Short review and critique on a specific Article

Short review and critique on a specific - Article Example This paper is a critique of the article Dating and Relationships, on the relevance of this research, it identifies the hypothesis and measures the success of the methods used in testing the main hypothesis. Purpose of the Study The study presented in the article has three main goals. One is to identify how each of the five conflict management styles influences satisfaction in both the GCDRs and LDDRs. The second aim is to establish how each of the conflict management styles influences communications satisfaction in both types of dating relationship. The last aim is to compare the effect of the conflict management style on GCDRs and LDDRs to establish whether there is any significant difference. The author says it is important to study LDDR because of their increase in prevalence. He says that it has been reported that around 75% of college student were involved in LDDRs. It is thus important to study them in comparison with the GCDR to understand the increasing number of such long di stance dating relationships. I think it is important in understanding what makes relationships last. This is because relationships can be complicated as people have a diverse way of dealing with them (Anon). It could be possible that being in geographically different areas create an aspect in the relationship that makes it last long. Main Hypothesis The study is based on several hypotheses. The most important hypothesis in this study is that there are notable differences on how conflict management approaches affect relational and communication satisfaction in both LDDRs and GCDRs. The variables in this hypothesis are the conflict management styles and the type of relationship. This hypothesis is directional since the conflict management style is expected to give satisfactory outcomes or cause dissatisfaction ones (Anon). Design and Measurement Because of the conflict arising from the definition of LDDRs, the definition was based on how the subjects defined their relationships. The s ample consisted of college student taking communications class in Midwestern University. It was made up of equal numbers of student form each kind of dating relationships who would answer the exact same questions. The volunteer had met the requirement of being in a heterosexual relationship for more than three months. The response to the queries was through emailing a link to each participant who would have one week to submit the responses. In measuring the conflict management styles, the Rahma Organization Conflict Inventory II (ROCI II) would be used. This is used to measure the avoiding, compromising, accommodating, collaborating and competing conflict management style. The scale ranges for strongly agree to strongly disagree with the highest score showing nonalignment with that conflict management style. Dependant Relationship Satisfaction Scale (RAS) was used to gauge relational satisfaction. In measuring communication satisfaction, the Interpersonal Communication Satisfaction Inventory (ISCI) was used (Anon). This measures the kind of satisfaction depending on the level that individual communication expectations are met in a relationship. The analysis would be carried out by developing four dissimilar multiple regression analysis that measures the different hypothesis. Critique The methods of data collection and measurement of the variables do match with the hypothesis. This is because the study utilized good measurement tools to measure the three

