A report on the Factors of Foreign Direct Investment in India - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1162 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Finance Essay Type Cause and effect essay Did you like this example? Natural and imposed locational characteristics of a country can have a major influence on a firms decision to invest in the country. A countrys attractiveness factor can vary from one company to another based on organizational context. Each firm may decide on a countrys attractiveness as a possible investment site according to criteria specific to the firm. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "A report on the Factors of Foreign Direct Investment in India" essay for you Create order Location characteristics of a country can have a major influence on a firms decision to invest in the country. Major factors that may influence FDI attractiveness of a country are Economic/Financial Factors: The countrys GDP growth rate; Conditions for FDI resulting from the countrys economic policies; Infrastructure facilities; Economic incentives for FDI; Stability of its currency; Expected returns on investment. Political/Legal Factors: Political stability; Integrity of its legal system; Ease of protecting intellectual property rights in the country. Cultural Factors Cultural similarity of the country to a firms home country. Market Factors: Current market size; Expected market growth rate; Proximity to other countries to facilitate exports from the FDI venture. Resource Factors: Availability of skilled workers; Lower labor costs (after including the effect of labor productivity); Availability of competent management st aff; Availability of raw materials. Factors relating to IJV Formation: Ease in finding suitable IJV partners; Trustworthiness of IJV partners in maintaining long-term relationship. Different Types of FDI by direction Inward: Inward foreign direct investment is a particular form of inward investment when foreign capital is invested in local resources. Inward FDI is encouraged by: Tax breaks, subsidies, low interest loans, grants, lifting of certain restrict ions. The thought is that the long term gain is worth more than the short term loss of income. Inward FDI is primarily restricted by ownership restraints Outward: Outward foreign direct investment, sometimes called direct investment abroad, is when local capital is invested in foreign resources. Outward FDI is encouraged by: Government-backed insurance to cover risk. Outward FDI is restricted by: Tax incentives or disincentives on firms that invest outside of the home country or on repatriated profits Why has Foreign Investment increased manifold in India International investment levels have exploded in recent decades. These increases in the flows of foreign investment have themselves marked a new and distinct phenomenon in the era of globalization. Several factors like Technology, the thirst for high profits by capitalists, end of the cold war and Financial liberalization have played critical role in increasing the foreign investment in the past decade. SHARE OF TOP INVESTING COUNTRIES FDI EQUITY INFLOWS (Financial year): Amount Rupees in crores (US$ in million) Ranks Country 2008-09 (April- March) 2009-10 (April- March) 2010-11 ( April- May) Cumulative Inflows (April 00 May 10) %age to total Inflows (in terms of US $) 1. MAURITIUS 50,794 (11,208) 49,633 (10,376) 5,854 (1,294) 216,760 (48,534) 42 % 2. SINGAPORE 15,727 (3,454) 11,295 (2,379) 3,856 (854) 49,002 (11,044) 10 % 3. U.S.A. 8,002 (1,802) 9,230 (1,943) 802 (178) 37,991 (8,456) 7 % 4. U.K. 3,840 (864) 3,094 (657) 507 (112) 26,505 (5,996) 5 % 5. NETHERLANDS 3,922 (883) 4,283 (899) 1,358 (298) 21,483 (4,785) 4 % 6. JAPAN 1,889 (405) 5,670 (1,183) 1,647 (369) 18,542 (4,083) 4 % 7. CYPRUS 5,983 (1,287) 7,728 (1,623) 237 (53) 18,014 (3,952) 4 % 8. GERMANY 2,750 (629) 2,980 (626) 136 (30) 12,604 (2,829) 2 % 9. FRANCE 2,098 (467) 1,437 (303) 284 (63) 7,203 (1,593) 1 % 10. U.A.E. 1,133 (257) 3,017 (629) 46 (10) 7,069 (1,559) 1 % TOTAL FDI INFLOWS * 123,025 (27,331) 123,378 (25,888) 19,989 (4,427) 536,492 (120,155) Note: (i) *Includes inflows under NRI Schemes of RBI, stock swapped and advances pending for issue of shares. (ii) Cumulative country-wise FDI equity inflows (from April 2000 to May 2010) Annex-A. (iii) %age worked out in US$ terms FDI inflows received through FIPB/SIA+ RBIs Automatic Route+ acquisition of existing shares only. SECTORS ATTRACTING HIGHEST FDI EQUITY INFLOWS: Amount Rupees in crores (US$ in million) Ranks Sector 2008-09 (April-March) 2009-10 (April-March) 2010-11 ( April- May) Cumulative Inflows (April 00 May 10) % age to total Inflows (In terms of US$) 1. SERVICES SECTOR (financial non-financial) 28,411 (6,116) 20,958 (4,392) 2,643 (587) 108,054 (24,227) 21 % 2. COMPUTER SOFTWARE HARDWARE 7,329 (1,677) 4,350 (919) 1,333 (296) 45,179 (10,168) 9 % 3. TELECOMMUNICATIONS (radio paging, cellular mobile, basic telephone services) 11,727 (2,558) 12,338 (2,554) 4,023 (891) 44,729 (9,821) 9 % 4. HOUSING REAL ESTATE 12,621 (2,801) 13,586 (2,844) 738 (163) 38,107 (8,519) 7 % 5. CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES (including roads highways) 8,792 (2,028) 13,544 (2,868) 594 (132) 36,316 (8,191) 7 % 6. POWER 4,382 (985) 6,908 (1,437) 1,416 (313) 22,335 (4,940) 4 % 7. AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY 5,212 (1,152) 5,609 (1,177) 222 (50) 20,898 (4,615) 4 % 8. METALLURGICAL INDUSTRIES 4,157 (961) 1,935 (407) 2,101 (461) 15,541 (3,591) 3 % 9. PETROLEUM NATURAL GAS 1,931 (412) 1,328 (272) 757 (169) 12,261 (2,834) 2 % 10. CHEMICALS (other than fertilizers) 3,427 (749) 1,707 (362) 175 (39) 11,449 (2,535) 2 % Factors influencing foreign investment decisions It is important to understand the other factors that influence where and why companies decide to invest overseas. These other factors relate not only to the overall economic outlook for a country, but also to economic policy decisions taken by foreign governments -aspects that can be very political and controversial. Direct investors tend to look at a number of factors relating to how they will be able to operate in a foreign country: the rules and regulations pertaining to the entry and operations of foreign investors standards of treatment of foreign affiliates, compared to nationals of the host country the functioning and efficiency of local markets trade policy and privatization policy business facilitation measures, such as investment promotion, incentives, improvements in amenities and other measures to reduce the cost of doing business. For example, some countries set up special export processing zones, which may be free of customs or duties, or offer special tax breaks for new investors restrictions, if any, on bringing home (re-patriating) earnings or profits in the form of dividends, royalties, interest, or other payments How foreign companies enter India A business presence in India may be established by a foreign entity through: Incorporating an Indian company with 100% foreign equity, operating as a wholly owned subsidiary; Incorporating a Joint V enture Company (JV C) with an Indian partner and/or with the general public and operating as a listed company; or Incorporating a JVC with an Indian partner and operating as an unlisted company. Branch Office A branch would mean an establishment carrying on substantially the same activity as its Head Office. Foreign companies intending to open a Branch Office (BO) in India need to obtain prior permission of RBI which would encompass even approval to the scope of activities that are intended to be carried out in India. Liaison Office A Liaison Office (LO) is in the nature of a representative office set up primarily to explore and understand the business and investment climate. A LO is not permitted to undertake any commercial / trading / industrial activity, directly or in directly, and is required to maintain itself out of inward remittances received from abroad through normal banking channels. Project Office Foreign companies can establish Project Offices (POs ) in India specifically for the purpose of execution of specific projects. A PO is similar to a branch office opened for the limited purpose of executing a particular contract. Conclusion India has liberalized foreign investment regulations in key sectors, opening up commodity exchanges, credit information services and aircraft maintenance operations. The foreign investment limit in Public Sector Units (PSU) refineries has been raised from 26% to 49%. An additional good point is that the mandatory disinvestment clause within five years has been done away with. Increasing foreign investment can be used as a measure of growing economic globalization. Foreign Direct Investment is generally preferred to Foreign Portfolio Investment, commonly referred to as Foreign Institutional Investment since FDI is expected to be long term whereas FII are viewed as good weather friends who would exit the country during the time of trouble. Moreover, along with financial investment, FDI brings access to modern technologies and export markets. On the other hand, FII also allows entrepreneurs to get access to huge amounts of capital but these flows of port folio can reverse at any time and has a tendency to flow towards globally competitive sectors of the economy.

