio to other ways in which design can still have a sense of proportion by looking at nature for inspiration; the term given is Organic Architecture. The term organic architecture was coined by the famous modern architect, Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959), though never well expressed by his cryptic style of writing: So here I stand before you preaching organic architecture: declaring organic architecture to be the modern ideal and the teaching so much needed if we are to see the whole of life, and to now serve the whole of life, holding no traditions essential to the great TRADITION. Nor cherishing any preconceived form fixing upon us either past, present or future, but instead exalting the simple laws of common sense or of super-sense if you prefer determining form by way of the nature of materials Frank Lloyd Wright, written in 1939. While Organic Architecture does describe some form of individuality, it also expresses our need to connect the designs, we create, to Nature. Using Nature as a fundamental for design, from there a building or design must grow, as Nature grows, from the inside out. Many architects design their buildings as that similar to a shell and force their way inside. Nature grows from the idea of a seed and reaches out to its surroundings. A building thus, is akin to an organism and mirrors the beauty and complexity of Nature. Where the Golden Ratio Fits In However, in the research that I have done on this topic, many of the historic scholars who devoted their entire lives to studying the Golden Ratio has always studied nature for inspiration and they derived the Golden Ratio from nature itself. Modern architects who claim to move away from the Golden Ratio as it is too conformist and look towards nature for their inspiration for proportion instead still end up following the Golden Ratio as it was from studying nature that led to the discovery of Golden Ratio. Hence, the continuing relevance of Golden Ratio in todays architecture. How the Golden Ratio is evident in our everyday lives The Golden Ratio seen in Music Rhythm is everywhere in nature, at every scale from cosmic phenomena to the oscillations of atoms. Our every cell has its own clock, governing its own repetitive rhythms. Time itself, once measured by the motion of earth, sun and stars, is now defined, less memorably, as 9,192,631,770 oscillations of a single atom of an obscure metal. At the scale of the biosphere, the fidelity of replication in the genetic system is such that no more than about 200 errors are made in copying the 300 million bases strung into the chromosomes that hoard the design of our bodies. Without those errors, however, there could be no change and so no evolution. With this is mind, we shall now look at how rhythm ties in with the Golden Ratio. Much of the rhythm and movement and design of our bodies and normal everyday life experiences all tie in with the Golden Ratio, how we perceive an object and whether we find it pleasing all goes back to the Golden Ratio. Because it is the one of the universal constants that allow for the interactions between all things on earth, it continues to hold relevance in our lives, regardless of the advancements in technology, which in fact is actually discovering more and more how life and design is so intimately associated with the Golden Ratio. Architectural evidence of the Golden Ratio Take a look at modern architecture and you will soon realize that the last decades have produced an increasing number of buildings with exotic shapes. Of course, also in earlier times the design of buildings has been influenced by mathematical ideas regarding, for instance, symmetry. Both historical and modern developments show that mathematics can play an important role, ranging from appropriate descriptions of designs to guiding the designers intuition. C Case study Case Study One: Republic Poly Technology of Singapore by Fumihiko Maki Fumihiko Maki designed the new campus attempting to preserve the green qualities and the topography of the original site introducing landscape elements that contrast with the natural widerness and strengthen the sense of place based on Golden Ratio. Case Study Two: AL Mukminin Mosque In Jurong East by Forum Architects built in 1987 The adoption of the Fibonacci sequence as a design generator is the intriguing concept of this Mosque, a strong arithmetic pattern. The architects involved with questions of context and the sense of harmony is gathered from the aspiration. Case Study Three: Palladios Villa Rotunda. The Villa Rotonda design is completely symmetrical on all axes under a modern teminology, including diagonals. Case Study Four: Taj Mahai Taj Mahai in India contains the golden ratio in its design and it was completed in 1648. Case Study Five: CN Tower in Toronto The CN Tower in Toronto, the tallest tower structure in the world, has contains the also has golden ratio in its design. 342 meters was the ratio of observation deck and total height of 553.33 is 0.618 or phi, the reciprocal of Phi! Case Study Six: California Polytechnic State University The College of Engineering was also designed based on the Fibonacci number What I have perceived until this moment In my analysis, Golden Ratio forms the basis of understanding of architecture, however it is not the entirety. Because form follow function, function plays an important part of the architectural design because without understanding the functionally of form, it is not possible to develop a building of good use, for example a good architect must be able to understand the utility of function. For example, the architect must know how many rooms a house needs, whether a swimming pool is required or a badminton court needed. After a form is selected and function must go beyond the concerns of biotechnical materialism. The creative architects must go beyond utility technical knowledge to an awareness of experiential associations and symbolic meanings that lies behind the visible form. Beauty in design is not guaranteed when all of the above is satisfied. Some intuition is required by the architect and an outstanding design depends also in skill and intuition with functionality. Therefore, the great architect of age and every culture, the basis of which is mathematical. Word count : 2953

Free Color Purple Essays: Recognition and Equality in The Color Purple :: Color Purple Essays

Recognition and Equality in The Color Purple The book, The Color Purple, by Alice Walker is a good example on how over the years women have been making remarkable strides towards achieving success, recognition and equality. From the day they began their closeness to each other, bringing unity in which they never quite used to get in progress of their high quality goal. Their particular goal was against greatest freedom of the man’s rights. It was hard to maintain due to them not be able to point to non-equality because they were treated like slaves. However it was simple to complete with victory. In the book there seem to be at a point where Celie has opened her eyes and starts her own business. She owns a business making pants that she established living in Shug's house. She makes custom pants for her family and then everyone wanted a pair. Through work, she has money and also she dressed well. Her business is booming and everyone is ordering pants from her. This also shows that element of pants. The pants of her business provide Celie with her own identify; now people see her as a master at something and not some housewife. It also shows Celie she has an identity and that she doesn’t have to live with men and do what they tell her. This gives her financial freedom as well. The business brought her into success in which she inherits the house she grew up in and feels even better because now she is living by herself and Nettie, her sister who lives in Africa can come with Celie’s children and her husband and stay with Celie. At this time happiness is ab out to go away since a message comes from the Ministry of Defense saying that Nettie’s ship sunk. This brought Celie loosing all her hope and feels like there is nothing to live for when she states: â€Å"Being alive begin to seem like a awful strain.† (Page. 262). However, then Cellie receives more letters from Nettie stating: â€Å"But one of these days I expect to see your face.† In conclusion, this shows that major success is happing and things are getting better. Nettie does end up coming to America and living with Cellie and therefore, this is a major success. A key role in the book seems to be a sense of

