Free Homeschool Programs for Texas Students

The state of Texas offers resident students the opportunity to take online public school courses for free.  Virtual schools that offer no-cost instruction include online charter schools, statewide public programs, and private programs that receive public funding. Online Texas Charter Schools and Public Schools Texas has multiple options for students wishing to take free virtual courses. Some are provided through state-funded school districts, and others are provided through private academies: Texas Connections Academy: A fully accredited online school, Texas Connections Academy offers courses for students in grades three through 12, including Honors and Advancement Placement courses that can be applied for college credit. The school uses LiveLesson technology to provide live teaching over the web. In addition to standard curriculum, Texas Connections Academy also offers college preparation and counseling, including SAT prep classes and assistance with the college application process.Texas Online Preparatory School: Texas Online Preparatory School (TOPS) is a state-funded program run by Huntsville Independent School District. It provides personalized, tuition-free education for students in grades 3 through 12. Flexible pacing allows students with other commitments to meet their educational needs on their own schedule. Although most of the instruction is done remotely, the school organizes field trips, picnics, and other outings throughout the year to give students to chanc e to meet and socialize.Texas Virtual Academy: Like TOPS, Texas Virtual Academy is a state-funded program. It is run by Hallsville Independent School District in northeast Texas. The school offers a traditional curriculum as well as courses in Career and Technical Education (CTE) such as computer science, web design, audio engineering, sports medicine, and accounting. Students can also take special courses through the University of Texas of the Permian Basin for both high school and college credit.iUniversity Prep: Designed for students in grades five through 12, iUniversity Prep is a virtual school run by Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District. It is focused on college preparedness. Students work together with teachers and learning coaches to develop and reevaluate customized learning plans. The school encourages and helps plan extracurricular activities so that students who cannot participate in traditional education have an opportunity to meet their peers. More information on virtual learning opportunities for Texas students is available through the Texas Virtual School Network. About Online Schools Most virtual schools are charter schools  that receive government funding and are run by  private organizations. Online charter schools are subject to fewer restrictions than traditional schools. However, they are reviewed regularly and must continue to meet state standards. Some states also offer their own  online public schools. These virtual programs generally operate from a state office or a school district. Statewide public school programs vary. Some online public schools offer a limited number of remedial or advanced courses not available in brick-and-mortar public school campuses. Others offer full online diploma programs, like those available through Texas Virtual Academy and Texas Online Preparatory School. Choosing a School When choosing an online public school, look for an established program that is regionally accredited and has a track record of success. Be wary of new schools that are disorganized, are unaccredited, or have been the subject of public scrutiny.

Music s Power Doc s Piano - 904 Words

Music’s power is usually described as being able to instill an emotion in its listeners. But music comes to mean even more in The Power of One. It represents someone’s spirit - Doc’s. The music he creates is a metonym for his thoughts and inner spirit. Music, especially Doc’s piano, is a physical representation of his life and spirit, revealing music to be the force that Doc uses to communicate and connect with the rest of the world. Doc loves music, but this love extends from mere enjoyment to letting music dictate his life. When he introduces himself to Peekay and he asks what a professor is, Doc’s â€Å"shoulders [sag] visibly† as he describes one as â€Å"a person who drinks too much whisky and once plays goot Beethoven and†¦even sometimes, when it was not serious, Chopin† (146). It says something that Doc’s answer involves his own past greatness, instead of something more straightforward. His past success has weighed on his mind every day, ever since his last concert in Berlin when panic grabbed him and he could not play the third movement of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Every night since then, Doc has tried to play it, but â€Å"always in the third movement it is the same, the music in my fingers and my head and my heart will not proceed...then the wolves howl in my head and only whisky will make them quiet again† (202). By saying that the music is not only in his fingers, but also his head and heart, Doc reveals that what he plays comes from his inner spirit, which,Show MoreRelatedBeethoven Annotated Biblography1525 Words   |  7 Pagesliving, and inflation. Beethoven-Haus Bonn is a museum located in the birth house of Beethoven. Information is based on documents onsite. Ardley, Neil. Music, an Illustrated Encyclopedia. New York, NY: Facts on File, 1986. Print. Gives all the pertinent details for a novice in classical music. Distinguishes the differences in types of music written by a composer. Lists the most popular works by Beethoven according to the kind of piece that was composed. While this source was not solely on BeethovenRead MoreAfrican Americans: Past, Present, and Future1976 Words   |  8 Pagesthe horrific past has become a promising future. Slavery was one of the first mishaps to occur in our American history. Slavery is defined as the state or condition of being a slave; a civil relationship, whereby one person has absolute power over another and controls his life, liberty, or fortune. Abraham Lincoln, one of America’s strongest leaders passed the Emancipation Proclamation in June of 1863. This proclaimed that 3.1 million slaves were freed as Union armies advanced. By theRead MoreEssay on Wagnerian3838 Words   |  16 Pageshalf-arsed surface scratch job I did on Mozart. In preparation for this here bit of writing, Ive done a bit of reading and also some more listening†¹notably, finally listening to the whole of the Ring for the first time. Way back when I did music at UNSW in 1993 I heard the first two operas in the cycle, Das Rheingold and Die Walkà ¼re, then never heard them again for nearly six years (except for an old Bruno Walter recording of Walkà ¼re Act I at Bowen Library) until I picked themRead Morepreschool Essay46149 Words   |  185 Pageschildren can demonstrate their knowledge and skills using any language or, for most of the foundations, through nonverbal means. Many children effectively apply their often more-advanced ability in their home language to understand, for example, art, music, drama, and dance concepts; movement concepts; and health concepts. Other children may have a disability xi xii or special need that requires particular adaptations.1 To serve all children, preschool programs must work to provide appropriateRead MoreSas Case Study9382 Words   |  38 Pagesplan with low deductibles. In almost every respect, SAS Institute seems like a throwback to an earlier era, to a time when there were long-term attachments between companies and their people, and large, progressive organizations such as Eastman Kodak, S. C. Johnson, and Sears offered generous, inclusive benefits in an effort to enhance the welfare of their workforce. Not all observers seem to approve of this form of employment relationship. Some people say that SAS Institute reeks of paternalism orRead MoreSas Case Study9389 Words   |  38 Pagesplan with low deductibles. In almost every respect, SAS Institute seems like a throwback to an earlier era, to a time when there were long-term attachments between companies and their people, and large, progressive organizations such as Eastman Kodak, S. C. Johnson, and Sears offered generous, inclusive benefits in an effort to enhance the welfare of their workforce. Not all observers seem to approve of this form of employment relationship. Some people say that SAS Institute reeks of paternalism orRead MoreProject Mgmt296381 Words   |  1186 Pagestheir wives (Kevin and Dawn, Robert and Sally) and their children (Ryan, Carly, Connor and Lauren). C.F.G. â€Å"We must not cease from exploration and the end of all exploring will be to arrive where we begin and to know the place for the first time.† T. S. Eliot To Ann whose love and support has brought out the best in me. And, to our girls Mary, Rachel, and Tor-Tor for the joy and pride they give me. Finally, to my muse, Neil, for the faith and inspiration he instills. E.W.L Preface Since youRead MoreInnovators Dna84615 Words   |  339 Pages 6:52 PM Page ii 100092 00 i-vi r1 rr.qxp 5/13/11 6:52 PM Page iii THE INNOVATOR’S DNA MASTERING THE FIVE SKILLS OF DISRUPTIVE INNOVATORS Jeff Dyer Hal Gregersen Clayton M. Christensen H A R VA R D B U S I N E S S R E V I E W P R E S S BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 100092 00 i-vi r1 rr.qxp 5/13/11 6:52 PM Page iv Copyright 2011 Jeff Dyer, Hal Gregersen, and Clayton M. Christensen All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4Read MoreIncome Taxation Solutions Manual 1 300300 Words   |  1202 Pagesfor the other buyer ($396,646 - $362,000). However, it must also be recognized that the potential pre-tax profits to the chain store buyer may also be different. For example, the chain store will likely have a higher gross profit due to its buying power. In addition, certain other administrative costs may be different. This reduces the negative impact of the increased tax rate. Follow-up In this particular case, the parties agreed that the $396,000 value was appropriate. The employee, however, hadRead MoreFundamentals of Hrm263904 Words   |  1056 Pagesmoney From multiple study paths, to self-assessment, to a wealth of interactive visual and audio resources, WileyPLUS gives you everything you need to personalize the teaching and learning experience.  » F i n d o u t h ow t o M A K E I T YO U R S  » www.wileyplus.com ALL THE HELP, RESOURCES, AND PERSONAL SUPPORT YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS NEED! 2-Minute Tutorials and all of the resources you your students need to get started www.wileyplus.com/firstday Student support from an experienced

