The Crucible Essays (904 words) - Salem Witch Trials, The Crucible

The Crucible The Crucible The Crucible written by Arthur Miller is a play that takes place in the sixteen nineties during the famous but tragic witch trials. The entire community is in pandemonium yet certain characters are also fighting internal conflicts of their own. Miller uses three characters who manifest this internal battle ever so clearly. Such as Mary Warren who whole personality turns upside down, John Proctor who contemplates between the importance of his family and his own name and Reverend Hale who battles with himself wether to carry out his job requirements or do what he knows is right. Mary Warren is a girl who is forced with this inner turmoil throughout this play. At the outset of the play she is perceived to be a very shy girl who will never speak her mind as shown when Proctor sends her home and she responds with I'm just going home. As the play continues and as she is influenced by Abigail, Mary begins to break this self induced mold and does what she wants. Mary Warren, along with many other girls gets caught up in the hype of getting all the attention and exercising power via initiating and adamantly continuing these witch trials. Finally John Proctor, the rationalist, shows that when people like Rebecca Nurse and Elizabeth Proctor who are the saintliest of people are accused of being witches, something must be wrong. Mary Warren has a difficult decision to make. She has realized that her whole way of life has been based on injustice. However, how can she extricate herself from Abigail and her friends, not to mention her new feelings of confidence. Mary decides to speak out against Abigail and the others for their false accusations and said that she tried to kill me numerous times. Yet as she does this heroic act of overcoming her old reality, Abigail pretends that Mary is also a witch using the poppets against her. Mary is now faced with yet another grueling internal conflict: to do what she knows is right and probably die for it, or to return to her old ways. Mary succumbs to Abigails hypnosis and accuses John Proctor of forcing her to lie. Clearly the battle which Mary faced from the very beginning was enormous. John Proctor a farmer and village commoner similarly is faced with an inner turmoil. He has committed adultery and had absolutely no intentions of joining in the witch trials unless his pregnant wife were to also get involved. After his wife got involved and eventually was set free due to the fact that she was pregnant feels that he can't accept this. Proctor is a good and noble man and because of this he believes at first he can't be hanged and die a martyr when he has this sin blooming over him every waking moment . John later says to Elizabeth that My honesty is broke, Elizabeth; I am no good man. Nothing's spoiled by giving them this lie that were not rotten long before and rather confess then die for something he flat out didn't do. However, as John confesses, he can not allow Danforth to make it officially documented. As Danforth asks him why John answers with a cry because it is my name. Because I cannot have another in my life . . . How may I live without my name? Have given you my soul; leave me my name(. John feels strongly about having a good name and not dying with a bad one. Proctor weighs both sides of his internal conflict and realizes that he must not make another mistake. He therefore, prescribes himself to death, not for his own sake, but rather for the sake of the others. As John dies Liz weeps saying He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it away. Another internal conflict is evident in Reverend Hale who initiates these problems. At first Reverend Hale is sure about his belief that there are witches and feels that he is carrying out the desires of God himself. Yet as the play moves on and Hale sees all these honest and good people being sentenced and executed he too sees an inner conflict. He contemplates whether to do what he is sent to

My Antonia by Willa Cather

My Antonia by Willa Cather Free Online Research Papers From two different places, from two different worlds, it is amazing how two people with separate pasts can come together and form an enigmatic bond. Willa Cather captured this in My Antonia between its two main characters, Jim and Antonia. Throughout the story, Antonia was a representation of a life very different from Jim’s and as a strong bond with the land shows us Jim’s fascination with Antonia. She is his counterpart. Antonia represents an alternative to Jim’s life as a middle-class American boy. Unlike Jim, she’s able to move away from all the stereotypes and boundaries of her class and gender. â€Å"Antonia is a lot less inhibited than Jim is and listens to her heart more.†(Woodress) In the end, Jim’s decisions are made according to social thumbs up or thumbs downs. He goes through a rebel stage and ignores all of his responsibilities to his own class to hang out with people his family and friends don’t think highly of, but when he figures out that what he’s doing is hurting his grandparents and where they stand socially like honor wise, he stops really fast. He goes back to the whole country women feel of life when he ignores his studies and starts to hang out with Lena in Lincoln. But right after Gaston Cleric, his mentor, gives him a little bit of advice, he forgets about Lena and focuses back onto his studies. After doing things like this over and over, he ends up really far away from Nebraska to the point where he can’t ever be as close again. Back to present tense, the grownup Jim regrets not being able to stop and enjoy all the country girls, the â€Å"Real Women† like Lena and Antonia, and at the same time, be admired for his successful professional life. He wishes he could’ve had both. In the end, he plans out lots of visits from New York to Antonia and her family back in the country. The second thing Antonia represents to Jim is a close tie to the land. As much as he loves the land, Jim is able to give it up for the city whereas Antonia is the happiest there. The differences between Antonia and Jim almost spell out what the Nebraska prairie means to two really specific different types of people. â€Å"Jim has a lot of harmony with the land and loves it a lot, but he never has to work it like Antonia did.† (Bohlke) She has to go through the pains of it more than him, like how when they are both cold and sick during the winter at different times, Jim is protected by his grandmother’s house and Antonia has to wait it out in the cold. He only lives there three years before moving to Black Hawk and he never moves back. Generally, whenever Jim sees the land, he thinks of what we can use it for, as in railroads and buildings. He’s all about progress, and he doesn’t mind when the grasslands are wiped out for railroads. He looks at the land a s an instrument for progress. Antonia on the other hand thinks of the land as a divine entity driven by its own force. At the end Cather portrays Antonia in her orchard touching all of her trees that she planted and took care of like people. Antonia is much more a relative like a sister to the land and Jim is more of a master. When Jim tells Antonia how important she is to him, he is telling her that she is his counterpart. He says, â€Å"The idea of you is a part of my mind; you influence my likes and dislikes, all my tastes, hundreds of times when I don’t realize it. You really are a part of me.† (Cather) Jim and Antonia are never exactly the same; they were always notably different socially and attitude wise. Her difference helped him to define himself and make his own choices. Jim says that he might have liked to have Antonia as something closer like a sweetheart, or a wife, or my mother or my sister (Cather), but he never went after her like that. Willa Cather’s opinion of them comes across as Antonia and Jim being better counterparts than intimates. The last thing he does in reference to this all is him writing â€Å"My† in front of her name. She is his because he took in his image of her so much that its part of him now. That’s why he says The idea of you is a part of my mind. He is saying that it’s the â€Å"Idea† of Antonia that’s a part of him, like his own imagination of her in his head. Antonia is a big part of Jim. The connection in My Antonia is the contradictions between Jim and Antonia that form a bond, ultimately uniting them. Willa Cather is very accepting of Jim and Antonia’s fate. They both represent their respective people, class and native wise. I think she’s trying to get the point across that when you don’t have much in life, money and status wise, you take what life gives you and you make that everything. Research Papers on My Antonia by Willa CatherThe Masque of the Red Death Room meaningsWhere Wild and West MeetThe Hockey GameCapital Punishment19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraHip-Hop is ArtThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationThe Spring and AutumnComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoPersonal Experience with Teen Pregnancy

