Racial Profiling And The Civil Rights Movement - 1439 Words

According to the National Institute of Justice, racial profiling refers to the discriminatory practice by law enforcement officials of targeting individuals for suspicion of crime based on the individual s race, ethnicity, religion or national origin. Any definition of racial profiling must include, in addition to racially or ethnically discriminatory acts, discriminatory omissions on the part of law enforcement as well. For example, during the eras of lynching in the South in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and the civil rights movement in the 1950 s and 1960 s, southern sheriffs sat idly by while racists like the Ku Klux Klan terrorized African Americans. A recent example would be the complaint by an African American man†¦show more content†¦I would argue with Peter Schuck because racial profiling undermines human rights. The Fourth amendment states, secure from unreasonable searches and seizures of property by the government. It protects against arbitrary ar rests and is the basis of the law regarding search warrants, and stop-and-frisk. Law enforcement violates the amendment when they make a traffic stop. In a study done by the New Jersey Turnpike, fifteen percent of all drivers on the Turnpike were minorities, that virtually all drivers violated the traffic laws, and that blacks and whites violated traffic laws at almost exactly the same rate, but that forty-two of stops and 73.2% of arrests were of blacks’ motorists. The Attorney General of New Jersey said, â€Å"that the use of arrest statistics could not justify racially disparate stops and searches, as those arrests were the product of racially discriminatory law enforcement practices† (Rudovsky 300). The statics done by Turnpike and Attorney General one could see that people get pulled over by their race. Statics show that 15.4% of the stops failed to comply with Fourth Amendment standards. The people that were being stopped was based on suspicion of possession of a weapon, yielded a weapon in only 2.5% of all stops were considered African-Americans. Officers would Force young men to lower their trousers, or otherwise searching inside their underwear, on public streets or inShow MoreRelatedRacial Profiling And The Civil Rights Movement1065 Words   |  5 PagesWhen thinking about racism, it feels like it is a thing of the past, but it’s not. There are numerous people who are racist in law enforcement and that is demonstrated through racial profiling. Racial profiling still exists today and unfortunately happens frequently. In 2013, an unarmed black male, Trayvon Martin, is shot and killed by an officer. In 2014, Michael Brown, who is also a black male is shot and killed by another officer. Also, many black and Hispanic people are racially profiled andRead MoreRacial Profiling And The Civil Rights Movement993 Words   |  4 Pagesincreasingly improved after the civil rights movement, racism still occurs today. Discrimination and racis m toward Blacks was considered normal after the Civil War and before the civil rights movement. Many white people could openly abuse black people in the streets and no one would care. Racism and discrimination only happens at a mid extent today, which is not as often as a when Richard lived. Richard Wright was born after the Civil War, but before the Civil Rights Movement. If he were to write an autobiographyRead MoreRacial Profiling And The Civil Rights Movement1239 Words   |  5 PagesGiselle Cordero PSCI 246: Social Movements Outline Topic/Question: Have Black Lives Mattered? – Racial profiling in the justice system, increased incarceration of African Americans and the idea of â€Å"White Privilege† persists in the United States. 1. 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Looking at prior cases of brutality and its connection to racial profiling, such as the police shooting of Ronald Stokes in 1962, has led many activists in America to connect these past issuesRead MoreMyths and Stereotypes909 Words   |  4 PagesMyth and Stereotypes: Racial Profiling Wendy Horton Kaplan University A stereotype is an exaggerated belief about a group that can be positive or negative but generalizes without allowing for differences (Louisiana Voices, 1999-2003). One example of a stereotype would be racial profiling. Racial profiling is an inclusion of racial or ethnic characteristics in determining whether a person is considered more likely to commit a particular type of crime or an illegal act or to behave in a â€Å"predictable†Read MoreCivil Rights For African Americans1001 Words   |  5 PagesCivil Rights for African Americans Marciano Castillo Government 3P May 5, 2015 For centuries African Americans have been treated differently because of the color of their skin. They’ve been slaves, segregated, and discriminated, and been forced to fight for equality. Till this day African Americans are discriminated but yet have accomplished a lot from changing laws to changing the way they are viewed. The first slaves arrived in Virginia around the 1600’s and was the jumpstart to whatRead MoreThroughout history, racial profiling has become a prevalent issue within humanity. From slavery,1400 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout history, racial profiling has become a prevalent issue within humanity. From slavery, segregation, and to world wars, furthermore ongoing issues of terrorism, these examples have led to the profound effects of racial profiling. Racial Profiling can be defined as the action of law enforcers and society, which specifically targets people based on race, ethnicity, religion or national origin and not by actual behavior. Although, many people may believe that racial profiling is non-existent,

The Philosophy Of Political Science - 1799 Words

Ohlone College The philosopher, Thomas Hobbes, started out with the philosophy of political science while on his trips and visits neighboring countries outside of England to listen to other scientists discuss and learn about different forms of government. While studying, Thomas Hobbes wondered about why people allow themselves to become ruled by the government and would be the ideal form of government best for England. He answered that questioned by stating that since people were naturally wicked and shouldn’t become trusted to govern themselves because they were selfish creatures and would do anything to better their position and social status, it would be best to have an absolute monarchy, which would stop the people when left alone to go back to their own evil impulse to be led into the right direction and leadership to make sure the country doesn’t go into turmoil. 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Thorn Queen Chapter Twenty Free Essays

