Poverty in the U.S Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Poverty in the U.S - Research Paper Example According to the United States Census Bureau, poverty levels are defined as less than $10,590 of annual income for a one-person household, less than $14,291 for a family of three, and less than $16,705 for a family of four. A family of nine or more people is considered to be in poverty if they have less than $40,085 in income for the year (Census, 2007). These income levels are just the government’s cut off line for considering a family to be in poverty. Most people in the United States earn more money than that in a given year. The average income for the whole United States is more than $50,000, but that average is figured using extremely rich people in the sample as well. Poor people experience unstable employment, stagnant or low wages, and lack perks and benefits (such as paid sick leave). Job training programs for people who live in poverty are supposed to help them find better paying and more stable employment. Unfortunately, the results of job training programs have been less than what case workers would have hoped. â€Å"One study found that two-thirds of individuals who left a low-wage service job for a job training program returned to† a similar low-wage service job at the end of training (Newman, 2006, 69). â€Å"Wages are not the only form of reward workers seek. Benefits are of great importance as well, and low-wage jobs are generally devoid of them,† Newman continues. In the low-wage employment world, it’s considered a â€Å"benefit† to get paid sick leave. People lose their jobs if they call in sick too often, and with young children at home, calling in sick is a necessity. Low-wage workers used to be able to depend on government programs to help make ends meet. Even if they were working, government benefits could help them stay afloat—not rise out of poverty, but at least try to keep from slipping further. Welfare reform changed that for many people living in poverty (Newman, 2006; Shipler, 2005). Welfare reform moved poor

What is the relation between the divided line and the allegory of the Essay

What is the relation between the divided line and the allegory of the cave from Books 6 and 7 of the Republic Do you find this to be an accurate representation of the process of learning - Essay Example According to Plato, the bottom two; imagination and belief, can be perceived as simple opinions and are different from one person to another (Baird 500-520). The two are found in the physical world and are discoverable through senses that can be mistaken making the truth that is associated with these two vary form one person to another. The next two, which are understanding and reason, are in existence to seek truths in the meta-physical world making them collectively true. The type of truth associated with understanding included that of mathematics, maxims along with definitions, and even though they are artificial, they are questioned. The best way to achieve truth of knowledge is through reason which actively questions issues in the environment. In Plato’s view, reasoning brings understanding of the forms and forms possess the ultimate truth. Plato implies that goodness and love are products of reason but this love is not identical to the kind of love that is perceived in the present day. Love as explained by Plato is the desire for something that is not possessed, and this motivates people to get what they do not have. The allegory of the cave explains the route one must take in order to achieve this knowledge and how individuals are bound in the cave of imagination where the shadows that are on the walls are the truths. The people who create the shadows are those in positions of power who have the belief that they are conversant with the truth and attempt to utilise it in corrupting the masses into giving them more power. Fire stands for an imperfect good while love represents a self-good that is supposed to bring more power to them. An individual inside the cave should be able to see further than the shadows and turn in the direction of the fire while identifying that the objects seen in the hands of the puppeteer may seem true but are not actually true. When a person leaves the cave, he will be blinded by the

