Light Pollution And Its Effects On Health - 1544 Words

Most people have heard of air pollution, water pollution, and many kinds of pollution like them. Issues like these are covered extensively in the media and are targeted by many environmental groups. In fact, many of these issues play significant roles in political elections. Though these kinds of pollution are widely known, there is another type of pollution that receives far less attention. Few environmental groups mention it, and many members of the general public have not even heard of it. However, it is just as common and arguably as dangerous as the pollution types listed above. This pollution is known as light pollution. Fundamentally light pollution is the excessive use of light in urban areas, where growth of population and businesses brings with it large amounts of unneeded light. This light pollution causes countless negative effects ranging from the inhibition of scientific research to a believed negative impact on health. Light pollution s most notable effect, however, is on the night sky. As more and more lights are installed, more and more stars are blotted out by the resulting skyglow. Because of this, light pollution is by far the most severe impairment to astronomy at both the recreational and professional levels. It also has a slew of other negative effects such as changing the habits of animals and contributing to an increase in cancer risk. Due to these problems, there have been several proposals to stop light pollution. The three most commonly proposedShow MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Light Pollution On Human And Wildlife Health Essay2085 Words   |  9 PagesArtificial light since its creation has benefited society by creating more time for a productive day not only for work but also recreational activities. Artificial light has many benefits, however when the excessive light does create negative impacts such as becoming inefficient, annoying, and unnecessary. Many officials such as environmentalists, medical researchers, and naturalists agr ee that light pollution is one of the most rapidly growing and widespread forms of environmental pollution. More scientificRead MoreLight Pollution1702 Words   |  7 Pagessociety known as light pollution. Light pollution is essentially excessive light from outside lighting fixtures that is misused and causes several negative effects. This increasing and perplexing issue is often magnified by industrialization and urban development which often neglects to consider the momentous problems light pollution causes. Despite serious efforts to minimize light pollution, â€Å"†¦light pollution rises about 6% every year† (Parks 30). One should know what light pollution entails, theRead MoreDont Light Up My Night1738 Words   |  7 PagesDon’t Light Up My Night I remember gazing at the stars with my mom when I was a kid. She pointed out the Milky Way and a number of constellations. She told me, â€Å"there are way too many stars to count!† Now, 50 years later, when I walk outside and look up, I see only a few identifiable constellations, no Milky Way, and I would venture to say there were so few stars that if I took a little time, I could count them all. Are there really fewer stars in the heavens? Not at all. The stars are up thereRead MoreHow To Prevent Noise Pollution1001 Words   |  5 PagesWhat is Noise Pollution? Noise is essentially unwanted information or sharp changes in tones. Noise pollution is the act of creating noise. Noise is measured in decibels: 0 decibels is silent, 0 to 70 decibels is moderate, 70 to 80 decibels is the volume where noise can start becoming problematic. 80 to 120 decibels is considered loud noise and exposure at these levels for extended periods can cause permeant hearing loss. Therefore it is important to reduce noise pollution and your exposure toRead MoreThe Effects Of Light Pollution On The Outdoor Environment1103 Words   |  5 Pagesmisdirected, obstructive or unneeded artificial light. Pollution is the adding-of/added light itself, in analogy to added sound, carbon dioxide, etc. Adverse consequences are multiple; some of them may not be known yet. Scientific definitions thus include the following: †¢ Degradation of photic habitat by artificial light. †¢ Alteration of natural light levels in the outdoor environment owing to artificial light sources. †¢ Light pollution is the alteration of light levels in the outdoor environment (fromRead MoreThe Effects Of Air Pollution On The Climate And Civilization Essay1571 Words   |  7 Pagestoxic; imagine if severe weather conditions, such as droughts and heat waves was the everyday norm. If action is not taken to reduce the amount of pollution humanity emits into the air, there will be detrimental effects on the climate and civilization. For instance, air pollution harms the health of people, causing respiratory issues, and air pollution negatively affects the climate, causing global warming. Both issues are also detrimental to the future of humanity on earth. Civilization will be forcedRead MoreAir Pollution And Light Pollution1197 Words   |  5 Pages Water, Radioactive, Air, Soil, Light- pollution Water pollution involves the containination of varies water bodies.Many aquatic cretures rely on these water bodies and it natural features to depend upon life. Industrial waste is dumped into these waterbododies , which then causes a chemical imbalance in the water , which than goes into death of the aquatic.Certain natural disaster like flash flood and hurricanes cause the intermixing of water with harmful substances on the land.Their areRead MoreAir Pollution in China Essay747 Words   |  3 PagesAir Pollution in China When people think about air pollution, the things that come to their mind are smog, acid rain, and other forms of outdoor air pollution. Air Pollution is not a new topic. It is a problem that we have noticed since the industrial revolution, when trees, houses and cars were covered in soot from the factories. Every year, chemical substances present in the air within buildings affect the healths of thousands of people. The definition of air pollution is The presence in theRead MoreThe Effects Of Light Pollution On Humans And The World1307 Words   |  6 PagesWhen someone thinks of pollution, they most likely think of toxins and contamination in bodies of water and in the air. While these familiar types of pollution are large problems, there is a lesser known variety of pollution involving excessive, misdirected, or obtrusive light that is just as large of an issue. This variety of pollution is called light pollution or photo pollution. The effects of light pollution on humans and the world’s various ecosystems are various and need to be realized. Read MoreThe United States Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station1741 Words   |  7 Pagesbecause of the increase in light pollution that was creeping up Mars Hill, the Anti-searchlight law went into effect. The Anti-searchlight law allowed officers to fine individuals $300 when in possession of a searchlight, or receive 90 days in jail. By June 1972, Tucson had adopted Arizona’s second lighting law – all lights had to be pointed downward – and Pima County developed a similar law soon after. The City of Flagstaff was next to follow suit (Putnam). Light from Flagstaff’s growing city

Trash Summary Free Essays

Trash Summary Trash is an epic novel about three ordinary dumpsite boys that sort through trash for a living. One day they find a key that leads them to a train station locker. From there they start the journey of their lives. We will write a custom essay sample on Trash Summary or any similar topic only for you Order Now Throughout the book many characteristics are shown both good and bad. I have chosen to talk about the themes trust and resilience. I chose these topics because I think both of these were shown many times in the book and they are to things that you need in every day life. Trust is the reliance that you have on one another, the belief that someone will come through for you in a time of need. This was shown many times in the book my favourite example was when Rat, (or Jun-Jun) was there for Raphael and Gardo at the beginning of the book they needed a place to hide the wallet. At any give time he could have gone straight to the police and turned in Raphael and Gardo.. Sister Oliver’s trust, pity and innocence led her to believing the three boys lie, this ended up putting her at great risk. Later on in the novel Gardo went back to the prison with the 20,000 pesos to give the guard for the bible. The guard tried to catch Gardo but he escaped just in time. I think this was a case where they were forced to trust the guard whether they wanted to or not, they had no option to get the bible or not. Resilience is the ability to bounce back and put up with severe amount of stress. That’s exactly what these boys put up with for the whole book, between being chased by corrupt police and breaking into a grave these boys had amazing mental strength. The best example of this is when Raphael got taken to the police station; he was tortured, beaten and almost killed. It took lots of resilience is just there will to see there adventure all the way through to the end. At any given time they could have quite gone to the police turned the other two in and made 20,000 peso. â€Å" We will fish for ever and live happy lives. That is our plan and nothing will stop us. † This quote said by Jun-Jun shows that the three boys trust each other to the end of the world. They would die for each other happily. They have been through so much mentally and physically that they could put up with anything. I honestly do think nothing will stop them. How to cite Trash Summary, Essay examples

Enforcing Morals free essay sample

This paper takes a look at the different philosophical theories of Lord Devlin and H.L.A. Hart at enforcing morals. This paper examines the theories of Lord Devlin and H.L.A. Hart Two British philosophers who analyzed the concept of enforcing morals. It takes a look at these theories as applied in contemporary British society, compares their contents and argues about the relevance of their application today. From the paper: Because of the diversity of cultural, ethical, and moral views and beliefs that obtain in contemporary Britain, the idea that the legal system may be used to legislate morality has become in the past generation ever more tenuous, casting doubt on both the philosophies of Lord Devlin and H.L.A. Hart. Both now seem to be limited in their philosophical application to legal and moral considerations in Britain in the 21st century; another way of saying this is to argue that when applied to British contemporary society Devlin?s theory on the enforcement of morality does not differ substantially from Hart?s at least in the legal implications of both. We will write a custom essay sample on Enforcing Morals or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This paper examines this position.

Reasons for the American Revolution Essay Example

Reasons for the American Revolution Essay After the French and Indian War finally ended in 1763, France and England decided to sign a treaty called the Treaty of Paris. In the Treaty of Paris, France had to give England all of Canada and the eastern half of Louisiana. In exchange, they gained control of a few Caribbean sugar islands and two fishing islands along the Canadian coast. Spain gained control of the western half of the  Louisiana Territory. Spain also traded Florida in exchange for Cuba. The Mississippi River was left open to all of the nations. England’s victory in the French and Indian War had a great impact on the British Empire. But the cost of the war had greatly enlarged Britains debt. Plus, the war caused a lot of hate towards the colonists among English leaders, who were not satisfied with the financial and military help they had received from the colonists during the war. All these factors combined to persuade most of the British leaders that the colonies needed a major reorganization and that the central government should be in London. England first implemented the proclamation of 1763 which prohibited settlement passed the Appalachian Mountains. In 1765 Parliament passed the Quartering Act that said the colonists needed to find or pay for lodging for British soldiers stationed in America. With the French and Indian War over, many colonists saw no need for soldiers to be stationed in the colonies. The King and Parliament needed to get out of war debt which they mainly blamed on the colonists so they started to tax them. These taxes included the Stamp Act, passed in 1765, which required the use of special paper bearing an embossed tax stamp for all legal documents. Other laws, such as the Townsend Acts, passed in 1767, required the colonists to pay taxes on imported goods like tea. Many colonists felt that they should not pay these taxes, because they were passed in England by Parliament, not by their own colonial governments. The colonists started to re We will write a custom essay sample on Reasons for the American Revolution specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Reasons for the American Revolution specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Reasons for the American Revolution specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer

