Pythagorean Quadratic Essay Example for Free

Pythagorean Quadratic Essay The Pythagorean Theorem was termed after Pythagoras, who was a well-known Greek philosopher and mathematician, and the Pythagorean Theorem is one of the first theorems identified in ancient civilizations. â€Å"The Pythagorean theorem says that in any right triangle the sum of the squares of the lengths of the legs is equal to the square of the length of the hypotenuse† (Dugopolski, 2012, p. 366 para. 8). For this reason, many builders from various times throughout history have used this theorem to assure that their foundations were laid out with right angles. In this assignment, we will use the example of locating a treasure using two different treasure maps as the two points needed to determine how many paces it will take to find the exact location to start digging for treasure. For this assignment, we are given instructions to solve problem number 98 from page 371 in Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, which states that Ahmed’s treasure map specifies that the treasure can be found 2x +6 steps from Castle Rock and Vanessa’s half indicates to walk x steps heading north, then 2x + 4 steps toward the east (Dugopolski, 2012). We need use the Pythagorean Theorem to figure out what variable x would be if they were to work together and combine their information. The Pythagorean Theorem indicates that a right triangle has legs with the length of a and b and the longest side of the triangle, the hypotenuse, as the length of c. Thus, the relationship with these lengths is the short equation of a2 + b2 = c2 The issue now is that one of the answers is extraneous, because it does not satisfy this specific scenario. The reason for this is that logically we would not take negative steps to reach a certain point or in a geometric situation, we cannot move a negative distance (Dugopolski, 2012). This means that -2 will not work for this equation, so the only answer we are left with is x = 10 paces. In summary, Vanessa’s portion of the map tells us that the treasure is located 10 paces north and 2x + 4 = 2(10) + 4= 24 paces east of Castle Rock. While Ahmed’s map tells us to take 2x + 6 = 2(10) + 6= 26 paces heading directly towards the rock. The Pythagorean Theorem is a very useful tool when we have a right-angled triangle and know the lengths of at least two sides, because it enables us to determine the length of the third side. On television, many of us have seen how important determining the trajectory of a bullet is to a crime scene, so it would be extremely critical to understand this theorem if your career was as a crime scene investigators. Another career that uses this theorem is an architect who would use this for a home’s triangular rooftop. One of the more commonly every day uses is with navigation, although many of us simply rely on our navigational systems, we could still pinpoint our location if we have two points to start with. ? Reference Dugopolski, M. (2012). Elementary and Intermediate Algebra (4th ed. ). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Publishing.

The Singapore An Aging Population Economics Essay

The Singapore An Aging Population Economics Essay Ageing is the accumulation of physical, physiological and social changes in a person over time. It is a phenomenon that every individual is bound to experience. Therefore, it is only natural for one to hope to live in a society that respects, supports and caters to various needs of the elderly. Today, governments around the world are facing the tough challenge of providing adequate healthcare and housing for the elderly. Due to the possible ineffective allocation of funds or the lack of concern for its elderly citizens by the government, there is a possibility that a large proportion of the aged are neglected and are left scrounging for basic necessities while struggling with myriad health issues associated with age. Singapore currently has one of the fastest growing economies in the world. However, it also has an extremely low birth rate and an appallingly high rate of ageing. Approximately 10% of the population of 5 million is aged over 65. This figure will increase to about 25% by the year 2020. With such shocking statistics, many questions come to mind. A young man may worry about how he will find the means to support his elderly parents as well as his own family.   A woman close to retirement may be concerned about her future and wonder whether she would have to perform menial jobs to make ends meet. It is the duty of any government to give priority to the needs and demands of its citizens and take steps to address them. Thus, Singapores Government has to formulate policies that address the possible problems of an aging population and take preventive measures to counter the same. Stakeholders Involved Before attempting to solve the problems of Singapores aging population, it is critical to identify the stakeholders involved. By studying the effects of an ageing population on these stakeholders, the potentially negative effects of this issue can be mitigated, and future problems can be anticipated. Especially with the ever-changing social demographics and economic conditions, the inter-connectedness of the pressure which an aging population would exert on our country as a whole should not be underestimated, especially during the phase when identified secondary social stakeholders transit to primary social stakeholders. Primary stakeholders include: 1) Senior citizens Senior citizens are the very group of people to experience the most impact as their well-being is at stake. General concerns for these group of stakeholders include: Would the future generations be able to support the increasing proportion of senior citizens? Are infrastructure and public services elderly-friendly? Will the Singapore Government introduce more schemes and policies aimed at improving the situation? 2) Working Singaporeans As an ageing population increases demand for healthcare and other services, the financial pressure on Singaporeans rises too as the taxes they contribute to support these services increases. This decreases the income they bring home and directly affects their spending power. 3) Singapore Government With a shrinking workforce, a drop in the economic growth rate is inevitable. The government is responsible for the introduction of suitable policies to contain the situation. Besides, the government has to ensure that Singaporeans adopt an optimistic view on the matter and create nation-wide awareness on the impacts of an ageing population. Secondary stakeholders include: 1) Future generations Currently, the implications of an ageing population have yet to fully present themselves and the Singapore Government is absorbing most of the effects at current situation. However, if statistical studies prove right and the proportion of senior citizens to working Singaporeans increases, the effects would be more severe and Singaporeans would have to share the burden of supporting the ageing population in later years. Therefore, our future generations will also face the same negative effects of the ageing population that current Singaporeans face. 2) Businesses As Singapores population is growing older, there will be a relatively fewer number of people in the working sector. Businesses and organisations will be affected by the lack of young and skilled workers. As a result, additional funds may have to be spent on trainings to help the older workers master new skills. Furthermore, due to higher taxes burden on households,   purchasing power of individuals will decrease significantly. This will eventually affect the growth of businesses. The secondary stakeholders neither directly affected