Genetic Engineering in Food Production Essay Example for Free

Genetic Engineering in Food Production Essay Genetic Engineering in Food Production: Is it Safe, Wise, and Moral? Over the past couple of decades, the genetic engineering has been found and is regarded as the improvement of advanced technology in the field of biology. Ever since the first gene was cloned in 1973, genetic engineers have been pursuing at break-neck speed the unlimited possibilities promised by biotechnology . Their excitement, which has generated billions of investment dollars for the industry, is understandable. Bioengineering allows scientists to identify specific gene sequences responsible for particular characteristics and then to transfer the genes and the specific trait into entirely different species. One of the more current and controversial issue in the field of biotechnology is the use of bioengineering in food production. Scientists are experimenting with many different plants, but the genetic engineering of the tomato, dubbed Flavr Savr has been the most highly publicized project by far. The new tomato is supposed to boast more red and be tastier due to its longer staying time on the vine, thereby giving it more time to accumulate sweetness; yet, it will not rot or spoil because of its new genetic makeup. (Davidson 1993). With this advanced technology scientists argue that it could offer the greatest hope in the aid to stop hunger in Third World countries. This new technology could be used to make bulk levels of food production more efficient and less costly. However, despite all of its advantages in creating better crops, many people are very skeptical about its safe and possible long-term health effects. Moreover, the social issue lies deep in the realm of ethical and moral concerns. Do people really want to eat meat that is leaner and tastier but contains genes from humans? Or, would individuals (like vegetarians) be able to eat certain vegetables that may contain genes from animals? Personally, I would not support the use of genetic engineering in food production based on moral and ethical reasons: I do not think that scientists should be able to use their knowledge and social prestige in society to be able to play the role of God in creating new or better living things even if their justification is for the purpose of serving mankind. Although we still have much to learn about genes, recently developed techniques have already given rise to a new technology of molecular genetics. Genetic engineering, also known as gene splicing/manipulation and recombinant DNA technology is a set of techniques for reconstructing, or deliberately manipulating, the genetic material of an organism. Operating at the molecular level, this process involves the addition, deletion, or reorganization of pieces of an organisms DNA (known as genes) in order to alter that organisms protein production (Arms et al. 1994). The use and applications of genetic engineering range from medical and pharmaceutical to industrial crops and food products. Its applications, today or in the future, include†¦creating improved strains of crops and farm animals (Arms et al. 1994). All of these applications rely on the ability to transplant genes into a cells makeup, or genome. The new gene may come from another organism, of the same species, or it may contain DNA produced in the laboratory. One example, the new Flavr Savr tomato, developed by Calgene, a biotechnology company based in Davis, California, was subjected to years of scrutiny before the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) agreed that it was safe to eat. They found, copied, and rebuilt a gene that lets these tomatoes stay on the vine without softening and spoiling. That means that the fruit can develop more of the sugars and acids that make a home-grown tomato taste so sweet and rich. Conventional tomatoes sold in the stores are often hard and flavorless because they are picked while green and firm enough to transport, then ripened by spraying with ethylene (Wood 1995). This turns the tomato red but does nothing to develop a riper flavor. Ethylene, a colorless, odorless gas that once kicks in, so do all the problems of perishability (Wood 1995). Since tomatoes have a softening gene, it produces RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) to help manufacture a protein that causes rotting. To stop the tomatoes going soft too soon, the researchers devised a way to block production of the enzyme polygalacturonase, which breaks down cell walls and eventually causes the fruit to rot (Miller 1994). The Calgene scientists inserted a mirror image of the softening gene that produces a reverse copy of the RNA. This reverse RNA blocks the action of the regular RNA and helps to preserve the fruit. All in all, Calgene seems to have produced a good but hardly outstanding tomato using antisense technology, given all the propaganda and advertisements. A couple of the reasons for why the tomato failed were because: (a) the manipulation of the ripening gene had unintended consequences (soft skin, weird taste, compositional changes); and (b) the high price they tried selling it at first for$2. 99 a pound (as expensive as organic tomatoes), then later dropped the price to $2. 49, then $1. 99, then . 99. Furthermore, the general public does not seem persuaded or have caught up with this trend yet. For one, people are greatly concerned about the safety of the product since the FDA does not insist that genetically engineered foods carry a special label, even though the FDA assured consumers that they can be confident in knowing that foods produced by genetic engineering are as safe as food in our grocery stores today, stated FDA Commissioner David A. Kessler, MD (Miller 1994). However, critics have cited a case in which at least 31 people died and 1500 contracted a fatal blood disease after ingesting a genetically engineered batch of L-trytophan, a dietary supplement (Davidson 1993). Without proper labeling it will be impossible for consumers to exercise their right to choose what kind of foods they eat. Another issue among consumers and environmental activist groups is that of moral and ethical concerns. Many people feel that scientists might have gone too far in terms of experimentation. We have now come to the end of the familiar pathway of leaving everything to the creation of Mother Nature. With the rise of advanced technology in genetics, scientists now possess the ability to manipulate genes, and redirect the course of evolution. They can reassemble old genes and devise new ones. They can plan, and with computer simulation, anticipate the future forms and paths of life. Hence, the old ways of evolution will be dwarfed by the role of purposeful human intelligence. However, just as nature stumbled upon life billions of years ago and began the process of evolution, so too would the new creators of life find that living organisms all have a destiny of their own. To evaluate the validity of the benefits of this technology, we need to answer three simple questions: Is it safe, is it wise, is it moral? Sinsheimer 1987). To answer the first question about whether it is safe, if the technological developments are kept open to public knowledge and scrutiny, I think in the short term it could be. This way the general public can monitor the hazards of any new product introduced into the biosphere, and can probably cope with any immediate problems or consequences. In answering the second question of whether it is wise, I would say that it is not. Through decades of research, scientists have learned of the different pathogens that prey on humans, animals, and major crops. But I believe that their knowledge is still very limited in trying to understand what led to these organisms existence and modes of adaptation. Thus scientists cannot really predict whether all their new discoveries and creations might somehow lead to a new and unexpected group of harmful species since potential organisms that could be converted by one or more mutations be transformed from harmless bugs to serious risks. Finally, to answer the question of the advantages of genetic engineering in terms of morality and ethics, I can only say that the more we create, the more problems we will have in the long run in trying to solve them. Life has evolved on this planet into a delicately balanced and fragile network of selfsustaining interactions and equilibrium. If we try to change or replace the creatures and vegetation of this earth with human-designed forms to conform to human will, I believe we will forget our origins and inadvertently collapse the ecological system in which we were found. Moreover, do we really want to assume the full responsibility for the structure and make-up of our world? I think that we seriously need to intervene between the scientists and engineers to consider a solution that will help slow down all of these experiments so that we could step back and look at what we are doing. If not, I think that these practicing scientists and researchers should be more broadly educated in our humanistic values and traditions. They need to understand the implications of what they are doing in order to be able to balance the concerns of the natural environment and that of societys humanistic needs; to bear in mind that technology exists only to serve and not create. Human beings, are of course, sprung from the same DNA and built of the same molecules as all other livings things. But if we begin to regard ourselves as just another group of subjects to test our experiments on by altering or tampering with the foods we eat, just like another crop to be engineered or another breed to be perfected, we will surely lose our awe of humanity and undermine all sense of human dignity.

