Nuclear Power And Its Uses :: essays research papers

Atomic Power and Its Uses From the start atomic force was just observed as a methods for pulverization yet after World War II a significant exertion was made to apply atomic vitality to peacetime employments. Atomic force whenever made when a core of a particle is part to discharge an amazing eruption of vitality. In spite of the fact that mechanical progressions atomic force presently supplies us with new clinical guides, another force source and better approaches to do logical exploration. New clinical headways are being delivered quickly because of atomic force. Atomic material is presently being utilized to treat maladies. Pacients experiencing malignant growth would then be able to be presented to the recuperating impacts of the radiation under controlled conditions. The radiation of the atomic vitality can help in clinical tests. Radioactive phosphorus is a significant indicative guide. It is infused into the veins of a patient, it amasses in the cells of certain cerebrum tumors. Thyroid organ emphatically pulls in iodine. Radioactive iodine is utilized both in diagnosing and in rewarding maladies of the thyroid. Atomic force is evolving the essence of medication with new fixes and tests that will fix millions.. Atomic force can be changed over into solid and productive atomic vitality and be utilized for some reasons. Atomic force reactors produces heat that is changed over into steam. The steam can be utilized straightforwardly for vitality. This vitality is utilized in transportation. Most military subs are presently ran by atomic vitality. The most utilized reason for atomic vitality can likewise be utilized to produce electric force for model in a business atomic force plant. Another approach to create atomic vitality is by gas-cooled reactors with either carbon dioxide or helium as the coolant rather than water. This strategy is utilized for the most part in business atomic plants in the United Kingdom and France because of the absence of freshwater. With developing ubiquity atomic vitality will of things to come with better approaches to utilize this vitality in a positive way. Researchers would now be able to utilize atomic force for organic examination to help comprehend life more. Radioactive isotopes have been depicted as the most helpful exploration device since the development of the magnifying instrument. Physiologists use them to learn where and at what speed physical and synthetic procedures happen in the human body. Isotopes are additionally utilized for horticultural Biologists utilize radioactive isotopes to perceive how plants ingest synthetic compounds as they develop. With radioactive cobalt, botanists can deliver new sorts of plants. Basic varieties that regularly take years of particular reproducing to create can be made to happen in a couple of months. Many accept that atomic force is excessively dangerous and as such ought to be

Speaker Recognition System Pattern Classification

Speaker Recognition System Pattern Classification A Study on Speaker Recognition System and Pattern characterization Techniques Dr E.Chandra, K.Manikandan, M.S.Kalaivani Theoretical Speaker Recognition is the way toward recognizing an individual through his/her voice signs or discourse waves. Example grouping assumes a crucial job in speaker acknowledgment. Example characterization is the way toward gathering the examples, which are having a similar arrangement of properties. This paper manages speaker acknowledgment framework and diagram of Pattern arrangement strategies DTW, GMM and SVM. Watchwords Speaker Recognition System, Dynamic Time Warping (DTW), Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM), Support Vector Machine (SVM). Presentation Speaker Recognition is the way toward recognizing an individual through his/her voice signals [1] or discourse waves. It tends to be ordered into two classifications, speaker ID and speaker confirmation. In speaker distinguishing proof assignment, a discourse expression of an obscure speaker is contrasted and set of legitimate clients. The best match is utilized to distinguish the speaker. So also, in speaker confirmation the obscure speaker first cases character, and the asserted model is then utilized for recognizable proof. On the off chance that the match is over a predefined edge, the character guarantee is acknowledged The discourse utilized for these undertaking can be either message ward or content autonomous. In content ward application the framework has the earlier information on the content to be spoken. The client will talk a similar book for what it's worth in the predefined content. In a book autonomous application, there is no earlier information by the arrangement of the content to be spoken. Example arrangement assumes an imperative job in speaker acknowledgment. The term Pattern characterizes the objects of intrigue. In this paper the succession of acoustic vectors, separated from input discourse are taken as examples. Example arrangement is the way toward gathering the examples, which are having a similar arrangement of properties. It assumes a fundamental job in speaker acknowledgment framework. The aftereffect of example characterization concludes whether to acknowledge or dismiss a speaker. A few research endeavors have been done in design characterization. A large portion of the works dependent on generative model. There are Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) [3], Hidden Markov Models (HMM) , Vector Quantization (VQ) [4], Gaussian blend model (GMM) [5], etc. Generative model is for haphazardly producing watched information, with some shrouded parameters. On account of the arbitrarily producing watched information capacities, they can't give a machine that can legitimately streamline segregation. Bolster vector machine was presenting as an elective classifier