Brazil and India Essay

Since mid 1970s, East Asia and Latin America with specific references to India and Brazil respectively have recorded tremendous growth in their Human Development Index score. It is only the African continent that has lagged behind in issues of social justice, development and globalization due to poor governance, overdependence on donor support and the low life expectancy due to the effect of HIV/AIDS. A considerable growth of India in terms of globalization and improved economy has been noted in the last two decades. By 1900, the United States had become a member of the economic core, while Brazil remained mired in the semi-periphery (DeWitt, pp. 4-10). Factors of consideration in the measurement of human development of a particular nation that include life expectancy, adult literacy and the purchasing power parity (PPT) indicate that these two nations have moved a notch higher on the HDI scale. These nations have also noted a considerable improvement in other matters such as gender equality, respect for human rights and political and social freedoms. According to Human Development Report, the Human Development Index for India is 0. 169. This gives the country a rank of 128th out of 177 with data. This indicates that India has recorded positive changes in its HDI ranking. A deeper examination of important issues related to the well being of people such as income gives a better understanding on how a country’s level of development can be tracked. Relations between Brazil and India seem to be blooming recently, favored by a mix of domestic and international developments. Together with an expanded terrain of common interests in multilateral political and economic matters, both countries share the trend of perceiving bilateralism as a stimulating and useful learning process (Mo’nica, pp. 143-164). India and Brazil can no longer qualify to be graded as developing nations. Gender issues in India that involve deeper understanding of the dissimilarities between different sexes, male and female reveal an improved overall rating. The allocation of natural resources, job opportunities and responsibilities provide an indication on how incentives and rewards are given in relation to gender. The existences of institutions that champion for gender equality have recorded improved achievements in their goals. India has taken much consideration on special and practical needs of women. The constitutions of India and Brazil have gender and equality in their introductory statements and further enshrined in the different sections of the constitutions. Further constitutional amendments and reforms have been undertaken in the years to level the playing field in terms of available opportunities for both sexes. The ratification of a number of international conventions and human rights aimed at appreciating the role of women in society indicate India’s record in matters of social justice. A good example is the ratification of the 1993 convention on elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. Furthermore, the number of women in India joining panchayats has been growing by the year. The 1993 constitutional amendment that requires that a third of those elected to the local governing authorities be women is a clear indication that India has taken gender issues seriously. National policy on women empowerment in 2001 is specifically geared towards empowering women from the grassroots level. 2. 0 Brazil and India: Developed or developing? 2. 1 India as a Developed Nation The Indian economy has always been on the upward surge and the reality that it is a part of the developed world cannot be brushed aside. Indian economy has recorded a 6-7 per cent growth and in the last three years achieved an average growth rate of 8 per cent (Mo’nica, pp. 101-145). Further increase in these figures is very possible considering that India still has opportunities for the improvement in its infrastructure, agriculture and the service industry. It is projected that if this trend continues or accelerated further, India is capable of doubling its GDP within the next 10 years. Globalization Immense improvement in trade systems and the measure of inflow of capital are to the benefit of India. The concept of globalization that has made trade easier and led to the â€Å"death of distance† has contributed significantly to trade, immigration and development issues in India. The dynamics of a global economy is being reshaped by the economic emergence of two Asian giants, China and India. How the world’s two most populous countries manage globalization as they pursue economic reform and liberalization will impact significantly their societies, the rest of Asia, and the world (Kelly, Rajan and Goh, pp. 10-15). While factors of endowments such as land, capital and labor were used as yardsticks for measuring the strength of countries and economy, today globalization has brought about other important factors such as political and institutional reforms. The determination of the country’s income flow is predominantly based on the demand of its products, services and natural resources by other countries. India has grabbed this window of trade opportunity by reforming its industrial sector and coming up with products and services that are demanded all over the globe. Increased business activities have led to the modernization of India’s ports, airports and railway system. Such infrastructural development has contributed to the improved Human Development Index thus making India a member club of the developed nations. The drastic shift from production of labor intensive crops to primary commodities has made India an ideal example of an industrialized nation. Furthermore the utilization of the service sector that includes transport, banking, construction, public administration and security and radical reforms contributed significantly to its higher standings. The advancement in the information and communication technology sector and constitutional freedoms to access to information have facilitated a robust and informed elite of businessmen and businesswomen from India with knowledge on the understanding of world’s economy and global trade. The availability of skilled labor in the human resource sector of an economy is a determinant on the level of a country’s overall growth in the knowledge-based sector service. This sector is one of the most essential as globalization and its aspects demands constant supply of professional and technical services for the various segments of the economy. India is a global leader in the supply of this crucial sector of development and is at the top position for global consultations and migration of physicians and medical personnel to other parts of the world including the United States and the United Kingdom. India has extensively made use of the decrease in price tariffs in the transport and communication sector due to globalization. The development of the containerization has made the world a global village and thus distances do not matter. The use of internet and cheap telephone calls has furthermore simplified trade deals. India has effectively made use of these sectors thereby maximizing the advantages that come along with them. Furthermore, grading India as a developing nation is failing to live with the reality that development in human index is based on many factors that change from time to time and may then take a long period to discover. India has had a long walk in this area and as such has recorded big advancement in its sectors of economy making it one of the giant economies in Asia. Globalization has thus contributed not only to the economy but also to the service sector. Understanding that a country does not have to rely on the productions of cheap products to record growth and that related products such as productions of flash-disks or hard-disk drives for use in computers manufactured in another country can create a significant shift from the traditional forms of trade beliefs. Advantages taken in skills to adapt to changes in the global trade has cushioned India from the adverse effects of shifting and constantly insecure changes in the major world economy. Managerial competence and technical know-how have been used in India to advance its service sector of the economy. Measures regarding the integration of Asian financial market and further trade and regional cooperation are likely to work the advantage of India’s economy and its improvement on human development index standings. Social Justice Health indicators show that India has almost achieved the effort of completely bringing polio to eradication due to reforms in its health sector. Free information and drug dispensing has contributed to sharp decline in Tuberculosis and the provision of generic drugs from its pharmaceutical industries has helped keep the prevalence of HIV/AIDS to below one percent. The efficient management of programs such as the National Aids Control Programs revised, National Tuberculosis program and the National Polio Eradication Program have given more support to efforts directed at controlling the adverse effects of these diseases. Sub-Saharan Africa has suffered massively due to the effects of HIV/AIDS and thus has a long way before joining the club of developed nations. Furthermore, India has made remarkable inroads towards the achievement of a universal primary education program. The 2001 Sarva Shirksha Abhiyan (SSA) elementary education program by the education sector has made access to school by the poor record commendable improvement. The emissions of greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide (CO2) have made the world to rethink and provide tangible solutions to save the future generations. India and its industry contribute to 4. 6% of global emission – an average of 1. 2 tones of carbon dioxide per person. This is a testimony that India is an industrialized nation and thus a contributor to world toxic carbons. However, India is signatory and has gone ahead to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. This provides an indicator on its position as an economic giant and its concern for the environment and the future generations. Its readiness to cut back its emissions shows a fully informed nation prepared to change its industry sector and adopt safer systems of manufacturing and engaging in industrial activities that pollute the atmosphere. The birth of India as a secular nation was realized in 1947 with the divisions of two of its large lands into an Islamic nation, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The eastern part of India always referred to as East Pakistan later became to be known as Bangladesh. Freedom of religion is deeply enshrined in its contribution and its preamble describes India as a secular nation. The top government officials of India are composed of individuals with different religion backgrounds. It has had an instance of a Hindu president, a Sikh prime minister, a Christian leader of congress party a defense minister who is a catholic and a Muslim vice president. This shows that India has attained a level in which leadership positions do not take care of religious background but integration of these different religious achieved by the realization of a common state. Religious tolerance and the freedom to equally exercise religion publicly is an indicator on the level of democracy. 2. 2 Brazil as a Developed Nation The democratization process in Brazil has accelerated so fast. Politically Brazil is emerging as a centre for democracy after year of military dictatorships associated with violations of human rights and denial of political freedoms. The election of a civilian president through the electoral vote system formed a foundation for the beginning of democratization process (Hanashiro, pp. 103- 105). Furthermore, Brazil has excellent relationships with other countries all over the world and does not involve itself in actions that undermine the sovereignty of other institutions. Its is today considered one of the pillars of democracy in Latin America and an invitation to join the Group eight most industrialized and developed nations is an indicator as to the confidence other countries bestow on Brazil in terms of its governance records, social justice, development index and other related factors. The civil society in Brazil is a vibrant sector that keeps the government in tracks on matters related to human rights and justice. While there have cases in which human rights abuse have been recorded, the rate at which this improvement has taken place must be appreciated. With a staggering population of over 140 million people, the authorities must face serious challenges of dealing with crime and providing measures that limit excess use of force in dealing with radical elements. Brazil has had significant improvement in the creation of political space. The existence of different political parties and organizations championing for political space or freedom is a clear indicator that serious changes have taken place. The constitution of Brazil has democracy issues in its pre-amble and further defines the importance of democratic space, freedom of association and achievement of full potential and happiness in its contents. Protection of citizens and individuals regardless of their political associations is a further indicator of its commitment to being not only a politically stable country but also a nation that upholds the rule of law and justice to all its populace. Brazil is a major player in the production of many products. Through its manufacturing industries, Brazil produces automobiles, computers, aircrafts and boasts of a nuclear reactor. Development structures are ever on the increase and a standing example is the solution of the problem of acute shortage of petrol globally between 1973 and 1980. It achieved a commendable success by switching from the conventional and traditional use of petroleum to the use of renewable source of energy for its automobile industry. It does has recorded a major contribution towards cutting down of green gases and carbon dioxide (CO2) because of the use of sugar and alcohol to drive these domestically manufactured hybrid cars and automobiles. This success in alternative energy development means that Brazil’s economy can move forward even in cases of acute shortage of petroleum and its products. The development of the aerospace industry is another boost for the development of Brazil as a developed nation. It is a manufacturer of aircrafts and spare parts of these machines that are then sold to more than 40 countries worldwide today. These aircrafts meets the international standards of air safety and come at competitive prices in comparison to those manufactured in Europe. The construction industry in Brazil is recognized worldwide and notably in Latin America with contracts in Africa and Asia. Construction of dams, expansion of the road network, building of houses, airports and ports are carried out by engineers and professionals trained in Brazil and by construction firms registered and chartered by the Brazilians themselves. They can still explore the impact of five policy areas on employment creation: macroeconomic policy, trade liberalization, foreign direct investment, labor market regulations and policies, and social dialogue (Auer and Ernst, pp. 223-239). Furthermore, development in other sectors of the economy is likely to take place as there is still a big opportunity for development. The existence of a sophisticated information communication and technology is a clear sign of its thirst for a faster achievement of its development goals by the application of modern methods. Brazil boosts of an excellent system of communication where all people have the freedom of access to information and as such is a pillar of development in Latin America. Trade with other nations has gone high since 1990 due to production of quality products that creates demand thereby promoting the local based industries. The quick application and encouragement of use of modern methods of transport and communication has accelerated the speed at which Brazil can be said to be globalized. Tourism in Brazil has overtaken many tourist destinations and countries all over the world. In Latin American, Brazil has the best tourist sports such as beautiful beaches of Rio de Janeiro, the eastern ports of Fortaleza and its all the year summer attract tourists from all over the globe. Presence of the Iguacu Falls at the boarder with Argentina offers a unique and spectacular view that cannot be compared to any spot in the world. The constitution of Brazil further provides for the respect of religion practice and upholds the freedom of religion. There are no double standards in cases of religion and all citizens irrespective of their religion affiliations are considered equal. Its laws go further in prohibiting all forms of discrimination based on religion. It is one of the religious democratic countries that do not demand registration of a religious group. In the recent two centuries, there have never been open reports of arrests and detention of religious leaders or stakeholders. 3. 0 Conclusion Economic achievements of India and Brazil for the past three decades qualify them to join the club of developed nations. Respect for human rights, rule of law and order, industrialization, research in fields of health and information and communication technology confirm this statement. Further achievement in the provision of universal primary education, gender equality and availability of job opportunities are further indicators. The invitation of these two nations together with Japan and Germany attest further proof to the confidence of the world in the institutions and governance. Brazil and India thus qualify to be developed nations. References: Auer, P. and Ernst, C. , Meeting the Employment Challenge: Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico in the Global Economy. ISBN 9221179478, 9789221179474, International Labor Organization, pp. 4-6 (2006) DeWitt, J. , Early globalization and the Economic Development of the United States and Brazil. ISBN 0275971996, 9780275971991, Greenwood Publishing Group, 2002. Hanashiro, O. , Democratizing State and Civil Society in Brazil. 43 (3), pp. 103-105, (2000) Kelly, D. A. , Rajan, R. S. and Goh, G. H. L. , Managing globalization: lessons from China and India: inaugural conference of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. ISBN 9812564942, 9789812564948, Published by World Scientific, (2006) Mo’nica, H. , Brazil–India Relations, South Asian Survey, Vol. 15, No. 1, pp. 143-164 (2008)

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Essay

The News Article is about the new Health Law; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was signed into law in March 2010. Also included in the Act are individual mandate requirements, expansion of public programs, health insurance exchanges, changes to private insurance, employer requirements and cost and coverage estimates. Unfortunately some citizens of the United States are disapproving of this Act; Obama has offered to make changes to the Act if warranted. Currently Administration is Attempting to quantify exactly how much individuals and businesses might save once the law is phased in starting in 2014. Premiums are expected to be lower than they otherwise would be without the law. For example, it says, middle-income families could save as much as $2,300 by purchasing coverage through the new health insurance exchanges; small businesses could save as much as $350 per family policy; and even large businesses will save, it says, because healthier people will have insurance. A statement from the American’s Health Insurance Plan gives the downfall of the Act, â€Å"The new law will expand coverage to millions of Americans, but fails to address the health care cost crisis.† Opinion: In my opinion of the Act I’m not really sure which side I chose to be on. The Act could save many people and businesses a lot of money. With the economy in the state it is every dime people could save would help. However the law does nothing for the price of medicine and other medical needs. Also with Obama offering to make changes to fit peoples wants and needs should help a lot with winning of the Critics.

