Organic Food Essay

Once found only in health food stores, native food is now a regular feature at most supermarkets. And thats created a bit of a dilemma in the produce aisle. On one hand, you have a conventionally grown apple. On the other, you have one thats essential. Both apples atomic number 18 firm, shiny and red. Both provide vitamins and fiber, and both are free of fat, sodium and cholesterol. Which should you choose? The word thorough refers to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat.Organic farming practices are designed to encourage soil and water conservation and reduce pollution. Farmers who grow original produce and meat dont use conventional methods to fertilize, control weeds or prevent livestock disease. For example, alternatively than using chemical weedkillers, organic farmers may conduct more sophisticated crop rotations and spread mulch or manure to keep weeds at bay. The U. S. Department of Agricult ure (USDA) has established an organic certification program that requires all organic foods to meet strict government standards.These standards regulate how such foods are grown, handled and processed. whatsoever product labeled as organic must be USDA certified. Only producers who sell less than $5,000 a year in organic foods are exempt from this certification however, theyre still required to follow the USDAs standards for organic foods. If a food bears a USDA Organic label, it subject matter its produced and processed according to the USDA standards. The seal is voluntary, but many organic producers use it. Products certified 95 percent or more organic display this USDA seal.Products that are completely organic such as fruits, vegetables, eggs or other single-ingredient foods are labeled 100 percent organic and can carry the USDA seal. Foods that have more than one ingredient, such as breakfast cereal, can use the USDA organic seal sum the following wording, depending on the number of organic ingredients. Products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients may say made with organic ingredients on the label, but may not use the seal.Foods containing less than 70 percent organic ingredients cant use the seal or the word organic on their product labels. They can include the organic items in their ingredient list, however. Natural and organic are not interchangeable terms. You may see rude(a) and other terms such as all natural, free-range or hormone-free on food labels. These descriptions must be truthful, but dont blear them with the term organic. Only foods that are grown and processed according to USDA organic standards can be labeled organic.

Bail Application Larceny

This matter is an application for conditional bail your honour. Mrs. Ayoub is a 51 course of instruction old divorced woman that lives on her own and has been charged with stealth at a lower place comp singlent 117, common assault under section 61 and resisting arrest, under section 58 of the Crimes Act 1900. Your honour, I submit my client has incomplete presumption in favour or against bail as she doesnt fall under sections 8 to 9. Therefore Mrs. Ayoub has no presumption for bail however, under section 13 of the Bail Act, my client is still eligible for bail despite having no entitlement, therefore I plead for bail to be considered grant to my client.Has your honour been made aware of the facts of the case? * The alleged incident took place after a substantial amount of alcohol had been consumed, putting my client in a different state of mind. * It was non Mrs. Ayoubs intention to steal the radio as she placed it in her shopping bag and was then distract by a conversation. She then walked out of Myer forgetting to pay for the radio which is when she was confronted by the security guard create her to panic and push him away. * As a resultant of this, police arrived and Mrs. Ayoub was in a state of distress and the police struggled to escort her to the police vehicle till she calmed down.Your honour, the criteria to be considered in Mrs. Ayoubs case involveing section 32 1) a) states the probability of whether or not the psyche exit appear incourtin respect of theoffencefor whichbailis being considered, having regard only(prenominal) to Subsection i. the individuals background and community ties, as indicated by the write up and details of the psyches residence,employmentand family situations and the persons prior criminal record Your honour, my client was leave by her husband many years ago and as a fifty one year old woman, resulted in psychological distress leading her to psychiatric help enchantment he lives in America.She has no suretie s or property as her only pee-pee of income is her pension cheque. She has no other immediate family in Sydney and resides at a unit in Parramatta but my clients daughter keeps in contact with her mother and is willing to let Mrs. Ayoub reside with her in Melbourne. Due to this arrangement, my client will not breach such ties with her daughter by not appearing in court on set dates as it could strain the relationship with both parties. My client does have a criminal history all over twenty years with ninety convictions of arceny, mainly shoplifting, however, none of the convictions consisted of assault or resisting arrest. Section 32 1) a) subsection ii. states any previous failure to appear incourtpursuant to abail undertakingor pursuant to a recognizance ofbailentered into before the commencement of this section Your honour, my client has neer failed to appear in court even though she has a medical certificate from her previous psychiatrist stating that she had a nervous breakd own when her husband left her.Section 32 1) a) subsection ii. reads the circumstances of theoffence(including its nature and seriousness), the strength of the recount against the person and the severity of the penalty or probable penalty Your honour, my clients offence of assault and resisting arrest were as a result of the alleged larceny as she had no intention to steal the radio, there is no evidence to prove that my clients intention was to permanently deprive the owner of that property.The mental element of committing the crime is not present as my client was in severe distress when she had forgotten that it was still in her bag. Mrs. Ayoub was taken by surprise when the guard approached her and didnt intend any harm towards him when she pushed him away as she panicked. When the police arrived, she struggled as they escorted her but didnt try to resist, obstruct or oppose her arrest as she only just struggled till they calmed her down.Under these circumstances, my client was misapprehend as she was in a different state of mind and doesnt deserve the severity of these punishments including larceny under section 117 carrying a maximum declare of five years imprisonment, common assault under section 61 carrying a maximum of sentence of two years imprisonment and resisting arrest, under section 58 carrying a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment.Section 32 1) b) reads the interest of the person having regard only to Subsection iv) whether or not the person is, in the opinion of theauthorised officerorcourt, incapacitated by intoxication, injury or use of a drug or is otherwise in danger of physical injury or in need of physical certificate Your honour, my client has an ongoing problem with alcohol leading to intoxication which whitethorn lead to making unsound judgements/decisions and for this reason may need professional help or counselling regarding her alcohol problem as her addiction may get worse if it is not treated properly.Section 32 1) b1 ) subsection i) states the protection of any person against whom it is alleged that the offence concerned was committed In regards to the protection of the security guard, my client has no intention to harm him or any intention to revisit that store as she is willing to move to Melbourne to live with her daughter.Section 32 1) c) subsection iv) reads the protection and welfare of the community, having regard only to whether or not it is likely that the person will commit any seriousoffencewhile at liberty onbail, but theauthorised officerorcourtmay have regard to this likelihood Your honour, my clients history of larceny may be an issue but to stop my client from reoffending, her daughter is willing to let my client live with her which will influence her to the penny-pinching as she wont put strain on the relationship she has with her only family.As this is an application for conditional bail, under bail conditions section 36 2) a) one or more of the following conditions only may b e imposed on the grant ofbail that the accused personenterinto an agreement to chance upon specified requirements as to his or her conduct while at liberty onbail, other than financial requirements. Your honour, my client is willing to enter an agreement concerning residing at a specific premises and entering a rehabilitation program for her alcohol abuse which will prevent my client from panicking in certain situations causing her to cause harm to others.Section 36 2) a1) statesthat the accused person enter into an agreement to reside, while at liberty onbail, in accommodation for persons onbail. As mentioned before, my client has agreed to reside with her daughter at 12 Brown Road, Brownfield 3425 in Melbourne. Living with her daughter will influence my client to obey the laws and prevent her from shoplifting which may have a positive impact on her life. This way, Mrs.Ayoubs pension cheque wont be her only form of income as her daughter will provide for my client which will minim ize the chances of my client wanting to shoplift. My client agrees to appear in court when needed and will sign in at an assigned police station if granted bail. Section 36 2) b) states that one ormore than oneacceptable person (other than the accused person) acknowledge that he or she is acquainted with the accused person and that he or she regards the accused person as a responsible person who is likely to comply with his or herbail undertaking. Your honour my clients daughter has acknowledged her mother as a responsible person as she wouldnt be willing to let her stay if she wasnt likely to comply with her bail conditions. To conclude my submissions, I would like your honour to take into rumination the misunderstanding of the three offences as my client expresses great remorse and is embarrassed that her intoxication led to this stage. If your honour has no further questions, that concludes my submission.

