Multimedia and Design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Multimedia and Design - Essay Example In this "Multimedia and design" essay, the author describes points of view and thoughts about this issue of three different authors. Norman (2004) in his book â€Å"Emotional Design† has given knowledge about the Psychology behind the design whether people think it bad or good. Norman in his book referred to three levels of processing such as visceral level, behavioral level, and reflective level. He justifies that how emotions impact their decisions and design. Visceral design of goods concerns the appearance of things. Materials, sounds, texts and smell are all features, which determine the relationship of consumers with objects. People attract the goods because these look good. Focus in the â€Å"Emotional design† is given to move the thinking from practical to products and services, which are enjoyable and give pleasure and fun to consumers. When Norman speaks on the design, he makes efforts to relate the users’ perception about the performance of objects and does not concern the visual sense of objects. It is also justified that Norman looked on the both sides of the story. Dichotomy approaches of objective and subjective are also focused in the Norman’s work. Norman’ book also concerns the emotional designs. Norman already wrote three books, which support to understand the authors feelings expressed in the current book. The work of the Norman is motivating and influencing in the field of design of objects. However, several shortcomings are also displayed which impact the quality of work. Young ideas are also problematic in reference to the theoretical framework of Norman. For example, Norman defined the positive and negative impacts, which were produced at the visceral level. In the later sections, he contradicted the definition about visceral level and added it two other levels such as behavioral and reflective. Three levels about design of objects demonstrate the overlapping from his discussion and render the precise of categorization in suspect. Instead of the flaws in the â€Å"Emotional Design† a vivid canvas is created that integrates the emotional facets into the field that is dominated by the technical concerns. Both subjective and objective approaches are illustrated through the examples. Innovation arise from the changing business needs and does not involve the emotions. For example, advent of colour TV was the demand and emotional needs of the users in the market 2. THE PHILOSOPHER'S TOOL KIT II (Wittkower) In the book of Wittkower (2008) the most p art concerns the iPod and philosophy as an icon of ePoch. People differed mainly in concepts and theories on philosophy. Main theme of philosophy concerns the personal reflection and respond based on the experience. Core philosophy is thinking of human ability that enables people to invent, understand and respond to the questions. Association between philosophies is increasing in the context of academic learning. The close association between computer engineering and computer science also shapes popular culture. The culture of iPod emerged since 2001. Needs and demand of the people on the design of everything is also revealed. Therefore, this world is also designed in a way that very designed thing can be touched, felt and tasted. Not all the new innovative things are developed at once, but according to requirements and demands. Philosophy refreshes our minds for new things and concepts, and uncertainty about philosophy is most vital considered. Now a day the

True Cost of Mega-Retailers Essay Example for Free

True Cost of Mega-Retailers Essay The phenomenon of big box economics brings with several ethical concerns that taint its most favorable effect, that of bringing lower-priced goods to the American market. Whether manufacturers who produce these goods keep their factories on United States soil or abroad, many of the persons who work within them suffer under conditions that no American would be required to endure. On American soil, such workers (who are likely to be illegal immigrants) are often paid at the lowest rates possible, and along with this comes the lack of accompanying benefits, such as health or accident insurance (Mitchell, 36). Many manufacturers are often drawn to foreign soil because minimum wages are much lower in some countries, making the costs of production fall to a level that increases their profit margins significantly. Despite the fact that higher profit margins lead to greater overall taxes paid to the government, these practices do impact negatively on the American economy. One way in which this negative impact is felt is through the removal of jobs from the American arena into other countries. Many of these factories employ thousands of workers, and each of them represents one unemployed American that would otherwise be contributing to the overall national income (GDP) of the country. This negatively affects the unemployment rate within the country, and therefore counteracts the aforementioned positive benefits in the area of taxes by making it necessary for the government to pay out unemployment benefits. The employment of low-paid immigrants or the outsourcing of jobs also forces Americans to settle for lower wages, as any refusal to accept these would simply induce manufacturers to apply to the overabundance of these foreigners. This leads to a lower standard of living for Americans. One researcher has also shown that big-box retailers whose low-cost commodities put local retailers out of business also hurt the local banks, which traditionally have strong relationships with the small retailers (Mitchell, 42). In America’s banking crisis today, such retailers are likely to continue exacerbating the economic problem, making it that much more difficult for the economy to recover from recession. Reference Mitchell, S.. Big-box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for America’s Independent Businesses. Boston: Beacon Press, 2006

Behaviour Modification and Cognitive Processes of Learning

Behaviour Modification and Cognitive Processes of Learning Pillay Sheryl Amanda Ballen I will be discussing some important procedures which enable learning. Each and every human being learns any kind of behavior during their life span. There is no human being on earth who does not undergo the process of learning. There are various learning methods through which we obtain beliefs, approaches and skills (Skinner, 1971, cited in Ryckman,2013, p. 361) Here we shall discuss the principles of learning and their uses in daily life. I would like to also demonstrate how behavior modification compares with cognitive processes of learning. Learning What we mean when we say the word â€Å"learning†, we normally mean â€Å"thinking using the brain†. These concepts of learning are the central perspective in the Cognitive Learning Theory (CLT). Mental processes can be explained, as they are predisposed by both internal and external factors, which gradually bring about learning. Cognitive Learning Theory suggests that the different procedures regarding learning can be described by examining the mental processes first. It suggests that with actual cognitive processes, learning is simpler and new material can be placed in the memory for a long time. However, ineffective cognitive processes affect learning complications which can be seen in a person. Social Cognitive Theory (SLT) There are three variables in social cognitive theory, which are interconnected with each other, for learning to happen, which consist of: Personal factors Environmental factors Behavior factors An individual’s environmental interaction, beliefs, ideas and mental skills are influenced by outside factors such as a caring or uncaring parent, disturbing or healthy environment or a very hot or humid climate. The mental process in a person is affected by his behavior, and environmental interaction, which can also alter the way he thinks. One’s behavior can disturb and change the environment in which he or she lives in. Basic concepts of social learning are: Observational Learning Is a form of learning from other people, by means of observing their behavior in an effective way in order to gain knowledge and change behavior. Reproduction Is the method wherein there is a goal to successfully escalate the repeating of a behavior by means of changing the environment to a safer and more comfortable on , within reachable proximate, and to encourage him to remember the new information and behavior learned and to exercise them. Self-efficacy Is the way a person uses the newly learnt knowledge or behavior which he has learnt. Emotional coping is a good coping devices used against demanding environments and negative personal appearances can lead to operational learning, especially in adults Self – regulatory capability is the capability to regulator the behavior even within a negative environment. Classical and operant conditioning are two vital perceptions significant to behavioral psychology. While both result in learning, the procedure is quite different. To understand how each of these behavior modification methods can be used, it is also important to understand how classic conditioning and operant conditioning differ from one another. Classic Conditioning Was developed by the Russian scientist Ivan Pavlov, classic conditioning is the first type of learning wherein an organism responds to an environmental stimulus. Pavlov (1927) observed that in classic conditioning, the stimulus (S) triggers the response (R) of an organism. Within the exposure of the organism to the stimulus, reflex(Hermans et.al., 2006, cited in Weiten, 2014, p. 232). The unconditioned stimulus (US) is the stimulus which leads to an observable response without training. The unconditioned response (UR) is the response brought about by the unconditioned stimulus. It is an automatic and normal behavior. The conditioned stimulus (CR) is a stimulus that is original and has no meaning to the subject. Through learning it is paired with the unconditioned stimulus (US) and brings about the conditioned response. The conditioned response (CR) is the behavior caused by the condition stimulus in response to the (CS). It is usually anticipation of the (US). General Observation My brother was in matric and my little sister was two years old when I observed my brother’s behavior. He would often get very frustrated with my little sister when he tried to study (US) in order for him to study he use to give her a chocolate (UR) and she would smile and leave him to study. The chocolate is a positive reinforcement. Now six months later he has completed his matric and when she goes into his room she expects chocolate (CR). Now that my brother do not give her chocolate, when she goes into his room she begins to cry, and mom would get angry at my brother for making her cry. Mom do not realize that my brother has created a (CR) in my little sister behavior, since mom does not allow her to eat chocolate. Operant Conditioning known as Instrumental Conditioning: Was established by B.F.Skinner . However Skinner was also greatly influenced by the works of Ivan Pavlov on the conditioning reflux. (Skinner, 1970, cited in Ryckman, 2013, p. 360). Operant conditioning tries to contradict the belief that internal thoughts and mere inspirations which brings about learning in a behavior. Skinner thought that only exterior causes of behavior must be considered (Skinner, 1953, p. 65)) The term â€Å"operant† was used by Skinner in order to give us a good suggestion of his theory and how he used it: (Skinner, 1953, cited in Ryckman, 2013, p. 365). Reinforcement: Is a procedure of increasing the frequency rate of a behavior by means of awarding a stimulus soon after the demonstration of the behavior. The event that strengthens the probability of the behavior to be recurring is called a reinforcer. According to Skinner, reinforcement can take two forms, which are called positive and negative reinforcement (Skinner, 1953, cited in Ryckman, 2013, p. 367). Positive Reinforcement: When my mom wanted me to do the dishes, she would say to me â€Å"if you do the dishes for me, for the week than I will take you out shopping on Saturday†. Naturally we would spend the day shopping and she would spoil me, but eventually without her asking me to do the dishes for her. I realized that she was tired after work and the least I could do was help her with the dishes. Negative reinforcement occurs when a reply is reinforced because it is followed by the elimination of an unfriendly stimulus. Example cleaning the house to get rid of the mess or wearing a safety belt whist driving to prevent an annoying sound (Skinner, 1953, cited in Ryckman, 2013, p. 367). Negative Reinforcement: I hated the fact that I needed to drive with my safety belt on, and I found that the annoying noise of the seatbelt would not stop until I buckled up which is an aversive stimulus since it encourage me to fasten my seat belt. Until I fasten the seatbelt, the annoying sound persisted I could not get rid of the aversive stimuli. Now days when I get into the car, the first thing I do is put my safety belt on. In both positive and negative reinforcement, behavior is increased, however negative reinforcement plays a key role in both escaping learning and avoidance learning (Skinner, 1953, cited in Ryckman, 2013, p. 367). In escape learning, a being obtain a response that decrease or ends some aversive stimulation example: my little sister wearing her shoes before going outside to play, this leads to: Avoidance learning in which an entity obtains a response that stops some aversive stimulation from happening example putting on shoes before you get an ammonia. Avoidance learning is a good way to see how classical conditioning and operant conditioning work together to regulate behavior. An example, shoes my sister needs to put on before she goes outside and play might become a classical conditioning (CS) that elicits a fear of wearing shoes in her. However the response of putting on her shoes is an operant behavior. This response is strengthened through negative reinforcement, because it reduces the person’s fear of getting sick. Thus in avoidance learning a fear response is acquired through classical conditioning and an avoidance response is maintained by operant conditioning. Punishment Is a process whereby a stimulus is used after the presentation of behavior and cause the decline in the possibility of the behavior to reoccur. In contrast to reinforcement there are also consequences that decrease a being’s leaning to make a specific response. Positive punishment: Is the accumulation of something which affects the decrease in repeating the behavior that was displayed? Negative punishment, also known as punishment by removal, occurs when a favorable event or outcome is removed after a behavior occurs (Skinner, 1953, cited inRyckman, 2013, p. 368). When I was younger my sister and I slept in the same room and we often fought with each other about who slept on the top of the double bunk. Until my father got angry one day and sent us both to the naughty corner for two whole hours, and whilst sitting alone it decreased our behavior and we never fought again with each other about sleeping arrangements. Negative Punishment: Decreases the behavior from occurring, it is removing pleasant stimulus when someone is not doing the appropriate behavior. Eating food was one of my difficulties, since I rather looked forward to the deserts during super time, so I use to waste my food. Dad took away my spending and said I needed to learn to appreciate and feel what poor kids are going through. He even took me to the orphanage and I felt so bad, now I know not to waste food since there are so many kids out there who do not have food. My view on wasting food has changed. OBSERVATIONAL LEARNING Is based on the work of Albert Bandura (1977). Bandura and his associates were able to exhibit through a variation of experimentations that the request of concerns was not necessary for learning to take place. Instead learning could happen through the simple procedure of observing someone else’s actions or behavior. This effort provided the basis for Bandura’s future work in social cognition ( Ohman Mineka, 2001, cited in Weiten, 2014, p. 252). Bandura expressed his findings in a four step design which includes a cognitive and an operant view of learning. Attention- to learn observation, you must pay attention to another person’s behavior and its environment. Retention- you may not have times to observe response for a long time. Hence the individual remembers what was noticed and must store a mental image of what he has witnessed in his memory. Reproduction- the action that the individual produces that is a replica of what was noticed. Motivation your motivation depends on whether you encounter the situation in which you believe that the response is likely to pay off for you (Weiten, 2013, p. 252). My eldest brother (fifteen years old) use to skip school and smoke cigarettes. Whilst my younger brother who was (twelve years old) at the time observed what he was doing. When my younger brother turned (fourteen) he stated smoking cigarettes too. Thereafter he started modelling my eldest brother’s behavior and he too started skipping school. Now both of them are addicted to smoking. I often hear both my brother’s saying that smoking is not good, yet they keep smoking. And when their friends come over, they smoke even worst. I cannot fully understand the need for their smoking. However I do know that it is not good for their health, it clogs their lungs and some people also dies of lung cancer, besides I hate the bad odor in there breathe. My eldest brother was a good athlete at college but these days he complains that he cannot run like he used to, because he suffers of short breath and he coughs a lot to. I constantly tell him to quit smoking and he would stop for a day or two, and he would become very frustrated and annoying to be around. Eventually I would say to him â€Å"you know, you should rather smoke because you are so annoying, your attitude really stinks† And he would say you know I cannot function without cigarettes it feels like my nerves are finished, I cannot even concentrate, I am trying to leave this addiction but it is not easy. Behavior Modification Is a therapeutic technique created by Skinner, a psychologist who is the â€Å"Father of Behaviorism.† Skinner established a theory of operant conditioning, whereby he states that all behavior is ruled by reinforcing and punishing stimuli. Behavior modification practices a planned approach that rewards wanted behavior and â€Å"punishes† unwanted behavior. This technique is used in therapy and is used in psychological settings. Behavior modification is now known as Applied behavior analysis (ABA) which is more logical (Kransner, 1970, cited in Ryckman, 2013, p. 375). How Behavior Modification is applied: Psychologists use behavior modification to treat disorders such as attention deficit disorder, autism etc. The basics of behavior modification are used to increase the desired behaviors in any specific person, regardless of functional level (Tanaka- Matsumi et al., 2002 cited in Corey2014, p. 254). For example, a person wants to quit smoking cigarettes; he may use behavioral methods to help attain those goals. Another example is, an individual who sees a shark and swims for his life, and he is not swimming fast because he is â€Å"scared.† Instead, he is swimming fast because he saw what happened to other’s who did not swim and who was eaten by the shark. The impulse to swim fast is a result of those that swam and did not live. In addition, the particular feeling of being â€Å"scared† is measured as a flight reflex, not a feeling. The heart races and adrenaline rises as the nervous system responds to the situation at hand. Hence, anything a person does can be directed to behavior modification. Reinforcement and Punishment The idea of reinforcement and punishment is often used in different ways, in behavior modification than in everyday linguistic. Whatever increases a behavior is a reflected reinforcement and whatever decreases the behavior is punishment. The complex part is that both reinforcement and punishment can have either a positive or negative outcome. Positive refers to whatever is added to the situation and negative is whatever is taken away from the situation (Watson Tharp, 1997, cited in Weiten, 2014, p. 260). Positive Reinforcement: When I was in school my mom would give me a huge hug and when I got really good marks she would reward me with presents for passing. Negative Reinforcement: My brother often did not do well at school, and he did not get any praises from my parents, instead my parents were disappointment and would often ground him. This is a negative reinforcement, because although he was not an academic student I feel my parents would still praise him and motivated him in whatever field he is good at. Punishment: Often my brother had to do the gardening for the duration of the school term in order for his grades to go up. This was dad’s way of punishing him positively. Mom use to take away his play station and his bicycle until his grades picked up. This was mom’s way of punishing him negatively (Weiten, 2014, p. 260). Behavior Modification in Everyday Life: According to Lazaras (1989) behavior modification may seem complicated, but in fact it is actually quite simple. If an individual is reinforced every single time he or she does something good, sooner or later the reinforcement will lose its power. When using this technique with general people, one should reinforce the desired outcome, with a consistency. Then as they start to respond, change your schedule of reinforcement to every third time, and they will do what you want. After a while, change it again to every fifth time until they do it automatically (Lazaras 1989 cited in Corey, 2014). Mom wanted dad to open the car door for her. When they went out shopping she carried all the bags and when she got to the car, dad noticed that her hands were filled and he opened the door for her. Once he opened the door, she looked at him in the eye and told him what an amazing person he is. After several times of her encouraging him to open the door, eventually he started opening the car door for her regularly. And once she noticed that he was opening the door for her she did not compliment him every time. However once in a while she would complement him. Conclusion Both cognitive processes and behavior modification has been used with good outcomes to help people with a wide variety of problems. These approaches makes use of tangible, involvements, because of the way problems are recognized .The major methods are logical and straightforward. References Corey, G. (2014). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (SA ed.). USA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning, Inc. Ryckman,R. M. (2013). Theories of Personality (10th, ed.). USA: International Edition, Cengage Learning. Corey, G. (1986).Theory and practice of group counselling and psychotherapy(3rd ed.). Monterey, CA Brooks/Cole. Weiten, W. (2014). Psychology Themes and Variations (SA. Ed.). Las Vegas, USA: Cengage Learning.