Getting an Italian Tattoo

Getting an Italian Tattoo Youve finally decided to get a tattoo. A tattoo in Italian, no less. Why not? Foreign language tattoos have a certain cachet- many people dont know what they say, lending the tattoo a certain sophistication or flair. But thats the point. Many people, including the tattoo artist, dont understand what the tattoo says, and a simple slip of the needle can turn love (amare) bitter (amaro). Italian Tattoos Are Forever Beware: an Italian tattoo is forever. On an episode of Miami Ink on TLC, a customer went to a tattoo parlor and, being Italian American, wanted per sempre tattooed vertically down his forearm from elbow to wrist. He told the tattoo artist it meant forever and gave him the drawing he made himself. The tattoo artist, who did not know Italian, proceeded to finish the tattoo as drawn. When finished, the customer looked at it in horror! Written on his arm was pre sempre- which has no meaning in Italian. The customer had spent much effort in making the lettering artistic that he spelled it wrong. The tattoo artist was able to fix the error, but it was a costly mistake. Context Is King If youre thinking about getting an Italian tattoo (in Italian: farsi fare un tatuaggio- to have oneself tattooed, to be tattooed) one thing to consider is context. A trendy phrase in English might not mean anything in Italian or, worse, require a bit of linguistic gymnastics to render the term comprehensible in Italian. In addition, there may be no cultural reference. For instance, keep it real is a popular American pop culture term- but its a phrase that has no resonance in Italian everyday life. In fact, if Italians were to use the term, theyd say it in English to indicate their knowledge of American pop culture. Character Counts Another consideration when getting a tattoo, obviously, is whether it fit on your ankle, bicep, back, or wherever else youve decided you want the image. If there is text involved, be aware that Italian translations of English phrases and terms are typically longer- both the words themselves and the total number of words. Either the font size of the letters will have to be smaller to fit the same area, or you will have to bulk up that bicep so thats theres more skin to ink! If An Italian Tattoo Is A Must If youre absolutely, positively convinced that you want an Italian tattoo, consult a native Italian speaker. Better yet, ask a few Italian speakers and get a range of opinions about both the grammatically correct translation of the term or phrase youre considering, and also whether it has any significance in Italian. This way you wont have an Italian tattoo permanently etched into your skin that, although it makes sense literally, isnt part of everyday speech. Whatever you do, avoid online automatic translators- they are notorious for rendering incomprehensible statements. And make sure the tattoo artist understands exactly how the word or phrase should read before beginning his work. A Picture Paints A Thousand Words Walk into the Sistine Chapel and one of the lasting images is the brilliance of the colors on the walls and ceilings. Now imagine what an Italian Renaissance artist could accomplish with a broad expanse of back, a forearm, or thigh. Thats an Italian tattoo that wouldnt require translation- the vivid colors and dramatic personae would tell a story better than any phrase rendered into Italian, and would be unique as well. That might be the best Italian tattoo anyone could design and execute.