The Amish Culture Free Essays

The Amish Culture The Amish are a fascinating people. They live surrounded by cities full of technology. Yet they live without automobiles, electricity, and most modern comforts that are taken for granted by many. We will write a custom essay sample on The Amish Culture or any similar topic only for you Order Now Donald Kraybill asks the question â€Å"How is it that a tradition-laden people who spurn electricity, computers, automobiles, and higher education are not merely surviving but are, in fact, thriving in the midst of modern life? † Though they do not have all of the technology that we take for granted, they live richer lives than many non-Amish people. ecause gender relations are accepted amongst others in the community, they have strong beliefs, traditions and values, and kinship is important. In the Amish community, they rely heavily on their agriculture as a mode of subsistence. This is known as being an agrarian society. Though they have other means of sustenance, they recognize the importance of agriculture to the community. Amish culture does not use electricity or other modern conveniences. This makes the farming a longer process, as this is their means of survival. They have other means for livelihood but farming is their main job. Some build furniture to sell to the surrounding communities. Others will farm for non-amish employers. â€Å"Some stereotypes of Amish life imply that they reject technology and live in a nineteenth-century cocoon. Such images are false. The Amish adopt technology selectively, hoping that the tools they use will build community rather than harm it. In short, they prefer technology that preserves social capital, rather than depletes it. †(Kraybill, 2001). In the technology laden world today, it makes sense that a culture that only uses certain technologies selectively would rely heavily on the land to provide. The Amish have traditions that are considered strange to many people, in addition to the lack of technology. The baptized members of the Amish church marry other baptized members of the church. This does not mean necessarily that cousins marry cousins. While this does happen, some Amish women may choose to leave one community for another. This is often done because the men inherit the family land. The men inherit the land because the Amish culture is a patriarchal culture. The marraiges are not arranged but the parents must give approval. Right before the marriage, the couple is â€Å"announced† and the preparations for the wedding begin. After the wedding, the man will start to grow out his beard to signify his marital status. Another well known tradition is the Amish barn raising. A barn raising is a gathering of men in the community to build a barn for a fellow member of the community. It is used as a way to not only accomplish a task but to also socialize. The Amish community is known for their desire to help one another and reinforce the sense of community. The barn raising is known as a â€Å"frolic† in the Amish culture. There are many men assisting in the building. In addition, the families know that in the future, if there is ever a time they need assistance with something, the community will be there to help. Frolics are not only reserved for the men. The women in the community get together for quilting, shucking, or canning. The traditions and core beliefs were founded in Europe by Jacob Amman based on the writings of Menno Simons, the founder of the Mennonite movement. These beliefs are held fast by every member of the Amish community. The basic religious beliefs are Christian in nature, such as a belief in Heaven and Hell. The Amish believe, however, that salvation is not guaranteed. Upon death, God weighs the deeds and life of the person to determine their worthiness for Heaven. Baptism is done when an adult in the Amish community decides to give themselves wholly to the church. It is symbolic of their commitment. â€Å"Amish youth decide if they want to join the church in their late teens and early twenties, and if they choose to be baptized, they submit themselves to the order of the church for the rest of their lives. In doing so, candidates make a confession of faith and agree to comply with the order of the Amish community, or the Ordnung, an unwritten tradition that spells out expected behaviors and regulations. Church members who break the commitment and refuse to repent and confess their sins are excommunicated and â€Å"shunned. † The Pennsylvania Amish try to persuade the wayward to cooperate with the church, but those who continue to be disobedient must be banned from fellowship in order to maintain the purity of the church. The shunned are prohibited from engaging in any social interaction, cut off from all close friends and associates. Shunning happens infrequently, although it serves as an effective form of social control for the Amish that preserves their spiritual purity. † (http://www. padutchcountry. om/towns-and-heritage/amish-country/amish-religious-traditions. asp) The youth in the Amish communities make this decision by participating in Rumspringa. This translates to running around. Around the age of sixteen, the Amish adolescent participates in activities that are not allowed by a baptized member of the church. These are typical â€Å"English† behaviors s uch as drinking alcohol, wearing â€Å"English† clothing, and not have a requirement to attend the church. Not all youths choose to have a Rumspringa. Some, on the other hand, choose to leave the community for the year and experience life outside of the community. Most return to the Amish culture and devote their lives to the Amish way. Most Americans would not be able to live without the modern conveniences to which they grown accustomed. The Amish are simply fascinating with their plain living and culture rich with tradition. Though they do not have all of the technology that we take for granted, they live richer lives than many non-Amish people. because gender relations are accepted amongst others in the community, they have strong beliefs, traditions and values, and kinship is important. References Hurst, C. E. , McConnell, D. L. (2010). Young Center Books in Anabaptist and Pietist Studies : Amish paradox : Diversity and change in the world’s largest amish community. Baltimore, MD, USA: Johns Hopkins University Press. Kraybill, Donald B.. â€Å"Amish. † Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America. 2000. Retrieved November 28, 2011 from Encyclopedia. com: http://www. encyclopedia. com/doc/1G2-3405800016. html Kraybill, D. B. (2001). Riddle of amish culture (revised edition). Baltimore, MD, USA: Johns Hopkins University Press. Mackall, J. (2008). Plain secrets : An outsider among the amish. Boston, MA, USA: Beacon Press. How to cite The Amish Culture, Papers

