Media kit for small business. Galaxica Media Essay

Media kit for small business. Galaxica Media - Essay Example The role of media in the sustainability of business assumes importance as media largely act as a tool for communication and have a significant role in positioning the firm in the business market. This is completely in tune with the Morgan’s metaphors which states that the business leadership should have abilities to analyze activities and devise alternative strategies. The study would contain the media kit for the firm with regards to its maintenance of sustainability while including elements like company policies as well as financial and human resource strategies of the organization. Company Fact Sheet Company Name Galaxica Media Location & when it was founded Galaxica media was established in November 2010 in London, UK. The company is presently headquartered in London UK. Mission Statement The mission statement of Galaxica media is stated below: The company aspires to be a customized service provider that provides multimedia solutions to businesses. The company aims to provide clear and simple multimedia programs designed to meet the individual needs of retail as well as corporate clients. The company would also provide multimedia solutions at an attractive price and provide continuous customer support to ensure complete satisfaction of the customer. Products Offered Galaxica media is mainly engaged in the entertainment business industry with its main product portfolio being in the area of animations and multimedia. The company’s product offering includes customized support for web design and multimedia effects for the entertainment industry. The company also provides web design support to different organizations. The company also provides 3D visual interfaces to customers engaged in the business of providing fun and entertainment. The web design team helps different organizations to design their websites according to their individual needs. This includes use of high end graphics that are designed keeping in mind the individual needs of the customers. Customers Targeted Galaxica media targets corporate clients which includes participants of the media industry. The company’s customized products are largely being used by media houses for their entertainment programs. The main clientele of the company forms the media a nd advertisement industry players who normally outsource some of their content creation and design to other players that have expertise in the area of graphics and multimedia. The clients of the firm also include business houses that generally outsource their web design aspect to include better graphics and looks. The company also targets different public sector organizations for design and development of their websites. Corporate Social and Ethical Responsibilities of the Company Corporate social responsibilities at Galaxica media would include strategies that tend to

Effects of Pollution in China Essay Example for Free

Effects of Pollution in China Essay In the last two decades, the air pollution in China has increased substantially. The lack of good air quality is especially prominent in the more urban, industrialized areas of China. Environment Minister Zhou Shengxian warned, â€Å"If China meant to quadruple the size of its economy over 20 years without more damage, it would have to become more efficient in resource use. Otherwise, there would be a painful price to pay† (BBC News). The topic of air pollution is not a new concern to the world; however, the effects of air pollution, especially to the hundred of thousands of people directly or indirectly harmed by the side effects of â€Å"bad air,† should be of grave concern. According to the Ministry of Health, air pollution has made cancer the leading cost of death in China. Air pollution not only affects the people, but also the quality of fresh water, produce, and other natural resources. These kinds of environmental outcomes may seem erratic in other countries but unfortunately, it has become the norm in China. In fact, air pollution in China since the 1980’s has gotten so bad that many of the industrialized areas in Beijing and Shanghai rarely see the sun but rather clouds of smoke and fog. China, with its infamous reputation of becoming a global economic powerhouse, is ironically becoming its own downfall. In the midst of their tremendous economic and industrial growth, the energy outputs to support this growth are reaching an all-time high which means there is more residue of coal and fuel burning released in the atmosphere. In order to understand the extent of pollution in China, one must understand the environmental, social, and political aspects of it. Currently, China is the leading nation in terms of population. Even though China has approximately 1. 3 billion people living in its territory, the dangerous effects that pollution has taken upon the population is still of high concern although many people and government officials choose to not talk about it in order to not cause more burden on the already stressed country. According to the World’s Resource Institute, â€Å"respiratory disease is the number one cause of death in China† (World’s Resources Institute). In some regions, especially the major industrial zones in Hebei Province, rates of chronic lung disease are at least five times higher than the rest of the country. Even the women who do not smoke cigarettes and are living around those areas have the highest rates of lung cancer globally that pertains to the population of women who do not smoke (World’s Resources Institute). It is estimated that annual premature deaths attributable to outdoor air pollution were likely to reach 380,000 in 2010 and 550,000 in 2020 (BBC News). With these potential outcomes that are doubling every decade, China will face even more problems if these environmental issues are not dealt with now. In addition to air population, there is also the concern of water pollution which coincides with the big cycle of environmental distress. In addition, many people who live near concentrated areas of pollution do not know how to protect themselves well because they are unaware of the long term effects of inhaling the air and drinking the water. Nearly half of China’s population consumes drinking water contaminated with animal and human waste and acidic rain and erosion. While there has been an overall decline in mortality from infectious diseases, diarrheal diseases and viral hepatitis, both associated with fecal pollution of water, are the leading infectious diseases in China (World’s Resources Institute). Because of contaminated, polluted water, China has the highest liver and stomach cancer deaths in the world. While the government is preoccupied with wanting to censor all this preventable chaos, many more people are becoming ill and dying from the lack of clean resources. Water pollution has become an intricate part of the problem as well. Many of the main rivers flowing through China have been the target for dumpsites for years. Because of its mass and distance, many people do not think twice when they dump their small amount of trash or waste inside the water; however, if twenty thousand other people are having the same exact justification, then it now becomes an environmental safety hazard as well as a social problem. As a result, it is estimated that three-quarters of the rivers running through Chinese cities are so polluted that they cannot be used for drinking or fishing. Even the infamous Yellow River is suffering from man-made environmental problems. Once the countrys second biggest source of fresh water, the river is now so polluted that almost 70% is hazardous to drink; moreover, because the river has been the target for over-exploitation for many years, the water tends to dry up before it reaches the sea for almost a third of the year. According to the World Health Organization, reports estimate that diseases triggered by indoor and outdoor air pollution kill 656,000 Chinese citizens each year and polluted drinking water kills another 95,600 (Platt). The majority of the air pollution in China is generated by the burning of coal and fuel oil in order to generate electric power. They do not have that much hydropower, power that comes from the energy of massive moving water, to help with demand and supply and, therefore, rely on the burning of coal. Coal is a natural resource that is abundant in amount but requires a lot of manpower and miners to obtain it every year. Because of its population and carrying capacity, China burns more coal to produce electricity than the U. S. , Europe and Japan combined. Air pollution and acid rain, which comes from the coal residue evaporating in the form of smoke into the atmosphere, is killing people. In addition to chemical and industrial factories producing all this dirtiness into the air, vehicles of transportation also add to this pollution epidemic. In the 1990s, the number of vehicles on roads increased very rapidly, especially in medium-sized and large cities. In Beijing, the number of vehicles increased by a factor of 4, from 0. 5 million in 1990 to 2 million in 2002. In addition, the emission factor, the amount of pollution emitted by one car, in China is much higher than in developed countries because China has much lower emissions standards for automobiles (The Chinese Academy). Thus, the drastic rise in the number of vehicles and rapid development of industries in cities has led to worsening air quality, particularly higher concentrations of nitrogen oxides. The burning of poor quality fuel only adds to urban air pollution. Considering the amounts of traffic that the more urban, centralized cities deal with on a constant basis, the amount of fuel being burned into the atmosphere is reaching tremendous heights. Over the years, the government had implemented their own ways of dealing with the pollution problem as well as progressing social development. Embarrassed by the repercussions of industrialization and urbanization, China’s environmental agency insisted that the health statistics be removed from the published version of media reports because the government did not wish to cause social instability. According to Spiegel Online International, in 2007 the Chinese government put pressure on the World Bank to take potentially damaging statistics out of a report on pollution in China (Spiegel Online International). Reportedly, the World Bank reluctantly agreed to the demand of the Chinese government and this report about pollution was never published. Many people did not believe the Chinese government undergone such secretive endeavors to â€Å"protect them but rather it was just the Communist’s instinctive response to every case of bad news – to cover it as much as possible. The Chinese government often has had a hard time prioritizing pressing issues at hand and, therefore, chooses to suppress it until the issue starts developing more and then reaches the attention of foreign countries. This kind of pattern has affected the Chinese government for many years now because of its lack of aggression towards personal, current issues. In terms of the environmental issues, China’s model of pollution compared to that of the United States and Europe is worse because the density of its population is greater and people do not know how to protect themselves properly from the essential tools of life, water and air. Because of China’s reputation as being one of the leading nations in fast economic growth, the government places economic growth before any other problem the nation might have. Some may say, the country is addicted to fast growth and instances of progression. Having a strong, solid economy would place China on the map as a great superpower and can very well earn them the respect and recognition from every other nation. If China starts to slow down their industrial development and economic growth at all, the effects would be social instability, the potential to lose foreign business and trading partners, and takes away China’s hard-earned reputation. Slowing down production to solve such insignificant problems may be a stretch for the Chinese government; however, the threat of pollution is very much real and staggering, which in the long run, would affect the economy in a negative way. With the amount of health-related issues due to the environment, health care costs have climbed sharply. The lack of clean water has affected the farming and crop industry tremendously. The amounts of high energy-dependent industries create greater need for imported coal and fuel; therefore, the environmental problems gradually get harder and more expensive to address the longer they remain unresolved. According to National Geographic, the rate in which this pollution is harming women and hildren would have a great effect on the next generation of China’s leaders, especially with the many recorded incidents of birth defects and brain damage that pregnant women are inhaling everyday of their lives. The pollution in China is not just a current problem but an issue that can surely affect the future of China extensively. In recent years, the Chinese government have been striving to address these environmental issues and making reforms to reverse some of the effects. The government has set goals in order to reduce the emission of fuel and to conserve energy by reducing the level of energy that industries use as well as slowing down the demand for coals. Taking ideas from the United States, China has set to develop alternative methods of energy such as solar power. Yet most of the government’s targets for energy efficiency, as well as improving air and water quality, have not been reached. Although there are many targets and goals set forth by the government to fix this â€Å"pollution problem,† no real concrete actions has taken effect. China’s lack of fundamental changes towards conservation and energy-efficient ways has resulted in no real progression. China refused to invest a lot of money and tax reforms to reach their supposed targeted goals. Even many bureaucratic leaders and city officials often do not invest their money and efforts into closing down factories and industries because that would hurt their local economies. In a way, the government reflects a dog-eat-dog world where everyone chooses to look out for themselves in order to prosper the most. In attempts to stick to their original goals, China began to explore the idea of the Green G. D. P in the mid 2000’s. The Green G. D. P was â€Å"an effort to create an environmental yardstick for evaluating the performance of every official in China†¦it recalculated gross domestic product, or â€Å"G. D. P. ,† to reflect the cost of pollution† (BBC News). In other words, this was a way to calculate the financial loss that pollution has had on the economy and for the government to adjust their expenditures in such a way to reflect a better G. D. P. However, the calculations for some provinces in China reach staggering amounts that was unrealistic for the Chinese government to adjust because if they did, their growth rate for certain areas would be zero which means the overall economy would decline. Because of the failing numbers of the Green G. D. P for China’s economy, the government pulled out of the project in 2007. The failed success of Green GDP for the Chinese government pushed the progression of environmental friendliness preservation back because of the financial and economic issues that arose from partaking in the Green G. D. P (New York Times). One such issue that China struggles with is realizing that any attempt or unrealistic goal set forth to fix the environment problem will always be met with many obstacles and resistance. Such unfortunate issues are part of the reason why China is reluctant in fixing their environmental problems and plays a role in the still on-going pollution issue today. In 2011, Toyota Motor announced that they will be making low-emission cars in China. Because China has the biggest market for cars, Toyota Motor wanted to get into that market in an environmentally friendly way. Along with having the biggest market for cars, China also has the biggest market for pollution. China was keen on welcoming the foreign aid of car expenditures to their market because of its emphasis on producing low-emission cars in the country. As China attempts to work towards its pollution problems after many failed efforts, the people foresee this as a positive business venture on both the Japanese and Chinese because it benefits both sides. Japan would create a bigger market for themselves in East Asia and China will be on the road of becoming more green and energy-efficient, a problem that they have been facing for decades. All and all, it is safe to say that China as well as every other country around the world recognizes that the amount of pollution has increased tremendously. China has played a huge part in the matter because of its massive industrialization and urbanization that attributes to their fast economic growth. Although there are many Chinese officials and leaders out there who fail to see the correlation between air pollution and long-term health and social effects, the growth of air pollution is not going away. Although there are very few studies attributing the socio-economic class, population size, and demographics to the growth of air pollution, the presence of air pollution affects everybody. There is, indeed, a major correlation between air pollution and increased mortality; therefore, China strived to undergo many environmental-friendly programs. In short, there is sufficient evidence that exposure to outdoor air pollution is a health hazard in China. The importance of these increased health risks is greater than in developed countries because air pollution in China is at much higher levels and because the Chinese population accounts for more than one-fourth of the worlds total population. Future research will need to clarify the lifetime course of air pollution effects, examine the relevance of long-term exposures, understand alternative methods, and finding correlations between air pollution and health hazards for the Chinese population. Presently, Chinese needs to find a way to efficiently reduce pollution and increase air quality and find a way for industries to be properly monitored. This will enable the people and the Chinese government to be aware of the trends and consequences of air pollution, so they can determine how to remedy the situation in the future.