A Survey of Information Technologies in Logistics Management Essays

A Survey of Information Technologies in Logistics Management Essays A Survey of Information Technologies in Logistics Management Essay A Survey of Information Technologies in Logistics Management Essay A Survey of Information Technologies in Logistics Management Anil Gurung University of Texas at Arlington Department of Information Systems and Operations Management, College of Business Administration Office: Room 630 Business Building Box 19437 701 S West St. Arlington, Texas 76019-0437 Voice: 817. 272. 3528 Email: [emailprotected] edu ABSTRACT This paper analyzes the impact of information technologies (IT) on logistics by conducting a survey of literatures on academic logistics journals and practitioner journals. The literature survey and practice find that third party logistic providers have better opportunity to leverage IT since they need to have interoperable IT systems with their customers. The business philosophy of Just-In-Time (JIT) has also contributed to the impact of IT in logistics. Further, information technologies are identified that has benefited the logistics. Future directions of logistics are discussed. INTRODUCTION The proliferation of information technologies (IT) and the internet technologies have provided impetus and challenges to the logistics. New technologies present new means to manage the flow of information. IT as a productivity tool can be utilized to both increase the capability and decrease the cost at the same time (Closs et al. , 1997). It has been widely accepted that firms can achieve competitive advantage by cost reduction or differentiation with the proper implementation of IT (Porter Millar, 1985). Enabled by IT the logistics has become a source of competitive advantage for many firms. Two streams of research are identified that highlights the role of IT in logistics. First stream relates to just-in-time logistics information system (Anderson Quinn, 1986; Bookbinder Dilts, 1989; Das Handfield, 1997; Gomes Mentzer, 1988; Perry, 1988; Schwarz Weng, 2000; Spencer, M. S. et al. , 1994; Spencer, M. S. et al. , 1996; Takahashi Nakamura, 2000; Titone, 1996; Wafa Yasin, 1996). The other stream is the third party logistics (Lewis Talalayevsky, 2000; Peters et al. , 1998; Sauvage, 2003; Sink Langley, 1997; Vaidyanathan, 2005). Importance of IT in logistics has grown to some extent by business philosophy of Just-InTime (JIT) by firms. With the emphasis of firms on JIT, the impact of logistics has grown as it is increasingly recognized as a source of consistent, low lead time, damage free deliveries (Bardi et al. , 1994). In pursuit of competitive advantages, firms outsource their functions which are noncore competencies so that they can focus on their core competencies. A recent survey found that 83 percent of the surveyed Fortune 500 companies reported having at least one contract with a third-party logistics provider (Lieb Bentz, 2004). Over the years, the use of third-party logistics has been increasing. Similar survey of Fortune 500 companies taken in 1991 had only 38 percent of the respondents reporting the use of third-party logistics provider (Lieb, 1992). The 618 third party logistic operators attempt to harness the capability of information technology to provide superior services to their customers. The objective of this paper is to study how IT has impacted logistics. To this end, literature review of both leading academic and practitioner logistic journals is conducted. The next section will report the framework of logistics. The following section will analyze the IT enablers in logistics. Then, the implications of ecommerce are discussed followed by a section on future directions for logistics. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE A classification scheme logistics functions provides a meaningful way to study how IT has impacted the various functions of logistics. Previous research in logistics have categorized the use of information systems in logistics in different ways. A system of logistics functions can be divided into following five broad areas (Bowersox, 1974): facility location, transportation, inventory, communication and material movement. Based on the problem areas that application addresses, seven areas of logistics has been identified as facility location, inventory control, order entry, vehicle scheduling, warehouse layout planning, freight rate retrieval, and product and shipment tracing (Ballou, 1976). Another survey identified five categories as facility location, inventory control, transportation, production scheduling, and total physical distribution (House, 1978). These categories treated each category as individual entities rather than a whole system. Noting this shortcoming, Stenger (1986) proposed another classification consisting of transaction systems, short-term scheduling and inventory replenishment systems, flow planning systems, and network planning and design systems. Expanding on the framework developed by Bowersox, Novack et al (1992) divided logistics function into two categories. The first category refers to physical activities that are required various utilities of customer need. These will include inventory, transportation and customer service operations. The second category refers to flow of information or transaction activities that follow or initiate the physical activities. The physical and information flows in logistics function is well-depicted in Figure 1 that shows the categorization of logistics functions as described by Vaidyanathan (2005). As shown in the figure, information flows between logistics function are managed, coordinated and supported by various logistics technologies. 619 Inventory and Logistics Management: Freight Consolidation Freight Distribution Shipment Planning Traffic Management Inventory Management Carrier Selection Order Entry/ Management Information Flow Customer Service: Freight Payments Auditing Order Management Fulfillment Help Desk Carrier Selection Rate Negotiation Information Flow Warehousing: Packaging Product Making Labeling Warehousing Material Flow Transportation: Fleet Management Cross Docking Product Return Figure 1: Categorization of Logistics Functions (adapted from Vaidyanathan 2005) IT enablers in Logistics The literature in logistics is full of instances where information technology has been touted as a means to enhance logistics competitiveness (Bowersox, 1974; Closs et al. , 1997; Rabinovich et al. , 1999; Stenger, 1986). Yet there has been few empirical studies that relates logistics information capabilities to logistics competence (Closs et al. , 1997). A popular framework in information systems discipline put forward by Gorry Morton (1989) place logistics decisions as structured and varying from operational to strategic. The role of logistics information systems as operational and strategic enablers in different areas of the firm’s supply chain has been stated in the literature (Langley et al. , 1988). There has been a shift of IT from being an enabler of operational and material handling functions to being an enabler of decision-making and activityplanning functions within the supply chain (La Londe Auker, 1973). Logistics Information System Logistics Information System (LIS) is the application component of logistics information technology. An effective LIS facilitates the proper information flow between inventory, 20 Information Flow warehousing and transportation to realize the high level of customer service. The ability to optimize the logistics cost and service levels is affected by the LIS of the firm and its partners. Firms that provide better logistics services at a lower cost can have competitive advantage over its competitors (Bardi et al. , 1994). Two classes of LIS has been recogn ized in the literature (Closs et al. , 1997). Logistics operating systems (LOS) refer to transactional applications such as order entry, order processing, warehousing, and transportation. Logistics planning systems (LPS) refer to coordinating applications such as forecasting, inventory management, and distribution requirements planning. EDI Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) has successfully enhanced the communication between firms which is essential for logistics. This technology requires firms to have common data formatting and transmission standards or protocols. Such technologies have been employed by companies to coordinate their value chain activities including logistics. Early applications of EDI has been on transmitting vehicle location information by railways to their customers. Other types of logistics information carried by EDI are purchase orders/releases and changes, advanced shipping notices, bills of lading, and invoices. Timely and accurate information is crucial in decision making about complex logistics problems. Japan Airlines (JAL) adopted EDI to manage their complex value chain logistics required for their operations, including procurement and just-in-time delivery of aircraft fuel, repair and maintenance aircraft parts, food catering and other customer requirements (Chatfield Bjorn-Andersen, 1997). The competitive advantage gained by companies employing EDI is cited in the literature. Firms utilizing EDI were better able to fulfill greater number of services to their customers (Rogers et al. , 1992). Bar coding Bar coding is one of the most IT enablers to date and has made significant impact in the practice. Starting in 1960’s some of the earliest implementation of bar codes were in rail road cars. Nowadays it is rampant in anything that needs to be identified and tracked. The different type of bar codes are available, known as symbologies, for different purposes. In practice, most firms prefer to use industry standards rather than proprietary standards for most of their bar codes on their products. By following industry standards, bar codes reduce the complications inherent in the use of multiple standards and thus provides a strong foundation for integrating the corporate logistics and the supply chain (Closs Kefeng, 2000). Real-time communications capability The logistics IT capability of real-time communications is essential for maintaining the flow of information. As noted by Dudley Lasserre (1989), one of the important roles of logistics IT is to substitute information for inventory. To make real-time tracking of goods, logistic information systems of business partners should have real-time communications capability. The business partners require an integrated messaging architecture which exchanges business data while customizing business flows and format transformation. Real-time communications also allows for schedule plans to change in dynamic routing and scheduling system when the vehicles are 621 already out on the road. Any last minute changes in routing and scheduling system or constant tracking has been possible only with real-time communications ability of the respective systems. RFID RFID helps to identify, track and locate items automatically. The use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is expected to increase rapidly in coming years. Often referred to as the next step in the evolution of bar-coding, RFID is growing rapidly in the automatic data capture and identification market (Srivastava, 2004). RFID is not a new technology, in fact, its use dates back to 1940’s but only now it is starting to make a significant impact within the supply chain. The growth in use of RFID will be enhanced to some extent by mandates from large retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target, and the US Department of Defense, who require their suppliers to adopt this technology within the next few years (Asif Mandviwalla, 2005). Among the companies that are piloting RFID in their supply chain management prominent ones are WalMart, Procter Gamble, Coca-cola and Gillette. Although the biggest driver in the popularity of RFID has been supply chain, companies are experimenting in other applications as well. Other applications are theft detection, asset tracking, mobile payments, in-process inventory tracking and luggage tracking. Dell, Seagate, Boeing and Ford are among other companies that are using RFID to track their in-process inventory in manufacturing. An RFID system includes transponders or tags that can identify items ; antennas that allows tags to be interrogated and to respond; and software that controls the RFID equipment, manages the data and interfaces with enterprise applications. RFID has lots of potential to improve the efficiency in the supply chain and reduce waste. For example, efficiency would result from automatic update of inventory system when products with RFID tags are unloaded from trucks into stores. The advantages of RFID over bar coding are as follows: RFID tags can provide longer read distances; store more data; require no direct line of sight between tag and reader; and can collect data from multiple sources simultaneously (Asif Mandviwalla, 2005). There are some technical and business challenges to overcome before RFID can be ubiquitous. Technical issues include problems of interference, security and accuracy while business issues relate to costs and lack of standards. Another significant business challenge in adopting RFID faced by managers is to work out a business case for the executive board. Early adopters of these technologies are marred by problems such as possible adverse consumer outbursts to perceived invasion of privacy, reliability of the RFID system, and issues related to health, safety and IT integration. IMPLICATION OF ECOMMERCE ON LOGISTICS The growth of ecommerce pose opportunities and challenges for logistics. As internet retailing increases the companies are accepting orders from their clientele across the borders. In many instances the location of clients are not covered by any existing distribution system of the companies. On such occasions the companies have no resort but to turn towards third party logistics operators for physical flow of goods. As for the information flow, the companies need to have capabilities for ecommerce applications. The group of technologies and processes for coordinating logistics information flow has been named e-logistics. An important web 622 technology that facilitates the exchange of business data among logistics business partners across different platforms is extra markup language (XML). For example, UPS is exploiting the power of the web services to streamline its information flows for logistics activities such as RFQ, shipping and tracking. Changing Trends in Logistics Consultants are beginning to take an active part in helping out the shippers select third party logistics operators. Shippers hire consultants to help them align business processes with supply chain strategies. The newly coined term â€Å"4PL† for consultants stands for dominant role that consultants will be taking in managing the resources, the technology and the processes in the supply chain. It is yet to be seen whether the shippers will let the consultants manage all the logistics processes. Instead of handing over the authority to manage the logistics processes to the consulting firms, shippers may choose to develop alliance with the third party logistics operators and maintain the supply chain themselves. The key thing that will allow coordination between shipper firms and the third party logistics will be information technology and management skills to run the supply chain effectively. This implies that firms should also have proper logistic technologies in place to enjoy the full benefits of use of third party logistics. FUTURE RESEARCH DIRECTIONS The research directions that are available for researchers in logistics are numerous. Before companies implement new logistic information technologies such as RFID it is important to assess the viability of adopting the technology. What would be the expected benefits? What is the ROI? Researchers can come up with various econometric models to predict the outcomes of adopting logistics technologies. Modeling techniques can be used to assess the scenarios that would be beneficial for adopting new technologies. As companies are entering into ecommerce, better coordinating techniques are required to streamline logistics activities for transactions taking place on the internet. Collaborative technologies for supporting e-logistics would greatly enhance the future logistics. Multi-agent systems (MAS) provide an interesting avenue of research that is applicable for supporting logistics technologies on the internet. Intelligent software agents can be used to assess the bids offered by multiple third-party logistics operators. To support global ecommerce the companies need to have different options for global logistics. The best way to traverse the geographical distribution is through technology. What are the communication channels and technologies that would benefit the company in terms of monitoring and coordination logistics functions? More empirical evidence will be preferred to establish the direct link between organizational performance and logistics information systems. Researchers can seek to examine the complex relationships between logistics technologies and performance from different paradigms and theories. The perspective of organizational learning can be used to evaluate the performance gained by employing logistics information systems. 23 CONCLUSION The objective of this paper was to observe the impact of information technology on the logistics functions. A literature review of the academic and practitioners journals was conducted. The information technologies that have been used to support logistics functions were discussed. It is evident that academic researchers are aware of new tec hnologies in practice such as RFID. Development in technologies offer sources of competitive advantage for companies. Adoption of new technologies provide challenge and opportunities for the companies. Proper business case and calculation of ROI needs to be done to assess the expected benefits from new technologies. Changing trends in business in terms of ecommerce open new markets for firms for all sizes to expand their market share. Strategic use of information resource would bear results of competitive advantage and thus leading to success stories. The best practices in logistic information technologies need to be adopted by firms in alignment of their strategic goals. Future trends in logistics may prompt companies to rethink their logistics strategies. Firms may choose to use third party logistics in order to focus on their core competencies. However, firms need to have logistics information systems in place that is compatible with the third party operators in order to fully benefit from their services. REFERENCES Anderson, D. L. Quinn, R. J. 1986, The Role of Transportation in Long Supply Line Just-InTime Logistics Channels , Journal of Business Logistics, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 68-88. Asif, Z. Mandviwalla, M. 2005, Integrating the Supply Chain with RFID: a Technical and Business Analysis, Communications of the AIS, vol. 15, pp. 393-427. Ballou, R. H. 976, Computer Methods in Transportation-Distribution, Transportation Journal, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 72-85. Bardi, E. J. , Raghunathan, T. S. Bagchi, P. K. 1994, Logistics information systems: The strategic role of top management, Journal of Business Logistics, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 7185. Bookbinder, J. H. Dilts, D. M. 1989, Logistics Information Systems in a Just-In-Time Environment , Jo urnal of Business Logistics, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 50-67. Bowersox, D. J. 1974, Logistics Management: A Systems Integration of Physical Distribution Management and Materials Management, Macmillan Publishing, New York, NY. Chatfield, A. T. Bjorn-Andersen, N. 1997, The impact of IOS-enabled business process change on business outcomes: Transformation of the Value Chain of Japan Airlines, Journal of Management Information Systems, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 13-40. Closs, D. J. Kefeng, X. 2000, Logistics information technology practice in manufacturing and merchandising firms An international benchmarking study versus world class logistics firms, International Journal of Physical Distribution Logistics Management, vol. 30, no. 10, pp. 869-86. 624 Closs, D. J. , Goldsby, T. J. Clinton, S. R. 1997, Information technology influences on world class logistics capability, International Journal of Physical Distribution Logistics Management, vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 4-17. Das, A. Handfield, R. B. 1997, Just-in-time and logistics in global sourcing: An empirical study, International Journal of Physical Distribution Logistics Management, vol. 27, no. 3/4, pp. 244-59. Dudley, L. Lasserre, P. 1989, Information as a Substitute for Inventories , European Economic Review, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 67-88. Gomes, R. Mentzer, J. T. 988, A Systems Approach to the Investigation of Just-In-Time , Journal of Business Logistics, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 71-88. Gorry, G. A. Morton, M. S. S. 1989, A Framework for Management Information Systems, Sloan Management Review, vol. 30, no. 3, pp. 49-61. House, R. G. 1978, Computer Models in Distribution Management, Journal of Business Logistics, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 129-52. La Londe, B. J. Auker, K. 1973, A Survey of Computer Applications and Pr actices in Transportation and Distribution, International Journal of Physical Distribution, vol. 3, no. 5, pp. 92-301. Langley, C. J. , Carlisle, D. P. , Probst, S. B. , Biggs, D. F. Cail, R. E. 1988, Microcomputers as a Logistics Information Strategy, International Journal of Physical Distribution and Materials Management, vol. 18, no. 6, pp. 11-7. Lewis, I. Talalayevsky, A. 2000, Third-Party Logistics: Leveraging Information Technology , Journal of Business Logistics, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 173-85. Lieb, R. C. 1992, The use of third-party logistics services by large American manufacturers, Journal of Business Logistics, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 29-42. Lieb, R. C. Bentz, B. A. 004, The Use of Third-Party Logistics Services by Large American Manufacturers: The 2003 Survey, Transportation Journal, vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 24-33. Novack, R. A. , Rinehart, L. M. Wells, M. V. 1992, Rethinking concept foundations in logistics management, Journal of Business Logistics, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 233-67. Perry, J. H. 1988, Firm Behavior and Operating Performance in Just-In-Time Logistics Channels , Journal of Business Logistics, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 19-33. Peters, M. J. , Lieb, R. C. Randall, H. L. 1998, The use of third-party logistics services by European industry, Transport Logistics, vol. , no. 3, pp. 167-79. Porter, M. E. Millar, V. E. 1985, How information gives you competitive advantage, Harvard Business Review, vol. 63, no. 4, pp. 149-60. Rabinovich, E. , Windle, R. , Dresner, M. Corsi, T. 1999, Outsourcing of integrated logistics functions, International Journal of Physical Distribution Logistics Management, vol. 29, no. 6, pp. 353-73. Rogers, D. S. , Daugherty, P. J. Stank, T. P. 1992, Enhancing service responsiveness: the strategic potential of EDI, International Journal of Physical Distribution Logistics Management, vol. 22, no. 8, pp. 15-20. Sauvage, T. 2003, The relationship between technology and logistics third-party providers, International Journal of Physical Distribution Logistics Management, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 236-53. Schwarz, L. B. Weng, Z. K. 2000, The Design of a JIT Supply Chain: The Effect of Leadtime Uncertainty on Safety Stock , Journal of Business Logistics, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 231-52. 625 Sink, H. L. Langley, J. C. J. 1997, A managerial framework for the acquisition of third-party logistics services, Journal of Business Logistics, vol. 18, p. 163. Spencer, M. S. , Dale, S. R. Patricia, J. D. 1994, JIT Systems and External Logistics Suppliers, International Journal of Operations Production Management, vol. 14, no. 6, pp. 6074. Spencer, M. S. , Daugherty, P. J. Rogers, D. S. 1996, Logistics support for JIF implementation, International Journal of Production Research, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 701-14. Srivastava, B. 2004, Radio frequency ID technology: The next revolution in SCM, Business Horizons, vol. 47, no. 6, pp. 60-8. Stenger, A. J. 1986, Information Systems in Logistics Management: Past, Present, and Future, Transportation Journal, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 5-82. Takahashi, K. Nakamura, N. 2000, Reactive logistics in a JIT environment, Production Planning Control, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 20-31. Titone, R. 1996, Moving Beyond JIT to Logistics Planning, IIE Solutions, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 22-4. Vaidyanathan, G. 2005, A Framework for Evaluating Third-Party Logistics, Communications of the ACM, vol. 48, no. 1, pp. 89-94. Wafa, M. A. Yasin, M. M. 1996, The impact of supplier proxi mity on JIT success: an informational perspective, International Journal of Physical Distribution Logistics Management, vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 23-34. 626

