Tapped Water supply and Bottled Water Essay

Tapped Water supply and Bottled Water Essay Tapped: Water supply and Bottled Water Essay TAPPED In the documentary TAPPED directed by Stephanie Soechtig the horrifying effects of plastic water bottles on our health, environment, and our economy are uncovered. The documentary starts in Maine where the citizens of Fryeburg try to fight of Nestle, who is taking their water source. Basically what Nestle is doing is taking these citizens’ water and selling in back to them for more than it is worth without being taxed. The idea of water bottles became popular around the 1980’s and erupted from there. It is said to be one of the greatest market schemes of all time. Many customers believe they are receiving more healthy water, and fail to recognize the harmful effects on the body. The actual process of making these plastic bottles is detrimental to our environment. The amount of pollution and carbon dioxide these plants release is staggering. Families near the area of Corpus Christi, Texas are suffering from severe health issues and many fatalities due to the plant right in town. This is just one of the many examples of the effects of plastic making factories. Another issue when it comes to water bottles is the disposing of them. A good amount of all water bottles made either end up in the ocean or a land fill somewhere. Instead of being recycled, it is more convenient for people to throw them away. By filling the ocean with plastics, we are killing animals. The animals think the plastic is food, and when too much gets in their system they will die. Only 50% of Americans have recycling, which is a main reason they end up there. Also, by drinking bottled water we are also hurting ourselves. Bisphenol A is a primary component in most plastics water bottles, and many studies have been shown that is effects one’s overall health. Some health effects mentioned in the documentary were reproductive disorders, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, male impotence and many others. Knowing all these effects of BPA made me think there must be another material we can use. Personally, after watching this documentary, I will always buy BPA free water bottles. If everyone started doing this, they would be much healthier and cause the businesses that use BPA to switch over. There are also many other harmful ingredients in plastic water bottles. For example, one group of bottles was taken right from the shelves of a store and was contained toluene which is a chemical found in paint thinners and gasoline. They did another test in which they left a case of bottled water sitting in the trunk of a car for a week and the results were not what they wanted to see. The bottles contained styrene which causes cancer and phthalate which damages developing fetus. On e truth that this documentary digs out is that about 40% of all bottled

Quotes by Ahmed Skou Tour

Quotes by Ahmed Skou Tour Without being Communists, we believe that the analytical qualities of Marxism and the organization of the people are methods especially well-suited for our country.Ahmed Sà ©kou Tourà ©, first president of Guinea, as quoted in Rolf Italiaanders The New Leaders of Africa, New Jersey, 1961 People are not born with racial prejudices. For example, children have none. Racial questions are questions of education. Africans learned racism form the European. Is it any wonder that they now think in terms of race after all theyve gone through under colonialism?Ahmed Sà ©kou Tourà ©, first president of Guinea, as quoted in Rolf Italiaanders The New Leaders of Africa, New Jersey, 1961 An African statesman is not a naked boy begging from rich capitalists.Ahmed Sà ©kou Tourà ©, first president of Guinea, as quoted in Guinea: Trouble in Erewhon, Time, Friday 13 December 1963. The private trader has a greater sense of responsibility than civil servants, who get paid at the end of each month and only once in a while think of the nation or their own responsibility.Ahmed Sà ©kou Tourà ©, first president of Guinea, as quoted in Guinea: Trouble in Erewhon, Time, Friday 13 December 1963. We ask you therefore, not to judge us or think of us in terms of what we were or even of what we are but rather to think of us in terms of history and what we will be tomorrow.Ahmed Sà ©kou Tourà ©, first president of Guinea, as quoted in Rolf Italiaanders The New Leaders of Africa, New Jersey, 1961 We should go down to the grassroots of our culture, not to remain there, not to be isolated there, but to draw strength and substance there from, and with whatever additional sources of strength and material we acquire, proceed to set up a new form of society raised to the level of human progress.Ahmed Sà ©kou Tourà ©, as quoted in Osei Amoahs A Political Dictionary of Black Quotations, published in London, 1989. To take part in the African revolution it is not enough to write a revolutionary song: you must fashion the revolution with the people. And if you fashion it with the people, the songs will come by themselves.Ahmed Sà ©kou Tourà ©, as quoted in Osei Amoahs A Political Dictionary of Black Quotations, published in London, 1989. At sunset when you pray to God, say over and over that each man is a brother and that all men are equal.Ahmed Sà ©kou Tourà ©, as quoted in Robin Halletts, Africa Since 1875, University of Michigan Press, 1974. We have told you bluntly, Mr President, what the demands of the people are ... We have one prime and essential need: our dignity. But there is no dignity without freedom ... We prefer freedom in poverty to opulence in slavery.Ahmed Sà ©kou Tourà ©s statement to General De Gaulle during the French leaders visit to Guinea in August 1958, as quoted in Robin Halletts, Africa Since 1875, University of Michigan Press, 1974. For the first twenty years, we in Guinea have concentrated on developing the mentality of our people. Now we are ready to move on to other business.Ahmed Sà ©kou Tourà ©. as quoted in David Lambs The Africans, New York 1985. I dont know what people mean when they call me the bad child of Africa. Is it that they consider us unbending in the fight against imperialism, against colonialism? If so, we can be proud to be called headstrong. Our wish is to remain a child of Africa unto our death..Ahmed Sà ©kou Tourà ©, as quoted in David Lambs The Africans, New York 1985. People of Africa, from now on you are reborn in history, because you mobilize yourself in the struggle and because the struggle before you restores to your own eyes and renders to you, justice in the eyes of the world.Ahmed Sà ©kou Tourà ©, as quoted in The Permanent Struggle, The Black Scholar, Vol 2 No 7, March 1971. [T]he political leader is, by virtue of his communion of idea and action with his people, the representative of his people, the representative of a culture.Ahmed Sà ©kou Tourà ©, as quoted in Molefi Kete Asante and Kariamu Welsh Asantes African Culture the Rhythms of Unity: The Rhythms of Unity Africa, World Press, October 1989. In the history of this new Africa which has just come into the world, Liberia has a preeminent place because she has been for each of our peoples the living proof that our liberty was possible. And nobody can ignore the fact that the star which marks the Liberian national emblem has been hanging for more than a century the sole star that illuminated our night of dominated peoples.Ahmed Sà ©kou Tourà ©, from his Liberian Independence Day Address of 26 July 1960, as quoted in Charles Morrow Wilsons Liberia: Black Africans in Microcosm, Harper and Row, 1971.