Tim surfaced the next morning after some liaison or another, and I decided not to mention that our wards had been broken. He handled my array of paranormal activities fairly good-naturedly, but that was largely because they usually didn’t follow me home. So, I called the witch who’d originally laid the wards and asked her to come back and discreetly redo them, scheduling a time when I knew Tim would be out. We will write a custom essay sample on Thorn Queen Chapter Twenty or any similar topic only for you Order Now After that it was off to the first shamanic job I’d had in a while, fighting a nixie who’d taken up residence in some poor family’s swimming pool. The ease with which I dispatched her was a bit alarming. Earlier in the year, Dorian and I had fought off a group of them that Jasmine had sent. Dorian had done the fighting, and at the time, they’d seemed overwhelming. Now, with my magic becoming more and more instinctual, fighting a water creature like this was ridiculously simple. Admittedly, I still banished her the old-fashioned way, not wanting to rely on magic more than I had to. I didn’t agree with Roland about its use-though my fight with him still stung-but it was exhilarating recalling how easily I’d fought the water elemental. If I could only summon water creatures like Jasmine could, my life would be easier still. And speaking of Jasmine, I summoned Volusian away from her later that evening. I was going to the Thorn Land shortly and felt confident that she wouldn’t get knocked up before then. Well, I hoped so, at least. Volusian appeared in the darkest corner of my bedroom, scaring off one of the cats that had been sleeping on my bed. â€Å"My mistress calls,† he said in his monotone. â€Å"I have a job for you.† â€Å"Of course.† â€Å"I need you to go to Yellow River and check out the house of a shaman there. Do not let him see you-or sense you, if you can help it.† My vibe from Art was that while he could fight Otherworldly creatures, he didn’t possess the same sensitivity I did. â€Å"And what would my mistress like me to do once I am there?† â€Å"Look around. Tell me if there’s anything suspicious going on-particularly in regard to any gentry girls. Make sense?† Volusian’s look was scathing. â€Å"Certainly it makes sense. Do not confuse me with the other underlings who serve you.† Once he had the address, he disappeared in that way of his, and I sighed. It might be worth enslaving another minion destined for the Underworld. It was easy enough for me, particularly if I got one who wasn’t too strong. I didn’t have a huge amount of respect for Volusian, but he’d been right about one thing. He was so powerful that his skills were better suited to protection and battle. A lesser spirit would suffice for all these errands I seemed to be sending him on lately. That was a thought for another day. For now, it was back to the Thorn Land. I planned on spending the night there since I wanted to get an early start on our demon hunting. Kiyo had said he’d come at sunrise, and I didn’t want to miss a moment of being with him. When I arrived at my castle, I was a bit surprised to see a party going on. Well, not a true party, but Shaya, Rurik, and a few of the other head servants were hanging out in one of the parlors, drinking wine and laughing. Girard was still around and had joined them. Even Ysabel was there, looking happy for a change. None of them seemed to have expected me that night and most leapt up like naughty children. Shaya started to stammer something like an apology, but I silenced her with a gesture. â€Å"No, no. Keep having fun.† I somehow always thought of them as utilitarian fixtures around here, but of course, they were only human-well, figuratively speaking-and entitled to their downtime. After a few uneasy moments, they settled back down, and Rurik offered me a glass of wine. I shook my head. â€Å"You know,† he said, â€Å"that your minion disappeared.† â€Å"Yeah, I know. I sent him on a task.† â€Å"I doubled the guards on her when I heard.† â€Å"Good. Let’s hope she’s managed to keep her clothes on in this short of time.† â€Å"You should have killed her,† Ysabel noted darkly. I ignored that and turned away, leaving them to their party. â€Å"I’m going to check on her myself.† The bedroom Shaya had assigned Jasmine was one floor up and very cleverly chosen-not that I’d expect any less from Shaya. It was spacious and furnished but not so large that the guards within couldn’t see her most of the time-the bathroom excluded. The room’s one window was only a tiny slit, too small for anyone to get out of. Four guards stood on duty outside and four within. To my relief, Jasmine simply lay on her bed, reading one of the books I’d sent. Girard’s new cuffs had a longer, thinner chain that gave her much more range of motion but was packed with iron. Those blue-gray eyes looked up at my approach, but the rest of her didn’t move. â€Å"Oh. You.† I sat down on a narrow wicker bench and sent the guards outside with a curt nod. â€Å"I came to check on you.† â€Å"Right. Because you care so much.† â€Å"I do. Well, kind of.† â€Å"The only things you care about are having the heir yourself and forcing me to get rid of your monsters.† â€Å"Demons,† I corrected. â€Å"And believe me, the last thing I want is to have the heir.† â€Å"I heard the guards talking. They said you’ve been hanging out with Dorian a lot. Why else would you do that? No one else would rather have our father’s grandson. Well, except Aeson.† A grimace fell over her face at the mention of her old lover. â€Å"Dorian’s just my friend, something you’ll understand when you’re older.† Oh, Eugenie, you are such a hypocrite. â€Å"And you’re better off without Aeson.† Her eyes returned to her book. â€Å"I loved Aeson. You have no idea what love is.† â€Å"Oh, I do. I know that it’s the best high and the worst hurt all at the same time-not to mention confusing as hell.† Jasmine looked back at me, still sullen but with a new sort of consideration. â€Å"What do you want? Are you just here to babysit me until that fucking imp comes back? God, I hate him.† I started to tell her to watch her language and then decided there was no point. â€Å"I came to tell you we’re going to take out those demons tomorrow.† â€Å"At gunpoint.† â€Å"I don’t have a choice. They’re terrorizing people. How can you not understand how serious that is?† She shrugged with her typical apathy and pushed some of that long blond hair out of her face. â€Å"Your problem. Not mine.† Self-centered brat. She frowned for a moment, though. â€Å"Are they still taking girls?† She sounded almost concerned. Almost. â€Å"I don’t know,† I admitted. â€Å"I don’t know if this group’s connected or not. I actually think there are humans involved.† The book slipped to her lap, forgotten. â€Å"Why would they do that? That doesn’t make any sense.† â€Å"I’ll tell you when you’re older,† I said dryly, which was silly considering all that she’d been through. â€Å"And you’re certain†¦you’re certain the group chasing you wasn’t human?† â€Å"Yes, for like the hundredth time. They were shining ones.† â€Å"You said they were soldiers†¦.† A startling thought came to me. â€Å"Leather armor? Red shirts?† â€Å"That’s how soldiers dress, isn’t it? Well, maybe not the red shirt. Depends on who they work for, I guess. I don’t remember the color.† â€Å"Does it happen a lot?† I asked, recalling past thoughts about the similarities between the two of us. â€Å"Are guys coming after you a lot to†¦you know†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Get me pregnant? Yeah, sometimes.† There was a sad look in her eyes, a very vulnerable one. â€Å"But†¦you don’t always give in†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Jesus Christ, Eugenie. I won’t sleep with anyone. What kind of a slut do you think I am?† A considerable one, actually. But I didn’t say so, and I wondered if she’d ever been raped. â€Å"Sorry. You just seem so anxious to have that baby.† â€Å"Yeah, well, not with just anyone. And certainly not through rape.† She held her head up, a fierce look in her eyes. â€Å"No one does that to Storm King’s daughter. It’s an insult to our father’s awesomeness.† Try as she might to deny her heritage, only the human part of her could have pulled up â€Å"awesomeness† to refer to a tyrannical fairy warlord. â€Å"You know I don’t quite share the same regard for him that you do.† â€Å"I know,† she said. â€Å"Which is why you have such bad taste in men. You wouldn’t catch me sleeping with a kitsune. I need someone worthy†¦like Aeson.† I started to argue again that Aeson had been a despotic asshole but knew logic and love rarely worked together-particularly if my own life was any indication. I was saved from further commentary when a coldness settled into the room and Volusian appeared. â€Å"Fuck,† said Jasmine. Man, did she have a mouth on her. I stood up, crossing my arms and trying to look imposing. It was a common attitude I kept around Volusian so there would be no question of my control. â€Å"Did you go to Art’s house?† â€Å"Yes, mistress.† â€Å"And? Did you find anything?† â€Å"No, mistress. I could not enter.† â€Å"What do you mean? Did he invite you out back for beer too?† Volusian didn’t blink. â€Å"The house was warded.† â€Å"The house was warded,† I repeatedly flatly. â€Å"And you couldn’t cross it?† â€Å"They’d have to be some serious wards if he couldn’t,† said Jasmine. â€Å"Thanks, Little Miss Stating the Obvious.† I racked my brain, thinking of the local witch network. I didn’t know them well enough, not like I knew the shamans. â€Å"Where the hell would he find someone that strong?† â€Å"The wards were not the usual type found in the human world. They were laced with magic from this world as well,† continued Volusian. â€Å"What? How would Art get gentry help to lay wards-especially if he’s abducting them?† â€Å"Maybe he put a gun to their head,† said Jasmine, in a fair imitation of my own dry tone. Another family trait, perhaps. â€Å"I’ve got to get into that house,† I muttered. â€Å"I guess that’s gotta wait like everything else, though. Well, thanks for trying, Volusian.† â€Å"I neither require nor desire your gratitude, mistress. I want nothing in these worlds save your death.† Jasmine laughed. â€Å"Well, I’m sure you guys’ll have a great time together.† I opened the door and beckoned the guards back in. With Volusian back, only two needed to be inside. â€Å"I’ll see you both in the morning for demon hunting.† After that, I considered joining the others for their impromptu party but decided that would be the same as a boss crashing her employees’ happy hour. Instead, I made my way to my own room but was intercepted by Girard. â€Å"Your majesty.† He swept me a bow in that flourish-filled way of his, making his cloak flare out dramatically. â€Å"I’ve made considerable progress on the project you requested.† â€Å"Already?† I knew he had magic for this kind of thing, but still. He smiled. â€Å"The queen asks, and I obey.† From within the folds of his cloak, he produced a rolled-up piece of parchment, which he opened up for me. On it was a detailed diagram of a sword, and scrawled all around it were assorted technical notes about weight and composition. Those meant little to me. Mostly I noticed the sword’s beauty, particularly its hilt. â€Å"This is lovely,† I said. â€Å"I should hope so. Fit for a king.† In spite of myself, I smiled back. Dorian had left me in a miasma of emotions, but I’d been trying hard not to let that interfere with the honest favors he’d done me. And when he’d mentioned needing a new sword, I’d gotten the idea yesterday to have Girard make one. By all accounts, there were few more skilled, and his ability to touch iron made him particularly gifted. Girard traced the line of the sword’s blade and tapped the end. â€Å"I can work iron into the tip here, and it shouldn’t harm the Oak King so long as he’s holding the hilt. It also shouldn’t affect his ability to control the rest of the blade.† As a master of the earth and its contents, Dorian could infuse copper and sometimes bronze blades with magical heat. â€Å"But the tip will be deadly to his enemies,† I said. The idea to work iron into it had been mine. â€Å"Considerably. I can begin production right away, but I’ll need to get an understanding of his current sword’s balance before I can finalize this one.† â€Å"He’ll be here tomorrow. You can talk to him then.† Dorian too had offered to help oust my demons. â€Å"Excellent. And Mistress Shaya tells me you have the materials here that I could use, if I have your permission to do so. Otherwise, I can return to my workshop in the Rowan Land.† I shook my head. â€Å"No, no. Use whatever you need here.† His lips twitched in a wry smile. â€Å"That’s probably just as well. Were I to return home†¦well, I suspect my lord prince would spend days asking me about you.† I sighed. â€Å"Is he still upset about that?† â€Å"He was, forgive me, quite heartbroken over your rejection of the gift and of him.† â€Å"I didn’t want that. I liked him-still do. I just wanted us to be friends.† â€Å"In my experience, your majesty, men and women often have difficulty with that. It’s not impossible-but not always easy.† I thought about Dorian. â€Å"That’s for damned sure. Well, thank you for this, and let me know if there’s anything I can do to help with it. But seriously-don’t go work on it now. Go back to that party. Drink up. Flirt with Shaya. She could use a good guy.† Girard erupted into laughter. It was a rich, honey-filled sound. â€Å"I treasure my neck too much to risk the captain of your guards wringing it.† It took me a moment to catch on. â€Å"Who, Rurik? He doesn’t like Shaya†¦not that way, at least. She’s too, I don’t know, refined. He only goes after trashy kitchen girls.† Girard merely shrugged. â€Å"I’m serious!† I wasn’t sure why this astounded me so much. â€Å"They might seem close, but it’s because they work together. They’re just friends.† Girard flashed another grin. â€Å"Didn’t you just hear what I said about men and women being friends?† He dared a wink and bowed again. â€Å"Until tomorrow, your majesty.† I watched him go, that flamboyant red cape swirling around him. I was still in disbelief. Shaya and Rurik? No, it was ridiculous. I was certain she had no interest in him, and if he did want her, it was only for the same cheap reasons he wanted any woman. She was too smart for that. â€Å"You give my lord gifts yet still claim no interest.† I turned and saw Ysabel standing near a corner in the hall. She’d apparently overheard my conversation with Girard. Did this woman have nothing to do except lurk in halls and wait for me? â€Å"He’s done a lot of favors for me lately. It’s the only way I can really repay him.† â€Å"No doubt there are other ways you could repay him,† she said snidely. I started to give the â€Å"friends† line but had already had enough of that with Girard. â€Å"Please, I don’t want to go through this same old song and dance. And you know, we both fulfilled our side of the deal with Dorian. I let you teach me. You’re free. He’s coming here tomorrow to help with the demon problem. Go home with him afterward.† Those big blue eyes widened in surprise. â€Å"Why?† â€Å"Why what?† â€Å"Why would you let me go?† â€Å"Because you don’t want to be here. You gave me the foundation of what I need to know, and I’ve been building on it pretty quickly.† With a shiver, I recalled how I’d nearly suffocated that gentry in my yard. That had been intentional. I had no accident excuses as I’d had with her. It was probably something I shouldn’t mention to her quite yet. As it was, she looked troubled enough. â€Å"Yes†¦you have learned quickly. The magic burns so strongly in you, I don’t think it needs much of an excuse to burst out. You really are like Storm King.† â€Å"Did you know him?† I asked curiously. I was always conflicted on hearing about him. Part of me wanted nothing to do with him, yet the other part longed to know more. â€Å"I wouldn’t say ‘know,'† she mused. â€Å"My father was one of his bodyguards, so I saw Storm King a few times. He was†¦terrifying. Terrifying and awe-inspiring.† She tried to hide her fear but shuddered anyway. â€Å"From what I hear, that’s the reaction most people have.† Kiyo too had seen Storm King in his youth, and I’d once had a flashback of my own brief meeting with my father. â€Å"The power you try to summon†¦he was able to bring it about in a heartbeat. He had only to think about a storm and the world would tremble with its force.† â€Å"Well, I guess everyone can rest easy. I’m a long ways from that.† â€Å"Do you know why?† she asked. â€Å"Practice?† She shook her head and pursed her lips. â€Å"Because for all your titles and regard and impressive use of magic so far†¦you are still human in your heart.† Human, by her tone, was a very ugly thing to be. â€Å"Not according to my stepfather.† It didn’t seem like I’d ever fit anyone’s expectations. â€Å"You think like one. You want to divide everything up logically. The way you approach magic, it’s very†¦scientific.† Not a word gentry used very often. â€Å"You treat it coldly. You parcel up each fragment of air and categorize it. Magic requires control, yes, but at its heart, it is tied to your emotions. You said you’d summoned lightning accidentally. What was going on?† â€Å"I was scared.† It had also happened, I realized, when I was aroused. â€Å"And, um, excited.† â€Å"You were lost in your emotions, and the power seized you. But you’ll never be able to do that regularly, never by choice. You repress your emotions. You don’t give in to them.† Her smile turned triumphant. â€Å"And that is why my lord will never love you like he does me.† Of course. I should have known there was a barb waiting at the end of this lesson. I wondered what she’d think if she knew her lord had been pretty willing to love me up yesterday. â€Å"Well, thanks for the pep talk, but I’m going to my room now. I meant what I said. Go with Dorian tomorrow and love him as much as you want. I’ll carry on without you somehow.† No point in hiding the sarcasm I felt. Ysabel gave me a sickeningly sweet smile. â€Å"You’re presuming you’ll come back.† I jerked around and gave her a sharp look. â€Å"Are you threatening me?† â€Å"Certainly not. I have nothing to do with your adventure tomorrow. But you’re going to face demons. Anything can happen. And if you don’t return, I won’t weep.† Great. Nothing like a good omen to go into battle with. How to cite Thorn Queen Chapter Twenty, Essay examples