The Reading Process - 1595 Words

When a child is speaking many words and using them as an integral part of his personality, he is ready to read them. In teaching reading to young children, word selection is often the first place where we go wrong. We pull words from thin air and try to put them into the child. Often we make matters worse by putting these strange words into printed context outside the realm of the childs experience and expecting him to read--and he cannot. Children can learn to read any word they speak. One of the greatest hoaxes in all of educational pedagogy is that which says that reading vocabulary must be developed in a predeter ¬mined logical sequence. This simply is not the case. Linguists tell us that when a child comes to school he has all the†¦show more content†¦Reading is the active process of constructing meaning from words that have been coded in print. Printed and spoken words are meaningful to the young child only to the extent where his field of experience overlaps that of the author of the printed text. The reader learns from a book only if he is able to comprehend the printed symbols and rearrange them into vivid experiences in his mind. A child’s ability to think, to rationalize, and to conceptualize makes it possible for him or her to accept new ideas from a printed page without actually experienc ¬ing the new idea. He or she must however, possess the knowledge of each symbol that helps make up the new idea. Ideally, the teacher would show a picture of an object and, through discus ¬sion, build the understandings necessary to give children a correct visual image of the object. Because of the unusual shape of some words (e. g. kangaroo) chil ¬dren memorized them quickly, but nothing is usually learned until the words take on meaning. The teacher should give the words meaning by using the childrens experiences. Experience combined with the power of imagery will make it possible for children to acquire new understandings, concepts, and learn ¬ings from their reading of each new word. Reading is not word calling; it is getting the meaning of the printed word from the page. The teaching of reading means assisting children to obtain those skills needed toShow MoreRelatedReading Process1135 Words   |  5 PagesThe Nature of the Reading Process Reading is a complex process; it is not about identifying words but also about understanding them. Reading requires attending to the environment, encoding and interacting with the stimulus in a meaningful manner and linking the meanings of the stimulus with existing knowledge and prior experiences. Thinking Reading is a thinking process; it is not just about calling or recognizing the words on a page but understanding what was read. Therefore the readerRead MoreReflection Of Reading : The Process Of My Reading Process711 Words   |  3 PagesMy reading process overall is very strong and went smoothly. As I read I annotated the pages and this helped me stay more focused and connected with the reading. Today it was hard for me after I went to the bathroom and came back to the reading because I disconnected from the reading and had to try and dive straight back in. I also put my cell phone far away from me when I read or do homework so that I will not be tempted to look at the phone instead of completing my reading. As I read I try toRead MoreThe Process Of Reading869 Words   |  4 PagesThe process of reading is made up of continuous rapid eye movements, called saccades intermingled with brief pauses, called fixations, during which the eyes remain relatively still (Rayner, 1998). 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By doing this children can learn how to applyRead MoreThe Process Of Close Reading While Using Rhetorical Analysis Essay1864 Words   |  8 PagesThe Process of Close Reading While Using Rhetorical Analysis Introduction to Close Reading Rhetorical Analysis The close reading process of a rhetorical analysis includes breaking down an essay into different parts in order to create a certain affect towards the reader. In the article, â€Å"Should Writer’s Use They Own,† Young uses diverse language to address the idea of code meshing. Young’s rhetorical appeal in the article intersect with my reading experiences by creating a difficult read, that makesRead MoreReading And Writing Are Two Pillars Of The Education And Learning Process Of Human Being985 Words   |  4 PagesReading and writing are two pillars of the education and learning process of human being. Mrs. Tuchman said â€Å"Books are the carriers of civilization. Without books, history is silent, literature dumb, science crippled, thought and speculation at a standstill. Without books, the development of civilization would have been impossible.† Even though we are in the 21st century where technology has gain the upper hand in human settlement, reading and writing keep their main importance in human civilizationRead MoreThe s Reading Process Theory Through The Text Of Mrs Dalloway And. Fought The Queen2398 Words   |  10 Pages Yadav Dr. Nidhi Vats M.A. English (Final) Decoding Wolfgang Iser‟s Reading Process Theory through the Text of Mrs Dalloway and Bravely Fought the Queen In the 1960s, the new criticism theory in the American Literary arena focused on the reading of a literary text as an independent form and not to be studied in relation to any context. This gave birth to another theory that began majorly in 1960s and 1970s known as reader response criticism, which also tried to do away with the author‟s

Italian

Italian-American community in the play Essay Examine the effects of the Sicilian Code of Honour which dominates the philosophy of the Italian-American community in the play A View from the Bridge is a play set within the New York in the Red Hook area just after the years of the Great Depression in 1941. America was desperately in need of laborers and other countries were desperately in need of work. This lead to many immigrants transporting themselves to America. This brings us to the play which centers on two characters that enter the country illegally in search of money. They have entered into a community that not only bought their willingness for work into the country but a community dominated by the unwritten law of the Sicilian moral code. Eddie and Marco are both deeply committed to the code of their society and it is their deep belief in this which leads to the tragic outcome of the play. It is because of Eddies and Marcos interpretation of the Sicilian Moral Code that the characters end up fighting Eddie being the patriarch of the family, is used to getting things his own way. Yet throughout the play he sees himself being challenged by the other characters. Two main conflicts arise during this play. The first is when Catherine proposes that she get a job instead of furthering her education No-no you gonna finish school. What kinda job, what do you mean When Eddie repeats the word no you can see that he is worried. Eddie feels worried that Catherine is going to detract from the role of him being the sole breadwinner of the family. Look did I ask you for money? I supported you this long I can support you a little more. Catherine in this part of the play is breaking the Sicilian Moral Code for women. Women are expected to stay at home in this type of community but as Catherine plans to go to work and not stay at home she is going against the unwritten law. When Rodolfo enters the household and starts to go out with Catherine he begins to dislike Rodolfo. Eddies dislike for Rodolfo is constantly heightened throughout the play by the many things Rodolfo does. Rodolfo is described as a homosexual figure by others in the community. Eddie starts commenting on Rodolfos bad side when he and Catherine start seeing each other. He aint right. Says Eddie to Alfieri when discussing Rodolfo Eddie acts in a friendly manner when he first meets Rodolfo, but as the play progresses, when for instance Rodolfo comments on Catherines beauty, he begins to show hostility towards Rodolfo; (laughs indicating Catherine) especially when they are so beautiful. As Eddie picks up on these comments he tries to find any fault in Rodolfo Hes like a weird. What perhaps further increases Eddies dislike for Rodolfo is when Rodolfo breaks the Sicilian Moral Code by not asking Eddie if he could take Catherine out on a date. Not only is Rodolfo breaking the Sicilian moral code, but this perhaps makes Eddies jealousy flare his unnatural love for Catherine. There is a suspicion within the play by characters such as Alfieri that perhaps Eddie loves Catherine more then just as a daughter. She wants to get married, Eddie. She cant marry you, can she? Alfieri is hinting here that Eddie secretly has strong feelings for Catherine. This of course is against the Sicilian Moral Code. This unnatural love not being allowed effects the play so we can see that the Sicilian Moral Code does inevitably govern the philosophy of the play.

Psychological Effects of Bullying on Children free essay sample

Those four categories are â€Å"verbal, rumors and ostracism, cyberbullying, and physical† (Dell’Antonia). These four categories start occurring as early as five years old. Some children seem to think that physical aggression will increase their social status, but as stated by CNN, â€Å"there is no evidence that overall aggression increases social status†. Therefore, bullying has no effect on social status, contrary to children’s beliefs. The study done by Developmental Psychology has three goals. The primary goal is to examine interventional affects on bullying and bystander behavior on playgrounds. The first goal of the study was to reduce bullying and decrease the destructive behavior of bystanders. The second goal was to increase prosocial beliefs related to bullying. The third goal was to increase social-emotional skills. The secondary goal was to examine the effects of bullying on grade, gender, and behavior at the beginning of the school year. The first goal, reducing bullying and destructive bystander behavior was evaluated by playground behavior and student’s self-reports. We will write a custom essay sample on Psychological Effects of Bullying on Children or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The intervention group was predicted to have decreases in observed playground bullying compared to the control group, or the group who had no intervention. Since people were observing the children on the playground, it was predicted that children standing by would be less encouraging of the bullying activity. The experimenters separated bullying and non-bullying aggression, though they had no prior hypothesis regarding non-bullying aggression. Goal two of the study, increasing prosocial beliefs related to bullying, was measured by self reports by the students, stating that they accepted the bullying and aggression, they were interested in watching it happen, and whether or not they thought they had to intervene when a bullying incident was taking place. Goal number three was increasing social-emotional skills. This aspect was evaluated by teacher reports as well as observation. They were watching to observe both agreeable as well as argumentative social interactions. The children in the control group were predicted to have greater skills in the respect of agreeable social interactions, compared to the control group with no interventions whatsoever. The secondary goal was to examine the effects of bullying on grade, gender, and behavior at the beginning of the school year. The study included measures of physical and verbal  bullying, social exclusion, and malicious gossip in order to avoid false gender differences. Using a similar observation system formed in 1995, they  found that girls bully just as frequently as boys, although boys report higher levels of bullying than do girls, reaching physical levels far more often. Both students and teachers were asked to participate in this study. Six elementary schools in the Pacific Northwest were asked to participate in this study. Two suburban schools were matched for ethnic breakdown and size. Students in grades three to six were asked to participate, however they needed parental consent to do so. Teachers in 36 experimental classrooms and 36 control classrooms were asked to file a consent form. The majority of the teachers were females. All teachers agreed to participate in any and all study measures, and received monetary compensation. The program, Steps to Respect was designed to increase teacher and staff awareness and their response to bullying. Also, it was designed to make clear to students their responsibility to react. They also aimed to teach children how to avoid or counter bullying and form healthy relationships with their peers. They also wanted to promote conflict resolution for the children. The student curriculum combines skill and literature-based lessons presented by third to sixth grade teachers over 12 to 14 weeks. Level 1 is taught at Grade 3 or Grade 4, Level 2 at Grade 4 or Grade 5, and Level 3 at Grade 5 or Grade 6. Ten somewhat scripted skill lessons focus on social-emotional skills for positive relations with their peers, emotional management, and recognizing, refusing, and reporting of behavior regarding bullying. The topics of these lessons include being a responsible bystander and not a spectator, joining groups, distinguishing reporting from tattling, and so on. The study procedure was simple. The students were surveyed over a two week period in fall, around the middle of November, and in the spring, late in April to early May. The teachers also rated the children’s intrapersonal skills on a scale from one to four, one being poor and four being great. The children were also observed for five minutes a day over a ten week period. Though, a lot of their data was incomplete because of children moving schools or missing recess. They also interviewed the students about their bullying beliefs. The results showed no difference in withholding between pretest and posttest. Although the students did show less acceptance of bullying and more intention of intervening when bullying was witnessed. The perceived difficulty of intervening was lower in fifth and sixth graders than with grades four and lower. Bullying greatly affects a child’s self esteem. Though some say it makes people better in the long run, that almost sounds like justification for the act of bullying. Children deserve to have happy childhoods, and even though bullies and victims are one in the same, the bullies should not make other children miserable because they are miserable at home. When bullied, children feel inferior and worthless, especially if the bullying goes on long enough. Nothing good comes of bullying, and it needs to be stopped. In conclusion, bullying is a significant issue in today’s society, and younger children are too often victimized.