Theres One In Every Group :: essays research papers

There's one in every Group As time passes many of us will experience an array of trials and tribulations. As we go on our many journeys though out life you’ll find that you have to be strong to make it though hard times. During Elaine’s adolescence’s she is abused physically and mentally by her peers, but later gains self-confidence. Many people may find the novel Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood to be very disturbing at certain times in the book. When we are first introduced to Elaine, we learn that she is a shy, young girl that doesn't have friends, all she had was her brother Stephen and her Parents. The war has just ended, and Elaine and her family have finally got a house to call there own. The only thing that Elaine is unhappy about is that she has no friends. But that would soon change. Elaine meets 3 girls from he neighborhood Grace, Cordelia, and Carol, and these are the three girls that would change Elaine's life forever. As the friendship between the 4 girls gets older, we begin to see a change. Cordelia slowly begins to take charge of the group, becoming the ringleader. " Don't do it like that or Cordelia will punish you" is the attitude that you begin to get. As time carries on in the book we see that Elaine is the one that is always getting singled out, the one that is always being picked on. The 4 girls decided to put on a play, Elaine plays the headless Mary Queen of Scots, Cordelia has been digging the hole for a while, and has collected boards to cover the hole with. "They pick me up by my the underarms and the feet and lower me in into the hole. They arrange the boards over the top. The daylight air disappears, and there's the sound of dirt hitting the boards†¦ Up above outside I can here their voices, and then I can't here them. I lie there wondering when it will be time to come out. Nothing happens. When I was put into the hole I new it was a game; now I know it is not one." Here were we see the Physical abuse, just one of the many harsh incidents that takes place in Elaine's Childhood. As time carries on in the book we notice that the relationship between the girls has changed a great deal.

