Artificial Organs Essay Example

Artificial Organs Essay Example Artificial Organs Essay Artificial Organs Essay The worldwide shortage of available donor organs provides little to no hope for patients wishing to have a chance at new life. According to the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance, there were 79,466 patients on the U. S. National Waiting List as of January 1, 2002, with only 6,148 donors in the country that year. In response to the organ shortage, scientists have made recent advances in transplant technology with the development of two new types of organ replacement: xenotransplantation and artificial organ replacement; the latter of the two types consists of either synthetic or natural materials. However, because xenotransplantation poses many health risks, artificial organs provide a more sensible, disease-free approach to organ replacement. Thus, efforts of scientists and engineers should be directed toward furthering the development of artificial and bioartificial organs and materials. Artificial organs are synthetic devices that replace injured or weakened body parts and functions. Similarly, engineered bioartificial organs serve the same purpose of organ replacement, but are produced using human cells. Xenotransplants, on the other hand, are obtained or grown using animal organs, tissues, and cells particularly those of pigs and baboons. Despite these advances in transplant technology, patients still face the problem of hyperacute rejection, which is the result of the bodys immune system protecting itself against foreign objects. Scientists and biochemists are currently developing efficient immunosuppressants to aid the body in accepting replacement organs and devices more readily and with fewer complications. Although immunosuppressants work identically for xenotransplantation and artificial organ replacement, there are a number of risks involved with xenotransplantation even after the chance of hyperacute rejection is decreased. Because immunosuppressants weaken a patients immune system, the greatest risk associated with xenotransplantation is the transmission of undetected retroviruses or diseases. The scientific community first raised concerns about this risk when Robin Weiss and

Geologic Destinations for California Tourists

Geologic Destinations for California Tourists If youre going to California, be sure to put some of these geologic attractions on your must-see list. Volcanic Sites You might not think of the Golden State as a volcanic wonderland, but it surely is. Here are just a few of the most noteworthy places. Medicine Lake volcano is a subdued caldera in the northeastern highlands, full of diverse volcanic landforms including spectacular lava tubes. Its preserved in Lava Beds National Monument. is where Californias most recent eruption was, in 1914-1917. Thats in a National Park. may be Americas most beautiful volcano, and a splendid example of a young stratovolcano. The Morros, near Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo, are a chain of nine volcanic necks, remnants of ancient seafloor volcanoes. Theres nothing else like them- and there are also beaches and a haunted hotel. Devils Postpile is a good destination if you want a break from climbing in the Sierra Nevada. Its a textbook locality for columnar jointing, which happens when a thick body of lava slowly cools and naturally fractures into hexagonal columns like a box of pencils. Devils Postpile is in a National Monument. lies in the desert beyond the Sierra, a place where a now-vanished river scoured flows of basalt lava into fantastic shapes. Combine it with a visit to Manzanar and other highlights of the Owens Valley. More young volcanoes sit in the Mojave south of Baker. In the San Francisco Bay area, Oaklands Round Top is a dissected volcano exposed by quarrying and preserved as a regional park. You can even get there by city bus. Tectonic Highlights Death Valley is one of the worlds premier localities for seeing fresh crustal extension, which has dropped the valley floor below sea level. Death Valley is a National Park and a nice day trip from Las Vegas. The San Andreas fault and other major faults like the Hayward fault and Garlock fault are highly visible and easy to visit. Do some reading beforehand in one or more of several good books. is a tremendous graben, downdropped between the Sierra Nevada and the White Mountains. Its also the site of the great 1872 earthquake. Just a couple hours drive away is the hauntingly familiar Red Rock Canyon State Park. Point Reyes is a large chunk of land that has been carried on the San Andreas fault (along with Bodega Head) all the way up from southern California beyond San Francisco. That displaced crustal block is in a National Park. For a real geologic thrill, see Point Lobos near Monterey, almost 200 kilometers away, where the same rocks appear on the faults other side in a state park. The Transverse Ranges are a great discontinuity in the fabric of California and one of Americas most dramatic landscapes. State Route 99/Interstate 5 over the Tejon Pass, between Los Angeles and Bakersfield, will take you across it. Or take a similar trip on State Route 33, farther west. Lake Tahoe is a large downdrop basin in the High Sierra, filled with one of Americas finest alpine lakes, and is also a prime playground at all times of year. are widespread in California, where decades of leading research have not exhausted the knowledge to be gained or the enjoyment to be had from these unsung witnesses to plate tectonics. The Coast Beaches, coastal cliffs, and estuaries up and down the state are scenic treasures and geologic lessons. See my selection of geologically interesting places.   Beaches need no introduction, but theres more to them than sand and sea. Laguna Beach in the south and Stinson Beach and little Shell Beach in the north are examples that are full of geological interest. Other Geologic Features The Central Valley may seem like something to drive through as fast as possible on your way somewhere else, but its full of geological interest if you take the time to poke around. The Channel Islands are known to geologists as the California Continental Borderland- and a brand-new National Park. Petroleum is a big part of California geology. Visit a natural oil seep at Coal Oil Point in Santa Barbara, the spectacular tar seeps  at nearby Carpinteria Beach or the famous tar pits of Rancho La Brea in Los Angeles. In the southern San Joaquin Valley, drive through the Kettleman Hills to see the heart of the industry- in fact, the original asphalt seep at McKittrick and the site of the great Lakeview oil gusher are just off the highway. Joshua Tree is a distinctive desert area displaying many standout features created by arid erosion. Its protected as a National Park. Playas are strewn all over the great deserts of southern California: Owens dry lake, Lucerne dry lake, Searles lake (with its tufa towers), and El Mirage are just a few. What is a desert without sand dunes? The booming Kelso Dunes are an essential stop in the Mojave, south of Baker. If youre nearer Mexico, try the Algodones Dunes instead. Theyre the largest dunefield in California. Yosemite Valley, home of Half Dome, is an unforgettable collection of landforms created by crustal denudation and glacial action. Its also the worlds first place set aside to become a National Park. For more ideas, see the California Geology category