Cause and effect of smartphones on students free essay sample

Effects of the Overuse of Smartphone on Students Smartphone is the essential digital gadgets that teenagers nowadays have. Other than basic communication functions, Smartphone nowadays also provide a large varieties of applications including games and other media functions. The enhanced capabilities and functionalities have enabled convenience of many activities conducted through computer systems. Many people are increasingly spending hours on phones as they do on the computers. However, despite the convenience it brings to use, sometimes it might affect our daily life in a negative sense. Among the most affected groups are the students, a generation which embraces the technology with a lot of force. Students are highly influenced by the technology and thus vulnerable to the effects of Smartphone’s overdose. This hand held gadget provides convenient and entertainment with easy control and fast access. One of the typical examples is the overuse of Smartphone. Smart phone can easily get our attention and distract us. The distractions lower student’s productivity and take their time. The effects and the conditions of increasing Smartphone’s use by students is analysed to come into a conclusion of overdose existence and addiction. Constant usage and sort of addiction to cell phones has affected students physically and psychologically by making them have aches and pains and in some a disability too; they lose their required number of hours of sleep; get angry and scrap over trivial matters, and so on and so forth . (Malinowski, Miller Gupta 1995) Though it is known that there could be numerous causes of headache; stress of studies and daily travel as well as exposure to pollutants, being a few important ones, suitable literature on this specific symptom and implications of cell phones for the same could be homed onto. Students sometimes complain of bad temper and irritability after things told to them over phone. Listening to music also make them prickly by the end of the day. Studies done by Gaby Badre, in Sweden, on teenagers, reveal that restlessness does result amongst those who use their phones excessively. Another common symptom observed in this study was that almost half the students complained of inability to concentrate on studies and other important aspects of their daily lives, due to friends’ or others’ phone calls or texting activities to which they had wanted to respond on an instant basis. Jennifer Meckles, in her study reports that â€Å"attention† gets affected due to increase in mobile phone usage. Many students subsequently confessed to lagging behind in academics due to their cell phone addiction. In the study by Meckles a similar finding on lack in â€Å"performance† has been documented.(Badre,Gaby and Meckles,Jennifer 2012) Anxiety is a displeasing feeling of fear and concern. Students complain of performance-related anxiety, especially on performing well in exams, so as to get better opportunities. Most mobile addicts are students with low self-esteem and are prone to develop friction in their social relations. They feel the urge to be constantly connected and in contact with others and if they are deprived of their cell phones, regardless the reason they become anxious and irritable. It is observed that continuous usage, staring at the screen causes students eye strain so much so that some of them have to go to a Doctor for an eye checkup. Eye strain is obvious due to focusing on the screen or due to continuous texting and playing games. Lack of sleep or insomnia is one of the most common symptoms observed among this class of people. In Gothenburg, Sweden found out that high mobile phone use was associated with sleep disturbances and symptoms of depression. The Daily Galaxy reports that top sleep experts have raised serious concerns over the more than sufficient evidence showing that radiation from headphones affects deep sleep. Chatting for lengthy periods during breaks between classes resulted in giving their lunch a miss affected their appetite. At home, a similar situation may arise when the students indulge in conversations during their meal times. Loud music over the phone may be a contributing factor for hearing loss. Digital thumb is a nagging problem due to continuous usage of fingers especially the thumb over the small keypad on the cell phones. Like Computer-related stress injuries, this ailment is here to stay as students use the cell phone excessively now-a-days. Repetitive strain injuries like digital thumb, resulting from repetitive tasks as in typing on small buttons. (The Galaxy Sun 2011) An interactive, synchronous communication technology once again has been found by users to have some control over their lives. Such deficient self- regulation of a technology’s use has been theorized by researchers as being related to a breakdown in governing personal need gratification. Given that most human behaviour is regulated by forethought, when behaviour reaps the desired rewards we tend to increase that behaviour. However, when behaviors bring about undesirable effects, users ideally should decrease participation in that activity (Bandura 1991). Thus, if excessive use of smartphones is problematic financially, distracts from other activities or alienates family and friends, users should decrease participation in the activity in order to regulate those undesirable situations. At some point, however, habit sets in and the behavior becomes more automatic and less regulated by forethought. In addition, the fact that some users may not care that some areas of their lives suffer (e.g. finances, productivity, and self-control) as long as others areas of their lives succeed (e.g. relationships, career), seems to contribute to the addictive response users sometimes have to media technology. Continued research on this topic should look further at aspects of habitual usage tendencies and deficient self-regulation. The true severity of addiction should be analyzed by means of a case study, to see if truly long-term harm comes to users who fail to successfully regulate their media use, in any form. (LaRose et al. 2003).

