Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that all organizations in today's business world function within an external environment and from the basis of an internal environment. The writer notes that the success of an organization is therefore dependent upon the effective integration of the internal with the external environment. The writer points out that the Palo Alto Fire Department is an example of an organization that has adjusted its internal environment to optimally serve its function in the public environment where it operates. One could therefore say that an organization's internal environment is its reaction to the external environment in which it performs its functions. The writer concludes that in terms of external physical hazards to employees, the Department follows the standard procedures of firefighting safety, while also updating and researching new techniques and technology on a regular basis.
Outline:
Palo Alto Fire Department
From the Paper "Emergency responses extend to incidents relating to major freeway emergencies, airports, major hospitals and medical centers, the university, and other structures normally found in and around an urban area. Annually, the duties of the Fire Department include responding to more or less 6,000 incidents on an annual basis. It is interesting to note that non-medical calls have not shown a significant increase, there has been a steady increase in medical response calls. This trend is expected to continue over the next few years."
"The structure of the Fire Department itself comprises seven full-time stations throughout the city. These are located strategically for optimal response to crises situations. When the fire danger in the hillside areas is high during the summer season, an additional fire station is operated in this area. Because of the sparse population here, this fire station closes during the winter, where there is not as much danger."
Abstract The paper documents the history of scientific instrument manufacturer, Varian Inc. from 1948 to 1998 and then from the split of the company in 1998 till the present. The paper discusses Varian as a world leader in the life sciences, the goals of the company, new products released and its three branches - Electronic, Scientific, and Vacuum.
From the Paper "Varian, Inc. is a world leader in providing key tools and technologies that enable advances in the life sciences and health care, semiconductor processing, communications, and a broad range of dynamic industries. Formerly a segment of the 50-year-old Varian Associates, Inc., Varian, Inc. became an independent company on April 2, 1999.
"The future goals are on expanding applications of its products into faster growing markets particularly life sciences and health care. The focus is on balancing their approach to applications and markets, while remaining flexible in adapting to the customer needs and economic shifts."
Abstract By recognizing the two-sided coin of discrimination for a law that was meant to keep the streets open, we have dual discrimination against possible people who might simply be waiting for a ride, or homeless. By understanding some of the details of this new law, we can see the problems that may arise from it.
Abstract Conventional robots have always been thought to be humanoid in form or as advanced computerized machines working on the shop floor. This has been so because the tasks given to the robot have been predefined and the terrain predictable and helpful. But in cases where both mission and geography are unknown, the ability to change in shape could be of very great value, since the robots could adapt to constantly changing tasks and systems. The paper shows that modular reconfigurable robots, made by interconnnecting multiple, simple and similar units, can perform such shape shifting. The paper describes how such types of high-utility robots are being developed in many research labs around the world, with one already in the experimental stage at Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) in California. It is postulated that systems of this kind would be useful for remote autonomous operations, particularly in hostile environments, such as under the sea, at a scene of natural disaster, and on other planets. This paper externalizes the development in design and technology of such modular robots and also highlights their various applications.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Development of Reconfigurable Robots
Three Types of Reconfigurable Robots
Programming Perplexities
Conclusion
From the Paper "Each module contains a Motorola PowerPC 555 embedded processor with 1 megabyte of external RAM. This is a relatively powerful processor to have on every module and its full processing power has not yet been utilized. The final goal of full autonomy may require the use of these processors and memory. Each module communicates over a local bus within chains of segments using the (controller area network) CANbus standard. The six sided nodes will have switching and routing capability to pass messages from segment chain to segment chain."
Abstract This paper briefly looks at the development of computers, focusing on the first types of computers. It describes how the computer started out as a simple counting tool with beads on a wire and traces its development to the present day machine with wire circuitry and color plasma-screen monitors.
