Enhancement Of Geothermal Electricity Production In Africa The Kenyas Perspective

Introduction Power outages have become a common occurrence in Kenya and Africa in general. Such power outages often occur during dry seasons when the water levels in hydroelectricity generating dams are below the Minimum Operating Levels (MOL).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Enhancement Of Geothermal Electricity Production In Africa: The Kenya’s Perspective specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Therefore, Kenya’s overdependence on hydroelectricity is not tenable in the long term (Ministry of Energy 2011). However, Kenya is well endowed with geographic features such as the Great Rift Valley that makes the country ideal for geothermal electricity production. This research is important to several people and for several reasons. This research is beneficial to the general public, Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), and Ministry of Energy (MoE) amongst others. The research will act as a basis for p olicy formulation around geothermal electricity generation by Ministry of Energy (MoE). KenGen is the main electricity generating company in the country. This research will help the company understand the challenges faced by Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in geothermal power generation. KenGen can explore such challenges to consolidate its market share. The research will also be critical to power investors keen on power exploration, capacity building, and infrastructure developments amongst other aspects in geothermal power generation. Rationale of study Power energy is going to play a critical role in Kenya’s long term development plan dubbed vision 2030. However, several challenges continue to face hydro and thermal generation of electricity. Hydro generation of electricity is chiefly affected by the changing climatic conditions especially in the context of rain patterns. The thermal energy is not spared either. In the recent past, oil prices at the international level have been relatively unstable and unreliable thus making thermal electricity production very expensive. Oil prices are likely to be relatively expensive and unreliable in the future owing to the changing political fortunes of the oil producing countries and other international issues. The oil itself is a depleting resource, which means that Kenya together with the world needs to move to renewable and environment friendly energy alternatives. These are some of the reasons necessitating this research.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Research objective The chief research objective will be the strategic management in the enhancement of the geothermal electricity production in the country. In achieving the main research objective, the research will utilize several specific questions as outlined below. What are the institutional and policy frameworks that have been put in place t o enhance geothermal electricity production? What are the various geothermal power stations in the country and what are their outputs? What challenges are facing geothermal electricity generation in the country? What measures can be taken to enhance geothermal electricity production in the country? Literature review There are several studies that have been done by other scholars in the context of the enhancement geothermal electricity in Kenya and Africa in general. Some of these scholars include Muriithi (2006), Mbendi (2011), and Oludhe (2006). Oludhe has particularly been noted as an authority on the dangers of overdependence on hydro generation of electricity. His work is one of the major academic works that this paper will utilize. Conclusion The research will have ultimately achieved the following aspects. Contextualizing geothermal electricity production in the country Identifying the challenges facing geothermal electricity production in the country Proposing measures that can be implemented to curb the challenges in the geothermal electricity production in the country Reference Ministry of Energy (2011). Updated Least-cost power Development Plan: Study Period, 2011-2031. Retrieved from http://energy.go.ke/ This essay on Enhancement Of Geothermal Electricity Production In Africa: The Kenya’s Perspective was written and submitted by user Michaela Reeves to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Celebrate Holidays and Special Days in February

