Globalization of Enterprise

2012 Nigel. S. Paltoo – A11904 10/9/2012 Globalization of Enterprise 715 GE Source:Flikr. com ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET(to be completed by the student)| AIB student ID number:| A11904| | | Student name:| NIGEL. S. PALTOO| | | Course name:| MBA -GENERIC| | | Subject name:| Globalization of Enterprise 715-GE| | | Subject facilitator:| Dr. Brian O'Toole| | | Teaching Centre:| NATIONS UNIVERSITY-GUYANA| | | No. of pages:| 17| | | Word count:| 2708 from Intro to Conclusion (2500 +10% tolerance) | | |DECLARATION| I, the above named student, confirm that by submitting, or causing the attached assignment to be submitted, to AIB, I have not plagiarised any other person’s work in this assignment and except where appropriately acknowledged, this assignment is my own work, has been expressed in my own words, and has not previously been submitted for assessment. | ASSESSMENT SHEET(to be completed by the examiner)| Student name:| NIGEL. S. PALTOO| | | Course name:| MBA -GENERIC| | |Subj ect name:| Globalization of Enterprise 715-GE| | | Assessor/marker:| | | | COMMENTS| Principles learnt (for example, number and understanding of principles referred to, their influence on the structure of this paper, number and correct citations of  references, use of appropriate jargon)     | | /4| | | Application of principles. That is, the  analysis and evaluation of the example problem based on the principles, including the final recommendations and their justification| | | /8| | |How well the example problem was described, including the extent and depth of information (including the data) about it that was accessed| | | /4| | | Structure and presentation| | | /2| | | Style, grammar   and language| | | /2| | | Total | | Less penalties| | GRAND TOTAL| /20| General comments| | | | FOR MODERATOR’S USE ONLY| I agree with the assessor’s assessment I disagree with the assessor’s assessment and the new mark is as follows for the following reasons: | /20| | Moderator:| |NATIONS UNIVERSITY–GUYANA ®AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS-MBA  ®GLOBALIZATION OF ENTERPRISE-715 GEASSIGNMENT Comparing and contrasting two countries for international expansion into by local apparel company Denmor Garment Manufacturers. | Assignment: You are the manager of a business (in your country or region) that is thinking of going global. Compare and contrast two different overseas markets for the international expansion of your business, covering a consideration of: 1 †¢ Political economy issues †¢ Cultural issues 3 †¢ Entry strategy 4 †¢ Strategic alliances Start your assignment with a very brief description of the entrepreneurial business that you are writing about. This business can be your own business or one that you are familiar with, or it can be a hypothetical one based on an amalgam of several businesses of which you are aware. Conclude the assignment with whether the business should go to one or the other of the two c ountries, or none, or both. The total number of words should be 2500 words.For penalties regarding exceeding the word limit, please refer to AIB Style Guide. For guidance on how to write an assignment, please refer to AIB Assignment Guide. Please note, the word count does not include your cover page, an abstract, table of contents, list of references or appendices. Thus you can place any supporting material that exceeds this word limit into appendices. However, a reader should not have to look at an appendix to know about the main thrust of the points you are making in your assignment.So make sure all your main points are in the body of your report and refer there to the appendices that will support the points you are making in the body of your report, because the reader may not look at the appendices otherwise. Abstract: In the last quarter of the 20th century to present day the world economy has become more integrated and interdependent than ever before, with businesses both large and small expanding beyond their traditional local markets as barriers to world trade came down and technology advanced resulting in significantly lower communication and transportation costs.This phenomenal change in the international environment in which business is conducted has resulted in increased levels of foreign direct investment by companies from developed countries in lesser developed economies such as the Third World as economic benefits were sought through the globalization of production as well as markets. (Hill 2011, p. 5)With the benefits being widely seen to outweigh the disadvantages smaller companies are looking for the arrangements internationally that would best serve their interests of growth and expansion with companies from lesser developed countries now also looking to capitalize as well by creating synergies at the basic level by expanding their market horizons overseas, penetrating first and expanding as demand and relationships develop. This shift in the world economy towards greater integration and interdependence is one way of describing Globalization (Hill 2011, p. ). Globalization can be seen as the increase of functional integration between internationally dispersed economic activities, which is quite recent, as opposed to the older phenomenon of â€Å"Internationalization† which refers to the geographic spread of economic activities across borders and oceans which started in the 17th century when the colonial powers started dividing up continents in the New World in search of raw materials and markets (Devaraja 2011).In Guyana, the more established companies have been seeking avenues to expand their markets overseas through exports and by establishing lower level strategic alliances. Hardly any local company has sought to globalize its production to increase its profitability. For any company looking to embark on international venture the interdependent political, economic and legal systems of the target country along with its underlying cultural fabric must be examined and analyzed in detail before any investment is made (Hill 2011, p. 45).In Guyana, a small English speaking, third world country in South America, the more established manufacturing companies have been seeking avenues to expand their markets first through exports and also by establishing lower level strategic alliances overseas. Denmor Garment Manufacturers (DGM) is one such SME within the apparel industry in Guyana that has benefited from the effects of Globalization by having contracts to manufacture specific designs from companies owning major brand names in the USA (which are looking to lower their production costs) as well as by exporting directly to major retailers overseas.Table of Contents| Page. | 1. 0 Introduction| 9| 2. 0 Denmor Garment Manufacturers| 9| 3. 0 Current Situation with DGM| 10| 3. 0 The challenge of international expansion| 11| 4. 0 Political and Economy Issues| 12| 5. 0 Cultural Issues| 15| 6. 0 Entry Stra tegies| 16| 7. 0 Conclusion| 17| Bibliography| 18| 1. 0 Introduction: The aim of this research is to analyze the potential of two countries short listed as possible candidates for the further international expansion of DGM.These two options are reviewed in the perspective of the main issues that have to be taken into account when considering business expansion into foreign markets viz Political economy issues, Cultural issues, Entry strategy and Strategic alliances with the state of affairs in both countries being compared and contrasted with a decision being arrived at as to whether to expand into one, both or none of the two countries. It would be impossible to look at all aspects of the Socio-Economic, Cultural and Political landscape of the countries being considered therefore only the reas most likely to have an impact on DGMs' venture are considered in the context of the nature of its business and the products on offer. Denmor Garment Manufacturers (DGM): Location: 7, 8, 9 Col digen Industrial Estate, East Coast Demerara, Guyana. DGM is a private company in Guyana which commenced operations in 1997 and currently employs 1000 persons of which 97 % are women. Denmor has the capacity to respond to orders of up to 50,000 dozens of garments per month, and can produce up to 15 different styles at the same time.Approximately 75 percent of Denmor’s activities involve full production (where the manufacturer manages all aspects except design), demonstrating an ability to carry out value-added manufacturing activities and supply-chain management. 100 percent of its products are exported, with its customers including some of the world’s leading brands and department stores, including Russell Athletic, Victoria’s Secret, Paris Accessories, Van Heusen, JC Penny and Wal-Mart. (Goinvest n. d) 2. 0 Current Situation with DGM:As it is DGM is presently a small part of a buyer driven value chain environment where the large retailers, marketers and brand name manufacturers have established a diverse decentralized network of production in third world and developing countries and are leveraging at the design and retail stages (Devaraja 2011). Having had a fair degree of success from its operations and acquired considerable know-how from its alliances DGM is looking to expand its market base and production capacity but is constrained locally by the limited supply of labour for any new factory and weak local demand for beach wear and sport uniforms.The key processes of DGM's operation are very labour intensive involving the cutting of fabric and making of components by sewing machine and assembling into final product, this requires a semi-skilled to skilled level of labour. The challenge facing DGM is to remain a competitive player and to be able to increase profitability either by getting a bigger bite of the value chain from the companies overseas (expanding more into full production),developing its own brands or by securing new large brand name manufacturer customers and orders.It is therefore important that DGM look to increase its factory capacity while at the same time keeping costs down thereby increasing attractiveness to buyers. Faced with a limited labour supply and a high cost of energy and sometimes erratic power supply for sewing machines and air-conditioned factories it has become critical that DGM seriously consider the alternative of moving overseas. After much consideration DGM's management has concluded that the area with greatest growth potential would be to expand using its own designs and brands.DGM has acquired significant expertise in the production of high end female underwear and in athletic uniforms from producing Victoria's Secret products and Russell Athletic brand uniforms for the US NBA and is confident that it can tap into the supply chain for fabrics and using its own design team produce a new line of female underwear, beachwear and generic soccer uniforms that would have a higher q uality and a far cheaper price, however in Guyana it is constrained by weak local demand and labour supply. . 0 The challenge of international expansion: Like any other firm contemplating international trade is faced with three strategic decisions about which countries to enter, when to enter and at what scale the entry would be. Consideration would have to be given to potential opportunities as well as areas of risk which must be closely analysed (Hill 2011).The countries selected for consideration would first be compared and contrasted with their distinct political, economic and cultural realities being looked at then options relating to possible entry strategy (ies) will considered along with strategic alliances that may be advantageous or required The two countries being considered for expansion into are Brazil and Trinidad. Before these two countries would have been brought up for further consideration they would have been on a longer list of potential candidates he rest of whi ch would have been eliminated with Brazil and Trinidad meeting the basic criteria of having a significantly larger population than Guyana, they are both developing countries (better off economically than Guyana), with a free market system in place, manageable national debt and single digit inflation rates and both countries are geographically close by. A decision has been made that once the two options are found to be acceptable then entry into that market will be made within six months. Map of South America and Southern Caribbean Islands showing Brazil, Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago. Source: www. worldatlas. comPolitical economy issues: Brazil and Trinidad are both democracies, having had free and fair elections for the past two decades. Both countries currently have female presidents. Brazil is a Federal republic consisting of twenty-six states the smallest of which is far larger than Trinidad which is a twin island republic with a sister island Tobago. Both countries can be consid ered politically stable with the most recent incidence of serious turmoil being twenty two years ago when Trinidad had a failed coup with members of the Jamaat al Muslimeem trying to seize power. Individualism is respected in both countries but more so in Trinidad.Indicator| Brazil| Trinidad| Size | 3,287,357 square miles| 1,980 square miles | Population| 197 million (2011 est. )| 1. 3 million (2011 est. )| | | | Government| Federative Republic| Democratic Republic| Legal System| Brazil is a former colony of Portugal. The Brazilian legal system is based on Civil Law. | Former British colony. The legal and judicial system is based on English common law and practice. | ECONOMIC| Brazil| Trinidad| GDP| GDP USD $2. 45 trillion Brazil is the sixth largest economy in the world. | USD $ 24. 63 billion| GDP per Capita| USD $4,803| USD $16,699|GNI per Capita| USD $11,500| USD $24,940| Exchange rate| BRL 1. 00= GYD $100. 00| TT $1. 00 = GYD $30. 00| Inflation | 5. 24 %| 5. 4%| Reserves| US$ 3 49. 708 billion| US$ 9. 692 billion| Debt as a % of GDP| 65. 1%| 37. 3%| Unemployment| 6%| 5. 5%| Source: Communicaid and Central Intelligence Agency World Fact book and www. tradingeconomics. com The data presented indicates that both Brazil and Trinidad are about as politically stable as Guyana with both countries being economically better off. However in Brazil there is a greater divide between rich and poor and a higher level of crime relative to Guyana and Trinidad.Both Brazil and Trinidad are currently experiencing low levels of inflation and unemployment Brazil unlike Trinidad has a tax on financial transactions; Brazil is far more bureaucratic when it comes to starting a business taking up to six months to get all the paperwork done whereas in Trinidad it is considerably easier and should only take one to two months. In Brazil getting certain legal permissions for establishing a business expedited may require the payment of bribes. There are no limits to repatriation of regi stered capital and no taxes on profits repatriated from both countries.DGM would have to consider the higher level of bureaucracy in Brazil when it comes to getting things started (which creates opportunities for bribes to be extorted) as compared to Trinidad. A business class visa is required for investing and doing business in Brazil with a minimum level of investment being USD $50,000 being required. A Guyanese can transact and conduct business in Trinidad without a visa; however a work permit would be required. In Brazil it may be necessary to hire a middleman (despachante) to navigate the maze of bureaucracy. (CIA World fact book 2012, Communicaid 2012).On the key issue of protection of property rights both Brazil and Trinidad have legal provisions for the protection of real assets and intellectual property rights, both countries having signed international agreements, however, the judiciary in Brazil is inefficient and subject to political as well as economic influence with pi racy of copyright material being fairly widespread. Brazil presents a higher degree of risk due to lower levels of property rights protection. Trinidad unlike Brazil is a member of CARICOM just like Guyana which allows free trade among members. There is a free trade zone in Manaus in Brazil.Taxation in Brazil is extremely complex and not as uniform as in Trinidad. Cost of labour in both Trinidad and Brazil is higher than in Guyana but is more available. Cost of energy is cheaper in both countries relative to Guyana. (CIA World fact book 2012, Communicaid 2012). Politically and economically there are fewer challenges for DGM to expand to Trinidad as compared to Brazil, however with inflation levels and unemployment levels being almost equal and exchange rates being stable there is still a degree of attractiveness to expand to Brazil if ways around the red tape can be achieved.CULTURAL ISSUES: Cultural differences can present a variety of problems when looking to conduct business in f oreign markets; from language barriers, employee behaviour and work ethic to strategic planning, it is therefore essential that entrepreneurs familiarise themselves with more than just the laws governing a society and obtain an understanding of the underlying values,norms and mores so as to be able to discern what is different and what is the same, what is acceptable and what maybe considered taboo or disrespectful. (Hill 2011)Trinidad is an English speaking Caribbean country with a diverse multi ethnic society that has fused relatively well into a distinct â€Å"Trini† culture with a mix of East Indian, African, European and American influences, religion is mainly Christian, Hinduism and Islam. Carnival is celebrated annually with Soca and Calypso music, elaborate costumes and floats, parades and beach parties over a one week period. Trinidad like Brazil is very nationalistic and proud of their country and its national symbols and flag colours. Trinidad is also a soccer craz y nation but not to the extreme as Brazil.There is a strong American influence in the way business is conducted in Trinidad which is very much alike with the way meetings and other business dealings are conducted in Guyana; however it is somewhat different in Brazil. Brazil is Portuguese speaking with a far larger population who are predominantly Roman Catholic, however just like Trinidad there is an annual Carnival and a strong soccer and beach culture since Brazil has some of the most attractive beaches on South America's Eastern Atlantic coastline and year round sunny weather.There are more cultural issues to be considered by DGM in looking to expand to Brazil than Trinidad (CIA World fact book 2012, US Commercial Service-US Department of Commerce 2012). Brazilians do not like to discuss business during lunch whereas that would be ok in Trinidad, coffee drinking is a ritual in Brazil whereas having a semi formal meeting over beers or whiskey is normal in Trinidad. There are a few hand signals acceptable in Guyana and Trinidad like the â€Å"OK† that would be considered insulting in Brazil (Communicaid Group Ltd 2012).It would therefore be a bit more challenging from a cultural perspective for DGM to do business in Brazil as compared to Trinidad. Both countries have a well developed tourism industry with visitors from the US and Europe looking for differentiated products with unique designs, fabrics and colour. Although both countries presently have female presidents, males dominate business as such initial business meetings should be male led, but with DGM trading in the female apparel industry including a female during negotiations would be wise.Entry Strategy: Having made a decision to expand to another country the management would need to consider all the risks and decide on the timing, mode and scale of entry to be adopted (Hill, 2011). In entering a foreign market there are six modes of entry that a firm can consider each with advantages and dis advantages ranging from Exporting, Turnkey contracts,Licensing,Joint Ventures to Wholly Owned Subsidiary. (Hill 2011,p. 32) Brazil presents a more challenging environment both politically, economically and culturally but DGM should not rule out expansion into the Brazilian marketplace since the sheer size of its population and proximity to Guyana offers immense potential, however, at this time DGM should look at exporting finished products by finding a wholesale distributor with a wide network of resellers to export beachwear to and also seek to market team uniforms directly to soccer teams especially in the lower divisions and have a local representative do meetings and collect sizes and measurements etc. ith delivery being done through this intermediary but with payments being remitted by bank transfers directly to DGM. By going the export route to Brazil import tariffs would be an additional cost as opposed to having a factory in the Manaus free trade zone, as such DGM should gau ge the acceptance of its offerings and then look to develop strategic alliances at the manufacturing level later on if market conditions indicate the potential for higher profitability. DGM should be prudent in its business arrangements and look to secure transactions using letters of credit until levels of trust are established.In Trinidad DGM should look to develop a joint venture with a suitable partner who has excess warehousing space suitable for establishing a garment factory thereby reducing the level of capital investment required, register its brands in Trinidad, establish a small scale factory and produce both beachwear and soccer and other sport uniforms in Trinidad and market both to the local Trinidad market and export to the distributors in Brazil and further afield. Strategic alliances would also be needed to market products across Trinidad as such a partner with appropriate channels already in place would be useful at the entry phase.A strategic alliance with a busin ess in an unrelated industry that has excess building space would be preferred to one that is in the same industry with spare labour and machine capacity due to the risk of having that partner appropriating designs and customers. Timing of these two ventures is important, however with the slow pace at which negotiations and business dealings flow in Brazil it may be prudent to start interim talks with potential distributors at the same time as getting the joint venture arrangement and factory setup in Trinidad.Products would be differentiated in both markets according to designs and colors, more revealing beachwear is acceptable in Brazil and labeling would have to be in Portuguese as such a multi-domestic approach would be necessary with products being made specifically for each of the two markets with a slight overlap. This strategy should not be too costly given that the slight differences between products do not require different skills and machines and the designs for the Brazi lian market would require less material but have the same selling price.Conclusion: The beach and athletic wear segment of the apparel market is already established in both countries, as such there is no first mover advantage to be gained, however DGM is confident that it can secure a niche by supplying an overall better quality product (stitchwork,design,fabric) at a far lower price. Brazil which has the largest potential market has relatively more political economy and cultural barriers which increase the levels of risk and possibility for failure so DGM should be cautious when expanding into this market.Trinidad on the other hand has much more political economy and cultural similarities with Guyana and this would allow for easier entry, allowing DGM to be more aggressive, which could end up solving the production capacity problems for DGM to meet the anticipated new demand when the export channels into Brazil open up which would in turn satisfy the present need for a wider market base. If both of these expansions come to fruition DGM can expect growth in demand and profitability over the long term with economic benefits accruing to each of the three countries. Bibliography:CIA World fact book, Trinidad 2012, viewed 1 October 2012, < https://www. cia. gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/td. html > CIA World fact book, Brazil 2012, viewed 1 October 2012, Communicaid Group Ltd. 2012, Doing Business in Brazil- Brazilian Social and Business Culture UK, London, viewed 30 September 2012 < http://www. communicaid. com/access/pdf/library/culture/doing-business-in/Doing%20Business%20in%20Brazil. pdf>. Devaraja, Dr. T. S 2011, Indian Textile and Garment Industry-An Overview, University of Mysore, viewed 30 September 2012 < http://sibresearch. rg/uploads/2/7/9/9/2799227/working_paper_-_dr_devaraja. pdf > Goinvest 2012, Denmor Garment Manufacturers: Competing in the Global Garment Industry, viewed 29 September 2012 < http://www. goinvest. gov. gy/manufactur ing. html > Hill, CWL 2010, Global Business Today, 7th edn, McGraw Hill, Boston US Commercial Service-US Department of Commerce 2012, Doing Business In Trinidad and Tobago: A Country Commercial Guide for U. S. Companies, viewed 1 October 2012, < http://trinidad. usembassy. gov/uploads/images/bLR3mH7MwdrEvCke0jB6Tw/CCG2006. pdf > End of Assignment.

