Saturday, August 31, 2019

Organization Learning and Development Essay

Organizational performance depends upon human resources, knowledge and skills of employees. Organization learning and development determine overall success of organizational performance and market position of a company or firm. Changes occurred in technology, marketing, and numerous management techniques, some of which are concerned with human problems. Most of the changes are made in a rather disjointed or piecemeal manner. Following Revans (1980) learning in an organization must be greater than or equal to the rate of change in the environment. The approach emerging today is to use the growing body of ideas and systematic thought to consider innovatory ideas on organization and to adopt a more systematic comprehen ¬sive look at problems, so that we look at the whole instead of looking at separate parts. In modern environment, individuals have a lot of freedom, apart from certain laws of society, but when they join an organization their freedom is restricted and their effort must be joined with those of others to achieve organizational goals through learning and development practices. Change cannot occur if employees do not have sufficient knowledge and skills necessary for new organizational environment. Following Argyris (1977) â€Å"organizational learning as the process of detection and correction of errors† In his view organizations learn through individuals acting as agents for them† (cited Malhotra 1996). In this case, organizational learning becomes a change agent for the organization. Following Polanyi, Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995) identify two types of knowledge, â€Å"tacit knowledge† and â€Å"explicit knowledge†, which influence organizational learning and development. Employees need to acquire tacit knowledge and explicit knowledge in order to meet individual and business goals. Some administra ¬tive apparatus is needed through which managerial authority is exercised. Therefore a hierarchy is formed which issues policy statements to ensure any discretion that individuals may have in their work is exercised in the spirit or attitude of the organization. Without tacit and explicit knowledge, an organization is not able to meet rapidly changing environment. This requirement is somewhat, although not exclusively, dependent upon the first. The level of involvement of employees in the learning process will be necessarily substantial. For the innovation of new ideas to be successful a high degree of integration is needed between all concerned (e. g. engineering, production management and marketing). Organizations that are too rigidly structured may find integration of all necessary activities very difficult (Armstrong 2001). Nick Bontis et al (2002) states that stock and flow of knowledge affect three level in organizations: personal, team and organizational. Direct business needs, which have been identified from the study of the organizational situation might best be met in part by some form of training which cascades down the organization. Selection in such cases is likely to be on a broad basis, because the judgment has already been made that most people need this training. Although there might be discussion with line managers, particularly on who should attend first, selection ul ¬timately should be a central decision, and should be compulsory (Senior, 2001). Following Flood (1999) knowledge and learning allow employees to be better positioned in organization and give them a chance to survive and prosper in different environments. Revans (1980) is right stating that learning in an organization must be greater than the rate of change because learning and development open new opportunities for organizations and allow the staff to meet the criteria set down: persistence and great personal desire to master this knowledge. On the other hand, knowledge develops such important skills as the ability to analyze and synthesize information about the clanging environment. In this situation, employees take into account universal concepts and experience of other people trying to solve his/her life problems or trying to find solution to these troubles (Schuler 1998). Without new knowledge, employees depend upon their own life experience and are limited by prejudices and life scope. Learning cultivates human creativity and helps it to flourish. Organizational learning and development help to create new practical knowledge on the basis of the existing one making employees free from old technologies and views of their peers. Following Weick (1991): â€Å"organizations are not built to learn. Instead, they are patterns of means-ends relations deliberately designed to make the same routine response to different stimuli, a pattern which is antithetical to learning in the traditional sense† (cited Malhotra 1996). Without organizational learning and development, organizations could not benefit from outside worlds depending on their limited world perception. Freedom of choice is the main priority given by education and knowledge. They can choose without knowledge but their choice would be accidental and cannot guarantee the best solution to the problem you are faced with. Organizational learning and development help organizations to get in touch with the society and others which also a key to freedom (Mayo 1998). In the book â€Å"The Fifth Discipline†, Senge (1995) explains organizational development and performance through system theory. Organizations are affected by environment and have a structure which has both formal and informal elements. The analysis of structure will cover how activities are grouped together, the number of levels in the hierarchy, the extent to which authority is decentralized to divisions and units, and the relationships that exist between different units and functions. Senge states that systems thinking method helps organizations to transform their activities and become a learning organization (Organizational Learning and Information Systems 2007). Five disciplines include â€Å"building shared vision, mental models, team learning, personal mastery, systems thinking† (Senge 1995, p. 56). These principles are crucial because these factors allow organizations adapt to changing environments. So, without active learning and development organizations will not be able to compete on the market and adapt changes. Learning process should be prier to change. Bearing in mind the need to take an empirical and contingent approach to organizing, as suggested above, the aim of learning could be defined as being to optimize the arrangements for conducting the affairs. â€Å"A systems orientation is evidenced through common language producing thinking that encourages greater interdependency thus allowing for cross-functional thinking and abilities to be drawn into a productive whole† (Barker, Camarata, 1998, p. 4). To do this, it is necessary, as far as circumstances allow, to: clarify the overall purposes of learning – the strategic thrusts that govern what it does and how it functions; define as precisely as possible the key activities required to achieve that purpose; group these activities logically together to avoid unnecessary overlap or duplica ¬tion. Following Goh (1998) â€Å"Learning organizations not only encourage these practices but also have mechanisms or systems that allow them to happen. Part of this knowledge transfer involves learning successful practices from other organizations and competitors as well† (p. 5). As Katz and Kahn (1964) wrote: ‘Systems theory is basically concerned with prob ¬lems of relationship, of structure and of interdependence. As a result, there is a considerable emphasis on the concept of transactions across boundaries – between the system and its environment and between the different parts of the system† (Katz and K ahn, 1964, p. 48). According to this theory, all organizations have some learning and development which influence market position and innovative approach to performance. Structures incorporate a network of roles and relationships and are there to help in the process of ensuring that collective effort is explicitly organized to achieve specified ends (Mayo 1998). Most employees require much practice to create professional skills and knowledge. Organizations are continually dependent upon and influenced by their environments. The basic characteristic of organizational learning is that it transforms inputs into outputs within its environment. The components of organizational learning include the importation of energy, the throughput, and the systems as cycle aspects of organizations (McNamara 2007). Organizational learning and development include key organizational processes – an organization’s ‘task’ environment includes suppliers, markets and competitors; the wider environment includes factors such as public attitudes, economic and political systems, laws etc; employees and other tangible assets – people, plant, and equipment; formal organizational requirements – systems designed to regulate the actions of employees (and machines); the social system – culture (values and norms) and relationships between employees in terms of power, affiliation and trust; technology – the major techniques people use while engaged in organizational processes and that are programmed into machines; the dominant coalition – the objectives, strategies, personal characteristics and internal relationships of those who oversee the organization as a whole and control its basic policy making (Reed 2001). If organizations are unable to prepare their staff to a coming change, they will be inevitably left behind. Revans is right stating that learning in an ‘organization must be greater than or equal to the rate of change in the environment’ because organizations depend upon the learning and development as a part of change. Following â€Å"as the relationship changes and becomes more complex, the need increases for a relation-based learning organization using communication at all levels and through its various forms† (Barker, Camarata 1998, p. 4). The overall purpose of organizational learning and development is to ensure that the staff is able to achieve success in changing environments. In this case, organizational learning and development can be the source of the organizational capabilities that allow it to learn and capitalize on new opportunities. Ensure that the staff obtains and retains the skilled, committed and well-motivated workforce it needs. This means taking steps to assess and satisfy future people needs and to enhance and develop the inherent capacities of people – their contributions, potential and employability – by providing learning and continuous development opportunities (Nonaka, Takeuchi 1995). It can also involve the development of high performance work systems which enhance flexibility and include â€Å"rigorous recruitment and selec ¬tion procedures, performance-contingent incentive compensation systems, and management development and training activities linked to the needs of the organization† (Mayo 1998, p. 49). An understanding of organiza ¬tional processes and skills in the analysis and diagnosis of patterns of organizational behavior are therefore important. Organizations need to be able to understand the patterns of behavior that are observed to predict in what direction behavior will move (particularly in the light of managerial action), and to use this knowledge to control behavior over the course of time. Effective managerial action requires that the manager be able to diagnose the system he or she is working in. According to Goh (1998): Skill and knowledge acquisition are obviously useless unless they can be transferred to the immediate job by the employee. It is even better if this knowledge can also be transferred to other parts of the organization to solve problems and energize creative new ideas. Part of this knowledge transfer involves learning successful practices from other organizations and competitors as well† (15). Barker and Camarata (1998): underlines that: â€Å"personal mastery is the continual process of growth and development needed for creative work for both the individual and organization. Learning in organizations occurs only through the learning that individuals acquire â€Å"(4). The organization must do all it can to explain why change is essential and how it will affect everyone. Moreover, every effort must be made to protect the interests of those affected by change. Resistance to change is inevitable if the individuals concerned feel that they are going to be worse off – implicitly or explicitly. Management of change will produce that reaction. In an age of global competition, technological innovation, turbulence, disconti-nuity, even chaos, change is inevitable and necessary (Senior, 2001). In sum, learning in an organization must be greater than the rate of change in the environment, because only in this case organizations able to compete on the market and create skilled workforce. Organizational learning and development can be seen as a part of change process which allows organizations to foreshadow coming changes and possible problems. Learning should be greater than the rate of change, because organizations welcome the challenges and opportunities if they have strong human resources and skilled workforce. They are the ones to be chosen as change agents. Reference http://www.brint.com/papers/orglrng.htm

