Face Perception Human Behavior, Personality, And...

Are faces special in relation to prosopagnosia facial disorder Faces are very crucial in terms of social interactions and are an important perceptual skill. They provide information about people’s identity, personality, and characteristics. Given its importance, facial processing has also become one of the most eminent areas of research in cognitive science, this has helped advancing an enormous number of neuropsychological, neuroimaging studies as well as behaviour to assist people’s understanding of the developmental, cognitive, and neural based of face perception. Loss of visual processes can lead to many deficits; one of the major disorders is prosopagnosia. Correlations between disorders of visual recognition of object and face recognition are currently being investigated with a variety of research method. Visual processing studies initially started during infancy experimenting on infants about their visual preference and have found infants spend longer time and attention at faces compared with other outstanding visual stimuli (Richler Gauthier, 2014). This has set the ground for debate on face perception, such as is there an innate genetic predisposition responsible for face-like stimuli or by experience with faces? Whether faces processing differ with other objects processing, and if there is a difference between face and object process, are the processing mechanisms specific to faces, or they share certain properties? Therefore, the purpose of this article is toShow MoreRelatedCustomer Personality And The Product Selection Process Essay1178 Words   |  5 PagesMarket segmentation is a marketing tool that divides a large heterogeneous market into smaller homogeneous subsets of consumers with similar needs, wants and characteristics. Researchers might be able to predict customer s behavior by studying if there are any relations between customer s personality and the product selection process. A key success for any business is to communicate with its customers better than competitors by understanding who its customers are and what they want. The more preciselyRead MoreCustomer Personality And The Product Selection Process Essay1178 Words   |  5 Pages Market segmentation is a marketing concept that divides a large heterogeneous market into smaller homogeneous subsets of consumers with similar needs, wants and characteristics. Researchers might be able to predict customer s behavior by studying if there are any relations between customer s personality and the product selection process. A key success for any business is to communicate with its customers better than competitors by understanding who its customers are and what they want. The moreRead MoreTheories of Personality Essay1147 Words   |  5 Pagesfurther confronted with others people’s perception. Where does this lead, when presented with other’s opinion, and what is it based it on? Response from outside sources is mainly based on perspective concerning an individual’s personality. The distinctive characteristics and qualities of any one person is one way to define personality. According to Feist Feist (2009) personality is described as a pattern of relatively permanent traits and unique characteristics that give both consistency and individualityRead MoreTheories Of Personality And Personality1039 Words   |  5 PagesTheories of Personality At one point in life, at a young age or as a resident in an elderly home, the question of who am I will arise. It is a convoluted mesh of thoughts and feelings that a person will go through before coming up with an answer. Some people may even experience cognitive dissonance in trying to explain different stages of life, while others will be comfortable in responding instantaneously with minimal cognition. In going through this process and drawing up the ‘who am I’ andRead MorePsychoanalytic and Phenomenological Explanations of Persistent Antisocial Criminal Behavior1695 Words   |  7 PagesIndividuals personalities and overall quality of living are significantly influenced by several interrelated sources ranging from ones upbringing and quality of relationships to their own feelings of self-esteem and worth. Though this may seem relatively easy and un-complex, countless people today are engaged in persistent antisocial, criminal behavior, and seem unable to find a n alternative, legal, means of living. While many have tried to explain such behavior through various theories, theRead MoreDispositional, Evolutionary And Evolutionary Theory1283 Words   |  6 Pagesattempt to clarify the structures that influence personality, for example dispositional, and Evolutionary theory. This paper will discuss the differences that are among dispositional and evolutionary personality theories, as well as, strengths and limitations