Abstract The mechanical clock is one of the most common technologies in the Western world. The fact that the mechanical clock is so common means that many people have a difficult time believing that there have been periods of time in which the mechanical clock did not exist. In this bibliographic essay the origins of the mechanical clock are examined. The paper demonstrates that the mechanical clock did not simply spring into existence as a result of a single innovation. Instead the mechanical clock resulted from a number of technological and social developments.
Abstract This essay discusses how mechanical reproduction has resulted in the retreat from reality. The techno-formulation of reality, which is the mechanical reproduction of images, has served to change human perception. The problem of prime time television serves as an example of this reality, since it fosters graphic incoherence.
Abstract This paper explains that the author was presented with the problem of improving upon an already tried and true design, the mechanical pencil. The author describes both the form and function of his mechanical pencil design, which has been modified to include small LED lights at the tip of the pencil. The paper relates that this design was chosen to accommodate writers who are required to write or take notes in less than ideal lighting conditions, such as film reviewers or students. The paper includes three design sketches.
From the Paper "The purpose of this paper is to describe the form and function of a mechanical pencil design that the author devised when presented with the problem of how to improve upon an already tried and true design. After all, the pencil has been around for a long time, even the mechanical pencil. It is unlikely that any major plausible modifications that could be made haven't already been attempted or are already in existence. Nonetheless, it was my intention to make a design modification to the existing basic mechanical pencil in order to counter what this author perceived to be a major oversight with the design of the mechanical pencil. Too often, writers are faced with doing work in low-level light conditions, such as in darkened auditoriums during a presentation or during a film on which a reviewer might wish to take notes."
Abstract This paper shows that one of the main concerns in Chemical Mechanical Planarization processing is the material removal rate (MRR). The paper also critically reviews the existing MRR models of CMP and compares the assumptions, application aspects and limitations of the two groups? models.
From the Paper "Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) is the process of surface smoothing and planing by a combination of mechanical action and chemical dissolution. This process is achieved by rubbing a work piece against a polishing pad under load in the presence of chemically active slurry containing an abrasive. CMP is one of the most effective planarization technologies for achieving smaller feature size for the integrated circuit (IC) industry. "
Abstract This study defines and describes the payment mechanism of the letter of credit, its usage and importance in international financing, as well as the contribution of this financial tool to the risk reduction in commercial and non-commercial transactions. This paper is concluded by the ending thoughts of the author regarding the above mentioned topic.
Outline:
Definition of the Term Letter of Credit
Importance in International Transactions
Letter of Credit Reduces Risk in Commercial Transactions
From the Paper "The letter of credit is used by many commercial players in the world market, especially for the individual advantages and benefits it brings. From the seller's point of view, the letter of credit promotes certainty that all the conditions mentioned in the import-export contract are integrally observed, within the established period and the amounts stipulated in the documentation. The Seller may also offer the buyer a supplier credit, having a specific financing method: the submitted documentation is discounted under the particular export letter of credit - in this way, the payment will be made by the payer's bank soon after the date of the shipment, and not on maturity like in the usual case. In case the exporter is an intermediary among an international transaction, it can transfer the letter of credit to other subcontractors, or can cede the encashment resulted from this particular payment instrument. The importer has the certainty that the payment is realized only if the shipment of merchandise is performed only in the stipulated conditions, as these conditions must be demonstrated using the documents submitted by the exporter."
Abstract This paper discusses how group dynamics are central to the effective functioning of the work group. It shows how by understanding the group processes which affect people's roles in their place of work, is an understanding of the three major aspects of groups: managing conflict, communication and trust linked with social interdependence. It reviews these three concepts in turn and shows how although some groups struggle with a new structure, the future lies in achieving good communication, managing conflicts (including the hidden agenda) and developing healthy relationships, which will lead to trust and social interdependence. The success of a group rests not only with these but also with the group members as individuals and their ability to achieve a fuller harmony and healthy balance on the physical, psychological, spiritual and social level.
From the Paper "A conflict situation within groups can be seen as an opportunity to grow, however it can also contain risks to the healthy state of a group. It is not the presence of conflicts but the way they are managed, which determines whether they are a positive or a negative force within a group (Johnson & Johnson, 2000, p.381). Martin Luther King postulated in 1964 (and the sentiment applies to small groups as much as large): "Mankind [sic] must evolve for all human conflict a method, which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love". Many groups spend considerable time trying to reach agreement which "satisfies our needs and meets our goals" (Johnson & Johnson, 2000, p.383). Conflicts arise in groups over the relevance of agenda. One group member may comment that he/ she is not interested in a specific program being organized by someone else."
Abstract This paper provides a group assessment on two key variables, which are the ability of each group member to communicate and share information and their ability to achieve each individual assigned task. The author points out that data on the group's dynamics will be evaluated in terms of these variables. The paper relates that the results of this evaluation will be addressed and recommendations will be made regarding the group and its effectiveness.