Calorie restriction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Calorie restriction - Essay Example This understanding stemmed from direct experiences of the early homo-sapiens. Large-animal kills led to abundant food supply and consumption immediately after the kill and a period of fasting or restriction in food consumption after the food from the kill was exhausted. The period of restricted food consumption ended when the next large-animal kill occurred. This cycle of abundant food consumption and restricted food consumption led to the observation that abundant food consumption led to lethargy, while restricted food consumption provided the benefits of heightened alertness. Eating is a pleasurable experience and desisting from eating not an regimen to follow. Yet, at a time when alertness was critical to the hunting of food and protecting the members of the community, restricted food consumption was practiced among hunters and soldiers, so that their alertness was heightened increasing the chances of a successful hunt for the hunters and success in warding of attacks from the ene mies in the case of the soldiers (Mehta & Roth, 2009). The next step in the understanding of the benefits from restricted food consumption, prior to modern science, came from the spread of the early religions and the religious practices that called for fasting. Asceticism comprising of hard rigors including fasting became an extreme form of religious practice. Mehta & Roth, 2009, p.29, quoting Robert Thurman, define asceticism as â€Å"the impulse in human beings to attempt consciously to improve control over their habitual life processes, with a view to bettering their situation at least in a relative, and, if possible, in an ultimate way†. Remnants of asceticism as a religious practice continue even today among the general populace. Fasting is a continued practice among the followers of several religious faiths in the modern world. For example, the Muslims fast for forty days from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, while the Christians observe restricted food consumption dur ing the Lenten period. Prior to the development of modern science, it was religion that provided a systematic means for humans to exert control over their human condition. It was also possible through established religions to communicate the observations, insights, and explanations throughout the populace and spanning generations. For instance, Ayurveda, the popular branch of cultural medicine practiced in India is steeped in such religious observations, insights and explanations, a part of it dealing with the quantum and quality of foods consumed Calorie restriction as a part of modern medical science has become more relevant in the modern world because of the abundance of food and the economic capacity to purchase and consume large quantities of food. Overeating and consumption of rich foods has become more the norm in daily life than a part of feasting during festive days of the yesteryears. As a consequence of the poor eating habits conditions and diseases associated with it lik e obesity and diabetes type 2, high serum cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease have become a bane of society. The beneficial impact of calorie restriction as a medical intervention on these conditions and diseases thus become more relevant to modern society than ever before (Delaney & Walford,

Using Your Manager Skills Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Using Your Manager Skills - Essay Example The elements that must be present in order for one to provide a valid claim under the law(s) specified under the Clean Water Act is that it is against the law for any person to release pollutants from a common source into the waters in the United States. Otherwise, it could only be possible with a permit of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) provisions (Gross & Stelcen, 2012). 2. Regarding the Solid Waste Disposal Act, there are seven possible elements to meet to categorize in the violation acts. According to Cornel Law, the seven elements, which are under 42 U.S Code Chapter 82, Sub-Chapter III - HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT, sub-section 6924 presenting it briefly? It affirms that a person cannot in his or her knowhow treats, stores or disposes of any hazardous waste identified or listed in this sub-chapter. or knowingly leaves out material information or, and makes any false representation or statement in any application, manifest, label, permit, record, report or either any other document maintained, filed or used in the purposes of compliance with promulgated regulations by an administrator or, through a state especially for the authorized state program, under this subchapter. Additionally, if the person knowingly generates, stores, treats, transports, disposes off, exports, or else handles any waste that is hazardous or any used oil which is not identi fied or listed as a hazardous waste under the subchapter. The rest three elements concerning this crime are alike and similar by nature in that are inclusive of no transportation of hazardous materials, exporting, or storing the hazardous wastes. Having had a closer look at the facts that I have gathered, Mr. Howard, I find that we have not violated any of the terms under the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Here are the reasons for consideration: our company produces biodegradable packing materials that are

Asset Bubbles Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Asset Bubbles - Assignment Example Asset price movements that are not related to economic fundamentals result in the occurrence of asset bubbles. The role of government in the economy encompasses both protection and intervention. Conservative politics are relatively resistant to change, but they do not overlook the role that government plays in the regulation and control of economic activities (Evanoff, Kaufman & Malliaris, 2012). The occurrence of asset bubbles and related scenarios in the economy trigger critical decision making pursuits among involved stakeholders. The fact is such occurrences distort economic performance, leading to the realization of variant hardships in the many sectors of the economy. In this respect, the government stands a chance to manage the situation through protection and intervention. This means that the government should remain vigilant over sectorial "animal spirits" in order to protect the economy and safeguard public interests, as well as take relevant actions in the event that such "animal spirits" bursts (Evanoff, Kaufman & Malliaris, 2012). The idea is to create coherence among economic v ariables for enhanced economic