Hard times :: essays research papers

Hard Time To be young is to be mischievous. There has probably never been a time in history when young people did not occasionally steal, damage property, runaway from home or school, assault other people, or act disrespectful to adults. Within the past three decades, judicial decisions, legislative amendments, and administrative changes have transformed the juvenile court from a nominally rehabilitative social welfare agency into a scaled-down-class criminal court for young people. Webster’s Dictionary describes juvenile delinquency as juvenile conduct â€Å"characterized by antisocial behavior that is beyond parental control and therefore subject to legal action.† (Grinney 14) Delinquent behavior in teens existed way back in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. This definition shows that 19th- century American society had determined it was suitable to take legal action against intolerable youthful behavior. What the definition does not disclose is that thoughts about what that legal action should be were changing quickly. By 1900, 36 states had separate restraining facilities for juvenile offenders. In the beginning, these facilities were built for a dual purpose. They were developed as a way to take away difficult children from society while keeping them away from adult prisoners who were likely to persuade them even more negatively. The courts also hoped that such facilities would help children find the formation and the ethical guidance they needed to improve there ways. However, these institutions were actually better than prisons. Moreover, youngsters were often immediately taken to them-without an official trial-by the courts, the police, their parents, or their guardians. When these types of facilities were not accessible, children were sent to adult jails and prisons for every kind of offence, from common disruptiveness to assault with a lethal weapon. In 1870, Boston began having separate hearings for offenders under age 16, and New York City soon followed. In 1899, Illinois became the first state to create a juvenile court system. Other states rapidly did the same. Supporters of the juvenile court system did not want young people to associate with adult criminals in institutions. One of the major goals of the juvenile court system was to keep young offenders out of institutions. This system promoted the term juvenile delinquent in order to differentiate between an adult criminal and a mischievous child who may of may not be guilty of criminal behavior. According to James S. Coleman, the juvenile court system introduced a totally new purpose. Its purpose was to revitalize the child rather than to discipline him or her.