From the Paper "Group settings offer participants a number of challenges in order to facilitate success. Unfortunately, many groups are thrown together for a given purpose without consideration of the contributions that each member may bring to the setting, as well as the possibility that there may be problems with communication or in sharing the workload. A group assessment was conducted with regards to two distinct variables, including the ease in communication amongst group members and the delegation of task assignments that were successfully accomplished by each member. These variables were evaluated in greater to determine the effectiveness of the group dynamic as a whole, and the following discussion will identify the assessment process as a whole."
Abstract This paper first defines mechanics, a branch of study that deals with the influence of forces acting on bodies and dynamic responses of bodies to the imposition of those forces, and then lists the three different subdivision of mechanics. Included in this subdivision is dynamics, which the paper also explains and describes as it relates to the study of mechanics.
From the Paper "Life without motion is better explained as death. A living being is said to be having life only when the walls of the heart engage in pumping the blood, when the blood circulates through the entire body, when nerves impulse electrically from brain to toe, lungs move to bring oxygen, food transports through the stomach and intestines, when the iris expands and contracts, when the eyeball rotates, etc. Not only in the living beings, the riddles of the non-living items like recoiling of a fired gun, acceleration of an automobile, action of a spinning top, the motion of a space rocket can also be broken down in terms of the analysis of motion."
Abstract The importance of DNA repair mechanisms and the fascinating enzymes involved within them have been underestimated. Without these repair proteins, our DNA would be fatally mutated at such a frequency to extinguish life as we know it. This paper reviews a piece of current research on the proteins that allow repair to occur. Some novel details about the flexibility and dynamics of several proteins are revealed through 3-D imaging of the proteins. The regulation of these proteins is also postulated in light of the data collected.
From the Paper "Replication protein A (RPA) is a nuclear single stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding protein in eukaryotes and is essential to DNA replication, recombination and repair. With all the cell division going on in a developing embryo, the chance of deleterious mutation goes up for certain and thus there is a greater need for a functioning DNA repair mechanism. There is definitely a lot of replication and transcription of DNA going on during early post-fertilization growth and mitotic divisions that need to be conserved. Also important is the all-important preservation of gametogenesis during the first week of development. Without means to repair all the statistically inevitable mistakes during mitosis and meiosis, none of us would have the functional gametes to pass on viable DNA to future generations. The repair protein mechanisms and the role RPA plays to lower the activation energy of the reactions makes sense to be selected for in order for our "selfish genes" to continue to thrive. RPA was known prior to this study and so was something about it's role in excision repair, but what was not known was the specific tertiary and quaternary structure of the subunits and active sites in the enzyme that allowed for the observed activity."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that anorexia nervosa is a mental disorder that is considered to be one of the most deadly among all psychiatric disorders and is one of the most costly to treat. In reviewing the literature, the writer points out that there are various hypotheses relating to a variety of both environmental and biological causes, but very few that bring together the various elements that seem to consistently be found in this mental disorder. The writer examines the various proposed causes that have been set forth and studied to date in the literature but maintains that, because studies in this field are correlational and usually only look at one possible factor at a time, it is difficult to determine whether this mental disorder has multiple causal mechanisms. The writer discusses that, if consistent patterns can be identified in relation to the development of this mental illness, it may be possible to identify children who are at risk of developing anorexia, successfully treat those who have it, and reverse the trend and, thus, save the lives of many people.
Outline:
The Definition of Anorexia Nervosa
Currently Published Prevalence Rates
Hereditability and Comorbidity
The Effects of the Thin Ideal and the Media
Anorexia with Athletes
Proposed Biological Causes
Personality Correlates of Anorexics
Attachment Patterns and the Development of Anorexia
Parental Dynamics Involved in the Development of Anorexia
Conclusion
From the Paper "What is unclear is whether the onset of the comorbid anxiety disorder causes and/or contributes to the onset of the anorexia or vice versa.
"As an aside, facts that are somewhat related to heritability have been consistently found in the behavior of mothers toward their infant daughters who eventually become anorexic. It is unclear whether these patterns of behavior are causally related to the development of anorexia or not, but it should be noted that there are circumstances that may be considered risk factors and should be taken into account when predicting outcomes.
"For example, anorexics are said to have mothers who relied on scheduled feeding patterns when they were babies and introduced solids prematurely into their child's diet."
Abstract In this article, the writer covers four mechanisms of control used by Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and how these mechanisms reinforce desired behavior at the division President level. The writer examines the positive and negative aspects of these control mechanisms and explains how these control mechanisms impact the organization in its four key functions, which are planning, organizing, leading and controlling. The writer concludes that J&J joins a few other Fortune 100 companies in being able to encourage strong financial and ethical performance while continuing to grow and strengthen.