nor involved in the problem. Future generations have yet to be affected by the problem of ageing. When the situation worsens in future, our descendants will have to support their elders and will also be affected by higher taxes. They will subsequently become primary stakeholders. As we can see, large sections of the society are affected by this issue and will continue to be affected by the continuous increase of ageing population. Hence, immediate steps have to be taken in order to minimize the damages caused by this issue. Figure 1 (insert) The Implications Of An Aging Population Singapore has one of the highest proportions of elderly citizens in the world, and second only to Japan in South East Asia. (Suan Ee Ong, 2010). http://www.singstat.gov.sg/pubn/reference/sif2012.pdf 1. Society The Declining Standards of an Individuals Health Research suggests that as individuals age, they are increasingly prone to numerous health risks. The risk of malnutrition heightens with age with 3 in 10 elderly at high risk. (http://www.asicluster3.com/blog_self/index.php?page=viewentryid=133)   As a person ages, problems like diabetes or parkinsons sets in, along with dietary restrictions. One can also expect an overall deteriorating quality of physical health. For instance, psychomotor skills deteriorate, resulting in stifled physical independence.   Osteoporosis, a disease in which causes the bones to become less dense affects large numbers of our elderly. Additionally, mental health starts deteriorating with the onset of illnesses like dementia and depression. As one ages, quality of health will undoubtedly follows a downward trend. Coupled with an increasing number of citizens aged 65 and above. this leads to a decrease in the standard of health over a period of time. This would in turn give rise to new industries and businesses revolving around health care, with niche specialisations in care for the aged. It is important for the society   to provide services that target the aged. Moreover, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that not all of   the aged will be in need of health care services if society helped them lead an active lifestyle. Therefore, the population growth forecasted in future years, urban economic countries will lack the appeal to attract immigrants. (Kresl, Peter Karl Letri, Daniele (2010)) Being a small country with low birth rate, Singapore may face some challenges in attracting foreign talent to our city in future. Therefore, our society may face difficulties in employing a sufficiently skilled workforce to maximise output. Effects On Future Generations As the population ages, there will be an increasing demand for goods and services in the healthcare sector. A governments duty is to serve its people, and society as a whole would expect basic health care services to be provided. Consequently, there will be   increased pressure on the government to provide for health care. Monetary costs would be incurred and would be passed on to society in the form of increased taxes. With the dismal birth rates we see today (1.22 births per woman in 2011, down from 1.83 in 1990), tax burdens on future generations (who will then become primary social stakeholders) will only increase as time goes by. (Department of Statistics Singapore. (2012)) There is an inverse relationship between the dependency ratio (percentage of the population who are too old or too young to work) and birth rate of a country. Naturally, an increasing dependency ratio can be attributed   to a declining birth rate.   If the birth rate continues to stagnate or drop, the dependency ratio would only increase at a faster rate in the future. This translates into a heavier burden on the working population to maintain economic growth and to provide for dependent citizens. The Reverence of The Silver Generation to Society It is evident that the elderly exert a major influence on our social fabric. They carry with them the cultures, traditions and values that make our country what it is today. The hard work and time that they put in to raise educated, motivated and refined citizens of this generation is the reason why our country has reached this level of success. As the saying goes, with time comes wisdom. Therefore, the silver generation is much revered, and as per asian cultures, due respect and care should be given to them. As the elderly before us have served the country by contributing to it in various aspects, Singapores government should have a sense of filial piety to them. Since the government is a primary social stakeholder involved in the issue of an ageing population, it has introduced many government initiatives to solve arising problems. Summing Up To handle the implications of an aging population, we should seek to improve elderly standards of living and encourage them to contribute to society even at an age past retirement. The government should also take up initiatives to help senior citizens fit in and continue to be part of the workforce even at a ripe old age. 2. Businesses Due to the rapid growth of an ageing population, there are certain issues that may arise. Productivity Issues In Organisations A large proportion of senior citizens in a population indicates a decline in size of a productive workforce.   According to the UNs latest biennial population forecast, the median age for all countries will rise from 29 to 38 years by 2050. (SOURCE) We may safely assume that the dependency ratio will increase dramatically over the next few decades. Organizations looking to expand productivity would be reluctant to hire older workers. Those following a profit maximising model opine that it would be more cost efficient to hire younger workers due to their higher productivity. Additionally, during periods of recession, more often than not, older workers are among the top few in the retrenchment list. However, this contrasts   the fact that older workers bring with them a plethora of experience and wisdom, which can only be gained over time.   Despite cost inefficiency, it is unfair to be against the notion of hiring of older workers. Singapores government foresaw these issues and implemented new legislations to curb age discrimination at the workplace. As of 1 Jan 2012, under the Retirement and Re-employment Act (RRA), the statutory retirement age was set at 62, and companies have to offer re-employment contracts to workers up to the age of 65. http://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices/employment-rights-conditions/retirement/Pages/retirement.aspx With these new initiatives, it can be seen that the government is indirectly engaging all business organisations through legislation. These businesses, which were once secondary social stakeholders, are now evolving into primary social stakeholders in this issue of an aging population. Increase In Demand For Health Care   Elderly-Specific Facilities Many countries, including Singapore, have been working towards providing better care, not just in clinics and hospitals, but also within the community and at home. To enhance accessibility for the elderly, the government has taken up many initiatives and projects to improve   living conditions for the elderly. For example, the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme implemented by Singapore government introduced slip-resistant bathrooms and even installed grab bars within flats. Other projects include life upgradation, building   of   barrier-free features such as ramps and the levelling of steps . In order to provide a more accessible healthcare services, the Singapore government has given more emphasis on home and community-based services, which include the expansion of social rehabilitative care places . More subsidies have also been introduced to support the poor and those from middle-income families.    