Infrastructure Developments Essays - Hong Kong, Geography Of China

Infrastructure Developments Essays - Hong Kong, Geography Of China Infrastructure Developments The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) link roads of Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao The HZMB is of special strategic value in further enhancing the economic development of Hong Kong, Macao and the Western Pearl River Delta region (Western PRD). It will significantly reduce the cost and time for travellers and for the flow of goods between Hong Kong and the Western PRD, accelerating the economic integration of the PRD and its neighbouring provinces, and increasing its competitiveness. Construction of the project has started in December 2009 for completion in 2017. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) will be 26-km long, running from the terminus in West Kowloon to Shenzhen, Dongguan and Guangzhou with significantly reduced journey time. More importantly, it will become part of the 16,000 km national high-speed rail network now being developed in full steam, fostering closer economic ties between Hong Kong and the mainland. Upon completion of the railway, the travelling time from Hong Kong to Beijing and Shanghai will be shortened to about 10 and 8 hours respectively. Construction of the project has commenced for completion in 2018. Besides the cross-boundary endeavours, the government has undertaken other large-scale infrastructure projects to improve the local transportation system, promote long-term development for arts and culture, and provide quality living space to citizens. As to the extension of the mass transit railway system, the West Island Line, the Kwun Tong Line Extension and the South Island Line (East) have been opened; while the Shatin to Central Link is expected to complete in 2021. The government has also announced the Railway Development Strategy 2014, providing a framework for planning the further expansion of Hong Kong's railway network up to 2031 to cover areas inhabited by about 75% of the total population and about 85% of job opportunities. Besides, a cruise terminal has been developed at the former Kai Tak Runway, with two alongside berths, well equipped with supporting facilities to accommodate the concurrent berthing of two mega cruise vessels (with gross tonnage of up to 220,000). As the busiest cargo gateway and one of the 10 passenger airports in the world, the Hong Kong International Airport needs an expansion since the existing two-runway system will reach its full capacity soon, according to the Hong Kong Airport Authority. The construction of the Three-runway System has started in 2016 for completion in 2024, with the commissioning of the new runway expected in 2022. Turning to the port, the government has released findings of the Study on the Strategic Development Plan for Hong Kong Port 2030 and the Preliminary Feasibility Study for Container Terminal 10 at Southwest Tsing Yi. The findings reveal that container throughput in Hong Kong will continue to see growth in the coming years. In order to cope with a projected future increase in throughput up to 2030, it is necessary to enhance the handling capacity of the existing container terminals and related infrastructural facilities, which include upgrading Stonecutters Island Public Cargo Working Area to a modern container handling facility for ocean-going or river trade vessels, enabling the River Trade Terminal to become a terminal for both ocean-going and river trade vessels, providing additional barge berths at the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals to relieve congestion caused by the increase of river cargo throughput, and making better use of land and other facilities around the terminals to enh ance operational efficiency and accommodate future growth in transhipment. HKSAR Transport and Housing Bureau. (2008). Study on Transport Linkage between Hong Kong and Pearl River West. Retrieved from thb.gov.hk/eng/policy/transport/issues/cbt_3.htm HKSAR Highways Department. (2010). Project Benefits-Transportation. Retrieved from hzmb.hk/eng/benefits_transportation.html Brian, G. (1987). Built Environment , Vol. 13, No. 2, Tourism and Regional Development, pp. 68-72 HKSAR Highways Department. (2010). Project Benefits-Economic. Retrieved from hzmb.hk/eng/benefits_economic.html

September 2007 Most Popular Posts

September 2007 Most Popular Posts September 2007 Most Popular Posts September 2007 Most Popular Posts By Daniel Scocco Latin Words and Expressions: All You Need to Know: Even though Latin is considered a dead language (no country officially speaks it), its influence upon other languages makes it still important. Latin words and expressions are present in virtually all the languages around the world, as well as on different scientific and academic fields. The Freelance Writing Jobs I Avoid: The convenience of the Web has made freelance writing more convenient. Jobs are easier to find, but rejection letters can arrive much more quickly! The Web also has opened up a new range of business practices, some good, some bad. Here are the types of freelance writing jobs that I steer away from, if possible, having tried most of them. Punctuation Errors: Multiple Punctuation Marks: The exclamation mark, the ellipsis and the question mark have clear roles inside the English language, and you should trust them. Increasing the number of exclamation or question marks at the end of a sentence might appear to increase the overall emphasis, but in reality it just makes your text ugly and informal. Six Rules for Making Subjects and Verbs Agree: If you want to write proper English, you have to follow a rule called â€Å"subject-verb agreement.† That means that if the subject is plural (ducks), then the verb needs to be plural (quack). If the subject is singular (duck) then the verb needs to be singular (quacks). â€Å"Forte† or â€Å"Fortà «,† â€Å"Cache† or â€Å"Cachet†?: How many times have you heard people say something is not their â€Å"forte† and pronounce forte as /for tay/? Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel: Some novelists like to begin with a blank page and see where their thoughts take them. This approach may be good enough to get started, but if it’s a mystery you want to write, sooner or later you’ll need a plan. The Art Of Writing News: News writing is a key skill for journalists, but it helps with other types of writing as well. That’s because news writing is about telling a story quickly and concisely. Anyone can learn to do this, with a bit of help. Here’s how you can write the news and get your story across. The technique also works well for writing press releases. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the General category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:45 Synonyms for â€Å"Food†Empathy "With" or Empathy "For"?Dozen: Singular or Plural?

Dirty Water Bill Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Dirty Water Bill - Assignment Example This may lead to more damage downstream as these pollutants begin to accumulate. This policy as stated in the public outcry is literally similar to the notion of whatever happens in Vegas should stay in Vegas so this policy would fail quickly (Carter, National Wildlife Federation). H.R. 2018 bill was likely to threaten water quality in American rivers, streams, and lakes. The ability of federal and state governments would be limited in terms of ensuring that all American citizens can access clean water. The bill would limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s capability of revising an agreed water quality standard; this would happen only if the state agrees. It would prohibit the EPA from disallowing a water quality certification that is granted by a state. It would hinder the EPA from limiting federal financial aid for the state water quality program if a state does not comply with the water quality standards. Protected waters, aquatic waters would become degraded since the H.R. Bill 2018 renders EPA as somewhat meaningless. This includes weakening permit reviews that normally determine alternatives that do not harm the environment, do not go against laws, and do not degrade waters. H.R. Bill 2018 would lead to harm to the environment in the short ru n and long run. United States. Congress. House. Committee on Rules. Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 2018) to Amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to Preserve the Authority of Each State to Make Determinations Relating to the States Water Quality Standards, and for Other Purposes: (to Accompany H. Res. 347). Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2011.

About myself Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

About myself - Essay Example How would life be like if my father was a Sheikh, prince or the owner of a large oil corporation in the Middle East region? Personally, being a speed enthusiast particularly with motor bikes, I would make a point of owning a few bikes and possibly owning a racetrack where I would invite fellow enthusiasts for races while entertaining parties. I would certainly invite all the famous, professional racers from AMA Pro racing especially. My mother would not be too keen on this so I would try to butter her up by getting her culinary lessons from celebrity chefs such as Guy Savoy. She would be the least interested with the wealth in my family as she is modest and appreciates simplicity a bit too much. Her indulgence would be hosting our extended family and close friends at home and preparing a variety of dishes and desserts. My father, on the other hand, would enjoy the races as much as I would although his main vice would be cars. My sisters- twins- would probably be living in Europe, Rome particularly as they are quite fond of the language and Italian cuisine. Their main vice is designer clothes and shoes so I am certain they would enjoy Italy and Paris. I would make a point of inviting them to my racetrack parties as well as visiting them frequently, possibly in a personal jet with all the luxurious amenities! Furthermore, I would make a point of having a house or two in every continent as I enjoy travelling and learning new cultures. It would be nice to own an island as well like Richard Bronson of Virgin Island. Here, I would insist on my family and I coming together every six months for a vacation. It would make sense to own a yacht seeing as seeing as my family would own an island. The yacht would be an ideal place to hold parties for my friends and I every so often. I am keen on photography so I would own cameras with the most recent technologies along with attending the best schools for the same. I would make a

