Professional and technical communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Professional and technical communication - Essay Example It is also concerned with alleviating human suffering. The purpose of the website is to create awareness of IFRC to the people who are affected by disasters. In order to do this, people must have clear knowledge of what IFRC is. It tries to ensure that the people’ vulnerability to hazards is eliminated or reduced. It might be possible to predict some disasters like the floods, tsunamis or hurricanes but not others like earthquakes. By fully analyzing the climate, people can be able to predict some of the weather related disasters. Climate automatically increases the intensity and frequency of disasters related to weather. The purpose of the international federation is to reduce the impact of these disasters to people who are affected by them. The federation comes up with the effective prevention methods and strategies that that saves lives of the victims. It has built a culture of prevention which is not easy in any way. In involves a lot of sacrifice. They use certain information to analyze the risks and the existing capacities of the community which help to reduce people’s vulnerability to most likely disasters. This helps to resume their lives and make them survive after disasters. IFRC works with realistic and set objectives called Millennium Development Goals. The achievement of these goals will totally be dependent on the government’s willingness to support the federation in consultation of the affected people. This means that the government must work with the representatives in different communities. The federation will want to have international diplomacy and relations with government and other stakeholders to make it clear that it sees consistency in the humanitarian. Another issue that will be prominent is how the movement and its individual part relate to the outside world. This is the way its own multi-stakeholders work reflects its own multi-consistency

Organizational Structure Essay Example for Free

Organizational Structure Essay An organizational structure is a composition that specifies a companys hierarchical structure. There are various kinds of conformations that organizations can choose to build their business around. The organizational structure exemplifies the way in which control and business affairs have been appointed within the organization. Organizational structure encompasses the design of an organization though people positioning and responsibilities in order for organizational goals can be reached. Some of the time, a formal structure is not necessary due to a small informal business setting. In large organization responsibilities must be distributed. Hence, the reason that policies and procedures are established that assign responsibilities for numerous positions. The determination of these organizational functions (such as marketing, finance, human resources, and operations) influence and determine the organizational structure of your an organization. The three main types of organizational structures are functional structure, divisional structure, and matrix structure. Divisional Structure The structure that an organization is based around also is contingent on the enormity of the company. Divisional structure separates the faculty based on the commodity and customer demand verses geographical location. For example, each area within the organization is accountable for certain divisions. Each division has individual support systems such as finance department, marketing department, warehouse department, and maintenance department. Divisional structure is grants flexibility and is a decentralized structure. Divisional structure also grants quick adaptability to geographical changes. Divisional structure embellishes advancements in the market and industry and allows for various plans of action. However, this structure causes replication of resources due to each unit having the necessity of every resource. PepsiCo’s Organizational Design An example of an organization design around divisional structure is PepsiCo. PepsiCo is a flexible company that is constantly looking for new innovations and consistently adapts to the geographical market. PepsiCo has a decentralized organizational structure. The functional determinations are made in individual units with corporate control and direction. PepsiCo has one CEO and three division presidents. The companys hierarchical structure continues as each division is broken down into market units. Each market unit has a director. Furthermore each market unit is divided into regional units, then down the chain to sales units. Each unit has its own resources, such as marketing, finance, human resources, and operations departments. PepsiCo determines responsibilities by departmentalization. Departmentalization is a conglomeration of common duties and characterization of tasks. The influences of departmentalization are function, product, geographic, process and customer. PepsiCo maintains a span of control by making sure of correct distribution of responsibility among employees and task obligations are accounted for. For example, units are tasked with weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly forecast for sales, operations, overhead, and labor. Reports are sent weekly to account for these actions. Human resources departments are in each division to ensure control over the organization. There are guidelines and procedures in place to ensure the rules are being followed across the globe. Formalization sets the standard for the administered responsibility. Each unit at PepsiCo has management teams in place to ensure control of task performances. For example, a if a location has been tasked with a 1,000 case distribution for week one in the period and the sales teams are severely falling short on sales, management will step in to centralize the issue, reiterate the method of actions, and ensure the actions are conducted in a certain manner to achieve results. PepsiCo is multinational organization made up of three units which are PepsiCo Americas Foods, PepsiCo Americas Beverages and PepsiCo International. This structure allows the organization to focus on manifesting international markets, which will grant independence revenues, enabling focus on better product advancement. The organization is spread across the globe. However, the control is local, unlike a matrix structure that is located only in a single area (PepsiCo 2012). Matrix Structure A matrix structure formalizes line teams as well as the typical divisional hierarchy. The matrix structure is a hybrid between the functional and divisional structure, effectively creating independent business units for each product or service created or each unique market targeted. The matrix-structured organization is a project-based business that divides individual groups based on functional specializations. Variation of the matrix structure divides the authority by both functional and project areas. The functional manager heads up the functional areas of the organization. The project supervisor oversees the assigned project. This allows for management to focus on areas of proficiency. Companies such as General Motors has based its organization around the matrix structure due to the ability to specialize in specific areas, and organizational communication through other fields. General Motors believes the differentiation of ideas creates innovational determinations. The matrix structure also allows the human resources department to be shared throughout the organization. General Motors is made up of one main chief information officer (CIO) and several divisional CIOs that control the functionalities in the organization. General Motors also has process information officers that work in various areas of expertise across the organization. General Motors believes the matrix structure develops global commercialism (Daft 2007). Functional Structure Functional Structured organizations group tasks according to the target. Functional structured organizations work well for organizations that have a need for departments to rely on expertise of its faculty. A major disadvantage to a functional structured organization is the communication boundaries due to variation in departments that work individually. One company that a functional structure works well is Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart is one of America’s largest retailers. Wal-Mart is designed by a functional structure. Wal-Mart’s target market is a consumer with median incomes. Wal-Mart has a limited amount of functions in specialized areas with in the organization. Wal-Mart does not produce its goods, but has enough buying power to supply the demanded products. The organizational structure and large size enables the buying power to purchase goods at low prices. This buying power enables Wal-Mart to offer its target market lower prices creating a competitive edge over other retailers. A functional structured organization; such as Wal-Mart have a chief executive officer, limited executive staff, and department heads in domineering areas of expertise such as accounting, marketing, human resources and warehouse. Wal-Mart’s headquarters and executive staff is made up of a Chief of Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and Board of Directors, with supporting committees. Conclusion Determining an organizations structural design that will be the most effective for a specific company has great significance on organizational success. Using an unsuitable design structure can be consequential in communication, product development, customer service, and countless situations of other organizational issues. Organizational structure can determine the successful outcome of the organization. Reference Bateman, T. S., Snell, S. A. (2011). Management: Leading Collaborating in a Competitive World (ninth ed.). New York, NY: McGrall Hill. Retrieved May 7, 2012 (2012). PepsiCo. Retrieved May 7, 2012, from www.pepsico.com Daft, Richard (2007). Organizational Theory and Design (ninth ed.). Manson, OH: Thompson Higher Education. Retrieved May 7, 2012.

A Report On Race And Ethnicity Sociology Essay

A Report On Race And Ethnicity Sociology Essay Racism and Ethnicity are two well known subjects in the academic world. Although not a popular choice of study Racism and Ethnicity can be found in Multicultural education, Sociology, Economics, to name just a few. Although used in the same way, Racism and Ethnicity are very different. The purpose of this essay is to define and provide examples of racism, institutional racism, and individual racism. I will also focus on the impacts that these forms of racism have on those who are on the receiving end of racism. The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines racism in two meanings: One, â€Å"the belief that there are characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to each race† and two, â€Å"discrimination against or antagonism towards other races†. Ethnicity on the other hand has three meanings: One, â€Å"relating to a group of people having a common national or cultural tradition† two, â€Å"referring to origin by birth than by present nationality: ethnic Albanians 3. â€Å"relating to a non-Western cultural tradition: ethnic music. (Oxford Dictionary: rev 2009). The word â€Å"race† has been around for several hundreds of years. At first it was used to describe an extended family through the generations, then as times passed it referred to large groups of people that were not family yet shared the same cultural practices and traditions, values and demographic location. When the Europeans made contact with people outside their homeland (America, Asia and Oceania) they would put people into categories that would show differences between their culture and those who were â€Å"new† to them. These categories according to Pearson were what Banton (a writer on Evolution) called â€Å"Selectionist theories of evolution†. (Pearson:1990). Banton argued that a persons â€Å"physical appearance (phenotype) and/or inbuilt genetic makeup (genotype) explained human thought and action (Pearson: 1990) and it was then acceptable for people to define people on a â€Å"scale of attributes, from inferior to superior, from primitive to superior† (Pearson: 1990) all of which has made many a scientist question the world and how it is breaking up people into different races. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries a hierarchy was formed where those who were black (dark skinned) would be at the bottom and those who were white (fair skinned) wee at the top. Those who had dark skin were considered less educated or uneducated, simple people who were best suited to jobs that involved physical and manual labour. A white person, notably a white male middle class male, had intelligence, held down a job in managerial role and was financially far better of than those of dark skin. This was known as â€Å"racial essence, to determine the abilities of a person or a group† (Study Guide: Unit 6). By the mid twentieth century, the study of genetics was becoming a turning point in humanity. Rather than focussing on a persons skin colour, it became more acceptable that having good access to food, education, clean water, and healthcare contributed to the development in human beings. Pearson (1990), argued ethnicity is â€Å"what people do† (Study Guide: U nit 6) and demonstrated this by quoting a set of definitions by Anthony Smith with reference to ethnic communities. Ethnic communities have: a â€Å"collective name a â€Å"common myth of decent† a â€Å"distinctive shared culture† â€Å"an association with a specific territory† and a â€Å"sense of solidarity† This is defined in Pearsons article as an ethnic community â€Å"as a named human population with shared ancestry, myths, histories, and cultures having an association with a specific terroritory and a sense of solidarity† (Pearson: 1990). Institutional racism focuses on a group of people who are often more â€Å"dominant† than other groups and choose to criticise another group for being like second class citizens in particular â€Å"radically inferior† (Pearson:1990) that allow a more dominant group to dictate to the less off group â€Å"where they live, what language they speak, what school they attend, what job they acquire, how they are treated by the police and the courts, how they are portrayed by the media, and what form of political and legal representation they have to recourse to† (Pearson: 1990). Thus, those who are part of the more dominant group can dictate how the less dominant group can be used and have the racist beliefs and actions placed upon them. An example of instutional racism is prominent where there are often two or more different ethnicities. In South Africa for example, â€Å"judicial rules and regulations discriminating against black persons are a clear case point (Pear son: 1990). In New Zealand however, there is no such thing as discriminatory legislation and policies and practices are usually unintentional than discriminating towards one another. Individual racism on the other hand is more personal and is targeted at individuals rather than a group of people. Also known as personal racism, Brislin identifies four types of individual racism: 1. Intense racism â€Å"the belief that certain people are inferior, and hence are perceived as being of low worth. 2. Symbolic racism- Dominant groups â€Å"feel the the out group is interfering with important aspects of the culture- creating problems†. 3. Tokenism- Dominant groups prove that they have engaged in â€Å"token activities to prove that they have even handed the treatment of other races†. 4. Arms length- People engaging â€Å"in friendly positive behaviours towards out group members in some social settings but treat them the same out group members with noticeably less warmth and friendliness in other settings†. Brislin(2000). Kenan Malik argued that individual racism â€Å"imprisons those who are subjected to it while strengthening Western cultures†. Orientalism, which Malik quotes is a â€Å"dualism between the east and the west and the Orient and has helped to define ‘other â€Å"which people can see is different and excluded in race relationships. In summary I have defined and provide some examples of racism and ethnicity and outlined the concepts of institutional racism and individual racism. By focussing on these examples we can be sure that racism affects people either as a nation or are subjects of individual attacks. By being aware of these prejudices, it is important to understand that we should not feel more superior to one another just because of the colour of someone elses skin. Racism is in many parts of the world and although it appears for many reasons, it should be addressed so not to damage a particular culture or a persons identity.