A Modified 2-D Logarithmic Search Technique for Video Coding

A Modified 2-D Logarithmic Search Technique for Video Coding With Reduced Search Points Tahmina Akhtar† , Rahima Akter† , Chhalma Sultana Chhaya † , Ashfaqur Rahman †¡ †  Military Institute of Science and Technology/Dept of CSE, Dhaka, Bangladesh, †¡ Central Queensland University/Centre for Intelligent and Networked Systems, QLD, Australia [email  protected] com, [email  protected] com, [email  protected] com, a. [email  protected] edu. au Abstract Video coding is a process for representing video sequences in a compact manner.A significant step in video coding is searching for similar segments in previous frames and use only the difference information for reconstruction thus reducing space requirement. Different search techniques including Full search and 2-D logarithmic search etc. are used in the current literature. Full search restricts its application because of its computational load. 2D logarithmic search is computationally less expensive a lthough there are some spaces for improvement. In this paper we propose a new search technique by modifying the 2-D logarithmic search that requires less search points with insignificant loss in visual quality.Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed technique. Keywords: video coding, 2-D logarithmic search. i. INTRODUCTION Video is a sequence of still images representing scenes in motion. A video is created by capturing a numbers of still images in a short time interval. When these still images are displayed very quickly, it represents the motion of the object in the images. Video represent the huge amount of data. In order to transfer video data from one place to another efficiently it is required to compress the size of video data.One way to compress the size of video data is video coding [ [1] ] [ [2] ]. The principal goal in the design of a video-coding system is to reduce the transmission rate subject to some picture quality constraint. In transmissio n side, the first frame (normally called the reference frame) is transmitted as it is and the remaining frames are sent as a function of the reference frame. The frame to be sent is divided into a number of blocks and the best match for the block is looked for in the search window of the reference frame. This processing is called the search technique in video coding literature.There exist a number of video coding techniques including MPEG-1/2/4 [ [2] ] [ [7] ], H. 26X [ [8] ] etc. uses search techniques like Full search [ [1] ], 2-D logarithmic search [ [3] ], Coarse-Fine-Three-Step search [ [4] ], Conjugate Direction search [ [5] ], and Pyramid search [ [6] ]. Each of these search techniques has merits and demerits in their favor. Full search finds the best match for a block as it searches all the candidate positions in the search window. Full search however is computationally expensive and renders difficulty for real time implementation.Some variants exist that applies some heuris tics to reduce the candidate search points and reduce the computational complexity although compromising the image quality a bit. 2-D logarithmic search is one such search technique that reduces the search points to a subset of the search window (to be detailed in literature review) and finds the near-optimal best match with reduced computational complexity. Although computationally inexpensive it contains some redundancy in the search space. We aim to reduce this redundancy and aim to find a modified 2-D logarithmic search technique with even reduced computational load.Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed technique reduces the number of search points and thus reduces search time with insignificant sacrifice of image quality. The paper is organized as follows. In Section II we elaborate some related works. In Section III we present our proposed search approach. Some experimental results to demonstrate the effective of the proposed approach is presented in Section IV. F inally Section V concludes the paper. II. Related works In this section we present full search technique and the logarithmic search technique.In both cases the frame to be coded is divided into a number of non-overlapping equal size blocks of size p? q. The best match is looked for in a search window of size (2d+1)? (2d+1) in the reference frame . Fig 1: Block matching process in video coding that uses search techniques. * A. Full Search In Full search [ [1] ] finds the best match by inspecting all the (2d+1)? (2d+1) candidate positions within the search window. Full search procedure is brute force in nature. The advantage of Full Search is that it delivers good accuracy in searching for the best match.The disadvantage is that it involves a large amount of computation. * B. 2-D Logarithmic Search Jain and Jain [ [3] ] developed a 2-D logarithmic search technique that successively reduces the search area, thus reducing the computational burden. The first step computes the similarity for five points in the search window. These five points are as follows: the central point of the search window and the four points surrounding it, with each being a midpoint between the central point and one of the four boundaries of the window. Among these five points, the one corresponding to the minimum dissimilarity is picked as the winner.In the next step, surrounding this winner, another set of five points are selected in a similar fashion to that in the first step, with the distances between the five points remaining unchanged. The exception takes place when either a central point of a set of five points or a boundary point of the search window gives a minimum dissimilarity. In these circumstances, the distances between the five points need to be reduced. The procedure continues until the final step, in which a set of candidate points are located in a 3Ãâ€"3 2-D grid.The steps in a 2-D logarithmic search technique are presented in Fig 2. Fig 2: The 2-D logarithmic search tec hnique. The circle numbered n is searched at the n-th step. The arrows indicate the points selected as the center of the search for the next pass. The 2-D logarithmic search hits a maximum of 18 points and a minimum of 13 search points. The advantage of this technique is that it successively reduces the search area, thus reducing the computational burden. One of the disadvantages is that some points are searched more than once thus leave some space for improvement.Moreover, it follows a greedy approach by selecting the minimum dissimilar point at each step thus posing a threat to follow a local minimum trend. Considering these facts we propose to modify the 2-D logarithmic search to overcome the local minimum problem and also eliminate the redundant computing as described in the following section. iii. proposed search technique We mainly modified the 2-D logarithmic search technique to eliminate the redundancy and local minimum problem associated with it. The search technique is ela borated next under the light of 2-D logarithmic search technique.Our proposed search technique starts with the five points in the search window where the one is at the center and other four surrounds center point (Fig 3(a)). Unlike 2-D logarithmic search, our proposed technique selects two points min1 and min2 (Fig 3(b)) that has dissimilarity scores lower than the other three points. We then select a point as the center of search for the next pass that lies on the line in between min1 and min2. This selection reduces the local minimum effect as it simply does not follow the minimum point.Moreover, the five points selected in the next pass does not match with any of the previous points thus eliminates the redundancy that exists in 2-D logarithmic search. Centered at the point selected at the next pass the search continues (Fig 3(d)-Fig 3(f)). The steps of the search are portrayed in Fig 3. Following are some of the merits of our proposed technique: * Successively reduces the search area with no point searched twice * Maximum search points are 12 and minimum search points are 5 – an improvement over 2-D logarithmic search. iv. Results and DiscussionWe have conducted a comparative analysis of Full Search, 2-D logarithmic Search and our proposed search technique as presented next. All the experiments were conducted on MPEG sequences using MATLAB. We used sequences like garden, Akiyo, Table Tennis, Car, and coastguard. Full search, 2-D logarithmic search and our proposed technique applied in these standard MPEG file and we computed the ASNR (Average Signal to Noise Ratio) and Computational load (i. e. number of search points). The results on different sequences are presented next. Akiyo Sequence: Each frame of the Akiyo sequence is of 352? 88 pixels, recorded at 25 frames per second and there are a total of 398 video frames. Fig 4 shows the reconstructed 20th frame of Akiyo sequence coded using Full search, 2D-logarithmic search and proposed search techniqu e. In this video only face portion is moving. Search point comparison for these three search techniques is presented in Fig 5 and ASNR is reported in Fig 6. ASNR achieved using the proposed search technique is almost equal 2D logarithmic search but at reduced number of search points (Fig 5). Number of search points remains almost similar over the different frames.ASNR value shown in Table 1. (a)| (b)| (c)| (d)| (e)| (f)| Fig 3: The different steps of our proposed 2-D logarithmic search technique. (a) five points of search window, (b) the direction of the search in between the direction offered by the two points min1 and min2. (c) Search at step 2, (d) min1 and min2 at step 2, (e) Search points at step 3, and (f) Search ends at the blue point. (a)| (b)| (c)| Fig 4: Reconstructed 20th frame of the Akiyo sequence using (a) Full search, (b) 2-D logarithmic search, and (c) Our proposed search technique.Fig 5: Comparison of # of search points for Akiyo sequence. Fig 6: Comparison of ASNR for Akiyo sequence. Table 1: ASNR value of different search for Akiyo sequence Frame No| Full Search| 2D logarithmic Search| Proposed Search| 1st| 25. 86188| 25. 55678| 25. 46245375| 5th| 24. 84504| 23. 77938883| 23. 57562323| 10th| 24. 37532| 23. 01043038| 22. 67351877| 15th| 24. 38495| 22. 98908004| 22. 5831958| 20th| 24. 4424| 22. 90227928| 22. 56886825| 25th| 24. 44956| 23. 03416597| 22. 51615637| Car Sequence: Each frame of the Car sequence is of 320? 240 pixels and ecorded at 25 frames per second and there are a total of 398 video frames. The reconstructed 20th frame of Car sequence using the three search techniques is presented in Fig 7. In this video sequence the car moves but background is still. Here each repeated two times. Average no of search point is almost 10. 46 for repeated frames and 11. 50 for new frames. Here number of search points vary significantly compared to Akiyo sequence. Overall the proposed technique has reduced search points (Fig 8) although the ASNR is bit low (Fig 9). ASNR value of some frames shown in Table 2. a)| (b)| (c)| Fig 7: Reconstructed 20th frame of the Car sequence using (a) Full search, (b) 2-D logarithmic search, and (c) Our proposed search technique. Fig 8: Comparison of # of search points for Car sequence. Fig 9: Comparison of ASNR for Car sequence. Table 2: ASNR value of different search for Car sequence Frame No| Full Search| 2D logarithmic Search| Proposed Search| 1st| 27. 13312| 26. 5682| 26. 08265| 5th| 26. 68718| 25. 75123| 25. 16904| 10th| 26. 10589| 25. 12647| 24. 27394| 15th| 26. 31185| 25. 16266| 24. 54981| 20th| 26. 28613| 25. 1915| 24. 61234| 25th| 25. 86261| 25. 02255| 24. 12599| Garden Sequence: Each frame of the Garden sequence is of 352? 240 pixels and recorded at 30 frames per second and there are a total of 59 video frames. Fig 10 represents the reconstructed 20th frame of this sequence coded using the three search techniques. In this video the motion is due to camera movement. Fig 11 and Fig 12 reveals that the new search technique reduces the number of search points with minor loss in ASNR. ASNR value of some frames shown in Table 3. Here Average no of search point for each frames required almost same.In frame 20th average no of search point is 11. 6053 and ASNR is 18. 22931. (a)| (b)| (c)| Fig 10: Reconstructed 20th frame of the Garden sequence using (a) Full search, (b) 2-D logarithmic search, and (c) Our proposed search technique. Fig 11: Comparison of # of search points for Garden sequence. Fig 12: Comparison of ASNR for Garden sequence. Table 3: ASNR value of different search for Garden sequence Frame No| Full Search| 2Dlogarithmic Search| Proposed Search| 1st| 24. 27663| 24. 27663| 23. 5971| 5th| 21. 6078| 21. 6078| 20. 49847| 0th| 20. 71779| 20. 71779| 19. 34323| 15th| 19. 9641| 19. 9641| 18. 69269| 20th| 19. 6754| 19. 6754| 18. 22931| 25th| 19. 39791| 19. 39791| 18. 05226| Coastguard Sequence: Each frame of the Coastguard sequence is of 320? 240 pixels and recorde d at 25 frames per second and there are a total of 378 video frames. Here the boat and the camera are moving. Fig 13 represents a reconstructed frame of this sequence coded using the three search techniques. Fig 14 represents the search point required by the three techniques. Our proposed technique shows periodic nature in terms of search points.This is due to the repetitive nature of motion in the video. Fig 15 represents a comparison of ASNR obtained using different techniques. Table 4 shown ASNR of some frames. (a)| (b)| (c)| Fig 13: Reconstructed frame of the Coastguard sequence using (a) Full search, (b) 2-D logarithmic search, and (c) Our proposed search technique. Fig 14: Comparison of # of search points for Coastguard seq. Fig 15: Comparison of ASNR for Coastguard sequence. Table 4: ASNR value of different search for Coastguard seq. Frame No| Full Search| 2D logarithmic Search| Proposed Search| 1st| 24. 8771| 24. 33338| 23. 61801| 5th| 24. 31753| 23. 35416| 22. 54516| 10th| 23. 90367| 23. 03317| 22. 07546| 15th| 24. 36529| 23. 44171| 22. 66604| 20th| 24. 38658| 23. 26823| 22. 50994| 25th| 24. 54524| 23. 91583| 22. 91885| Table tennis Sequence: Each frame of the Table tennis sequence is of 352? 240 pixels and recorded at 30 frames per second and there are a total of 9 video frames. Here ball is moving fast. The reconstructed frames, number of search points, and ASNR of the three search techniques are presented in Fie 16, Fig 17, and Fig 18. Some ASNR of Table tennis sequence shown in table 5. a)| (b)| (c)| Fig 16: Reconstructed frame of the Table tennis sequence using (a) Full search, (b) 2-D logarithmic search, and (c) Our proposed search technique. Fig 17: Comparison of # of search points for Table tennis sequence. Overall the result of ASNR for Full Search is best in all cases but number of search point is so high. The result of ASNR for 2-D logarithmic and our proposed search is almost same but the number of search point of our proposed search is sm aller than the 2-D logarithmic search and thus an improvement over the existing technique.Fig 18: Comparison of ASNR for Table tennis sequence. Table 5: ASNR value of different search for Table tennis seq Frame No| Full Search| 2D logarithmicSearch| ProposedSearch| 1st| 25. 2698| 24. 56416| 23. 90544| 3rd| 23. 60795| 22. 69326| 21. 81273| 5th| 23. 43996| 22. 35007| 21. 29301| 7th| 23. 71878| 22. 71607| 21. 58383| v. Conclusion In this paper we have presented a new search technique for video coding that is a modification of the existing 2-D logarithmic search. The proposed technique reduces the search time of 2-D logarithmic search by reducing the redundant search points.Although ASNR is sacrificed to some extent it had insignificant visual impact as observed from the experimental results. References [1] Shi and H. Sun, â€Å"Image and Video Compression for Multimedia Engineering†, Fundamentals, Algorithms and Standards, 2nd Edition. [2] P. N. Tudor, â€Å"MPEG-2 Video Compre ssion†, IEEE J Langham Thomson Prize, Electronics and Communication Engineering journal, December 1995. [3] J. R. Jain and A. K. Jain, â€Å"Displacement Measurement and Its Application in Interframe Image Coding†, IEEE Transactions on Communications, vol. com-29, no. 12, December 1981. [4] T. Koga, K. Linuma, A. Hirano, Y. Iijima, and T.Ishiguro, â€Å"Motion-compensated interframe coding for video conferencing,† Proc. NTC’81, G5. 3. 1-G5. 3. 5, New Orleans, LA, Dec. 1981. [5] R. Srinivasan and K. R. Rao, â€Å"Predictive coding based on efficient motion estimation,† Proc. of ICC, 521-526, May 1984. [6] D. Tzovaras, M. G. Strintzis, and H. Sahinolou, â€Å"Evaluation of multiresolution block matching techniques for motion and disparity estimation,† Signal Process. Image Commun. , 6, 56-67, 1994. [7] MPEG-4, http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/MPEG-4, last accessed in December 2008. [8] H. 264, http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/H. 264, last accessed in December 2008. *