Modern Organisations by Amitai Etzioni free essay sample

The same problem attends measuring efficiency and such related concepts as output, productivity and costs. The distortion of goals that arises from over – measurement of some aspects of the organizations output to the detriment of others is a larger category of distortion that arise in the relations of organizations to their goals. Distortions due to over measurement are comparatively mild, since the main goals of the organization remain intact, though certain aspects of these goals become over – emphasized at the expense of other sometimes more important ones. Goals – displacement is much more detrimental. Â © www. hrfolks. com All Rights Reserved GOAL MODELS AND SYSTEM MODELS The goal model approach defies success as a complete or at least a substantial realization of the organizational goal. It is not the only means of evaluating success. Rather than comparing existing organizations to ideals of what they might be, we may assess their performances relative to one another. We will write a custom essay sample on Modern Organisations by Amitai Etzioni or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Using a system model we are able to see a basic distortion in the analysis of organizations that is not visible or explicable from the perspective of goal – model evaluation. The latter approach expects organizational effectiveness to increase with the assignment of more means to the organizations goals. The system model is not free from drawbacks; it is more exacting and expensive when used for research. The goal model requires that the researcher determine the goals the organization is pursuing – and no more. A well – developed organizational theory will include statements on the functional requirements various organizational types must meet. An awareness of the needs of the organization to operate successfully will guide the researcher who is constructing a system model for study of a specific organization. At present, organizational theory is generally constructed on a high level of abstraction, dealing mainly with general propositions, which apply equally well but also equally badly to all organizations. The differences among various organizational types are considerable; therefore any theory of organizations in general must be highly abstract.

The Double Helix Essays - Fellows Of The Royal Society, Sigma Xi

The Double Helix One of the most important discoveries ever in biology has to be that of the structure of DNA. In ?The Double Helix,? James tells the story, both funny and serious, of all his trials and tribulations leading up to the famous discovery. James starts out with his fantasy of someday solving the great mystery surrounding the structure of DNA. He realizes from the very beginning his competitors in this great race: Maurice Wilkins (x-ray diffraction expert), Rosy Franklin (Information expert on crystallography and soon to be Maurice's new enemy), Linus Pauling (very intelligent scientist), and Francis Crick (outspoken scientist often compared to Rutherford or Bohr). With all of these experts, in their own fields, Watson new he had to spring into action and fast. In the fall of 1951, Watson set out to the Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge University. Once there he got to know the always-excited Francis and the straightforward Maurice. Soon after, Watson and Francis paired up to uncover the secret pattern of DNA. Two people who aided both to the slowness and acceleration of the project were Sir Lawrence Bragg (creator of the basic law of all crystallography ideas and also Francis' superior) and Rosy Franklin. Their criticism and sometimes lack of cooperation had a big affect on the research. Watson soon started attending conferences and seminars that had anything to do whatsoever with DNA. He and Francis started taking advantage of information from surrounding experts like Maurice and Rosy into their everyday studies. Scientist Linus Pauling, made a very near achievement towards the discovery of the DNA structure. He announced his completion of figuring out the a-helix. This put Francis and Watson on a faster track. Francis soon after had a little success of his own. He came up with new equations to help the new theory of diffraction of x-rays on helical molecules. Another close call came when Rosy announced she was holding a seminar to announce that her study of crystallization was headed to straight success towards the structure of DNA. Watson of course attended and left both relieved and a little uptight. When he got back, he explained to Francis that she was in the wrong direction but on the right track. As soon as they started to get back into the way of their studies again, an unpredictable announcement came from straight above. Sir Lawrence Bragg ordered that they stop their experimenting with DNA and continue on with their original studies. No repeal or other action was taken; instead Francis and Watson continued to study the DNA on their own time. Rosy continued her study and made known her opinions. She believed that the sugar-phosphate backbone was outside of the DNA structure. Her x-ray pictures were also very good looking. If Rosy's good guesses didn't shake up Francis and Watson, the announcement coming later that week did. It was reported that Linus discovered the structure for DNA! The excitement grew around Cambridge as the information spread. While Watson was still trying to soak up the news, he studied Linus' illustrations very intensely. He soon figured out that Linus was mistaken. One of the world's most prestigious scientists made a dramatic elementary chemistry mistake. The model was not ionized. Linus' nucleic acid was not an acid at all. Almost traumatized, Francis and Watson began working around the clock to fix the error Linus made. Watson began to play with his ideas and soon he came to the decision to build 2 chain models of what the DNA structure was to him. With these models he soon figured out that the adenine-thymine pairs and the guanine-cytosine pairs were fuss-proof identical in shape. As he started to figure it out, it all seemed to fit perfectly. Maurice and Rosy's x-ray data strongly supported their DNA structure. All turned out to be accurate and Francis and Watson were instantly congratulated on their great work. The news was soon published everywhere. Francis, Watson and Maurice all shared in the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology in 1962. Their success was great and their sacrifice was brutal. This book really does show that besides hard work and a lot of smarts, that there are also ordinary, funny, and strange lives