The National Popular Vote Plan to Bypass the Electoral College

The National Popular Vote Plan to Bypass the Electoral College The Electoral College system - the way we really elect our president - has always had its detractors and lost even more public support after the 2016 election, when it became apparent that President-Elect  Donald Trump might have lost the nationwide popular vote to Sec. Hillary Clinton, but won the electoral vote to become the 45th  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹President of the United States. Now, the states are considering the National Popular Vote plan, a system that, while not doing away with the Electoral College system, would modify it to ensure that the candidate winning the national popular vote is ultimately elected president. What is the National Popular Vote Plan? The National Popular Vote plan is a bill passed by participating state legislatures agreeing that they will cast all of their electoral votes for the presidential candidate winning the nationwide popular vote. If enacted by enough states, the National Popular Vote bill would guarantee the presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. How the National Popular Vote Plan Would Work To take effect, the National Popular Vote bill must be enacted by the state legislatures of states controlling a total of 270 electoral votes - a majority of the overall 538 electoral votes and the number currently required to elect a president. Once enacted, the participating states would cast all of their electoral votes for the presidential candidate winning the nationwide popular vote, thus ensuring that candidate the required 270 electoral votes. (See: Electoral Votes by State) The National Popular Vote plan would eliminate what critics of the Electoral College system point to as the winner-take-all rule - the awarding all of a states electoral votes to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in that state. Currently, 48 of the 50 states follow the winner-take-all rule. Only Nebraska and Maine do not. Because of the winner-take-all rule, a candidate can be elected president without winning the most popular votes nationwide. This has occurred in 4 of the nations 56 presidential elections, most recently in 2000.The National Popular Vote plan does not do away with the Electoral College system, an action that would require a constitutional amendment. Instead, it modifies the winner-take-all rule in a way its supporters say would assure that every vote will matter in every state in every presidential election. Is the National Popular Vote Plan Constitutional? Like most issues involving politics, the U.S. Constitution is largely silent on the political issues of presidential elections. This was the intent of the Founding Fathers. The Constitution specifically leaves details like how the electoral votes are cast up to the states. According to Article II, Section 1, Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress. As a result, an agreement between a group of states to cast all of their electoral votes in a similar manner, as proposed by the National Popular Vote plan passes constitutional muster. The winner-take-all rule is not required by the Constitution and was actually used by only three states in the nations first presidential election in 1789. Today, the fact that Nebraska and Maine do not use the winner-take-all system serves as proof that modifying the Electoral College system, as proposed by the National Popular Vote plan is constitutional and does not require a constitutional amendment. Where the National Popular Vote Plan Stands Currently, the National Popular Vote bill has been passed in a total of 35 state legislative chambers in 23 states. It has been fully enacted into law in 11 states controlling 165 electoral votes: CA, DC, HI, IL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, RI, VT, and WA. The National Popular Vote bill will take effect when enacted into law by states possessing 270 electoral votes - a majority of the current 538 electoral votes. As a result, the bill will take effect when enacted by states possessing an additional 105 electoral votes. To date, the bill has passed at least one legislative chamber in 10 states possessing 82 electoral votes: AR, AZ, CT, DE, ME, MI, NC, NV, OK, and OR. In The bill has been passed by both legislative chambers - but not in the same year - by the states of Colorado and New Mexico, controlling a combined 14 electoral votes. In addition, the bill has been unanimously approved at the committee level in the states of Georgia and Missouri, controlling a combined 27 electoral votes. Over the years, the National Popular Vote bill has been introduced in the legislatures of all 50 states. Prospects for Enactment After the 2016 presidential election, political science expert Nate Silver wrote that, since the swing states are not likely to support any plan that might reduce their influence over control of the White House, the National Popular Vote bill will not succeed unless the predominately Republican â€Å"red states† adopt it. As of September 2017, the bill has been fully adopted only by predominately Democratic â€Å"blue states† which delivered the 14 largest vote shares for Barack Obama in the 2012 Presidential Election.

Phenomenology of Death Thesis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 1

Phenomenology of Death - Thesis Example The paper "Phenomenology of Death" analyzes the relationship between the ‘self’ and ‘temporality’ as it explains the notion of Heidegger. The general approach of this paper is to present ‘temporality’ in terms of ‘finitude’ and to define and examine the ‘authentic’ and ‘inauthentic’ modes of selfhood. Heidegger argues that ‘das man’ is ‘being towards death’ and is inauthentic as a result. Those who do not ‘act’ like ‘das man’ are in some sense authentic? This latter point will be taken up in the later half of the following analysis, and it is going to be argued that ‘determining what qualifies as ‘everydayness’ is a very seriously ambiguous notion. This paper will begin with the general discussion of ‘being’ and its opposite, namely, non-being, proceed to a discussion of ‘finitude’ in relation to inauthenticity, and discuss the relationship between an authentic and inauthentic self in relation to the temporality. According to Heidegger, the external world of ‘extension’ or as he states the world of the â€Å"senses† is largely understood as â€Å"quantitative modifications of the modes of extensio itself†. By contrast, the world can be characterized in qualitative rather than quantitative terms. By quantitative, he is implying the basic units of scientific measurement. However, these discrete units of measurement and the application of these as a means of both understanding extension along with distinguishing it from the subject are forms of abstraction.

Plato Rebuplic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Plato Rebuplic - Essay Example describing the four types of constitution he specified them in this order – first, there is the constitution praised by most people, namely, the Cretan or Laconian. â€Å"(4)(544 c) the second was oligarchy, the third democracy and the last one was genuine tyranny. In trying to weigh the happiness or wretchedness of people within a certain government one could investigate the justice or injustice that is practiced. (545 a pg. 215) he goes on to explain that nothing is permanent be it a city, the government or a constitution – everything has to face dissolution and decay. (546 a, pg 216) Plato explains that both plants and animals have gestation periods that are fixed and represented by circles and says that if a seed is sowed during the fertile part of the cycle, it grows well to maturity; but unfortunately, if it is sown during the barren period of the cycle, it either does not germinate at all, or it becomes an inferior crop. (pg. 216, 8) The same thing is applied to humans. In ignorance of the above fact, if humans join their brides or grooms during the wrong period, their offspring would not be good natured non fortunate. (545d, pg 217) Therefore rulers chosen from among such descendants would be inferior and would not be good rulers. Whenever they go there would be inequality, disharmony, hostility and war. (547a, pg.

