Systems Approach Essay Example for Free

Systems Approach Essay In the 1956 edition of Modern Systems Research for the Behavioral Scientist, A. D. Hall and R. E. Fagen define â€Å"a system as a set of objects together with relations between the objects and between their attributes†. (Scholtes, Peter R. 1998, 42)   The system concept has been taken from the exact sciences, specifically from physics, where exact laws lead to exact measurements. Though, the methods of the exact sciences are of little or no use for the social sciences, since these often deal with more composite and multidimensional systems.   A system is a whole that contains two or more parts that satisfy the following five conditions. The whole has one or more defining functions. Each part in the set can affect the behavior or properties of the whole. There is a subset of parts that is sufficient in one or more environments for carrying out the defining function of the whole; each of these parts is separately necessary but insufficient for carrying out this defining function. The way that the behavior or properties of each part of a system affects its behavior or properties depends on the behavior or properties of at least one other part of the system. The effect of any subset of parts on the system as a whole depends on the behavior of at least one other subset. Ackoff (1994)   In systems theory, organizations are viewed as open or socio-technical systems which trade with their environment. They import information, material, and energies, do something with or to them, and export them to an added system. The benefit of the systems approach is that it reveals organizations as social institutions which in some way or other beat the second law of thermodynamics, by which the amount of entropy (or disorganization) in the system is said to tend to exploit. Organizations achieve effectiveness by reducing entropy or disorganization. While information is received, uncertainty is reduced. Information can be considered by the amount of surprise it induces in the receiver, and organizations assist to bring the degree of surprise under control. Systems principles are based in part on the following concepts: The whole is more than the sum of its parts. A related principle is synergy, or the effectiveness of joint action. Organizations are goal seeking. The cybernetic ideas of feedback and balance affect system operation. Systems are arranged hierarchically. A system can attain the same state from a variety of beginning states—the principle of equifinality: ‘‘there’s more than one way to skin a cat.’’ Certo, S.C. (1998) In systems theory, organizations are seen as systems of information flows as sets of black (unknown-content) boxes linked by a series of inputs, transformations, and outputs. Information is the organizational currency, and it has to be searched for, bought, processed, and sold to some other system. The modern executive is a serial processor of information who needs to bring sensory data concerning the environment down to an optimal level where it can be handled. While the executive suffers overload or is placed in an environment of sensory deficit, bizarre behavior may result.   The most remarkable success of systems organization was the Apollo Project to put a man on the moon. This effort utilized project management, defined as ‘‘doing what we say we are going to do.’’ The conventional loyalties of the NASA people and the technicians from the aerospace firms broke down as the task became the focal point of their lives. The systems approach has spread to other industries, assisted by the widespread use of computers, which make information a key to raw material. (DeGuess, A. 1997)   The systems approach focuses instead on organization systems. It asserts that if employees can develop these systems, most work-related employee problems will disappear without individual counseling.   In addition to conceptual weaknesses, there are also staid process related weaknesses in quality improvement processes (QIP) s that stress the training phase and overlook others, especially the vehicle emplacement phase. For one thing, such efforts are typically top-down. Professional trainers, following the lead of those who organized the adaptation phase, begin by training upper and middle-level managers, who, in turn, are supposed to train lower-level managers as well as hourly workers with the support of the professionals. But there is a decisive difference between the familiarization phase and the training phase. While the up-front portion of the former can be offered to large audiences and completed in numerous weeks, the latter, when dealing with a company of any size, ultimately involves running several thousand students through efficient two- to three-day sessions. Such an effort is particularly drawn out so that by the time that everyone is trained, many of the earlier students have lost their enthusiasm, their workshop notebooks, or both.   At the same time, such training is rarely if ever sufficient Learning a technique in the classroom, even practicing it there, never gives students all the answers or prepares them fully for the real-life situation. A remarkable amount of support, therefore, is necessary when those primarily trained begin passing down their new knowledge and skills to lower-level managers and hourly workers. Such support, however, is rarely accessible. The corporate quality staff and consultants can visit just so many work sites during the year and can answer just so many phone calls (Depree, M. 1997).   Basically, systems approach is a theoretical tool used to organize and marshal resources (technologies, material, and workers) to get work done with optimal efficiency and to achieve a master purpose that meets precise standards.   The systems approach is often identified with efficiency. Because the systems approach is as much apprehensive with effectiveness as it is with efficiency, this is a mistake. Either efficiency or effectiveness can be pursued to the harm of the other in an intensely competitive market. However, efficiency gets special attention because of a prevailing doubt most things are not being done as well as they could be, and are, in fact, being mismanaged. If there was a will, it is believed, there would be a means to reduce costs. This belief is held especially for tax-supported public services. Though it may be true that one or another action could be run more efficiently, that is not the point. The point is whether the larger system, of which the activity is a part, can be run more competently and still deliver the product or service intended. And that is an issue of optimization.   A systems approach helps managers to channel vision, gives way, provides a basis for organizing resources and measuring performance, and it assists to allocate work so the purpose can be attained according to specified standards within a set time frame. In short, it unifies and focuses effort. We now continue to a discussion of the limitations of the systems approach.   