The Burning of Rome Literary Analysis

While reading The Burning of Rome, any person with simple reflexion skill may perceive Tacitus purpose. The readers should take what he says against Nero, and try to believe everything he says so they turn against Nero. Tacitus believes the readers should count on that Nero started the fire that engulfed Tome. He wants reader to think of Nero as a corrupt, manipulative human being, and overall the worst, most evil leader that ever ruled over Rome. Tacitus uses the rhetorical strategies of pathos, description, and narration as shipway to help him persuade readers to believe his point.Tacitus puts pathos to good use on a number of statements and explanations. To turn readers against Nero, Tacitus evokes the emotions of disgust, pity, and sympathy when he says The shrieks of panic stricken women, the flunk of the ages (Tacitus 327). Writing that and other sentences, the author targets the audiences emotion of pity.He wants them to feel piteous toward the women and old men by feelin g that way, they feel hatred against Nero and somewhat convert against him therefore they will more than readily believe that he started the inferno. Tacitus also uses pathos when he says The most cruel tortures upon a carcass of men. (Tacitus 327). This sentence and the more descriptive details appeal to the readers emotion of sympathy. The readers should feel terrible that he punished the Christians merely because they follow a disliked new religion Nero merely used them as a scapegoat, as an effort to try and take some blame off of him.In addition to pathos, Tacitus also uses this plentiful description to influence readers to think of Nero as a corrupt, manipulative human being. He writes small stories with such vivid images, such as so much as lawn and lawns and mock wilderness. (Tacitus 324). The author portrays Rome in all its beauty in effort to give the reader an view of what was lost. Although mainly description, it also incorporates pathos. The readers should imagine ho w beautiful and lovely Rome looked before the fire, and then believe that Nero burned it down and destroyed everything they had.Tacitus narration of the story is more effective than his descriptions. He tells the story of the burn down of Tome, while explain to reader why exactly Nero should take the blame. For example, he says Furiously the destroying flames swept on (Tacitus 327). Tacitus narrates the burning of Rome so that the readers actually know what happened, and dont guess at any details. He effectively tells how the fire destroyed Rome exploitation description. The readers can imagine the entire city up in flames, and it makes them even more so against Nero, the only one accused in Tacitus writing.Tacitus effectively uses the rhetorical strategies such as pathos, description, and narration to persuade readers to fall into his writing objective of do readers believe that Nero started the fire. He effectively appealed to emotions, created vivid images, and told stories to move the readers on his side, making his point.

Lobbying strategies used by financial services Essay

General cognizeledge nearly palpableing and the tangible crystallize legislation.A evident of invention muckle be said to be a se of exclusive uprights given to an inventor or his assignee for a given design in exchange for the fraud expand. yet in countries comparable us extras qualification utility perceptibles is utilise to differentiate them from hot(prenominal) types of ostensibles, this should non be confused with utility models grants by new(prenominal) countries. (http//www.ipaustralia-gov.au/ visibles/what_index.sch.html)examples of these spokespersonicular discernibles for invention includes biological unpatterneds, telephone circuit manner unembellisheds, chemical opens and softw ar indubitables. In rough new(prenominal) countries near new(prenominal)wise types of intellectual property rights (IPR) argon called secures sequence industrial design rights are referred to as design perceptibles which protect the physical designs of object s which are non of not bad(p) utility.As much(prenominal) wherefore, patent should not be mistaken for a right to execute or use the inventor, it(patent) provides the authority to prevent other people from making, development, selling or offering for sale or importing the patented invention for as considerable as the term of the patent re chief(prenominal)s, which in most cases is usually 20years. In real sense a patent is a limited property right that the regime leases to inventors in exchange of their (inventors) apocalypse of the details leading to their invention. Patent therefore, like any other property rights can be leased, mortgaged, assigned, licensed, given away or even transfered.As briefly stated supra the rights governing a patent varies from coun try to country. For instance in Australia, other people are allowed to ca-ca on top of already patented invention.This is possible by making use of exceptions from infringement procedures e.g. allowances for schoo lman research (http. /paustralia- gov.au/patents/what_ index .sch.html). While on the other hand in US things are precise different on patent rights governing research, whereby even developing of an existing invention amounts to infringement. The mystery of patents is exhibited when integrity wants to oblige an return of an already patented invention. This can only be d unmatched legally by conform toking permission from the patent holder, assuming that the patent is dumb in labor When the new improvement is make the owner of it can patty the original patent owner from using the improvement and whence denying him of the right to operate the patent.However some countries require that the invention be exploited in the legal power it covers. Again the penalties of not working an invention vary from country to country further the common penalties ranges from invalidation of the patent rights to awarding of a license to any party in a put to exploit the invention. The patent ee can seek legal redress and challenge the revocation or the exit of the license. But there exists a big vault in offering of tangible evidence that, the requirement of the public afford really been met by the working the invention.Generally patents can only be put in force by means of law suits (e.g. in US, patent infringements are handled in the US federal judiciarys) in other countries like France and Australia criminal penalties for patent infringements are given. In case of an infringement the patent owner provide demand to be compensated financially for past infringement and hence alike seek to bar the defendant (infringer)from engaging in any further acts of infringement. However it is not ceaselessly flaccid for the patent owner to prove that infringement really took place. As such, he is required to establish that the accused near all that the patent was entitled to again, the reduce of independent jurisdictions patent rights tradition besides arises.The in a higher place statements s slatternlyly the powers of a patent owner are enough evidence to show that there is a big limitation on the patent owner because the accused has a right to challenge the validity of a patent .It is common for civil coquets hearing patent cases to declare patents invalid. The basis on which a patent can be declared invalid are stated on the patent agreement, and again this varies from angiotensin converting enzyme jurisdiction to another. However some countries like UK concord laws discoursing infringers from challenging the validity of patents. In the UK this discouraged through the certificate of contested validity. Nevertheless not all patent rights disputes are settled through litigatation. mass of these disputes are settled through private patent licensing agreements.These agreement are simply practical, encumbranceive contracts whereby the patent owner ( overly kat once as licensor) voluntarily decides not to sue an infringer in return of some compensation .Research shows that this is common in companies which deals with complex products. These companies to a fault issue patented licenses to other business rivals chthonic what is know as cross licensing agreements. This in turn facilities the cross accessing of each other inventions (special problems in patent cases 66.FRD 529,197 by Howard T Markey) As seen in a higher place different jurisdictions suffer different traditions of approaching patenting, but it should be observe that in many nations both 1ness entities (natural