of dispositional and evolutionary and biological personality theories their bearing on human behavior. Furthermore, the Big Five personality test and what technique is used to study personality. Difference Facets relating Dispositional, andRead MoreBandura Was A Firm Believer Of Social Learning969 Words   |  4 Pagesthat Bandura would say someone was healthy or had a well-developed personality, if they grew up or only put themselves in a non-hostile environment. Bandura was concerned about social surroundings, and felt this was the way a healthy personality was molded. Bandura also believed that behaviors can affect a person’s physical environment. Bandura developed a model called Reciprocity in the Relationship between Personal Factors, Behaviors, and the External Environment. According to this model, cognitionsRead MoreDifferences Between Personality And Personality Theories Essay1153 Words   |  5 Pagesstrive for the same human nature. We all physically possess human bodies and human minds, which allows us to have thoughts and experience human feelings. However, in contrast, there are ways that we are completely different from each person we do or do not know . People do not share the same exact experiences or perspectives on life. Individuals have unique qualities and hold specific characteristics that show our differing ways of being human. This is known because personality theories explain thatRead MoreProcess of Purchase1206 Words   |  5 Pages Consumer buying behavior is the decision process and acts of people involved in buying and using products. The final purchase decision is often a result of the interaction between the final decision maker and a range of influencer. 1 The process of purchasing decision passes through five different stages 1- Needs recognition 2- Information Search 3- Evaluation 4- Decision 5- Post purchase evaluation Consumer behavior and purchasing decision is a phenomenon affected by internal and external factorsRead MoreCase Study : The Real Estate Industry1657 Words   |  7 Pagestherefore her view of management is a reflection of her desired nature and perception of management. Communication Continuing through the interview questions, I asked Bianca â€Å"what advice she has for someone looking to be a manager?† She said, â€Å"Someone who is looking to become a manager needs to be able to have extreme patience, an open mind, and good communication skills. As a manager , he or she deals with many different personalities and at times it can be difficult to manage each employee if the employee

Cosmetic Surgery - 1507 Words

Should cosmetic surgery be encouraged to the general public? Cosmetic surgery is defined as â€Å"any medical operation which is intended to improve a person’s appearance rather than their health† (Cambridge Dictionary, 2003, p.275). By definition, cosmetic surgery is a common practice used to modify the physical outlook of people, especially for women. This is definitely a luxury, which is not necessary to the public. Starting from the 20th century, however, cosmetic surgery is no longer a luxury but a necessity to the affluent. Based on a survey carried out by Lloyd and Gordon (2004), the number of people received cosmetic surgery had increased for more than 40% between 1992 and 2002. A growth in affluence of the general public’s†¦show more content†¦With immature thinking, the teenagers may make decision without comprehensive consideration. Take risk-driven behavior into account, if the teenagers’ idols received cosmetic surgery, they would follow. Therefore, the general public should not belittl e the influence from cosmetic surgery brought up by the celebrity and put all-out effort to prevent these influence from eroding teenagers’ mind to jeopardize the society in long run. The rise of materialism in the society is another by-product of the increasing general acceptance to cosmetic surgery. An American study analyzed that materialism has been correspondently emerging as a substantial predictor of both acceptance of cosmetic surgery and desire for cosmetic surgery procedures (Henderson-King and Brooks, 2009, p.133-142). Materialism states the focus and attention on physical matter in theory. When this statement applied into the society, this world would hold another meaning which is the pursuit of physical satisfaction such as appearance. It is acceptable and normal to observe such phenomenon in the society. However it is no longer tolerable if materialism go to extreme. Purchasing brand products without considering one’s financial ability and need is a case inShow MoreRelatedCosmetic Plastic Surgery : Cosmetic Surgery994 Words   |  4 PagesOther failures related to cosmetic plastic surgery are often linked to the use of Botox. For instanc e, e all know or have seen this one person who has received an