An Hour or Two Sacred to Sorrow Essay

In the essay, â€Å"An Hour or Two Sacred to Sorrow,† the writer, Richard Steele, explains to the reader that many unexpected and unfortunate events may occur in our lifetime; however, those occurrences should be looked back upon rather than forgotten. He writes from his own experiences of loss, but continues to include the fact that it is acceptable even satisfying to remember such events. The writer begins by reliving the day his father died. At a mere age of five he remembers knowing something was wrong because no one would play with him, but no recollection as to what was truly amiss in the situation. When he says, â€Å"I†¦fell a-beating at the coffin and calling Papa†¦Ã¢â‚¬  that statement along with, â€Å"†¦ I know not how. I had some slight idea that he was locked up in there,† explains further that he knew something was unsound about the situation just not exactly what it was. He then talks about how his mother smothers him out of her own grie f, which struck his instinct of sorrow for his mother. He then moves on to express the fact that when we’re older we obtain memory better than at a younger age; in addition, he explains that different memories cause different reactions in a person. For instance, when a person passes away all you find yourself remembering is their death not the cheerful memories they left with you. He then elaborates this point by saying, â€Å"†¦ gallant men.. cut off by the sword move rather our veneration than our pity†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Saying this he points out that when a man from the military dies we are more respectful than sorry or upset by the incident. Many people would prefer not to remember the mournful events of their lives, but rather the joyful experiences. In continuation he says that the first beauty he ever beheld was in a virgin. He describes her as ignorantly charming and carelessly excelling, which lead him to understand why death should have a right to her, but it still baffles him why death also seems drawn to the humble an d meek. He watches death become an object of little value when he states, â€Å"†¦ death become the pretty trifler.† He describes the virgins sudden death and the anguish he felt after hearing this news. He then invites friends who had known her, and they began drinking two bottles of wine apiece; however, he finds that no matter how much he drinks it can not erase what had happened the night before. Which gave them all the more reason to recollect the impact she had left on their lives. In conclusion the writer relives past dismal  experiences that stood out in his memory. In many ways life can be full of sorrow, but we must learn how to move on from these events in our lives. on to better times. He explains that many unexpected and unfortunate events may occur in our lifetime; however, those occurrences should be looked back upon rather than forgotten.

Radio Shack Compensation Problem Essay

RadioShack is one of the largest electronic chain stores across America. They employ up to 34,000 employees and according to their corporate website (www.radidoschack.com) they offer the â€Å"Complete Package : Incredible work environment, highly qualified employees and competitive compensation , including upon hire: paid time off , merchandise and wireless discounts, credit union, career progression , continued learning and development , educational discounts ,401(k) Plan. Medical, Dental and Vision Plans Flexible Spending Accounts, Life/AD&D Insurance, Short and Long Term Disability. This all sounds great, they offer things we all look for in an employer ; a competitive compensation and perks. So how does this huge corporation become rated number 3 top worst places to work for? The Problem According to 24/7 Wall St, they examined employee reviews at online job site Glassdoor.com. To make the cut of worst company, companies need to have a minimum of 300 reviews. Based on these ratings, 24/7 Wall St. identified RadioShack as the number 3 worst company to work for. Any company receiving a score of 2.7 or lower, ranks them in the bottom 10% of the 202 companies they measured. RadioShack rating was 2.4 and has 560 reviews. Reviewers were consistently unhappy about the retailer’s sales commission structure and the long hours. The reviews also indicated that the company limits commissions to certain products, instead of paying based on sales. â€Å"Over the years compensation has turned into a big joke. You MUST perform in all metrics (service plans, batteries, cell phones, etc) to get any sort of bonus as an associate.† stated a former RadioShack employee. (www.glassdoor.com) Conclusion These remarks paint a completely different picture than what is listed on the corporate career web page. In my paper, my focus will be on the challenging monetary compensation of the company and to offer strategies on how to improve this problem.