Difficulty of Immigration in the 1900s versus Previously Essay

When most people think about immigration to the United States, they think of the U.S. as being the â€Å"land of opportunity,† where they will be able to make all of their dreams come true. For some people, immigration made their lives richer and more fulfilled. This however, was not always the case. A place that is supposed to be a â€Å"Golden Land† (Marcus 116) did not always welcome people with open arms. Even after people became legal citizens of the United States, often times the natural born Americans did not treat the immigrants as equals but rather as outsiders who were beneath them in some way. In some situations, people’s lives were made worse by coming to the â€Å"land of opportunity.† Often times people were living no better than they were in their own countries not able to make ends meet, just to live in the United States. Virtually all immigrants during the 1900’s had the same dream, to become successful and provide for their f amilies as citizens of the United States, but they soon found out that the life in their new country was not going to be easy. Throughout all of the readings and letters, there seemed to be a common theme faced by all of the immigrants, and that was hardship. Immigrants alike, no matter their country of origin, faced these hardships. The main thing that all of the immigrants wanted was to be able to have a real life and to be able to provide a better life for their children so they could have successful futures. While reading â€Å"Letters from the Great Migration,† it seemed as though each individual in their own words expressed the same dilemmas. Most of the people in their letters were trying very hard to get out of the South and move to the North in order to find decent work and to provide for their families. It seemed like they would endure pretty much anything to secure a job in the North, particularly the man from Houston, Texas. He says that he wants to find a job in the North so he can go â€Å"where a man is a man,† (Marcus 134). This shows that people from the South feel like their l ives could be fulfilled in a greater way in the North rather than in the South, where they currently reside. Particularly for the men, this quote seems to also suggest that the men in the South do not feel like real men, in the sense that they can’t find decent work in order to provide a good life for themselves or their families. It also appears t... ... such a wide variety of people â€Å"under one roof?† Although I am sure that it is still not easy to leave your family and come to a new land and start whole new life for yourself, I would have to imagine that it is a lot easier today based on the fact that people are now more educated and seem to be more accepting of change and diversity. Colleges for examples, jump at the opportunity to accept a student who is not 100% U.S. born. There are also many immigrants who are at the top of their fields. One great example is Arnold Schwarzenegger. Not only is he an accomplished actor in the United States, but he now holds office as Governor of the state of California, and he is not a natural born U.S. citizen. Immigration is a very important part of the history of the United States and continues to be today. Immigrants during the 1900’s had many hardships to face and sometimes the â€Å"golden land† was not so golden. Many immigrants had very high hopes about what their lives could have been like here in the U.S., and unfortunately only very few got to experience that great life. Although each of the readings had their differences, the theme of hardship seemed to prevail throughout.

The articles’ aims are similar in their exploration

The three essays, â€Å"Islam is Not the Solution (or the Problem)† by Daniel Brumberg, â€Å"Is There an Islamic Civilization?† by Yilmaz Esmer, and â€Å"The Clash of Civilizations?† by Samuel Huntington present a look at civilization as a dominant factor, in particular the role of an Islamic civilization, on a national and global level.The articles’ aims are similar in their exploration of what it means to be a Islamic civilization and the effects this is having and will continue to have economically, politically, and culturally for people residing in these countries and nearby.All of the writers, in the course of making and proving their hypotheses, attempt to define what it is to be a civilization. Civilization, as Samuel Huntington explains, â€Å"is a cultural entity [†¦] a civilization is thus the highest cultural grouping of people and the broadest level of cultural identity people have short of that which distinguishes humans from other spe cies† (24).Civilizations differ from each other along the lines of history, language, culture, tradition, and religion. In â€Å"The Clash of Civilizations?† Huntington takes a look at western civilizations in relation to non-western civilizations, including but not limited to Islamic civilizations.Huntington states that it is his belief that civilization identity rather than national identity will be of ever increasing importance and that the most important conflicts will â€Å"occur along cultural fault lines† (25). If you read the news from the Middle East on any given day, you can easily see Huntington’s ideas come to life. In Iraq, for instance, the biggest conflicts that now exist are not threats from other nation’s but rather from the inside, particularly along religious lines.Huntington uses primarily history as the springboard for his theories, noting the changes in Islamic and European countries (citing heavily Russia as an example).In â⠂¬Å"Is There an Islamic Civilization?† Yilmaz Esmer attempts to use past hypotheses and statistical numbers to show the value indicators, which can define Islamic civilization. He notes in the beginning of his essay that a large majority of people in secular but Islamic-dominated countries will first identify themselves as Muslim and then identify themselves by their nationhood. I found this very interesting, being an American. I imagine, if you asked any given group of U.S. citizens how they identify themselves, one of their first responses would be American and then their religious affiliation.In the course of the article Esmer is able to show through World Values Survey statistics that there are certain defining factors to Islam in connection with values.The most notable differences among Islamic nations and civilizations from non-Islamic nations and civilizations lie in gender equality and the importance of faith. As Huntington notes in his article, â€Å"economic moderni zation and social change [†¦] weaken the nation state as a source of identity. In much of the world religion has moved in to fill this gap† (26).Unlike Huntington and Esmer’s essays, Daniel Brumberg’s essay â€Å"Islam is Not the Solution (or the Problem)† does not concentrate on the definition of civilizations, namely Islamic, but rather explores how best the West can work with Islamic civilizations and nations with a large Islamic base to explore democracy and overcome the current autocracies that are the norm. One of the points I found the most interesting about Brumberg’s essay was his exploration of the role identity plays in the bridge between democracy and the present autocracy of many Islamic countries. Islam faces a unique challenge in supporting a democracy.As he explains, â€Å"barriers are so formidable that, for the foreseeable future, any effective engagement with Islamist will require dealing with activists, many of whom espouse ideas profoundly at odds with U.S. notions of democracy and freedom† (98). In some of these countries, religion is so imbedded in the political framework it seems almost impossible to extract it. Brumberg makes the case for non-Islamic groups to gain a voice alongside (not instead of) the Islamic majority.From reading the three essays, I am able to draw my own conclusions on Islamic civilization and the role it will play in world politics. I think it is obvious that there is such a thing as Islamic civilization, as Esmer’s conclusion and Huntington’s history proves.As noted before, simply watch the news on any given night or check out the world news section and there is bound to be an article positive, negative, or neutral on the signs of Islamic civilization in the world. But all of the essays still leave me wondering what’s next? Will, as Brumberg advocates, the Islamic states shed their autocracies and allow non-Islamic interest groups to gain a hold i n governing these nations? Will the ideological breaks between civilizations cause even bigger breaks within?Works CitedBrumberg, Daniel. â€Å"Islam is Not the Solution (or the Problem).†Esmer, Yilmaz. â€Å"Is There an Islamic Civilization?†Huntington, Samuel P. â€Å"The Clash of Civilizations?†