Wildlife and Wind Energy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Wildlife and Wind Energy - Essay Example Despite the renewed efforts to harness energy from the wind, there are various implications of wind turbines on the wildlife although there are mitigation measures that could minimize impacts to the wildlife. In a study conducted by Sovacool (2009), which focused on the effects of wind turbines on birds that are a form of wildlife, the findings indicated that wind turbines were responsible for the death of between 20,000 and over 500, 000 birds every year in the United States. This indicates that wind turbines have an effect on the wildlife as birds collide with turbines leading to their death. In this case, it is evident that turbines are responsible for a big number of the death of birds. There has been contention on whether the effects of vibrations from wind turbines have an effect on the health of the wildlife. In this case, there is suggestion that the vibrations from wind turbines could affect wildlife and cause sickness. On the other hand, other researchers have indicated that wind turbines do not cause any illness on wildlife although the turbines are responsible for creating noise and causing vibrations. The noise and vibrations from wind turbines causes stress among animals and the stress raises the risks of wildlife to various changes within its body due to hormonal imbalance from the stress caused by wind turbines. It is important to carry out routine environmental assessments in wind farms in order to establish their effects on wildlife and on humans. This assessment helps to mitigate any negative impact of wind farms on the wildlife and humans since the assessment identifies the potential impacts of the turbines on the environment. The Wildlife Society (2007) identifies the importance of modifying the operations and locations of turbines with a view of ensuring that the wind turbines minimized their impacts on the wildlife and the habitants of their

Money laundering and the use of abusive tax havens may be Essay

Money laundering and the use of abusive tax havens may be - Essay Example (Scott-Jyont, 2002). Examples of money laundering may be seen in the activities of individuals like Sani Abacha and Raul Salinas. Sani Abacha was the late dictator of Nigeria, who was able to divert $1.6 billion of the Nigerian tax payers’ money that was looted from them into large banks in the U.K. and Switzerland, where the large volumes of money that exchange hands almost on a daily basis, make it difficult if not downright impossible, to discover the exact sources of such funds that are placed into the banks by account holders (Scott-Jyont, 2002). Similarly, in the case of Raul Salinas, being the brother of the ex-President of Mexico allowed him the opportunity to loot large amounts of cash, which he then transferred into different countries and banks in order to appropriate the money for himself by obscuring the source, i.e, the Mexican taxpayers’ money. Simser (2006) has carried out a study, the purpose of which was to look into money laundering in general and then specifically examine the issue of money laundering in the context of the Philippines. The author points out that where money laundering is concerned, the Philippines was not formerly a compliant jurisdiction, and initial measures that were taken against money laundering in the Philippines were rejected by the international community. The measures that were finally approved as measures to effectively counter money laundering were (a) setting up a financial intelligence unit (b) strict regulation of financial intermediaries and (c) the provision of criminal and remedial measures, including the use of forfeiture based upon a civil, non conviction mode (Simser, 2006). The author concludes that these provisions have been approved but implementing them is likely to be a challenging prospect in the predominantly corruption ridden atmosphere that characterizes the Philippines. One of the major reasons why individuals or companies seek to hide