Genetic Influences on Salmonella Formation

Genetic Influences on Salmonella Formation IHF Gene Influences Salmonella Enteritidis Biofilm Formation Integration Host Factor (IHF) is important for biofilm formation by Salmonella enterica Enteritidis Bruna Leite, Catierine Hirsch Werle, Camila Pinheiro do Carmo, Diego Borin Nbrega, Guilherme Paier Milanez, Cristina E. Alvarez-Martinez, Marcelo Brocchi Abstract Salmonella enterica Enteritidis forms biofilms and survives in agricultural environments where it infects poultry and eggs. Once established, biofilms are difficult to eradicate, due to their high resistance compared to planktonic cells, causing serious problems in industry and public health. In this study, we evaluated biofilm formation in wild-type strains of S. enterica Enteritidis and in ihf mutants employing different microbiology techniques. Our data indicate that ihf mutants display impaired biofilm formation, with a reduced of matrix formation and a decrease in CFU and metabolic activity. Phenotypic analysis indicated a deficiency in curli fimbriae expression and in cellulose production and pellicle formation. These results show that IHF has a regulatory role in biofilm formation in S. enterica Enteritidis. Keywords: Biofilm, Salmonella enterica Enteritidis, Polysaccharide matrix, Curli fimbriae, Cellulose, Integration Host Factor. Introduction A biofilm is defined as a bacterial colony adherent to a solid surface, which secretes a protective exopolysaccharide matrix. Every natural wet surface is a potential substrate for microbial biofilms. These sessile multicellular microbial consortia are embedded within self-produced extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). In food handling facilities, biofilms can be particularly problematic The ability to form biofilms is also an important factor in the virulence of S. Enterica. S. enterica subspecies I serovar Enteritidis is a leading cause of salmonellosis worldwide, and has emerged as one of the most important foodborne pathogens for humans. It is mainly associated with consumption of contaminated meat and eggs of poultry. A number of studies have demonstrated that S. enterica is capable of forming biofilms on a wide variety of contact surfaces, and the formation of biofilms may improve the ability of these organisms to resist stresses such as desiccation, extreme temperatures, antibiotics, and antiseptics. Biofilm formation allows S. enterica to survive for long periods in a poultry farm environment and to contaminate poultry meat and eggs, which remain the leading vehicles of salmonellosis outbreaks Many factors are involved in biofilm development. Curli fimbriae and cellulose are the major components of biofilm formed by S. enterica, whereas capsular polysaccharide, other polysaccharide-rich compounds such as lipopolyssaccharide (LPS), and a large secreted protein, BapA, also contribute to biofilm formation. Several regulatory genes involved in biofilm formation have been identified The expression of curli fimbriae and cellulose can be assayed phenotypically by growing enteric bacteria on Congo red indicator plates Bacteria may live in planktonic form in liquid media or as biofilms on biotic or abiotic surfaces. They need to adjust their genetic programs in order to switch from one lifestyle to another. The production of bacterial products and behaviours associated with environmental adaptation must be tightly coordinated to optimize the energy consumption. In bacteria, gene expression regulation is exerted primarily at the level of transcription initiation using a large array of transcription factors whose concentrations and activities change depending on specific environmental or metabolic signals. Topological changes in DNA also influence promoter recognition, open complex formation, and gene expression Nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs) are global regulators of gene expression in bacteria. They alter the topology of DNA by bending, bridging, or wrapping it, leading to DNA transactions and multiple cellular effects that culminate in the modulation of gene expression. Integration-host factor (IHF) is a dimeric NAP that binds DNA in a sequence-specific manner and introduces curvatures of up to 180 °, which influence many aspects of bacterial physiology, including global gene expression, DNA topology, site-specific recombination, and DNA replication. In E. coli and S. enterica Typhimurium, the two IHF subunits-IHFÃŽ ± and IHFÃŽ ²-can assemble as hetero- or homo-dimers. There is also evidence indicating that the different dimeric forms of IHF regulate different but overlapping sets of genes Based on the global regulatory role of IHF, we hypothesized that this NAP can influence or directly regulate genes involved in biofilm formation in S. enterica Enteritidis. This hypothesis is supported by previous observations demonstrating that IHF activates curli production in S. enterica Typhimurium. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the role of IHF genes in the initial stages of biofilm formation in S. Enteritidis. To this end, we performed phenotypic studies using isogenic deletion mutants of individual ihf genes (ihfA or ihfB) and a double mutant strain with deletions in both IHF subunits (ihfAB double mutant). Materials and methods Bacterial strains In this study, the S. enterica Enteritidis wild-type strain PT4SEn (IOC4647) provided a by the Fundaà §Ãƒ £o Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) was used. The draft genome of this strain was recently published (Milanez et al. 2016). It was found to be pathogenic in a mouse model assay (Carmo et al., unpublished results). The mutants of S. Enteritidis PT4SEn were previously constructed (Carmo et al., unpublished results) by deletion of ihf genes using the lambda Red system by transduction with P22HT phages. Mutant strains were designated as S. enterica Enteritidis PT4SEn ΔihfA, PT4SEn ΔihfB, and PT4SEn ΔihfAB. Bacterial growth conditions and storage Bacteria were cultivated in Luria-Bertani broth (LB) and on Luria-Bertani agar (LBA) plates prepared according to the method of Sambrook and Russell. All strains were stored at -80 °C in 30% glycerol All strains were inoculated from fresh LBA plates into 15 mL LB and grown for 18  ± 2 h at 37 °C in an orbital shaker at 140 rpm. Cells were harvested by centrifugation (for 5 min at 9,500 g and 4 °C) and resuspended in NaCl (0.9%) adjusted to 0.5 McFarland scale equivalent to 1.5 108 cells/mL prior to use in subsequent assays. Complementation of S. enterica Enteritidis ΔihfA and ΔihfB mutants Sequences corresponding to the ihfA and ihfB genes and their regulatory regions were obtained by PCR from the PT4SEn genome using the primers listed in Table 1. The DNA fragments were cloned in the pACYC184 vector (New England Biolabs, USA) between the NcoI and EcoRI restriction sites (restriction enzyme sites in the DNA fragments were introduced via the primers) and the vector was subsequently electroporated into the respective S. enterica Enteritidis mutant strains. Cloning, PCR amplification, electroporation, plasmid extraction, and agarose gel electrophoresis were performed as suggested by Sambrook and Russell (2001). After DNA purification using the Wizard ® Genomic DNA Purification Kit (Promega Corporation, Madison, USA), Sanger sequencing was performed using 3730XL Applied Biosystems (Foster City, California, USA) by the High Performance Technologies Central Laboratory in Life Sciences (LACTAD, University of Campinas UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil). Biofilm formation on polystyrene plates Biofilms were formed in 96-well plates (Cell Culture Plate, Nest, Biotechnology Co, China) containing 200 ÃŽ ¼L of cell suspension (1 106 cells/mL) of S. enterica Enteritidis PT4SEn wild-type or mutant strains in LB supplemented with 0.25% of glucose. Plates were incubated at 37 °C with orbital shaking at 140 rpm for 48, 72, and 120 h. At the end of the incubation period, planktonic cells were carefully removed, and biofilms were washed twice with 200 ÃŽ ¼L of saline solution (0.9% NaCl). The crystal violet staining method was used to assess total biofilm biomass. Each well of the biofilm plates was incubated with 200 ÃŽ ¼L of methanol for 15 minutes. Subsequently, methanol was removed and 1% (v/v) crystal violet solution was added, followed by a 5-min incubation period. Wells were washed with distilled water and finally 33% (v/v) acetic acid was added. The absorbance was measured at 570 nm. The colorimetric method based on the reduction of XTT (2,3- bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-(phenylamino)carbonyl-2H tetrazolium hydroxide; Sigma-Aldrich, USA) was used to determine cell activity (XTT is converted to a coloured formazan salt in the presence of metabolic activity). To each well of the biofilm plate, 200 ÃŽ ¼L of a solution containing 200 mg/L of XTT and 20 mg/L of phenazinemethosulphate (PMS; Sigma-Aldrich, Ukraine) was added. Microtiter plates were incubated for 3 h at 37 °C in the dark. The absorbance was measured at 490 nm. To assess the number of viable cells in biofilms, 200 ÃŽ ¼L of saline solution was added to each well before removal of the biofilm by scraping. For each sample, an aliquot of 1 mL (5 wells) was sonicated (20 s with 22% of amplitude; Ultrasonic Processor, Cole-Parmer, Illinois, USA) to promote biofilm disruption. The number of colony forming units (CFU) in biofilms was determined by performing 10-fold serial dilutions in saline solution, plating on LBA plates in triplicate, and incubating for 24 h. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of biofilm cells Biofilms of S. enterica Enteritidis PT4SEn wild-type and mutant strains formed in 24-well plates (Well Cell Culture Cluster, Costar) were dehydrated by a 15-min immersion in increasing ethanol concentrations (70, 95, and 100% ethanol [v/v]) and placed in sealed desiccators. The samples were mounted on aluminium stubs with carbon tape, sputter-coated with gold, and analysed with a JEOL JSM-5800LV scanning microscope. All experiments were carried out in duplicate. Biofilm formation at the air-liquid interface Biofilm formation at the air-liquid interface was assessed in S. enterica Enteritidis PT4SEn strains by inoculation of LB cultures without NaCl, followed by incubation at 28 °C without shaking. Every day for 10 days, each isolate was visually examined for pellicle formation. Experiments were performed in triplicate. Expression of curli fimbriae Bacterial colony morphology of S. enterica Enteritidis PT4SEn wild-type and mutant strains was analysed on LB agar without NaCl, supplemented with Congo red (1.01340.0025, Sigma-Aldrich, Germany; 40 ÃŽ ¼g/mL) and Coomassie brilliant blue G (B0770-5G, Sigma-Aldrich, China; 20 ÃŽ ¼g/mL). Bacterial cultures were spread on agar plates and the colour and degree of colony rugosity were determined after 96 h of growth at 28 °C. Images were captured with a camera (Nikon P500) and under an HBO 100 Carl Zeiss Illuminating microscope system. Cellulose production The fluorescence exhibited by bacteria after growth of S. enterica Enteritidis PT4SEn wild-type and mutant strains in LB plates with Calcofluor (Fluorescent Brightener 28; F3543-1G, Sigma-Aldrich, China; 200 ÃŽ ¼g/mL) served as an indicator of cellulose production. Fluorescence was analysed visually using an UV light (366 nm) after 48 h of growth at 37 °C. Statistical analysis Data were analysed using STATA software, version 13.0 (Stata Corp, College Station, TX, USA). Data from all assays were compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Sidaks adjustment for multiple comparisons was performed after a significant fitting. The significance level was set