How to Organize Campaigns With Marketing Projects in CoSchedule

How to Organize Campaigns With Marketing Projects in Managing multiple marketing campaigns (all at once) with a dozen moving pieces is  tough. And when it’s just you managing those 273 campaigns†¦ Juggling multiple, looming deadlines†¦ Making sure your team is staying on task And when you repeat this seemingly never-ending cycle (again and again) wellIm not saying youll get burned out, but it sure as Helsinki isnt sustainable. Which is why  I am excited to tell you about one of our  *amazing* features Marketing Campaigns from ! With Marketing Campaigns, you can organize your entire marketing campaign  in one place, so you can keep projects moving forward not tirelessly track them down!How To Setup Your First Marketing Campaign To setup your first Marketing Campaign follow these three easy steps: Create ONE marketing campaign. Add every moving piece into your Marketing  Campaign. Focus on execution, moving forward, and meeting  deadlines! And BAM! Youre on your way to becoming the most productive (and organized) marketer ever. 👠 Consolidate Everything into a Single Marketing Campaign Now for the REALLY exciting part: consolidating your content! With Marketing Campaign, you can group multiple pieces of content together (related to a specific campaign)  into one centralized folder. It’s a marketer’s dream come true! To begin adding content to your marketing project, click the  +  sign in either the upper right hand corner of the screen or within a specific date on the calendar. As you start adding multiple pieces of content to your project, youll notice they are also listed in tabs at the top of the page. So  instead of combing through your calendar to find a specific piece of content, you can easily access  them within your project. Once you are finished adding all associated content to your project, hit the  Close Project  button in the lower right corner. (This will stop adding pieces of content  to the marketing project.) Now you will see your marketing project folder on the  main calendar (!!!) and all associated content within your specified beginning and end dates (noted by the bar that is the same color as your marketing project). Plus,   when you hover over your marketing project on the main calendar, the folder and all associated content are highlighted––giving you a quick and easy way to view content and deadlines. Want to add some stand-alone content to a Marketing Project? No problem! Find and open your content, click on the folder in the bottom left corner, select  Add to Project, and search for your project name. ^^Yep, it’s that easy! With Marketing Campaigns from ,  you are able to consolidate every piece of your campaign into a single project. So you can  focus on execution instead of wasting time continuously tracking all of your content. (And thats awesome!) Maximize Your Team’s Resources from One Centralized Location With Marketing Campaigns maximizing your teams resources just got wayyyyy  easier. Ramp up on projects faster quickly add  every piece of content involved in your marketing campaign in one place Accurately gauge timelines and easily  review all projects on the main calendar AND  instantly know whos working on what from the calendar. *fist pump* Which means its  easy to manage your team’s time AND  set realistic goals. Talk about a MAJOR productivity #win for you and your team. Ramp up projects faster, accurately gauge timelines, and know who’s working on what –– at any[Proactively] Plan Your Entire Marketing Roadmap As a marketer, youve got a lot on your plate. And not in the good unlimited taco buffet kind of way. Remember the last time you had it all together? It was  so much easier  to focus and be proactive. But when you feel out of control it’s stressful. (Ultimately making you feel more disorganized and distracted.) 👎 But with Marketing Campaigns, you  get  a visual timeline of every project on the calendar, so you can effectively plan out days, weeks, and months in advance without overbooking your team. And if you have a TON of projects + content on the calendar (so its hard to grasp whats actually happening) you can easily set  up a few  Saved Calendar Views  to quickly find what you need. *whoop-whoop!* It’s never been so easy to manage a marketing campaign (or multiple, because let’s be realistic here, theres never just ONE) and keep your team’s head above water in the process. Proactive planning, here we come! Monitor Your Progress + Make Adjustments  Faster. Managing huge projects is an art form AND staying on top of all those deadlines can get tricky. Real tricky. But with Marketing Campaigns, you can view your team’s overall progress and quickly make adjustments,  so you never miss a deadline. Yeah, you heard that right. We’re talkin’ graphs, bars, and project burn charts! ^^^#nerdlife  #graphs The burn chart is a useful snapshot  of the ratio of completed versus incomplete tasks, while the progress bar is a simple way to see how your marketing campaign is moving along. The ability to monitor your campaign’s progress  is especially awesome  when you need to make quick decisions. For instance, if you need to  add or remove pieces of content within your marketing campaign  due to a delay use those handy little content tabs within your project to modify items as needed! It’s the real world  (and things come up) so the ability to make quick adjustments is important to any campaign’s success. Monitor your team’s overall progress, make game time decisions and  never miss a deadline with Marketing Campaigns. #BOOM

How to End a Story 3 Tips and Tricks From Professional Editors

How to End a Story 3 Tips and Tricks From Professional Editors How to End a Story: Tips from Top Editors Whether you have the final scenes of your book worked out from the moment you put pen to paper or it comes to you somewhere along the way, there’s one thing every author needs to master to leave a lasting impression on readers: how to end a story.Writing the ending can be a source of anxiety for a lot of authors. After all, you don’t want to finish a great story with a weak ending and disappoint your readers. To help you determine how to effectively bring your novel to a close, this post will cover six popular types of story endings in literature, and provide tips from top professional editors on how to get yours just right. Six Ways to End a StoryThe ending of a story has the biggest impact on how readers will remember your book in years to come. If they are dissatisfied at the closing of the final chapter, they won’t be likely to read it again or recommend it to others. While the start of your story might convince people to read your book in the first place, how you end your story is what will determine whether or not they turn from a reader into a fan.The most effective type of ending for your book will depend on a few things, such as:genre,story structure,target audience, andwhat you want readers to take from your book.With that in mind, let’s look at a few different ways to end a story. Six different ways to end a story. What are they? 1. Resolved Ending I am hunted by humans.Instead of going into great detail, Zusak uses short chapters that feel more like sneak peeks into her life. Additionally, it serves the purpose of joining Liesel, the main character, with the narrator, Death, and allowing them to have a conversation on more equal terms.When might you use an expanded ending? If you need to tie up loose ends but were not able to do it within the actual story, then this is the ending for you. However, it should not take the place of a traditional ending or be used to compensate for a weak ending. Instead, it should give further insight into the characters and give resolution to the readers.Now that we’ve covered six popular methods for writing your story’s denouement, let’s cover a few tips to ensure that it leaves a lasting impression.3 tips on how to end a storyWriting the end of a story is a tricky but essential part of your writing process. We turned to our top professional editors for tips to help you wri te yours. We asked our editors: "how do you end a story?" Here is what they said 1. Completion goes hand-in-hand with hopeLiterary agent Estelle Laure explains that a great ending is one that gives the reader both a feeling of completion and hope: â€Å"You have to assume the character has gone through hell, so let them see something beautiful about the world that allows them to take a breath and step into the next adventure. Even your ending should leave your reader dying for more. They should close the book with a sigh, and that’s the best way I know how to get there. This is, after all, a cruel but wondrous life.†2. Make sure it’s really finishedTo create a satisfying ending, end your book with purpose.As Publishing Director of Endeavor Media, Jasmin Kirkbride’s biggest tip is to make sure you follow the rule of Chekhov’s Gun: â€Å"Every subplot and all the different strands of your main plot should reach satisfying, clear conclusions. If they are meant to be left ambiguously, ensure your reader knows this, and create somet hing out of that uncertainty.†3. Come full circleEditor Jenn Bailey says that a good ending brings the book’s internal and external story arcs to a rational conclusion: â€Å"You need to come full circle. You need to end where you began. You need to take the truth your main character believed in the beginning of the story and expose it as the lie that it is by the end. In your ending, the main character doesn’t have to get what they want, but they do have to get what they need.†As we have seen, there are many methods for how to end a story! However you decide to finish your novel, there is one thing that you should always keep in mind: take account of the story that came before and give it the ending that it needs, not the one you think readers want, and it will be satisfactory for all.What is your favorite way to end a story? Or do you have a favorite closing passage? Tell us in the comments below!

Advertising Website for Exalted Realty Company Essay Example

Advertising Website for Exalted Realty Company Essay Example Advertising Website for Exalted Realty Company Essay Advertising Website for Exalted Realty Company Essay   In most cases a website is one of the first interactions a prospect will have with your business. Nowadays, prospects ask for your website address, more than they ask for your business cards. If a business wants to be successful, a good website is probably a good first place to start that’s why CMN2J TEAM will endow a WEB SITE with the help of PHP and Dreamweaver that is purposely designed to help the EXALTED REALTY COMPANY advertise the properties that they are going to sell. 1. Background of the Study Exalted Realty was founded on September 29, 2011. Its principal office is in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippines. It is primarily engaged on all matters concerning real estate transactions in the Philippines. The EXALTED REALTY is a company which main business is to help out client purchase and sell properties such as house and lot, condo units, and land. Exalted Realty is accredited with well-known real estate developers in the Philippines such as but not limited to SM Development Corporation, Masaito Development Corporation and Landmark Communities, Inc.It accredits itself with different real estate developers and their projects on a regularly updated basis. From there, ER assigns it agents to the various real estate projects these developers offer and markets them to the general public. 1. 2 Objectives General Objectives The General objectives of this study can address possible action with regards to faced challenges of the EXALTED REALTY in marketing of the properties that it was selling or buying (as representative of their respective clients).It will be very beneficial for them to have their own WEBSITE in order to get in touch with their clients and draw more attention. Specific Objectives EXALTED REALTY can market their properties in a vastly more efficient and effective manner. The need for flyer’s as a marketing and advertising tool would be significantly diminished. Less usage of paper is also expected since printing flyers for the advertisement can now be minimized. Save their client’s time because all the information needed for the business will be posted on the WEBSITE and meeting in person will simply transpire. . 3 Scope and Delimitation Scope This system is purely designed and developed for the purpose of promoting the marketing strategy of Exalted Realty The Website is used only for advertisements Shows the property details and images Clients can leave comments for the admin to be aware of what they think Client can also download the images of the property Shows the contact information of the company Delimitation The study does not cover the online transaction such as: Purchasing property through online reservation Uploading property images for the real estate to be sold (for clients who wants to sell their property) Another limitation of when the unexpected cuts of electricity like brownouts. It’s already not part of our concern because we can’t predict when it will exa ctly happen. Also, this website will not function when there’s no internet connection for it will only be accessed through the use of the web. 1. 4 Definitions of Terms Alpha Testing – testing of software at the developer’s site by the customer. The stage before beta testing. Beta Testing – test  of  a  new  or  modified  piece  of  computer  software  by customers  who  volunteer  to  do  so. Construction . It involves programming, application enhancement, coding, unit integration and testing of the system. Cut-Over – It entails data conversion, testing of the system, user training and changeover to the new system. Debugging – To search for and eliminate malfunctioning elements or errors in something, especially a computer program or machinery. Dreamweaver-A comprehensive Web site authoring program for Windows and Mac from Adobe.Dreamweaver is a sophisticated authoring package that is noted for many advan ced features. For example, site designers can seamlessly move back and forth between visual and HTML modes. JAD The Joint Application Development (JAD) a user oriented technique for fact-finding and requirement modeling that brings users into the development process as active participant. Online Computer or device connected to a network  (such as Internet) and ready to use (or be used by) other computers  or  devices. PHP is a general purpose and powerful scripting language to produce dynamic website and interactive web pages. RAD Rapid Application Development (RAD) a condensed version of the entire SLDC, with users involved every step of the way. Real Estate – the business of real estate; the profession of buying, selling, or renting land, buildings or housing. Requirement Planning – This phase requires intense involvement from users at different levels of the organization. Website is a set of related web pages  containing  content  such as   text,  images,  video,  audio, etc.A website is hosted on at least one  web server, accessible via a network such as the  Internet  or a private  local area network  through an Internet address known as a  Uniform Resource Locator. All publicly accessible websites collectively constitute the  World Wide Web. CHAPTER II. Methodology In Business, a website is the potential for reaching a wider audience. The internet is used by literally millions of people, all of them are looking for something and some of them might be looking for something new.Building website for Exalted Realty for Advertising that provides the information to consumers is a heavy task because it is a series of test and revisions are needed for it to become functional, accurate, and productive. Hence, the following system development methodology in implementing the project is reasonable and helpful decision. A system development methodology helps to improve in planning, implementing, and managing the development of the project. In choosing a good system methodology to be used in developing the website, there are some components to be deal with.First was choosing a system development methodology that can be performed in a short period of time. Second, consider the sum of team members. And lastly the criticality of the system has to be taken into attention. Generally the proposed is about supplying information essential to the member or viewers need. Thus, system development methodology is applicable for this analysis with that it needs further understanding about the different system development would be able to choose the most perfect model. 2. 1 System Development approachRapid Application Development (RAD) a condensed version of the entire SLDC, with users involved every step of the way. It uses minimal planning in favor of rapid prototyping. The Planning of software developed using RAD (Rapid Application Development) is interleaved with writing the software itself. It pro vides a fast track approach to a full spectrum of system development tasks, including the planning, the design, and the construction. Rapid Application Development promotes fast, efficient, accurate system development and delivery.Generally improves user design communication, user cooperation and user commitment, and promotes better documentation. The Team had a short period of time to accomplish the Website with that the Joint Application Development (JAD) helps the developer to build the system. The Joint Application Development (JAD) a user oriented technique for fact-finding and requirement modeling that brings users into the development process as active participant. It is used in the prototyping Life Cycle Area of the Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM) to collect business requirement while developing new information system for a company.JAD (Joint Application Development) use was most effective in large complex projects. In JAD, information can be obtained and validated in a shorter time frame by involving all participants (or at least a representative set of participants) who have a stake in the outcome of the session. The Relation between the two approaches JAD (Joint Application Development) and RAD (Rapid Application Development) helps to fully finish and provide a suitable result support by the information gathered. The combination of this approach gives a functional and effective specific period.Although the JAD and the RAD are very specific techniques, the main aspects of these methodologies should be used in all systems analysis and design projects. The concept of having the user involved in all aspects of the project is essential to any project. Involving key personal for various departments, including management, is also critical to the success in developing a system. 2. 2 JUSTIFICATION OF METHODOLOGY The Team followed the four stages of Rapid Application Development suit as pattern on making the WEBSITE for Exalted Realty. REQUIREMENTS PLANNINGIn the requirements planning phase, users and analysts meet to identify objectives of the system and to identify information requirements arising from those objectives. This phase requires intense involvement from users at different levels of the organization. This stage involves reviewing the areas that are clearly necessary to the system being built. The review creates a solid overview, covering the requirements and outlining the functions performed by the system. The WEBSITE is approved by proprietor of EXALTED REALTY to help their Market in the business.This phase helps the team to move on the next phase. User Design The second phase is called the User Design stage. This covers an in-depth look of business operations that relate to the system being designed. The users who will be employing the proposed system analyze how data is used and how this use affects the flow of operations from a business standpoint. During this phase the team interacts with the system designed, including sample screens and procedures. By the end of this step, the general idea behind the new system begins to transform into a specific plan.Construction The third phase is construction and it focuses on program and software creation. It is similar to the SDLC. It involves programming, application enhancement, coding, unit integration and testing of the system. Users still continue to contribute by suggesting changes as reports and screens are developed. It is similar to the System Development life Cycle (SDLC). Cut Over The last phase of  RAD Rapid Application Development  is referred to as Cut Over. It entails data conversion, testing of the system, user training and changeover to the new system.This approach is compressed and this means a system is created, delivered and put into operation in less time. During this phase, the system is finalized and released to the user. CHAPTER III. SOFTWARE PRODUCT The Team developed a WEB SITE for EXALTED REALTY COMPANY that will adve rtise the company’s main business including the basic information that a client’s must obtained without personally visiting the physical office. Actual image of the properties that are being offered will be posted to the WEB SITE and it will be maintained and managed by the administrator.The website provides information about the company and what the company can do for the clients. The Admin is responsible in maintaining and updating the website and also the one who see’s feedback from those who view’s the website. 3. 1 Software Specification Windows XP and later version Macromedia Dreamweaver 8 MySQL (Xampp) Macromedia Flash8 This Software Specification, The software was build under the Windows 8 or Windows XP as the team operating environment. The Team used Macromedia Dreamweaver as a programming application.Then MySQL (Xampp) software that helps to jive with the database concepts of the system. With Macromedia Flash 8 Software contributes to the pr ogress of the system. The system will provide accessible way for the communication of the clients, business owner and will have a good customer services.