Factors Affecting Animal Growth

Factors Affecting Animal Growth Modern cattle are descendants of Bos indicus and Bos Taurus (Gillespie, 1992). According to Lawrie (1991) these breeds are believed to be descended from Bos primigenius, the wild cattle. The last representative of the wild species died in Poland in 1627 (Zeuner, 1963). Lawrie (1991) reported that domestication of cattle followed the establishment of settled agriculture about 5000 B.C. and domestication of hump-back cattle (Bos indicus) existed in Mesopotamia by 4500 B.C. Garner (1944) stated that the immediate predecessor of majority of the breeds of British cattle was Bos longifrons, which was of relatively small frame rather than Bos primigenius which is massive in size. The development of many present British breeds was due to the early improvements initiated by Bakewell in the middle of the eighteenth century, who introduced in-breeding, the use of proven sires, selection and culling (Lawrie, 1991). Since 1790, the focus on cattle improvement is towards smaller, younger and leaner animals; and there has been growing realization that breed potentialities will not be fully manifested without adequate food given at the right time in the growth pattern of the animal (Hammond, 1932a). Lawrie (1991) suggested that a beef animal should be well covered with flesh, blocky and compact-thus reducing the proportion of bone whereas in a dairy animal the frame should be angular with relatively little flesh cover, the body should be cylindrical thus accommodating the large digestive tract necessary for efficient conversion of food into milk and mammary tissue should be markedly developed. Aberdeen Angus has been regarded as the premier breed for good-quality meat (Gerrard, 1951). Lawrie (1991) reported that one of the reasons for the good eating quality of the Aberdeen Angus is its tenderness which is due to the small size of the muscle bundles, smaller animals having smaller bundles. Good-quality meat can also be attained by feeding concentrates such as barley to beef cattle (Preston et al., 1963). Efforts have been made to cross various breeds of Bos indicus (Zebu cattle) with British breeds, to combine the heat resisting properties of the former with the meat-producing characteristics of the latter (Lawrie, 1991). Unfortunately, unusual breeds of cattle are found within a normal breed: dwarf Snorter cattle occur within various breeds in U.S.A., and pronounced muscular hypertrophy, which is often more noticeable in the hind quarters and explains the name doppelender given to the condition, arises in several breeds e.g. Charollais and South Devon (McKellar, 1960). Recessive genes are thought to be responsible in both cases (Lawrie, 1991). FACTORS AFFECTING THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF CATTLE Lawrie (1991) reported that as an animal grows two things happen: first, it increases in weight until mature size is reached; this is called growth and secondly it changes in its body conformation, shapes and its various functions and faculties come into full being; this is referred to as development. Genetic factors According to Lawrie (1991) several economically important traits in meat animals are heritable to some degree and can thus be selected for by breeding. In cattle, certain growth features are controlled by recessive genes which have not so far been controlled, complicating breeding. One such trait is dwarfism; another is the doppelender or double muscling condition, which causes muscle hypertrophy and thereby increases the animals commercial value (Lawrie and Ledward, 2006). Genetic analysis continues to reveal the genetic mechanisms that control numerous aspects of the endocrine system and, through it, meat growth and quality as concluded by Lawrie and Ledward (2006). Genetic engineering techniques can shorten breeding programmes significantly because they allow for the identification and isolation of genes coding for desired traits, and for the reincorporation of these genes into the animal genome as reported by Lawrie and Ledward. Experimental reproductive cloning of commercially important meat animals such as sheep, pig or cattle has been successful. The multiple asexual reproductions of animals bearing desirable traits can thus be anticipated, although this is not yet practical on a commercial scale. Environmental Factors Heat regulation in livestock especially cattle is of great economic significance, because mammals attempt to maintain a constant optimal body temperature (Lawrie and Ledward, 2006). Low temperatures tend to prolong animal development and high temperatures tend to retard it. Depending on their size, body shape and insulation through tissue and fur, some animals have a relatively narrow zone of temperature tolerance and others (e.g. cattle) a broad one. Static magnetic fields, for reasons still unknown, also retard animal development. Nutritional Factors Acker and Cunningham (1991) reported that the quality and quantity of usable meat depends on the animals plane of nutrition, i.e., whether it is over or underfed. The composition of the diet, especially the amount of protein provided, is also an important factor regulating animal growth and development (Wardlaw, 2000). Cattle digest cellulose which is better adapted to poor-quality diets, but their ruminal microorganisms degrade high-quality protein if supplied in excess, because producing high-quality protein animal feed is expensive. Several techniques are employed or experimented with to ensure maximum utilization of protein. These include the treatment of feed with formalin to protect amino acids during their passage through the rumen, the recycling of manure by feeding it back to cattle mixed with feed concentrates, or the partial conversion of petroleum hydrocarbons to protein through microbial action (Gillespie, 1998). In plant feed, environmental factors influence the availability of crucial nutrients or micronutrients, a lack or excess of which can cause a great many ailments. In Australia, for instance, where the soil contains limited phosphate, cattle are being fed additional phosphate to increase the efficiency of beef production. Also in Australia, cattle and sheep in certain areas were often found losing their appetite and dying in the midst of rich pasture; this was at length found to be a result of cobalt deficiency in the soi (Acker and Cunningham, 1991). Gillespie (1998) stated that plant toxins are also a risk to grazing animals; for instance, fluoracetate, found in some African and Australian plants, kills by disrupting the cellular metabolism. Certain man-made pollutants such as methyl mercury and some pesticide residues present a particular hazard due to their tendency to bioaccumulate in meat, potentially poisoning consumers. SLAUGHTERING AND KILLING OF CATTLE Slaughtering Religious slaughtering The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 (as amended) (WASK) require that all animals are stunned before slaughter, using the methods of stunning prescribed by the Regulations, subject to specific exemptions. One of these exemptions refers to slaughter without the infliction of unnecessary suffering by the Jewish method for the food of Jews; or by the Muslim method for the food of Muslims, provided the requirements for the licensing of slaughter men under the Regulations are met. Since a complete bleed is necessary, cattle are not stunned before bleeding (Donin, 1972). Religious issues surrounding slaughter without pre-stunning were explored in detail in the FAWC report on religious slaughter published in 1985 and have not been reiterated in this report. Council has taken account of relevant information generated since then in drawing its conclusions. Jewish method The Jewish method of slaughtering animals for food (Shechita) requires that they be healthy at the time of slaughter and must not have suffered any physical injury. For this