Human being Essay Example for Free

Human being Essay There has always been a concern as to why some people behave in some weird ways that not any ordinary person will act in such a manner. It is a fact that all individuals are different from each other but there are expectations that human beings have over others. That certain character trait should not be expected in a normal human being. A study into the issues of psychopath and sociopath will help to show some light to the question of how different persons can be described and classified in a view of understanding human behavior and human psychology. Who are psychopaths or sociopaths? According to Patrick (2007) a psychopath or a sociopath is an individual who displays unique unordinary behaviors as compared to the other normal human beings. Such an individual shows signs of not having any guilt or troubled conscience for something he or she has done which is wrong, likes putting blame on other people for the mistakes that he or she commits, likes lying all the time about several issues, do not value other people as fellow human beings, get involved in destructive actions fights and wars, some are sexually irresponsible, have low self control, not realistic in whatever they plan and do, and seem to attract the attention of others by portraying a false picture of themselves among other unordinary behaviors. What are the causes? As argued in Goldstein and Weiner (2003) there are some reasons that have been found out to result in the development of such character traits some of them include; in born traits that a person inherits from his or her family background, some could happen where the society in which people live in draws lines of behaviors that seem to be extra ordinary from the rest of others in the society, would come also as a result of the influences of the external environment and as a result of the adaptive strategies in a bid to survive in the world with others and the problems and experiences that a person underwent while growing will also contribute like if a person was exposed to violent circumstances in hi or her childhood the same things are likely to be done by that person. Is the female psychopath different from the male sociopath? How and in what way? Why is this important to understand? The way in which a female psychopath behaves tends to be more similar to that of their male counterparts although the ratio of male to female a bit higher. The kind of activities that they involve themselves in are the ones that will help to distinguish the differences but basically the same idea is that they all display behaviors that seem to be unruly, Berecz (1999). A female psychopath will show behaviors like; most of them would not want to get into a serious marriage commitment by staying with a husband but instead would prefer to stay alone with her children, would want to be draw the attention of the people around her, likely to mistreat her own children, she does not want to strive for anything that can help her but instead will want other people to do everything she is supposed to do for her benefit Million, Simonsen and Smith (2003). According to Gill and Barraclough (2007) such a female person is too proud of herself and could want to have all the things that others have to herself. In some cases will want to attempt suicide as a way to deal with her problems, all her life she will be blaming other people for the miseries she might be undergoing. She engages in criminal activities like conning people their belongings, leading people to crimes, are drug addicts of a high extent with their life styles leading to sex exploits and males and females they way she wishes for herself which in some instances could include killing. As discussed in Herve and Yuille (2007) the males will involve themselves in very many sexual relationships with women and will be able to convince women with a lot of ease to get into relationships with him. He tends to spend his money in a reckless way, like involving themselves in criminal activities like murder, violent robberies, once he marries he is likely to abandon his wife and children and being unfaithful to the other spouse. Involve themselves in ungodly acts like having sex with the animals, would like to cover his weaknesses with good acts like being generous with his wealth. They are also likely to drug addicts like alcohol, bhang among others. Conclusion According to the analysis that has been made above the way Female psychopaths behave is different from the way male sociopaths would behave because men are more energetic and will display the disorders that they have with relating with others by use of applying force in either fighting, car breaking , among other physical means of applying force. As for the females their disorders will be see through the various reacts that a female will undertake like her talking and other means of communication. They involve themselves in many sexual relationships and will get away with it from all the partners without admitting to that behavior among others Berecz (1999). Word count 876 References Alan Goldstein, Irving Weiner (2003). Forensic psychology: Forensic psychology. John Wiley and sons publishers. Christopher J. Patrick (2007). Handbook of Psychopathy. Guilford press. David Gill, Jennifer Barraclough (2007). Hughes’ outline of modern psychiatry. 5th edition, John Wiley and sons publishers. John M. Berecz (1999). Sexual styles: a psychologist’s guide to understanding our lover’s personality. Humanics publishing group H Herve, John C. Yuille (2007). The psychopath: theory, research and practice. Routledge publishers. Theodore Million, E. Simonsen, M. B smith (2003). Psychopapthy: Antisocial, criminal and violent behavior. Guilford press. .

Cloning is Unethical :: essays research papers

In recent years our world has undergone many changes and advancements, cloning is a primary example of this new modernism. On July 5th, 1995, Dolly, the first cloned animal, was created. She was cloned from a six-year-old sheep, making her cells genetically six years old at her creation. However, scientists were amazed to see Dolly live for another six years, until she died early 2005 from a common lung disease found in sheep. This discovery sparked a curiosity for cloning all over the world, however, mankind must answer a question, should cloning be allowed? To answer this question some issues need to be explored. Is cloning morally correct, is it a reliable way to produce life, and should human experimentation be allowed? Scientists have no problem with the ethical issues cloning poses, as they claim the technological benefits of cloning clearly outweigh the possible social consequences, not to mention, help people with deadly diseases to find a cure. Jennifer Chan, a junior at the New York City Lab School, said, "?cloning body organs will help save many patients' lives," she said. "I think that cloning is an amazing medical breakthrough, and the process could stop at cloning organs--if we're accountable, it doesn't have to go any further." This argument seems to be an ethical presentation of the purpose of cloning. However, most, if not all scientists agree that human cloning won?t stop there. While cloning organs may seem ethical, cloning a human is dangerous. Still, scientists argue that the intentions of cloning are ethical. On the other hand, there are many who disagree with those claims. According to those from a religious standpoint, it is playing God, therefore, should be avoided. From a scien tific standpoint it is also very dangerous, as scientists are playing with human cells which, if done wrong, can lead to genetic mutations that can either become fatal to the clone, or cause it severe disabilities. This information does, in fact, question the moral of the issue. If cloning is unsafe and harmful, what is the point? Another argument pertains to the reliability of cloning. Cloning experts have claimed it is, in fact, an effective procedure. Scientists have admitted it is risky, but also have argued that with time, and more experimentation, cloning will become extremely reliable and effective. However, facts are not as supportive towards this claim as scientists may want. Currently only 3 out of 71 cloning eggs have lived, and only 1 out of 278 fully developed clones have survived from those eggs.

How Can Inter-Proffesional Working Improve the Quality of Health Care

Using appropriate literature this paper will attempt to examine the ways in which interprofessional working can improve the quality of health care. Concepts of interprofessional working will be looked at. Examples observed or carried out on assessment ward in the mental health practice area will be drawn upon to explore the concepts of interprofessional working and quality. Issues relating to interprofessional working will be identified and will explored based on experience. ‘Quality’ is very difficult to define so this will be attempted using certain criteria.The report ‘High Quality Care for All’ published by Lord Darzi (DOH 2009) equates higher quality care with improvements to patient services i. e reducing waiting times for meetings and health care interventions. Also, by giving power to the general practitioner, the report aims to change the way NHS budgets are run. According to the NMC (2008), Nurses must work together with carers, patients, communiti es, groups and other organisations while taking into account their needs and strengths.They must promote health and well being while empowering people to make to make choices and decisions to promote their own self-care. Interprofessional working is an essential concept of the Nursing and Midwifery Council requirement for any qualifying nurse to be deemed competent. This essay will focus on an assessment ward, in a mental health unit at a general hospital. Seeing how important interprofessional working is, key issues affecting interprofessional working will be explored.According to Day (2006), 3 major factors affect interprofessional working. These are systemic, organisation and interactional factors. Systemic factors are factors outside of the organisation that have an impact, be it positive or negative on this organisation. Professional socialisation, professional language, professional tribes and territories, professional codes of conduct and professions/professionalism are all d ifferent aspects of this factor. An example of a key issue would be articulating professional identity.If nurse doesn’t know what unique role they play as a nurse, they will be unable to effectively work together with other professionals. Another factor is the organisational factor. This relates to factors of setup and framework within the organisation. For example, lack of staff during a shift can cause a serious problem cause communication breakdown between management and nursing/healthcare assistants. The last factor that Day (2006) pointed out was the interactional factor.Interactional factors relate to a process of collaboration that occurs between two individuals. Lack of communication, lack of willingness to collaborate and professional stereotypes all come under this factor. Now the factors that can affect interprofessional working have been covered, looking at what works effectively within the chosen admissions ward under the mental health unit is the next step. When looking at those systemic factors it’s apparent that professional language is very important and used through-out the ward among professionals to communicate.For example the nurse asked the student to do go do a UDS screening and some vital obs on patient B. The student nurse is familiar with this professional jargon and carries out what has been asked where as if this was asked of someone on the ward for the first time they would not know what to do. A way to solve this would be to keep professional jargon strictly among professionals and to make communication between a patient and a professional as clear and easy-to-understand as possible.The NMC professional codes of conduct are referred to a lot on the ward when dealing with students and the hospital trust policy is also referred to in an attempt to make all students aware of expectation to pass their respective placements. How does this relate to interprofessional working? Professional codes of conduct always promote go od interprofessional working, for social workers the GSCC (2002) states ‘recognising and respecting the roles and expertise of others from other agencies and working in partnership with them’, for doctors the GMC (2001) states ‘Respect the skills and contributions of your colleagues.Communicate effectively with colleagues within and outside of the team. On the ward, professional socialisation problems were not very apparent because the health care professionals present during meetings were always willing the take on board the different philosophies and theoretical bases present during the meeting and try to reach a common goal for the patient. Open discussions on different perspectives can help other professional overcome this problem.When looking at organisational factors on the ward, the ward appears very well structured as everyone knows what to do any point during the day. The use a of a white board to write down the duties and responsibilities of the professi onals based on the ward made it clear ‘who was doing what’ and limited any confusion. The ward design and function aid interprofessional working by bring all the professionals together regularly and by allowing them to use the same meeting rooms.The regular team meetings also greatly improves interprofessional working on the ward and ward rounds always comprise of health care assistants and nurses who effectively pass on informationâ€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"â€Å"1n from the previous shift to the staff taking the new shift. The doctors round is similar because nurses doctors, ward managers and some other health care professional may be present to discuss patient on a case by case basis. The use of Rio (the intranet patient dat abase) is invaluable as an effective interprofessional tool.Patients are accessible by all health care professionals and progress notes are regularly recorded for patient by a variety of professional so reading through on the ward can give a clear picture of what’s the patient’s current progress. A good team leader is also important in term of interprofessional working. On the ward, the team leader is an essential component. She/he can make or break a ward structure. In this case the ward manager was excellent, friendly, professional and willing to solve any problems that occur between members of staff.The interactional factors also affect the interprofessional working on the ward. Professional stereotyping doesn’t occur much on the ward because most all of the staff come from a wide variety of countries and religions so there is a lot of mutual respect. Professional stereotyping of patients wasn’t a frequent thing but did occasional happen i. e a nurse e xpecting a patient to behave a certain way because of their racial background. Generally negative stereotyping should be frowned upon but positive stereotyping of patient which would improve their outcome should be capitalised on.Way to reduce this would be interprofessional education courses. Issues with lack of communication on the ward were not frequent but did occur. Staff forgetting to mention or document key occurrences or incidents during the day, lead to a few problems with interprofessional working as the doctors could not act on information they did not have. Having had time to look at different issues on the ward and solutions as to how to solve them, the barriers of interprofessional working otherwise not highlighted previously will be looked at.Lack of knowledge about other professionals can cause a break down in interprofessional working. Knowing the different roles people play will aid you when needing to refer a patient or when a patient is concerned with a particula r issues you cannot handle yourself professionally. For example a patients housing issues should be handle by his/her social worker. Another issues is the different levels of authority most systems in healthcare have. This can create a lot of interprofessional working barriers.For example, nurses might find it difficult to communicate with a senior manager because of concerns about their position. Sharing information can also become a barrier when professional do not share all the information they have received regarding a care in their care. This can put other professionals at risk by then giving patients care, without taking into account what the last outcome was. For example, a patient telling a social worker that he cant have ibuprofen tablets because they make him sick.This information not being passed on to the Mental health team could result in ibuprofen being prescribed for him and he subsequently becoming very ill. Conflict can occur regarding the relationship with the pati ent. If a professional is over familiar with the patient it could lead to an impaired judgement and therefore conflict with the mental health team. Team size on the ward also affects the way in which professionals can perform their duties and interact with the other professionals. Conflict can arise if the team is understaffed.Resentment towards management, a lack of willingness to co-operate, undermined patient care can all emerge if these issues are allowed to continue. According to Goodman and Clemow (2010), several strategies can be used to improve interprofessional working which in turn will improve the overall care given to the patient and by definition, the quality of care will improve. Clinical supervision and engaging in reflection. The use of managerial support The development of realistic expectations Reinforcement of professional identityEvaluating current roles and practices Training and education for interprofessional working These are very effective strategies to mini mise barriers in effective communication. Clinical supervision is very important in ironing out minor issues and the communication lines open and transparent. The use of reflection as a tool to improve interprofessional is very good. Reflection can help a professional analyse and review the way in which they have been communicating. Was it effective enough? Was all the information passed on? Was it all understood?Was the information relevant? How was my tone of voice? Was i being fair? These are some of the question a professional can ask themselves to improve their communication with other professionals. Managers are their to support the professional on the ground. The proper use of manager to support any issues or problem you may be having with another professional is essential. People are very diverse and working in a large team of different personalities and philosophies will lead to conflict so it’s important to use the managerial support available to all on the team.Exp ecting realistic outcomes can really improve the interprofessional working because when professional work together they sometimes rely on a number of steps to be completed before, they can start their aspect of patient care. Having an understanding of the workload, stresses and time management issues another professional faces prevent barriers in communication from occurring. The use of badges, uniforms and i. d cards help reinforcement professional identity and improve interprofessional working. If it’s clear what roles a professionals serve the moment they approach any professional on the ward.It grants immediate trust in their role and improves their communication. Reflecting on the formative assessment. It was a very rich learning experience and proved how difficult it is to work in a team when people have serious difference in opinion. At one point the people were excluded from the group and things got very uncomfortable but in the end, we were able to push through our d ifferences and work out an essay which we all agreed to present. Our topic was learning and disabilities and the group scenario was based on my experience in a learning and disabilities placement.So I wrote the scenario which was used during the essay. It was a very good experience from me to reflect on placement and see how my experience on placement was represented in terms of an interprofessional working presentation. To summarise, the topic was introduced and attempts to identify the concepts of interprofessional working and ‘quality care’ were made. A practice setting was identified and was subsequently used to give examples. Following the introduction factors that contribute to interprofessional working were explored. Advantage and disadvantages of interprofessional working were highlighted.Key issues of interprofessional working were identified. These barriers were explained using examples and personal experience in the practice setting. These barriers were explo red in depth and examples were given. Lastly, several strategies were identified that would improve interprofessional working and would prevent barriers from occurring. These were explored and examples were also given. Now that interprofessional working has been explored, the effect is has on professionals, the practice area, the structure of the hospital, the interactions between professional and ultimately the patients.The concept of Quality care explain by Lord Darzi states a number of ways to improve services, patient waiting times, GP involvement in budgets but most importantly it is implied that making improvements between service and their professional i. e interprofessional working will directly improve the quality of care. This essay has tried to show the effects of interprofessional working on professional will always translate to the patient, be it negatively r positively. It is up to the professional of the current of future generations to make sure that our interprofess ional working improves the care we give our patientsREFRENCE LIST Barrett, S. T. (2005). Interprofessional Working in Health and Social Care. China: Palgrave Macmillian Codes of practice. [online] (2010). General Social Care Council. Available from: http://www. gscc. org. uk/cmsFiles/Registration/Codes%20of%20Practice/CodesofPracticeforSocialCareWorkers. pdf [Accessed on April 5 2012] Day. (2006). Inter-professional Working; an essential guide for health and social care professionals. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes Department of Health. [online]. (2009). High Quality Care for All: Our journey so far. Available from: http://www. h. gov. uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_101670 [Accessed on April 5 2012] Ellis, G. K. (2006). Interpersonal Communication in Nursing: Theory and practice. (2nd ed). London: Elsevier Goodman, R. C. (2010). Nursing and collaborative practice: A guide to inter-professional learning and working. (2nd ed). Cornwall: Learn ing Matters Healthcare Policy. [online]. (2005). British Medical Association. Available from: http://www. bma. org. uk/healthcare_policy/healthcarerural. jsp? page=12 [Accessed on April 5 2012]