Research Paper on Intangible Assets including Goodwill

Research Paper on Intangible Assets including Goodwill IFRS versus GAAP: Assessing the Issue Major sources of investment capital have long favored greater harmony and transparency in global accounting standards (Ohlgart Ernst, 2011). While world accounting standards in the modern sense originated in the US, a divergence has occurred between GAAP criteria and the prevailing international accounting standards, currently represented by IFRS criteria. The latter are now in official use in 120 nations (Tyson, 2011, p. 27). In October 2002, FASB and IASB formalized the Norwalk Agreement, to converge in their accounting rules over time (Charron Moores, 2011; Tyson, 2011). Since then, both the major accounting associations and government regulators have moved toward convergence in accounting practices. In light of this development, this paper will look at whether to recommend that the SEC maintain GAAP criteria for firms that report in the US or move to IFRS criteria, especially concerning the issue of intangible assets. The Call for Convergence After the Enron and WorldCom accounting fiascos, which â€Å"culminated in huge financial losses and decimated capital markets worldwide,† there has been vociferous pressure, especially from European firms and auditing agencies, for the US to join the growing world community of accounting practice by moving away from GAAP and toward IFRS criteria (Tyson, 2011, p. 25). This assumes that globally standardized criteria would have improved transparency in financial reporting at Enron and WorldCom, raising awareness of irregularities earlier. Thus, some have argued that IFRS standards, which rely on principles more than rules, foment more professional judgment, which creates transparency (Tyson, 2011, p. 30). Admittedly, GAAP criteria are better at industry-specific detail, but there have also been arguments that they may encourage â€Å"financial engineering† (Tyson, 2011, p. 27). Nevertheless, credible academic sources find no evidence that IFRS standards are superior to G AAP criteria (Tyson, 2011, p. 30). Effect on Intangible Assets Henry, Lin, and Yang (2007) reported that intangible assets, including both goodwill and development costs (e.g., in research and development) play a central role in determining critical measures of value for â€Å"reconciling items for both net income and shareholders’ equity† (p. 710). Because the difference between GAAP and IFRS concern intangible assets more than any other area, especially in cases of mergers and acquisitions, this concern lies at the crux of the question of whether the US should move toward the IFRS model. Goodwill refers to the intangible benefit that comes from a company’s acquiring another firm at a cost that is less than its current fair-market price (Charron Moores, 2011). The key difference between GAAP and IFRS in measuring goodwill concerns how acquirers allocate this intangible value by unit in their own accounting structures. Under GAAP criteria, â€Å"the acquirer assigns goodwill to the various reporting units of the combined entity,† but under IFRS criteria, â€Å"goodwill is assigned to the various cash-generating units† (Charron Moores, 2011, p. 50). In fact, Henry, Lin, and Yang (2007) found that the largest differences between IFRS and GAAP in calculating shareholder equity related to goodwill. Moreover, between 2004 and 2006, pensions and goodwill have dominated disparities between GAAP and IFRS accounting, despite evidence of convergence over time (Henry, Lin, Yang, 2009).Shareholders’ equity under IFRS is lower than that reported under GAAP criteria, in most cases. Because the definition of control differs between GAAP and IFRS, some events qualify as mergers and acquisitions in one system but fall short of that definition in the other (Charron Moores, 2011). GAAP looks for a mathematical majority of shares to define having a controlling financial interest. In contrast, the IFRS looks at effective control, defining control as the â€Å"power to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity to obtain benefits from its activities† (Charron Moores, 2011, p. 48). This requires judgment. To discern this, analysts must judge whether interested shareholders can appoint executives, dissolve a business unit, appoints board members, exercise special voting rights, or alter bylaws (Charron Moores, 2011). Benefits of Convergence The principle of convergence, as one of multiple paths to US adoption of IFRS criteria, involves first cooperatively adjusting GAAP and IFRS criteria, and then permitting US firms to adopt IFRS practices at a point at which the latter â€Å"would be adopting IFRS almost automatically or be very close† (Ohlgart Ernst, 2011, p. 41). The advantages of convergence include making US-based sources of capital funding more competitive in capital global markets, lower expected costs of capital overall, greater financial-reporting efficiency for US-based multinational sources of capital and auditing firms, and more transparency for investors (Tyson, 2011). Henry, Lin, and Yang (2007) noted that â€Å"the greater confidence in financial reporting† from harmonizing global accounting reporting standards â€Å"translates into a lower cost of capital† (p. 710). The pursuit of convergence between GAAP and IFRS criteria is also likely to encourage more repatriation of foreign ea rnings by US corporations (Epstein Macy, 2011). Recommendations Ohlgart and Ernst (2011) predicted that the SEC would permit a minimum of five years for US corporations to make the transition to IFRS criteria, assuming that it ultimately adopts the convergence plan. For some companies, however, the main disadvantages of convergence have to do with the time necessary to make the transition, rather than any permanent loss of financial advantage. Nevertheless, many firms will also have to adapt to new reporting systems after years of developing internal ERPs that will be vexing to rework. As Ohlgart and Ernst (2011) noted, many firms’ accounting ERPs â€Å"are a conglomeration of disparate systems pieced together over the years that will either not support a massive change,† even if such a change promises to afford substantial efficiencies at some point in the future (p. 43). Nevertheless, two-thirds of Fortune 1000 firms already favor eventually full convergence (Tyson, 2011, p. 30). While international organizations and major audit firms support proceeding with the transition to IFRS in the United States, industrial interests are far more reticent (Tyson, 2011). Most cautious are the aerospace, financial-services, and public-utilities sectors (Tyson, 2011), which have come out strongly in favor of convergence as the optimal path to adoption, with sufficient time for GAAP criteria to align with IFRS standards. Major multinational firms headquartered in the US have voiced similar concerns to those of the foregoing industry sectors. Lastly, US-based trade associations and large investment firms have come out in agreement with US-based industrial interests. In consideration of the effect on the cost of capital and more generally the benefits of having a more transparent international-accounting system, the only reasonable recommendation is to follow the advice of the foregoing US-based industrial interests. However, given that the IFRS criteria are actually the eventual offspring of accounting standards first formed in the US, a better solution is a policy of condorsement (Ohlgart Ernst, 2011, p. 42). This is a combination of convergence and the additional qualification that the FASB exercise oversight over residual changes that need to occur in both GAAP and IFRS criteria. In this way, the product may be an optimal combination of rules-based criteria and principles-based criteria, which may thus permit greater objectivity and lesser subjectivity in the accounting rules that currently prevail in IFRS criteria alone. This way, there may be an opportunity to resolve the ambiguities associated with some IFRS criteria, while otherwise purs uing a semblance of convergence in the end.