at 5%. Results ihf mutants display reduced viability, biomass, and metabolic activity A decrease of about 1-2 log10 in number of viable cells was observed for the ihf mutants in comparison with the wild-type S. enterica Enteritidis PT4SEn strain by CFU counting (Figure 1-A). The differences observed were statistically significant (P < 0.05) for all periods of time evaluated. The introduction of the pACYC184 plasmid carrying ihfA or ihfB was generally associated with an increase in CFUs, but complementation did not completely restore the values to those obtained with the wild-type strain. No statistical differences were observed at 48 and 72 h of incubation between ΔihfAc and the wild-type strain. The same observation is valid for ΔihfB after 120 h of incubation (Figure 1-A). These results show that the restoration of ihfA or ihfB gene copies in mutant strains is generally associated with an increase in CFUs in biofilms. The total biofilm biomass, assessed by CV staining of S. enterica Enteritidis PT4SEn and mutant strains is presented in Figure 1-B. An increase in biomass is observed for the wild-type strain over time. However, this effect was not observed for the correspondent PT4SEn ihfAB double mutant. None of the mutants presented an increase in biofilm matrix density at 48 and 72 h of incubation (P < 0.05). The complemented PT4SEn ihfA and ihfB mutants (ihfAc and ihfBc) showed an increase in total biofilm biomass in comparison to the non-complemented mutants (Figure 1-B). All mutant strains exhibited a significant reduction in metabolic activity measured by the XTT assay for cells in biofilm (P < 0.05). In addition, the double mutant (ihfAB) showed the greatest reduction in metabolic activity at 72 and 120 h (Figure 1-C). ihf genes are essential for biofilm structure To further characterize biofilm formation and structure in strains lacking ihf genes, we performed scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of cells in biofilms. As shown in Figure 2, the absence of ihfA or ihfB drastically affects biofilm formation, as null mutants of S. enterica Enteritidis PT4SEn (Figure 2-D, E and F) exhibited a low amount of matrix and small number of cells compared to the wild-type (Figure 2-A). Complementation of ihf gene deletions by a wild-type copy of the corresponding gene promoted a significant restoration of biofilm formation (Figure 2-B and C). Pellicle formation at the air-liquid interface To further characterize the mutant strains with respect to their ability to form biofilms we analysed the biofilm formation at the air-liquid interface of cultures of the different strains. Cultures of the wild-type strain formed a thick and rigid pellicle after 10 days of growth (Figure 3-A). On the other hand, PT4SEn ihfA or PT4SEn ihfB mutant strains formed a less compact and fragile pellicle (not shown). Interestingly, the double mutant strain PT4SEn ihfAB did not form a visible pellicle at all at the air-liquid interface. Instead, cell deposition was observed at the bottom of the tube (Figure 3-B). Complementation with the wild-type copy of ihfA and ihfB restored the phenotype of the single mutants (PT4SEn ΔihfAc and PT4SEn ΔihfBc strains), which now formed a thick and rigid pellicle (not shown). Curli and cellulose Since curli and cellulose are important components in biofilm formation, we evaluated the role of IHF on their production. To this end, colony morphology was analysed on LBA plates supplemented with Congo red and Coomassie brilliant blue, as previously described.. enterica Enteritidis PT4SEn wild-type and PT4SEn ΔihfA and ΔihfB complemented strains exhibited a phenotype consistent with curli fimbriae and cellulose production, with red, dry, and rough (rdar) colony morphology (Figure 4-A to D). However, the PT4SEn ΔihfA, PT4SEn ΔihfB, and PT4SEn ΔihfAB mutants of S. enterica Enteritidis did not display the same colour and roughness, but instead exhibited a similar, but not identical, smooth and white (saw) morphotype, indicating a deficiency in the expression of curli fimbriae and probably also of cellulose (Figure 4-E to H). The expression of cellulose was also tested by screening the colonies for Calcofluor binding Cellulose production was observed for all strain s evaluated by this method, except for the double mutant ihfAB that was not fluorescent under an UV light source and was considered a poor producer of cellulose (Figure 5). Discussion The presence of microorganisms on food contact surfaces is one of the most common causes of food spoilage and transmission of foodborne diseases. Inadequate cleaning and disinfection of food-processing environments is the cause of major economic losses and represents a serious danger to public health. The ability of microorganisms to adhere and form biofilms makes disinfection even more difficult and challenging Infections with Salmonella enterica Enteritidis represent a major health problem and a significant burden on the food industry. About 80% of the infections are caused by biofilm formation In the matrix of a biofilm, bacteria grow on either biotic or abiotic surfaces, attaching to the surface and to each other, conferring resistance to immunity responses as well as antimicrobial agents As a consequence, antimicrobial treatments typically fail to eradicate biofilms. The need to create effective therapies to counteract biofilm infections is a pressing challenge in the food indus try The growing interest in understanding the regulatory network of gene activities during the transition from a planktonic to a sessile cellular lifestyle, prompted us to investigate the role of IHF in S. enterica Enteritidis biofilm formation. IHF has an important role in the regulation of gene expression and environment adaptability of S. Enterica Therefore, S. Enteritidis deletion mutants for ihfA, ihfB, or both genes (ihfAB) were employed in different assays to analyse biofilm formation. The logic behind this approach is based on the fact that IHF can act as a homodimer (IHFÃŽ ±ÃŽ ± or IHFÃŽ ²ÃŽ ²) or as a heterodimer (IHFÃŽ ±ÃŽ ²) The results presented here indicate an important role of this NAP in the formation of biofilms in S. enterica Enteritidis. All typical biofilm characteristics analysed in this study (CFU, biomass, and cellular metabolic activity) were significantly decreased in S. enterica Enteritidis mutant strains for ihfA, ihfB, or ihfAihfB. The biofilms formed by mutant strains exhibited a decreased matrix density compared with the wild-type strain. Therefore, these results indicate that IHF can influence the initial stage of biofilm formation by S. enterica Enteritidis, as the matrix is necessary in this phase. This is also supported by CV staining and SEM. The colony morphotypes observed in Congo red among wild-type and complemented strains exhibited the rdar morphotype, an indication of curli and cellulose production, while the mutant strains exhibited a similar but not identical saw morphotype, suggesting an altered expression of curli and probably also of cellulose. In fact, bacterial growth in calcofluor-containing medium indicated that the single ihf-mutants were able to produce cellulose, but the ihf-double mutant exhibited some deficiency in the production of this polysaccharide. Previously, Gerstel, Park, and Rà ¶mling demonstrated that the ΔihfAB double mutant of two S. enterica Typhimurium strains caused a reduction in CsgD expression and an altered rdar morphotype suggesting a role for IHF in curli expression in S. enterica Typhimurium. Curli is expressed by two divergent operons, csgBAC and csgDEFG. CsgD is a major regulator of curli expression and biofilm formation. This gene activates transcription of csgA and csgB that encodes the major (CsgA) and the minor (CsgB) curli subunits In addition, csgD also regulates cellulose production Therefore, IHF plays an important role in biofilm formation in S. enterica Typhimurium. Our results demonstrate a similar role for IHF in the biofilm formation of S. enterica Enteritidis. Despite high genetic similarity, the Enteritidis and Typhimurium serovars differ in various ecological and host-relationship parameters However, the regulation of biofilm formation by IHF in both serovars suggests that IHF plays a cen tral role in S. enterica biofilm biogenesis. However, additional studies of IHF function on biofilm biogenesis in other S. enterica serovars are needed to further clarify this question. In addition, the single ihf mutants also exhibited a phenotypic alteration in biofilm formation, indicating that both subunits are necessary for appropriate biofilm production. In our results, all the ihf mutants showed a deficiency for curli fimbriae production by phenotypic tests. To some extent, a deficiency in cellulose production was also observed, particularly in the double ihf-mutant. The complementation of the ihfA and ihfB mutants by the introduction of a pACYC184 plasmid carrying the wild-type genes reverted the deficiency in biofilm biomass, cell metabolism, and CFUs, but in the majority of the tests the values did not reach those observed for the wild-type strain. This is probably due to a dose effect of IHFÃŽ ± or IHFÃŽ ², despite the low copy number (about 15 copies per cell) of the plasmid used. In fact, the expression of ihf genes is finely regulated and depends on the growth phase The two operons bcsABZC and bcsEFG are responsible for cellulose biosynthesis in both S. enterica Enteritidis and S. enterica Typhimurium. This was demonstrated by the construction of non-polar mutants of bcsC and bcsE genes that formed a fragile pellicle at the air-liquid interface of LB medium The same authors also showed that cellulose-deficient mutants were more sensitive to chlorine treatments, indicating that the deficiency in the production of extracellular matrix can leave the cells more susceptible to the action of some chemical agents. In our study, IHF mutant strains formed a less compact pellicle in LB compared to wild-type strains. In addition, the ihf double mutant did not form an air pellicle at all, suggesting a role for IHF in the expression of cellulose. These findings corroborate a previous study in which S. enterica Typhimurium ihfAB mutants exhibited reduced bcsC transcription when evaluated by microarray analysis, but further studies are needed to better charact erize the underlying molecular mechanisms. Karaca, N Akcelik, and M Akcelik (2013) also evaluated pellicle formation at the air-liquid interface of 31 S. enterica isolates. They showed that the growth rate of isolates with a rigid pellicle was greater than that of the ones forming a fragile pellicle. Biofilm production at the air-liquid interface can facilitate and contribute to gas exchange, while enabling the acquisition of nutrients and water from the liquid phase. Biofilms at air-liquid and solid-air interfaces can cause serious problems in industrial water systems. In conclusion, our results indicate that IHF has an important regulatory role in biofilm formation of S. enterica serovar Enteritidis. Moreover, both IHF subunits appear to have a role in this process. Our data pave the way for further studies investigating the mechanisms involved in the regulation of biofilm formation by IHF. Acknowledgements This work was supported by grants from Fundaà §Ãƒ £o de Amparo à   Pesquisa do Estado de Sà £o Paulo (FAPESP 2014/13412-8) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientà ­fico e Tecnolà ³gico (CNPq), Brazil. BL, DBN, and GPM were supported by a FAPESP fellowship (FAPESP 2012/25426-8, 2012/10608-3, and 2012/05382-6, respectively). CHW and CPC were supported by fellowships from CNPq (141629/2012-6 and 140786/2012-0, respectively). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest or conflict.