Reflection Summary Essay

The previous week’s objectives covered PowerPoint in Microsoft Office, Presentation Tools, and System Development Life Cycle (SDLC). What could be applicable to your workplace or personal, and how your knowledge has increased as a result of what you experienced through the learning activities. We learned about presentation tools that are available in the marketplace and their advantages and disadvantages that they may have. Our team agreed that Microsoft Power Point is the most common and most used in the workplace and market place. We were all very familiar with how the system works, we all have worked with Power Point before. We were all very comfortable with Microsoft Power Point. There are many other presentation tools that can be used, and that are available but overall the most common is Microsoft Power Point. The next topic we had discussed was about what business go through to implement new technology. The second discussion question posted we learned was in regards to six stages of the systems development life cycle. The system development life cycle (SDLC) has six processes in which information system is process: systems investigation, system analysis, systems design, programming and testing, implementation, and operation and maintenance. These six processes are important for organizations to use when deciding on an information system; however, these processes are not only for organization, but also for personal use as well. When deciding whether to get a new operation system for a personal computer, you can have some of the same challenges. Consumers have to decide what kind of budget they have, what will the system do for them, and will the system last for a long time before having to get another system. We didn’t realize what business have to go through to implement new technology into the business plan. We learned that it can be a very long, in depth and costly process to implement a new system in the work place. In conclusion, we have learned many great things as a team about Microsoft power point, and presentation. How everyone uses power point for work and personal life. We also learned about System Development Life Cycle (SDLC). How the process can be long and expensive depending on the system  requirements. We agreed and disagreed on many things but in the end we were able to learn from one another. Working as team has made it better and easier to learn, we each collaborated on putting this reflection summary together. It has made it an even better learning experience working together as a team.

