The AIDS Epidemic

Ever since the initial description of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1(HIV-1) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 2(HIV-2) in the early 1980s, these two viruses have been repeatedly confirmed to be the causative agents behind Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).HIV-1 is the most predominant cause of AIDS in the world today and developing countries in Asia, South America and Sub-Saharan Africa bear the brunt of the AIDS epidemic (Hoffman et al 2007).  AIDS is a condition that is caused by immune system deficiency. It is a syndrome since it encompasses a pattern characterized by different symptoms presenting with varied manifestations. As an acquired condition or disease, infection is transmitted from person to person via specific transmission routes.These modes of transmission sets it apart from the numerous immune system diseases which are mainly genetic related or caused by anti-cancer as well as immune suppressing therapies.The first instances of AIDS infection can be traced to between 1979-1980 where HIV infections presented as a new disease that had never existed in medical practice or terminology (Chandramouli & Hubley 1995).AIDS among African AmericansIn 1981, Los Angeles doctors noticed a new disease. They were baffled that young men who were apparently healthy began developing pneumonia like disease caused by a microorganism that had never been detected before.It was strange because it was known that pneumocystis only caused disease among those with a compromised immune system. In New York, doctors began recording a new disease among young men. They identified the disease as being Kaposi's sarcoma because it damaged the immune system.One strange fact was that all the men infected were homosexuals, many of whom had contracted other sexually transmission infections like syphilis and gonorrhea. They reached a conclusion that the new disease must also be sexually transmitted (Chandramouli & Hubley 1995).The same symptoms were also found to be p revalent among the intravenous drug users and hemophiliacs. Since many of the drug users shared needles, researchers concluded that the disease was also transmitted through body fluids like blood.Since AIDS was mainly concentrated among gays and drug users who were mainly blacks a misconception arose due to the inherent discrimination and the disease was not tackled as it should have been.The result was a rapid spread of AIDS among the black community. The underlying socioeconomic and political factors helped to further fuel the AIDS epidemic among African Americans.Currently, African Americans are still disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. While blacks constitute only 13% of the entire US populace, 49% of AIDS cases are found among blacks. It has also been established that AIDS is the leading cause of mortality among Black women in the age bracket 24-34.Among men in the age group 33-44, AIDS is the second leading cause of death (http://www.hhs.gov/). Among African Americans, st atistics show that more than 36% of all AIDS cases are attributable to homosexual/bisexual activity and approximately 38% are attributable to intravenous drug injections.Infections due to heterosexual contact account for approximately 12% of infections. This puts black Americans at a much higher risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, mainly due to same-sex sexual behavior, than other racial categories like Hispanics and Whites.The magnitude of the AIDS scourge among Black Americans is also due to a history of discrimination and neglect in instituting measures aimed at promoting a deviance from bisexual activity and other measures of prevention among the black community.The misperception that AIDS was only concentrated among blacks buttressed with the risk factors has served to worsen the AIDS scenario to this day (Levine et al 1997).The Origin of AIDSEver since the AIDS epidemic became a reality, several theories and evidences have been put forward to try and explain the origins of the AIDS epidemic. Just like any controversy, various fronts of argument have made it almost impossible to clearly confirm the exact origin of the virus.However, there is evidence that the retrovirus incriminated in causing AIDS has been in the environment even before AIDS as a disease became its worldwide spread.The current debates on the origins of the AIDS epidemic is not limited to the biological factors but has also been complicated by various political, social and economic theories that not only attempt to provide an explanation on the nature of the spread; as in among African Americans, but also provide scientific evidence to the extent that the virus was a product of genetic engineering.Initially, as the virus spread among the African American community, the disease and its etiologic agent remained largely unknown to the medical community. It has also not been resolved whether the virus originated from American soil or from African soil.The first pandemic is believed to have its orig in in America but the second epidemic causes by the HIV-2 have its center in West Africa. At the same time it is also believed that HIV-1 began to spread via three distinct routes; two routes have been traced to North America, while third route has been traced to Central Africa. It is uncertain whether the American and the African routes possess any relation whatsoever.The origin of the AIDS virus is attributed to an assertion made at a Congressional Hearing in 1969. It was predicted that the US military was in the process of developing a super germ for its use in the biowarfare program. The development of the new germ was to be made possible by the advancement in genetic engineering.The super germ would also have the capacity to wipe out massive human populations. Its mode of transmission would make ineffective any human intervention ton prevent its spread. The Department of Defense spokesperson is on record for having said that, â€Å"Within the next five to ten years, it would b e possible to produce a new infective microorganism which could differ in certain important respects from any known disease causing organisms.Most important of these is that it might be refractory to the immunological and therapeutic processes upon which we depend to maintain our relative freedom from infectious disease†(Testimony given before the Sub-Committee of the House Committee on Appropriations, Department of Defense Appropriations for 1970, Washington, 1969) (Cantwell 1992, p 137).This initial assertion was later on buttressed by J. Clemmesen; a Copenhagen epidemiologist in 1973 when lecturing cancer researchers. He presented a visualization of a situation in which a virus could naturally or be scientifically being induced to mutate to produce a very contagious variant capable of causing an epidemic and thwarting any chances of vaccination.A decade after the Congressional hearing, the predictions seemed to have become a reality with the coming of the AIDS epidemic spre ading throughout the world despite interventions to prevent its spread.By 1985, four years after the first case of AIDS had been reported by doctors in excess of 130 countries had confirmed AIDS within their borders. This position of the origin conclusively shows that AIDS originated from the military laboratories (Cantwell 1992).

Freud’s Psychosexual Stages Essay

The theory of psychosexual development describes how personality develops throughout our childhood and our experiences during childhood. This theory was developed by Freud, and is well known to the world of psychology. Even though it is well known it is also considered one of the most controversial theories. Freud developed this theory in which there are five different stages. Stage one is considered the oral stage. This stage starts at the birth of the child and ends when the child turns one. During this stage the infant gets the majority of their interactions through their mouth. The rooting and sucking reflexes are very important during this stage because their mouths are vital for eating. Most if not all infants derive pleasure from oral stimulation through gratifying activities such as tasting and sucking. During this stage the child develops a sense of trust and comfort because the caretaker/parents are responsible for feedings. The primary conflict during this stage is trying to wean the child off because the child has to become less dependent of the caretaker/parent. Stage two is the anal stage. This stage begins when the child turns one and ends once the child is three years old. Freud believes that during this stage the primary focus of the libido is to learn to control bladder and bowel movements. The major conflict of this stage is toilet training because he child must learn to control his/her bodily needs. Once the child has developed such control they get a sense of accomplishment and independence. But, success at this stage is dependent upon the parents approach to potty training and this stage is more successful when praises and rewards are given. Stage three s the phallic stage and the erogenous zone is the genital. This stage begins once the child turns three and ends once the child turns six years old. During the phallic stage the libidos primary focus is the genitals. It’s at this age that children begin to discover the difference between males and females. Freud believes that boys, in this stage, begin to  view their father as a rival for their mother’s affection. The Oedipus complex describes the feelings that Freud says the boys go through during this stage. These boys also fear they will be punished by their fathers so Freud termed this fear castration anxiety. Stage four is considered the laten period. This stage occurs from the age six to puberty. During this stage the interest of the libido are suppressed. The development of the child’s ego and superego contribute to this period of calm. This stage begins just around the time that children are starting school and are becoming more concerned with peer relationships, hobbies, and other interests. This stage is very important to the development of social, communication skills, and self confidence. Stage five of the psychosexual development theory is the genital stage. The erogenous zone of this stage is maturing sexual interest. This is the final stage of psychosexual s=development, and during this stage the individual develops a strong sexual interest in the opposite sex. This stage will only end once someone dies. During this stage the interest and welfare of others grows. The goal of this stage is to establish a balance between various areas of life. After studying this theory, I now see why it is one of the most controversial theories. This theory places much of its focus on males an very rarely mentions the development of females. Freud’s theories can also be very difficult to test; for example, concepts that Freud uses such as the libido cannot be tested and are impossible to measure. New research being done often discredits Freud’s work. Freud’s predictions are also very vague, and is based upon case studies about adult patients and their recollections of their childhood not actual observation and study of children.

Manufacturing proposals for gearbox and square Screw Research Proposal

Manufacturing proposals for gearbox and square Screw - Research Proposal Example In every research work there is a motivation behind it. The major motivation towards undertaking any research work is to find a solution to some unique and unanswered question. Addressing such question requires both explicit and implicit engagement into the field of study in order to elicit information that would in the end lead to the answer of that subject in question. Therefore the question this project is intended to answer is to develop a design of gearbox and square screw that can be used in the manufacture of pneumatic cowl actuator. The significance of this project is that it helps in developing a gearbox and a screw at a little cheaper and economically viable cost. This project will act as a partial fulfillment of my degree course requirements and also help towards improvements in the engineering industry and technology as a whole. The project is also meant to help in improving the aviation industry by helping produce cheaper and affordable aircraft parts. Several goals and set objectives are the driving force behind this research work. This is because there cannot be a journey without destination. The goals and objectives of this project is therefore, to the development of a square screw and gearbox, manufacture a cost-effective square screw and gearbox, to make a device that will make, to explore the field of engineering and aviation especially in the line of engine manufacturing, to assess the economic implications of developing an aircraft engine, to investigate the composition of an aircraft engine and to explore and understand the composition and components of a gearbox and square screw. Engineering and aviation industries have undergone several evolutionary developments since the invention of an aircraft several years ago. Operating the pneumatic cowl doors had been an uphill task due to lack of proper modernized ways of cowl actuation. This prompted the discovery of a control system that is electronic. The actuator is an embodiment that