Human Resouce Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Human Resouce Management - Essay Example The main features of the ‘best practice’ approach include strategy setting and planning, which places emphasis on management, regarding the need to set strategically designed organizational goals, then developing plans that will help the organization realize the strategic goals drawn to guide the organization (Bollinger, 2005). The second feature is risk management; where the feature directs that an organization should ensure that it develops and employs a system that will enable the management identify the risk facing the organization. The feature, further, insists on the need for assessing the risks as well as developing ways of treating the risks identified. A third feature is consultation, which emphasizes on the need for making consultations with involved parties, as well as other parties like the community of interest (O’Connor and Raber, 2001). The fourth feature is roles and responsibilities, which guides that the different members of the organization should perform their responsibilities and roles (Bollinger, 2005). The fifth feature is skills, independence and resources, which places emphasis on maintaining a balance between autonomy and control among members, so they can help reach organizational goals. The sixth feature is conduct and ethics, which emphasizes on the need for developing a mode of guiding interactions within and outside the organization. The seventh feature is job execution, where assessing the work of the board is given importance. The eighth feature is succession planning, which emphasizes on the need to develop a plan for the appointment of the successor of the overall manager. The ninth feature is financial and operational reporting, where emphasis is placed on the need to report operational and financial flows (Bollinger, 2005). The Best-fit approach to HRM holds that the practices of the human resources role should fit well with  other functions and organizational

History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 61

History - Essay Example While studying in Vassar College, Inez organized a meeting in a cemetery aimed at addressing the suffrage of women. This was the cause of her suspension from the college (Lumsden 120). As a feminist, Milholland played an instrumental role in the championing of women rights. She started the advocacy for women’s rights while still in college; during her final year in college, she organized a women suffrage meeting at a cemetery near the college. Under the leadership of Milholland, a club known as Vassar Votes for Women club organized numerous meeting in Vassar College. Her efforts to pressurize President Taylor to allow suffrage debate did not get the recognition. However, this intensified the debate on whether the college should allow meetings that would address women suffrage. As a result of the efforts by Inez, several professors supported women suffrage, and they expressed their desire to have a debate on women suffrage organized at the college. Consequently, the holding debates on women suffrage got acknowledged at the college (Lumsden 121). The other notable contribution that Milholland made, as feminist, included being a suffrage orator. She gained the reputation as one of the most dedicated suffrage orator since she managed to stop a campaign parade in New York, which President William Howard had attended. She also contributed immensely to the suffrage movement by helping in organizing a suffrage parade in 1913, which was staged, in Washington D. C. This suffrage movement organized in New York was referred as the â€Å"American Joan of Arc.† Her eloquence in public speaking saw her rise; she became a prominent feminist in the women suffrage movement (Lumsden 122). In 1916, Milholland worked tirelessly by organizing tours where she made visits to twelve suffrage states in the west of the United States. She advocated for the rights of women while working for the Congressional Union, which had the mandate of advocating