The Child free essay sample

The Social Model of disability came about through the disability movement and other organisation campaigning for equal rights, opportunities and choices for disabled people. The social model of disability recognises that any problem of disability are created by society and its institution and that The Discrimination Acts are tools to help to improve the response of society to disability, also a wheel chair user is not hampered by their disability but by lack of adequate access to buildings. The social model may impact upon our practise as we would provide inclusive environments as a starting point for all children. The Scope website stated ‘The social model of disability says that disability is caused by the way society is organised, rather than by a person’s impairment or difference’. The medical model of disability views a disability as the problem also that disability is a tragic incurable fact that leaves the suffer with little chance of a normal life, people should be cared for in institutions and may not be able to be independent. We will write a custom essay sample on The Child or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page If practitioners follow the medical model of disability this might impact upon our practise by viewing children with a disability as not being able to do anything the other children can do. The medical approach stresses the importance of curing and nowadays preventing disability as though disability is in some ways a tragedy. This has now resulted in screening in pregnancy so that parents can find out if their child is going to have a disability. E2). The legal requirements that support the actions to be taken when it is considered a child may have special needs. The government want to reform the Special Educational Needs (SEN) system to address problems which include parents having to battle to get the support their child needs also children falling between the gaps in services or having to undergo multiple tests, the government are going to by 2014 they are going to include parents in the assessments and give the parents control of funding for the support their child needs. With parents getting the money they might not know where to spend it as they might not have had the money before to spend, with the parents getting the money they have a greater choice of schools that they can send their child to and gives parents and the community groups the power to set up special free schools. The guardian states ‘More than one in five children in England are identified as having SEN – 21% of the school population in January 2010. Only 2. 7% have statements. More than half of the pupils, 11. 4%, are in the school action category. ’ To help children that have learning needs but not necessarily a special educational need we will work with SEN specialists as we develop the reading progress check for six years old to help identify children who require additional support. E3 + C ). The different types of provision available to support children with special needs and their families a voluntary organisation like Barnardo’s where staff just volunteer to work there to help children and their families, they have to find their own way to get money because the government don’t help with any money, they have charities and donations of people to run the business they might also ask for a pound or two for some groups they do to help with the funding. We believe we can bring out the best in every child whether the issue is child poverty, sexual exploitation, disability and domestic violence. † Barnardo’s set up groups for children and parents to go to, so they can talk and so the children can play with each other. Staffs help and support the children and their families. A statuary would be a school this is where children can have one to one support often a special needs or learning support assistant, theses only work alongside the children in the early years settings, through mainstream school parents and families will get support from social services and also get help with respite care, so the children can go for the weekend and have fun and play there this is gives the parents and families a rest as with some children it can be 24 hour every day. By the children going to respite care the children go there so the parents no their child is safe as it can be hard and distressing leaving their child somewhere else. Adults working with SEN children spend the majority of their time supporting that child however sometimes it’s the practitioners that needs the support. The role of the practitioners can be hard work and isn’t taken lightly, the practitioner needs support from other people around them to help promote their confidence and provide the correct provision for the children. A helpful support to practitioners could be the charity Mencap. Mencap work in partnership with people with a learning disability and all our services support people to live life as they choose. E5). One common condition is Dyslexia. It may be possible to detect symptoms of dyslexia before a child starts school. Possible symptoms include: * delayed speech development in comparison with other children of the same age * speech problems, such as not being able to pronounce long words properly and jumbling up phrases – for example, saying helicopter instead of helicopter, or beddy tear instead of teddy bear * problems expressing themselves using spoken language, such as being unable to remember the right word to use, or putting together sentences together incorrectly * little understanding or appreciation of rhyming words, such as the cat sat on the mat, or nursery rhymes * difficulty with, or little interest in, learning letters of the alphabet You can get Dyslexia from family history and genetics, children can get one to one support with spelling and writing and vocabulary, Dyslexia has effects on development with verbal memory, language and concentration. Dyslexic pupils benefit from early intervention to prevent slipping behind their peers. Where specialist support is offered at a lat e age, learning is less effective and self-esteem and emotional well-being may be considerably undermined. Dyslexic pupils will need individual support which is differentiated from that offered to low achieving pupils, addressing the very different learning style of the dyslexic brain, if pupils are to make significant progress. Ideally this should be offered by staff with some training in supporting dyslexic children. In some cases, one-to-one tuition from a specialist dyslexia teacher may be necessary. Practitioners support children within the setting the Class teachers need to have an understanding of the problems that the dyslexic child may have within the classroom situation. Hopefully, with this knowledge, a great deal of misunderstanding of a childs behaviour can be prevented. In a positive and encouraging environment, a dyslexic child will experience the feeling of success and self-value. Another professional that will help children with dyslexia is a one to one tuition from a specialist dyslexia teacher. E6). Ways to overcome barriers to achievement for children with special needs by having adapting the environment and the building this might mean putting a ramp down so the children can get in to the building it might also mean moving the classroom around so children with a walker or a wheelchair can get round the class room, it is also important to adapt activities in order to provide children with the opportunities to learn and feel successful. All children need to experience success in order to maintain motivation and promote a positive self-esteem. This means practitioners need to think about planned activities and consider their suitability for each individual. As practitioners we need to consider how best to adapt the activity in order for the child to have opportunities to learn and feel successful, this may mean changing the format to make it more or less challenging or using a different approach or media. Sometimes equipment and resources need to be modified in order that children can successfully use them, in some cases it is possible to make simple adaptations for example buttons on dressing up clothes may be substituted for Velcro. We also need to get parents involved in planning so we know how we can meet the child’s needs and also so the parents know how the child is getting on in school. An invisible barrier is teachers saying the child can’t do and activity because of their disability and the teachers not changing the lessons for the children, really practitioners should change the activity for each child’s learning needs so that all children are included in each activity and no one is left out of any activities done in the setting, each setting should have an inclusion policy in the setting which means practitioners have to follow the policy to include all the children in the activity, if they don’t they aren’t giving all the children the same chances as everyone else. All practitioners should encourage all children to join in activities together; an example of this could be getting other children to read to a child that has a visual impairment. E7). The role of the practitioner in maintaining the privacy and dignity of children in situations where intimate personal care such as toileting, practitioners would take the child out the room away from the other children and have another member of staff with us, also so making sure practitioners are following policies and procedures like telling other practitioners that you are toileting. As practitioners we need to make sure that we are getting the right training to support the children when toileting. It is important for practitioners to ask parents how we can meet the child’s needs are best met, and maintain privacy and respect of the child, one of the keys for practitioners is to be organised with pads, underwear and toiletries are ready, self-esteem is linked to independence this means that even in tiny ways it is important to support the children to help the child do as much as they can. Children with SEN often take medication. Practitioners will need to uphold knowledge pm the medication so they should research what they are providing to the child, if there could be any side effects what could happen? Communication should take place with the parent or carer to make sure when they should be taking it and if the practitioners will need appropriate training in order to safe guard the child and practitioner. Parents will need to give written consent as to what the practitioner is giving to the child. E8). One professional who supports the needs of children with special needs and their families is a Speech Therapist they are concerned with all aspects of communication, they assess children’s hearing, speech, language, check the mouth and tongue movement, they prepare individual programmes and exercises for children to help them acquire language. Speech therapists either work in the community, hospital clinics or schools; they also help children with cleft lip/palate, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment and stammer. Terms used is assessing speech impairment are fluency, Dysfluency, stutter/stammer, Avoidance behaviour. Signs to watch for and seek advice on birth to 3 months is mother not communicating with the baby or if the child is seriously ill, or having feeding problems. A child 3 to 6 months is silent most of the time and eye contact is not developing. A child 6 to 9 months does not respond to play, vocal and non-vocal and no consistent response to noise, a child 9 to 12 months not trying to communicate and not responding to single words and simple commands, a child 12 to 15 months unable to give a toy to a adult on request. Exercises that may help the children develop could be tongue exercises, blowing bubbles, different lip shapes, making noises with toys and adapting songs. Another professional who supports the eeds of children with special needs and their families is a Community Nurse in some areas community nurses visit schools and settings to help provide advice and support, they may undertake general health and work with parents or they may work with particular children and their famil ies. The Every Child Matters programme is a major focus on early year’s centres. The community nurse may assess the children with epilepsy, mental health and behavioural problems. The http://dera. ioe. ac. uk stated ‘Currently, few local community children’s nursing (CCN) services are able to meet the needs of all ill and disabled children and young people, who have been divided into four groups. These are: †¢ Children with acute and short-term conditions; †¢ Children with long-term conditions; Children with disabilities and complex conditions, including those requiring Continuing care and neonates; and †¢ Children with life-limiting and life-threatening illness, including those requiring Palliative and end-of-life care. ’ D). The importance of a sensitive, non-judgemental approach when working with children with special needs and their families, this is linked right through my assignment talking about that no two children are the same, each child have their own personality and interests and this requires that practitioners are sensitive and reflective. Observing children and thinking about their responses is therefore useful especially where a child’s communications skills are limited. As practitioners we see it as it’s important that many children with special needs are educated alongside their peers, many parents and families have a fight to get equal access to education for the child. As not all schools might have the support that the child may need and to government funding they may not be able to afford it. B). The benefits of an inclusive approach for the child with special needs, the concepts of inclusive education emphasis on schools and settings to adapt and be flexible enough to accommodate each and every child. Organisations seeking inclusive practice also point out the importance of significant funding as poor resources, both physical and human are often barriers to inclusive education. Inclusive education enables all students to participate fully in any mainstream schools, colleges or university it also has training and resources aimed at fostering every student’s equality and participation in all aspects of the life of the learning community, inclusive education aims to equip all people with the skills needed to build inclusive communities. Inclusive education is based on principles: * A person’s worth is independent of their abilities or achievements * Every human being able to feel and think * Every human being has a right to communicate and be heard * All humans beings need each other * Diversity brings strengths to all living system. If children with special needs are to take their place in society after school then, it is important for a school to be truly inclusive, and ending discrimination, removing barriers as talked about in E6, and welcoming and valuing all children. Local education authorities are required to educate children with special needs subject to parents’ wishes, I think it is important that if parents want their child to go in mainstream school they have the chance to go, and learn with other children. A). It is important that different professionals work together to help children and their families as they are there to help and support the child and the family. Multi-agency teams work together to provide benefits for children, young people and families because they receive tailor-made support in the most efficient way. The Education. gov website stated† Multi-agency working brings together practitioners from different sectors and professions to provide an integrated way of working to support children, young people and families†. The benefits of this include early identification and intervention, easier or quicker access to services or expertise, improved achievement in education and better engagement in education, better support for parents, children, young people and family’s needs addressed more appropriately, better quality services, reduced need for more specialist services. The teams work together to help the child meet their needs. A multi-professional approach is important because all the professionals need to work together to help the child and their family for example a child might have a speech impairment the professionals like the practitioner, health visitor and the speech therapist will all work together to help and support the child and the family all the professionals will have a meeting once a month if not more often. t is important for all the professionals to work together for the safety of the child and their family, if they dont work together a situation could end up like baby p, baby p died because professionals didnt work together and have regular meetings and communication. All the professionals need to work together so they know everything about the child and their family and the child and family are getting on and what professionals are working with the family. A multi-agency team helps a team of professionals that work together to support children and their families. A multi-agency team use the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) this supports children and young people who have a low level of additional needs. A multi-agency team will help professionals from relevant agencies to work together to assess the child or young person and therefore support development and learning appropriately. A multi-agency team need to have regular meetings to keep up with all the information; they also need to respect everyone’s views in the team as some people might have different views and opinions. The team of professionals need to have patience as there will be a lot of people in the team with questions to ask. They also need good communication with other members of the team, the children, the parents and the teacher. Good communications mean having emails, letters and information passed on correctly and on time. It also helps being well organised, also making sure they have a right date and time for a meeting.