Life Alone

â€Å"No one is ever born into Life alone. Everyone has shared the bond of family, at least at birth, and for many people it is a bond that will follow them throughout life†. For many people it is the most important bond of all†. I chose this topic because I thought that it would be cool to take a look at my life story. At first, I thought that this project would be easy but when I thought that I had finished but I had to start it over because it was too short and I didn't have enough information on the topic. Before I did this project I knew that my parents were born in Poland but I didn't know specifically where they were born in Poland. Another thing that I learned, was that a family can be defined in many ways, but the common definition of family is love and being with one another. Lastly, I learned that people want others to rely on, talk to if they need help, do things with, share love, and be part of. The story of my search was very easy because every time I tired to search something on the web then it gave me the answers right away. Also, the story of my search was very easy because for example when I wanted to draw a Polish flag on my tri-fold board or get an image of the national animal or flower, then I just had to search it up on the web and it appeared right away. During the course of this project, I learned that my mom was born in Dabrowa-Tarnowska, Poland and my dad was born in Tarnobrzeg, Poland. Furthermore, while I was doing my project, I learned that Poland has a lot of traditions like, the Marzanna-Burning, the Wet Monday that happens after Easter, the Christmas-Straw under the tablecloth, and many more.

psychosynthesis Essays

psychosynthesis Essays psychosynthesis Essay psychosynthesis Essay Psychosynthesis When one thinks of therapy one for the most part automatically thinks that therapy deals with emotional problems that a person is trying to over come. However, there is another aspect of an individuals personality that also can be worked on during therapy, this aspect being the spiritual part of an individual. This type of therapy is known as psychosynthesis. In psychosynthesis, the goal or focus is for the individual to achieve synthesis, a coming together, of the different parts of an individual. Once a person has achieved a more cohesive self that person can then function in a way that s more life affirming and authentic (Kelder, 1993). The way that a person is able to achieve this more cohesive self is by taking into consideration that part of an individuals personality that deals with spirituality, which was mentioned earlier. This spiritual side ofa person or as some describes it as the higher, deeper, or transpersonal self is seen as a source of wisdom, inspiration, unconditional love, and the will to meaning in our lives (Kelder, 1993). The primary use of psychosynthesis is in the field of psychotherapy but because it is a technique that an be universally applied to many fields it now has found its way into education, management, organizational development, and politics. (Kelder, 1993). Psychosynthesis counseling is for short term, six-session to help people who have problems such as panic attacks, aggression, psychosomatic symptoms, phobias, eating disorders and depression. Psychosynthesis counselors also practice in crisis intermediate homes for drug offenders and delinquent adolescents. Whitmore, 2004, p. 157). Roberto Assagioli initiated psychosynthesis around 1910. Assagioli was an Italian sychiatrist as well was a member of the psychoanalytic group formed by Karl Jung in 1910. In his doctoral thesis he explored the possibilities of using analytical insight to understand human potential, inspiration and motivation. This human development approach is founded on the basic premise that we participate in an orderl y universe structured to facilitate the evolution of consciousness. An outcome is that each persons life has purpose and meaning within this wider context and that it is possible for the individual to discover this. The individual seeks to discover what onnects the to others and the world around them by exploring existential issues and experience of that world and focusing on the interpersonal relationship the individual has within that world (Loewenthal House, 2010, p. 117). In order to achieve this sense of clarity one must embrace change. Change is not achievable without self-knowledge. One must have the will to bring about transformation. The use of self- knowledge or will is the capacity for choice or the ability to direct the self. The therapist besides helping the individual fgure out what presently is holding hem back also ultimately has to help the individual figure out the fundamental relationship between them and the world around them (Loewenthal House, 2010, p. 116). The therapist does this through questioning, and through questioning the therapist is trying to reach the deeper meaning of what the individual is feeling or experiencing. Everything contains an element of the individuals psyche that is trying to come out and connect to the wider whole of the individual. By taping into the inner psyche the individual will experience the pain of the original wounding but this ime around there is tolerance and a greater sense that this aspect connects deep to who the individual is. While going through this process the relationship of therapist and individual deepens and there is mutual understanding and awareness, which will be explained in the first stage of psychosynthesis. Going back to the foundation of psychosynthesis, which is helping an individual become whole, this is done by bringing the unconscious to the conscious. A therapist has to bring forward the survival personalities, as well as the defense mechanisms, which will be explained during the stages of psychosynthesis. Once these are brought to the conscious the individual can change their behavior, attitude and be more accepting of them. The journey of psychosynthesis has been divided into four stages. (1) Thorough knowledge of ones personality, (2) control of the various elements of the personality, (3) realization of ones true Self- the discovery or creation of a unifying center, and (4) psychosynthesis, the formation or reconstruction of the personality around the new center (Firman Gila, 2010, p. 96). Even though these stages are presented in chronological order it does not imply that these stages happen in that order, the tages can happen out of order, it is Just that one stage is in t he foreground while the others are in the background. There is no set amount of time a person will remain in a particular stage so it can be a couple of minutes. A person is never fully done with a stage, regardless of how much growth a person goes through they never outgrow that these stages are not provided for the person going through therapy instead these stages are provided for the therapist, so the therapist does not lose grasp of the foundation of psychosynthesis which is providing empathy (Firman Gila, 2010, p. 96-97). Stage zero or the survival stages deals with experiences where we have felt trauma, neglect, rejection, and denial. That individual will experience primal wounding, which will be suppressed or repressed within the unconscious while creating survival strategies or survival personalities to avoid the pain that comes from those experiences, sometimes these survival personalities are created in our childhood. Those survival strategies, which later on we come to identify as who we are yet the true self remains buried. During this stage we feel some type of balance between comfort and security (Firman Gila, 2010, p. 8). Stage one is the stage known as Exploration; the importance of this stage is the establishing of a rapport between therapist and client (Firman Gila, 2010, p. 107). It is from this rapport that exploration will emerge on its own. The task of the therapist is to bring clarity to the conflicts and dilemmas we struggle with on a constant biases. These conflicts and dilemmas stem from our sub consciousness that the therapist has to bring into harmonious integration around a unifying center. The therapist is there to provide a true link, a point of connection between the personal man and his higher self. Because the therapist gives that spiritual empathy the person is able to start to separate from that survival mode and focus on what the real issue is. The therapist does not know where the client will take the session, they only know that they must be supportive and show empathy, the focus is the person not the theory (Firman Gila, 2010, p. 111). Stage two or the emergence of l the person is able to freely exercise the functions of consciousness and will. During this stage the individual can express via aspects of the personality rather than being unconsciously controlled by hem (Firman Gila, 2010, p. 15). Also in this stage the person can take more of an active role in their growth and partake in self-reflection. The persons reactions both emotional as well as cognitively are en expression of who l am and less of a reaction based on survival skills (Firman Gila, 2010, p. 1 16). Stage three is known as contact with self. During this stage the individual starts to try to find mea ning and purpose. Some can confuse this as exploration but these questions deal with the person is searching for self a more conscious self-realization (Firman Gila, 2010, p. 121). Psychosynthesis focuses on relationships, the relationship between therapist and client, the relationship with others but most importantly the relationship the individual has with themselves. During this stage the person will have more encounters with the authentic unifying centers. These unifying centers can be from human beings real and fictional, to inner symbols and outer environments, to formless intuitions and hunches, to religious and spiritual practices, to the arts and sciences, to animals and the natural world (Firman Gila, 2010, p. 122). The importance of mediation during the psychosynthesis process is key to this stage. By partaking in meditation the person is able to connect to these unifying centers that will allow the person to go beyond set patters and see new ideas and insight (Whitmore, 2004, p. 141). By focusing on one topic the mind can go deep and examine the different levels of meaning in a more subjective way to find intuitive enhances the effect of that image on the unconscious, and may assist in resolving inner conflicts and in transforming negative tendencies into positive ones (Whitmore, 2004, p. 142). The last step in psychosynthesis is when the person responds to self (Firman Gila, 2010, p. 3). Now that the client has a therapist who continuously shows them empathy, deepens their connection to unifying centers and starts to guide themselves they could start to respond to self in their lives by aligning themselves more to their nature and values. The person now makes choices to what seems true and right to them (Firman Gila, 2010, p. 133). The choices that are being made start a c onversation or a response between the person and a higher source. It is important to remember that everyone is on the search of self-realization we seek to find good (Firman Gila, 2010, p. 3). Counseling Journey that never ends, there is no point where the work is completed and the person will forever be happy. In psychosynthesis it is emphasized that self- realization is a process rather than an end-result. There will always potential, a next step for the client to achieve a higher sense of self-realization. Through counseling the individual builds her resources and learns how to work towards self-realization by making themselves more whole (Whitmore, 2004, p. 1 57). Firman, J. , Gila, A. (2010). Psychotherapy of love : Psychosynthesis in practice. Albany, NY, USA: State University of New York Press. Retrieved from http:// site. ebrary. com/lib/liu/docDetail. action? doclD=10574134 Kelder, D. (1993). What is psychosynthesis?. Retrieved from http://two. not2. org/psychosynthesis/ps2. htm Loewenthal, D. , House, R. (2010). Critically engaging cbt. Berkshire, GBR: Open University Press. Retrieved from http://site. ebrary. com/lib/liu/docDetail. action? doclD=10413325 Whitmore, D. (2004). Psychosynthesis counseling in action. (3rd ed. ). London, GBR: SAGE Publications Inc. (US). Retrieved from http://site. ebrary. com/lib/

Advertising and Big Beer Ad Essays

Advertising and Big Beer Ad Essays Advertising and Big Beer Ad Essay Advertising and Big Beer Ad Essay 1. What factors influence the sensed credibleness of an informal information beginning? List and discuss factors that determine the credibleness of formal communicating beginnings of merchandise information. The sensed honestness and objectiveness of the beginning of communicating has an tremendous influence on how the communicating is accepted by the receiving system. The major factors are perceived purpose of beginning. right usage of famous person indorsements and the rightness of the interpreter with the content of the message. 2. What are the deductions of the sleeper consequence for the choice of spokespeople and the programming of advertisement messages? The slumberer consequence is the inclination for persuasive communicating to lose the impact of beginning credibleness over clip. In footings of pick for a interpreter. it is a good thought to choose a controversial and celebrated individual that will lodge in the consumers mind e. g. famous person indorsements. The ads should be scheduled foremost in the commercial block because people tend to retrieve them the most in comparing to the commercials played in the center and terminal of the show. 4. Virgin Airlines uses both magazines and Internet to advance its price reduction air hose concern. How would you mensurate the advertisement effectivity of the two media for advancing the service? Which is likely to be more effectual? Broadband Internet services offer fast entree to turning group of consumers i. e. particular involvement groups. However. the growing of unasked emailing. electronic mail viruses and worms have limited the effectivity of this medium. There is a turning tendency towards media atomization as they have shifted their focal point from general involvement audience to smaller more specialised groups. Harmonizing to a Roy Morgan study in 2006. there were 140 magazine rubrics read by the population of ages 14 and over. 5. Which media do you believe are suited for advertisement to the 18-24 age group as opposed to the 55+ age group? Justify your reply with illustrations and /or secondary informations. The most appropriate media type for the age group of 18-24 would be the Internet. as they are one of the largest users. This type of selling is called viral as it allows the message to distribute like a virus. Some illustrations of this are the Carlton Draught it’s a large beer’ ad. which premiered on the Internet and now has had over 3 million positions. Social networking activities driven by sites such a YouTube and Facebook have besides had an of import impact of the effectivity of viral selling. for illustration the Carlton it’s a large beer’ ad can be viewed on YouTube. On the other manus. harmonizing to Nielsen Media Research it would look that popular FM wireless Stationss and ABC wireless Stationss appeal to two really different audiences. with 33 % of over 55 listen ing to 3AW Melbourne and closely behind are the ABC Stationss for that age groups. 6. You are the selling director for a concern redress. Your advertisement bureau has merely presented you with two different promotional schemes. one utilizing a humourous attack and one taking an agony attack. Which attack would you follow? Why? As a pharmaceutical company we would take the agony attack as these commercials are run with great success because they appeal to a certain section that suffers from nutriments that are non seeable. which hence elicit small understanding from household and friends. Ailments are legitimized by commercials. which they instantly identify with. 7. You are a publicities director working for the Australian or your place authorities. Invent an advertisement run to deter smoke by immature adult females mentioning to the communicating theoretical account shown in Figure 7. 1. p. 260. Compare your program with current runs used by the Australian authorities. province authoritiess or local authoritiess. How is your run superior? Justify your reply with mention to consumer behaviour. We would utilize an emotional advertisement run. with a combination of fright and scratchy advertisement to deter adult females from smoking. Fear is an effectual advertisement entreaty. as it provides a compelling set of grounds for immediate actions to forestall the fatal effects of smoke. In utilizing scratchy advertisement we would utilize a controversial run as this will assist better consciousness of the negative effects of smoke. It would besides associate us to of import societal issues irrespective of the fact that the images may be facing to some people.