Salt Concentrations on Germination of Seeds

Salt Concentrations on Germination of Seeds Through my research, I decided to use rye, oats and barley seeds because due to the increasing salinity problems, there would be future food shortages due to global warming damaging crops and the increasing human population. The seeds were treated with different salt concentration solutions of sodium chloride, magnesium sulphate, calcium sulphates and bicarbonates. A Chi Squared test was done to find the relationship between each of the different salts concentrations and the germination rate. Experimental Hypothesis: Increasing the concentration of NaCl (sodium chloride) will have the biggest decrease in the number of germinations compared to increasing the other salt concentrations. Null Hypothesis: Increasing the salt concentration will have no effect on the germination of seeds. Dependent Variable: Seed germination rate Independent Variable: The salt solutions and salt concentration Through my intensive research I discovered there were currently major environmental factors regarding to the lack of plant productivity for crop production regions, but through this research I discovered one of the main factors was salinity in soil. Salinity in soil is a major issue for growing crops for most regions of the planet, especially the dry regions where the seed would lack water to grow. The farmers wont be able to cultivate their own crops due to seeds not being able to germinate as crop yield is decreased. However in some cases, if the seed does manage to germinate, the plant would often grow with many ion deficiencies. During my research I discovered a theory, which involved germinating a seed in seawater and it was told it had a huge effect on the seed. So I did research on seawater and compared and I discovered it had variety of different ions dissolved within the water. Furthermore, I also discovered that NaCl (sodium Chloride) was the most abundant ion dissolved in the seawater [6]. To test my hypothesis I will be using 3 types of cereal seeds, which are barley, oats, and rye seeds. Barley crops are very adaptable and can germinate very quickly between 1 to 3 days. Barley is normally grown in the temperate areas as a summer crop, but in the tropical regions its sown as a winter crop. However, Barley is more tolerant than other cereal seeds to soil salinity and also more susceptible to plant diseases [9]. Oats has may uses in food, so its vital to continue the supply for oats in the future, as global warming could affect the yield of oats produced, as oat seeds have greater tolerance of rain than any other cereal [8]. Furthermore, it has a lower summer heat requirement, which is why its more grown throughout the temperate zones, for example Northwest Europe and Iceland. Rye grows really well in much poorer soils than most necessary cereal grains, as its the most valuable crop in some regions. Rye withstands cold better than most grains, so farmers normally grow r ye in the winter, as in spring the crop finally develops [7]. During the 1800s, researchers discovered that plants absorb essential minerals as inorganic ions in water. So basically soil acts as a mineral nutrient reservoir, but the soil isnt essential for plant growth. The plant roots only absorb nutrients and minerals when the nutrient mineral in the soil has been dissolved in water, so its the same as a plant absorbing the mineral nutrients as inorganic ions. If the required mineral nutrients have been introduced artificially into the plants water supply, the soil isnt required any longer, this is called a Hydroponic. Most terrestrial plants (plants grown on land) can survive or grow using a hydroponic. [3] The advantages of using Hydroponics for food production are: no soil is required water stays within the system and can then be reused which will therefore lowering water costs Can be able to lower to control nutrition levels, which can also reduce nutrition costs Because of the controlled system, no nutrition pollution is released into the atmosphere Stable and high yields Pests and diseases are easier to get rid of because of the containers mobility Can be used in possible places where in-ground agriculture or gardening isnt possible [3] However there are disadvantages of using Hydroponics for food production such as: Since hydroponics conditions consists the presence of fertilisers and high humidity, it creates an environment that stimulates salmonella growth Pathogens attacks including damp-off due to Verticillium wilt caused by high moisture levels associated with hydroponics and overwatering of terrestrial plants. Many hydroponic plants requires different fertilisers and containment systems, which can be very time-consuming and expensive for someone thats setting the whole hydroponic [3] From my knowledge, I know that plant roots up take mineral nutrients by active transport. Active Transport is the movement of a substance against the concentration gradient using energy as ATP. Examples of substance which can also be taken up by active transport are ions, glucose and amino acids. Nonetheless, in my investigation I will also be looking at Osmosis and seeing so its affected throughout my investigation. Osmosis is the diffusion of water (movement of water) across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of a less negative water potential to an even more negative water potential area and this process a non-passive process (doesnt require energy in the form of ATP). The reason Im going to look at the effect of Osmosis throughout my investigation is because according to Muhammad Jamils journal Effect of salt stress on germination and early seedling growth of four vegetables species. It was stated in the journal that salt concentrations is a major contributor to the osmotic e ffect of ions on growth. Furthermore, it was also stated that high salt in the environment could lead to loss of water from cells which the cell undergoes plasmolysis, which even could lead to the death of the cell [5]. Seed Germination is the process in which the plant emerges from a seed or spore and begins growth. Seed germination depends on both internal and external conditions. The most important external factors include water (required for vigorous metabolism), temperature, oxygen and light or even darkness. The structure of the seed consists of a seed coat, which is the covering of the seed, which protects it from any kind of injury, and also the entry of parasites and prevents it from drying. Within the seed theres an endosperm, which is a temporary food supply thats packed around the embryo in the form of cotyledons or even seed leaves. Plants are classed as monocots or dicots depending on the number of cotyledons. The seeds which Im going to use (rye, oats and barley seeds) are monocotyledons. [2] Several factors which prevent the germination of seed include: Over watering can prevent the plant to get enough oxygen Dry conditions can prevent germination, as the seed wont get enough moisture If the seed has very hard coat not enough oxygen and water will be able to get through it Soil temperature can also effect the germination process, regardless of whether its too high or too low [2] Monocotyledon is one of the two major groups of the flowering plants, well other being dicotyledons. Heres a table comparing the two major groups of the flowering plants: Feature Monocotyledon Dicotyledons Number of parts of each flower In threes In four or fives Number of pores in pollen One Two Number of Cotyledons (leaves in the seed) One Two Arrangement of Vascular Bundles In The Stem Scattered Concentric Circles Roots Adventitious Develop from Radical Arrangement of major leaf veins Parrell Reticulate [10] [1] The steps of seed germination: Seed absorbs water and the seed coat bursts. Theres an activation of enzymes, increase in respiration and plant cells get duplicated. A chain of chemical changes starts, which leads to the development of the plant embryo. Chemical energy stored in the form of starch is converted to sugar, which is used during the later stages of the germination process. Soon the plant embryo gets enlarged and the seed coat bursts open. Growing plant emerges out. Tip of root first emerges and helps to anchor the seed in place. Also allows the plant embryo to absorb minerals and water from the soil. If a monocotyledon plant, the primary root emerges from the seed and fruit and grows down. The primary plants primary leaf grows up. Its protected by a cylindrical, hollow structure called coleoptiles. Once the seedlings have grown above the soil surface, the growth of coleoptiles is stopped and its pierced by a primary leaf. [2]