Friday, August 30, 2019

Marketing and Sales Essay

It has to pays debts and place orders of other departments inside its business. It tells the other departments of how much money is available to them and also gives advice. Such as if the ‘Marketing and Sales’ department of Tesco are going to spend 600 on a new TV advert and the finance department think that’s far to much money, then they would tell the department and would probably suggest something else if it is urgent. The financial staff are responsible for controlling the money and to make sure that departments don’t over-spend. All the senior managers receive help from the finance department when they are making major decisions on expenditure because the finance department don’t want them to make a huge mistake. This is because all bills have to be paid by the finance department. The level of sales is the starting point for setting the budget, which is why finance have to keep close links with ‘Sales’. Sales staff would expect finance to generate standard paperwork (invoices, statements etc) when they make a sale on credit. They would want finance to tell them if an existing customer is a bad payer and tell them the credit worthiness of new customers. Tesco’s finance department may receive a call from ‘Marketing’  asking if they want to offer extra discount or different conditions to a particular customer in order to secure a sale.  The employees’ wages or salaries are paid by the finance department. If anyone wants to ask or discuss anything about them then they have to contact the finance department. Some of Tesco’s stores may need some extra workers for particular jobs. Before they hire any, they need to ask the finance department if the business has money and that it can afford the cost. If the money is not available then the finance department may have to tell the ‘Human Resources’ department that no more staff can be hired. There can even be cases inside Tesco when the finance department have to tell the ‘Human Resources’ department to reduce the number of staff in order to save some money.  The ‘Administration’ department make so many phone calls and print out so many letters, they may be told by the finance department to make less international calls. If the printer breaks down the department may be told to buy a cheap one because there may not be enough money for a good one, or because the department may be over-spending. Finance has to pay for the goods that different functions have bought. The amount that each department spends need to be up to the agreed budget. Each department have to submit invoices for whatever it buys. The ‘Production’ department of Tesco may submit invoices for the raw materials it may have purchased. The finance department has to raise money for ‘Production’. A department has to be very careful that it does not go over budget because if it does it may face problems since its future orders may get rejected by the finance department. When goods from a department’s order arrive it is the job of that department  to check that everything is correct and is working properly. This is what the finance department expect from all the departments. However, if bills are not paid that department that ordered the goods won’t be blamed because they are dependant on finance to pay the bills. If some of the food items of Tesco have not been delivered because the previous bill didn’t get paid the production department as well as the customers would suffer because of the finance department. The finance department has to record the sales of products that Tesco sells. This shows that it is involved with sales too. The finance department also expects accounts to be kept by all departments so that it can be able to calculate profit or loss. Then it will be able to produce the ‘Profit & Loss Account’. This is how the finance function supports and works with all the other departments. It deals with the money matters of the other departments and if it makes any mistakes like forgetting to pay a bill etc, then there can be big problems which would stop the business from becoming more better and successful. These mistakes can create a bad reputation of Tesco even if it is just the finance departments fault. If the finance department wants to try and avoid these mistakes then it has to work with and support the other departments effectively.

Management Essay

Ny organization, whether new or old, small or big, requires certain methods, procedures and plans in place for its efficient functioning. For this to happen, they must develop and implement management concepts which help them implement their vision for the future of the organization. Index Planning Organizing Directing/Leading Controlling Staffing – The Fifth Function The concept of functions of management was put forth by Henri Fayol, a management theorist from France, influential in proposing many of the management concepts in use today. Originally, he had proposed five management functions; amely, planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating and controlling. Modern texts have reduced the functions from five to four. They include planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. The four concepts of management, translated into functions lead to the creation of a cohesive organization. They can be seen here as a diagram. It is interesting to note that there is no hard and fast rule to be followed in the application of these functions, as management is a real-time decision-making system, any of these functions can be operational in conjunction with any other and also as ndependent entities themselves. Planning is the foundation pillar of management. It is the base upon which all other areas of management are built. Planning requires administration to assess where the company presently is and where it would be in the coming years. From there, an appropriate course of action is determined and implemented to attain the company’s goals and objectives. Planning is an unending course of action. There may be sudden strategies required to be implemented during a crisis. There are external factors that constantly affect a company, both positively and negatively. Depending on the conditions, a company may have to alter its course of action regarding certain goals. This kind of preparation or arrangement is known as strategic planning. In strategic planning, management analyzes internal and external tactors that may affect the company, its objectives and goals. One of the primary tools of strategic planning is the use of SWOT Analysis, a technique that helps organizations find their strengths and weaknesses, identify areas of opportunity and take preventive measures against threats arising from both internal and external environmental factors.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Movie Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Movie Summary - Essay Example he main purpose of occurrence of the Civil War was eradication of racism from the American society, the amenities and privileges given to the white soldiers have been conventionally denied to the black soldiers. Although the black soldiers were given the most demeaning tasks, yet none of them decided to quit when they were provided with a chance to. Shaw realized that his unit was only being used to do manual labor. Another salient feature of the movie is the fact that it speaks about the bravery and courage of Shaw that is evident from his confrontation of the commanding officers after he finds that the officers are profiting from the war. Shaw threatens the commanding officers that he would notify their corruption to the War Department if his unit is not provided with a chance to combat. When granted an opportunity, the regiment takes part in a battle that happens in South California. In this battle, the regiment puts down a Confederate attack. After that, Shaw directs the regiment to lead an attack upon the Fort Wagner. The men are led in charge on the fort after the nightfall. In his attempt to unite the men forward, Shaw loses his life along with several other soldiers including Thomas, Trip, and Forbes. This movie brings the memories of those courageous black soldiers alive, thus paying a tribute to

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Project Time Management Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Project Time Management - Research Paper Example or organizations are undertaking project management, they are feeling the pressure from the governments, policymakers, and public to finalize the project as soon as possible. In case of private organizations, there are both internal and external pressures, which force the project managers to meet deadlines and utilize the resource of time effectiveness (Sen, 2008). Many projects regarding new product development have to use time effectively so that the competitors do not come up with similar innovations before them. Therefore, the bottom line here is that time management has emerged as important determinant of project success in the 21st century. This explains why over the past few decades, great deal of literature has surfaced about project time management and its different processes stressing its importance and need (Lock, 2007; Lewis, 2007). Importance and Development As mentioned earlier that in today’s competitive business world, efficiency is the key a large proportion o f this efficiency depends upon time management. Effective time management reduces not only the costs but it may also reduce potential conflicts as well. For example, if the workers are billing you as a project manager at an hour rate, effective management may reduce the costs (Kerzner, 2009). In the same way, if the project manager takes more time than usual and then bills you as the client for greater number of hours then that may create tension and poor word of mouth advertising. The fact is that when it comes to other resources, such as building, cash, human resource, IT, and others, corporations and companies have found a way to store them and utilize them on their terms but the same is not true in case of time. Therefore, project managers have to utilize time without any delay since it... For example, Gantt charts may suit small projects but for large projects with more than 30 activities, it may become troublesome to handle. Furthermore, Gantt chart also does not communicate anything about the magnitude of different activities. Gantt charts have also received criticism for their inability to follow the 100 percent rule which the activities divided usually fail to account for 100 percent performance of the actual project either adding more elements or leaving out the existing ones (Meredith & Mantel, 2005).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In simple words, critical path method is a time management technique in project management, which allows project managers to understand the shortest and longest time required for the completion of each project. The first step entails specifying all the individual activities concerned with the completion of the project. The second stage has to with determining the sequence of those activities (Sen, 2008). Third, in light of the sequence, at this stage, one would draw a network diagram showing the flow of activities. Fourth, at the same time, taking into account all the overlapping, at this stage, the manager would calculate the total time required for completing each activity. Fifth, the most important step is about identifying the critical path or the longest path (Portny, et al., 2007; Leach, 2005). The same is done by evaluating the four elements about each activity, which are earliest start time, earliest finish time, latest finish time , and latest start time.

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Ethical Aspects Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ethical Aspects - Essay Example It is important that ethical aspects are included so that the body of evidence that is available to policy makers reflects the diversity of the population. The essay will analyse this case study with a view to determining the value of the research to the participants and investigators, as well as assessing the validity and precision of the study. For any research studies to go ahead, investigators have got to ensure that the study is valuable to the current body of knowledge and to the participants. Research has to contribute to improving the health and wellbeing, and in this case study, it sought to determine the links between suicidal tendencies and low cholesterol levels. The information derived from this research study would be valuable to participants, as they would be aware of factors that could be detrimental to their health. This information is also valuable to the patient population as it is thought to be specific to patients with Para suicidal tendencies. This research found that those patients with low cholesterol levels were more likely to develop suicidal tendencies than the control groups. To further enhance the value, the study had to be designed in such a way that would reduce bias; which could have been introduced through age-related disorders such as dementia, anorexia, etc. Bias can also be introduced if the sample group is homogeneous, which is there is a significant proportion of males to females; however, the investigators have made sure each group has an equal split. Validity and precision The research sought to determine if there was any difference in cholesterol levels between the patient groups examined, and if there was an association between cholesterol level and measures of suicidal tendencies, impulsivity and depression. The study results and analysis revealed a significant difference in mean cholesterol levels between the three groups with the parasuicide group having the lowest levels and the psychiatric controls having the highest. This clearly satisfies the first aim of this research, and cholesterol, non-planning and motor sub scale scores of self reported impulsivity were significantly inversely related, which supports the second hypotheses. The validity and precision of these results could have been influenced by bias and other conditions, however, the investigators have taken a number of steps that would have reduced the probability of this occurrence. One method of ensuring validity and precision is to select an appropriate sample size, sample method and make sure the confidence intervals are appropriate for the study. The sample method of selecting three groups provides a population spread and accounts for the various psychological conditions that exist. For example, normal controls will be different to psychiatric controls and this ensures the generalisation of the study results. Efforts have also been made to ensure the gender split is equal in all three groups, as the study found that there are some differences between the sexes. The psychiatric controls also served to remove any bias that may have been or could be attached to the participants in the parasuicidal/DSH group. The age range was a potential source of bias, however the inclusion criteria was necessary as over 65s could present with symptoms that are asymptomatic of parasuicidal/DSH as a result of

