Information Technology Services Helping You Meet The Bottom Line 2019

As long as businesses exist, there will always be a need for information technology services. After all, businesses need to meet the bottom line, exceed Wall Street earnings expectations, and maintain accountability to stock holders. What better way to do that than to integrate information technology into standard practices to improve and streamline businesses processes? Recent years have seen a downward trend in the career opportunities and jobs available for individuals experienced in information technology services. Increased outsourcing of information technology services and jobs overseas has discouraged students from entering into the computer sciences field. Students who have graduated with computer science degrees find well-paying jobs, only to be rewarded with a pink slip a few years later. However, new technologies and services demand a level of knowledge that cant be met through outsourcing. Certain fields within information technology services remain hot ticket commodities in the U.S. job market. These jobs concentrate in providing businesses with the necessary support infrastructures to successfully manipulate the new technology, checks to make sure compliance with existing policies and governmental regulations are met, and general data maintenance. Information technology service positions that will see continued growth are discussed below. .u39a75ba6da88af94b89f24ef0c47788e { padding:0px; margin: 0; padding-top:1em!important; padding-bottom:1em!important; width:100%; display: block; font-weight:bold; background-color:#eaeaea; border:0!important; border-left:4px solid #34495E!important; box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); -moz-box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); -o-box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); -webkit-box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); text-decoration:none; } .u39a75ba6da88af94b89f24ef0c47788e:active, .u39a75ba6da88af94b89f24ef0c47788e:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; text-decoration:none; } .u39a75ba6da88af94b89f24ef0c47788e { transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; } .u39a75ba6da88af94b89f24ef0c47788e .ctaText { font-weight:bold; color:inherit; text-decoration:none; font-size: 16px; } .u39a75ba6da88af94b89f24ef0c47788e .post Title { color:#000000; text-decoration: underline!important; font-size: 16px; } .u39a75ba6da88af94b89f24ef0c47788e:hover .postTitle { text-decoration: underline!important; } READ Consider Earning Your Criminal Justice Degree OnlineThe demand for Information Technology Auditors is on the rise. The Enron, WorldCom, and Tyco have solidified the need for experts knowledgeable in the language of technology and laws such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2017 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. Information technology auditors enforce corporate compliance with such laws by evaluating existing systems and recommend technology upgrades that will help a company meet compliance. Most companies need to maintain departments dedicated to technology support in order to resolve issues that may arise while doing day-to-day business. This falls under the domain of the Business Systems Analyst. Business Systems Analysts remain one of the fastest growing occupations according to the U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Outlook. Business systems analysts are concerned with supporting an organizations information technology needs by streamlining business tasks and providing network support services to make sure companies are operational 24/7. .ue746f2dff666fb247a8fa441adaa229c { padding:0px; margin: 0; padding-top:1em!important; padding-bottom:1em!important; width:100%; display: block; font-weight:bold; background-color:#eaeaea; border:0!important; border-left:4px solid #34495E!important; box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); -moz-box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); -o-box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); -webkit-box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); text-decoration:none; } .ue746f2dff666fb247a8fa441adaa229c:active, .ue746f2dff666fb247a8fa441adaa229c:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; text-decoration:none; } .ue746f2dff666fb247a8fa441adaa229c { transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; } .ue746f2dff666fb247a8fa441adaa229c .ctaText { font-weight:bold; color:inherit; text-decoration:none; font-size: 16px; } .ue746f2dff666fb247a8fa441adaa229c .post Title { color:#000000; text-decoration: underline!important; font-size: 16px; } .ue746f2dff666fb247a8fa441adaa229c:hover .postTitle { text-decoration: underline!important; } READ The Key to Your Future is an MBA DegreeComputer scientists and database administrators also enjoy continued growth in the U.S. business market. Computer scientists find ways to maximize the use of technology in order to increase the efficiency of business processes. Database administrators manage information and data. Database administrators find efficient methods of organizing and storing for organizations. Data is the backbone of organizations, and businesses will always need efficient ways of dealing with large quantities of data as part of meeting the bottom line. Most information technology service positions require formal education and on-the-job training. While an Associates Degree may be suitable for entry-level positions in support and basic applications development, most companies will look towards individuals with a Bachelors to Doctoral degree for the more prestigious positions. Most will also require certification within the field of specialty. While information technology services will always face the up-and-down rollercoaster of the technology world, remember that businesses will always need basic information technology infrastructure in order to meet the bottom line. .ud17f3feba46862551fca53970cc3d8c2 { padding:0px; margin: 0; padding-top:1em!important; padding-bottom:1em!important; width:100%; display: block; font-weight:bold; background-color:#eaeaea; border:0!important; border-left:4px solid #34495E!important; box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); -moz-box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); -o-box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); -webkit-box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); text-decoration:none; } .ud17f3feba46862551fca53970cc3d8c2:active, .ud17f3feba46862551fca53970cc3d8c2:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; text-decoration:none; } .ud17f3feba46862551fca53970cc3d8c2 { transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; } .ud17f3feba46862551fca53970cc3d8c2 .ctaText { font-weight:bold; color:inherit; text-decoration:none; font-size: 16px; } .ud17f3feba46862551fca53970cc3d8c2 .post Title { color:#000000; text-decoration: underline!important; font-size: 16px; } .ud17f3feba46862551fca53970cc3d8c2:hover .postTitle { text-decoration: underline!important; } READ Accelerated BSN Degree Specialize in Oncology Nursing with a Bachelor of ScienceRelated ArticlesSucceed with a Marketing DegreeBachelor Degree in Business Online Improve Employment Prospects with Formal Training in BusinessCareer Overview College Admissions RecruiterThe Information Technology IndustryThe Career Builder A Masters Degree in Computer ScienceUnderstanding Computer Science

Anti Depressants in Teens - 727 Words

Are anti-depressants a medication or a mental steroid?† (Kramer). For many years there has been an ongoing talk about anti-depressants. The big question is, are they really a cure for depression or just a mental steroid. An anti-depressant is a medication used to treat depression and other anxiety disorders. When proscribed to children and teens there can be severe side effects such as an increased chance to commit suicide or have suicidal thoughts or actions. This risk of suicide is higher for people under the age of 25. (Mayo Clinic Staff). Teenage usage of anti-depressants has been a controversial issue for many decades. Many people believe that anti-depressants aren’t a medication, but only create artificial happiness. Teenage usage of anti-depressants is so risky because it can increase the chance of suicide. Some more side effects they can cause are anxiety, agitation, hostility, restlessness, or impulsive behavior. They can also make symptoms of depression stronger after the medication wears off. Although there are many side effects to anti-depressants, doctor’s still proscribe them to children who have depression and anxiety disorders. Some popular anti-depressants that doctors proscribe to adolescents are Prozac and Zoloft. (Anti-Depressants). Scientists and Doctors studies’ show that 4 percent of those taking antidepressants had an increase in suicidal thoughts, compared with 2 percent of those taking sugar pills. After seeing those studies, the FDA (FoodShow MoreRelatedEssay about Anti-Depressants and Teen Suicide2777 Words   |  12 Pages Abstract Two percent of preteens and five percent of adolescents suffer from depression (www.about-teen-depression.com 2014). There are specific signs and symptoms associated with depression, which are helpful in detection of the illness. There are various ways to treat depression, such as medication, group therapy, and/or herbal supplements. There are pros and cons with each treatment, but the worst coincides with the medication –suicide. Much research has been conducted, which will be discussedRead MoreEssay Perscription Drug Abuse among Teenagers1064 Words   |  5 Pagessupervision of a physician, yet if used without approval of a doctor they can be very harmful and in some cases could lead to death. During your adolescence years, teens have curiosity which builds up and leads them to experimentation. They pop a pill, get high and then want more. Not only do they ease your state of mind, Increasing numbers of teens have easy access to painkillers through classmates, friends, family members, and even online. Sometimes they can even obtain the leftovers from the family medicineRead MoreDepression in Adolescents1561 Words   |  7 Pagessign is that of suicidal thoughts (King and Vidorek, 2012). Treatments for depression among children vary including antidepressants, behavioral activation, cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and depression prevention methods. Anti-depressants most described include Flueoxitine or other serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Studies show that drugs like Prozac, a Flueoxitine has been successful in treating depression. On the contrary, drugs such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclicsRead MorePrescription Drug Abuse Essay1744 Words   |  7 Pagespeople taking prescription drugs for the first time are women, ,and about a third were aged 12-17. Prescription drug abuse is highest among young adults, ages 18-25. According to the NSDUH the most commonly abused prescription drugs are opiods, CNS depressants, and stimulants. Opiods are prescribed with the intention of helping to reduce/treat serious short term pain, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, and neuropathic pain. Opiods are related to opium, a natural pain-killing substance taken from poppy plantsRead MoreAn Effective Treatment For Teenage Depression1705 Words   |  7 Pagesreceive treatment (Teen Help 2015). Depression is a highly treatable disease with treatments ranging from therapy to the use of prescribed medication. Recent studies have shown that healthy lifestyle changes can also be an effective treatment for teenage depression and is a much cheaper alternative to more expensive treatment options. A healthy lifestyle can alter one’s brain chemistry thus improving teens mental health, and through healthful eating and daily exercise adolescents and teens can treat andRead Moreâ€Å"Dying Before Their Time: The Startling Trends in Adolescent Suicide†1217 Words   |  5 Pagessuddenly giving away favorite sentimental possessions (AACAP, 2010). Thio also points out that people have tried to blame suicide in adolescents on the fact that they were given anti depressants to cure their chronic depression (Thio, 2010). Other researchers conducted another study in which people did not receive anti depressants and found that the suicide rate went up which led them to conclude that these people were suffering from a severer form of depression which in some cases medicine nor talkRead MoreEssay on Causes of Depression in the Millennial Generation1523 Words   |  7 PagesCauses of Depression in the Millennial Generation Depression has possibly at one time affected or currently affects almost every living individual worldwide. Kids, teens, and young adults in the twentieth century were always identified as more susceptible to feeling depressed, typically due to nothing more than normal changes of physical and mental maturity. However, in her book Generation Me, Jean M. Twenge addresses that â€Å"being young has not always carried such a high risk of being anxious, depressedRead MoreTeen Suicide Essay1495 Words   |  6 PagesSuicide is the act or an instance of taking one’s life. Many different factors can cause suicide such as, bullying, mental disorders, or other complicated situations. Over the years, teen suicide ratings have been steadily increasing. For young people in the United States, suicide is ranked the second in the leading cause of death. Society needs to bring more awareness to this issue. There should be more awareness on how to identify suicidal people, the risk factors, and ways to prevent suicideRead Moreteen drug abuse1325 Words   |  6 Pagesget intoxicated, difficulties that occur when the effects of the drug wear off (withdrawal), using more of a substance or for longer time than intended, and other life problems because of their use of a drug or drugs. After further reading more about teen drug abuse, it will clearly show the negative effect it could have on your children. The following will provide further understanding as to what the most common drugs are, ways to prevent your children from taking them, what the symptoms are, someRead MoreDepressed Parents : A Child s Bad Behavior1631 Words   |  7 Pageswomen take some form of depression during their pregnancy. In order to cope with this depression during pregnancy, many mothers to be take anti-depressants however, after birth these medications can also have a negative effect on the child once born. Doctors are still unclear as to the exact effect of depressants on babies, but it is a toss up because anti depression medication may hurt the child however, so can a depressed mother. The limited results of research on the affect of antidepressants