Merengue En Boca Chica essays

Merengue En Boca Chica essays Merengue en Boca Chica, reveals a bright and moving piece of work that makes native Puerto Rican music come to mind. In the painting there is a group of three Hispanic males playing various instruments. These three figures are painted in such a way that they appear to be moving to the rhythm of the music. Their posture suggests rhythmic movements, as their arms are moving to play these instruments. Their legs are apart while their heads seem to be still while concentrating on their individual parts in the music. Their hands and overall body language shows content and satisfied performance of their indigenous music. In addition to the three men, there is one woman who seems to be relaxing in front of them as if listening to the music. She is dressed in a bathing suit with her feet elevated on a chair and footrest. Her left hand is slapping her thigh gently to the rhythms she hears while she enjoys the surroundings of nature. The setting for this painting is a pueblo, or a small village surrounded by palm trees. The presence of what looks like sand suggests that the village may be at or in front of a beach. So, this painting puts the audience either in the water facing the figures and village, or just in front of the water facing the village/ figures. Other things seen in the picture besides people are cigarette butts, lounge chairs, palm trees, lounge chairs (2), houses, musical instruments, clouds, sky, grass, debris, and various types of leaves and dead palms. The instruments in the painting are the guira, the tambora, the guitar, and a cajon. In Merengue en Boca Chica, many colors were used. The painting is exuberant and bursting with various shades of red, yellow, blue, brown, aqua, green, pink, beige, and gray. The lightest color is yellow, which one can clearly see in the clouds, cigarette butts, and souls of sneakers. The darkest color is black, which can be found prim...

Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Law - Essay Example By a majority, the Court of Appeal had allowed the receivers appeal against Judge Maddocks decision upholding this claim. In Mainstream Properties Ltd v Young the Court of Appeal had dismissed the claimant property developers appeal against the rejection of its claim against the sixth defendant, De Winter, for interference with the employment contracts between the claimant and two of its employees, Young and Broad, in providing finance for property developments, the opportunities for which Young and Broad had diverted to companies which they had formed without their employers knowledge or agreement. De Winter had relied on assurances from Young and Broad that no conflict of interest with their duties as employees and directors of the claimant was involved. The economic tort claims in Douglas v Hello! Ltd were perhaps the least publicised issue in the protracted litigation over the publication in Hello! Magazine of illicitly taken photographs of the New York wedding of the film stars Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones in 2001, they having granted exclusive rights to publish approved photographs to the OK! Magazine. Among the issues raised the best known is almost certainly Douglas and Zeta-Jones claim that this involved an infringement of their right to privacy. That was not in issue before the House of Lords where OK! Ltd appealed against the lower courts rejection of their economic tort claims against Hello! Ltd. The judgement of the Court of Appeal delivered by Lord Phillips MR focused on the ‘unlawful interference’ tort and contains an extended consideration of the meaning of ‘intention’ in the economic torts. While both Lindsay J at first instance and Lord Phillips made some observations on both types of the economic tort liability for conspiracy, no reference is made to this tort in the speeches in the House of Lords. The greater part

Attributes that make multi-cultural organisation effective Assignment

Attributes that make multi-cultural organisation effective - Assignment Example The main attribute to the success of a multicultural organization is the equal share offered to the diverse cultures and perspectives with regard to decision making and making sure that the diverse cultures are reflected in the organization’s policies and practices (Cuyjet, Howard-Hamilton, & Cooper, 2011). Envisioning organizations that acknowledge and incorporate diverse cultures is hard; nevertheless, multicultural organizations require open-mindedness and flexibility to both employees and the organization. Therefore, the essential personal and organizational attributes that guide multicultural organizations include adaptability, fluidity and open-mindedness (Fine, 1995). However, for a multicultural organization to achieve these attributes it requires at least two things: individuals ready to develop multicultural literacy and the organization has to develop flexible policies and systems capable of responding in a quick way to the differences arising from employees (Fine, 1995). Individuals in multicultural organizations have to be willing to learn different cultures as well as their discourse and working with one another. Moreover, individuals in a multicultural organization have to search for their cultural biases in response to one another and enquire to make sure their interpretations of the other person’s actions and words is correct. Moreover in multicultural organization, managers are sensitive to the cultural differences within employees, which encourage them to learn different ways of analyzing problems and carrying out a task. In a multicultural organization, the organization’s perspective shift from objectivity to subjectivi ty by recognizing the veracity of various cultural perspectives instead of trying to standardize and automate policies and practices to ensure employees receive equal treatment (Hogan, 2007). Therefore, in effective

Microbiology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Microbiology - Essay Example Nevertheless, not all the ways of the virus transmission have been fully defined and studied by the scientists. This virus is dangerous for human health and it causes much more deaths in comparison with other infectious diseases. The uniqueness of this virus and its main difference from Staphylococcus epidermis is the following: the cytoplasmic site of virus transmission and extension leads to enzymes encoding, especially those for macromolecular precursor pool regulation or for biosynthetic processes (Knipe, 2007). A morphogenesis of this virus is too complex and genomes of this virus encode the majority of proteins that interact with host processes at different levels (e.g. the cellular and systemic levels). Unlike Variola virus, Staphylococcus epidermidis  is a â€Å"gram-positive, coagulase-negative cocci that is a part of our normal flora† (Knipe, 2007). Within nosocomial environment, this pathogen has an ability to spread quickly among other non-infected humans. Nevert heless, unlike Variola virus, it is transmitted by means of foreign body infections. Staphylococcus epidermis is a facultative anaerobe and humans and warm-blooded animals are hosts for this infection. It should be also note that in spite of a non-pathogenic nature of S.

