Abstract
The paper explains that whether a bank should accept or reject an infusion from the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) is largely a matter of models of self-interest and public policy. The paper discusses how most local community banks are in a position to use TARP to benefit local merchants, rebuild broken communities, and to establish a new model of CSR, three particularly noble goals in the current economic climate. The paper asserts that as such, local community banks should accept TARP funds. This paper expands upon the specific reasons for this recommendation.

From the Paper
"Whether a bank should accept or reject an infusion from the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) is largely a matter of models of self-interest and public policy. Most local community banks are in a position to use TARP to benefit local merchants, rebuild broken communities, and to establish a new model of CSR, three particularly noble goals in the current economic climate. As such, local community banks should accept TARP funds. This essay will expand upon the specific reasons for this recommendation."

Tags:tarp, csr, liquidity

Abstract
An argumentative paper about the negative effects of human cloning. The author discusses the moral, ethical and religious issues that he believes outweigh the medical advances of cloning. Included is an overview of what cloning is and how it could effect society in the future.

From the Paper
"Human cloning is a controversial topic, the public regards it as inappropriate, while the leaders of certain scientific communities believe it is a sound practice that could be researched and used to benefit society. Human cloning is a form of genetic engineering, which most people consider morally wrong and, "Playing God". Through cloning an individual, you create an exact physical duplicate of that person, however, memories, personality and opinions are not recreated, and so differences do exist. Many pros and cons can be found when looking at cloning in depth, but it is my opinion that overall, it is not a beneficial procedure. There are just too many ethical issues that outweigh medical advances and prolonging life spans. A race has been started between scientists, everyone wants to be the first to clone an adult human, however with hopes of personal glorification and publicity, they have lost sight of the moral and religious issues at hand. Human cloning means creating a breed of people that have no flaws or imperfections, and since perfection does not exist, the clone could be nothing but a disappointment."

Tags:clones, ethics, genetics, twins

Abstract
The paper discusses healthy and unhealthy self-esteem and how it is achieved in children, and points out that when a person has linked his entire self-worth to superficial accomplishments, there is the potential for serious emotional distress based upon external events that may be beyond the individual's control. The paper then explains how rational emotional behavior therapy helps people to develop more rational and realistic ways of thinking that leads to accepting themselves unconditionally. With a focus on the importance of unconditional self-acceptance, the paper outlines activities that can bolster a person's unconditional self-acceptance.

From the Paper
"Unconditional self-acceptance is a choice made by individuals either consciously or unconsciously to accept themselves just because they exists and not whether or not they perform well on a task or are approved of by others. To understand unconditional self-acceptance, one must first understand self-esteem. Most people are familiar with the term self-esteem. Often, it is used when describing why a child's behavior is managed in a particular way. For example, when a child misbehaves and the behavior is not corrected, parents may excuse themselves by saying that they do not want to harm the child's self-esteem or create a level of self-consciousness about their behavior. Low self-esteem is generally considered unhealthy, and is sometimes stated as the reason a person behaves in a particular way. Individuals with high self-esteem are supposedly less likely to abuse drugs, commit crimes, fail to benefit from education, have unwanted pregnancies, and behave in racially inappropriate, abusive, or violent ways. There is also some evidence that those with high self-esteem are less likely to be dependent on the state for their daily existence."

Tags:emotions, thinking, self-talk, behavior, rational, emotional, behavior, therapy

Abstract
This paper discusses research that reveals that academic success for children is strongly correlated with peer acceptance, friendship status, peer rejection, peer maltreatment, negative peer status, and the development of peer relationships. The writer sums up each of the five studies and points out its strengths and weaknesses. The writer explains how all five articles try to convey the fact that society needs to be more sensitive to social issues involving children that relate to peer acceptance since the level of peer acceptance for a child could potentially make or break the child's future chance for academic success.The writer concludes with recommendations for future research, such as a national standardized test, that would yield results that could be said to be typical of the entire country.

From the Paper
"The group of articles all presented the same general result: peer acceptance is correlated to academic achievement. The methods used seem to be either the precursor or follow-up to each of the other articles depending on the order in which you read them. The studies used similar methods in order to find a correlation. The first two of the five studies used one-on-one interviews to determine how much of a factor peer acceptance played into academic achievement. Both of these studies used point scales in order to get responses from the participants. The last two studies were longitudinal studies that wanted to know if peer acceptance affected academic achievement in the long run. Both of these studies used self-reports and teacher-reports to determine the degree of peer acceptance."

Tags:connectedness, variable, intervention, generalizable, questionnaire, dissatisfaction, self-concept, cross-sectional

Abstract
The paper analyzes how the technology acceptance model (TAM) model, that attempts to predict and explain the adoption and use of information systems, can be used to increase adoption of Web-based technologies and applications. The paper discusses how the TAM can be applied to enterprise-level collaboration systems, providing insights into how companies can take advantage of the lessons learned from this model to create effective social networks. The paper highlights how the TAM model emphasizes the need for applications to continually respond to the shifting needs and expectations of users. This paper contains figures.