Strategic tourism planning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Strategic tourism planning - Essay Example Private businesses have also served leadership capacities, including the gathering of support for certain collaborative ads and promotions and publishing newsletters, websites and a magazine about Floyd. The Floyd County Chamber of Commerce has been playing a significant role in the supporting of local businesses in the long time. A significant revitalization part has been performed by the government of the Floyd County in the downtown. The staff and town spent time in the prominent investments in the private sector and various alterations and modifications have been brought by the finances that were acquired from the federal and in the shape of restoration and enhancement of downtown which also includes more public restrooms, shops, a hotel, additional parking, and a community market (Butler, Richard, Michael, John, 1998). The Heritage Pathways project has been continually worked upon by the towns which will offer crucial interconnections to it. A downtown park is being developed wi thin the town which has been granted the support from the Partnership for Floyd. Numerous local non-profits have been provided funding and finance by the Town of Floyd, which also includes it financing through the Virginia Commission for the Arts. Thus, the Floyd Town has worked properly and in sophisticated manner upon its tourist aspect. Tourism Promotion An active part has been played by the Floyd County government in terms of the development and promotion of tourism. The County offers the customers a destination market organization (DMO)—the primary contact for the Virginia Tourism Corporation. The staff of the County has hosted Virginia Tourism Corporation Visitor Center staff for tours of Floyd County and worked with VTC, The Crooked Road and others on numerous substantial media tours. Besides the tours of the group media, the staff of The County also facilitates as a liaison for individual, reputable journalists, suggesting itineraries, and linking them with various co mplimentary tours and services (Bruce, David, and Margaret, 1993). A customized media kit has been supplied by the County, which also includes the DVD of itineraries and images to visiting media. This outreach of the public relations has only been possible with the kind, generous, and the complimentary hosting that has been offered by the local lodging facilities. The tourism pages for the County are on its website (www.floydcova.org/visitors), which also contains the local listings direct feed from the main state site, Virginia.org. Being a DMO, the emails are moderated by the County from VTC related to media opportunities and shares pertinent ones with email list of tourism related entities in Floyd County and serves as a reviewer for tourism-related grant applications. Situational Analysis Being a significant element of the planning process, the participants undertake a Situational Analysis with respect to the tourist destination in order to determine the objectives and goals of the plan (Hall, 2008). In the current plan, the current tourism assets, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, target customers, and a brief analysis of the tourism infrastructure, marketing strategies, and tourism policy have been identified in the current plan. Tourism Assets A list of the premier assets of tourism for Floyd County is provided below. These assets can possibly be depicted in the promotion and advertising. It is as follows:

Emotional and Physical Symptoms of Depression during Pregnancy And Essay

Emotional and Physical Symptoms of Depression during Pregnancy And Different Ways of Treatment 2 - Essay Example In one year, it would be possible to have a favorable sample size. The responsibility of the nurses handling antenatal care is critical in the research, because they would be in charge of patient enrollment and diagnostic procedures. Pregnant women that meet the criterion described in the DSM manual of depression would form the eligible group. Moreover, the research would also consider the treatment strategies used to address the cases, and eventually compare the effectiveness of the strategies. On larger scale, the research would involve the collection of data from different health centers (Kothari, 2005).   After identifying the different treatment strategies used to treat pregnant mothers that suffer depression, a qualitative research on the efficiency of each would follow (p. 56). This would mean that different patients would receive different therapies, and a close monitoring of each would follow. In a bid to determine the most effective strategy, the research would consider the time taken by patients to heal, and aspects of their emotional health after the depression. This research would produce evidence-based results on the most effective treatment. It is important to determine the prevalence of emotional depression during pregnancy. Therefore, the number of patients presenting symptoms in different health centers would be considered for a period of one year. Statistical analysis of the data obtained would help in determining the prevalence of depression in pregnancy. Evidently, the selection of an effective methodology is one of the critical aspects of consideration prior to carrying any research. The selected methodology selected determines the data collected, and hence the findings. As highlighted above, there are different facets of this research, necessitating both quantitative and qualitative researchers. This will help in determining the physical and emotional symptoms of depression in pregnant women. Moreover, the above

Learning The Portfolio Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Learning The Portfolio - Essay Example The cost of maintaining the program, personal cost, and the startup cost are examples of expenses that a DE student may encounter during his learning program. However, the success at the university would have a substantial effect on my life. As a practicing nurse, the success in GER 401 would give out a certification of my profession. This means that, without this achievement, I may not be able to advance into my profession. This post will respond to a post that was made by one of my classmates in regards to my earlier post. In his post, Greg argued that despite the fact that distance education students face a number of challenges, startup cost may not be regarded as one of the challenges. He added that the cost of starting up a distance education learning program only depends on the parents and administrators of the program. Even though the cost of starting a distance education is lower than the expected benefits, the startup cost is still extremely high to the students and their fa milies. Aside from the tuition fee for the program, there are other factors like the cost of accessing the Internet, cost of purchasing books and other study materials which may appear to be high to many students. This is a critical concern and should, therefore, never be ignored especially if the challenge of the DE students needs to be addressed. Portfolio Task 2 After locating the given article (Resistance training and older adults’ beliefs about psychological benefits: The importance of self-efficacy and social interaction. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 29(6), 723–746), the two selected sources from the reference list include: I. Takeshima, N., Rogers, N., Rogers, M., et al. (2008). Functional fitness in older adults varies depending on the mode of exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 39, 2036–2043. II. Layne, J., Sampson, S., Mallio, C., et al. (2008). Success disseminating a strength community-based training program for old adults by professional le aders: the People Exercise Program. Journal of Am Geriatr Society, 56, 2323–2329. The first article was selected because it is an article which targets are similar to that of the given article. This means that both the first article and the given article to discuss the old adults. The second article was also selected since it discusses training just like the given article. Portfolio Task 3 The keyword used while searching for the database: exercise and the aged The database was chosen because it is an academic search premier (EBSCOhost): This database covers arts and literature and medical sciences. The two articles selected include I. McCormack, J. (2000). Looking back and moving forward? Ageing in Australia 2000. Ageing and Society, 20, 623–631. II. Brandon, L, Boyette, L, Lloyd, A, & Gaasch, D. (2004). Resistive training and long-term functions in an old adult. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 11, 10–28. Portfolio Task 4 In the article â€Å"The Crisi s of Our Ageing Population and Other Fairytales,† David Gould argues that there existed a prosperous and rich land. The people who lived in that land were growing to be old. In this case, the residents of that land drained the treasure of the country until everything was exhausted (COM, 2002). These people spent their remaining years in misery and poverty, transforming a wasteland economy to their children.

Comparison between Two Sisters Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Comparison between Two Sisters - Essay Example This paper illustrates that two years back the author’s cousin, Kate invited him over to California during the summers to spend the vacations with her family, and the researcher had readily accepted the invitation. Kate had married Sam, African America Doctor. It was the first time the author was going to meet Kate’s two daughters, Kate used to talk about them all the time. The older one, Anna was twelve years old and the younger one Sally was ten years old during the summers last year. If the researcher was to describe them physically then Anna was very much like Kate, she had her flawlessly pink complexion, beautiful hazel eyes, and dark brown shoulder length hair that were delightfully curly. She had a fairly good height for her age too. Sally, on the other hand, had straight black hair that came down to her waist; she had her father’s dark skin, big round eyes that were black in color. Sally was slightly chubby adding to that was her average height. Both sist ers were vastly different. The difference between the two was not just in their physical appearances but also in their personalities. As one would expect, Anna was more outgoing, vocal about her views, desires, and preferences, she had quite a huge circle of friends too. Sally, on the other hand, was very quiet, she was shy and usually avoided meeting people, and she had only one friend at school - Jane. Sally did not even talk much to her parents or to Anna. She liked to stay alone in her room, usually reading story books. The moment the researcher met the two of them he could not help but notice how lovely Anna was and what a beauty she was growing into. However, the innocence on Sally’s face was so attractive that the author automatically wanted to strike a conversation with her, it was only later that he realized how difficult a task that was.

Economics Supply and Demand of Gasoline Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Economics Supply and Demand of Gasoline - Essay Example The paper tells that the gasoline price has ostensibly undergone extensive fluctuations mainly because of the product nature and the industry which supplies the world with oil. Note that a bulk of the aggregate oil output is produced by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). This influential group is organized as a cartel and composed of nations in the Middle East including United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait among others. The main produce of these countries is oil and other petroleum products. Other countries, including the United States, are largely dependent on these countries for their oil supply. With their rich oil resources, these nations created the cartel which has the ability to control member countries' oil production capacity and output quotas enabled them to collude to raise the oil price by. Given its mandate, a supply of oil including gasoline is significantly affected by political unrest arising between these oil-exporting countries and o ther countries as well. To illustrate this point, a supply of petroleum products was adversely affected by the war between Iran and Iraq in 1979. This tumultuous battle between two of the largest oil producers had caused a global oil supply shock and resulted in a dramatic increase in the price of oil. The limited oil supply then was further aggravated by the restricted means of transporting oil products to the rest of the world. Similarly, Iraq's invasion of Kuwait that spawned the Gulf War also caused a leftward shift in the supply curve during early 1990's. Aside from wars, OPEC also has the power to impose sanctions by restricting the supply of oil production to other countries in light of political reasons. For instance, the cartel initiated an embargo on export oil and cut down supply as an indication their protest for western nations' support of Israel. This caused a sharp leftward shift in oil supply curve and ultimately resulted in the severe escalation in the price of oil in 1973. In terms of domestic supply, the United States recently encountered supply shortages brought about by Hurricane Katrina. It is reported that the calamity has adversely impacted the supply chain from the off-shore rigs in the Gulf Coast, which is the largest source of oil for the domestic market. The short-term shutdowns due to power outages during the peak of the hurricane-affected two major on-shore pipelines. Furthermore, it was reported that at least 10% of the country's refining capacity was not operational in the wake of the storm. Apart from these, Louisiana, the epicenter of the hurricane and heavily devastated, also houses one of the main ports that serves as one of the most important inlets for oil imports. This means that supply is not only affected by the factors affecting actual production but also by the transportation of oil products.