excess of Botox injections and ended up having unnaturally, protruding cheeks. Although using Botox is nonsurgical, it is still classified as cosmetic plastic surgery because it restrains our muscles from carrying out any movement. Many people believe that since this process does not involve cutting through a patient’s skin, it does entailRead MoreCosmetic Surgery : Surgery And Surgery2299 Words   |  10 PagesSydnee Mangette Cosmetic Surgery Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but this statement is often ignored today. Beauty is very much valued in our society today, and to become more beautiful, people look to cosmetic surgery. There are two categories of cosmetic surgery: invasive and minimally invasive surgeries. Minimally invasive surgeries, like laser hair removal, are often called surface treatments. These procedures require little time and no cuts or actual surgery procedures are performedRead MoreCosmetic Surgery1251 Words   |  6 PagesThe Negative and Positive Effects of Cosmetic Surgery Are you considering cosmetic surgery? The numbers of individuals electing these surgeries are growing rapidly each year. Much of this rapid growth is because of advances in technology that have made plastic surgery techniques both safer and more affordable, as well as cutting down on recovery time. Cosmetic surgery improves body image and self-esteem and reconstructive surgery fixes irregularities such as hereditary disorders, birthRead MorePlastic Surgery : Cosmetic And Cosmetic Surgery879 Words   |  4 PagesI) Definition Cosmetic and plastic surgery According to the merriam-Webster website, plastic surgery is another common word for Cosmetic Surgery which means, in general, a type of operation to improve parts of the body. The medical term of Plastic Surgery comes from Greek in 1638. Cosmetic is a type of ornamental surgery which helps patients to reform and rebuild part or demonstrative of their body in order to embellish their appearance and be beautiful. The defect for that could be congenitalRead MoreEssay on Cosmetic Surgery1370 Words   |  6 PagesCosmetic Surgery Cosmetic surgery has been a growing fascination for many people over the last couple of decades. The public eye has been watching movie stars and rock stars enhance their looks by getting breast implants, nose jobs, lip jobs etc. In Gary Schaefer’s article, â€Å"Emerging From Stigma, Cosmetic Surgery Remaking Face of Japan† from the Edmonton Journal, we hear the story of a nineteen year old woman named Risa Arato. She had a makeover done on the prime time Japanese television showRead MoreCosmetic Surgery : Surgery And Surgery Essay1074 Words   |  5 PagesCosmetic surgery is unlikely to change your life; it just changes your outward appearance to others. Cosmetic surgery can be very successful, but it is not risk-free; even though laser cosmetic surgery poses fewer risks than invasive surgery. After selecting and meeting with physicians for your cosmetic surgery, you will have to pick the one that fits your budget and personality. As people grow older, certain th ings play a big role in making skin look wrinkly and old that cosmetic surgery cannotRead MoreEthics in Cosmetic Surgery1367 Words   |  6 Pagesaround the world are choosing to have cosmetic surgery. It seems to be an easy fix to problems that people perceive, even if the problems are natural, like breast size. In a sociological study done in the UK, the author found that â€Å"[T]o have breast implants requires a major medical procedure, but they are sold as a fashion accessory and the procedure is framed as a beauty treatment rather than an operation by those who sell it† (Taylor). While many cosmetic surgeries are fairly simple procedures, thereRead MorePlastic Surgery And Cosmetic Surgery1496 Words   |  6 PagesPlastic surgery has become an extremely popular trend throughout the past years of the American culture. There are many reasons why people get plastic surgery, however, our society is the first to judge an individual for getting a procedure done. The controve rsy regarding plastic surgery is extremely relevant and has received major attention through celebrities, television, and social media. However, many individuals are unaware that there is a difference between both plastic surgery and cosmetic surgeryRead MoreThe Beauty Of Cosmetic Surgery899 Words   |  4 Pagesartificial enhancement. The interest of celebrity is gazing at their body-parts, and it links the relationship between celebrity culture and cosmetic surgery. While there is a desire on being alike to the celebrity can achieve beauty, the demand of cosmetic surgery has increased in the society. As not many people could meet the standard of beauty, cosmetic surgery is the fastest way to obtain a perfect body and is generally accepted by the public nowadays. It allows the commodification of the body. SwamiRead MoreCosmetic Surgery : Plastic Surgery2001 Words   |  9 Pages In most sources about cosmetic surgery, they explain the good or bad about it and also give example s of people that have gone through cosmetic surgery. For most people that go through cosmetic surgery, it takes around 6 months for the swelling to go down and for most of the scars to heal and begin to go away. The majority of people that have an opinion of cosmetic surgery, think that it’s the worst part of the new society and feels like the people that get the procedure done are weak and are easily

