Saturday, October 26, 2019

Factors Affecting Research Culture at Universities in Pakistan Essay

Abstract— Research is an integral part of the higher education. Teachers and students spend weeks to find a good topic related to the field of study, data collection and analysis and finally in writing papers. Conducting research and writing papers creates a healthy activity amongst faculty and students which results in knowledge creation and emergence of research culture. Faculty at universities could be divided into two broad categories of teachers and researcher. These categories are good in their preferred field only. The challenges faced by the faculty related to research vary between private and public sectors too. However, this research shows that the leadership, curriculum, people, external environment and research experience are important factors for a research culture at universities. Keywords— research, university, higher education, leadership, faculty and inter-personal collaboration I. INTRODUCTION Research could be described as the first step in knowledge creation, which starts with search, passes through the steps of learning, teaching and ends at knowledge creation. Academia has an important role in the dissemination of knowledge to the wider society through direct and indirect interaction. A product of an individual, group or society of intelligent beings is known as culture, showing that culture is learnt through research. Therefore, the research culture can be defined as the act of knowledge creation, sharing and translated into action [1]. The term research culture is a combination of two words research and culture. The word research means â€Å"a careful or diligent search† or â€Å"the process of collecting information about a particular subject†. On the other hand the word culture could be explained as â€Å"the act ... ...ding for such activities are respected for their work as well as the funding that they attract [9]. Universities have two basic purposes of existence - teaching and research – both of which are public trust, therefore, the universities have to prove worthy of it. Universities in the developing countries are not allowed to perform independently. Furthermore universities lack resources if the government support is withdrawn. Therefore, they need to find necessary resources to be able to survive. This can be done by becoming innovative and accessible to as many as possible [11]; [12]; [13]. While studying the research culture in Caribbean universities, [14], it was mentioned that the research culture is one of the pre-requisites for a country to be able to find solutions to their problems rather than importing and adapting the knowledge created in other countries.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Tobacco :: Health, Diseases, Depression

Although there have been many studies regarding the negative health risks associated with tobacco, there have also been studies regarding its relation to obesity and depression (Leventhal et al., 2010). It discussed the relationships between tobacco use, obesity and depression by carrying out a population based survey of 41,654 adults (Leventhal et al., 2010). The data illustrated that tobacco use is very common in women with major depression and victims of obesity, in comparison with women who are non-smokers, but are still victims of major depression and obesity (Leventhal et al., 2010). The study will explain the effects on tobacco users. Depression is associated with the cause of obesity and vice-versa. Researchers have developed that the link between major depression and obesity is conditional upon a host of moderators which consists of gender, education, ethnicity, age, and genetics. The link between depression and obesity turned out to be common in females then males (Leventhal et al., 2010). Research by Leventhal et al. (2010) supports that major depression and obesity is associated with each other because depressed individuals engage in unhealthy eating behavior; an example of this would be binge eating or higher caloric intake (Leventhal et al., 2010). People who engage themselves in alternative behavior to cope with depressive symptoms may be less susceptible to the effects of depression and obesity. Leventhal et al. (2010) believes that tobacco is one such behavior because smoking is prevalent to people who are victims of depression. The relationship between major depression and obesity may be strong amongst nonsmokers because they are not using tobacco in order to modulate their depressive states. Leventhal et al. (2010) argued that concurrent tobacco use at any level of severity could diminish the major depression association. However, the alternative use of tobacco at any level of habitual degree could offset major obesity relations according to a substitute addiction framework (Leventhal et al., 2010). Within this experiment, certain groups were examined and they consisted of: two candidates of tobacco and included smoking status, and tobacco dependence that dealt with any tobacco used in the past year. They compared both results, and came up with a conclusion for their experiment. The participants for this experiment were respondents in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Most of the participants were civilian, non-institutionalized, and residents of the U.S from ages 18 or older. African Americans and Hispanics were oversampled and each group accounted for approximately 20%.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Discrimination Against Homosexuals in the Military Essay