for speaker check. [6]. In AI SVM is another device, which is utilized for hard arrangement issues in a few fields of use. This device is competent to manage the examples of higher dimensionality. In speaker confirmation parallel choice is required, since SVM is discriminative twofold classifier it can order a total articulation in a solitary advance. This paper is arranged as follows. In area 2: speaker acknowledgment framework, in segment 3, Pattern Classification, AND review of DTW, GMM, and SVM methods .segment 4: Conclusion. SPEAKER RECOGNITION SYSTEM Speaker acknowledgment sorted into check and recognizable proof. Speaker Recognition framework comprises of two phases .speaker check and speaker distinguishing proof. Speaker confirmation is 1:1 match, where the voice print is coordinated with one format. Be that as it may, speaker distinguishing proof is 1:N match, where the info discourse is coordinated with more than one formats. Speaker check comprises of five stages. 1. Information procurement 2.feature extraction 3.pattern coordinating 4.decision creation 5.generate speaker models. Fig 1: Speaker acknowledgment framework In the initial step test discourse is gained in a controlled way from the client. The speaker acknowledgment framework will process the discourse signals and concentrate the speaker unfair data. This data shapes a speaker model. At the hour of confirmation process, an example voice print is gained from the client. The speaker acknowledgment framework will extricate the highlights from the information discourse and analyzed withpredefined model. This procedure is called design coordinating. DC Offset Removal and Silence Removal Discourse information are discrete-time discourse signals, convey some repetitive consistent counterbalance called DC balance [8].The estimations of DC balance influence the data ,separated from the discourse signals. Quiet edges are sound casings of foundation clamor with low vitality level .quietness expulsion is the way toward disposing of the quietness time frame from the discourse. The sign vitality in every discourse outline is determined by utilizing condition (1). M †Number of tests in a discourse outlines, N-Total number of discourse outlines. Edge level is controlled by utilizing the condition (2) Edge = Emin + 0.1 (Emax †Emin) (2) Emax and Emin are the most reduced and most noteworthy estimations of the N sections. Fig 2. Discourse Signal before Silence Removal Fig 3. Discourse Signal after Silence Removal This procedure is utilized to upgrade the high frequencies of the discourse signal. The point of this method is to frightfully level the discourse signal that is to expand the general vitality of its high recurrence range. The accompanying two elements chooses the need of Pre-accentuation technique.1.Speech Signals by and large contains more speaker explicit data in higher frequencies [9]. 2. In the event that the discourse signal vitality diminishes the recurrence builds .This made the component extraction procedure to concentrate all the parts of the voice signals. Pre-accentuation is actualized as first request limited Impulse Response channel, characterized as H(Z) = 1-0.95 Z-1 (3) The beneath model speaks to discourse flags when Pre-stressing. Fig 4. Discourse Signal before Pre-stressing Fig 5. Discourse Signal after Pre-stressing Windowing and Feature Extraction: The method windowing is utilized to limit the sign discontinuities at starting and end of each edge. It is utilized to smooth the sign and makes the casing increasingly adaptable for unearthly investigation. The accompanying condition is utilized in windowing procedure. y1(n) = x (n)w(n), 0 ≠¤Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ N-1 (4) N-Number of tests in each casing. The condition for Hamming window is(5) There is huge changeability in the discourse signal, which are taken for handling. to diminish this changeability ,include extraction strategy is required. MFCC has been broadly utilized as the component extraction procedure for programmed speaker acknowledgment. Davis and Mermelstein revealed that Mel-recurrence cepstral Coefficients (MFCC) gave preferred execution over different highlights in 1980 [10]. Fig 6. Highlight Extraction MFCC strategy separates the information signal into short edges and apply the windowing strategies, to dispose of the discontinuities at edges of the edges. In quick Fourier change (FFT) stage, it changes over the sign to recurrence space and after that Mel scale channel bank is applied to the resultant edges. From that point forward, Logarithm of the sign is passed to the opposite DFT work changing over the sign back to time area. Example CLASSIFICATION Example characterization includes in registering a match score in speaker acknowledgment framework. The term coordinate score alludes the similitude of the info highlight vectors to some model. Speaker models are worked from the highlights extricated from the discourse signal. In view of the element extraction a model of the voice is produced and put away in the speaker acknowledgment framework. To approve a client the coordinating calculation contrasts the information voice signal and the model of the asserted client. In this paper three strategies in design grouping have been analyzed. Those three significant strategies are DTW, GMM and SVM. Dynamic Time Warping: This notable calculation is utilized in numerous regions. It is at present utilized in Speech recognition,sign language acknowledgment and motions acknowledgment, penmanship and online mark coordinating ,information mining and time arrangement grouping, observation , protein succession arrangement and compound building , music and sign preparing . Dynamic Time Warping calculation is proposed by Sadaoki Furui in 1981.This calculation gauges the similitude between two arrangement which may shift in time and speed. This