Mondavi Business Model Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Mondavi Business Model Analysis - Essay Example Robert Mondavi Winery manufactures a range of wines like the $125-a-bottle Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve for the discriminating connoisseur or the $5 Woodbridge table wine for the average American who have come to enjoy a glass or two on steak dinners. This disparity in prices reflects the profitable but unfocused approach to marketing to two distinct but demographically opposite consumer groups, which eventually undermined the wine brand's premium image, despite its commercial success among the low to mid end wine consumers. This unfortunate turn of events led the elder Mondavi to lament its success in the winery's latter years prior to its acquisition by Constellation Brands.2 The bungled marketing strategy notwithstanding, the Robert Mondavi Winery is nothing less than a stellar success, a multi-billion dollar wine brand that has done more to change the liquor-consuming game in the post prohibition America. II. THE ROBERT MONDAVI WINERY BUSINESS MODEL The Robert Mondavi Winery infrastructure is pretty much a relic of the old world vineyard estates albeit with a few technological modifications like state-of-the-art processing and bottling facilities that ensure consistent manufacturing quality regardless of volume. The To Kalon Vineyard, which means "the highest beauty" in Ancient Greek, is the vineyard that provides Robert Mondavi Winery with most of the grapes for its world-class Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, and Oakville District Cabernet Sauvignon and is the exclusive source of Sauvignon Blanc for the estate bottled Fum Blanc Reserve and I Block Fum Blanc. It consists of over 550-acres, parts of which were originally planted in the middle of the 19th century, in the Oakville region. The Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville and specifically from To Kalon Vineyard has been found to be some of the finest in the Napa Valley. The other vineyard is a 400-acre Wappo Hill Vineyard in the Stag's Leap region which supplies much of the Merlot and the Sauvignon Blanc for the winery's Napa Valley Fum Blanc. 3 Fig. 1. The Robert Mondavi Winery Business Model (prior to 2004 acquisition) The wineries, where the actual processing of the grapes are done, were located in Oakville and a little time later in Woodbridge. One unique feature of the Robert Mondavi Winery in its primary location in Oakville is the California mission-styled building designed by Cliff May. Taking inspiration from the missions along the California Coast, the building features a classic arch and bell tower that serve as a lasting tribute to the Franciscan missionaries who originally introduced wine to California.4 This edifice is also the venue for the Mondavi's great cultural showcases where the famous Mondavi Summer Music Festivals and the 40-year running Napa Valley Symphony fundraisers are held. The estate also features the fabled

Drugs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Drugs - Essay Example In the second case, the EU also passes a (fictitious) directive on the right of all residents to high speed broadband by Jan 2014. This includes the duty to replace all existing broad band connections with modern connections to the new fibre optic system. The Directive is to be implemented by Member States by July 2013. The UK Statutory Instrument implementing the directive says that ‘all connections within private buildings will be replaced with modern connections.’ The connections are being changed by a subcontractor; Sparky Ltd. Sparky has been given a wide discretion as to how they complete the job as long as they are finished by December 2013. They are given details of all current broadband users so that they can contact them to arrange changing the connections. Martin’s small IT business leases part of a building used by the local secondary school. This is a public building. Sparky therefore refuse to replace the connections as they are only required to repl ace connections in private buildings. As a result, Martin loses business to operators who are able to offer high-speed broadband. The EU law should be able to assist both Bob and Martin. In the case of Bob, the regulation passed by the EU requiring that current copper wire network gets replaced with fibre optic cable by December 2013 is a type of EU law that is directly effective. Worth noting, however, is that the responsibility to enforce the EU regulation does not rest exclusively with the EU. EU law does not just come up with legal rights and obligations for member states; this was famously said by the Court during the Van Gend Loos case that obligations are also imposed. According to the legal system developed by the treaties of EU, a distinction is made between national and international law; the reason the system is in existence is because it was created by member states through

Argue that, no, feminism is not dead Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Argue that, no, feminism is not dead - Essay Example Things such as child bearing and nurture are believed to be a hindrance to a woman’s productivity by the radical-liberalists. They therefore strongly advocate use of artificial means of reproduction, are usually pro-abortion and largely promote use of contraceptives. The other form of feminism is radical-cultural feminism; this group believes that women should embrace their femininity because it is their source of power. They encourage women to explore themselves deeper and find their wild self. According to their view, sex was predominantly a man’s field, but women should start taking control and norms such as pornography, subordination, rape should be eliminated. Unlike the radical-libertarian feminists who view reproduction as a means of tying women down, the radical-cultural feminists promote a different view. The view that, men are jealous of the reproductive responsibilities of a woman and therefore try to hinder it using technological means. One can be classified as a feminist if they believe that; women should have equal rights to men. Women should be allowed to hold an office that a man can hold; also women should be recognized by their talents and not their looks. In addition, they believe that, it is offensive for women to be given tasks based on their gender and that a feminist is not afraid to refer to herself as one (Shaw and Lee 12). I believe that feminism is not dead; to the contrary, it has actually become stronger as women seem more empowered in this generation. Feminism is not dead; if it was dead then there wouldn’t be so much effort to make it seem as if it is dead. The media and other conservative groups argue that feminism is long gone and women do not need it anymore because it does not speak for the majority of women. Whereas its polls show that, women advocate for ideas such as child and women health care, political offices for women, equal work pay, and an end to women violence and so on (Shaw and Lee 19). These are definitely feminists’ stands and goals and therefore the feminist culture is still strong (Valenti 11). In the recent wake of issues such as promiscuity, the rise in women crime and also man hating have all been blamed on feminism. It is now being said that women have been taught to depend on no one and especially not a man. This has therefore contributed to the issues such as crime, breakdown of families and high rates of divorce. If feminism was dead, then it means that these issues would be nonexistent. However, the fact that they are being blamed on feminism, it therefore goes to show that it is still ongoing (Valenti 12). Feminists encourage women to accept themselves as they are which contribute in enhancing their self esteem and image. This new found confidence is a threat to companies that benefit greatly from women who are always looking for ways to enhance their physical appearance. If feminism was dead, it would not be a threat to these organizations which prov es further that feminism is thriving. In conclusion, some might argue that feminism is dead because it is unpopular nowadays as compared to the earlier days when it started. It was a thing of white old ladies as commonly referred to and most young women are not championing with much gusto as before (Valenti 10). Journal It is now clear to me how feminism has changed the world, relationships and women’s view, all at ago. When I first heard the word feminist, I thought they were a bunch of women who no longer want to embrace