The Constitutions of The World

In Constitutional Identity, G. J. Jacobsohn classifies the constitutions of the world into two categories. The first category is of transformative constitutions and the second category is of preservative constitutions. While a transformative or ‘militant' constitution seeks to change the prevailing social structure, a preservative or ‘acquiescent' constitution seeks to maintain the status quo. Using Jacobsohn's classification, the Constitution of India would clearly be placed under the transformative category. This is due to the fact that the intention of the Parliament while drafting the Constitution was to bring about ‘social revolution' in the country. This claim is further substantiated by the deliberate omission of any allusion to the law on family. It was intended that matters related to family would be the domain of state to facilitate reform in the law. Thus, most changes in laws governing family, flow from the state in the form of amendments and statutes, which are enacted to transform the society into one with more progressive values. An eminent example is the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, which converted Hindu Marriage from ‘sacrament' to a ‘contract'. Nonetheless, reform needs to take place with regard to the prevailing values in society and make allowance for the demands of several cultures in a diverse country like India. In pursuance of the same, Article 44 which was the demand to evolve a Uniform Civil Code, to govern the personal laws of every religion, was placed in the Constitution as a Directive Principle of State Policy. These Directive Principles are goals that the government should keep in mind while it formulates policy. Article 44 reads: â€Å"The state shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India†However, courts too have played an important role in governing society through family. Apart from upholding the law, they have also tackled grey areas, resolved conflicting situations through reconciliation of different statues on the same subject and filled the lacunae. Illegalization of unlimited polygamy for Hindus, thus was, an important example of the positive influence of courts. This was taken further when conversion for the purpose of committing bigamy was also illegalized in Sarla Mudgal v. Union of India (hereinafter, ‘Sarla Mudgal') and later upheld in Lily Thomas v. Union of India (hereinafter, ‘Lily Thomas').The Sarla Mudgal CaseThe petitioner in this case was married for some year with three children from the wedding when she found out that her husband had contracted a second marriage with another woman, after converting to Islam. Her husband converted for the sole purpose of contracting a second marriage and ensuring that the provisions of Section 494 of the Indian Penal Code were not attracted. He argued, however, that Islam allowed for limited polygamy – four wives – thus, he could marry a second time even though his first wife remained a Hindu. The court held that marriage under the personal laws of one religion (here Hinduism) could not be taken to court for dissolution under the law of another different religion (here Islam) even if one of the parties embraced another different religion. This is because such a rule would violate the rights of the first spouse. However, the second marriage would be void because this very reason – that the first marriage subsisted, even after conversion of the spouse.Facts of the Lily Thomas CaseThe Writ Petition was filed by Smt. Sushmita Ghosh who had married Shri G. C. Ghosh in 1984 in accordance with Hindu rites. G. C. Ghosh had converted to Islam in 1992 and informed his wife of the change in religion. He stated that he wanted to marry Miss Vanita Gupta and so she should agree to a divorce by mutual consent. Change in religion is an accepted ground for divorce under section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. Smt. Sushmita Ghosh did not want a divorce and got in touch with her aunt and her father to intervene on her behalf. She, her father and her relative tried to persuade her husband to not go for a divorce. However, his decision remained unchanged. He stated that his wife could either divorce by mutual consent, or she would have to put up with his second wife, Ms. Vanita Gupta. Smt. Sushmita Ghosh was thus left with no alternative but to approach the courts.PETITIONER'S ARGUMENTSConversion Not Due To FaithThe first point raised by the petitioner, Smt. Sushmita Ghosh is that her husband, Shri G. C. Ghosh, had not converted to Islam a matter of faith, but had done so solely for the purpose of taking in a second wife. While unlimited polygamy was allowed for Hindus, prior to the enactment of the Hindu Marriage Act, it was abolished post 1955. However, limited polygamy is still allowed for the male followers of Islam in India and they can have up to four wives. Thus, it had become commonplace for many male members of the Hindu faith to convert to Islam for the purpose of marrying a second woman, divorcing their first wife and then re-converting back to Hinduism. The re-conversion was to ensure that property interests were not harmed. The petitioner proved this by referring to, firstly, a birth certificate of a son born to G. C. Ghosh from his second wife, wherein, his name appears as â€Å"G. C. Ghosh† and his religion is stated to be â€Å"Hindu†. Moreover, the mother's (his second wife) name appears as â€Å"Vanita Ghosh† and she too is a â€Å"Hindu†, according to the birth certificate. Secondly, the electoral roll of the constituency indicates the same, as does the respondent's visa to Bangladesh. In fact, he signed the marriage certificate issued by Mufti Mohd. Tayyeb Qasmi, is signed by him as â€Å"G. C. Ghosh†.Removal of Burden of ProofThe second contention raised was that since the judgment in Sarla Mudgal validated their case, conviction should take place without any need for proof. However, it was held that the conviction could not be made certain based on only a statement of admission made outside the court. This was because the provisions of the Indian Penal Code demanded that proof of not only the first marriage, but also the second marriage. This is still a legal obligation and admission of the marriage by the person being accused of bigamy, is not enough to constitute the requirement. The matrimonial ceremonies needed to be shown.RESPONDENT'S ARGUMENTSDifference with regard to Sarla Mudgal – Article 20(1)It was contended that the law propounded in Sarla Mudgal, would not be applicable to the present case as that case was not related to people whose marriages were solemnized before the judgment pronouncing them void was passed. Even though these marriages would be violative of the law, there could be no retrospective application. The court however, rejected this argument. It said that no new law had been introduced, but the old, existing provisions of the governing statute had been interpreted. It is a rule of law that the interpretation of a provision goes back to the date of that provision and is not, in its nature, prospective. Thus, the second marriage would be declared void and article 21 of the Constitution which states that â€Å"no person shall be convicted of any offence except for violation of a law in force at the time of the commission of the Act charged as an offence, nor be subjected to a penalty greater than that which might have been inflicted under the law in force at the time of the commission of the offence†, would not be affected. Violation of Article 21 and 25The other contention raised by the counsel was that the Sarla Mudgal judgement would be violative of Articles 21 and 25 of the Indian Constitution. In the case of Article 21 which states that â€Å"no person will be deprived of life or liberty except according to the procedure established by law†, the court said that this contention was misconceived. Thus, it would be premature to say that the judgement will result in deprivation of the life or liberty of either of the parties because the Sarla Mudgal judgement neither created a new law, nor changed the procedure for the prosecution.Another contention raised by the respondent was that the judgement would violate Article 25 of the Constitution, which guaranteed the right to freedom of conscience and the right to profess and propagate a religion. However, such an argument does not hold when the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, explicitly abolished polygamy in the Hindu religion and further, section 17 of the Act made void any marriages if any party had a living spouse, even after the marriage had been solemnised. Freedom guaranteed by the Constitution was to be exercised by individuals, until they encroached upon another's freedom. Moreover, if the act fitted under section 17 of the Hindu Marriage Act, its penalty was prescribed in section 494 and section 495 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. The court commented on the contention raised in Sarla Mudgal that â€Å"making a Hindu Convert liable for prosecution would be against Islam†. The court found this argument to be ‘ignorant' of the nature of the religion of Islam.COURT'S DECISIONApplying Natural Justice Further, the court posed that conversion for the purpose of bigamy could not be squared with the principles of natural justice and equity. Natural justice constitutes in procedures or principles that are thought to be wrong, inherently. Here, the court agreed with the view of Justice M. C. Chagla in Robasa Khanum v. Khodadad Irani. The judges were of the opinion that if a man converted to Islam, to take in a second wife, during the subsistence of his first marriage, the effect on both wives would be undesirable. Since the law does not recognize the second marriage as valid, the status of the second wife would be that of a concubine and children born out of that marriage would be considered illegitimate. Though the first marriage will still persist legally, there would be practical problems with it. Necessity of the Uniform Civil Code The need for a Uniform Civil Code was not the primary question addressed by the judges in Lily Thomas, but it was referenced by both the judges in their separate judgments. Various cases discussing the notion of a uniform personal law were also mentioned. After a perusal of some judgments, it was commented by Justice Sahai in a separate judgment, that the Uniform Civil Code was highly desirable. However, the ‘social climate' of the society needed to be taken into account. Thus, a comprehensive Uniform Civil Code that takes into account all stakeholders and caters to everyone's interests could only be brought into existence if leaders took the responsibility of bringing about reform by changing the minds of people in their communities. Thus, the matter was assigned to the 18th Law Commission which would examine the feasibility of the Uniform Civil Code, in consonance with the Minorities Commission. The court clarified its stance on Article 44 of the Constitution, affirming that the courts had no jurisdiction whatsoever in giving direction for the implementation of a common Civil Code for personal laws. The Directive Principles of State Policy are not to be enforced by the courts because they do not create rights in favour of any person or persons. They are simply guidelines by the Constitution to the State, which is why they were included in the non-justifiable section by the Sapru Report of 1945. Arguments of the person