persons) and incarnate entities can apply for a patent. On issuance of this patent then the entity (ies) becomes the owners of the patents. However, it is mandatory that the inventor (s) be named so that the public can get to know how the owner(s) of the patent acquired the rights. For example in US only the inventor(s) (natural person) can apply for a patent, in cases of multi inventors then each inventor is given a patent which s very inde pendent from those given to other co- inventors .It is a normal practice also in US for inventors to assign their ownership rights to a corporate body, this is done in cases of multi-inventors so that only one single entity has the rights to grant a license. Another curtilage is to increase the liquidity of the patent as property, so that inventors can be in a position to sell them to a third party, who in turn owns the patent as though they were the real investors.From the higher up detailed information about the function ability of patents and patent rights it is evident that patents and patent rights take aim to be protected by pertinent laws so that neither party i.e. patent owners, authorities, and infringers is vulnerable to mistreatment. Therefore nations and also internal communities have come up with laws that govern the enforcement of patents. Patents as such therefore, are governed by laws at a national level and at an international level through signing of treaties. It can be said that patents are therefore not national but territorial in nature. It is traditional that all(prenominal) nation forms a patent office which carries out patenting responsibilities in regards of the laws of the country. However cases of infringements are left to be catered by national courts.On an international scale it is the work of the world Trade organization (WTO) to harmonize these patent laws. Agreement have been reached successfully in aligning these patent laws .Adherence to these agreements is a mandatory requirement for adit to the WTO, a factor leading to mass compliance by many nations .Even the developing countries are not left back although they have been cognize to enforce national laws protecting their local industries. A predominate international meting held in Paris relating to patent ashess culminated in the signing of the to a higher place agreement.Although the agreement does not have a consequential legal effect in national jurisdictions it s principles are largely inculcated in many stream patent musical arrangements. For instance one such principle is the right to claim priority which allows an screening filled in a member state of the Paris meeting to be valid for one year and also to be filled in any other member state and still receive its original filling reckon. This is a great achievement since patent ownership is undefiledly date oriented.Again the powers and dynamics of patents vary from sate to another. In US for example, the lands prime law (constitution), gives the sex act the polity to make laws, to promote, and uphold the progress of Science and useful Arts. These laws once passed, are then enshrined in designation 35 of the United grounds Code. The United States patent and trademark office (USPTO) was created under the above laws. (US patent activity, 1790 to familiarise http//www. Upstaged/web/ offices/ac/ido/oeip/taf/h-counts-html). In UR, patent laws are contained in the patents comport 19 77 (amended).On international perspective, as mentioned above there exists international freely procedures e.g. procedures under European patent convention (EPC) which works under European patent organization (EPO) and patent cooperation Treaty (PCT) among many others. Similar treaties exist in African content countries. For a natural person or a corporate entity to be awarded a patent then an application requesting the same has to be filled at the relevant patent office. This application contains such information like how to make and put the invention into use and also the utility of the invention. Also contained in the application form is claims which explain more about the invention and the extend of patent rights in regards to applicants wishes.The above details in concert with a written description with drawings are part of the patent specification. In some nations like US, the applicant is also required to include the most effective way to make and practice the invention. The claim part acts as a disclosure to the public on the limits to which the patentee has over the invention. In other words a claim shows what the patent covers and what does not cover. It should be say also that a single patent can have numerous claims, each regarded as an independent invention.Once the above requirements have been provided it is now the duty of the patent office to counter check whether the application is in order with the relevant legal provisions in social intercourse to the particular specie of patents. Once it is approved the patent takes effect from the date issued and it is subject to yearly renewals so as to rebriny in force in relation to (Egbert vs. Lippmenn, 104 U.S. 333 (1881) the corset case) The US supreme court passed a decision that any inventor who has not applied for a patent for more than eleven years of using the invention, cannot be given one. thence there is a involve to seek for a patent once an invention has been do (http//www. barbarian Greenfield. Com/media/news. 9.pdf)In a summary of the above information about patent body four main aspects have clearly been discussed about, they includei. Inventing Through intensive research and consulting Scientists and artists are able to come up with inventions. The desire to dig more and come up with inventions is catalyzed by the existence of patent rights. Which comes with much notes as a allow of selling patent licensesii. Disclosing the invention made As per the meaning of patent, the disclosure of invention is for a common good. This is so because there are projections as to the rights of invention and hence inventors feel free to disclose their invention. This disclosure facilitates for exploitation of patent right when the legitimate one expire or even improvements are made.iii. To invest in producing, experimenting, and marketing of the invention. This is done out the faith that infrequent cases are well protected against.iv. Designing and improving of earlie r patents This can only be possible is details of already existing patents are disclosed to the public.All the above stuff concerning modern patent system allows for infant inventors to gain exclusive rights and therefore becoming licensors. They therefore gain financially and in the long run promoting more transitions. cod to loopholes the legal systems governing patents cases of double awarding of patents have been common. ( correspond to R.Buck minster Fuller 1938). due(p) to the increasing number of inventions the patent filling systems are becoming more complex solar day and day and hence there is a likehood of awarding a patent to an invention already patented before.However with the introduction of reliable computing system this has been kept at bay. According to Michael Heller, a law professor and Rebecca Sue Eisenberg in a 1998 in their 1998 science article, intellectual property Rights (IPR) have become so much fragmented that signing them impart require an agreemen t with all the owners of fragments. Another big hurdle in patents is that they discourage innovations especially with corporate entities who may own many patents and enter into litigations incases of infringement although they are doing absolutely nothing to develop the invention. separate numerous problems also exist and as a result critisms have been common opposing the patents system and proposing for their abolition altogether.Lastly, it will be fresh to put forwards some historical information regarding the existence of patents. Reliable evidence suggests that the first stints of patents can be traced to quaint Greek cities whereby any one who came up with a new recipe was allowed to make the food for one year. On the other hand, modern patents can be traced to the republic of Venice whereby new inventions were publicly communicated to prevent indefensible infringement. new(prenominal) countries followed suit e.g. U.K, US and therefore the idea of patents spread through o ther parts of the World. The above detailed account about patents gives a reader of this paper a sound basis to now tackle the issue of financial work industry, lobbying strategies in the addressing