Other topic Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Other topic - Research Paper Example This section is going to present how the research was carried out. It will give the approaches taken in the research and the philosophical assumption of the approach. Research approaches are plans and steps that explain how the research will be undertaken and the procedures and methods for data collection, analysis, and presentation (Karin 16). This study adopted a qualitative approach of research which involves studying and exploring new phenomena and problems with a certain group of people. It is a method best used in the social sciences and also in market research to explore the behavior of people or groups of people towards certain products (Karin 12). This approach best suited this study since the study wanted to explore the impacts that electronic marketing has on the service industry in Tallinn City. This study intended to gather in-depth understanding of the behavior of users of electronic marketing facilities and qualitative approach is the best to use on this kind of study. Furthermore, a small selected sample was used to facilitate the research and it is one of the features of qualitative approach of study (Karin, 12). The philosophical assumption behind this qualitative approach of research is constructivism. According to Karin, it is an assumption that mostly focuses on the interaction of human being with one another on their world (21). The study of impacts of electronic marketing in the service industry in Tallinn City is a study on the interaction of people as they shop for goods and services purchased and receive cash for the service rendered. The constructivism philosophical assumption has it that human beings develop meaning from their interaction in the world they live in, (Karin, 21). The aim of the research design is to provide a way of answering the research questions (Damon, Pedersen and McEvoy, 132). It is to provide the outline of the

Attitudes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Attitudes - Essay Example rtising and its influencing power behind essential decisions that made impact on children’ buying habits, such as what they like and what next they willing to look. This is how advertising changes children’s likes and dislikes, when they get educated by pure attraction in which message is pretty much focus, concise, and to the point. Let’s have a look at the case study what advertising can do to make it (No turn into Yes). Children are the most powerful influence in the parent’s buying life cycle; this is what Mac Donald’s the most successful fast food chain describes about the children buying habit and the choices they make between their primary and secondary. Macdonald’s advertising mission is to deliver quality food with full ranges of meal designed & packaged in rich quality, but especially for Kids, from the age of (5 – 10) in which the key attraction is magical Clown, behind the story board, which appeals the children to divert their attention towards not what actually they want as a primary need Such as (food intake), which turns in to secondary needs such as (quality food with a fun). McDonald’s had increased their market share with double the number’s in the past recent years due to increase in popularity amongst the children by offering kids meals, and fun meal with the ingredients suits the best along with the attractive packaging with a welcome gift (toy), which turns their face in to smile while experiencing the jumping castle or the kids play area so that the parent’s can experience the peaceful meal with a quality of food. Don’t claim to be the market leader just because your BIG, it will lead you to defeat you never know your competitor claim to be even more bigger then you are, always’s be the leader in the category and by remaining number in peoples mind. (Phillip Kotler Marketing Guru) Children’s are the most sensitive element in the parent’s life, parents think of food they look for quality food, that not just

Statistics Project Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Statistics Project - Research Paper Example So aaccording to given conditions we state that null hypothesis and alternative hypothesis will be There are various statistical packages designed to carry out quantitative data analysis, the most widely used package is SPSS. SPSS enables the researcher to input raw data modify or reorganize the data once inputted and then perform a wide selection of analytical techniques (Blaxter, Hughes & Tight 2001). The scales utilized within the test instruments will be designed to denote the use of detailed statistical algorithms on collected data. Preliminary data analysis will include descriptive statistics, which will encompass univariate analytic techniques such as means, modes and standard deviations, and exploratory descriptive statistics, which will ascertain if the data collected, is normally distributed. So the Pearson correlation (r) of popularity and math scores is equal to -0.368. So according to this small value of correlation coefficient we conclude that there is a week negative association between these variables. This may imply as popularity level increases, math test scores decreases and vice versa. We use correlation method to determine whether some variable that's not under our control is associated - correlated - with another variable of our interest. Correlational studies aim at identifying relationships between variables. So i Test Statistic By using formula t = , = = = -1.1194 Scatter Plot Critical Region: t 2.048 Do not reject Ho, because the calculated value is not fall in the critical region. Conclusion: Do not reject null hypothesis so we conclude that there is no significant linear association/relationship between level of popularity and math test score. So in the relationship between children's level of popularity with their peers and their performance in academic tests they respond that there is no significant relationship between these popularity level and their maths scores. Descriptive Statistics The Descriptive procedure displays univariate summary statistics for several variables in a single table and calculates standardized values (z scores). Variables can be ordered by the size of their means (in ascending or descending order), alphabetically, or by the order in which we select the variables. Simple it is a useful procedure for obtaining summary comparisons of

Other topic Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Other topic - Research Paper Example This section is going to present how the research was carried out. It will give the approaches taken in the research and the philosophical assumption of the approach. Research approaches are plans and steps that explain how the research will be undertaken and the procedures and methods for data collection, analysis, and presentation (Karin 16). This study adopted a qualitative approach of research which involves studying and exploring new phenomena and problems with a certain group of people. It is a method best used in the social sciences and also in market research to explore the behavior of people or groups of people towards certain products (Karin 12). This approach best suited this study since the study wanted to explore the impacts that electronic marketing has on the service industry in Tallinn City. This study intended to gather in-depth understanding of the behavior of users of electronic marketing facilities and qualitative approach is the best to use on this kind of study. Furthermore, a small selected sample was used to facilitate the research and it is one of the features of qualitative approach of study (Karin, 12). The philosophical assumption behind this qualitative approach of research is constructivism. According to Karin, it is an assumption that mostly focuses on the interaction of human being with one another on their world (21). The study of impacts of electronic marketing in the service industry in Tallinn City is a study on the interaction of people as they shop for goods and services purchased and receive cash for the service rendered. The constructivism philosophical assumption has it that human beings develop meaning from their interaction in the world they live in, (Karin, 21). The aim of the research design is to provide a way of answering the research questions (Damon, Pedersen and McEvoy, 132). It is to provide the outline of the

Statistics Project Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Statistics Project - Research Paper Example So aaccording to given conditions we state that null hypothesis and alternative hypothesis will be There are various statistical packages designed to carry out quantitative data analysis, the most widely used package is SPSS. SPSS enables the researcher to input raw data modify or reorganize the data once inputted and then perform a wide selection of analytical techniques (Blaxter, Hughes & Tight 2001). The scales utilized within the test instruments will be designed to denote the use of detailed statistical algorithms on collected data. Preliminary data analysis will include descriptive statistics, which will encompass univariate analytic techniques such as means, modes and standard deviations, and exploratory descriptive statistics, which will ascertain if the data collected, is normally distributed. So the Pearson correlation (r) of popularity and math scores is equal to -0.368. So according to this small value of correlation coefficient we conclude that there is a week negative association between these variables. This may imply as popularity level increases, math test scores decreases and vice versa. We use correlation method to determine whether some variable that's not under our control is associated - correlated - with another variable of our interest. Correlational studies aim at identifying relationships between variables. So i Test Statistic By using formula t = , = = = -1.1194 Scatter Plot Critical Region: t 2.048 Do not reject Ho, because the calculated value is not fall in the critical region. Conclusion: Do not reject null hypothesis so we conclude that there is no significant linear association/relationship between level of popularity and math test score. So in the relationship between children's level of popularity with their peers and their performance in academic tests they respond that there is no significant relationship between these popularity level and their maths scores. Descriptive Statistics The Descriptive procedure displays univariate summary statistics for several variables in a single table and calculates standardized values (z scores). Variables can be ordered by the size of their means (in ascending or descending order), alphabetically, or by the order in which we select the variables. Simple it is a useful procedure for obtaining summary comparisons of