The systems approach is necessary for effective decision making, for the utilization of models in outer factor, and for the application of computer technology. Systems analysis is a managerial get through, somewhat akin to breakthroughs in various sciences, and has given rise to influential concepts and tools of analysis.   The systems approach is based on the work of Von Bertalanffy, who is accredited with coining the phrase general systems theory. (Pearson, C.S. 1998) He conceived of a set of objects, their interrelationships, and their characteristics as systems. The objects were merely components of a system. Therefore, any groups of exterior activities and elements that can be delineated physically or abstractly constitute a system.   Moreover, it also assists in marketing systems that are collections of entities that form coherent groups. Channels of distribution that manage the activities of wholesalers, retailers, and manufacturers, or physical distribution activities resulting from the integration of warehousing, storage, transportation, handling, and inventory activities, are examples of marketing systems. The actuality that entities or activities are capable of being understood as a rational group, rather than as a collection of parts, makes them a system. This conceptual insight has led to the development of new disciplines such as industrial dynamics and systems engineering.   In marketing, the systems approach turns on the inner theme that marketing reality occurs in systems. A business, part of it, or its connection with others, can be signified by some suitable system that may culminate in a physical facsimile, chart, flow diagram, and series of equations, replication model, or just a concept.   The survival and growth of systems is mainly determined by the efficiency of flows and communications. External factors of systems contain flows of products, services, finances, and equipment through channels and communications to and from marketplace. Two units of action of a marketing system have been illustrates as transaction and transvection. Transaction focuses on negotiations and exchange. Transvection represents a unit of action of the complete marketing system, manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers the matching of original producers with ultimate consumers (Denhardt, R.B., 2000).   The systems approach employs one type of model a systems model. This model recognizes a total marketing system that should be supported and reinforced so that the company can survive, adjust, change, and function professionally. While stressing coordination, it also distinguishes conflict and competition among units, the necessity for subsystem concessions, and the fact that resources should be used to maintain the system itself as well as to attain goals. Managers have the major accountability of recognizing the relations among the elements of the systems. They must understand their potential combinations, and organize and integrate business factors so that goals are achieved effectively (Joseph OConnor, Ian McDermott 1997). Significantly the adoption of a systems perspective depends on the individual manager and his discernment of the factors of variability in the system, the relations of inputs, and the predictions of outputs resulting from the inputs.   The improvement of cohesive groups, however, does not mean that all conflicts are eradicated or that the objectives of all mechanism of the system coincide. For example, although manufacturers, retailers, and wholesalers compose a system, their objectives. May conflict in part. However, it is the extent to which objectives are common that lends cohesiveness to systems components. This cohesiveness is more enthusiastically achieved among different functions within a firm than among firms. As firms become conglomerates of companies, this peculiarity tends to disappear. Although the systems-perspective direction tends to prevent sub optimization, it does not preclude the analysis of subsystems. Since management cannot investigate everything at the same time, it must digest smaller pieces.   Three basic types of equilibrating systems have been described, the atomistic, the organic whole, and the in-between limply coupled systems. In the atomistic system there is a tendency toward equilibrium amongst separate elements. The organic whole is a system with structured components joined together in a completely determined and inflexible pattern. They adapt to the environment by changing objectives, technologies, manpower, and organizational arrangements.   Systems theory facilitates the conceptual uncoupling and comprehensive analysis of components of a whole system as well as the investigation of the behavior of the total system based on an analysis of pertinent variables.   Moreover, Modern person-job match technology involves a diversity of disciplines to bring together the right kinds of information for personnel assignment decisions. A systems approach is desired to integrate the assignment process within the organization. The traditional static job assignment problem does not exist in practice. Within organizations there is the requirement for dynamic systems that respond quickly to changing personnel demands, supplies, costs, and objectives (Denhardt, R.B., 2000).   The modules of a personnel management system: projection of personnel requirements; forecasting the supply of candidates; planning, including the establishment of selection standards; making individual selection and job assignment decisions; and evaluating organization performance and alternative policies and procedures. The objective remains the same as in the original problem: to compare candidates against job requirements so that the best decisions can be made. The systems approach extends this process to include not only this decision but the determination of requirements and supply and execution and evaluation of the decision. While not all aspects of the system are equally important for all organizations, they are usually present and should be considered by the developer and implementer of person-job matching systems.   Determination of requirements is the essential first step in personnel planning. Personnel requirements are specified in terms of the numbers and types of positions that are associated with plans for the organizations size and structure. These in turn are based, at least in principle, on projections of the requirements/demand for the organizations output of products or services (M. A. Hersh., 1998).   For organizations in both the public and private sectors, these projections are made with considerable complexity and uncertainty, since they must be embedded in assumptions relating to the environment in which the organization will function. However, in spite of the difficulty and uncertainty, these projections serve a key function in providing the basis for the person-job matching method.   