Realist Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Realist Theory - Essay Example The theory infers that the system is continually changing to create adjustments to nations such that new systems are created or older are being restored. Therefore, the balance of power theory involves a specific power distribution between states of a system such that no single nation has too much or less of the other . This paper analyses this context and provides a historic case outlay on the application of this theory, the implications of the test results for the case and identifies if the theory is applicable to the case (Marshall, 1970). Over the years, the term balance of power has been used in different areas of history, politics and science each bringing foreword a different meaning from the other. This is due to the difference in the meanings that are portrayed by various states on the term power. To some, power means the use of political force, the superiority of economy or diplomatic coercion to create a desirable outcome by a state. To others, power refers to the ability of a state to impose its will on another despite the resistance raised while others view this concept as the ability of a state to influence the behavior of one or more states through policy implementation (Stanley & Fidler, 1991). The paper seeks to compare and contrast two segments on balance of power relating to the classical and the modern era of political thought which forms the major variable. The balance of power theory is used to illustrate different cases with the major being the Persian Gulf War . Here, the U.S is unwilling to destroy and entirely dismember Iraq due to the balance of power concept which prevented the interruption of the powers of the Middle East. The two concepts raised in the theory is effective in understanding the conduct of international relations and preservation of the international nations system. My conclusion about the performance of the theory here is that it is effective in analyzing the case and that it gives a clear basis on relations amongst states. The theory has a great performance in the case as it infers the effectiveness of balancing power and how this theory is applied in solving international disputes. The theory independent variables relate to issues that constitute a state such as power, balance and sovereignty that enables a state to be independent while the dependent variables are the states and the relations based on the theories. Others may relate to the classical and modern views of politics which are harmonized by the realism concept. The link among the two variables are that they both belong with the realism school of thought. In the classical view, states are created to prevent war. It claims that the society despite the corruption shelters men from harm but only if it is established and enforced in law (Stanley & Fidler, 1991). A democratic government established though the power of the people are perceived to be legitimate . Based on this concept, the function of the government is to implement the law s formulated, promote patriotism through education and promote wealth distribution to enhance cohesion (Micheal, 2000). The classical concept maintains that the balance of power prevents nations from breaking apart . The balance ensures that no particular state or an alliance of nations is allowed by unwritten laws to obtain more power, such that it overwhelms the rest and that this balance is independent. The modern era of

Journalistic fiction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Journalistic fiction - Essay Example Truman Capote was a famous American writer of the 1960s, he is considered to be a representative of the classical American literature of the second half of the 20th century. He was one of the most significant and bright representatives of the Gothic style in the literature of that years, along with such well-known writers as Harper Lee, William Faulkner, Carson McCullers and Tennessee Williams. The main lines of in his work are considered to be - fiction and documentary. Which he that put together to create the complicated journalistic fiction out of these two already known styles. Summing up the author’s biography we can say that Truman Capote was a famous writer and a journalist who is also known as the ‘inventor’ of the ‘New Journalism’ – a new style of writing which combines the best features of journalism and literature which makes this phenomenon so special. Sometimes it could be called the Narrative journalism. Discussing the issue of th e unconventional frontier genres we should emphasize the actualization of the documentation, in particular, the journalistic articles which gains popularity at the end of the 20th century. Is such a novel a fixing of the bare facts or their interpretation, is this a factographic or belles-lettres work? There are correspondingly different views concerning who is the author of this novel - either he is an objective spectator and those who record the accurate data or he is an involuntary literary man who claims that the text is a kind of literature and the document is only the evidence. Here the novel which is based on the facts and the author who wrote appear to be in between these two descriptions. On the one hand, such novel is accused of its inaccuracy, so the novel cannot be treated as a document. On the other hand, they say that the journalistic fiction cannot aspire to the role of the high literature and mainly is focused on the

The Declaration of Independence in the American Legal System Essay

The Declaration of Independence in the American Legal System - Essay Example The Declaration of Independence in the American Legal System How the Declaration of Independence came about started a long time ago, in the annals of history. The laws in the United States which currently govern Americans’ private and working lives, in several spheres, have radically changed over the last two hundred-and-thirty-five years that this country has been in existence. When lawyers speak of the English legal system they are referring to the unified legal system of England and Wales. However, since the U.S., before its inception was colonized by the British—much of American law is derived from the English legal system. Since Great Britain ruled over the colonies, they had adopted the British legal system. There are several sources of the American legal system—including the nature of law, common law, and statute law—and why the Declaration of Independence is most closely associated with statute law, even though it has elements of the other law in i t. a. The Nature of Law In any community or group, rules made by the people will develop to control the relationships between these members. These rules are essential if the community is to work. Human beings tend to congregate in societies with a basic human instinct to survive and as far as is possible to flourish. Even in primitive societies, traditions, religions, and customs will affect conduct as a society develops. As these societies grow, a more complex set of rules of a more definite nature emerge and a body of law comes into existence. At the same time machinery for the enforcement of these new laws must also come into existence. At first, the colonies were a body of independent states that operated separately from each other. However, eventually, the colonies realized that their independence was imminent once Britain started to block their supply ships with the help of German mercenaries. This made it evident to politicians, statesmen, and writers that Britain was declari ng war on the colonies (in essence). Thomas Jefferson used language from John Locke’s Second Treatise on Government to help, in part, draft the Declaration of Independence: â€Å"Republicanism meant more than ousting the king. The Declaration of Independence had stated the principle of popular sovereignty: Governments derive ‘their just powers from the consent of the governed.’ In the heat of revolution, many Patriots gave this clause a democratic twist† (Henretta and Brody 2010, 174). Jefferson would later develop the Federalist powers, having developed the concept of checks and balances in government. b. Common Law Most legal systems in Europe (including Scotland) are strongly influenced by Roman Law, and still, have some carryover today. The body of law that applies in England and Wales is different and has gradually developed over a long period of time. This body of law is called the ‘Common Law’ and has become the basis of law not only in England and Wales but also in the United States of America and many Commonwealth countries. The common law developed from the Norman Conquest in 1066 when a centrally strong government led to a centralization of the administration of law, the unification of varied local customs, traveling judges and centralized courts with a ‘common’ law.