Lobbying strategies used by financial services Essay Example for Free

Lobbying strategies used by financial services Essay General knowledge about patenting and the patent reform legislation. A patent can be said to be a se of exclusive rights given to an inventor or his assignee for a given period in exchange for the invention details. However in countries like us extras qualification utility patents is used to differentiate them from other types of patents, this should not be confused with utility models grants by other countries. (http://www.ipaustralia-gov.au/patents/what_index.sch.html)examples of these particular patents for invention includes biological patents, business method patents, chemical patents and software patents. In some other countries other types of intellectual property rights (IPR) are called patents while industrial design rights are referred to as design patents which protect the physical designs of objects which are not of great utility. As such therefore, patent should not be mistaken for a right to practice or use the inventor, it(patent) provides the authority to prevent other people from making, using, selling or offering for sale or importing the patented invention for as long as the term of the patent remains, which in most cases is usually 20years. In real sense a patent is a limited property right that the government leases to inventors in exchange of their (inventors) disclosure of the details leading to their invention. Patent therefore, like any other property rights can be leased, mortgaged, assigned, licensed, given away or even transfered.As briefly stated above the rights governing a patent varies from country to country. For instance in Australia, other people are allowed to build on top of already patented invention. This is possible by making use of exceptions from infringement procedures e.g. allowances for academic research (http. /paustralia- gov.au/patents/what_ index .sch.html). While on the other hand in US things are very different on patent rights governing research, whereby even developing of an existing invention amounts to infringement. The mystery of patents is exhibited when one wants to make an improvement of an already patented invention. This can only be done legally by seeking permission from the patent holder, assuming that the patent is still in force When the new improvement is made the owner of it can bar the original patent owner from using the improvement and hence denying him of the right to exploit the patent. However some countries require that the invention be exploited in the jurisdiction it covers. Again the penalties of not working an invention vary from country to country but the common penalties ranges from revocation of the patent rights to awarding of a license to any party in a position to exploit the invention. The patentee can seek legal redress and challenge the revocation or the issuance of the license. But there exists a big hurdle in offering of tangible evidence that, the requirement of the public have really been met by the working the invention. Generally patents can only be put in force through law suits (e.g. in US, patent infringements are handled in the US federal courts) in other countries like France and Australia criminal penalties for patent infringements are given. In case of an infringement the patent owner will demand to be compensated financially for past infringement and then also seek to bar the defendant (infringer)from engaging in any further acts of infringement. However it is not always easy for the patent owner to prove that infringement really took place. As such, he is required to establish that the accused practiced all that the patent was entitled to; again, the issue of independent jurisdictions patent rights tradition also arises. The above statements about the powers of a patent owner are enough evidence to show that there is a great limitation on the patent owner because the accused has a right to challenge the validity of a patent .It is common for civil courts hearing patent cases to declare patents invalid. The basis on which a patent can be declared invalid are stated on the patent agreement, and again this varies from one jurisdiction to another. However some countries like UK have laws discoursing infringers from challenging the validity of patents. In the UK this discouraged through the certificate of contested validity. Nevertheless not all patent rights disputes are settled through litigatation. Majority of these disputes are settled through private patent licensing agreements. These agreement are simply practical, effective contracts whereby the patent owner (also know as licensor) voluntarily decides not to sue an infringer in return of some payment .Research shows that this is common in companies which deals with complex products. These companies also issue patented licenses to other business rivals under what is known as cross licensing agreements. This in turn facilities the cross accessing of each other inventions (special problems in patent cases 66.FRD 529,197 by Howard T Markey) \ As seen above different jurisdictions have different traditions of approaching patenting, but it should be noted that in many nations both single entities (natural persons) and corporate entities can apply for a patent. On issuance of this patent then the entity (ies) becomes the owners of the patents. However, it is mandatory that the inventor (s) be named so that the public can get to know how the owner(s) of the patent acquired the rights. For example in US only the inventor(s) (natural person) can apply for a patent, in cases of multi inventors then each inventor is given a patent which s very independent from those given to other co- inventors . It is a normal practice also in US for inventors to assign their ownership rights to a corporate body, this is done in cases of multi-inventors so that only one single entity has the rights to grant a license. Another reason is to increase the liquidity of the patent as property, so that inventors can be in a position to sell them to a third party, who in turn owns the patent as though they were the real investors. From the above detailed information about the function ability of patents and patent rights it is evident that patents and patent rights need to be protected by relevant laws so that neither party i.e. patent owners, authorities, and infringers is vulnerable to mistreatment. Therefore nations and also internal communities have come up with laws that govern the enforcement of patents. Patents as such therefore, are governed by laws at a national level and at an international level through signing of treaties. It can be said that patents are therefore not national but territorial in nature. It is traditional that every nation forms a [patent office which carries out patenting responsibilities in regards of the laws of the country. However cases of infringements are left to be catered by national courts. On an international scale it is the work of the world Trade organization (WTO) to harmonize these patent laws. Agreement have been reached successfully in aligning these patent laws .Adherence to these agreements is a mandatory requirement for admission to the WTO, a factor leading to mass compliance by many nations .Even the developing countries are not left back although they have been known to enforce national laws protecting their local industries. A paramount international meting held in Paris relating to patent systems culminated in the signing of the above agreement. Although the agreement does not have a consequential legal effect in national jurisdictions its principles are largely inculcated in many current patent systems. For instance one such principle is the right to claim priority which allows an application filled in a member state of the Paris meeting to be valid for one year and also to be filled in any other member state and still receive its original filling date. This is a great achievement since patent ownership is entirely date oriented. Again the powers and dynamics of patents vary from sate to another. In US for example, the lands prime law (constitution), gives the congress the mandate to make laws, to promote, and uphold the progress of Science and useful Arts. These laws once passed, are then enshrined in Title 35 of the United States Code. The United States patent and trademark office (USPTO) was created under the above laws. (US patent activity, 1790 to present – http://www. Upstaged/web/ offices/ac/ido/oeip/taf/h-counts-html). In UR, patent laws are contained in the patents Act 1977 (amended). On international perspective, as mentioned above there exists international freely procedures e.g. procedures under European patent convention (EPC) which works under European patent organization (EPO) and patent cooperation Treaty (PCT) among many others. Similar treaties exist in African content countries. For a natural person or a corporate entity to be awarded a patent then an application requesting the same has to be filled at the relevant patent office. This application contains such information like how to make and put the invention into use and also the utility of the invention. Also contained in the application form is claims which explain more about the invention and the extend of patent rights in regards to applicants wishes. The above details together with a written description with drawings are part of the patent specification. In some nations like US, the applicant is also required to include the most effective way to make and practice the invention. The claim part acts as a disclosure to the public on the limits to which the patentee has over the invention. In other words a claim shows what the patent covers and what does not cover. It should be noted also that a single patent can have numerous claims, each regarded as an independent invention. Once the above requirements have been provided it is now the duty of the patent office to counter check whether the application is in order with the relevant legal provisions in relation to the particular specie of patents. Once it is approved the patent takes effect from the date issued and it is subject to yearly renewals