Fluency vs Accuracy Free Essays

We all know that English is an international language which people from all over the world learn in order to communicate with each other. There are two types of language learner: the first type is being accurate in speaking English. This means that if a person start to say something, and then realize that he/she made a mistake, that person will stop and correct that mistake. We will write a custom essay sample on Fluency vs Accuracy or any similar topic only for you Order Now They might pause and contemplate what the right word or phrase should be use. The other type is Fluency, this type increases the progress of the learners. English is our universal language. Indeed, it is very important for us to have knowledge in speaking English because it will help you to develop your speaking skills and in the near future, whenever, you will find for a job it is one of the most important qualifications that you can speak well or fluently. Some people who are not that good enough in speaking English are called English carabao in informal term. But then, in our daily lives we must pursue ourselves to learn something new like speaking in English fluently. It doesn’t matter whether your grammar are correct or wrong what is important is the thought you have in your message even if it is formal or informal conversation. Based on my experienced, if you can’t speak English at all, I think you’re a loser. Last December 2010 we celebrated our holiday vacation in Hong Kong. As we went there almost of the people there only know how to speak Cantonese not English. For us Filipino it is a great insult if you don’t know how to express yourself in English especially if you want to ask something to the Chinese people who lived there or foreigners. Traveling to other country is not easy of course the first thing you need to learn is English language. For some people who are afraid to express their selves in English it is not hindrance for them to learn something new. At first it is really hard but if you just concentrate and believe in yourself that you can do better, you can speak better that’s the spirit. Patience is a virtue, if we keep on trying again and again it would lead us to a successful life. Everything is possible in God’s you will see how great you are as a person. How to cite Fluency vs Accuracy, Essay examples

Arthur Bruce McDonald Essay Example For Students

Arthur Bruce McDonald Essay Arthur Macdonald is a Canadian astrophysicist. Born August 29, 1943 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, he obtained his Master of Science degree from Dalhousie University in 1964 and shortly after received a PhD from the California Institute of technology. He is currently the director of the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory Institute. He is most famous for proving neutrinos have mass. He did this by showing experimentally that they oscillate between different types of neutrinos (electron, muon and tau). After knowing that neutrinos oscillate though different types it is easy to show that they have mass: If they didnt the neutrinos would travel at the speed of light and wouldnt experience time (according to relativity). If this was true they wouldnt be able to oscillate between states, therefore they must have mass. He did this work in the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory, a facility located 2.1 km underground made to solve the solar neutrino problem, which it did. The results he obtained from working th ere were of 5 significance meaning a chance of statistical error are smaller than 1 in a 1 000 000. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2015 for that work (it was shared with Professor Takaaki Kajita). His contribution to society was the advancement of human knowledge, doing science for the sake of science itself. In hisown words We are very satisfied that we have been able to add to worlds knowledge at a very fundamental level.He now holds theGordon and Patricia Gray Chair in Particle Astrophysicsin Queens University.

Intelligence agency

The formation of a powerful intelligence agency to take care of the matters of military intelligence did not include a plan for coordination of intelligence activities between security agencies (Truman 4). Several decades later, the structure of the office of the DNI was instituted to control the various intelligence authorities that had emerged.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Intelligence agency specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, this office has been consistently unable to perform its duties as expected. The office of the director of national intelligence has failed to perform its duties to the expected level in its capacity. There was speculation that inadequate finance was the cause of the failures of the office. An increase in the annual funding for the office has failed to improve the condition. However, there are several measures involving organisational change that can streamline and co-ordinate du ties at the office of DNI (Stuart 52). The first necessary solution is to have a unified leadership that will make decisions, rather than have separate authorities delegate similar duties (Stuart 23). One of the major problems facing the office of DNI is the lack of a well-coordinated leadership. Assignment of duties at the office has been erratic with leaders overseeing intelligence work in various regions lacking coordination. Separate plans by different levels of leadership have resulted to duplication of duties and improper handling of matters of intelligence due to the separate approaches of different offices. A new channel for reporting will make sure that the proper chain of command is used for reporting matters of intelligence. The current organisation does not assign duties to intelligence officers with due responsibility. This has left the intelligence officers to handle their duties in a manner that one chooses (DoD 5). Thus, the duties of the intelligence community do no t present as obligations, but appear as missions that the intelligence community embark on at will (Stuart 16).Advertising Looking for essay on homeland security? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Although significant will is needed for the intelligence community to go about its duties, a clear framework outlining the responsibility of each section or office in the intelligence work will improve efficiency. All these objectives can only be achieved by establishing a decisive leadership, which can outline the duties of the members of the intelligence community. The second necessary action is the unification of the whole of intelligence community so that the office of DNI can monitor all activities and plans. Although the office of the DNI is expected to control the whole intelligence community, it is not possible to accomplish this for all members of the intelligence community in the country in the prevailing situation. There is no proper law that brings the control of all members of the intelligence community that are concerned with major intelligence issues under the control of the office of DNI (DoD 11). In addition, there are efforts by some agencies to undermine the office of the DNI by preferring to isolate their activities. The isolation of these sections of the intelligence community makes it impossible for the office of DNI to draw a realistic and accurate budget plan. Procedures of procurement and other projects that affect the budget of the intelligence community are executed separately making the planning for the allocated resources a difficult task (DoD 13). It is important to ensure that all the sections of the intelligence community are obligated to cooperate under the office of DNI. This can be achieved by bringing institutions such as the DIA and the CIA under the authority of DNI The third reason the office of DNI is not able to offer effective leadership to the intelligence community is t he lack of constitutional law to put it in a position to deal with all the issues arising in the whole of the intelligence community. Major intelligence bodies such as the CIA and DIA, which are considered major arms of intelligence, are finding it difficult to report to the office of the DNI since the constitution does not explicitly express that the intelligence agencies should report to that office.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Intelligence agency specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Furthermore, CIA, the major member of the intelligence community, has traditionally reported to other offices, which are thought to be of a higher authority. In a more simplistic interpretation, all sections of the intelligence community need to report to the office of the DNI, which should then report to the president. Intelligence deals with gathering of information of significance to security. It is important to ensure that the members of the intelligence community are able to pool the information gathered in their separate intelligence activities in order to provide security for the nation. Currently, the DNI oversees the operations of the members of the intelligence community as completely separate entities with no proper platform for sharing information (DoD 17). There is need for enactment of a law that obligates the members of the intelligence community to share information without any restriction. This will establish the intelligence community as one intelligence body that works in unity to combat security problems. In addition, there should be a clear policy that governs the manner in which the intelligence is shared. A plan on how to avert the danger of having information leaked to the public or to those who intend to compromise security is necessary in the implementation of a policy to lay foundation for information sharing. With an elaborate system, it is easier to establish security for the cou ntry’s citizens and interests. The current reluctance of the members of the intelligence community to share information is partly due to the danger presented by knowledge of classified information by many people. Moreover, the state of information in the intelligence community is limited, with the members sharing information regarding terrorist threats alone. Works Cited DoD, DTIC. The National Intelligence Strategy of the United States of America. Ft. Belvoir: Defense Technical Information Center, 2009. Print. Stuart, Douglas T.. Creating the national security state: a history of the law that transformed America. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 2008. Print.Advertising Looking for essay on homeland security? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Truman, Harry S.. National Security Act of 1947: communication from the President of the United States This essay on Intelligence agency was written and submitted by user Jeram1ah to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Increasing Technology in Electronic Communications essays

Increasing Technology in Electronic Communications essays Electronic communications, has been having an affect on humanity and our quality of life, but how? Electronic communications is such a broad subject that includes cellular phones, computers, internet, e-mail, and DVDs just to name a few. I focused on cellular phones, internet and DVDs. All are forms of electronic communications that have the advantages and disadvantages. Technology just keeps getting more and more advanced, which makes life much easier for us. Just think about what it will be like in ten to twenty years from now. Before we know it, we no longer will be driving cars, at least that consist of gravity. Soon we will have robots performing our everyday activities, we will never have to do anything without leaving our homes. Electronic communications has made an extensive difference on our life's. Electronic communications are taking over the world. I remember when cellular phones started out enormous in size with long antennas that put out poor reception, today cell phone s are as small as possible, with the antenna built into the phone. cellular phones have so much to offer from different ring tones, to internet access, along with e-mail. Picture phones and test messaging. Cellular phones offer so much and are cheaper than a land line, along with long distance calls. Cellular phones can also be dangerous to health, founded in many studies. Scientists, found that cell phones radiation could cause changes in human cells that may affect the brain. We know that there is some biological responses we can detect with our sensitive approaches, but we do know whether it can have any physiological effects on the human brain or body. They do not actually know whether the radiation is harmful or what causes the caner for sure yet; studies are still being done in labs. Scientist do knot know what the truth is for sure yet. Communications have be modernized and increased in technology but still contain a many hazards;...