Enzymes Catalysts In Biochemical Reactions Biology Essay

Enzymes Catalysts In Biochemical Reactions Biology Essay Introduction Enzymes are resourceful catalysts for biochemical reactions, like all catalysts enzymes tend to speed up reactions. Enzymes use alternative reaction pathway of lower activation energy. They take part in the reaction, and as a result their able to provide alternate pathways. Throughout the reaction enzymes remain unchanged because they cannot experience any permanent changes. Enzymes only have the ability to change the rate of the overall reaction; they cant affect the reactions position of the equilibrium (Rsc). In most cases a chemical catalyst will catalyze any sort of reaction, enzymes differ in this sort. Enzymes tend to be specific, and this is due to the shape of enzymes molecules (Rsc). Enzymes are made up of several proteins in a tertiary structure; these proteins tend to be globular. Many enzymes consist of a protein and a non-protein, called a cofactors and coenzymes. Cofactors are inorganic molecules that bind to enzymes to help them function examples maybe be zinc/magnesium ions (Zn2+, Mn2+), and coenzymes are organic molecules that bind to enzymes to help them function. An example of one of the most important coenzymes is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), this substrate acts as an electron carrier in cellular respiration (Nelson Biology 12). Enzymes consist of active sites, which are parts of the enzyme molecule that have the ideal shape and functional groups to bind to one of the reacting molecules. The reacting molecule that binds to the enzyme is called the substrate. An enzyme-catalyzed reaction takes a different direction than a reaction without catalyst. When the substrate binds to the enzyme a reaction intermediate is produced. This intermediate has lower activation energy than the reaction without the enzyme catalyst (Rsc). There are two kinds of enzyme reactions, catabolic and anabolic. In a catabolic reaction the interactions between the substrate and enzyme causes stress and distorts the bonds in the substrate, allowing bonds to break. In an anabolic reaction the enzyme allows two substrates to have proper orientation to allow bonds to form between them. As a result the activation energy is lowered in both the catabolic and anabolic reaction (Nelson Biology 12). Catalase is a common enzyme found in most plant and animal cells that functions as an oxidative catalyst, it decomposes hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water. Its structure is made of 4 main polypeptide chains, which can each be over 500 amino acids long. Catalase optimum temperature can vary depending on the species; similarly the optimum pH also varies from approximately 4-11. In humans however the optimum pH for catalase tends to be neutral. One molecule of Catalase can break down 40 million molecules of hydrogen peroxide each second (Catalase). The overall reaction is: 2 H2O2 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ 2 H2O + O2 Many factors such as temperature, pH, inhibition of enzyme activity, substrate and enzyme concentrations can influence the affect the enzyme has on the reaction. As the temperature rises, reacting molecules gain more kinetic energy, as a result the chances of a successful collision increase and thus the rate increases. There is a specific temperature when an enzymes catalytic activity is at its maximum. This optimal temperature is usually around human body temperature (37.5 oC) for the enzymes in human cells (Figure 1). When the temperature increases past the optimal temperature the enzyme becomes agitated, it begins to denature and ultimately lose its overall affect on the reaction (Nelson Biology 12). This occurs because the increase in temperature achieves higher kinetic energy and as a result the intra- and intermolecular bonds are broken in the enzyme molecule (Rsc). Each enzyme works within a fairly small range of pH levels. Similar to temperature there is a pH at which its activity is at its maximum, the optimal pH (Figure 2). This is because changes in pH can create and break intra- and intermolecular bonds, changing the shape of the enzyme and ultimately the rate at which it will react. The rate of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction depends on the concentrations of enzyme and substrate. As the concentration of either is increased the rate of reaction increases (Figure 3). When substrate concentrations are increased the overall reactions proceeds to increase up to a certain point, at this point the active sites have become saturated by the substrate and there are no further significant changes in the rate of reaction (Figure 4) (Rsc). Some substances reduce or even stop the activity of enzymes in biochemical reactions. They do this by blocking or distorting active sites of enzymes. These substances are referred to as inhibitors. Inhibitors that occupy the active site and prevent a substrate molecule from binding to the enzyme are said to be competitive, as they compete with the substrate for the active site. Inhibitors that attach to other parts of the enzyme molecule, perhaps distorting its shape, are said to be non competitive (Nelson Biology 12). Figure 1: Table 1Analysis Amount of H2O2 (mL) Amount of Distilled Water (mL) Amount of pH Buffer (mL) pH Level Vertical Distance Travelled by Filter Paper Towards Meniscus Time taken by filter paper disc to move to meniscus (s) Upward velocity of Filter Paper Disc (cm/s) 10 mL 5 mL 7 (Control) 8.15 6.6 1.23 10 mL 5 mL 4 8.15 7.05 1.16 10 mL 5 mL 9 8.1 10.4 0.78 10 mL 5 mL 12 7.85 8.14 0.96 Figure 2: Graph 1 Test Tube Temperature ( °C) Distance (cm) Time (s) Rate of Reaction (cm/s) A 10.0 8.00 5.85 1.38 B 21.0 8.00 4.83 1.66 C 35.0 8.00 2.99 2.68 D 50.0 8.00 4.21 1.90 E 80.0 8.00 5.52 1.45 Figure 3: Table 2As the pH increased from 2-7 so did the velocity of the reaction (refer to figure 1: table 1). The reaction had an optimal pH of 7, and as the pH increased after the velocity of the reaction rapidly decreased. Notice the velocity for pH 12 is higher then the velocity of pH 9 (refer to figure 2: graph 1). Figure 4: Graph 2 As the temperature increased from 10oC-30oC so did the rate of the reaction (refer to figure 3: table 2). The reaction had an optimal temperature of 35oC, and as the temperature increased after the rate of the reaction began to rapidly decrease (refer to figure 4: graph 2). Enzyme concentration Distance (cm) Time (s) Rate of Change (cm/s) Other observations 100 % concentration 8 cm 3.02 s 2.65 cm/s bubbles appeared 80 % concentration 8 cm 5.06 s 1.58 cm/s fewer bubbles than previous composition 60 % concentration 8 cm 6.28 s 1.27 cm/s fewer bubbles than previous composition 40% concentration 8 cm 7.5 s 1.07 cm/s fewer bubbles than previous composition Figure 5: Table 320% concentration 8 cm 19.65 s 0.41 cm/s no bubbles appeared Figure 6: Graph 3 Figure 7: Table 4 Figure 6: Graph 3Increasing the concentration of the enzyme catalase (potato juice) rapidly increased enzyme activity (refer to figure 6: graph 3). Concentration of H202 of Distilled Water Trial Time of catalase to travel from the bottom of the test tube to the top (s) Distance of bottom of test tube to substrate(cm) Rate of change of the catalyzed reaction (cm/s) 15 mL of H202 3% 1 5.89 8.0 1.36 2 6.86 8.0 1.17 Total 6.38 8.0 1.27 13 mL of H202 2.6% 1 8.13 8.0 0.98 2 7.11 8.0 1.13 Total 7.62 8.0 1.01 10 mL of H202 2% 1 8.65 8.0 0.87 2 12.8 8.0 0.63 Total 10.73 8.0 0.75 7.5 mL of H202 1.5% 1 9.43 8.0 0.84 2 12.53 8.0 0.64 Total 10.98 8.0 0.74 5 mL of H202 1% 1 10.37 8.0 0.77 2 12.88 8.0 0.62 Total 12.63 8.0 0.70 Figure 9: Table 5 Figure 8: Graph 4Increasing concentrations of the substrate slowly increased from 1% to 2% (refer to figure 8: table 4), then as substrate concentrations increased more the rate of change became more rapid (refer to figure 9: graph 4). Experiment Number Amount of Inhibitor (copper (II) sulphate) (drops) Time taken by enzyme disc to float to top of test tube (s) Distance travelled by enzyme disc to top of test tube(cm) Rate of Change of Enzyme Activity(cm/s) 1 0 4.13 8.0 1.94 2 1 4.68 8.0 1.71 3 5 5.57 8.0 1.44 4 10 6.66 8.0 1.20 5 15 8.57 8.0 0.93 Figure 10: Graph 5 As the amount of copper (II) sulphate increases the overall reactions begins to slow down, and the rate of reaction decreases (refer to figure 10: graph 5). Evaluation Part One: Affects of pH Enzymes are very sensitive to changes in pH, and significant changes in pH can affect enzymes in numerous ways. The effects of pH on enzyme activity are due to changes in the ionic state of the amino acid deposits of the enzyme and the substrate molecules. These variations in charge will affect the binding of the enzyme and as a result, enzyme activity will increase or decrease. Over a tapered pH range these effects will be reversible however high acid levels often cause permanent denaturation of the enzyme (Users.rcn). Before conducting this experiment one