Vertebrate Success in the Urban Environment

Vertebrate Success in the Urban Environment Dr Giles Johnson Lay Abstract Despite urban expansion causing an overall decrease in the number and variety of animals that inhabit a given area, some vertebrate species have made a success of urban living. Using the red fox, the Norway rat, the rock dove, and the peregrine falcon as case studies, this review analyses the resources and features that allow these animals to thrive in human settlements; and in turn how living in such environments affects them. The literature provides evidence of the ample food that urban centres provide for vertebrates, primarily in the form of waste. In the case of the peregrine falcon, the arrival of the pigeon has provided a source of prey. The living requirements of each species differed due to differences in size, reproductive behaviour and the ability to fly. Living in urban environments has dramatic effects on these species; changes in social behaviour and reproduction contribute to more efficient exploitation of the resources available. We argue that a flexible strategy in t erms of behaviour and diet is fundamental to urban success in vertebrates. Knowledge in this area may provide the means to better control populations, curbing the spread of pest species and encouraging desirable species into urban centres. Scientific Abstract Despite the homogenising effect of urban expansion on species richness some vertebrates have successfully colonised the urban niche. Using Vulpes vulpes, Rattus norgevicus, Columba livia, and Falco peregrinus as case studies, this review analyses the resources available to these species and in the strategies employed to better exploit them. Urban centres provide ample food for vertebrates primarily in the form of human waste. In the case of F.peregrinus the establishment of colonies of C.livia provides a constant prey source encouraging expansion into urban centres; providing an example of secondary succession. Differences in size and behaviour as well as terrestrial and aerial lifestyles result in different living requirements and thus preference in urban density. Living in urban environments also exerts pressures on these species. Spatio-temporal changes in resources specifically result in changes in social behaviour as well as reproductive behaviour and physiology as an adaptive r esponse. We argue that plasticity in response to diet, behaviour and physiology are fundamental to urban vertebrate success. We suggest further research into whether such responses are genotypic or phenotypic. Better understanding of such phenomena may provide humans with better means to manage urban ecology. Introduction A 2014 report on urbanisation by the UN found 54% of the global population lived in urban centres at the time, meaning for the first time in human history more people live in urban than rural environments. This figure compares to 30% in 1950 with a projection to reach 66% by 2050. These trends are encouraged by both migration and an expected rise in the population from 7.2 billion to 9.6 billion by 2050 (UN, 2014). Despite urbanisation being attributed to threatening 8% of terrestrial species (Mcdonald et al., 2008) and having a homogenising effect on biodiversity (Clergeau et al., 2006), Angold et al. (2006) state that wildlife can indeed prosper in the urban environment. Although, Mckinney et al. (2006) correctly point out that some urban adaptable species tend to dominate the urban niche and spread globally resulting in biotic homogenisation. This review is concerned with vertebrate species that dominate the urban environment; assessing both the causes of such success and observin g the effects that urban life has upon these species. The introduction will define urbanisation and address both the potential negative and positive effects on overall biodiversity and on individual species. The body of this review will use two mammal and two bird species as case studies focusing on food, shelter, group behaviour, and reproduction as indicators of how species exploit the urban niche, and how in turn urban life can cause changes in these species. Jones and Leather (2012) define an urban area as a human settlement with a population greater than 10,000, characterised by a mosaic of land uses including residential, commercial, industrial and infrastructural with occasional green spaces. Moller et al. (2009) define urbanisation as the conversion of natural habitats into areas partly covered by buildings, heavily fragmented and with a high level of edge effects. Bateman and Fleming (2012) argue that urbanisation is difficult to define and will not only vary from region to region, but also exists on a scale with cities offering the most extreme of disturbed anthropogenic altered environments, through to towns and villages as well as infrastructure and parkland. It is often difficult to quantify the direct impact of urbanisation on an ecosystem due to urban centres usually predating modern ecological analysis, but, although caution should be taken with estimation, studies that compare urban systems to undisturbed natural ecosystems can provide some insight. One such study by Brook et al. (2003) assessed the impact that potential habitat loss in Singapore had on local biodiversity since the British colonised the region in 1819. The analysis combined historic documentation on land clearance and development with evidence of recent extinctions in the area. They calculated that 95% of the rainforest habitat had been cleared, estimating that the figure for overall biodiversity loss could be at minimum 28% with a vertebrate extinction rate between 34-43%. They further highlight the bleak outlook for wildlife in the region with 77% of local wildlife currently threatened. A recent study by Newbold et al. (2015) analysed the impact of land use on loca l biodiversity. The findings suggest that local richness, rarefied richness and abundance decrease as the intensity of human interference and population density increases, attributes all associated with urbanisation. These analyses draw attention to the impact that habitat loss caused through urban development can have on animal biodiversity. Destruction of habitat can also cause habitat fragmentation; the process of a habitat breaking apart and becoming increasingly isolated (Fahrig, 2003). Haddad et al. (2015) analysed data collected from over 35 years from several biomes globally and various fragment sizes. They found that fragmentation reduced biodiversity by between 13-70% with the effect greatest on the smallest and oldest fragments. The size and scale of this study provides strong evidence for such effects. Fragmentation can also exert genetic effects on a population by creating barriers through which genetic information cannot easily flow (Templeton et al., 1990). The smaller and more genetically isolated these populations are the greater likelihood the population will go extinct (Slatkin, 1977). Behavioural and morphological effects have also been observed in fragmented populations. The work of Hill et al. (1999) on the butterfly Hesperia comma in the South Downs found that individuals residing in more isolated f ragments tended to invest in larger flight muscles; a trait associated with increased dispersal distances, whereas individuals in less fragmented habitats tended to invest less in flight muscles and more in larger reproductive organs. Despite the negative impact on biodiversity there are opportunities in the urban ecosystem for animals that can take advantage. Anthropogenic food sources in the form of refuse (Gardner-Santana et al., 2009), spillage (Murton, 1972), and cultural feeding practices (Doncaster and Macdonald, 1990) all provide ample food supply for urban populations. Although buildings and infrastructure can cause fragmentation and mortality risk (Bateman and Fleming, 2012), the patchwork mosaic of commercial, residential and green spaces provides a variety of potential homes for animals (Angold et al., 2006). Once initial colonisation has taken place, the dramatic reduction in competition and abundance of resources allows a niche shift, contributing to a rapid establishment (Diamond, 1970). Despite the potential benefits, urban environments are still one of the most challenging for animals to live in due to the high level and wide range of anthropogenic disturbances; mostly in the form of development a nd traffic (Bateman and Fleming, 2012). This review will make the case that in this shifting environment a high level of behavioural, physiological and morphological plasticity contributes greatly to a species success. The four case studies were selected with three criteria in mind. First a sufficient body of literature to allow for detailed comparison. Second to provide insight into the effects urbanisation has on urban vertebrates. Third species were selected that offer specific challenges to society such as pest or endangeredÂÂ   species. The four vertebrate case studies analysed in this paper are the red fox, Vulpes vulpes; the Norway rat, Rattus norgevicus; the urban pigeon or rock dove, Columba livia; and the peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus. V.vulpes was selected due to the the well documented comparison between both its urban and rural ecology and behaviour. C.livia is another well studied urban species with a long urban history; originally being kept as a source of protein throughout the middle ages (Murton et al., 1972). The ecology R.norgevicus is less well studied. This is surprising as it isone of the most ecologically destructive vertebrates (Higgins et al., 2015), regarded amo ng the most numerous and pervasive of urban pests (Feng et al., 2012), and known to harbour many zoonotic pathogens (Himsowrth et al., 2013) making it an important topic for study. C.livia also presents similar problems, befouling public spaces through defecation, the fine particles of which are loaded with zoonotic pathogens creating a risk to public health (Hetmanski et al., 2010). F.peregrinus Is a particularly interesting case of an urban success story as they also represent one of the great conservation management success stories of the last century. In the Midwest it now exclusively resides in urban centres where it was extirpated following the population crash during the 50s and 60s (Caballero, 2016). Understanding what makes these species successful could potentially help with population control of dangerous pest species such as the Norway rat and the pigeon. Understanding the factors that contribute to these species success may also allow us to build environments that encourage desirable animals, such as the peregrine and the fox, as well as creating opportunities for less successful species.This review will analyse the traits that allow successful vertebrates to exploit the anthropogenic resources available, primarily in the form of food and shelter. It will also cover the behavioural and reproductive effects that the urban environment exerts upon these groups. Resources: Food Contesse et al. (2004) found that 85% of households in Zurich had anthropogenic food accessible to foxes. There is a vast array of literature that supports the claim that V.vulpes exploits such sources. Doncaster and Macdonald (1990) analysed the diet of the fox population in Oxford finding that a majority of 37% of the average annual food intake was scavenged, a result reflected by Contesse et al. (2004) in the city of Zurich where it reached 50%. Interestingly, in both studies this figure fluctuates in response to seasonal variation. Doncaster and Macdonald (1990) found scavenging was highest during the winter when other food sources were lower, and lowest during the late summer/autumn when seasonal fruits were abundant. This flexibility in diet is reflected in studies of V.vulpes in rural environments. One study in southern England found two thirds of the diet comprised of game, withÂÂ   mostly rodents and fruit making up the remainder (Reynolds and Tapper, 1995). Whilst anot her found that for foxes inhabiting mountainous regions in the Czech Republic rodents made up the majority, supported by varying quantities of beetles, ungulates, plant matter and fruit depending on the season (Hartova-Nentichova et al., 2010). In the urban context Contesse et al. (2004) note that the more extreme urban environments, such as the city centre, were associated with increased levels of dietary scavenge. Baker and Harris (2007) suggest opportunistic feeding a factor in the successful colonisation of the urban niche and these studies support such a claim. Pickett et al. (2001) propose that the increased quantity and continuous source of food in the form of human food waste as well as the cultural practice of feeding urban wildlife has a positive impact on the fox population. Further to this, Contesse et al. (2004) calculated that the surplus of refuse removed food as a limiting factor for the fox population in Zurich which has resulted in a large and increasing population . Unlike the Zurich fox population food is usually determines carrying capacity for urban rat populations (Higgins et al., 2015). This is possibly due to the varying lengths of time these populations have been established. V.vulpes colonised the UK in the 1930s (Doncaster and Macdonald, 1990) and Zurich in the 1980s (Contesse et al., 2004) whilst the commensal rat population has potentially lived alongside humans for thousands of years (Feng et al, 2014). An opportunistic generalist, R.norgevicus occupies urban centres and feeds primarily on refuse (Gardner-Santana et al, 2009). Schein and Orgain (1953) calculated that one third of anthropogenic refuse is a suitable food source for rats providing a constantly replenishing food source in urban areas. The Norway rat is so well adapted to urban life that it is rarely found in the wild, suggesting they require humans to survive (Feng and Himsworth, 2014). Although dietary flexibility has contributed to the colonisation of the urban niche t he suggestion that this species are now completely dependent upon it for survival might imply a lack of flexibility once established. A comparative study by Murton and Westwood (1966) found the rural population of C.livia nesting on the cliffs at Farnborough head fed on a variety of grains, legumes weed seeds and some small invertebrates; the ratios of which fluctuated in response to the agricultural season. The diet of the population in Leeds consisted primarily of bread but also fruit cake and commercial seed mix provided by the public. However, much of the produce found in the rural population was also present in the urban population. Murton and Westwood (1966) attributed this to the public but a study by Rose et al. (2006) provides further insight. The study analysed the spatio-temporal use of the urban habitat of C.livia in the city of Basel. They found that there were three different foraging strategies employed: 1) in the streets, squares and parks near the home site 2) In agricultural areas surrounding the city 3) on docks and railway lines in the harbour. Most individuals stayed within 0.3km of their nesti ng site in the city with only 7.5% of the population flying to the agricultural and dock sites which were over 2km away. It was found that these foraging strategies were only employed in conjunction with foraging near the home site suggesting they were secondary strategies when access to local sources was restricted. Evidence that urban pigeons employ a flexible foraging strategy. Ali et al. (2013) suggests that the worldwide urban pigeon population has boomed due to the continuous