Since 1993 more than 14,500 service members were fired under the law of †Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell† (sldn. org). In 1950, President Harry S. signed the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which set up the discharge rules for homosexual service members. People wanting to serve their country were being discriminated and discharged because of their sexuality. Then in 1982, Ronald Reagan proposed a defense directive that states â€Å"Homosexuality is incompatible with military service† and people who engaged in homosexual acts or stated that they were homosexual or bisexual were discharged. In 1992, Bill Clinton, as a presidential candidate, promised to lift the ban. Finally in 1993, when Bill Clinton was elected president, he proposed a compromise that he named â€Å"Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell†. This law issued a defense directive that military applicants should not be able to be asked about their sexual orientation (Washington Post). Homosexuals being discriminated in the military have grabbed the attention of people all around the world. The question on whether or not homosexuals should have the right to serve in the military was a hotly debated topic in politics for the past few years. Even after the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, will our society be ready to accept others? The research started with searching â€Å"Homosexuals in the military†. Then â€Å"Don’t Ask Don’t Tell† and personal stories of gays in the military was found. Unfortunately, no books could be found on this topic, but articles from top newspapers became a valid choice. Documentaries and podcasts were also looked at. Good sources were easy to find because the topic was so controversial in the US, so the news articles came in handy. The repeal of â€Å"Don’t Ask Don’t Tell† was all over US news websites, and news clips from YouTube were found. Last fall, a pentagon study was released that said a majority of the US forces, more than 70%, said that serving with homosexuals would have no negative effect on them. Forces fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan had a different response. 58% of combat marines said that they would prefer not to serve with homosexuals. Since the repeal in late September, the effect has been positive on quite a lot of people. The main people who are opposed to the repeal are the military chaplains. The majority of the 3,000 active chaplains are conservative Christians. A retired chaplain, named Brigadier General Douglas Lee, is one of the 66 retired chaplains that wrote a letter to President Obama, urging him to not go through with the repeal. In a video showing the effects (positive and negative) of the repeal, shows Brigadier General Douglas Lee talking about â€Å"Don’t ask, Don’t Tell†. He says, â€Å"Homosexuality is one of a multitude of sins. Chaplains help people wrestle with the sins that bisect them and their lives. The problem with this repeal is that this particular sin is being legitimized as being normal and okay†. The problem with the non acceptance of the chaplains is that many and most conservative Christians believe that homosexuality, like all of the other sins in the bible, is a lifestyle choice (Pbs. org). According to another Pentagon Study, thirty-five other countries allow homosexuals to serve openly with no negative effect (Sldn.  org). Consider two men, both wanting to serve their country, one is gay and one is straight. They get all of the same test scores, and pass, yet only the straight guy is let in, not because of anything else other than his sexuality. If the same circumstances had happened, instead with a man and a woman, it would be sexist. If one was white and the other was black, it would be racist. All of the victims of these situations would have protection under the law and could sue, except for the homosexual. The homosexual has no legal protection from the government (Library in a book: Gay Rights). The repeal could be the first step to changing this. September 20th 2011, Obama stated, â€Å"As of today, our armed forces will no longer lose the extraordinary skills and combat experience of so many gay and lesbian service members. And today, as Commander in Chief, I want those who were discharged under this law to know that your country deeply values your service†(UStoday. com). Military bases around the US have been holding sessions for service members to educate them on the repeal of â€Å"Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell†. They say, â€Å"You are not expected to change your religious or moral beliefs, however you are obligated to treat all others with dignity and respect† (Pbs. org). It seems as though that our society has been coping positively since the repeal. There are always going to be some people who will not stray from their views, but the percentages are going up and more and more people are willing to except homosexuals serving freely in the US.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Customer Management and Customer Intelligence