Profile of Ernst Stromer the Famous Paleontologist

Profile of Ernst Stromer the Famous Paleontologist Born into an aristocratic German family on 1870, Ernst Stromer von Reichenbach achieved fame shortly before World War I, when he participated in a fossil-hunting expedition to Egypt. His Famous Discovery In the course of a few weeks, from January to February of 1911, Stromer identified and unearthed a series of large bones buried deep in the Egyptian desert, which challenged his paleontological skills (as he wrote in his journal, I don’t know how to conserve such massive species.) After carting the bones back to Germany, he stunned the world by announcing the discovery of a new genus of    sauropod, Aegyptosaurus, and two huge theropods, Carcharodontosaurus and the bigger than a T Rex,  Spinosaurus. Unfortunately, subsequent world events were not kind to Ernst Stromer. All of his hard-won fossils were destroyed during a raid by the Royal Air Force on Munich in 1944, during World War II, and two of his three sons died while serving in the German army. There is a bit of a happy ending, though: his third son, presumed dead, had actually been held a prisoner in the Soviet Union, and he was repatriated to Germany in 1950, two years before his father’s death. Stromer died in 1952.

Learn ESL Through Movement

Learn ESL Through Movement If youve tried, and struggled, to learn English as a second language (ESL) the usual ways, its time to try it Dr. James Ashers way- through movement. With a student seated on each side of him, Asher demonstrates his technique by asking them to do what he does. Thats all. They dont repeat what he says, they just do what he does. Stand,  he says, and he stands. They stand. Walk, Asher says, and he walks. They walk. Turn. Sit. Point. Within minutes, he gives commands as complicated as, Walk to the chair and point at the table, and his students can do it by themselves. Heres the clincher. In his DVD, he demonstrates in Arabic, a language nobody in the room knows. In study after study, Asher has found that students of all ages can learn a new language quickly and stress-free in just 10-20 hours of silence. Students simply listen to a direction in the new language and do what the instructor does. Asher says, After understanding a huge chunk of the target language with TPR, students spontaneously begin to speak. At this point, students reverse roles with the instructor and utter directions to move their classmates and the instructor. Voila. Asher is the originator of the Total Physical Response approach to learning any language. His book, Learning Another Language Through Actions, is in its sixth edition. In it, Asher describes how he discovered the power of learning languages through physical movement, and the lengths to which he went to prove the technique through scientific experimentation involving the differences between the right and left brain. Ashers studies have proven that while the left brain puts up a fight against the memorization of new languages that occurs in so many classrooms, the right brain is completely open to responding to new commands, immediately. He is adamant about the need to comprehend a new language silently, by simply responding to it, before attempting to speak it, much like a new child imitates his or her parents before beginning to make sounds. While the book is on the academic side, and a little dry, it includes Ashers fascinating research, a lengthy and comprehensive QA that covers questions from both teachers and students, a directory of TPR presenters around the world, comparisons to other techniques, and get this, 53 lesson plans. Thats right- 53! He walks you through how to teach TPR in 53 specific sessions. Can learning take place if the students remain in their seats? Yes. Sky Oaks Productions, publisher of Ashers work, sells wonderful full-color kits of different settings such as home, airport, hospital, supermarket, and playground. Think Colorforms. Remember the pliable plastic forms that stick on a board and easily peel off to move? Responding to imperatives with these kits has the same result as physically moving. Asher also shares samples of mail he has received from people around the world. One of his letters is from Jim Baird, who writes that his classroom has wall-to-wall white boards on which he has created communities and complete countries. Baird writes: Students are required to drive, walk (with their fingers), fly, hop, run, etc. between buildings or cities, pick up things or people and deliver them to other places. They can fly into an airport and rent a car and drive it to another city where they can catch a flight or a boat, all kinds of possibilities. Sure is fun! Asher is generous with the materials and information he provides on his Sky Oaks Productions website, known as TPR World. He is clearly passionate about his work, and its easy to see why.

The Success Story of Toyota Comapny in Qatar Essay

The Success Story of Toyota Comapny in Qatar - Essay Example Current paper focuses on the performance of Toyota in Qatar. Toyota is one of the major competitors in the global automobile industry. The success of the firm has been highly related to its supply chain management system. The relatively low prices of the firm’s products, compared to the products of competitors, is another factor that has highly benefited the performance of Toyota worldwide. In Qatar, Toyota has followed similar goals and strategies. The history of Toyota in Qatar are presented and evaluated. Also, reference is made to the automotive industry of Qatar, at the level that the external environment can highly influence organizational performance. It is revealed that the prospects for Toyota in Qatar are significant. However, it is necessary for the organization to review its strategic framework periodically ensuring that the competitiveness of the firm towards its rivals is kept at high levels. A brief history of Toyota Toyota Motor was established in Japan in 1937 (Toyota Corporation 2012, History). Toyota Motor Corporation has resulted from the merge between Toyota Motor Co and Toyota Motor Sales Co in 1982 (Toyota Corporation 2012, History). Through the decades the firm established production units worldwide; still, the firm’s critical strategic decisions have been traditionally developed in Japan. Of particular importance have been the organization’s production units in USA, established in 1988, in UK, established in 1992 and in China, established in 2000 (Toyota Corporation 2012, History). Toyota Corporation focuses on the ‘Motor Vehicle Production and Sales’ (Toyota Corporation 2012, Overview). In 2011, the firm’s employees worldwide were estimated to 317,716 (Toyota Corporation 2012, Overview). In 2011, the firm’s profits reached the 18,993.6 (in billion yen), slightly increased from 2010, when the firm managed to achieve a profit of 18,950.0 (in billion yen, Toyota Corporation 2012, Overview). In 2009 the firm’s profits were estimated to 20,529.5 (in billion yen, Toyota Corporation 2012, Overview). In other words, the firm faces delays in regard to its profitability. This problem is made clear by reviewing the firm’s performance for the years 2006 to 2010 in US and Europe (Graph 1). Still, the performance of the firm in other markets is quite encouraging. For example, reference can be made to the case of China and Brazil (Graph 2). Graph 1 – Toyota Corporation in USA and Europe, for 2006-2010 (Source: Toyota Corporation 2012, Figures) Graph 2 - Toyota Corporation in China and Brazil, for 2006-2010 (Source: Toyota Corporation 2012, Figures) How it all started in Qatar The presence of Toyota in Qatar is closely related to Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros. Co. (AAB), a firm that was established in 1958 (Qatar 40 Years Organization 2012, Attendees).

Clinical objectives Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 5

Clinical objectives - Essay Example The calculation changes on the yearly basis, however, it is crucial for hospitals to stay current on the measures which are included and how their performance on the measures during the defined performance period will contribute to the overall total performance (TPS). To improve the quality of healthcare delivery, it is crucial to ensure that there is patient satisfaction. Hospital Impatient Value-Based Purchasing (HIVBP) program, and the Medicare reimbursements are closely linked to patient satisfaction. Patients have high expectations in their care and the attitude of care givers which greatly contributes to satisfaction. In a period where physicians are being measured by the quality of their treatment, it is crucial to understand the concept of value base purchasing and Medicaid reimbursement. Value-Based Purchasing (HIVBP) program and the Medicare reimbursements are closely linked to patient

Charles Beard Essay Example for Free

Charles Beard Essay Charles Beard’s book, An Economic Interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, was published in 1913 and soon became one of the most controversial literary works of its time. Beard’s main thesis in this book is essentially that the Founding Fathers chose the specific format of the Constitution of the United States to protect their personal financial interests. Beard then goes on to argue that the Constitution was written by an â€Å"elite† attempting to safeguard their own assets and financial status. Beard was expanding on Carl L. Becker’s thesis of class conflict. In the eyes of Beard, the Constitution was created by the Founding Fathers as a â€Å"counter revolution† that ran against the wishes of farmers and laborers. Beard’s theory and his publication of this book were so controversial because it seemed to demean the Constitution and everything it stood for, which angered politicians and most of the legal community, at least those who didn’t ignore it completely. However, many historians and history professors seemed to recognize it and accept it. Many people were angered by Beard’s theory because, since it disparaged the Constitution and Founding Fathers, it seemed to put down almost everything our country stands for. Taking a sacred piece of history that started our nation and trampling on it by saying that it was nothing more than rich men trying to save their bank accounts and put down the common man is bound to upset more than just a few people. One of Beard’s main critics of the 20th century is a man named Forrest McDonald. McDonald uses his study of the voting habits and financial and economic concerns of the delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia to prove that their motives were not financial-based. He asserts that the majority of the delegates who had public securities were Antifederalists. He concludes his study by saying, â€Å"Anyone wishing to rewrite the history of those proceedings largely or exclusively in terms of the economic interests represented there would find the facts to be insurmountable obstacles†. What McDonald means by this is that Beard, who was attempting to â€Å"rewrite the history† of the proceedings of the Constitutional Convention, was doing so without any actual evidence and therefore had an empty argument. I believe that Beard’s thesis, although an interesting notion, was not necessarily a valid argument and did nothing except anger most people in the political community. Even though many people in the late 20th century accepted his thesis, I disagree with it. My reasoning for this is that, although the Founding Fathers were economically prosperous, I believe that their status made them the only ones that could be able to write the Constitution and who were in a position to make the most crucial moves in establishing the United States. I do not believe that the Founding Fathers created the Constitution simply protect their financial status, I believe their status was the reason they could write the Constitution.