calculation finds an ideal match between two given arrangements. The normal of the two examples is taken to shape another layout. This procedure is rehashed until all the preparation expressions have been joined into a solitary layout. This method coordinates a test contribution from a multi-dimensional element vector T= [ t1, t2†¦tI] with a reference format R= [ r1, r2†¦rj]. It finds the capacity w(i) as appeared in the underneath figure. In Speaker Recognitio n framework Every information discourse is contrasted and the articulation in the database .For every correlation, the separation measure is determined .In the estimations lower separation shows higher comparability. Fig 7. . Dynamic Time Warping Gaussian blend model: Gaussian blend model is the most ordinarily utilized classifier in speaker acknowledgment system.It is a sort of thickness model which involves various segment capacities. These capacities are joined to give a multimodal thickness. This model is frequently utilized for information bunching. It utilizes an elective calculation that merges to a nearby ideal. In this technique the appropriation of the element vector x is displayed plainly utilizing blend of M Gaussians. mui-speak to the mean and covariance of the I th blend. x1, x2†¦xn, Training information ,M-number of blend. The errand is parameter estimation which best matches the dispersion of the preparation include vectors given in the info discourse. The notable technique is most extreme likehood estimation. It finds the model parameters which amplify the likehood of GMM. Hence, the testing information which increase a greatest score will perceive as speaker. Bolster Vector Mach

To Junot Díaz

To Junot Díaz Hi again. You probably dont remember me whatsoever but I sent you an email last yearSeptember 27th to be exactfor advice on how to be a person of color in a blindingly white MFA program. Bennington  was the only school that I applied to and after failing to get employment right out of college, I felt like it was my only hope for making me feel like I wasnt a complete failure in life. Much to my surprise, the next day, less than twenty-four hours later, you responded, and I havent been the same person or writer since. You see, I emailed you on a whim. Although I absolutely adored my MFA program, I felt this pit in the middle of my chest because I was both the only Black and one of the youngest students in my incoming class. I thought that perhaps the admissions committee made a mistake. Most nights during my residency, I retired to my room and watched Netflix or Skyped with loved ones back home. But one day, I met a rising undergraduate senior from Brazil who came to my dorm room and pulled up your article, MFA vs. POC, so that I wouldnt feel like my experiences were bizarre.  I sat and read it under the same lamplight on my desk while my new friend read poems in the corner. When I finished, I leaned back in my seat and I felt like the wind was knocked out of me. Youre such a bold and confident writer and I dearly thanked my friend for introducing me to you. A few months after I left my residency, I started having those feelings of inadequacy again. I began to wonder if I was just a token and that I was no where near as talented as my colleagues. This desperation lead me to search your MIT email address online and reach out to you. I had no idea what I was thinking at the time. Why the hell would a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer respond to lil ol me? You probably received hundreds of emails so I was sure that mine would end up in your spam. But when I opened my email on that quiet Sunday morning, September 28th, I saw your name. My clicker hovered over the email. I was afraid it was a fluke, but it was real. You wrote: i wish i knew what to say.  our suffering is real and cannot just be waved away. yes, we need your work, without question, but do you need to suffer so much? are there ways to mitigate the pain?  i would not worry about what the committee/professors think of your work; in the end they could love it and the rest of the world could be indifferent and what would that prove then? try to focus on what is within your power, like organizing a safer less-lonely experience.  how?   through solidarity of course. unfortunately only you can answer what form that should take. good luck. its terribly hard and i wish i could say something of worth but at this distance all we have are encouragements. Well let me tell you something, Mr. Díaz, you said more than enough. What you failed to realize was at that moment, you breathed a bit more life into my spirit. Youve never read my essays or manuscripts but you said that my work was needed. That was all I personally needed to know that I could persevere and succeed someday. That was I all needed as a comfort blanket whenever I stated my opinion in a workshop or walked past houses in town that still hung Confederate flags outside their windows. Even through those moments when I felt like I was going to flounder in the program and have to leave altogether, I was still somebody. I mattered. There was no need for you to apologize because you have no idea what you have done to this young Black writers self-esteem. I was forever changed when you responded to me. The next term, I lifted my head a little higher to the sky and became more assertive in my stances. Colleagues almost two decades older than me had even taken notice of my newfound confidence. I came back loving my program with more intensity and loving myself with more vigor. Anyways, I know youre an extremely busy individual but I just want to say thank you. As I evolve as a writer and grow as a woman, I will never forget your words. Though you may have already forgotten me, just know that your words are engraved in my memory and I will indefinitely hold and guard them as sacred treasures. All my best, Morgan ____________________ Want more bookish goodness, news, posts about special book deals, and the occasional puppy reading pic? Follow us on Facebook:

A Christian Learning about Islam - 793 Words

I went to the Islamic Center of peace in Orlando to learn more about the Islamic religion. I was very curious about learning and wanted more understanding on the subject of Islam. I went there also for the free dinner. I also wanted to see what it be like to see another religion would look like. Since I was raised in a Christian environment all of my life. I wanted to experience what a completely different church and religion was like. To their culture and food how much different it was from my own. I was pleasantly surprised when I had arrived at the mosque especially because I was late. I did not know where I was supposed to be and no one knew where I was supposed to go. I previously was told that the mosque that I was in was sacred as been told previously and I must take off my shoes while I am in a holy place. I found a shoe stand and left my shoes there and walked around the compound barefooted because I did not know which places are holy and which were not. I walked in on a session where a bunch of people where on their knees bowing (praying) towards a wall I asked the lady their where was I supposed to go and she pointed towards a direction and did not speak a word in the mosque. So I followed where she had pointed and walked around more in the compound barefooted. This is where I realized the place was also a school because I was going into several classrooms until I found this nice Muslim girl who led me there in the meeting room where the service was at.Show MoreRelatedIslam: Examination of Misconceptions and Beliefs1663 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿Islam - A Highly Controversial Sensitive Issue in Todays World: Examination of Misconceptions and Beliefs Objective The objective of this work is to examine Islam, a highly controversial sensitive issue in todays world and specifically to examine the misconceptions, beliefs, and values of those of the Islamic faith. Most people think that the majority of Muslims live in the Middle East, while in reality there are more people of the Islamic faith living in Indonesia. Islam, just as Judaism andRead MoreIslam In Russia976 Words   |  4 PagesIslam throughout Russian and spanish history For hundreds of years, Russia has been one of the most diverse countries of the western world, where Christians and Muslims have lived peacefully side by side. Unlike other western countries where Muslims are minorities, Muslims in Russia are more than 15% of the Russian population. Muslims in Russia have played a huge role in founding what is known nowadays as the Russian civilization. During the fifteenth century, muslims fell under the ruling of theRead MoreCompare And Contrast The Three Pillars Of Islam1157 Words   |  5 PagesPillars of Islam Compared to Christian Beliefs In Islam and Christianity, there are similar and different beliefs and practices. In Islam, the five pillars form the core of the religion. Muslims go about their lives abiding by these pillars (â€Å"Islam†). In Christianity, there are not necessarily pillars, but there are commandments that one should live their life by (â€Å"Christianity†). The three pillars of Islam that will be identified resemble some of the beliefs in Christianity. The declaration of faithRead MoreThe Spread Of Christianity And Western Europe1637 Words   |  7 PagesThe spread of Christianity in Western Europe was both similar and different to the spread of Islam. The rise of Islam starts with the Prophet Muhammad, believed by Muslims (followers of Islam) to be the last in a line of prophets that includes Moses and Jesus. Because Muhammad was the chosen one to be the messenger of the word of God, Muslims from all around the world work to follow the example he set. For Muslims after the Qur an (their bible), the sayings and teachings of Muhammad and the descriptionsRead MoreDifferences Between Islam And Hinduism1280 Words   |  6 Pages Islam and Hinduism are both very large, popular world religions. Although the two religions have some common ground, there are many distinct differences between the two religions. Many of the differences are centered around two major beliefs. The two major beliefs are the means of salvation and the number of Gods the followers of the religions worship and believe in. Religions often answer questions about spiritual life. A question that is often asked is, â€Å"What happens after death?† Many peopleRead MoreIslam And Its Influence Throughout Prominent Kingdoms1274 Words   |  6 PagesTim Matoba Dr. Marsh 13 November 2015 World History, pd. 7 Islam and Its Influence Throughout Prominent Kingdoms Ottoman Empire The Ottoman Empire, one of the most valiant world powers of its time, received heavy influence from the spread of Islam through Europe and Asia Minor. Culture, military, and politics also held a stranglehold on the Ottoman Empire. Emerging as one of the many Turkish states in Asia Minor from the decline of the Seljuk Turk Empire, the Ottoman Turks began to engulf surroundingRead MoreEssay Understanding Islamic Religion and Culture1221 Words   |  5 Pages Instead of learning and exploring new things about the world they stick to what they know because it is easier and comfortable for them. The Islamic people live in different culture, have different beliefs, and live in a part of the globe that has turmoil in the world surrounding the Middle East and the Islamic faith; however it is imperative that we understand and respect their traditions. The paper examines exactly what Islam is, the relation between the Islam faith and Christian faith, and uncoveringRead More Thomas W. Lippma ns Understanding Islam Essay1224 Words   |  5 PagesThomas W. Lippmans Understanding Islam Thomas W. Lippman gives