so as to remain in force in relation to (Egbert vs. Lippmenn, 104 U.S. 333 (1881) â€Å"the corset case†) The US supreme court passed a decision that any inventor who has not applied for a patent for more than eleven years of using the invention, cannot be given one. Hence there is a need to seek for a patent once an invention has been made (http://www. Wolf Greenfield. Com/media/news. 9.pdf) In a summary of the above information about patent system four main aspects have clearly been discussed about, they include; i. Inventing: Through intensive research and consulting Scientists and artists are able to come up with inventions. The desire to dig more and come up with inventions is catalyzed by the existence of patent rights. Which comes with much money as a result of selling patent licenses ii. Disclosing the invention made: As per the meaning of patent, the disclosure of invention is for a common good. This is so because there are projections as to the rights of invention and hence inventors feel free to disclose their invention. This disclosure facilitates for exploitation of patent right when the current one expire or even improvements are made. iii. To invest in producing, experimenting, and marketing of the invention. This is done out the faith that infrequent cases are well protected against. iv. Designing and improving of earlier patents: This can only be possible is details of already existing patents are disclosed to the public. All the above stuff concerning modern patent system allows for infant inventors to gain exclusive rights and therefore becoming licensors. They therefore gain financially and in the long run promoting more innovations. Due to loopholes the legal systems governing patents cases of double awarding of patents have been common. (According to R.Buck minster Fuller 1938). Due to the increasing number of inventions the patent filling systems are becoming more complex day and day and hence there is a likehood of awarding a patent to an invention already patented before. However with the introduction of reliable computing system this has been kept at bay. According to Michael Heller, a law professor and Rebecca Sue Eisenberg in a 1998 in their 1998 science article, intellectual property Rights (IPR) have become so much fragmented that signing them will require an agreement with all the owners of fragments. Another big hurdle in patents is that they discourage innovations especially with corporate entities who may own many patents and enter into litigations incases of infringement although they are doing absolutely nothing to develop the invention. Other numerous problems also exist and as a result critisms have been common opposing the patents system and proposing for their abolition altogether. Lastly, it will be fair to put forth some historical information regarding the existence of patents. Reliable evidence suggests that the first stints of patents can be traced to ancient Greek cities whereby any one who came up with a new recipe was allowed to make the food for one year. On the other hand, modern patents can be traced to the republic of Venice whereby new inventions were publicly communicated to prevent undue infringement. Other countries followed suit e.g. U.K, US and therefore the idea of patents spread through other parts of the World. The above detailed account about patents gives a reader of this paper a sound basis to now tackle the issue of financial services industry, lobbying strategies in the addressing of the patent reform bill (legislation) before the 110th congress. As already explained above the patents system in united states are under the body known as United States patent and Trade mark organization (USPTO).This body is therefore incharge of issuance of patents to inventors. According to a 2004 report by National Agency of a sciences and another report of 2003 report by Federal Trade Commissioner a bill (patent Reform Act 2005) was proposed. The main aim of this bill was to try and bring a theme of modernity in the USA patent system. Although it was not until 2007 when this bill was introduced to the bicameral US parliament (Senate and House of representatives). This bill now known as â€Å"The patent Reform Act of 2007† was introduced as a proposal in the 110th US congress for discussion and eventual change of the United States Patent Laws. The bills main objective was to bring the American patent laws to the same level with other countries patent laws. (According to a patent system for the 21st century, by Stephen. A. Merrill Richard L. Levin and mark B. Myers, 2004- (http://www ton.nap.eds/catalog//76.html) The main changes brought by this legislation were I). Converting US from a first- to- invent system to a first- inventor- to -file system. This bill will bring US to conformity with other countries of world. This system will also reduce legal costs, simplify the patent process, improve fairness and also facilitate a movement towards harmonized international patent system. It is also agreed that this change will reduce the complexity associated with the current USPTO interference proceedings. This will therefore make inventors to focus more on inventing. Since this change would make US to be in harmony with other countries it will help US inventors to pursue their innovative dreams in more consisted manner. On the hand, critics have agreed that this system of first to file will encourage unnecessary USPTO with unharmonized disclosure information; therefore quality of patents is compromised. Again the small scale inventors will be at a disadvantage when competing with large co operations in the race to the pattern office. The next major change was apportionment of damages. The bill will seek to bring sanity in the award of damages due from infringements of patents. The bill allows a court of law to ensure that the damages are paid according to the prevailing economic conditions pertaining to the patented invention. This was seen a measure to cut excessive royalty payment infringed patented. Large technological companies and financial services industries supported this change because they lie on features which are in most cases in patented. Critics of this system argued that, the congress should not attempt to prioritize the factors that a court may apply when determining reasonable damage rights. This system may also undermine the existing licenses and therefore leads to the rise of litigation. Those critics included USPTO, the biotechnology among many others. Other charges embedded in the bill included; Allowing a third party assignee to file a patent application, Revising procedures for patent interference disputes; Allowing financial institutions to infringe patents on the check collection system, Allowing a person who is not the patent owner to file a petition with the board cancel a patent as invalid among many other changes. These changes sought to facilitate a general overhaul of the US patent system. Which according to the coalition for 21st century patent Return was in dire need for periodic examination and foundational changes (http://www.ipfrolmer.com/depts/artic.asp?id=14890deptid=4) This reform bill on patents was introduced to the House of Representatives by a democrat, MR. Howard Berman and in the senate by another Democrat, MR. Patrick Leahy. It was passed in the House of Representatives but put under more scrutiny pending voting in the senate following its introduction in the 110th United States Congress. The bill has been faced with positive and negative critisms from different organizations. Those organizations lobbying for its subsequent adoption argue that, the bill is necessary to bringing in the much needed changes and consequently reduce the number of soaring ills which are killing innovation. Some of these organizations include coalition for patent fairness, Business software alliance intellectual property owners association and lastly American institute of certified public accounts. Those according to them are weakening the rights of patent owners innovations included the following national small business organization, innovatiove alliance, Biotechnology industry organization among others (http://www.napp, org/resources/nap opp to 2007 senate Bill. pdf) According to the US department of commerce the only part which need some revision is section 4 which they argue may harm the nation’s intellectual property system. The bill also attracted critisms from international community with a Chinese expert calling the bill hypocritical; since it is weakening the rights of patent owners in US when US has been urging the Chinese government to strengthen the rights of their patent owners. An observation also comes from India pharmaceutical Alliance who argued the bills provision allows for the validity of a US patent to be challenged immediately after issuance. They also predict that the bill may favour Indian manufacturers since it reduces legal costs and risks. (Http.economictrimes.com/article show/mst 22256,pr+page – 1.cms1) The lobbying strategies The first question one should ask himself when tackling this debate is very simple, how is the proposed patent reform bill going to affect the performance of the financial institutions? Secondly has the current patent laws been in â€Å"favor† of the financial institutions? With these two questions in mind then it is very easy to the financial institutions stand in respect to these reforms. Consequently, therefore, the lobbying strategies they employ will be directly related to these effects. This issue of patent reforms may seem to a nonprofessional to be of no consequential impact and therefore does not deserve much thought but to the business community things are very different. The above detailed account of the pros and cons of the patent reform bill, it is very clear that there exists a tug-of war between some of the corporate US citizens. On one side of the war are much dreaded patent trolls or better known as patent sharks-small firms or individuals who wit fully trap large manufacturers in patent infringement suits in order to benefit from damage awards. On the other side of this war are financial institutions, which, includes banks and