Biography of Andrew Carnegie, Steel Magnate

Biography of Andrew Carnegie, Steel Magnate Andrew Carnegie (November 25, 1835–August 11, 1919) was a steel magnate, leading industrialist, and philanthropist. With a keen focus on cost-cutting and organization, Carnegie was often regarded as a ruthless robber baron, though he eventually withdrew from business to devote himself to donating money to various philanthropic causes. Fast Facts: Andrew Carnegie Known For:  Carnegie was a preeminent steel magnate and a major philanthropist.Born:  November 25, 1835 in Drumferline, ScotlandParents:  Margaret Morrison Carnegie and William CarnegieDied:  August 11, 1919 in Lenox, MassachusettsEducation: Free School in Dunfermline, night school, and self-taught through Colonel James Andersons libraryPublished Works:  An American Four-in-hand in Britain, Triumphant Democracy, The Gospel of Wealth, The Empire of Business, Autobiography of Andrew CarnegieAwards and Honors:  Honorary Doctor of Laws, University of Glasgow, honorary doctorate, University of Groningen, the Netherlands. The following are all named for Andrew Carnegie: the dinosaur Diplodocus carnegii, the cactus Carnegiea gigantea, the Carnegie Medal children’s literature award, Carnegie Hall in New York City, Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.Spouse(s): Louise WhitfieldChildren: MargaretNotable Quote: â€Å"A library outranks any other one thing a community ca n do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.† Early Life Andrew Carnegie was born at Drumferline, Scotland on November 25, 1835. When Andrew was 13, his family emigrated to America and settled near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His father had worked as a linen weaver in Scotland and pursued that work in America after first taking a job in a textile factory. Young Andrew worked in the textile factory, replacing bobbins. He then took a job as a telegraph messenger at the age of 14, and within a few years was working as a telegraph operator. He educated himself through his voracious reading, benefitting from the generosity of a local retired merchant, Colonel James Anderson, who opened his small library to working boys. Ambitious at work, Carnegie was promoted to be an assistant to an executive with the Pennsylvania Railroad by the age of 18. During the Civil War, Carnegie, working for the railroad, helped the federal government set up a military telegraph system, which became vital to the war effort. For the duration of the war, he worked for the railroad. Early  Business Success While working in the telegraph business, Carnegie began investing in other businesses. He invested in several small iron companies, a company that made bridges, and a manufacturer of railroad sleeping cars. Taking advantage of oil discoveries in Pennsylvania, Carnegie also invested in a small petroleum company. By the end of the war, Carnegie was prosperous from his investments and began to harbor greater business ambitions. Between 1865 and 1870, he took advantage of the increase in international business following the war. He traveled frequently to England, selling the bonds of American railroads and other businesses. It has been estimated that he became a millionaire from his commissions selling bonds. While in England, he followed the progress of the British steel industry. He learned everything he could about the new Bessemer process, and with that knowledge, he became determined to focus on the steel industry in America. Carnegie had absolute confidence that steel was the product of the future. And his timing was perfect. As America industrialized, putting up factories, new buildings, and bridges, he was perfectly situated to produce and sell the steel the country needed. Carnegie the Steel Magnate In 1870, Carnegie established himself in the steel business. Using his own money, he built a blast furnace. He created a company in 1873 to make steel rails using the Bessemer process. Though the country was in an economic depression for much of the 1870s, Carnegie prospered. A very tough businessman, Carnegie undercut competitors and was able to expand his business to the point where he could dictate prices. He kept reinvesting in his own company, and though he took in minor partners, he never sold stock to the public. He could control every facet of the business, and he did it with a fanatical eye for detail. In the 1880s, Carnegie bought out Henry Clay Frick’s company, which owned coal fields as well as a large steel mill in Homestead, Pennsylvania. Frick and Carnegie became partners. As Carnegie began to spend half of every year at an estate in Scotland, Frick stayed in Pittsburgh, running the day-to-day operations of the company. The Homestead Strike Carnegie began to face a number of problems by the 1890s. Government regulation, which had never been an issue, was being taken more seriously as  reformers actively tried to curtail the excesses of businessmen known as robber barons. The union which represented workers at the Homestead Mill went on strike in 1892. On July 6, 1892, while Carnegie was in Scotland, Pinkerton guards on barges attempted to take over the steel mill at Homestead. The striking workers were prepared for the attack by the Pinkertons, and a bloody confrontation resulted in the death of strikers and Pinkertons. Eventually, an armed militia had to take over the plant. Carnegie was informed by transatlantic cable  of the events in Homestead. But he  made no statement and did not get involved. He would later be criticized for his silence, and he later expressed regrets for his inaction. His opinions on unions, however, never changed. He fought against organized labor and was able to keep unions out of his plants during his lifetime. As the 1890s continued, Carnegie faced competition in business, and he found himself being squeezed by tactics similar to those he had employed years earlier. In 1901, tired of business battles, Carnegie sold his interests in the steel industry to J.P. Morgan, who formed the United States Steel Corporation. Carnegie began to devote himself entirely to giving away his wealth. Carnegie’s Philanthropy Carnegie had already been giving money to create museums, such as the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburgh. But his philanthropy accelerated after selling Carnegie Steel. Carnegie supported numerous causes, including scientific research, educational institutions, museums, and world peace. He is best known for funding more than 2,500 libraries throughout the English-speaking world, and, perhaps, for building Carnegie Hall, a performance hall that has become a beloved New York City landmark. Death Carnegie died of bronchial pneumonia at his summer home in Lenox, Massachusetts on August 11, 1919. At the time of his death, he had already given away over a large portion of his wealth, more than $350 million. Legacy While Carnegie was not known to be openly hostile to the rights of workers for much of his career, his silence during the notorious and bloody Homestead Steel Strike cast him in a very bad light in labor history. Carnegies philanthropy left a huge mark on the world, including the endowment of many educational institutions and the funding of research and world peace efforts. The library system he helped form is a foundation of American education and democracy. Sources â€Å"Andrew Carnegies Story.†Ã‚  Carnegie Corporation of New York.Carnegie, Andrew. Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie. PublicAffairs, 1919.Carnegie, Andrew. The Gospel of Wealth and Other Timely Essays. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1962.Nasaw, David. Andrew Carnegie. Penguin Group, 2006.