North and South Poles

Humans need fresh water. We use it for drinking, for washing and to water our plants. Industries need it to power the chemical reactions that produce our modern lives.Even if more than 60% of the Earth's surface is covered in water, this is salt water which is not adept for the purposes we listed above. Of the freshwater in the surface, a vast majority of it is locked in ice caps at the North and South Poles.Moreover, human activity has also slowly contributed to the degradation of surface freshwater sources such as rivers and lakes. Because of this, groundwater is slowly becoming an important source of freshwater for daily use.The search for aquifers would need to draw on some geological concepts. First, aquifers would need a source of groundwater. This groundwater usually comes from rainfall meaning that areas with higher amounts of rainfall are much more likely to have aquifers than areas which don't have as much rain.Some aquifers may be found in areas which do not have much rain . The water in these aquifers are prehistoric water which came from the previous ice age.While useful, these aquifers are not good sources as the water in the water table is not anymore replenished. Second, aquifers rely on th existence of semi porous rocks to store water. Knowledge of the composition of the rock in an area will help identify possible aquifers if the kind of semi porous rock needed for aquifer formation is found.Lastly, I'd also prioritize valleys and plains over hills and mountains. Specifically, I will choose low lying areas near open bodies of water as these areas would have more accessible ground water as the surface of the ground is not very far from the water table.Incidentally, I would avoid areas near the sea as the groundwater in these places are suspect for saltwater intrusion. Also, I'd be wary of human activity in the area as the aquifer may be located in an area such as a former landfill, chemical disposal, or city. These things may contaminate the grou ndwater and make it unsafe for drinking.BibliographyThompson, G.. & Turk, J. (2007) Earth Science and the Environment 4th edition. New York: Thomson Brooks Cole

Canadian Monetary and Fiscal Policies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Canadian Monetary and Fiscal Policies - Essay Example Despite the challenges that have characterized the West in the recent past, the last two years have not really been a sad affair for Canada. Despite the economic recession that affected most countries across the world, the recovery process in the case of Canada has rather been a positive affair often realized from the economic trend in the country. In these post recession days, Canada has evidenced the highest economic growth rates in the G-7 economic block. Presently, Canada’s fiscal position is certainly the strongest amongst the G-7 countries and this helps to confirm the proper economic policies of the Canadian government in the recent past. The focus of the government in this regard is to ensure that the country remains attractive and economically stable for the purposes of investment and economic realization. The government’s Economic Action Plan, Budget 2011 was designed in a way to enhance and promote the financial strength of the families in Canada, to create a competitive tax system that attracts investment, to promote innovation and to bond the emerging trade relations between Canada and other countries. In any case, it has been realized that most of these policies have actually been realized in the process of economic recovery and the evidence relates to the fact that the country ranks the top in several economic respects across the world. Through the Economic Action Plan, the government has instituted various policies ad measures that have greatly benefited the country and continue to create positive economic impact on the face of the country. Through the plan, the government is committed to encourage the growth of skilled workforce in the economy through apprenticeships and skilled trades which are indeed churning out thousands of skilled works into the Canadian economy. Presently, the government invests over $40 million annually towards the new Apprenticeship Competition Grant (ACG) (Pasma 2012). This is in addition to the Apprentic eship Incentive Grant (AIG) which has been in existence for several years. Through these programs, it is realized that over 20,000 apprentices are rolled into the economy and get certified after the required period. The Canadian economic success has over the last two years largely depended on the country’s ability to export goods to other countries. While most countries in the West are trying to re-strategize and recover from the detrimental effects of the economic recession, the government of Canada’s main preoccupation has always been the need to create the positive and favorable economic climate in order to enhance and improve the balance of trade for the country. In this respect, Canada has an advantage over the rest of the countries owing to the various policies that have always existed and have greatly been advocated by the government in the last two years. For instance, the Canadian financial system is certainly the strongest in the world. The institutions and h ousehold in Canada are also some of the financially stable units in the industrialized world. All these positivities are basically a consequence of the economic orientation which the Canadian government has always pushed for over the decades. Upon the realization of the critical effects of the financial meltdown, the government was at the forefront in enhancing its fiscal measures so as to boost the growth of the economy and create a stronger economy that can easily withstand the strong waves of the economic

How do general anaesthetics cause loss of consciousness Essay

How do general anaesthetics cause loss of consciousness - Essay Example Usually, the general anaesthetics are used during long surgical operations that are also very painful. For example, during hysterectomy, hernia repairs, removal of gall bladder and more (Perry 2010, p. 67). Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is one the research conducted in search for the effects of anaesthetics in humans.The PET study covers the activity of both inhibitory and excitatory neurons that describe the conscious states of mind (Alkire, Haier and Fallon 2000, p. 371). Other studies have identified that general anaesthetics affects the thalamus, cerebellum, midbrain reticular formation, occipital cortex and basal forebrain. Research has revealed that the anaesthetics suppress the thalamocortical circuits, which interfere with the transfer of signals across the neural networks (Squire 1996, p. 114). These agents thalamocortically suppresses the regions of the brain differently although some theories tend to assume that the agents affect the entire brain, mostly focusing on the midbrain reticular formation and thalamus. The general anaesthetics do not affect the brain activities the same way. They affect different regions of the brain thus producing different states of unconsciousness. While humans are asleep, the flow of blood in the thalamus reduces, which means low metabolic rates which lead to unconsciousness. On another hand, anaesthesia involves artificial suppression of the metabolism processes in the thalamus, which make human beings unconscious, as well. In their PET studies, Dr.Alkire, Fallon and Haier used 11 unconscious brains and 11 conscious brains. They used two anaesthetic agents, which include the isoflurane and the halo-thane. They recorded the regional uptakes of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in each human brain of the subjects of the study. Then, they compared FDG uptake patterns of the unconscious subjects with the conscious subjects(Alkire, Haier and Fallon 2000, p.

Explain and comment on the proposition that the doctrine of the right Essay

Explain and comment on the proposition that the doctrine of the right of self-determination of peoples includes the legal entitl - Essay Example According to Franck (1990), symbolic validation and pedigree provide the cultural and anthropological dimension to legitimacy. Democratic entitlement has to shift to voluntary compliance, which depends on the strength of Reisman’s (1981) â€Å"the authority signal†. The legitimacy of a rule is based on its durability and consistency. Self-determination has a well-established pedigree, because it is the oldest aspect of the democratic entitlement. Self-determination asserts the right of a people in a particular territory â€Å"to determine its collective political destiny in a democratic fashion, and is therefore at the core of the democratic entitlement† (Franck 1992: 52). Thesis Statement: The purpose of this paper is to analyse the proposition that the doctrine of the right for self-determination of people includes the legal entitlement to democratic governance. Self determination among indigenous peoples will be examined on the basis of the United Nations Gene ral Assembly resolutions, and other relevant concepts will be investigated. The Need for Self-Determination in International Law Self determination has developed from its modest beginnings in the United Nations Charter to â€Å"a legal entitlement of decolonization and to a free-standing human right† (Higgins 1995: 115). ... ermination of Jews during the Holocaust, followed by mass killing of gypsies or Romas and other groups, mass deportation to clean out unpopular ethnic groups, the Potsdam Agreement in 1945 between Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom authorizing the expulsion of some fifteen million people of German ethnic origin who had been citizens in different parts of Europe, and other large-scale forced transfers during the same period of turmoil. A new international legal order based on pluralism and tolerance was developed. The International Bill of Human Rights emphasized the equality of all human beings â€Å"irrespective of national or ethnic origin – and also irrespective of race, religion and gender† (Tomuschat 1992: 152). States were responsible for securing human rights in their own domestic system; and their autonomy was understood as popular sovereignty. In article 21 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the authority of government would be based on the will of the people, which they will express through periodic, genuine and fair voting procedures. â€Å"Consequently, democratic governance was an essential component – both a precondition and a right in itself† (Tomuschat 1992: 152). The right of peoples to self-determination was introduced in the Covenants mainly with decolonization as an aim. At the same time, the underlying rationale for self-determination is that of popular sovereignty based on people governing themselves. The most important principle of international law is that of territorial integrity, the maintenance of the inherited State and of the population residing in that State. Changes can be introduced only when there are justified claims of self-determination; and the international community has to clarify for whom the principle