Acupuncture summary free essay sample

Acupuncture has long been used and accepted in traditional Chinese medicine. Recent studies show that acupuncture can be used as an effective intervention for psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and schizophrenia. However, the number of studies conducted did not suffice to make the alternative treatment a recommended and essential option for treating the said disorders. According to traditional Chinese medicine, mental illness occurs whenever there is an imbalance in the body’s energy system, especially when the affected area is the Shen, which is responsible for the various mental activities of our daily living (Samuels et al, 2008). We will write a custom essay sample on Acupuncture summary or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It is said that a number of etiological factors, namely improper diet, constitutional makeup, fetal trauma, and narcotic drugs, among many others can create the mentioned imbalance (Samuels et al, 2008). The studies conducted were concluded to be effective because in depressive patients, a study of first 29 and then 241 inpatients, they found out that electroacupuncture is as effective as amitriptyline for depressive symptoms (Samuels et al, 2008). For anxiety, there was a trial conducted wherein 30 patients who were to undergo colonoscopy and was said to be anxious for the procedure, showed that treatment with acupuncture decreased the patients’ demand for sedation, thus reducing both discomfort and anxiety during the procedure (Samuels et al, 2008). Â  Also, another study revealed in 91 ambulatory surgery patients that after being treated with auricular acupuncture at relaxation points, they reported significantly lower levels of anxiety than did the controls (Samuels et al, 2008). The correspondents for the substance abuse trial consisted of 82 cocaine-dependent methadone-maintained patients, and it was revealed that those assigned to acupuncture treatment were significantly more likely to provide cocaine-negative urine samples than were controls (Samuels et al, 2008). Having positive outcomes for depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, acupuncture did not give a significantly positive result for schizophrenia. The clinical significance of the study for schizophrenia has yet to be correlated with clinically significant findings. Complementary and alternative treatments are becoming more and more accessible to many people seeking treatment satisfaction that was not provided by the primary medical treatment. Albeit not a lot of physicians recommend this kind of treatment, there is still no harm in trying them out as long as one can accept the science behind these alternative treatments. The studies and researches that were conducted for acupuncture as an effective treatment for psychiatric disorders namely depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and substance abuse were effective on the little number of respondents. This can be a starting point for further studies to be conducted in relation to the psychiatric disorders mentioned. However, this approach still needs more research and attention to be scientifically stated as a proven fact. But this does not mean that patients suffering from these disorders cannot try acupuncture as an alternative treatment modality. In fact, patients who deem that the usual medical treatment that was recommended by their physicians are not effective are very much welcome to try acupuncture. This traditional Chinese medicine treatment is safe and has been in existence for hundreds of years, there will be no loss in trying out this method, especially when all else fails. The patient can be advised to seek out complementary and traditional medicine when they believe that the recommended primary treatment by their physician is not effectively treating them. Acupuncture can be suggested to these patients as an alternative method, but not as the main form of treatment to be sought out for. Reference: Samuels, N., Gropp, C., Singer, S., Oberbaum, M. (2008). Acupuncture for Psychiatric Illness: A Literature Review. Behavioral Medicine, 34, Retrieved October, 14, 2008, from [insert URL here].