Technology in Hotels Essay Example for Free

Technology in Hotels Essay With the rapid pace of technological advancements and the fast rate of implementing it into everyday life, people need the latest IT facilities. They demand this from hotels as well. But the industry has always been lagging behind the needs, not being able to offer the latest advances in technology. Now management has started to take note of the guest’s needs and is aware that technology is a very competitive advantage and is starting to adjust their strategies in consequence. Boutique hotels offering sci-fi levels of technology are starting to emerge and may be prefiguring the future of hospitality as a whole. I Introduction With technology advancing now faster than ever before, everyone needs and demands using the latest technological means just to survive. Such is the case in the hotel industry too, especially in the upper-class and boutiques hotels area of the market. With hotels always lagging behind other sectors in adopting new IT systems ( PLUGGED IN, 2009; Buick, 2003), keeping the pace with customers’ demands becomes a pressing issue to hospitality providers. This problem is acknowledged by the players in the industry, being debated in trade-specific publications, conferences and academic literature. There are two sides of the use of technology in hotels: â€Å"back of house† systems (property management systems, revenue management systems, internal control instruments etc.) and technology that is used directly and mainly by the consumers. The following review aims to put the current technological state, future trends and most pressing issues of the hotel and hospitality industry i nto perspective. II Literature review The newest trends in the hospitality industry show an emphasis on the experience delivered to the customer and not so much on the tangible aspect of the product. With the service sector beginning to dominate the world’s economies, there is a growing concern on delivering meaningful, memorable customer experiences (Meyer and Schwager, 2007). This can be seen from a practitioner’s point of view with The Ritz-Carlton Hotels Company, which prides its self with becoming an â€Å"experience and memory creator† (Nixon and Rieple, 2010). The next generation of clients demands continual technological updates for every business and personal user and hotels often can’t keep up the pace. Property owners are understandably reluctant to renovate as often as needed to support the latest technology, meaning major renovations never happen often enough to keep the tech-crazy guests satisfied (Russ, 2008). No longer are people going to hotels to experience something new, but hoteliers are looking at guests as technology consumers and supply little more than the average customer demands (Freed, 2010). The use of modern technology can help hotel employees deliver a service of better quality and also enhance the stay for guests by satisfying their needs, thus creating a better all-round experience. This view, however, is not unanimous across the whole of the industry. Even though 82.4% of managers believe that IT is important for increasing customer satisfaction (Brewer et al, 2008), they also worry that the benefits provided by investments in technology are not as high as expected (ITGI, 2007). Research shows that companies around the world are losing out on their investments because they can’t derive sufficient value from these investments in IT (Bowen, Cheung and Rhode, 2007; ITGI, 2007). Value from IT can be defined as a function whose primary focus is delivering the promised benefits (Mathe, 2009) and as a provider of strategic, informational and transactional benefits (Gregor et al, 2006). Therefore, all definitions show that value added by IT leads to successfully achieving business goals and strategies. So a contradiction appears between managers’ beliefs and actions. The majority is certain IT helps their organization but has failed to fully take its benefits yet. Customer satisfaction with the hotel begins shaping before the service is provided, with the process of making the reservation preceding it. The new trends using of mobile platforms such as smart phones, tablets and laptops for shopping (Gupta, 2012) dictate that these means of communication should be targeted by hoteliers. The number of mobile users researching travel options on their mobile devices is expected to grow by 51% in 2012 and another 15% by 2013 (Saio, 2012). A market study by Reuters Synovate Global (plugged in) shows that 47% of potential clients demand the latest technology from the hotels they choose. Also, one third of guests assess a hotel by its website and 50% do research and comparisons online, before making their choice. The same report found that seven out of ten consumers would rather stay in a less expensive hotel and that hi-tech facilities are the top criteria in choosing a hotel. The latest study conducted by Motorola Solution, Inc. (2011) concludes that information technology (IT) spending in the hospitality industry is expected to have increased in 2011, with guest experience being the primary driver for investments. And yet, 57% of the industry’s leaders admit they don’t know how to launch, track and achieve mobile platform success (Eyefortravel, 2012), proving the same contradicting views towards technology. This proves one of the critical challenges for hotel technology managers is convincing upper management to approve investing in the latest technology (Petiza, 2011). According to Gregor et, al. (2006) the failure to measure the value added by IT is due to measurement errors, management practices and time lags between the investment and ROI. The alignment of IT with business strategy and its use may allow competitive advantage to be achieved (Levy and Powell, 2005; Peppard and Ward, 2004). The same opinion is presented in a study conducted by Amadeus (2011), which states that if hotels are to secure growth in the next three years they must align strategy and IT priorities. Peppard and Ward (2004) suggest that IT has become pivotal to the existence of most organisations and that should the technology used by organisations come to a halt, they would cease to function. Now that the importance of using technology is recognized unanimously there are two schools of thought emerging: the first believes that IT should be present to aid the guests inconspicuously from the shadows and the other approach that puts technology in the forefront of the operations and makes it the core theme. Choosing one or the other dictates the whole strategy of the hotel or company. Some guests are not comfortable with technological changes in the lobby, in the room or when trying to make a booking (Withiam, 2007). Others, as shown above, need and demand hi-tech facilities from their hotels. After choosing the market you target, the strategy should be adjusted in consequence. A tool for creating market segments based on consumers’ opinion on technology is a so-called Techno logy Readiness Index (TRI) (Verma et al., 2007). This is a 10 question survey that guests should fill in (Appendix 1). This measures their view of technology on four dimensions: optimism, innovativeness, discomfort and insecurity. Tech-focused individuals are usually thought of in terms of their willingness to innovate, but the research behind TRI measures the extent to which people think IT helps improve their life (optimism), or if they feel overwhelmed by technology (discomfort) or whether they don’t trust devices to operate correctly (insecurity). The over-technologic approach can be best seen in boutique hotels. Taking the forefront in this arms race is somewhat easier with smaller, non-chain, exclusive hotels because they don’t have to maintain the same standards in thousands of rooms across hundreds of hotels around the world. An article by Myers (2011) showcases the latest boutique hotels that offer now desk-free check-in aided by tablet PCs, hybrid cars with Wi-Fi for the guest, 42 inch LCD TVs (The Upper House Hotel, Hong Kong), retina scans just to enter the room (Nine Zero Hotel, New York), touch-screen room controls and bedside iPads (Establishment Hotel, Sydney) or Wii exercise rooms where guest can play virtual tennis (Le Parker Meridian, New York). The latest trends in hotel technological development include converging technologies that complement each other to reach the common goal of customer satisfaction. The hotel room would automatically set itself up to the guest’s unique tastes, based on the pervious information provided through guest profile forms. When the front desk clerk checks-in the guest or the guest checks-in using the self service kiosk in the lobby, the lights in the room automatically turn on and the thermostat sets itself to the users preferred temperature. The entertainment system turns on, playing the guest’s favorite music, TV program or radio station. These services would please the guest but also reduce energy costs by keeping everything turned off when the guest is not using the room. The list of computer operated can include such luxurious services like automatically drawing a bath to be ready at a certain time or automatically open the drapes in the morning in order to wake the guest with natural light and not the old fashioned wakeup call. (Russ, 2008) In order to offer a variety of payment options, some hotel managers have adopted cashless payment systems via the use of radio frequency identification (RFID). RFID utilizes computer chips and antennas, allowing the chips to wirelessly communicate with a receiver. In the hotel industry RFID systems are being integrated with POS systems to process credit card and debit account transactions (Kasavana, 2005). Some hospitality companies even accept biometrics, such as fingerprints, iris scans, facial scans or hand geometry analysis systems to increase physical or data security. III Conclusion Customers are more demanding from hotels in terms of technology than ever. They need it for entertainment, business, communication and socialization. And with technology advancing in a rampant pace, people more aware of the latest gadgets and devices and techno-fear decreasing as new generations come along using technology from infancy, hotels are being pressed into making monumental investments more often just to cater to the technological needs of the guests. Added to these there are the other investments to be made in â€Å"old fashioned† hotel operation, property management systems etc. Studies show that even though customers demand it and managers recognize its importance the hotel industry is still lagging behind in offering the latest IT facilities. However, there are innovative boutique hotels that have reached an almost sci-fi level of technology. These hotels are shaking the position of the big hotel chains and are attracting more tech-crazy guests. On the other side there are hotels that focus more on the environment, nature with a more traditional approach. Both have their own well established market segments that usually don’t overlap because of being on different ends of the spectrum. Only the future can say of this arms race to demand and provide more and more technological means will prove effective. It is commonly known that too much of something can become harmful.