From the Paper "The first computer, the abacus, was thought to have been invented by the Babylonians sometime between 1,000 B.C. and 500 B.C. Some pundits have the opinion that it was actually invented by the Chinese. This device called "the abacus is a simple arithmetic calculator with ten wires with 10 beads on each wire. Each bead represented a number one through ten. Each wire had consistent numbering" (Pullan). With this device you could simply add and subtract."
Abstract Bolivia as a nation, and more specifically, the Cochabamba Valley as a region, have had significant problems recently with the lack of access to safe water resources, exacerbated by the pervasiveness of abject poverty of both the country and the region. This paper shows that the privatization of water services has been implemented as a solution to this lack of access, but so far, these reforms have been anything but successful, especially according to the majority of Bolivians. The paper shows that the results of privatization have included extreme increases in water prices, little improvement in expansion of access and extensive political protest, some of which became violent. However, the paper explains that the alternative of re-nationalization, or returning ownership and control of water resources to the state, has both potential benefits and drawbacks of its own.
From the Paper "The policy of the privatization of Bolivia's water resources was implemented for many economic reasons, and was intended to improve upon the water industries already in place and under the ownership and control of the government. This issue has been characteristically unique from other types of privatization policies for one reason: the necessity of water for human beings to exist. Because of this universal human need for clean, drinkable water, many Bolivians claim that access to it is a right, rather than a privilege. Yet in the midst of a complete lack of alternative sources to safe water, some people will turn to possibly unsafe sources such as rainwater, lakes, and rivers. In the past, this has caused outbreaks of serious diseases such as cholera. In Bolivia, where the problem of poverty is extremely dire and millions of people cannot afford or obtain clean, safe water, the privatization of state-owned water companies has been the government's policy solution to the extreme lack of access to water."
This paper reviews the jazz collection of five works by Miles Davis on the CD "Kind of Blue" in which he is joined by legendary players on piano, drums, bass, alto and tenor saxophone.
910 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 0 sources, 2005, $ 32.95
Abstract This paper explains that the pieces in Miles Davis' jazz CD "Kind of Blue" are loosely composed, consisting of improvisation within a musical framework, which produces a feeling of freedom without the clutter of a larger ensemble. The author points out that, when the listener focuses on just hearing the music, he or she can discover the structure behind the melodies and appreciate each instrument and its player individually. The paper relates that the favorite piece on the CD is "Blue in Green", which is the most melodic piece in the collection; Bill Evans creates a lush and romantic mood and his playing invites the listener to put down whatever he is doing and just listen.
From the Paper "Bill Evans's piano solos gave a languid feeling with an unhurried, soft touch that was romantic and contemplative. Between the two saxophonists, I preferred the work of John Coltrane, who has a dusky sound that broadens as it gains volume. Cannonball Adderly's alto sax brought the energy level up and made me feel like getting up off the couch and moving around. I was struck by the contrast of these two players and, although alto and tenor saxes play in different registers, the difference in their sound is attributable to more than this. It is a matter of individual style and each musician's approach. This switch in mood makes the CD more interesting and eliminated any possibility of monotony or of boredom on the part of the listener."
Abstract This paper explains that President Ganzalo Sanchez de Lozada, who believed that building a $5 billion pipeline to export natural gas through Bolivia into the U.S and Mexico via a port in Chile would boost Bolivian economy, resigned after the massacre at El Alto when the people of Bolivia rebelled believing this plan would exploit their natural resources with little monetary return. The author points out that Bolivia's history is saturated with violence and political upheaval as they struggle to remain a viable state in which Bolivia's politics has been directly determined by their economic position as the poorest country in Latin America. The paper concludes that Lozada's ideals are commendable in that he wanted to liberate Bolivia socially and boost the economy, but, in a country where people face starvation daily, perhaps capitalism is the wrong solution because the Bolivian economy is not able to sustain a free market.