Speech class Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Speech class - Essay Example To one estimate over 90 percent and above enterprises and business organizations have resorted to variable pay schemes in order to minimize the chances of further damages and losses that may be incurred in the longer run. The case and practical example presented relates to the power point slide number 8 in such a way that it is a practical demonstration of the managerial terms and concepts that are often used for in management courses and programs. The variable pay scheme may also be taken into account keeping in view the HR functions such as the clients satisfaction, the overall level of interaction between the top management, middle and lower administration along with the interaction between the inside of the organization and the supply chain outside. Variable pay method is subject to various factors consideration. These factors pertain to the past history of the organization, the cultural trend and the clients’ adaption to the new concept as well as the legal aspects fulfillment in this regard. Business cycle must also be taken into account and the overall forecast considerations in terms of the small level forecast to medium and long term forecast procedures undertaking. Caterpillar Inc in 2013 took up the variable pay scheme in the light of prevailing circumstances and global recession (Harrer). The variable pay scheme was introduced in the wake of the overall low profits and low investor responses recorded in the recent years. The responses so incurred and recorded were as low as 40 percent compared to the previous year performances and the subsequent gains and benefits from it. Caterpillar Inc found relative stability in its ranks after undertaking the variable pay scheme for the purpose of handling the employees concerns and overcoming the risks of global recession and low sales in the recent years and recent

Corporate Governance Law Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Corporate Governance Law - Assignment Example According to Turnbull (1999, p. 189), corporate governance is defined as executive procedures and structural organization that is used to manage and direct business towards ensuring financial stability and achievement of objectives. Corporate governance is concerned with the relationship among the Board of Directors, minority shareholders, controlling shareholders, and the management. The history of corporate governance dates back to the nineteenth century when there was increasing emergence of limited liability companies in Europe and America (Klapper and Love, 2003, p. 28). Since then, the system has increased in prominence in many countries across the world because it has proved to contribute to sustainable economic development and the performance of companies. Minow (2002, p. 16) notes that the principles of corporate governance provide the framework for the following: disclosure and transparency, the role of non- financial stakeholders, the Board of Directors responsibilities, r ights of shareholders and other stakeholders and their equal treatment. OECD (2005) states that corporate governance law is at the core of corporate governance and further argue that it provides basis for various aspects of corporate governance hence making it effective. Corporate governance law provides framework for intellectual property, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, and other vital decisions that relate to corporate governance (Minnow, 2002, p. 71). ... Importance of Corporate Governance Before comparing and contrasting Anglo- American model and European model of corporate governance, it is crucial to understand why corporate governance is important and relevant to countries and companies. According to Bhagat and Bolton (2008, p. 260), numerous studies have shown that corporate governance plays an important role in facilitating and guiding the development processes of countries and organizations towards achievement of their objectives. Klapper and Love (2003, p. 33) argue that even though corporate governance is important for all the countries regardless of their social and economic status, the concept is more crucial in achieving public policy objectives in emerging market countries. Good corporate governance is essential in reducing the vulnerability of emerging market to financial crises, contributes to capital market development, reduces cost of capital and transaction costs, and reinforces property rights (La Rocca, 2007, p. 31 2). Basically, corporate governance is critical in addressing the issue of integrity especially regarding how the management and board of companies are discharging their duties. Apart from that, corporate governance provides the basis for setting up regulatory entity; it allows an organization to introduce regulation and oversee the proper implementation of the regulation. Additionally, this concept is vital in enhancing the institutions’ remunerations and financial policies which enable institutions to make profits and prevent the institutions from effects of financial crises (OECD, 2005). According to Minow (2002, p. 30), strong corporate governance practices significantly increase productivity,

Request for letter of recommendation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Request for letter of recommendation - Essay Example As the class representative for the labor relations course, I consulted with you personally one several occasions. Besides my good academic performance and active leadership roles in your class, I also received your commendations on my punctuality. It is my hope that you will explicitly mention these positive attributes in my recommendation letter. Deadline for submission of the recommendation letter is in exactly three weeks from the date on this letter’s addresses. Expectedly, failure to meet the submission deadline will result in rejection of my graduate school application. Therefore, kindly complete formulating the letter approximately one week before the mentioned deadline. In case of any other relevant requirements for the graduate school application in future, I will rely on your sincere willingness to assist me. All the urgent details concerning the requested recommendation letter are contained therein. However, I will be available for response through my email or on phone whenever necessary. Kindly find time out of your tight schedule to facilitate the materialization of my request. Thank you for your efforts and understanding, and I am looking forward to receiving your confirmation to assist me. Best

Scientific principles and techniques Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Scientific principles and techniques - Essay Example Mechanics are based on a few laws of nature which are evident without proof or argument. Mechanics is a highly developed branch of physics which is tasked with the determination and description of the motion of bodies and the investigation of the forces that are associated with the motion (Gross, et al. 2009). Suspension system The suspension system of a car is a collection of important systems that are located on the lower part of the car and are part of the chassis. These include the frame, suspension system, steering system and tires and wheels. The suspension of a car is mainly composed of three systems namely springs, dampers and anti-sway bars. Springs are based on four designs: coil springs which are the most common and are made of a heavy-duty bar that is coiled around an axis. They compress and expand when a force is applied on them to absorb the motion of the wheels; leaf springs which are made up of several layers of metal that are bound together to perform as a single uni t. They absorb shock in trucks and heavy-duty automobiles to reduce the force exerted on the wheels; torsion bars which are made of a steel bar that is coiled; and air springs which are made up of a cylindrical chamber of air placed between the wheel and the body of the car. Manufacture The material is commonly used is alloys of steel such as high-carbon, chrome vanadium and stainless steel. The manufacture process of the springs involves coiling, hardening and a final stage of finishing. Leaf springs are made from bars of flat stock and are heated to elevated temperatures. They are then formed by the use of a machine or by hand. Car springs are made by hot winding which involves heating the metal to very high temperatures to make it formable. When red hot, the bar is then coiled around a mandrel until it acquires the required shape then it is quickly removed from the mandrel and dipped in oil to cool and harden it. To ensure the spring acquires the required strength it is heat trea ted appropriately. For the leaf springs, the flat ends are attained by grinding. The bar is mounted in a jig and is held against an abrasive wheel that is rotating until the required flatness is achieved. A coarse wheel is used first then a finer wheel is used to ensure a fine finish and a cooling lubricant is used to ensure a quality finish and to increase tool life. In a subsequent processes, the spring is exposed to bombardment with tiny steel balls that hammer the steel and make it smooth and this ensures that the steel can resist fatigue and cracking after years of use. The spring is then compressed fully in order to achieve the desired pitch and length and this process is sometimes repeated severally. The coating process which is aimed at preventing corrosion of the metal is the next step. The entire surface of the metal is either painted, dipped in liquid rubber or plated with another metal for example chromium or zinc though electroplating. The spring is then tested through various quality control checks to ensure it adheres to the standards. Function They support the weight, absorb and reduce shock and help to maintain contact by the tire on the road surface. 1. Statics. At rest the coil spring is extended with the only force acting on it being the weight of the car. The leaf spring is curved at rest or when no force is acting on it. 2. Strength of materials. The springs in a car are made of a strong heavy-duty bar that is made of steel. This

Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Law - Essay Example Legal and ethical issues in Solyndra correlate with each other in the company’s daily functioning. To address the problem, they offer a significant framework for the practice of business and for the relationship of the company with the customers. A manufacturing business establishment is an organization in the secondary sector that processes various natural resources to produce a particular product. Several ethical issues come into play in such organizations, which are much more than in other businesses in diverse sectors. The main reason is that manufacturing involves consumptions of natural resources and labor that require numerous ethical decisions for directors and managers to make. There are several key issues to think about when looking at the ethical performance of manufacturers, especially for solar panel, which necessitates handling of toxics substance in manufacture and removal. They also need to consider the aspects of waste management and disposal. Besides, sustain ability of product (energy and carbon footprint payback time), employees’ rights in manufacture supply chains (child labor, too much overtime and overtime pay less than legal minimum, longer working hours, maternity leave, sick and marital leave, pregnancy, marital position and discrimination based on disability, minimum wage and social insurance.) etc are to be considered. The management will also have to take into account the company’s participation in any kind of controversial activities that may be prejudicial to the society where it operates. Ethical and Legal Issues in Solyndra: Since the year 2005, ethical and legal issues in Solyndra, a solar-panel manufacturing company, have been negatively affecting its overall functioning. In the recent times, business environment has become more competitive and challenging. Therefore, business firms must try to overcome the competition and other challenges to increase overall profitability. Solyndra, however, suffered certa in setbacks primarily due to the fact that their manufacturing process remained highly complex, requiring specialized equipment which were expensive. Thus, their production costs have escalated. Besides, the price of traditional solar panels slumped sharply, which entailed a steep fall in the demand for their products. All these negative trends culminated in heavy financial loss to the company, resulting in their bankruptcy. 1) Bankruptcy’ is the one of the main issues that Solyndra faces currently. This problem has both legal and ethical perspectives. The basic ethical problem in bankruptcy in the company is that insolvents have promised to disburse their debts but at the same time they cannot keep their promise at the given time. Solyndra has obtained a large amount of loan even though could not keep up with the falling solar expenses. However, the loan was urgently needed by the company for installing new solar technologies. Thus, they received a loan guarantee of $535 mil lion from US Energy Department for protection against bankruptcy and pleaded for an extension. Solyndra is the first renewable energy business establishment to receive a federal loan in the year 2009. They went bankrupt the previous year and laid off 1100

Assisted Reproduction, Multiple Births, Discussion Essay

Assisted Reproduction, Multiple Births, Discussion - Essay Example and managed by doctors and help couples have their own child by in vitro fertilization or if the man has a low sperm count then the couple may consider a sperm donor and introduce the sperm in the woman body by artificial ejaculation. If that is not an option, then couples can look at adoption. So far there are no rules as far as adoption is concerned, any race, religion and couple of any age can adopt a child which they think best suits their needs. Maybe putting an age limit on the couple who want to adopt a baby would help, if too old a couple adopts a child they may not be able to raise it like a younger couple would. Couples usually go to adoption agencies and decide the race, sex and the physical appearance they want in their future adopted child. From a moral point of view, it rather sounds discriminatory to buy and sell children like cattle. Women these days are offering to sell their eggs to the highest bidder of men who want to have a child with certain physical traits. It could be considered wrong that human life is no longer considered sacred and has now become a way of making money. When an elderly woman gestates with artificial hormones she not only endangers her own life and health but also of the baby. The zygote in the womb is dependent on the mother who is carrying the child for oxygen and food supply. In the elderly the body systems have already started to weaken out and the immune system is weaker