Moreover, a systems approach also helps managers to manufacturing suggests a systems approach to compensation that is, compensation practices that support the smooth and continuous operation of the system. This possibly means reducing distinctions between manual and white-collar workers, in particular elevating manual workers to salaried status. Incentive systems, if they are essential, should be indirect and broadly based, covering at least the work group and perhaps the entire operation. Some type of gain sharing emphasizing up-time objectives seems most suitable.   Thus, systems approach proposed the concept of semi-autonomous work groups based on the underlying assumption that learning and the development of social and occupational competences largely occur in cooperation and communication with others. In addition, industrial production does not provide itself well to the improved design of individual jobs, since most tasks are highly interdependent. The group thus is often the natural work unit. Optimal functioning of open, incessantly changing systems is seen as predicated on the extent to which the resources and competences for controlling the work of different organizational units are returned to the members of that unit. The principle of motivation through task orientation rather than external control is improved in relatively independent organizational units that permit increased scope for self regulation of work groups. Acknowledging that individuals are guided by varying goals and motivations, work has to be organized in a way that allows different individuals to satisfy varying needs and to develop new goals and aspirations. And rather than enriching jobs in consultation with external experts, employees themselves are to plan and regulate their work activities by means of direct contribution based on the principle of self-design.   This conceptualization of human nature and work leads to forms of work organization aimed at the development of competences by giving work groups the scope and latitude to complete tasks based on their own planning and guided simply by specified deadlines and standards. There is no longer a one best way for doing things; rather there is discretion and decision latitude rooted in the identification that different paths might equally well achieve the same goals. The symbol is that of an organism where different organs fulfill different functions but are reliant on each other, and can function appropriately only in relations with all other parts of the organism. Work Cited Ackoff, R.L. 1994. The Democratic Organization. New York: Oxford University Press. Certo, S.C. (1998). Modern management: Diversity, quality, ethics, and the global environment. Upper Saddle River: Prentice-Hall. DeGuess, A. (1997). The living company: Habits for survival in a turbulent business environment. Boston: Harvard Business School. Denhardt, R.B. Theories of Public Organization, 3rd Ed.; Harcourt College Publishers: Orlando, 2000; 16-17, 182-191. Depree, M. (1997, April). Attributes of leaders. Executive Excellence, 14 (4,) 8-10. Gharajedaghi, Jamshid. 1999. Systems Thinking: Managing Chaos and Complexity. Woburn, Mass.: Butterworth-Heinemann Publishers. Joseph OConnor, Ian McDermott (1997) The Art of Systems Thinking: Revolutionary Techniques to Transform Your Business and Your Life HarperCollins. M. A. Hersh. A systems approach to understanding the causes of instability in nations: a case study, Bucharest, Romania, 1998. Pearson, C.S. (1998). Thinking about business differently: Organizational systems and leadership archetypes. Alisa Viejo: InnoVision. Scholtes, Peter R. 1998. The Leader’s Handbook. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Database Integration :: essays research papers

1. System Architektur Folgende Tools werden von uns fà ¼r verwendet, die es uns erlauben unseren Partnern eine sichere E-commerce Là ¶sung anzubieten.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Apache Web Server  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Mod_SSL – Ein Modul fà ¼r SSL (Secure Socket Layers)  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  OpenSSL – Open Source Toolkit (benà ¶tigt fà ¼r Mod_SSL)  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  MySQL – Ein SQL Datenbank-Server  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  PHP4/Zend – Eine Server Sided Scripting Language Diagramm 1; System Architektur 2. Datenbank Integration Um den Kunden online Preisvergleiche anbieten zu kà ¶nnen, mà ¼ssen wir unsere Partner integrieren. Dazu benà ¶tigen wir eine Datenbank, die uns erlaubt die Politzen zu kalkulieren und es Ihnen ermà ¶glicht durch unser Back End die Daten mit einem Klick zu erneuern. Zur Integration der Datenbank mà ¶chten wir folgende Schritte vorschlagen:  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Festhaltung Ihres Datenbanksystems  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Eruierung der Variablen die fà ¼r die Kalkulation benà ¶tigt werden  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Erstellung der Datenbank die Sie zum uploaden verwenden kà ¶nnen (Praktisch werden in der bereits bestehenden RDBMS (Relational Database Management System) neue Tabellen erstellt, die die Variablen zur Berechnung enthalten. Sollten sich Tarife à ¤ndern kà ¶nnen Sie dann selbstà ¤ndig Ihre Daten erneuern (Back End))  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Entwicklung des Back End (siehe 3. Das Back End) Systems Diagramm 2; Datenbank Integration 3. Das Back End Das Back End ermà ¶glicht es unseren Partnern Ihre Datenbank selbstà ¤ndig up-zuloaden. Dafà ¼r entwickeln wir eine Userplattform, in der Sie mit einem Username/Passwort – Erkennung Ihre Datenbank uploaden kà ¶nnen. Weiters checken wir Ihre IP – Adresse um sicher zu gehen, damit niemand anders Zugriff auf die Daten hat. Das Back End ist eine Webseite, auf die unter der URL http://www.versicherungsmarkt.at, mit einer anderen Portnummer (:2001) auf die mit den Sicherheitsdevicen zugegriffen werden kann. Username/Passwort – Erkennung  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Die Username/Passwort – Erkennung wird mit PHP4/Zend erstellt, und ermà ¶glicht es Ihnen im Gegensatz zu einer Apache – Erkennung „auszu-loggen.â€Å"  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Es ermà ¶glicht uns die Zugriffszeit zu limitieren. Zum Beispiel, wenn jemand fà ¼r im System eingeloggt ist und die Seite fà ¼r 30 Minuten nicht gebrowst hat, wird bei erneuten Zugriff eine Username/Passwort – Erkennung verlangt.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Die Erkennung erfolgt pro Seite. Sie kà ¶nnen auf Seitenbasis bestimmen, fà ¼r welche Seiten eine Erkennung zu erfolgen hat. Checking IP – Address Durch das Checken der IP – Adresse kà ¶nnen wir sicherstellen, dass nur bestimmte Rechner auf das Back – End Zugriff haben.