The growing ageing   population has resulted in the growing demand for facilities and the expansion of subsidies which is putting great pressure on government. Government spending on health care is estimated to increase even further in the future   as more money is required to support new initiatives and expansion of the existing initiatives. There is also a need to hire more health professionals, for which more resources and funds are required. As a result, the allocation of the budget towards healthcare is expected to rise as related spending would increase to about twice by 2030. http://www.asiaone.com/Business/News/My+Money/Story/A1Story20080627-73309.html 3. Government Government policies not only have a positive impact on the lives of the elderly, but may also have a negative impact on businesses. Business owners may feel restricted by such employment policies and may decide to move out of Singapore. They may also stop supporting the government in the elections . The government relies heavily on taxes from small and large businesses for its sources of revenue. If these businesses were to change location or move out of Singapore due to restrictive policies, revenues would fall. A drop in revenue would mean that the government has less to spend on other facilities for its people. Furthermore, relocation of businesses would result in widespread loss of local jobs. The result is a higher dependency ratio, higher unemployment rate, less revenue for the government and the slowing down of the economy. Thus, the government should ensure that any policy related to ageing does not anger or upset the sentiments of various businesses and should keep in mind what is at stake. Summing Up Let us consider the repercussive chain of effects of aging population. Firstly the number of people in the workforce would drop, with a corresponding increase in the dependency ratio. This translates into a drop in output /productivity of individual businesses and the economy as a whole. As Singapores GDP is very dependant on both our import/export sectors and consumerism this could cause Singapores economy to go into a slowdown. One might argue that there would be an increase in the growth due to the consumption of more healthcare. However the drops in productivity would be greater than the increase in consumption of healthcare. Eventually, there will be an increased burden on the current workforce to maintain economic growth. Finally, if nothing is done, a vicious cycle commences, and future generations would find it increasingly difficult to provide for the previous generations and support the economy. (Picture Singapores indicator of ageing) Actions Taken By Singapores Government Singapores government recognises that the increase in the ageing population will lead to several consequences that will affect all sections of society, as well as the economy of the country. Hence, in order to support the older population, the government has put in place various policies and introduced new   schemes. In 2004, the government set up the Committee on Aging Issues. This committee comprised of   private and government representatives who came together to discuss issues related to ageing.   The recommendations for solutions related to these issues were presented in a report and were passed for implementation. They aimed at enhancing employability, improving healthcare facilities, promoting active lifestyles and financial independence. The government also aims at establishing concrete facts about our population and conducts frequent surveys to gauge the physical and mental health of seniors. It also identifies areas to improve the wellbeing of its citizens. (Reference: http://app1.mcys.gov.sg/Portals/0/Topic/Issues/EDGD/Brief%20on%20Ageing%20Population%20(Public).pdf) 1. Housing As seen from Figure 1 (Singapore: Indicators of Ageing), the proportion of Singaporeans aged 65 and above will significantly rise in the coming years. Hence, there is a need for the government to introduce schemes that provide adequate housing that caters to the needs of elderly such as their health, mobility and security, which is of utmost importance. Some schemes that the government introduced were the Multi-Generation Flats in 1987 and Granny Flats in 1991. However, they were not very well received. A more successful initiative was the implementation of Project LIFE ( Lift Improvement and Facilities Enhancement for Elderly). (Reference: http://asiaforum.tsaofoundation.org/pdfDownloads/Day1/D1_plenary/plenarySession_1/Housing%20developments%20for%20ageing%20population%20in%20Spore%20-%20yap%20chin%20beng.pdf) This proposal aims at creating lifts in Housing Development Board (HDB) flats so that every floor is serviced, for the convenience of the elderly and the handicapped. The government expects complete adoption of this plan in all HDB flats by 2014. In addition, integrated studio apartments were also incorporated into each housing block and came with spaces for social and communal gatherings. In the year 2011, the government introduced the idea of barrier-free housing environments which involved the building of handicap ramps and pathways to facilitate easy movement of wheelchairs. Therefore, continuous modification of housing landscapes aims at meeting the needs of citizens and to provide a comfortable shelter for each and every senior citizen. 2. Transport Public transport has also seen improvements and is somewhat more elder-friendly. In 2006, MRT stations were modified and made barrier free. Today, approximately forty percent of our buses are wheelchair accessible. 3. Encouraging re-employment Due to the negative impacts of ageing population on the workforce productivity, the government has seen the importance to tackle on this problem so as to sustain economic growth. Hence, the 2005 appointment of a Tripartite Committee (government, employers and trade union) on Employability of Older Workers by the Minister for Manpower addressed the issue by implementing several measures (Thang, L. (2011)). One of the measures is the the enactment of Retirement and Re-Employment Act (RRA) which was put into effect on 1 Jan 2012. The Tripartite Committee formed the Tripartite Implementation Workgroup to help employers carry out this initiative. In October 2007, the Tripartite Implementation Workgroup formed by the Tripartite Committee was to assist companies in the implementation of the re-employment measures. In order to further encourage the implementation of re-employment schemes for older workers, companies were given financial support of up to $400,000 for policies that were placed in line with the re-employment legislation. Workforce Development Agency also subsidized the re-training programmes that were put in place by employers. in addition, Continuing Education and Training (CET) master plan was launched in 2008 by the Ministry of Manpower to provide trainings for employees so that they will be equipped with skills that keep up with the pace of the fast-growing industries. While the government attempts to encourage re-employment of older workers, they have to ensure that younger employees and employers are willing to accept them. This is because older workers are generally perceived as unproductive and inflexible. Hence, measures have been put in place foster an age-friendly working environment. This is done by introducing national awards to acknowledge companies with the most progressive and unbiased practices. The Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (TAFEP) has also put in place many guidelines to advocate on fairness and to discourage discrimination of the old-aged employees. (Thang, L. (2011)) Hence, by encouraging the older employees to continue working, and   by changing mindsets to accept older workers, Singapores workforce and output can be maintained at the current level of integrity. The Tripartite Implementation Workgroup was a relative success as by February 2009, 706 unionized companies have committed to re employment while 4650 workers over age 62 were re-employed by the end of 2008. (Thang, L. (2011)) 4. Ensuring financial stability for the aged Due to the decreasing fertility rate in Singapore, there will be a heavier financial burden on the future generations, and it is possible that the older generation may not be financially independent. The Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) Scheme was introduced in 2007 to ensure that Singaporeans will have sufficient savings for their retirement. This scheme encourages the older workers who are earning low-paying salary to continue working so that they can accumulate more CPF savings.   