Monday, August 26, 2019

Museum Visit and Exhibit Review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Museum Visit and Exhibit Review - Essay Example Within this context, the artist makes use of a common location (say, La Grenouillere) as the most important factor that adds vividness to the main theme. This helps the viewers to have different view of a familiar place used for recreational purpose. The rippling effect on the surface of the water body is symbolic of liveliness of nature. Besides, the background (blue sky and thick vegetation) is symbolic of unexploited tranquillity. On the other side, one can see that the most important message of the painting is that cordial relationship with nature can fill human minds with hope, not despair. Techniques: The artist makes use of light in artwork to expose the effect of the same on his immediate surroundings. Francesco Salvi states that, â€Å"In Monet’s painting, the bright sunshine in the background contrasts with the cool shadows in the foreground† (28). To be specific, the artist provided ample light to the background (trees, horizon, sky etc). But the foreground ( boats, water body, foliage etc) is portrayed in less light. This progression from less brightness to brightness proves that the artist is deeply interested in the use of light in his artwork. The dominating colours in the artworks are dark green, grey, blue, bluish green, and combination of green, yellow and brown. This unnatural combination of different colours provides vividness and depth to the artwork. The ‘Actual texture’ technique (say, flowing water and floating objects) made use by the artist helps the viewers to consider the artwork as dynamic. The artificial island with a tree is the focal point and the same provides balance (say, symmetrical balance between nature and manmade objects) to the artwork as a whole. The dark contrast in the foreground and the brightness in the background are helpful to view the artwork from a different angle. To be specific, the combination of darkness and brightness enhances the visual acuity of the artwork. On the other side, th e artwork’s proportion is symbolic of the crafty combination of living and lifeless objects. Still, nature dominates the artwork because the same is the main theme and plot. Style: The artwork is symbolic of Impressionism because the artist himself is the mastermind behind the origin of Impressionism in Europe. To be specific, noticeable brush strokes, accuracy of light (bright and dark), time element, usage of usual subject/theme, liveliness, human perception of nature, strange visual angles etc prove the influence of impressionism. Ronald R. Bernier opines that, â€Å"In this picture Monet directs the viewer’s attention not to a unified narrative or synoptic view of things but to the lack of homogeneity, both in the procedure of painting and in the subject itself† (29). So, one can see that the artwork named as La Grenouillere represents the development of impressionism and impressionist painting. Compare and contrast: One can easily identify that the artwork represents the popularity gained by impressionism in Europe. To be specific, the basic elements of this artwork are strictly limited to the context of European Impressionism. Martha Moore opines that, â€Å"The label impressionism ironically resulted from negative criticism of Claude Monet’s Impression Sunrise in 1874† (227). Besides, Impressionism developed in Europe as experimentation within the context of

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Development of the Modern Railroad in America Essay

Development of the Modern Railroad in America - Essay Example In 1740 the machine with the cylinder in length of 2,74 m and diameter of 76 cm during one day performed the work which brigades of 25 person and 10 horses, working in shifts, were carrying out for a week. Nevertheless, machine of Newcomen was far from perfection. It transformed to mechanical energy only about 1% of thermal energy and as a consequence, devoured huge amount of fuel, that, however, had no special value when the machine worked on collieries. About the invention of Newcomen it is possible to say, that it was really steam machine, more truly, the pair atmosphere machine. Therefore the inventor of the steam machine is the Englishman Thomas Newcomen who has developed the pair atmosphere machine in 1712. During same time in England James Uatt also worked on the creation of the steam machine. Debugging the model of the pair atmosphere Newcomen's machines, Uatt was convinced of low efficiency of similar machines. It was clear, that the basic lack of machine of Newcomen was the heating and cooling of the cylinder. Uatt removed this lack. Subsequently the universal steam engine of double action with continuous rotation (Uatt's steam machine) received a wide circulation and played a significant role in transition to a mechanical production. Since 1800 to 1821 Northern war was held. ... Since 1800 to 1821 Northern war was held. So the further development of railway transportation was stopped for some time. But steam machines which were created at the end of 18 centuries had the big popularity. Modern safe position of railways of Northern America is caused by unprecedented growth of freight traffic. This situation promotes also to rise in branch of manufacture of a rolling stock as the railway companies increase transportation capacities. Since then the financial position of the large companies has become stronger, demand for their services exceeds the offer. These changes bring favorable prospects to the railway companies. For many railway companies of Northern America the last years were successful from the point of view of growth of transportations and, hence, incomes. The stage-by-stage decision of these problems and a general economic situation allowed the bases for positive forecasts of Northern America railways development. (Orme 2000) Prospects of cargo railways of Northern America are determined by two tendencies: proceeding economic rise in the countries of continent and globalization of economy. High rates of economic growth in the USA as a whole - 44,2 % since 1980 - have caused a significant gain of demand for services of a truck transport. And the parameter for railways in the the USA, 52 %, is better than the general parameter that has allowed to increase its share in the market from 35 up to 39 %. (Orme 2000) Railways have already confirmed the ability to correspond to significant economic growth. Within the next two decades 50 % growth of the transport market is expected. This gain can be mastered both by the rail, and motor transport. Railway has preconditions for development of throughput and ability to take with smaller

Saturday, August 24, 2019

English Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

English - Essay Example The rapid rate that our sea levels have been raising at has given many countries the dangers as it could wipe them off the world map that we know today, like the Caribbean. The people of the Caribbean have been trying to fight this problem over many years and scientists say by the year 2100, the Caribbean will no longer be a part of the world map. I think it will be the next atlantes this raising sea levels will also affect and scare many other countries like the Philippines, Indonesia and Bangladesh as they are very close to the sea levels and may also be joining the Caribbean. Also these raising sea levels have been causing tsunamis and other natural disasters due to the changing climate and sea levels. Global warming has many effects; one of these major effects is the Ozone hole which has many effects that have slowly been destroying our planet without our knowing, but thanks to the advanced technology of today, we have been able to notice theses problems and effects but it is too late, this Ozone hole especially affected Antarctica as the ice is melting which increased the sea levels affecting many countries and leading to their destruction. The increase in the climate has lead to the death of many penguins and their existence is linked to the polar bears. We have been destroying their homes and we might be the reason for their extinction, if we keep walking the path that we are walking today. Moreover, the organisms living in Antarctica have also been dying rapidly due to the fast climate change. Not only that but the effects of global warming have increased the rates of diseases especially skin cancer due to the UV rays from the sun as the Ozone hole is widening and as it is the only protection for us from these harmful rays which are bouncing back a large percentage of these rays, however it no longer exists in some areas of the world and is thinning at other areas. Pollution has been increasing over the years, especially the air pollution form cars, fac tories and green houses due to CO2 emissions which has many effects on people especially the new born and the elderly. Asthma has been rapidly increasing among us and we are starting to see it as a normal illness but indeed this is a man-made illness due to the air pollution that we have created which is affecting our children and the people at large. In conclusion, air pollution is raising the sea levels and the hole in our Ozone layer is a problem that we have created. The dying animals and the melting ice in Antarctica are the effects of the problem that we have created as we are killing the big blue inch by inch everyday and we are killing ourself as well. I ask everyone who reads this paper to please stop killing our planet and at least try to reduce the pollution in some

Friday, August 23, 2019

Economic Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 3

Economic Development - Essay Example Population growth is presently considered as a vital event in relation to economic development. The aspect is often regarded as a major determinant of the pace of development witnessed within an economy or a specific region. Based on a similar perspective, the article named â€Å"Falling Fertility† emphasized on reviewing the study conducted by Thomas Malthus during the late 1790s signifying population to be a vital event in the economic development process. As mentioned in the article, it was predicted by Thomas Malthus during 1798 that the growth rate of the population might outdo the food supply of the world in the upcoming era. However, the article states that the predictions made by the author were termed as undependable.Furthermore, the article states the fact that the author connoted that with the rapid growth in the process of industrialization there was fall in the rate of fertility in the then ‘developing countries’ such as France, Europe, America, and B ritain. According to Malthus (1998), it was observed that when people became prosperous with the virtues of industrialization, the families became smaller in terms of the total number of members. On the flipside, Thomas Malthus also noted that when families reduced, people became wealthier. Taking the inspiration from Thomas Malthus’ study, a similar scenario has been depicted in the article published through ‘The Economist’ replicating the aspect that it is with the increasing rate of industrialization that families tend to shrink.