Celebrate Holidays and Special Days in February Calendars: January | February | March | April | May | June |July | August | September | October | November | December Celebrate a holiday or special day every day in February. Learn about holidays you never heard of. Be sure to check back every day for recipes, crafts, games and lots more fun things to do. Enjoy! February Icons - These icons match the events on the February Fundays Calendar. They are designed to be used as each event is learned about. The icons can be glued onto the February Coloring Calendar. February Seasonal Specials: Black History Month - Famous Firsts PrintablesDental Health Month PrintablesWinter Fun; Winter PrintablesGroundhog Day Printables Valentines Day Fun: Valentines Day PrintablesValentines Day CardsPrintable Valentines Day Coupon Book for KidsValentines Day PoemsValentines Day TeaValentines Day Fun February 1 - Robinson Crusoe, Space Shuttle Disaster and Baked Alaska Robinson Crusoe DaySpace Shuttle Columbia DisasterNational Baked Alaska Day February 2 - Groundhogs, Zeppelins and Treaties Groundhog DayZeppelin Crashes into North SeaTreaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Signed February 3 - Voting, Income Tax and Carrot Cake 15th Amendment RatifiedIncome Tax BirthdayNational Carrot Cake DayElmos Birthday February 4 - Lindbergh, Washington and Galoshes National Stuffed Mushroom DayCharles Lindberghs BirthdayFirst US Presidential ElectionSnickers Candy Bar 1st For Sale February 5 - Weather, Mexico and Family Leave National Weatherpersons Day; Weather PrintablesMexico: Constitution DayFamily and Medical Leave ActHank Aarons Birthday February 6 - Reagan, Massachusetts and Babe Ruth Ronald Reagans BirthdayBabe Ruths BirthdayMassachusetts DayNational Frozen Yogurt Day February 7 - The Beatles, John Deere and Spacewalk The Beatles Tour AmericaJohn Deeres BirthdayFirst Untethered SpacewalkCharles Dickens BirthdayNational Fettuccine Alfredo DayJohn Deeres Birthday February 8 - Boy Scouts, Radios and Kites Radio Installed in White HouseKite Flying DayBoy Scouts Day February 9 - Harrison, Hershey and Toothaches William Harrisons BirthdayHersheys Chocolate Founded; Chocolate PrintablesToothache DayThe Beatles make first live TV AppearanceNational Bagels and Lox Day February 10 - Umbrellas, Fire Extinguishers and Swimming Umbrella DayFire Extinguisher PatentMark Spitz BirthdaySchool Day February 11 - Edison, Inventors and Japan Thomas Edisons BirthdayNational Inventors DayJapan: Foundation DayDont Cry Over Spilled Milk Day February 12 - Abraham Lincoln, First Ladies and Savannah Abraham Lincolns BirthdayLouisa Adams BirthdaySavannah Founded February 13 - First Ladies, Magazines and Germany Bess Trumans BirthdayFirst Magazine PublishedGerman ReunificationPenicillin 1st Used On Humans February 14 - Valentines Day, States and Ferris Wheels Valentines Day Activities - Printable Valentines Day Cards and ActivitiesArizona Admission DayOregon Admission DayFirst Presidential PhotographFerris Wheel DayRead to Your Child Day February 15 - Susan B. Anthony, Galileo, Sutter and Gumdrops Susan B. Anthonys BirthdayGalileo Galileis BirthdayJohn Sutters BirthdayNational Gumdrop Day February 16 - Studebakers, Helicopters and King Tut Studebaker Company FoundedFirst 911 CallKing Tuts Burial Chamber Unsealed1st Commercial Helicopter FlewNational Almond Day February 17 - Kindness, Sardines and Crabs Random Acts of Kindness Day/WeekFirst Canned Sardines PackagedChampionship Crab Races DayMichael Jordans Birthday February 18 - Pluto, Statue of Liberty and Vacuums Presidents Day:George WashingtonAbraham LincolnPluto DiscoveredStatue of Liberty Design PatentVacuum Cleaner PatentedNational Crab Stuffed Flounder Day February 19 - Lincoln Boyhood, Phonograph and Internment Lincoln Boyhood National Park EstablishedEdisons Phonograph PatentedJapanese American Internment February 20 - Post Office, Figure Skating and Cherry Pie U.S. Post Office Department CreatedYoungest Figure Skating Gold MedalistNational Cherry Pie DayJohn Glenn Orbited the EarthToothpick Patented February 21 - Presidents, Monuments and Telephone Books President Nixon Visits ChinaMardi Gras DayWashington Monument DedicatedFirst Telephone DirectoryNational Sticky Bun Day1st US Brain Operation February 22 - George Washington, Popcorn and Boy Scouts George Washingtons BirthdayPopcorn Introduced to ColonistsFirst Presidential Radio BroadcastRobert Baden-Powells Birthday February 23 - Gutenberg Bible, Iwo Jima and Tennis Gutenberg Bible Mass-producedIwo Jima DayTennis DayNational Banana Bread DayNational Dog Biscuit Day February 24 - Fairy Tales, Mexico and Steam Shovels Wilhelm Carl Grimms BirthdayMexico: Flag DaySteam Shovel PatentNational Tortilla Chip Day1st Multi-Stage Rocket February 25-Revolvers, Greenbacks and Clam Chowder Six-Shooter Revolver PatentedLegal Tender Act PassedNational Clam Chowder DayHen Laid the Largest Egg February 26 - National Parks, Levis and Fairy Tales Grand Canyon National Park EstablishedGrand Teton National Park EstablishedLevi Strauss BirthdayTell a Fairy Tale Day February 27 - Polar Bears, Leaning Towers and Strawberries Tower of Pisa 1st LeanedInternational Polar Bear DayNational Strawberry Day February 28 - Republicans, Railroads and Territories Republican Party FoundedBaltimore and Ohio Railroad IncorporatedTerritory of Colorado Organized February 29 (Next Leap Year - 2012) Leap Year DayHank Aaron Signs Record-breaking DealEisenhower Seeks a 2nd Term

Culture Of China Regarding Religion, Food, Communication, Time, And Term Paper

Culture Of China Regarding Religion, Food, Communication, Time, And Space - Term Paper Example The following discussion is an effort to highlight the exceptional and distinguished aspects of Chinese culture regarding religion, cuisine, communication, time, and space. The Chinese culture is largely influenced by ancient Chinese philosophies that have been practiced in China for thousands of years. Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism are the three major religions that are practiced in China by a majority of people. Myriad differences that appear too subtle to the common public exist between these three major religions. The general public is way much oblivious to these distinctions and thinks that the religious teachings and moral values originating from these different religions is more or less the same. Intricate differences between these religions are obvious to a minimal percentage of Chinese public. Still, religious practice is still fervently adopted by many people in China, which is a heavily optimistic sign in today’s much industrialized and modernized world that is too materialistic and ignorant of religious restrictions. Actually, it is those distinctions existing between the three major Chinese religions that have evolved the Chinese culture which is so dynamic and vibrant. One common and enthralling aspect of the Chinese culture that is acquired from the fusion of ancient religions is that it is required of every person to live in harmony with all the other people, no matter if that other person is a friend or a foe. This is one profoundly appreciable aspect of the Chinese culture, which demands every person to seek and spread love regardless of societal, ethnic, or racial pressures. The Chinese cuisine is overwhelmingly popular around the globe among all age groups and bags huge appreciation almost every year in myriad prestigious annual global food contests. Much of the Chinese cuisine is derived from the cooking practices that were significantly vibrant in the Dynastic ruling period. It is worth mentioning here that ancient Chinese rule rs used to host large meals consisting of hundred of traditional dishes at one time. (Ling, 2002, p. 34). It is from this traditional hospitality of hosting large banquets that a whole wide array of variations exist in Chinese cuisine that appeal hugely not only to the Chinese people but by almost everyone around the world. These variations in cuisine also originated and prevailed in the Chinese culture because the Dynastic period was open to many enriched influences from the surrounding countries. China’s gourmet culture and true connoisseur experience has been creating waves of innovation and taste around the world for many past years. The up side about the Chinese cuisine is that it offers extremely stomach friendly food and this fact is acclaimed by all the nutritional specialists around the world. This is because with the cooking oil that is pretty scarce in the country and expensive meat, Chinese food experts have diverted the taste of the Chinese public towards inexpen sive but nutritious and heavenly tasty foods. An important and interesting fact regarding the Chinese communication is that it can be both verbal and non-verbal, and both modes of communication are very important when