Essay --

Introduction: Sharon Creech’s childhood memories, college experiences, and creative brain significantly affected her writings. She rarely thought of being an author growing up, but as time progressed, she began to really think about it. Creech first became interested when she entered college and something sparked her career. She wrote multiple books with her much thought and creativeness leading her to an outstanding writing career. I. Sharon Creech experienced many journeys as a child, triggering a spark in her writing career. A. Creech accounted for many memories during her early childhood years. She took many trips with her parents and four siblings. She enjoyed the company of others and making memories. Often, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends visited her and her family, making her always used to warm, large, extended family. Her favorite memories came from Creech’s traditional summer vacations to various destinations. She loved road tripping with her â€Å"noisy and rowdy family† across the country. Her never-forgotten memories eventually led to her recreation of the trip into many of her books. 1. â€Å"In the summer, we usually took a trip, all of us piled in a car and heading out to Wisconsin or Michigan or, once, to Idaho. We must have been a very noisy bunch, and I’m not sure how our parents put up with being cooped up with us in the car for those trips. The five-day trip out to Idaho when I was twelve had a powerful effect on me: what a huge and amazing country!† Creech said in author chat in 2002. On Creech’s official website, she stated, â€Å"One other place we often visited was Quincy, Kentucky, where my cousins lived (and still live) on a beautiful farm, with hills and trees and swimming hole and barn and hay... ...s to me, I don't realize that it resembles a real person in any way. It's only later, after a book has been published, that sometimes I can see similarities between the character and someone I know.†(The New York Public Library) 2. Here, she explains the way she bases her characters from and how she begins to write a story with her creative storytelling brain. Conclusion: In conclusion, Sharon Creech’s childhood memories, college experiences, and creative brain greatly affected her later writings. Even though, she did not know what she wanted to do with her life, God helped her figure it out and have a successful career. Her early childhood journeys helped her write her books and create characters. Her teaching experience also helped her have a more effective writing style. Sharon Creech had a remarkable writing career and it is one to never be forgotten. Essay -- Introduction: Sharon Creech’s childhood memories, college experiences, and creative brain significantly affected her writings. She rarely thought of being an author growing up, but as time progressed, she began to really think about it. Creech first became interested when she entered college and something sparked her career. She wrote multiple books with her much thought and creativeness leading her to an outstanding writing career. I. Sharon Creech experienced many journeys as a child, triggering a spark in her writing career. A. Creech accounted for many memories during her early childhood years. She took many trips with her parents and four siblings. She enjoyed the company of others and making memories. Often, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends visited her and her family, making her always used to warm, large, extended family. Her favorite memories came from Creech’s traditional summer vacations to various destinations. She loved road tripping with her â€Å"noisy and rowdy family† across the country. Her never-forgotten memories eventually led to her recreation of the trip into many of her books. 1. â€Å"In the summer, we usually took a trip, all of us piled in a car and heading out to Wisconsin or Michigan or, once, to Idaho. We must have been a very noisy bunch, and I’m not sure how our parents put up with being cooped up with us in the car for those trips. The five-day trip out to Idaho when I was twelve had a powerful effect on me: what a huge and amazing country!† Creech said in author chat in 2002. On Creech’s official website, she stated, â€Å"One other place we often visited was Quincy, Kentucky, where my cousins lived (and still live) on a beautiful farm, with hills and trees and swimming hole and barn and hay... ...s to me, I don't realize that it resembles a real person in any way. It's only later, after a book has been published, that sometimes I can see similarities between the character and someone I know.†(The New York Public Library) 2. Here, she explains the way she bases her characters from and how she begins to write a story with her creative storytelling brain. Conclusion: In conclusion, Sharon Creech’s childhood memories, college experiences, and creative brain greatly affected her later writings. Even though, she did not know what she wanted to do with her life, God helped her figure it out and have a successful career. Her early childhood journeys helped her write her books and create characters. Her teaching experience also helped her have a more effective writing style. Sharon Creech had a remarkable writing career and it is one to never be forgotten.