In order to supplement higher take-home pay and reduced CPF rates, the Government began to give elderly workers part of the WIS in cash so that they can afford for their basic needs. (Reference:http://mycpf.cpf.gov.sg/Members/Gen-Info/Workfare.html) Furthermore, due to the increase in life expectancy, the government plans to increase the Minimum Sum Draw-Down age from 62 to 65 by the year 2018. There were also plans to introduce a longevity insurance scheme. This will ensure that CPF members can be assured of a basic income as long as they live. (Reference:http://app1.mcys.gov.sg/Portals/0/Summary/pressroom/03-2008.pdf) 5. Healthcare In face of the current trend that can be observed in Singapore, it is essential that healthcare services are improved to cater to the needs of the older population. Thus, the Ministry of Health introduced a Chronic Disease Management Programme which empowered physicians to adopt a holistic approach in the treatment of diseases. Furthermore, the ElderShield Scheme for the disabled was enhanced in 2007 to help increase affordability of medical services by paying $400 per month for up to 6 years. There was a 60% improvement from the previous scheme.    http://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/costs_and_financing/schemes_subsidies/ElderShield.html In addition, the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) are also conducting   a review of eldercare services aimed at bettering facilities such as daycare centres, rehabilitation centres and home help services . The concept of active ageing was developed by the European Commission in 2002. It brings forward the idea of higher retirement age and longer period of activity in the workforce. It has been proven that leading an active and directional life improves the overall well-being of an individual and helps keep illnesses and diseases at bay. Active ageing was introduced by the Singapore government in order to ensure self sufficiency of citizens after retirement. It established the Council for Third Age(C3A) in May 2007 to promote active ageing and fund community-based events related to active ageing. In addition, due to the increase in degenerative diseases that require expensive treatment, the concept of active ageing is gaining more importance. It is said that the cost of treatment for the older generation will cost two to three times more than that needed for the younger population. (Reference: http://www.asiaone.com/Health/News/Story/A1Story20071031-33327.html) What Does the Future Hold? Our population is ageing at a rate faster than in countries such as Australia, South Korea, UK and the USA. (ref first article in dropbox) . The number of citizens aged 65 and above will show a sevenfold increase by the year 2050. So what does this mean for our future? Firstly, our country will be more prone to external invasion. Presence of an ageing population is an indicator that our defense is weakening. We will have fewer young people to fill the ranks of the army, and fewer physically fit citizens to defend us in times of need. Our future and survival will be threatened. Secondly, economic growth will slow down. Singapore will no longer be seen as a hub of young, talented and competitive individuals by global MNCs. They may no longer want to invest and set up their offices here. Furthermore, with fewer individuals to pay income taxes, the government will have less money to spend on healthcare, infrastructure,etc. As a result, taxes will increase, leaving people less to spend on themselves and their family. The demand for healthcare services will rise, but will not be sufficiently subsidised by a government which does not have enough resources. Singapore is at the brink of entering a vicious cycle . If immediate short-term and long-term measures are not taken, we are bound to find ourselves moving backwards and reaching a rate of growth similar to what we had many decades ago. Our recommendations 1. Enhancing senior citizens value in the organization through empowerment In line with the re-employment policies the government has in place, we suggest that organizations create appointments and titles specially aimed at empowering senior citizens. They should ensure that   these creations are aligned with the capabilities of these senior citizens. Likewise, existing positions should   be modified according to their capabilities. The purpose of this   is to enhance their value and well-being in the workplace where they are often regarded as liabilities more than assets. With such initiatives, senior citizens will be able to perform better, with more flexibility and recognition within the organization. This also widens the operating structure of organizations, allowing for more variety of specialization. At the same time, organizations could tap into their experience and expertise, especially for crisis management and advisory roles. Even within the Singapore Cabinet, forefather Lee Kuan Yew is still actively involved in local politics at the age of 89 and the titles Minister Mentor and Senior Minister were specially created to continuously empower him. 2. Continuous active promotion of healthy aging from small communities Presently, Senior Citizens Executive Committees (SCECs) under the Peoples Association (PA), the largest senior citizens network in Singapore, organizes a wide variety of activities and courses aimed at enhancing senior citizens life experiences. They are usually conducted at a national level, and seldom reach out to the smaller communities. The government could engage Resident Committees (RCs) and Community Centres (CCs) in neighbourhoods to aid in promoting healthy aging. Subsidised or sponsored activities could be one alternative to attract senior citizens to actively exercise healthy aging. Constant awareness can be achieved through newsletters and pamphlets mailed to letterboxes. 3. Strengthening family ties It is important for our society to realise the value and importance of senior citizens. They should not be viewed as burdens; instead they should be seen as extraordinary citizens who brought us as well as our country to the position we are in today. Hence, it is expected that we, the younger generation, give them the deserved care and respect without any ulterior motive in mind. We feel that the indoctrination of these strong values should begin at a young age.   Special programmes should be introduced into schools in order to promote togetherness within the family. Children should be educated about the importance of elders in society and should be taught to always show them respect and kindness. The media can also play a role an important in this process by occasionally publishing articles that portray the elderly in a good light.