Scientific principles and techniques Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Scientific principles and techniques - Essay Example Mechanics are based on a few laws of nature which are evident without proof or argument. Mechanics is a highly developed branch of physics which is tasked with the determination and description of the motion of bodies and the investigation of the forces that are associated with the motion (Gross, et al. 2009). Suspension system The suspension system of a car is a collection of important systems that are located on the lower part of the car and are part of the chassis. These include the frame, suspension system, steering system and tires and wheels. The suspension of a car is mainly composed of three systems namely springs, dampers and anti-sway bars. Springs are based on four designs: coil springs which are the most common and are made of a heavy-duty bar that is coiled around an axis. They compress and expand when a force is applied on them to absorb the motion of the wheels; leaf springs which are made up of several layers of metal that are bound together to perform as a single uni t. They absorb shock in trucks and heavy-duty automobiles to reduce the force exerted on the wheels; torsion bars which are made of a steel bar that is coiled; and air springs which are made up of a cylindrical chamber of air placed between the wheel and the body of the car. Manufacture The material is commonly used is alloys of steel such as high-carbon, chrome vanadium and stainless steel. The manufacture process of the springs involves coiling, hardening and a final stage of finishing. Leaf springs are made from bars of flat stock and are heated to elevated temperatures. They are then formed by the use of a machine or by hand. Car springs are made by hot winding which involves heating the metal to very high temperatures to make it formable. When red hot, the bar is then coiled around a mandrel until it acquires the required shape then it is quickly removed from the mandrel and dipped in oil to cool and harden it. To ensure the spring acquires the required strength it is heat trea ted appropriately. For the leaf springs, the flat ends are attained by grinding. The bar is mounted in a jig and is held against an abrasive wheel that is rotating until the required flatness is achieved. A coarse wheel is used first then a finer wheel is used to ensure a fine finish and a cooling lubricant is used to ensure a quality finish and to increase tool life. In a subsequent processes, the spring is exposed to bombardment with tiny steel balls that hammer the steel and make it smooth and this ensures that the steel can resist fatigue and cracking after years of use. The spring is then compressed fully in order to achieve the desired pitch and length and this process is sometimes repeated severally. The coating process which is aimed at preventing corrosion of the metal is the next step. The entire surface of the metal is either painted, dipped in liquid rubber or plated with another metal for example chromium or zinc though electroplating. The spring is then tested through various quality control checks to ensure it adheres to the standards. Function They support the weight, absorb and reduce shock and help to maintain contact by the tire on the road surface. 1. Statics. At rest the coil spring is extended with the only force acting on it being the weight of the car. The leaf spring is curved at rest or when no force is acting on it. 2. Strength of materials. The springs in a car are made of a strong heavy-duty bar that is made of steel. This

Assisted Reproduction, Multiple Births, Discussion Essay

Assisted Reproduction, Multiple Births, Discussion - Essay Example and managed by doctors and help couples have their own child by in vitro fertilization or if the man has a low sperm count then the couple may consider a sperm donor and introduce the sperm in the woman body by artificial ejaculation. If that is not an option, then couples can look at adoption. So far there are no rules as far as adoption is concerned, any race, religion and couple of any age can adopt a child which they think best suits their needs. Maybe putting an age limit on the couple who want to adopt a baby would help, if too old a couple adopts a child they may not be able to raise it like a younger couple would. Couples usually go to adoption agencies and decide the race, sex and the physical appearance they want in their future adopted child. From a moral point of view, it rather sounds discriminatory to buy and sell children like cattle. Women these days are offering to sell their eggs to the highest bidder of men who want to have a child with certain physical traits. It could be considered wrong that human life is no longer considered sacred and has now become a way of making money. When an elderly woman gestates with artificial hormones she not only endangers her own life and health but also of the baby. The zygote in the womb is dependent on the mother who is carrying the child for oxygen and food supply. In the elderly the body systems have already started to weaken out and the immune system is weaker

Red Hook district in New York Essay Example for Free

Red Hook district in New York Essay A view from the Bridge is a play set in the Red Hook district in New York. The main theme that this explores is the role of Masculinity in the household and its affects. This play is mainly structured around feud between virility and jealousy that divides a family. This play is also about the misunderstanding of feelings and thoughts and how they might lead to undesirable flaws in the human character and hostile conflict that end in miserable circumstances. Eddie, the protagonist is second generation Italian who has curtain views on masculinity, which cannot be ignored, be anyone or it will lead into a spiral anger and jealousy. Eddie has especially strong on views on how women should act and how they should act. A good example of this is given to the audience in the way that Eddie reaction to Catherine having a relationship with Rodolfo. When Eddie deals in Marco and Rodolfo he contradicts his views and feelings toward the community, in this Eddie also gets into a confrontation with Marco in which backing down would be a sign of weakness this lead in the end to his untimely demise. Eddie reacts with both anger and jealousy, which he tries to hide behind a shield of over-protectiveness, in which he tries to accuse Rodolfo of firstly trying to gain an American passport and then Eddie attacks Rodolfos masculinity, especially when he teaches Rodolfo how to fight (sarcastically). Eddie has obvious mixed feeling about Catherine so he feels jealous, but this does not only mean a bad thing considering that he is thinking that he is protecting her which shows his nobility in looking after the family, even though this does not condole his actions toward Rodolfo but this shows that Eddie cannot deal with his emotional side. Rodolfo and Marco arrive in America as illegal immigrants and stay at Eddies house because they are Beatrices cousins. Rodolfo then falls madly in love with Eddies niece Catherine who is also in love with him. This causes Eddie to feels challenged because Rodolfo is more virile and has a larger world of interests. This is in all respects a competition for Catherine and her affection. Another factor that makes Eddie distrust Rodolfo is that Rodolfo does not live up to Eddies views on masculinity. Rodolfo can cook, he is a tailor, he can sing, he likes films and Eddie feels that all this is feminine so he thinks that Rodolfo is gay the guy ain`t right. Due to Eddies distrust of Rodolfo scenes of tension take place such as the situation with when Catherine finally makes the decision to leave home so Eddie, because he cannot express his feelings toward Catherine and Rodolfo, kisses them. Both Marco and Rodolfo must speak with bad Italian accents. Rodolfo must have a weak confident voice that begs for attention.While Rodolfo cannot live up to Eddies rigorous standard on masculinity Marco can. Marco is both strong, as Mike says, hes a regular bull, and loyal to his family in both going to America to work for them and trusting his wife on her own. Marco is extremely loyal to his brother especially when he tells Eddie to back off when he lifts the chair while Eddie cannot. Eddie respect Marco and feels that Marco is a model to masculinity like himself. Marco just like Eddie has a sense of honor, which is explored in the play with the incident in which Marco spits into the face of Eddie. Marco does this because he feels that there has been an injustice done by Eddie in which Eddie tells the police of Marco and Rodolfo, but also in the irony of what Eddie said and promised to what he did. Marco and Rodolfo treatment of women is far different from Eddie. Rodolfo treat women, as his equal while Eddie does not. Rodolfo does not try to manipulate the women in the play instead he helps them, he does this by giving advice and being supportive like what he tells Catherine after she asks him to teach her to be independent. dont cry any more. Marco has great respect and admiration for his wife otherwise he would not have left her for a life in America all alone. Even though Eddie seems skeptical about her loyalty to Marco they count the kids and theres a couple extra, Marcos trust for his wife does not waver. In comparison to the brothers Eddie does all the opposite. First he has manipulated Catherine so much that she feels she has a duty toward him : Then why dont she be a women? If I was a wife I would  make a man happy instead of goin at him all the time.  A view from the bridge Act two  Secondly Eddie does not even take into account what a woman has to say to him because he believes that he should be shown respect. When Beatrice tries to warn Eddie about his feelings but he practically hits her and storms off to get killed. Eddie. Eddie feels a sort of arrogance towards women like as if he is better due to his so-called superior masculine characteristics he also must speak in brutish manor without a care for an answer. Alfieri is the narrator of the play, he is also a lawyer which gains him a lot of respect in the area because he the symbol of the law of the land. Apart from narrating the play Alfieri plays a lead character in the play. When Eddie Carbone comes to ask for legal advice about how to handle Rodolfo, Alfieri notices, through Eddie expressing his feelings through actions, that the entire business is corrupt. Alfieri then tries to give advice to Eddie on how to find and deal with this problem. Due to the fact that Alfieri has challenged Eddies views which drives Eddie mad so Alfirei`s advice ignored. Alfieri then Tells Eddie not to phone the police but he is then also ignored. These cases show the audience that Alfieri is intellectually smart and knows when trouble is brewing. I feel that Arthur Miller Contrasts the views of masculinity that different men have and how they conflict. Miller does this by putting Rodolfo and Eddie into direct conflict. While Rodolfo can saw and sing which makes him gay in the eyes of Eddie, Eddie has no other skill other than being a laborer. Arthur Miller shows that if men like Eddie do not start to evolve they will die out. Miller explores this through the rivalry between Eddie and Rodolfo where Eddie loses his life ironically to the same laws he had set on masculinity while Rodolfo lives on. I feel that Miller set this play specifically for people who do not understand their feelings. As the root of all this rivalry and anguish is purely set the shoulders of a man (Eddie) who cannot understand his feelings for his niece.