reason, pre-slaughter stunning methods that are judged to cause physical injuries prior to cutting the throat have been considered unacceptable for this slaughter method. Cattle are restrained in an upright position in a specialized pen with the head held fast and the neck exposed in a suitable position for incision of the throat. A transverse cut is made using a reciprocal, uninterrupted motion of the knife. The intention is to produce an immediate outpouring of blood by severing both jugular veins and both carotid arteries. The knife used for cattle has a long, extremely sharp and undamaged blade. After the cut has been made the animal must remain restrained until it is bled out before being released, shackled and hoisted. With Rabbinical approval some premises have adopted a post-cut stun for cattle. The Islamic method The Muslim method of slaughter (Halal) is, in many respects, similar to Shechita. However, pre-slaughter stunning methods for cattle and sheep that have been demonstrated not to kill the animal, such that the heart is still beating, have been deemed acceptable and have routinely been adopted in many Halal slaughterhouses. The level of restraint required to expose the throat, perform an effective cut and hold the animal still until it has bled out is greater than is needed for conventional slaughter. The restraining pens used for this purpose require Ministerial approval. This is designed to protect bovine animals from any avoidable pain, suffering, agitation, injuries or contusions in the pen and in particular to ensure effective means of restraint and support (WASK). The design and operation of restraining pens are assessed by the SVS before Ministerial approval is given. Humane slaughtering Cattle are slaughtered by being first stunned and then exsanguinated (bled out). Death results from the one or the other procedure, depending on the methods employed. Stunning can be effected through asphyxiating the animals with carbon dioxide, shooting them with a gun or a captive bolt pistol, or shocking them with electric current as reported by Lawrie and Ledward (2006). According to Lawrie (1991) draining as much blood as possible from the carcass is necessary because blood causes the meat to have an unappealing appearance and is a very good breeding ground for microorganisms. The exsanguination is accomplished by severing the carotid artery and the jugular vein in cattle and sheep, and the anterior vena cava in pigs. Bleeding According to Beinempaka et al., (1990) the neck of the animal is cut and it is allowed to bleed by hoisting it up. They also reported that adequate bleeding is essential to reduce meat spoilage since blood is a good source of moisture and nutrition for most of the contaminating organisms. This indicates that the amount of blood retained in the beef determines the degree of spoilage of the beef. Panda, (1986) reported that the amount of blood drained out from different types of birds vary depending on the stunning technique and physiological condition of the cattle. Deskinning and dressing This process of deskinning is done manually or mechanical and manual at the same time. The mechanical and manual ones are normally done at the abattoirs. This involves using a sharp knife to deskin the animal while the machine pulls the skin off the animal. Dressing involves the opening of the carcass to remove the internal organs (Beinempaka et al., 1990). Care must be taken in removing the intestines, as an unintentional incision may result in the distribution of fecal bacteria onto carcass possibly contaminating the beef (Borch and Arinder, 2002). Washing Following the deskinning and dressing stage is the washing stage. It involves using a stream of water which removes dirt and the amount of blood retained in the carcass. This helps in reducing microbial load present on the carcass. Chilling This is done immediately after the preparation of the carcass and must last for as short a time as possible to avoid bacterial proliferation (Gracey, 1986). Nester et al., (2001) stated that chilling inhibits the growth of micro-organisms such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp at temperature below 3-50C. Chilling in a common bath may result in cross-contamination from Escherichia and Salmonella carriers to free carcasses (Cross et al., 1988). NUTRITIVE VALUE OF BEEF The use of lean and clean beef is advisable to include in diet, it could be as an ingredient in stews or traditional recipes. Beef is a popular meat rich in protein, being a red meat had always made it a bad food when it comes to studies and researches (Owen et al., 2005). Wardlaw, (2000) stated that, a lean beef adds to health benefits related to heart and prevention of cancer. As a matter of fact, no one can deny that beef is an important source of protein. Beef is found to be very rich in Iron, Zinc, Selenium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Magnesium. Sodium and Copper are found in good quantities. However, minute quantities of Calcium and Manganese are also present. According to Acker and Cunningham (1991), beef is one of the best sources for Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6 Niacin and Riboflavin. However, it is also rich in Thiamin and Pantothenic Acid. Small amounts of Vitamin E, Vitamin K and Foliate are present. According to Owen et al., (2005) the calorie count of Beef per 100 gm is 155.0; it is meat which is higher in protein and moderate in fat. Beef is good for bones and teeth. It enhances immunity against infections of ear etc., and prevents blood vessel walls from damaging. Moderate consumption of lean beef is altogether good for cardiovascular health and to prevent cancer risks. The amount of fat in beef carcasses has decreased compared to what it was during the middle of the twentieth century; beef contains about 6 percent less fat (Gillespie, 1998). FRESHNESS OF DRESSED BEEF Beef is a perishable product and may cause public health concerns. Fresh beef is most likely to spoil before it will cause food-borne diseases (Gill, 1998). For preserved meat the opposite may be the case, where micro-organisms have been eliminated. There is the tendency to use milder preservation methods either because of energy saving, because of consumers preference for mildly cured or cooked products, or their desire for having more fresh beef products or because of an aversion to the use of preservatives (Panda, 1995). According to Lawrie and Ledward (2006) in order to satisfy these demands, it will be necessary for meat industry to improve microbial monitoring of production including hygiene and to formulate processes which will give minimal variation in their results. Although intensive work is being carried out by meat industries to find substitutes for known processes with equivalent inactivation or inhibition of microbial froth, no overall acceptable alternative seems to be readily available (Gracey, 1986). QUALITY OF BEEF The quality grades are based on the degree of marbling (intramuscular fat) in the beef, and the maturity of the animal at slaughter (USDA, 2007). A quality grade is a composite evaluation of factors that affect palatability of meat; tenderness, juiciness, and flavor. These factors include carcass maturity, firmness, texture, and color of lean, and the amount and distribution of marbling within the lean. Beef carcass quality grading is based on degree of marbling and degree of maturity (Hale et al., 2007). Texture Meat from less tender cuts or older cattle can be mechanically tenderized by forcing small, sharp blades through the cuts to disrupt the proteins (Denver, 2003). Also, solutions of exogenous proteolytic enzymes such as papain, bromelin or ficin can be injected to augment the endogenous enzymes (USDA, 2007). Similarly, solutions of salt and sodium phosphates can be injected to soften and swell the myofibrillar proteins. This improves juiciness and tenderness. Flavour Evaporation