Shakespeares Macbeth - Downfall Due to Ambition and Human Weakness :: Free Macbeth Essays

Macbeth: Downfall Due to Ambition and Human Weakness William Shakespeare through one of his most well known plays portrays a tragic downfall of a king through his ambition and human weakness. Shakespeare develops the play Macbeth by showing the changes in the protagonist and the effects others have on him. Shakspeare's use of detail helps to show the changes in Macbeth through a gradual process. Before actually completing his horrendous act of killing the much loved King Duncan, Macbeth suffers mental conflict "having no spurs to prick the side of my intent" between the "vaulting ambition which leaps over itself and falls on the other" and the "deep damnation of his (Duncan's) taking off." At this point in time, scene 7 of the first act, Macbeth exposes sensitivity and knowledge of what he may do is wrong. Possibly the one time when the reader can relate to Macbeth the best, it is seen that he is very hesitant of his action, but what over takes him is the human flaw of ambition. As time progresses and Shakespeare shows Macbeth's initial "fear" of Banquo; but as his mind becomes engulfed in the his best friends murder he label's him as "your enemy" and making sure that he is left "no rubs nor botches in the work" Macbeth is obviously afraid of experiencing the same emotional trauma of his first murder. Although he think he is solving his problems, his damnation is ever progressing by making being indirectly involved in the murder of his one time best friend and father of a line of kings. The reader sees how ones desire for self - power can destroy himself completely. Shakespeare's diction through other characters in the play also help to portray Macbeth's break down. In the beginning, when Macbeth still depicts his sensitivity and morality, Lady's Macbeth almost forces Macbeth to do the deed calling him a "coward in thine own esteem", mocking him saying, "you durst do it then you were a man," and comparing him to "a baby that milks me." Lady Macbeth serves as on of Macbeth's contrasting characters. It is with her biting tougne that Macbeth is inspired to achieve his ambition in becoming king. In the beginning of the play with the three weird sisters the first idea introduced is their meeting with Macbeth "when the battles lost and won."; upon this meeting, macbeth pleads, "tell me more you imperfect sisters;" later on one of the witches chimes, "by the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes." Through the witches' characters, the peculiar chants, the reader knows the power