Classifications of Liquid Crystals

Classifications of Liquid Crystals 1. Introduction 1. Introduction to Liquid Crystals 1.1 Historical background Liquid crystals are a unique state of matter, between solid (crystalline) and liquid (isotropic) phases some compounds form a distinct, different intermediate phase, sometimes referred to as the â€Å"fourth state of matter† or â€Å"mesophase†. These compounds display properties of both solid and liquid. Anisotropic intermolecular interactions of the molecules, or mesogens, within a liquid crystalline material mean that the molecules possess some orientational or positional order but with a lower degree of organisation compared with a crystalline solid. This means liquid crystals possess liquid-like flowing behaviour, but because of their positional order, such compounds are often more viscous. Liquid crystals are attributed to their sensitivity to various stimuli, such as temperature, electric and magnetic fields. This sensitivity, combined with the self-assembling behaviour of liquid crystals make them extremely interesting and fascinating for chemists and physicists . Friedrich Reinitzer, a botanist at the Karl-Ferdinands-Università ¤t was the first to discover and publish work on liquid crystals[1] in 1888. In this paper he described the melting phenomena of cholesterol benzoate, in which there were two melting points; the compound transforms into a cloudy fluid at 145.5  °C which became clear at 178.5  °C.[1] Reinitzer could not explain these observations, so he sought help from physicist Otto Lehmann, an expert in polarisation microscopy. Lehmann investigated the optical properties of the compound and found crystallites in the cloudy fluid, and observed this to be an intermediate phase (or â€Å"mesophase† – from Ancient Greek,ÃŽ ¼ÃƒÅ½Ã‚ ­ÃÆ'ÃŽ ¿Ãâ€š (mà ©sos) meaning â€Å"middle†) between the liquid and solid phase. This intermediate phase showed birefringence but also flowed like a liquid.[2] In 1904, Lehmann was the first to coin the term â€Å"Liquid crystal† for these types of compounds. Vorlà ¤nder, a German chemist, was another pioneer in liquid crystal research and he discovered that molecular shape was very important in the geometry of the mesophase.[3] In 1935 Vorlà ¤nder retired but due to his research most of the liquid crystals up this date had been synthesised by him. For a long time liquid crystals were merely scientific curiosity.[4] The unique properties of liquid crystals together with some molecules being sensitive to electric fields, began the research by Heilmeier[5] in 1968 which led to the discovery and widespread applications in liquid crystal displays (LCDs).[6][7][8][9][10][11] 1.2 Classifying Liquid Crystals Liquid crystals are classified in many ways,[12][13] molecules within the mesophases (mesogens) can be calamitic (rod-like), discotic (disc-like), amphiphilic, nonamphiphilic, metal containing, non-metal containing and low molecular weight or polymeric. Liquid crystals either show thermotropic behaviour or lyotropic behaviour. Thermotropic behaviour means the compounds are liquid crystalline within a defined temperature range, below this range compounds are crystalline and above it compounds are isotropic liquids (figure 1). Thermotropic liquid crystalline compounds also require no solvent. Lyotropic liquid crystals are dependent on solvents, where solvent concentration affects aggregation and liquid crystal behaviour. Figure 1: Rod-like (calamitic) molecules representing molecular arrangement of thermotropic liquid crystalline phase transitions. This work is focused on calamitic, thermotropic liquid crystals. Mesophases of such liquid crystals can be divided into categories which depend on the orientation and order. The main categories are nematic (N), smectic (Sm) and cholesteric (N*) (or chiral nematic) (figure 2). Figure 2: Molecular arrangements of different sub-phase allignments. 1.2.2 Nematic Phases The nematic phase is the simplest mesophase known; there is long range orientational order between the mesogens but no short range positional order. Mesogens are able to freely translate and rotate along the director field (n) but are randomly distributed in space. â€Å"Nematic† comes from the Ancient Greek word ÃŽ ½ÃŽ µÃŽ ¼ÃŽ ± (â€Å"nema† meaning thread) as when observed through a microscope thread-like structures are observed. 1.2.1 Smectic Phases Liquid crystals with smectic mesophases were originally discovered from amphiphilic molecules, the phase type coming from the Ancient Greek word ÏÆ'ÃŽ ¼ÃŽ µÃŽ ºÃâ€žÃŽ ¿ÃÆ' (â€Å"smektos† meaning soap-like). Today, the word smectic is used for liquid crystals in which the molecules occupy orientational order, but are also organised in layers[14]. These organised layers can slide relative to each other, which contributes to the liquid character of the liquid crystal phase. Many smectic phases have been discovered, each smectic phase differs in the orientation and position of the mesogens.[15] Smectic phases are distinguished by letters; SmA, SmB, SmC etc. with SmA and SmC being the most common. Smectic phases are distinguished via the molecular orientation within the layers (figure 2).[16][17] Smectic A (SmA) mesophases have molecules aligned along a director field (n) and are parallel to the layer normal and in smectic C (SmC) mesophases the molecules are tilted at a certai n angle away from the layer normal.[17] Compounds exhibiting smectic mesophases are sometimes referred to as two dimensional liquids, since there is no positional order within each layer.[14] 1.2.3 Cholesteric Phases The cholesteric phase is the nematic phase only mesogens change orientation in a helical manner with respect to the director field (n). The director field in the cholesteric phase changes direction and is perpendicular to the direction of the helix. The chirality comes from the molecules orienting themselves into a helix; each layer is non-superimposable. Within the cholesteric mesophase is the pitch, which is defined as the distance between one mesogenic layer and another which has rotated 360  ° to the director field (figure 3). Figure 3: Representation of the cholesteric mesophase with the cholesteric pitch. The first observed liquid crystals based on cholesterol derivatives showed this mesophase type, which is where the mesophase name â€Å"cholesteric† originates.[1][2] 1.2.4 Chiral Liquid Crystals There are 3 main types of chiral liquid crystals. The first type was found with cholesterol benzoate (the first liquid crystal discovery) in which the molecule contains one or more stereocentres. These form liquid crystals with helical order in the mesophase. The second type contains two molecules; a chiral guest molecule and an achiral nematic molecule. These molecules are mixed together to form chiral cholesteric structures. In the third type, mesogens layer themselves perpendicular to each other forming a helix or twist. These molecules do not need to be chiral, as the perpendicular stacking form helixes, giving this third type the name twisted nematic. Twisted nematic phases are found in liquid crystal displays and chiral liquid crystals overall are useful in the field of stereochemistry, optics and material science.[12] 1.3 Ionic Liquid Crystals Knight and Shaw were the first to discover liquid crystals which were ionic in 1938; the compounds had a pyridinium cationic core and flexible alkyl chains attached.[18] Ionic liquid crystals possess properties characteristic of liquid crystals (molecular order, mobility, anisotropy of physical properties) and ionic liquids (conductivity, thermal stability)[19] making them very interesting and useful for ion conduction (aligned ionic liquids[20][21]), electroluminescence (which can be used in organic light emitting diodes), manufacturing of displays[10], spatial light modulators[22], optical connectors and switches[23], molecular sensors and detectors[24][25] References [1] F. Reinitzer, Monatsh Chem 1888, 9, 421–441. [2] O. Lehmann, Z Phys Chem 1889, 4, 462–472. [3] D. Vorlà ¤nder, Z Phys Chem 1923, 105, 211–254. [4] T. J. Sluckin, D. A. Dunmur, H. Stegemeyer, Crytals That Flow Classic Papers from the History of Liquid Crystals, 2004. [5] G. H. Heilmeier, L. A. Zanoni, L. A. Barton, Appl Phys Lett 1968, 13, 46–47. [6] M. Schadt, H. Seiberle, A. Schuster, Nature 1996, 381, 212–215. [7] M. Schadt, W. Helfrich, Appl Phys Lett 1971, 18, 127–128. [8] M. Schadt, Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 2009, 48, 03B001. [9] H. Kawamoto, Process IEEE 2002, 90, 460–500. [10] M. A. Karim, Electro-Optical Displays, CRC Press, 1992. [11] P. Yeh, C. Gu, Optics of Liquid Crystal Displays, John Wiley Sons, 2010. [12] I. Dierking, in Textures Liq. Cryst., Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH Co. KGaA, 2003, pp. i–xi. [13] P. J. Collings, J. S. Patel, Handbook of Liquid Crystal Research, Oxford University Press, 1997. [14] A. Jakli, A. Saupe, One- and Two-Dimensional Fluids: Properties of Smectic, Lamellar and Columnar Liquid Crystals, CRC Press, 2006. [15] C. Bahr, in Chirality Liq. Cryst. (Eds.: H.