insurance firms who have joined hands with large tech-companies. It is understood that these two sectors have been faced with regular lawsuits coming from the much-dreaded patent sharks. At the center of the dispute is the current Americas patent system that is suffering from lack of a major policy overhaul for along period of time and struggling to stay in level with innovation in thev21st century. Therefore, financial institutions have always found themselves in a hot spot under the current patent laws. It is in this light that any reforms that seeks to address their plight is seen as a relieve to them. The first strategy therefore employed by these financial institutions was the formation of a bargaining platform in the form of â€Å"the coalition of patent fairness†. This group lobbied the senate to help curb the weak patents and bourgeois lawsuits from patent sharks. The group also lobbied against a ruling made by the federal appeals court that opened doors for patents on business methods, including different types of banking, investments and insurance techniques. It is through this lobbying that, the senate judiciary committee included a provision that grants banks immunity against lawsuits from patent holders like Texas Company Data Treasury, which holds patent on a method of digitally scanning, sending and storing checks. Another strategy used by financial firms is by applying for patents. These patents unlike those of other industries are not primarily for financial gains but for defensive purposes against the escalating number of patent infringement cases from the much-dreaded patent sharks. Financial institutions in US are also exploiting the fact that US is the only nation in the world to have been left back using the first-to-invent system of patenting to lobby the international organizations (WTO).this seems to have borne fruits because the USPTO seems to have yielded to the pressure and therefore agreed to bring some changes. This has worked through the harmonization of the US patenting system with the rest of the world. After the House of Representatives passed its version of the bill, many AUTM members frantically contacted their congressional members a move that enabled many parts of the bill to be amended. However the senate bill remained to be harmonized. Following great concern from the university community and other bodies, a number of changes were made. One lobbying strategy, which financial services institution used was voicing their concerns through the AUTM, an organization of many universities and other bodies that induces closeness to industries. It should be noted that the AUTM and the university community were not in anyway against the improvement of US patent system. Their main concern was to see that before the bill was finally voted for in the senate, the contentious parts should be first fine-tuned. As a show of great support to the improvement of the US patent system, the university group therefore put fourth the following suggestions (i) a one-year grace period for first inventor and strong inventor oath should be included. ii)Removal of the previous user rights expansion in favour of study of issue university patent can be in a risk of expanding prior user rights iii) Venue reform provision that exempt universities and technology transfer foundations that offer patent services to universities. The bill as it were had many provisions that were of great concern to US universities chiefly because it undermined the ability of the universities to transfer technology to local industries. This was due to the making of patents difficult to protect decreasing the amount of damages patent holder can get from an infringer and opening new avenues for infringers to put to task the validity of issued patents. This change of USPTO rules and the issue of Supreme Court in mind made it more burdensome, and expensive to get, maintain and even enforce patents. It also poses difficulties for Universities when starting companies, which attract venture funding. Other areas, which concerned Universities and financial institutions were, are as follows:- i. A compulsory search report and analyses, which reflect heavily on the financial aspects of Universities on technology, transfer offices. ii. Absence of meaningful inadequate contact reform iii. An open-ended, post-grant administrative review of patent quality. iv. Venue reform policy that forces patentee to file suits in the infringer home district court and v. Apportionment of damages in patent infringement suits. Another strategic lobbying device at the disposal of financial institutions and other concerned organizations was through approaching federal relations officer near them. These federal relations officers are discharged with the main duty of acting as the intermediaries between the people and senate (legislators). Due to the bill, having so many controversial sections, there was an urgent need for the stakeholders to harmonize their divergent views and come up with a consensus. This was achieved through the congressional research service (CRS) an arm of United State Congress that provides policy and legal advices to committees and members of both the house and the Senate regardless of party affiliations. The CRS committee collects views from the public and then they act accordingly. Again, this CRS also carries out civic education concerning the interpretation of bills and their effect to the lives of the common person. Holding of workshops and seminars with the other stakeholders was another worthwhile strategy used to help bring every concerned party on board so that when the legislation is adopted no one would feel shortchanged. Workshops are known to bring warring parties together on a mutual agreement. These workshops therefore lobbied the opposing bodies into ceding some of their unrealistic demands. Financial services institutions through their attorneys lobbied the senate judiciary committee into making provisions that gave them more power in the using of technologies made by other inventors. These technologies are necessary in the improvement of banking services offered to customers. The bill therefore needed to be lobbied and subsequently harmonized. Conclusion The AUTM through their technology transfer managers evaluated impact of the long legislation on its general operations and therefore come up with a strategy, educate the university management and also other interested and the work with the federal relations officer, who in turn contacts the lawmakers. This technology transfer managers advice the legislators on the need to go the dialogue way so that at end of it all no constituency feels as being shortchanged by the passing of the patent reform legislation. In general, the current state of the bill would weaken the entire American patent system by making patented under to protect. The damages entitled to a patent owner after an infringement has been reduced adding salt to the wound. New avenues for infringers to challenge an already issued patent have also been opened. Although the bill continues to be harmonized bit by bit, the university technology transfer system still view some areas as not fully catered for. The legislation also provides for a patent trial and appeal bond, which is charged with the responsibilities of reviewing decisions of examiners upon applications and reexamination proceedings. Financial services institution therefore can utilize this avenue in addressing and subsequent challenging of the patent reforms legislations. This board comes as an indicator on how this reform legislation has deliberately been drafted and therefore only needs to be harmonized on the small areas. However, it is fair to say that America need this bill to at least bring some uniformity with rest of the world because it has been the only country adopting the first-invent system of patenting. Two, according to Senator Leahy, America needs an efficient and streamlined patent system if it is to remain in the forefront of the world economy. This patent will bring quality and at the same time discourage counter productive litigations. Senator Berman on his side argued that, there should be no doubt, as to whether the US system of patenting produces high quality patents, and therefore changing the existing patenting practices through the congress is the only way out. The bill also, should not be viewed with suspicion since it was founded and introduced in the two houses on a bipartisan basis. It is also the bedrock of American innovation, and therefore there is great need to protect innovation and creativity, according to Senator Hatch. Financial services industry being one of the major economic players of the United State of America, needs also to standup on its own and voice out their grievances. In addition, financial services institutions like banks and insurance companies have a duty to challenge the patent reforms legislation because they have started to seek protection from infringement lawsuits from patent sharks. This was facilitated through the introduction of financial patents. References; More about patent reforms, available at, 1) http://www.ipfrolmer.com/depts/artic.asp?id=14890deptid=4, accessed on april30 2008 Effects of patent reforms, available at, 2)Http.economictrimes.com/article show/mst 22256,pr+page – 1.cms1) , accessed on april30 2008 Patent reforms for 21st cen. available at, 3) http://www ton.nap.eds/catalog//76.html) accessed on april30 2008 US patent and trademark office, available at, 4) http://www. Upstaged/web/ offices/ac/ido/oeip/taf/h-counts-html accessed on april30 2008 Regulations governing patent application, available at, 5) http://www. Wolf Greenfield. Com/media/news. 9.pdf) accessed on april30 2008 More about patenting, available at, 6)http://www.ipaustralia-gov.au/patents/what_index.sch.html) accessed on april30 2008 Patenting and innovations, available at, 7) Heller, M.A., Eisenberg, R.S. (1998). Can Patents Deter Innovation? The Ant commons in Biomedical Research. Science. Different organizations response towards the patent reform bill, available at; 8) http://dev.bsa.org/country/public%20policy/patents.aspx, accessed on april30 2008