supply of anthropogenic food compared to seasonal fluctuations in rural environments. Interestingly, this population boom has potentially aided the colonisation of the urban niche and the recovery of the peregrine falcon. A study by Drewitt and Dixon (2008) analysed the diet of peregrines in three British cities: Bristol, Bath and Exeter. They found that pigeons and other doves comprised 47% of the peregrine diet making up the majority of the peregrine diet; reflecting figures from a study in Warsaw 32% (Rejt, 2001). Both studies observed seasonal fluctuations in the proportion of pigeon taken. Drewitt and Dixon (2008) noted that during the starling breeding season juveniles can make up 19% of the peregrine diet, whilst Rejt (2001) recorded a drop to 10-19% of pigeon in the diet during the migration season and exceeding 50% over the harsher winter months. It is thought that the coun tershading present on migrating birds which is beneficial in natural light is maladaptive in the artificial glare of the city lights allowing the peregrines to take advantage (Ruxton et al., 2004). TheseÂÂ   studies provide evidence for a flexible, opportunistic feeding strategy. Interestingly from an ecological perspective, the urban pigeon forming the base prey for urban peregrines (Cade and Bird, 1990) suggests secondary succession occurring in the urban environment; with the pioneer species C.livia allowing the establishment of F.peregrinus. These four case studies not only highlight the variety of food sources available to urban species but also provide insight in the type of feeding strategy enables species to exploit this niche. Although diet and preference might vary, a generalist opportunistic approach strategy is favoured, suited to the often constant but highly varied anthropogenic food types available. Resources: Places to Live Throughout the year V.vulpes rest in lays, structures that provide the fox with shelter, situationally (Doncaster and Macdonald, 1990). However, during the breeding season red foxes require open ground to construct breeding dens, due to this they prefer less dense residential areas where open ground provides suitable sites (Doncaster and Macdonald, 1990). In comparison the requirements of R.norgevicus are minimal, being smaller in size and less particular in regards to breeding sites. All that is needed is adequate harborage and a nearby food source, typically refuse (Gardner et al., 1948). Rats will burrow in soil, use abandoned structures, and even climb buildings and make nests from anthropogenic materials (Gardner et al., 1948). As a result rats thrive in run down neighbourhoods where there are more abandoned and neglected properties that provide harbourage (Himsworth et al., 2013). Although these two species require both refuge and food, differences in size and breeding behaviou r results in different requirements. As a consequence the fox faces greater restriction. Although birds face similar problems the spatial differences in habitat mean birds are less affected by fragmentation (Fahrig, 2003). A study by Ali et al., (2013) on the ecology of C.livia in Islamabad found pigeons to be present on bridges, tall buildings, as well as in semi urban spaces such as parks and gardens. Interestingly, population density increased around urban centres and decreased around semi-urban spaces showing a clear bias to extreme urban environments. The human environment also provides suitable nesting sites for F.peregrinus, with urban peregrines roosting on the tallest buildings in an urban space (Cade and Bird, 1990). It could be suggested that tall man-made structures such as skyscrapers mimic the cliff side habitat of these species allowing successful colonisation to occur. Effects: Range and Group Behaviour The urban environment is characterised by high level of disturbance. Construction, demolition and changes in human population all contribute to fluctuations in the spatial distribution of resources (Doncaster and Macdonald, 1990). In response to this we see high levels of plasticity in fox social behaviour (Doncaster and Macdonald, 1991; Baker et al., 1998). The home range of urban foxes is dramatically reduced usually extending for less than 100ha (Doncaster and Macdonald, 1991), whilst in rural individuals it can exceed 2000ha (Contesse et al., 2004). This is associated with increased resources over a smaller area which also results in increased population density (Doncaster and Macdonald, 1991). Interestingly, this has implications for the social behaviour of urban foxes. Red foxes are usually solitary animals that form pairs during the breeding season, but in urban settings live in groups of three to five (Doncaster and Macdonald, 1991). This is best explained by the spatio-tempo ral variation in the availability of resources in the anthropogenic environment which impacts both individual benefit and defence costs potentially leading to group formation (Doncaster and Macdonald, (1991); Baker et al., (1998). The spatial distribution of resources in towns and cities is such that with only two members the perimeter cannot be fully defended whilst the amount of resources within a territory are often abundant enough to promote group formation (Donacaster and Macdonald, 1991). These changes in social structure show high levels of behavioural plasticity which has potentially aided the expansion of the red fox into the urban niche. There are interesting parallels to draw between urban rat and fox populations, particularly in relation to range and social behaviour. The home range of urban rats is typically small; consisting of narrow strips between the animals harbourage and its food supply (Davis, 1953). Gardner-Santana et al. (2009) proposed that the range of urban rats is much smaller in urban environments, ranging from 25-150m (Davis, 1953), compared to those of rats in rural environments, which range from 260-2000m (Taylor and Quy, 1978). Feng et al. (2014) suggest that range is dependent on the availability of suitable harborage and food sources as well as pressure from conspecifics. This is comparable to the reduction in fox range which was attributed to a high density of anthropogenic resources in the urban environment. Like the red fox, urban rats also exist in larger colonies than their rural counterparts although, unlike foxes, they lack co-operative behaviour (Feng et al., 2014). In fact, the increas ed population density and fierce competition often results in increased levels of aggression (Feng et al., 2014). There is also evidence that spatio-temporal distribution of resources affects group size and behaviour in C.livia. Murton et al. (1972) noted that the flock size of C.livia was directly related to the quantity of daily food spillage, unlike in the closely related wood pigeon, C.palambus, where seasonal food supply dictates flock size. Murton also observed that pigeonsociety exists in hierarchical structure with some birds occupying the centre of the flock and having preferential access to the best feeding spots. Despite differences in social structure, the changes in range and group living in the fox, rat and pigeon offer insight into the effects that urban living can exert upon the behaviour of species. It could be suggested that the plastic nature of these behaviours has contributed to the success of these animals in the urban niche. Questioning whether such effects stem from the environment working on established plasticity within the genotype or whether such changes are the resul t of natural selection would provide an interesting topic for further study. Effects: Reproduction and Population Due to their high fecundity, even in urban environments with an abundant resources, food usually determines the carrying capacity of the urban rat population. A sexually mature female can produce five litters per year with 4-8 pups per litter (Margulis, 1977). The work of Ziporyn and McClintock (1991) noted that females living in groups often establish oestrus in synchrony, observing that when this occurred 80% of pups would survive compared to asynchronous breeders. These co-ordinated events result in population booms (ibid) which maintains the numerous population. Glass and Herbert (1988) also noted that urban rats grow faster and reach sexual maturity sooner than their rural counterparts, suggesting the abundance of anthropogenic resources as a cause. Understanding when these booms occur could help humans better control urban rat populations. The effect of increased resources on rats draws parallels with the population dynamics of C.livia. Hetmanski et al. (2010) found that the size of a pigeon population in an urban environment was linked not only to the size of the urban environment but also with the density of the human population, suggesting a correlation with increased anthropogenic resources. Murton et al. (1972) noted that due to the copious food supply there is little migration resulting in nest sites remaining occupied all year and rarely becoming available. This change in behaviour meant that two thirds of the pigeon population failed to breed potentially decreasing the effective population size. Further to this, there is evidence that males carry an allele that lengthens the breeding season and increases fertility (Murton et al., 1973) suggesting there is a selective advantage for remaining sexually active for longer. Changes in reproductive strategy in urban F.peregrinus have been attributed to the speed of its recovery since the population crash in the 50s/60s. A study by Kauffman et al. (2003) compared the survival rate of rural and urban peregrines in California. During the first year it was found that urban young had a 65% chance of survival compared to 28% in rural individuals. Caballero et al. (2016) also found that the urban clutch size tends to be larger, with an average clutch size reaching 4-5 in urban environments compared to 3 in rural. This effect has resulted in a population boom with populations in the UK and Germany already exceeding pre-crash levels (Rejt, 2001) Although the mechanisms differ, there is a clear pattern for increased fecundity in urban populations of these species contributing to their success. Conclusions The case studies discussed provide evidence of the opportunities available to vertebrates with the means to take advantage of them. Despite different needs, the human habitat offers ample shelter for vertebrates, with rats and foxes occupying spaces determined by their size and behaviour whilst man-made structures mimicking the natural habitat of peregrines and pigeons offer nesting sites. Anthropogenic waste and cultural practice supplies foxes, rats and pigeons with an abundant food supply that, although fluctuates spatio-temporally in relation to human rhythms, does not suffer the same seasonal fluctuations which characterise the rural environment. This combines with the opportunistic generalist nature that characterises these species allowing them to take advantage of such resources. Consequentially, there are marked changes in behaviour with determined by the change in urban resource distribution. This has resulted in increased group size and co-operation in V.vulpes; alteration in flock size relating to daily opposed to seasonal resource fluctuations in C.livia; and larger more aggressive colonies of R.norgevicus. Peregrines also benefit from a constant food supply in the form of the anthopogenically supported pigeon population; an example of secondary succession of the urban environment. They exhibit opportunistic behaviour in both the species they hunt and their potential use of skyscrapers as hunting aids. The argument for a degree of behavioural plasticity allowing these species to take better advantage of such resources is well supported but questions are still to be answered on whether such changes are a result of natural selection or are phenotypic responses to changes in environment. Similar questions also arise when considering the effects the urban environment has on reproduction. Although the mechanisms differ, we see a pattern of increased fecundity across the case studies. Increase in fledgeling success in F.peregrinus is easily explained by ecological factors, but the change in peregrine clutch size and the increased growth and approach to sexual maturity in R.norgevicus are less easily determined. The identification of an allele in C.livia that extends the breeding season suggests a genetic cause in this instance. However, each case should be considered independently and these situations open up a multitude of questions in relation to whether cases of behavioural and physiological plasticity is related to the genotype or phenotype of an organism. There are surprising gaps in the literature and areas that appear to be poorly replicated. Reviews on urban rats comment on the lack of ecological understanding of R.norgevicus. From a utilitarian perspective this is counterintuitive considering the risk it poses ecologically, economically, and to public health. Conversely, the literature on urban foxes is both extensive and varied, perhaps denoting the popularity of this animal in the public mind. From a practical perspective this information is perhaps less useful although the cultural impact of urban wildlife should not be dismissed or undervalued. The projected increase of urbanisation highlights the importance of understanding both the traits of successful species and qualities of the environment that encourage vertebrate success. Such information can provide us with the means to better manage urban populations. In regards to pest species this could aid efforts to control and minimise their success, whilst better planning could attract not only current successful species but also edge species into the urban environment. References Ali, S., Rakha, B., Hussain, I., Nadeem, M. Rafique, M. (2013). Ecology of Feral Pigeon (Columba livia) in Urban Areas of Rawalpindi/Islamabad, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 45(5), 1229-1234. Angold, P., Sadler, J., Hill, M., Pullin, A., Rushton, S., Austin, K., Small, E., Wood, B., Wadsworth, R., Sanderson, R. Thompson, K. (2006). Biodiversity in urban habitat patches. Science of the Total Environment, 360(1-3), 196-204. Baker, P. Harris, S. (2007). Urban mammals: what does the future hold? An analysis of the factors affecting patterns of use of residential gardens in Great Britain. Mammal Review, 37(4), 297-315. Baker, P., Robertson, C., Funk, S. Harris, S. (1998). Potential fitness benefits of group living in the red fox, Vulpes vulpes. Animal Behaviour, 56, 1411-1424. Bateman, P. Fleming, P. (2012). Big city life: carnivores in urban environments. Journal of Zoology, 287(1), 1-23. Brook, B., Sodhi, N. Ng, P. (2003). Catastrophic extinctions follow deforestation in Singapore. Nature, 424(6947), 420-423. Caballero, I., Bates, J., Hennen, M. Ashley, M. (2016). Sex in the City: Breeding Behaviour of Urban Peregrine Falcons in the Midwestern US. Plos One, 11(7). Cade, T. BIird, D. (1990). Peregrine falcons, Falco peregrinus, nesting in the urban environment a review. Canadian Field-Naturalist, 104(2), 209-218. Clergeau, P., Croci, S., Jokimaki, J., Kaisanlahti-Jokimaki, M. Dinetti, M. (2006). Avifauna homogenisation by urbanisation: Analysis at different European latitudes. Biological Conservation, 127(3), 336-344. Contesse, P., Hegglin, D., Gloor, S., Bontadina, F. Deplazes, P. (2004). The diet of urban foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and the availability of anthropogenic food in the city of Zurich, Switzerland. Mammalian Biology, 69(2), 81-95. Davis, D. (1953). The