Organization's Market Orientation Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Organization's Market Orientation - Assignment Example Market orientation and organizational performance are linked and a critical evaluation is provided for firms which are not market oriented such as M&S yet perform well and recommendations are provided for firms which don't perform well. The importance and characteristics of market orientation are studied along with the barriers to market orientation, how to overcome these barriers, the importance of change management and policies in human resource management, the attributes of internal marketing, quality systems and customer relationship management. The theories and applications of market orientation are also studied using examples of the large companies such as Virgin and M&S. Adoption of market orientation could motivate companies to provide better service provisions and quality and Green et al (2007) argued that within an organization, customer care is primarily important and marketing orientation helps in understanding the needs of customers. By satisfactorily identifying customer needs, organizations could provide quality services that would highlight the positive links between market orientation and service quality. In another related study, Racela et al (2007) show the market orientation in international business relationships with emphasis on cooperation, dependence and relationship distance between organizations or individuals. A survey of Thai exporting firms was done considering business units and Thai export firms. The results obtained from more than 200 firms show that export market orientation of companies enhances cooperation between exporters and distributors and export performance is higher with greater export cooperation and lower relationship distance. The influence of exporter dependence on export performance tends to vary among industry groups. Market orientation is thus essential to the development of business to business relationships that enhances export performance and shows how exporters could manage their relationships to achieve better performance. Marketing orientation is thus helpful in developing cooperative efforts and Racela et al (2007) recommended that overseas dist ributors develop cooperative norms for marketing decisions and actions and also establish some form of mutual dependence for superior performance enhancement. The relationships between market orientation, export performance and behavioral aspects of business relationships are investigated and the paper suggests that market orientation practices help in enhancing cross cultural relationships.A multilayered model of market oriented organizational culture tends to distinguish between market oriented values and norms. The different aspects of market oriented culture within organizations can affect attitudes and behaviors of the sales force and market orientation values can have a substantial impact on role conflict, role ambiguity, job satisfaction and organizational commitment of such employees (Farrell, 2005). However market oriented norms do not substantially affect customer orientation of salespersons. Considering these background studies, we can analyze whether a specific chosen company has adequate market orientatio

[Japan nuclear and chernobyl syndrome] Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

[Japan nuclear and chernobyl syndrome] - Essay Example The nuclear disaster at Fukushima once again revived the memories of the debilitating things that happened at Chernobyl just a few years ago. A large section of media and scientific community went ahead to compare the possible radiation impact of Fukushima disaster with that of Chernobyl. The print and digital media was replete with the reports placing Fukushima and Chernobyl nuclear reactor side by side, portending the two disasters to be very similar and akin in their fallout and intensity. It was only a very few critical minds and concerns who took the time to point out the differences between the two seemingly similar situations. At large, the world seemed to have been taken over by the ghost of Chernobyl, without waiting to critically analyze the facts. Fukushima-the Facts On 11 March 2011, Japan was hit by an earthquake of magnitude 9.0, accompanied by a devastating tsunami. One of the major fallouts of this calamity was the tragic accidents that took place at the Fukushima nuc lear plant. ... When the earthquake occurred, the functional reactors number 1, 2 and 3 automatically came to a halt (Jones: Online). Also, the emergency generators efficiently started to run the water pumps and the emergency control electronics put in place to tackle such exigencies (Jones: Online). The bad thing was that though the Fukushima nuclear plant was well protected by a sea wall, it failed to withstand the massive 14 m tsunami that flooded the reactor in a matter of minutes (Jones: Online). This flooding of the reactor simply jeopardized the low lying water pumps and electronic cooling equipment and spoiled the electrical grid (Jones: Online). With the shutting down of the cooling mechanisms and a zero possibility of extending assistance and support from outside, the reactors 1, 2 and 3 suffered a core meltdown (Jones: Online). The resultant hydrogen explosions blasted the lids capping the buildings in which reactors 1, 3 and 4 were placed (Jones: Online). This was soon followed by rampan t fires caused by the overheating of the reactors (Jones: Online). It is a fact that many of the workers employed at Fukushima nuclear plant suffered radiation exposure and were evacuated. Also, owing to the fears of radiation leakage, people residing in a 20 km radius around the plant were also evacuated (Jones: Online). On 17 March 2011, one of the generators deployed in the reactor number 6 was restarted, thus allowing for the cooling of partially damaged reactor number 5 and 6 (The Straits Times: Online). The restoration of Grid power on 20 March 2011 did not achieve the desired results, because of the largely damaged machinery and infrastructure. Besides, any attempts to repair the reactors were also hampered owing to the