Political Islam and the West Essay

The author, John Esposito, tries to define what political Islam is and its connection and presence in Southeast Asian countries and, most especially, in the Western part of the world. â€Å"Political Islam, or more commonly Islamic fundamentalism, remains a major presence in governments and oppositional politics from North Africa to Southeast Asia. † Esposito made some strong points regarding Islam, political Islam, and the West. While it is true that most of the Muslims have become more keen and observant with regard to the practice of their faith, many of them are adapting to the continuing development of the world. These people have come to realize that they do not have to limit themselves to the rules of their religion, and that there are numerous opportunities out there if they allowed themselves to take part in it. They have to realize that the world is completely different from what they knew from the past, and that they can practice their religion and still experience what the world has to offer at the same time. Esposito states that Islamic belief has reemerged as an alternative to the perceived failure of secular ideologies like capitalism, nationalism, and socialism. However, Islam reemerged because they chose to do so. They realized that it was time to change what others thought of them and that they should not be submitting themselves to the judgment of other cultures and religious groups. It has been too long that they isolated themselves to a certain part of the world where they did not allow the Western culture to become a part of their own. Although they are still adamant to adapt this culture, or any other culture for that matter, they are willing to explore the world and its recent progress. They are more willing to expand their horizons at this time compared to the past. â€Å"Early underestimation of religion as a source of identity, as well as a political force has led to its overestimation today. † Religion might have been underestimated in the past but it surely is not overestimated today. In contrast, the world learned how to acknowledge the presence of religious groups and the contributions they make to the world and the society. They are not being overestimated because if they were, everyone should have chosen and participated within their own group and practice its customs and beliefs. There would be no one person who do does not belong to a particular religion. The author also states that secular Westerners tag the Muslims who speak of Islam as a comprehensive way of life, as people who are retrogressive and resistant to change. Not all Westerners think this way. Some believe in respecting the sacredness of the Muslim religion and that Muslims are not resistant to change. They are, however, more committed to their religion than other groups. They do not see their religion as something that they have to do once a week or once a year. They see it as a part of their everyday lives. It matters to them that they belong to a group and that support is always available to them. The article also indicates that â€Å"many believe that Islamists were not representative and would be rejected in popular elections. † This is only true because many people assume negative things about the Muslim people. They generalize the things they see on the media to all Muslims, which makes it hard for them to give the Muslims a chance to prove them otherwise. It is very important to state that not all Muslims are the same as portrayed in the media. Political Islam and the West may have numerous different perspectives. However, they have one goal common to both sides, which is to provide a better way of life for their people. The Muslims are only beginning to adapt to the changes around them and have more