-S. Kitzerow, C. Bahr), Springer New York, 2001, pp. 223–250. [16] M. Barà ³n, Pure Appl. Chem. 2001, 73, DOI 10.1351/pac200173050845. [17] B. Chen, X. B. Zeng, U. Baumeister, S. Diele, G. Ungar, C. Tschierske, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2004, 43, 4621–4625. [18] G. A. Knight, B. D. Shaw, J. Chem. Soc. 1938, 682–683. [19] K. Binnemans, Chem. Rev. 2005, 105, 4148–4204. [20] T. Kato, Science 2002, 295, 2414–2418. [21] M. Yoshio, T. Kagata, K. Hoshino, T. Mukai, H. Ohno, T. Kato, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 5570–5577. [22] B. Bahadur, Liquid Crystals — Applications and Uses: (Volume 3), WORLD SCIENTIFIC, 1992. [23] J. L. De Bougrenet de la Tocnaye, Liq. Cryst. 2004, 31, 241–269. [24] A. Hussain, A. S. Pina, A. C. A. Roque, Biosens. Bioelectron. 2009, 25, 1–8. [25] C. Ohm, M. Brehmer, R. Zentel, Adv. Mater. 2010, 22, 3366–3387.

What is Marketing Essay -- Business Marketing Essays

What is Marketing 1. Introduction 1.1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Purpose The purpose of this report is to get all of the management employees of Proton in all of the departments outside marketing to familiarize with what marketing is and also to show its importance in the company. 1.2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Background Proton is the biggest Malaysian automobile manufacturer. Proton automobiles are available in many countries such as China, Singapore, Australia, Algeria and United Kingdom. Proton has commanded the local automotive market, and will continuously dominate in the pursuit of being ‘Customers’ Number One Choice for Automotive Products and Services’ (http://www.proton-edar.com.my/company_info/overview/company_info.php?currentSceneSec=0101¤tScene=0100¤tButton=1). 1.3  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Scope Getting to know the definitions of marketing and also the importance of marketing and how does it contributes to the profitability of the company. 1.4  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Method Information has been gathered through research of websites, journals and books as well as own interpretation and ideas on how marketing is seen important in contributing to the profitability of the company. 1.5  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Assumptions It is assumed that other management employees in other departments of Proton, who have no or little idea about marketing, would be able to understand the importance of marketing after the report is read. It is also assumed that the profitability of the company will increase after reading the report. 1.6  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Limitations The limitations are mainly the inflexibility of time and also the amount of research that needs to be done to write a good report. 2. What is marketing? Marketing is a very general term that has no specific definition to it. However, it is best described as â€Å"A social and managerial process by which individuals and groups obtain what they need and want through creating and exchanging products and value with others† (Kotler, Brown, Adam and Armstrong, 2004, p919). It is an understanding of how the company works with its consumers and how it generates in the society. Marketing is seen to be the process of ‘bringing in the businesses’. It is not seen to be an alternative, but a necessity (Forsyth, 2004, pg34). Many people consider marketing as a tactic. However it is more than just a tactic. Marketing is analysis. According to Allen Weiss (2002), marketing is the analysis of... ... affects the company’s profitability. Overall, marketing is very important because it is able to find what consumer really wants, this help the business to target and position their markets accurately. And, therefore, attain consumer satisfaction which leads the business to their profitability. Works Cited Forsyth, P (2004) ‘Marketing is a must’, IEE Engineering Management, pg. 34-37 Kotler, P., Adam, S., Armstrong, G., Brown, L., Marketing Edition 6, Prentice Hall Australia, Sydney, 2004 Weiss, A (2004) What is Marketing?, 26 November 2002, http://www.marketingprofs.com/2/whatismarketing.asp, accessed on 10th May 2005. Proton, http://www.proton.com/about_proton/index.php, accessed on 10th May 2005 Proton Edna, http://www.proton-edar.com.my/company_info/overview/company_info.php?currentSceneSec=0101¤tScene=0100¤tButton=1, accessed on 11th May 2005. Hein, K. (2004) â€Å"Brand week†. Vol. 45 Issue 21, p24, 4p, 2 charts. Valentine, V. & Gordon, W. (2000), â€Å"The 21st century consumer: A new model of thinking†. International Journal of Market Research, Vol.42, Iss. 2; pg. 185, 24 pgs Mercedes Benz, http://www.mercedes-benz.com/, accessed 11th May 2005

A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah Essay -- chasing hope, happiness

Hope enables people to move on by providing the thought that maybe tomorrow’s events will be better than today’s. Hope is a theme that remains constant in every part of A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah. Ishmael begins the novel optimistic, believing he will find his family again. This optimism is later lost when Ishmael is recruited by the army to fight against the rebels, causing him to become addicted to drugs and the thrill of killing. Three years after his recruitment, Ishmael is rescued by UNICEF-a group dedicated to rehabilitating child soldiers. During his rehabilitation, Ishmael discovers hope once more by relearning how to trust, love, and have the will to survive. The presence of hope throughout A Long Way Gone enables Ishmael to have an ability to move on and a will to survive that he lacks when he loses hope. Ishmael starts his journey with a will to escape and survive the civil war of Sierra Leone in order to reunite with his mom, dad, and younger siblings, who fled their home when his village was attacked by rebels. Having only his older brother, who he escaped with, and a few friends by his side Ishmael is scared, but hopeful. When the brothers are captured by rebels, Ishmael’s belief in survival is small, as indicated by his fallible survival tactics when he â€Å"could hear the gunshots coming closer†¦[and] began to crawl farther into the bushes† (Beah 35). Ishmael wants to survive, but has little faith that he can. He is attempting to survive by hiding wherever he can- even where the rebels can easily find him. After escaping, Ishmael runs into a villager from his home tells him news on the whereabouts of his family. His optimism is high when the villager, Gasemu, tells Ishmael, â€Å"Your parents and brothers wil... ...ploys children rather than men. He is subjected to the violence of the war for more than three years before he is finally rescued by an organization dedicated to rehabilitating child soldiers. Once Ishmael discovers happiness, affection, and a will to survive, he regains what hope he had lost. No matter the circumstances concerning it, hope has always been the trigger for events in Ishmael’s life, thus making hope a theme present throughout the entirety of A Long Way Gone. Hope allows Ishmael to bounce back from the tragic events that marked his teenage years and discover a will to survive. Works Cited Beah, Ishmael. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2007. Print. HaÃŒ £nh, NhaÌ‚Ì t, and Arnold Kotler. Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life. New York, NY: Bantam, 1991. Print.