Classical and Operant Conditioning for Maladaptive Behaviour

Classical and Operant Conditioning for Maladaptive Behaviour Applying classical and operant conditioning therapies  to change maladaptive human behaviour Psychologists who study the behaviourism approach suggest that behaviours of a human are learnt through either classical or operant conditioning. These behaviours can be changed through therapies. This assignment assesses the values of applying classical and operant conditioning therapies to change maladaptive human behaviour. Operant conditioning is when behaviours are learnt through consequences; doing something to get something. â€Å"Operant conditioning creates a higher probability of repeated behaviour through reinforcement† (Collin et al, 2012). A human would receive positive or negative reinforcement or even punishment for their behaviour. Consequently this would lead to repeated behaviour, changed behaviour or even stop the behaviour depending on the reinforcement received. B.F Skinner explained operant conditioning by conducting experiments in a box that he designed called the ‘Skinner box’ (1948, cited in Barker, 2002). For example a hungry rat was placed in a box, there was only a lever and a food dish inside. The rat knocked the lever and soon learnt that he received food for his action and kept repeating the behaviour to gain more food. This is an example of positive reinforcement because the rat received food for its action. Skinner (1948, cited in Collin, 2012) later int roduced electric grids to the Skinner box which would give the rat an electric shock when the lever was activated. The rat’s behaviour of pressing the lever decreased. This experiment showed that the receiving of negative reinforcement caused the rat to change its previous behaviour. There are several therapies that use operant conditioning, one is called token economy. Behaviour is modified through reinforcement and also punishment; it has been used in many types of care units, such as mental hospitals, eating disorder clinics or even juveniles acting up (Barker, 2002). The patients involved in token economy would receive rewards in forms of tokens or points for good behaviour, this is positive reinforcement. On the other hand if bad behaviour was shown by the patients tokens would be taken away, this is negative reinforcement. Tokens can then be used for outings, privileges, goods, food or even extended visits with their family (Allen, 2013). When patients demonstrate good behaviour and are therefore rewarded with tokens it is hoped that the positive behaviour would be repeated with the aim of gaining more rewards. Eventually their pattern of behaviour would consequently change and would happen naturally. However if tokens were taken away for bad behaviour this would be negative reinforcement. The patient would realise that if they behaved badly, negative consequences would follow such as less tokens to spend on privileges or extra food. Eventually this would hopefully change the behaviour of the patient and their bad actions would decrease. One study that showed token economy was carried out in an adolescent service at Boston hospital by Kris and Schiff (1968, cited in Thomas, 1974). They delivered the token economy therapy in the hospital for adolescents in the form of point cards. Each point gained was worth one penny which then could be accumulated and spent on food, privileges and outings. Each patient had a small plastic point card with their name and identification number embossed. Each time a patient earned points they would be given a point’s receipt and their point card would be stamped. All points would be added up at the end of the week and the reward of money would be given. The adolescents could gain 30 points by carrying out room maintenance such as bed making and also 10 points for arriving on time for lessons. Points would be taken away for lateness and untidy rooms. The study demonstrated positive and negative reinforcement. The adolescents learnt that the cleaner their room and the quicker they went to class the more points they received, this is positive reinforcement. The behaviour would change and they would be better behaved and follow instructions. When points were taken away for lateness or no room maintenance being completed they would learn that these actions needed to be completed and they would change their behaviour and start showing up for lessons and also making their beds, this is negative reinforcement. This interesting study showed improvement in adolescent’s behaviour at the hospital however it should be noted that in some cases the adolescents were seen to steal receipt books and point stamps to try and give themselves points. The disadvantages for this study was that it wasn’t very cost affective, the printing of point cards and receipts was very expensive. Also there was over a hundred staff members employed at this hospital and it was hard to train each staff member properly on the token economy point system and some staff would feel harassed and under pressure if working alone which meant they would give points out just so the adolescents would stop harassing them. (Thomas, 1974). Another research was completed by Allyon and Azrin (1968, cited in Allen, 2013) who used token economy therapy to control the behaviour of 45 people with schizophrenia who had been in an institution for roughly sixteen years. The patients were given tokens for combing their hair or even making their own beds. The results of the therapy showed patients’ chores each day rise from five a day to over forty. The patients that were receiving positive reinforcement by gaining tokens for completing more chores each day. Token economy has positive and negative points to change maladaptive human behaviour. Token economy may work inside clinics or institutions but may not necessarily relate to life at home and living independently. Going from being praised for good behaviour and then having no one at home praising them may let the person slip back into their old way of behaving. Token economy may hide the underlying reason for someone’s behaviour. It may make the behaviours and actions go away for a short period due to the person wanting to receive tokens to use for food and privileges but the underlying reason why they are behaving in the first reason will still be there. Using this therapy in institutions and clinics would require a lot of commitment and training from staff. It may not be cost effective to put every staff member through training. Also some staff may not be as committed as others and give out tokens to favoured patients or give out tokens to stop feeling harassed or under press ure. It would be important for staff to be consistent in their actions. Corrigan (1995, cited in Allen, 2013) claims that the therapy is humiliating and abusive to patients and is unethical. Token economy does change behaviour quickly and is good at changing unwanted behaviour which shows in the study completed by Allyon and Azrin (1968, cited in Allen, 2013). Classical conditioning is learning through association. Behaviours are learnt by associating one thing with another. Pavlov (1902, cited in Collin, 2012) showed classical conditioning by experimenting on dogs and their responses to food. He carried out several tests which involved dogs and the salivation glands. He used dogs and put them in restraints, when the dog salivated at different times he measured the amount of saliva produced. An unconditioned stimulus such as food was presented to the dogs which then provoked an unconditioned response; salivation. Pavlov then introduced a neutral stimulus such as a bell with the unconditioned stimulus; the food. The dogs started to salivate at the noise of the bell which was accompanied by food. After repeated tests the dogs started to salivate at the sound of the bell without any food which was a conditioned response; salivation without no food presented. This means the dog had learnt to associate the bell with food and would salivate befo re the food was given. Systematic desensitisation (SD) therapy uses the principle of classical conditioning to reduce people’s fears and phobias. Through several sessions a client would go through relaxation and becomes aware of the bodily cues associated with relaxation. The client then has more sessions to be trained step by step on how to relax in the presence of their fear. (Barker, 2002) One study which was carried out was by Lang and Lazovik (1963, cited in Banyard and Grayson, 2000) which was called ‘Fear today, gone tomorrow’. The study was a simple experiment which used twenty four students who had a strong phobia of snakes. The students were given a list of twenty situations, including holding a snake to seeing a picture of a snake and were told to list them from least feared to most feared in a fear hierarchy. The students then started there SD, which included eleven forty five minute sessions which started with hypnosis and deep muscle relaxation and then slowly they worked through their fear hierarchy by imagining them. They were allowed to move onto the next fear once they could show they were relaxed during and after the previous one. Once all the sessions were completed the students had to carry out the ‘snake avoidance test’. A snake was placed in a glass box 15 feet away and the students got marked out of 19 on how close they co uld get to the snake or to see if they could touch it. The results were compared to students that hadn’t received SD therapy and they showed that the students that had completed the sessions could stand much closer to the snake and even some students could hold or touch the snake. The idea of SD therapy is to associate the fear with relaxation. In the above study it shows that the students that went through SD could associate the deep relaxation with the snakes and in some cases even hold them. The students remaining calm meant they associated there calmness with a fear, which in turn the students could move on to their next fear and keep moving through them. SD is effective where the behaviour is a learned phobia or anxiety of a specific thing, McGrath et al (1990, cited in Allen, 2013) claims that SD works for around seventy five percent of people with phobias that are specific. However it only treats symptoms of the phobia or anxiety and doesn’t help the underlying issue or reason and other therapies would need to be used to look into these reasons. It doesn’t work well with depression or schizophrenic clients. SD is a very slow process due to the amount of sessions needed to work through the relaxation process and then the fear its self but t he longer the therapy and technique take the more effective it is. Overall token economy and systematic desensitisation therapies do work but do have their negative points. Both therapies only resolve the symptoms and don’t resolve the underlying reasons why the person’s behaviour happened originally. This means eventually they could stop working especially if their environment changes and the treatment stops. Other therapies for other approaches would need to be considered to really understand and change the maladaptive behaviours of a person. Reference List Allen C. (2013). Psychopathology and Treatment Workbook. Northampton College. Northampton. Banyard P and Grayson A. (2000). Introducing Psychological Research. Second Edition. Palgrove Publishers. New York Barker L. Psychology. (2002). Pearson Education Inc. New Jersey Collin C. (2012). The psychology book. New York. DK Pub. Thomas E. J. 1974. Behavior modification procedure. Chicago. Aldine Pub. Co. [Online]. Accessed from: http://books.google.co.uk [20/3/14] Bibliography List Cardwell M and Flanagan C. (2012). Psychology AS – The Complete Companion Student Book. 3rd Edition. Oxford University Press. Oxford. Comer R. J. (1992). Abnormal psychology. New York. Freeman Rebecca Sharp