concentrates the remaining proteins and increases flavor intensity; the molds can contribute a nut-like flavor. The majority of the tenderizing effect occurs in the first 10 days, although two to three days allow significant effects. Boxed beef, stored and distributed in vacuum packaging, is, in effect, wet aged during distribution. Premium steakhouses dry age for 21 to 28 days or wet age up to 45 days for maximum effect on flavor and tenderness.. Salt can improve the flavor, but phosphate can contribute a soapy flavor. SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION OF BEEF Lawrie (1991) suggested that contamination of beef is a continuing possibility from the moment of bleeding until consumption. Contamination of beef from the moment of bleeding until consumption is from microbial to physical contamination. The microbiological contamination of carcasses occurs mainly during processing and manipulation, such as skinning, evisceration, storage and distribution at slaughterhouses and retail establishments (Gill, 1998; Abdalla et al., 2009). Fecal matter was a major source of contamination and could reached carcasses through direct deposition, as well as by indirect contact through contaminated and clean carcasses, equipment, workers, installations and air (Borch and Arinder, 2002). Cattle slaughter operations, such as bleeding, dressing and evisceration, expose sterile muscle to microbiological contaminants that were present on the skin, the digestive tract and in the environment (Gill and Jones, 1999; Bacon et al.,2000). Moreover, dirty workers hands, clothes and equipments of the slaughterhouse and at the market by retailers act as intermediate sources of contamination of meat (Gill, 1998; Gilmour et al., 2004; AbdelSadig, 2006; Abdalla et al., 2009). Also, handling and storage of beef contribute effectively to meat contamination (Beinempaka et al., 1990). The storage place should be clean and preferably cold (400F). Any temperature above will contribute to microbial growth which act on the meat and cause spoilage whereas the beef must be handled with proper care. METHODS OF MINIMIZING CONTAMINATION OF BEEF Rangaswani (1983) reported that meat quality could be enhanced and prolonged when the causes of microbial contamination are drastically reduced or removed altogether. He stated further that quality and wholesomeness of meat depend on many factors of which the following are part: Source of Beef Meat from abattoir slaughtered animals and well established farms generally have less bacteria counts than meat from backyard slaughtered animals because at the abattoir or farm, all the necessary safety and hygiene consideration are undertaken. The level of infection is thus minimized unlike backyard slaughtered animals where animals are killed and dressed on the floor with no better hygiene condition (Zeigler, 1966). Health of Animals Beef from healthy animals keep longer than beef from diseased cattle. This is so because beef from healthy animals are more likely to be free from any microbes unlike diseased cattle. Zeigler (1966) reported that veterinary inspection should be the priority when animals are being slaughtered since it will be proven whether animals are free from any diseases. Method of Slaughter Meat from bruised animals, improperly bled animals, meat contaminated with faeces during evisceration and meat soiled with dirt from skin tends to spoil early. The normal micro flora from the skin of carcasses includes Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli and organisms of fecal origin (Cross and Overby, 1988). The source of these organisms is not clearly understood but in addition to contamination from the skin and intestines, equipments and tools during slaughter and selling of beef may be responsible for some contamination. To avoid further contamination, potable water should be used for rinsing carcasses and surfaces coming into contact with meat and offal. PRESERVATION OF BEEF According to Panda (1995) preservation or meat can be done by adopting several techniques among which are refrigeration, dehydration, curing, smoking, canning, irradiation, microwave heating and use of chemical additives including antibiotics. Refrigeration Refrigeration includes cold storage and frozen storage. In cold storage a temperature between 00C to 70C is employed and in frozen storage at between 150C to 170C (Panda, 1995). Controlled temperature assists in preventing quality loss and maintaining shelf life of the product. Proper air circulation in addition to maintenance of air temperature prevents mould growth and controlled air composition provides fresh air and avoids development of extraneous odour out of undesirable gases. Moisture control assists in preventing excessive dehydration of the product stored (Panda, 1986). Smoking Smoking helps in preserving beef by acting as an antioxidant, bactericidal agent and providing a protective covering on the surface. Smoking also imparts specific flavour to meat. Various types of wood used for generating smoke also impart different flavour to the finished product. However, the best type of wood which could be exploited for producing quality smoked beef is hard wood. Smoke also influences the colour of the smoked beef. Curing This is a process of preserving meat. It is done to preserve and maintain red colour of the meat and also to add flavour. This ingredients used include common salt, sodium nitrate or nitrite, sugar and spices (Beinempaka et al., 1990). Therefore selection of curing formulation is extremely important while using it, as long as large amounts of salt or spice will mask the flavour of meat. The functions of these curing agents are different. Salts assists in preservation of meat while influencing the flavour and texture. Sugar adds to the flavour while checking the drying and toughening effect and nitrate provide the desired pink colour to it (Panda, 1995). Chemical Additives Gill (1998) stated that fresh beef in intact carcass is not severely contaminated except for its surfaces and skinning. However, as it is minced for utilization in further processed products, the solution changes. As the beef gets exposed, added bacterial contamination from hands of operators and machineries used occurs (Borch and Arinder, 2002). According to Panda (1995) the use of additives in beef extends the life of the beef and has a little effect on the colour, flavour and texture. PACKAGING AND STORAGE If the beef is to be used for processing, then it is taken straight to the meat cutting and industries to be processed. If they are to be stored for use at a later stage, these are properly packed in suitable polythene bags and kept inside a deep freeze maintained at 15-180C. Panda (1995) reported that the packaging material used for packaging the beef should be colourless, transparent and of adequate strength to safeguard the dressed beef packed during handling and transportation. Also, the packaging material should not transfer any harmful substances to the packed material. The major objectives in using the packaging material is that it should provide optimum protection to the product packed inside it and to maintain wholesomeness for its anticipated shelf life, while preventing physical, microbial and insect damage with appropriate properties and capacity to preserve its nutritive value in an acceptable way and other quality factors, important in the marketing channel (Panda, 1995). Various types of primary and secondary containers as well as flexible material are being used for packing beef products. Primary container is one which is in direct contact with the food item. The secondary container is the outer box or wrap that holds the primary units of food such as jars, cans, tins flexible packages which have no direct contact with the food item. Some of the various types of packaging material used for beef packaging include tins, cans, glass, plastic films and laminates.