XBox versus Playstation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

XBox versus Playstation - Essay Example The availability of these games in the market have provided people with the opportunity to make a choice between the two depending on an individual’s tastes and preferences. Naturally, people shall have different opinions as to which one of the two is better that the other and why (Plunkett, 2009). This paper shall compare XBox and Playstation and attempt to make out which of the two is preferable. Determining which one of the two is better than the other is a rather difficult or an impossible task. This is because it all depends on the individual using it the console since each game console provides a broad range of varied features. Some people will love one console, while others could hate it. Generally, it has been agreed that the Play station and the Xbox are roughly comparable (Cheat, 2011). However, people will always hold different opinions as far as this matter is concerned. The Xbox was set to the market in North America on 15th November 2001. It offered a stiff compe tition with Sony’s PlayStation. During the early years of its development, the marketing department in Microsoft argued against the name Xbox with the argument that it would be very unpopular in the market. This, therefore, called for alternative names being suggested. However, testing from consumers revealed that the name was more preferable than all the other suggested names (Plunkett, 2009). This led to Xbox becoming the official name for the game. Xbox has been documented as the first video game console built using a hard disk drive, which was primarily used to store games. This development did away with the need to have separate memory cards that had been in the market for long. Over the years, these two games have developed to superiority, while at the same time maintaining significant differences among themselves than ever before. Each of the industries Sony and Microsoft is keen to avoid lagging behind the other. As soon as Sony began enjoying the success of the PlayS tation 3 slim, Microsoft came in with the thinned edition of Xbox 360. Sources from industries have claimed that both Sony and Microsoft are intending to extend the consoles generation with the aim of maximizing their investment (Navarro, 2009). Currently, both games have competitive prices and provide very related functions. These progresses are making it more complicated to make a decision on which of the two is better. The comparison between Microsoft Xbox 360 S and Sony PlayStation 3 slim is one mission that has left many people exhausted. Even the game fans have had difficulties telling which of the two is better. PlayStation 3 slim is an overhauled version of the seventh generation form Sony’s video game console launched in 2009. This PlayStation has developments such as a new sleek design, a potent mix of old and new features such as online gaming, Blu-ray Disc technology, high optical disc format, and a removable hard drive (Beyazitoglu, 2010). All these developments have made gaming more interesting and easier. In addition to this, the PlayStation Move facilitating motion games has made it more popular. A year after the introduction of PlayStation 3 slim by Sony, Microsoft introduced its seventh generation the Xbox 360 S. this was 17 percent slimmer than the previous version. Some of the most common games with Xbox 360 S currently include Gears of War, Fable, Call of Duty, and Halo among others. Additionally, Xbox 360 S is easily well-matched to the motion gaming system introduced by Microsoft (Navarro, 2009). In determining which of the two games is better, there is a need to take into consideration a variety of features such as price, size, weight, and speed among

School Counseling Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

School Counseling - Research Paper Example The program also prepares students for improving their social behaviors that are needed to grow positively in the society. Here, an important point to mention is that a school counseling program is not just focused towards working with students, rather it works collaboratively with all stakeholders of the institute that include parents, teachers, students, and the community members. The purpose of engaging all stakeholders in the counseling program is to ensure that students prosper in an all-inclusive environment, which is extremely important for a student to reach his/her highest potential. The role of the school counselor is critical in improving academic and personal behaviors of the students. As Brown and Trusty (2005), â€Å"School counselors can use strategic interventions to improve academic achievement† (p. 1). A counselor is actually a guide or a leader who serves the needs of the students by taking in consideration their needs and demands and conveying them to the related authorities if necessary. It is the job of a counselor to listen to the concerns of students individually and in groups to identify their behavioral deficiencies and learning needs, as well as to help them improve their behaviors and achieve academic goals. A counselor listens to the students to get their viewpoints about the learning environment and tells them the ways to prosper in the environment in an appropriate manner. It is also the responsibility of a counselor to guide students in developing and maintain positive peer-to-peer and student-teacher relationships both of which are necessary for the students to show improved school performances. A counselor also works on improving the social attitudes and behaviors of students to help them become productive citizens. The phases of a school counseling program include planning, designing, implementing,

Strategic Response to Climate Change by Global Companies Essay

Strategic Response to Climate Change by Global Companies - Essay Example ThÐ µ clÃ'â€"mÐ °tÐ µ Ã'â€"s chÐ °ngÃ'â€"ng fÐ °st Ð °nd Ã'â€"s posÃ'â€"ng Ð ° grÐ µÃ °t thrÐ µÃ °t to thÐ µ mÐ °nkÃ'â€"nd. ThÐ µ rÐ µÃ °son of thÃ'â€"s clÃ'â€"mÐ °tÃ'â€"c chÐ °ngÐ µ Ã'â€"s numÐ µrous but thÐ µ mÐ °Ã'â€"n sourcÐ µ of such Ð ° chÐ °ngÐ µ lÃ'â€"Ð µs Ã'â€"n thÐ µ Ã'â€"ndustrÃ'â€"Ð °l Ð µxpÐ °nsÃ'â€"on. ThÐ µ scÐ µnÐ °rÃ'â€"o Ã'â€"n thÐ µ mÐ °rkÐ µt hÐ °s bÐ µcomÐ µ much morÐ µ compÐ µtÃ'â€"tÃ'â€"vÐ µ Ð °nd Ã'â€"t hÐ °s bÐ µÃ µn thÐ µ prÃ'â€"mÐ °ry rÐ µÃ °son of such Ð ° hÐ °rmful chÐ °ngÐ µ bÐ µcÐ °usÐ µ most of thÐ µ Ã'â€"ndustrÃ'â€"Ð µs Ð °rÐ µ busy concÐ µntrÐ °tÃ'â€"ng on profÃ'â€"t Ð °nd not on thÐ µ socÃ'â€"Ð °l outcomÐ µs of thÐ µÃ'â€"r busÃ'â€"nÐ µss. ThÐ µ mÐ °Ã'â€"n sÐ µctors whÃ'â€"ch Ã'â€"nfluÐ µncÐ µ thÐ µ chÐ °ngÐ µ of clÃ'â€"mÐ °tÐ µ Ð °rÐ µ thÐ µ lÃ'â€"kÐ µs of oÃ'â€"l Ð °nd pÐ µtrolÐ µum sÐ µctor, rÐ µÃ °l Ð µstÐ °tÐ µ sÐ µctor, Ð °utomobÃ'â€"lÐ µ sÐ µctor à  °nd thÐ µ Ã'â€"ron Ð °nd stÐ µÃ µl Ã'â€"ndustry. ThÐ µrÐ µ Ð °rÐ µ othÐ µr hÐ µÃ °vy bÐ °sÐ µd Ã'â€"ndustrÃ'â€"Ð µs whÃ'â€"ch Ð °ffÐ µct such Ð ° chÐ °ngÐ µ. ThÃ'â€"s clÃ'â€"mÐ °tÃ'â€"c chÐ °ngÐ µ not only Ð °ffÐ µcts thÐ µ Ð µnvÃ'â€"ronmÐ µntÐ °l stÐ °bÃ'â€"lÃ'â€"ty but Ð °lso thÐ µ fÃ'â€"nÐ °ncÃ'â€"Ð °l stÐ °bÃ'â€"lÃ'â€"ty of thÐ µ wholÐ µ world. Thus, Ð ° chÐ °ngÐ µ Ã'â€"n clÃ'â€"mÐ °tÐ µ hÃ'â€"ts thÐ µ fÃ'â€"nÐ °ncÃ'â€"Ð °l sÐ µctor or thÐ µ bÐ °nkÃ'â€"ng sÐ µctor tÐ µrrÃ'â€"bly. It Ã'â€"s vÐ µry much rÐ µquÃ'â€"rÐ µd by Ð °ll thÐ µ Ã'â€"ndustrÃ'â€"Ð µs collÐ µctÃ'â€"vÐ µly to prÐ µvÐ µnt such chÐ °ngÐ µs Ã'â€"n thÐ µ nÐ °turÐ µ othÐ µrwÃ'â€"sÐ µ Ã'â€"t could posÐ µ Ð ° sÐ µrÃ'â€"ous thrÐ µÃ °t to thÐ µ socÃ'â€"Ð µty. MÐ µÃ °surÐ µs Ð °rÐ µ to bÐ µ Ã'â€"nÃ'â€"tÃ'â€"Ð °tÐ µd to tÐ °kÐ µ prÐ µcÐ °utÃ'â€"onÐ °ry stÐ µps, Ã'â€"f not fully to wrÃ'â€"tÐ µ off thÐ µ Ã'â€"ll Ð µffÐ µcts, so thÐ °t thÐ µ mÐ °gnÃ'â€"tudÐ µ of such hÐ °rm rÐ µducÐ µs. ThÐ µ study rÐ µflÐ µcts such mÐ µÃ °surÐ µs whÃ'â€"ch hÐ °vÐ µ bÐ µÃ µn tÐ °kÐ µn or whÃ'â€"ch could bÐ µ tÐ °kÐ µn to mÐ °kÐ µ thÃ'â€"s world Ð ° bÐ µttÐ µr plÐ °cÐ µ to lÃ'â€"vÐ µ. The study will be focused on three car manufacturing companies in the UK namely, Ford, Nissan, and Toyota. It will clearly show what the future holds for these companies as well as their sustainability. The study will use qualitative and inductive methods of investigation to capture these characteristics.