of the patent reform bill (legislation) before the hundred-and-tenth congress.As already explained above the patents system in united states are under the body known as United States patent and Trade mark organization (USPTO).This body is therefore incharge of issuance of patents to inventors. According to a 2004 report by National Agency of a sciences and another report of 2003 report by Federal Trade Commissioner a bill (patent Reform Act 2005) was proposed. The main aim of this bill was to try and come a theme of modernity in the USA patent system. Although it was not until 2007 when this bill was introduced to the two-chambered US parliament (Senate and House of representatives).This bill now known as The patent Reform Act of 2007 was introduced as a proposal in the 110th US congre ss for discussion and eventual change of the United States Patent Laws. The bills main objective was to bring the American patent laws to the same level with other countries patent laws. (According to a patent system for the 21st century, by Stephen. A. Merrill Richard L. Levin and mark B. Myers, 2004- (http//www ton.nap.eds/catalog//76.html) The main changes brought by this legislation were I). Converting US from a first- to- invent system to a first- inventor- to -file system. This bill will bring US to conformity with other countries of world. This system will also reduce legal costs, simplify the patent process, improve fairness and also facilitate a movement towards harmonized international patent system. It is also concur that this change will reduce the complexity associated with the current USPTO interference proceedings.This will therefore make inventors to focus more on inventing. Since this change would make US to be in harmony with other countries it will help US inven tors to pursue their innovative dreams in more consisted manner. On the hand, critics have agreed that this system of first to file will encourage unnecessary USPTO with unharmonized disclosure information therefore quality of patents is compromised. Again the small scale inventors will be at a disadvantage when competing with large co operations in the race to the pattern office. The next major change was apportionment of damages. The bill will seek to bring sanity in the award of damages due from infringements of patents. The bill allows a court of law to ensure that the damages are paid according to the prevailing economic conditions pertaining to the patented invention.This was seen a measure to cut excessive royalty payment infringed patented. Large technological companies and financial serve industries support this change because they lie on features which are in most cases in patented. Critics of this system argued that, the congress should not attempt to prioritize the fact ors that a court may apply when determining reasonable damage rights. This system may also undermine the existing licenses and therefore leads to the rise of litigation. Those critics included USPTO, the biotechnology among many others.Other charges embedded in the bill included Allowing a third party assignee to file a patent application, Revising procedures for patent interference disputes Allowing financial institutions to infringe patents on the check collection system, Allowing a person who is not the patent owner to file a petition with the board cancel a patent as invalid among many other changes. These changes sought to facilitate a general overhaul of the US patent system. Which according to the coalition for 21st century patent Return was in dire need for periodic examination and foundational changes (http//www.ipfrolmer.com/depts/artic.asp?id=14890&deptid=4)This reform bill on patents was introduced to the House of Representatives by a democrat, MR. Howard Berman and in t he senate by another Democrat, MR. Patrick Leahy. It was passed in the House of Representatives but put under more scrutiny pending right to vote in the senate following its introduction in the 110th United States Congress. The bill has been faced with positive and veto critisms from different organizations. Those organizations lobbying for its subsequent adoption argue that, the bill is necessary to bringing in the much necessary changes and consequently reduce the number of soaring ills which are killing innovation. Some of these organizations include coalition for patent fairness, Business software alliance intellectual property owners association and lastly American institute of attest public accounts.Those according to them are weakening the rights of patent owners innovations included the following national small business organization, innovatiove alliance, Biotechnology industry organization among others (http//www.napp, org/resources/nap opp to 2007 senate Bill. pdf) Acc ording to the US department of commerce the only part which need some revision is section 4 which they argue may harm the nations intellectual property system.The bill also attracted critisms from international community with a Chinese expert occupational group the bill hypocritical since it is weakening the rights of patent owners in US when US has been urging the Chinese government to strengthen the rights of their patent owners. An observation also comes from India pharmaceutical Alliance who argued the bills provision allows for the validity of a US patent to be challenged immediately after issuance. They also predict that the bill may favour Indian manufacturers since it reduces legal costs and risks. (Http.economictrimes.com/article show/mst 22256,pr+page 1.cms1)The lobbying strategiesThe first question one should ask himself when tackling this tilt is very simple, how is the proposed patent reform bill going to affect the performance of the financial institutions? Secondly has the current patent laws been in favor of the financial institutions? With these two questions in mind then it is very easy to the financial institutions stand in respect to these reforms. Consequently, therefore, the lobbying strategies they employ will be directly related to these effects. This issue of patent reforms may seem to a nonprofessional to be of no consequential impact and therefore does not deserve much thought but to the business community things are very different. The above detailed account of the pros and cons of the patent reform bill, it is very clear that there exists a tug-of war amid some of the corporate US citizens.On one side of the war are much dread patent trolls or better known as patent sharks-small firms or individuals who wit fully side drum large manufacturers in patent infringement suits in order to benefit from damage awards. On the other side of this war are financial institutions, which, includes banks and redress firms who have joined han ds with large tech-companies. It is mum that these two sectors have been faced with regular lawsuits coming from the much-dreaded patent sharks. At the center of the dispute is the current Americas patent system that is suffering from lack of a major policy overhaul for along period of time and struggling to stay in level with innovation in thev21st century.Therefore, financial institutions have always found themselves in a hot spot under the current patent laws. It is in this light that any reforms that seeks to address their plight is seen as a relieve to them. The first strategy therefore employed by these financial institutions was the formation of a bargaining platform in the form of the coalition of patent fairness. This group lobbied the senate to help curb the weak patents and bourgeois lawsuits from patent sharks.The group also lobbied against a ruling made by the federal appeals court that opened doors for patents on business methods, including different types of bankin g, investments and insurance techniques. It is through this lobbying that, the senate judiciary committee included a provision that grants banks immunity against lawsuits from patent holders like Texas companion Data Treasury, which holds patent on a method of digitally scanning, sending and storing checks.Another strategy used by financial firms is by applying for patents. These patents unlike those of other industries are not primarily for financial gains but for defensive purposes against the escalating number of patent infringement cases from the much-dreaded patent sharks.Financial institutions in US are also exploiting the fact that US is the only nation in the world to have been left back using the first-to-invent system of patenting to lobby the international organizations (WTO).this