Essay --

Holocaust Facts The Holocaust has many reasons to it. Some peoples’ questions are never answered about the Holocaust and some answers are. The Holocaust killed over 6 million Jews (Byers.p.10.) Over 1.5 million children (Byers, p.10.)They were all sent to concentration camps to do hard labor work. Jewish people weren’t the only ones sent to concentration camps. People such as people with disabilities, Homosexuals, Gypsies, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Communists, and Socialists (Byers.p.12). Everyone that was sent to concentration camps was sent via Train cars (www.historychannel.com). They had no food, water, or rest rooms up to 18 days. Many people died from the lack of food and water (Byers, p.15.). They children under 12 and elderly were sent to death camps because they were too weak or young too do the hard labor work so they were exterminated quickly (Byers, p.17.). Everybody at the camps were ordered to wear a certain colored star so they were easily spotted. The Holocaust went o n from 1939 to 1945. Throughout all those years it was BAD. The Holocaust started in 1939. In that time period the Germans and the Allied Forces were in war. When they were in war the Germans took all Jews (except the ones in hiding) to multiple concentration camps and death camps. When they were sent to concentration camps they were ordered to take off all their jewelry, gold teeth and clothes. They were provided with stripped pajamas with numbers on them so they can be recognized by their number and not by their names. They were also tattooed on their left forearm with the same number that was on their stripped pajamas. Everybody’s head had to get shaved BALD. After everybody got to get concentration camps they were forced to go into the hard labor imme... ... to be in order from which number they got. If one or two people were late they would have to wake up one hour EARLIER. They had to wake around 4-5 in the morning. So if they were late they would have to wake up way earlier than usual. If they would wake up early they would get no sleep, because they were done with the labor work at night. They would never get as much sleep as they should because the Germans didn’t care all they wanted was their work to get done. A few people survived the concentration camps. It was never promised they will see their family again. Most families were split up when they were taken away to the concentration camps. Some camps were split up by gender. They didn’t care if you were married or if you had kids. If you had kids under 12 years old you weren’t going to see them again because kids were automatically sent to death chambers.