American River Otter in Zoo Setting Essay Example for Free

American River Otter in Zoo Setting Essay Otters are endemic to America and stay in American river systems. They can be found in all Watersheds of America. Moreover, their decrease is attributed to unregulated harvest, water pollution and habitat destruction. As a result, river otters have now become an endangered species. Nevertheless, Otters are still maintained by most people as pets, making them an interesting species. As a matter of fact, otters are the favorite animals in many zoo collections. However, they are also difficult to keep in a healthy condition and surprisingly there is very little knowledge about them. Otters are held in captivity for the purpose of breeding for likely reintroduction into the wild and for public education. This paper focuses on American river otters. Geographical, Classification and Range                  American river otters can be found in Alaska, inland waterways and coastal areas of Canada, the Pacific Northwest, the Atlantic State and the Gulf of Mexico. Otters belong to the family Mustelidae, which comprises mink, badgers, skunks, martens, wolverines and weasels. They are categorized under the subfamily Lutrinae, which has a total of thirteen species in six genera. The American otter exhibit permits visitors to observe the feeding habits and swimming capabilities of the otters. Moreover, visitors can see various species of otters in different colors frolicking in the water (Becker, 2002). Habitat                  River otters are found in a variety of aquatic habitats, both in the coastal marine such as rivers, lakes, coastal shorelines, estuaries and marshes and in fresh water. The otter can tolerate a wide range of elevations and temperature. The primary needs of a river otter are a regular supply of food source and tranquil access to a body of water. They select their habitats grounded on the amount of shelter and food. It is for this reason that their habitat can change depending on the season. For example, they can move from temporarily flooded marshes to cypress swamps with permanent foods. Otters, are very sensitive to pollution, meaning that if the water is populated, the river otter will not be capable of surviving. It is for this reason that in captive setting, fresh and quality water is maintained. Growth of pollution, man-made poisons and cities destroy the otter habitat and decline their numbers (Niemuth, et al ) In most cases, river otters stay in a den or a holt, built in the burrows of other animals or in a natural hollows setting like in river banks, dens comprises of burrow dug by marmot monax, red foxes, nutria or beaver and muskrat lodges. They may also utilize logs or trees, rock creations, flood debris, undercut banks and backwater sloughs. The utilization of resting and den sites is primary opportunistic, though locations that gives seclusion and protection are highly preferred for otters. They also walk for great distances over land and through water to look for food. River otter; the weasel family hunt during the night and feed on whatever might be present. Fish are the favorite food for otters, though they also eat amphibians, crayfish and turtles. Otters love to playfully slide down snow-covered, muddy hills, or icy, which always end with a splash in the water. Pups enjoy such funs, which also demonstrates survival skills (Niemuth, et, al 2008). River otters stay in a small family group when they have a litter of pups. Nevertheless, they have strict territories, which they preserve from others otters of the same sex. Male territories can overlap with female territories, but male territories do not overlap with other male territories. When families are comprised of an adult female and her offsprings, the male also introduces their own social groups. Nevertheless, females and males usually build separate hierarchies, putting up each other, but not escorting one another. Young pups love to play through wrestling and chasing one another. However, river otters do not have territories, and distinct groups tend to avoid one another. Biological Tythms And/Or Migration, Navigation Orientation                  The river otters do go through a winter slow-down. They build ground beds or nests in hardwood swamps or dense thickets. Otters males and non-pregnant females do not appear to enter into a true hibernation. Rather, they enter a physiological state referred to as walking hibernation or denning. These otters will bed down for a few days, months or weeks, but they can be awakened on warm winter days for forage. Pregnant females go into hibernation state, especially in mid December to early January and do not awaken till late April or early May. Nevertheless, whether in a true hibernation or denning, the otters body temperature and metabolic and heart rates decline. The otters may lose up to 25percent of their body weight while hibernating (Williams et al, 2006). Reproduction                  River otters sexually mature between 2 to 3 years. In most cases, river otters mate in the fall or spring, with birth taking place the next year of mating. Nevertheless, river otters have deferred implantation cycle, which distinct them them from any other associated otter species. Though the gestation period takes around 60-63 days, the entire period of pregnancy can differ from 245-380 days.. The life cycle continues whereby the Otter pups weigh approximately 4.5ounces when born. The pup nurse for around 3 to 4 months and start to swim 2months after birth. It is natural for the young pups to swim, though the mother must lure them into the water for their first swim. The mother carries the pups on its back during the first days of swimming, thus coaxing them to swim. Usually, the pups move away from their mother when they are about 1 year old and ready to look for their own territory. Behavioral Development                  American river otters have adapted to an aquatic lifestyle just like fish. They are well fitted to dive and swim in water, just like how a dolphin fish does. However, otters have a slippery hydrodynamic nature, which exemplifies the perfect adaptation to an amphibious culture. As mentioned earlier, their webbed feet help them to swim with small dexterous front feed and large powerful hind feet. The muscular tail is somehow thick and flat at the base, tapering to a point. River otters utilize their hind limbs and undulating movement of their tail as the primary source of propulsion through the water. As a matter of fact, they also utilize their forelimbs for paddling. The common features for all otters is that they contain sleek waterproof fur, short hair, which is soft and dense. They also have perfect vision, particularly underwater, which aid them to capture their prey such as fish. Another adaptation is that they have stiff whiskers that are very sensi tive to water turbulence. (Niemuth et al, 2008) This helps them to find prey in muddy water or dark waters. Likewise, the thumbs on the front paws help them to move freely and can only be opposed when the otter is picking up, or holding small things such as when the otter is eating. Social Systems and Communication of River Otters                  River otters mostly forage in the water, where they hunt their prey, they are similarly on land because they can also run quickly. But, when they are moving on land, they bound in a sprinting fashion, with their backs bowed. Fortunately, they combine running with sliding in the mud, snow, or ice, whenever it is possible for them to do that. This makes them move fast and reach their destination, also, it has made them to be the most playful of the Mustelidae family. Nevertheless, river otters are also extremely vocal, and communicate with one another using diversity of calls such as staccato chuckles, twitters, chirps and buzzes (Niemuth et, al, 2008). When river otters develops and become solitary, they utilize scent marking to differentiate territorial boundaries. This is because, they have a pair of scent glands at the base of their tail that provides them with a heavy musky smell. Scent is very important for the otters because it gives the convey, the identity, sexual receptivity and sex of the otters. During the breeding season a male otter can utilize the sex makings of a female in estrus for beyond eight kilometers. However, though otters can be tolerant of other otters, the male otters do not contest for breeding preferences. There also slight commonality of territorial boundaries between the otters adults of similar sex. However, males exercise slight commonality of territories of various females (Esbensen, 1993). In conclusion, the river otters are one of the social carnivores in the world. It is clear because, the river otters in the zoo setting have been seen to tend to respond to human in distinct manner than do wild otters. The biggest threat to otter species is trapping excessive fur. Also, other species progresses to decline due to overfishing, destruction of the otters habitat and water pollution. Thus, the only hope for the future of the river otters is by breeding the otters in a zoo setting. Nevertheless, it is only the most perfect breeding program where the pups are brought up by their mothers on natural prey in a zoo setting, can hope to raise and breed otters than can successfully accommodate to wild status. Therefore, careful considerations should be taken when breeding the otters. Chasing of other otter species progresses worldwide, making the species become an endangered species. Today, all the otter species are now an endangered species, though the North American river otter is not considered and endangered species, but it is clear that its population has extremely decline. References Becker, J. (2002). North American river otters. San Diego, CA: Kidhaven Press. Esbensen, B., Brown, M. (1993). Playful slider: The North American river otter. Boston: Little, Brown, and. Greene, C., French, M. (1993). Reading about the river otter. Hillside, N.J., U.S.A.: Enslow. Niemuth, J., Sanders, C., Mooney, C., Olfenbuttel, C., Deperno, C., Stoskopf, M. (2008). Nephrolithiasis In Free-Ranging North American River Otter () In North Carolina, USA. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 110-117. Williams, T., Ben-David, M., Noren, S., Rutishauser, M., Mcdonald, K., Heyward, W. (2006). Running energetics of the North American river otter: Do short legs necessarily reduce efficiency on land? Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular amp; Integrative Physiology, 203-212. Source document