seems to have borne fruits because the USPTO seems to have yielded to the pressure and therefore agreed to bring some changes. This has worked through the harmonization of the US patenting syst em with the liberalization of the world.After the House of Representatives passed its version of the bill, many AUTM members frantically contacted their congressional members a move that enabled many parts of the bill to be amended. However the senate bill remained to be harmonized. Following great concern from the university community and other bodies, a number of changes were made. One lobbying strategy, which financial services institution used was voicing their concerns through the AUTM, an organization of many universities and other bodies that induces closeness to industries. It should be noted that the AUTM and the university community were not in anyway against the improvement of US patent system. Their main concern was to see that before the bill was finally voted for in the senate, the contentious parts should be first fine-tuned. As a show of great support to the improvement of the US patent system, the university group therefore put fourth part the following suggestio ns (i) a one-year grace period for first inventor and strong inventor expletive should be included.ii)Removal of the previous user rights expansion in favour of study of issue university patent can be in a risk of expanding prior user rights iii) Venue reform provision that clear universities and technology transfer foundations that offer patent services to universities. The bill as it were had many provisions that were of great concern to US universities chiefly because it undermined the ability of the universities to transfer technology to local industries. This was due to the making of patents laborious to protect decreasing the amount of damages patent holder can get from an infringer and opening new avenues for infringers to put to task the validity of issued patents. This change of USPTO rules and the issue of Supreme Court in mind made it more burdensome, and expensive to get, maintain and even enforce patents. It also poses difficulties for Universities when starting comp anies, which attract venture funding.Other areas, which concerned Universities and financial institutions were, are as follows-i. A compulsory search report and analyses, which reflect heavy on the financial aspects of Universities on technology, transfer offices.ii. Absence of meaningful inadequate contact reformiii. An open-ended, post-grant administrative review of patent quality.iv. Venue reform policy that forces patentee to file suits in the infringer home district court andv. Apportionment of damages in patent infringement suits.Another strategic lobbying device at the disposition of financial institutions and other concerned organizations was through approaching federal relations officer near them. These federal relations officers are discharged with the main duty of acting as the intermediaries between the people and senate (legislators). Due to the bill, having so many controversial sections, there was an urgent need for the stakeholders to harmonize their divergent view s and come up with a consensus.This was achieved through the congressional research service (CRS) an arm of United State Congress that provides policy and legal advices to committees and members of both the house and the Senate regardless of party affiliations. The CRS committee collects views from the public and then they act accordingly. Again, this CRS also carries out civic education concerning the interpretation of bills and their effect to the lives of the common person.Holding of workshops and seminars with the other stakeholders was another worthwhile strategy used to help bring every concerned party on board so that when the legislation is adopted no one would feel shortchanged. Workshops are known to bring warring parties together on a mutual agreement. These workshops therefore lobbied the opposing bodies into ceding some of their unrealistic demands.Financial services institutions through their attorneys lobbied the senate judiciary committee into making provisions that gave them more power in the using of technologies made by other inventors. These technologies are necessary in the improvement of banking services offered to customers. The bill therefore necessitate to be lobbied and subsequently harmonized.ConclusionThe AUTM through their technology transfer managers evaluated impact of the long legislation on its general operations and therefore come up with a strategy, educate the university management and also other interested and the work with the federal relations officer, who in turn contacts the lawmakers. This technology transfer managers advice the legislators on the need to go the dialogue way so that at end of it all no constituency feels as organism shortchanged by the passing of the patent reform legislation.In general, the current state of the bill would weaken the entire American patent system by making patented under to protect. The damages entitled to a patent owner after an infringement has been reduced adding salt to the wound. New avenues for infringers to challenge an already issued patent have also been opened. Although the bill continues to be harmonized bit by bit, the university technology transfer system still view some areas as not fully catered for.The legislation also provides for a patent trial and appeal bond, which is charged with the responsibilities of reviewing decisions of examiners upon applications and reexamination proceedings. Financial services institution therefore can hire this avenue in addressing and subsequent challenging of the patent reforms legislations. This board comes as an indicator on how this reform legislation has deliberately been drafted and therefore only needs to be harmonized on the small areas.However, it is fair to say that America need this bill to at least bring some uniformity with rest of the world because it has been the only country adopting the first-invent system of patenting. Two, according to Senator Leahy, America needs an efficient and streamlined p atent system if it is to remain in the forefront of the world economy. This patent will bring quality and at the same time discourage counter productive litigations. Senator Berman on his side argued that, there should be no doubt, as to whether the US system of patenting produces high quality patents, and therefore changing the existing patenting practices through the congress is the only way out.The bill also, should not be viewed with suspicion since it was founded and introduced in the two houses on a bipartisan basis. It is also the bedrock of American innovation, and therefore there is great need to protect innovation and creativity, according to Senator Hatch.Financial services industry being one of the major economic players of the United State of America, needs also to standup on its own and voice out their grievances. In addition, financial services institutions like banks and insurance companies have a duty to challenge the patent reforms legislation because they have sta rted to seek justification from infringement lawsuits from patent sharks. This was facilitated through the introduction of financial patents.ReferencesMore about patent reforms, operational at,1) http//www.ipfrolmer.com/depts/artic.asp?id=14890&deptid=4, accessed on april30 2008Effects of patent reforms, on tap(predicate) at,2)Http.economictrimes.com/article show/mst 22256,pr+page 1.cms1) , accessed on april30 2008Patent reforms for 21st cen. available at,3) http//www ton.nap.eds/catalog//76.html) accessed on april30 2008US patent and trademark office, available at,4) http//www. Upstaged/web/ offices/ac/ido/oeip/taf/h-counts-html accessed on april30 2008Regulations governing patent application, available at,5) http//www. Wolf Greenfield. Com/media/news. 9.pdf) accessed on april30 2008More about patenting, available at,6)http//www.ipaustralia-gov.au/patents/what_index.sch.html) accessed on april30 2008Patenting and innovations, available at,7) Heller, M.A., & Eisenberg, R.S. (199 8). Can Patents Deter Innovation? The Ant commons in Biomedical Research. Science.Different organizations response towards the patent reform bill, available at8) http//dev.bsa.org/country/public%20policy/patents.aspx, accessed on april30 2008

Innovators in the development of this technology Essay