Entity's ability to continue as an going concern Research Paper

Entity's ability to continue as an going concern - Research Paper Example The company will have to settle its dues by selling off all tangible assets. Intangible assets become worthless then (â€Å"The Going Concern Principle†). Going concerns are the only type of entities that can secure loans from banks and other institutions. Investors will only be interested to invest in a business that is expected to run for a long time in the future. A going concern is based on the idea that by continuing its operations in the business, a firm can yield the money that has been invested in the assets. In this way, profits will be generated and dues will be settled. It is important for a company to realize importance of the going concern concept in business and include this aspect in annual reports and statements (Hanif 3.3). Therefore, the objective of this research is to identify what a going concern is and ways in which an organization can effectively decide whether it is a going concern or not. The research is done on the basis of data provided by the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on the subject matter of going concern. Certain guidelines issued by the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) have also been referred to. Based on information collected, analysis was done with the help of books written by various authors as well as online resources. The analysis was designed in a manner so as to understand; the meaning of going concern; the different ways in which a firm can identify whether it is a going concern or not; the advantages of being a going concern; and the uncertainties that renders a firm as not a going concern. This research involves primary analysis of data based on qualitative method and rationale. The research is done on the basis of guidelines laid down by IFRS and GAAP standards. The IFRS and GAAP standards are considered in order to ensure whether a company can be regarded as a going concern or not. It is necessary to study a company on the following parameters (â€Å"Going

Total reward approach to compensation and timeline Research Paper

Total reward approach to compensation and timeline - Research Paper Example Further, compensating the employees’ efforts remains a basic and foundational concept in employees’ retention and motivation. To ensure a comprehensive and fool proof operation of these types of compensations that are besides the salaries, most companies have established systems that recognize what is to be rewarded and how the process is supposed to take place (Kowalewski, College, & Phillips, 2012). These programs are called total rewards programs and are meant to direct the organization on how the employees are to be rewarded to ensure efficient motivation and maximum retention of the employees. The rewards program encompasses all things and activities that the employer regards as motivating from the employees point of view and which are valuable to the general and specific welfare of the employees. Although they include both monetary and non-monetary commodities, the financial and related rewards are the most notable and the foundation of rewards system in an organization settings. Most companies recognize four categories of rewards (Burris, 2012). There are the membership and seniority-based rewards, work status-based, competency-based and performance based rewards. The established system dictates what type of reward is to apply in each employee’s case and how these rewards are to be executed. This paper is aimed at designing a total rewards system based on Coca-Cola Company’s system. By exploring in details the total rewards system of the company, this paper will provide an insight on the basic contained in a specific system. To arrive at this design, the paper will first look into the company and its main objectives, missions and vision and an analysis of the reward system. It is from this analysis that the design will be developed. The Coca-Cola Company is undoubtedly the world largest manufacturer of beverages and soft drinks. It has been ranked the world’s number one brand on several occasions. Since 1889,

UK education investment is going to be cut while the tuition fees will Dissertation

UK education investment is going to be cut while the tuition fees will be triple , discuss the impacts on domestic students - Dissertation Example Using a questionnaire, the present study assessed how the cutting down of the investment in the educational sector by the UK government has tripled the tuition fee and influenced domestic students in the UK. The results suggested that there will be neither a positive influence nor a negative influence on the student participation rate in the higher education, while there will be a significant impact on the overall academic performance due to term time employment and pressures of the debt and enrollment decisions of students to pursue higher education. The results further indicated that there was a positive relationship between higher levels of education and annual wages and the fact that students acquiring higher education tend to find employment far more easily as compared to those without higher education. The findings also suggested that higher education offered better opportunities for promotion and superior living standards in the future. In conclusion, the research offered an i nsight into the policies and programmes that could be initiated by policy makers and higher education institute to accommodate the students and provide them with the best possible education. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 8 1.1 Outline 8 1.2 Context 10 1.3 Research Aims 12 1.4 Research Questions 13 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 14 2.1 Tuition Fee and Student Participation Rate 14 2.2 Tuition Fee and Students’ Enrollment Decision 15 2.3 Tuition Fess and Persistence of Degree 17 2.4 Tuition Fee and Academic Performance 18 2.5 Higher Education and Future Benefits 22 CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY 25 3.1 Sample 25 3.2 Sampling Strategy 25 3.3 Data Collection Methods 26 3.3.1Triangulation 26 3.3.2 Quantitative Research 26 3.3.2.1 Questionnaire 27 3.3.3 Qualitative Research 28 3.3.3.1 Qualitative Interview 28 3.3.4 Secondary Data 29 3.4 Data Analysis 29 3.4.1 Percentages 30 3.5 Methodological Limitations 30 3.6 Ethics 31 CHAPTER 4 RESULTS AND FINDINGS 32 DISCUSSION 35 CHPATER 5 RECO MMENDATIONS AND CONLUSION 40 5.1 Recommendations 40 5.2 Conclusion 41 CHAPTER 6 RETROSPECTIVE 42 6.1 What went well? 42 6.2 Limitations 42 REFERENCES 44 APPENDIX 52 LIST OF TABLES Table 1 Sample of Students 59 Table 2 Age Group (in years) 60 Table 3 Household Income 61 Table 4 Level of Programme 62 Table 5 Host Univeristy 63 Table 6 Tuition Fee 64 Table 7 How are you funding your studies? 65 Table 8: Do you think the investment cutting will have an influence on the particpation rate (number of partcipants) of domestic students in educational programs. There will be a descrease in the participation rate (number of particpants) of domestic students in educational programs? 66 Table 9 Do you think high tuition fees will lead to students load increase significantly? 67 Table 10 Do you think the high tuition fee will have an impact on the number of hours students work per week? 68 Table 11 Do you think student performance in their respective educational programs will be influenced signif icantly by cut in investment? 69 Table 12 Do you think the number of current students will drop off after the tuition fees rise? 70 Table 13

The Influence of Coalhouse Walker Essay Example for Free

The Influence of Coalhouse Walker Essay In literature, one character can impact the entire story and all of its characters. Such is the case with Coalhouse Walker Jr. in E.L. Doctrows Ragtime. His characterization provides insight into race relations in turn-of-the-century America. Many characters react strongly to his mannerisms, as they believe his social standing does not allow for such behavior. Because Coalhouse conducts himself with a sense of pride unusual of African Americans at this point in history, his view of how he should be treated repeatedly come into direct contradiction with others. He, then, represents all African Americans who oppose the expectations many whites have of them. Coalhouse Walker is the most essential character in Ragtime, because he deeply affects the plot and all other characters. Coalhouse most deeply influences Mothers Younger Brother, a young fundamentalist with little objective in life. However, when he joins Coalhouses group of revolutionaries, he feels as if his life contains purpose. This concept creates a dramatic, exalted self-awareness. Younger Brother was, at last, part of a community. However, Mothers Younger Brother ultimately meets his death while pledged in such an idealistic battle. He begins a new way of life, based on Coalhouses ideals, and encounters a rebirth of his soul. However, this new way of life conflicts with that of his parents; thus, he finds it necessary to depart from them and live his life independently. This is all under Coalhouses influence and guidance. Coalhouse Walker has a grave impact on Father and Mother. Initially, Mother is shocked that he does not act like other African-Americans, but more like a Caucasian gentleman. Father, stumped by Coalhouses proud behavior, concludes that he is not conscious of his racial inferiority. Mothers feelings towards her husband begin to deteriorate after this conversation. At a later point, when Coalhouse takes over the firehouse, Father, as usual putting business before family, rushes off to New York City, thus, leaving Mother to fall in love with Tateh. In Ragtime, by E.L. Doctrow, Coalhouse Walker Jr. is the most important character, as he ties together the treads of the novel. It is through Coalhouse that the three different societal groups, the immigrants, the  African-Americans, and the WASPs mingle and interact. Coalhouse also undergoes a rebirth, like Younger Brother, although his is much more dramatic and swift than Tatehs. Coalhouse goes from being a fine upstanding gentleman to a quintessential angry black male as he resorts to violence to resolve his feelings toward society.