Operations Management - Toyota Lean Techniques-Problem Solving Case Coursework - 1

Operations Management - Toyota Lean Techniques-Problem Solving Case - Coursework Example Doug Friesen, is confronted by quality issues in the seat covers of the Toyota Camry production line. The following questions were posed with the hope of resolving this particular quality issues. The solutions provided herein in response to the questions follow the Toyota Production System. The following are the process by which the root cause of the problem will be determined. Get as many samples of seats that failed the quality standards. This is to determine the kind and type of quality issues that is occurring. Another task is to get the quality and production statistics to determine the percentage of error that is occurring and its frequency. Install quality check processes at strategic points in the manufacturing process to determine if the quality issues occur as a result of one of the processes along the production line. Check if the seat cover’s storage facility is in accordance with the recommended storage environment. Determine if the specification of seat covers is of the correct specification as provided for by the design. Check the quality assurance process during delivery of the seats covers if the actual seat specification is thoroughly checked against the actual delivery. The focus will be on the seat cover’s quality as they were delivered. Then in the handling, that would include the process by which their quality is checked against the specification when they were delivered. Their storage environment against what has been recommended. Checking the process by which they are being handled as they are transferred for use in the production line. If the error or deficiency is found to have been in the delivery, corrective measures shall be implemented. If the quality issue has been determined to be occurring even before the delivery of the materials intensive investigation shall be conducted at the vendor. Changes in the vendor strategy shall also be

Argument of Scientific Realism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Argument of Scientific Realism - Essay Example Hilary Putnam claims that â€Å"The positive argument for realism is that it is the only philosophy that does not make the success of science a miracle† as quoted in Curd and Cover. A great number of scientific realists have opposed his view by presenting their arguments. Among different scientific realists, Bas van Fraassen and Larry Laudan are scientific realists who have debated against the claim of Hilary Putnam more accurately. The argument presented by Hilary Putnam is known as no-miracle argument that elaborates the scientific realism to be no-miracle because of the theoretical features of scientific theories. The argument of scientific realism had been forwarded because the scientific theories could only be possible and accurate when the approximate truth will be concluded. This is the biggest limitation of scientific theories that dents the scientific realism or scientific success. The no-miracle claim by Hilary Putnam further explains the theory on the basis of abduc tion. The no-miracle claim could also be understood in terms of a hypothetical situation where an entity â€Å"A† is a fact that is known surprisingly and through premise â€Å"P† the fact â€Å"A† can be elaborated. Furthermore, if this premise is not challenged by any other hypothesis then P and A both will be true. This explains that scientific theories are always approximate showing approximate truth. Thus no-miracle argument is considered to be the strongest argument in the ongoing debate of realism (Howson, 2003). In a simpler expression, no-miracle argument can be elaborated as an argument stressing on the fact that scientific theories proposed by different scientists are just matter of approximate truth. The use of word no-miracle is associated with this argument in a way that it shows that scientific realism is just another philosophy stating the theoretical aspect of scientific success (Moran, 2004).

Readers Interest in The Crucible Essay Example for Free

Readers Interest in The Crucible Essay The Crucible takes place in Salem, a small town in seventeenth century Massachusetts, where religion, fear and hysteria ultimately lead to the famous witchcraft trials in 1692. At the time The Crucible was produced, Senator Joseph McCarthy was in power as the chairman of the House Un-American Activities Committee. Due to relative events and the paranoid hunting of pro-communists, The Crucible is seen to be a metaphor for the McCarthy era. Throughout The Crucible, Miller employs several techniques and writing styles to create tension and suspense and to stimulate the audiences interest. The most important reason why The Crucible retains the interest of the audience is because the plot maintains a slow burning, yet consistent pace. Act one is a prime example of how information is released gradually and atmospherically. The very start of the play leaves us oblivious to what has happened, with Parris praying over his inert daughter. This is a great method to grab the audiences attention immediately as we are in the dark right from the start, and naturally are curious about what has happened. As the act progresses, patches of information are revealed, but the uncertainty and contradiction present engages the audience as they are forced to decipher for themselves the truth; at one point Abigail is denying all charges profusely: We did dance, uncle, and when you leaped out of the bush so suddenly, Betty was frightened and then she fainted. And theres the whole of it. However, later, as other charges are brought about, she concedes to them. This way the story keeps momentum as well as suspense. Act 2 employs the same technique to maintain tension when Mary Warren comes home and the information in reference to the court is informed to us. Acts 3 and 4 stay true to this structure and a good example is in act 4 when John Proctor is undecided over his confession, whether or not to sign it- No, it is not the same! What others say and what I sign to is not the same! The audience is on tenterhooks, hoping he will sign (or perhaps not, in some cases). Another main element to The Crucible, which engrosses the audience, is the technique of dramatic irony. In The Crucibles case, dramatic irony is where the audience is aware of something in the play that not all of the characters are. In The Crucible the dramatic irony is that we know that there is no witchcraft, and that Abigail and her friends are pretending, but most of the other characters believe it, or at least take advantage of it. Some of the characters must be left ignorant in order to form a basis to the theme of hysteria and madness, but the idea of dramatic irony is so that it creates the ironic and incredulous situations, and involves the audience more proactively as they know what is going on. In act 1 we think that the girls lies will be dismissed as they seem to us so ridiculous, but in Act 2 the true impact of the situation starts to take shape as information of arrests and trials is revealed. By Act 3 the original accusations have manifested into sheer madness which we, as the audience, can see, but the characters cannot. Act 4 does not utilize the tool quite as much as by then Abigail and her peers have unofficially been exposed. The dramatic irony concerning the presence of witchcraft helps to emphasise the theme of hysterical behaviour which, in that respect, has a larger impact on the audience and produces more interesting scenarios from the audiences 0point of view. Another example of dramatic irony is during Act 3 when Elizabeth Proctor is asked to explain to the court her reasons for dismissing Abigail as her servant, unaware that John had just admitted his affair with her. This scene is perhaps the tensest in the entire play as the fate of Salem rested on Elizabeth confirming that Proctor was an adulterer. However, she lies and tells the court Proctor was not a lecher, not wanting to get him into trouble. Excellency, it is a natural lie to tell This is said by Reverend Hale as he too is trying to stop this insanity, and the audience is also frustrated with the situation. Which is one of the key emotions that dramatic irony provokes to sustain the audiences attention- frustration. Our hopes that the situation will be resolved and our almost angry views to some of the characters ignorance involves us in the plot and helps to share what John Proctor and some of the other characters must be feeling. In order to maintain the suspense and atmosphere in-between acts, Miller makes sure to end the first 3 acts with suspense and cliff-hangers and Act 4 with a big finale. In the ultimate scenes of Act 1, the tension created throughout the start of the play reaches its climax with Abigail and the other Girls accusing various Salem citizens of witchcraft to relieve themselves of attention. Miller has chosen a fantastic way to draw the Act to an unmistakeable close but still retaining the interest of the reader; it draws the events of the night together, satisfying the reader in one element, but has at the same time unleashed a larger and more complex crisis upon Salem, rousing the inquisitive eagerness experienced right from the very start of the play. Act 2 also ends dramatically with Elizabeths arrest after Abigail utilizes Marys poppet to frame Elizabeth. As in Act 1, it draws the nights events to a satisfying climax with Elizabeths arrest, but also leaves the reader expectant of Act 3s events with Proctor and Mary planning to expose Abigail. My wife will never die for me! I will bring your guts into your mouth but that goodness will not die for me! This powerful sentence from Proctor gives the audience hope for Elizabeth and, at the same time, makes sure the audience knows that dramatic events are yet to come. Additional to suspense-filled endings, Miller employs the use of time lapses in-between acts in order to maintain the pace. Between both Acts 1 and 2, and Acts 3 and 4, there is a significant time jump. This way it stops the plot from appearing too dragged out and makes sure that the suspense doesnt die down so the audiences interest is still at its peak.