School Shootings and Denial :: Mass Shootings, School Shootings Essays

I can think of no other way to say this, so here goes: White people need to pull our heads out of our collective *ss. Two more white children are dead and thirteen are injured in Santee, California, and another "nice" community is scratching its blonde head, utterly perplexed at how another school shooting could happen. After all, as the Mayor of the town said in an interview with CNN: "We're a solid town, a good town, with good kids, a good church-going town ... an All-American town." Yeah, well maybe that's the problem. And days later, a teen girl shoots another student in a high school cafeteria in Williamsburg, Pennsylvania, the home of the Little League World Series. I said this after Columbine and no one listened so I'll say it again: White people live in an utter state of self-delusion. We think danger is black, brown and poor, and if we can just move far enough away from "those people" in the cities we'll be safe. If we can just find an "all-American" town, life will be better, because "things like this just don't happen here." Well, bullsh*t on that. In case you hadn't noticed, "here" is about the only place these kinds of things do happen. Oh sure, there is plenty of violence in urban communities and schools. But mass murder; wholesale slaughter; take-a-gun-and-see-how-many-you can-kill kind of craziness seems made for those safe places: the white suburbs or rural communities. And yet once again, we hear the FBI insist there is no "profile" of a school shooter. Come again? White boy after white boy after white boy, with very few exceptions to that rule (and none in the mass shooting category), decides to use their classmates for target practice, and yet there is no profile? Imagine if all these killers had been black: would we still hesitate to put a racial face on the perpetrators? Doubtful. Indeed, if any black child in America -- especially in the mostly white suburbs of Littleton, or Santee -- were to openly discuss their plans to murder fellow students, as happened both at Columbine and now Santana High, you can bet your ass that somebody would have turned them in, and the cops would have beat a path to their doorstep. School Shootings and Denial :: Mass Shootings, School Shootings Essays I can think of no other way to say this, so here goes: White people need to pull our heads out of our collective *ss. Two more white children are dead and thirteen are injured in Santee, California, and another "nice" community is scratching its blonde head, utterly perplexed at how another school shooting could happen. After all, as the Mayor of the town said in an interview with CNN: "We're a solid town, a good town, with good kids, a good church-going town ... an All-American town." Yeah, well maybe that's the problem. And days later, a teen girl shoots another student in a high school cafeteria in Williamsburg, Pennsylvania, the home of the Little League World Series. I said this after Columbine and no one listened so I'll say it again: White people live in an utter state of self-delusion. We think danger is black, brown and poor, and if we can just move far enough away from "those people" in the cities we'll be safe. If we can just find an "all-American" town, life will be better, because "things like this just don't happen here." Well, bullsh*t on that. In case you hadn't noticed, "here" is about the only place these kinds of things do happen. Oh sure, there is plenty of violence in urban communities and schools. But mass murder; wholesale slaughter; take-a-gun-and-see-how-many-you can-kill kind of craziness seems made for those safe places: the white suburbs or rural communities. And yet once again, we hear the FBI insist there is no "profile" of a school shooter. Come again? White boy after white boy after white boy, with very few exceptions to that rule (and none in the mass shooting category), decides to use their classmates for target practice, and yet there is no profile? Imagine if all these killers had been black: would we still hesitate to put a racial face on the perpetrators? Doubtful. Indeed, if any black child in America -- especially in the mostly white suburbs of Littleton, or Santee -- were to openly discuss their plans to murder fellow students, as happened both at Columbine and now Santana High, you can bet your ass that somebody would have turned them in, and the cops would have beat a path to their doorstep.