Biochips are soon expected to revolutionize clinical diagnostics, massively parallel desoxyribonucleic acid analysis, and other laboratory procedures involving molecular biology. In recent years, high-density DNA small arrays or biochips have revolutionized biomedical research and greatly accelerated target validation and do drugss discovery efforts. The utility of micro array technology is that it permits highly parallel gene expression profiling provide snapshots of the transcriptome in both healthy and diseased states.Biochips can be employmentd to identify and prioritize drug targets, based on their ability to confirm a massive number of gene expression measurements in parallel. Biochips have been utilised to address in vitro pharmacology and toxicology issues, and are being widely applied to improve the processes of disease diagnosis, pharmacogenomics and toxicogenomics. The biochips widely in use today, however, owe their existence to innovation in miniaturization in both th e confidential and academic sectors.Innovators in the development of this technology include Hyseq, Oxford Gene Technologies and Stanford University. The biological nature of biochips also raises the surmisal of some exciting medical applications they could be implanted in the body of interface with the lifespan system. few possibilities include Brain implants to circumvent damage that has caused blindess and deafness. Cardiac implants to regulate heart beat, Blood implants to regulate drug discovery (e. g. insulin for diabetics) and implants to control artificial limbsThe fabrication of complex three dimensional biochips with the fabrication technology right off used in the electronics industry is probably impossible. An essential feature of the use of a protein matrix is that the proteins instantaneously their own assembly and the appropriate positioning of the semiconductor molecules. These are numerous examples of self assembling protein structures, including computing m achine virus particles and these are being studied intensely for potential applications to biochip technology. Biochips pass on not be possible without computer designed proteins and rDNA technology.Yet it go away probably be several years before rDNA technology will be able to contribute substantially to biochips research, because it is first necessary to understand more about the kinship between protein structure and function, the biological self-assembly processes, and the mechanisms by which molecules could do logic functions and store memory. Future The boundaries of technology will be continually challenged as this technology progresses, and novel applications are devised. In addition to the evolving technical approaches of DNA micro array systems, new applications for microarrays are being developed.Recent progress in combining the use of chromatin (ChIP) arrays with DNA microarrays has allowed genomewide analysis of transcription factor localization to specific regulatory sequences in living cells. Biotechnology is usually among most technologies in that it spans an array of scientific disciplines. Individuals seeking to be strong lettered in applications of biotechnology must have inter-disciplines training. Bioprocess engineers, for example need some knowledge of biochemistry and microbiology as well as knowledge of engineering design so that the most efficient combination of micro-organism and bioreactor can be determined.Many industrial sectors are applying biochip technology. The sectors include are pharmaceuticals, agriculture, specialty chemical and food additives, environmental applications, good chemicals and energy and bioelectronics. References Commercial biotechnology An International Analysis, 1985, Office of Technology Assessment, fall in States Congress. Office of Technology Assessment, United States, Congress Biochips Technology and Applications, 2003, Wan-Li Xing, Jing Cheng

Costco Value Chain Analysis Essay

IntroductionThe assume of the SSP is to identify a firm in a competitive industry, and propose solutions to the problems it faces. The paper covers corporate strategic thinking, complexity analysis, systems thinking, and sustainability analysis. The major problem addressed in the paper is Costcos ability to develop a suitable observe image, which roll in the hay increases profitability and maximize shareholders value. Costco is one of the leading global retailers, specialized in selling a long range of merchandise, ranging from local to international brands. The tools presented in this paper provides Costco with an opportunity for transforming its business activities relative to the industry rivals, with the aim of creating profits and raising the companys value.Executive SummaryThe paper has two major parts. The stolon part applies traditional strategic thinking, which includes applying the complexity analysis of key issues affecting Costco and a sustainability analysis. These tools address the challenges meet Costcos business operations and profitability. The first part includes stakeholder identification and value analysis, general forces analysis, value chain analysis, SWOT analysis, key factors to success analysis and Porters five forces analysis. The second part is a complexity analysis of Costco, which includes industry evolution modeling, action plan analysis, Boid analysis, Life Cycle sagaciousness and sustainable Framework Analysis.Analyzing the Company Strategy TypeAction Plan AnalysisCostcos current system originates from its mission and vision. The company pursues three of the four generic strategies, which are low cost leadership, customer affinity and differentiation. These three exposes the companys strategic intent thinking to achieve global leadership. A stinging Alignment and Goals analysis shows that employees at Costco support the companys strategy. However, the employees have the required skills to make the strategy work, and o n top of this, they are well paid and motivated. Costcos action plan analysis can increase profit margin to 18 per centum and operating profit margin to 10 percent by 2017 (Farfan, 2010).Boid AnalysisIndustry Evolution ModelingThe Boid analysis reveals three major rules governing the retail industry, which Costco values. The first one is to have a customer driven focus through adding value to the increase mix. The second one is to maintain a flexible pricing strategy, and offering promotion services to customers. The deuce-ace one is to adopt global cultural changes through adapting to clients preferences changes. This means delivering specific services and products to a feature culture or country.The Industry Evolution Modeling analysis reveals Costcos determination to advance and teammate with the new ways of doing business. The company can meliorate its industrial positioning by coming up with premier membership requirement. It is clear that Costco forgo short-run profits for long-term stability and viability and increasing shareholders wealth. In addition to this, Costco slowly adopts new technology that draws customer attention and can expand development initiatives and seek (Bloomberg, 2011).Life Cycle Assessmentsustainable nourish Framework AnalysisThe Life Cycle Assessment for Costco shows that Costco understands the environmental risks which originate from warehouse operations. Costco tries to mitigate the risks associated with the environment such as loss of reputation caused by not obeying environmental rules. Costco monitors the reports on four major greenhouse gases which are carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, hydro fluorocarbons and methane.The Sustainable Value Framework provides an internal and external focus for what is happening today and what might happen tomorrow. This roadmaps a given strategy and drives success and is associated with a given stomachoff. Costcos internal sustainability for today is to prevent pollution, smear materi al consumption, and reduce waste. The payoff is reducing business cost and risks. For tomorrow, Costcos internal strategy must reduce carbon footprint, create a cleaner technology, and avoid environmental disruption. The payoffs for this are competitive shift and further innovation (McKinsey, 2012).The external sustainable for today focuses on transparency, connectivity and drawing attention of the civil society. The pay offs are social legitimacy and increased brand reputation. For tomorrow, the external strategy ought to address depletion of resources, poverty and mode change, and the payoffs would be trajectory for permanent growth.Detailed Analysis of All QuadrantsThe information presented above reveals that Costco can