Salinity in Rice Production

Salinity in Rice Production Rice (Oryza sativa) is the most important crop in the world after wheat, with more than 90% currently grown in Asia. Rice is the grain that has shaped the cultures, diets and economies of billions of Asians. For them, rice is more than food; rice is life. About 120,000 varieties are grown across the world in an extensive range of climatic soil and water condition. It is grown on an area of 149.151 million hectares (ha) yielding 550.193 million tons of paddy with a yield of 3689 kg ha-1 (Alam et al., 2001). In Asia, China is the major rice producing country followed by India, Indonesia and Bangladesh. However, yield per hectare is highest 6.1 tons in Japan, followed by 5.1 tons ha-1 in China. Rice breeders have used genetic variability to produce cultivars that have high yield potential and that resist disease and insect damage and that tolerate cold, drought, and even floods. But apart from some sporadic work in Sri Lanka and India, little has been done until recently to identify any breed/cultivars adaptable to adverse soil conditions such as salinity. Salinity is a major threat to crop productivity in the southern and south-western part of Bangladesh, where it is developed due to frequent flood by sea water of the Bay of Bengal and on the other hand introduction of irrigation with saline waters. In Bangladesh, there are approximately 2.85 million ha of coastal soils (Ponnamperuma, 1977) which occur in the southern parts of the Ganges tidal floodplain, in the young Meghna estuarine floodplain and in tidal areas of the Chittagong coastal plain and offshore islands (Brammer, 1978). About one million ha of land of these coastal and offshore areas are affected by varying degrees of salinity. These coastal saline soils are distributed unevenly in 64 thanas of 13 coastal districts covering 8 agroecological zones (AEZ) of the country. The majority of the saline land (0.65 million ha) exists in the districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Barguna, Patuakhali, Pirojpur and Bhola on the western coast and a smaller portion (0.18 million ha) in the districts of Chittagong, Coxs Bazar, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni and Chandpur. According to the report of Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI) of Bangladesh, about 0.203 million ha of land is very slightly (2-4 dSm-1), 0.492 million ha is slightly (4-8 dSm-1), 0.461 million ha is moderately (8-12 dSm-1) and 0.490 million ha is strongly (>12 dSm-1) salt affected soils in southwestern part of the coastal area of Bangladesh. Large fluctuations in salinity levels over time are also observed at almost all sites in these regions. The common trend is an increase in salinity with time, from November- December to March-April, until the onset of the monsoon rains. The electrical conductivity (EC) of the soils and water are lowest in July-August and highest in March-April at all sites. Soil salinity, at any time, is maximum in the surface layers (0-15 cm), the salinity gradient being vertically downwards. The s alinity in subsoil is usually much lower than that in the top soil. The underground water within 1-2 meters below the soil surface at all locations is moderately to strongly saline in the dry season. The compositions of the soluble salts in these saline soils can indicate possible management strategies for crop production. Sodium has been found to be the dominant cation, and Cl- the dominant anion species. Next in importance are Mg2+ and SO42-. Hence the salts are of the sodium-magnesium and chloride-sulphate types. A very important aspect of the soluble salt composition of the underground water is the large excess of magnesium relative to calcium. Thus proper measures to maintain ionic balance may be needed for good plant growth even under low salinity conditions. There is a general lacking of suitable salt tolerant modern variety (MV) of rice to suited different AEZ in the coastal areas of Bangladesh. The scarcity of good quality irrigation water is a major problem in these areas. The surface water resources are insufficient and irrigated agriculture is largely dependent on ground water resource. The use of such water for irrigation without proper management may render the irrigated soils as salt affected and consequently crop production may be hindered. For centuries, farmers have salt-tolerant cultivars on the saline soils of India, Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. But, because of lodging and susceptibility to disease and insect damage, yields are about l ton ha-1. Recognition of the potential of saline lands for rice production in the densely populated countries of south and southeast Asia prompted the inclusion of salt tolerance as a component of the programme of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Of the adverse soil conditions, salinity received most attention, because of its widespread occurrence in current and potential rice lands. Salt tolerance studies are usually conducted in growth chambers and greenhouse, with plants raised in plastic trays or in small pots. The salt tolerance of any crop is usually expressed as decrease in yield associated with a given level of soil salinity as compared with yield under non-saline conditions. The primary salinity factors influencing plant growth are the kind and concentration of salt present in the soil solution. Salt concentration in soil is usually determined by measuring EC of a soil saturation extracts (ECe) obtained from the active root zone. Recently, simple, rapid and reliable instruments such as salinity sensors and four electrode probes, have been developed for measurement of electrical conductivity of soil water (ECsw). Rice is the most suited crop for saline soils because it can tolerate standing water, which is necessary for reclamation of saline soils. Soils are considered saline if they contain soluble salts in quantities sufficient to interfere with the growth of most crop species. Thus, the criterion for distinguishing saline from non-saline soils is arbitrary (Marschner, 1995). According to the definition, a saline soil has an electrical conductivity (EC) greater than 4 milli mhos cm-1 or 4 micro Siemens cm-1 or deci Siemens m-1 and an exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) and pH of less than 15 and 8.5, respectively. The saline soils with an ESP > 15 and pH > 8.5 are termed as saline-alkaline or saline-sodic soils. However, many different units have been used for salinity level expression. These are molarity (M), milli molarity (mM) (based on molecular weight of the salt); milli mhos cm-1 (mmhos cm-1); micro Siemens cm-1 (Â µS cm-1), deci Siemens m-1 (dS m-1) (based on electrical conductivit y) and % salt (based on percent concentration of the salt). Among these, mM, dSm-1 and % salt concentrations are most commonly used. Approximately 58.5 mgL-1 NaCl = 1mM solution of NaCl and 640 mgL-1 NaCl is equivalent to 1 mmhos cm-1 (= 1 dSm-1) EC (Shannon et al., 1998). Therefore, 1 dSm-1 salinity is equivalent to about 11 mM salt solution. The present population of Bangladesh is about 140 million and rice is the principal food item of its population. The alarming growth of population and loss of arable land due to urbanization are main causes of concern for finding ways and means for augmenting food production particularly rice. The possibility of increasing food production by increasing land area is quite out of question in Bangladesh. The only feasible alternative is to increase the cultivable land areas by bringing salt affected soils under cultivation with high yielding salt tolerant rice cultivars. The lack of an effective evaluation method for salt tolerance in the screening of genotypes is one of the reasons for the limited success in conventional salt tolerant breeding. Two yield parameters, tiller number per plant and spikelet number per panicle, have proved most sensitive to salinity and are highly significantly correlated to final seed yield in rice cultivar under salt stress (Zeng and Shannon, 2000). Salinity in soil or water is one of the major stresses, can severely limit crop production (Shannon, 1998). The deleterious effects of salinity on plant growth are associated with (i) low osmotic potential of soil solution (water stress), (ii) nutritional imbalance, (iii) specific ion effect, or (iv) a combination of these factors (Ashraf, 1994a; Marschner, 1995). All these cause adverse pleiotropic effects on plant growth and development at physiological and biochemical levels (Munns, 2002) and at molecular level (Mansour, 2000). It is often not possible to assess the relative contribution of these major constraints to growth inhibition at high substrate salinity, as many factors are involved. These include ion concentration, duration of exposure, plant species, cultivar and root stock (excluder and includer), stage of plant development, plant organ and environmental conditions. So, to cope with the above constraints, salt stressed plants mainly adopt three mechanisms for salt toler ance such as (i) osmotic adjustment, (ii) salt inclusion/ exclusion and (iii) ion discrimination (Volkmar et al., 1998). Plant growth was seriously affected due to salinity which reduced turgor in expanding tissues and osmoregulation (Steponkus, 1984). Alam el al. (2001) stated that the critical EC level of salinity for seedling growth was about 5 dSm-1. They observed that dry matter, seedling height, root length and emergence of new roots of rice decreased significantly at an electrical conductivity value of 5-6 dSm-1 and during the early seedling stage, more higher salinity caused rolling and withering of leaves, browning of leaf tips and ultimately death of seedlings. They especulated that both osmotic imbalance and Cl- was responsible for suppress of the growth. These authors maintained that the shoot growth was more suppressed than that of root and salt injury was more severe at high temperature (35oC) and low humidity (64%) due to increased transpiration and uptake of water and salt by rice plants. At the reproductive stage, salinity depressed grain yield much more than that at the vegetative gro wth stage (Alam et al., 2001). These authors maintained that at critical salinity levels straw yield was normal but produced little or no grain. The decrease in grain yield was found proportional to the salt concentration and the duration of the saline treatment. When the plants were continuously exposed to saline media, salinity affected the panicle initiation, spikelet formation, fertilization of florets and germination of pollen grains hence caused an increase in number of sterile florets. The greatest injurious effect was on the panicle. Salinity severely reduced the panicle length, number of primary branches per panicle, number of spikelet per panicle, seed setting percentage and panicle weight and reduced the grain yield. The weight of 1000 grains was also reduced. Salt injury resulted in the production of small grains in grain length, width and thickness. Most rice cultivars were severely injured in submerged soil cultures at EC of 8-10 dSm-1 at 25o C; sensitive ones were hur t even at 2 dSm-1. At comparable ECs injury was less in sea water than in solutions of common salt, in neutral and alkaline soils than in acid soils, at 20oC than at 35oC and in 2-week old seedling than in 1-week old seedlings. Since rice plant is susceptible to salinity at transplanting and gains tolerance with age, they advised that aged seedlings (6 weeks old) be planted in saline fields. Salinity affected rice during pollination, decreased seed setting and grain yield (Maloo, 1993). Finck (1977) suggested that deficiency of K and Ca elements might play a significant role in plant growth depression in many saline soils. Girdhar (1988) observed that salinity delayed germination, but did not affect the final germination up to the EC of 8 dSm-1 by evaluating the performance of rice under saline water irrigation. In normal conditions, the Na+ concentration in the cytoplasm of plant cells was low in comparison to the K+ content, frequently 10-2 versus 10-1 and even in conditions of toxicity, most of the cellular Na+ content was confined into the vacuole (Apse et al., 1999). Abdullah et al. (2001) performed an experiment on the effect of salinity stress (50 mM) on floral characteristics, yield components, and biochemical and physiological attributes of the sensitive rice variety IR-28. The results showed significant decrease in panicle weight, panicle length, primary branches per panicle, filled and unfilled grain, total grains and grain weight per panicle, 1000-grain weight and total grain weight per hill. They further observed significant reduction in both chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b content in different parts of the rice leaves at saline condition. In another experiment, Abdullah et al. (2002) studied the effect of salinity on photosynthate translocation in panicle branches and developing spikelets, carbohydrate content of different vegetative parts and suggested that reduction in grain number and grain weight in salinized panicles was not merely due to reduction in pollen viability and higher accumulation of Na+ and less K+ in different floral pa rts but also due to higher accumulation of photosynthates (sugar) in primary and secondary panicle branches, panicle main stalk and panicle stem coupled with reduced activity of starch synthetase in developing grains. Gypsum (CaSO4, 2H2O) is widely used for ameliorating saline/sodic soils due to its tendency of replacing its Ca2+ with exchangeable Na+ on the soil complex. In addition, gypsum application to saline/sodic soils improve yield of paddy and forage grasses in arid and semi arid regions due to the effects of Ca2+ on plant composition such as decrease in the concentration of Na and improve plant-tissue concentrations of P, K, Zn, Cu, Mg and K:Na ratio (Rengel, 1992). The addition of supplemental Ca to the root