Arthur Dimmesdale and John Proctors Guilt and Sin Essay -- The Crucib

Arthur Dimmesdale and John Proctor's Guilt and Sin Guilt is something that weighs heavily on the human soul. It incorporates itself in our dreams, our thoughts, and our actions. Everywhere we turn, it stares us blankly in the face. While it is unbearable to suffer, guilt is an emotion that reaffirms our humanity. Repentance of a particular guilt, being spiritual, physical or both, is evidence that we are beyond the baseness of our animal tendencies. This fact has not gone unnoticed to the many great figures of literature. They have explored the sentiments of guilt and repentance by exploiting the conscience of flawed characters. In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne presented to the world Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, a man suffering in a past sin. Likewise, in his play The Crucible, the great modern playwright, Arthur Miller, penned the character of John Proctor to allegorize the dangers of moral passivity. Their guilt and repentance were the primary causes of their â€Å"undoing†. Dimmesdale and Proctor were both martyrs to their sin. More specifically, they were both martyrs to the sin of adultery. Being a man of the cloth, this was especially painful for Dimmesdale. How could â€Å"a ruined soul like [his] effect toward the redemption of other souls?† (Hawthorne 182). As he confessed so mournfully to Hester, his partner in sin, â€Å"Canst thou deem it, Hester, a consolation, that I must stand up in my pulpit and meet so many eyes turned up to my as if the light of heaven were beaming from it†¦and then look inward, and discern the black reality of what they idolize?†(Hawthorne 182). He was so consumed by his hypocrisy that he turned to self-masochism as a means of escape. In stark contrast to Hester’s outward ... ...e†(Miller 22). All he wanted to do was get on with his farming and continue to live happily with his wife. It was only when the witch hunt directly affected him did he realize the gravity of his mistake. This was completely different to Dimmesdale’s seven long years of suffering. However, unlike Dimmesdale, when faced with the decision to confess and live or stand by his convictions and die, Proctor’s love for life interfered. He had so much to live for including his children and his livelihood. Only his honor steered him back to the importance of his cause. Arthur Dimmesdale and John Proctor were both martyrs for personal and societal guilt. They paid earthly penances and the final penance of death. Their â€Å"undoing† was a necessity for a society at the brink. Without their sacrifice, the society they lived in would have collapsed under its own weight.

Compare and Contrast the 2 Brothers in Sonnys Blues

The story, Sonny’s Blues, describes the lives of two brothers growing up in Harlem in the early 1960’s. Sonny and his brother are different in the way the go about life in general. They were both raised in the same household, yet they grew up to be totally different people. As the story progresses we see that both brothers have troubles in their lives and we get to see how each thinks and acts when facing such ordeals. While the brothers differ in the way they internalize and cope with their problems, they both show selfish characteristics, but ultimately feel remorseful for not being in each others’ lives.The narrator though an educator, is not very good at verbalizing his emotions. He tends to be the person who keeps everything inside and lets all his emotions turn to resentment. When he found out his brother had been arrested he still couldn’t verbalize how he felt knowing his brother was a junkie, â€Å"I couldn't believe it: but what I mean by that i s that I couldn't find any room for it anywhere inside me. I had kept it outside me for a long time. I hadn't wanted to know.I had had suspicions, but I didn't name them, I kept putting them away† (Baldwin). For many years, the narrator has been stuffing his emotions down, ultimately resulting in complete disassociation from situations for example his mothers and daughters death Also after finding out that Sonny was arrested, he sees a kid that was friends with Sonny and automatically has anger for him even though realistically he had nothing to do with Sonny’s arrest, â€Å"But now, abruptly, I hated him. I couldn't stand the way he looked at me† (Baldwin).That narrator is unable to cope and deal with problems as they come, instead he acts like a child, sort of folding his arms and giving the silent treatment or automatically jumping to conclusions to put himself on a pedestal. Sonny runs away from his problems, both mentally and physically. Even though he is fa cing his problems head on as opposed to the brother who sweeps things under the rug, he does it in a destructive manner. Physically he ran away from Harlem to get away the stereotype of that area. At first he turns to music to fix his problems, and then heroin.Sonny left school, and joined the navy to get as far away from Harlem as he possibly could. When Sonny returns from prison, he tried explaining to his brother what music does for him, â€Å"†It's not so much to play. It's to stand it, to be able to make it at all. On any level†(Baldwin). He frowned and smiled: â€Å"In order to keep from shaking to pieces. â€Å"† He didn’t want to be a prisoner of Harlem anymore, but became a prisoner to heroin. At first Sonny did not feel that heroin was necessarily a bad thing, â€Å"†It makes you feel-in control.Sometimes you've got to have that feeling† (Baldwin). Sonny feels that even while all doped up on heroin, he feels in control of his life a nd his circumstances. Even though Sonny takes on different approaches in finding sense in his life; whether through the army, music, or heroin, they do not realistically solve any of his problems they just mask his confusion and indecision temporarily. In my opinion the narrator, is a very selfish man, he only cares about his feelings and not those around him.The narrator broke his promise to his mother to take care of Sonny, â€Å"Two days later I was married, and then I was gone. And I had a lot of things on my mind and I pretty well forgot my promise to Mama until I got shipped home on a special furlough for her funeral† (Baldwin). The narrator’s mother wanted the boys to be close, because they will only have each other when their parents pass away. Also, the narrator has a very judgmental outlook on people, he does not let anyone state their opinion and even if he does he isn’t truly listening.In an argument with Sonny, â€Å"’I hear you. But you nev er hear anything I say. ’†Sonny is obviously upset that his brother doesn’t respect his wishes to pursue a music career, along with wanting to go to the navy. Both brothers leave home, the narrator when he gets married, and Sonny when he decides to pursue his life as a musician. Neither of them take into account their mother, or each other for that matter when they go on living their lives. They both feel guilty for not being as close to each other as they could have been.Sonny makes that clear in a letter he writes the narrator, â€Å"’Dear brother, You don't know how much I needed to hear from you. I wanted to write you many a time but I dug how much I must have hurt you and so I didn't write†¦and I swear if I'd known what I was doing I would never have hurt you so’† (Baldwin). Sonny feels bad for abandoning the family, and turning to drugs and even though he does it after sometime, he has the courage to say that he’s sorry for his actions.Towards the end of the story, when the brothers are conversing in the apartment, the narrator realizes how his silent treatment and cold demeanor has affected his brother. â€Å"I realized, with this mocking look, that there stood between us, forever, beyond the power of time or forgiveness, the fact that I had held silence-so long! -when he had needed human speech to help him† (Baldwin). Just from a look that Sonny gives him, he understands that Sonny needed his guidance and support through all these years. In conclusion, both brothers are on a pretty harmful way of solving their problems.The narrator lets things fester inside until he explodes. Then there is Sonny while yes, he is trying new ways to manage, at the end of the day is running away from his problems. Both brother’s only worried about themselves and their needs, neither take in to account their families the people that need them the most. Luckily towards the end of the story they both sort of come to a mutual understanding of each other. I think they both realize neither of them will really change how they are, and they both just need to be understanding of each other.

Personal Statement: Who Am I?

Olivia in the dictionary, and you might find; noun, a female given name. From the Latin word olive. But this name doesn't define me. I could also tell you all the things I do; school, yearbook, HOSE President & Treasurer, but those don't define me either. I ask myself simple questions to find out who I really Am I the leader of a crowd, or a background follower? Do I direct groups or do I get directed? Am I the thinker or do I let others think for me? Am I part of the in- rood, or am I an outsider looking in?Who truly am l? To find the answer I look deep inside myself and discovered the truth. I am a uniquely defined Individual. I don't go to parties every weekend nor do I consider myself as weak minded. I am simply neutral in the world. I have friends of both sides of the spectrum and I feel free to talk to whomever I want regardless of what others around me think. I am bossy, and I personally hate people telling me what to do, I am a natural fighter. I fight for what I think Is rig ht, some may call me obelisks, but I keep the respect between adults and myself.The activities I listed above Just show that I am a hardworking-dedicated individual who doesn't quit at the first sign of trouble. I don't let the teacher who constantly looses my homework get me down; I Just work extra hard and redo all the work required of me. I am simply Olivia, and no one can take that away. People may tear me down emotionally but mentally I am stronger than anyone can Imagine. I am the girl defined by no one but her own standards, standards that continue to grow thicker every day.

4 Great Going Away Gifts for Coworkers

4 Great Going Away Gifts for Coworkers Ever wonder what to get a coworker who’s leaving your office? This person may have become a real friend outside of work. Or he or she might be a face to nod and smile at in the hallway, with whom you’ve spent very little time outside the office. Either way, it’s nice to commemorate the time you’ve spent working together. It’s just very often hard to think of what to get for the going away gifts. Maybe the most appropriate thing to do is band together as a team and chip in a little (say, $5-10) for a larger, more expensive group gift. If that turns out to not be the best option, you can consider individual gifts. Just keep in mind that whatever gift you give should be something they’d be comfortable with unwrapping in public, in a professional setting.Here are some great ideas for departure gifts.Gifts for the Coworker Moving AwayIf your coworker is relocating, particularly somewhere new where they don’t have roots, consider a gift rela ted to their new locale:  a book about the history or food culture of a place, a local guidebook or restaurant guide, etc. Or, you could try the sentimental route and get a commemorative photo or book or trinket from where you are currently, so they can take it with them to their new life somewhere else.Gifts for the Coworker  Changing CreersMaybe  your coworker is switching fields- or even careers. A gift to commemorate the new job is a lovely gesture of support. A little gift bag of useful items, trinkets, or aspirational things suited for their new job or role can be very much appreciated- particularly if you add a little note of support to send them off with confidence!Gifts for the Coworker  Who Found Success on the JobWas there a particular achievement you shared? Consider having your team find an object or souvenir that symbolizes your work together. Then frame it, or put it on a stand, and make sure to all sign it in permanent marker. Wherever your coworker goes, the y’ll have the memory both of the accomplishment and of your team to brighten their office.Gifts for the Coworker You Don’t Know That WellIf you don’t have the time or energy to put together one of these more specialized gifts, the old standbys are always available! Try a bouquet of flowers and a group-signed card on their desk. A bottle of champagne or their favorite wine. Or even simply slap a bow on a box of chocolates. Remember, it’s the thought that counts.