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Rhetorical analysis of Obama's speech Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Rhetorical analysis of Obama's speech - Essay Example In this speech, Obama seeks to inform the audience on the 23 Executive Orders that he designed to address gun control and gun violence in America. Obama equally seeks to convince the audience on the need to address gun control and gun violence in America as well as persuade them to comply with the 23 Executive Orders that he designed. To achieve this, Obama relies on various rhetorical strategies. Notably, Obama uses different ethos, logos, and pathos to persuade the audience to address gun control and gun violence in America and comply with the 23 Executive Orders that he designed. Obama uses repetition where he replicates words and phrases to make a point. He uses the phrases â€Å"Let’s do the right thing† and â€Å"We will† to associate the audience with the idea of address gun control and gun violence in America (Paulson 1). He uses repetition to confirm the need for collaborative effort in controlling gun control and gun violence that persuades the audience to own the control measures. Obama uses an ethical appeal by convincing the audience on the credibility of various people addressing gun control and gun violence in America. As the President of America, Obama has authority to address this issue. He equally starts the speech by thanking and recognizing the efforts of Joe Biden who is the vice president of America in addressing gun control and gun violence in America (Paulson 1). This convinces the audience to adopt the recommended findings. Obama informs the audience that he tasked Joe Biden and his cabinet to propose mechanisms of controlling the effects of gun violence. Obama persuades the audience by asserting that he will rely and use the presidency powers to implement the proposals of Joe’s task force (Paulson 1). He also presents the credibility of Todd Jones to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms by confirming that he has been acting on this

Definition of Cloning Essay Example for Free

Definition of Cloning Essay Cloning is the process of creating an identical copy of an original. It is a single cell or multi-cellular organism that is genetically identical to another living organism. Cloning can also occur when two genetically identical individuals are produced by accident like identical twins, but in common scientific language the clone is an identical copy by some conscious design. Cloning an organism is to create a new organism with the same genetic information as an existing one. This can involve the transfer of a cell nuclear in which the nucleus is removed from an egg cell and replaced with a nucleus extracted from a cell of the organism to be cloned. AS the nucleus contains all of the genetic information of life, the receiving egg cell will develop into an organism genetically identical to the original nucleus. Brief history II Cloning started with frogs and toads back into the 1970s. Experiments have been long performed with plants and animal embryos. The Dolly is the first fully grown mammal to be cloned in 1996. The dolly was developing by using the process call somatic cell nuclear transfer which consists of DNA coming from a single cell taken from her mother egg, which is fused with the mammary cell. The fused cell then develops into an embryo, which is implanted in a surrogate sheep. The embryo grows into a lamb, which is genetically identical to the donor sheep (Dr.Lee Silver, Human Cloning, 1998).After the dolly, cows was being clone in 1998, pigs in 2000. The first cat was cloned in2001and in2004 a bull was cloned. With this successful process of the dolly scientists believe that human cloning may be possible. The first human cloned embryos were not until 2001. Currently there are a lot of problems of getting Human clones. It is still not proven that scientists could successfully clone a human; still it will take a lot of trial to even be successful in the case of animal cloning 277 sheep died before the dolly was born. There so many questions about human fertility, scientists could not be sure that an identical human clone will ever be possible.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Research Methods For Hospitality And Holiday Business Managers Tourism Essay

Research Methods For Hospitality And Holiday Business Managers Tourism Essay I am writing essay on Research methods for hospitality and tourism managers. The aim of this research is to enhance and refine a capability for critical thinking about hospitality and tourism related managerial problems. Research is depending on size of the organization. Research is the very important for any organization at is offers a measure of control and autonomy over any company. It gives opportunity to confirm clarity, pursue, or even discover new aspects of company. It is the combination of reasoning and experience and must be regarded as the most successful approach to the discovery of truth. Definition of research, It is active, diligent and systematic process of inquiry in order to discover, interpret or revise facts, events, behaviours or theories, or to make practical applications with the help of such facts, laws or theories. The term research is also used to describe the collection of information about the subject. (wordiq.com). according to Oxford Concise Dictionary Research is the case study of particular topic. It is the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources, in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions or in other words research is an endeavour to discover new or collate old facts etc by the scientific study of a subject or by a course of critical investigation (Oxford Concise Dictionary). Business research helpful to finding out who are your customer and what are the basic needs. Research is the review or synthesizes existing knowledge. Research helps to investigate existing situation and problems and provide solutions for problems. Its explore and analyse more general issues. Research methods used to collect customer satisfaction may be questionnaires, interviews or seminars. Nowadays business research is the keypad of any development plan for and any organisation. It is a increasingly popular way for companies to train and educate their managers and other employees in a vast array of different fields. Research is the imperative for the company to know what type of products and services would be profitable to introduce in the market. Also with respects to its existing products in the market, good market research enables a company to know if it has been able to satisfy customer needs and whether any changes need to be made in packaging delivery or product itself. This enables a company to formulate a viable marketing plan or measure the success of its existing plan. (morebusiness.com) Types of research:- The word research is used to describe a number of similar and often overlapping activities involving a search for information in other word research is process of collecting data, information and fact for the advancement of knowledge. (Webs.uidaho.edu). There are mainly two types of research and secondary research Primary research: It is the process of the collection of data that does not already exist. This is done with the various forms like questionnaires, direct observation and telephone interviews etc. There are two basic approaches to data collections using primary methods. Qualitative research : Qualitative research is seeks out the why, not the how of its topic through the analysis of unstructured information things like interview, transcripts, emails, notes, feedback, photos ,Forms and videos. Qualitative research is used to gain inside into peoples attitudes, behaviours, value system, caserns, motivations aspirations, culture or lifestyle. Its used to inform business decisions, policy information, communication and research. Focus groups in depth interviews, contained analysis ethnography, evaluation and semiotics are among the many formal approaches that are used but qualitative research involves the analysis of any unstructured material including customer feedback forms, reports and media clips. (qsrinternational.com) The methods of collecting qualitative data are Individual interview Focus group Observation Advantages of qualitative research Qualitative research produces more in depth, comprehensive information Uses subjective information and participant observation to describe the context or natural settings of the variables under consideration as well as the interaction of the different variables in the context. Its seeks the wide understanding of the entire situation. Disadvantages of Qualitative research The very subjective of the enquiry leads to difficulties in establishing the reliability and validity of the approaches and information. It is very difficult to prevent a detect researcher induced bias. Its scope is limited due to the in depth, comprehensive data gathering approaches required. (okstate.edu) Quantitative research: According to the Aliaga and Gunderson (2002), quantities research is explain phenomena by collecting numerical data that are analysed using mathematically based methods (in particular statistics). This methods investigates why and how of decision making not only where, what, when. Quantities research has an ability to provide complex textual descriptions of how people experience given a research issue Advantages of Quantitative research: In Quantitative research its seeks to explore phenomena, it is design in an excellent way of finalising results and poring and disproving hypothesis, a structure has not change for centuries. After statistical analysis of the results comprehensive answer is reach and result can be legitimately discussed and published. It is a useful for tasting gain by the series of a Quantitative experiment, leading to a final answer and narrowing down of possible directions for follow up research to take. Disadvantages Quantitative experiments can be difficult and expensive and require a lot of tie to perform. Quantitative studies usually require extensive statistical analysis, which can be difficult. Limited outcomes to only those outlined in the original research proposal due to closed type question and the structured format (experiment-resources.com). Hospitality industry is evergreen industry in the world and its growing rapidly. In recent years because of globalization in this industry there are lots of challenges and competition. To survive in this competition this industry adopts some research, like market research. Market research is the systematic, objective collection and analysis of data about target market, competition and environment with the goal being increased understanding of them. Through the market research process manager can take data a variety of related and non- related facts. And create useful information to guide the managers decision. Marketing research is not an activity conducted only once, it is a ongoing study. The information gain through marketing research is information that can guide managers in most important strategic business decision. Some benefits of market research are. Market research guide to communication with current and potential customer. Its helps to identify opportunities in the market place. Market research minimizes the risk of doing business. If uncovers and identifies potential problems. It creates benchmarks and helps to track progress and its also helps to evacuate success. (sallbusinessnotes.com) Business research:- business research programme are an increasingly popular way for companies to train and educate their managers and staff. Business research education can pertain to economics, business strategy and ethics in facts, anything related to modern business and trade. In short business research provides the needed information that guides managers to make informed decisions to successfully deal with problems. Benefits of business research are, Business research provides well educated and informed staff means that operations will run very smoothly. With this research senior managers will be able to drive a workforce on using effective motivational techniques With the help of business research it is possible to find the edge over the global competition. (content4reprint.com) Research helps to stay in competitive and build customer loyalty. Research also boost the sales and increase business profitability. It enhances the brand and gain a reputation as an innovative business. Business research help to find out the opportunities and threats. History:- Marriott has founded by J.Willard Marriott 1927, when he and his wife opened a root beer stand in Washington D.C. the Marriott quickly noticed that soft drinks sold in large amount during Washingtons long hot summer but that business needed a boost during the cooler months. They added the first Mexican food in that area, were added to their counter menu. The Marriott called their restaurant the hot Shoppe. In 1928 the Marriott opened their third restaurant, which offered curb side service. Hot Shoppe remains popular in the Washington area through the great depression. In 1937 Marriott branched out from the restaurant business for the first time, pioneering in-flight catering with boxed launch for eastern, American and capital airlines flights from Washingtons old Hoover airport. In 1940 Marriott opened five new restaurants. In 1964 Marriott handed the presidency to his son, Mr. Bill Marriott. Hot Shoppe Inc. over the next few years, the company continued to open hotels and restaurant s. Today Marriott international is leading company with more than 3000 lodging properties in the United States and 67 other countries and territories. (fundinguniverse.com) Marriott International continuously increasing their business and opening new hotels, inns, restaurants and resorts to attract customers by using new ideas and new strategies. Like recently Marriott International opened their new Ihilani resort spa on the island of Oahu, which offering service and treatments that are uniquely part of the Hawaiian tradition and lifestyle. Ihilani spa is very famous and received numerous awards. (Marriott.co.uk). Marriott according to the place, religion and wishes they making their business for building their brand it is essential to consideration of operating environment. Alternative pricing method, introducing new strategies, environmental analysis is the most essential factor to build up company brand. Marriott International is mainly focused on employees because they said, with employment rates holding at records high levels, recruiting and retaining employee is the greatest challenge facing hospitality industry today. Mr Marriott said the companys human capital strategy focused on five principles to generate even greater value for employees and the company (hotelonline.com). The mission of this strategy is to keep employee on the job, employees satisfaction is main purpose of this strategy. Because of employees satisfaction customer gets good experience and customers feel like home. This strategy has ability to convert the economy from raw materials and machines to minds and attitude. Like when the employee is satisfied on his job and making family environment which helps to give good service and customer satisfaction. Research for marketing and sales plan in Marriott international Marriott international is the one of the top lodging industry in world. The company have some 3400 operated and franchised properties in more than 65 countries. Vision of the Marriott Company is to be the worlds lodging leader. It is grounded in his intense focus. On taking care of the guests, extensive operational knowledge, and development of the highly skilled and diverse workforce. I am going to do research on marketing and sales plan in Marriott International based on following questions. Describes the products or services of Marriott will provide? What are the core products or services? What are specialities of Marriott? Marriott international has more than 3000 operated or franchised lodging properties in more than 3400 lodging properties in 60 countries and territories. Marriott international operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, The Autograph Collection, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyards, Tower Place suites, Fairfield suits, Fairfields Inn, Spring Hill suites and Bulgari Brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott vacation club, The Ritz-Carlton destination club and grand residences by Marriotts brands, licenses and manages whole ownership residential brands, including the Ritz Carlton Residences, JW Marriott residences and Marriott residences, operates Marriott Executive apartments, provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott Execute division and operates conference centre. (news.marriott.com)