Intercultural Communications: Japan Essay

Cultural diversity is what people seek to embrace in an effort to get on well with people of different backgrounds. Tolerance is expected while in foreign countries though at times culture shocks are inevitable. Japan is a rich country in terms of culture and technology and it is important to fully comprehend their way of life to be able to mingle with them. What is acceptable in one country maybe considered disrespectful in others and it is therefore important to learn about the customs, practices and the general lifestyle of the Japanese people. This case study seeks to highlight the lifestyle of the Japanese people in terms of social interactions, etiquette, and style of doing business, customer preferences as well as sensitive matters that must be approached with caution. Japanese etiquette According to Mishima (2010), the Japanese are very respectful people and one custom they observe is bowing their heads down. This bowing culture is known as Ojigi and it applies as a form of greeting and also as a sign of respect. It has taken root in Japanese greetings, something which almost replaces the handshake. Foreigners are however pardoned for this and they will receive a rather weak handshake as Japanese stay away from close body contact. While in Japan, it will be considered impolite if people do not return the bow and it is therefore epitome to learn how to do so as it may cost business. Another important fact to note about the Japanese people is that they do not like physical contact with others since it seems to make them uncomfortable. With changing times however and them playing host to many visitors, the Japanese people may shake hands with foreigners. Bowing is taken seriously in Japan and the Japanese people view it as respectful, as a way of showing gratitude as well as a way to apologise. When dealing with older people, the bow is normally deeper and longer and this shows total respect. Casual greetings take a shorter bow while a business bow is done at an angle of 30 degrees. To show gratitude or give a formal apology, the bow angle changes to 45 degrees and this may also be used to express respect to senior people. When executing the bow, men must have their hands on their sides while women are supposed to place their hands on their thighs. What to avoid while in Japan  According to Williams (2010), the Japanese people are very direct when it comes to foreigners and people must pardon them if they ask personal questions such as how much money they make or how big their houses are. The Japanese people expect loyalty in business relationships and failure to this may mean no business at all. They love people who are good dressers and so if people are to make a point over that business meeting they must dress to impress. The Japanese business scene requires businessmen to dress up in conservative suits in a dark shade. Dressing casually to a business meeting is not welcome and this may cost people a contract. Removing shoes is second nature in many Japanese settings and it is therefore advisable to wear those that are easy to remove. Businesswomen must wear minimal accessories and dress conservatively. Women must never wear trousers to a business meeting as the Japanese men will take offence. The Japanese people also believe that women must wear low shoes as they do not like the idea of being towered over. When it comes to wearing the kimono, the left must always be over the right since wearing it otherwise signifies death and it is forms a basis of being misunderstood. The Japanese are conservative and the use of large gestures by the hands considered. People must steer clear from funny facial expressions or any move that attracts unnecessary attention (Williams, 2010). During a business meeting, it is important to stay away from the â€Å"ok† sign since the Japanese always translate it to mean money, according to Williams (2010). Pointing at people as well as blowing the nose publicly is not acceptable in a Japanese territory. Business cards are very important to the Japanese in business and they are given and received with both hands. It is important to print it in Japanese on one side and in your home language on the other. When presenting it, the part printed in Japanese must always face up. After receiving this card, people must not write on it or slip it into their wallets. The Japanese consider all these actions disrespectful and they would be pleased if the person took time to read the card and examine it carefully. This phase is so important that no business transactions will take place until business cards have been exchanged. The Japanese refrain from using the word ‘no’ and in many circumstances may give a â€Å"yes† answer to mean â€Å"no†. It is therefore of essence to understand this since failure to do so may lead to several disagreements during business negotiations (Williams, 2010). Social interactions According to the U. S. Library Congress (2010), the Japanese are harmonious people who have great value for self development and order. Among the values they hold close to their hearts is living peacefully with others be they spiritual or human beings. They believe strongly in everyone fulfilling the social obligations set for them by the society. The Japanese believe in gods and they extend the belief to what befalls people. The gods are believed to have a huge influence in the Japanese lives and they are believed to have the power to control human emotions. The Japanese believe that they are rewarded by the gods if they do good things to others and that is why they highly condemn antisocial behaviour. The Japanese are highly social animals and this culture is developed from an early age. Interdependence is the core of the Japanese people survival and it is encouraged right from the home to the community. The Japanese disregard open competition and in the same breath do not work well with competition. They practice high self-control but at the same time work hard in cooperation with others in an effort to meet their personal obligations. Decision-making is not a one person thing and this brings them together to chart the way forward and they value group work and association with others. They value strong business relationships and work hard to maintain them though hierarchy occurs naturally. In business meetings, the Japanese are keen to exchange business cards as they value it as a tool for interaction. The Japanese style of doing business According to Lafayette (2003), the Japanese often view other people as dishonest especially those from the western countries. The major reason behind this assumption is a disparity in the understanding of what is right and what is wrong. Their perceptions are varied and this makes other people look bad before them. As evidenced by Lafayette, the Japanese are very wary of their business interactions with other people and in their speeches always urge them to be sincere in the transactions. By emphasizing on sincerity, the Japanese have harmony in mind which will include each person contributing fully to meet his or her obligations to make the dealing successful. They also emphasize on the correct choice of words to avoid confrontations and unwanted excitement which may lead to loss of business. It is typical of the Japanese people to be more concerned with the manner and form in which the business is being transacted. On the other hand, westerners are more result-oriented and this could cause friction between both parties. Japanese people in business tend to care more about personal relationships and these calls for a deeper understanding which prompts deep discussions of every minute detail (Lafayette, 2003). Root binding must be done in an effort to nurture the business ties formed since over the years, distance may grow between the two parties as each side tends to interpret the agreement differently. According to Lafayette (2003), this is caused by differences in perception rather than deviousness. The Japanese business people also belief that naturally the business ties will change just as circumstances change over a period of time. The trick here is therefore being flexible enough to adjust as the business relationship may prompt if business ties with any Japanese are to be maintained. Japanese customer preferences According to Cordell (2010), foreign products are subject to intense customer evaluations and they better be good. Other than the resources used in production of the commodity as well as the cost benefits, a foreign product must gain an edge in the market if it is to compete with other local products. The common notion is that products from industrialised nations of the world are valued higher than those from developing countries. The product will therefore be perceived either positively or negatively depending on the country of origin. A brand name is what sells and in most cases, Japanese consumers will go for a product that comes from a reputable company. Marketing of a new product in a foreign land therefore needs be strategic if it is to sell and the company has to aim at maximising its profits. This therefore calls for intensive knowledge of the product as well as assuring the consumers of high quality judging from the fact that Japan is very advanced in industrial and technological matters. Conclusion Japan ranks second in the world’s superpowers’ list and being able to penetrate her territories for a business venture is the best that could happen to any business. It is therefore important to understand their cultural value as it is a step towards understanding how business flows on the other end. Being a foreigner in Japan can be a great experience while at other times it can be stressful. This will happen if people do not take time to study the lifestyle of the Japanese and this may lead to collisions with them. When it comes to the product, it must be well researched and well packaged if it is to survive the stiff competition that Japan offers. It must have an edge on the products already in the market and the marketing-process must also be well researched to address the market needs. The product must be well presented by its marketers in an attractive and practical package and it must have the potential of competing fully with its predecessors in the market. However, a blissful business relationship is bound to develop if people respect their lifestyle and make adjustments to suit in their midst.

Mother Tongue by Amy Tan

Mother Tongue by Amy Tan Summary In her essay ‘Mother Tongue’, Amy Tan tries to use her personal experience to describe the importance of language in a society. In this analysis, the author compares perfect English language with ‘broken language’.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Mother Tongue by Amy Tan specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Using English as an example, the author attempts to explain how language is important in communications. She says â€Å"language is an essential key in enabling people to understand the definition of their identities†. In addition, the author says that she realized that language allows or authorizes individuals to participate effectively as members of a society. It is worth noting that Amy Tan is fond of language. For instance, she says that she has written a number of books in English and Chinese. However, she admits that she has never been eloquent or rhetoric when her mother is present. This is the main argument the author has put forward by demonstrating the importance of language in her life. In addition, she argues that communication is difficult without a good language. In actual sense, this essay is chiefly an analysis of personal views and perceptions of language. The author attempts to describe how language should be used and how people tend to use it in their day-to-day communication. She compares â€Å"standard English language† and â€Å"broken English language†. To develop her argument, the author has set the essay in the form of a memoir. For instance, she compares her oral use of language with her written language. Tan informs her readers that the presence of her mother in one of her lecturers made her notice some differences between her oral and written language. At this point in life, the author realized that she was not using the same language she had been using when communicating with her mother. Instead, she realized tha t she has been using â€Å"broken English† when communicating with her. Therefore, she started reflecting on her childhood and the role that the mother played in helping her shape her language and communication. Reflection From this essay, one notices the manner in which Tan attempts to present her argument. It is evident that Tan is attempting to demonstrate how learning English has an impact in her and her life. The author analyzes her childhood experience. From her analysis, it is evident that circumstances frequently forced her to translate Chinese into English when communicating with other people at school or in her neighbourhood.Advertising Looking for essay on languages? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More She attempts to argue that it is due to her difficulties in communicating in the two languages that drove her to become a writer. It is also clear that her life as a child was difficult because she was su pposed to use Chinese at home, but change to English when at school or when with her peers. Her main ideas are good examples of the real life experience in American communities, especially where language barriers are evident. Her use of personal experience is an important literal technique because it provides some sense of evidence and reality (Tan 1). In fact, the supporting content, which is particularly drawn from her life as a Chinese child growing up and relating with English children and teachers, provides some evidence that her narrative is convincing. In addition, it is also effective in presenting her ideas. For instance, she says, â€Å"I am not an English scholar. I cannot give you anything beyond my personal points of view† (Tan 1). This statement makes the opening sentence in the essay. It seems to make the readers realize that the author will present her personal observations and experience. As such, the reader develops some interest in what the author has exper ienced in her life and what such experience could affect them. Secondly, Tan has presented her ideas that are based on common issues that everyone experiences or observes in nature, especially where immigrants are trying to fit into a new social environment defined by language barriers. I tend to agree with Amy Tan for a number of reasons. First, I have seen people going through the same processes when trying to fit into new communities. Their children normally face the pressure of learning and using two languages- the â€Å"mother tongue† and the language used in the new society (Tan 3). This issue is good but challenging. It provides children with an ability to learn and apply two or more languages at a time. In fact, it is worth noting that Amy Tan is presenting her ideas at a time when the issue of cultural diversity is common in the United States. America is a home to a large number of immigrants from all over the world. Therefore, the U.S. has become a culturally divers e society due to the presence of people from different ethnic backgrounds. In fact, the issue of Standard English versus â€Å"Broken English† is a contemporary issue, especially in schools, public places and neighbourhoods. Although people must communicate, language barrier is always a problem in most cases. Therefore, the argument by the author contributes to the issue of language barrier, which is a current topic of debate in America.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Mother Tongue by Amy Tan specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Tan, Amy.  Mother tongue.  PDF file. Web.