The General Adaptation Syndrome Psychology Essay

The General Adaptation Syndrome Psychology Essay Stress is inescapably present in the lives of every living organism. While some stress can be beneficial, too much of it is almost always disadvantageous. Frequently the word stress is used to describe the imposition of an undesirable psychological or physical state through uncontrollable or overwhelming circumstances. We tend to think of stress as a burden that we carry around with us. One individual might perceive that they are under an enormous amount of stress because of multiple impending deadlines, while another might feel stressed out because their house is not clean and unexpected guests are on their way. Despite the predominantly negative description above, stress itself is not necessarily bad. In fact, stress is an adaptive process without which our survival would be seriously compromised. Moderate stress can even have beneficial effects, such as improving cognitive function to facilitate meeting multiple deadlines and increasing energy supply to muscles to quickly clean th e entire house in a matter of minutes. However, too much or prolonged stress can result in a variety of detrimental effects on both physiological function and cognitive processes. Definition In order to properly understand the effects of stress on cognition, as measured by performance in a variety of mazes, we must first come to an understanding of what stress is. At its core, stress is can be defined as the response to a threat (or perceived threat) against homeostasis, the tendency of a system to maintain a stable internal environment. Living organisms, including humans and rodents, are open systems which work to maintain homeostasis despite being constantly bombarded by numerous external environmental insults. Homeostasis The concept of homeostasis was initially conceived by the French physiologist Claude Bernard in1854. He used the term milieu intà ©rierur to describe the ability of the internal environment (primarily the blood in Bernards time) of the body to compensate for and re-equilibrate in response to the external environment [1,2]. However, it was Walter Cannon who developed the concept of homeostasis. He proposed that the body maintained steady state conditions through multiple cooperative self-regulating mechanisms. One phenomenon observed by Cannon was that organisms respond to a threat by releasing epinephrine (aka adrenaline) from the adrenal medulla thereby increasing the bodys heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure while mobilizing glucose stores and inhibiting non-essential functions such as digestion and reproduction. This phenomenon is the prototypical sympathetic nervous system (a branch of the autonomic nervous system) response, for which Cannon coined the term fight-or-flig ht response [3]. Simply put, when confronted with a threat, an organism, through the narrowing of bodily functions and mobilization of available energy, is primed to respond actively, whether through fleeing or fighting. Thus, the primary contribution of Walter Cannon to the definition of stress was that in response to an environmental insult threatening the internal steady stated, the body initiates the sympathetic response to maintain homeostasis and ultimately increase survival. General Adaptation Syndrome The second major contributor to stress research was endocrinologist Hans Selye. Selye was working to discover a new hormone by injecting ovarian extracts in to rats and observing the physiological effects. He noted several changes after injection of this extract, including the 1) enlargement of the adrenal gland, 2) the atrophy of the thymus and lymph nodes and 3) the presence of gastric ulcers [4]. While he initially thought these effects were direct effects of a novel hormone, through additional control experiments he discovered that the injection of numerous agents, physical injury or even excessive exercise produced the same reliable effects [5]. Emphasizing the non-specificity of this response, Selye called these effects the General Adaptation Syndrome initially and later used the term stress to describe it. He further defined stressors as the factors or agents that triggered the stress response. In addition, Selye established the role of glucocorticoids, steroid hormones excret ed from the adrenal cortex, in the stress response. Furthermore, Selye described that prolonged exposure to stressors (and the stress response) can lead to illness or disease. Summary The combined work of Walter Cannon and Hans Selye formed the basis of stress research. Both agreed that when confronted with disruptive environmental factors, the body generated an adaptive response aimed at re-establishing homeostasis within the internal environment. Cannon focused on the sympathetic branch of this response, while Selye focused on the hormonal (i.e., endocrine) branch of this response. Modern thinking has modified the conceptualization of stress, as it turned out to be not quite as simple as originally thought. Importantly it is no longer thought that stress is non-specific as the magnitude and more subtle characteristics of the stress response are varied based on the type of stressor, the individuals perception of the stress and ability to cope. The following basic features of stress can be gleaned from this historical work: Stressors are any event, experience or environmental insult that threatens or is perceived to threaten homeostasis Stress is an adaptive response to re-establish and maintain homeostasis Stress is ultimately mediated by two branches: The sympathetic nervous system via release of epinephrine from the adrenal medulla The endocrine system via release of glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex These definitions and characteristics are more conducive to scientific study than the layman use of the term stress which does not distinguish between the trigger and the response, as described in the opening of this section. Thus, the definitions above will be utilized in the following sections. This chapter will further develop these basic concepts and present 1) an overview of the stress response, 2) descriptions of the different types of stressors, 3) the effects of both acute and chronic stress on learning and memory and 4) practical details on how to deal with the nuances of stress in behavioral testing. THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE ACUTE STRESS RESPONSE When a stressor is encountered, the brain triggers a physiological response, aimed at coping with the stressor and restoring homeostasis [6]. This response is governed by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Both of these systems are always actively engaged in maintaining homeostasis, but when posed with a disruption to an organisms internal environment, the HPA axis and SNS go into overdrive. When stressors are encountered several central nervous system (CNS) structures are activated to initiate the stress response, including the preganglionic sympathetic neurons of the spinal cord in addition to several brainstem and limbic forebrain structures [7]. These structures then recruit neural and neuroendocrine systems to initiate a stress response, culminating with the secretion of adrenal glucocorticoids (GCs) and epinephrine, the principle mediators of this adaptive response. The Sympathetic Nervous System Two primary pathways are activated by stressors within the SNS, the brain norepinephrine neurons in the locus coeruleus (LC) and the sympathetic adrenomedullary circuitry. Many, but not all stressors result in norepinephrine release from the LC, which ultimately contributes to the majority of circulating NE levels as well as numerous adaptive behaviors [8,9]. Activation of the sympathetic adrenomedullary circuitry via preganglionic neurons results in the release of the excitatory neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) onto postganglionic neurons and the adrenal medulla. Sympathetic postganglionic neurons primarily release of norepinephrine directly onto various target organs. On the other hand, activation of the adrenal medulla results in the synthesis and release of epinephrine into the circulation and indirectly onto target organs. Target organs activated by these catecholamines neurotransmitters correspond directly to the symptoms of the fight-or-flight response, including increased heart rate, blood pressure and respiration, pupil dilation, and inhibition of digestion, liver, kidney and gall bladder function. The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (Figure 1: HPA axis from Lupien 2009 Review) The present chapter will focus on the endocrine branch of the stress response. While the activation of the sympathetic nervous system is a key part of stress, many of the effects of stress on learning and memory have been shown to be dependent on GCs. The secretion of adrenal GC hormones is under the stimulatory drive of the medial parvocellular neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus. In response to stressors, brainstem and limbic forebrain regions activate these neurons to secrete corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and vasopressin into the hypophysial circulation to stimulate the anterior pituitary to release adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) into the peripheral circulation which ultimately results in the release of GCs from the adrenal gland [10]. GCs are carried to every organ via the circulation to allow for a coordinated adaptive response between the brain and bodily functions. GCs mobilize energy, suppress immune and inflammatory responses, inhibi t bone and muscle growth and reproductive function as well as increase attention and impact learning and memory processes [11]. GCs also regulate further CRH and ACTH release via negative feedback loops by binding receptors in the pituitary, PVN, hippocampus (HPC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) to inhibit further GC release and to return the homeostatic balance of the HPA axis [10] (Fig. 1). While these are the primary targets of GCs, virtually every neuron in the brain has receptors for these hormones. Thus, GCs are an important enabler of normal brain function in addition to their role in HPA axis function. Corticosterone (CORT), the primary GC in the rat, is the ligand for the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), steroid hormone receptors that function as transcription factors and regulate neuronal gene transcription. GR and MR have different affinities for CORT in the brain. GRs are expressed ubiquitously in the brain, and are most concentrated in the CRH neurons of the PVN and ACTH releasing neurons in the anterior pituitary and also in the HPC [10]. The highest expression of MRs in the brain is in the HPC, though they are expressed in other forebrain regions [10]. MRs are saturated by modest levels of CORT, such as those generated during circadian oscillations, and thus mediate daily changes in HPA axis activity. On the other hand, GRs are saturated by more extreme levels of CORT, such as those seen following a stressful experience, and mediate negative feedback to restore homeostasis [12,10]. Time Course of the Acute Stress Response (Figure 2: rise and fall of CORT) The typical stress response begins within a very short period of time. The SNS response occurs more rapidly than the HPA axis response, due to direct neurotransmitter release on target tissues vs. indirect hormonal release into the circulation, respectively. Within seconds, the post-ganglionic neurons of the SNS release norepinephrine and the adrenal medulla releases epinephrine into circulation. Also within seconds, CRH is released from the PVN of the hypothalamus, followed quickly by the release of ACTH into peripheral circulation from the anterior pituitary [13]. Within 3-5 minutes, the adrenal cortex releases CORT into the circulation, by which time peak plasma ACTH levels are reached. While peak levels of GCs vary according to stressor type and duration, circulating CORT levels typically reach peak levels15-30 minutes after stressor initiation [14]. At this time ACTH levels have also returned to baseline [14]. However, the effects of GCs on target tissues do not occur until abou t an hour after stressor initiation [13]. After peak CORT levels are reached, negative feedback mechanisms shut down further CORT secretion so that circulating CORT levels recover to near baseline levels within 60-120 minutes after stressor initiation [15,14]. The time required to reach baseline levels also varies depending on stressor type and duration. Circulating levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine follow a similar trajectory, but with more rapid increases and decreases [16]. Biological Rhythms Plasma levels of CORT are not static, but follow a circadian rhythm that is closely aligned with the sleep-wake cycles. In both humans and rodents, plasma GCs rise as the sleep cycle (inactive phase) ends and peaks upon waking up. From this peak, GC levels fall during the active phase and eventually reach the circadian trough or nadir (the lowest point in the cycle) [17,18]. However, as nocturnal animals, the active phase for rodents is during the dark period and the inactive phase occurs during the light period. Thus, in laboratory animals, peak CORT levels are found just after the lights are turned off and nadir CORT levels are measured when the lights are turned on. In addition, within this circadian rhythm GCs are released in an ultradian (cycles repeated within the 24 hour period) pulsatile pattern which rises and falls according to the circadian rhythm [19]. Basal levels of CORT measured in rats can typically range from 0-200 ng/mL in adult male rats or 100-500 ng/mL in adult f emale rats [18]. In response to acute stressors, peak stress levels of CORT generally range from 200-600 ng/mL in adult male rats and 500-1000 ng/mL in adult female rats. Both basal and peak stress levels of CORT can vary depending on the sampling time within the circadian rhythm. Sex, Age and Strain Differences As noted above, sex differences in HPA axis activity and responses to acute stressors are well documented. Female rodents exhibit higher basal and stress induced levels of both ACTH and CORT [20,21]. Sex differences in CORT secretion are primarily mediated by estrogen, with higher levels of ACTH and CORT found during proestrus, when circulating levels of estrogen are high [20,18]. Much of the research on gonadal steroid regulation of the HPA axis suggests that estrogen has excitatory effects while androgens have inhibitory effects [22-26]. In addition, females have higher levels of corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG), which partially buffers the higher levels of CORT [27,24]. CBG binds circulating CORT and renders it biologically inactive [28,29]. However, CBG levels take several hours to increase after exposure to a stressor, resulting in higher levels of biologically active CORT in females in response to stressors [30]. Acute stress responses can also vary across the lifespan. After birth, from day 2 to 14, rats experience a stress hyporesponsive period (SHRP) wherein circulating basal CORT remain very low and neonatal pups fail to show an elevation in CORT in response to stress or ACTH administration[31-33]. Adolescence is the next developmental epoch, which includes three stages: pre-pubescence/early adolescence (21-34 days), mid-adolescence (34-46 days) and late adolescence (46-59 days) [34,35]. During early adolescence, rats exhibit an exaggerated HPA axis response to both acute and chronic stress compared to adults [36,37]. In addition, sex differences in HPA axis function mature over the adolescent period [38,39]. The acute stress response has also been investigated in aging animals, though a great deal of heterogeneity, particularly with respect to the aging model has been found [40]. However, the general consensus, based on earlier studies, is that