Stanford Essays - Lego, Toy Block, , Term Papers

Stanford Essay for Stanford As the beast ran rampant through the streets, I couldn't help but wonder if my work had been for naught. Trying to salvage any remains, I chased my dog from the room and stared at the havoc left in his wake. The city lay in ruins; the buildings were razed. The prospect of beginning from scratch was ponderous, but I instantly welcomed the challenge. With patience and determination, I began returning the small plastic bricks into their former glory; and then greater glory. Block by block I rebuilt my cities and block by block they built me. From these Legos I learned valuable lessons in versatility, creativity, and tenacity. The sheer vastness of possibilities that Legos present is both intimidating and exhilarating. The colorful blocks lay strewn about in no particular pattern and no particular order. From this chaos virtually anything can be created. As a child I gradually learned not to be intimidated by the endless possibilities but to embrace them, to relish the opportunity to create something from nothing. A preschool teacher recommended holding me back one year. Because I preferred the challenge of Legos to running about with the other children on the playground, she believed that I was socially and psychologically unprepared for school. Little did she realize that the creativity these blocks taught me became a cornerstone for the rest of my life. The seemingly insurmountable challenges gave me confidence and taught me to value cooperation. Watching my Lego edifices grow slowly but surely skyward taught me patience. Watching them fall again taught me the tenacity to continue onwards. Remembering how each task was created piece by piece allowed me to, line by line, memorize the works of history's greatest playwrights. I was able to join MEChA and help lead the Latino community as co-president, arranging events with our two hundred members. My organizational skills were further utilized as the commissioner of elections. Legos also taught me to help others and to ask for their help. I realized that with the creativity another person at my disposal, we could build things we had never even dreamed of on our own. During my senior year of High School I was introduced to crew. I was enthralled by the rhythmic grace of the sport. My dreams soon had me breathing the early morning air nearly flying over the surface of the water. This dream seemed destined to die unfulfilled because I grew up in a part of the country where crew refers to the roadside construction teams, but before the year was out I had convinced one of the Olympic coaches to take me under his wing. This interest is one I would like to develop further. As the years went by, my Lego blocks made way for the blocks of my future. But just like my experiences with Legos, I continue to choose individual blocks from chaos, each one bringing me closer to the life I dream of. The spires lead up to a diploma, the drawbridge leads to a family, and the buttresses support my lofty aspirations.

The slang debate - Emphasis

The slang debate The slang debate When actress Emma Thompson warned teenagers against using slang on a recent visit to her former school, she probably didnt expect to spark a debate. But spark one she did. It was, apparently, the likes, innits? and it aints she heard bouncing around the Camden School for Girls, Thompsons alma mater, which drove her insane. She told the students: Dont do it because it makes you sound stupid and youre not stupid. Youre missing the point, the opposing side promptly retorted. The kids are all right. Its the moaning adults attitudes that need to change. Complaints about the standard of English [] have gone on for hundreds of years, points out Raphael Salkie, a professor of language studies at the University of Brighton. There never was a golden age when everyone used English properly. And, while Salkie admits Thompson and her critiquing ilk are in highly esteemed company John Milton, Jonathan Swift and George Orwell to name a few they are merely middle-aged grumps who are wallowing in nostalgia. But they are, he says, pining for a time that never really existed. Yet even taking this into account, another of Thompsons points bears repeating one on the importance of understanding the context in which you speak: There is a necessity to have two languages one you use with your mates and the other that you need in any official capacity. Well, thats a different point entirely, isnt it? Not just slashing a big red line through any and all slang, but knowing when to use a different language. And thats something we all do every day. Its unlikely you use the exact same vocabulary at home as you do in a board meeting, or when out on the town. To many, the word slang might have only negative connotations. But David Crystal, former professor of linguistics at the University of Reading, merely defines it as, informal, non-standard vocabulary, or the jargon of a special group. So slang is not just a way for younguns to separate themselves from their elders; its also a way for them to show unity with their peers. And, of course, it can do this for any age or even any class. Problems could perhaps arise if the speaker couldnt understand the line between social contexts and the vocabularies that should accompany different situations. Interestingly, a study by the Cambridge Assessment Group in 2005 found that GCSE pupils literacy was dramatically higher than it had been ten years before, despite the fact that they used more slang. Students used a wider vocabulary, more accurate punctuation and more complex sentences; but they also used more colloquialisms, text message symbols and non-standard English, like double negatives. This was the case even among those receiving the highest grades. Of course, the perception in the world beyond the classroom is often that using non-standard English is sloppy and a sign of poor literacy. While a teacher may award a high grade in spite of the use of slang and suchlike, it is likely someone using similar language in the workplace would do less well. Potential employers probably wouldnt read beyond the first gr8 in a CV, and the rest of the content however impressive would be lost. Cambridge Assessment Group ran another study on teenagers ability to recognise non-standard English in 2010. It found that although GCSE pupils rates of identifying and correcting non-standard English were quite high, fewer than six in ten of them recognised that off of and she was stood were grammatically incorrect. Perhaps more worryingly, almost three in ten didnt flag up should of. But do we expect this to be something theyll grow out of? Or should we bring back more rigidly taught grammar lessons in school? The great slang debate may never go away perhaps because it is endlessly recycled: yesterdays teens could well be tomorrows curmudgeons. Or, is this in fact more than middle-aged moaning? What do you think?