What Beauty Means to Me Essay Example

What Beauty Means to Me Essay Example What Beauty Means to Me Essay What Beauty Means to Me Essay People today base too much emphasis on looks. If someone doesn’t fit the criteria for what we believe should be the â€Å"perfect† man or woman then they are not fully accepted. Appearances can very easily help someone get a job, out of a ticket, special treatment at restaurants, and many more things. A lot of people have mistaken beauty for what is accepted by the â€Å"celebrity† world. For many women what society sees as acceptable and pleasing influences their everyday lives. So many women result to changing how they look through surgery and other procedures. If our society as a whole could change how they view woman and what is socially acceptable I think many woman would be healthier, happier, and overall better. Our media for the most part has an extreme affect on how women look at themselves. In magazines, television, and books there is always the images or words referring to the â€Å"perfect† woman. The â€Å"perfect† woman in today’s society is thin and has no flaws; she probably has a plastic, Barbie doll face, and the perfect measurements. It seems that if you don’t fit these criteria you aren’t as easily accepted as someone who does. When it comes to a new job, a woman may be rejected because of a â€Å"better† looking woman who may not even have the qualifications as the other woman. Personally, I have seen this first-hand. My current workplace is searching for a new manager. They refuse to hire a single man or even one who is very good-looking because they are afraid that they will mix business with pleasure. In the past they have had a couple different managers who have dated or had sexual contact with their employees. Once incident even included breaking up a marriage that brought some unnecessary negativity in the restaurant. So to avoid all of this they opted to hire a married man who has is not quite as attractive and seems to be very loyal to his wife, being married for twelve years. So many women today are changing how they look to more socially accepted. Bigger breasts, smaller noses, flatter stomachs, and many other things. Paglia states in her essay, â€Å"Good surgery discovers and reveals personality; ad surgery obscures or distorts it. † This has been proven to be very true. There are a few celebrities out there with good plastic surgery, for example, Ashlee Simpson. Simpson had a nose job which turned out to define her face better making her appear happier with herself. Then there is bad surgery, like Tara Reid, who had a bad breast augmentation leaving horrible scars and also having lumpy liposuction. For a woman, like Reid, in their early thirties, there is no reason to surgic ally change one’s self so much. She did however make herself look worse trying to conform to society’s preference. There is such a thing as good plastic surgery, but only to enhance what is already yours and brings out your personality, not make you someone completely different. If we, society as a whole, could grasp the concept that beauty is different for all women; it comes in every shape, form, and color. If more celebrities could make peace with themselves then maybe normal everyday women could learn to also respect who they are and love themselves for what they have been given. Not every woman can be a size four, large breasts, tall, tan, perfect face or whatever the case may be. Each woman should look at themselves and know they are beautiful, not what is beautiful to some individuals. It’s so unhealthy to do such drastic things to their bodies, like repeatedly plastic surgery, yo-yo dieting, and trying â€Å"new† things doctors come up. I think if the media could help us change then more woman could be happy with who they naturally are.

S ubject Outline Essays - Education, Euthenics, Knowledge Sharing

S ubject Outline Essays - Education, Euthenics, Knowledge Sharing S ubject Outline Subject Name : Financial Institutions and Markets Subject Code: BX2032 . Study Period: SP 5 2 , 201 7 Study Mode: Internal Campus: Singapore Subject Coordinator: M r Richard Kent Subject Lecturer : D r T Y Thong Pre-requisites: BU 1003 https://secure.jcu.edu.au/app/studyfinder/?subject=BU1003 OR EC 1005 https://secure.jcu.edu.au/app/studyfinder/index.cfm?subject=EC1005year=2010 EC 1001 https://secure.jcu.edu.au/app/studyfinder/index.cfm This subject outline has been prepared by Dr Ray McNamara for the College of Business, Law and Governance , Division of Tropical Environments and Societies , James Cook University. Updated DATE \@ "d MMMM yyyy" \* MERGEFORMAT 14 July 2017 . Q1. This subject is offered across more than one campus and/or mode and/or teaching period within the one calendar year . Yes FORMCHECKBOX No FORMCHECKBOX Q2. If yes [Q1], the design of all offerings of this subject ensure the same learning outcomes and assessment types and weighting s . Yes FORMCHECKBOX No FORMCHECKBOX Q3. If no [Q2], _________________________ has authorised any variations , in terms of equivalence . Copyright 201 4 This publication is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism, or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process or placed in computer memory without written permission. Contents TOC \h \z \t "Head 1,1,Head 2,2" Section 1. Subject at a Glance PAGEREF _Toc398277663 \h 4 1.1 Staff contact details PAGEREF _Toc398277664 \h 4 1.2 Student participation requirements PAGEREF _Toc398277665 \h 4 1.3 Key dates PAGEREF _Toc398277666 \h 5 Section 2. Subject Details PAGEREF _Toc398277667 \h 5 2.1 Subject description PAGEREF _Toc398277668 \h 5 2.2 Subject and course learning outcomes PAGEREF _Toc398277669 \h 5 2.3 Learning and teaching in this subject PAGEREF _Toc398277670 \h 6 2.4 Student feedback on subject PAGEREF _Toc398277671 \h 6 2.5 Subject resources and special requirements PAGEREF _Toc398277672 \h 6 Section 3. Assessment Details PAGEREF _Toc398277673 \h 7 3.1 Requirements for completion of subject PAGEREF _Toc398277674 \h 7 3.2 Feedback on student learning PAGEREF _Toc398277676 \h 7 3.3 Assessment Tasks PAGEREF _Toc398277677 \h 7 Section 4. Other Information about Assessment and Student Support PAGEREF _Toc398277678 \h 10 4.1 Submission and return of assessment PAGEREF _Toc398277679 \h 10 4.2 Plagiarism and referencing PAGEREF _Toc398277680 \h 10 4.3 Important advice relating to examinations PAGEREF _Toc398277681 \h 10 4.4 Student support PAGEREF _Toc398277682 \h 10 Section 5. Subject Calendar PAGEREF _Toc398277683 \h 12 Section 6. Assessment Criteria Sheets (Rubric) PAGEREF _Toc398277684 \h 12 Section 1. Subject at a Glance The following summary provides a quick reference to the most important aspects of this subject. Please ensure that you have read the entire subject guide in full. 1.1 Staff contact details The following staff members are responsible for the preparation or delivery of this subject. Please contact the relevant staff member if you have any concerns during the study period. Teaching team Staff member Room Phone# Email Consultation times* Subject Coordinator Mr Richard Kent [emailprotected] Lecturer Dr T Y Thong C03-01 +65 6709 3725 [emailprotected] By appointment Tutor Dr T Y Thong C03-01 +65 6709 3725 [emailprotected] *Other consultation times by appointment only. # other contact modes - Skype address 1.2 Student participation requirements The JCU Learning, Teaching and Assessment Policy (4.3) indicates that, "a 3 credit point subject will require a 130 hour work load of study-related participation (including class attendance) over the duration of the study period, irrespective of mode of delivery". This work load comprises timetabled hours and other attendance requirements, as well as personal study hours, including completion of assessment requirements. Note that "attendance at specified classes may be a mandatory requirement for satisfactory completion of some subjects" (Learning, Teaching and Assessment Policy, 5.9); and that additional hours may be required per week for those students in need of English language, numeracy or other learning support. For external mode, there will be a minimum of four (4) online tutorial sessions for this subject. These will be conducted using Collaborate' in LearnJCU. It is highly recommended that you attend these sessions. How these sessions are run is largely dependent upon the attendance and participation of external students. The content of these sessions will focus on the questions selected by the subject coordinator and any other problems students may be facing. Potential, dates, times and class activities will be discussed via the LearnJCU bulletin board once semester commences prior to each

Construction Legislation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Construction Legislation - Essay Example The firm is also responsible for drawing up contracts bids. The company should also draws tender documents in relation to construction and development of this project. Part one 1.1 Consultancy Legal Documentation This part involves presenting all the legal documents necessary in project management. This will protect the project manager or the consultancy firm that is the playing the role of project management. The first document is a contract document between the company offering project management and the client. This is a show of evidence that these parties are in a contractual agreement to work together. They will protect the project manager or the firm when the client fails to meet the firm’s requirement in the course of the project. Another important document is the budget. This ensures that the project is within the set limits. This document empowers the project manager to know when to add funds or reduce them in any phase of the project. The budget provides the project manager with knowledge about every phase of the project. This helps the project manager to know the amount to be spent in a given phase of the project. It also notifies him or her, the room available for adjustments. The budget also helps the project manager to know the amount of time to spend in a given task so as to ensure the project completes before the given threshold (Ritz, 1994). Another important document to protect project management firm is the bid documents. The bid process should be competitive this is evidence that the firm advertised and carried out the bidding process in a competitive and a fair manner. This will protect and promote the company’s reputation towards the public and other stakeholders in the construction industry. This shows the client the company is of high integrity and is open in its dealings. This will protect the firm against any company or individual who challenges the bidding process of the project. Certificate of registration is another do cument that the consultancy firm can use to protect itself. The certification is a clear demonstration that the company is approved by the necessary departments to carry out activities such project management amongst other. This will avoid problems with local authorities. The certification also shows the company’s experience in handling such matters. The project manager should also be in possession of contract documents between the client and subcontractors. This will help the project manager to know the position to take in making crucial decisions that affect the project. It will also help him to advice the client in a situation when the sub contractors do not deliver the desired results as the contract agreements. They should also possess the insurance certificates. This is to ensure that the main contractor and other sub contractors insure their workers. This will help to solve cases of injury and medical bills. The project manager should ensure the client has insured the whole construction process to avoid delaying of the project (Kerzner, 2009). 1.2 Procurement options This part presents the methods of use during the construction of the project. The option depends on the dimension, nature and complication of the project. The first procurement option is the traditional or construct only. The method entails that both design and construction be procured separately to different companies. This is done as per the project specifications. The services are outsourced. The advantages that come with this