Creation Science Essay -- essays research papers

Creationism is a religious metaphysical theory about the origin of the universe. It is not a scientific theory. Technically, creationism is not necessarily connected to any particular religion. It simply requires a belief in a Creator. Millions of Christians and non-Christians believe there is a Creator of the universe and that scientific theories such as the the theory of evolution do not conflict with belief in a Creator. However, fundamentalist Christians such as Ronald Reagan and Jerry Falwell, have co-opted the term 'creationism' and it is now difficult to refer to creationism without being understood as referring to fundamentalist Christians who (a) take the stories in Genesis as accurate accounts of the origin of the universe and life on Earth, and (b) believe that Genesis is incompatible with the Big Bang theory and the theory of evolution. Thus, it is commonly assumed that creationists are Christians who believe that the account of the creation of the universe as presented in Genesis is literally true in its basic claims about Adam and Eve, the six days of creation, and not an allegory. Creation science is a term used by certain creationists to indicate that they believe that Genesis is a scientific account of the origin of the universe. Reading the Bible as if it were a scientific text contradicts the Big Bang theory and the theory of evolution. "Creation scientists" say those theories are false and that scientists who advocate such theories are ignorant of the truth about the origins of the universe and life on Earth. One of the main leaders of creation science is Duane T. Gish of the Institute for Creation Research, who puts forth his views in conjunction with attacks on evolution. Gish is the author of Evolution, the Challenge of the Fossil Record ( San Diego, Calif.: Creation-Life Publishers, 1985) and Evolution, the Fossils Say No (San Diego, Calif.: Creation-Life Publishers, 1978). Another leader of this movement is Walt Brown of the Center for Scientific Creationism. Neither Gish nor Brown seem to understand the difference between a fact and a theory. They loudly proclaim that evolution is just a theory and that it is false. Scientific theories are neither true nor false. They are explanations of facts. That species evolved from other species is considered by 99.99% of the scientific community to be a scientific fact. How spec... ... act unscientifically, to be dogmatic and dishonest. But the fact that one finds an occasional oddball in the history of science (or a person of integrity and genius among pseudoscientists) does not imply that there really is no difference between science and pseudoscience. Because of the public and empirical nature of scientific debate, the charlatans will be found out, errors will be corrected and the honest pursuit of the truth is likely to prevail in the end. This will not be the case with pseudosciences such as creation science, where there is no method needed for detecting errors (since it can't err) much less of correcting them. Some theories, like creationism can't be refuted, even in principle, because everything is consistent with them, even apparent contradictions and contraries. Scientific theories allow definite predictions to be made from them; they can, in principle, be refuted. Theories such as the Big Bang theory and the steady state theory can be tested by experience and observation. Metaphysical theories such as creationism are "airtight" if they are self-consistent. They contain no self-contradictory elements. No scientific theory is ever airtight.