Voting Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Voting - Assignment Example Michigan as a state has 16 electoral votes, which are highly influential during the process of electing the next president. As a rule, the 16 electoral votes from Michigan will go to the presidential candidate who has won the majority rule. Majority rule at times is usually overlooked when electoral votes are considered. When analyzing the 1876 election, electoral votes proved to be powerful than the majority rule. Nebraska as a state has 5 electoral votes; the majority rule will determine the presidential winner (McCaffrey, 2004). In 1876, the presidential election in the United States was tightly contested, and it resulted in a lot of controversy. The presidential race was between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel J. Tilden. Hayes was a republican candidate from Ohio, while Tilden was a democratic from New York. Although, Hayes was pronounced as the president, a lot of questions were raised. The results showed that, Tilden had a popular vote of 4.2 million, against Hayes’s 4.0 million. However, regarding electoral votes, Hayes had 185 electoral votes, a difference of 1 from Tilden who had 184 electoral votes (McCaffrey, 2004). The 1968 presidential election, tightly contested by top candidates Richard Nixon a republican, Hubert H. Humphrey a democrat, and George Wallace from the American Independent party, ultimately resulted in Nixon winning. The popular vote results were Nixon’s approximately 31,700,000 votes, Humphrey’s approximately 31,200,000 votes and Wallace’s approximately 9,900,000 votes. The electoral vote results were Nixon 301, Humphrey 191 and Wallace 46. The election was a plurality because the presidential winner, Nixon, only attained 43.4%, which was less than the required majority vote of more than 51%. The other candidates, Humphrey, and Wallace had 42.7% and 13.5% respectively (McCaffrey, 2004). The 1824 presidential election, contested

Mismatch Repair Genes and Cancer Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Mismatch Repair Genes and Cancer - Essay Example The study attempted to screen for two major types of mutations. One type of mutation that was tested for was the loss of heterozygosity, which is a type of mutation that generates a change in the type of genetic transmission of cells. The other type of mutation that was screened in the study was microsatellite instability. This mutation is usually observed in long sequences that were composed of repeating segments. These two types of mutations were considered to be important in determining whether a certain gene does influence the development of cancer. The study was conducted in a Portugese hospital, wherein approximately 287 patient subjects participants. These patients were already diagnosed to have breast cancer. In addition, there were 547 individuals who also participated in the study as controls, or individuals who were pre-determined to be normal and healthy. The study wanted to estimate the chances of developing breast cancer based on the presence and number of mutations in the MMR genes that were studied. The MMR genes tested in the investigation included the mismatch repair genes of the MSH family, as well as that of the MLH family. The PMS1 and MUTYH were also other genes that belonged to the MMR class of repair genes.