Customer Management and Customer Intelligence Introduction Customer Relation Management (CRM) is an important part of any organisation. Managers utilise it to improve sales and profitability. Any organisation that targets to be successful in any field must place the customer central to its operations. Such organisations should make customers their most important assets.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Customer Management and Customer Intelligence specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Over the years, many institutions have established the study of customer relations in their curriculum. Managers have also been trained on the most effective ways of employing customer-relation tactics in the course of their operations. Although many industries are coming up at an alarming rate, the fashion and design industry stands out based on the way it has applied CRM to boost its sales through guaranteeing clients quality products. In the fashion and design industry, the custo mer is the most important shareholder. Organisations that are able to understand their customers end up being more successful than others that do not have the same policies (Rigby, Reichheld Schefter 2002; Greenberg 2009). The customer management principle that is applied in any organisation is important because it determines the strength of any brand that the company intends to market and/or sell. The following is an assessment of one of the companies in the luxury fashion industry. The paper discusses the customer management practices that the company has applied. Besides, it gives the necessary changes that the company needs to implement. Company Profile The business selected for assessment is the Christian Louboutin Company brand that operates in Spain. Christian Louboutin Spain is a subsidiary of the main company that is based in Paris. It has stores in many parts of the world. The company specialises in the manufacture of specifically branded shoes. Christian Louboutin is cre dited with the revival of stilettos that were popular among women in the past decades, thus making them part of luxury fashion design today. Products As stated above, Christian Louboutin produces expressly branded and internationally recognised shoes. The red-bottomed shoes act as the trademark for the company. These shoes are popular on the catwalks and other fashion events. The company designs shoes with very high heels since many of its customers prefer the high heels o other types of shoes. In fact, the company has produced heels with a height of more than 120mm with the aim of making women appear decent and more attractive by giving an impression of long legs (Greenberg 2009).Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The category of shoes that Christian Louboutin makes is usually won with the evening dresses. The brand is associated with prominent personalities an d models. The company also offers low-heeled shoes, although they are not as common as the high-heeled ones. The shoes are in most occasions fitted with jewel straps to give them the elegant look and feel. The other accessories include patent leather, red soles, and bows. The company is well known for its signature red-bottomed shoes. This design is patented under the United States laws. The company has also ventured into the manufacture and sale of women handbags. In fact, the owners expect to increase the contribution of handbags for the total company revenue to increase. Size and Revenue Christian Louboutin has recorded significant growth in size and revenues since its establishment in 1991 by Christian Louboutin. The growth in sales started in the first year after the start of the business. This period was occasioned by the increased publicity that the original outlet in France got. In the first year after establishment, Christian Louboutin sold approximately 200 women shoes, wh ich were sought by some of the rich and famous women in the area. The company currently sells over 700,000 pairs of shoes in a year. These shoes are sold to the rich and famous as a policy of luxury. The company is reported to make over $300 million annually as revenue where the shoe section contributes 95% of the revenue. The growth in revenue from the sale of shoes is significant in the company. It approximates to around 40% annual growth. The prices for individual shoes vary. However, a single pair of shoe can go for as much as $6,000. Most of the shoes in the store have a price tag of over $4,000. Customers can also get a custom-made brand to suit their tastes, although at a higher price. The company has been considered the leading brand in the fashion industry for a long time. It continues to lead in the luxury fashion shoe design. The company makes sales through the many outlets in the world. However, the bulk of purchases from the outlets are wholesale purchases. More than 80 % of purchases from the company are wholesale (Greenberg 2009). Market The company has a significantly large market. The fashion industry contributes much to the market. Many fashion events that display luxury designs use Christian Louboutin shoes and handbags, which are mainly rented from the company. Many celebrity women are known to purchase the brand, although most of them come from different parts of the world to purchase the products. The company also has international distribution centres in different parts of the world. Most of the markets for the items are in the United States.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Customer Management and Customer Intelligence specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The United States forms the largest market for Christian Louboutin, with 52% of sales for the company being in this country. The company also has a presence in almost all continents. The European and Russian bazaars in combination with markets from the Middle East countries contribute to over 30% of the company’s revenue. The Asian market makes up the rest of the proportion of the sales. Some of the personalities that form the market for Christian Louboutin include Angelina Jolie and Nicki Mina. Most of the catwalks in the US and Europe market the products as a way of promoting the company on the local and global front. Operation Country The country in which the organisation in focus is located is Spain, which is known for its appetite for luxurious items such as those offered by Christian Louboutin. The company has the store being located in Madrid, Spain. It is renowned for its luxurious items. The country has a favourable macro-environment for any luxury fashion company. It has many centres that are considered the fashion capitals of the world. Companies that work here also enjoy organisational cultures that are favourable in the production of the luxurious items. Madrid offers a large m arket for the company. Dozens of celebrities visit the city as well as other areas in Spain, thus ensuring a constant supply of customers, and hence the positive performance from the company in the country and the region compared to other subsidiaries elsewhere. The country also has an operating environment that allows companies to operate with autonomy. It has also managed to market itself in the fashion industry (Greenberg 2009). Many fashion companies operate within Spain. The companies have utilised the existing policies on different fields. Customer Management and CRM use Customer management is one of the most basic functions of any organisation. Christian Louboutin has adopted a number of strategies to that effect. In the operations that the company has in Spain, it ensures that the specific needs of each customer are met. This strategy reveals why the company allows customers to specify the designs that they require. It is able to offer different prices for items in relation to the customers’ buying ability. According to Peppers, Rogers, and Dorf (1999), an organisation should adopt a one-to-one marketing strategy, which is the change of behaviour in an organisation to suit the needs of the individual customers. This plan allows the organisation to develop goods and services that are customised to the clients’ needs, including the provision of luxurious services.Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The concept of one-to-one marketing is heavily employed in Christian Louboutin. The organisation has dedicated its services to the satisfaction of the customers’ needs. The company made adequate preparations to the one-to-one marketing strategy, which in turn led to its success. Peppers, Rogers, and Dorf (1999) confirm that most companies that have adopted the one-to-one marketing strategy have not succeeded because they took it without prior preparations. The company specialises in the manufacture of products that are described by many professionals as being luxurious and state-of-the-art. However, this outcome is only because the company involves customers in the development and marketing of these products. Some of the customers for the organisation frequently shop at the Spanish outlets because they are renowned for their quality and exceptional designs. The prices of the company are also custom-made, and that only a few individuals can afford some of the luxurious items o n offer. This situation has ensured that some of the categories of products are only available to a particular class of customers, and hence the reason why they are sought by these customers. According to Peppers and Rogers (2011), the price of a product in the fashion industry is important in determining the class of customers that buy these products. In Spain, the company has managed to apply specific forms of marketing. These forms include the use of the internet and social sites. According to Lent and Tour (2009), the use of these forms of marketing is favourable for any fashion company that targets to attract any class of customers. Christian Louboutin has traditionally not used print media in the marketing of its products because of the tradition that has been held for a long period. This situation has further contributed to the segmentation of its market, with only a specific group of customers being targeted in the marketing campaigns. Expected Changes There are many expecte d changes in the market developments in Spain for luxurious items. These changes are occasioned by the changes on the national economic front and the change in demand for the luxurious goods. There are also expected changes in the rules and regulations that govern the industry in Spain. After the global economic crisis, the numbers of people participating in the fashion industry were noted to decrease (Greenberg 2009). Customers also reduced in this industry because the Spanish economy was also affected. The effects of the crisis have constantly disappeared with time. The economy is now performing better in Spain and elsewhere in the world. The expectation is that more customers will be able to afford the products that are provided by the company. Advice for the Company The company needs to invest in more customer-relations management practices, with the management being involved directly in these strategies. The other possible advice for the company is that it should engage its cus tomers more through the internet marketing since the move is likely to improve its performance. Seybold (2001) observes that the internet is an important tool in the delivery of information to customers. It provides a cheap means of helping customers carry out a number of activities. Although the company has not established itself on the print media, largely preferring one-to-one marketing, it should also embrace this form of marketing, as it is likely to grow its customer base (Yastrow 2007). Fournier, Dobscha, and Glen Mick (1998) claim that organisations can create friendly relationships with their customers. However, they assert that the very things that organisations are doing to improve relations with their customers are the ones destroying these relations (Fournier, Dobscha Glen Mick 1998). Christian Louboutin may ensure that it gets to learn the customers before it can engage in creating any form of relationship with them. Fournier, Dobscha, and Glen Mick (1998) observe tha t the organisation can embark on the creation of a healthy relationship that is intimate between it and customers. In any relationship, input is from both sides. Customers can be allowed to provide input for the product development and marketing at the Christian Louboutin Company in Spain. This move is in line with the suggestions that are provided by Fournier, Dobscha, and Glen Mick (1998) in their article. The institution can develop and maintain trust between itself and customers. Many of the customers buying from any particular company do so because they consider the company trustworthy in quality, design, and pricing. This case also applies for Christian Louboutin. According to Fournier, Dobscha and Glen Mick (1998), this company needs to provide privacy emotional support and confidentiality to its customers. Customer behaviour is an important part of marketing in any luxury company, and before development of a product, there should be adequate consultation between the customer and the developers. According to Fournier, Dobscha, and Mick (1998, p. 4), â€Å"For contemporary consumers, product satisfaction is linked inextricably with their satisfaction, and companies must attend to both these dimensions if they expect to win.† Christian Louboutin may participate in assuring customers the satisfaction that they deserve in purchasing their products. Conclusion In conclusion, the luxury fashion industry is very competitive. Organisations that want to survive need to ensure that they apply effective customer-relations management. This report has looked at a company operating in the luxury fashion industry in Spain. It has provided a look at the profile of the company and the operating environment in the industry and the country in general. Christian Louboutin is a fashion company providing the best shoes in the luxury industry, as it is known for producing custom-made shoes for her customers. The company utilises some useful CRM measures. However, it sh ould guarantee customer satisfaction and more use of technology in the production and marketing processes. References Fournier, S, Dobscha, S Mick, D 1998, preventing the premature death of relationship marketing, Harvard Business Review, vol. 76 no. 1, pp. 1-6. Greenberg, P 2009, CRM at the Speed of Light, Social CRM Strategies, Tools, and Techniques for Engaging Your Customers. Fourth Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, NY. Lent, R Tour, G 2009, Selling Luxury. Wiley, New York, NY. Peppers, D Rogers, M 2011, Managing Customer Relationships: A Strategic Framework, Wiley, New York, NY. Peppers, D, Rogers M Dorf, B 1999, ‘is your company ready for one-to-one marketing?’, Harvard Business Review, vol. 77 no. 1, pp. 151-160. Rigby, D, Reichheld, F Schefter, P 2002, Avoid the Four Perils of CRM, Harvard Business Review, vol. 80 no. 2, pp. 101-109. Seybold, P 2001, ‘Get inside the Lives of Your Customers’, Harvard Business Review, vol. 86 no. 1, pp. 80-89. Yastr ow, S 2007, We: The Ideal Customer Relationship. Selectbooks, Washington, DC.