BDO Cash Management Essay

BDO Cash Management Solutions provide a diverse range of financial solutions that can be customized to meet even your most demanding and complex financial needs. With BDO, you have cash management solutions you never thought possible. The BDO services at your disposal: Payables Solutions Integrated Disbursement Solutions – Provides greater efficiency by consolidating all payment transactions Payroll – Maximizes the convenience of paying employees’ salaries, benefits and incentives Check Disburse – Streamlines and customizes your check printing and preparation Government Payments – Gives you convenience in paying various government agencies using BDO’s Online Banking Service Receivables Solutions Auto-Debit Arrangement – Simplifies and ensures on-time collection of receivables Bills Payment Facility – Efficiently facilitates collection and consolidation of payments from your clients through BDO’s various channels Cash & Check Deposit Pick Up – Provides peace of mind by securing your collection by utilizing armored cars or authorized couriers Post Dated Checks Warehousing – Offers safe and automated management of future-dated check collections Point Of Sale Terminals – Cost effective and efficient alternative to cash-based collections At BDO, we know you have banking needs that can be vastly different from others’ and minutely specific to your operations. This is the compelling reason why we have put together a diverse range of banking products and services to provide the best solution possible for your specific banking need. Currently, BDO’s Cash Management Solutions offers 18 products to serve the cash management needs of over 7,000 clients. The effectiveness of CMS can be seen in its average annual growth of 20% and P130 million average annual growth. Our track record has also gained the recognition and respect of foreign banks as many have made BDO their preferred partner to service their clients in the Philippines. Dedicated support groups, including the Operations team, the Implementation team and IT group work together to provide seamless service solutions you probably never thought were possible. — Copyright @ https://www.bdo.com.ph/business/cash-management

Music Therapy Essay - 2769 Words

Music Therapy: Is It The Cure To Mental Physical Problems? Music therapy is defined as the skillful use of music and musical elements by an accredited music therapist to promote, maintain, and restore mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Music has nonverbal, creative, structural, and emotional qualities. These are used in the therapeutic relationship to facilitate contact, interaction, self-awareness, learning, self-expression, communication, and personal development (Source: Canadian Association of Music Therapy). In other words, music therapy is the use of music by a trained professional to achieve therapeutic goals. Goal areas include, but are not limited to, motor skills, social/interpersonal development, cognitive†¦show more content†¦In essence, music produces a counter to the stress response, in that relaxation is promoted, and the body is returned to a healthier balance (Source: Watkins, G. Music Therapy: Proposed Physiological Mechanisms and Clinical Implications, 1997). How Music Affects the Body All music components of music - Tempo, pitch, volume, and rhythm - affect our body. Tempo is defined as the pace of the music. Tempos in the range of 60 - 70 beats per minute have been found to be most soothing, because they reflect the similar tempo of the heart. A pace faster than that causes tension, while a pace slower than that creates the feeling of suspense. The pitch or highness or lowness of a sound is determined by the frequency of sound waves and it acts on the autonomic nervous system. A high pitch causes tension, while a low pitch promotes relaxation. The volume, or intensity/loudness of the music, can cause pain if very high, yet can be soothing and relaxing if low. Rhythm helps the body to regain the order that it had previous to the stress caused by the medical illness or condition. Specifically, music assists in restoring the circadian rhythms of temperature and sleep, the ultradian rhythms of autonomic system regulation, metabolic processes, and cerebral dominance, and the rhythms of respiration, peristalsis, and heart rate. In addition, for infants born premature or ill, music helps to recreate the order of the fetal environment experienced in utero, and promotes a lowShow MoreRelatedEssay about Music As Therapy1222 Words   |  5 PagesMusic As Therapy There was never a question in my mind that music possesses a strong element to help people. It has always been a stress reliever in my life. There is research that supports the belief that music is an instrumental part or impact on a wider realm of physical and mental disorders or disabilities. Music is known to set the mood or atmosphere for all types of situations. There is extensive research completed on this subject. Just take a look around. When you look at a movie it isRead MoreMusic Therapy and Children Essay1603 Words   |  7 Pagesal., 2002, p. 379). In the nineteenth century, there was a desire to use the sounds of music to minimize pain. In the 1980s, the use of music therapy was documented, but it had not proved any effectiveness (Barrera et al., 2002, p.379). Also, Munro et al. (1987) reported that the Greeks used music in psychology treatment (p. 1029). Music therapy was defended by Munro et al. (1987) as â€Å"the controlled use of music, its elements and their influences on the human being to aid in the physiologic, psychologicRead MoreThe Power of Music Therapy Essay examples1013 Words   |  5 Pageswonder why a song may bring tears to your eyes? Or how music allows you to recall a specific memory of your past? Well others have thought of the same questions and actually have been able to harness the power of music and direct it toward healthcare. This practice is known today as Music Therapy. Music Therapy is the prescribed use of music and music related techniques to assist and motivate a person towards specific, nonmusical goals. Music therapists use their training to effect changes in theRead MoreEssay on How It Works: Music Therapy2176 Words   |  9 Pages â€Å"I think music in itself is healing. Its an explosive expression of humanity. Its something we are all touched by. No matter what culture were from, everyone loves music† (Billy Joel). Although most listeners may not have the same technical experience in music as Billy Joel, it is easy enough to see the effect it has in a persons every day life. Music has the ability to pick us up when we are down, carry you back in time to a cherished memory, and transform silence into a symphony that can moveRead MoreMusic Therapy for Children with Autism: Essay1433 Words   |  6 PagesIn a setting with someone with autism spectrum disorder, music therapists make use of music as an educational tool to encourage le arning. One of the purposes of music therapy for someone with autism is to provide the student with an initial assistance using melodious and rhythmic strategies, followed by fading of musical cues to assist in simplification and transfer to other learning environments. Music therapy has been proven to decrease symptoms of children with autism, and could even facilitateRead MoreMusic Therapy and Its Positive Effects on the Brain Essay1797 Words   |  8 Pagesand treatment, using music to connect to patients is still a reliable practice. Throughout the history of healing practices, music has been used as a remedy. Music is so groundbreaking in the fact that it actually has the ability to affect human beings in so many ways. Music is a huge advantage in a treatment plan as it is calming, strengthening and it can be used for both the physically and mentally ill. To start, the American Music Therapy Association defines Music Therapy as, â€Å"the clinical andRead MoreEssay about Music Therapy and Down Syndrome1188 Words   |  5 Pagespeople still believe that children born with Down’s syndrome are not capable of learning. In a group of children where all hope seems gone, music therapy has been found to be very beneficial. It can enhance physical, social. intellectual, and emotional development of the children. â€Å"Music therapy is the skillful use of music and musical elements by a music therapist to promote, maintain, and restore mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health (Angus 4).