Hacker Culture and Cyber Security Issues Assignment

Hacker Culture and Cyber Security Issues - Assignment Example Black hat hackers are the most daring because they use their knowledge to obtain information and data for their own personal gains or with the intention of disrupting network systems. These are the hackers that have given hacker culture a bad reputation in America because they have been involved in activities of getting military secrets and accessing banks secret information. On the other hand, white hat hackers use their knowledge and skills to develop computer securities while grey hat hackers are mainly motivated by money. In this new era of digital, cyber crime is the most imperative type of crime that worries many people around the world. Government agencies, financial institutions, businesses and other entities that store their data and information in digitals should be aware of possible breaches of security in their data. This is because very sensitive data such as financial accounts and social security can be accessed and manipulated by other people with wrong intentions. The se people commonly referred as hackers use their outstanding knowledge to find out weaknesses in computer networks. Multitude of reasons such as challenge, profit and protest is what motivates them to cracking into other people’s computer system to get information. ... In addition, the advancing technology has increased international treaty of crimes committed through computer networks and internets (Fideral Bereau of Investigation, 2010). Some of the crimes that take place in the internet are computer related fraud, violation of internet security, child pornography and information hacking. Although many people do not know much about hackers, they are aware of the cruel damage they can accomplish in computer networks. This is because they have the capability of circumventing security to get into the unauthorized systems. Today’s cyber world has been facilitated by different hacker cultures which are made of both good and bad hackers. Accessing information and data from network systems and selling in the black market has become a way of life for many hackers in the nation. They have reshaped their own place in the current technological societies by robotic lifestyle (Seltzer Law, 2012). Hacker culture, which was considered as part of undergro und activity, is now part of the modern societies that consist of very educated criminals. This is because nowadays due to growth of technology at an alarming rate, societies are getting accustomed to hackers’ threats. This has created security concerns for businesses, public institutions and individuals across the world. Although the government is making positive steps to deter cyber crimes, it is unable to keep the pace of groups and individual hackers (Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2011). The pledge of computer system hacking was first developed by students from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1800s. They created a blueprint that facilitated their skills to break through telephone companies. These skills were then developed and allowed the students to break into