Human Resource Management in the Hospitality Industry Thesis

Human Resource Management in the Hospitality Industry - Thesis Example However, leisure time is usually limited and thus valuable in our modern society and hence consumer expectation of the product or experience purchased in this time has subsequently risen vastly. Quality is of the essence, gone are the days of 'Fawlty Towers.' People expect and demand so much more from their hospitality experience. Ideas, tastes and trends of hospitality are expanding, one example being the recent growth of boutique type hotels such as the Malmaison chain located in up market urban areas, modern contemporary urban chic culture were the emphasis is on luxury (Aggett; 2007). Such an experience and its quality is thus very much dependant on the service provided by front line employees. Only those enterprises which can satisfy the customer will survive, achieve longevity and be successful in the ever growing intensely competitive hospitality market. Hospitality is characterised by the 'intangibles' which can even be of increased value in comparison to the tangible physical products such as food and drink. Therefore, within the hospitality industry it is undoubtedly the performance of the front line service staff that will either enhance or diminish a customers experience and thus determine whether a hospitality venture sinks or swims. In order for staff to perform to such high standards and produce such quality they need to be committed to their organisation, to be empowered, to be given the appropriate skills, training, support, motivation and reward for their work and effort. A company that invests heavily in its human resources, selecting the appropriate people, providing opportunity and encouragement will achieve a loyal, motivated and proud workforce. It will provide the organisational culture necessary for long term success. This is very important for the hospitality industry to acknowledge, especially as typically the industry is characterised by a high labour turnover, casual, part time and migrant employees, and, certain labour shortages; "Finding chefs and waiting staff is one of the biggest problems facing employers, affecting all sectors of the hospitality industry." (Hospitality Training Foundation; 2002, 9) Rowley and Purcell (2001) acknowledge a range of skill shortages and relate it to; "Poor management practices and weak HR policies." (Rowley and Purcell; 2001) Investment in HRM and adoption of HRM practices, particularly soft HRM (Lucas; 1995) would only be advantageous to the hospitality industry. 2 Aim of Research The aim of this paper is to establish if the UK hospitality has adopted the concept of HRM. The meaning of HRM will be based upon the pioneering work of British hospitality academic David Guest (1987, 1997, 1999) who devised a matrix to represent the scale of hard and soft HRM in operation. Guest's writings epitomise soft HRM. Guest also provides a theory and model of HRM, of which the intention was: "To develop a set of testable propositions and finally to arrive at a set of prescriptive policies" (Guest, 1987, 503). The central hypothesis of Guests' theory is: " if an integrated set of HRM practices is applied with a view to achieving the normative goals of high commitment to the organisation plus high quality and flexibility, then higher worker performance will result" (Guest, 1997, 265). To judge the extent of HRM application, focus will be on the

Evaluating Evidence for Practice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Evaluating Evidence for Practice - Essay Example Continuous check on the skin- If risk factors for pressure ulcers have been known, its imperative for one to check the skin daily for any signs of pressure ulcers, i.e. discolored parts of the skin. This is mainly important if one has an underlying condition, such as diabetes or nerve damage, which may numb or dampen feelings of pain in some parts of the body. Changing already established the behavior of any kind is not easy. It is mainly challenging especially in healthcare as a result of the complex relationships between a varied range of professionals, patients, organizations, and careers. In order to evaluate the anticipated change in practice, one has to understand the barriers to change within an organization. To develop a successful change strategy, one has to understand the types of barriers faced by the healthcare sector. With this knowledge, one can consider which levers and barriers may be operational in the organization and which may be applicable to a particular problem. As a result of this, it is likely to come up with a tailored approach to overcoming the anticipated barriers, encourage behavior change and eventually implement the guidance. Baccalaureate-prepared nurse act as the direct and care providers where they are patient educators and advocates. They emphasize partnership with the patients i.e. whether families, individuals, groups, population or communities so as to support and foster the active participation during the collection and analysis of practice change. Baccalaureate Nurses also bring an exceptional blend of knowledge, skills, judgment and caring for the evaluation of practice changes Once a change program is created, of course, it must be implemented. Though there are various ways of disseminating out plans for change, the following general approach is recommended, which is flexible to various situations, and which has proved to be successful in various health care settings. 2. Targeting the message to

Financial Decision Making Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Financial Decision Making - Essay Example Therefore, it won't be an exaggeration to say that finance is the lifeblood of all enterprises. This is particularly so when economics are undergoing structural changes and economic reforms are in the making to introduce greater elements of competitive forces. In a competitive environment managers are faced with a challenge to compete for resources and to find a better utilization of such resources. Finance is a specialized subject in itself but it draws heavily on other related functions like marketing, production, personnel, purchase etc. Drury (2004, p.5) states "Management accounting is concerned with the provision of information to people within the organization to help them make better decisions and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of existing operations" (Lev, 2001) stated that existing financial accounting standards sharply distinguish between physical and intangible assets. While physical assets (e.g., property, plant, and equipment) are valued on the balance sheet at the price paid to obtain them, less accumulated depreciation, intangible "assets" are expensed as incurred. Accounting is therefore considered an integral part of the knowledge management within an organization. ... What mix of equity and debt to use How much financial risk to take Making a calculated financial decision makes a big difference between a prosperous and growing business and a liability. The prime function of a management executive in a business organization is decision-making and forward planning. Decision making means the process of selecting one action from two or more alternative courses of action whereas forward planning involves means establishing plans for the future. The question of choice arises because resources such as capital, land, labor and management are limited and can be employed in alternative uses. The manager is thus supposed to analyze the past data, current information and the estimates about future predicted as best as possible. This application of economic theory to business management is known as managerial economics. This is micro-economic in character as the unit of study is the company. The following aspects are said to be generally under the ambit of managerial economics; Demand analysis and forecasting Cost and production analysis Pricing decisions, policies and practices Profit management Capital management. Often a distinction is made between management accounting and financial accounting. Management accounting measures and reports financial and non-financial information that helps managers make decisions to fulfill the goals of the organization. Its focus is on internal reporting. On the other hand financial accounting is considered to have a focus on reporting to external parties. It measures and records business transactions and provides financial statements that are based on the 'Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)'. Therefore managers are responsible for the financial statements

Good Faith and English Contract Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Good Faith and English Contract Law - Essay Example Good faith is vital concept in law and it is a prime essence in contractual dealings. Persons are expected to act in good faith for fair dealings in day-to-day business contracts. The concept of good faith has a large bearing on contract law as well as law of obligations. In contract law good faith is indispensable element. Though the contract is formed with free consent or free will good faith is inseparable from contract1. 1. An institutional competent dimension: When good faith is viewed from this dimension in England the institutions of the law, which are the courts, interpret good faith according to needs for rendering justice. Thereby giving room for arbitrary decisions. If the doctrine of good faith introduced in law of contract there would be judicial restraint, judges loose the liberty of interpreting the concept. Their discretionary powers are restricted. Simultaneously equitable flexibility is also affected. 2. Formal dimension: When we view the good faith in formal dimension it appears as vague. When it is vague it is difficult to define the good faith to introduce into contract law. The term good faith has vague meaning, lot of efforts are to made to define the good faith to make it as a statute. ... Presently the Judges use this term in various occasions in rendering the justice using their profound experience and after legitimate study of the case. The vagueness of the term is cured with their professional knowledge and profound experience before the benefit of good faith is extended to the deserved. 3. Substantive dimension: Substantive dimension refers to the contractual ethics. Contractual ethics imposes duty of good faith on the contracting parties. When such ethics are broken what is remedy Like any ethics contracting ethics are moral of the individuals, which they are supposed to keep up. The contract law does not interfere on morals. When good faith, which is vital element in business contracts is left to the ethics, which is not protected under the contract law the interest of the parties is at risk. This risk can be avoided by introducing the doctrine of good faith into contract law. Historically good faith functioned as a binding element between people by formless contracts (pacta nuda) even if there was no written contracts, to confer priority to the intention of parties and contractual terms than their literal meaning. Such contracts inclined to substantive fairness qua the intended meaning of the contract. Contract is defined in English contract law: Since the good faith is a vital element in all contracts it is essential to have a brief view of what how contract is confined under the definition in English law. As per this definition, the essential ingredients of contract are a) consensus ad idem, b) consideration, c) legal object, d) capacity to contract. Apart from these, another ingredient i.e. intention of the parties is also important

Financial Decision Making Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Financial Decision Making - Essay Example Therefore, it won't be an exaggeration to say that finance is the lifeblood of all enterprises. This is particularly so when economics are undergoing structural changes and economic reforms are in the making to introduce greater elements of competitive forces. In a competitive environment managers are faced with a challenge to compete for resources and to find a better utilization of such resources. Finance is a specialized subject in itself but it draws heavily on other related functions like marketing, production, personnel, purchase etc. Drury (2004, p.5) states "Management accounting is concerned with the provision of information to people within the organization to help them make better decisions and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of existing operations" (Lev, 2001) stated that existing financial accounting standards sharply distinguish between physical and intangible assets. While physical assets (e.g., property, plant, and equipment) are valued on the balance sheet at the price paid to obtain them, less accumulated depreciation, intangible "assets" are expensed as incurred. Accounting is therefore considered an integral part of the knowledge management within an organization. ... What mix of equity and debt to use How much financial risk to take Making a calculated financial decision makes a big difference between a prosperous and growing business and a liability. The prime function of a management executive in a business organization is decision-making and forward planning. Decision making means the process of selecting one action from two or more alternative courses of action whereas forward planning involves means establishing plans for the future. The question of choice arises because resources such as capital, land, labor and management are limited and can be employed in alternative uses. The manager is thus supposed to analyze the past data, current information and the estimates about future predicted as best as possible. This application of economic theory to business management is known as managerial economics. This is micro-economic in character as the unit of study is the company. The following aspects are said to be generally under the ambit of managerial economics; Demand analysis and forecasting Cost and production analysis Pricing decisions, policies and practices Profit management Capital management. Often a distinction is made between management accounting and financial accounting. Management accounting measures and reports financial and non-financial information that helps managers make decisions to fulfill the goals of the organization. Its focus is on internal reporting. On the other hand financial accounting is considered to have a focus on reporting to external parties. It measures and records business transactions and provides financial statements that are based on the 'Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)'. Therefore managers are responsible for the financial statements