History & Tradition of Jazz Essay

Why is jazz hard to define? Describe some of the reasons why it is sometimes difficult to determine if a musical recording or a performance qualifies as jazz? There is no single definition however there are 5 basic guidelines that loosely define jazz when followed to one degree or another. Jazz is a form of individual artistic musical expression. Jazz is performed in so many different styles, is part of many other types of music, and play by various instruments. Musicians develop their own style and sound. Describe the relationship between the rules rhythm section instruments must adhere to and the freedoms they have to play what they want in fulfilling their role? The rhythm section usually consists of a bass, drums and piano or guitar. Their role is to support the soloist even if they are playing while the soloist is performing. While they have the freedom to play by improvising, they must do so in a manner supportive to the soloist. Describe how the roles of these three instruments change during the course of a song in a jazz performance: piano, trumpet, bass? The piano plays chords that accompany the melody of the song. The piano feeds the soloist with rhythmic or melodic ideas. The trumpet is versatile in that the various mutes give it different sounds. The trumpet leads the melody. The bass provides a steady beat playing the note that outlines the chord on every beat. Describe what happens during an improvised solo both in terms of the soloist and the other members of the group? The soloist is composing on the spot His solo is unrehearsed and he needs to be able to formulate the melodies in his head before he plays them. He also needs to listen to the input from the other instruments and follow their lead while improvising and interacting with the other musicians. The non-soloists can either stop playing or continue to play in a role supportive to the soloist following their lead and providing musical leads which the soloist can take off on a tangent with.