an introduction to the Muslim world in the book Understanding Islam. He has traveled throughout the Islamic world as Washington Post bureau chief for the Middle East, and as a correspondent in Indochina. This gave him, in his own words, sharp insight into the complexities of that turbulent region. However, the purpose of the book is not to produce a critical or controversial interpretation of Islamic scripture. It is insteadRead MoreThe Lost History Of Christianity By Philip Jenkins954 Words   |  4 PagesIn the novel title â€Å"The Lost History of Christianity†, author Philip Jenkins attempts to convey the message that there are many aspects of Christianity that are unknown to Christian followers today. Jenkins start by implying that Christianity essentially starts in Northern Mesopotamia. Jenkins then traces the history of Christianity from Africa to the Arab world to the heart of Asia, in what he consider to be the â€Å"golden age† of Christianity. He informs the readers of the stories of churches andRead MoreMuslim World Cosmopolitanism1699 Words   |  7 Pagesearth, can we talk about â€Å"Muslim† world cosmopolitanism? That is just how Allah or His prophet, Muhammad (570-632), from day one, viewed Islam, whether anyone liked it or not, as the religion for entire humanity. Listen to its first revealed injunction â€Å"Read in the name of thy Lord, Who created Man from congealed blood; Proclaim that thy Lord is Most Bountiful, Who taught with Pen; Taught man that which he knew not.† (Quran, 96: 1-5). In this first proclamation of Islam, Allah reveals Himself

The Myth Of Modern Mythology - 2239 Words

In old times, humankind has looked to utilize stories to clarify the world in which it lives. Similarly, as old man utilized stories of divine beings and creatures to clarify the world; superior person utilizes stories of exceptional legends and colossal scoundrels to do likewise (Stuller). Comic books are modern mythology, in that they are superior man s strategy for clarifying their general surroundings through the fantastical. The characters frequently handle such major, philosophical, (Ahrens, Jà ¶rn, and Meeting) social and story ideas as the nature of sound and malevolence, man s inward battle, the wannabe, the women s activist, and the rescuer. Wonder Woman is, maybe the most obvious case of a comics as an advanced myth (Smith, 145). Wonder Woman s stories are soaked profound inside traditional mythology. Wonder Woman was made as old Greek Amazon, shaped from a portion of the mysterious earth, and presented with power from the divine beings. Her mom, who shaped her from the m ud, was Hippolita, the ruler of the Amazons in traditional Greek mythology. Rising up out of a starting point inundated by myth, the majority of Wonder Woman s most notable and critical stories have been profoundly embedded in related characters and ideas (Ndalianis, 116). Indeed, as indicated by modern comic book coherence, Wonder Woman s trip to the super courteous universe of costumed adventuring started when the Amazon s held a challenge to pick a commendable champion to voyage to manShow MoreRelatedThe Importance of Greek Mythology1650 Words   |  7 Pagesimportance of Greek mythology Today, the ancient Greek myths still fascinate readers throughout the world. There are thousands of books written about the importance of Greek mythology in the formation of modern-time societies. There are hundreds of movies created about the adventures of Greek heroes. Apparently, the events, creatures, and people described in the ancient Greek myths were not real; however, their mythical nature does not undermine the importance of Greek mythology in defining the worldRead MoreAnalysis Of Disney s The Lion King1055 Words   |  5 Pagesof the modern era s most famous books and movies trace back to the Greek myths. Medicines are named after the characters of famous myths. Businesses choose the names of their companies and products from the ancient myths, lores, and various deities. Everyday phrases reference the centuries-old stories. Today, Greek mythology can be found in modern medicine, businesses, and language. Names of various Greek deities and other symbols from mythology have maneuvered their way into modern medicineRead MoreSignificance And Significance Of Mythology1743 Words   |  7 PagesIn order to understand the importance and meaning of magic in mythology, it is helpful to try to understand why human cultures create myths. Mythology can refer to the collected myths of a group of people—their body of stories which they tell to explain nature, history, and customs—or to the study of such myths. As a collection of such stories, mythology is a vital feature of every culture. Various origins for myths have been proposed, ranging from personification of nature, personification of naturalRead MoreJoseph Campbell: The Power of Myth1469 Words   |  6 PagesRitchey Literature and Composition 21 February 2013 Harkness Questions: The Power of Myth Chapters 1-3 1. Myth reveals spiritual truth about the world. Why read myths? You need myths to find your truth. You have elaborate myths to compare to everyday experiences and to other myths. â€Å"Myths give a meaning to life (Campbell, 5). Mythology is a collection of stories based on one’s knowledge and stories of experience. Myths are clues to life meaning. They are clues to â€Å"spiritual potentialities† or yourRead MoreMythology In Fan Mythology742 Words   |  3 PagesThe definition of the term Myth is that it is defined by its content, context, and/or its function. Most often when we think or hear the world myth we think of ancient Greek and Roman stories that tell us tales of gods, heroes, and monsters; in the modern world it is also used to butter up advertisements, and of course in fan fiction. When you look at the concept of myth it has been important to the practice and analysis of fan work, including fan