Morning Java Descriptive Essay Essay Example for Free

Morning Java Descriptive Essay Essay Java Startled by my alarm, I stretch my arm out from under the covers and search frantically in the dark to put an end to the obnoxious sound. I feel around for my lamp and switch it on, keeping my position until my eyes adjust to the light. Before I ever get out of bed, I’m already overwhelmed thinking of my many tasks for the day. When motivation is scarce, there is only one thought that brings me out of my cozy, warm bed and to my feet. Waiting to be made is a fresh, boosting cup of morning coffee. Confronting the seemingly arctic air, I slide my feet into fuzzy, pink slippers and head for the kitchen. I make a quick stop at the thermostat, crank up the heat, then b-line it to the stainless steel coffee pot that used to belong to my Grandmother. Sitting next to the pot is a bright red Folgers can. Holding it up close to my face, I crack open the lid and am instantly delighted with the robust scent of ground coffee beans. Possibly being the only â€Å"me time† of the entire day, the quietness of the early morning combined with the delicious aroma of coffee brewing is greatly treasured. Reaching into the cabinet containing the coffee mugs, I instinctively push through them until my favorite one is spotted. Dulled out yellow with a small chip on the handle, it displays markings from years of the dishwasher’s wear and tear. I pour the steamy drink into the old cup and sip cautiously. No sugar or cream diluting the flavor, I savor the dark coffee and smile with approval. Trusty mug in hand, I sit down to catch a quick glimpse of the morning news. Its warmth cushions the chill I get from the blizzard forecast flashing across the screen. Cold, weary, and fatigued, I sip as fast as I can, urging the rich, caffeinated liquid to hit me as soon as possible. I hear my two year old, sick with the flu, stirring around in his crib. I know it won’t be long from now until he is protesting and ultimately waking my other children. With medicine to be given, breakfast to be made, and children to be dressed, it’s a mystery how I will make it out of the house with my shoes on. But I continue sipping my powerful beverage and before I know it my tiredness fades. Buzzing around the house, I take on the morning tasks with a renewed sense of warmth and liveliness. Knowing without a doubt, this java comes from my ritualistic morning coffee session.