What Are The Causes Of Childhood Obesity Health Essay

What Are The Causes Of Childhood Obesity Health Essay Throughout the years, obesity has been a very important topic in our society and has risen exponentially among children and many researchers have wondered what are the causes of childhood obesity. There are many components which contribute to the causes of child obesity. Also people need to understand what exactly is body-mass-index and how it will be used to decide whether the child is categorized as being obese or not. Here are the some of the primary causes that affect children leading into obsession. The children consume so much food, are exposed to too many advertisements, lack physical activity, parents influence their actions, and the childrens living environments and socioeconomic factors influence them. Many blame that children eat beyond their control and this happens to be the number one cause. The second cause is children are exposed too many food commercials of less healthy foods and eventually are convinced into consuming the product. The third reason is children tend t o lack physical activity by rather spending countless hours playing video games and browsing the internet. The fourth cause is that the children parents influences them, and the genetics of the parents is a great influence on childrens overweight and obesity. The last cause is the childs living environment and their socioeconomic status influences their decisions and actions. These are the main components that lead into causing obesity among the children. What factors make children to be considered obese from a normal weight. What is obesity and BMI? Typically, obesity and overweight children are characterized as having a body-mass-index (BMI) greater than a particular threshold set point. BMI or body-mass-index undistinguished as a measurement in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m2) (Anderson 20). Reported by the guidelines in National Institutes of Health, a child is well categorized as obese if their body-mass-index is less than 18.5, the kids are considered overweight if their BMI is 25 or more, and obese if his BMI is 31 or more (20). Most people have no significant idea of what exactly is obesity. According to the Center for Disease Control and prevention, obesity is defined as a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced 6 life expectancy and/or increased health problems (CDC, 2013). In the article Childhood Obesity: An Overview, it mentions that it can happen only when the number of calories being consumed surpasses the quantity of calories burned, and usually an increase of this action has to last for long periods of time for obesity to be developed (Reily 2007) In order for a child to not be obese, it will take them days of lifestyle changes which produce a small every day calorie deficiency in their food diet. In the long run it is necessity that lifestyle changes is a huge contributor to the failure of efforts to resolve obesity once it has become established. When the children consume much more calories than they burn off, they increase that as obese weight. (WebMD 1) How children eat, how physically active they are, and many numerous components play a part on how it impacts their body and uses the energy units and when weight is increased. These are the basics of obesity and how the body-mass index is use to classified children as obese. The number one cause is children intake way too much unhealthy food products such as soft drinks, fast food, convenient snack food, chips, and junk food, etc. When the children eat this certain type of food, the calories sum up creating body fat or also known as BMI. Most children tend to miss a great diet and are easily exposed to unhealthy food; therefore, they will consume as they are pleased (Anderson and Butcher 14). The three major food categories are convenience foods, soft drinks, and obviously fast food. All these are calorie dense and there is some evidence that consuming these items are correlated with obesity in children (35). Also the much more children consume this type of food, the easier it is for them to get addicted. The worlds leading global fast food service retailer with more than 34,000 and counting restaurants worldwide goes to the McDonalds Corporation franchise and they happened to sell the two unhealthiest leading food products that causes obesity, which are french fries and chicken nuggets (McDonalds 1). Nevertheless, children tend to always eat them at any fast food place. They cannot enjoy their meal without a side of french fries or chicken tenders. Another thing children face are the easy access to junk food in schools. Much more schools across America have carried out school vending machines that contain highly calorie snacks such as candy bars and chips. Fast food companies use tactics against children such as advertising to brain wash them to consume their food products. The second cause leading to child obesity is that many of the children that end getting overweight are exposed to hundreds of advertising of unhealthy foods. The television advertisements are very influential and persuasive to the childrens mind. On average, the child watches an estimate of more than 23,000 food commercials every year and works out to at least 60 commercials per day (Anderson and Butcher 32). Also many children get influenced by prizes or characters of the advertisement. For example, when children see an advertisement on the television for a kids meal; they will get convinced into buying the meal because their neurons urges the kid to wan the super, marvelous action figure found inside. This is why the McDonalds Happy meals are the number one selling food product to children. The children in todays society tend to not do physical activities because their days consist of computer and television interaction. Another cause to child obesity is that many obese children do not control their overall health and lack physical activity to burn off the excess of calories. Children may be substituting different sorts of media for television watching, including video games and the internet (Anderson and Butcher 26). The kids already are not burning up the calories by not choosing to exercise and add many more calories to their bodies. The body systems of the child will not be able to burn off the calories when they do this actions. Thus, this cause raises the energy consumption or decreases energy outgo by even a little measure that will cause obesity in the long-run. Prospectively, physical activity was inversely related to with BMI alteration in girls, and media time periods (watching television or videos, playing video or computer games) was directly connected with BMI alterations in both sexes (Hans-Reiner Figulla 209). A factor that many really dont notice that affect the child health choices are the parents themselves. A cause that usually is not taken in consideration to child obesity are the parents themselves. While parental behavior is important, perhaps the largest influence on the children weight, and obesity is through genetics. For example, it is known that parents influence the childrens food choices. Also the laboring of the parents, makes it difficult to plan and cook healthier meals. For most Americans, it is effortless to get precooked products, eat out in the restaurants, or go to the store to buy products. But these types of foods are higher in fat and high in calories. The quantity of fast food products have gotten a lot bigger in size and this contributes to bad food consumption. Occupation agendas, lengthy travels from the workplace, and other commitments also cuts into the time period the parents have their kids doing physical exercise. Recent reports have concluded that about 26 to 41 percent of BMI is hereditary (Anderson and Butcher 10). Alternately it seems that parents may p ass on to their children a condition to overweight in the existence of energy imbalance. (10) The environment in which the children live can also influence and effect children to getting obese. The fifth cause is that is taken in consideration to child obesity is the environment and socioeconomic conditions of the children. Obesity is higher among minority children and low-income children such as African-American and Hispanics decent (Anderson 15). It all the depends where the children live. If the environment is under poverty conditions, the parents will most likely expose their children to consume cheap food for the penny. Now much more fast food corporations have increased their portion sizes of their products and cost a lot cheaper. Whose family members that are overweight may be at jeopardy of becoming overweight themselves, but this can be connected to common family actions such as consumption and human activity habits. For example, my mother was a considerably overweight at the time of pregnancy when she had me; therefore I was born obesity and I was two pounds overweight. In conclusion, these are some of the major components that cause child obesity. Most of the time it isnt just the child itself but there are much more to what causes obesity among them. Also most dont realize that by using the body mass index or BMI is used to categorized the child as being obese. The obvious one is when the child over eats too much and doesnt burn off the calories they intake and that add fat weight on their bodies. Many people also didnt realize that the environment the child lives in can not only influence the children but also their parents. It is mainly the childs environment that influences the children to either make positive or negative choices. The causes are child obesity are clearly that they consume so much food, are exposed to too many advertisements, lack physical activity performance, parents influence their actions, and the childrens living environments and socioeconomic factors influence them as well.

Dna Extraction From A Kiwi Experiment Biology Essay

Dna Extraction From A Kiwi Experiment Biology Essay Label all samples before putting them into wells. Fill a micropipette with sample A (it must be filled from end to end). Insert a micropipette into the glass holder. Immerse the end of pipette below the surface of the TBE and gently dispense its contents into the well (first well from the left). Cell Transformation Cell transformation is the genetic difference of a cell caused from the uptake of DNA. It is most common in bacteria (bacterial transformation) and occurs naturally in some species. It can also be affected by artificial means (for example: different temperature, different chemicals such as CaCl2 i.e. Calcium chloride transformation). Cell transformation is also used to insert a new genetic material into non-bacterial cells including animal and plant cells. Vector is a DNA molecule which is used as a vehicle to transfer foreign genetic material into another cell. There are various types of vectors such as plasmids, bacteriophages, cosmids (have large amount to store DNA as compare to plasmids) and artificial chromosomes. The choice of vector is important because it affects so many of the processes such as cloning which includes expression, protein processing. Types of vectors and how they work varies. For example, plasmid vectors are used to multiply or express particular genes. They act as a vehicle to transfer genetic material into host cells. Viral vectors are designed for permanent incorporation of the inserting material into the human genome. These vectors leave genetic markers in the hose genome after incorporating the gene. Comparing viral and plasmid vectors, viral vectors cannot be used to multiply genes. That is because; host in a plasmid vector is immuned to have a reaction to virus. Viral vectors can be used for gene therapy; providing a way to cure genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis. Because these diseases result from mutations in the DNA sequence for specific genes, gene therapy trials have used viruses to deliver unmutated copies of these genes to the cells of the patientà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s body à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬ this has been very successful. However, several problems of viral gene therapy must be overcome before it gains widespread use. Immune response to viruses not only inhibits the delivery of genes to target cells but can cause health risks for the patient. Plasmid vectors can also be used for gene therapy because some methods of gene therapy depends on the efficient insertion of genes at the appropriate chromosomal target sites within the human genome, without causing cell injury or mutations (cancer). Bacterial cell transformation is a process by which the genetic content of bacterial cell is changed. In this process, DNA is introduced into bacterial cells. Bacteria which have ability to take up foreign DNA are known as competent cells and they are made competent through use of calcium chloride. That is because; the membrane of bacterial cell is permeable to chloride ions. When chloride ions enter the bacterial cell, water molecules get attached with charged particles. This causes the cells to swell. The CaCl2 treatment (to make cells competent) is followed by heat or heat shock (at 42oC); a new set of genes (also known as heat shock genes) is expressed. This set of genes help the bacteria in surviving at such or low temperatures. Heat shock is necessary for the uptake of DNA because at temperatures above 42oC, bacteria start to lose ability to uptake DNA. Bacteria cell transformation How is the recombinant plasmid created? And how was it put into the bacteria? Explain the diagram you include (Remember: How + Why (for M2) Polymerase Chain Reaction Introduction: PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is a technique used for the amplification of a small quantity of DNA over one million fold. This technique was first used to diagnose sickle cell anaemia and is now used for cloning and paternity testing. To perform DNA amplification, PCR machines are used. PCR machine helps to prepare DNA and in a short time, it increases the amount of DNA to billions. Experiment: PCR reaction has been done using a thermal cycler (the vast majority of PCR methods use cycling). PCR reaction involves different stages such as control reaction (initial stage), cycling and so on. Apparatus: 3 Tubes (0.5 ml) Tube (for PCR reaction) Ice DNA template for amplification Primer Mix 10x gel loading solution Enzyme grade ultrapure water Agarose gel InstStain Methylene Blue Distilled/Deionized water (optional) Buffer (optional) Electrode terminals Content Reason of Usage Primer Mix Primers are (short strands of mRNA binded by complementary base pairs) are bonded to each DNA strand. Primer mix is a powerful tool which helps to copy every DNA sequences. It contains primers which decrease the chances to target the wrong sites on DNA. They are required to start the process of making DNA. DNA template DNA template means pattern of DNA (to be amplified). When DNA is taken apart between the nitrogen bases, then each side acts as a pattern for the parts (such as complementary strands) that are missing. DNA template is used for amplification of DNA. Nucleotides These are the genetic building blocks which make DNA molecules. These are used to create billion copies of DNA. Method Reason Initialising: DNA sample is heated at 940C -960C for 1-9 minutes. To break the hydrogen bonds in the couple-stranded DNA, creating single-stranded molecules that are susceptible to copying. This is called denaturing. The longer the strand to be copied, the longer the denaturing process lasts. Annealing At this stage, the temperature is lowered to 40oC-65oC for about 20-45 seconds. This allows annealing of the primers to the single-stranded DNA template. The primers are short DNA strands, designed to bond to sites at the beginning and end of the segment to be copied. If the primers are incorrectly designed or the temperature at this stage is wrong, the primer will bind randomly to the DNA, resulting in the wrong segment copy. Elongation At this stage, 72oC-80oC temperature (optimum temperature) is used because of DNA polymerase i.e. Taq Polymerase (it is an enzyme which is used to make a new copy of DNA). This activates DNA polymerase. When DNA polymerase finds a primer (attached to a single DNA strand), it adds nucleotides on to the strand. It continues to do this until it reaches to the end of the strand and falls off. There is a possibility of DNA contamination in preparing a PCR sample. For example, using a same pipette to add different components or using the same tip for different components. But precautions can be taken to reduce the risk of DNA contamination such as using new pipette and tip for each different component. Wearing gloves and safety goggles can help prevent DNA contamination. Washing used equipment or discarding equipment such as used tips.