From the Paper "The Andean people suffered economically, while President Lozada and President Bush took credit for the progress in the war against drugs. However, consumed with terrorist threats and the war in Iraq, the Bush administration soon neglected the war on drugs and coca plant cultivation began to reemerge. Burning coca fields did little to end the abuse of cocaine in the United States. Instead, it has encouraged civil unrest and devastating poverty in Bolivia. In 1996, when the Bolivian government proposed a five-year plan to eliminate coca production, the number of patients admitted to the emergency room who were suffering from a drug overdose in the United States had risen. There seems to be little relationship between the amount of coca supply and the percentage of people using cocaine. But, as the coca fields were destroyed thousands of Bolivians faced starvation."
Abstract The paper looks at jazz history. In this article, the writer also looks at blues and gospel. In this paper, Basie, Ellington, Davis and Armstrong are also discussed. The writer examines the history of the development of the alto sax.
From the Paper "Charles Joseph Sax, a manufacturer of brass at woodwind musical instruments lived in Dinant, Belgium. King William I of the Lowlands appointed him the royal music instrument manufacturer and commissioned him to make the band instruments for the newly created army of his new kingdom. Sax's son Adolphe, picked up his father's proclivity for musical instruments and soon knew the structure of all kinds of brass and woodwind instruments. He invented the bass-clarinet ... "
Tags: Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, Ellington, Basie, style, innovation, jazz, fusion, saxaphone
Abstract This paper is a two-part discussion involving the interpersonal form of the communication experience. The first part of the paper deals with a theoretical and critical discussion involving the following statement by K. Miller: "Long-term relationships are often marked by tension, development, conflict and growth: processes mediated by communicative interaction within ongoing relationships". The second part of the paper concentrates on the statement by W. Fisher regarding storytelling as a basic human activity.
Outline:
Introduction
The Palo Alto Group
Important Concepts
Feedback
Equifinality
Logical Types
Rules
Dialectics
Push-Me-Pull-You Dialectics
Important Dialectical Concepts
Three Dialectics of Relationships
Connection Autonomy Dialectic
Certainty-Uncertainty Dialectic
Openness-Closeness Dialectic
Storytelling
Narrative Theory
Narrative Worldview
Narrative Rationality
South African Stories
Conclusion
From the Paper "According to Miller (2005), positive feedback is behaviour that allows for change to take place in the relative system, while negative feedback is behaviour that allows for consistency and therefore a lack of change in the system. This consistency of the status quo regarding the system was named 'homeostasis' by Jackson (1957). Neither positive nor negative feedback can be characterised as consistently good as the merit of the feedback depends on the individual case of the behaviour. This means that if the status quo of a family relationship were that of an abusive or violent nature, positive feedback to change the situation would be ideal. However, in another case, the status quo of a similar relationship in another family may be loving and nurturing, and therefore would benefit from negative, as opposed to positive feedback so as to preserve the status quo of that relationship."
Abstract The paper lists some of the key components found in those companies that have developed a culture of comprehensive entrepreneur support systems. The paper discusses two companies, SAS of Cary, North Carolina, and IDEO of Palo Alto, California, who foster the entrepreneurial spirit, while simultaneously operating with great efficiency, productivity and profitability. The paper therefore shows how creating an effective entrepreneur support system can generate huge benefits for business owners.
Outline:
Introduction
Examples
Conclusion
From the Paper "Porras & Collins, in their book Built to Last (2002), argue that attracting passionate, entrepreneurial-minded employees who possess values compatible with a company's vision, purpose and identity will generate a supportive culture for implementing the company's high-level strategy, and will help to retain those employees. Entrepreneurs are competitive, motivated and disciplined, and are therefore likely to fit well with companies that can successfully create a climate whereby individual rewards are given to those who meet the challenges that contribute to specific goals and objectives, while simultaneously providing for employees' personal needs. Doing so requires formulating the proper blend of cultural qualities that promote collaboration, within a framework of minimal control, and which recognizes competence and performance. (Economic Development America - 2005)."