The Effects of Hormones and Behavior on Gender Identity Essay Example

The Effects of Hormones and Behavior on Gender Identity Essay Example The Effects of Hormones and Behavior on Gender Identity Essay The Effects of Hormones and Behavior on Gender Identity Essay The effects of hormones and behavior on gender identity PSY 340 February 14, 2010 The effects of hormones and behavior on gender identity The formation of gender identity is not completely understood as it is much more complex than just getting a sperm and egg cell to join; an XX or an XY genotype is only the first part in gender identity. There are many biological, psychological and sociological factors involved. The biological includes chromosomes, gonads, prenatal hormones, internal accessory organs, external genital appearance. The psychological includes assigned gender role and gender identity. The sociological could come from family, mass media and society (Kenyon, PhD, 2006). Sammons (2007) states that biological psychology observes that biological processes form gender identity. John Money a well-known behavioral psychologist first proposed the idea of â€Å"connection between biological and environmental factors in determining sexuality, arguing that social expectations interacted with an individual’s genes to affect hormone expression and thus sexuality† (John Money, 2011). The first biological factor affecting gender identity is the chromosomes that are in every cell of the body. Both parents contribute one half of the genotype; the mother or female supplies the X and the father or male the X or Y, the determining gene that gives gender its first definition (Board on Health Sciences Policy Committee on Understanding the Biology of Sex and Gender Differences, 2001). The sex of the embryo is formed at the moment of conception however there are seven weeks where the embryo has no sex; both the XX and XY embryo develop in the same way. It is during the sixth week that the testes and ovaries are formed; testosterone, or the lack of, starts the embryo on a separated path, one being male and the other female. The changes made at this time have organizing effect that will be activated later during puberty Before puberty occurs the fetus is influenced by testosterone and estrogen, in boys the testosterone levels can be as much as ten times higher than in girls. At the end of the pregnancy fetoprotein, which has protected the brain from estrogens, is in decline. This decline allows estrogens from the placenta which inhibit â€Å"the hypothalamus-hypophysial-gonadal axis of the developing child†. This inhibition loss causes a peak of testosterone in new born boys and estrogen in new born girls. Researchers think that these peaks of testosterone in the fetal and neofetal stages fix â€Å"the development of structures and circuits in the brain for the rest of a boys life† (Swabb Hofman, 1995). Puberty brings higher levels hormones which activate the circuits and behavioral patterns that were set during development; in males this means development in a more masculine and defeminized direction and more feminized, demasculinized direction for girls. Swabb (1995) states that these differences in brain development are thought to be the base of gender identity,† the conviction of belonging to the male or female gender: and gender role,† behaving as a man or a woman in society. † Looking at the case of the Boy raised as girl discovers happiness as a man Kenyon (2006) discusses the fact that a newborn boy had his penis cutoff during a circumcision, so he was raised as a girl, including surgery to make female genitalia, â€Å"John became Joan†. â€Å"At 12, she was given oestrogen therapy to complete the conversion to a woman. She grew breasts, but was never accepted by other girls, nor felt comfortable as a woman† (Kenyon, PhD, 2006). At the age of 14 she stated that she felt like a boy since she was in the second grade. Later the breasts were removed and male hormone therapy help make the change back into a man. Hormones are only one part of the process for developing gender identity. Psychological and sociological factors that influence gender identity are the other side of the debate of nature versus nurture. One of the first questions parents ask during pregnancy is â€Å"what sex is the baby? This question starts the sociological influence on the embryo that will never stop until death. Sammons (2007) states that â€Å"In early intrauterine development male and female external genitalia (visible sex organs) are identical† and exposure to dihydrotestosterone the male genitalia will develop and its absence female genitalia will. Society then tells the child how he should act. Brenbaum (19 99) â€Å"has shown clear differences in activities and job interests between adolescent boys and girls. But gender role behaviours[sic] may be influenced by the media. Male adolescent gender role activities according to Berenbaum (1999) include working with engines and electronics, playing or liking football, hunting, washing or waxing the car, playing sports, fishing, and basketball. Female adolescent gender role activities such as thinking about becoming a secretary, needlepoint, going to slumber parties, collecting dolls, trying out for cheerleading, playing dress-up, and playing with make-up. These activities are not programmed into males and females at conception but by the society and the mass media. Parents tell boys to be tough and brave, not to cry or play with dolls; girls are told to be gentle and lady-like, not to play with trucks or play rough sports. Hollywood also perpetuates this idea but making movies with helpless women and tough guys though there are some cross-over changes but they show the men and women negatively accepted by their peers. Looking over these two ideas of nature versus nurture or hormones versus sociological influences I would say that it is both. I can see how the hormones can play a large role in the development of the basic structures and fundamental circuitry of gender role and gender identity, but family and society, especially nowadays with mass media at your fingertips, influence gender roles and gender identity equally. Boys look up to their fathers or other masculine figures in their lives and girls do the same but with the female roles. I am living in a Latin society and the gender roles and gender identity roles are strong. Women here teach the young girls their positions in society as soon as the girls care walking. Many of the toys that young girls get are household toys to emulate duties in the future and are taught to â€Å"look good† for the men and to care for the shape or they cannot get a good husband. Men in this society teach the young boys to play sports â€Å"to be manlier† and to stare at the women and think about going to the university to get a good job so that his family will be taken care of. Both of these ideas are heavy weights on those that don’t or can’t comply as the society makes fun of, especially those that are in the media, for being different; so most try not to be different. I think humans need to relax about these roles and allow children to be children and to find their own way to gender identity, after all I wouldn’t mind my wife earning more money and I stay at home to cook and clean. This idea of nature versus nurture is an ongoing debate however biopsychology may bring new ideas to prove one side or the other. The case of Boy raised as girl discovers happiness as a man is an example of biopsychology showing that the biology and hormones play a bigger part then researcher thought. Most of the new research on gender identity and gender roles is coming from the psychology side; transgendered or gender identity disorder. These individuals are giving more data to researchers as they look to understand the biopsychological reasons for the gender confusion. â€Å"Historically, the terms sex and gender have been loosely, and sometimes inappropriately, used in the reporting of research results† (Board on Health Sciences Policy Committee on Understanding the Biology of Sex and Gender Differences, 2001). Research in the past has been on animals and the speculated to humans; this is changing as studies are now focusing on correlational approaches, one where looking for the relationship between hormone levels and behavior (Sammons, 2007) Research is also studying the â€Å"differences in the structures of the human hypothalamus and adjacent brain structures† (Swabb Hofman, 1995) as it relates to gender and gender problems such as heterosexuality, homosexuality, transsexuality and sexual orientation. Although these observations have yet to be confirmed, and their exact functional implications are far from clear, they open up a whole new field of physiological structural-functional relationships in human brain research that has so far focused mainly on such relationships in pathology† (Swabb Hofman, 1995). There is still much debating going on but more research studies are available as society is lessening it restrictions and attitudes on sex and sexuality. References Bere nbaum, S. A. (1999). Effects of early androgens on sex-typed activities and interests in adolescents with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Hormones and Behavior, 1(35), 102-110. Board on Health Sciences Policy, C. , Committee on Understanding the Biology of Sex and Gender Differences, C. (2001). Exploring the Biological Contributions to Human Health. Does Sex Matter? Washington, DC: National Academies Press. Kenyon, PhD, C. A. (2006). The Nature and Nurture of Gender. Retrieved from