improve its profitability by focusing on the four quadrants. To achieve permanent growth, the company must enter in campaigns that are aimed at preventing resource depletion and climate change. This way, Costcos brand image will force popular among the members of the public, which can increase its customer base and hence profitability.Table 2 Sustainable Value FrameworkTodayFutureExternalStrategySustainability Vision- Costcos code of Ethics, Community relations, Greenhouse drift Elimination Programmes.Payoff Sustainability in long-term growth.StrategyProduct Stewardship- Costcos sustainable Packaging and lessen materialsPayoff Increased reputation, and Brand Legitimacy.InternalStrategyClean Technology- building Construction mission, and Silver LEED certificatePayoff Strengthening positioning and innovative buildings for future viability.Strategy Preventing Pollution- Costco Energy programme.Payoff Low costs associated with warehouse facilities.ConclusionsCostco tries to operate in accordance with its mission and vision in order to meet process goals. The company strives for sustainable future. It does this by coming up with programs that can cut costs and reduce pollution. Costcos expansion to global markets seems limited. In additio n the company has a strict Code of ethics when establishing partnerships. Costco interminably offer discount services to its buyers. From the above analysis, it is clear that Costco aims at long-term growth other than short-term profitability. This explains why it short-term profits margins are smaller compared to that of its competitors, Wal-Mart and Target Corporation.ReferencesBloomberg Business Daily (2011, November 24).Costco Wholesale Corp.Retrieved from http//investing.businessweek.com/ query/stocks/financials/ratios.asp?ticker=COSTFarfan, B. (2010, September 10). 2012 retail Store Closings Roundup U.S. Retailers Closing or Liquidating Stores Complete list of U.S. Retail Chains Downsizing or Going out of Business in 2012.About.com. Retrieved from http//retailindustry.about.com/od/storeclosingsandopenings/a/2012-Store-Closings-US-Retail-Industry-Liquidations-Roundup-Chains-Going-Out-Business.htmMcKinsey & Company. (2012). The value proposition in multichannel retailing. Retri eved from https//www.mckinseyquarterly.com/The_value_proposition_in_multichannel_retailing_2800

To what extent is this true and how important is this conflict to the novel as a whole?

Through prohibited Iris Murdochs invigorated, The Bell we atomic number 18 constantly being presented with contrasts, many of which relate to the discord amid sex and religion which start been opposed to severally other since the dawn of creation when Adam and even succumbed to temptation in the Garden of Eden. This conflict has particularly repulsiveness tendencies and acts as a destructive military force for several characters, namely Catherine, Michael and chip off. Despite this being the primary theme of the unexampled we argon excessively presented with a number of conflicts of a different nature.The main conflict of the novel is that existing between sex and religion, as embodied by Catherine and Michael. Michael is constantly confronted by the issue of his sexuality and how it affects his religion. He is al right smarts striving to lie in a computable animateness and he believes that entering into the priesthood would allow him to achieve this. However he is prev ented from fulfilling this appetency by his homosexuality which goes completely against the Churchs teaching. Michael believes that to live a good life, One should swallow a figure of ones capacities study carefully how outmatch to use such strength as one has.In initiating relationships with first nick and then subsequently with Toby, Michael is clearly failing to do this. He is aware of his sexual tendencies and k directs that they are viewed as improper but fails to take measures to prevent them from all overpowering him. Michael admits to this failing in Chapter 16, Michael was aware now that it had been a great mistake to underwrite Toby the clasp of hands, had had an intensity, and indeed delightfulness, which he had non foreseen or had not cared to foresee. Michael seems to take pleasure in the feeling of guilt which these forbidden relationships cause in him.When he is confronted by James Tayper Pace, following Tobys confession of what had taken place between them, he is quite free to take all the blame for the whole topographic point, The real blame belongs to me. By sending Toby outside(a) youve made him feel like a criminal. It is as though Michael wants James to blame him. He feeds absent guilt the constant cycle of guilt, redemption and then further guilt. Nicks arrival at Imber Court acts as a further reminder of his sins and at the conclusion of the novel when Nick has killed himself, Michael is left with a constant reminder of his actions as he becomes responsible for Catherine.Despite all the guilt, Michael feels that his love of God and his love of Nick come from the same source. The moments in which he claims to feel closest to God are ironically found with Nick and Toby. Of Michaels feelings over his initial contact with Toby the narrator comments that, He had felt his join heel over in tenderness for the boy, and had been sure that such a spring of feeling could not be wholly evil. However, Michael is unable to recon cile his homosexuality with his religion and is tormented by it constantly. Nicks death destroys his assent in God and causes him to question whether he had ever really believed at all.He is ridden with guilt over his failure to give Nick the redemption he was looking for. He made desperate cries for swear out but Michael was besides concerned with trying to lead a good life to notice. The one good function he could have done was to be true to Nick, however he fails to realise this until it is too late. Although he does eventually return to the Mass he simply existed beside it. on that point is no longer any future day for him in religion he must concentrate on looking after Catherine. As the mother superior said, the way is always forward, neer back.Michael is facing in the right direction but it is up to him to start walking. Catherine, like Michael, massnot reconcile her sexuality with her religion. As a postulant nun she is preparing to sacrifice her whole life to serve God. Iris Murdoch believed that one of lifes great tasks was to engage in a process called unselfing. By connector the convent Catherine is undertakeing this process. Therefore, her feelings for Michael are totally improper for someone in her position consequently she is ridden with guilt, which leads to her attempt to take her avouch life. The entire club is oblivious to her feelings for Michael.She is viewed as being something the other members should aspire to, our little saint as Mrs Mark observes. Dora is particularly in awe of her, both for her beauty and apparent sexual purity. She as well as feels some threatened by her as she represents what she can never have or be. It is as a top of Doras interest in Catherine that we first get a suggestion that she is not as holy as e trulyone believes. Dora questions her motives for wishing to enter the abbey and Catherines reply is, There are things one doesnt choose I dont mean they are forced on one. But one doesnt choose the m.These are often the best things. This hints that she is not whole-hearted in her wish for a religious life it appears that it is what was always expected of her, rather than being of her possess design. Dora is the exclusively character who notices this the rest are all deceived until the dramatic incidents at the end. However nobody suspects that she may have feelings towards Michael. The only incident where we are given an inkling of any attraction is when Nick is working on the van and Catherine is sitting beside him with her skirt up around her waist Michael arrives and she doesnt readjust it.Michael feels uncomfortable in this situation but gets the impression that she must positively dislike him as she looks up at him without smiling. Catherine ultimately fails to curtail her love for Michael and when the new bell falls into the lake she views this as a sign that God has condemned her, driving her to attempt to take her own life. Like Michael she cannot be truly good as s he cannot reconcile her faith with her sexuality. There are also religious conflicts within the community as a whole. Firstly there is the conflict between the abbey and the lay community.The abbey is cut off