HR manager interview Essay

1- What made you choose HR to be your career? Answer: I work well with people and I have great communication and organizational skills. I like to be treated as a valuable person that 2- Tell me about your company’s culture. Answer: The culture of the company is diverse as it is an equal employment opportunity employer. 3- What, according to you, are the qualities that an HR executive/manager must have? Answer: An HR executive must have leadership skills, excellent communication skills, good writing skills, and strong organizational skills. 4- What does your hiring process look like? Answer: We have a recruiting specialist that publishes job postings on multiple online sources, including various university websites, LinkedIn, Monster, etc. The recruiting specialist selects qualified applicants who are then called for an initial screening over the phone. The information from the phone screening is discussed with the manager. If the applicant possesses all the desired qualities, they are then called back for a face-to-face interview. The hiring committee consists of multiple individuals that vary based on the position (these individuals can include the benefits specialist, training specialist, HR business partner, etc). Each member interviews the applicant individually. The applicant is asked a series of questions. After the interview, the members of the hiring committee meet to discuss the applicant and make a final selection. 5- Do you have an HR system? If yes, what is it? Is it effective? Answer: We use a software system called Ceridian that tracks all employees, both active and terminated. Terminated employees are kept in the system for legality purposes. The system also tracks PTO hours, benefits, paychecks, etc. Employees can find all this information there. We also use a Learning Management System (LMS) called Saba. This is a training database that stores all the training the employees have completed. 6- Does your company do exit reviews? If yes, how do utilize the information? Answer: We do exit reviews in an effort to understand why the employee left. It is also an opportunity to transfer knowledge and experience before the employee leaves. 7- What type of performance assessment system do you use in your organization? Is it effective? Answer: 8- What methods do you use to ensure diversity within your organization? Answer: When we hire an employee, we use a targeted selection to collect job-related behavior. 9- What BDs (Business Developments) do you use to develop your staff? Is it effective? Answer: 10- How does pay/salary background helps with deciding the salary for a new applicant? Answer: Thank you for your time and efforts!

Ben and Jerry’s is still committed

It has come to our attention that you have noticed an inadequate amount of cookie and chocolate in one of our products that you have purchased. I would just like to inform you that we put hard work and long hours in making our products have the best quality. However, during the production process, there are times that the chunking equipment for nuts, chocolates and cookies would be inconsistent resulting to uneven ratios of ingredients put in the ice creams.In line with this, we will be forwarding your concern to the production department so that we can continue to satisfy the needs and wants of our customers and prevent these things from happening again. To compensate your dissatisfaction, we would gladly refund the cost of the one pint of ice cream that you have bought. We will be sending you a check via mail as soon as possible. You would most likely receive the payment within two weeks. Meanwhile, regarding your query about our dairy operations in Nevada, the management decided t o set up there in order to supply our products to ice cream eaters residing on the West Coast.Through this, we would be saving energy and money because there will be no more need to transport milk from coast to coast. Also, this is our way of helping the environment because this will help in reducing carbon emissions caused by gas-powered vehicles. Despite this strategic move, we still want to assure you that Ben and Jerry’s is still committed in practicing our rural values and displaying our Vermont roots through our products. On another note, we are happy to hear that you support our stand against the use of milk from cloned cows.More so, we appreciate that most of our customers express their viewpoints on critical issues such as this one where our food and health are at stake. We, at Ben Jerry’s, really do appreciate your inquiry regarding these matters. I hope that you will still continue to patronize our products because we will never cease to put our best in maki ng Ben and Jerry’s the ice cream brand that you can trust and enjoy! Sincerely, Alice Blachly Customer Affairs Coordinator/