Monday, October 21, 2019

Free Essays on The Teenaged Male

The Teenaged Male Ok hold on to your hat’s folks as I take you into the weird and wonderful world of being a teenage boy, so if you please keep your hands and arms inside the vehicle at all times! To all the parents out there be afraid be very afraid because as soon as that clock strikes 12:00 bye bye loveable child hello hormone induced stropoholic teen. You see, this is the scary bit guys the minute that child becomes 13 you’ll know about it, Harry Enfield got it spot on with ‘Kevin’. Now I’m sorry to say no matter how well you raised your, child they always know best, life and you are their mortal enemy and all chocolate companies for some reason have just added a new spot making ingredient or so they think. Nevertheless, like a wise person once said ‘ if you can keep your head whilst all the spots around you are losing theirs one day my friends you will reclaim your child’ †¦ †¦ with a few alterations of course. Right first thing’s first for the first couple of months your son will sound like a hamster’s wheel that hasn’t seen a can of WD-40 for a decade, however as time goes on he’ll sound remarkably like Barry White and find out why girls really are put on this earth! (Exactly, to tag team with you to make their life a living hell!). But don’t worry the good times do outweigh the bad †¦ †¦ well sometimes. I am a typical teenage boy, I go mental if my hair is touched, I’m after the girls and I play sport for a local club. This time period is where boys, scarily, start to spend more time in the bathroom tarting themselves up than girls, which is some mean feat I can tell you. After wasting all the hot water in the shower and pouring half a tub of Brylcream in his hair, it’s time to dress up, look eighteen and go for a drink at a bar, far enough away that nobody knows how old he really is, but at the same time not too far that the cab fare costs more than the amount spent on his ni... Free Essays on The Teenaged Male Free Essays on The Teenaged Male The Teenaged Male Ok hold on to your hat’s folks as I take you into the weird and wonderful world of being a teenage boy, so if you please keep your hands and arms inside the vehicle at all times! To all the parents out there be afraid be very afraid because as soon as that clock strikes 12:00 bye bye loveable child hello hormone induced stropoholic teen. You see, this is the scary bit guys the minute that child becomes 13 you’ll know about it, Harry Enfield got it spot on with ‘Kevin’. Now I’m sorry to say no matter how well you raised your, child they always know best, life and you are their mortal enemy and all chocolate companies for some reason have just added a new spot making ingredient or so they think. Nevertheless, like a wise person once said ‘ if you can keep your head whilst all the spots around you are losing theirs one day my friends you will reclaim your child’ †¦ †¦ with a few alterations of course. Right first thing’s first for the first couple of months your son will sound like a hamster’s wheel that hasn’t seen a can of WD-40 for a decade, however as time goes on he’ll sound remarkably like Barry White and find out why girls really are put on this earth! (Exactly, to tag team with you to make their life a living hell!). But don’t worry the good times do outweigh the bad †¦ †¦ well sometimes. I am a typical teenage boy, I go mental if my hair is touched, I’m after the girls and I play sport for a local club. This time period is where boys, scarily, start to spend more time in the bathroom tarting themselves up than girls, which is some mean feat I can tell you. After wasting all the hot water in the shower and pouring half a tub of Brylcream in his hair, it’s time to dress up, look eighteen and go for a drink at a bar, far enough away that nobody knows how old he really is, but at the same time not too far that the cab fare costs more than the amount spent on his ni...