Examination and clarification of bioluminescence in marine creatures

Examination and clarification of bioluminescence in marine creatures In order to isolate bioluminescent bacteria from marine samples, one must have a better understanding of the phenomena of bioluminescence. Bioluminescence is a type of luminescence. The light that usually occurs at low temperatures is called luminesence [1]. Chemiluminescence, fluorescence is all the other types of luminescence and should not be confused with bioluminescence. As the result of a given reaction, emission of heat and light takes place, this phenomenon is referred to as chemiluminescence or in other words, chemiluminescence refers to the emission of light in an exergonic reaction. For example, if two reactants namely A and B react, it results in the formation of product, with an excited intermediate C and generation of light. [A] + [B] → [C] → [Products] +  light This is how a chemical reaction takes place [1]. When a substance that has absorbed light or any other radiation of different wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum, an emission of light takes place by that substance, this is referred to as fluorescence.  In most cases, emitted light has a longer wavelength, and therefore lower energy, than the absorbed radiation which has a higher energy [1]. In simple language, bioluminescence is the emission of light from living organisms. One can also describe bioluminescence as chemiluminescence in living organisms. Further clarifications regarding the types of luminescence can be carried out with the help of an experiment that involves the use of glow or light sticks. A solution of luminol in DMSO, sodium hydroxide pellets, an aqueous solution of fluorescent dye and test tubes. Luminol is a versatile chemical that exhibits chemiluminescence, with a striking blue glow, when mixed with an appropriate oxidizing agent [1] [2]. Glow sticks are used to demonstrate the effect of temperature on the rates of chemical reactions. The glow sticks contain two chemicals that are mixed when the glass tube on the inside is broken. This initiates a chemical reaction that gives off light. Higher the reaction temperature, faster is the reaction, and more intense the chemiluminescence. Reaction rates increase about two times for every 10 °C rise in temperature [2]. The luminol experiment demonstrates chemiluminescence and fluorescence. Luminol is oxidized (with molecular oxygen) in the presence of sodium hydroxide pellets. On shaking the test tube (containing luminol and sodium hydroxide pellets), oxygen is introduced into the solution. Hence chemiluminescence stops when the test tube is set aside [2]. When a fluorescent dye is added to the solution, the dye absorbs the light emitted by the luminol and re-emits light at a longer wavelength, changing the color, thus explaining the phenomena of fluorescence [2]. Bioluminescence is the emission of light observed in living organisms. Apart from bioluminescence, there are two other kinds of light emission that may take place from a living organism. These include: (I)Photosynthetic delayed light emission:. It is a weak red light which is emitted by all green plants and algae. This intensity is so low that one cannot see it, though it can be measured [3]. (II)Ultraweak light emission: this occurs in all organisms. It is due to various processes, mostly (but not always) involving molecular oxygen. It is regarded as a by-effect of metabolic activity, but doesnt have a biological function. It cannot be seen [3]. 2. Bioluminescence This is the best known biological luminescence phenomena, mostly because it can be observed using ones eyes only. The bioluminescence occurs among a variety of organisms ranging from bacteria, dinoflagellates, protozoa, sponges, mollusks, echinoderms, insects and fish. The majority of bioluminescent species live in the sea, although there are also many terrestrial bioluminescent insects, especially the beetles. It has been estimated that 60-80% of the fishes in the deep sea are bioluminescent [3]. (i) jellyfish (ii) lightfish (iii) fungi (iv) beetle Fig 2.1: The above pictures show bioluminescence in variety of organisms. The bioluminescent bacteria mainly falls under three genera namely   Photobacterium, Vibrio, and  Photorhabdus. Species within the genus Photobacterium and Vibrio generally exist in marine environment whereas the terrestrial species belong to the genus Photorhabdus. Species within the  Photobacterium  genus are generally light organ symbionts of marine animals, whereas the  Vibrio species exist as free-living forms as well as symbionts in the sea [4].The luminescence of these microorganisms should not be confused with the host organisms. Many fish and molluscs species which have been regarded as bioluminescent organisms have been shown to glow by the light of symbiotic bacteria [3]. The bacteria forms a symbiotic relationship with the host organism as it is provided with a nutrient rich environment for its growth and the host organism has the benefit of camouflage and protection from its predator. Some of the bioluminescent bacteria are obligate symbionts that fulfill their nutritional requirements only from the host, hence they cannot be grown in the laboratory as they cannot be separated from the host organism [4]. Apart from sharing a symbiotic relationship with the host organisms, some of the bioluminescent bacteria are also parasitic in nature, for example, the species in the genus Photobacterium and Vibrio infect the male crustaceans whereas the species in Photorhabdus genus infect terrestrial insects such as caterpillars with nematodes acting as an intermediate host for the bacteria. Majority of the bioluminescent bacteria present on the surface of the marine organisms act as non-specific parasites. The bacterium that resides in the guts of some marine organisms such as crustaceans produces chitinase (an enzyme) that facilitates the decomposition of chitin which is present in their exoskeleton. The different species of bioluminescent bacteria differ from each other in a number of properties including the optimal growing conditions i.e. the nutritional requirements and optimal growth temperature, and the reaction kinetics of the enzyme luciferase involved in light generation. However, the morphology of all bioluminescent bacteria is the same i.e. they are rod-shaped, gram-negative microorganisms with flagella facilitating motion. Bioluminescent bacteria are also capable of growth when the supply of molecular oxygen is limited; therefore they are also examples of facultative anaerobes. Despite the physiological diversity among different species of bioluminescent bacteria, all these microorganisms utilize highly homologous biochemical machineries to produce light. The onset and the energy output of this light-producing molecular machinery are tightly regulated under a central signaling pathway [4]. 2.1 Bioluminescence by squids: Light-emission by most of the marine organisms belongs in the blue and green  light spectrum.This is due to two reasons, firstly because the blue-green light (wavelength around 470 nm) transmits farthest in water, and secondly because most of the organisms are sensitive only to blue light, lacking pigments for the visualization of longer or shorter wavelengths[1]. Squid changes the color of the light emitted i.e. either blue or green light depending on its surrounding temperature. In case of squids, it produces green light when swimming in warm water and blue light in cold water [5]. During the day, the squid resides in the deep waters rather than on surface waters. The sunlight that falls on the deep waters has been filtered with only blue light remaining. The squid matches this color by turning on its blue photophores (photophores are light producing tissues). During the night, the squid is present on the shallow water. The moonlight at shallow depths has not been filtered to a greater extent, as a result both blue and green light remains. The squid matches this color by turning on both of its green and blue photophores [5]. Fig 2.1.1: The picture shows squids bioluminescence [5] 2.2 Advantages of Bioluminescence: There are four main advantages attributed to bioluminescence: Camouflage, attraction, repulsion, and communication. Camouflage Some squids by using the phenomena of bioluminescence defend themselves against predators by producing light (a soft glow) on their ventral surface to match the light coming from above and making their presence indetectable to the potential predators(just as a darker dorsal surface makes aquatic organisms difficult to detect from above. Some can also change the color of their luminescence to match moonlight or sunlight. This is referred to as counterillumination [1]. Attraction Bioluminescence is also used as to attract prey by several deep sea fish, such as the anglerfish. A dangling appendage or a light-emitting rod that extends from the head of the fish that carries the bioluminescent bacteria attracts small animals to the front of its mouth. Fig 2.2.1: Anglerfish lures its prey by using bioluminescence [4]. The cookie cutter shark also uses bioluminescence for luring its prey. A small patch on its underbelly remains dark and tends to appear as a small fish to large predatory fish like tuna. When these fish such as tuna try to consume the small fish, they themselves become prey for the the shark. Dinoflagellates have an interesting twist on this mechanism. When a predator of plankton is sensed through motion in the water, the dinoflagellate luminesces. This in turn attracts even larger predators, which then consume the would-be predator of the dinoflagellate. The attraction of mates in fireflies during the mating season is another proposed mechanism of bioluminescent action. This is done by periodic flashing in their abdomens to attract the potential mates [1]. Repulsion Certain small crustaceans also use bioluminescent chemical mixtures. A cloud of luminescence is emitted, which confuses and then repels a potential predator while the crustacean escapes to safety. This is also shown in some squids [1]. Communication Bioluminescence also plays a direct role in communication between bacteria. It promotes the symbiotic induction of bacteria into host species, and sometimes also plays a role in colony aggregation [1]. 2.3 Biochemistry of the Bioluminescence Reaction As mentioned earlier, bioluminescence is defined as emission of light by living organisms arising from exothermic or exergonic chemical reactions. It is due to the substrate-enzyme complex of luciferin-luciferase within the cytoplasm of the cell. Luciferin refers to any light-emitting compound whereas luciferase is an enzyme. The luciferin-luciferase complex differs among species. In 1887, a scientist named Raphaà «l Dubois isolated light producing chemicals from the piddock, which is a clam that stays in the burrow. He discovered that on placing the clam in cold water, light was seen in the water, that glowed for several minutes, indicating that a light producing chemical was extracted from the clams tissues. He also observed that if he made a hot-water extract from another clam and added this to the original cold-water extract, he could reactivate the light reaction. Dubois called his hot-water extract luciferin and the cold-water extract luciferase. The reaction produces a molecule that is in an electronically excited state. After the molecule gives off energy, it goes back to the ground state and a photon of light is released [2]. Bacterial luciferase is the main enzyme that is used in the phenomena of bioluminescence. Apart from the involvement of luciferase, there are certain other enzymes that supply and regenerate the substrates of luciferase. In bacteria the expression of the genes related to bioluminescence are encoded by an operon called the lux operon.  The lux operon is a 9 kilobase fragment that controls bioluminescence through the catalyzation of the enzyme luciferase. The lux operon has a known gene sequence of luxCDAB(F)E, where lux A and lux B code for the components of luciferase, and the lux CDE codes for a fatty acid reductase complex that makes the fatty acids necessary for the luciferase mechanism. Lux C codes for the enzyme acyl-reductase, lux D codes for acyl-transferase, and lux E makes the proteins needed for the enzyme acyl-protein synthetase. Apart from these genes, there are two more genes namely luxR and luxI that play an important role in the regulation of the operon [1]. Other ge nes including  luxF,  luxG, and  luxH, whose functions are neither clearly defined nor apparently necessary for bioluminescence are also found in some  lux  operons [4]. Fig 2.3.1The arrangement of luxCDABE operon [4] Luciferase is a heterodimer consisting of two different polypeptide chains- alpha and beta (molecular mass 40 kDa and 37 kDa, respectively, and encoded by the  luxA andluxB genes, respectively). The active site is located within the alpha-beta subunit. Absence of beta subunit leads to light emission of a weaker intensity. Studies have shown that the crystal structure of V. harveyi luciferase interacts and forms complex binding patterns between several side chains and backbone amides of the alpha and beta subunits. Studies also reveal that the function of the beta subunit is to act as a supporting scaffold by assisting in the conformational change of the subunit during the catalysis [4]. Fig 2.3.2: Bacterial luciferase structure [4]. Fig 2.3.3: The rectangular box highlights the inter-subunit interactions (ionic attractions, hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions) that play an important role in the assembly of bacterial luciferase enzyme [4]. Bacterial luciferase uses reduced flavin mononucleotide (FMNH2), molecular oxygen, and long chain fatty aldehyde as substrates. During the reaction, the oxidation of FMNH2  and aldehyde concomitant takes place along with the reduction of molecular oxygen and emission of energy, which is released as blue/green light ( MAX~ 490 nm). The energy level of the photon that was produced when the excited electron on the flavin chromophore returns to the ground state is indicated by the characteristic color. Studies have shown that point mutations at the flavin chromophores binding site brings about a change in the color emission spectrum of bacterial bioluminescence, indicating that the distinctive emission color depends not only on the chromophore, but also on the electronic nature of the chromophore-binding microenvironment in luciferase. Aside from bacterial luciferase, some luminescent bacteria also carry fluorescent proteins to; distinguish themselves from other strains by modulating the emission color [4]. For continuous light emission, constant supply of the substrates should be maintained by the enzymes coded by the Lux operon. In addition to bacterial bioluminescence, all the other biological luminescence systems (such as fireflies, coelenterates and dinoflagellates) also utilize molecular oxygen as the oxidizing agent in their luminescence biochemistry, and the processes involved in the reduction of the molecular oxygen serves as an energy sink, draining the reducing power of the substrates. High energy unstable intermediates are formed that dissipate the potential energy of the excited chromophore in the form of light. In this regard, molecular oxygen can be considered to serve as a key to unleash the energy deposited in FMNH2  and fatty aldehyde for bacterial bioluminescence [4].   