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Miniature Wireless Inertial and Magnetic Sensors Research

Miniature Wireless Inertial and Magnetic Sensors Research An object in motion tends to stay in motion unless an external force acts upon it. Similarly, if the object is at rest, it will remain at rest unless an unbalanced force acts upon it. When a force acts on an object, it will cause the object to accelerate. The larger the mass of the object, the greater the force will need to be to cause it to accelerate. Sir Isaac Newton. Throughout centuries, people were fascinated with the study of motion. In fact, several disciplines were created, in which laws of physics and mechanics are applied to objects or biological systems in order to study the effect of the forces acting upon them. One of those disciplines is biomechanics, which involves, among others, the study of the kinetics and kinematics of the human body. Locomotion is one of the primary functions of the human body (Moore et al. 2010) and studying its characteristics and its effects on the musculoskeletal system is of great importance, especially in our times, when musculoskeletal disorders are ranking very high amongst the top debilitating diseases worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation (Brooks 2006; Cross et al. 2014; St. John 2015). Degenerative musculoskeletal diseases, such as osteoarthritis (OA) are most prevalent in the elderly population, of 55 years and older (Reginster 2002). Over the past decades, the United Nations reported a steady increase in the life expectancy of the world population (Oeppen and Vaupel 2008), which marked a concomitant increase in the number of years in which sufferers need to manage the disease (Cross et al. 2014), thereby not only lowering the quality of life of the patient but also putting extra strain on the health care system. Although OA is an autoimmune disease and its origins are not yet fully understood, the literature suggests that in some patients OA can be caused by other degenerative processes such as femuroacetabular impingement (FAI) (Benedetti et al. 1998; Ganz et al. 2001), genu varum or genu valgum (Moore et al. 2010), which have a much earlier onset than OA. Early diagnosis in such cases could help prevent or postpone the onset of OA in the patients joints. Motion analysis has been widely tested as a means of diagnosing skeletal misalignment processes, such as the ones mentioned above. The knee joint is not only the largest joint in the human body, but due to its position and weight bearing properties, also one of the most injurie and disease prone skeletal feature (Moore et al. 2010). After all, knee OA is one of the most prevalent types of arthritis affecting the world population (Cross et al. 2014). Moreover, the knee joint is often used in proof of concept studies, as a simplified biomechanical hinge joint (Seel et al. 2014), which only allows rotation about its main axis the flexion extension axis, making it ideal for the purpose of the current study. The motion to be analysed in the following chapters will be knee flexion-extension during dynamic walking conditions. Amongst the most popular motion analysis tools are the marker based optical motion capture systems and their associated protocols. Optical motion capture is often performed in the laboratory with very expensive equipment and using this type of equipment in a non-laboratory based environment presents significant limitations which can compromise the accuracy of the acquired data. However, the differences between the laboratory setting and a natural environment in which a movement is carried out could affect the manner in which the patient conducts himself. It is therefore of great importance to find an appropriate motion analysis tool which can be used accurately in a non-laboratory based environment, is user friendly, requires a short set up time and is cost effective. The scope of the current thesis is to combine the use of state of the art equipment and a motion capture and computational data processing protocol which allows biomechanical analysis of human motion in a non-laboratory based environment. The purpose of the study is to test the applicability, feasibility and reliability of using a network of wireless inertial sensors and a designated data acquisition and processing protocol to assess human knee flexion-extension during gait in a non-laboratory based environment. Successfully proving that using such a technique in a non-laboratory based environment is applicable and reliable, could not only offer an ambulatory, and more rapid, user friendly, and cost effective alternative to the optical motion capture silver standard, used currently in the laboratory, the applications of such a technique would be spread across numerous fields, e.g. diagnostics and prevention of disease, physical repair, ergonometry, engineering of prosthetic limbs. Objectives The objectives of the current study are to perform a series of experiments using a network of miniature wireless inertial and magnetic sensors, in conjunction with a data processing protocol, proposed by Seel et. al (2014) and described in detail in the following chapters, in order to validate the system for use in a non-laboratory based environment. The experiments will have the following purposes: Ruling out any gyroscope bias. Testing the accuracy of the gyroscope sensors and the methodology proposed by Seel et. al (2014) for deriving a rotation angle from gyroscope data, against a robotic setup gold standard. Testing the accuracy with which the cameras of the optical motion capture system track the markers in the measurement volume. Testing the methodology proposed by Seel et. al (2014) for calculating a rotation angle by combining gyroscope and accelerometer data, against the Vicon calibration wand. Validating the above mentioned method for calculating knee flexion-extension angles during gait, against the Vicon camera system current silver standard for human motion capture. Comparing knee flexion-extension angles from gait recorded in a laboratory- and a non-laboratory based environment, with the sensor system and processed with the protocol proposed by Seel et. al (2014). Aims By following these objectives, the aims of the current study are to demonstrate the following set of null hypotheses: H01 The sensor system and proposed protocol function together with high accuracy. H02 There are no statistically significant differences between knee flexion-extension angles recorded during gait with the sensor system, and the ones recorded with the optical motion capture system. H03 There are no statistically significant differences between knee flexion-extension angles recorded with the sensors system in the laboratory, and the ones recorded outdoors. Anatomy and pathology of the human knee joint The lower limbs of the human body (Fig 2.1), are part of the appendicular skeleton (Gerhardt et al. 2012). The leg is formed of three long bones, the femur constituting the thigh bone and the tibia and fibula constituting the bones of the lower leg (Rabuffetti and Crenna 2004). The femur (Fig 2.2A) is the largest bone in the human body. Proximally, the femur articulates with the pelvis, to form the hip joint. Distally, the femur articulates with the tibia (Fig 2.2A) to form the knee joint (Fig 2.2B)(Joseph 2014). The femur is positioned diagonally within the thigh, forming an alignment axis along the line of force of the quadriceps femoris muscle surrounding it, which can be represented by drawing a line from the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to the centre of the patella (Fig 2.2C)(Moore et al. 2010). The tibia is almost vertically positioned within the shank, forming an alignment axis virtually parallel to the vertical gravitational axis, traversing the centre of the patella. The alignment of the knee joint is greatly influenced by the angle between the quadriceps muscle and the patellar tendon, called the Q angle (Fig 2.2C)(Moore et al. 2010). The knee joint is represented by large articular surfaces, with a joint capsule consisting of a fibrous external layer and an internal synovial membrane, lining all surfaces of the articular cavity which are not covered by hyaline cartilage (Drake et al. 2012; Moore et al. 2010) . The hyaline cartilage, covering the bony extremities of the synovial joint, lowers friction between the elements and additional structures, such as articular discs, fat pads and tendons may be present in this type of joint (Ellis 2006). Mechanically, the knee is a relatively weak structure, its stability being highly dependent on the strength of the soft tissue surrounding it. The most stable position of the knee joint is when a person is standing up right and the knee is fully extended. In this position, the medial rotation of the femoral condyles on the articular surface of the tibia, creates a passive lock, which is inactivated when the femur rotates laterally to allow flexion (Moore et al. 2010). The primary functions of the human lower limbs are support and locomotion (Drake et al. 2012; Ellis 2006; Moore et al. 2010). Functions in which the knee joints, along with the other joints of the lower limbs, play a crucial role. Human gait, for instance, is a complex motion which, when occurring on a planar surface, can be divided in two phases, containing 7 total events. One gait cycle (Fig 2.3) consists of a stance phase (60% of the total action) and a swing phase (40% of the total action), corresponding to a single step made by one leg. From a biomechanical point of view, joints are often classified according to their ability to move across a defined number of axes using mechanical models. The knee joint for example is often considered to be a hinge (Fig 2.4), acting like a fulcrum between two levers, represented by the femur and tibia (Moore et al. 2010; Zatsiorsky 