W.R Grace Libby, Montana Asbestos Contamination

Introduction Libby is a small town situated in the Kootenai Forest. It is considered the worst asbestos contamination site in the United States of America. The contamination was caused by W.R Grace, which was a mining company that operated a vermiculite mine in the town from 1963 to 1990 (Peacock, 2008, p. 23). There were asbestos fibers in the vermiculite ore that was extracted in Libby.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on W.R Grace Libby, Montana Asbestos Contamination specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The asbestos fibers were released into the air, thereby contaminating several buildings and public areas in the town. According to OSHA, asbestos is a hazardous substance that causes diseases such as lung cancer, lethal tumor, and mesothelioma among others (Peacock, 2008, p. 31). By 2000, the contamination had caused the deaths of at least 200 residents of the town. In addition, 375 people had been diagnosed with illnesses such as mesothelina. Overall, the contamination had caused at least 1,000 illnesses in the town. This paper will discuss the effects on the surrounding community from W.R Grace’s asbestos contamination, the response made by W.R Grace to mitigate the contamination, and the impact of the contamination on existing policy and enactment of new legislation. Effects on the Surrounding Community The vermiculite ore that was mined in Libby had asbestiform amphiboles, which consisted of toxic substances such as winchite, richterite, and tremolite. According to the USA’s geologists, at least 84% of these minerals were airborne (Sullivan, 2007, pp. 579-585). â€Å"At least 26% of the vermiculite ore consisted of asbestos† (Sullivan, 2007, pp. 579-585). The process of extracting minerals from the vermiculite ore led to the emission of toxic dusts. This is because 40% of the dust was asbestos. The toxic dusts settled on roofs, cars, vegetation, and play fields, the reby exposing the public to the risk of getting asbestos related-illnesses. The spread of asbestos in the town caused deadly illnesses and loss of hundreds of lives. The effect of the contamination was exacerbated by the fact that the mine had employed thousands of people in Libby and the nearby towns. The residents who worked at the mine were exposed to asbestos levels, which were as high as 182f/cc on a daily basis (Sullivan, 2007, pp. 579-585). The health effects of the contamination caught the public attention in 1999 when several residents of the town were diagnosed with asbestos related-illnesses. An investigation on the effect of the contamination by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2000 indicated that the deaths caused by malignant and non-malignant respiratory diseases had significantly increased in the town.Advertising Looking for term paper on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In par ticular, between 1979 and 1998, the number of deaths caused by malignant and non-malignant respiratory illnesses in Libby was 40% higher than in Montana and other parts of the United States of America (Sullivan, 2007, pp. 579-585). The number of deaths caused by asbestosis in Libby was 80% higher than in Montana and the USA. Similarly, lung cancer mortality in Libby was 1.4% higher than in other parts of the United States (Sullivan, 2007, pp. 579-585). Occupational exposure was the main cause of the increase in asbestos-related illnesses and deaths in Libby. Diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma were mainly found among the residents who worked at the mine. The contamination has since caused more than 200 deaths and at least 350 residents of the town are suffering from asbestos-related illnesses (Sullivan, 2007, pp. 579-585). Apart from the residents of Libby, the contamination also adversely affected thousands of tourists who visited the town. Libby has beautiful mountains, w hich attracted tourists from different parts of the world. The tourists were also infected by the asbestos-related illnesses since they inhaled the contaminated air in the town. In addition, most of the customers who bought W.R Grace’s products were infected by asbestos-related illnesses. Consequently, the effects of the contamination were felt in nearly all parts of the United States. Research indicates that the full impact of the contamination on the community is yet to be fully determined. This is because the symptoms associated with most of the asbestos-related illnesses can only be noticed after 20 to 40 years from the day of exposure to asbestos. In this regard, the government expects more infections and deaths to occur in Libby in the near future due to the contamination. Response made by the Company to Mitigate the Contamination Initially, W.R Grace refused to accept liability for the asbestos contamination in Libby. The cost of cleaning up the contamination was very high and the company was recording poor financial results at that time. Consequently, it was reluctant to take any corrective measures in order to rehabilitate the environment. Nonetheless, the EPA stepped in and began to clean up the contamination in 2000. This involved removing vermiculite from homes and business premises in Libby, as well as, covering the mine site. Moreover, the extent of the contamination on natural resources such as vegetation had to be conducted in order to identify the best course of action.