Increasing Pedestrian Safety

Increasing Pedestrian Safety 2.0 Literature Review 2.1 Introduction Intersection is the most critical place for pedestrian as they come directly into contact with the ongoing traffic. Both signalized and un-signalized intersection pose a safety concern and different measures have been taken to safely and effectively accommodate pedestrian and traffic in the intersections. To accommodate pedestrians, two common types of pedestrian phasing have been used at signalized intersections -concurrent phasing and exclusive phasing (or scramble phasing). Concurrent pedestrian phasing is the most common and used all over the world, but there are so many places where exclusive pedestrian phasing has also been used. A concurrent phasing allows pedestrian to cross parallelly with the motor vehicle traffic on any approach having green indication. Both pedestrians and vehicles share the same green phase of traffic signal which allows longer flow of traffic and pedestrians. The interaction of traffic come with the pedestrian due to right turning and left turning movements across the pedestrian crosswalk. There may be another interaction from the vehicles of right turns on red from the approach perpendicular to the crosswalk. Alternatively, an exclusive pedestrian phase is only for pedestrian crossing which stops all the vehicular movement and pedestrian can cross any direction including diagonally. This increases the overall cycle length of the signal, but ensures no interaction of pedestrian with the traffic. 2.2 Academic Research To address pedestrian safety huge amount of research has been done, but there is still much work to do and there is still scope to look from a different new perspective and analyze the safety measures. There are various factors responsible for pedestrian safety at an intersection and different studies have been done to analyze those factors and measure the importance. But, surprisingly, there have been relatively few studies performed comparing concurrent and exclusive pedestrian phase form the viewpoint of the safety benefits, number of illegal crossings, crash number and change in LOS of the intersections. After the implementation of an exclusive pedestrian phase, it is very essential to understand how users are accepting this. Any facility can be a failure if the people cannot use the way it should be used. Positive and accepting perspective is crucial for the success of an exclusive pedestrian phase as non-compliance will lead to illegal crossing which will undue the ultimate goal of exclusive pedestrian signal. McKernan et al. (2016) investigated pedestrian compliance of concurrent and exclusive pedestrian crossing at 42 signalized intersections to find whether there are differences between pedestrian compliance with exclusive pedestrian phasing and concurrent pedestrian phasing. They used binary regression model to estimate pedestrian compliance and they considered pedestrian phasing type, intersection characteristics such as vehicular and pedestrian volume, crossing distance and speed limit. They found significantly higher pedestrian compliance with concurrent pedestrian phasing t hen exclusive pedestrian phasing. But the difference was not significant when they considered exclusive pedestrian phase intersections as if it had concurrent phasing and they concluded that pedestrian treat exclusive pedestrian phase as a concurrent pedestrian phase. (McKernan, 2016). Few other researchers observed and collected data regarding pedestrian compliance with exclusive pedestrian phase. According to Lina Kattan, public showed a positive attitude toward exclusive pedestrian phase and they understood the change in the way the intersection used to work and accepted it. (Lina Kattan 2009). To get the benefits of an exclusive pedestrian phasing, it is necessary to understand pedestrian crossing behavior in such an unconventional facility. Few studies investigated the changes in pedestrian crossing behavior following the implementation of an exclusive pedestrian phase. Hediyeh et al. (2015) investigate the changed behavior using spatiotemporal gait parameters (step length and step frequency). They found both average step length and walking speed were significantly higher for diagonally crossing pedestrians compared with pedestrians crossing on the conventional crosswalks. They found pedestrians to have the tendency to increase their step length more than their step frequency to increase walking speed. They also found that, compared with men, women generally increase their walking speed by increasing their step frequency more than step length. However, when in non-compliance with signal indications, women increase their walking speed by increasing their step length more t han step frequency. (H. Hediyeh, 2015). Medina et al. also emphasized on better understanding of pedestrian behavior at locations with exclusive pedestrian phases. To do that they collected field data from a college campus at busy intersection and analyzed the individual and group crossing data. From the analysis, they found 15th percentile speeds for the diagonal and the parallel crossings were respectively 4.37ft/s and 4.49 ft./s which are higher than the 3.5 ft./s as recommended by the MUTCD. They also found, 15th percentile speeds of pedestrians traveling individually and those in free flow were significantly higher than those traveling in groups and in non-free-flowing conditions. In addition, they observed fewer pedestrian to cross diagonally than parallelly. (J. C. Medina, 2014). Hediyeh et al. (2014) has also investigated changes in pedestrian speed behavior following the implementation of an exclusive pedestrian phase. They studied pedestrian speed variations with respect t o design changes to intersection crossings. The results showed that the average crossing speed is higher after the implementation of the exclusive pedestrian phase. They found higher average crossing speed for diagonal crossing than side crosswalk crossing. They also observed pedestrians to have higher speed through the first half of the crosswalk. (Houman Hediyeh, 2014) Marsh et al. conducted a survey and an analysis of existing pedestrian and vehicle movements to find the change in patterns that would result from the inclusion of an exclusive pedestrian phase in the existing signalized intersections. He considered convenience, comfort and safety as three main requirements for pedestrian crossing and the improvement of these criteria due to the change of crossing facility. The investigation showed that the three criteria are not enhanced by the change to exclusive pedestrian control. He also found vehicular traffic is to be disadvantaged with an increase in delays, stops and longer queues at traffic signals. Again, he found an increase in pedestrian delay by varying degrees, though it reduces the distance pedestrians must travel. Using a computerized simulation, he found that exclusive pedestrian phasing would have resulted in a 5% to 7% reduction in distance traveled by pedestrians at several intersections in New Zealand. (Marsh, 1982) The main purpose of implementing an exclusive pedestrian phase is to reduce the interaction of pedestrian with the traffic. Though it is designed to meet the purpose but the filed condition is not always favorable. Various reasons may be responsible for this including illegal pedestrian crossing, red light running etc. The interaction may not always lead to a safety hazard but definitely this is crucial for the success of exclusive pedestrian phase. Zhanga et al. (2015) compared exclusive and concurrent pedestrian phasing from the perspective of severity of interaction with motor vehicles where they observed and classified pedestrian crossing and severity of interaction. From their research, they found that, pedestrian experience lower interaction severity with motor vehicles with exclusive pedestrian phase compared to crossing on the green light with concurrent pedestrian phase. They also found lower crash number in case of exclusive pedestrian phase but crash severity was high than crashes of concurrent pedestrian phase. (Yaohua Zhanga, 2015) Reducing interaction is supposed to lead in reduction of pedestrian crash number. As pedestrian phase is implemented only to accommodate pedestrian safely it was thought to reduce pedestrian crash number significantly. Different study shows different results regarding the reduction of crash frequency. Zegeer et al. (1982) studied 1296 traffic signalized intersection to determine significance of pedestrian signal indications and signal timing strategies to pedestrian accidents. From their analysis using different statistical tests, they found no significant difference in pedestrian accidents between intersections that had concurrent walk pedestrian signals compared with intersections that had no pedestrian signal indications. For exclusive pedestrian crossing, they found lower number of pedestrian crashes with moderate to high pedestrian volume. (Charles V. Zegeer, 1982). Again, Garder et al. (1989) tested the safety benefit of exclusive pedestrian crossing at three sites and found to be beneficial in small town but not in city. He found that exclusive pedestrian signal may not be effective in city due to high number of red walker in the city traffic signal intersection. He suggested that shorter waiting time will decreases the number of red walking. (Garder, 1989). As the sample size was not very large, detailed study is required to say where exclusive pedestrian phase is beneficial, in the city or in the small town. Zaidel et al. (1987) also tested the relationship between pedestrian crossing types and average number of accidents including both pedestrian and vehicle accidents. From their analyzed 5-year data from 320 signalized intersections they concluded that, pedestrian crossing type has no effect on vehicular accident and very less effect on pedestrian accident. They identified vehicle volume, pedestrian activity, and intersection complexity as the reasons behind pedestrian and vehicular accidents. But they indicated that, exclusive and concurrent pedestr ian phases may provide different degrees of pedestrian protection for different combination of vehicle and pedestrian volume. (D. M. Zaidel, 1987). Fleig and Duffy found no significant reduction in the proportion of unsafe acts or pedestrian accidents after the installation of exclusive pedestrian signals at 11 locations. Their accident data were limited to 27 accidents in the before period and 25 accidents in the after period, with each of these periods only one year in duration. The authors of the study concluded that pedestrian signals are not effective in reducing pedestrian accidents (P. Fleig, 1967). But the limited data used raise questions about the statistical validity of this conclusion. Chen et al. evaluated relative effectiveness of four signal related pedestrian countermeasures in New York City and found exclusive pedestrian phase as the second most effective countermeasure to reduce pedestrian crashes but they described it to insignificantly increase vehicle crashes. ( Li Chen, 2012). The few published evaluations of scramble signals have generally found that in cases in which vehicle volumes are high, scramble phasing has reduced crashes and traffic conflicts. Moreover, in cases with high pedestrian volume conflicting with turning vehicles, scramble phasing has been shown to be especially effective. Abrams et al. conducted a research to compare safety of pedestrians and delay of both pedestrian and vehicles for four different types of phasing facility of an intersection. The results of the study indicated that the combined pedestrian-vehicle interval will almost always minimize overall pedestrian and vehicle delay. The only exception occurs for the case in which a pedestrian-vehicle conflict causes long queues of vehicles to form in a right-turning lane (or left-turning lane on a one-way street). They suggested that, exclusive pedestrian phasing is capable of increasing pedestrian safety by completely separating pedestrian and vehicular movements; however, this benefit is canceled if pedestrian compliance is low. They emphasized that, if violations are frequent, the use of exclusive pedestrian phasing may be a safety hazard. (C. M. Abrams, 1977) Very few researchers tried to model exclusive pedestrian phase and evaluate the delay. Nash et al. carried out a modelling work to assess the efficiency of exclusive pedestrian phases at traffic signals. They examined one cross intersection and one T-intersection in the Melbourne CBD and used SIDRA software package to model the existing two-phase operation and the three-phase exclusive pedestrian crossing arrangement. They found a slight increase in pedestrian delay and significant increase in vehicular delay. (D. Nash, 2010) The main reason behind insignificant reduction of pedestrian crash number is number of illegal crossing. Since, traffic is stopped on all directions, exclusive pedestrian phasing results in longer delays for motor vehicles and pedestrians. The illegal crossing is intrigued by this long waiting time which can make pedestrian frustrated. In such case, pedestrians often do not wait for the pedestrian phase, potentially resulting in unexpected interactions between pedestrians and motor vehicles. The requested pedestrian phase may then go unused, but the drives have to wait for the phase to run its course. It also impacts them negatively and red light running may increase. Pedestrian phase is an additional phase. Few studies showed that crash frequency in a signalized intersection may change due to increase of the number of signal phases. Agbelie et al. investigated crash data of seven years from 381 intersections and concluded that, a unit increase in the number of signal phases would in crease crash frequency by 0.4. (Bismark R. D. K. Agbelie, 2014) Some researcher has got opportunity to conduct study right after the implantation of an exclusive pedestrian signal like Kattan et al. (2009), who conducted a study to evaluate the pedestrian safety of an exclusive pedestrian phase at an intersection of Canada. They collected pedestrian conflicts on that intersection for six weeks and developed poison regression model to model the number of conflicts and violations. Their findings showed decreased pedestrian-vehicle conflicts but increased pedestrian signal violations. They found 13% of the violation was safe as it was concurrent with the vehicle movement and 2% crossings were unsafe. (Lina Kattan, 2009). They continued the study to determine the longer-term effect of this operation on pedestrian safety. To do that, they collected data again one year after the implementation of exclusive pedestrian signal and developed four poison regression model to model the number of conflicts and violations. They found some changes in the results from the previous study conducted at the same location. Their results showed that the number of pedestrian-vehicle conflicts and pedestrian violations decreased significantly on weekdays but both pedestrian violations and conflicts increased significantly on weekends after implementation of the scramble operation. (Manoj Shah, 2010). Bechtel et al. (2004) conducted a similar study in the city of Oakland, California to determine the safety impacts of an exclusive pedestrian signal. They found statistically significant decrease in the number of conflicts between pedestrian and vehicle but significant increase in the number of illegal crossing. They concluded that exclusive pedestrian phase improved pedestrian safety despite the increased number of illegal crossing as those illegal crossings are concurrent to traffic flow which makes the crossing somehow safe. (Allyson K. Bechtel K. E., 2003). Several other researchers tried to measure the pedestrian- vehicle conflict level for exclus ive pedestrian signal. Yang et al. (2005) found that exclusive pedestrian phases are effective measures to reduce conflicts between pedestrians and motor vehicles at signalized intersections. (X. Yang, 2005). The main issue with implementing exclusive pedestrian phase is not having specific guidelines. For traffic signal or number of phasing there are developed guidelines to follow. But no specific guidelines for implementing exclusive pedestrian phase was found in MUTCD or similar sources. Few researchers suggested few cases when to install an exclusive pedestrian phase. According to Li Chan, exclusive pedestrian phase should be installed at intersections with many pedestrians and a modest amount of traffic. But no range was developed to follow or work on. Again, in downtown area where pedestrian accumulation is rapid, an exclusive pedestrian phase may be beneficial. Compared crash data has not covered long range of time. Previous few studies compared crash data for one to three years before and after the implementation. More detailed analysis is needed to come to the conclusion if the pedestrian safety has been improved or not. Implementation of a type of pedestrian signal is also related to the characteristics of the location and the problem that the intersection is facing. For example, increasing cycle length may not be effective in a university area, but may be needed in an area with high number of elderly people. The above-mentioned studies focused on the compliance issue, before and after crash analysis to some extent, and safety benefit, none of the studied examined the change of LOS in the intersection for different types of pedestrian facility. Again, pedestrian vehicle interaction and conflict count may be used to predict crashes. References Allyson K. Bechtel, K. E. (2003). Oakland Chinatown Pedestrian Scramble: An Evaluation. Safe Transportation Research Education Center . Allyson K. Bechtel, K. E. (2004). Pedestrian Scramble Signal in Chinatown Neighborhood of Oakland, California. Transportation Research Record , 19-26. Bismark R. D. K. Agbelie, A. M. (2014). Impacts of Signal-Related Characteristics on Crash Frequency at Urban Signalized Intersections. Journal of Transportation Safety Security, 7, 199-207. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19439962.2014.943867 C. M. Abrams, S. A. (1977). Selection of Pedestrian Signal Phasing. 56th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board. Charles V. Zegeer, K. S. (1982). Effect of Pedestrian Signals and Signal Timing on Pedestrian Accidents. Transportation Research Board, 62-72. D. M. Zaidel, I. H. (1987). Safety of Pedestrian Crossings at Signalized Intersections. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 1141, 1-6. D. Nash, . W. (2010). The efficiency of scramble crossings. Transport Research International Documentation. Garder, P. (1989). Pedestrian Safety at Traffic Signals: A Study Carried Out with the Help of a Traffic Conflicts Technique. Accident Analysis Prevention, 21, 435-444. H. Hediyeh, T. S. (2015). The use of gait parameters to evaluate pedestrian behavior at scramble phase signalized intersections. Journal of Advanced Transportation, 49, 523-534. doi:doi: 10.1002/atr.1284. Houman Hediyeh, T. S. (2014). Automated Analysis of Pedestrian Crossing Speed Behavior at Scramble-phase Signalized Intersections Using Computer Vision Techniques. International Journal of Sustainable Transportation, 8(5), 382-397. doi:10.1080/15568318.2012.708098 J. C. Medina, E. G. (2014). Analyzing Pedestrian Behavior during Exclusive Pedestrian Phases for Improved Intersection Signal Timing. TDI Congress 2014: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles . Li Chen, C. C. (2012). The relative effectiveness of signal related pedestrian countermeasures at urban intersections-Lessons from a New York City case study. Transportation Research Record. Lina Kattan, S. A. (2009). Pedestrian Scramble Operations: Pilot Study in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2140, 79-84. Manoj Shah, L. K. (2010). Follow-up Study on Pedestrian Scramble Operations in Calgary, Canada. Transportation Research Board. Marsh, D. R. (1982). Exclusive Pedestrian Control for Dunedins Cnetral Business District. Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand, Transportation and Traffic Engineering Group Technical Session, 8. McKernan, K. R. (2016). A Study of Pedestrian Compliance with Traffic Signals Exclusive and Concurrent Phasing. Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting. P. Fleig, D. D. (1967). A Study of pedestrian Safety Behavior Using Activity Sampling. Traffic Safety,. X. Yang, W. M. (2005). Criterion of setting exclusive pedestrian phases at two-phase signalized intersections. Highway and Transportation Research and Development, 127-131. Yaohua Zhanga, S. A. (2015). Safety effects of exclusive and concurrent signal phasing for pedestrian crossing. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 26-36.