Legal aspects of Health Care

Legal aspects of Health Care Free Online Research Papers Running Head: LAW AND LEGAL PROCESS Legal Aspects of Health Care Abstract This paper will discuss specific issues related to California legal statutes and medical treatment. It will address the legality of a foreign educated doctor advertising abortion services in the state, the length of time a respondent has to answer a lawsuit, and any advance notice the plaintiff must give the respondent. I will close by covering subpoenas and a person’s obligation in responding to a subpoena. DR. SAUNDERS In the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a woman has a constitutional right to choose abortion prior to a fetus being viable. However, according to the Business and Professions Code, Section 601, Dr. Sanders is not allowed to advertise for abortion services or any related services. By simply advertising for the services she wished to perform, Dr. Sanders committed a felony. Dr. Sanders has 30 days from the date the summons is served to enter a written pleading in response to the complaint. If no response has been given within the 30 days, the court will make a decision on the case without your input. A respondent is also advised to contact an attorney as quickly as possible in order to file the pleading within the 30 day window. Code of Civil Procedure, Section 412.10-412.30, specifically states that if the defendant fails to respond within the 30 day period, the plaintiff may demand any relief he feels just and right. Joan’s attorney must give Dr. Sanders at least 90 days prior notice of the intention to commence the action according to the Code of Civil Procedure, Section 364-365. Although failure to comply with the required time limits set forth by the code will not be grounds for dismissal of the case, any attorney that fails to comply with the provisions may be subject to disciplinary action by the State Bar of California. Assuming that Joan is claiming professional negligence against Dr. Sanders, the lawsuit may not fall into the scope of services for which the provider is licensed. California does not recognize abortion as legal, so there may potentially be an issue with the lawsuit depending on how it is presented before the court. A subpoena is the process by which the attendance of a witness is required by law according to the Code of Civil Procedure, Section 1985-1997. A subpoena requires the person to appear before the court at an appointed time and date with all required knowledge, books, papers or anything else listed in the document. If you are required to travel in order to fulfill your duties, you may request to be reimbursed for your travel fees. Sufficient time must be given in order to secure all the necessary travel and lodging arrangements, if required. Your obligations to the subpoena include: obeying the order of the subpoena, swearing in before the issuing court, answering as a witness, and to subscribe an affidavit or deposition when required. Failure to perform any of these actions may be punished as a contempt of court by the issuing court. If you fail to appear for the subpoena, you will be fined a sum of $500 and all damages sustained pursuant to your failure to appear. These damages may be recovered in a civil court. California law clearly states that a licensed medical doctor may not advertise for abortions. Dr. Sanders should have researched the legality of hanging her shingle out before opening her clinic. Since laws vary from state to state, it does not matter that her classmate’s clinic is successful in another state, California law prevails in this particular case. Dr. Sanders should have been given the full 90 days to respond to Joan’s attorney. Although this will not cause any problems with the lawsuit, it does show lack of professional consideration on the part of Joan’s attorney. The bottom line is that a patient went to a clinic that should not have been performing the medical procedure it was performing and got injured. It will be up to the courts to decide whether or not the patient has any culpability in the injury or if it was entirely the doctor’s fault. Research Papers on Legal aspects of Health CarePersonal Experience with Teen PregnancyThe Project Managment Office SystemPETSTEL analysis of IndiaCapital PunishmentThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesQuebec and CanadaIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaStandardized Testing

The ethical way forward for procurement of organs Essay

The ethical way forward for procurement of organs - Essay Example This dissertation attempts to evaluate the current practice in organ donation and evaluate the relevance of ethical and legal issues relating to it in the modern world. It will also contain an analysis of what procedure should be followed in the future for the procurement and transplantation of organs and tissues. The study will lay specific emphasis on: a) Issue of presuming consent for organ donation. b) Ethical and legal issues about the procurement of organs. c) Xenotransplantation. d) procurement of organs from other species e) Commoditization of organs Organ procurement is a significant practice in the medical industry since it profoundly aids in saving lives of people who have defects in the organs that are vital for their survival. It is a good thing to save lives of people whenever means are available to save life of the people with organ donation. Without adequate possibility of procurement of organs, these people would be disadvantaged. Therefore, procurement is extremely important for the welfare of humankind. However, in the present day, concerns regarding the whole system of organ procurement have arisen, bringing into light various ethical and legal issues relating to it. ... ground: According to the Medical Conditions Dictionary (2010), organ procurement is a set of procedures that includes the administrative, authoritative and ethical processes observed in the acquisition of organs for transplant via affiliations, systems or programmes. The organ procurement procedure refers to obtaining consent from the donors or their family and close relatives and the transportation of the organs harvested from the donor to the respective health centres for further medical processing and eventual transplant into the recipient. Organ procurement began as a basic endeavour when affiliations that specialized in kidney transplantation obtained organs and used them to save lives in the same facility. As the demand for organs grew and the transplantation of other organs, such as the heart, small intestines, pancreas, liver and lungs, became successful in practice, the need to develop enhanced and ethical organ procurement, distribution and sharing agreements became crucial (Mancini et al. 2010). Because of the high demand for organs for transplant in current times, numerous organizations, through the efforts of physicians, scholars and medical personnel, have started attempting to counteract the acute shortage to avoid deaths. The ever-increasing shortage of organs requires society to decide on specific yielding policies on procurement. In many countries, like the US, procurement of organs requires the explicit consent of the donor prior to his or her death. This policy is known as an opting-in system or expressed consent. In accordance with this policy, if an individual aspires to donate his organs after death, he should express this consent by signing a donor card. Explicit consent is always considered as the informed consent of prospective donors. This

Capston research project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Capston research project - Essay Example Alternatively, it may be handled by offsetting the balance of the inventory allowances in the books of account. In most cases, the inventory write-downs are small in value and in case of a larger value; the same is treated as a non-recurring financial loss. In the company’s income statement, the same can be reflected as an above-the-line expense. However, according to the IAS 1, companies are usually required to show separate disclosures for the inventory write-downs in the financial statements; taking into consideration that the inventory write-downs are items of near to the ground resolution. Accordingly, the International Accounting Standards 1 (IAS 1) requires that an organization provides sufficient information with regard to the issues that affects the significant events in the organization. The provided information should also be able to warrant a much better understanding of the company’s financial status. The greatest danger that lies for the company should it fail to include the write-downs of inventory in the financial statements is that it may lead to an overestimation of the earnings persistence by the company’s investors. Failure to do this is a great concern and as a partner in the audit process, I would seriously take this into consideration and seek to understand further basing on logical reasoning why the same was not included. Second, the failure to include the write-downs of inventory may lead to other significant effects of ethical and financial concerns to the audit process and the company in broad-spectrum such as, disproportionate compensations to the managers of the firm, frequent incidences in which fraud is concealed from the knowledge of the shareholders by the accounting and financial officers. Third, the failure may further lead to other unethical and of financial concern consequences such as the shareholders of the company losing faith and belief in the firm’s management ability to control its operation s and finances. Additionally, it may be grievous for the firm to fail to recognize the inventory write-downs