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on W.R Grace Libby, Montana Asbestos Contamination specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Since the cleaning process required a lot of financial resources, the contamination was considered for funding by the Superfund in 2000. Furthermore, W.R Grace was ordered by a District Court in Montana to pay $250 million as a compensation for the damage (Department of Justice, 2003) . The EPA used the compensation to finance the process of cleaning up the contamination. In 2009, the EPA classified the contamination as a public health emergency, thereby receiving additional $130 million from the government to clean up the town and provide medical assistance to the residents (Schneider McCumber, 2011, p. 45). At least 1,460 premises were cleaned up in 2010 by removing 900,000 cubic yards that consisted of contaminated substances. The residents have also been trained on how to identify asbestos because the contamination might remain even after the completion of the cleanup process. The EPA has also cleaned up the plant that was used to process vermiculate ore, as well as, the public areas that were likely to be contaminated by asbestos. Apart from paying the cleaning costs, W.R Grace also paid $60 million to owners of properties in Libby (Department of Justice, 2003). This compensation was paid to customers who had used the company’s insulation products, w hich were contaminated with asbestos. W.R Grace also spent $2.75 million to establish a medical fund for the Libby community (Department of Justice, 2003). This fund was used to finance the treatment of residents who were diagnosed with various asbestos-related illnesses. The fund was expected to reduce the health effects of the contamination by enabling everyone to access medical services in time. The Impact on Existing Policy and Development of New Legislation Even though the health effects of the contamination became apparent in 1999, environmentalist had begun to notice the pollution caused by W.R Grace as early as 1970. In order to protect the environment and the community, existing pollution abatement policies had to be modified and new ones had to be enacted to facilitate regulation of the activities of W.R Grace in Libby. In 1973, the company was accused of causing air pollution through the smoke and dusts that it emitted due to its mining activities (Ross Nolan, 2003, pp. 447-470). At that time, the policies that controlled air pollution did not include asbestos as a pollutant. This led to the adoption of the Clean Air Act, which included asbestos regulations.Advertising Looking for term paper on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The new regulations required the government to demolish unsafe processing plants that emitted asbestos into the air. Additionally, owners of unsafe plants were required to renovate their mills in order to prevent asbestos contamination. W.R Grace responded to these regulations by installing new air pollution control equipment at its processing plant. In 1987, the company produced over 150,812 tones of vermiculate, thereby raising the chances of high asbestos contamination in the town. The amount of asbestos released into the air could not be controlled at this time because there were no emission standards. Consequently, the EPA obtained information about W.R Grace’s emissions and used it to advocate for the adoption of emission standards in Montana. This led to the amendment of Section 112 of the Clean Air Act by including the national emission standards for asbestos (Ross Nolan, 2003, pp. 447-470). In 1994, W.R Grace violated the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Ai r Pollutants (NESHAP) regulations. Environmentalists believed that the dusts produced by the company did not just pollute the air, but also water bodies. Thus, Montana adopted water quality standards in order to protect its water resources. Additionally, Montana adopted a comprehensive list of air pollutants in 1996 in order to minimize environmental degradation. Conducting human health risks assessments also became a requirement for acquiring emission permits. Thus, the cost of acquiring an emission permit was determined by the level of the health risks associated with the pollution. Conclusion The mining activities of W.R Grace led to the worst asbestos contamination in Libby Montana from 1963 to 1990 (Peacock, 2008, p. 21). The health effects of the contamination emerged from 1999, when several residents of the town were diagnosed with various asbestos-related diseases. The contamination caused at least 200 deaths and 1,000 illnesses in the town. W.R Grace was ordered by a Distri ct Court in Montana to pay $250 million to cater for the cleanup of the contamination. The EPA used these funds to cleanup residential and business premises in the town in order to reduce the health effects of the contamination. W.R Grace also provided funds for treating the residents who were diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses. The contamination led to the adoption of water and air emission standards in Montana. This paper discussed the effects on the surrounding community from W.R Grace’s asbestos contamination, the response made by W.R Grace to mitigate the contamination, and the impact of the contamination on existing environmental policies. Based on the findings of this paper, hazardous air pollutants should be controlled in order to protect the lives of citizens and the environment. References Department of Justice. 