Kinds of research data Essay

The basic classification of research data is in terms of quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative research entails examination of numerical data by using mathematical models and statistical procedures. (Morgan, 2000). Qualitative research involves use of analysis and opinions to explain interviews and documents and understanding the phenomenon. The study requires a qualitative and some quantitative approach rather than a purely numerical one. Data Collection Approaches Data collection approaches can be primary and secondary. Both primary and secondary approaches will be utilized Extensive research will be carried out in the Library as well as on the World Wide Web. Qualitative Research Methodologies Qualitative methodology focuses on â€Å"quality† a term referring to the essence or ambience of something. Qualitative methods are used to understand complex social phenomena. In the present situation, literature survey along with interviews and questionnaires will be the key techniques used for data collection, collation and analysis. Case-Study Research Methodology. Case study in the primary research methodology employed in this study. A case study is an enquiry which uses multiple sources of evidence. It evaluates a contemporary phenomenon in real life context within the boundaries of the phenomenon and when the context is not clearly evident. Potter, (1996) has defined case study as a â€Å"realistic† methodology, which deals with solid and specific questions. Case study translates research objectives into more researchable problems, and provides rich examples, which are easy to comprehend. The significance of case studies is its revealing the meaning of a phenomenon. A peer group case study approach is considered best suited than other techniques to implement this research, as it will concentrate on an empirical, contemporary problem. It will also enable answering the questions as, â€Å"why† and, â€Å"how† to understand the underlying motivations. It will generate empirical data and interesting information specific to the phenomenon under study. Research cases offer a unique tool to testing theory by examining phenomena which are beyond the traditional statistical approaches. (Potter, 1996). Case study research is useful to the aims because the degree to which a case study produces valid and credible information is generally higher than qualitative research in a more general survey. An analysis of the Chinese and UK banking systems is proposed to be carried out with reference to the case study of Bank of China and HSBC, London. Limitations of Case Study One of the limits of case studies is the difficulty of generalizing their findings. If the case design is sound and if the researcher is careful to be explicit about the phenomenon and the context of the study, then results can be generalized.(Potter, 1996). Another limit of case studies is that they generate a lot of information that needs to be logically handled to strengthen the argument presented in order to develop credible conclusion. Research Instruments Primary data is collected for the research study to answer a specific question. Ways of collecting this kind of information includes surveys, observation or controlled experiments. Surveys are one of the most common ways to collect data, where the subject can be contacted through mail, telephone or directly in personal interviews. (Veal, 2000). It entails sending questionnaires, interviews and non-formal enquiries made to people. By carrying out interviews of a significant number of individuals a broad perspective can be provided. This research will collect data by essentially the method of interviews and questionnaires. Data Collection Method Questionnaire Survey Surveys are frequently used to obtain information about social issues. Jones (1997) has described that survey needs planned strategy to gather data. Surveys can be conducted in many ways, over the telephone, by mail or in person. Questionnaire surveys are ideal for providing complex information. Questionnaire involves a sample of the population which can range from few hundreds to few thousands depending on the research study (Veal, 2000). Questionnaire technique has been used in the study. Limitation of the questionnaires On an average the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, but a key drawback is low response rate. This will result in low level of confidence and distort the analogy of statistical information. Another weakness of questionnaire is the fact that it is a structured format and allows little room for flexibility with respect to reply by the respondents. Interview Interviews will form an interactive part of this study and will be carried out after the secondary research is done in combination with the questionnaire. When doing these interviews it will be important to keep a neutral view of the research topic, where the actual behavior instead of an intended behavior needs to be identified. Veal (2000) has described interview as a strategy to find out from people about the things, which cannot be observed directly.

A study of Compensation Management Essay

In spite of the multiple benefits and advantages of compensation management and its impact on employee’s performance, it cannot still be said that having compensation management policy is a panacea for success in appraising, and managing employee’s performance. It is therefore the duty of all managers to ensure that the use of compensating policy meets employee’s expectation in order to have good and effective performance. The first basic requirement for effective and functional performance system is to have a common understanding of the standards of performance required from each job holder, performance required from each job holder and compensation management should be in relation with organizational goals and objectives. One of the primary responsibilities of management is to make compensation policy a veritable tool for optimizing the potentials of employees and human resources manager or practitioners should be in the driving seat in ensuring that the system is run in line with the principles of fairness and equity. SUMMARY The study was aimed at examining the impacts of compensation management practices on employees’ performance at the Nigeria Port Authority, Apapa. Questionnaires were administered to selected staff of Nigeria ports Authority, Apapa. The entire population was estimated at 340 people comprising of senior and junior staff and out of this population a sample of 100 respondents were randomly selected for intensive study and analyzed. The responses obtained from the questionnaire that was personally administered and the test of hypothesis Using chi square (x2 distribution) statistical method of analysis form the basis of the finding of this research survey. Some of the findings are, 1. That the Nigeria ports authority (NPA) has a well-organized and efficient compensation management system which is applicable to all the employees. 2. That compensation management system has a great impact on employee’s efficiency and performance at the Nigeria ports authority (NPA). 3. There is a relationship between compensation management policy and employee’s performance and that compensation management will lead to positive impact on employee’s performance. 4. That employee’s performance can also be determined through the use of some factors which are not monetary inclined like motivation, leadership, communication, objective, control, sense of belonging and decision making in relation to compensation management practices. 5. That despite the significant impact of compensation management system, performance of some employees is not up to the set standard of the organization.