How to Understand Shakespeares Words

How to Understand Shakespeares Words For many, language is the biggest barrier to understanding Shakespeare. Perfectly competent performers can be paralyzed with fear when they see bizarre words like â€Å"Methinks† and â€Å"Peradventure† – something we call Shakespearaphobia. As a way of trying to counter this natural anxiety, we often begin by telling new students or performers that speaking Shakespeare aloud isn’t like learning a new language –it’s more like listening to a strong accent and your ear soon adjusts to the new dialect. Very soon you are able to understand most of what is said. Even if you are confused about some words and phrases, you should still be able to pick up meaning from the context and the visual signals you receive from the speaker. Watch how quickly children pick up accents and new language when on holiday. This is evidence of how adaptable we are to new ways of speaking. The same is true of Shakespeare and the best antidote for Shakespearaphobia is to sit back, relax and listen to the text spoken and performed. Modern Translations at a Glance Here are modern translations of the top 10 most common Shakespearian words and phrases. Thee, Thou, Thy and Thine (You and Your) It’s a common myth that Shakespeare never uses the words â€Å"you† and â€Å"your† – actually, these words are commonplace in his plays. However, he also uses the words â€Å"thee / thou† instead of â€Å"you† and the word â€Å"thy / thine† instead of â€Å"your†. Sometimes he uses both â€Å"you† and â€Å"thy† in the same speech. This is simply because in Tudor England the older generation said â€Å"thee† and â€Å"thy† to denote a status or reverence for authority. Therefore when addressing a king the older â€Å"thou† and â€Å"thy† would be used, leaving the newer â€Å"you† and â€Å"your† for more informal occasions. Soon after Shakespeare’s lifetime, the older form passed away!Art (Are) The same is true of â€Å"art†, meaning â€Å"are†. So a sentence beginning â€Å"thou art† simply means †Å"You are†.Ay (Yes) â€Å"Ay† simply means â€Å"yes†. So, â€Å"Ay, My Lady† simply means â€Å"Yes, My Lady.†Would (Wish) Although the word â€Å"wish† does appear in Shakespeare, like when Romeo says â€Å"I wish I were a cheek upon that hand,† we often find â€Å"would† used instead. For example, â€Å"I would I were †¦Ã¢â‚¬  means â€Å"I wish I were†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Give Me Leave To (Allow Me To) â€Å"To give me leave to†, simply means â€Å"To allow me to†.Alas (Unfortunately) â€Å"Alas† is a very common word that isn’t used today. It simply means â€Å"unfortunately†, but in modern English, there isn’t an exact equivalent.Adieu (Goodbye) â€Å"Adieu† simply means â€Å"Goodbye†.Sirrah (Sir) â€Å"Sirrah† means â€Å"Sir† or â€Å"Mister†.-eth Sometimes the endings of Shakespearian words sound alien even though the root of the word is familiar. For example â€Å"speaketh† simply means â€Å"speak† and â€Å"sayeth† means â€Å"say†.Don’t, Do and Did A key absence from Shakespearian English is â€Å"don’t†. This word simply wasn’t around then. So, if you said â€Å"don’t be afraid† to a friend in Tudor England, you would have said, â€Å"be not afeard.† Where today we would say â€Å"donâ₠¬â„¢t hurt me,† Shakespeare would have said, â€Å"hurt me not.† The words â€Å"do† and â€Å"did† were also uncommon, so rather than saying â€Å"what did he look like?† Shakespeare would have said, â€Å"what looked he like?† And instead of â€Å"did she stay long?† Shakespeare would have said, â€Å"stayed she long?† This difference accounts for the unfamiliar word order in some Shakespearian sentences. I think it is important to note that when Shakespeare was alive, language was in a state of flux and many modern words were being integrated into the language for the first time. Shakespeare himself coined many new words and phrases. Shakespeare’s language is, therefore, a mixture of the old and the new.

Low context culture of America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Low context culture of America - Essay Example This essay discusses that the USA has become the most influential state on the face of the earth for the last few decades. It has enjoyed the position of the strongest economy and attracted people from all nooks and corners of the world for employment. American citizenship is a dream for middle class of almost all societies. USA is the most lucrative name when it comes to lifestyle. It is increasingly becoming international because of two main reasons. People from all over the world are migrating to USA. They all have various values, belief and cultures as well. Their stay at the new place forces them to adopt the new lifestyle. The society is affected by their views as well. The blend of native values and the imported culture is making USA more and more diverse in its behaviours and culture. Also, because of a strong economy, USA enjoys strong political position in international forums. With these two strengths, it becomes the platform where rest of the countries discuss their issue s for solutions. Because of increased cooperation with the powerful nations and influence in the developing nations, USA is successful in absorbing others in it. So accordingly, these two points pave the way for dynamism at all levels in the country. Yet, it is important to mention that USA is not diluting its culture in the imported cultures. It is rather giving birth to an international culture in which all the people find room for themselves and rigidity for traditions is over. Having a considerable population of foreigners in various states of USA, its culture has overall become a blend of all cultures. Likewise, this characteristic of American culture which gives room for all others to adjust makes it a low context culture. It is a low context culture because of the presence of highly diverse population who have different perceptions, viewpoints, lifestyles, choices, family and educational backgrounds, social systems, religions etc (Kennedy and Everest, 191). It is impossible t o unite all of them under the same attitudes hence the culture has reduced its contextual rigidity and gives all of them the freedom of speech and action. The formality is replaced by informal ways which bring convenience for people to adjust. People working in low context culture need to talk clearly and pass instructions without any misunderstandings (Treven, Sonja, MatjazMulej and Lynn, 108). On the other hand in high context culture, people expect their converser to know what the message of the communication was, without being specifically told (Beer). Great importance is placed on decorum, ambience, manner of delivery and the relative status of the participants in the communication (Goman). America is a low context culture, mainly because of the variety of different cultures and nationality of people residing there. With so many people from such diverse cultural differences, the message needs to be clear, thorough and precise to be understood by all. That will be the only way t o communicate effectively in the workplace (Huckins, 73). This paper is about a particular American artifact or belief and its comparison with other countries. Artifacts are defined as tangible signs of the culture (Saunders & Skinner, 14). The artifacts are common in culture and give the culture a sense of identification. The artifacts can be historical as well as recent. Among historical artifacts, there are numerous archaeological patterns and architectural styles that help identify the particular culture. For example, the sign of triangle reflects Pentagon. Artifacts can be seen in various aspects of life like household items, office fixtures, technological tools, scientific instruments, medical instruments, farm tools, calculators etc. There is an artifact known as American eagle. The paper discusses the various

Logic Model and Performance Managements Assignment

Logic Model and Performance Managements - Assignment Example The program is further meant to provide better health care services to the LGBT community without any discrimination on the basis of gender, age, race and cultural background. Additionally, the program is geared towards the provision of specialised treatments to the LGBT community. The program further is aimed to provide security to the LGBT community and avoid any kind of ill-treatment or any other kind of discrimination. The program is also meant to undertake serious public awareness initiatives in order to recognize and treat the LGBT community with due respect and also value them as other human beings. Failure to honour the heath care needs of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender lead to trauma, societal discrimination and worse health risks by the affected subjects. Increase in psychological and mental disorders especially in lesbian, gays, bisexuals and transgender is associated to societal discrimination. This aspect makes most of the people in the group to engage on drug and substance abuse, homophobia, suicidal activities among others (Ortiz-Hernà ¡ndez, 2015). With proper implementation of the program, the LGBT community will be fully incorporated in the society and their contributions to the societal growth will be upheld. Home needs services will ensure that lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender are fully incorporated in the communities or societies they live and hence accorded due respect. The success of the program is dependent on the effectiveness of the various awareness campaigns and initiation of the better policies to overcome any kind of discrimination (Price 2011). Training medical practitioners on various issues related to LGBT community and provision of specific medical attention has made the LGBT Community Program to be a success. Through the abolishment of societal discrimination, the LGBT community is engaged in day-to-day running

Introduction to Property Assignment 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Introduction to Property Assignment 2 - Essay Example The inspection process largely depended on the information provided by the real estate agency on its website. The key inspection criteria included general features, type of the property, number of bedrooms, building materials, physical location and building size among other features. Having used the map to trace the property’s physical location, I took its photo and used for further inspection. This property was first found by research from the internet on the list of properties that have been sold in Melbourne recently. A lot of information regarding this property was found in several sites including those owned by real estate agents. The process of inspection involved checking of the basement, heating system, air-conditioning, plumbing, roof and electrical system among other aspects of the property. Other important issues that I assessed included maintenance and fire and safety aspects. For additional examination, I used the location map to visit the property and took a photo. This photo was used to examine the physical features of the property. Through the inspection I found that the house was sold on 10th January 2013 for $298, 500. This property was initially found on the websites of realestate.com.au, whereby the preliminary examination was done. At this state, features such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, indoor features, wardrobe features, courtyard, fencing, and evaporative cooling were inspected. Also, the address and the location map were obtained from the website. Next, additional information regarding the factors that could have influenced pricing and salability of the property was obtained from a local agent, and augmented with internet research on factors that influence similar transactions. I finally visited the property’s physical location, took a photo and a used it for further