2003. W.R Grace Liable for Libby, Montana Cleanup Costs. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/ Peacock, A. (2008). Libby, Montana: Asbestos and the Deadly Silence of an American Corporation. New York: Johnson Books, Boulder, Co. Ross, M., Nolan, P. (2003). History of Asbestos Discovery, Use and Asbestos Related Disaeses in Context with the Occurrence of Asbestos within Ophiolite Complexes. New York: Geological Society of America . Schneider, A., McCumber, D. (2011). An Air that Kills: How the Asbestos Poisoning of Libby, Montana Uncovered a National Scandal . New York: McGraw-Hill. Sullivan, A. (2007). Vermiculite, Respiratory Disease, and Asbestos Exposure in Libby, Montana: Update of a Cohort Mortality Study. Environmental Health Perspectives, 115(4), 579-585. This term paper on W.R Grace Libby, Montana Asbestos Contamination was written and submitted by user Chace Mccall to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Cultural Experience Essay Restaurant essays

Cultural Experience Essay Restaurant essays Visualize entering a massive two-story restaurant with decorative designs seen from every corner of the room. Distinct sounds of the maracas and other instruments can be heard throughout each section of the buildings triangular architectural design. A friendly waitress then greets the whole family with a warm and friendly smile. While seating arrangements are being made, the whole family stares in awe due to the very stunning displays surrounding the caf. While patiently waiting for the meal to arrive, dazzling hand-painted murals, wall tile mosaics, and conga barstools, portraying the daily life of a local Cuban, soon capture the whole familys attention. They noticed that the entire interior walls of the caf are splashed with very stylish, but yet extravagant colors. Shades of light blue, bright yellow, and neon green surround every corner of the room, bringing forth a sense of beauty, and at the same time excitement throughout the Cuban caf. And just when the family starts to conve rse with one another, about the intricate designs inside the restaurant, the friendly waitress soon arrives with the delicious meal in hand. This past weekend, my whole family took a long, deserved vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. We eagerly agreed to try out, Bongos Cuban Caf, a Cuban restaurant located at the heart of Downtown Disney. The atmosphere of Bongos Cuban Caf was bright, colorful, and very entertaining. The restaurant did a wonderful job depicting Cuban life and culture. The loud but yet enjoyable Latino music heard throughout the building compliments the cafs vibrant interior. The exterior was a delightful site indeed that was dominated by the massive two-story pineapple-shaped adobe structure that fills the skyline of Downtown Disney with glamour. For our entrees we chose Pescado ($12, listed under "Specialties") and Artesano Chicken ($12.30, ...

NASA Not Ready for Safe Manned Mars Mission

NASA Not Ready for Safe Manned Mars Mission NASA lacks the â€Å"right stuff† to deal with the dangers involved in sending humans to Mars and bringing them back – alive according to the space agency’s own Office of Inspector General (IG). In his 48-page report, NASA inspector general Paul K. Martin stated that NASA â€Å"faces significant challenges† in protecting Mars mission crews, and that it is being too â€Å"optimistic† in projecting its timetable for responding to the risks. As a result, Mars-bound humans â€Å"may have to accept a higher level of risk than those who fly International Space Station missions.† Now planned for the 2030s, NASA’s first human mission to Mars will be fraught with new dangers such as deep space radiation, increased cancer risk, impaired vision, negative effects of extended space travel on human behavior and performance. Reality check: By the 2030s, there will still be no warp drives, transporters, replicators or other â€Å"Star Trek† wonders to help our Mars-bound astronauts get there faster and stay alive longer. In fact, as IG Martin notes, they might even run out of food. Running out of Food? Yes, even basic nutrition could become a big problem, according to the report, because: A mission to Mars and back will take at least 3 years, but the current maximum shelf life for NASA’s prepackaged foods is only 1.5 years.The vehicle carrying astronauts to Mars and back will probably be far smaller than the International Space Station, providing significantly less room for food storage.Periodic resupply missions carrying more food, like those currently serving the Space Station, will not be possible.Finally, NASA scientists do not know how deep space radiation will affect the quality, shelf life and nutritional value of food. While NASA is investigating resupply alternatives, including actually growing food in the Mars spacecraft, the IG stated, â€Å"Despite 35 years of experience with space flight and research in this area, NASA food scientists continue to face challenges from crew member weight loss, dehydration, and reduced appetite that can result in nutrient deficiencies both during and post mission.