1998). However, the movements of the knee joint are a widely discussed subject and there are at least four points of view in the literature concerning the correct identification of the flexion-extension axis of the knee joint (Zatsiorsky 1998). The flexion-extension axis is recognized as being the main axis of rotation of the tibiofemoral joint, however, it was reported that when the knee is fully extended an endo-exo rotation of the tibia with respect to the femoral condyles occurs (Ellis 2006; Fick 1911a; Hollister et al. 1993; Moore et al. 2010). Furthermore, Hollister et al. (1993) reported that full extension of the knee is accompanied by an additional abduction-adduction of the tibia. Firstly, based on the Reuleaux method, researchers claimed that the knee flexion-extension axis is instantaneous and displaces during motion (Blacharski and Somerset 1975; Frankel et al. 1971; Schmidt 1973; Soudan and Auderkercke 1979; Zuppinger 1904). However, this view was highly criticised by (Panjabi et al. 1982), who claimed that the flawed experimental designs of the previously mentioned researchers led to inaccuracies in their results. Secondly, a helical rather than simple rotation occurring about a flexion-extension axis, which changes its orientation during motion, and about an independent tibial endo-exo rotation axis, was suggested (Braune and Fischer 1891; Bugnion 1892; Zuppinger 1904) and later reviewed by (Fick 1911b), (Steindler 1955), and (Strasser 1917). However, Fick later suggested that the knee flexion-extension axis was a fixed axis located in the distal femur, traversing the lateral and medial condyle posteriorly (Fick 1911a). A hypothesis which was supported by (Elias et al. 1990) findings, which further suggested an involvement of the surrounding ligaments in the motion. Finally, (Hollister et al. 1993) claimed that knee flexion-extension is indeed dependent on the movement of the collateral and cruciate ligaments and that therefore, mechanically, knee motion occurs about an infinite number of axes. Nevertheless, most biomechanical models used in the literature for assessing motion capture data, assume a fixed flexion-extension axis for the knee (Cutti et al. 2010; Ehrig et al. 2007; Seel et al. 2014). The physical aspects of the musculoskeletal system are, however, not the only factors concerning skeletal kinematics. On a physiological level, although often considered invariable, bones undergo constant remodelling under the influence of mechanical stimuli. Bone remodelling is, in fact, a constant balance between osteogenesis (the process of bone formation) and osteoclastogenesis (the process of bone resorption), processes which regulate bone mass and are highly dependent on mechanical stress and strain (Marieb 2009). The effects of mechanical stimuli on the skeletal environment have been extensively studied in the past and mathematical models, such as Frosts mechanostat, based on the theory that the human skeleton evolves for and serves mechanical needs primarily (Frost 1987), have been developed for a better understanding of this mechanism. In Frosts view, the skeleton has an in-built mechanical feedback system which responds to increase or decrease in mechanical loading or hormonal changes by adjusting the bone mass so that it is specially distributed for optimal mechanical function (Frost 1987). Although Frosts mathematical model took into account very important parameters, such as Youngs modulus for bone, peak strain, peak stress and changes in density, it did not take into account the ability of bone cells to adapt to the environment (Turner 1999). However, Turners mathematical theory for bone biology, called the principle of cellular accommodation (Turner 1999), based on Wolffs law of bone transformation (Wolff 1982) and Frosts mechanostat (Frost 1987), offered an alternative version, which corrected for flaws discovered in the initial models (Turner 1999). In 1982, Julius Wolff proposed a theory which stated that high stress-generated potentials can act as electrical stimuli for the activation of osteocyte cells within bone tissue, which in response could trigger an anabolic event following activation of bone forming cells (Wolff 1982). Turners principle of cellular accommodation corrected for the assumption in Frosts mechanostat that suggested that cellular sensitization is a continuous and endless process, that can eventually lead to complete loss of bone mass or ossification of bone tissue (Turner 1999). In contrast to that, the principle of cellular accommodation stated that mechanical loading and unloading indeed stimulates bone formation and, respectively bone resorption, but that, over time the bone cells become immune to loading cycles (provided the load has an equal value over time) and their metabolic rate decreases. Nevertheless, mechanical stress and strain are not exclusively affecting the bones within the skeletal system, but also the cartilage and surrounding tissue. Changes in the mechanical environment or properties of cartilage within a joint, can generate stimuli, which initiate degenerative processes (Boyd and Ronsky 1997; Churchill et al. 1998b; Davis and DeLuca 1996), e.g. osteoarthritis. OA is a progressive disorder, which causes the loss of articular cartilage, exposing the joint extremities, where the direct contact between bones results in ulceration and calcification of the tissue. OA is one of the worlds leading debilitating diseases, which lowers the quality of life and can lead to immobility of the patient. The exact mechanism of OA is not clear yet, however, there are a series of factors which researchers found to play a role in the onset, incidence and epidemiology of the disease. For knee OA, these factors include amongst genetic background, age, gender, obesity (Felson 2004a), and occupational (Cooper et al. 1994; Maetzel et al. 1997; McMillan and Nichols 2005) or sports injuries (Roos et al. 1994), local mechanical factors affecting the integrity of the joint, such as muscle weakness, damage to the ligaments and meniscus, joint incongruity and misalignment of femoral condyles on the tibial plateau (Felson 2004b). It has been reported that knee injury in men and obesity in women are amongst the leading and most modifiable causes of onset or progression of knee OA (Felson et al. 2000). Moreover, (Felson 2013) claimed that knee OA is almost always caused by increased forces acting on a joint and that such forces could be a result of knee malalignment (Felson and Hodgson 2014) or a combination of malalignment and obesity (Felson et al. 2004). Causes which can be addressed and treated in order to prevent progression or onset of OA, if identified in timely manner (Felson and Hodgson 2014; Teichtahl et al. 2009). Genu varum (bowed-legs) and genu valgum (knocked-knees) are both conditions in which the alignment of the knee is affected. Genu varum is defined by a decreased Q-angle (Moore et al. 2010), and is reported to increase mechanical loading in the medial knee compartment by 70-79% (Tetsworth and Paley 1994) even in cases where the varum is as little as 5 °, which can lead to substantial cartilage loss (Sharma et al. 2008; Teichtahl et al. 2009) and the onset of OA (Brouwer et al. 2007). In contrast, genu valgum is defined by an increased Q-angle (Moore et al. 2010), which is reported to in increases loading in the lateral knee compartment, thereby, increasing the risk of progressive OA 5 fold (Sharma et al. 2001; Teichtahl et al. 2006). Furthermore, (Hsu et al. 1990) and (Kettelkamp et al. 1976) report a correlation between medial lateral forces and knee alignment during standing which, however, is only present in genu varum sufferers during gait (Harrington 1983). Motion analysis has proved to be a useful tool in the study of lower limbs kinematics and disorders of knee (Andriacchi et al. 1983; Berchuck et al. 1990; Draganich et al. 1991; Kettelkamp et al. 1976; Noyes et al. 1992; Wang et al. 1990) and increasingly more researchers use motion capture systems and biomechanical computational models for the purpose of quantifiable and numerical motion analysis (Alexander and Andriacchi 2001; Bonci et al. 2015; Cappozzo et al. 2005; Cereatti and Della Croce 2006; Cutti et al. 2010; Davis et al. 1991; Ehrig et al. 2007; Ferrari et al. 2010a; Garofalo et al. 2009; Haid and Breitenbach 2004; Kratzenstein et al. 2010b; Leardini et al. 2005; Luinge et al. 2012; Pasciuto et al. 2015; Roetenberg et al. 2003; Schepers et al. 2010; Seel et al. 2014; Taylor et al. 2005). Motion capture systems and protocols During the past decades, quantifiable motion analysis has been widely studied and the need for developing a low cost and user friendly technique, which enables motion capture in a non-laboratory based environment, has been emphasised time and time again (Calliess et al. 2014; Gaffney et al. 2011; Liu et al. 2011; Pfau et al. 2005; Soangra and Lockhart 2012; Vlasic et al. 2007; Wixted et al. 2010; Yang et al. 2011; Zhou and Hu 2004, 2008). Quite a few motion capture systems were developed in order to aid motion studies. These systems were reviewed extensively (Frey et al. 1996; Hightower and Borriello 2001; Meyer et al. 1992; Welch and Foxlin 2002) and can be largely classified in the following categories: robot aided, visual and non-visual (Vlasic et al. 2007; Zhou and Hu 2004, 2008). Robot aided motion capture This technique employs the use of electromechanical systems, such as Gypsyà ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢ (Meta Motion) and ShapeWrapà ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢ (Measurand), called exoskeletons, which the subjects are required to wear, in order to compute joint angles from electric resistance. These systems are not restricted to laboratory use, however, they are uncomfortable and motion restricting even in the most updated versions of the hardware (Vlasic et al. 2007).