Who has the Control over the Use of Euthanasia Essay

Who has the Control over the Use of Euthanasia - Essay Example In some states, there have been legislations that have been passed while others have been rejected overwhelmingly by the majority of the people. Such are the issues that surround this medical way of alleviating pain which has been used since time immemorial (Appel 610). As people continue to worry about active or passive euthanasia, medical practitioners, on the other hand, have a hard time deciding which method to use as they are morally obligated to ensure that people regain their health. However, if the medication process is not relevant to them, should they not end it to avoid suffering? If so, who should make the call? No particular answer has been found as the most endearing and most considerate though some argue that both voluntary and non-voluntary euthanasia should be offered (Appel 615). The only difference is how long the patient takes before they succumb to their ailment and who is available to make the decision. Others argue that these provisions are wrong from a persona l dignity point of view. A clear consensus, though hard to come by for the past two centuries, should be sought and clarification on the issue of control given to ease pain and reduce needless suffering amongst fatally ill patients. The current law states that mercy killing or euthanasia is tantamount to homicide. The judicial system defines homicide as any type of intervention that is taken with an intention expressly aimed at ending life, whether it is to retrieve intractable disease or not. From this, one can learn that anything done to ease the pain of a dying person, whether they consent or not is unlawful and shall be treated as criminal offence (Smartt 105; Tulloch 64). From these stands taken by the law and the judicial system, euthanasia cannot be used at all unless legislation is passed to permit it. These events have shaped the way doctors react to cries by patients in anguish as they cannot risk being jailed for homicide or any other unlawful conduct (Dowbiggin 23). This is not fair at all. If suicide is a personal decision, why do they not accept euthanasia as one too? They should weigh this and allow people to have less suffering and since they have very short time to live, should be allowed to end their suffering in advance. There is no documented benefit of people suffering for six months and then die whereas they could have reduced the costs that will be transferred to the relatives (Annas 1239). This shows that the dispute of who is expected to control their death cannot be left to the doctors, the individual in question and neither can the state offer protection against suffering. However, it is crucial to understand that the word was coined as a means of encouraging painless and happy death that would be left to the physician. It was their responsibility to alleviate such pain. However, the area of bioethics has done considerable research on this area, and this has further complicated issues. There is a need, therefore, for the solution of this issue to be forthcoming. People suffering from chronic diseases and are in their final stages of these ailments should be aided to pass on peacefully. Though religious people argue that God is the only one with the power over death, it is imperative to understand that no religion spreads pain and suffering as a way of entering eternity. Even the suffering of Christ on the cross may not be compared to an invalid waiting for death for six months just because they cannot control their own death (Dowbiggin 27). It will ease their pain and allow the physicians to be responsible for other people. The relatives will also have a chance to rest and use the resources on other deserving

Reaction Paper to Movie Hoop Dreams Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Reaction Paper to Hoop Dreams - Movie Review Example This is seen in the movie as it entails the story of two high school students In Chicago who had a dream of becoming professional basketball players. The two African American teenagers; Arthur Agree and William Gate, studied in a white, Roman Catholic high school called St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Illinois after being recruited by the schools’ scout (Joravsky, 1996). Despite the economic adversity, long hours commuting, change in environment and difficult training, Agree and Gates worked very hard to enhance their basketball skills despite the competitive industry in the job. Their families also played an important role in supporting them with the school basketball program. In the film we get to see Americas’ present view of education, race, economic diversity, social class and values. William Gates of the two students is obsessed to play in the National Basketball Association. Four years down the line William Gates progresses to the Nike All-America basketba ll camp. During the camp one of the coaches, Mr. Lee, informs them that the only reason they were in the camp was to make their schools win and make a lot of money. At the camp, the college coaches tended to overlook high school players. This reveals the relentless procedure in which coaches and recruiting scouts neglect to recognize such people like Arthur Agree and William Gates. The life of the two students seemed to be opening up smoothly where William is aiming for a stunning college career as well as the pro basketball view whereas; Arthur Agree seems to progress downwards. The two are engaged into a system that is not ready to take them in easily (Joravsky, 1996). The film was also used as a tool to express the social issue in the American community which it achieves and puts in even more important questions. It also portrays how money affected the society as well as major institutions, for example in the case scenario where ‘coach Lee’ gives advice to Arthur Agr ee and William Gates that everything they were getting involved was at it about money and even quoted; â€Å"the whole thing is about money† and tried to explain how they were being used by the school so that it would win and make a lot of money. He even went to further to tell them that, the only way that people like them, people from the poor black neighborhood, would defend themselves as well as their interests from such situation, was through being aware of the fact that it was not just about playing basketball but everything was revolving around money (Joravsky, 1996). Arthur Agree lived with his parents who broke up but later made u and were back together after Arthur’s father had a drug problem (crack) but managed to get over it. They lived in the Cabrini-Green housing project, whereas; William Gates lived with his single mother and his older brother called Curtis who had missed out on his own basketball career in college but didn’t give up but rather inv ested his dreams in his younger brother William Gates. He had so much trust in his small brother such trust in his younger brother such that he even made a comment saying he does not see how the brother, William Gates was not

International Market Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

International Market Research - Essay Example Along with that, the interactive setting can help the moderator focus on the non verbal aspects of the participants, i.e., the expression, attitude of the individual etc, which can help in giving clearer insight of the participants’ beliefs. Also, the possibility of screening each participant lets the researcher know who is involved in the discussion process, e.g., a competitor maybe. In our case, if the majority of our participants are the buyers, it can help us gain a better understanding as to what their demands and hence, queries entail(Patton, 1990). The observation method of conducting research is developed to observe individuals in their natural setting. There can be participant and non- participant observations. This method helps in overcoming issues of validity. It also helps in covering those areas which are not easily accessible through means of speech communication, for example, when an individual isn’t cooperating in disclosing certain information. Observat ions can also help researchers in studying trends of a particular market in great detail and how the attitudes of the buyers are affecting those trends.

Personal Motto Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Personal Motto - Essay Example Although drawing inspiration from a fantasy film may be somewhat strange, my personal motto has been heavily influenced by the film â€Å"Sucker Punch†. Although the film’s message and even plot line are somewhat substandard and not overly engaging, there was a line that was delivered within the film that has greatly influenced my personal motto and made a very large impact upon the way in which I integrate with life and view my own personal stance towards issues both great and small. As such, the line is as follows: â€Å"If you don’t stand for something – you will for anything†. Due to the relative simplicity of this quote, it cannot be fully attributed to the writers of the film and ultimately traces its origins as far back as Alexander Hamilton who said the following: â€Å"Those who do not stand for anything, fall for everything† (Wolf 155). As a function of the underlying truth that this denotes, it is not surprising that this type of t hought process has been explicated at various points throughout history. As a personal motto, this has helped me to realize the importance of choosing a firm and definitive stance on key issues as well as seeking to self-analyze with regards to many situations that I might otherwise take for granted. Although many mottos are designed as a means of cheering one up with regards to the otherwise mundane or seemingly hopeless nature of life at times, this particular motto is able to engage in me a sense of moral determinacy and ethical strength in situations that others might merely accept at face value. It is important to note within the context of this particular motto that this is not used to define and divide each and every situation that this author integrates with on a strictly black and white basis of ethics or morality; rather, it is used as a rubric for determining which instances demand a firm stance on the issues and an analysis of all of the factors involved and which do not. By seeking to differentiate key components of ideas based upon their ind ividual merit, it is possible for the individual to seek to better integrate with the underlying truth or fallacy that a given concept or approach denotes. In such a way, one can separate fact from fiction and attempt to engage an issue that is partly right or partly wrong rather than merely rejecting it out of hand or accepting it wholesale. With regards to which of the chapter of the text most definitively relate to the motto that has been chosen, it is the belief of this author that the chapters which most closely integrate with the motto include the following: self-awareness as well as goals and obstacles. By analyzing beliefs within the framework of this particular motto, it is possible for me to come away with a much clearer view of what is important and on what aspects of belief and principle it is possible to engage with. Similarly, with respect to goals and obstacles, such a motto allows for the author to view a situation from the core of its meaning and separate a situatio n based upon the obstacles to understanding, morality, ethics, and practice that it represents. As a function of such an interpretation framework, it is possible to then formulate one’s goals in a much more expeditious manner and engage life with a more complete understanding of situations than one could if they merely accepted them at face value or within the framework of how others have accepted them within the past or present. Although it is not the belief of this author that the motto which has been enumerated upon is the be all and end all of ways to interpret reality, it has been highly beneficial with regards to being able to delve deeper into key situations and observe the component parts of an argument or way of life that would otherwise not be considered. At the risk of intellectual arrogance, such an approach is also beneficial from the perspective of an individual who is natural skeptical by nature and seeks to understand the level to which information is

Planning Strategic Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Planning Strategic Change - Essay Example This paper illustrates that in every organization there is a need for change to be made to ensure continuous quality leadership. According to Kotter, change model can be created in steps; the first step is creating urgency. A change will only help when it is required with the organization as a whole. Creating urgency can help ignite motivation for things to move. Secondly, an organization needs to create a powerful coalition. In this step, the company has to show the necessity of change through leading by an example. The company needs to bring together a team or coalition of persons whose powers are derived from status, job title political importance and expertise. This will ensure a mix of personnel from different levels and departments in your organization. Another step for change model is creating changes in your vision. The company needs to create a vision that people can remember and understand easily. Hence, the company needs to ensure that the central values to change are dete rmined, the visual speech is practiced often and a brief summary is developed to capture the organizations future. The fourth step is frequent communication of the vision; the organization should talk about the vision every moment available. The vision should be used daily to solve problems and make decisions in order to refresh it in people’s minds. In addition, the organization needs to apply the vision in its operations in also to lead by example. In step five, the organization needs to remove the obstacles; removing obstacles empowers the individuals required to execute the vision and propel the change forward. The organization should, therefore, identify individuals resistant to change and brief them on what is required, check on the job description, performance, compensation system and organizational structure to ensure they tally with the vision. Lastly, an organization also needs to identify and reward those that are championing for change. Creation of short-term wins is another step that organizations need to look into.

International Market Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

International Market Research - Essay Example Along with that, the interactive setting can help the moderator focus on the non verbal aspects of the participants, i.e., the expression, attitude of the individual etc, which can help in giving clearer insight of the participants’ beliefs. Also, the possibility of screening each participant lets the researcher know who is involved in the discussion process, e.g., a competitor maybe. In our case, if the majority of our participants are the buyers, it can help us gain a better understanding as to what their demands and hence, queries entail(Patton, 1990). The observation method of conducting research is developed to observe individuals in their natural setting. There can be participant and non- participant observations. This method helps in overcoming issues of validity. It also helps in covering those areas which are not easily accessible through means of speech communication, for example, when an individual isn’t cooperating in disclosing certain information. Observat ions can also help researchers in studying trends of a particular market in great detail and how the attitudes of the buyers are affecting those trends.