Stony Corals (Hard Corals) Facts

Stony Corals (Hard Corals) Facts Stony corals, also called hard corals (as opposed to soft corals, like sea fans), are the reef-builders of the coral world. Learn more about stony corals - what they look like, how many species there are, and where they live. Characteristics of Stony Corals Secrete a skeleton made of limestone (calcium carbonate).Have polyps that secrete a cup (calyx, or calice) in which they live, and in which it can withdraw for protection. These polyps usually have smooth, rather than feathery tentacles.Are usually transparent. The brilliant colors associated with coral reefs are not caused by the corals themselves, but by algae called zooxanthellae that live within the coral polyps.Are composed of two groups: the colonial corals, or reef-builders, and the solitary corals. Stony Coral Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: CnidariaClass: AnthozoaOrder: Scleractinia According to the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), there are over 3,000 species of stony corals. Other Names for Stony Corals Stony corals are known by many different names: Hard coralsReef-building coralsHexacoralsHermatypic coralsScleractinian corals Where Stony Corals Live Corals arent always where you think theyd be. Sure, many of the reef-building corals are warm-water corals - restricted to tropical and subtropical areas where the water is salty, warm and clear. The corals actually grow faster when they have more access to the sun. They can build large reefs like the Great Barrier Reef in warmer waters. Then there are corals found in unexpected areas - coral reefs and solitary corals in the deep, dark sea, even as far down as 6,500 feet. These are the deep-water corals, and they can tolerate temperatures as low as 39 degrees F. They can be found around the world. What Stony Corals Eat Most stony corals feed at night, extending their polyps and using their nematocysts to sting passing plankton or small fish, which they pass to their mouth. The prey is ingested, and any waste is expelled out the mouth. Stony Coral Reproduction These corals can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Sexual reproduction occurs either when sperm and eggs are released in a mass spawning event, or by brooding, when only sperm are released, and these are captured by female polyps with eggs. One the egg is fertilized, a larva is produced and eventually settles to the bottom. Sexual reproduction allows coral colonies to form in new places. Asexual reproduction occurs through splitting, in which a polyp splits into two, or budding when a new polyp grows out of the side of an existing polyp. Both methods result in the creation of genetically identical polyps - and the growth of a coral reef. Asexual reproduction occurs through splitting, in which a polyp splits into two, or budding when a new polyp grows out of the side of an existing polyp. Both methods result in the creation of genetically identical polyps - and the growth of a coral reef.

Recognizing Employee Contributions - Compensation & Benefits Essay

Recognizing Employee Contributions - Compensation & Benefits - Essay Example Every firm develops a specific structure of compensation and benefits. Incentive pay is an integral part of benefits being offered to employees. In this particular study views and opinions will be given to a new retail company so as to retain its talented base of employees. Team members tend to leave an organization when they are not satisfied with organizational environment or their compensation structure. It is major responsibility of HR manager to continuously modify compensation framework in order to deliver the best benefits to employees. Workforce can be motivated either through monetary rewards or non-monetary appreciation. This study outlines current scenario of a retail company that is into internet sales as well as has retail outlets. Employee survey in the firm has revealed that employees are not satisfied with compensation system and are leaving jobs. In this study different approaches would be highlighted that can help to retain employees and facilitate developing approp riate compensation system. Incentive pay is essential for retaining employees within the system. Pay can be defined as the first reward that is given to managers or employees. Incentives are additional benefits given to employees so as to motivate them for undertaking new challenges. Pay can be classified into three segments such as basic pay, pay for performance and merit pay. Basic pay occupies the main portion of compensation and is referred to as hourly wage or salary. Merit pay is totally based on predetermined criteria. On the other hand, pay for performance can be defined as incentive pay system. Rewards are given to distinguish between competencies possessed by team members and their respective contributions towards firm’s overall success. There are certain new pay techniques that can be adopted by the retail company so as to retain its employee base. Amongst all the techniques two mechanisms are most suitable in the given situation such as

DNA Sequencing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

DNA Sequencing - Essay Example The Sanger methods are able to sequence best from 30-350 nucleotides and therefore genomic sequencing strategies have been developed to sequence longer DNA of interest such as the gene of interest in this plant. In the shotgun sequencing strategies, DNA often of large size is shredded into smaller fragments that can then be sequenced individually. Shredding of the DNA is done by restriction enzymes or mechanically by shearing the DNA. The sequences of these fragments are then reassembled into their original order based on overlaps. Alignment of the sequences is done by a computer program to yield the complete sequence. In Whole-genome shortgun, the DNA is obtained without prior physical map knowledge and indiscriminately sheared into fragments of 100kb which are then cloned into plasmids and transformed. The DNA inserts obtained from the plasmids are sequenced individually and consequently assembled into a long contiguous sequence. The strategy has limits due to gaps which arise duri ng assembly due to the repeats in the sequences. Another strategy is primer walking which tends to deal with whole shortgun sequencing challenges in the assembly of â€Å"gaps†. Clones carrying inserts for sequences for both sides of the gap are identified and the DNA is sequenced normally. Resultant sequence is used to design a primer downstream from the former primer position. Pairwise-end sequencing is another strategy for genome sequencing which is performed on both sides of DNA of interest as opposed to one in whole-genome shortgun.... Usually alignment of the sequences is done by a computer program to yield the complete sequence. In Whole-genome shortgun, the DNA is obtained without prior physical map knowledge and indiscriminately sheared into fragments of 100kb which are then cloned into plasmids and transformed. The DNA inserts obtained from the plasmids are sequenced individually and consequently assembled into a long contiguous sequence. The strategy has limits due to gaps which arise during assembly due to the repeats in the sequences. Another strategy is primer walking which tends to deal with whole shortgun sequencing challenges in assembly of â€Å"gaps†. . Clones carrying inserts for sequences for both sides of the gap are identified and the DNA is sequenced normally. Resultant sequence is used to design a primer downstream from the former primer position. These steps are repeated over and over until the complete sequence of the insert is elucidated. Pairwise-end sequencing (double-barrel shortgun ) is another strategy for genome sequencing which is performed on both sides of DNA of interest as opposed to one in whole-genome shortgun. It reduces â€Å"gaps† thereby minimizing assembly errors which are common in whole-gun sequencing. However it poses a huge computational challenge during assembly. DNA is shredded into 150mb fragments and inserted into BACs in hierarchical shortgun sequencing strategy. Inserts are mapped into a physical map and organized by known location â€Å"Golden Tiling Path†. Inserts are fragmented further and cloned into plasmid where they are again recovered and sequenced according to â€Å"the Golden Tiling Path†. This strategy is applied for long pieces of DNA such as whole genome or chromosome and in

Coca-Cola financial statements Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Coca-Cola financial statements - Essay Example Coca-Cola’s largest assets are property, plant and equipment that amount to a net worth of 9,052 million dollars based on the December 2014 yearly financial reports (The Coca-Cola Company, 2015). Their second largest asset is goodwill that amounted to 12,100million dollars as at December 2014. Their total asset worth is 92,023 million dollars. Based on the 2014 financial reports, the company’s total liabilities amount to 32,374 million dollars while their total equity amounts to 30561 million dollars (The Coca-Cola Company, 2015). At the end of the year, the company’s’ cash and its equivalents amounted to 8,958 million dollars. The company’s largest expenses were on purchase of investments and payments of debts. Purchase of investments amounted to 17800 million dollars while payment of debts amounted to 36,962 million dollars. Despite having many debts and incurring a lot of money on investments, Coca-Cola realized a gross profit of 28,109,000 dolla rs. How the financial statements are linked The income statement described how assets and liabilities were used during the year. The cash flow statement explained how the company got cash and how they spend it, and it gave a figure on the company’s cash at hand Example 1: The net income calculated in the income statement ($7,098,000) is used as the first item in the cash flow statements ($7,098,000) (NASDAQ, 2015). Example 2: The retained earnings of the company amounted to 63,408,000 dollars.