Emily Dickinson Essay

A poem, sonnet, short story, and other kinds of literature all seem useless if no one has ever read it. The true value of words can only be best appreciated when their meaning reaches other people. Emily Dickinson, one of the authors renowned to have produced some the finest literary pieces, has touched the hearts of many people all around the world through her works. Even today, years after she passed away, her works and influence linger for generations to come. There is no better way to understand the present without knowing and tracing the remnants of the past. Emily Dickinson’s classics give people a better grasp of the kind of life that people lived during her time. Analyzing the writing style and the perspective of an author such as Dickinson will give the people a comparison of today and yesterday. Most authors write based on their experience or the surrounding environment, and studying these pieces of literature will provide a person with information about the author, his or her family, and daily living. Emily Dickinson’s father was a lawyer and her mother was a housewife. She was born to a wealthy family in Massachusetts and was blessed with good education. She was proved to be an introvert yet an intelligent student. She started writing shortly after she attended the Mount Holyoke Female Seminary (Famous Poets and Poems, 2009). Most of her works center on the issues of death, immortality, nature, and faith. She dedicated her poem entitled â€Å"Safe in their Alabaster Chambers† to her friend and fellow author Thomas Wentworth who participated in the Civil War (Famous Poets and Poems, 2009). â€Å"Because I Could Not Stop for Death† is also one of her famous and well-talked about poems. It obviously talks about death and the afterlife. Some of the controversial lines are the following: â€Å"Because I could not stop for Death, / He kindly stopped for me. / The carriage held but just ourselves / And immortality† (Dickinson, 2000a, n. p. ). In the poem, the author uses the point of view of someone who has experienced eternity to describe it. She illustrates her life’s journey through childhood, maturity, and old age. Contrary to most views, the author describes death as a gentleman who came to take her towards the afterlife. Death is one of the topics she chose probably because it was during her time when the Civil War erupted, and all her loved ones were dying, like her friend Wentworth. Experiencing the death of a loved one makes a person contemplate about it. Emily Dickinson also gave breath to the famous quote, â€Å"love is life† and â€Å"If I could stop one heart from breaking† (Dickinson, 2000b, n. p. ; Dickinson, 2000c, n. p. ). Love is the shortest most powerful word that ever existed. The author is correct when she said that â€Å"love is life† because its power transcends death (Dickinson, 2000c, n. p. ). During the 19th century, people fought hard for life and love. That is why most works coming from these times talk so passionately and deeply about it. â€Å"If I Could Stop One Heart from Breaking† is another classic that talks about what a person can do to help another being. She expounds further by saying that her life would not be in vain if she could help ease a person’s pain (Dickinson, 2000b). Life is too short to be wasted for selfish reasons, and as such, the life of an individual who takes the time to go an extra mile for others will not be in vain. Emily Dickinson’s works are priceless because they will never go out of style, and her words of wisdom can be applied all throughout the ages. She had a rough life, and she clearly made her point using her words. She is one of the most acknowledged and successful authors of all time not only because of her unique and classical perspective, but also because she succeeded in giving the people of today a peek of what it felt like to have lived and loved in the 19th century. References Dickinson, E. (2000a). Because I could not stop for death. The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson. New York: Bartleby. com.Retrieved June 22, 2009, from http://www. bartleby. com/113/4027. html. Dickinson, E. (2000b). If I could stop one heart from breaking. The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson. New York: Bartleby. com. Retrieved June 22, 2009, from http://www. bartleby. com/113/1006. html. Dickinson, E. (2000c). That I did always love. The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson. New York: Bartleby. com. Retrieved June 22, 2009, from http://www. bartleby. com/113/3008. html. Famous Poets and Poems. (2009). Emily Dickinson Biography. Retrieved June 24, 2009, from http://famouspoetsandpoems. com/poets/emily_dickinson/biography.