Analysis of a Survey Essay -- Truth Honesty Essays

Analysis of a Survey As children, most of us were probably taught the basic lessons of life. Our families tried to instill in us a sense of right and wrong, good versus bad. One of the first lessons we were taught was that of honesty. A related concept of honesty is truth. Truth is a concept we understand as children but eventually learn to manipulate as adults. The dictionary states that honesty "implies a refusal to lie, steal or deceive in any way." However, formal definitions of both truth and honesty contain similar phrases, that is, adherence to or dealing with facts. The terms may or may not be interchangeable, but they are similar in that their foundations are rooted in fact. Telling the truth usually means dealing with the consequences. Sometimes this moment of reckoning is instantaneous. Lying has its consequences as well, but for the most part, these can be postponed to a later date and time. I presume this is one of the reasons why we lie in the first place. As adults, I believe that the vast majority of us have twisted or stretched the truth at one time another in order to serve ourselves better. Is this right or wrong? This line of thought triggered contemplation on one of life's mysteries--is honesty truly the best policy? Many of my friends and colleagues were aware that I had been coping with a situation where people were lying to me. In my case, the consequences were devastating and these people knew I had been extremely hurt and angry. However, in related conversations regarding these circumstances, I was astounded to learn that not everyone shared my opinion that lying was wrong. I had a difficult time accepting this notion but these people insisted that there were times when it was better not to t... .... The difficulty here would be in making the questions as non-threatening as possible. If a respondent felt uncomfortable with the survey, the results could be skewed. I also feel that additional queries would provide the data necessary to make more thought provoking assumptions and analysis. Nevertheless, I found that conducting this survey was an educational experience and one I would not mind repeating. I feel that truth and honesty are closely intertwined. I believe that if you are honest, whether it be with yourself or another person, the truth will come out. I discovered through this survey that things are sometimes not as obvious as they may seem. More importantly, I saw that honesty is something that often must be measured and weighed before being presented. Though I prefer honesty to lies, I can understand how it could throw equilibrium out of balance.