The House on Mango Street Essay example -- The House on Mango Street E

As a young girl, Esperanza is a young girl who looks at life from experience of living in poverty, where many do not question their experience. She is a shy, but very bright girl. She dreams of the perfect home, with beautiful flowers and a room for everyone. When she moves to the house of Mango Street, reality is so different than the dream. In this story, hope (Esperanza) sustains tragedy. The house she dreamed of was another on. It was one of her own. One where she did not have to share a bedroom with everyone. That included her mother, father and two siblings. The run down tiny house has "bricks crumbling in places". The one she dreamed of had a great big yard, trees and 'grass growing without a fence'. She did not want to abandon where she came from, but she knew she wanted to be free of everything that life on Mango Street brought. "They will not know I have gone away to come back. For the ones I have left behind". She is committed to her roots on Mango Street. We witness Esperanza blossoming from a innocent, shy girl to one who witnesses much, but all of this makes her strong and clear about her desires for her life. What she sees is the male domination (machismo), violence and rape. The violence in the home was ordinary to those that lived there and Esperanza knew this. It didn't make Sally stronger. Sally is abused by her father "He never hit me hard", as her mom tends to her wounds. Sally eventually leaves home and gets married at a young age. She ends being ...

Consumer Materials Enterprises Essay

Before accelerating employees’ interest in worker satisfaction, David Gold has to fix the conflict between newly hired college graduates and the older experienced supervisors because the conflict is the main issue in this case. If this issue can be fixed, all of the supervisors will be able to improve other employees’ satisfaction. Thus, the problem statement is how can the company reduce the conflict between newly hired college graduates and the older experienced supervisors. Explain the behavior. There are external issues and internal issues. For external issues, supervisors have low motivation because they are lack of confidence. They are seen as the â€Å"losers† of the organization and it is hard for them to watch others moving up. For internal issues, newly hired college graduates and the older experienced supervisors are separated into two sub-groups. The management has a personal relationship with the older experienced supervisors and this is causing some issues around forcing the older experienced supervisors to change. College graduates supervisors complain that the older supervisors don’t want to try anything new and they are upset when advice is not followed. In contrast, the older supervisors don’t trust college graduates supervisors and they think college graduates supervisors only want to make a big impression to get ahead. As a result, people in two groups don’t like each other and they feel low self-determination. They cannot control their over their own actions and two groups threat each other. Analyze the theories Self-determination theory is a theory of motivation that aims to explain individuals’ goal-directed behavior. In the case, there is a company culture clash going on. The older experienced supervisors are trying to continue on in the old ways, and college graduates supervisors are obviously trying to forge a new culture. The truth is that management is not willing to change or that the older experienced supervisors don’t see the need for change. Both groups try to control over their own actions. Due to two main reasons, supervisors start feeling their tasks more like obligations which they don’t feel engaged. First, the conflict occurs because their values and work habits are different. One of the groups is forced to change in the most cases. Second, the company doesn’t give them enough authority. The feeling undermines their motivation, so the company’s goals will not be achieved. Objectives * Improving employee satisfaction * Improving cooperation and understanding * Reducing turnover rate Alternatives: * Creating a reward-and-motivation program * Rotating shifts and having weekly meeting * Empowering supervisors Consequences of Alternatives David wants to create the atmosphere of â€Å"one big happy family†. The concept behind â€Å"one big happy family† is to improve employee satisfaction. There is a link between how motivated employees are at their workplace and their level of job satisfaction. A company endeavors to increase job satisfaction so employee motivation will also improve, resulting in better job performance and increased efficiency. Furthermore, the cooperation with the business is important for the long-term success towards achieving sustainable management. Also, the company has high turnover rate. High turnover often means that employees are unhappy with the work or compensation. The way to fix high turnover rate is to increase employee’s satisfaction. There are three alternatives. First, the employee reward program is one method of increasing employee’s extrinsic motivation to change work habits and key behaviors to benefit a small business. Extrinsic motivation is a less preferred state than intrinsic motivation, but better than being unmotivated. Second, rotating shifts can allow the general supervisor to understand each shift’s working condition. The weekly meeting can enforce the communication among supervisors and reduce the level of the conflict between newly hired college graduates and the older experienced supervisors. Also, supervisors can understand the company’s direction and be more satisfied in their jobs. Third, empowering supervisors can also enhance their motivation at jobs. Each supervisor can set personal goals, and they will feel a sense of accomplishment rather than obligation. Tradeoffs / Analysis of Alternatives Based on the criteria listed in each objective, an importance weight was assigned, which ranged from 1 to 5.