Tale of Two Coaches

Running Head: Tale of Two Coaches and Leadership Tale of Two Coaches and Leadership Randal J. Reutzel Grand Canyon University: LDR – 600 October 27, 2011 Abstract Coaching and leadership seem to be synonymous with each other, in that if you’re a high caliber coach you must be a great leader, how else would you have achieved your success. While coaching in the NCAA division 1 basketball the goal is to win national championships, while also being a mentor to your students. Bobby Knight is a great basketball legend at Indiana, with a past of outrageous unacceptable behavior to the fans and to players, while also having one of the best collegiate records of all time. Coach Krzyzewski was also a great coach, was mentored by coach Knight and went on to be a legend at Duke. Coach K’s style of coaching was less dramatic and more heartfelt in his approach. Coach K’s was concerned for his player’s feelings and his style of motivating his players centered on less dramatizations on and off the court. Both Coaches were successful; one got into the heads of its players through coercive intimidation to be the best, the other through caring, talking and high levels of trust. Which coach is best depends on whom you ask and what perspective of coaching leadership style you prefer, or it could be a generational time difference or simply opposite styles that worked and produced results. Tale of Two Coaches and Leadership Leaders through time have on many occasions aligned their leadership styles to the great coaches either in the NFL or NBA. Does being a great coach and the techniques used by coaches translate into what leaders or managers should be leading employees by? Two great coaches with NCAA basketball championships, one mentored by the other, can have very different approaches and still get the results needed, winning seasons along with students who went on to great careers and have great respect for their mentors and coaches. Coach Bobby Knight led his teams through his relationship from a base of power. In the article from ESPN by Mike Puma, Knight was known for his tirades against players, referees and reporters as well as his brilliance to win games. Knight led his teams with complete control and nobody was second guessing his decisions, if they did it was with great conflict. He may have wanted to resolve the conflict but it was going to be on his terms. Knight led his teams with complete control from his position as the head of the team. He demanded certain expectations and rewarded this with play time or with sharp reprimands and punishment. His style was that of a managerial role, he demanded respect in that he held the position of power and he alone would be the master of activities and routines and this would influence players and the ultimate outcome. Northouse, 2010) Coach Knight led his teams with a history of demanding on others what he could not accomplish as a player. He developed a pattern of coercion that was demonstrated even off the court, by assaulting police during the Pan Am games or throwing chairs across courts. (Northouse, 2010) Coach Krzyzewski or â€Å"K† led his teams through his relations from a b ase of personal power, with no mistake he was the head coach. Coach K was mentored as a player and assistant coach for the military under Coach Bob Knight. Although Coach K went into the military, he was not of military mind, and this may have latter influenced his leadership traits. He dreamed of being a teacher not a military officer. (Bob Carter) What he learned from Knight was it took an unbelievable passion to be a leader, not Knights antics that put him into trouble more often than not. Coach K lead his teams and to championships through his role as a leader by inspiring and energizing the team, taking ownership in their actions. Grant Hill said coach K had a way of making people totally vested in the decision-making process, and that is what made him a great leader. Bob Carter) Traits of Coaching and Leadership Both coaches had specific traits that lead them to success, although one coach’s traits also lead to his demise while the other coach realized the passion needed and channeled his leadership spirit into more socially acceptable patterns. Coach Knight and Coach K were both intelligent and knew the intellectual struct ure of creating and leading great basketball teams. They demonstrated the ability to get talent and use that talent in different ways against different teams to win games and championships. Early in both coaches careers they knew what they wanted and what careers they wanted to pursue. To get to their end means of coaching they played the sport, learned from others and when through college level training. All of the training, and along the way making mistakes, they gained the confidence within themselves and gained self-esteem and self-assurance that they could make a difference. Coach Knight was given the opportunity through the army as a coach to demonstrate his style of leadership was the correct one. Coach K through the army was given the education, with his passion of basketball and mentoring from Coach Knight gained the self confidence to become what he wanted to be, a teacher and a coach. Determination for both coaches was that they wanted to be winners, leaders, and be a part of something great. Early in Coach Knight’s career even he stated that he only offered indentured servitude and unlimited practice. Early in Coach K’s career he was not an outstanding coach; others did believe in him and he gained self confidence with good players at Duke. Coach K again is quoted he learned from Knight the passion and amount of preparation it takes to be successful. (Bob Carter) Integrity is the ability of a leader to live and lead with some principles and take responsibility for their actions. The ability to possess integrity should build confidence in your team. Integrity is probably where the two coaches will separate their styles of leadership. Coach Knight through the years did several things to damage that integrity, through his actions in Panama or ways he degraded assistant coaches or lecturing teams with the use of props of soiled toilet paper. There were many times where his actions did not represent the role which he was given and he made little effort to change unless he was forced. Coach K built much of what he was on his integrity; he stuck up for his players many times. Once his team was graded by the student paper, it was the fact that the paper portrayed the players as instruments of entertainment and ego indulgence; this infuriated the coach, which he later apologized. What Coach K stood for was a caring, communication and trust within the team, and that was what he wanted for the whole student body, and why his fan base was so strong. The last important trait style of leadership is the ability for a leader to seek out good pleasant social relationships. The leader should be thought of as friendly, outgoing, courteous, tactful and diplomatic. Coach Knight, I believe, started out his career with these traits as he had to, through time, over confidence and ego caused him to lose most of these traits. People would say if you only know him like I do, but it was reported that he was known to be rude, defiant and hostile. (Bob Carter) Coach K on the other hand was exponentially known for his trait as having social leadership skills. He said you have to feel what your players feel in order to be a leader. A former player and now a coach Quin Snyder said that you give up ego to be a part of something special. (Bob Carter) Ego can and will get in the way of great social ability to lead a team and be a part of a team. Coach K has been and will be remember for his greatness, he possessed the most complete set of the 5 trait characteristics of a leader and it made him more accomplished and respected. Coach Knight lacked in the traits and his ego, temper, integrity came back to haunt him. He may be remembered more for his antics on and off the court than his record wins or development of players. The Three Skills of Coaching Success The three skills that are needed for success as a leader according to our reading from Robert Katz and Michael D. Mumford are Technical, Human and Conceptual. Through the levels of management different emphasis is required from each to be a great leader. In the situation of the coaches, they needed to possess top management skills where human and conceptual skills place more important than the technical aspects of the game of basketball. In the readings, both coaches knew the technical aspects of the game and surrounded themselves with knowledgeable assistances. Coach K’s emphasis was the human and conceptual aspects of his team and his responsibility to the school and its students. His kids needed to feel a part of something great and bigger than themselves and togetherness, this was demonstrated when coach K handed team phone numbers out and encouraged freshman to use them. (Mike Puma) Coach Knight demonstrated skills for the technical and conceptual skills; he had an ability to always figure out the best approach to win games against many different teams. Coach Knight is on record for being the youngest coach ever to win 600 games. He struggled with the ability to work with people that did not match his style or demands of doing exactly everything his way. He continually abused players and assistant coaches, while also getting in trouble in foreign countries. Leadership Grid Comparison The leadership grid from chapter 4, developed by Robert R. Blake and Jane S. Mouton, is basically a grid of different leadership styles with the two axis x – horizontal measure is based for results and y- vertical is based on concern for people. I believe from the reading that coach K and Knight developed strong leadership styles based on one premise for winning, or results. What they did was go about teaching and leading the teams differently to attain those results. Coach K moved his leadership style around as he needed to according to the needs of players or the team. Based on his style he concentrated his style in the middle of the road, trying to balance the need to get work done and the team needs, but he strongly styled his effort in the direction of team management by surrounding his team with committed members and built relationships of trust and respect. Coach Knight directed his leadership style more as an authority-compliance manager. He expected things to be done his way, and everyone around him to carter to his needs, whether that was good for personal development or not. The win, and only the win, was what needed to happen and he stepped and plowed through anyone and by any controversial tirade he had to get there. He even said in an interview that if you’re being raped to lay back and enjoy it. I believe this was his way of saying to the interviewer about his tantrums – which everyone just needed to put up with him. When he goes wild he wants to not be held responsible for his actions and for everyone to shut up. (Mike Puma) Contingency Model for Coaches The question presented: were both coaches matched to their situation based on the model developed by Fred Edward Fiedler described as the contingency mode? I think the answer is both yes and no. The styles of leadership in this model are described as being a task motivated or relationship motivated leadership. From the reading both coaches were winning coaches, they both used different approaches to get the results. In this model Coach K was high on leader-member, but with strong tasks, and did this without enforcing his positional power. Coach K did well with this leadership style at Duke University. Coach Knight was more task structured, the requirements were clear and spelled out and Knight controlled everything around him. When things got out of his control, people and team mates suffered and things did not go well for the coach. This goes against the model in some aspects in that if you’re out of control the task relationship should work out better for this type of leader, but there are flaws in the model. This works well for someone with specific tasks like fixing a part or cleaning a sink. In the situation of coach Knight it was more ambiguous in the tasks that needed to be accomplished. He could not deal with ambiguity and his temper showed as he took it out on other people and team members. (Northouse, 2010) Situational Leadership II The two coaches showed evidence from both readings that they practiced some level of situational leadership. Coach K demonstrated that he stood up for his players and they knew they could trust him. When he gave the ball to Laettner to stuff a basket in the final seconds to win a championship he knew he had the skills and would get the job done. He wanted to win for the team not for himself and even said once, did you see their faces and how happy they are. (Bob Carter) Coach K led his team by the skills that the team had; he did not change them, he developed them. Coach Knight, I believe, also led teams by development and using skills in the appropriate areas. He did it in a fashion of sheer work and drive to hone the skill in each person to exactly the perfection he wanted. When he did not get it or thought they were not giving enough, there were consequences for all around. Coach Knight was low on the supportive and directive behavior quadrant; I do not think he felt comfortable or confident to manage from that perspective. (Northouse, 2010) He excelled from the more comfortable leadership position S2 with only fringes of S1 or S3, unless they were extremely successful. Path-Goal Theory The path-goal theory of leadership is by understanding and leading people through enhancing performance and satisfaction and then focusing on what motivates them. For both coaches and for the entire player, the goal was to win games and that is what everyone wants. Both coaches had to go out and get potential players and those player and coaches began a dialogue on what both wanted and how they were going to achieve it. I believe that players that were coached by Knight knew his style and methods that he used to win games. Even today people say you don’t know him like we do, meaning his methods to them were acceptable. Likewise, Coach K went out to get players and they knew what he was like and his methods. The players chose to go with the perspective school and accepted them based on learned knowledge. Both coaches led their players in a fashion that was in an achievement-oriented style to reach their highest potential for the best outcome – winning games. The players with the desire of external locus of control probably liked Coach K style of leadership. The external locus of control the subordinate likes to feel more in control of their destiny and maybe take part in the decisions; this would be a part of something special with players and Coach K. Coach Knight was a dominate leader and coach, in control of everything – external locus of control players would believe more outside forces are in control. Directive leadership would be best for these types of players as they like the idea of someone taking control. Both teams coached by either Knight or Krzyzewski demonstrated the task characteristics as both coaches and players needed to be able to perform on the floor during a game with independence as things happen fast. Both coaches needed their teams to function on their own with a high degree of confidence. They would use the skills taught to them to win the game. References Northouse, P. (2010). Leadership: Theory and practice. Thousand Oaks, CA. Sage Publications Bob Carter, Krzyzewskiville, ESPN Classic. From: http://www. espn. go. com/classic/biography/s/Krzyzewski_Mike. html Mike Puma, Knight Known for titles, temper, ESPN Classic. From: http://espn. go. com/classic/biography/s/Knight_Bob. html