Planning Strategic Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Planning Strategic Change - Essay Example This paper illustrates that in every organization there is a need for change to be made to ensure continuous quality leadership. According to Kotter, change model can be created in steps; the first step is creating urgency. A change will only help when it is required with the organization as a whole. Creating urgency can help ignite motivation for things to move. Secondly, an organization needs to create a powerful coalition. In this step, the company has to show the necessity of change through leading by an example. The company needs to bring together a team or coalition of persons whose powers are derived from status, job title political importance and expertise. This will ensure a mix of personnel from different levels and departments in your organization. Another step for change model is creating changes in your vision. The company needs to create a vision that people can remember and understand easily. Hence, the company needs to ensure that the central values to change are dete rmined, the visual speech is practiced often and a brief summary is developed to capture the organizations future. The fourth step is frequent communication of the vision; the organization should talk about the vision every moment available. The vision should be used daily to solve problems and make decisions in order to refresh it in people’s minds. In addition, the organization needs to apply the vision in its operations in also to lead by example. In step five, the organization needs to remove the obstacles; removing obstacles empowers the individuals required to execute the vision and propel the change forward. The organization should, therefore, identify individuals resistant to change and brief them on what is required, check on the job description, performance, compensation system and organizational structure to ensure they tally with the vision. Lastly, an organization also needs to identify and reward those that are championing for change. Creation of short-term wins is another step that organizations need to look into.

Comparison Between Two Paintings Essay Example for Free

Comparison Between Two Paintings Essay During the 14th century, when the beginning of the Renaissance took place, Florence was one of the main political, economic, and artistic cities in Europe. The Black Death, the plague that reduced the population of Florence, and the difficulties Florence encountered by this time explain the heavy influence of gothic style in architecture and the elegance found in every artwork created in this era. Florence was one of the top European cities when it came to painting, because it had the greatest school of painting where many important artists assisted. Florence, throughout the years, has always been an important influence in history and art. Even though many artists have a vast aspiration for art, each artist possesses his own criteria and methods that they acquired during the time in which they lived. Artists in Italy from the 1400s throughout 1900s shared many common techniques and skills that were characterized by their era. This period brings a new perspective of life to the European countries in the early fourteenth-century. By this time, people in Italy thought that a new and contemporary era had begun with a new style in painting and architecture and a new evolution in music, science, philosophy, and literature as well. Lorenzo di Credi, is an Italian painter who belonged to the Renaissance period of the 1400s. Lorenzo di Credi, who lived in Florence, was learning about this new era that had a huge impact in everyone’s life. This new era had an advanced development in society and a rise of civic culture. A new sense of realism in art, new discoveries in the material world, and new more joyous vision of the world around them were taking place during the era. The Renaissance influenced the social, economic, spiritual, scientific, and religious aspect of Italy. Lorenzo, who started to have a special interest in art when he was in Florence by the 1450s, was already starting to produce his own paintings. When Lorenzo started his vocation as an artist, he always had a special interest in portraits. â€Å"He is known primarily for his devotional paintings, although he was also much in demand as a portrait painter and was a sensitive draughtsman. † Lorenzo also started painting in oil, which was a new technique that arose in the Renaissance period. This new technique was usually painted in wood or canvas. Oil has a deep, intense tone and has hard, enamel-like surfaces. With oil, painters could also demonstrate the glowing and the light and, if needed, they could arrange any possible mistake or part they wanted to change because oil dries very slowly. This technique is not easy to adapt and adjust, but this did not keep Lorenzo from painting with it. â€Å"It is not known how oil painting was first developed, but in Western Europe there are indications of its use from at least the 12th century AD, and it was widely used from the Renaissance. Oil was also very popular because with it, artists could produce the finest clarity of colour. Artists manipulate the oil using stiff brushes made out of hog hair. Lorenzo was recognized for possessing patience when working in his paintings, he did not only use oil, he also adapted other methods of painting that required a lot of skill. A perfect example of a famous artwork of Lorenzo di Credi is Portrait of a Young Women. In the Renaissance, women were not lucky to live in Florence if they wanted to be involved in society. Woman by this era were just a subject of men. The Portrait of a Young Women exhibits a widow woman. When looking at the painting, one can find a variety of characteristics that lead the viewers to think her husband has died. In the Renaissance era women in Italy dressed very elegantly, wearing long gowns with baggy and loose fitting dresses. Woman used to wear very complex fabrics that covered their entire body. Wool was usually the dominant fabric woman in Italy used to wear in different types of quality and colors. This young woman in the painting is wearing a long, simple black dress with long sleeves and a black veil on the head. The dress may not seem extravagant because she is dressed as a widow. The dress does not contain any important detail, but stills looks elegant. Besides her clothing, her appearance does not demonstrate a positive one. The look on her face and the body language the painting resembles has a negative connotation. It is said that this woman was Lorenzo di Credi’s sister-in-law. She is also holding a ring in her left hand, which one can assume is her wedding ring. The way she holds and places her hands leads the viewer to think she is thinking about him, she is recalling him. The look on her face, her eyes, nose, and mouth are all-static, they don’t have any positive expression. When looking at the eyes, one cannot tell where she is looking at. One may think Lorenzo was imitating Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting Mona Lisa. It is said that Lorenzo admired and followed Leonardo’s paintings. When looking at Lorenzo’s paining, one can relate with her because of the rigorousness body. Her hands and her face are painted with in an accurate manner. Lorenzo’s skills are perfectly demonstrated in this painting, one can see the shadows all over he painting and the different tones of colors he uses in his work. The young woman’s body is so realistic that one can even see the perfect nails and the wrinkles in her hands. Behind the widow woman is a beautiful garden and an enjoyable view. The background contains many details in the tress, especially in the leaves. The background incorporates the mountains and the sky with a variety of tones of blues and greens. The tree behind the woman is painted in a circular way looking like a halo, which can resemble an image of the Virgin Mary. Her face looks calm and docile, which can also be associated with the Virgin Mary. After analyzing Portrait of a Young Woman from the 15th century, one is going to encounter a whole new perspective of life with new techniques and characteristics in a painter from the 20th century even though both artists are Italian. This Italian artist, Umberto Boccioni, was not only a painter; he was also involved with sculptures, theories, and literature. Even though his career came to an end very fast when he died at a young age, he still influenced many artist around the world and had a very productive career. Boccioni was from the Italian city of Verona, but he spent the majority of his childhood in Forli, Genoa, and Padua. It is not until he moves to Rome that he found his passion for art. Boccioni, inspired by Balla, relates himself a lot with landscapes and nature. â€Å"In his first years of activity, closely following his master’s teaching, Boccioni produced oil paintings, sketches, pastels, studies in tempera, and advertising posters. † After several years he went to Paris where he got inspired by the modernity and the French metropolis, which impacted his life and his work in many ways. Boccioni was leaving in a new era were the Futurism, art movement, was taking place. The Futurism movement had a great influence in his artwork; it later became a distinguished characteristic in all of his paintings and his career as an artist. He established this movement, so by demonstrating his painting with this new movement, he also inspired other artists to follow the Futurism. Self-Portrait was painted in Rome in the 1905 when Boccioni was twenty-three years old. In Boccioni’s famous painting, one can see Umberto Boccioni well dressed in black also with a black, flat hat on his head. The painting does not show the body’s parts with clarity and the painting only covers less than half of his body. The way Boccioni paints himself is in a more modern manner using vivid colors in the background and in his face. This portrait is also painted with oil, but this time on a canvas instead of wool. Oil on canvas was the other method artist used in the 1400s, but still was popular in the 20th century. One can see that oil became an important gadget for artists in their paintings and is still currently in use by many artists at the present time. Boccioni’s painting, Self-Portrait, reflects a change in style from light tonalities in colors to stronger contrasts of light and dark. With the way Boccioni applies the oil in this painting, one can see that the body itself is not well defined because of the longer brushstrokes. His face has a deep, serious look with his eyebrows twisted even though his black, little eyes are almost close. At the background, one can see a wall with different tone of yellow, baby blue, and the leaves of a tree. One can see that Boccioni avoided the straight line and has used complementary colors to create a vibrant effect and express a positive connotation in his portrait. Now, one can see that even though both artists are Italian, they still have very different styles; they both have different perspectives of life because of different periods the lived in. Although they both have very different techniques, one can still find some characteristics that relate them and connect their paintings. Di Credi shows a more complex, divine, almost perfect human being while Boccioni portraits himself in a more modern manner. Both paintings are portraits; yet, one can find a lot of distinction between the two of them. While the young woman shows a negative connotation, Boccioni’s self portrait shows a lively man with vivid colors that gets the viewer’s attention immediately. Both artists found a way of establishing a human body in different styles using different methods with the brushes. Another difference in the way these two artists painted is that with di Credi’s painting one can see when he exactly ends in the edges. One can see that the young woman seems real, while Boccioni’s portrait has more shadows. In Boccioni’s painting is more noticeable the use of brushes than in di Credi’s young woman. Usually, each artist demonstrates his feelings in their paintings; or shows a current event happening in the artist’s era. Or they just produce something that has impact their life or them in any certain way. Zeitgeist , â€Å"spirit of the times† can be related with theses two artists and their paintings because both are presenting their passion for art in the epoch in which they are living. All artworks are a reflection of the time. By analyzing and comparing these two paintings, one can find many interesting aspects of art. Art is more than a painting; art is a history behind an artwork that each artist is trying to evoke in every viewer. Art is using one’s creativeness to transmit one’s thoughts. One can appreciate more the Art when learning the â€Å"spirit of the time†; one can comprehend the artist’s emotions by analyzing every single detail in the artwork and the historical background of it. It is beyond belief how many details one can find when observing in detail each painting; one can find intriguing how every artist was impacted and influenced by the political, economical and historical aspect of their own country. The techniques, skills, and styles di Credi and Boccioni possessed are still influencing other artist nowadays. Their artworks will always be recognizable and distinguishable to people because art will never be forgotten. As centuries go by, one will still see these two artists dominating, impacting, and influencing new artists and viewers.