† Improving employee satisfaction† was assigned a weight of 5 because employee satisfaction is a factor in employee motivation, employee goal achievement, and positive employee morale in the workplace. â€Å"Improving cooperation and understanding† was given a weight of 5. David sets up the first off-site meeting and he wants supervisors to be cooperative. â€Å"Reducing turnover rate† is weighted a 3. High turnover rate may effect operation of the refill packaging unit. However, refill packaging is not high skill job so the damage of turnover is low. For â€Å"Creating a reward-and-motivation program†, I assigned a score of 10 for the goals â€Å"Improving employee satisfaction† and â€Å"Reducing turnover rate† because Supervisors’ motivation can be encouraged by rewarding them. For the second goal, â€Å"Improving cooper ation and understanding† I assigned a score of 8. Employees will learn from others who get rewards from the company. Hence, a reward-and-motivation program can reduce the conflict between newly hired college graduates and the older experienced supervisors. They won’t insist on doing what they think right. They will follow the company’s direction. For the second strategy alternative, â€Å"Rotating shifts and having weekly meeting†, the company gets 10 points for the second goal of â€Å"Improving cooperation and understanding† and the third goal of â€Å"Reducing turnover rate† because Supervisors can get a chance to communicate face-face with others. The conflict can be reduced by understanding other Supervisors’ thoughts. The first goal, â€Å"Improving employee satisfaction â€Å", I assigned a score of 9. Rotating shifts may reduce some of employees’ satisfaction. They do something and they don’t learn new skill even though their shifts are rotated. Some Supervisors might feel annoying because their shifts are rotated. For the third strategy alternative, â€Å"Empower supervisors†, I gave 10 points for â€Å"Improving employee satisfaction†. Supervisors don’t have enough authority to manage their employees. Empowering supervisors can help them manage their employees and increase their job motivation. Also, empowering supervisors can reduce supervisor’s turnover rate. Thus, I gave 7 points for the third goal â€Å"Reducing turnover rate†. Recommendation The conflict result from lack of communication and low motivation. I suggest David creates a reward-and-motivation program, rotate shifts, and have weekly meeting. A reward program can increase supervisors’ motivation. Rotating shifts and having weekly meeting can get supervisor communicate with each other and understand others thoughts and managing skills. Table 1: Consequence Table Strategies →Goals ↓| Creating a reward-and-motivation program| Rotating shifts and having weekly meeting| Empower supervisors | Improving employee satisfaction | * Increasing employee’s extrinsic motivation. * getting more extrinsic motivation| * Supervisors will be able to learn from other supervisors | * Supervisors will get more control over their action * They get motivation to do their jobs | Improving cooperation and understanding | * understanding the goals of the company| * allowing the general supervisor to understand each shift’s working condition * enforcing the communication among supervisors and reduce the level of the conflict between newly hired college graduates and the older experienced supervisors| N/A| Reducing turnover rate| * being willing to stay in the job * getting more extrinsic motivation| * getting chance to learn from others | * Supervisors can have ability to reduce turnover rate | Table 2: Weighted/ Ranked Consequences Table Strategies →Goals ↓| Weights(Range of 1-5) | Creating a reward-and-motivation programs | Rotating shifts and having weekly meeting| Empower supervisors | Improving employee satisfaction | 5| 10[5]| 9[5]| 10[5]| Improving cooperation and understanding | 5| 8[5]| 10[5]| 3[5]| Reducing turnover rate| 3| 10[3]| 10[3]| 7[3]| | Ranked Total | 28| 29| 20| | Weighted total | 120| 125| 56| Make inferences There are several factors that may cause the low employee satisfaction in Consummate Corporation’s refill packaging unit. First, there is a conflict between newly hired college graduates and the older experienced supervisors. College graduates and the older experienced supervisors have different values and working attitudes. They always have different opinions at work. Second, employees who work in the refill packaging unit are considered to have the lowest status in Consummate Corporation. Third, supervisors aren’t given more control over their schedules, environment, and/or work habits. In addition, commination is missing among the general supervisor, each shift product supervisors, and workers. There are a lot of uncontested assumptions circulating about people on different shift, and supervisor will just make judgments by what they perceive it to be. However, those judgments are always wrong. Finally, workers who work overtime can have higher salaries than their supervisors. That makes supervisors have low motivation to accomplish their tasks. Overall, because of the low employee satisfaction, employees who work at the refill packaging unit fail to accomplish the organizational goals and some even violate laws and the company’s policy.