environment was a means of enhancing plant tolerance to salt stress (Epstein, 1998). This might favour the increase of Na+ inside the cells, change enzyme activity resulting in cell metabolical alterations; disturbance in K+ uptake and partitioning in the cells, and throughout the plant that might even affect stomatal opening, thereby, impairing the ability of the plant to grow. This author assumed that the addition of Ca2+ to the root environment of salt stressed plants would mainta in or enhance the selective absorption of K+ at high Na+ concentrations and prevent the deleterious effects of the excess of Na+. Another role attributed to supplemental Ca2+ addition was its help in osmotic adjustment and growth via the enhancement of compatible organic solutes accumulation (Girija et al., 2002). Under salt stress conditions there was a decrease in the Ca/Na ratio in the root environment which affected membrane properties, due to displacement of membrane-associated Ca2+ by Na+, leading to a disruption of membrane integrity and selectivity (Cramer et al., 1985; Kinraide, 1998). Aslam et al. (1993) observed significant reduction in shoot and root fresh weights by different types of salinity such as NaCl alone, NaCl + CaCl2, Na2CO3 alone and a salts mixture. On the plant growth, NaCl alone was found to be the most toxic, Na2CO3 alone was the least harmful, and NaCl + CaCl2 and the salts mixture were intermediate. They found similar results in both solution culture experiment and the experiments conducted in salinized soils. They considered the better root growth under high salinity condition as the capacity of the tolerant genotypes to combat the adverse effect of salinity. Aslam et al. (2001) investigated the effect of supplemental Ca on rice growth and yield in solution and soil cultures, and in naturally salt affected field. In solution culture, Ca was applied at 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 and 160 Â µg/mL with 80 mM NaCl and without NaCl and in soil culture 0, 50, 100 and 200 kg Ca ha-1 was applied to artificially prepared salinity (EC 9 dSm-1). Three cultivars, d iffering in salt tolerance, were used, namely K8-282 (salt tolerant), BG 402-4 (moderately tolerant) and IR-28 (salt sensitive). Application of Ca at 20-40 Â µg/mL improved tillering capacity, shoot and root length, shoot and root weights in solution culture in the presence of NaCl. Shoot Na+ and Cl- decreased, whereas K+ concentration and K+/Na+ ratio increased because of Ca supply to saline medium. Grain and straw yields, plant height and panicle length were significantly higher in saline compared to saline sodic soil. Application of 200 kg Ca ha-1 proved statistically superior to the control in respect of panicle length, numbers of tillers, grain and straw yields under both saline and saline sodic soil as well as in naturally salt-affected field. Seed setting was improved in all cultivars because of external Ca supply to saline and saline sodic soils. Aslam et al. (2003) stated that an increase in potassium and K+/Na+ ratio was an indication of salt tolerance due to the applicat ion of additional Ca in both salt tolerant and susceptible rice cultivars under saline environment. These authors maintained that salt affected soils showed an improvement in the paddy yield of both salt tolerant and salt sensitive rice cultivars due to Ca application as gypsum at the rate of 25% of gypsum requirement of soil. Franco et al. (1999) studied the effect of supplemental CaCl2 on growth and osmoregulation in NaCl stressed cowpea seedlings. They found that salinity inhibited the length of root and shoot of cowpea but the inhibitory effect could be ameliorated by the addition of Ca2+. The concentration of organic osmoregulators (proline, soluble carbohydrates, soluble amino-nitrogen, and soluble proteins) increased in root tips of seedlings grown in salt-stressed condition with supplemental Ca. They indicated that Ca2+ could have a protective effect in root tips, which is of fundamental importance for the maintenance of root elongation in NaCl stressed cowpea seedlings. Considerable improvements in salinity tolerance have been made in crop species in recent times through conventional selection and breeding techniques (Shannon, 1998; Ashraf, 1994a; 2002). Most of the selection procedures have been based on differences in agronomic characters, which represent the combined genetic and environmental effects on plant growth and include the integration of the physiological mechanisms conferring salinity tolerance. Typical agronomic selection parameters for salinity tolerance are yield, biomass, plant survivality, plant height, leaf area, leaf injury, relative growth rate and relative growth reduction. Many scientists have suggested that selection is more convenient and practicable if the plant species possesses distinctive indicators of salt tolerance at the whole plant, tissue or cellular level (Ashraf, 2002; Epstein and Rains, 1987; Jacoby, 1999; Munns, 2002). Physiological criteria are able to supply more objective information than agronomic parameters or visual assessment while screening for component traits of complex characters (Yeo, 1994). There are no well-defined plant indicators for salinity tolerance that could practically be used by plant breeders for improvement of salinity tolerance in a number of important agricultural crops. This is partly due to the fact that the mechanism of salt tolerance is so complex that variation occurs not only amongst species but, in many cases, also among cultivars within a single species (Ashraf, 1994a; 2002). During the course of plant growth, the form and functions of various organs undergo significant change and the ability of the pla nt to react to salinity stress depend on those genes that are expressed at the stage of development during which the stress is imposed (Epstein and Rains, 1987). The mechanism of salinity tolerance becomes even more complicated when the response of a plant also varies with the concentration of saline medium and the environmental conditions in which the plant is grown. Osmotic adjustment in plants subjected to salt stress can occur by the accumulation of high concentration of either inorganic ions or low molecular weight organic solutes. Although both of these play a crucial role in higher plants grown under saline conditions, their relative contribution varies among species, among cultivars and even between different compartments within the same plant (Ashraf, 1994a). The compatible osmolytes generally found in higher plants are of low molecular weight sugars, organic acids, amino acids, proteins and quaternary ammonium compounds. According to Cram (1976), of the various organic osmotica, sugars contribute up to 50% of the total osmotic potential in glycophytes subject to saline conditions. The accumulation of soluble carbohydrates in plants has been widely reported as response to salinity or drought, despite a significant decrease in net CO2 assimilation rate (Popp and Smirnoff, 1995; Murakeozy et al., 2003). Ashraf and Tufail (1995) determined the total soluble sugars content in five sunflower accessions differing in salt tolerance. They found that the salt tolerant lines had generally greater soluble sugars than the salt sensitive ones. Ashraf and Harris (2004) suggested that considerable variations in the accumulation of soluble sugars in response to salt stress were evident at both inter-specific and/or intra-specific levels and even among lines of which all were salt tolerant. Several salt-induced proteins have been identified in plant species and have been classified into two distinct groups such as (i) salt stress proteins, which accumulate only due to salt stress and (ii) stress associated proteins, which also accumulate in response to heat, cold, drought, water-logging and high and low mineral nutrients (Pareek et al., 1997; Ali et al., 1999; Mansour, 2000). Proteins that accumulate in plants grown under saline conditions may provide a storage form of nitrogen that is neutralized when stress is over and may play a role in osmotic adjustment (Singh et al., 1987). A higher content of soluble proteins has been observed in salt tolerant than in salt sensitive cultivars of barley, sunflower (Ashraf and Tufail, 1995) and rice (Lutts et al., 1996; Pareek et al., 1997). Pareek et al. (1997) also suggested that stress proteins could be used as important molecular markers for improvement of salt tolerance using genetic engineering techniques. Amino acids have been reported to have accumulated in higher plants under salinity stress (Ashraf, 1994b; Mansour, 2000). The important amino acids are alanine, arginine, glycine, serine, leucine and valine, together with the imino acid proline and the non-protein amino acids- citrulline and ornithine (Mansour, 2000). Lutts et al. (1996) found that proline did not take part in osmotic adjustment in salt stressed rice and its accumulation seemed to be a symptom of injury rather than an indicator of salt tolerance. On the contrary, Garcia et al. (1997) reported that exogenously applied proline exacerbated the deleterious effects of salt on rice. The salt tolerant rice cultivars Nona Bokra and IR 4630 accumulated less proline in their leaves than the salt sensitive Kong Pao and IR 31785 (Lutts et al.,1996). These contrasting reports on the role of proline in salt tolerance and its use as selection criterion for salt tolerance in rice has been questioned. Regulation of ion transport is one of the important factors responsible for salt tolerance of plants. Membrane proteins play a significant role in selective distribution of ions within the plant or cell (Ashraf and Harris, 2004). According to Du-Pont (1992) the membrane proteins involved in cation selectivity and redistribution of Na+ and K+. These proteins are: (a) primary H+-ATPases which generate the H+ electrochemical gradient that drives ion transport, (b) Na+/H+ antiports in the plasma membrane for pumping excess Na+ out of the cell, (c) Na+/H+ antiports in the tonoplast for extruding Na+ into the vacuole and (d) cation channels with high selectivity for K+ over Na+. It is well established that Na+ moves passively through a general cation channel from the saline growth medium into the cytoplasm of plant cells (Marschner, 1995; Jacoby, 1999; Mansour et al., 2003) and the active transport of Na+ through Na+/H+ antiports in plant cells is also evident (Shi et al., 2003). Salt tole rance in plants is generally associated with low uptake and accumulation of Na+, which is mediated through the control of influx and/ or by active efflux from the cytoplasm to the vacuoles and also back to the growth medium (Jacoby, 1999). Energy-dependent transport of Na+ and Cl- into the apoplast and vacuole can occur along the H+ electrochemical potential gradients generated across the plasma membrane and tonoplast (Hasegawa et al., 2000). The tonoplast H+ pumps (H+-ATPase and H+-pyrophosphatase) also play a significant role in the transport of H+ into the vacuole and generation of proton (H+) which operates the Na+/H+ antiporters (Mansour et al., 2003; Blumwald, 2000). In the past few decades, plant breeders in Bangladesh have achieved little success in developing some salinity tolerant crops specially rice through conventional breeding techniques, with relatively little/no direct input from physiologists or biochemists. Mutation breeding, a modern technique for creating variability has also played a vital role for generating new valuable cultivars of rice. Incorporation of mutation programme for achieving a desired character(s) in a variety can thus reduce the time required to breed an improved variety with the conventional hybridization method. Several cultivars derived from direct utilization of induced mutants have shown that traits such as short straw, earliness and resistance to certain diseases, can be introduced in otherwise well-adapted varieties without significantly altering their original attributes. Study on the response of rice to salinity stress may be helpful in breeding salt tolerant cultivars by identifying physico-chemical potent ial of salinity tolerance such as accumulation of toxic Na+ and Cl- in the older parts of the plant, higher photosynthetic efficiency of the leaves, escaping ability to uptake Na+ and Cl-. The direct use of mutation is a valuable approach especially when the improvement of one or two easily identifiable characters is desired in an otherwise well-developed variety. In order to develop practicable strategies for selecting salt tolerant rice mutants/lines/genotypes adaptable in coastal belt of Bangladesh notably during boro season, detailed information needs to be gathered on the changes in physiological and biochemical aspects due to salt stress are attributable against detrimental effects of salt stress. In addition to the development of salt tolerant cultivars, better understanding of nutritional disorders in the context of plant nutrient uptake and physiological as well as biochemical mechanisms of salt tolerance in rice plants may suggest some strategies for plant breeders and growers for developing salinity tolerant varieties and management practices for cultivation in saline areas. There have been few such studies available in the country or elsewhere on rice for tolerance mechanism created especially in mutant genotypes. This research programme has been, therefore, planned with the aim of finding out the bio-chemical causes and possible soil amelioration programme in cultivating the rice mutants in the coastal saline soils of Bangladesh. Keeping the above ideas, in mind, the present work has therefore, been designed and planned with the following objectives: Â  investigating the effect of salinity on some bio-chemical aspects and growth of different rice genotypes at different growth stages, finding out the mechanism of salinity tolerance of selected rice genotypes; and suggest possible reclamation programme for better growth of rice under saline condition.