Mike Cain essays

Mike Cain essays Michael Cain is an attorney for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and he came to talk to us about the evolution of the public trust doctrine in Wisconsin dealing with navigable water and current development issues related to the public trust. The doctrine states that a sizable body of common law has developed which holds that all navigable waters are held in trust by the state for the public and through the DNR Department of Justice and District Attorneys they have an affirmative duty to protect these public trust waters. With the increase in recreational and developmental pressures the amount of aquatic resources diminishes increasing the importance of this issue and the grounds of the public trust doctrine. This is important because the doctrine provides the foundation for preserving aquatic natural resources for the future. Wisconsin is facing developmental problems mainly, but not limited to, the northern part of the state. People want to buy lakefront property to put their home or cottage on to get further from the cities and closer to nature. What they dont realize is that developing this lakefront property like your home in the cities is ruining the natural vegetation and destroying shoreline habitat. The runoff of chemicals gets in the water affecting water quality and the removal of shoreline vegetation for recreational purposes reduces wildlife habitat. Basically they are pushing out the wildlife that they are trying to get closer to by being in the north woods. Cain talked about the historical aspect behind the public trust doctrine and its judicial construction. The doctrine was written to reflect the publics interest in waterways and to respond to the activities that have and will impact the navigable waterways. The doctrine took into consideration cases such as Willow River vs. Wade in 1898 recognizing the right of the public to fish in navigable wa ...