Advantages and disadvantages of consultant office

Advantages and disadvantages of consultant office Background An office generally a room which provide a space which business, clerical, or professional activities are conducted. An office building, also known as office block is a form of commercial building which contained spaces mainly designated to be used for offices purposed. This study will focuses on the consultancy office. Consultancy office is a service industry that giving expert advice in a particular field such as a business management consultancy to their clients. Consultancy office such as accountant office, lawyer office and others are important for businessman nowadays. The consultant is expert in a specific field and has a wide knowledge of the subject matters so that they can provide their client with much useful and knowledgeable opinion regarding to the related field. There are two types of office in the property market such purpose built office buildings and shop-offices. Purpose built office buildings are generally high-rise building with more than ten storeys and the building was purely used for offices purposed. Whereas the shop-offices generally low-rise buildings with two or three storey. It is a row of buildings in which separate shop-offices are linked together and it is tenant mix. The ground floor is used for the business such auto workshop and others, and for the upper floors is used for the office purposes. Shop-offices development was favorites by the office occupiers for last few years. It can be seen that the consultant office choose to be located in residential areas since last few years. The reason why they choose to rent for shop-offices in the residential as their work place is because of the rental price is much cheaper to compare to the purposed built office building. The office rental prices in prime building within the citys business district have rise due to the limited supply of purpose built office building. Furthermore, there is also low maintenance fees due to shop-offices usually required minimum maintenance and management care. As the company would like to cut costs by downsizing and relocating to less expensive offices, there could be higher demand for offices outside the main commercial districts, like the shop-offices which is located in residential areas. Problem Statements The demand of office building in commercial district areas is on the rise. But there is scarcity of development land in Centre Business District (CBD) create the risen of office rental price in the CBD areas. Because of this, peoples nowadays choose to move out from the CBD and find an office building outside the CBD areas. Normally, office buildings will be located in CBD. Because the CBD affords maximum accessibility through transport facilities for customers and employees and all the government offices, financial institution and retails are located within the CBD areas which is much more convenience for the officers to perform their work task. Today, there is a lot of consultant office choose to be rented an office at shop-offices lot which is located in residential areas. In today landscape, an integration of residential and commercial has symbiotically merged as one entity. It was not just a live space but also a work space for the human beings. They choose to be located in residential area because of low rental price, low maintenance fees and maybe less noise that make by the vehicles. There must bring some impact to the residents once the consultant office operated in residential areas. Residential areas should be a place which having privacy and safe for the residents. There would be more traffic volume in the residential area if the consultant office to be operated. And what the problem is whether the consultant office in residential area acceptable? Significance This study aims to examine the advantages and disadvantages of consultant office to be located in residential areas and also the problems faced by the both residents and office occupier in the selected residential areas and also to recommend some effectiveness measure to solve the problem that faced by the both party. This study will also aim to determine whether the consultant office is acceptable to be located in residential areas and is it the opportunities for consultant office to be located in residential areas. Objectives of Study There are three main objectives in this study: To study the location theory of office development To identify what is the advantages and disadvantages of consultant office in residential area for both selected residents and office occupiers in Petaling Jaya areas. To determine the step to be taken in order to improve and solve the problem that faced by the both selected residents and office occupiers of the residential area and also the consultant office. Scope of Study The scope of this study focused on the selected consultant office which is located in Petaling Jayas residential areas in order to figure out what are the advantages and disadvantages of consultant office in residential areas and how is the impact to the both residents and office occupiers in the selected area. The respondents of the questionnaire survey sheets are the residents of the selected residential area and the office occupiers of the selected consultant office in Petaling Jaya areas. Feedback from the both residents and office occupier can give some ideas that whether there is any advantages that is really benefit for the both party and whether there is any disadvantages that is really need to be improved. Methodology All the relevant data related to this study are obtained through primary data and secondary data. The primary data in this study will include of sampling, distribution of questionnaires and interviews. The respondents selected will be the both residents and office occupiers who are living in the selected residential area within Petaling Jaya areas through sampling. For the interview sections, respondents are targeted to the office managers who are representatives of building owners point of view and also the residents who are live within the selected residential areas. Through the responds from the questionnaires survey sheet, the advantages and disadvantages of consultant office in residential areas can be identified. Besides that, the problem face by the both party can also be identify. The collection of secondary data will be done through references of relevant books, journal, newspaper articles, conference paper, magazines, newspaper and internet searching and other sources. Structure of Study This study consisted of five chapters. Brief descriptions of the chapters are as follows:- Chapter 1 The chapter one will discuss on the introduction for the research. The first chapter is regarding the introduction of the study. This chapter consists of a simple introduction with a brief background of the study. Statement of problem, research objectives, scope of the study and methodology will be described in this chapter. Chapter 2 Chapter two is discusses on the literature review about the research title. In this chapter, location theory of office, services and facilities, planning and office development, location choices of office, land-use decision and neighborhood concept of the residential areas will be discussed. Chapter 3 Chapter three presents all the considerations related to the method and methodology that used in gathering the information needed. The combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods is used to carry out this study. Furthermore the sampling method, structure of questionnaire and interview guide is also discussed in this chapter. A discussion on respondents through interviews and questionnaires survey will also be included in this chapter. Chapter 4 Chapter four showed the statistical analysis performed on the data obtained from the survey sheets done bye the both residents and office occupier. Besides that, the analysis on the advantages and disadvantages of consultant office in residential area and also the problem faced by both occupiers will also be carried out by studying the information that gathered through interviews and questionnaire survey sheets and also the secondary data. The research answers from different party will be compared. Chapter 5 Chapter five is the discussion of the findings from the data obtained from the previous chapter. The conclusion and recommendations of this study will be discussed in this chapter. It gives an overview of the study along the implication of the study, suggestions and conclusion of the whole study. Some recommendations for the future study will also be included in this study.