Correlation Between Age and Memory Loss Essay Example

Correlation Between Age and Memory Loss Essay Example Correlation Between Age and Memory Loss Essay Correlation Between Age and Memory Loss Essay We have all wondered from time to time as to why the elderly seem to have a much greater falter-prone memory than the younger generations. From recently met people to the digits of their friends phone number, people seem to lag behind the youth in their memory capability as they grow older. One of the reasons behind this natural phenomena is due to an increase in brain cell loss which onsets around the age of twenty years old for most people. Unlike other things, Memory isnt a single cognitive process, and it isnt stored in a single area of the brain. Instead, it is classified by categories which span from short-term memory, to long-term memory, to factual memory, and onto motor-skill memory such as the knowledge of how to tie your shoes or drive a car. Memory loss tends to be categorized Into two categories which include Mild cognitive Impalement and Alchemies. When the Information which you begin to forget Is no longer travel, unimportant Information and your forgetfulness begins to eve consequences such as you forget an Important family members birthday or forget to pay your rent blank. Our memory loss would be considered to be beyond normal memory loss due to aging and may be diagnosed as mild cognitive impairment or MIMIC. On a more severe spectrum, when a persons memory loss becomes so severe that its capable of disrupting your work, hobbies, social activities, as well as your family relationships, a person may be experiencing the warning signs of Alchemists disease, another disorder that causes dementia, or a condition that mimics dementia. Often times, Limiters tends to be diagnosed people over the age of 65 but can also less-prevalently affect people younger as well. Latest statistics from the Alchemists association shows that In 2006, there were 22. 6 million sufferers world-wide and 1 In 85 people will be effected by this memory disorder by the year 2050. There are also several factors which can put an individual at greater risk for acquiring these memory disorders. Such factors include substances you come in contact with in your home and workplace. They include lead in drinking water or paint in older homes, mercury in paints, dyes and inks carbon monoxide leaking from home heaters and chemicals in pesticides and hobby materials. Alcohol and drug abuse has also been a major factor to inducing memory loss because excessive alcohol intake is toxic to brain cells, and illicit drugs such as marijuana, ecstasy, and cocaine block the function of neurotransmitters needed for memory. Also, 812 protects neurons, and some older persons develop an Inability to absorb It effectively. Memory loss treatments are mainly wealth the drug sectors but some non-drug alternatives can be used to help Meltzer a persons chance of acquiring such disorders. Memory loss is often caused due to inadequate supply of the required nutrients to our oral. I nose nutrients are Carlen o e ran y e t TN D I D TN 01000 Hell level of cholesterol restricts these nutrients from arriving at the brain. The chemicals present in the brain, known as neurotransmitters, are responsible for all the major odd functions, and these chemicals are dependent on the nutrients for proper functioning. Besides the well known dietary considerations for reducing the level of triglycerides and cholesterol, memory loss treatment depends mainly on its underlying cause. For instance, if memory loss is the result of depression, hormonal imbalance or any other disorder, then treating them would resolve the issue of memory loss as well. Besides these, the different brain exercises and self-help techniques also help in memory loss treatment.

Why you need an internship - and 5 surprising things I learned at mine

Why you need an internship - and 5 surprising things I learned at mine We all can agree that college is tough. You’re busy checking Facebook in class, going to frat parties, and asking your parents for a weekly allowance. All jokes aside, the transition from high school to undergraduate is not easy. But, the transition from undergraduate to the real world is going to be even harder. Internships help make the experience more palatable. I remember being a freshman at Texas Christian University and hearing the upperclassman in the library stressing over what internship they were going to get. Back then, I knew internships were important enough to stress over, but I did not really know what they were or even their significance.   As the school years went by, so did the importance of internships. Positions started to become more competitive and I began to receive an overwhelming amount of letters that began with, â€Å"We regret to inform you.†Senior year was about to start, and I was still without an internship for the semester. I knew this was my last shot at boosting my resume, and I was determined to get an internship that would wow recruiters come graduation. I applied for the Varghese Summersett Digital Marketing Internship after furiously stalking the law firm’s website and social media accounts. I was blown away by the law firm’s success and was hopeful that my resume would stand out. I had no previous experience in law, but I did have an impressive background in marketing which is what landed me the job. Working at VS for the past nine months has been an enriching experience.   My expectations for elevating my marketing knowledge were surpassed within my first few weeks at the firm. Beyond that, I learned a few surprising lessons along the way.1. Yes, interning at a law firm is exactly like â€Å"Suits†For me, I’ve never aspired to be a lawyer, but after working at this firm I have been mesmerized by the law firm’s practicalities, the education required and the etiquette tha t is always displayed.   Everyone really does wear pantsuits, and I really did have to sign a non-disclosure. Learning about criminal law was mesmerizing, and hearing about our attorneys’ success was motivating.2. Seek clarityAs an intern, it’s important to always know the details of the project for which you are assigned. Your boss is counting on you.   Your work will be seen by a larger group of people beyond just your boss, and although some tasks may seem insignificant, everything adds up. Work hard on every project you are given because you never know where it may end up. For me, after I was given an assignment I would repeat the assignment in my own words back to my boss. Sometimes, my boss would correct me and better explain an aspect of a project that I lacked clarity on.3. Work hardInternships typically come with an upfront end date, which means they are only going to last a short amount of time. An internship is your time to gain as much hands-on experien ce as you can so that you can develop your skills, and set yourself up for a career in the real world.4. Be flexibleAs an intern, you are going to be asked to tackle projects that may be outside of your typical duties. You need to be flexible. Be open to wearing multiple hats. Taking on a variety of projects means you will be working with a variety of different people. Learning how to be adaptable will open up opportunities for you, and being flexible with your communication style or way of doing things is essential for success.5. Embrace challengesDoing things you have never done before is scary for everyone, especially when you are an intern. Use fear as a  fuel. Utilize it to enrich your skill set. For me, I had mentioned that I was barely proficient in Spanish. To my surprise, I was asked to translate for our Spanish speaking clients in multiple settings. I translated video recordings, client meetings, and phone calls. Spanish still is not my strong suit, but the value of taki ng on the challenge was indispensable. I showed my coworkers I was willing to help and gained their trust.About the author:  Margaret Foley is a senior at Texas Christian University, where she is majoring in Communications Studies and minoring in English and Graphic Design. She is currently interning at Varghese Summersett, a criminal defense firm based in Fort Worth, Texas.

New Small Business Competes With Google, Bing and Yahoo Essay

New Small Business Competes With Google, Bing and Yahoo - Essay Example Gabriel Weinberg has established a mechanized that maximizes on the needs of its users, unlike the other search engines. A vast majority of search engines comprise of numerous ads that surround relevant pages, and personalized tracking. Gabriel Weinberg way was different from other search engines. He sought out to address the concerns of consumers that had queries while using these search engines. Gabriel Weinberg’s search engine proves to be a long time competitor to Google and other search engine. There is factual information to back this reasoning. Currently European and U.S officials have already begun criticizing practices that are considered to be monopolistic in nature. Google and other bigger search have been considered to be selective with regards to their star results. These are considered to favor some businesses and elbow out competitors. Additionally Gabriel Weinberg venture maintains that it will not track its users. A combination of these factors sheds light to the future. It is evident that this search engine will last and still be a long term foe to bigger search engines. As of late, the future holds good tidings for Gabriel Weinberg search engine over established ones. One major fact stands; it is a major threat to bigger search engines. Should Google not review their systems, facts prove that they may not be in