The Changing Organizational Landscape of Business Communications in the Age of Information Technology essays

The Changing Organizational Landscape of Business Communications in the Age of Information Technology essays One of the most vital factors that influence an improving and dynamically developing organizational system in the business sector is business communications. The emergence of business communication as an essential factor in improving and organizing the activities of people everyday resulted to the integration of communication as an element that must be considered in promoting effective organizational management. More importantly, business communications via the Internet (technological) media are considered the most flexible and effective forms of communication, making it easier for organizations to communicate and constantly interact with its members. Information dissemination and exchange among and within organizations also improves with the proliferation of e-mailing and Thus, the growing community of Internet technology users especially in the business sector increases the usefulness and value of technology communications at present. However, dysfunctions within the cyberspace culture proliferate, such as the spreading of viruses that either annoys the user or seriously damages the performance of computer systems. Jennifer Barrett, in a special report from Newsweek, addresses the issue of cyber security' in the growing community/organization that is called, "cyberspace." Recognition for cyberspace as an important organization that must have its own sets of rules, norms, members/users, and artifactsthat is, cyberspace culture, security measures to assure that users of computer technology are not prevented from performing everyday activities due to system errors and dysfunctions caused by viruses and other computer glitches. This is manifested in the establishment of the National Cyber Security Division of the government's Department of Homeland Security, spearheading the program called, "National Cyber Alert System," which ...

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - Questions

'Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet' - Questions Published in 2009, this historical fiction novel has been a book club favorite since it was released. Use these book club discussion questions on by Jamie Ford to lead your book club into Fords novel. Spoiler Warning: These book club discussion questions reveal important details about Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. Finish the book before reading on. Why do you think Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet was told in flashbacks? What perspective can an older Henry give?How was Henrys relationship with Marty different than his relationship with his father? How was it the same? Even though tradition was important to both men, how did Henry and his father view tradition and heritage differently?Was the information the novel presented about Japanese-American internment new to you? What did you learn?Do you think Henry was right to stay with Ethel even after he found out about his fathers deceit? Should he have searched for Keiko?Do you think Ethel knew what was happening to Henrys letters?If you were Henry, could you forgive your father?What do you think happened after the novel ended?Rank Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford on a scale of 1 to 5.

(FAR) Quality Assurance Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

(FAR) Quality Assurance - Research Paper Example An implied warranty automatically protects the government upon the sale of an item, unless it is overridden by a disclaimer. An implied warranty of merchantability ensures government purchases items of good (average or above) quality and fit for an ordinary purpose intended for, while an implied warranty of fitness protects the government against unsuitable services or products for a specific purpose, known to the recommending seller of the item. Keywords: Defective Products, Items, Contract, Warranty, Acquisition, FAR, Disclaimer, Liability, Cost Determining Criteria to invoke a Warranty in FAR Contracting officers of the government have a crucial role to play, especially in considering commercial practices in handling contracts between the government and contractors, for a smooth exchange of the commercial items or services. Considering the various defects or gross mistakes that may arise in the provision of the commercial products, even though warranties are not compulsory in thes e contracts, such challenges push for the need of the warranty in specific acquisitions. According to the FAR part (46) section (703), contracting officers assess the nature and use of the services or suppliers, trade practices, administration and enforcement, cost, and reduced requirements to determine the appropriateness of a warranty for an acquisition in a contract. Warranties are an extension of the standing relationship between the contractors and the government, but also extend the liability cost to one of the parties based on the matters that may arise from the contract. Similarly, warranties support inspection and acceptance practices in quality assurance of the contracts. When an analysis of the above factors is conducted and the need for a warranty in a specific acquisition found, then in the best interest of the government, a warranty clause can be used. The government acquires the warranty when it is cost effective. In any case, the government would want to reduce the b urden in maintenance, use or operation, and additional costs that may arise due to potential undetected defects. That is why such factors like difficulty in detecting a fault prior to acceptance, assessing potential harm to the government in case of a defect, complexity and function of a an item or service, end use, degree of development, and state of the art under FAR 46.703 part (a) have to be evaluated. The arising costs coming from the deferred liability on the contractor’s side and warranty enforcement of the government’s side, extended trade practice in the cost of a warranted item to the government, the ability of an assured administrative system to report on discrepancies, and reduced government quality assurance requirement would necessitate the government to include a warranty. Through the procedure, the government would ensure that the non conformance is covered in the warranty clause of the contract. Protection against Defective Services Express Warranties They frequently characterize the majority of the government contracts. Some can be complex, but are often specific to service contracts. These warranties can be oral or written, but for official purposes to the government, a written form is often common as a claim for its existence and avoiding chances of contractor’

Nursing Practice Foundation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Nursing Practice Foundation - Essay Example This essay approves that neatness and cleanliness can't be achieved without the total support of those who must be neat and clean. If the nursing service provider (the nurse) feels forced to behave against her or his will or beliefs, they tend to focus on the lousy way they're being treated rather than on delighting the customer. And they almost have to pass their feelings on to the patient because the service is inseparable from the (nurse) provider. The typical patient isn't pleased with poor, inadequate service or even adequate service if it's delivered by a grouch. The resulting damage to the image of the organization in such instances is expensive and wide ranging. It's also unnecessary. employees can't be empowered by management from on high. They have to accept the power offered, which means there must be something in it for them. It seems to us that, because quality is viewed by patients as including tangibles, the nursing profession itself must demand appropriate attention b e given to tangibles. As research has repeatedly indicated, professionals, whether nurses, engineers, or teachers, generally identify more closely with the profession than with the specific organization they serve. This report makes a conclusion that management should work through the nurses themselves to set customer-determined levels of tangibles for nursing. Encourage the nurses to set the metrics to close the loop, together with a process of feedback and analysis and providing incentives aligned with the agreed-upon goals. Then hold nurses accountable as a team and individually, rewarding results appropriately.