What Works in Preventing Modern Slavery

What Works in Preventing Modern Slavery This essay focuses on Modern Slavery which covers human trafficking, slavery, forced labour and domestic slavery. It will concentrate on forced labour within the Modern Slavery Act 2015. It will outline what force labour means, review statistics that evidence the extent of the problem, and then make some recommendations to stop forced labour. According to International Labour Organisation (ILO) (2017) forced labour refers to the act of coercing or deceiving someone into working against their will. Victims of forced labour are often controlled by their ‘employers’ through various means such as threats, physical harm, confiscation of identity documents and the withholding of wages. Indirect force may be used such as retaining the documentation of the foreign nations to prevent them from returning to their native country. They go on to say that forced labour and human trafficking are modern forms of slavery and require attention. They are not identical within the legal system. Most situations of slavery and human trafficking are covered by their definition of forced labour. Children.gov.on.ca commented in a ‘Review of the Roots of Youth Violence’ paper that rational choice theory is based on the original opinions of classical criminology, which enables people to freely choose their behaviour and is motivated by the avoidance of pain and to search for pleasure. In terms of offending, rational choice suggests that offenders weigh the potential benefits and consequences associated with committing an offence. Rational choice focuses on the opportunity to commit crime and on how criminal choices are structured by the social environment and situational variables. The ILO reported in 2017, that there is an estimation of 40.3 million people in modern slavery. This includes 24.9 million in forced labour and 15.4 million who are in forced marriages. This means there are 5.4 victims of modern slavery to 1,000 people in the world. Roughly 10 million children are victims of modern slavery. Of the 24.9 million people who are trapped in forced labour, 16 million people are exploited as domestic work, construction or agriculture by the private sector, 4.8 million people are exploited within the sex world and 4 million people are forced labour by the state authorities. Below the charts in figure 1 and figure 2 shows the ILO’s Global estimates of modern slavery: including forced labour and forced marriage. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 protects people held for slavery or servitude and if they are forced into it or compulsory labour beyond their will. Also, human trafficking is covered by The Act, by making it an offence if anyone arranges and enables another person to travel, who is going to be exploited. This person can be either an adult or child. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 consolidates existing offences of human trafficking and slavery and encompasses trafficking for all forms of exploitation. This Act replaces offences of human trafficking arising under section 59A Sexual Offences Act 2003 and section 4 Asylum and Immigration Act 2004. The Act also replaces the offence of holding another person in slavery or servitude or requiring another person to perform forced or compulsory labour arising under section 71 Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (cps.gov.uk). This consolidation of existing regulations into a single statue is an important development in the UK because hopefully to improve the conviction rates current criminal offences in relation to slavery and trafficking and by increasing the maximum penalty to deter potential offenders. Tilley (2009) notes the general value of specific deterrence within a Direct Criminal Justice System (CJS) Approach points out that offenders are deterred from committing future crimes by the unpleasantness of punishment, by having harsher penalties and these seeing others being punished and will other individuals from committing crimes. The Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Strategic Plan 2015–2017, was produced by the government in line with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The Strategic Plan acknowledges the scale of the problem of modern slavery and makes practical recommendations to try to address the issues. Within the document the Home Office estimates in UK that there were between 10,000 – 13,000 potential victims of modern slavery in 2014. There is some improvement to identify possible victims, so they can be removed from exploitation and protect them from further harm and enable them to receive the right help they need. Those victims often suffer from varied physical and psychological health issues. Some are classed as serious problems from the direct results of exploitation they may have suffered. It is important to make the victims feel safe and secure and protect them from harm by getting them the support and care once they are removed from those who have been exploiting them. This is so they can be empowered to increase their long-term healing, strength, and regain into inclusive society and to rebuild their lives. The way forward for this to be achieved is to work with the Home Office, border control and health agencies across UK. Appropriate awareness raising, and training should be put in place and promoted regularly. They also need to regularly review the associated material is fit for purpose about helping the potential victims to access appropriate support and assistance. More work is necessary within the immigration, border control, trading standards, police, courts and prosecution. Additionally, training is required to highlight the potential signs of victims whether they are UK citizens or foreign citizens. If police and the community should be vigilant and aware that a property has barred windows or curtains are permanently drawn, this may be because victims of modern slavery are possibly being held there. This is done to prevent them from climbing out. Other indications could be if the letterbox sealed up, so it cannot be used and is there any sign of electricity attached to neighbouring properties or directly from power lines. If businesses are using people for forced labour then they may be wearing inappropriate clothing required for the job, have poor hygiene, be fearful or unwilling to engage with the public or other colleagues. The report outlines that modern slavery in the UK is a high profit and low risk crime. The reason for modern slavery is a high profit and low risk crime because human trafficking is one of the fastest growing criminal enterprises. Criminal organizations are increasingly attracted to human trafficking because, unlike drugs, humans can be sold repeatedly. Human trafficking not only involves sex and labour, but people are also trafficked for organ harvesting. So criminal organisations can distance themselves easily from the victims by selling them on regularly. In 2014 the Home Office estimated that approximately 11,500 potential victims of modern slavery across UK. They also report there were just 2,340 potential victims reported to the National Referral Mechanism. The National Referral Mechanism  (NRM) is a framework for identifying victims of human trafficking or modern slavery and ensuring they receive the appropriate support. Very few modern slavery crimes come the attention of the police and criminal justice