Student Diversity :: essays papers

Student Diversity Teachers are forced to deal with several different types of students every day, throughout their careers. Some children live in poverty, some have disabilities, some of different races and ethnicities that are all accumulated in one classroom. These children may be harassed by other children in the classroom because they are different from the majority of the other students. Teachers must recognize these problems and do everything in their power to make these students feel equal. Statistics show that more than one out of every five students in the U.S. live in poverty. This is one of the reasons that children face problems academically. Nearly one quarter of students in the classroom live below the level of poverty. Children do not understand that it is not the choice of a child to live this way, and therefore criticize them for this difference. Teachers must realize this and do everything in their power to teach students that diversity will be found everywhere, not only in the classroom. Teachers must realize that these children expect less of themselves, and therefore try harder to make them welcome in the classroom and the learning environment. Other children carry the burden of physical or mental disabilities. These children are entitled to the same educational opportunities as children without these handicaps. Special education programs were devised to give these students a better environment in which to learn. This provides extra help in the areas that it is needed in, and teachers with proper training in the teaching of the disabled student. Soon, these students may be taken out of separate classrooms and incorporated into the classrooms with other students. Teachers must be prepared to handle this diversity and make the learning environment conducive to their learning without slowing down other students. Teachers also experience a variety of races and ethnicities in their classrooms. Even though a student may be of a different race, or belong to a minority, it is important to treat these children in the same way that one would treat any other student.

The Images of Full Fathom Five :: Full Fathom Five Essays

The Images of Full Fathom Five In the world of seafaring men, William Shakespeare may not be particularly celebrated. It can't, however, be said that he didn't try his hand at a dirge for such sailors in his poem, "Full Fathom Five." In this poem, the use of concrete images and onomatopoeia brings to life the poem, bringing the reader closer to the bottom of the sea where the poem is set. On the seafloor, we are told, a corpse of "thy father" (Imogen) lies (l. 1). The poem instantly then begins to paint the setting of his watery grave with images that the reader is then almost able to see. "Of his bones are corals made;/Those are pearls that were his eyes" (ll. 2-3) presents two images in quick succession, as our minds latch on to the idea of vibrantly colored coral and milky pearl. We begin, through these carefully selected images, to see the situation the corpse rests in. "...doth suffer a sea change/Into something rich and strange." (ll. 5-6) is a more subtle image, calling on the associations that the reader holds in his or her mind. The word "sea" brings to mind varied input from impressions of the sea- usually above it. This makes the reader think of the tossing waves and changes of the sea, which are then reinforced (in the context below the waves) by the combination with the word "change" directly afterwards, and the explanation that the changes are "rich and strange." This makes us think of almost supernaturally strange changes, but in a warmer context because of their "rich"ness. Once we have these images in mind, we are presented with the concept of the sea nymphs ringing bells for the deceased- "hourly ring his knell:/Ding-dong." (ll. 7-8) How do they ring the bells? With the sound "ding-dong," the onomatopoeic qualities of which help bring the reader over the shifting waves to the sound of the bell. "Hark! now I hear them-Ding-dong, bell." Because the poet states that he can "hear them," he brings us to that other sense beyond images- a world of auditory perception.

Reflecting on the Sarel Marais Homestead

REFLECTING ON THE SAREL MARAIS HOMESTEADWHO PUT IT UP? By the early 1800’s, there were 1000s of Boer husbandmans who had settled on the eastern frontier of the Cape Colony. They became progressively dissatisfied with the British Colonial Government. The Boers were displeased, among other things, with the continual intervention in their personal businesss by the Colonial Government, the on-going foraies on their farms by the Xhosa and the long hold in being granted self-determination ( Britz, 2012 ) . This resulted an organized out-migration of 1000s of Afrikaner frontier husbandmans and their laborers from the Crown Colony of the Cape to the northern and north-eastern sectors of southern Africa order to get away the Imperial subjugation and the accordingly colony of the country North of the Vaal River, subsequently to go the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek ( ZAR ) ( Fraser, 1986 ) . Sarel Marais and his household were one the first households who settled in the Transvaal. Sarel bought the western part of the farm Rietvlei where he constructed the household homestead ( Britz, 2012 ) . WHAT WERE THEY CONCERNED ABOUT? When emigres relocate themselves they have three beginnings for their edifice civilization, viz. tradition, invention and adoption. The Voortrekkers, born on African dirt, trekked from the Eastern Cape, an country with a peculiar edifice civilization, into the backwoods occupied by autochthonal pastoralists with their ain traditions. Although the Trekkers maintained trade links with the South, the terrain was rugged and transport hard. They hence resorted in utilizing locally available stuffs wherever possible. This in bend influenced the techniques of building ( Fisher, et al. , 1998 ) . WHAT MATERIAL FACTORS INFLUENCED IT ( AVAILABILITY/PRESTIGE/ECONOMY ) ? The part of the Rietvlei farm where the Marais’ settled had ample graze, fertile dirt, plentifulness of H2O and an copiousness of game. Sarel constructed the farm house from bricks made from clay that was found locally, on the Bankss of the Bloubosspruit, which is one of basic edifice stuffs Transvaal ( Britz, 2012 ) . The clay was prepared by wetting, kneading, ( where droppings and husk might be added ) and adding limestone. The clay mixture was so moulded and dried to organize clay bricks ( Fisher, et al. , 1998 ) . The window gaps were constructed with wooden headers and were ab initio covered with a piece of cheesecloth dipped in lubricating oil to maintain out dust and to give a grade of privateness to the occupant. This was a consequence of the unobtainability of glass as it broke on the journey by waggon inland from the seashore. Shutters were subsequently added when the abode became more lasting. The floor made from clay mixed with cow blood with a thin bed of cow droppings to protect it. Such a floor was besides frequently adorned with Prunus persica cavities that were laid in the wet clay is pressed and polished with aloe juice or wax ( Fisher, et al. , 1998 ) . The roof was thatched which so as now was tied in packages with the grass seeds topmost. Once fixed by sewing with rawhide lashs to the laths beneath, the packages would be beaten parallel to the pitch of the roof with a â€Å"dekspaan† or thatching spade or jostle. This technique has later became prevailing and is known amongst some black people as â€Å" Boer † ( or sometimes â€Å"Afrikaner † ) thatching ( Fisher, et al. , 1998 ) . The thatch was supported by yellowwood beams and balks. This was an indicant that the Marais’ were comparatively affluent as the yellow had to be ordered and delivered from Cape Town by waggon. WHAT SORT OF DESIGN MERIT YOU THINK IT HAS ( INNOVATION/BEAUTY/UTILITY ) ? What are of import about these colonies is to retrieve that prior to populating in proper â€Å" homes † or â€Å" houses † , the Trekkers lived in ox waggons that truly merely protected their most intimate properties and offered privateness for kiping and none for life indoors. These edifices were stripped of all extravagancy reflecting the innovator settler’s existent demands for shelter and protection ( Meiring, 1985 ) . We should non try to construe the common edifice traditions of the seminomadic and first stage innovator colonist from a modem position. Besides that these persons had a vision of a big home or â€Å" house † and that they pursued this vision every bit shortly as they settled on a piece of land. In many cases it is clear that constructing a â€Å" house † with many suites functioning all or at least the majority of the demands of the household at one time was non a precedence. Needs were served as they arose, depending on the blessing of the male parent or patriarch of the house ( Fisher, et al. , 1998 ) . WHAT THE IMPORTANT FEATURES DOES THE Building HAVE? What can be farther deducted from the above observations is that to the innovator colonists, â€Å" unfastened infinite † was more of import than â€Å" closed infinite † . Distance between activities and closed infinites were more of import than constellating and the economic linking of infinites. These spacial constructs lie at the bosom of the early common architecture in rural Transvaal ( Fisher, et al. , 1998 ) . WHAT OTHER BUILDINGS AND SYSTEMS IT RELATES TO? In the Transvaal land term of office was to follow the same system of issue as in the Cape. Every original Trekker of 16 old ages of age and older could choose a vacant piece of land and petition that it be surveyed and registered in his name. A fixed quitrent was so paid on every farm ( Fraser, 1986 ) . Prior to 1852 fledglings to the part were entitled to two farms: one either residential or harvest farm and the other a bushveld farm for winter graze. Surveying of farming area besides followed the tested and trusted old Cape system. A horseback drive of halt-an-hour would be taken at a walk from a cardinal point ( normally a perennial H2O beginning where the farmstead would be located ) in each of the four central waies. Such a farm was non to transcend 3000 morgen* although larger farms could buy extra land ( Fisher, et al. , 1998 ) . * A South African unit of country ( now archaic in the Nederlands ) , equal to approximately two estates or 0.8 hectare. From the Dutch morgen ( forenoon ) therefore the land which could be ploughed by a span of cattle in a forenoon ( Fisher, et al. , 1998 ) WHAT SORT OF CONDITION IT IS IN TODAY? The homestead’s ruins can be found in the southern portion of Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve.BibliographyBritz, R. , 2012.Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve Assosiation.[ Online ] Available at: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.klipriviersberg.org.za/index.php/history-overview/sarel-marais-story [ Accessed 14 March 2014 ] . Fisher, R. , lupus erythematosus Roux, S. & A ; Mare , E. , 1998.Architecture of the Transvaal.Capital of south africas: UNISA. Fraser, M. , 1986.Johannesburg Pioneer Journals 1888-1909.Cape Town: Van Riebeeck Society. Giliomee, H. , 2003.The Afrikaners: Biography of a People.Cape Town: Tafleburg Publishers Limited. Meiring, H. , 1985.Early Johannesburg ; Its Buildings and its Peoples.Cape Town: Human & A ; Rousseau. Montgomery, C. , 2013.Heritage Treasures of the South.[ Online ] Available at: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.heritageportal.co.za/article/heritage-treasures-south [ Accessed 15 March 2014 ] .