fiction, on three levels: content, form, and theoryRead MoreGreek And Roman Painting And Floor Mosaic Essay1228 Words   |  5 Pagesand Romans. An example of this can be seen in the usage and importance of Greek mythology. Greek Mythology: In the ancient Greek artwork, the term muthos (ÃŽÅ"ÃŽ ¥ÃŽËœÃŽÅ¸ÃŽ £) is often used to describe myth. The primary meaning of a myth is a word, speech, conversation, things said, or fact. Other meanings for the same term, however, include tales, stories, narratives, fiction, and legend. The earliest accounts of the Greek mythology can be seen in the Archaic pre-classical period through any of the nine sisterRead MoreThe Importance Of Greek Mythology1605 Words   |  7 Pagesthat we use in our life sometimes, are inspired by Greek mythology. Sports brands, movies and T.V shows, the most complicated technology, books and many more, are all examples of Greek Mythology. If you take modern day items that we use and compare it to Greek mythology, believe it or not there is a big connection. But how come people today are inspired by Greek mythology? Also, why is Greek mythology important to us if they were just myths? It was such a while ago, so why do people still reflectRead MoreWhy Greek Mythology Is Still Relevant Today And Why We Still Use It1588 Words   |  7 Pagesstatement- A lot of popular everyday items that we use in our life sometimes, are inspired by Greek mythology. Sports brands, movies and T.V shows, the most complicated technology, books and many more, are all examples of Greek Mythology. If you take modern day items that we use and compare it to Greek mythology, believe it or not there is a big connection. This essay will explain about why Greek mythology is still relevant today and why we still use it. Literature Review- Summary #1 In â€Å"The GreekRead MoreWhy Greek Mythology Is Still Relevant Today And Why We Still Use It1585 Words   |  7 Pagesstatement- A lot of popular everyday items that we use in our life sometimes, are inspired by Greek mythology. Sports brands, movies and T.V shows, the most complicated technology, books and many more, are all examples of Greek Mythology. If you take modern day items that we use and compare it to Greek mythology, believe it or not there is a big connection. This essay will explain about why Greek mythology is still relevant today and why we still use it. Literature Review- Summary #1 In â€Å"The GreekRead MoreI believe that mythology should still be taught in schools, although with less of an emphasis and600 Words   |  3 Pages I believe that mythology should still be taught in schools, although with less of an emphasis and across more cultures. Myths are important parts of literature, and have complexity that is different than normal novels. Also, myths teach about the culture of their time, as well as how people lived and what they believed. Along these lines, I think that other cultures’ myths should also be taught, as they also teach about the people of their time. Mythology is an important form of literature that

Vdot Paper Free Essays

Running head: VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CASE STUDY Virginia Department of Transportation Case Study A high-performance business or body, time after time, attains excellence whilst fashioning a first-rate work atmosphere (Schermerhorn, 2010). The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) was once considered a premier transportation department, but over the years their reputation had become damaged due to budget overruns and a public perception that VDOT could not do its job. When Mark Warner was elected governor of Virginia in 2001, he wanted a new commissioner for VDOT that had private sector experience to turn VDOT around. We will write a custom essay sample on Vdot Paper or any similar topic only for you Order Now His search led him to appoint Philip Shucet, a transportation engineer with both public and private sector experience. This paper will discuss some of the management theories that could have been applied to problems at VDOT, as well as how management has reacted to challenges. Next, an environmental analysis will be conducted and short, mid, and long-term goals will be discussed. Finally, Shucet’s motivation to take the job and the motivational problems at VDOT will be addressed. Management Theories McGregor’s Theory X â€Å"assumes that people dislike work, lack ambition, are irresponsible and resistant to change, and prefer to be led† (Oke, 2011, pg. 26). Theory Y â€Å"assumes that people are willing to work, accept responsibility, and are capable of self-direction and creativity† (Oke, 2011, pg. 26). When Shucet arrived at VDOT, Theory X was much more in place, as is often the case in large bureaucracies. There was little teamwork or communication between departments and no one really knew the status of any of the projects (Clawson Yemen, 2011). If Shucet implemented Theory Y much of this would change as employees took responsibility for their projects and became motivated to succeed. Frederick Taylor’s scientific management theory would also help to improve performance at VDOT. Taylor’s theory stresses finding the right workers for the job and training them correctly (Oke, 2011). Downsizing led to massive retirements of highly skilled workers during the 1990’s. This pushed under or unqualified people into positions they were not ready for (Clawson Yemen, 2005). An evaluation of the staff and their qualifications for their current positions could result in a restructuring that would better match skills with job requirements. Implementation of Henri Fayol’s administrative principles would have had a significant impact on VDOT. Fayol spells out five duties of management; foresight, organization, command, coordination, and control (Oke, 2011). While there were deficiencies in all of these categories, two in particular were weak, coordination and