† It is used to achieve therapeuticRead MoreEssay about Alternative Methods of Healing: Music Therapy1561 Words   |  7 Pagesdocumented and widely used. Physical therapy is often a precursor to surgery and many times will prevent the need to undergo a more invasive procedure. A lesser-known form of alternative healing but becoming more popular is music therapy. In the late 18th century, scientists began to investigate the effects of music on the human body; however, using music as a healing medium dates back to ancient times. There are many forms and techniques of music therapy that aid a variety of disabilities havingRead MoreUsing Music Therapy in the Treatment of Stress and Anxiety Essay1835 Words   |  8 PagesTypically a normal response to situations that may be harmful, anxiety he lps alert people of danger. But it is when that emotional response is elevated beyond a normal level that prolonged disruption of daily life occurs. As stated in the Journal of Music Therapy, â€Å"anxiety is generally regarded a negative emotional response to situations that are appraised to be threatening† (Elliot, Polman and McGregor 2011, p. 264) (as cited in Spielberger, 1989, p. 3-17). At the cognitive level, anxiety can produceRead More The Effects of Music Therapy on Mentally Handicapped People Essay2202 Words   |  9 PagesEffects of Music Therapy on Mentally Handicapped People nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Music therapy is a controversial but effective form of rehabilitation on mentally handicapped people. A great amount of research has been completed on this subject. It has been proven that our brains respond to music as if it were medicine. Music therapy is not a commonly used health care, but recent studies have suggested it can have a wide range of benefits. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Music therapy is the prescribed

The Theme of Society in Pride and Prejudice Essay - 976 Words

Originally written in the late 1700s, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice satirically depicts the universal ideals in Old Regency England, primarily regarding social class. Austen follows the development of an outspoken middle-class British woman, Elizabeth Bennet, as she encounters and overcomes the many social barriers that separate her from her wealthy upper-class neighbors. Throughout the novel, Lizzie must confront society’s class-consciousness, particularly with her family’s growing relationship with the wellborn Bingleys and their friend, Mr. Darcy. It is clear that the author, Jane Austen, intended Pride and Prejudice to be a parody of the Old English society’s extreme emphasis on the social class structure and marriage that is not†¦show more content†¦Lady Catherine’s ludicrousness is most likely taken from her haughty ego, which society has helped create by holding the upper class up on a pedestal. In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Auste n speaks of a world where a person’s, more importantly a woman’s, reputation is a paramount obsession. A woman is made to believe to have to behave in certain ways; stepping outside the social normality makes her open to being banished from mainstream society. A prime example of this is when Lydia gets an invitation to visit and stay with the officers. Of course, Mrs. Bennet, the most obvious, oblivious, loud social conscious creature of Longbourn is all â€Å"happy go lucky† when she hears of Lydia’s call. Mr. Bennet who is the most stoic contradictory of Mrs. Bennet is even excited. However, when the news provoking invitation turns into a merciless elopement between Mr. Wickham and Lydia Bennet it sends shockwaves through the Bennet household. By becoming Wickham’s lover without being married, Lydia clearly places herself outside the social â€Å"norm†, and her disgrace threatens the entire Bennet family and their standing in society. The fact that Lydia’s terrible judgment would have condemned the other Bennet sisters to marriage less lives is a ridiculous but accurate tell of the stress put on the hierarchy that is Old English society. This theme also appears in the novel whenShow MoreRelatedJane Austen s Pride And Prejudice1343 Words   |  6 PagesThe Themes of Jane Austen in Pride and Prejudice In today’s time there are many novels in which their purpose is to provide an enjoyable feeling for the reader, filling them with pleasurable feelings and they do not possess a strong message or lesson. On the other hand, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice does not compare to novels such as The Notebook, or My Life with the Walter Boys because those two are feel-good books. Whereas Pride and Prejudice is undoubtedly an enjoyable story but Austen usesRead MoreJane Austens Pride and Prejudice1061 Words   |  5 Pagesoff of society’s standards. Many writers criticizes the influence that society has over its members. The romantic novelist Jane Austen satirizes her society and those who follow it. One of her most famous works, Pride and Prejudice, is a great example of this satire. Throughout the novel she explores the effects of society through her characters. In Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice, she divulges the central theme of society and social cla ss through the characters Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy,Read MoreGood Morning Readplus Panel, Mount Alvernia Curriculum Leaders For English, And Fellow Students1573 Words   |  7 Pagespanel, Mount Alvernia Curriculum Leaders for English, and fellow students. â€Å"Pride and Prejudice† is a well-known novel by Jane Austen. Many people of different ages have at least heard of this book through various media adaptations. But how many have actually read it? â€Å"Pride and Prejudice† should be read by young adults and be included on the ReadPlus website because it is a work of literature that surpasses time. 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The two texts, Letters to Alice and Pride and Prejudice, mirror and contrast the central values shared and explored by evaluating them; presenting them against Jane Austens context and that of Fay Weldon. Mirroring Austens novel, Weldon presents the central values for women such as the social values of moral behaviour, independence, and, literary values of reading and writing, from Pride and Prejudice and adapts themRead MoreExplore the Methods Which Writers Use to Develop the Ways in Which Their Characters See and Understand Their Own Worlds in Pride and Prejudice and the Yellow Wallpaper1100 Words   |  5 PagesExplore the methods which writers use to develop the ways in which their characters see and understand their own worlds in Pride and Prejudice and The Yellow Wallpaper Austen first published ‘Pride and Prejudice’ in 1813 the novella touches on several themes such as prejudice, first impressions and pride; themes that individually define the main characters. 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Descartes Fantasy, Reality, Fantasy And Reality