† Dangers and Costs of Dealing with Them Not Known While NASA has developed ways to deal with most of the risks of travel in low Earth orbit, many of the added risks associated with long duration space travel – like trips to Mars and back are not yet fully understood. In addition, taxpayers, IG Martin also found that NASA cannot accurately project the true costs of creating ways to deal with the Mars mission risks. In fact, the ability of NASA to pay for a manned Mars mission, safe or not, is questionable given its shrinking share of the annual federal budget, which Congress has shown no signs of enlarging any time soon. â€Å"NASA has taken positive steps to address the human health and performance risks inherent in space travel,† Martin wrote, adding, â€Å"Long duration missions will likely expose crews to health and human performance risks for which NASA has limited effective countermeasures. †¦ Accordingly, the astronauts chosen to make at least the initial forays into deep space may have to accept a higher level of risk than those who fly International Space Station missions.† A ‘Culture of Silos’ Dragging NASA Down In his report, IG Martin contends that NASA’s scientists and engineers are held back by their tendency to work in what he called a â€Å"culture of silos,† in which technical teams work and collaborate only with specialists within their own areas of expertise. In other words, not enough research data is being shared. â€Å"We found multiple examples of work taking place on health and human performance risks that suffered from such communication silos,† Martin wrote. According to the report, NASA’s has so far failed to give its astronaut life safety community a designated representative to work with the engineering, safety, and mission planning communities to ensure that issues of astronaut health and physical performance are fully and properly considered. IG Found Some Progress, But†¦ IG Martin did find that NASA had been taking some steps to lessen the risks of the Mars mission including a new Mars rover, set for launch in 2020, that will be able to extract and collect oxygen from thin Martian atmosphere and ways to grow food in the almost sterile Martian soil. However, Martin concluded that NASA must speed up its work on astronaut safety in order to meet its established manned Mars mission goals and timetables.

Evaluate Bribery in the context of International Strategic Marketing Essay

Evaluate Bribery in the context of International Strategic Marketing - Essay Example As it is, international corporate actions are governed by multitudes of responsibilities, codified procedures, and negotiated contracts, strategic alignments with other entities and political groups, joint responsibilities and the likes. The complexities of operations of these international corporations as well fierce market competition often push these entities to resort to drastic measures to achieve their goals. As it is, many of these companies include bribery and cartels as an unwritten part of their marketing strategies. Bribery in itself is considered as illegal in most countries around the world. There are many international as well as local laws and regulations that prohibit this act. Business ethic standards also dictate that bribery and cartels should be avoided. As stated by the Court in the celebrated case of Verizon Communications Inc. v. law Offices of Curtis V. Trinko, 540 U.S. 398 (2004), bribery and cartels are the supreme evil of antitrust and companies should beware about using these strategies to crush their competitors. However, despite the many laws and regulations that attempt to curve this practice, companies still manage to use this tactic to get ahead. The advancement in communications makes it even easier for companies to perform acts of bribery and conceal these acts from the public. Of course there are cases when companies are caught giving bribes as in the case of Siemens in Germany but these incidents are too few compared to the actual number of business entities that are p racticing bribery. Bribery is a complex thing and it comes in many shapes and forms. It can happen between private businesses and government entities. Bribery can also take place between two or more private companies. When it comes to its application, bribery can be an overt act as in the case of outright political corruption and influence peddling or it can be indirect