agencies and even fewer offenders are caught and convicted. The report estimates that 187 prosecutions involving human trafficking offences were flagged up by the Crown Prosecution Service in 2014-15 and 130 of those cases resulted in a successful conviction. However, data from Ministry of Justice showed only 39 convictions in 2014 from slavery and human trafficking offences as a principal offence. The discrepancy arguably indicates that the Crown Prosecution Service and Ministry of Justice are not working together effectively. The anti-slavery organisation highlights how the UK can challenge modern slavery. They state there are three areas to focus on. Firstly, in policing. Although modern slavery has become more visual it has been rising considerably over the past few years. Some cases are still turned away by the police because they are not believed, and those who has been forced into crime have been treated as criminals. Secondly, is identification. The referral system in use often only looks at victims of forced labour through their immigration status. This means people from outside the European Union are up to four times less likely to be recognised as victims of trafficking and are often deported rather than protected. Also, visa rules also prevent overseas  domestic workers from leaving abusive employers and seeking out new ones. This often leads them to suffer abuse in silence. Lastly, is protection. Protection and support for victims of trafficking is inconsistent, especially after all the gover nment cuts and cost-efficiency savings. The victims of forced labour who have survived and been rescued, have been in a safe house to recover but that is only for a limited time and they do not get long-term support even if they need it, so they can fully recover and get their lives back on track. They also state that the protection of children is also of great concern. A Child Guardianship scheme has been included in the Modern Slavery Act, but the full implementation of it is not scheduled until mid-2019. To help to prevent and reduce modern slavery, it would help to have a multi-agency team, which should include the police, health and social services, local authority, immigration, border control and trading standards. This is to be able to prevent other crimes committed within the modern slavery (forced labour) and crimes being committed by the victims of forced labour when trying to escape captivity. Organisations like health and social services, local authority, housing departments, voluntary organisations are available to support the police with supporting victims of modern slavery. Some voluntary organisations which are available includes refuge, shelter, NSPCC, Women’s Aid and translation organisations. These agencies can help victims to trust authorities that they are there to help and will not deport them back to their original country. Deportation will not be done for up to 90 days as the victims have access to ‘move-on’ support, such as ongoing accommodation, counselling, expert advice and advocacy before the final decision is made (Newton, gov.uk). They can then hopefully set up a peer group to be able to support others with their experiences with agreement to have a councillor on hand if people need to talk through things as and when needed. Other recommendations that possibly need to be in place are to have more border agency staff at ports and air ports to be able to check all vehicles arriving to stop illegal immigrants being brought in against their will or have paid the drivers to do so for a better life. More checks are needed on foreign national coming in with little money to support themselves. To disrupt criminal activity Tilley (2009) says there should be intelligence led policing to monitor and trace criminal organisations, and learn more about the offenders’ behaviour patterns. Also, when taken to court those drivers caught should be imposed with more severe fines because the fines are only  £2,000 per migrant (express, 2017). For people who employ illegal immigrants’ penalties should be more severe than they are. At the present the sentences are imprisonment for 5 years and pay a fine of up to  £20,000 for each illegal worker (gov.uk). Lastly, it is recommended that literature is published and advertised in different languages to help people what they need to do if they are victims or know someone who is possibly a victim of modern slavery (forced labour). In conclusion this essay focused on modern slavery and mainly forced labour. It has highlighted that people are still victims of modern slavery (forced labour) since the Modern Slavery Act 2015 came into force. Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the Strategic plan are positive steps, but more is needed to be done to address modern slavery, given the extent and complexity of the issue. For example, importantly more public awareness need to be advertised to know what modern slavery and forced labour is about and what signs to look out for and how to report their fears. Also, the sentencing for people convicted needs to be more severe, and more convictions are needed to highlight the crime and raise awareness for the public and make them aware something to there to prevent it. References Adu, A. 2017.  Lorry drivers receive record number of fines for bringing illegal immigrants into Britain.  Available: www.express.co.uk/news/uk/821265/migrant-crisis-lorry-drivers-fined-immigrants-sneak-UK-vehicles. Last accessed 26 November 2017. antislavery. 2017.  What is modern slavery?  Available: https://www.antislavery.org/slavery-today/modern-slavery/. Last accessed 4 December 2017. CPS. 2017.  Human Trafficking, Smuggling and Slavery.  Available: http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/h_to_k/human_trafficking_and_smuggling/. Last accessed 19 December 2017. gov.uk. 2016.  Penalties for employing illegal workers.  Available: https://www.gov.uk/penalties-for-employing-illegal-workers. Last accessed 26 November 2017 Hyland, K. 2015.  Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Strategic Plan 2015–2017.  Available: http://www.antislaverycommissioner.co.uk/media/1075/iasc_strategicplan_2015.pdf. Last accessed 29 November 2017. Hyland, K. 2017.  Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner: Annual Report 2016 2017.  Available: http://www.antislaverycommissioner.co.uk/media/1164/iasc_annual-report-16-17-web.pdf. Last accessed 4 December 2017. International Labour Organisation and Walk Free Foundation. 2017.  Global estimates of modern slavery: forced labour and forced marriage.  Available: http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/@dgreports/@dcomm/documents/publication/wcms_575479.pdf. Last accessed 16 December 2017. International Labour Organization (ILO). 2014.  The meanings of Forced Labour.  Available: http://www.ilo.org/global/topics/forced-labour/news/WCMS_237569/langen/index.htm. Last accessed 2 December 2017. Myers, N. 2016.  Review of the Roots of Youth Violence: Literature Reviews Volume 5, Chapter 3:  Available: http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/professionals/oyap/roots/volume5/chapter03_rational_choice.aspx. Last accessed 6 January 2018. Newton, S. 2016.  Modern slavery victims to receive longer period of. Available: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/modern-slavery-victims-to-receive-longer-period-of-support. Last accessed 28 December 2017 The Modern Slavery Act 2015