aged animals exhibit elevated baseline (or basal) CORT and a prolonged stress-induced elevation in CORT release, possibly due to decreased GR-mediated negative feedback [41,42]. It should also be noted that aging is associated with increased variability in the acute stress response [40]. Sex differences in acute HPA axis responses are not frequently examined in aged rats. However, since estrogen decreases with age, and males demonstrate increased basal CORT, it would be expected that sex differences would become less robust [43,44] Robust strain differences in both basal and peak stress levels of CORT also exist. In general, the in bred Fischer 344 (F344) strain of rats secrete higher levels of both basal and stress induced CORT levels compared to both the inbred Lewis (LEW) strain and the outbred Sprague Dawley (SD) strain (Dhabar 1993). Interestingly, both F344 and SD rats show increased basal CORT levels at the end of the inactive period, while LEW rats did not show a robust circadian rhythm (Dhabar 1993). As mentioned above, strain differences can also interact with age differences to further complicate the picture of a normal HPA axis stress response across the lifespan. CHRONIC STRESS Exposure to chronic stress can result in long term elevations in GCs and has been shown to alter the structure and function of the brain regions involved in regulating the HPA axis as well as learning and memory and numerous other behaviors [7]. Two general responses in HPA axis function occur as a result of chronic stress, namely habituation and sensitization. Habituation typically occurs following repeated exposure to the same (homotypic) mild stressor, with the magnitude of the HPA axis response (i.e. CORT secretion) diminishing with each subsequent exposure to the stressor [45,46]. On the other hand, repeated exposure to different (heterotypic) and unpredictable stressors can diminish the habituation of the HPA axis response [47-49]. Interestingly, both chronic homotypic and heterotypic unpredictable stressors cause sensitization of the HPA axis response to a novel stressor, resulting in increased ACTH and CORT secretion [45,48]. The most frequently studied brain regions that are vulnerable to chronic stress are the HPC, amygdala (AMG) and PFC [50]. In both the HPC and PFC, chronic restraint stress results in dendritic atrophy and decreased GR expression, which facilitates decreased HPA axis feedback and impaired memory [51-54,7]. In addition, chronic stress can also lead to altered hippocampal excitability, neurochemistry and neurogenesis (refs from Conrad 2010 review if needed?). On the other hand, chronic stress causes dendritic hypertrophy and increased CRH expression in the AMG as well as dendritic hypertrophy in the dorsolateral striatum (DLS), which facilitate HPA axis excitability and anxiety and habitual behavior, respectively [7,55-58]. Sex, Age and Strain Differences Sex differences in response to chronic stress exposure are less frequently examined. The above-mentioned effects are well documented in males. However, chronic stress does not appear to have the same effects in females. For example, females appear to be resilient against chronic stress induced dendritic atrophy in the HPC and spatial memory impairments [59-63]. In the PFC, females exhibit dendritic hypertrophy, whereas males demonstrate dendritic atrophy in response to repeated stress exposure [64]. In addition, chronic stress is associated with sex-specific PFC-mediated behavioral effects. Chronically stressed males show impairments in recall of fear extinction, possibly reflecting decreased behavioral flexibility [65-67]. However, chronically stressed females demonstrate impaired memory for the acquisition of fear conditioning, which is more dependent on the AMG [68-70]. Interestingly, males show dendritic hypertrophy and increased activation of the AMG and an associated increase i n the acquisition of fear conditioning following chronic stress [67]. Thus, in females, chronic stress causes more moderate morphological and behavioral outcomes that may be related to sex-specific changes in AMG function. Chronic stress also has differential effects across the lifespan. In general, earlier exposure to chronic stress (i.e. prenatal and neonatal) have protracted and irreversible effects compared to adult chronic stress. Exposing pregnant rat dams to chronic stress increases circulating CORT which crosses through the placenta and reaches the developing fetus to alter brain development and HPA axis activity [71]. The long-term effects of prenatal stress include increased basal and stress induced CORT secretion as well as learning impairments, increased anxiety- and depression-like behaviors and sensitivity to drugs of abuse [72,73]. Postnatal stress is typically induced by disrupting the maternal-pup interactions (i.e., maternal separation or daily handling of pups). The long-term effects of early postnatal stress include altered anxiety-like behavior and stress-induced HPA axis activity in adulthood though the direction of these effects are varied and highly dependent on the age of the p up, as well as the type and duration of the manipulations [72,74,75]. Chronic adolescent stress can result in enduring effects in adulthood, including decreased hippocampal volume, impaired spatial learning, and increased anxiety-like behavior adulthood [76-79]. However, there is less evidence for adolescent stress exposure to result in depressive behaviors in adulthood [80,81]. Studies of long lasting effects of adolescent stress exposure on HPA axis function are mixed, while most report no effect on basal or stress-induced CORT or ACTH secretion, some studies find increased basal and stress induced CORT secretion in adulthood [82,78,76,83,84]. Chronic stress exposure during adolescence can lead to long term behavioral and neuroendocrine effects, depending on the timing of exposure, the sex of the animal and the type of stressors used [82,84,85]. In aged animals, chronic stress has differential effects compared to young or middle-aged adult rats. For example, following 3 weeks of c hronic restraint stress in aged males and females, stress-induced sex differences were no longer evident on spatial and non-spatial memory tasks and chronic stress either facilitated or did not impair performance in aged male rats [86,87]. In addition, in aged animals sex-specific effects of chronic stress are reversed [86,87]. Furthermore, chronic stress in aged rats may potentiate stress-induced neurotoxicity, particularly in the HPC [72,88]. Strain differences are also noted in the effects of chronic stress. Interestingly, and in line with acute stress strain differences, the inbred F344 strain do not demonstrate habituation of the plasma CORT response to chronic stress with a repeated homotypic stressor, while SD and LEW rat strains do [46]. F344, but not SD and LEW, rats also exhibit adrenal gland hypertrophy after 3 sessions of restraint over 10 days [46]. F344 rats also exhibit a lack of HPA axis habituation following 14 days of restraint compared to SD rats [89]. Consistent with these findings, robust differences between SD and LEW rats were not found in either male or female rats in HPA axis response to an acute stressor after chronic exposure to unpredictable heteroptyic stressors [90]. TYPES OF STRESSORS Acute Stressors (Figure 3: Equipment/Stressors) In addition to being a threat against homeostasis, stressors can be described as any event or environment that is novel, unpredictable, poses a threat to well-being or ego, or creates a sense of loss of control (Lupien 2007). Acute stressors are stressors which occur on a single occasion with varying durations. Typically acute stressors last anywhere from 5 minutes to upwards of 6 hours, but in general for a period of time less than 24 hours. Acute stressors of longer durations are sometimes referred to as single prolonged stressors. Essentially the purpose of an acute stressor is for the experimental subject to mount a single stress response, or activation of the HPA axis. There are many different types of stressors and categorization of these stressors is attempted by many, though not all stress researchers agree. Stressors can vary in the type of perceived stress such as physical or psychological (or some combination of the two) as well as intensity and duration. Depending on the type of stressor used, differential effects on the HPA axis and SNS responses will occur. Physical stressors are stressors that are predominantly identified or perceived through the senses or involuntary (autonomic) mechanisms. Examples of physical stressors include extreme temperatures, loud noise, chemical exposure, extreme activity, metabolic or immune system disruptions, hemorrhage and pain. The most extreme physical stressors are necessarily limited to short durations due to discomfort. Many physical stressors can be administered in multiple ways or in combination with other stressors. To manipulate temperature, rodent subjects can be place in a standard cold room (~4-6 °C) or a hot room (~30-40 °C) or in cold (~18-20 °C) or hot water (~25-35 °C) as part of a forced swim stressor (forced exercise) [91-93]. Loud noises stressors are most effective at a range of ~90-110 dB [94]. Chemical stressors include exposure to ether vapors, hypoxic conditions, and injection of formalin or other noxious substances [93,95]. Stressors involving extreme activity include forc ed swim and on the opposite end of the spectrum, immobilization, wherein the subject is splayed out on a board with all its limbs and head secured to prevent movement. Metabolic disruptions can include fasting or food restriction, injections of insulin to induce hypoglycemia or lipopolysaccharide to induce an immune reaction. Hemorrhage or hypovolemia is induced by removing a percentage of blood volume with a moderate hemorrhage consisting of removal of ~20% estimated blood volume [96]. Finally, pain can be induced via numerous methods. Frequently used stressors include tail pinch with clothespins or hemostats. Another common stressor associated with pain is mild ( Psychological stressors are perceived threats against homeostasis or well-being. Important qualities of psychological stressors include loss of control, unpredictability and novelty. Identification of psychological stressors can also be experience or species dependent, in that the anticipation of the event itself can be a stressor, even in the absence of the actual event. Psychological stressors may also induce fear, anxiety or other behavioral changes. The effectiveness of psychological stressors is primarily under the control of limbic brain regions such as the HPC, AMG and PFC [7]. Several types of psychological stressors are used, including those that activate innate and species-specific behaviors and fear, inescapable/uncontrollable stressors, and social stressors. Activation of innate fear (based on a threat to safety/survival) in rodents can be accomplished with exposure to a predator (i.e. a cat or snake) or to a novel or unfamiliar environments particularly those with are op en and brightly lit (i.e. open field or elevated plus maze). Inescapable and uncontrollable stressors include inescapable foot or tail shock, forced swim and restraint. Rodent restraint is the most frequently used and well-documented stressor. It can also be combined with other physical stressors such as being placed in a rotating platform or in combination with tail pinch. Interestingly, even animal handling can be categorized as this type a stressor. Social stressors make up their own entire subcategory. Many researchers believe that social stressors are the most translationally relevant because the primary source of stress in humans comes from social interactions, expectations and even trauma. Rats are by nature social animals, but too much or too little can elicit a stress response. Two of the least effortful social stressors are isolation housing and high density housing (i.e. crowding). Interestingly males show a greater stress response to crowding while females show a greater stress response to single (i.e. isolation) housing [98]. A popular social stressor is social defeat, utilizing the resident intruder paradigm. This paradigm consists of using aggressive male rats (i.e. retired breeders or reared in isolation without handling) as the resident rat. The experimental rat (i.e. the one which will mount a stress response) is the intruder and is placed in the home cage of the resident rat. Typically the rats are allowed contac t with each other until the intruder demonstrates defeat behaviors (i.e. submissive supine posturing). In one modification of this paradigm, the intruder remains in the home cage of the resident rat but is separated, and therefore protected from physical harm, by a wire mesh enclosure [99,100]. A novel socially based stressor that is less labor intensive is to place a male rat in the dirty cage of another male rat. Thus the male rat is in an inescapable territory of another male rat, without physical contact [101]. Chronic Stress Paradigms Chronic stress is prolonged stress that typically occurs for at least 5 days, typically 1-3 weeks and sometimes up to 6 weeks or more. Many different types of chronic stress paradigms can be used, depending on the desired outcome measures. An additional variable to consider with chronic stress paradigms is the likelihood of habituation of the stress response over time, as mentioned above. Examples of chronic stress paradigms include chronic restraint, chronic mild stress, chronic unpredictable stress, chronic variable stress, chronic social stress, and chronic intermittent stress. Chronic restraint stress and chronic mild stress have historically been the most frequently used chronic stress paradigms. Interestingly, these paradigms have different phenotypic outcomes. Chronic restraint stress is frequently carried out with daily 6 hour restraint sessions for 3 weeks (Conrad XXXX). However, because chronic restraint stress is repeated exposure to a single homotypic stressor, habituation of the stress response after the first few days likely occurs as evidenced by blunted CORT and ACTH release in response to restraint following completion of the chronic restraint paradigm [102,103]. This paradigm is well characterized with regard to spatial learning and memory deficits as well as altered dendritic morphology, particularly dendritic retraction in the hippocampus [104]. Interestingly, spontaneous recovery of both altered dendritic morphology and spatial learning and memory deficits has been observed [105]. Chronic restraint stress also alters anxiety- and depressiv e-like behaviors, impairs response inhibition, facilitates fear learning and reduces motivation for food reward [106-108,53] Chronic mild stress (CMS) is typically used to induce an anhedonic (i.e. depressive-like) phenotype [109]. This paradigm typically involves exposure of the subjects to one mild stressor a day, typically for 6-8 weeks [109,110]. Stressors are administered on a set weekly schedule and include wet bedding, cage tilt, mild footshock, alterations in the light-dark cycle, food/water deprivation and cage changes [109,110]. Anhedonic effects of CMS, which can last up to 3 months, include decreased sucrose consumption, increased threshold for intracranial self-stimulation and decreased locomotor activity in the absence an anxiety-like phenotype [109]. Chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) is essentially an iteration of CMS, which lasts for a shorter period of time (~2 weeks) and presents mild to moderate stressors once a day in a more randomized order and time of day [111,112]. Depressive-like phenotypes are seen after CUS exposure in addition to anxiety-like phenotypes and cognitive deficits [1 12,91]. Chronic variable stress (CVS) is yet another more severe iteration of a repeated administration of heterotypic stressors. More recently, CVS paradigms have differentiated themselves from CMS paradig