Meneseteung

The narrator of Alice Munro’s short story â€Å"Meneseteung† wants to glorify the fictional late 19th century poet, Almeda Roth. Her motivation lies in that little is known of Roth except where she lived and some family history both detailed in the preface of Roth’s â€Å"Offerings†, a collection of Roth’s poems, and even if there was some information, not much is specified â€Å"Meneseteung†. There is something said about her in the Vidette, the local paper in the town where Roth lived. The article reads, â€Å"April 22, 1903.At her residence, on Tuesday last, between three and four o’clock in the afternoon, there passed away a lady of talent and refinement whose pen, in days gone by, enriched our local literature with a volume of sensitive, eloquent verse† (71). It’s an obituary, and it goes on to say more of Roth’s poetry and Roth herself in her final days. Yet a preface in a book and an obituary can only say so much about a person’s life. There is no biographical story of the life of Almeda Roth, so the narrator will create one.In â€Å"Meneseteung†, every part opens up with a verse of Almeda’s poetry. The verse usually coincides with the story or it sets the tone for the part and this setting the tone only glorifies Roth’s poetry even more. In Part III it begins with the verse, â€Å"Here where the river meets the inland sea, spreading her blue skirts from the solemn wood, I think of birds and beasts and vanished men whose pointed dwellings on these pale sands stood† (57). In Part III Jarvis Poulter is introduced and makes advances to Almeda as they get to know each other.This is where the line â€Å"Here where the river meets the inland sea† fits in as the two main characters in this story meet. Almeda then thinks about the rumors circulating around town and the gossipy entries in the Vidette that Jarvis and her are courting, which coincides wit h the line â€Å"Spreading her blue skirts from the solemn wood†, by which â€Å"spreading her blue skirt† means being flirtatious, though, in a coy manner. The last two lines, â€Å"I think of birds and beasts and vanished men, whose pointed dwellings on these pale sands stood† show two feelings of Almeda.One, that she does not care for Jarvis and while he talks of salt mines she has her mind on other things and, two, that she misses her family, namely her father (â€Å"vanished men†), and she has not let them go, and, as evident, in the verse of her poetry on top of Part VI, â€Å"I dream of you by night, I visit you by day. Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, have you no word to say? † (71), she never did. The narrator shows her appreciation even more by being very sympathetic to Almeda, if not taking pity on her.Almeda inherits her family’s house after her father passes away. She lives a simple and lonely but self-reliant life. She doesnâ⠂¬â„¢t get out of the house much besides shopping and going to church. She has few friends, if any, besides her neighbor Jarvis Poulter; who walks her home from church every Sunday talking of his business in the salt mines. Though she does show some interest in him, noticing she â€Å"can smell his shaving soap, the barber’s oil, his pipe tobacco, the wool and linen and leather smell of his manly clothes† (60), she could not see him as a husband.She makes the point that married women have to â€Å"make† their husbands, meaning â€Å"they have to start ascribing preferences, opinions, dictatorial ways †¦ Almeda Roth cannot imagine herself doing that† (60), and besides walking with him home from church Jarvis and her don’t walk together at any other time, so they remain simply acquaintances throughout. It’s through Jarvis and some other townspeople, however, that the narrator’s view of Almeda becomes almost extreme. In the case of Jarvis Poulter, he is the only guy that is that has made advances to Almeda.He’s a successful businessman, yet he only cares to talk about his business, which makes him out to be a self-righteous and vain. Though he dresses, walks and talks like a gentleman, there’s also a side of Jarvis Poulter that isn’t gentlemanly at all. It shows itself when a drunk woman faints on Roth’s fence, and she believes that woman to be dead given the conflict the night before, and Almeda goes to Jarvis for help, he handles the woman like a brute; kicking her awake, pulling her hair and pushing her off.He says, â€Å"There goes your dead body! † (67), which is distasteful considering she got scared half to death. After that, when Almeda returns to her house, Jarvis follows her and walks into her house uninvited and then sees her in her morning look, â€Å"her loosened hair—prematurely gray but thick and soft—her flushed face, her light clothing, which n obody but a husband should see† (67). He’s being very forward after getting scared like that. He then invites to walk with her to church, which back in this time was the equivalent of asking a woman out.There’s the icing on the cake; after not taking Almeda’s fear seriously, treating the other woman like trash, and harassing Almeda, he tries to take advantage of her while she’s in state of confusion and vulnerability. In another case, Almeda has to go to the doctor to for her sleeplessness. She has problems with the medicine the doctor prescribes, so the doctor tells her don’t read, don’t study, do chores. He adds her problems would be solved if she got married.While this is technically fitting for what a doctor in this time would say, it doesn’t paint his character in a prettier picture. It’s as if almost everyone in the whole town except for Almeda is completely unsympathetic. The town is riddled with street gangs who c ause all kinds of trouble; stealing from travelers coming through town, harassing the town drunk Queen Aggie, and even hanging out by the train station betting each other if they could jump on or off the cars as the pass.The town has its own ghetto just down Pearl Street; the street Almeda’s house is on, just a few blocks from her house. Near the end of her story, following Jarvis’ â€Å"declaration†, Almeda shuts herself inside her house for the rest of the day and probably the rest of her life. As she sips tea trying to calm down she looks around the house at the curtains, the carpet, the walls, and the various decorations, and her observations make her think of words to describe them. They culminate to one word; poetry.She thinks of writing a poem that would trump all the other poems she’s ever written. She feels liberated, liberated from the town of ghetto and cozy suburb, liberated from being tied down to housekeeper and wifehood, â€Å"Almeda is a long way now from human sympathies or fears or cozy household considerations. She doesn’t think about what could be done for that woman or about keeping Jarvis Poulter’s dinner warm and hinging his long underwear on the line† (70). Almeda has been a poet since childhood; she has always wanted to create words to describe scenes and settings.If she were to walk with Jarvis to church, marry him, keep his house tidy and do what a woman of this time would be expected to do, what would happen to her poetry? It’s in this break from social norms that Almeda Roth finds inspiration for her poetry more than ever. All in all, the narrator did manage to glorify Almeda Roth; by not submitting to marriage and a â€Å"normal† and â€Å"comfortable† life she had more time and more inspiration for her poetry. One could look at this as a feminist message; maybe the narrator is a feminist hence the feminist undertones.Though more likely the case is that the narr ator has done extensive research on the times Roth lived in to know what it means for a woman of that time to have such freedom. Although maybe that isn’t even the case, maybe the narrator simply has a great appreciation for Almeda Roth and wants to convey that appreciation. The narrator even admits that â€Å"I may have got it wrong† (73) showing that he/she doesn’t know for sure and, really, nobody knows the full story of anything.

Drinking Age

Kaitlyn Turner Fall 2010 CA 110 Mr. Foutz Introduction Attention-Getter: How many of you are 18? For those of you who are, 18 years old you are considered adults in nearly all aspects of the law, including voting rights and the ability to join the military, yet the United States still treats you as minors when it comes to drinking. Establishment of Credibility: According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 7,000 teenagers under the age of 16 have already had their first sip of alcohol. Teen alcohol) According to the Century Council 10 million teens from the ages 12-20 admit to consuming alcohol in the past 30 days. 2% of 12 year olds drink, 22% of 16 years olds drink, and 56% of 20 year olds drink, and these percentages are steadily increasing. (Underage drinking statistics) Thesis/ Purpose: During my speech today, I will talk about how alcohol is ever-present in today’s American society. I will also talk about how alcohol is present all around people under 21 who ar e not allowed to consume it, but in reality most people under 21 drink alcohol and abuse alcohol.Throughout this speech I will try to persuade you to believe that the United States should lower their drinking age to 18, and begin educating teens on consuming alcohol responsibly. Preview of Main Points: First, I will discuss the current legal drinking age in the United States and other countries. Then, I will discuss the effects that the current legal drinking age has on America. Finally, I will talk about the potential benefits of a lower drinking age. ,, Body Main Idea 1: (Transition) Now, I am going to tell you about the current legal drinking age in the United States and other countries.A. United States 1. According to Alcohol Problems and Solutions legal drinking age in the United States is 21. i. Alcohol Problems and Solutions states, â€Å"The minimum drinking age of 21 in the U. S. appears to be not only ineffective but actually counter-productive. Although it was passed wit h the best of intentions, it has had some of the worst of outcomes. † 2. Legal drinking ages in the United States are under control of the states, which means the states get to decide how old they want their residents to be before being able to consume alcohol. . National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 ii. According to the Alcohol Policy Information System the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 required that states prohibit persons under the age of 21 from purchasing or publicly possessing alcohol beverages as a condition of receiving State highway funds. B. In Other Countries a. According to Alcohol Problems and Solutions countries legal drinking ages vary from zero-21. i. Some countries with no drinking age Jamaica, Viet Nam, and Morocco. ii.Some countries with a 16 year old legal drinking age are Germany, Greece, Norway, Poland, and Spain. iii. Some countries with an 18 year old legal drinking age are Belize, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Ireland, Mexico, Russia, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. (Transition): Now that I have told you about the current legal drinking age in the United States and other countries, I will discuss the effects of the current drinking age. Main Idea 2: The United States legal drinking age of 21, has many negative effects on those who are under age. A.Alcohol is considered a, â€Å"Forbidden Fruit†. Alcohol is considered a forbidden fruit because prohibition increases the harm that it is supposed to reduce. a. Because the United States as such a high drinking age, teenagers are driven â€Å"underground† to drink alcohol. i. According to Parade. com Since teenagers are not allowed to drink openly in public, teens take their drinking to dorm rooms, isolated areas, or at unsupervised house parties. At these gatherings teens usually binge drink, because they are scared their party may be stopped. (Flynn) ii.Also according to Parade. com when teens come about a problem, such as someone drinking too much alco hol at these parties, or assaults, they are less likely to call for help because they are scared of getting in trouble. (Flynn) B. High Rates of Alcohol Abuse and Addiction b. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention binge drinking plays a huge part in Alcohol Abuse. Binge drinking is excessive drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration to . 08 percent or above. iii. Men – 5 drinks in two hours. iv. Women – 4 drinks in two hours. v.About 90% of the alcohol consumed by youth under the age of 21 in the United States is in the form of binge drinks. Main Idea 3 (Transition): Now that I have told you some of the negative effects of underage drinking, I will tell you about the potential benefits of a lower drinking age. A. Potential Benefits of a Lower Drinking Age a. Young people will learn to drink alcohol more responsibly. i. According to the group Choose Responsibility, if the drinking age is lowered to 18, everyone will be requ ired to take an alcohol education class before they turn 18 to inform them on the dangers of alcohol. . Would lead to less alcohol abuse and addiction ii. Since alcohol would no longer be considered a forbidden fruit, teens could drink in more open environments such as social events and bars where their consumption could be monitored. iii. Some teens may also feel as if they have a more freedom; therefore, they would make more responsible decisions when it comes to consuming alcohol. Conclusion Signal the End: Today I have hopefully persuaded you to believe that the United States should lower their legal drinking age.Review of Main Points: I have told you about the United States and other countries legal drinking ages. What the current legal drinking age does to American teens. Also, the potential benefits of a lower drinking age. Closing: Now that I have told you reasons to lower the drinking age I hope you agree that by lowering the drinking age, the United States can begin to rai se more responsible drinkers, who will not be as prone to alcohol abuse or addiction as today’s Americans are.Works Cited â€Å"15 Reasons Why Drinking Age Should be 18. 2009. Web. 29 Nov. 2010. Alcohol Policy Information System. â€Å"The National Minimum Drinking Age Policy of 1984. † Web. 29 Nov. 2010. â€Å"Binge Drinking. † Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2009. Web. 29 Nov. 2010. â€Å"Choose Responsibility. † 2010. Web. 29 Nov. 2010. Flynn, Sean. â€Å"Should the Drinking Age be lowered? † Parade. 2007. Web. 29 Nov. 2010. â€Å"Minimum Legal Drinking Ages around the World . † 2010. Web. 29 Nov. 2010. â€Å"Teen Alcohol† 2010. Web. 29 Nov. 2010. â€Å"Underage Drinking Statistics. † 2010. Web. 29 Nov. 2010.