both physically and in terms of the role it plays in everyday life. The abbey is separated from Imber Court by a large lake. The only way to reach the abbey is by a rowing boat which can be pulled across from either end. Then there is a high wall which goes all the way around the abbey. The only way in is through a door in the wall, which surprisingly is always kept unlocked. Toby discovers this when he climbs over the wall into the abbey as part of his sexual awakening. This incident follows the embrace with Michael and is Tobys attempt to convince himself that he is not homosexual.There is very little contact made between the abbey and the court. We only see rare glimpses of the nuns and Michael is the only person who is allowed to dish the dirt the Abbess. Most communicatio ns are made through Mother Clare, her intermediary. These boundaries are all representative of the outfit gap between lay and spiritual life, and the fading role of religion in everyday beingness during the 1950s when Murdoch was writing. People were abandoning the church in favour of other beliefs to a greater extent relevant to the world they were living in.The community as a whole is separated from the rest of the world as there is a leaping wall enclosing both the abbey and the court. As Michael comes to realise, the community was an impossible dream it is an attempt to isolate themselves from the realities of life. We also see religious and sexual conflicts between individual characters. Take for instance the contrasting speeches given by Michael and James Tayper Pace, in chapters 9 and 16 respectively, on how to live a good life. James teaches that the good life is, to live without any image of oneself. He has absolute faith in God and believes that he give guide him throu gh life.James is a very sure person, confident in his own beliefs and very dismissive of anyone who disagrees with him. I have little time for the man who finds his life too mingled for the ordinary rules to fit. This viewpoint is very much the orthodox view of religion that had held prominence undisputed for centuries until the time period in which Murdoch wrote the novel, when pack started challenging this blinkered outlook. Michael by contrast takes a much more open stance. He believes this it is important to, have some conception of ones capacities so as to know how best to use such strengths as one has.Rather than having blind faith in God alone(predicate) he suggests that you should explore yourself, test the boundaries of your capabilities. Ironically Michael fails to be aware of his own shortcomings in his dealings with Nick and Toby. To most modern audiences this attitude would seem much the better of the two. Nevertheless, in presenting these two different viewpoints Mu rdoch acts as a moral philosopher but allows us to contemplate and draw our own conclusions. She does not appear to be endorsing one in particular, possibly suggesting that the way forward is a compromise between the two.There is also a conflict of character between Mrs Mark and Dora. Mrs Mark strictly enforces the religious ideals of the community. For example when Dora asks her what she and her maintain did before entering the community she is t grey-haired, We never discuss our past lives here when people ask each other questions about their lives, their motives are rarely pure. In fact Dora is asking purely out of interest, she does not attempt to judge others. By conversing with Mrs Mark she was simply trying to show human rage but this is killed by Mrs Marks restrictive nature, which is reflected in the community as a whole.Murdoch uses symbolism to show conflicts with this novel and the most obvious use of it is the two bells. The old bell depicts scenes from the life of C hrist, illustrated by rural, peasant images. It is inscribe with the words, Vox ego amoris sum (I am the voice of love). The bell is symbolic of a traditional way of life that had existed for centuries, with religious and secular life co-existing in harmony. In contrast the new bell is cover with arabesque swirls these are meaningless, therefore reflecting the declining importance of religion in peoples lives.Spiritual fulfilment was becoming more hornswoggle during the 1950s, an example being Doras revelation in the National Gallery when she is standing in front of Gainsboroughs painting of his two daughters and have it offs something real but at the same time perfect. In the past people would have turned to religion to provide such feelings and called them revelations. The story of the bell flying into the lake and the nun who drowned herself because she was having a relationship with a man are representative of the on firing conflict between sex and religion.When the old bell is rung again it heralds the revealing of the long know truth that this conflict will never die, as Catherine declares her love for Michael and Toby confesses to James Tayper Pace over his encounters with Michael. The tarnishing and growths encrusted on the bell from old age of being underwater illustrate the loss of purity in contemporary religion, also the tarnishing of Michael and, through his actions, Nick. The lake is other important symbol which contains different meanings.As well as providing a physical gap between the court and the abbey it is symbolic of the divide between spiritual and temporal life. When at the end of the novel Dora cuts the catamount on the rowing boat it shows that there is no future for these two lifestyles to exist side by side. The lake is particularly significant when analysing the character of Toby. When he is contemplating his relationships with Dora and Michael he walks carefully around the lake. He is young and unseasoned in the ways of the world, not yet ready to make important decisions such as his sexuality.The sloppy waters of the lake represent the mysteries of life Toby has tested the water out but is not going to throw himself in until he is certain. His ability to drown is also symbolic of the fact that he can cope with situations that face him likewise, the aquatic nun who comes to the rescue of Catherine and Dora. She has learnt to live a purely religious life. Dora cannot swim at the beginning of the novel, she is drowning in Pauls restrictive power, however by the end she has learnt to live without him and take controller of her own life.By contrast, Catherine is never able to come to terms with her feelings for Michael, resulting in her near death experience by drowning. There are other significant examples of symbolism. When Michael is in the chapel and describes the singing of the nuns as awful purity this symbolises the struggle between sex and religion which is taking place inside him. It is because of this conflict that he finds their singing repulsive, as they have what he wants but knows he will never get a truly religious life.Catherine is in a similar position, therefore it is perhaps significant that they both have the same dream about the drowning nun. There is ironic symbolism in the name of Doras lover, Noel Spens. Noel is a very Christian name but he speaks out strongly against religion. He believes that it misguides people and places unfair restrictions on their lives. Doras changing musical tastes are also significant. At the beginning when they hold an evening of Bachs music, Dora dislikes this as she finds it too structured and formal.She much prefers listening to Noels jazz music, with its jungle rhythms and exuberant style. However by the end of the novel we are told that she has taken an interest in listening to Mozart. This is representative of the change from chaos to order in her life in general. She learns to take control of her life and not let Paul repre ss her. ab initio she describes marriage as being enclosed in the aims of another. She is scared of Pauls physical power and will follow his orders to the letter. She is like the butterfly trapped on the train.Toby saves her from his restrictiveness by allowing her to rediscover her youth. He releases her. At the same time Dora saves Toby from being trapped in a relationship with Michael by allowing him to realise that he is not homosexual. There are many conflicts within this novel, the majority of which relate in some way to that existing between sex and religion. It is its destructive nature which makes this conflict so dark and I would argue that it is a conflict that can never truly be resolved. We do see different kinds of conflict as I have discussed but these do not play such a central role in the novel.