TTX and Genotoxicity of Diodon Hystrix Organs

TTX and Genotoxicity of Diodon Hystrix Organs Identification of TTX and Genotoxicity of Diodon hystrix Organs Adwaid Manu K, Vignesh M., Riven Chocalingum Abstract Tetrodotoxin is alkaloid based aquatic toxins. These toxins are one of the most potent non-proteinaceous toxins as well as the best-known marine natural toxins. Diodon hystrix (porcupine fish) were collected from Chennai costal region and dissected under sterile conditions to obtain: liver, skin, gonads, intestine, eyes and kidney. 20g of each organ was macerated in 200ml of Methanol:Acetic Acid [99:1]. The filtrate is then condensed in Rota-Vaccum evaporator to obtain crude extract. The focus of this study is to confirm the presence of TTX (Tetrodotoxin) in six different organs of Diodon hystrix. Analytical techniques used were GC-MS and UV spectroscopy. Also, genotoxicity of the crude extract were analysed using human leukocyte culture and SCE assay using onion root tips. The results suggest the presence of TTX in major skin, liver and intestine and that, the organ extract does not have any genotoxic effect but is capable of increasing the sister chromatid exchange. Key Words: TTX, Diodon hystrix, genotoxicity, root tip assay. Introduction Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a very powerful alkaloid neurotoxin that is non-proteinacious in nature. TTX can withstand very high temperature and is water soluble but is affected by extreme pH conditions, i.e., above 8.5 and below 3.0 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. These properties make it a dangerous toxin capable to interact best with its environment [1, 2, 5]. It is found in both aquatic as well as terrestrial organisms and studies have proven that it is synthesized by symbiotic microorganisms, bacteria precisely, present in the gut, initially acquired through the food chain or found on the skin of the animals but its biosynthesis pathway is still unknown [ 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8]. TTX acts as an ion pore blocker, binding to site 1 sodium channel receptor of the axon membrane thus inhibiting the influx of sodium ions and therefore leading to the blockage of action potentials [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]. TTX is ten thousand times poisonous than cyanide and one of the most fatal poisons on Earth. The LD50 is approximately 0.2ÃŽ ¼g when injected in mice [2, 5]. On the other hand, along with the lethal characteristics, clinical trials and research studies have demonstrated that TTX has remarkable therapeutic properties as an analgesic in cancer treatment process [2]. Puffer fish belonging to the order Tetraodontiformes, had been identified to be the cause of many mortalities due to food poisoning as a result of TTX intoxication. In many countries such as Japan and China, puffer fish is regarded as a food delicacy provided that it is prepared by a licensed and well experienced chef but some cases of poisoning still prevail [1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]. It has been reported that only a very low dose of TTX in blood is adequate for an immediate impact on the host [5]. Studies have concluded that the most toxic organs of the puffer fish are the liver followed by the intestine and then the skin and ovary. In addition to that, TTX is also found in low concentration in other organs such as the eyes and muscles [3, 5, 8, 10]. The study is focused on Diodon hystrix which is a type of puffer fish belonging to the class Diodontidae and it is also known as Porcupinefish because of the sharp needle-like structures covering its entire body as a defense mechanism against predators. Presence of TTX has been reported in Diodon hystrix around the world [2, 4, 5] but studies on this animal from the sea of the eastern coast of India that is the Bay of Bengal is yet to be reported. The aim of this research is to identify TTX in the crude extract from Diodon hystrix collected from Chennai Coastal line and to investigate the Genotoxicity of the crude extract from respective organs using human leukocyte culture and onion root tips. Materials and methods Sample collection The puffer fish was collected from the coastal lines of marina beach, Chennai in early July 2014. The identification of the puffer fish was done by visual comparison with an online fish database www.fishbase.org. The database parameters were set accordingly to sample collection site and the possible species available in Bay-of-Bengal region with the matching morphology were only two types of Diodon sp.. Out of which Diodon hystrix had the closest match, based on the skin coloration pattern. Organ separation and extraction process The collected puffer fish were dissected and visceral organs like liver, intestine, kidney, eye, and skin were removed and organs were weighed. The isolation for the tetrodotoxin[3] include from the samples 10 grams of organs were taken and Then suspended in 100ml of three volume of 1% acetic acid in methanol without damaging the tissues then the whole materials were in the Refrigerator for 24 hours at a sterile condition, as an incubation period In the next step the tissue were macerated in a mortar and pestle gently, if the tissues get dried up add required volume of the chilled ethanol if needed. Then the slurry were filtered by using whatman no. 1 filter paper. Then the filtrate solutions were centrifuged at 12000 rpm for 10 minutes at 4 degree Celsius. Then the supernatant were separated and lastly the samples were concentrated by using lyophilisation to obtain crude extracts for our purpose of study Dragendorff’s test To identify the presence of alkaloids [10] to 2mg of crude extracts 5ml of distilled water were added and then 2M hydrochloric acid was added until an acid reaction occurs. To this 1 ml of Dragendorff’s reagent was added. Formation of orange or orange red precipitate indicates the presence of alkaloids GasChromatography-Mass Spectrometry Gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS)[8][11][12]forms an effective combination for Chemical analysis. GC-MS analysis were an indirect method to detect TTX in a crude extract, which was difficult to purify in other advanced analysis methods. In this method, we dissolved TTX and its derivatives in 2 ml of 3 M NaOH and heated in a boiling water bath for 30 min. After cooling to room temperature, the alkaline solution of decomposed compounds was adjusted to pH 4.0 with 1N HCl and the resulting mixture was chromatographed on a Sep- Pak C18 cartridge (Waters). After washing with H2O first and then 10% MeOH, 100% MeOH fraction were collected and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. To the resulting residue, a mixture of N, O-bis acetamide, trimethylchlorosilane and pyridine (2: 1: 1) was added to generate trimethylsilyl (TMS) ‘‘C9-base’’ compounds. The derivatives were then placed in a Hewlett Packard gas chromatograph (HP-5890-II) equipped with a mass spectrometer (AutoSpec, Micromass Inc., UK). A column (φ 0.25 mm Ãâ€" 250 cm) of UB-5 was used, and the column temperature is increased from 180 to 250 °C at the rate of 5 or 8 °C/min . The flow rate of inlet helium carrier gas were maintained at 20 ml/min. The ionizing voltage is generally maintained at 70 eV with the ion source temperature at 200 °C. Scanning was performed in the mass range of m/z 40–600 at 3s intervals. The total ion chromatogram (TIC) and the fragment ion chromatogram (FIC) were selectively monitored. Ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy In UV spectroscopy, TTX was generally determined by irradiating a crude toxin with UV light [11][12]. A small amount of samples were dissolved in 2 ml of 2 M NaOH and heated in a boiling water bath for 45 min. After cooling to room temperature, samples were examined in UV spectrum and results were observed in the range 270nm to 280nm. Genotoxicity Human Leukocyte Culture Chromosome preparations were obtained from PHA-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes[14][15]. To the fresh tubes 5ml of Hikaryo XL RPMI ready-mix media and 0.5ml of heparinized Blood (50drops) were added and the contents were mixed gently by shaking. Then Incubated for 72 hours in standing position in an incubator. At the end of 48th hour of incubation, the culture was treated with TTX (0.5ug/ml) (10ul/ 5ml of culture) and again kept it in incubator for another 24 hours. At the end of 24th hour incubation, the culture was thoroughly washed by centrifuging the content at 1500rpm for 5 minutes, discard the supernatant and add 5ml of RPMI 1640 medium. To the content 60 microliter of colchicine was added and tubes were kept for 20 minutes incubation in incubator at 37oC and the content was centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 minutes after incubation. The supernatant was removed and 6ml of pre-warmed 0.075M hypotonic solution was added. The content was mixed using a Pasteur pipette and incub ated at 37 oC in incubator for 6 minutes. After incubation the content tube was centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 5 minutes. The supernatant was discarded and 6ml of Carnoy’s fixative was added and mixed vigorously. After fixation the content was kept in room temperature for 1-2 hours. The content was again centrifuged at 1500 rpm and supernatant was removed and this step was continued until pellet becomes white. For the preparation of slides the new slides were first refrigerated and then cell button mix was dropped over the slides and dried immediately on a hot plate, and then was kept in an incubator for proper drying. The slides were then placed in a coplin jar containing Giemsa staining for 4 minutes and destained in a coplin jar containing distilled water for 1 minute. The slides were dried and then viewed under microscope for stained chromosome. . The slides were then viewed under 100X power under oil immersion objective of the microscope to analyze the chromosome aberration s. Onion Root Tip SCE Assay The onion root tips[1], 2-3 cm long, were soaked in 100  µM 5-bromodeoxy uridine (BrdUrd) for almost 20 h followed by 1 hour treatment with the crude extract After a brief wash, the roots were allowed to grow for another round in growing media. The treatments were terminated by washing the roots with distilled water and then 0.05% Colchicine was added then incubated for 2.5 h. Roots were washed, excised and fixed in Carnoy’s fixative, for 1-3hrs and preserved at 4 °C. The roots were processed using cytology methods for SCE analysis.. The roots were then hydrolysed in 5 N HCI at 25 °C for 92 min and stained with haematoxylin for at least 2hrs. The stained root[16] were washed in distilled water, squashed in a drop of 45% acetic acid and tapped for metaphase chromosome separation under coverslips. Tap water controls were included in the assay. The slides were observed at 100X magnification in oil immersion using light microscope RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Dragendorff’s test Fig 1: Showing result of sample after Dragendorff’s test The alkaloids present in the puffer fish was precipitated as a complex formation by dragendorff’s reagent. Dragendorff’s test results showed very high precipitation in skin and intestine, high precipitation in liver and very low precipitation or almost no precipitation was observed in kidney, gonads and eye. Gas-Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Characteristic peak was observed at retention time 8.33 and 8.66 in liver, intestine and skin after performing alkaline treatment and there was no characteristic peak observed in kidney, eyes and gonads. After boiling of samples which contain TTX in alkaline solution (NaOH) the compound TTX present gets reduced to C9 base TMS (trimethysilyl). It is noteworthy that each peak of selected ion monitored at m/z = 376, 392 and 407 appears at the same retention time in the Selected ion-monitored mass chromatogram of the TMS derivatives of alkali-hydrolyzed. From samples of liver, kidney and intestine, mass fragments of ion peaks was observed at ion M/z 376, 392 and 407, which are characteristic of the quinazoline skeleton (C9 base), which was almost similar as those from the TMS-C9 Base derived authentic TTX Fig 2: Showing GC-MS spectrum of the TMS derivatives of alkali-hydrolysed toxin from Diodon hystrix UV-spectroscopy In UV analysis method characteristic peaks were observed in all samples. Shoulder peak was observed in liver, intestine and skin, Declining and Inclining Peaks were observed in kidney, eyes and gonads. The UV spectrum is analyzed for the characteristic of absorptions, associated with C9-base .The shoulder peaks were observed at 276 nm indicates the formation of C-9 base which were specific to TTX or related substances. Fig 3: Showing chart of UV-spectroscopy of the crude extract from various organs of Diodon hystrix, peak at 276nm indicating the presence of TTX. Genotoxicity Human Leukocyte Assay Metaphase plates were obtained while observing under 100X magnification in oil immersion using light microscope. It has been observed in all the samples that there were no chromosomal aberration that is structural or numerical chromosomal modification were not observed. From this result, it can be reported that the crude extract from Diodon hystrix has no clastogenic (breakage of chromosome) or aneugenic (change in chromosomal number) effects. Fig4(left): Showing metaphase plate from control leukocytes. Fig5(right):  Showing metaphase plate from crude extract leukocytes. Onion Root Tip SCE Assay The Sister Chromatid Exchange (SCE) assay has been reported to be one of the most sensitive short-term genotoxicity assays because of its capability to identify genotoxins at very low doses (Tucker et al.1993). It has been observed that the crude extract from Skin and intestine enhanced SCE significantly over the control while the Liver, Eye, Gonads and Kidney have very low effects. Therefore it can be put forth that the crude extract from skin and intestine interfere to a great deal with the SCE and further studies need to be carried out. Fig6(left) : Showing result of SCE in control onion root tip. Fig7(right): Showing result of SCE in crude extract root tip. Conclusion: From the study, it can be reported that Diodon hystrix from the eastern coastal region of India, observed to have accumulated TTX in its organs. Thus it can be toxic when ingested and even lethal to the predators. Nevertheless further studies should be carried out on this fish to confirm the presence of a homologue of TTX and obtain a purified sample of the TTX. References: Samanta S.Khora, Kamal K.Panda and Brahma B.Panda (1997): Genotoxicity of tetrodotoxin from puffer fish tested in root meristem cells of Allium cepa L. Mutagenesis vol.12 no.4 pp.265-269 Keyvan Mirbakhsh, Ulf Gà ¶ransson: Tetrodotoxin – evolutionary selection and pain relief Course in Biological Active Natural Products in Drug discovery A8/C, 5p. Distanse course – Fall 2004 Department of Medicinal Chemistry Division of Pharmacognosy Uppsala University. Firoz Ahmed, Aamir Javed, Anup Baranwal, Annu Kumari, Farnaz Mozafari Parvathi Chandrappa (2013):EXTRACTION OF TETRODOTOXIN FROM PUFFER FISH, DIODON LITUROSUS FROM SOUTH ANDAMAN SEA. G.J B.A.H.S., Vol.2 (2) 2013:58-6, ISSN: 2319 – 5584. Teetske F. Van Gorcum, Max Janse, Marianne E.C. Leenders, Irma de Vries, Jan Meulenbelt (2006): Intoxication following minor stabs from the spines of a porcupine fish clinical. Toxicology , 2006, 44(4) p. 391- 393. Vaishali Bane, Mary Lehane, Madhurima Dikshit, Alan O’Riordan and Ambrose Furey (2014): Tetrodotoxin: Chemistry, Toxicity, Source, Distribution and Detection. Toxins 2014, 6, 693-755, ISSN 2072-6651. Bragadeeswaran S, Therasa D, Prabhu K, Kathiresan K (2010): Biomedical and pharmacological potential of tetrodotoxin-producing bacteria isolated from marine pufferfish Arothron hispidus (Muller, 1841). The Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases ISSN 1678-9199 | 2010 | volume 16 | issue 3 | pages 421-431. J. S. OliveiraI; O. R. Pires JuniorII; R. A. V. MoralesII, III; C. Bloch JuniorIII; C. A. SchwartzII; J. C. FreitasI (2003): Toxicity of puffer fish two species (Lagocephalus laevigatus, linaeus 1766 and Sphoeroides spengleri, Bloch 1785) from the Southeastern Brazilian coast. J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis vol.9 no.1 Botucatu 2003, ISSN 1678-9199. Tamao Noguchi, Kazue Onuki and Osamu Arakawa (2011): Tetrodotoxin Poisoning Due to Pufferfish and Gastropods, and Their Intoxication Mechanism. International Scholarly Research Network ISRN Toxicology Volume 2011, Article ID 276939, 10 pages. Niharika Mandal, Soumya Jal, K. Mohanapriya and S. S. Khora (2013): Assessment of toxicity in puffer fish (Lagocephalus lunaris) from South Indian coast. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology Vol. 7(30), pp. 2146-2156, ISSN 1996-0816 Md. Moyen Uddin Pk, Rumana Pervin, Dr.Yearul Kabir, Dr. Nurul Absar (2013): PRELIMINARY SCREENING OF SECONDARY METABOLITES AND BRINE SHRIMP LETHALITY BIOASSAY OF WARM-WATER EXTRACT OF PUFFER FISH ORGANS TISSUES, TETRAODON CUTCUTIA, AVAILABLE IN BANGLADESH. Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research 2 (5) 2013, 14-18, ISSN: 2279 – 0594 Nagashima, Y., J. Maruyama, T. Noguchi andK. Hashimoto (1987) Analysis of paralyticshellfish poison and tetrodotoxin by ionpairing high performance liquid chromatography.Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi 53:1 819-8 Nakamura, M. and T, Yasumoto (1985)Tetrodotoxin derivatives in puffer fish.Toxicon 23: 271-273 Myoung Ja Lee,Dong-Youn Jeong, Woo-Seong Kim,Hyun-Dae Kim,Cheorl-Ho Kim,Won-Whan Park,Yong-Ha Park,Kyung –Sam Kim,Hyung-Min Kim and Dong –Soo Kim(2000) A tetratoxin –producing Vibrio Strain ,LM-1 from the puffer fish Fugu vermicularisradiates.Appl.Environ.Micribial.Vol.66 no 4 1698-1701 Moorhead, P.S., P.C. Nowell, W.J. Mellman, D.N. Batipps and D.A.Hungerford: Chromosome preparations of leucocytes cultures fromhuman peripheral blood. Exp. Cell. Res., 20, 613-616 (1960). Hungerford, D.A., 1965. Leukocytes cultured fromsmall inocula of whole blood and the preparationof metaphase chromosomes by treatment with Hypotonic KCl. Stain Technol., 40: 333-338. Perry, P. and S. Wolff: New giemsa method for differential staining of sisterchromatids. Nature, 251, 156-158 (1974).