The Shoehorn Sonata

The Shoe-Horn Sonata by John Misto The opening scene, with Bridie demonstrating the deep, subservient bow, the kow-tow, demanded of the prisoners by their Japanese guards during tenko, takes the audience straight into the action. As the interviewer, Rick, poses questions, music and images from the war period flash on the screen behind Bridie, and the audience realises they are watching the filming of a television documentary. The time is now, and Bridie is being asked to recall the events of fifty years earlier.This scene establishes who Bridie is, and introduces the audience to the situation: the recall and in a sense the re-living of memories of the years of imprisonment. Characterisation TASK: Re-read the play. Go through and highlight specific characteristics of our two protagonists – ensuring that you can provide evidence from the play (The evidence could be lines or phrases of dialogue, their actions, current or past, or their body language as described in the text. ) Ch aracter| Specific Characteristics| Evidence from the play| Bridie| | |Shelia| | | ACT & SCENE| Spine Summary (3-4 lines)| Quotations| Act 1, Scene 1| | | Act 1, Scene 2| | | Act 1, Scene 3| Eg. Women find themselves in the water and the song ‘Young Jerusalem is sung by young Sheila †¦. | | Act 1, Scene 4| | | Act 1, Scene 5| | | Act 1, Scene 6| | | Act 1, Scene 7| | | Act 1, Scene 8| | | Shoe Horn Sonata Act ONE Analysis Re read each scene and write a short summary outlining the ‘spine’ of the scene (What keeps it together). Write in full two of the main quotes from the scene that supports the spine summary.Do this for AT LEAST 3-4 scenes PER act Shoe Horn Sonata Act TWO Analysis ACT & SCENE| Spine Summary (3-4 lines)| Quotations| Act 2, Scene 1| | | Act 2, Scene 2| | | Act 2, Scene 3| | | Act 2, Scene 4| | | Act 2, Scene 5| | | Act 2, Scene 6| | | Act 2, Scene 7| | | Re read each scene and write a short summary outlining the ‘spine’ of the scene (What keeps it together). Write in full two of the main quotes from the scene that support the spine summary. Do this for AT LEAST 3-4 scenes PER act Characterisation Characterisation can mean two things: 1.The nature of a particular character as it is presented in a text. This would include age, appearance, temperament, past life experiences, personality traits, characteristic ways of expression, values and ideals, motivations, reactions to circumstances, responses to other characters. 2. The methods the composer of a text has used to project this character to the audience or reader. These would include, among other things, the words they use or others use about them, their decisions and actions, their body language, responses to others’ words and actions, the motivations they reveal. See Activities] The play’s structure is based on the differences in character and temperament between Bridie and Sheila which are gradually revealed to the audience. The action of the p lay revisits their past hardships and terrors, but the final focus is on the trauma they have suffered afterwards. The revelation of the crises they have each faced is presented as a healing action, which leads to the resolution of their differences and a satisfying closure to the play. Misto’s own motivations for researching these events and writing the play is made clear in his Author’s Note (p. 6). His perceptions of Australia’s neglect to honour such women as Bridie is suggested when she says: â€Å"In 1951 we were each sent thirty pounds. The Japanese said it was compensation. That’s sixpence a day for each day of imprisonment. † Introduction to Play Sheila’s arrival at the motel from Perth introduces immediately one source of friction between the two: they clearly have not been in touch with one another for many decades. Each is just finding out basic information as whether the other ever married or had children.The audience sees, too, that the warmth of Bridie’s greeting: â€Å"Gee it’s good to see you† is not reciprocated by Sheila. The audience wonders why not. The revelations by the end of Act One will finally show the reason. The body language described on page 26 indicates the deep underlying tension between the two–yet the scene ends with their lifting the suitcase as they used to lift the coffins of the dead: to the cries of Ichi, ni, san—Ya-ta! Their shared experiences are a strong bond. The Shoe-Horn Sonata is divided into two acts: the longer Act One, with eight scenes, and a shorter Act Two, with six scenes.It follows theatrical custom by providing a major climax before the final curtain of Act One, which resolves some of the suspense and mystery, but leaves the audience to wonder what direction the play will take after the interval. The action cuts between two settings: a television studio and a Melbourne motel room. The extreme danger the prisoners faced is indicat ed by Bridie during this exposition: over-crowded ships sailing towards an enemy fleet, the unpreparedness of the British garrison in Singapore for the invasion, the fear of rape for the women.Misto thus sets up some of the issues to be confronted during the course of the play between the Australian Bridie and the former English schoolgirl Sheila. Sheila appears in Scene Two, and the major conflict of the play begins to simmer. Journey through memory For the rest of Act One, the shared memories of Bridie and Sheila become those of the audience, through the dramatic techniques Misto uses. In Scene Three, the audience is reminded of how young Sheila was when she was taken prisoner.The voice of a teenage girl sings part of ‘Jerusalem’, the stirring and visionary song with words by English poet William Blake, and the mature Sheila joins in. (Later Bridie and Sheila sing it together. ) Bridie’s attitude from their first meeting as shipwreck survivors drifting in the s ea is protective of Sheila. She sees her as â€Å"another stuck-up Pom†, and hits her with her Shoe-Horn to keep her awake. Sheila has been taught by her snobbish mother to look down on the Irish, the label she puts on the Sydney nurse from Chatswood because of her surname.Further differences between the two surface in Scene Five, when the â€Å"officers’ club† set up by the Japanese is described. But by the end of this scene they are recalling the choir and â€Å"orchestra† of women’s voices set up by Miss Dryburgh. Scene Six opens with Bridie and Sheila in a conga line singing the parodies of well-known songs they’d used to taunt their captors and keep their spirits up Pain and tension Soon they are arguing, focusing on their differing attitudes to the British women who in Bridie’s view were â€Å"selling themselves for food† to the Japanese.The tension rises as more and more is revealed about the deteriorating conditions for the prisoners and the relentless number of deaths, especially in the Belalau camp. At the end of the Act, in a dramatic gesture, Sheila returns the Shoe-Horn. She had claimed to sell it for quinine to save Bridie’s life–but in fact as she now reveals she had been forced to sleep with the enemy to buy the medicine. She extorts from Bridie the implicit admission that she would not have made that sacrifice for her. Bridie says nothing, but cannot face Sheila.Sheila is shattered by the realisation: â€Å"All these years I’ve told myself that you’d have done the same for me. [Calmly] I was wrong, though, wasn’t I? † Act Two opens back in the studio, where Bridie and Sheila explain on the documentary the appalling conditions in the death camp of Belalau. Suspense is built by the revelation that orders had been given that no prisoners were to survive to the end of the war. The audience wants to know how there could have been survivors. They also w ant to know how or if the tension in the relationship between the two women can be resolved.It becomes clear that the traumatised Sheila cannot in civilian life face any sexual relationship; nor has she felt able to return to Britain or to face remaining with her family in Singapore. She has led a quiet life as a librarian in Perth. Her nights are filled with nightmarish recollections about Lipstick Larry, and she drinks rather too much. In contrast, Bridie had been happily married for years to the cheeky Australian soldier who had waved and winked at her at Christmas behind the wire. She is now widowed and childless. Ambush and resolutionMisto is preparing an ambush for the audience. By Scene Twelve, Bridie’s â€Å"disgrace† is revealed. Spooked when she is surrounded by a group of chattering Japanese tourists in David Jones Food Hall, she runs away with a tin of shortbread and later pleads guilty in court to shoplifting. â€Å"I still lie awake cringing with shameâ €  she tells Sheila. She could not explain the truth about her phobia to the court or to her family and friends. The effect on Sheila is more than Bridie expected. She now decides that she can be at peace only if she faces the truth in public.She explains: â€Å"There are probably thousands of survivors like us–still trapped in the war–too ashamed to tell anyone. † Bridie urges her not to. But in Scene Thirteen after they have recounted how they were eventually discovered and rescued, days after the end of the war, it is in fact Bridie who reveals the truth of Sheila’s heroism and self-sacrifice. She then finds the courage to ask Sheila to explain about her shoplifting arrest The scene ends with the declaration Bridie has waited fifty years for: â€Å"And I’d do it all over again if I had to†¦. cause Bridie’s my friend†¦ † The tensions between the two have now been resolved: the secrets are out, both the personal ones and the long-hidden information about the experiences of the women prisoners and internees. The brief and cheerful last scene shows their friendship restored, the Shoe-Horn returned to its rightful owner, plans made for a Christmas reunion, and, finally, the peacetime dance they had promised one another in the camp. The Blue Danube plays: â€Å"It is the music of joy and triumph and survival. †