William Porter Phil 6 Stuart Campbell Fantasy and Reality Dreams, fantasy, reality, life, we’ve had years to distinguish the worlds that are different and the main perception to what our reality currently is. It brings the question of if fantasy has an impact on reality, and the philosophers that are looked at in this essay do point a heavily influence of reality with fabrication of life such as imagination based fantasies or dreams. As the mind is powerful philosophers have taken the time to address the influential power of the imagination and dreams. Some talk about the power of hallucination as well, separating dreams from the visions people imagine awake. Jennifer Windt talks about dreams and dreaming in the stanford encyclopedia for†¦show more content†¦An omnipotent yet evil genious would be off to the side controlling the scenes in this virtual world that the person would be perceiving. As far as that person was aware, that computer environment would be their reality controlled by the evil genius. This was meant to undermine Descartes sensory based theory as that scenario would explain how to get around the ideal that senses control what’s dream and what’s reality. What seems to be in the three scenarios of â€Å"brain-in-a-vat†, â€Å"evil-genius hypothesis†, and the â€Å"Matrix-style† is the appeal to logical or nomological possibility being a regularly recurring activity. Jennifer then looks at other philosophers critiquing Descartes â€Å"Sixth Meditation† that contradicts his own statement of â€Å"First Meditation†. Saying that it was worthless to propose a test where you can dream you succeeded, as the lack of logical understanding and deception of sensory makes it unreliable as a test. Grundmann’s thought was that we as humans had an innate ability to tell we were awake due to an introspective noticing of our ability to use critical thinking while we are awake, and critical thinking being absent while we are asleep. The author Windt had a retaliation saying critical thinking is not uniformly absent in dreams and is usually corrupted when it does occur, and that rational thought did occur in dreams but wasn’t recognizable. This would confirm the ideal that dreams, as it would be self defeating, can’tShow MoreRelatedWhat do Plato, Descartes, and The Matrix all have in common? All of them study the possibility that600 Words   |  3 PagesWhat do Plato, Descartes, and The Matrix all have in common? All of them study the possibility that our world is just a fantasy. They also demand that we took a good look into the relations hip concerning our senses and reality. 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A person can be conscious of their physical surroundings, pain and even a wish or fantasy. In short a creature is conscious if it is aware of itself and that it is a physical and emotional being. Consciousness is a psychological condition defined by the English philosopher John Locke as quot;the perception of what passes in a man’s ownRead MoreDualism: Concerns and Issues Essay2086 Words   |  9 Pagescredibility of its reality. Rene Descartes, who has been often called the Father of Western Philosophy (Wikipedia Descartes), entered the scene in Europe in the 17th century. Galileo’s imprisonment and the church’s monopoly on knowledge had put a damper on scientific learning throughout Europe. This, coupled with Aristotle’s outdated theories which held much weight in the domain of science and philosophies had spread a growing sense of skepticism throughout the world. Descartes’ Meditations were

Alternative Fuels Essay Example For Students

Alternative Fuels Essay Alternative Fuel Vehicles You Can Buy TodayFrom the earliest days of the automotive industry alternative fuels have always competed with petroleum for powering vehicles. Nicholas Cugnot made the first self-powered road vehicle in 1769 with a steam engine, and the first gasoline automobile didnt appear until over 100 years later from Karl Benz. Through the late 19th and early 20th century steam and electric power remained strong contenders. The invention of the self-starter for gasoline engines by Cadillac eventually proved the undoing of the early steam cars, which required warming up. Electric cars continued to be produced for a while longer, but the expanding road network gradually made their short range of 8-15 miles between charges too inconvenient for many uses. Today we understand that the wholesale burning of petroleum cant continue forever. As the new century opens alternative fuel vehicles are becoming more and more common. Major manufacturers such as Ford, Daimler/Chrysler, and Fiat offer dual fuel cars and trucks now. These vehicles allow you to choose between gasoline and compressed natural gas (CNG) for cleaner emissions. Other large manufacturers such as General Motors, Toyota, and Honda are concentrating on electric vehicles. These global automakers are slowly moving from conventional to alternative power as the technology is developed and refined. Current battery technology allows a maximum range of about 125 miles per charge. The leading edge of electric vehicle technology is occupied by much smaller companies. Bombardier, Pivco AS, and S-LEM AG have designed small, lightweight city cars intended for daily use in dense urban environments. Corbin-Pacific and Zebra Motors have chosen to concentrate on performance. Both companies produce creditable sports cars that just happen to be electrically powered. Do you have an idea that you think will work for an alternatively powered vehicle concept? The U. S. Department of Energy invites small businesses (500 employees or less) to submit grant applications on hybrid electric vehicle technology. Applicants may receive up to $75,000 US for a Phase I grant to develop the feasibility of the idea.Hydrogen VehiclesFuel DescriptionHydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, but is rarely found in its uncombined form on the earth. When combusted (oxidized) it creates only water vapor as a by-product (4H + O2 = 2 H20). When burned in an internal combustion engine, however, combustion also produces small amounts of nitrogen oxides and small amounts of unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide because of engine lubricants. The exhaust is free from carbon dioxide. Hydrogen is normally a gas and can be compressed and stored in cylinders. It can also be kept as a liquid, but the gas only turns liquid at temperatures of minus 423.2 degrees Fahrenheit (below zero)! Today, hydrogen is mostly obtained by cracking hydrocarbon fuels, but it can be produced by electrolysis of water (using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen) and photolysis (chemical decomposition). The main problem with hydrogen is bulk storage required for fuel tanks. For an equivalent energy content of gasoline, liquid