Tips for Writing a PhD Dissertation

Tips for Writing a PhD Dissertation Tips for Writing a PhD Dissertation Before writing their dissertation, PhD students should take a number of measures to ensure that they are writing the correct things. There are different sources of tips for writing a PhD dissertation. These tips give a guideline of how to write a good thesis, listing the steps that need to be followed. One of the aspects that should not be forgotten is the methodology. This is where the student gives an in depth analysis of the topic of the dissertation. Depending on the subject of discipline, this should cover the biggest part of the introduction section. The student should choose the methodology that they feel comfortable with. This decreases any chances of getting short of writing materials on the way. There are times when a student starts to write the methodology section only to find that they have exhausted all the knowledge that they had. Getting these tips helps the students choose the best methodology for their dissertation topics. Another way of getting help is obtaining, from a reliable source, an example of a dissertation that was perfectly done. This could be an example written by a student from the same institution, their lecturer or a different institution. Care should be taken to ensure that the student gets the example from a reliable source. To spare as much time as possible, PhD students should not include footnotes while writing their PhD dissertations. This should however not be confused with leaving out the references of the sources. It only means that the student should minimize on the contents of the paper that do not add to the word count as expected. For instance, if a student is writing a brief dissertation, including words that do not add content to the dissertation limits the points that they will discuss in their dissertation. For this reason, the student will be forced to include the main point s only so that they get the full mark as compared to filling the paper with content that will instead lower their grade. When a student chooses a topic, they need to be sure that they will populate it to the latter. One of the tips of assisting the student to do so is writing down the main points. Here, the student writes down the key words that will guide them in elaborating the entire point. It reduces any probability of forgetting important sections of the PhD thesis. The student is at the advantage of finishing the paper in good time because they have somewhere to refer their main points and that research will be an easier task. Students should form a habit of researching from different sources to ensure that they get the opinions of different writers. The student should visit different writers to get some of the important tip of writing their thesis. When you need professional academic assistance in writing a PhD paper visit our custom dissertation writing service .

Lectopia. More Convenience And Control to Learning in Tertiary Essay

Lectopia. More Convenience And Control to Learning in Tertiary Education - Essay Example In Australia, for example, employers' dissatisfaction rate with fresh graduates was increasing. Obviously with these concerns in mind, the University of Western Australia (UWA) developed the country's first iLecture system in 1998, followed by Macquarie University in 2005. According to McElroy & Blount (2006), another consideration for the introduction of Lectopia in these schools was the changing socioeconomic profile of students in Australia, which now runs third behind the US and UK in hosting the largest number of international college students. A non-English speaking background is a handicap for international students because they may go through a lecture with little comprehension (Bennett & Lockyer, 2004). Applicability remains one of the most compelling reasons for the adoption of Lectopia in Australian universities. The student population in Australian universities being dominated by the Net Generation, Lectopia is compatible with the characteristics identified with this generation, whose preferences include online communication, mobility and accessibility (Thielfold & Scheef, 2004). Williams & Pardon (2007) observe that the youth in the Net Generation are more comfortable with hypertext, laptop libraries, instant messaging and beamed messages such that they took to iLecture like fish to water. For this reason, a survey on the use of Lectopia by Macquarie students showed that 73.15 percent agreed to its capability to improve the quality of education (McElroy & Bount, 2006). The survey involved 828 students in a second-year accounting course, of which 202 were locals and 626 were foreign students.... This essay stresses that education is the latest sector to join the ICT bandwagon because of the increasing realization that technology can provide academics with the tools to interact with students in a more flexible way and support a more student-centered approach to teaching. The desire for an alternative system in the conduct of lectures was impelled partly by growing concerns that today’s university graduates lack the skills and competencies that would make them competitive in the technology-driven workplace In Australia, for example, employers’ dissatisfaction rate with fresh graduates was increasing. Obviously with these concerns in mind, the University of Western Australia (UWA) developed the country’s first iLecture system in 1998, followed by Macquarie University in 2005. most compelling reasons for the adoption of Lectopia in Australian universities. The student population in Australian universities being dominated by the Net Generation, Lectopia is co mpatible with the characteristics identified with this generation, whose preferences include online communication, mobility and accessibility. This paper makes a conclusion that there are as diverse types of students as there are different learning styles and preferences. For this reason, it is not advisable and educationally beneficial to adopt Lectopia as replacement for traditional face-to-face lectures. As in other newfangled technologies, the one-size-fits-all approach will not work for this system since there as many foreign and working students as there are locals who are professional students.

In the Lake of the Woods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

In the Lake of the Woods - Essay Example In the hypotheses chapters O’Brian has presented quotes from real books and reports (The My Lai court martials, histories, psychological books political biographies) and fictional sources (characters in the novel). As I see, the main aspect of the novel that grabs the readers and doesn’t let them go without completing it is its POV (Point of view). Usually authors use ‘one’ point of view as a tool to convey the mood and outlook they want to portray through their writing. However, a writer can even use first, second and third point of views together to diversify his storyline, which is what O’Brian has done in the discoursed novel. The element that gives this novel the feel of a first person narrative, despite of the fact that it is written in the third person is the ‘footnotes’. These are the footnotes that are included in the chapters and in which the narrator identifies himself and discusses his reasons for writing the story. Also he tells the problems he has encountered while writing it as the narrator has selected and organized the evidences to reveal thematic links between individual pieces of evidence, the main narrative, and his theories. Conseque ntly, the unique blend of two different points of views is the essential of â€Å"In the Lake of the