can anticipate that pH levels too high or too low would cause the enzyme to denature and thus it would no longer have an affect on the overall reaction. In this experiment 5 pH levels were used 2, 4, 7(control), 9, and 12. When the buffer solution affected the pH levels of the H2O2 from 2 to 4 there was a slight increase in enzyme activity (from 0.47 m/s to 1.16 m/s). There was one control test tube contain ing H2O2 with a neutral pH of 7. This test tube conducted the highest velocity of 1.23 m/s. As a result the optimal pH for the H2O2 was at a neutral pH of 7. When the pH level of the H2O2 increased to 9 the velocity seemed to decrease, which illustrated the loss of the effect of the enzyme. However this trend did not seem to remain consistent because when the pH level was increased to 12 the velocity of the enzyme also increased. As a result, it can be stated that enzymes work best in the region of neutral pH levels, and when pH levels become too high or to low enzyme activity decreases thus the hypothesis proved to be partly correct. Part Two: Affects of Temperature The temperature of the H2O2 can severely affect the overall outcome of a reaction. Like most chemical reactions, enzyme-catalyzed reactions also increase in speed with an increase in temperature. As the temperature of the enzyme increases past a critical point thermal agitation begins to disrupt the protein structure resulting in the denaturation and loss of enzyme function (Nelson Biology 12). The hypothesis for this experiment was similar to that of pH, temperatures too high or too low would cause denaturation of the enzyme and thus it would no longer have an affect on the overall reaction. In this experiment 5 different temperatures were used 10oC, 21oC, 35oC (control), 50oC, and 80oC. When the temperature was decreased to 10oC the rate of the reaction was at it lowest of 1.38 m/s. At 21oC the rate slightly increased to 1.66 m/s. Thus there is a trend of lower temperatures causing the enzyme to lose its overall affect. There was one control test tu be containing H2O2 that was at room temperature which was 35oC. This test tube conducted the highest rate of reactions of 2.68 m/s. As a result the control test tube achieved the optimal temperature. When the temperature of the H2O2 began to increase from 50oC to 80oC there was a trend of the enzyme losing its affect, and having an overall lower rate of reaction. As the temperature increased before the optimal temperature the rate of the reaction increased, and when the temperature continued to increase past the optimal point there was a rapid decrease in the rate of the reaction thus it is evident the hypothesis was correct. Part Three: Affects of Changes in Concentrations The rates of enzyme-catalyzed reactions severely depend on the concentrations of enzymes and substrates. If one person is pushing a car it likely that car will take longer to get to and end point, however if 10 people are pushing that same car it will obviously get to the end point a lot quicker. It is the same with enzyme and substrate concentrations, the higher the concentrations the faster the reaction works. As the enzyme concentration increases so does the number of enzyme molecules, thus more substrate molecules can be acted upon at the same time which means they breakdown a lot faster. As the substrate concentrations increase, the reaction also proceeds to increase however with high levels of substrate concentrations the active sites become saturated and the enzyme no longer has an effect of the reaction (Worthington-biochem). The hypothesis for this experiment was simple, as enzyme and substrate concentrations increase so will the speed of the reactions. When changing the substrate concentrations, the five H2O2 concentrations where 3% (control), 2.6%, 2%, 1.5%, and 1%. The main trend in this experiment was the higher the concentration of the substrate the higher the rate of change. There was a significant and rapid increase in the rate of change from concentrations of 2% to 3%. When changing the enzyme concentrations, the five potato juice concentrations where 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%. Changing the concentration of the enzyme had a similar affect to when the substrate concentrations were changed. The more concentrated the enzyme was the higher the rate of the reaction. The rate of the reaction rapidly increased from 20% to 40%, however it became a bit constant from 40% to 80%, and from about 80% to 100% it began to promptly increase again. As a result, it is evident the hypothesis was correct as the concentrations increased so did the reactions. Part Four: Effect of the Inhibitors Inhibitors are used to block active sites of enzymes. They are substances used to slow down, or in some cases stop catalysis. Inhibitors either compete with a substance for the enzymes active site (competitive), or they bind to another site on the enzyme changing its shape (non-competitive) (Nelson Biology 12). Before conducting this experiment one can anticipate the more amount of inhibitor present the slower the reactions will proceed. In this experiment copper (II) sulphate was used as the inhibitor. In the five trials 0, 1, 5, 10, and 15 drops of the copper (II) sulphate were used. The obvious trend was the more inhibitor the lower the rate of reaction. Thus, the hypothesis was correct. Sources of Error Error #1: Consistency of Filter Paper When conducting each individual experiment for many groups it seemed the most difficult task was getting the filter paper to arrive at the bottom of the test tube. When the filter paper was placed in the test tube it would go about half way down the test tube, however because the reaction catalyzed quickly the filter paper would begin to rise and travel back up to the top of the hydrogen peroxide liquid. As a result you would have to perform the experiment again, with a new catalyzed filter paper. This became a source of error because it made it difficult to collect consistent data. For every test tube, and trial the filter paper did not reach the bottom of the test tube at the exact same time. In some cases it would reach the bottom without difficulty, and in other situations it became a constant struggle to push it down the test tube. During certain trials the experiment had to be performed again and the hydrogen peroxide had already lost its affect from the previous catalyzed reac tion. As a result, it is evident that the consistency and rate at which the filter paper travelled down the test tube is a significant source of error. To improve this source of error, heavier and more durable filter paper should be used. One can purchase wet strength filter paper which will make its way down the test tube on its own without any human force. Error # 2: Accuracy of Inhibitor During this experiment it became difficult to get exactly 15 mL of hydrogen peroxide after the inhibitor has been added. Copper (II) Sulphate is a severely small solvent so when added to the hydrogen peroxide one cannot control the amount of liquid present. This occurs because before adding the copper (II) sulphate it is uncertain how much hydrogen peroxide needs to be reduced in order to have exactly 15 mL. This creates a source of error because now the data collected is inconsistent because of the different volumes of hydrogen peroxide. To prevent this source of error one can use a different inhibitor that will dissolve in the hydrogen peroxide and not change its volume. Error # 3: Catalase in Potatoes During the experiment potato juice was constantly being pumped and used as the enzyme to catalyze the reactions. However it was not considered that each potato is harvested in a different way and one potato may have several nutrients, while the other may be completely dead. This results in the difference of concentrations of catalase that was taken from each specific potato. Once again this source of error causes a inconsistency in the collection of data because one cannot be certain they used the same potato, that pumped a constant concentration of catalase throughout the whole experiment. For the purpose of this experiment if only one potato was ground and made into potato juice then catalase concentrations would be consistent and it would eliminate this source of error. Next Steps A similar experiment that could be performed is Saturation Points of Substrate Concentrations. In the current lab saturation was not tested when changing around substrate concentrations. One can test the amount of substrate it would take to saturate the active site on the enzyme, and proceed to evaluate how much more of the enzyme concentration is needed to unsaturate and dissociate the substrates from the active site of the enzyme. Another experiment that could be performed is Affects on Various Enzymes. Instead of just observing the affects of change of pH, temperature, concentrations, and inhibitors on Catalase it can be tested on other enzymes. For example Cellulase, Lactase, and Pepsin.