The Trailblazing Colony of Massachusetts essays

The Trailblazing Colony of Massachusetts essays Massachusetts is one of the original 13 colonies, laying claim to the Pilgrim's landing and the Boston Tea Party, as well as the first battles of the Revolutionary WarLexington and Concord. Native Americans were living in Massachusetts long before Europeans arrived, and among them were the Wampanoag, the Nauset, and the Massachuset tribes. These people were largely agricultural, although they did a significant amount of fishing and trading with French and British settlers. European settlement of the Massachusetts colony began in 1620, with the landing at Plymouth of the Pilgrims, looking for freedom from religious persecution. They found the winter difficult, but they stayed. The English settlers found some friendly Native Americans in the Massachusetts area. The Wampanoag, in particular, was friendly to the Pilgrims. (Out of this friendship came the First Thanksgiving.) The Plymouth colony thrived and expanded, becoming the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Salem was the first capital, then was replaced by Boston in 1632, after a huge infusion of English settlers arrived. The colony thrived as an agricultural colony, although several important merchants set up shop in the following years. Most people lived in villages, with the farm fields just outside of town. The typical village layout was privately owned houses surrounding a commona large open area that was owned by all members of the village. In this common was a meeting house, where religious and town meetings took place. Interest in education was keen, and Harvard, the first American university, was founded in 1636. The first private academies could be found in Massachusetts as well. This promotion of education extended all the way to very young children, as a 1647 law required towns of more than 50 people to have an elementary school, which children were required to attend. The ever-expanding settlements of Europeans brought them eventually into armed conflict with Native Am...

Unemployment Essays - Unemployment, Labour Economics, Free Essays

Unemployment Essays - Unemployment, Labour Economics, Free Essays Unemployment Unemployment has been a problem throughout the United States since the beginning of our economic structure. In the most obvious sense, unemployment means "being without a job." The term unemployment is one description of the economic condition of a society at any given time. Low unemployment means the majority of the labor force is involved in, or looking for steady work. On the other hand, high unemployment is an indication of an economy in recession, or even worse. This implies that a sizable percentage of the labor force is not currently working. Until they actually start working again, they will be counted in government data as "unemployed" (Shapiro, 1996). The Bureau of the Census in the Department of Commerce collects and tabulates the unemployment statistics in the united states. Next, this information is given to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) which is held in the labor department. The BLS then calculates the unemployment rate and publishes the statistics. Every month, agents revisit a set amount of households all over the United States. Some economists criticize the government?s method of calculating unemployment because it fails to include "discouraged workers" in its data (Shapiro, 1996). "Discouraged workers" include those who have looked for a job over a large period of time and have simply quit. For this reason, critics say, real unemployment may be extensively larger than one might think. Throughout the 1900?s there has been numerous polls taken that shocked everyone. The unemployment rate for those who cannot read and write is dramatically higher than for those who can (Simons, 1989). Illiteracy is a hidden problem throughout the United States (Simons, 1989). Another poll taken showed that an estimated 23 percent of Americans can read a stop sign but cannot fill out an employment form. Of those who can read and write, large numbers of adults cannot read and write past the fifth grade level (Zycher, 1995). How are people going to get a job if they are not even able to inform the company of their skills? Another interesting fact, is The severest deficient demand in the United States occurred during the Great Depression in the 1930?s. In fact, at one point the unemployment rate had raised to twenty five percent in 1933. Fortunately, after world war one had begun the need for military had decreased the rate to as low as 1.2 percent (Reynolds, 1994). On the other hand, most people did not even pay any attention to the unemployment rate, because the considered laziness to be the main cause. Several possibilities have been speculated, but none have been proven to be the single cause of high unemployment. It is plainly clear that there have been several problems that play a role when the unemployment rate increases. Indeed, the experience of the past several decades suggest that no simple, quick, or radical remedy can eliminate the multitude of choke-points that are strangling U.S. economic and political processes (Choate,1986). Causes of unemployment can vary. Some economists have defined several types of unemployment. One type is frictional unemployment. This is a temporary and unavoidable period of time where a person is out of the work force. According to One education way, "There are always some people who are out of work for completely unavoidable reasons" (Shapiro, 1996, P.151). Another example, is when technological and other changes cause structural unemployment. There are also clinical changes in which changes in general business occur. "Peak" is a period of time when spending amounts are extremely high along with employment rates. After a period of "peak", activity consumers and business? reduce unemployment rates along with their spending levels. As this spending falls, other business firms begin to cut back on their spending. As spending decreases, production goes into a phase of recession, in which the decline of the gross domestic product occurs. Without excess spending, the whole line of supply and demand is severely impacted. After the peak and recession phase, the economy enters its lowest point (Sharpiro, 1996). The factories and firms begin to operate at less productive levels. This, in turn, creates high unemployment. This phase is referred to as "trough". The economy now enters another phase that impacts the unemployment rate. This phase