If real world markets can be made to resemble more closely the model :: Economics

If real world markets can be made to resemble more closely the model of perfect competition, economic efficiency will improve. Explain why Perfect competition is generally regarded as economically more efficient? Chris Simons ============ "If real world markets can be made to resemble more closely the model of perfect competition, economic efficiency will improve." a) Explain why Perfect competition is generally regarded as economically more efficient? (20 marks) The model of perfect competition describes market where there is a high degree of competition. The word "perfect" does not mean that this form of competition produces ideal results or maximises economic welfare in other words, the word "perfect" should not have any normative overtones. A perfectly competitive market must possess four characteristics. Firstly, there must be many buyers and sellers in the market, none of whom is large enough to influence price. Buyers and sellers are said to be price takers. This type of market has many relatively small firms that supply goods to a large number of small buyers. There must be freedom of entry and exit from the industry. Firms must be able to establish themselves in the industry easily and quickly. Barriers to entry must therefore be low. If a firm wishes to cease production and leave the market, it must be free to do so. Buyers and sellers possess perfect knowledge of prices. If one firm charges a higher price than the market price, the demand for its product will be zero as buyers buy elsewhere in the market. Hence the firm has to accept the market price if it wishes to sell into the market (i.e. it must be a price taker). All firms must produce a homogenous product. There is no branding of products and products are identical. There are very few industries in the world that approximate to this kind of market structure. One that might is agriculture. In agriculture there is a large number of farmers supplying the market, none of whom is large enough to influence price. It is easy to buy a farm and set up in business. It is equally easy to sell a farm and leave the industry. Farmers on the whole possess perfect knowledge. They know what prices prevail in the market, for instance from the farming press. Finally farmers produce a range of homogenous products. King Edwards's potatoes from one farm are indistinguishable from King Edwards's potatoes from another. In Europe and in many countries around the world, farming is in certain instances not a perfectly competitive market. This is because governments may interfere in the market, buying and selling to fix a price. Perfect competition is generally regarded as economically more

Multiple Personality Disorder :: Disorder Psychological Personalities Essays

Multiple Personality Disorder   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  More than two million cases can be found altogether in psychological and psychiatric records of multiple personality disorder also called dissociative identity disorder. It is often thought that multiple personality disorder is a trick, a bizarre form of "play-acting" that is committed by manipulative, attention-seeking individuals. It is not. Multiple personality disorder is a "disorder of hiding" wherein 80-90% of multiple personality disorder patients do not have a clue that they have the disorder. Most know that there is something wrong with them; many fear that they are crazy, but few know that they have a disorder. What is Multiple Personality Disorder?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Multiple personalities is a dissociate reaction to stress in which the patient develops two or more personalities. Each personality has a distinct, well-developed emotional and thought process and represents a unique and relatively stable personality. The individual may change from one personality to another at periods varying from a few minutes to several years. The personalities are usually very different and have different attitudes; one may be happy, carefree and fun loving, and another quiet, studious, and serious.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  People can have up to fifty personalities or more. All personalities usually will have their own name and their own role. For example one personality can be the keeper of pain, his role is to take and feel all the pain that the other personalities come in contact with. The personality also can have their own appearance, but this does not mean the person changes its outer image it is just the way he/she sees inside his/her head. The personalities will also have different ages, talents, and likes and dislikes. For example:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the novel, The Minds of Billy Miligin, there was a man who had twenty-four personalities. All of his twenty-four personalities were different. They had different ages, their own appearance, and some were of the opposite sex. The personalities all had their own role and their own talents. There was one personality that was right handed all others were left handed, only one smoked, one had a British accent another Slavic. Many used their own talents some liked to paint, one was an escape artist, one was a karate expert and another a sculptor.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Various types of relationships may exist between the different personalities. Usually the individual alternates from one personality to the other, and can not remember in one, what happened in the other. Occasionally however while one personality is dominant and functions consciously, the other continues to function sub-consciously and is referred to the co conscious personality.

Physics in Sports Essay -- essays research papers fc

Physics in Sports   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When many people think of sports, the topic of physics doesn't always come to mind. They usually don't think about connecting athletics with academics. In reality math, science, and especially physics, tie into every aspect of sports. Sports are a commonality that brings nations together, Soccer, known as football to most of the world, is said to an unspoken language, which unties people from different lands through a passion to play a game. Athletics and sports are made by the people who play, watch, and study them. Without all of the enthusiastic participants, there would be no development, education, and intensity that we all know and love about sports. The one component that reigns over the world of sports that most people don't realize is physics, Gravity, uniform circular motion, projectile motion, and constant acceleration are a few that occur in every sport event that has ever taken place.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the three articles that I chose to write about the concepts of physics are explained in each one. In every article there is the similarity that physics and technology are the reasons for the advances in the sports. In the first article it is evident by the statement, â€Å"High-tech bats have so enhanced players’ power that some leagues have taken to limiting the number of home runs a team can hit.† (Jay Greene 2,3) Even in the second article with the statement, â€Å"The higher we can get the COR, the faster the ball would shoot off from the â€Å"collision† – it would go further.† (Coefficient of Restitution 2,1) Lastly in the third article when the author stated, â€Å"Clearly, pole-vaulting is an example of a sport in which technology has been used to improve athletic performance.† (The Physics of pole-vaulting ) Without physics these technological advances could not be made. Although these technological advances do nt come without some issues attached. With the new technology of the carbon and fiberglass bats, questions can be asked like, is there a point where advancements have gone too far? If bats are continuing to be modified and made to hit the ball farther, what will happen to the game of baseball? Already some bats are being banned from leagues and players feel they have to take more safety precautions because of the potential injury from the ball speed. I really believe that the bat industry... ...hysics in sports in general, I can see new developments taking place and new terms being discovered in years to come.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In conclusion these articles and my research of physics in sports showed me that physics is everywhere. Physics is not only used in sports but in everyday life. The ways physics can help society are endless. Physics in sports is only a small example of how understanding things like vectors, trampoline effect, and strain energy can advance a sport so much. In doing this project I really learned that physics is so much more than just equations and scientific terms. It’s a way of life, it’s a way to really improve the world and make it a better place and I appreciate physics a lot more now for that. Bibliography â€Å"High-Tech Homers.† Business Week Online. 2004. Business Week. 4/2/05 http://businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_30/b3893095_mz018.htm. â€Å"Coefficient of Restitution.† Golf Stars Online. 2001-2005 Golf Stars. 4/2/05 http://www.golfstarsonline.com/golfclubs/cor.htm. â€Å"The Physics of pole-vaulting.† Neo Vault 2003-2005 A Pole Vault Resource 4/2/05 http://www.neovault.com/articles_physics_of_pole_vaulting.asp.