Sunday, October 20, 2019

EFL Students

Common Prepositions for ELS/EFL Students The following list contains the key English prepositions for English language learners. There are more than 150 English prepositions in English. However, this list contains the most commonly used and serves as an excellent starting English prepositions list for most learners and classes. These English prepositions are divided into one word, two-word prepositions and three-word prepositions. The two word and three words English prepositions are also known as prepositional phrases. One Word Prepositions aboutaboveacrossafteragainstalongamongaroundasatbeforebehindbelowbeneathbesidebetweenbeyondbydespitedownduringexceptforfrominincludinginsideintolikenearnextofoffonontooppositeoutoutsideoverpastthroughtotowardtowardsunderuntilupuponwithwithout Two Word Prepositions according toahead ofaside frombecause ofclose todue toexcept forfar frominside ofinstead ofnear tonext toout fromout ofoutside ofregardless of Three Word Prepositions as far asas well asby means ofin accordance within addition toin case ofin front ofin place ofin spite ofon account ofon behalf ofon top ofwith regard to

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Assignment - Responses to Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Assignment - Responses to Art - Essay Example Among the forerunning artists who established a society of impressionists known as â€Å"Cooperative and Anonymous Association of Painters, Sculptors, and Engravers† (in English) were Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro, and Alfred Sisley all of whom further defied traditions by setting up independent art exhibitions of their own. The term ‘Impressionism’ given for such style or method of artwork actually originated from the thought of Monet’s painting in 1872 entitled â€Å"Impression, Soleil Levant.† In its progress as a revolution in the field of art, Impressionism was technologically aided through the invention of malleable-lead paint tubes in the 1840s. Similarly, a broader range of colors had been introduced upon the scientific discovery of new dyes which enabled the impressionist painters to become more flexible and consider a number of perspectives on depicting light or the spectral aspect of the image being produced. Moreov er, the development of photography as well as new printing techniques enhanced the quality of creating and reproducing impressionist pieces (Denvir). Eventually, these technologies appeared in numerous works, marking an innovation which can be widely perceived in the designs of other prominent impressionist painters such as Paul Cezanne and Vance Kirkland. Though a portion of Cezanne’s endeavor in â€Å"The Card Players† reflects transient impact of light and color, the balanced weight allocated between its concrete and abstract visuals and the overall vividness, necessarily reducing the work’s ephemeral effect, altogether contribute to a ‘Post Impressionist’ identity. Instead of using a conventional illusion, Cezanne characterizes his structure to the optimum within the space of ambiguity where he can flexibly seek or locate potential natural order. As such, the symmetry exhibited by the bottle situated between the card players depicts fair distrib ution of order among significant objects in space. The two men who face each other over the table in equivalent positions and some degree of shade contrasts appear to provide a general countenance under equilibrium. Their solid forms which defy the painting’s abstract content to the point of direct recognition have been applied following a post impressionistic concept on color gradations in creative association to human element. On the other hand, in the abstract impressionist composition of â€Å"Explosions on a Sun 70 Billion Light Years from Earth†, Kirkland exhibits his craftsmanship on utilizing â€Å"dot style† by combining the similar principles of Australian aboriginal dot art and Pointillism. His work vivifies the general theme ‘explosion’ through brush strokes that are worked to generate circle splashes and dots in relative sizes whose significantly bright contrast against the rest of the deeper or less lighter shades is spread at the pain ting’s center to project the emergence of a bursting action. Kirkland’s art piece depicts dynamism as well in the manner by which irregular lines and curves are rendered to flow in several directions attributing how ‘explosion’ at the face of the sun may be imagined with intensity and violent motion. A mix of red, orange, blue, yellow, and green in varying degree throughout the piece understandably indicates the