Monday, August 19, 2019

Dr. Jekyle And Mr. Hyde - Book Report Essay -- essays research papers

1. Name of Book? The name of the Book is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. 2. Author of Book? The author is Robert Louis Stevenson. 3. Setting? The setting took place in London England in the year (1885 and 1886). 4. Identify the theme of your Book. According to the author every person has good and bad inside of him. There is a continuous battle between the two forces, when the bad force won Dr. Jekyll committed suicide which is a lesson for us to keep the good force always on the outside and inside of us to live in harmony and peacefully. 5. Story. This book is about a man called Dr. Henry Jekyll he is a rich man who lived in the city of London in 1885. He was a strange character, who was conducting experiments on him self by taking drugs and shifting into another character. He called this character Mr. Hyde thus living with two different personalities to an extent where he wrote a will leaving all his belongings to his other character in case he shifts to the other personality permanently. This confused his friend the lawyer Mr. Utterson who started investigating with common friends about the mystery of the will as Dr. Jekyll did not even introduce him to this unknown heir. At first Mr. Utterson discussed Dr. Jekyll's character with Mr. Enfield. Mr. Enfield told him about the most unusual story of a man who tripped over a little girl without realizing his fault and just stood there silently with out any reaction for his bad deed, while people gathered around to help the crying...

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Beowulf as an epic :: Epic of Beowulf Essays

Beowulf   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Beowulf is the single greatest story of Old English literature and one of the greatest epics of all time. Ironically, no one can lay claim to being the author of this amazing example of literature. The creator of this poem was said to be alive around 600 A.D. and the story was, since then, been passed down orally from generation to generation. When the first English monks heard the story, they took it upon themselves to write it down and add a bit of their own thoughts. Thus, a great epic and the beginning to English literature was born.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To be considered and epic, a piece of literature must exhibit quite a few specific, literary techniques. Some of the main criteria points include being a long, narrative poem, having an epic hero, and containing rhythm, alliteration, and imagery. Beowulf can be considered an epic because it contains all of this criteria.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Beowulf, first and foremost, is a long narrative poem. It contains 3,182 lines and has been divided into forty-three sections. It has been written in a way that formulates a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience and arranged so that the language stimulates an emotional response, the basis of why a piece of writing would be considered a poem.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Beowulf also contains an epic hero. The title of the poem has been named after our epic hero, Beowulf. In definition, an epic hero is someone that does larger than life deeds and is stronger and smarter than any normal man; and Beowulf fits this description as if the mold were made for him. He has the strength of thirty men and uses it as a major weapon against evil. This can be seen through Beowulf’s battles with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Beowulf’s first accomplishment as an epic hero was his battle with Grendel. Grendel was a huge beast, a descendent of Cain, who ruthlessly murdered innocent Danes because he felt pity for himself. Upon hearing of the Dane’s problem, Beowulf set off to help the Danish without having been called upon. Even though Beowulf had men backing him, He drew battle with Grendel alone and without armor or weapons. Yet, Beowulf emerged victorious with the arm of Grendel as his trophy. Beowulf then went on to kill Grendel’s vengeful mother and a huge fire-breathing dragon who thought it had been done wrong by the Geats. Alas, the killing of the dragon would be Beowulf’s last great battle for the dragon took Beowulf’s life in the struggle for his own.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Corporate Social Responsibility in Supply Chain Management Essay

Case Study: Singapore The case was developed with the cooperation of Singapore Compact for CSR solely for educational purposes as a contribution to the Project entitled â€Å"New Corporate Procurement Strategy on Trade in Goods and Services in APEC Region – Supply-chain options with CSR perspective -† conducted under the auspices of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). The case is neither designed nor intended to illustrate the correct or incorrect management of the situation or issues contained in the case. No part of this case can be reproduced, stored or used without the written permission of the author and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation.  © 2007 APEC Secretariat 216 Case Study: Singapore Executive Summary NTUC FairPrice Cooperative Ltd is the leading supermarket retailer in Singapore. The company is known as a â€Å"supermarket with social conscience.† Its supply chain activities focus on developing effective strategies to improve product quality and safety by working closely with its suppliers in implementing standards and good CSR practices. Singapore imports 95% of its vegetables from other economies since the local farms cannot meet the local demand. FairPrice itself imports about 80% of its vegetables. Sellers need to ensure that the vegetables are safe for consumption and its supply is ample. FairPrice invested in a fresh food distribution center in 2002 to enhance its ability to move its stock faster and maintain freshness quality. The Good Agricultural Practices for Vegetable Farming (GAP-VF) certification ensures that local suppliers meet the standard but the certification does not cover overseas suppliers. FairPrice needs to encourage these overseas suppliers to adopt similar standards. The standard applied to organic vegetables is even higher. FairPrice works with Agrifood Technologies Pte Ltd to develop an in-house certification program that would provide assurance of the integrity of the organic produce. FairPrice participates in the Pekan Baru project, a collaboration of the Indonesian and Singapore governments. FairPrice purchases 50 tons of vegetables per week from Pekan Baru. As the sole importer of the vegetables produced in Pekan Baru, FairPrice provides more work and income for more than 500 farmers and many operators along the supply chain. The project also involves technology transfer which helps the farmers to implement good agricultural practices and get higher yields of better quality vegetables. Pekan Beru farmers learned the technology on cold chain management which makes it possible to maintain the freshness of vegetables while being transported from the farm to FairPrice distribution centers. With quality assurance, FairPrice packages the vegetables under its house brand, Pasar. Branding the vegetables under Pasar has helped to market and increase demand for vegetables from Pekan Baru since FairPrice is a trusted brand in Singapore. CSR is a journey and FairPrice continues to strive to be the best place to shop, the best place to work, and the best corporate citizen. Introduction In the retail sector, companies compete for the consumer’s money by looking at the marketing mix of 4Ps – Product, Price, Place and Promotion. These are traditionally the four factors that retailers consider in their marketing strategy. However, due to globalization and better consumer awareness, retailers need to address another 3Ps – People, Planet and (not only) Profit. Consumers no longer just buy what is displayed on the retail shelves. They are asking questions as to how the products have been produced, and what has been their impact on society and the environment. For retailers to compete effectively in the market today, they need to assure consumers that what they put on the retail shelves are ‘ethical products’. In the supermarket retail industry, product quality (e.g. freshness, taste) and safety are two of the key concerns. If consumers in Singapore are in doubt about the product quality and safety of any retailer, they have a lternative sources such as vendors in local fresh produce markets. Hence, to 217 Case Study: Singapore compete effectively, supermarket retailers need to look at how and not just what they are doing in business. By examining the opportunities and challenges in the context of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) within the supply chain, businesses can sharpen their competitive edge and be good corporate citizens. Company Profile Established in 1973 by the labour movement, NTUC FairPrice Cooperative Ltd has grown from its first shop set up to moderate the price of sugar and rice to being the leading supermarket retailer in Singapore. It employs over 5,000 and runs a retail network of 216 outlets comprising 76 FairPrice supermarkets, one FairPrice Finest, two FairPrice Xtra (Hypermart), three Homemarts, 19 FairPrice Xpress and 116 Cheers Convenience Stores. FairPrice’s founding mission was to moderate the cost of living for the ordinary households in Singapore. Over the years, FairPrice’s mission has evolved to its present mission which is to moderate the costs of a good life. Essentially, FairPrice’s aim is to be: †¢ †¢ †¢ the best place to shop, the best place to work, and the best corporate citizen. To be the best place to shop, FairPrice focuses on maximizing consumer satisfaction which is based on its brand promise of delivering value, quality and service. Key to this commitment are its procurement practices. FairPrice’s product sourcing takes into account consumer feedback and needs, and market trends. It sources from established and reputable companies. It always tries to diversify its sources of supply, particularly for essential items. It also develops its own range of house brand products to offer consumers an alternative to national brands. FairPrice plays a strong role in establishing the price of essentials in Singapore. During the avian flu outbreak that resulted in the ban of egg imports from the region, FairPrice responded swiftly to the crisis by putting in place precautionary measures to curb profiteering. To prevent arbitrage, FairPrice took unpopular but necessary measures in restricting the purchase of eggs. To further alleviate the egg shortage, it imported Australian and New Zealand eggs as alternatives. Even after the ban on Malaysian poultry imports was lifted, FairPrice continued its efforts in working with business partners to peg chicken and egg prices at a reasonable level. Through this, FairPrice helped restore egg prices to pre-ban levels. To be the best place to work, FairPrice is a unionized employer that has good labour-management relationship. FairPrice takes a holistic approach in providing for employees well-being and opportunities for growth and development. FairPrice received the Work-life Excellence Award 2006 conferred by the tripartite committee on Work-life Strategy Singapore, in recognition of its programs to help employees balance personal commitments and work responsibilities. FairPrice contributes to the community through its own initiatives such as its annual Used Textbooks project, its Million Dollar Food Voucher Scheme for the needy and the provision of study grants to children of needy members. It also engages its network of suppliers to support its community efforts such as Heartstrings Buys, a fund-raising drive for the Community Chest. To promote environment protection, FairPrice launched the ‘Love Nature’ reusable bags to encourage its customers to reduce their reliance on plastic bags when shopping for groceries and necessities. In addition, the company participated in the ‘Bring Your Own Bag Day’ to encourage 218 Case Study: Singapore shoppers to bring their own shopping bags instead of using plastic bags. Cashiers at the retail stores have been trained to pack more items in each bag to reduce the consumption of plastic bags. As a good corporate citizen, FairPrice was cited as the â€Å"supermarket with a social conscience† by the Far East Economic Review in a 2000 survey report. In September 2005, FairPrice signed the UN Global Compact (UNGC) to support the initiative of the Singapore Compact movement to establish a UNGC network in Singapore and help raise awareness among more companies of the key principles of CSR which it upholds. FairPrice was also conferred the President’s Social Service Award in 2005 in recognition of its contributions to society. As a responsible food retailer, FairPrice is both a Case Trust accredited member and a Food Safety Partner of Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) the economy-wide food safety authority of Singapore. FairPrice also supports pro-family initiatives and prides itself as a pro-family business retailer. It was voted one of the best loved pro-family retailers in the Singapore 2006 contest organized by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth & Sports. In another survey conducted by the Reader’s Digest in 2006, FairPrice was voted in by consumers and won the Trusted Brand Gold Award for the supermarket chain category in Singapore. The Supply Chain Singapore has only 256 licensed farms covering 746 hectares1 which cannot supply enough fresh meat, fruits and vegetables to meet the demand of its population of 4.4 million. Singapore imports 95% of its vegetables worth S$314 million since local farms can meet only 5% of the demand for vegetables. It imports vegetables from Australia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, The United States and Viet Nam. With Singapore’s high dependence on imported fresh vegetables, local sellers such as supermarkets need to ensure that the imported food is safe for consumption and its supply is ample. FairPrice invested S$25 million on a 130,000 square feet fresh food distribution center in 2002 to better manage its supply chain for fresh food. The setting up of the fresh food distribution center enhances the ability of FairPrice to move its stock faster and maintain freshness quality. The distribution center also provides the right infrastructure to improve the handling process of fresh food, thus reducing spoilage. Good temperature management and storage management are critical in maintaining the quality of food and preventing cross-contamination. FairPrice is committed to maintain a high standard of food safety and hygiene at the fresh food distribution center by getting the center to be Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) certified. From the distribution center to the retail stores, FairPrice uses refrigerated trucks to transport the vegetables. At the store, temperature checks are conducted again before putting the vegetables on the retail shelves. FairPrice works with the relevant authorities to develop standards. One such initiative is the implementation of the technical reference standards on cold chain management for chilled pork in 2005. The standard was developed by AVA and SPRING Singapore, the economy-wide standard body, together with FairPrice. It provides strict receiving, storage and display guidelines to ensure that the quality of the pork is not compromised.