hydrogen and the required refrigeration system requires six to eight times more storage space than gasoline and compressed hydrogen gas requires six to ten times more storage space. Another development using hydrogen is as a blend of hydrogen and methane (natural gas) called Hythane. Preliminary information presented in mid- 1994 at the 10th World Hydrogen Energy Conference in Cocoa Beach, Florida, says that a test cars exhaust using 30 percent hydrogen and 70 percent methane contained 80 percent less nitrogen oxides than U.S. EPA standards for 2003. This blend has much higher content of hydrogen than other Hythane blends, which typically run about five percent. To learn more about hydrogen go to the Hydrogen Fuel Page. Vehicle AvailabilityThere are no vehicles currently available that use hydrogen as a fuel; however, automobile manufacturers have experimented with developing vehicles that use hydrogen. Research vehicles have been produced by Daimler-Benz, BMW and Mazda. The Mercedes-Benz and BMW vehicles use liquid hydrogen. The Mazda vehicle stores its hydrogen as a gas in a metal-hydride lattice of shaved metal. Other vehicles have been built using compressed hydrogen, including two vehicles in Arizona operated by the American Hydrogen Association. High production costs and low density have prevented hydrogens use as a transportation fuel in all but test programs. It may be 20 to 30 years or more before hydrogen is a viable transportation fuel and then perhaps only in fuel-cell-powered vehicles.What is Ethanol?Ethanol (ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, ETOH) is a clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic, agreeable odor. In dilute aqueous solution, it has a somewhat sweet flavor, but in more concentrated solutions it has a burning taste. Ethanol, CH3CH2OH, is an alcohol, a group of chemical compounds whose molecules contain a hydroxyl group, -OH, bonded to a carbon atom. Two higher blends of ethanol, E-85 and E-95 are being explored as alternative fuels in demonstration programs. Ethanol is also made into an ether, ethyltertiary-butyl ether (ETBE), that has properties of interest for oxygenated gasoline and reformulated fuels. Chemical Properties: Ethanol is ethane with a hydrogen molecule replaced by a hydroxyl radical. See the fuel properties table (PDF: 116 KB) for more information. How is Ethanol Made?There are basically eight steps in the ethanol production process: 1. Milling: The corn (or barley or wheat) will first pass through hammer mills, which grind it into a fine powder called meal. 2. Liquefaction: The meal will then be mixed with water and alpha-amylase, and will pass through cookers where the starch is liquefied. Heat will be applied at this stage to enable liquefaction. Cookers with a high temperature stage (120-150 degrees Celsius) and a lower Temperature-holding period (95 degrees Celsius) will be used. These high temperatures reduce bacteria levels in the mash. 3. Saccharification: The mash from the cookers will then be cooled and the secondary enzyme (gluco-amylase) will be added to convert the liquefied starch to fermentable sugars (dextrose), a process called saccharification. 4. Fermentation: Yeast will then be added to the mash to ferment the sugars to ethanol and carbon dioxide. Using a continuous process, the fermenting mash will be allowed to flow, or cascade, through several fermenters until the mash is fully fermented and then leaves the final tank. In a batch fermentation process, the mash stays in one fermenter for about 48 hours before the distillation process is started. 5. Distillation: The fermented mash, now called beer, will contain about 10% alcohol, as well as all the non-fermentable solids from the corn and the yeast cells. The mash will then be pumped to the continuous flow, multi-column distillation system where the alcohol will be removed from the solids and the water. The alcohol will leave the top of the final column at about 96% strength, and the residue mash, called stillage, will be transferred from the base of the column to the co-product processing area. 6. Dehydration: The alcohol from the top of the column will then pass through a dehydration system where the remaining water will be removed. Most ethanol plants use a molecular sieve to capture the last bit of water in the ethanol. The alcohol product at this stage is called anhydrous (pure, without water) ethanol and is approximately 200 proof. 7. Denaturing: Ethanol that will be used for fuel is then denatured with a small amount (2-5%) of some product, like gasoline, to make it unfit for human consumption. 8. Co-Products: There are two main co-products created in the production of ethanol: carbon dioxide and distillers grain. Carbon dioxide is given off in great quantities during fermentation and many ethanol plants collect that carbon dioxide, clean it of any residual alcohol, compress it and sell it for use to carbonate beverages or in the flash freezing of meat. Distillers grains, wet and dried, are high in protein and other nutrients and are a highly valued livestock feed ingredient. Some ethanol plants also create a syrup containing some of the solids that can be a separate production sold in addition to the distillers grain, or combined with it. Ethanol production is a no-waste process that adds value to the corn by converting it into more valuable products. Ethanol is also made from a wet-milling process. Many of the larger ethanol producers use this process, which also yields many other products, such as high fructose corn sweetner. Ethanol MarketEthanol will probably be transferred from import terminals or production facilities by barge, rail, or truck to eventually reach retail outlets. Barkha Dutt EssayFleetWise is a federal initiative to address the pollution caused by vehicle emissions and its effect on climate change. It involves a gradual phased-in increase in use of alternative fuels, such as ethanol. The Government of Canada has committed to integrating environmental considerations and sound management practices in the operation of its motor vehicles. This includes a phased-in acquisition of alternative fuel vehicles, by the year 2005. Is ethanol production energy efficient?Ethanol contains about 32,000 (high heating value) BTUs per litre. It takes about one fourth of that amount to grow the corn and about one third of that amount to process the corn in a modern ethanol production facility. Some of the processing costs should be allocated to the co-products that are produced with the ethanol. If corn farmers use state-of-the-art, energy efficient and sustainable farming techniques and ethanol plants integrate state-of-the-art production processes, the amount of energy contained in the ethanol and its co-products is more than twice the energy used to grow the corn and convert it into ethanol. How will using ethanol-blended fuels affect my vehicle?What is the effect of using ethanol-blended fuels on the manufacturers warranty of my vehicle?When the use of ethanol began in 1979, most automobile manufacturers did not even address alcohol fuels. As soon as each manufacturer tested their vehicles, they approved the use of a 10% ethanol blend. Today, all manufacturers approve the use of 10% ethanol blends, and some even recommend it for environmental reasons.Is it necessary to make changes to my vehicle in order to use ethanol-blended fuels?All cars built since the 1970s