Biochemical Analysis of Rice

Biochemical Analysis of Rice Rice (Oryza sativa (2n = 24) is a monocot plant and belongs to the Poaceae family and Oryzoidea subfamily. It occupies almost one-fifth of the total land area under world cereals. It covers about 148 million hectares annually that is roughly 11 percent of the world-cultivated land. It is life for more than half of humanity and in past, it shaped the cultures, diets, and economies of billions of people in the world (Farooq et al., 2009). More than 90 percent of the worlds rice is grown and consumed in Asia where 60 percent of the world population lives. The world major rice consuming countries are China, India, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines, Japan, Brazil, South Korea and USA that consume 135, 85, 39, 37, 26, 18, 10, 10, 9.7, 8.7, 8.1, 5.0 and 3.9 million metric ton, respectively (Meng et al., 2005; USDA, 2003-04). Biochemical and nutritional aspects of rice Rice is a major source of macro and micronutrients for human being. It feeds more than two billion people worldwide and is the number one staple food in Asia. It provides over 21 percent of the calorific needs of the worlds population and up to 76 percent of the calorific intake of the population of South East (SE) Asia (Fitzgerald et al., 2009). It is mostly consumed as a polished grain, which usually lacks its nutritional components such as minerals and vitamins 41 P. Lucca et al., Genetic engineering approaches to enrich rice with iron and vitamin A, Physiol. Plant. 126 (2006), pp. 291-303. Full Text via CrossRef | View Record in Scopus | Cited By in Scopus (7)( Lucca et al., 2006). Since the advent of molecular techniques, recently genetically modified rice verities have been developed, which contains more nutritional aspects like minerals and vitamins in endosperm (Vasconcelos et al., 2003; Paine et al., 2005; Fitzgerald et al., 2009). The major value-added nutritional protein c onstituents of the rice. Rice Position in Pakistan In Pakistan, besides its importance as a food crop, rice is the second important component of daily diet of bulk of the population after wheat. About 23% of the total foreign exchange earnings is shared by rice and thus called as Golden Grain of Pakistan (Shah et al., 1999). Around one third of total production is annually exported and two third is locally consumed to meet food needs. Rice is also used in dishes for special occasions (Sagar et al., 1988). Pakistan is the third largest rice exporting country. In Pakistan, rice occupies about 10% of the total cultivated area, accounts for 6.1% of value added in agriculture and 1.3% in gross domestic product. Production of rice during 2007-08 was estimated at 5,540 thousand tones, 10.4% higher than last year with 6.1% increase in yield per hectare (Anonymous, 2006). Area, production and yield of rice for the last 5 years are shown in Fig. 1. Varieties of basmati rice, sub-species of indica, are economically important due to the high quality of the grain and constitute an important source of revenue for two major rice-growing countries in Asia (Pakistan and India). The international market for basmati rice has always been higher than that of the moderate varieties. Pakistans annual rice export stands at about 2.5 million tons, which earn a total of 513.0 million dollars for the country (Anonymous, 1998). During the year 2005-2006 rice export was about one billion US$ (Bashir et al., 2007). Rice growing areas of Pakistan Depending upon the irrigation water availability, rice can be grown in any part of the country from sea level up to 2500m height. Pakistan has a climate and a potential in soil that permits the expectations of a most bright future for the productions of rice. Considering temperature difference, optimum sowing seasons and the varietals performance, rice growing areas can be divided in four ecological zones (Salim et al., 2003; Table-1.2). Rice is grown in all four provinces of Pakistan. However, the acreage under rice varies greatly from one province to another. The Punjab and Sindh are the major rice growing provinces with about 59% and 33%, respectively of the total rice in the country. The remaining 5% of the area is planted in Baulochistan and 3% in NWFP (Bhatti and Anwar, 1994). Despite the fact that its cultivated area is far smaller than wheat (more than 7.24 million), it has a great impact on national economy due to two reasons. Firstly, rice is the only crop which can be grown successfully in vast chunks of salt-ridden and water-logged areas where it facilitates not only the reclamation of land for the cultivation of other crops but also provide food. Secondly, superior quality basmati has a consistently increasing demand in the foreign countries. Consequently, there is a great scope for augmenting the foreign exchange earning by exporting it in bigger quantity. In view of these facts, it is highly desirable to increase the production and improve the quality of rice the quality is particularly more important from the trade view point, as it is instrument entail in increasing and then sustaining the demand in the foreign market in competition with other rising exporting countries. There in no denying the fact that purity is the very sole of quality. The impurities not only restrict the export trade, but also inflict losses to the growers, millers and the consumers alike. Therefore, these should possibly be minimized (Saleem et al., 2003). Major rice varieties in Pakistan More than 20 rice varieties have been released for general cultivation in Pakistan (Bashir et al., 2007). A general description of agronomical and physiochemical characteristics of these varieties. Importance of Basmati Rice in Pakistan There are thousands of rice varieties and landraces, which differ with respect to plant and grain characteristics. Of these, aromatic (Basmati) rice constitutes a small but special group that is regarded as best in grain quality, superior aroma and usually used for special dish preparation (Khush and dela Cruz, 2001). Quality of rice may be considered from the view point of size, shape and appearance of grain, milling quality and cooking properties (Dela Cruz and Khush, 2000). Pakistan is famous for the production and export of Basmati rice. The origin of the word Basmati can be trade to the word Basmati meaning earth recognized by its fragrance. The Hindi word Bas was derived from the Pakrit word BAS and has a Sanskrit root Vassy (Aroma), while Mati originated from Mayup (ingrained from the origin). In common usage Vas is pronounced as Bas and while combining Bas and Mayup, the later changed to Mati thus the word Basmati (Ahuja et al., 1995; Gupta, 1995). The fragrance of basmati rice is most closely associated with the presence of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (Buttery et al., 1983; Lorieux et al., 1996; Widjaja et al., 1996; Yoshihashi et al., 2002). Although many other compounds are also found in the headspace of fragrant rice varieties (Widjaja et al., 1996) possibly due to secondary effects related to the genetic background of the rice variety, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline is widely known to be the main cause of the distinctive basmati and jasmine fragrance. The desirability of fragrance has resulted in strong human preference and selection for this trait. Non-fragrant rice varieties contain very low levels of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, while the levels in fragrant genotypes are much higher (Widjaja et al., 1996). Basmati rice occupies a prime position in the Indian subcontinent and is becoming increasingly popular in Middle East, Europe, USA and even in non-traditional rice growing countries such as Australia (Bhasin, 2000). High-quality, traditional Basmati rice varieties command premium prices, more than three times that of non-Bamati rices in the world market due to its exquisite aroma, superfine grain characteristics and excellent cooking (extra elongation, soft and flaky texture) qualities (Bhasin, 2000; Singh et al., 2000a; Khush and dela Cruz, 2002). Basmati rice traditionally grown in the Himalayan foothills regions of Pakistan and India, and the name is traditionally associated with this region. Basmati rice is the result of centuries of selection and cultivation by farmers (Khush, 2000). Cultivation of basmati rice in mainly confined to the Kallar tract (Gujranwala, Sheikhupura and Sialkot districts) of Punjab province. Basmati rice always fetch a higher price in the domestic as well as in the international market due to their peculiar quality features such as pleasant aroma, fine grain, extreme grain elongation (7.6mm long) and soft texture on cooking. In spite of hard competition from India, Thailand and the United States, Pakistan enjoys a good position in the global trade of aromatic rice and every year earns a lot of foreign exchange (Akram and Sagar, 1997). Genetic Diversity in Rice Diversity among organisms is a result of variations in DNA sequences and of environmental effects. The diversity in crop varieties is essential for agricultural development for increasing food production, poverty alleviation and promoting economic growth. The available diversity in the germplasm also serves as an insurance against unknown future needs and conditions, thereby contributing to the stability of farming systems at local, national and global levels (Singh et al, 2000). In crop improvement program, genetic variability for agronomic traits as well as quality traits in almost all the crops is important, since this component is transmitted to the next generation (Singh, 1996). Study of genetic divergence among the plant materials is a vital tool to the plant breeders for an efficient choice of parents for plant improvement. Genetically diverse parents are likely to contribute desirable segregants and/or to produce high heterotic crosses. Parents identified on the basis of dive rgence for any breeding program would be more promising (Arunachalam, 1981). In early 1970s, public authorities felt the need that genetic resources should be collected, maintained and conserved, especial focus was on important food crops e.g wheat, rice, barley etc (Hawkes 1983; Bellon et al., 1998; Barry et al., 2007). This was the first official attempt to preserve genetic diversity. Currently different genetic diversity assessment methods including morphological, biochemical and molecular markers are available. Morphological Markers used to study genetic diversity Morphological evaluation is the oldest and considered as the first hand tool for detection of genetic variation in germplasm (Smith and Smith, 1989). It is cheap and convenient. It requires not any in depth knowledge at genomic or proteomic level. However, morphological markers are relatively less effective for genetic diversity analysis due to sensitivity to environmental influences and developmental stage of the plant (Werlemark et al., 1999). It takes long time, requires seasonal changes and quite laborious. The genetic variability for some of the traits needed for high yield performance and stress tolerance is limited in cultivated germplasm. This is because a small core of adapted progenitors has been used repeatedly in rice breeding programs such that the genetic base of rice has become narrow (Moncada et al. 2001; Hargrove et al. 1980; Dilday 1990). Introgression of genes from other rice species can provide genetic variation to improve rice and meet the challenges affecting ri ce production. Morphological traits including both qualitative and quantitative ones are used to evaluate genetic relationship among genotypes (Goodman 1972; Bajracharya et al., 2006). Fida et al. (1995) reported the evaluation of elite rice genotypes for agronomic traits during 1992 at NARC, Islamabad. All the genotypes possessed similar grain quality. Agronomic evaluation was used for screening of lines with desired performance by Akram et al. (1995), in field leading to the identification of varieties possessing longer and fine grains as donors for utilization in breeding programmes aimed for the improvement of grain length in Basmati rice. Iqbal et al. (2001) morphologically evaluated selected landraces for paddy yield and other important agronomic traits as a propose to select parents for hybridization program. All the landraces possessed some desirable agronomic traits so these proved effective in rice breeding programmes. Koutroubas et al. (2004) described variation in grain quality traits among some European rice lines. They concluded that these lines could be used as parents for introgression of desired traits into different rice cultivars grown in Europe. They also suggested that the interrelations among grain quality traits found in these lines could be useful to study the relationship among their grain quality components and for improving selection criteria. Nabeela et al. (2004) evaluated fifteen agronomical important traits in landrace genotypes of rice collected from various parts of Pakistan. A significant amount of genetic variation was displayed for most of the traits examined. The coefficient of variation was more than 10% for all the characters with exception of grain length. Seven accessions with best performance for individual character were identified, by exploiting their genetic potential. These genotypes can have a beneficial use in the breeding programs. Nepali rice landrace diversity was evaluated by Bajracharya et al. (2005) by usin g morphological traits as one of the parameter for selection. The genotypes varied only for few quantitative traits controlled by major genes; husk color, seed coat and panicle traits. Agronomic characterization also helped to decide which traits need to be improved for further crop improvements. Zaman et al. (2005) studied fifteen different rice varieties which showed that the different morphological characteristics such as the yield, tiller number per hill and filled grains per panicle did not contribute towards the total divergence. This suggested that the breeding improvement of these morphological characteristics have the little possibility. Little phenotypic variation at farm level was observed in Vietnamese rice by Fukuoka et al. 2006, which was considered to be the result of genetic drift and selection by the farmers, on farm conservation of the landraces of rice is considered to be under a force to decrease phenotypic diversity. Different phenotypic profiles contribute to t he conservation of regional genetic diversity of the landraces of rice. Veasey and colleagues (2008) investigated the genetic variability among different rice species from South in a greenhouse experiment. They showed a significant difference (p Keeping in view these benefits, morphological variation is a selection criterion for plant scientists among landrace genotypes. Though the environmental factors also play an important role in morphological variation but the knowledge of agro-morphological diversity and the distribution pattern of variation among crop species could be an invaluable aid in germplasm management and crop improvement strategies. Zeng et al. (2003) studied ecogeographic and genetic diversity based on morphological characters of rice landraces (Oryza sativa L.) in Yunnan, China. A great difference in ecological diversity index of rice resources between prefectures or counties in Yunnan province exists. Kayode et al. (2008) studied the relationship in geographical pattern and morphological variation of 880 rice landrace in CÃ ´te d’Ivoire for 13 agro-morphological characters. Result of the phenotypic frequency showed differential distribution of landraces with height, heading and maturity period whic h reflected the distribution pattern of different Oryza sativa landraces in CÃ ´te d’Ivoire that proved useful in germplasm management and breeding programs. The altitudinal distributions of grain length, grain width, grain length to width ratio and grain weight were evaluated by Siddiqui and coworkers in 2007. It was noticed that grain length decreased with the increase