Kant vs. Kierkegaard Essay

I also believe that the issue that I am discussing is deep, and therefore interesting. Its weaknesses would be its lack of quotes. The difficulty with this paper was trying to find the idea in the first place. It took me a lot of time to find deep similarities and differences between the two. It also took me some time to figure out how I would lay the essay out and how I would flesh the essay out. As this paper is not superficial, I found myself finding new ideas and problem as time passed. This gave me another problem as I always had to rethink and re-edit. The goals for my next paper are to include more quotes, as my papers lack evidence. My other goals are to carry on writing interesting and thought provoking papers. I aim to try to make my essays as clear as possible, as tackling deep issues can sometimes make the writing quite convoluted. Love of Duty vs. Love of Choice In their essays ‘Lectures on Ethics – Friendship’ and ‘Works of Love – Thou Shalt Love Thy Neighbor’, respectively, Kant and Kierkegaard both appear as idealists: They each portray a utopia in which friendship is universal. Kant believes that perfection can be achieved if people put love of mankind before love of oneself, and Kierkegaard believes that perfection can be achieved if you love everyone as if they were your neighbor. Ironically, both also contradict themselves: Kant contradicts his other idea that one will never be able to achieve the ideal of friendship, where partners share everything with each other. While Kierkegaard contradicts himself by saying a true Christian is completely selfless. This is a contradiction, as someone who is selfless cannot have a choice (free will), but as rational humans we do have a choice. Given these parallels, are these two thinkers ultimately offering us the same sense of utopia? No – in fact, Kant is a realist who uses a scientific approach to figure out what it means to be a friend, whereas Kierkegaard is a religious thinker who applies his religious morality on people. Their utopias look very similar on the surface, but their underlying methods to reach them are vastly different. Both Kant and Kierkegaard come from two very different backgrounds. Kant was born in Prussia, and was interested in physics and mathematics. He didn’t have a positive view of religion was also asked to stop teaching Theology at the University of Konigsberg by the government as he allegedly ‘misrepresented’ the principles of Christianity. This shows that Kant was a thinker independent of religion. Kant believed that â€Å"mankind’s final coming of age,† was â€Å"the emancipation of the human consciousness from an immature state of ignorance and error. † This is the opposite of Kierkegaard, as he was a devout Christian. Kierkegaard tried to incorporate religion (Christian morality) with reason. This is where he comes up with his idea of ‘loving thy neighbor’. Whereas Kierkegaard comes from a position that his way is the ‘right’ way, as it was mandated from God, Kant comes from a position which is influenced by Rousseau and Aristotle, in fact Kant’s idea of man having self-love and love for humanity comes straight from Rousseau’s book ‘The Discourse on the Origin of Inequality’. There is also a deeper difference: Kierkegaard’s religious morality implies duty, whereas Kant’s view on friendship implies choice. Choice lies at the heart of Kant’s philosophy. He says that man has two basic instincts: self-love and love for humanity (pity). These two instincts conflict with each other and only one can win. Kant believes that in an ideal world, all people would put love for humanity before self-love. This would create a world where love is reciprocated, and therefore man does not have to worry about losing his happiness. In essence, Kant’s version of a utopia is where man chooses to love humanity. This is vastly different to Kierkegaard’s version, where man has no choice, as it is his moral duty to love everyone as if they were his neighbor. Kierkegaard does acknowledge Kant in a way, by distinguishing between earthly love and spiritual love. He says earthly love (Kant’s type of love) is the exact opposite of spiritual love. He argues that a ‘poet’ (Kant) is absolutely right in saying that earthly love cannot be commanded. Kierkegaard believes that Christian love is better as it is ‘completely selfless’. For Kierkegaard, â€Å"Christian love teaches love to all men, unconditionally all. Just as unconditionally and strongly as earthly love tends towards the idea of there being but one single object of love, equally unconditionally and strongly Christian love tends in the opposite direction. If a man with respect to Christian love wishes to make an exception in the case of one man whom he does not wish to love, then such love is not ‘also Christian love,’ but it is unconditionally not Christian love. † (41) Kierkegaard also believes that it is quite liberating to be forced to love. As if the absence of choice creates peace. He believes that â€Å"it is encouraging in your relation to a distinguished man, that in him you must love your neighbor; it is humbling in relation to the inferior, that you do not have to love the inferior on him, but must love your neighbor; it is a saving grace if you do it, for you must do it† (50). Thus the difference between earthly and spiritual love is that earthly love is a choice and spiritual love is a command from God. Both Kierkegaard and Kant come to different conclusions because in their writing, their focus is on separate ideas. Kant, being a man of reason primarily, approaches his philosophy in a scientific manner. To explain, he breaks one thing into smaller things. Kant makes observations based on what he sees, hears, tastes, smells, and feels (like his three types of friendships). However, he does also make some conceptual assumptions (discussed earlier) such as his idea of putting love of humanity before self-love will cause reciprocation of friendship. Unlike Kierkegaard, Kant does not focus on religion as it is unnecessary for someone who is only interested in empirical observations. Kierkegaard however is not concerned with empirical observation, as he believes that there is something higher and more important i. e. Christianity. Kierkegaard concentrates more on morality and what he believes is right, instead of focusing on what is actually there. Kierkegaard doesn’t even talk about friendship in his writing. This shows that he places much more importance on what his religion says is right instead of trying to observe and deconstruct what friendship is. Although both philosophers have radically different ideas on how to achieve a utopian world, their ideas as an end result are very similar. They both want a world in which everyone loves everyone. The difference is that Kant’s love comes from reason, whereas Kierkegaard’s is spiritual. For this reason Kant’s idea seems more logical to the rational human being. Kant doesn’t believe in forced love, he believes in a choice to put either love of humanity or love of oneself at the fore. Kierkegaard’s idea of loving as a moral duty is contradictory at its heart, because how can you love if you don’t have a choice who to love? If you ‘love’ everyone it stops being love because love is defined by its opposite. How can there be love without hate? If it can’t exist, then how feasible is Kierkegaard’s idea? This is the main problem with Kierkegaard, because his observations come from his faith. In the real world, love should come from understanding, not dogma. If there is no understanding, it’s like a slavery of the mind. Works Cited Immanuel Kant, â€Å"Lectures on Ethics†, Ethics. Trans. Louis Infield, Harper Torchbooks, The Cloister Library, Harper & Row Publishers, New York and Evanston. Soren Kierkegaard, â€Å"Works of Love†, Thou Shalt Love Thy Neighbor. Trans. David F. Swenson & Lillian Marvin Swenson, Princeton – New Jersey, Princeton University Press.