are fully compatible with up to 10% ethanol in the mixture. Will ethanol-blended fuels work in fuel-injected engines?Yes. It may be necessary to change the filter more frequently. Ethanol helps to clean out the fuel-injection system, and may aid in the maintenance of a cleaner engine.Since 1985, all ethanol blends and nearly all non-ethanol gasolines have contained detergent additives that are designed to prevent injector deposits. These detergents have been very effective in addressing this issue.Does ethanol in the fuel work as an effective gas line anti-freeze?Gas line anti-freeze contains alcohol-usually methanol, ethanol, or isopropyl, which can be used up to a 0.3% level in a cars fuel tank. All alcohols have the ability to absorb water, and therefore condensation in the fuel system is absorbed and does not have the opportunity to collect and freeze. If an ethanol blend contains 10% ethanol, it is able to absorb more water than a small bottle of isopropyl, and eliminates the need and expense of adding a gas line anti-freeze.Will ethanol burn valves?Ethanol will not burn engine valves. In fact, ethanol burns cooler than gasoline. Ethanol high-powered racing engines use pure alcohol for that reason. Will using ethanol-blended fuels plug the fuel filters in my vehicle?Ethanol can loosen contaminants and residues that have been deposited by previous gasoline fills. These can collect in the fuel filter. This problem has happened occasionally in older cars, and can easily be corrected by changing fuel filters.Symptoms of a plugged fuel filter will be hesitation, missing, and a loss of power. Once your cars fuel system is clean, you will notice improved performance.Can I mix fuels?Yes. All gasolines in Canada (including low-level ethanol blends) must meet the specifications of the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB). They are all interchangeable. What is the effect of using ethanol-blended fuels on fuel economy?Changes in fuel economy are minimal. While a 10% ethanol blend contains about 97% of the energy of pure gasoline, this is compensated by the fact that the combustion efficiency of the ethanol-blended fuel is increased. The net result is that most consumers do not detect a difference in their fuel economy, although many people using ethanol-blended fuels have said that their fuel economy has improved.Can ethanol-blended fuels be used in ATVs, chainsaws or other power or recreational equipment?Yes. An ethanol blend may be used anywhere that unleaded gasoline is used. Farmers, cities, counties, and rural electric co-op fleets, plus snowmobile racers and fishing guides in the U.S. use ethanol blends exclusively with no performance problems. Adjustments may be required for air intake. It is important to consult your owners manual.Is it safe to handle fuel ethanol blends?The WHMIS Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) reveals that the properties of ethanol blends are substantially the same as conventional gasoline blends. Occupational health and safety risks presented by the use of ethanol gasoline do not appear to be any different than those posed by conventional gasoline blends. Do ethanol blends need special handling or storage?Only in special circumstances. The gasoline marketer should pump any accumulated water from the storage tank, and add a final filter to the dispensing hose. It is wise also to check seasonally used small engines such as chainsaws and outboard motors (which are more susceptible to water contamination) for the presence of water, and drain the tank if necessary.What are the alternatives to ethanol as an oxygenate? How do they compare?MethanolMethanol is a derivative of natural gas. It is less expensive to produce than ethanol but is highly corrosive, more volatile than ethanol, and more damaging to plastic and rubber fuel system components (elastomers). It also requires a co-solvent (usually ethanol). Ethanol provides better water tolerance than methanol.MTBEMTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) is a high octane, low volatility, oxygenated fuel component made by combining methanol and isobutylene from oil refineries. It is not as sensitive to water as the alcohols, and does not increase the volatility of most gasolines. It is known to have a very distinct odor. It is non-corrosive and relatively low-priced. It is currently the most widely used oxygenate, but is derived from a non-renewable resource. ETBEETBE (Ethyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) has properties similar to MTBE, but is produced by combining ethanol (derived from a renewable resource) and isobutylene.TAME and TAEETAME (Tertiary Amyl Methyl Ether) and TAEE (Tertiary Amyl Ethyl Ether) are complex methyl and ethyl ethers, respectively. They are relatively new and have similar characteristics to MTBE and ETBE.How much fuel ethanol is being produced?Canadas current annual ethanol production, for all markets (1998) is approximately 234 million litres a year. With additional proposed development of ethanol production plants, Canadian potential production in the next few years is at 664 million litres per year.How much fuel ethanol is being used?It is difficult to ascertain current levels of fuel ethanol use in Canada. In the U.S. , it now represents about 9% of total gasoline sales, or the equivalent of the total Canadian gasoline consumption. Over two trillion kilometres have been traveled using fuel ethanol blends.Who produces alcohol Mohawk Oil Canada Ltd., Minnedosa, Manitoba (Capacity = 10 million litres); ? Pound-Maker Agventures, Ltd. , Lanigan, Saskatchewan (Capacity = 12 million litres); ? Commercial Alcohols Inc., Tiverton, Ontario (Capacity = 23 million litres); ? Commercial Alcohols Inc., Chatham, Ontario (Capacity = 150 million litres); ? Agri-Partners International, Inc. (API), Alberta (Capacity = 22 million litres); ? Tembec, Temiscaming, Quebec (Capacity = 17 million litres). Additional proposed development of ethanol production plants includes those by? Seaway Grain Processors, Inc., Cornwall, Ontario (Capacity = 66 million litres); ? Commercial Alcohols, Inc., Varennes, Quebec (Capacity = 150 million litres); ? Commercial Alcohols Inc.s Chatham plant plans to expand by another 150 million litres; ? Metalore Resources Inc. is continuing development on a wheat-based ethanol production facility. Who sells ethanol-blended fuels? Where can I purchase them?Across Canada, there are approximately 950 retailers of ethanol-blended fuels (July, 1998), excluding those who are not listed with the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association.Mohawk Oil is presently selling ethanol blends at over 290 stations in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the Yukon and Northern Ontario. Across southern Ontario, UPI Inc. retails ethanol blends at over 60 UPI Inc., FS and Co-op gasbars and cardlocks. They are available in all grades of gasoline and for on-farm delivery. On January 1, 1998, Sunoco Inc. launched ethanol-enhanced fuels at all its 275 retail outlets in Ontario. In eastern Ontario and western Quebec, MacEwen Petroleum Inc. is retailing ethanol blends at over 60 locations. Fuel ethanol retailing has expanded into Quebec with over 100 Sonic stations and other independent retail outlets. Other companies that have joined in the retailing of ethanol-blended fuels include Mr. Gas, Pioneer Petroleum, Frances Fuels, Stinson Petroleum and Sunys.