Deception Point Page 68

The answers he got were hard to swallow. Apparently the CIA had been prepared to move on this cell months before and was simply waiting for the high-res satellite photos so that they could plan a pinpoint attack on the terrorists' mountain hideout in Afghanistan. Those photos were scheduled to be taken by the $1.2 billion NRO satellite code-named Vortex 2, the same satellite that had been blown up on the launchpad by its NASA launch vehicle. Because of the NASA accident, the CIA strike had been postponed, and now Diana Pickering had died. Pickering's mind told him that NASA had not been directly responsible, but his heart found it hard to forgive. The investigation of the rocket explosion revealed that the NASA engineers responsible for the fuel injections system had been forced to use second-rate materials in an effort to stay on budget. â€Å"For nonmanned flights,† Lawrence Ekstrom explained in a press conference, â€Å"NASA strives for cost-effectiveness above all. In this case, the results were admittedly not optimal. We will be looking into it.† Not optimal. Diana Pickering was dead. Furthermore, because the spy satellite was classified, the public never learned that NASA had disintegrated a $1.2 billion NRO project, and along with it, indirectly, numerous American lives. â€Å"Sir?† Pickering's secretary's voice came over his intercom, startling him. â€Å"Line one. It's Marjorie Tench.† Pickering shook himself out of his daze and looked at his telephone. Again? The blinking light on line one seemed to pulse with an irate urgency. Pickering frowned and took the call. â€Å"Pickering here.† Tench's voice was seething mad. â€Å"What did she tell you?† â€Å"I'm sorry?† â€Å"Rachel Sexton contacted you. What did she tell you? She was on a submarine, for God's sake! Explain that!† Pickering could tell immediately that denying the fact was not an option; Tench had been doing her homework. Pickering was surprised she'd found out about the Charlotte, but she'd apparently thrown her weight around until she got some answers. â€Å"Ms. Sexton contacted me, yes.† â€Å"You arranged a pickup. And you didn't contact me?† â€Å"I arranged transport. That is correct.† Two hours remained until Rachel Sexton, Michael Tolland, and Corky Marlinson were scheduled to arrive at the nearby Bollings Air Force Base. â€Å"And yet you chose not to inform me?† â€Å"Rachel Sexton has made some very disturbing accusations.† â€Å"Regarding the authenticity of the meteorite†¦ and some kind of attack on her life?† â€Å"Among other things.† â€Å"Obviously, she is lying.† â€Å"You are aware she is with two others who corroborate her story?† Tench paused. â€Å"Yes. Most disturbing. The White House is very concerned by their claims.† â€Å"The White House? Or you personally?† Her tone turned razor sharp. â€Å"As far as you are concerned, director, there is no difference tonight.† Pickering was unimpressed. He was no stranger to blustering politicians and support staff trying to establish footholds over the intel community. Few put up as strong a front as Marjorie Tench. â€Å"Does the President know you're calling me?† â€Å"Frankly, director, I'm shocked that you would even entertain these lunatic ravings.† You didn't answer my question. â€Å"I see no logical reason for these people to lie. I have to assume they are either telling the truth, or they have made an honest mistake.† â€Å"Mistake? Claims of attacks? Flaws in the meteorite data that NASA never saw? Please! This is an obvious political ploy.† â€Å"If so, the motives escape me.† Tench sighed heavily and lowered her voice. â€Å"Director, there are forces at work here of which you might not be aware. We can speak about that at length later, but at the moment I need to know where Ms. Sexton and the others are. I need to get to the bottom of this before they do any lasting damage. Where are they?† â€Å"That is not information I am comfortable sharing. I will contact you after they arrive.† â€Å"Wrong. I will be there to greet them when they arrive.† You and how many Secret Service agents? Pickering wondered. â€Å"If I inform you of their arrival time and location, will we all have a chance to chat like friends, or do you intend to have a private army take them into custody?† â€Å"These people pose a direct threat to the President. The White House has every right to detain and question them.† Pickering knew she was right. Under Title 18, Section 3056 of the United States Code, agents of the U.S. Secret Service can carry firearms, use deadly force, and make â€Å"un-warranted† arrests simply on suspicion that a person has committed or is intending to commit a felony or any act of aggression against the president. The service possessed carte blanche. Regular detainees included unsavory loiterers outside the White House and school kids who sent threatening e-mail pranks. Pickering had no doubt the service could justify dragging Rachel Sexton and the others into the basement of the White House and keeping them there indefinitely. It would be a dangerous play, but Tench clearly realized the stakes were huge. The question was what would happen next if Pickering allowed Tench to take control. He had no intention of finding out. â€Å"I will do whatever is necessary,† Tench declared, â€Å"to protect the President from false accusations. The mere implication of foul play will cast a heavy shadow on the White House and NASA. Rachel Sexton has abused the trust the President gave her, and I have no intention of seeing the President pay the price.† â€Å"And if I request that Ms. Sexton be permitted to present her case to an official panel of inquiry?† â€Å"Then you would be disregarding a direct presidential order and giving her a platform from which to make a goddamn political mess! I will ask you one more time, director. Where are you flying them?† Pickering exhaled a long breath. Whether or not he told Marjorie Tench that the plane was coming into Bollings Air Force Base, he knew she had the means to find out. The question was whether or not she would do it. He sensed from the determination in her voice that she would not rest. Marjorie Tench was scared. â€Å"Marjorie,† Pickering said, with unmistakable clarity of tone. â€Å"Someone is lying to me. Of this I am certain. Either it is Rachel Sexton and two civilian scientists-or it is you. I believe it is you.† Tench exploded. â€Å"How dare-â€Å" â€Å"Your indignity has no resonance with me, so save it. You would be wise to know that I have absolute proof NASA and the White House broadcast untruths tonight.† Tench fell suddenly silent. Pickering let her reel a moment. â€Å"I'm not looking for a political meltdown any more than you are. But there have been lies. Lies that cannot stand. If you want me to help you, you've got to start by being honest with me.† Tench sounded tempted but wary. â€Å"If you're so certain there were lies, why haven't you stepped forward?† â€Å"I don't interfere in political matters.† Tench muttered something that sounded a lot like â€Å"bullshit.† â€Å"Are you trying to tell me, Marjorie, that the President's announcement tonight was entirely accurate?† There was a long silence on the line. Pickering knew he had her. â€Å"Listen, we both know this is a time bomb waiting to explode. But it's not too late. There are compromises we can make.† Tench said nothing for several seconds. Finally she sighed. â€Å"We should meet.† Touchdown, Pickering thought. â€Å"I have something to show you,† Tench said. â€Å"And I believe it will shed some light on this matter.†