Paper on the Costs and Benefits of Building Society

At the beginning of this century there were more than 2000 building societies, fiercely independent mutual organisations, formed in the spirit of Victorian self help. There are now just 71. Some of these that have disappeared were terminating societies with a fixed wind up date. The last â€Å"terminating† society was the Fist Salisbury which wound up in 1980. Other societies have been swallowed up in take-overs or converted into banks in the great 1997 demutualisation. This assignment will discuss this trend with particular reference to the potential costs and benefits in the short and long term. This assignment will examine the costs and benefits to the building societies as well as those to the members and staff. The Costs and Benefits to the Building Society Conversion to plc status is seen as having the major advantage that there would be freedom from the limitations imposed by the Building Societies Act 1986, 1997 the statutory framework for the Building Society industry. The restrictions the Act impose include the following: 1) 75% of all lending has to be secured against residential property This means that Building Societies are limited in their participation in the more risky, but more rewarding unsecured lending. At the moment, Societies can make unsecured personal loans up to a limit of  £15,000 per customer, whereas there is no ceiling for Banks. Building Societies with less than  £100m of assets are not permitted to make unsecured loans. 2) No more than 50% of funds may be raised on the wholesale markets This limit was previously 40% before the revised 1997 Building Societies Act. Building societies have eagerly taken the opportunity to raise money in the wholesale markets, which have frequently proved to be the cheapest source of wholesale funds (Wholesale funds are large deposits placed by companies and financial institutions, bearing an interest rate in line with the market rate rather than base rates). They have used these funds to even out any shortfall in the inflow of retail funds to meet the mortgage demand. Banks have no ceiling on raising wholesale funds, which are usually cheaper than retail funds. Building Societies may also find themselves at a disadvantage in access to wholesale funds at competitive rates. As only 50% of funds can be raised from the wholesale market only the very largest societies can maintain the necessary standing in the international capital markets which allows wholesale funds to be tapped on the finest terms. Equally, the capacity to cope with the volatility of the wholesale markets and the risks they pose, requires Treasury management teams on an increasing sophistication to which only the largest societies can aspire. 3) Before the 1997 Act, building societies could only offer temporary or occasional overdrafts to corporate customers. Now building societies can establish subsidiaries to lend to business customers, but have not yet become significant lenders to industry. This is in contrast to banks who are very much regarded as lenders to businesses. As a result of the Building Societies Act 1997, building societies are now also able to : a) make unsecured loans to incorporated businesses; b) to own a general insurance company which could write housing related policies (buildings, contents and mortgage payment protection insurance). Building Societies are limited in raising capital. Until 1991 building societies could only raise capital by means of retained profits. Now larger societies, to increase capital, can issue Permanent Interest Bearing Shares (PIBS). This is in contrast to plc†s who are free to raise capital in the market by issuing shares and bonds if they plan to expand. An example of this is Barclays 1987 rights issue to raise  £921m to finance â€Å"growth†. Building societies cannot in general engage in take-overs of, or mergers with other types of financial institutions in order to expand their breadth of operations, and retain their mutual status. Banks have this freedom and can finance mergers and acquisitions through the issue of new shares, whereas building societies can only finance acquisitions with cash. Efficiency is also an issue as a plc – profit making organisation is perceived as having greater efficiency than a mutual organisation. However ‘competition has proved a spur to efficiency at least as effective as the disciplinary effect of a public quotation† (PRIMA). As a result of the break up of the societies cartel arrangements for setting interest rates, the banks have made successful inroads into the mortgage and savings markets and hence competition is today very strong. There are many costs and disadvantages associated with building societies converting to banks including: The new plc will be regulated by the Bank of England, rather than the building societies commission. The plc will operate under the Banking Act 1987, compared to the Building Societies Act 1987, 1997. The plc may find it difficult and time consuming, at least initially, to deal with the new method of regulation. The Government†s planned new super regulatory body may also provided further legislation that has to be adhered to. 2) Need to pay out dividends and ability and pay competitive interest The plc will find itself under pressure to pay out growing dividends to shareholders. This reduces retained earnings, thereby reducing the plc†s ability to pay competitive interest rates. In the past building societies have been able to operate on a narrower margin than banks between their rates to the depositors and borrowers because: a) their low management cost (due to their less complicated specialist business); b) no requirements to pay dividends; c) low capital requirements due to the low risk nature of their assets; d) because the banks tended to subsidise their money transmission service by their deposit accounts, which lessens their ability to compete in the savings market. 3) The plc becomes open to possible take-over bids The change of status may have adverse effects on the institution†s image with customers. This may adversely affect its ability to compete with Building Societies. Building Societies are generally regarded as friendly institutions, concerned first and foremost with the customer. A comprehensive study of public perceptions of different financial institutions conducted in 1987 showed that building societies enjoy a positive rating of 85%, compared with only 51% for the high street banks (Personal Finance & The Future of the Financial High Street, Research Associates, March 1988). Building societies have traditionally been seen as a safe depository for the savings of working people. Building Societies are safe and a principal reason why is that mutuality has restricted them to safe, low risk activities. This safety and friendliness have strong customer appeals, which may be lost if conversion to plc status takes place. In general building societies have low levels of bad debt relative to banks. The lower levels of bad debt can be put down to the loaning restrictions set down by the Building Societies Act 1986, 1997 (e.g. 75% of loans must be secured against residential property). In 1997 a number of building societies decided to give up their mutual status in favour of plc status. These conversions and take-overs resulted in a number of windfall payments to society members. These windfalls were in the form of cash or free shares. The size of windfall varies from society to society, but investors due to receive windfalls from all the building societies that surrendered their mutual status during 1997 (Halifax, Northern Rock, Alliance & Leicester, Woolwich, Bristol & West) can expect shares worth an average total of about  £6,000 (IC vol. 120/1524 page 34). This is clearly a short term benefit to members but it is argued that as plc†s these former mutuals will in the long term not be able to offer such attractive interest rates for borrowers and savers. Christopher Rodrigues, Chief Executive of the Bradford & Bingley argues â€Å"The one off benefit of plc conversion is here today, gone tomorrow. The higher savings rates and lower loan rates of mutuality are for life not just for flotation day†. Mr Rodrigues points out mutuals don†t have to consider the demands of shareholders – particularly for high dividends or share price growth so profits can go to members – via better interest rates on savings accounts for example. Which?, the respected ‘Consumers† Association magazine has also criticised these conversions and claims the new banks will be forced to squeeze customers for maximum profitability. Which? Argues that mutuals offer better interest rates for savers and borrowers. This case of mutuals offering better rates is hard to prove in practice as there are so many financial intermediaries, products, min balances and interest rates available. For example, the Which? Report only examined two products over a narrow period of time. Most of their mortgage research is based only on the 12 months to March 1997, a period when the converting societies knew they could get away with charging windfall seeking customers more than their rivals. Over the longer term Money Facts, a savings rate specialist, claims mutuals record in savings rate best buy tables is poor. Each year Money Facts publishes details of how much money you would have if you had invested with each of the 90 or so Tessa providers 5 years previously. Just one of the five largest mutual building societies made it into the top 25 Tessa providers. The same was true last year. A quick look at the mortgage market tells a similar story. Research conducted by myself paints a similar picture. Investors Chronicle, a weekly investment magazine published by the Financial Times, carries a weekly updated table of highest deposit rates (Appendix 1). As at 29 January 1998 out of 36 financial intermediaries listed on this table offering the best deals on various products (e.g. Tessa, Instant Access up to  £2500) only 13 of them are mutual. In recent months, there has been a rush of new entrants to the banking arena that offer better deals than the mutuals and established high street banks. Insurer, Legal & General (60 Day Notice Minimum  £2500 7.65%) and supermarket, Safeway (Instant Access Minimum  £1000 7.3%) (Appendix 1), for example, both offer excellent interest rates on savings accounts. Equally, Scottish Widows† mortgage products are very cheap. Even if believed that mutuals offer better savings and mortgage rates it is a long wait for building societies to deliver the same return as there converting counterparts. One case that illustrates this point is a saver that had  £5,000 in an instant access account run by Nationwide – whose members rejected conversion this summer – would earn more money than he would at the Woolwich (see Appendix 2). However even if you were a non taxpayer, it would take more than 50 years to make  £1500 (Woolwich windfall approx.  £2000) extra in interest payments. The lure of the mutual building societies is not so compelling as it is often presented. Some building societies have recognised that they need some sort of scheme with which they can compete with the attractions of windfall bonuses. The Nationwide, Bradford & Bingley and Yorkshire have all announced cash back schemes where members will get a larger slice of the profits in the form of better interest rates. The Britannia has actually paid cash bonuses worth  £35m to members. However the average payout to members was  £35. Another aspect of consideration is the treatment the customer receives. Mutuals almost always beat banks in surveys on customer friendliness. Building societies staff are perceived by customers, according to market research, as more friendly, more pleasant and more interested in their jobs than those of banks and other financial institutions. (PRIMA). Many building societies have branches in estate agents in small communities. These branches are not usually prolifically profitable, but provide a valid service to the community. As plc†s are profit making organisations there is a trend that community branches are closed after conversion. The Abbey National, for example, closed 1000 community branches after conversion and all 200 of National & Provincial†s when it took it over. This is a great cost to those who live in these communities. Many are old people who are now faced with travelling long distances to get their money. Plc pay is generally higher than mutual pay for the senior managers of a building society. Peter Birch, Abbey National†s, Chief Executive, pay has increased from  £173,000 pa in 1987 to  £450,000 pa in 1996 and he now owns shares worth  £1.8m. This is in contrast to the Chief Executive of Halifax who†s pay did not increase by anywhere as much and was unable to receive share options. There is a clear benefit to the senior mangers of a converted building society, but in the long run they are also more open to being removed by discontented shareholders or a take-over. Share options are believed to produce more motivated and committed staff. In conclusion there are potentially more benefits to the Building Society than costs. The major benefit being the escaping from the limitations imposed by the BSA. The Building Societies Act 1986, 1997 excluded building societies from potentially more profitable, if riskier business. The regulatory constraints on a plc are less onerous than those on a mutual basis therefore although banks are subject to continuous Bank of England supervision, the basic limitations are the scope of company articles of association whereas building societies must comply with highly specific requirements of the Building Societies Act 1986, 1997 on such matters as the permitted proportions of wholesale funding, unsecured lending and advances by class of asset. In general, members also have potentially more benefits than costs. In the short-term members of converting societies have the benefit of windfall payments. In the long run it is claimed that members will lose out in less competitive interest rates, however this is very hard to prove. Even if it can be proved, the savings and mortgage rates offered by the mutuals will only be marginally better than those offered by the non-mutuals. It will take years to earn the equivalent of a windfall bonus from a mutual in the form of better interest. Some people urge others to think about the next generation and that one day there will be no mutuals left, but at present most of the best rates are offered by the new entrants to the banking arena (e.g. Safeway). Any member who retained their membership of a converted society through retaining their share allocation, at present would be benefiting even more. The reason for this is that the share prices are higher today than when the societies floated. Secondly as this is being written the Woolwich as part of it†s maiden full year results announced a â€Å"fresh  £100m windfall for Woolwich investors. A 6.5p special dividend added to the total year dividend of 9.5p will put  £105 in the pockets of hundreds of thousands of former Woolwich members who received the average windfall package of 657 shares. The Woolwich will also seek authority to return a further 100m to 200m of excess capital to share holders later this year in share buy backs. There is a clear cost to those members who relied on a community branch, however have these usually retired people examined the alternative technology available (e.g. telephone banking, cheques, debit cards etc.). Staff (particularly senior management) will benefit as a plc is able to offer share options which are believed to produce more motivated and committed staff. Senior management will also usually have greater increases in pay. These people are not ‘FAT CATS† they do a complex job and are paid the going market rate. In the long run senior managers of a plc are easier to remove from the company if their performance is poor. All in all the benefits of conversion outweigh the costs. This is true for all the interested parties, i.e. the building society, the members and the staff.