Outline:
Introduction
Exploring the Technology Acceptance Model
The TAM Model in a Collaboratively Dependent Organization
Behavioral Intention Outcomes of the TAM Model with Social Networking Applications
Summary

From the Paper
"The originator of the TAM Model (Green, 1986) sought to explain how users of information systems determined their level of acceptance or rejection of the new systems and their processes by attempting to quantify two beliefs. The first is the perceived usefulness (PU) of the system, and the second, the perceived ease of use (PEOU) of the system (Davis, 1989). Between the initial development of the TAM Model by Green (1986) and the continued fine-tuning of the mode through the work of Davis (1989) the impact of extraneous variables was seen to be minimal on overall model reliability and validity. What emerges from this theoretical analysis of the basics of the TAM Model then is a focus on how expectations of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness impact the adoption of systems and the processes underlying them. One shortcoming of the model is that fact that it fails to take into account the systematic changes to a person's job at the process and procedure level, in other words, their daily routine. When routines change significantly, stress follows, and this often leads to resistance to change. The TAM Model has the advantage of being linear in structure and also seeking its own equilibrium between perceptions of usefulness and perceptions of ease of use (Davis, 1989) and is shown in Figure 1, The TAM Model."

Tags:expectations, users, social, networking

Abstract
The paper explores the universal themes of reconciliation and acceptance in three great works: Alice Walker's, "Everyday Use," Tillie Olsen's, "I Stand Here Ironing," and Amy Tan's, "Two Kinds". The paper shows how every story features a mother distancing herself from a daughter - with the predictable strains such an action always creates. However, the paper points out that in only one of the three works - Walker's "Everyday Use" - is there both reconciliation and acceptance.

From the Paper
"The following essay will explore the universal themes of reconciliation and acceptance in three great works: Alice Walker's, "Everyday Use," Tillie Olsen's, "I Stand Here ironing," and Amy Tan's, "Two Kinds". In the end, every story features a mother distancing herself from a daughter - with the predictable strains such an action always creates. However, in only one of the three works - Walker's "Everyday Use" - is there both reconciliation and acceptance. In the other two stories, a mother either is unable to reconnect with her daughter because she cannot let go of her..."

Tags:everyday, ironing, kinds

Abstract
The paper explains that employers are willing to provide some freedom in accepting gifts of nominal value, subject to the provisions, rules, and codes of the organization?s ethical policy. The author stresses that the practice of accepting gifts is an ethical issue because it involves a moral dimension. The paper relates that the refusal of a gift may cause embarrassment or offense to the donor and may ultimately affect relationships.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Employer Perception
Customer Perception
Stakeholder Perception
Employee Perception
Public Perception
Ethical Practices in Organizations
Ethical Codes for Public Sector Employees
Yardsticks for Decision
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Ballard Power Systems Inc. has evolved comprehensive guidelines on corporate governance, which covers code of ethics in the workplace. The conflict of interest policy does not permit employees to accept money or gifts from suppliers or customers, especially where such an act could influence or there are reasonable grounds to believe that such acts may influence Ballard's business relationships with such suppliers or customers. However, the company allows accepting gifts of nominal value of less that $50; it also permits employees to accept customary and proper social invitations, as long as there are no reciprocal obligations. Ballard urges employees to use their personal judgment and common sense when they are trying to decide whether or not to accept a gift. It also strictly prohibits employees from soliciting gifts, whether of nominal value or otherwise."

Tags:international, moral, refusal, guidelines, nominal

Abstract
This paper presents a personal narrative. It focuses on the writer's dreams and expectations with regards to being accepted into Florida State University (FSU). The paper describes the writer's hopes and goals with regard to a university degree and how his acceptance into FSU was the beginning of the fulfillment of those dreams and goals.

From the Paper
"I have learned that if you have a goal, passion and endurance will get you there. Being a student at FSU is a dream come true, one which I have accomplished through hard work and perseverance. My biggest hope, and at the same time, perhaps my most important challenge at this point in my life, is to finish university, get my degree, and do so having no regrets. Reflecting on the goals that I have set for myself, the values I have acquired and the qualities that I possess, I would say that passion is what triggers self-improvement and evolution. However, knowledge and dedication play equally important parts in becoming not only a college graduate, but also a well-respected professional. Not a day goes by without learning something; life is full of possibilities, and being successful - I think - is very much a matter of knowing which ones to pursue."

Tags:accomplishment, degree, study

Abstract
The paper examines Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye" where Morrison exposes and attacks all the people who disseminate the standards of social beauty and behavior that diminish Pecola Breedlove's sensitivities and contribute to her sad life. The paper discusses how Pecola's self-knowledge was fed only by her family and her social experiences that allowed her no place in either familial or social existence. The paper posits that Morrison has succeeded in embarking our society on its journey into self-acceptance by altering the perception of what is beautiful and socially acceptable.

From the Paper
"The universe wants to remain chaotic. It is chemically natural for organic molecules and inanimate objects to resist any type of order. Think of the miles of wire behind your computer that tangle endlessly while you are away, or the complete disorder that a stack of books piled on the back seat of a car becomes when they reach their destination. Chemists have proven this phenomenon, called entropy, repeatedly in controlled experiments where organized molecules in a small closed system become chaotic and disordered without any outside interference."

Tags:self-esteem, self-knowledge

Abstract
This paper is on the topic of acceptable use policies of schools and libraries. The paper states what an AUP is, what should be stated in them, and how important they are.