in altitude, while the grain width increased with the increase in altitude, resulting into a decrease in length to width ratio with the increase in altitude. Considering the change in altitude as a difference in habitat and environment, it can be assumed that Pakistan rice cultivars show a wide variation between and within locations. It may be concluded that the Pakistan rice genetic resources comprise of great diversity for grain morphological characteristics. The prevailing diversity for grain type (shape and size) and pericarp color has distinct correlation to its geographical distribution in terms of alt itude. Morpho-physiological traits are an important tool in hands of plant breeders for identification and purity testing of rice varieties. Sharief et al. (2005) investigated the genetic purity of four different rice varieties on the basis of morphological characteristics at their different growth stages. All of the varieties were identified by different morphological characteristics in terms of flag leaf area, grain color, seed width, number of tillers, time of heading, absent awing, slemma, palea pubescence, plant height, and culm diameter. Biochemical markers for analysis of diversity Seed proteins are very helpful in genetic diversity evaluation in cereal crops because the seeds of these crops have nutritional value. Glutelin, globulin and prolamin are important seed proteins in rice. Variation in these proteins at subunit level changes the quality of rice. Various tools were used to assess variability at peptide level. Biochemical markers have some disadvantages being tissue specific and affected by environmental and developmental changes. These disadvantages could be eliminated by the use of seed storage protein as they are conservative in nature and least effected by environmental changes. (Thanh et al., 2006) Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) is useful method not only for revealing variations but also for identification of a variety in seed storage proteins. Four protein fractions (albumin, globulin, gliadin and glutenin) separated by SDS-PAGE as biochemical marker for evaluating polymorphism in three spelt wheat varieties. Very significant difference was observed at protein profile level in old cultivars and new breeding lines (Dvoracek and Curn 2003). Sengupta and Chattopadhyay (2000) identified twelve rice varieties on the basis of banding pattern obtained by SDS-PAGE. Aung et al. (2003) investigated 350 local rice cultivars from different regions of Myanmar. These were analyzed by using SDS-PAGE and IEF. Various cultivars differed in their SDS-PAGE profiles. Padmavathi et al. (2002) evaluated seven aromatic and five non-aromatic rice cultivars using SDS-PAGE. Two bands of 60.3 and 51.3KDa were polymorphic for their presence in both aromatic and non-aromatic genotypes and suggested that these polymorphic bands can be used as markers for verification of hybridity in crossing programme. Rehana et al. (2004) investigated twenty accessions of Pakistani rice germplasm for total seed protein by using SDS-PAGE, to determine the magnitude of genetic variation with respect to geographical distribution. Vari ation in protein banding pattern with respect to various geographical regions was evaluated and it was suggested that the inter-specific variations were more pronounced as compared to intra-specific variations. Variation in banding profile of globulin and glutelin was used as identification tool for differentiating coarse, fine and super fine rice cultivars by Thind and Sogi (2005). Jahan et al. (2005) studied protein diversity in 576 rice cultivars from Bangladesh and SDS-PAGE was used for separation. Thanh et al., 2006 used seed storage protein profiles of different varieties including rice for evaluation of genetic purity and variability. Molecular markers for diversity analysis Variation in a DNA sequence is known as DNA polymorphism. This quality of DNA can be used as a marker to assess diversity in the genome of any organism. An ideal DNA marker must have any of the following qualities: Highly polymorphic in nature, co-dominant inheritance, frequent occurrence in genome, selective neutral behaviour, easy access/availability, easy and fast assay, high reproducibility and easy exchange of data between laboratories (Joshi et al., 1999). DNA-based molecular markers/DNA fingerprinting can increase screening efficiency in breeding programs in a number of other ways. For example, they provide: the ability to screen in the seedling stage for traits that are expressed late in the life of a plant (i.e. grain or fruit quality, male sterility, photoperiod sensitivity), the ability to screen for traits that are extremely difficult, expensive, or time consuming to score phenotypically (i.e. root morphology, resistance to quarantined pests or to specific races or biotyp es of diseases or insects, tolerance for certain abiotic stresses such as drought, salt, or mineral deficiencies or toxicities), the ability to distinguish the homozygous versus heterozygous condition of many loci in a single generation without the need for progeny testing (since molecular markers are co-dominant), and the ability to perform simultaneous marker-aided selection for several characters at one time. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) Randomly-amplified polymorphic DNA markers (RAPD) are arbitrary sequence markers developed by Welsh and McClelland in 1991. This procedure detects nucleotide sequence polymorphisms in DNA by using a single primer of arbitrary nucleotide sequence. In this reaction, a single species of primer anneals to the genomic DNA at two different sites on complementary strands of DNA template. If these priming sites are within an amplifiable range of each other, a discrete DNA product is formed through thermocyclic amplification. On an average, each primer directs amplification of several discrete loci in the genome, making the assay useful for efficient screening of nucleotide sequence polymorphism between individuals. However, due to the stoichastic nature of DNA amplification with random sequence primers, it is important to optimize and maintain consistent reaction conditions for reproducible DNA amplification. They are dominant markers and hence have limitations in their use as markers for ma pping, which can be overcome to some extent by selecting those markers that are linked in coupling. RAPD assay has been used by several groups as efficient tools for identification of markers linked to agronomically important traits, which are introgressed during the development of near isogenic lines. though it is less popular due to problems such as poor reproducibility faint or fuzzy products, and difficulty in scoring bands, which lead to inappropriate inferences but it is still applied as markers in variability analysis and individual-specific genotyping has largely been carried out,. Raghunathachari et al. (2000) differentiated a set of 18 accessions from Indian scented rice by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. The RAPD analysis offered a rapid and reliable method for the estimation of variability between different accessions, which could be utilized by the breeders for further improvement of the scented rice genotypes. Porreca et al. (2001) reported confirmati on of genetic diversity among 28 rice cultivars, different for biometric traits, biological cycle and suitability to water limitation, using RAPD markers. High level of polymorphism was found between japonica and indica subspecies, whereas japonica cultivars with long grains (tropical) resulted to be genetically different from the short grains genotypes (temperate). Genetic relationships among indica and japonica cultivars and between tropical and temperate japonica was estimated. Variability among the varieties could lead to good heterotic combinations between japonica genotypes. Neeraja et al. (2002) determined genetic diversity in a set of landraces in comparison to a representative sample of improved rice varieties, using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Analysis of 36 accessions using 10 arbitrary decamer random primers, revealed 97.16% polymorphism. Similarity values among the landraces ranged from 0.58 to 0.89 indicating wide diversity. The landraces and improved vari eties formed separate clusters at 0.65 similarities suggesting that genetically distant landraces could be potentially valuable sources for enlarging and enriching the gene pool of improved varieties. Kwon et al. (2002) evaluated genetic divergence among 13 Tongil type rice cultivars and the relationship between genetic distance and hybrid performance in all possible nonreciprocal crosses between them assessed. These results indicate that GDs based on the microsatellite and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers may not be useful for predicting heterotic combinations in Tongil type rice and support the idea that the level of correlation between hybrid performance and genetic divergence is dependent on the germplasm used. Rabbani et al. (2008) evaluated the genetic polymorphism and identities of several Asian rice cultivars by using random amplified polymorphic DNA technique. On the basis of analysis performed on similarity matrix by using UPGMA, they grouped 40 cultivars in to three main clusters correspondent to aromatic, non-aromatic and japonica group, and a few independent cultivars. The cluster analysis placed most of the aromatic cultivars close to each other showing a high level of genetic relatedness. But the clusters produced by the aromatic cultivars were distinct from those of non-aromatic and japonica types. In this study, several improved and obsolete cultivars originating from diverse sources did not produce well defined distinct groups and indicated no association between the RAPD patterns and the geographic origin of the cultivars used. Amita et al. (2005) performed molecular and hybridization studies to investigate variation patterns in O. meridionalis by producing 119 polymorphic RAPD markers from 12, 10-mer operon primers. In addition, they detected 67 alleles by using 11 SSR primers. They showed speciation in O. meridionalis a with respect to its geographic distribution in northern Australia and Irian Jaya. Santhy et al. (2003) test ed application of RAPD markers for the identification of three rice (Oryza sativa L.) hybrids and their parental lines i.e. CMS female parent (A line), maintainer (B line) and pollen parent (R line), using 17 random oligonucleotides. It was possible to distinguish each of these genotypes, following a combination of selected primers. The results are discussed in view of its application for the purpose of Plant Variety Protection and for testing the genetic purity of A line and hybrid seed lots. Simple Sequence Repeats Analysis Microsatellites or simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are simple tandemly repeated di- to penta-nucleotide sequence motifs. Microsatellite data are also commonly used to assess genetic relationships between populations and individuals through the estimation of genetic distances (e.g. Beja-Pereira et al., 2003; Ibeagha-Awemu et al., 2004; Joshi et al., 2004; Sodhi et al., 2005; Tapio et al., 2005). The most commonly used measure of genetic distances is Neis standard genetic distance (DS) (Nei, 1972). Because of microsatellite abundance and even distribution in nuclear genomes of eukaryotes and some prokaryotic genomes, they offer valuable good source of polymorphism, which make them a promising class of genetic markers. The high levels of polymorphism performed by these markers; they are mostly referred as SSLP (simple sequence length polymorphism). Li et al. (2004) examined genetic diversity within and differentiation between the indica and japonica subspecies, including 22 accessions of indica and 35 of japonica rice by using five microsatellite loci from each chromosome having total 60 loci. Evaluating on chromosome-based comparisons it is concluded that nine chromosomes (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 and 11) harboured higher levels of genetic diversity within the indica rice than the japonica rice. By applying chromosome-based comparisons they suggested that the extent of the indica-japonica differentiation varied substantially, ranging from 7.62% in chromosome 3 to 28.72% in chromosome 1. At 15 of the SSR loci, traditional and crossbred Basmati rice varieties amplified different alleles than those in the indica and/or japonica rice varieties. During this study the identified SSR markers, which can be used to differentiate among the traditional Basmati varieties and between traditional Basmati and other crossbred Basmati or long grain, non-Basmati rice varieties. Genetic relationships among rice genotypes as determined by UPGMA cluster analysis and three-dimensional s caling based on principal component analysis showed that the three traditional Basmati rice varieties are closely related and have varying degree of similarity with other crossbred Basmati rice varieties Priyanka et al. (2004). Amanda et al. (2004) classified 234 accessions of rice into five distinct groups corresponding to indica, aus, aromatic, temperate japonica, and tropical japonica rices using 169 microsatellite markers. Yunbi et al. (2004) evaluated diversity in 236 rice accessions by applying 113 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and 60 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci at DNA level. Higher value of polymorphism information contents (0.66) was recorded for SSR markers as compared to RFLP (0.36). A diverse subset of 31 rice cultivars was identified that embodied 95% of RFLP and 74% of SSR alleles. This subset was useful in developing core collections and an efficient source of genetic diversity for future crop improvement. Zhang et al. (2005) evaluated the poten tial of discriminate analysis (DA) to identify candidate markers linked with agronomic traits among inbred lines of rice (Oryza sativa L.). A sum of 218 lines originating from the US and Asia were planted in field plots of Texas. Data were collected for 12 economically important traits, and DNA profiles of each inbred line were produced using 60 SSR and 114 RFLP markers. Model-based methods revealed population structure among the lines. Associated marker alleles pointed to the same and different regions on the rice genetic map when compared to previous QTL mapping experiments. Results of the study suggested that candidate markers associated with agronomic traits can be readily detected among inbred lines of rice. Bajracharya et al. (2005) estimated genetic diversity of rice landraces collected from different locations of Nepal based on agro-morphological variability and microsatellite marker polymorphism. They 39 microsatellite (simple sequence repeats, SSR) markers among these coll ected accessions by using 10 different names. After studying all these qualitative and quantitative traits they concluded that these accessions showed low morphological diversity having an average Shannon Weaver diversity index of 0.23. Among the studied traits only 16 morphological traits showed significant variation among the accessions. Discriminant function analysis showed that only 36% of accessions could be clustered according to name by morphological traits. Only one SSR locus was polymorphic, distinguishing only one accession. Genetic differences among new rice lines (NERICA), developed by cross breeding of African rice (Oryza glaberrima) with high yielding Asian rice (Oryza sativa subsp. japonica), were explored by using simple sequence repeat markers (Semagn et al. 2006). Michael et al. (2006) characterized 330 rice accessions, including 246 Indonesian landraces and 63 Indonesian improved cultivars, by studying 30 fluorescently-labeled microsatellite markers. By using gene tic diversity analysis they characterized the Indonesian landraces as 68% indica and 32% tropical japonica, having an indica gene diversity of 0.53 and a tropical japonica gene diversity of 0.56