From the Paper "As demonstrated above, J&J allows a great deal of operating freedom to its division Presidents. It is similar to the best practices in industry, such as those at Baxter, Abbott and GE, in identifying and encouraging managers to develop. J&J states that one of the advantages of its independent division structure is its ability to give a lot of responsibility to top operating managers quickly. Although the managers have a lot of operating freedom, they must nevertheless respond to corporate cultural values; this is a central condition for promotion of division executives."
Abstract This paper discusses the development of quantum mechanics, illustrating its background which began with the classical theory of the atom, continued to Bohr's simple atomic theory, and was developed further with de Broglie's wave theory, Heisenberg's uncertainty principle and Schrodinger's equation. To further investigate the development of quantum mechanics, each of these stages are looked at in more detail, showing the main ideas that each stage added to the understanding of the atom. This paper shows that quantum mechanics is based on the combination of the ideas of many scientists, with the final acceptance of quantum theory occurring when Schrodinger's equation tied together previous theories and allowed them to be applied to subatomic particles.
From the Paper "The classical theory of the atom is based on the model of an atom being made up of a positive nucleus containing protons and neutrons with negatively charged electrons orbiting around this nucleus. This model was first proposed by Rutherford in 1911 who described the atom saying, ?Most of the volume of the atom is empty space in which electrons move around the nucleus.? This basic model of the atom has been expanded on and used to determine how chemicals react with each other, the charges of chemicals and the physical properties of chemicals. While this has involved expanding the theory, the basic understanding of the structure remains the same."
Abstract This paper discusses how Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) is one of the most effective methods in achieving adequate local and global surface planarization and how chemical mechanical polishing of copper attracts a lot of interest. It examines the effects of different factors including the slurry, polishing pads and down force etc. on the quality of planarized copper layer in CMP Cu. It also presents, a new CMP copper technique with the name of ?Abrasive-free polishing (AFP)?.
Outline
Introduction to CMP and CMP Copper(Cu)
Techniques of CMP copper
Removal Mechanism Slurry-- Chemistry
Slurry?Abrasives Particles
Processing Factors
Polishing Pads
Abrasive-Free Polishing of Copper-a New Technique
Conclusions
From the Paper "Recent years have witnessed the rapid development of using copper (Cu) for low resistivity electrical connections in microelectronic devices.1,2 In fact, copper is one of most commonly used pure metals in the electrical industry because of its low conduct resistivity of about 6?10-8W-m and excellent mechanical properties as well. There are various methods to deposit Cu thin films, for example, electroplating, electroless plating, sputtering and thermal evaporation can be used.3.4 The copper thin films achieved by these techniques, especially those from the electrochemical techniques, are not planar enough to promise a successful multilevel interconnection. However, in fabrication of a logic device with five or more layers, at least one layer should be perfectly planar. Lack of layer planarity may lead to severe problems for photo-lithography (such as insufficient focus depth) and dry etching in sub 0.5 mm 5. Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) is one of the most effective methods in achieving adequate local and global surface planarization.6 Therefore, chemical mechanical polishing of copper attracts a lot of interests in recent years."
Abstract This paper describes and critically evaluates the evidence for psychological defense mechanisms by examining Freudian theory in works such as "Civilization and its Discontents" and responsive works such as "Individual Differences" by Colin Cooper. The paper debates the issue of whether the evidence Freud provided on defense mechanisms is controversial, as are his theories about the id, ego, and superego. The paper contends that one's belief in the existence of defense mechanisms is dependent to a significant extent upon one's belief in Freud's theory of the mind as a whole, and upon one's view of the impact individual differences may have on human psychology.
From the Paper "Freud (1989) theorized that through projection, when a person's unacceptable, forbidden urges intensify and break into consciousness, they are attributed to others. Likewise, unconscious rationalization eliminates anxiety or guilt by formulating perfectly reasonable reasons for the unacceptable behavior; displacement occurs when a natural urge cannot be vented and is then repressed and often displaced to another, disguised means of venting; and reaction formation occurs in order to fend off an anxiety-inducing and unacceptable impulse by replacing it with its over-emphasized, diametrically opposite impulse. "
Abstract This paper looks at the sociological concept of group dynamics. It claims that many theories have been written about the topic, but the best way to experience this phenomena is to watch students on campus. This paper is the personal account and observations of a student studying group dynamics.
From the paper:
"Group dynamics is the term given to the scientific study of group behavior, and it is of crucial sociological importance if we wish to advance our knowledge and understanding of the nature of groups, their development and the relationships that exist within and between them. The majority of social scientists examine the concepts of group dynamics through the collation of empirical research and the development of scientific theories. This paper, however, will focus on the application of these theories and issues in relation to specific aspects of everyday life on campus."