control. Coordination is defined as actions that â€Å"fit diverse efforts together and ensure that information is shared and problems solved† (Oke, 2011, p. 22). As discussed earlier, information sharing was a significant weakness at VDOT. Control is actions that â€Å"make sure things happen according to plan and to take necessary corrective action† (Oke, 2011, p. 22). Since no one knew the status of the projects, management could not take corrective actions in a timely manner. Six Challengers The six challenges in today’s workforce are ethics, globalization, technology, knowledge, diversity, and change (Oke, 2011). Ethical issues were a significant problem at VDOT. The commissioner of VDOT was a political appointee and this sometimes led to under-qualified individuals or people with their own agendas being placed in charge of a multi-billion dollar organization (Trying to Keep Virginia Moving, 2005). The appointment of Shucet corrected this, as he did not have political aspirations and was concerned only about getting VDOT functioning correctly for the long-term. Globalization was not much of a factor at VDOT since they are a governmental entity that does not compete on the open market and their business is entirely located in Virginia. Shucet noticed quickly that there were technologies available to the employees that were not being utilized efficiently or effectively. This increased workloads and reduced the communication. VDOT had lost a significant portion of their most knowledgeable workers to early retirements and resources needed to be devoted to improving the knowledge and skills of the current workforce. Diversity is a challenge in all organizations, but was not specifically addressed in this case study. The final challenge is change, which is often difficult for large, bureaucratic organizations like VDOT. There was much that needed to change, from the organizational structure, to communications, to major procedures such as budgeting and tracking of projects. Private businesses are forced to change to keep pace with competition. However, until Shucet arrived, VDOT did not have the necessary motivators to implement the necessary changes. Environmental Analysis The specific and general environment conditions played a pivotal role in the effectiveness and trustworthiness of the VDOT organization before Shucet was hired. The organization was barraged with scrutiny from both ends of the hierarchical spectrum. The politicians in Virginia created an impression that VDOT was both poorly managing and severely under-funding their proposed projects. Virginia citizens were also criticizing VDOT wondering and if their tax dollars were being spent properly (Darden, 2005). VDOT is a government organization that must face the pressures of scrutiny from many groups and should have had answers to provide the stakeholders. The taxpayers had a right to know why projects were being under-funded, why approximately 15% of VDOT’s projects were going unfinished and what they were going to do about fixing it. Unfortunately, VDOT did not have the answers (Darden, 2005). Economic conditions were negatively impacting VDOT. They did not have the current or projected revenue to complete the projects within the six-year plan. Their estimates were based on expected population growth in Virginia as well as expected growth in tax revenue that the population increase would generate. When the projections fell short it resulted in VDOT’s projects not being fully funded. The political conditions created a sense of tension among VDOT and the many political bodies that had influence over it. In addition, local politicians were publicly criticizing their own transportation department, demeaning the organization in the eyes of its most critical stakeholder, the taxpayers of Virginia. Goals Based on the environmental analysis, one short-term goal for VDOT would be to decrease the political impact on the organization. Governor Warner accomplished this goal by appointing Shucet and then leaving him alone. In an interview, Shucet said that in the three years since becoming commissioner, the governor had called him â€Å"about six times† (Bacon, 2004, n. p. ). This allowed VDOT to plan for the long-term and not just to meet a political agenda. Another short-term goal would be to make VDOT more transparent to the public. Shucet did this by creating a website showing the status and cost of all of the VDOT’s projects (Bacon, 2004). A mid to long-term goal would be increasing the completion rate of VDOT’s projects. In Shucet’s second year, VDOT’s completion rate increased to 39% and was expected to meet its projection of 60% in year three. The long-term goal was to reach a completion rate of 80% (Bacon, 2004). Both of these goals should decrease the taxpayers’ displeasure with VDOT. VDOT was experiencing significant revenue shortfalls. Rather than just raising taxes to increase revenue, a final long-term goal would be to change the focus of transportation planning in Virginia away from just building new roads to finding new, more economical solutions to the state’s transportation problems (Bacon, 2004). This goal will help to ensure the taxpayers are getting the most value for their tax dollar. Shucet’s Motivation There are a number of theories that could apply to the motivating factor that led to Shucet taking on the VDOT commissioner position. However, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs provides an excellent one. Shucet had met all of his lower order needs and was looking to fulfill his need for self-actualization through creative and challenging work, by having decision making authority, and by being autonomous (Oke, 2011). VDOT was a complex problem. This was an opportunity for Shucet to fix the third largest transportation department and regain their status as one of the best departments of transportation in the country. The