Ford motors and counterfeiting in the chinese automotive industry

Ford motors and counterfeiting in the chinese automotive industry Ford Motor Company (Ford) is an auto company that manufactures and sells autos and parts globally. Similar to many other corporations, Ford has invested manufacturing efforts in China, because China is now the worlds largest auto manufacturer and auto market. Given this huge opportunity, there are numerous companies looking to reap financial profits by producing counterfeit parts. The global counterfeit auto parts market was estimated at $16 billion in 2008  [i]  . For Ford, counterfeiting not only represents lost financial sales but also brand degradation and product liability risks. While robust growth in auto sales may be fueling the fake components market, the battle against manufacturers and distributors of counterfeit auto parts, specifically Ford auto parts is not new. Ford has been waging an ongoing aggressive campaign against counterfeiters since the early 1980s. Despite its efforts, there continues to be a battle as according to the automaker, counterfeit and pirated auto parts remains a problem that is putting the publics safety at risk and costing about $1 billion US annually. Since joining the WTO, the Chinese government has been placing increasing emphasis on intellectual property rights (IPR) to help encourage foreign investment in the country. However the strength of these IP laws and enforcement has not been robust as penalties are weak and do not deter counterfeiters. As Ford continues to invest and grow within China, we propose the following recommendations to address the counterfeiting issue. First, Ford should refine its internal firm strategies through security packaging innovations and a certification process, increasing education to consumers, aligning employee incentives through benefits and penalties, and continuing with the inspections. Next, Ford needs to pursue external political and legal strategies with key stakeholders, such as the industry coalition, insurance partners, the Chinese government, and the WTO. These strategies should focus on aligning incentives to develop more robust policies around counterfeiting penalties and enforcement. 2 Overview of the Counterfeit Automotive Industry in China For decades, piracy and counterfeiting problems have affected the economy. The global market for counterfeit car parts is estimated to be worth approximately $16 billion USD in 2008 (which accounts for roughly 3.2% of the global counterfeit market) and is growing roughly 9-11% per year.  [ii]  As the counterfeiting and piracy market is becoming more and more attractive to organized crime (it offers similar profits with a significantly lower probability of prosecution and penalties), criminals are making significant investments in counterfeiting. Counterfeiting and piracy activities have flourished in developing economies and gradually diminish as emerging markets achieve higher levels of prosperity and global integration. Today, industrial counterfeiting and piracy run rampant throughout emerging markets such as China. It is in fact, the worlds largest offender of IP theft and industrial piracy. According to MEMA, China is responsible for the exportation of 80% of the counterfeit goods seized at U.S. borders.  [iii]  The E.U. also estimates that 5-10% of all replacement auto parts in circulation are counterfeit.  [iv]  Furthermore, a recent study by the Commercial Times found that 56% of auto users in China have found counterfeit parts on their vehicles. Several unique characteristics make the Chinese market distinct from other counterfeiting regions. With Chinas sheer size and growing integration into the global supply chain, counterfeiting and piracy issues originating from this region have become a global problem (affecting not only local Chinese companies but also multi-nationals). Given significant socioeconomic disparities among different regions within China, the progression and convergence towards a middle income will likely be slower, fostering an environment in which counterfeiting and piracy will thrive for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, Chinas customs and traditions have historically accepted industrial piracy further stimulating growth. As the counterfeit market in China grows, increased investment has allowed counterfeiters to strengthen the sophistication of their operation. Counterfeiters now have inside information on new vehicles and specification changes before the new car is even on the market. Counterfeiters can produce exact copies of products, packaging and documentation and sell it under a competing brand name. In 2004, General Motors (GM) filed a lawsuit against Chinas Chery Automobile Company for the alleged piracy of its Spark vehicle to create a replica branded Cherys QQ. GM showed that the two vehicles were nearly identical with respect to exterior body, interior design and key components. (See Exhibit 1). In a study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Coalition against Counterfeiting and Piracy, counterfeit part sales are costing Ford about $1 billion per year. However, it is the physical dangers and risks associated with using or installing counterfeit parts that may be the most costly. Counterfeit auto parts are a huge consumer safety problem with serious potential to injure auto technicians and end-consumers. In addition to severe financial and safety implications, counterfeiting destroys the brand reputation of legitimate companies. Legitimate companies are often blamed or brought to court to take responsibility for the negative repercussions of counterfeit products. With China surpassing the U.S. to become the worlds largest auto market (achieving sales growth of 46% to 13.6 million), it will be difficult for auto original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to ignore the Chinese market particularly since by entering the Chinese market, significant advantages may be leveraged (e.g. inexpensive labor, rapidly growing emerging market).  [v]  Currently, roughly 800 foreign auto parts suppliers operate in China, including most of the top 50 multi-nationals. And as the Chinese auto market continues to grow, instances of IP theft are likely to increase as well. It will become even more important for large multi-nationals such as Ford to take action and to protect itself from IP risks. 3 Impact of Counterfeiting and Piracy on Ford Motor Company in China A Background on Ford Motor Company in China Ford began manufacturing autos in the early 20th century. With $146.3 billion in revenues in 2008, Ford is now one of the worlds largest makers of cars and trucks. Its brands include Ford, Lincoln and Mercury and Ford receives more than half of its sales outside of North America.  [vi]   In the Asia-Pacific region, Ford operates under several investment holding companies including Ford Motor (China) Co., Ltd., Ford Motor Research Engineering (Nanjing) Co., Ltd., Ford Automotive Finance (China) Co., Ltd., Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd., Changan Ford Mazda Engine Co., Company and Jiangling Motor (Stock) Co., Ltd. Roughly 9% of 2008 global sales may be attributed to the Asia-Pacific region which includes China. Ford sold slightly more than 300,000 units in China in 2008 and 2009 sales exceeded 440,000 vehicles (annual growth of 32%).  [vii]  In China, Ford has several joint ventures including joint ventures with Jiangling Motors Corp and Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co. These joint ventures provide it with three shared production platforms in China and also share factories in Nanjing and Chongqing. With China overtaking the U.S. as the worlds largest auto market last year, Chinese auto factories are running at full capacity. According to Ford, the two facilities it has with Changan Automobile Co. will not be able to accommodate expected future demand based on current growth expectations. Accordingly, it plans to open a $490 million factory in Chongqing in 2012, producing up to 150,000 vehicles per year and increasing total capacity to 600,000.  [viii]   B Detailed Assessment of the Political and Legal Issues Relating to the Counterfeit Auto Industry I Overview of the Political Landscape in China Although China has moved from a centrally planned economy to a market-oriented one, the Communist Party of China (CPC) still maintains political power. Having a one-party system makes the CPC susceptible to civil unrest that could threaten its power and, as a result, the CPC has been hesitant to take action that threatens local economies for fear of unrest. But as an emerging country with the worlds third largest economy on the frontier, China is struggling to balance the need to support local economies with a growing need to protect IP rights for both multinationals and domestic firms. Yet despite a reputation for considerable corruption, demonstrated by its 2009 corruption perception index score of 3.6, and a ruling CPC that often ignores counterfeiting since it supports many local economies, China still manages to attract multinationals such as Ford due to its potential for new customers and windfall profits.  [ix]   China and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Admitted to the WTO in 2001, China agreed to implement various measures that would liberalize its trade regime. Among these measures was the WTOs Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (the TRIPS Agreement). This agreement guards against counterfeit products by addressing minimum standards of IPRs protection, domestic procedures and remedies for enforcement of these rights, and dispute settlement procedures among WTO members.  [x]  However, despite these IPR protections, counterfeiting still represents about 8% of Chinas $10 trillion economy.  [xi]   To address this growing problem, in 2007 the U.S. asked the WTO to intervene, claiming that Chinas enforcement of IPR laws was so weak that it failed to limit the production of counterfeit products. Specifically, the U.S. argued that weak penalties for infringers and Chinas practice of allowing counterfeiters to sell goods seized by Chinese customs officials, provided that the fake labels were removed, provided little financial incentive for counterfeiters to cease production.  [xii]  In 2009 the WTO ruled that China breached trade rules by ignoring piracy and counterfeiting, yet it upheld Chinas criminal law on IPR; without strengthening Chinas criminal law and enforcement of IPR, it is likely that counterfeiting will continue to be problematic.  [xiii]   Conflicting Incentives for the Chinese Government Despite Chinas laws that aim to protect IPR, the Chinese government faces opposing incentives in cracking down on counterfeiters. Specifically, China must balance the economic benefits local economies enjoy from counterfeit products with the growing need to protect the IPR of foreign and domestic companies.  [xiv]  Because counterfeiting supports many local economies and millions of people, any crackdown on counterfeiting could result in serious economic losses. As this action would not be well-received, Chinese politicians are even less apt to prosecute counterfeiters or focus on strengthening enforcement of IPR laws. On the other hand, China must strengthen these laws and enforcement mechanisms if it hopes to continue attracting multinationals.  [xv]  However, many multinationals are so intent on entering the Chinese market, given its sheer size and potential profitability, that they are willing to operate in an environment with little IPR protection. As a result, the Chine se government has very little incentive to crack down on counterfeiters or greatly strengthen enforcement of IPR laws. Fords Risks in China and its Current Strategies Given this political landscape, Ford faces considerable risk in China. With three assembly plants in China, Ford has already encountered problems with counterfeit parts, claiming that counterfeiting costs the company $2 billion a year in sales.  [xvi]  Exhibit 2 Despite some multinationals willingness to live with Chinas lax IP protection, Ford has taken steps to protect against the growing problem of counterfeit auto parts and vehicles. Specifically, Ford has been using undercover intelligence to identify counterfeit producers and raid Chinese factories.  [xvii]  While these raids have prevented thousands of counterfeit products from entering the market, penalties still remain weak; the few offenders sentenced to prison can reduce their terms for $30 a day.  [xviii]  Despite Fords efforts and commitment to protecting its brand, this weak enforcement discourages any meaningful lawsuits and provides little deterrence to counterfeiters. Ford must develop strategies to work with the U.S. and Chinese governments to better protect against counterfeit products. II Overview of Intellectual Property Rights in China Chinas Current IP Environment Since joining the WTO, the Chinese government has been placing increasing emphasis on IPR to help encourage foreign investment in the country. Most recently, the Chinese State Council established a task force known as the Intellectual Property Executive Conference to look into IP-related issues. Chinas new auto policy released this year stresses the need to protect the intellectual rights of auto companies and bans the sale of auto products that violate these protections. China is also a party to many international agreements to protect IP (including the World Intellectual Property Organization and Paris Convention, among others). For example, China joined the Madrid Protocol in 1995, which requires reciprocal trademark registration for member countries, which now include the United States.  [xix]   The Chinese government has also established special IP courts to handle cases of IPR infringement more efficiently. In addition to having these specialized courts in some cities and provinces, Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin have also established IP courts within the Intermediate Peoples Court. In 1992, the Supreme Peoples Court established an IP division as well. This increase in the legal systems capacity to handle alleged IP theft has been used to facilitate highly publicized campaigns, including activities such as raids and educational programs. Enforceability of IP Laws China has made significant progress on the legal and regulatory front, but despite stronger statutory protections, IP theft remains a major problem, as evidenced by the widespread existence of counterfeit products.  [xx]  In reality, IP laws are rarely enforced, and it is even rarer that those who are caught stealing, cheating, counterfeiting and pirating go to jail. Because China is a large country with some political decentralization, enforcing IP laws and regulations in China is a major challenge.  [xxi]   Several institutional factors undermine the enforcement of IP laws, including Chinas reliance on administrative instead of criminal measures to combat IPR violations, corruption, local protectionism, limited resources and training available to enforcement officials, and lack of public education regarding the economic and social impact of counterfeiting and piracy. At the most basic level, without adequate education with regard to IPR, there is little awareness that infringement is a crime. Furthermore, the fragmented nature of political authority in China and, more specifically, decentralized corruption exacerbates the lack of enforcement. For example, when counterfeiters have connections with local government or law enforcement officials, this may provide an easy cover for their counterfeiting activity. Local officials may create obstacles during investigations and assist local counterfeiters by letting them hide their production lines in safe places. Chinas fragmented legal system contributes to the problem as well. Protection of IP in China follows a two-track system. The first and most prevalent is the administrative track, whereby an IPR holder files a complaint at the local administrative office. The second is the judicial track, whereby complaints are filed through the court system. However, determining which IP agency has jurisdiction over an act of infringement can be confusing. Jurisdiction of IP protection is diffused throughout a number of government agencies and offices, with each typically responsible for the protection afforded by one statute or one specific area of IP-related law. There may be geographical limits or conflicts posed by one administrative agency taking a case, involving piracy or counterfeiting that also occurs in another region. Chinas courts also have rules regarding the scope of potential orders. In most cases, administrative agencies cannot award compensation to a rights holder. They can, however, fine the infringer, seize goods or equipment used in manufacturing products, and/or obtain information about the source of goods being distributed. China was also required to provide IP remedies through criminal enforcement for commercial scale piracy and counterfeiting, under the enforcement provisions of TRIPs. Chinas laws and regulations stipulate that IP administrative authorities and Customs may transfer egregious IP infringement cases to police and prosecutors for initiating criminal investigation. However, despite these criminal provisions, most IP cases continued to be handled through the administrative system. Foreign rights holders have considerably less success in encouraging criminal prosecution of IPR violations. When jail sentences are handed down, Ford officials in Taiwan say that those few offenders sentenced to prison can reduce their terms for $30 per day. Lawsuits are also often a waste of time, due to local protectionism. In 2003, Toyota lost a closely watched case in China against the countrys biggest private carmaker whose brand logo was nearly identical to Toyotas.  [xxii]  In the end, although interna tional pressure may have succeeded in getting Beijing to establish IPR laws and regulations, the enforcement of IP, as with most policy in China, falls within the domain of Chinas complex bureaucracies and local government officials. Outsourcing vs. Ford manufacturing To operate in China, Ford had to form a joint venture with a quasi-governmental partner: Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co. in China.  [xxiii]  Fords other partner in China, Jiangling Motors Corp., makes commercial vehicles, including the popular Ford Transit van.  [xxiv]  These joint ventures are one of the biggest risks automakers face as they expand in China due to the danger of IPRs violations. The Chinese made no secret that part of their strategy in forming joint ventures was to begin to learn about the auto industry and how they can produce cars. Ford produces all of their vehicles in their own three plants in the country. However, they now source many of their component parts, which increases the risk of counterfeiting since the company has transferred production of certain parts from their own plants to third-party operations in China and India.  [xxv]  There are other issues that come with operating in a rapidly developing country. In China, factories are at risk of unscheduled shutdowns because of power shortages. Ford also faces political risk. Although the danger of nationalization or outright confiscation of Fords assets may not be high, China may not always have the best interests of foreign multinationals at heart. Despite these concerns, Ford is not shying away from the fast-growing Chinese auto market. Ford currently operates two plants in China, and it broke ground for a $490 million plant in September of 2009. The factory will make the next-generation Focus compact car, which Ford plans to sell globally. Its current plant in Chongqing makes the Ford Focus, Ford Mondeo and Ford S-MAX. Its plant in Nanjing, in eastern China, makes the Ford Fiesta.  [xxvi]   In order to set up operations in China, Ford was also required to establish research and development facilities alongside its manufacturing operations to help build the countrys technical know-how. Ford has taken steps to boost their Chinese design capabilities, which also benefits domestic Chinese companies. For example, Fords China design team is putting its own spin on the upcoming Ford Fiesta (tailored for the Chinese market). Fords Current Strategies Fighting counterfeiters is a key priority at Ford, and it has stepped up countermeasures worldwide. Ford, GM, and DaimlerChrysler formed a global industry network in 2001 to work with law enforcement agencies and governments to strengthen patent and trademark protection laws and impose criminal penalties to prevent counterfeiting.  [xxvii]  The problem is especially acute in the Middle East, where many counterfeit Ford parts made in China are shipped and sold alongside genuine parts.  [xxviii]   Ford admits it was late in its efforts to protect its IPR abroad. However, the company is now very active and has even established its own brand protection team. The unit has led a number of raids, which have led to prosecutions. Ford recently raided a Chinese factory and turned up 7,000 sets of counterfeit brake pads destined for Egypt, each stamped with a replica of Fords blue oval. A legitimate set of pads would cost the equivalent of $47 in Egypt; the phony ones might cost $30.  [xxix]   Furthermore, as a brand Ford is trying to make everything as sophisticated as possible. It has security features in the parts packaging itself and spends time on brand awareness and training exercises so people can better identify fakes. The company says this is critical to long term public awareness and stopping sales of counterfeit products.  [xxx]   III Overview of Product Liability Product Liability All auto manufacturers, including Ford, are exposed to product liability lawsuits related to the sale of autos or parts to the public, especially in litigious countries. Ford has the most exposure in the U.S. given the extremely litigious environment and its large sales. According to the Restatement (Third) of Torts: Products Liability a user or bystander in the U.S. can sue for injuries related to a defect or malfunction of the product, and, in some instances, a defective design or a failure to warn. Even though Ford does not manufacture and sell the counterfeit Ford parts it increases its exposure if the parts are believed to be manufactured by Ford and then cause accidents and injuries. Ford could be sued and incur substantial attorneys fees and possibly even settlement costs. Ford would then have to prove that the product was not manufactured or sold by them, and even if Ford is successful it will still face attorneys fees, damage to its brand, and wasted corporate resources. Product Liability History and Severity Product liability lawsuits can take years to defend, result in millions of dollars of fees and settlements, and severely damage a brand. Ford has faced product liability lawsuits in the past such as the Ford Pinto case in the 1970s that cost it millions and the Ford Explorer rollover related lawsuits in the 2000s. Ford manufactured the Pinto throughout the 70s and due to a faulty gas tank the cars often caught fire during rear-end collisions. The most notable Ford Pinto case (versus Grimshaw) cost Ford $6.5 million in 1981.  [xxxi]  Ford has faced many other product liability lawsuits throughout its history. Fords Current Strategies Ford recognizes its exposure to insurable risks including product liability related to the manufacture and sale of autos and parts. Given the critical nature of risk management Ford maintains a Global Risk Management Committee (GRMC) that makes risk related decisions and is headed by the Chief Financial Officer. Ford chooses to manage and protect against product liability risks through a combination of self-insurance and product liability insurance.  [xxxii]  The self-insurance is typically in the form of a calculated monetary fund setup to may attorneys and claims. The product liability insurance would provide Ford with attorney support and claims/settlement payments in the event of an insurable claim. Ford also has a Sustainability, Environment Safety Engineering (SESE) Team that works to prevent faulty products from being sold and to ensure Ford complies with safety and environmental regulations. They also provide technical analysis to corporate counsel on product liability lawsuits when needed.  [xxxiii]   Finally, Ford has created a Global Brand Protection group to protect consumers from counterfeit products threatening user safety. This group is tasked with: preventing the distribution of and removing counterfeit parts from the marketplace, ensuring that the companys trademarks are used appropriately, and maintaining the integrity of the sale and distribution of original equipment parts.  [xxxiv]   4 Recommendations China has quickly become the worlds largest auto maker, surpassing the US in 2009  [xxxv]  . Due to its immense scale and rapid growth rates, China is an important strategic market for Ford from a production and sales perspective. Despite the political and legal issues and risks Ford faces in China, the company cannot simply withdraw its operations from China. Ford must engage in market and non-market strategies to help manage the counterfeit problem in this market. Recommendation 1: Refine Internal Firm Strategies As mentioned previously Ford has started to invest in internal strategies, such as raids and setting up the Brand Protection Group, to help address counterfeiting. We recommend that Ford continue to refine these strategies as well as incorporate additional internal firm tactics. From a product perspective, Ford has noted that there are security features in the packaging of the auto parts and that consumers should use reputable dealers and repairers, inspect parts and packaging closely in case they spot something and if they are concerned to ask that only original parts are used or call the auto maker.  [xxxvi]  We recommend that Ford continue to invest in its packaging to help dealers, repair shops, and consumers detect fake products. The company could consider implementing a certification program where only legitimate Ford plants and OEMs are able to put a Pre-Approved by Ford label on its products. Additionally Ford needs to employ efforts to minimize spare factory capacity in these production facilities and to increase monitoring from U.S. Ford managers. In conjunction with product-related tactics, Ford needs to educate its customers (e.g. dealers, auto-body shops) and end-consumers and bring this issue to light. Because counterfeiting auto and auto parts drastically affects consumer safety, Fords customers and consumers should have a strong commitment to help prevent counterfeiting once they are aware of the issue. These educational efforts can be spearheaded by the Global Branding Team and be implemented in various public relations and marketing efforts. Most consumers may not be aware that counterfeit autos and auto parts exist and are responsible for associated safety risks. One campaign can highlight how counterfeit auto parts can lead to injuries and fatalities. The campaign can then empower consumers to ask for Ford parts only when having their autos repaired. This will encourage customers to seek out Fords legitimate replacement parts and be wary of counterfeit products. Ford also should implement tactics to educate and incent their employees, critical stakeholders. In conjunction with educating consumers, the Global Branding Team can utilize the same resources to educate its employees. This knowledge can help increase employees commitment to prevent counterfeiting and can also create a culture of pride related to high quality production and safety. Ford ca