Fig 2.3.4: The pathway [4] For example, in case of fireflies luciferin reacts with oxygen, with luciferase acting as an enzyme aided by cofactors such as calcium ions, thus emitting light. 2.4 Quorum sensing: The definition of quorum sensing states that it is a type of decision making process used by decentralized groups to coordinate behavior [1]. From the biological aspect, there are many species of bacteria such as Vibrio fischeri, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Pseudomonas aeroginosa that use quorum sensing to coordinate their gene expression according to the local density of their population. It was first discovered in Vibrio fischeri [1]. Since Vibrio fischeri uses quorum sensing, it constantly produces signaling molecules called as autoinducers. These bacteria have a receptor that recognizes these signaling molecules. When the autoinducers bind to these receptors, it results in the transcription of certain genes, including those for inducer synthesis. There are less chances of the bacterium recognizing its own signaling molecules, hence for the activation of gene transcription, the cell must also encounter signaling molecules from the local environment. Autoinducers and inducers are interchangeably used. If there is less number of same types of bacteria present in the local environment, then the concentration of the inducer decreases to zero thus inactivating the gene transcription. But if the population of the bacteria increases, the concentration of the autoinducers increases, thereby resulting in the activation of gene transcription, thus causing bioluminescence. Therfore, quorum sensing plays a very important rol e in the regulation of luxCDAB(F)E expression in bioluminescent bacteria [1] [4] . Fig 2.4.1: Chemical structure of the autoinducers of bioluminescent bacteria [4] The autoinducer is a metabolic product that diffuses easily across the cellular membrane [4]. Fig 2.4.2: The fig. shows the role played by an autoinducer in the mechanism of quorum sensing [4]. Marine bioluminescent bacteria that is not present as a symbiont (free living bacteria) does not emit light. This is because for the emission of light, accumulation of autoinducers is necessary and this is possible only in a nutrient rich environment which is provided to the symbiotic bacteria [4]. 2.5 Applications of bioluminescence: One of the major applications of bioluminescence is the development of biosensors. A biosensor is a device that detects, records, and transmits information regarding a physiological change or the presence of various chemical or biological materials in the environment. Some bacteria have been designed that gives off a detectable signal when in presence of a pollutant (e.g. toluene) that it likes to consume [6]. In terms of using the phenomena of bioluminescence, efforts are being made to engineer agricultural plants that show luminescence when need watering [1]. As the primary function of bacterial luciferase is to catalyze the emission of light, this feature together with generation of the aldehyde substrate by fatty acid reductase can be successfully produced in other bacteria, by the transfer of the  luxCDABE genes, which convert nonluminescent bacteria into light emitters [4]. Fig 2.5.1: The insertion of the foreign  luxCDABE structural genes into the organism such as E. coli confers the organism the ability to emit light [4]. The ability of the non-luminescent bacteria to emit light by means of recombinant DNA technology has provided researchers an easy alternative to measure and detect the growth and living conditions of bacteria. The phenomena of bacterial bioluminescence are used in the detection of pathogenic bacteria in human food sources. By culturing a food sample in the presence of a recombinant bacteriophage (vector) carrying the  luxCDABE insert, one can readily determine the contamination by bacteria in the food source. In addition, the light emitting property of the  luxCDABE genes has been employed as a reporter of gene expression for studying regulatory controls involved in affecting the efficiency of RNA polymerase in initiation and transcription at different promoters. Then the  luxCDABE genes are under the control of an environmentally regulated promoter (e.g., promoters whose efficiency is highly sensitive to the level of mercury, arsenic, or other pollutants), the structural  lu x genes can function as a biosensor, whose expression will monitor the presence of toxic waste in the environment. In the pharmaceutical industry, genetically modified bacteria carrying the lux genes have been utilized to evaluate the efficiency of antibiotics in fighting against bacterial infections in mammals; with animals such as mice, pigs, and monkeys serving as potential human models. In this screening procedure, the lesser the intensity of luminescence in the infected organs/tissues, the more efficient the antibiotics against bacterial infection; therefore, bacterial bioluminescence serves as an indicator of bacterial growth allowing the proper dosages of antibiotics to be determined and effective treatment to be established [4].   3. Laboratory Experiment 3.1 Sample Collection: After the literature study, it was decided that squid will serve as a sample for this experiment as it is readily available in the U.A.E. fish market. A fresh catch was taken as a sample for this experiment. Since some of these microbes i.e. bioluminescent bacteria are also found in seawater, seawater sample from Sharjah was also collected for this experiment. 3.2 Methodology for the isolation of bioluminescent bacteria from squid: Materials Required: Squid Luminescent Broth (Appendix 1) Luminescent Agar (BOSS Medium) (pH=7.3) (Appendix 2) Procedure: 1. The squid is placed in a beaker and just enough 3.0% NaCl solution is added such that approximately 10-20% of the sample is above the level of the liquid as shown in fig 3.2.1. The NaCl solution preserves the squid by preventing any other microbial growth other than that of bioluminescent bacteria, as required. Fig 3.2.1: Squid placed in a beaker containing NaCl solution. 2. The flask is then kept for incubation in a cool dark room (18-22 °C) and is observed at intervals up to 24 hours. The room is darkened totally such that the flask can be observed for luminous areas on the sample. Sometimes the squid secretes ink that might hinder the view of luminous areas on the squid. In order to prevent this, the NaCl solution is changed when required. 3. Four petriplates of Luminescent Agar (formula above) are streaked from four different luminous areas on the squid. Forceps and craft knife are required and it is used one at a time in the burner for its sterilization. The knife and forceps are then cooled for a while. Squid is held with the forceps and its skin is gently scraped of that shows luminescence with the tip of the knife. The scraped off skin is transferred on to a sterile inoculating loop for streaking on the plates. 4. The plates are then kept for incubation in the cool room (18-22 °C) for 24 hours. (No more than 48 hours.) 5. After observing luminous isolated colonies, these isolated colonies are individually streaked on to a new plate of Luminescent Agar and incubated as above. Fig 3.2.2: Streaked petriplates 6. One or more of the more brilliant colonies is then chosen and streaked onto a slant of Luminescent Agar. The agar slants are incubated overnight or until luminescent growth is seen and then refrigerated. 7. From the agar slants, flasks of Luminescent Broth are inoculated. The flasks are then placed in the shaking incubator for 10-15 hrs at 18-22 °C. [8] The flasks that show bioluminesence is then used for studying the growth curves and characterization of the bioluminescent bacteria. Result and Inference: No luminous colonies were observed from the squid on the first attempt, even though the squid did show luminous areas on its body surface. The failure can be attributed to the fact that streaking was not carried out on the same day it showed luminescence. However, on the second attempt, out of the four petriplates that were streaked with the skin of the squid, only one petriplate showed six luminous colonies. Fig 3.1.3: The above pictures are a reference as to how colonies appear when placed in light (left picture) and dark (right picture) [10]. The colonies that appeared during the course of my experiment (only six in number) were not so densely populated as observed in the pictures above. These six colonies were then streaked on six different petriplates containing Luminescent Agar. The picture below shows bioluminescence in the streaked petriplates. Fig 3.2.4: The picture below shows bioluminescence in the streaked petriplates. The agar slants were also prepared from the petriplates. The six flasks containing Luminescent Broth were then inoculated with culture from the agar slants. The flasks were then kept in the shaking incubator for 18-24 hrs. at room temperature. Out of the six flasks containing Luminescent Broth, only three flasks showed microbial growth. The bacterial cultures were then used for growth curves. 3.3 Methodology for the isolation of bioluminescent bacteria from seawater sample: Materials Required: Seawater sample was collected from Sharjah. Seawater Complete Agar (Appendix 3) Procedure: 1. Seawater sample is collected in a clean container 2. Two plates of SWC agar medium were then prepared. 3. The two plates were then pipetted with 0.1 ml and 0.2 ml of seawater sample respectively. 4. The samples were thoroughly spread over the surfaces of the plates with a L-shaped glass rod. 5. The plates are then inverted after the samples have absorbed into the agar (about 5 minutes) and then kept for incubation at room temperature. 6. The plates were then examined after 18-36 hours. [7] Result and Inference: The plates did not show any luminous growth. This maybe because the sample that was collected was not from deep water as bioluminescent bacteria tends to be present in deep waters. Since no growth was observed, further steps involving the preparation and inoculation of agar slants and luminescent broth could not be carried out. 3.4 Bacterial Growth curve of the isolates: Out of the six flasks that contained Luminescent Broth, only three flasks showed microbial growth. The three flasks that showed microbial growth were then again inoculated into three flasks containing luminescent broth. Their O.D. (optical density) values were measured after every 30 minutes (for 5 hrs) at 530 nm using UV-visible spectrophotometer. The initial O.D. value should be set at 0.05 so that there is sufficient bacterial culture in the broth. The values then helped us in determining the bacterial growth curves. Fig 3.4.1: UV-visible spectrophotometer [11] Procedure: 1. The machine along with the monitor screen is turned on using the switch. 2. The necessary adjustments are then made in the program. 3. For auto zeroing the sample, the blank (broth in which are bacteria is growing) is placed in the cuvette. The cuvette is then placed in the holder. 4. The O.D. values of all the three samples are measured after every 30 minutes for 5 hrs. 5. The optical density vs. time graph is then plotted for all the three samples. Observation Table: Table 3.4.1: Sample 1 Time (in hrs.) O.D. values 0 0.08 0.5 0.09 1 0.12 1.5 0.16 2 0.21 2.5 0.28 3 0.38 3.5 0.5 4 0.71 4.5 0.99 5 1.14 5.5 1.41 Table 3.4.2: Sample 2 Time (in hrs.) O.D. values 0 0.05 0.5 0.06 1 0.08 1.5 0.12 2 0.16 2.5 0.21 3 0.25 3.5 0.38 4 0.44 4.5 0.48 Table 3.4.3: Sample 3 Time (in hrs.) O.D.values 0 0.13 0.5 0.15 1 0.18 1.5 0.23 2 0.3 2.5 0.38 3 0.53 3.5 0.71 4 1.04 4.5 1.16 5 1.37 Result and Inference: Graph 3.4.1: Bacterial growth curve of sample 1 Graph 3.4.2: Bacterial growth curve of sample 2 Graph 3.4.3: Bacterial growth curve of sample 3 The bacterial growth curves of all the three samples suggest that the cultures are still in their exponential phase. The 0.D .values should be measured for a much longer duration so that the stationary and the death phases can also be observed. The broth was kept overnight in the shaking incubator at 18-22 °C. Next morning, only one of the samples showed bioluminescence indicating that the bacterial culture has grown to that level when the lux genes are switched on. Fig 3.4.2: The picture is a reference as to how a flask containing Luminescent Broth shows luminescent growth [6]. The bioluminescence that was observed during my experiment was of low intensity. 3.5 Luminescence (light emission intensity) curve studies on the isolates: For the growth curve studies, agar slants were used to streak on to the petriplates, for the isolation of bioluminescent bacteria. The same set of agar slants were used to revive the culture. The revived culture was then streaked on to the luminescent agar petriplates to study the luminescence curve. However, contamination was observed in the petriplates, even though luminescent colonies were formed. Majority of the colonies that were formed were circular in shape and opaque with a dense material in the centre. Some of the colonies were circular and translucent. These colonies were then again used for sub-culturing. Contamination was again observed in the petriplates. This might be attributed to some error in the methodology of streaking the petriplates. Finally, after five attempts, successful isolation of bioluminescent bacteria took place. These bacteria were then inoculated in the flasks containing luminescent broth. After an over night incubation, these flasks showed bioluminesc ence. These samples were then taken for measuring their light emission studies with the help of an autoanalyser. The luminescence is measured after every one hour. It is measured in terms of counts per second (cps). Meanwhile, the samples are kept in the shaking incubator. Fig 3.5.1: Perkin-Elmer Auto-analyzer [12] Procedure: 1. The machine along with the monitor screen is turned on using the switch. 2. The luminescence mode is then chosen. 3. The wells in the microtitre plate containing the sample are then chosen in the protocol editor. 4. The program is then started. 5. The luminescence of all the three samples is measured after every 1hour. 5. The optical density, luminescence vs. time graph is then plotted for all the three samples. Observation Table: Table 3.5.1: Bacterial Sample 1 Time (hrs.) Cell Density(O.D.) Light emission Intensity (cpu) 0 0.0785 0.5 0.0926 1 0.1189 1.5 0.155 2 0.2139 2.5 0.2826 3