commissioner of VDOT is a high-ranking state position and Governor Warner allowed him the autonomy he needed to freely make decisions to improve the department. Motivational Theories Motivational theory is composed of four sections; content, process, reinforcement, and job enrichment. Herzberg’s two-factor theory is a content theory that states that by increasing satisfier factors, a manager can increase job satisfaction. Prior to Shucet’s arrival, individuals were not accountable for their projects. By making individuals more accountable and acknowledging accomplishments, Shucet could motivate his employees to perform better. Expectancy theory, a process theory, links achievement and reward to performance. Because of the lack of accountability under prior commissioners, there was not a link between performance and achievement, and most likely no rewards system. People are motivated to work harder if they know it will make a difference and that there is a reward for them. By implementing a rewards system, VDOT could motivate their employees to accomplish the mission of the organization. Positive reinforcement â€Å"strengthens or increases the frequency of desirable behavior by making a pleasant consequence contingent on its occurrence† (Oke, 2011, p. 93). With all of the public scrutiny of VDOT, morale was very low. By identifying the things the groups were doing well and by providing praise and other rewards as new goals were accomplished, Shucet could turn the attitudes of the employees around. Job enrichment increases job scope and job depth (Oke, 2011). Since one of the goals of VDOT was to hold individuals more accountable for their projects, enriching their jobs would allow them the flexibility and authority to truly take ownership of their jobs. When employees feel they have a stake in the outcome of a project they are more motivated to do well. Discussion Even when an organization is as dysfunctional as VDOT was, there are numerous tools available to managers to improve their organizations. Everything from the structure of the organization as a whole to the definition of each individual’s job contributes to the success or failure of an organization. The ability to implement the correct tool for the situation at the correct time is what sets great managers apart from the rest. References Bacon, J. A. (2004). The Shucet Shakeup. Retrieved October 5, 2011 from http://www. baconsrebellion. com/Issues04/09-07/Bacon. htm Clawson, J. G. Yemen, G. (2005). Virginia Department of Transportation: Trying to Keep Virginia Moving. Charlottesville, VA: Darden Business Publishing. Retrieved October 12, 2011, from http://it. darden. virginia. edu/VDOT/studentWeb/ content/index. htm? speed=128 Oke, R. (2011). Management and organizational behavior. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Custom Learning Solutions. Custom text ISBN 13: 9780470942710 Schermerhorn, J. R. (2010). Management. (10th ed). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley Sons, Inc. Trying To Keep Virgina Moving. (2005). Retrieved October 14, 2011, from http://it. darden. virginia. edu/VDOT/studentWeb/content/index. htm? speed=128 How to cite Vdot Paper, Papers

Archimedes (446 words) Essay Example For Students

Archimedes (446 words) Essay ArchimedesArchimedes was born in 287 BC in Syracuse, a Greek seaport colony in Sicily. Archimedes father was Phidias. He was an astronomer; this is all we know about his father and we learn this from Archimedes work, The Sandreckoner. Archimedes was educated in Alexandria, Egypt. Archimedes friend, Heracleides, wrote a biography about him, but this work was lost. Some authors report that he visited Egypt and there invented a tool known as Archimedes screw. This is a pump, still used today in parts of the world. It is likely that, when he was a young man, Archimedes studied with the followers of Euclid. Many of his ideas seem to correspond with the mathematics developed there. This speculation is much more certain because he sent his results to Alexandria with personal messages. He considered Conon of Samos, one of the greatest achieving mathematicians at Alexandria, both for his abilities as a mathematician and he also respected him as a close friend. Archimedes spent most of his life in Sicily, near Syracuse except for his journeys to Alexandria. He never held any public office but he was faithful to his lifetime of research and experiment. At times, Archimedes became so immersed in his work that he would forget to eat. He used every surface available to do his work on, including oil on his skin to ashes from a fire. Many of Archimedes discoveries were put to the test during the Roman conquest of Sicily. His mechanical tools and machines were used, including the legendary catapult which he is credited for making. This was all for the protection of Syracuse. Despite the use of Archimedes inventions, Syracuse was captured during the Second Punic war. A Roman soldier who found him drawing a mathematical diagram in the sand killed Archimedes. It is said that Archimedes was so preoccupied in his calculation that he simply said to the intruder, Do not disturb my diagrams. Aside from the fame Archimedes earned from his work on the Archimedes screw, he was also famous for his relationship with the king, Hiero. Hiero often had complicated problems to solve, and Archimedes solved them causing surprise among the town. The king often challenged Archimedes. One of Archimedes quotes is ?Give me a place to stand and I will move the Earth.? The king took him up on this challenge and invited him to move a ship that even all the men in Syracuse. With his knowledge of levers and pulleys, Archimedes was able to create a machine that could move the ship. Archimedes was far beyond his time. With his discoveries in mathematics, he was able to predict and imit ate much of modern science. Bibliographyn/aMathematics