First day of class :: Essays Papers

First day of class The first day of class was absolutely not that bad as I thought it would be. The time that I picked was great its not to last but its not too early. It s just the right time to get to class. The classroom was as scorching like the desert. It is very hot in the class. It makes write in the class hard to do but that is something I guess I just have to deal with. Just like Columbia is around this time of year. The class also seems to have some interesting people in the class. There was a lot of dance and film majors there so I consider were bound to here some intense story’s. I was really impressed on how well organized Alexia Hall was with the class she seem to know where she wanted to the class to be at the end of the semester. We were past out with the class policies and a syllabus of what we were going to do the whole semester. I thought this was very convenient so that there was no mixed signals in the group. Alexia Hall the teacher personally seems to be a person who does not like to play games with her students. She seems like a straight froward person. I have a feeling she has heard a lot of excuse of why students do not have their papers. She warn us not to start killing off are family when paper are due. Which I thought it was funny, because even as a student I have heard some crazy stories about people who just kill of there whole family when a paper due or a test day. I feel that the class is tremendously large, but that always changes at mid term I feel that over 40 % will drop the class they always do. I am just hope that I am not one of those people to drop out of class. The class seems to go really fast. I like the way we can say and write the way we feel about the subject matter. Having the Internet access is also a plus just for the fact that we can look up information on topics and write about it. Class participation was great everyone joined in on the discussion. People in the class felt comfortable talking out loud and putting there two sense in.

How Is Curley Presented by Steinbeck in of Mice and Men

Curley is one of ‘Of Mice and Men’s’ major characters. Although he does not appear to hold a central role, he is very important in other respects. The first of these is the way in which he treats George and Lennie, and the ranch workers in general on the ranch. Curley is the boss’ son. Therefore he acts like he is the boss himself. He orders the others around, and, although it is true that he does hold some power on the ranch, he does not hold any respect from the workers.He is nasty towards them, treating as though they are them below him, and often trying to pick fights. Curley is disliked by pretty much everyone on the ranch, and with good reason. George immediately dislikes his hostility, and shows the same attitude in return. He himself says â€Å"I hate that kind of a guy† as soon as he has and warns Lennie to â€Å"have nothing to do with him†. Even Curley’s own wife dislikes him, sarcastically saying â€Å"swell guy, ainâ€℠¢t he† when told to talk to him by Candy. Furthermore, Candy, although not directly airing his dislike mentions the he is â€Å"handy.God damn handy. † The way in which Candy says this hints towards his dislike for Candy being on account of his aggressive nature and hostility, rather than simply being due to his nastiness. His desire to fight with people all the time shows two things. Firstly, it shows inferiority complex: Curley is short, and therefore is constantly trying to be better than â€Å"big guys†. Secondly, it shows his aggression. Curley holds a fighting stance when he first encounters George and Lennie: â€Å"his arms gradually bent at the elbows and his hands closed into fists.He stiffened and went into a slight crouch. † According to Candy, Curley is an amateur boxer and is always picking fights, especially with guys who are bigger than he is. Ultimately, Curley is trying to prove his masculinity. Another way in which Curley can be seen as t rying to prove himself is by marrying a physically attractive woman. His wife is never given a name, but by calling her â€Å"Curley's wife,† Steinbeck indicates she is his possession. Curley refuses to let her talk to anyone on the ranch, isolating her from everyone and setting the stage for trouble.This trouble happens in Section 3, where he accuses Slim of being with his wife and is completely wrong. He is ganged up on by the ranch workers, and picks on Lennie in order to vent his anger at being picked on. This turns out to be a mistake. Lennie quickly crushes his hand, and Curley has to be taken to the hospital. Luckily for George and Lennie, Slim comes to there aid, telling Curley â€Å"your hand got caught in a machine†. He makes a big show of keeping his hand soft to caress her, yet also visits the local whorehouse on Saturday night.While he may strut around the ranch because of his position as the boss' son, he obviously cannot satisfy his wife and is mean, or perhaps simply detached from her. Curley beats up any man who dares to talk to her, but ironically, he rarely talks to her himself, and they spend the majority of the book looking for each other. When Curley’s wife dies, Curley, rather than showing the reaction that would be expected of a man whose wife has just been killed. He does not appear to grieve at all in any way, barely looking at the body, or regarding the her death into his immediate future plans.Instead, his first thought is towards seeking revenge and hunting down Lennie. It is perhaps this moment in the novel which epitomises the way in which Curley is aggressive, nasty, and shows no concern for anyone else apart from himself. All of this seems to be negative however. Surely Steinbeck didn’t present Curley in a poor light? Well, there may some positive aspects to Curley, or perhaps those which are not entirely bad. Firstly, he does appear to show some care for his wife. He is constantly looking for her, a nd appears to try and protect her.Although she is more of a possession to him than a person, he is clearly proud of her, but perhaps for the wrong reasons. Also, Curley is a good worker. He is one of the best on the ranch, having grown up there, and this shows in his care for his work. Unlike most of the other characters, Curley doesn’t develop much over the course of the book, but he stands out as a character with whom Steinbeck does not sympathise. Whilst everyone else is struggling, Curley’s busy picking fights and trying to throw his weight around on his dad’s ranch. He seems to be outside of the economic struggle and even the personal struggle of the Depression.Curley’s the kind of person that is needed in contrast to the mild peacefulness of the other characters. Also, someone is needed to be the source of trouble among the men of the ranch who mostly want to get along. In conclusion, if Steinbeck wrote ‘Of Mice and Men' as being a microcosm o f American society, then Curley represents one clear type of person. This is all the men in the country at the time who are petty and embittered, who wish to appear better than all of the others. He acts as a sort of control variable, whose actions and reactions can almost always be predicted, because he is such a simple shallow person.