The Road Beneath My Feet :: essays research papers

Style Analysis   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The author in this story, Kevin McConnell, states that his main consideration in writing 'The Road Beneath My Feet'; was to develop a style that would remain consistent throughout the entire story. I feel that he accomplished this consistent style in a few different ways.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One way the author tried to accomplish this was by the way that he used his figures of speech. Many of the authors' statements were very similar if not exact. For example, the author says a few times that 'the dust would rise and choke me.'; This figure of speech is repetitious, which I feel is one way that the author tried to capture the consistent style that he was looking for. Also, the author said, 'my pace was steady and rather fast.'; This statement is also used repeatedly as another way that he develops this consistent style.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another way the author develops his consistent style is in the way he describes certain images. For example, there are a few different occasions where his way of describing what he sees around him are similar to eachother in a way that they all make reference to the fact that the day is going by and it will soon reach dusk. Like when he said 'the soft dew of morning which had glistened and twinkled on the blades of grass which grew in clumps by the side of road quietly disappeared.'; This indicates that the day is going on. At another point in the story the author makes reference to the shadows saying that they have grown longer, which would indicate the sun was setting. Also, the author never exactly comes right out and says the obvious. He uses his descriptive ways to give you an idea of what is going on or happening. For example, he never exactly says that the man he encounters on the road is an old man. He just gives certain physical characteristics that would associate with an old man. I feel his reasoning for this was to also indicate that this man was not just old but a man of wisdom, which very often is associated with old age.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In my mind this particular short story has a very interesting meaning behind it. This meaning is one that many younger people such as myself would benefit most from. I think that the whole point of the story is that you shouldn't just rush along and always be in such a hurry.