Anger of Gods Depicted in the Old Testament and Kafkas Book, Metamorph

The anger of Gods throughout both stories leads you to believe that the Gods will not hesitate to take revenge on mankind for creating a world of evil in a world they created for good. The Gods from Metamorphoses and the God from the Old Testament create a world full of life, to live happy and full of grace. The destruction and recreation of the world by the Gods of each book, however similar they may seem, are full of differences as they both teach mankind lessons that should not be forgotten. â€Å"Whatever God it was, who brought order to the universe, and gave it division, subdivision, he molded earth† Metamorphoses pg 685. In the beginning the earth had nothing, no light to call sun, no water to bath in, and no human to walk on the ground that we call land that was not land. The Gods choose to make a playground of sorts. In both literature pieces the Gods divide the heavens and the earth, split the water from the land, light from the dark. The God’s made animals for this land and water and creatures for the air. â€Å"But something else was needed a finer being, more capable of mind, a sage, a ruler, so man was born, It may be in God’s image† Metamorphoses pg 686. â€Å"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul† The Old Testament pg 54. The Old Testament God thought it was not good for man to be alone so from the bone of man’s r ib he made a woman. The first murder in the Old Testament is the beginning of God realizing that man was evil, â€Å"god saw the wickedness of man† Old Testament pg 56. Cain murdered his brother Abel, out of jealousy of the Lord’s love. Able a Sheppard who brought the fat of the animals and the Lord had respect fo... ...s to repopulate the earth, â€Å"Go from the temple, cover your heads, loosen your robes, and throw your mothers bones behind you† pg 692. Pyrrha being so innocent could not throw the bones of her mother and refused until she would never insult her mother in such a way. Themis over and over told them to do this until Deucalion thought maybe he meant to throw stones behind them. When Deucalion and Pyrrha did this the stones â€Å"began to lose their hardness, to soften, slowly, to take on form, to grow in size, a little, become less rough, to look like human beings† pg 693. All the stones that Deucalion threw turned to man and all the stones that Pyrrha threw behind her became women. Life began to form from other things as well. The moist mud from the waters drying turned to animals that now roam our earth, swim in our seas and oceans, birds that fly in our skies.