History of English Language Essay

English language, like many elements in the history, has gone many transformations for nothing is permanent in this world. There are many contributing factors that played in its development as what it is now including different influences brought to it by merging of cultures and sometimes war. English language also differs depending on the culture of one’s country, since not only one country is using this as their official language but many of them; and, each has gone some modification that represents their culture. In this global period, English language is considered as the world’s official language through which, all countries are united heading towards future economic progress and common understanding of all people in the whole world. Through this also, war is avoided, common goals are set for the good of all, and poor countries are taken into account by international organization. English language then as widely accepted fact, is the lingua franca of the world and the language of economics. English language, since it is replacing other previously dominant languages of the world such as French and Spanish, is taught in almost schools in all countries from Pre-elementary courses to college courses. Through this emerging trend, many students from affluent countries avail themselves of western education which they consider as an advantage in their career. Some would even take English lessons in other countries to acquire fluency and competency. The reason behind is that, English is the only means to communicate with all the people of the world wherever you are or what ever country you may be. Thus, international communication is now possible regardless of which country you come from as long as you know even just the basic and as their languages unite their understanding of their culture is strengthened. Development of Old English Language Old English language had been developed through many components with its origin from the history. Although, many historians believed and developed the hypothesis that English language and other languages in many parts of Europe were identical because of evidences of similarities of many words. Aside from that, it was also believed that Sanskrit, the old language of India which was much older than Greek or German, had preserved common features with that of Old English language (Baugh & Cable, p. 18). It is easy therefore to presume that English is a by-product of the development of many languages in Europe which had only one origin. The Arrival of Celts in Britain English language was known as the language of English people, however, it was not the language spoken by earliest settlers of the lands; historians believed that many races had come and their languages were not known and recorded in the history until the arrival of the Celts which had the trace of Old English language, and began the history of its development. The Celts were bronze and iron-age inhabitants and when they reached Britain they pushed the earlier settlers into the remote corners of the nation through their mighty weapons. According to history, they arrived around 500 BC with language known for being the first Indo-European tongue to be spoken in Britain. Celts and Celtic language as they say had very little contribution in the Old English, as they tried to trace some of those words. However, scholars believed that they influenced the grammatical structure of the language (Baugh & Cable, p. 82-83). At this far-flung advancement of English, many of those languages are no longer traced; though, it is believed to be the first among the contributors of the English language development, however, its influence is no longer recognized today. Anglo-Saxon Settlements In the beginning, Old English was an assortment of group of dialect languages, reflecting the diverse beginning of the Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms of England. Anglo-Saxon was a group of different races with the Germanic people as the dominant among them who arrived in Britain during the 5th and 6th AD upon the invitation of the King of Briton to help them against Roman invaders. This group had acquired influences of the Latin culture including language that after the collapse of Roman Empire in their country arrived in Britain to find settlement also. According to Barbara Fennell, there was no written record about language use in Britain before the Anglo-Saxon invasion (Fennell, p. 55). There were indications that England was inhabited for thousands of years prior to Anglo-Saxon invasion, with its known early inhabitants as the Celts or Scotts. The Romans did not have much linguistic contribution on the linguistics development, but the collapsed of the Empire paved the way for the settlement of Anglo-Saxon. The native Britons were either pushed into isolated and farthest areas or they adapted the Anglo-Saxon’s way of life. The Angli was actually a Germanic tribe which has been in Britain a couple of centuries prior to Roman invasion. These Anglo-Saxon spoke Germanic dialect which had some similarities with the original settlers, the Celts which eventually blended with them. Thus, Germanic tribes began arriving and settling in Kent. Not long when the Germans formed a kingdom known in history as the Anglo-Saxon heptarchy. As these German tribes struggled for superiority, Kent, the main settlement, emerged as the dominating tribe which claimed sovereignty over all the kingdoms of the South. Barbara Fennel pointed out that they dominated largely because of the influence of centers of learning at Linchfarne. Subsequently, the kingdom was passed from King Egbert down to his grandson Alfred the Great, and on to King Edward the Confessor who became Rex Anglorum, which means King of the English in 1026 BC (Fennel, p. 57). The merging of Anglo-Saxon and Celtics had come to be known as the English people, and their language as the English language. The Scandinavian Influence Of course, there had been more developments and significant contribution towards the linguistic development of the English language. But, ultimately, invasions and settlements had been the major factors for this development. The invasion of the Romans and the collapse of the Empire lay the ground for the settlement of Anglo-Saxon, while the influx of more Germanic tribesmen overlay the founding of a new nation. In 787 to 850 AD, a new invasion and settlement had taken place; the Scandinavian under King Guthrum invaded Britain which was under King Alfred. As the Danes were defeated by King Alfred, they withdrew from King Alfred’s territory but remained in Britain. Eventually, he accepted Christianity and was baptized. The settlement of these people in England not only involved political and linguistic assimilation but also culture and religion which are essential in the development of language. The succeeding political assimilation that follows after the Scandinavian invasion as well as the intermarriages of political rulers had been instrumental in Anglo-Saxon – Celtic people to be identified as an English people. Fennell said that King Henry’s successor Richard II, was renowned as the lion’s heart â€Å"†¦who spoke little or no English at all, and spent only six months in total on English soil† (p. 57). Fennel’s emphasis on â€Å"speaking English and spending six months on English soil† meant two things, the beginning of the English language and of the English country. The Linguistic Development during the Middle Ages Middle Ages had been a very significant in the development of English languages after its assimilation during the merging of Anglo-Saxon and Celts. This period gave way to the advancement of the language in terms of words incorporation from other native languages specifically the Northern European and some Germanic tribes. This was also significant in the expansion of the language in its grammatical structure. Change in the Inflectional Endings Inflectional endings are unstressed syllables at the ends of words of most of Old English language such as –en in drunken. The decay of inflectional endings was attributed to the influence of Vikings in their language and at the same time, the Germanic language has a stress on the first syllable and not on endings. Some of those endings that were omitted were -a, -e, -u and –an, which had been evenly reduced to -e, (pronounced ). Another alteration involved the loss of final -n after -e in unstressed syllables. For example, drinken, from Old English drincan â€Å"to drink,† became first of all drinke and then drink (Baugh and Cable, 1993, p. 155). Fennel had also observed these significant changes in the English language. She pointed out that the â€Å"development of more fixed words order and the loss of inflections† (p. 97), characterizes the Middle English. Further, she observed slight consonantal changes in such that certain voiced consonants became voiceless and other voiceless consonants became voiced (p. 97). The Noun and Adjectives Old English is also typified in terms of infection wherein they add letters to the end of the word to signify another meaning either from singular to plural or gender differences. For instance, the singular stan, stanes and stane having its plural form of stanas, stana and stanum; which according to Baugh and Cable, reduced to stan, stanes and stane. These changes have been observed in the Modern English. Old English was seen as having similarity with the Latin grammar which was more inflected. To note, Old English had four cases: the nominative, accusative, genitive and dative cases that are emphasized by adding letter/s at the end of the word. For example, the singular neuter had an ending –a, feminine had –o, masculine had –n. On the other hand, Latin had six cases such as nominative, vocative, accusative, genitive, dative and ablative. This development in English language was obviously an influence of Roman in their language. Throughout the development process, especially coming into the Middle Ages, English language had survived its –s plural form and the weak –n form become infrequent as in the case of oxen, brethren, children and oxen. Verb Form The Middle English had a grammatical rule similar to the Modern English. In general, the first person singular of the Middle English present tense verbs end in –e, the second person had –est, while the third person had –eb. This is applied to strong verb, while in weak verbs, word endings used are –ed(e), -d(e), or –t(e). It was also usual in the Middle English the Object -Verb sequence whereas the Modern English follows the Verb-Object pattern; for example : then fell he down, which is contrast with today’s grammar structure as then he fell down. (Fischer, p. 180-181) The infinitive –to was also usual in Middle English which was later replaced by that. For instance, He commanded them that they should tie him up. (Fischer, p. 211)