Comcast Business Report Essay

Abstract The purpose of this report is to dissect and learn about the strategies, management team, external environment and industry analysis that Comcast has put in place to become a booming and profitable corporation. Comcast, which is headquartered in Philadelphia and is a well-liked service provider for television, phone, and internet, has been around for many years with a positive reputation. Comcast is known for using the acquisition entry strategy by purchasing numerous TV networks, such as NBC Universal, and the cable company, Time Warner Cable. General Why did you choose this company? As a group, we decided to do Comcast for a variety of reasons. One being that the television, internet, and phone service provider is popular in the Hampton Roads area. It’s competitor for television and Internet service is Verizon. As a Fortune 50 leader, Comcast sets the pace in a variety of innovative and fascinating businesses and create career opportunities across a wide range of locations and disciplines. What Comcast does? Comcast is the largest cable and home Internet service provider in the United States and is ranked third for the largest telephone service provider. Comcast provides services for residents and commercial offices in 40 states and the District of Columbia. Additional, Comcast is a producer of film and television contents, operates cable channels including E! Entertainment Television, the Golf Channel, and national channels such as Telemundo. In February 2014, the company agreed to merge with Time Warner Cable in an equity swap deal worth $45.2 billion. Where/When it was established? In 1963, Comcast was found in 1963 (previously known as American Cable Systems) and is currently headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Comcast has come a long way since its beginnings as a single-system cable operator in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1963. Today, Comcast is a leader in the worlds of media, entertainment and technology and our story has unfolded due to an entrepreneurial spirit that is the foundation of everything we do. Company goals Comcast has many goals, but since 1963, Comcast continues to fulfill Ralph Roberts’ goal of building an organization with a close-knit, family feel. Comcast’s strategic objective is to gain long-term market share and dominance. The company is striving to become the most desired high-volume and low-cost service provider in the market Company Mission Statement â€Å"Comcast brings together the best in media and technology. We drive innovation to create the world’s best entertainment and online experiences.† (Comcast) Company Vision & Values In Comcast’s Corporate Social Responsibility Report, the company has a range of different values that the company as a whole would like to uphold. These values would be: Connect media, technology, and people Create media that matters Reduce environmental impact Operate responsible Deepening trust through stewardship Develop and engage employees Promote diversity and inclusion Bring the best out of people Number of Retail Units Although there is not an exact number for retail units throughout the United States, there is information about the number of customers for television, internet and phone services provider for residential and commercial. As of December 31, 2013, there are a total of 53.8 million customers receiving service from Comcast. Television service is provided to 21.7 million customers, high-speed Internet is provided to 20.7 million customers and phone service is provided to 10.7 million customers. Majority of these customers can be found in Maryland, New York, Massachusetts and Miami. Number of Employees Comcast has nearly 130,000 employees that help make the company successful. Comcast employees pride themselves with ingenuity and passion with everything that they do. The employees provide excellent service and have ideas for innovative products to create insightful and entertaining content. Comcast tries to create an attractive work environment and rewards their employees because of their dedication. Employees are rewarded with competitive pay, benefits, professional training and opportunities to build exceptional leadership skills Revenue Comcast is the largest mass media and communications company in the world in revenue. As of March 31, 2014, according to Yahoo! Finance, Comcast has earned $17.4 million revenue, which is a $1.5 million increase since December 31, 2013. Net Income Comcast’s net income last record on March 31, 2014 by Yahoo! Finance is $1.8 billion, which is a decrease since December 31, 2013. In December it was recorded that the net income of the popular service provider was $1.9 billion. According to ycharts.com, the net income (quarterly) range from $866 million being the minimum income in March 2010 to $2.113 billion being the maximum in September 2012. (See Fig NI for a line chart of net income since 2010) Number of Shareholders There are a total of 539,000 shareholders that hold a share in the company in either a direct or indirect form of share. Direct shareholder is if you hold a physical stock certificate, while an indirect shareholder is if you hold your stock through a broker. Top Management Team In today’s workforce, diversity is extremely important to equal opportunity employment. Women make up about 40% of the American workforce. Comcast believes in cultivating an inclusive and diverse workforce in an effort to leverage perspectives and remain on the cutting edge of innovation. Comcast believes strongly in diversity and the total team concept. According to the Comcast website (2014) Women roughly occupy eight positions on the top management team at Comcast. These women are known as â€Å"the women of Comcast and NBCUniversal†. D’Arcy F. Rudnay is the Chief Communications Officer for the Comcast Corporation. According to the website for corporate Comcast (2014) Rudnay serves as the communications counsel to the Chairman and CEO as well as other members of the executive branch. She leads the management of the company’s brand, reputation and strategic communications activities across the Comcast organization. Rudnay has years of experience in both the public  and private sector. Before joining Comcast, Rudnay worked at the Lincoln Financial Group where she served as Vice President of Corporate Communications and Media Relations. She also served as Vice President of Lincoln Financial Group Foundation. Rudnay has a long list of awards to her credit to include induction into the Public Relations Hall of Fame as one of the Nation’s top 25 communications executives. Her experience and skills has been a valuable addition to Comcast team. Amy Banse serves as the Managing Director and Head of Funds for Comcast Ventures. Banse has critical role in strategic planning for funds throughout the Comcast spectrum. According to the website for corporate Comcast (2014) Banse has accumulated over 20 years of experience in investing at Comcast. She began her career at Comcast in 1991 as an attorney responsible for investing, starting and building companies throughout Comcast. Banse became a central figure in the development of the TV Everywhere strategy. She founded Comcast Interactive Media and led the charge in overseeing multiple acquisitions to include Xfinity.com, Xfinitytv.com, and Fancast. These acquisitions led to the development of the TV Everywhere strategy. The experiences of Rudnay and Banse have been vital to the success of Comcast. Any organization that resembles Comcast must have some form of legal counsel who is responsible for the companies’ legalities and business ventures. Business ventures are critically important to growing and expanding the businesses to the Comcast level. Banse is an experienced team lead who is responsible for founding the Comcast Interactive Media. This venture led to the development of the TV Everywhere strategy. Her experience and expertise keeps the company moving forward and leading the charge in the digital age. Rudnay brings a wealth of experience from the communications side of the business. Rudnay has been elected to the Public Relations Hall of Fame for her diligent efforts. Together Rudnay and Banse provide the necessary tools and experience to keep Comcast at the tip of the spear in the digital world. My impression of the top management team is two-fold. Women are well  represented at the executive levels holding eight offices spanning from chairman to vice president. The positions held by these women represent a breakthrough for women as minorities. On the other hand, minority women such as African Americans and Hispanics were not represented. However the door to diversity remains open for minority women. In my opinion, the cast of executive women may be too small given the size and scope of the Comcast Company. According to the website for Comcast Executive Biographies (2014) Brian L. Roberts serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Comcast corporation. Roberts took the helm as President of Comcast Corporation in 1990. Under his leadership at Comcast, the company’s annual revenue has grown to over $64 billion Comcast has grown into a global Fortune 50 corporation under the leadership of Roberts. Roberts has numerous awards for his leadership and recognized by Fortune magazine as a â€Å"Business Person of the Year.† Duality does exist for Roberts who has served as chairman for three consecutive terms. Board of Directors The Board of Directors is a diversified group of professions. The Board of Directors is represented by a diverse group of men and women. The Comcast Board of Directors is comprised of 61 professionals and out of the compliment of 61 personnel, 16 are professional women. This group of professional women is represented by minority women as well. The Comcast Corporation has many moving parts. Considering the size and scope of the Comcast Corporation, in my opinion, the 61 members who make-up the Board of Directors, is the right number of personnel to oversee each aspect of the Comcast corporation. Most small businesses and large corporations have an obligation to shareholders to disclose what they do with the profits and how they obtain their profits. It is also a means to manage the corporations’ impact on the economy, society, and the environment. Comcast has a corporate social responsibility aimed at giving back and supporting the communities they serve. According to the website for Comcast (2014) the Comcast Corporation  seeks to empower local partners with the required resources to improve neighborhoods and create opportunities to change lives. Comcast also provides resources and funding for local supporting nonprofit organizations. Comcast hosts annual events to support different groups and organizations within the community. Comcast Career Day is an annual event that focuses on community service. The goal of Comcast Career Day is to send a goodwill message from the Comcast’s employees, families, and friends and to leave an indelible mark on the communities they serve. According to the website for Comcast (2014) â€Å"In 2012, approximately 75,000 employees of Comcast and NBCUniversal and family members volunteered in local community service projects. This effort spanned across 665 different locations logging more than 454,000 labor hours and awarded more than $1.5 million in Comcast Foundation matching grants in 2012†. In a continued effort of corporation social responsibility, Comcast also supports and works with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. The website for Comcast (2014) reports Comcast partnered with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America to connect Comcast employees with students in need. Comcast launched a program called Beyond School Walls. This program paired local student’s up with Comcast employees to serve as mentors. The Beyond School Walls program reported greater work satisfaction and the students showed improved grades which encouraged an expansion of the program. In recognition of Comcast’s support of the Big Brother Big Sister of America program, Comcast was honored with its President’s Award. Comcast: Business Level Strategy Comcast has been making significant investments to enhance their products, while improving the service and support being delivered to consumers. Comcast’s strategy is to mainly focus on providing consumers with the best and most content across all available platforms. Comcast’s vision is to give customers more content choices – all of which are available to consumers at the click of the remote, without having to buy any additional equipment. One huge business level strategy that Comcast has implemented is a new  brand. In 2010, Comcast began promoting â€Å"Xfinity†, the company’s rebranding trademark for the services provided. With this brand, Comcast is looking to improve customer perception and reputation with this new brand. Comcast’s networks and products now offer 100+ HD channels, 50 to 70 foreign language channels, incredibly fast Internet speeds and thousands of TV shows and movies online for a variety of customers of all ages to enjoy whenever and wherever they would like. With the â€Å"Xfinity† brand in full effect, â€Å"Xfinity Signature Support† is a new service for personal computers, home networking equipment and many other devices that customers connect to Comcast services 24/7. With Signature Support, Comcast customers have access to knowledgeable and experienced IT professionals who can provide support, troubleshooting and online technical support, either over the phone or in the home. This type of assistances is available either as part of a monthly subscription plan or for a stand-alone basis for those one-time fixes, such as virus removal or connecting printers or game consoles wirelessly. Customers are given the opportunity to choose an equipment protection plan that provides extended warranties for computers and televisions. Comcast will not have to change its strategy to continue to operate after the merger with Time Warner Cable. Comcast uses a focused differentiation strategy, since the company looks for innovations that television, high-speed internet and phone service subscribers will be interested in using. General Environment Demographics: In regards to demographics, the cable industries top 10 competing TV subscriptions are Netflix, Comcast, Direct TV, Dish, The Warner Cable, Hulu, AT & T, Verizon Fios, Charter and Cox. Video subscriber Netflix is the leading company with 36.2 million subscribers. Within the cable industry the subscribers between the ages of forty and sixty purchase the most subscriptions. As a result, certain channels are included on these cable networks in order to appeal to subscribers that purchase most of their service. Along with the aging population, many different nationalities & ethnicities make up the demographic market. Therefore within the cable industry, different channels are included in order to provide entertainment services to viewers of all cultural backgrounds. For instance, Comcast offers American Spanish language television and Telemundo in order to make their company more marketable to different cultures in the cable industry environment. Telecommunications and the development of broadband internet services are the rising affluence within the cable industry. Telecommunications have become very popular within the industry serving 26 million customers (NCTA, 1). Broadband Internet services within the industry make up five of the top ten residential phone companies in the country servicing 50 million customers (NCTA, 1). Socio/Cultural: From a socio cultural standpoint, society places a lot of emphasis on a diverse non-discriminating work environment where women and men are treated equally. Within the cable industry there has been emphasis on women employment due to pre-recession levels. However, Comcast is working with these socio cultural expectations by creating a diversified non-discriminating workforce for women with interest pertaining to their cable industry by hiring more women to be a part of their team. Along, with hiring women within the cable industry the pressure to accommodate older worker plays a major role in the socio cultural environment. According to the government data, â€Å"40 percent of workers older than 55 were in the workforce as of February 2012 up from just 29 percent in 1993. The number is expected to increase to 43.5 percent by 2018. This trend reflects the need for many older workers either to stay in or rejoin the workforce to beef up their retirement income by temping† (Greenberg 1). Temping plays a major role in society because it opens up the option for older men and women to work. However, the cable industry accommodates these workers by offering part-time positions and retirement plans with good pay. Comcast helps to accommodate older workers by providing retirement plans, salaries, and bonuses. Technology/Global: The cable industry delivers through broadband providing service to over 50 million customers as of year ending 2012(NCTA 2). Some trends that consumers are looking for in cable companies are fast broadband speeds and standard cable broadband speeds ranging from 10 mps to 20 mps. Comcast is  keeping up with this trend by creating innovative services in their technologies including online streaming of their cable channels and faster Internet services (Comcast 1). In regards to global, poverty can increase the amount of viewers that purchase TV subscriptions since; this can be used as an alternative to going to the movie theaters or purchasing movies. Also, poverty can decrease the amount of viewers that purchase TV subscriptions due to their lack of income. Economic/Political: There are a lot of factors that contribute to the economics of cable networks. The pay TV ecosystem in the United States has set the platform of growth for cable networks. In today’s society approximately 100 million US homes and business pay an average of $68 per month to a cable or satellite operator for 19 channels of video programming (Grimes 1). â€Å"They pay TV providers, in turn; pay some $20 per subscriber per month to the cable networks in carriage fees that aggregate to roughly $24 billion per year. Add U.S. advertising sales of $25 billion in 2011, another billion or so for the sale of content to alternate distribution outlets and a $50 billion annual revenue industry with 40+% cash flow margins comes into focus. And that excludes the contribution from international networks that is especially significant for ESPN, CNN, MTV and the Discovery network†(Grimes, 2). Therefore, it is evident that cable networks make a lot of profit in today’s economy as a result of subscribers. In the economy, more people are willing to pay a subscription for a small monthly fee and as a result this has fueled new growth in their revenues as an industry. The good news for cable networks is that advertising sales trends remain strong on a demand and cost per thousand (CPM) basis such that the industry’s ad revenue growth rate of 11%(Grimes 3). This just continues to add to the revenue of cable networks as a whole to continue to make their industry worth more profit. Events such as the London Olympics and U.S elections contributed a lot to their exceeding revenues. Along with cable networks with international broadcast, has increased the growth rates of non-U.S business which is the first time in years that this has exceeded domestic business. The less good news is that while cable and satellite carriage fees are expected to rise at the healthy, but lower, rate of 7% this year on a per-subscriber basis, the days of U.S. pay TV subscriber growth are over, probably forever (Grimes 4).  The year 2012 will be the first years in 33-year history of pay TV in the U.S. As a result subscribers will decline from the previous year. Younger people are paying for TV at lower rates than people of older generations. The downward slope of TV subscriptions will begin, however investors will be forced to think about a world in which cable networks are finally maturing assets (Grimes 5). Industry Analysis When looking at the Industry Environment of Comcast, The Five Forces of Competition Model, created by Michael Porter, can break it down. Rivalry among competing firms When looking at the different products and services that Comcast offers, their competitors come from several different markets. For their most known service as cable television provider, Comcast is the top cable provider, having a reported 21,690,000 subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2013, which is sustainably more than the rest of the top 10 cable providers in the United States. The most known competitors in this market include Times Warner Cable, AT&T U-verse, and Verizon FIOS, all of which having 10,493,000 less subscribers in the country or more, making the current competition level in this area a low threat. With same companies as competitors in cable Internet services, AT&T is their highest competitor. Both companies with recorded 17 million customers and AT&T offer slightly better services compared to their prices. Even though this is the case, customers still have resided with Comcast, as they are known as the largest Internet cable provider as well. After gaining ownership of NBCUniversal, Comcast also has competition in the area of major film studios. NBCUniversal is the third largest film studio behind Warner Bros Entertainment, which is owned by their new business partner, Times Warner Cable, and The Walt Disney Studios. Respectively the firm’s own 17.1%, 15.9%, and 13.9% of the U.S. and Canadian market share in 2013, and have been in similar position since 2005. As Comcast begins to develop new online streaming services of its cable channels and other networking systems, it will meet other competitors as well. Threat of new entrants Because of the amount of time that is spent behind entering and becoming a competitor in these industries, and the fact that Comcast is the leader of them as well, the threat of new entrants that would affect the firm’s market share is very low. The difficulty behind making a successful worldwide cable provider is a high level barrier to entry and the current cable providers have been in existence for decades. Comcast’s threat of new entrants would not occur unless a firm was created that provided more innovating technology at a greater and widespread form. Threat of Substitute Products Due to the fact that new technology is being created constantly, Comcast has met new threats of substitutes in the recent years. Firms like Netflix and Hulu, which offer customers on-demand Internet streaming media, usually shows and movies that are offered on their cable channels, for low monthly rates, are substitutes that have been encountered within the past decade. This has lead to some consumers to use this service rather than paying heftier cable bills every month. This substitute threat is the reason why they are currently producing their own online streaming of their cable channels to compete with these companies, which is predicted to launch later this year. Bargaining Power of Suppliers Because Comcast is always searching for innovating technology and software to provide their customers with new services; Information technology suppliers have high bargaining power against the firm. These suppliers understand that they are necessary for Comcast to continue success so they will always be at high demand, and able to charge a heavy amount as well. Bargaining Power of Buyers Because there is a limited amount of communication and cable companies in the United States, the bargaining power of buyers of Comcast’s services are limited. At the same time, in order to compete with their competition in the industry, they also have to make sure that the services and the prices of those services are at levels that their customers are willing to pay. If customers believe they are not reasonable, they will convert to another  firm’s cable services. So, by voicing their opinion on Comcast’s services, customers are able to bargain for what they want from the firm. Recommendations The long term sustainability for Comcast will be based on their ability to streamline movies and sitcoms. This will allow them to maintain their market share from competitors like Netflix, Hulu TV, Livestream and other startup companies. In order for Comcast to attain long-term sustainability, the company will have to improve the reputation that they have when it comes to their customer service. Comcast has the lowest customer-service rating of any Internet service provider. (Berr, 2014) Comcast customers are not happy with the type of service they receive and that affects the company if they would like to have a future in the television, internet, and phone service industry. Although Comcast has stated that a goal of the company is to improve the customer service, the company is just not there yet. Improving the customer service will help the company tremendously for the present and for the future. Works Cited â€Å"Amy Banse.† Amy Banse. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 June 2014. . â€Å"Brian L. Roberts.† Brian L. Roberts. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 June 2014. . Comcast. â€Å"Comcast Corporation Form 10-K.† Comcast. Comcast, n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2014. â€Å"CMCSA Income Statement | Comcast Corporation Stock – Yahoo! Finance.† CMCSA Income Statement | Comcast Corporation Stock – Yahoo! Finance. Yahoo! Finance, 31 Mar. 2014. Web. 18 June 2014. . â€Å"Comcast Corp..† . Edgar Online, 31 Dec. 2013. Web. 18 June 2014.. â€Å"Comcast Net Income (Quarterly).† Comcast Net Income (Quarterly) (CMCSA). YCharts, 31 Mar. 2014. Web. 18 June 2014. . â€Å"Corporate Social Responsibility Report – 2012.† 2012 Corporate Social Responsibility Report. Comcast — NBC Universal, 1 Jan. 2012. Web. 18 June 2014. . â€Å"D’Arcy F. Rudnay.† D’Arcy F. Rudnay. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 June 2014. . â€Å"Develop and Engage Employees.† Develop and Engage Employees. Comcast — NBC Universal, 1 Jan. 2012. Web. 18 June 2014. . Cox, Kate. â€Å"Why Comcast Wants To Buy Time Warner Cable, And Why TWC Wants To Let Them.† Consumerist. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2014. â€Å"Developing Tomorrow’s Professionals and Leaders.† Developing Tomorrow’s Professionals and Leaders. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 June 2014. . Fowlkes, Jasmine. â€Å" » Opinion: Why Social Media Is Destroying Our Social Skills USA TODAY College: College News and Information Powered by USA TODAY.†  » Opinion: Why Social Media Is Destroying Our Social Skills USA TODAY College: College News and Information Powered by USA TODAY. N.p., 11 Oct. 2012. Web. 11 Apr. 2014. Green, R. Kay. â€Å"The Social Media Effect: Are You Really Who You Portray Online?† The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 07 Aug. 2013. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. Greenberg, Paul. â€Å"Temping: An Option for Older Workers. Web. 23 June 2014. Grimes Spencer. â€Å"Sunset of the Golden Age As Cable Networks Mature†. Web. 23 June 2014. http://seekingalpha.com/article/519831-sunset-of-the-golden-age-as-cable-networks-mature Horrocks, Bill. â€Å"Equipping Homes for Energy Efficiency.† Equipping Homes for Energy Efficiency. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2014. â€Å"Major Movie Studios.† Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 04 Oct. 2014. Web. 14 Apr. 2014. â€Å"National Cable & Telecommunications Associations†. Web. 23 June 2014. https://www.ncta.com/industry-data Pomerantz, Dorothy. â€Å"Comcast Looks Set To Buy Time Warner Cable.† Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 13 Feb. 2014. Web. 14 Apr. 2014. Stelter, Brian. â€Å"Comcast Agrees to Buy Time Warner Cable for $45 Billion.† CNNMoney. Cable News Network, 13 Feb. 2014. Web. 1 Apr. 2014. â€Å"The Women of Comcast and NBCUniversal.† The Women of Comcast and NBCUniversal. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 June 2014. . UELAND, SIG. â€Å"20 Top Internet Service Providers.† Practical Ecommerce. N.p., 11 Dec. 2011. Web. 14 Apr. 2014. Warrell, Margie. â€Å"Seduced by Social Media: Is Facebook Making You Lonely?† The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 08 Nov. 2013. Web. 11 Apr. 2014. â€Å"XFINITY TV.† Comcast. Comcast, n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2014.