Mother Teresa :: essays research papers

Matt Miller   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   3-15-00 Mr. Thorp Morality Per. A Mother Teresa   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Mother Teresa was a powerful woman with her missions and countless acts of mercy. Powerful leaders in our world today should learn from Mother Teresa and her countless acts of mercy, which she performed. Often men and women in powerful positions misuse their strengths simply for their own personal benefit. Mother Teresa is a perfect example of a modern day saint. Through her love and guidance of Jesus Christ, Mother Teresa proves to be savior. Now if you compare Mother Teresa to some of today’s wealthy politics and the way they conduct themselves, you will see a great contrast between to two. Mother Teresa does not work out of the intent to profit but instead out of her love to help others, like no other women our society has seen.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Mother Teresa used her power of love from God to help those in desperate need. Mother Teresa didn’t get paid for anything she did nor would she except money from organizations or donations. It was not like Mother Teresa had an overwhelming amount of money but she was simply a person who devoted her entire life to serving others and helping those in need. Many people may not have noticed it, but all Mother Teresa had to do was touch a person and that was almost enough. She helped thousands of people in poor countries with ailing diseases, but most importantly see touched the souls of common men. She made even the rich and selfish take a deep look into their lives, which brought out the best in everyone. When one person can captivate the world as she could, it makes you realize how very important she really was. It was not always what she did, but rather how she conducted herself while doing it. For all the many deeds she did, she never once asked for anythin g in return. Most leaders today are very selfish and are only contributing to society when they feel it looks good for their image.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Leaders such as Mother Teresa should be highly respected for their accomplishments. It is people like Mother Teresa who give us all a new meaning to life. She truly proved that one person can really make a difference in the lives of millions. Mother Teresa set examples for future generations to continue her work. This shows how much of an impact she truly had.