When Is the Next ACT Test Date

When Is the Next ACT Test Date SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Here's the most updated info on when the next ACT test is happening and when you have to register. At this moment, the next ACT test date is September 10, 2016. Make sure you prep correctly, using our top 5 ACT prep strategies. Thenext ACT registration deadline is August 5, 2016. The late deadline, with extra fees, is August 19, 2016. Make sure you know how to sign up for the ACT and how much it costs. Scores for the next ACT test will be released September 10, 2016. Do you know what a good ACT score is? Make sure you have the right target score in mind. It's important to do well. Here are our best strategy guides to get you on track to improving your ACT score. How to get a perfect ACT score, by a 36 scorer Perfect score guides for ACT English, ACT Math, ACT Reading, and ACT Science Learn our complete set of ACT grammar rules Make sure you know all the most important ACT vocabulary words Want to improve your ACT score by 4 points? Check out our best-in-class online ACT prep program. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your ACT score by 4 points or more. Our program is entirely online, and it customizes your prep program to your strengths and weaknesses. We also have expert instructors who can grade every one of your practice ACT essays, giving feedback on how to improve your score. Check out our 5-day free trial:

Dorian Grey Review essays

Dorian Grey Review essays In the novel The Picture of Dorian Grey homosexuality is an important aspect of the novel, and the book deserves credit as a pioneering depection of homosexual relationships in serious English fiction. The depection of homosexualtity in the book is undoubtedly shaped by Wildes personal ambivalences toward his own sexuality which is found expressed both in idealized love affairs and in liaisions with prostitutes. It is important to stress that the novels primary intrest is literaty rather than biographical, and that Wilde hints at homosexuality rather than expresses it directly. Homosexual readers would certainly have responded to the books under current of gay feeling, and may have found the very name Dorian suggestive of Greek homosexuality, since it was the Dorian tribesman who allegedly intorduced homosexuality into Greece as part of their military regimen. Wilde purposely leaves the exact nature of the sins of Dorian Grey mysterious and vague, suggested but not Wildes attitude toward homosexuality in the novel may best be seen in his portrayal of Basil Hallward. Hallward is the character mast clearly defined as homosexual, and it is significant that he is presented as the most morally sensitive character as well. His love for Dorian seems altogther noble, especially in contrast to the blandishments of Lord Henry, his rival for the young mans affection. In the triangle formed by the competition of the two older men for the attention of the beautiful boy, Basil represents an idealized, platonized homosexuality, linked to a long tradidtion of art and philosophy. Wilde conceives of Basils homosexual love for Dorian as something positive but dangerous, an emotion that inspires guilt and fear: measures , respetively, of the internal and external condemnations brought to bear against homosexuality. In the end it seems that it is Basil homosexual love for Dorian th...

2 QUESTIONS IN CRIMINOLOGY Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

2 QUESTIONS IN CRIMINOLOGY - Coursework Example And yet, he had managed to throw one of the most peaceful and stable countries in the world in a state of utter shock and disarray. An important lesson that this teaches us is that the criminal mind is constantly evolving and characterizations of criminals can change faster than we think. It is important therefore that the research continues and adapts to the changing times. (Ellis, Hartley, Walsh: 2010). Let me argue three specific reasons as to why criminal justice research is of utmost importance. First, modern technology has given criminals more weapons than ever before and also, more opportunities to commit their crimes. The internet, which just two decades ago, was not seen as a vehicle to commit crime is now a favorite haunt of criminals – from con artists embezzling money from gullible individuals, to pedophiles preying on unsuspecting children or selling child pornography, to even identity theft. Hence, if law enforcement wants to keep with the times, it has to keep abreast of this new technology. Even new ammunition, such as new bomb-making techniques, are developing by the day. Law enforcement will be at a loss if it fails to be apprised of these new developments. Second, the profiles of criminal offenders are constantly changing. For example, new research has surfaced disputing the conventional notion that crime is more often than not committed by young men. In fact, in a study published in the Journal of Criminal Justice Research it was found that â€Å"offenders aged 25 and over were responsible for the majority of the crime.† (Diplock and Pleckas: 2010: 1). Criminal justice research must be knowledgeable in these trends in order to do better law enforcement. Thirdly, criminal laws are constantly changing, and procedural due process guidelines can be different now than they were before. Hence, legal updating is in order to ensure that law enforcement officials do not overstep their boundaries or otherwise act in a manner