Bel Air Chair

Bel Air Chair Peter Shire has many interesting works of art. The artwork that stuck out to me was the Bel Air Chair. Its interesting physic really caught my eye. The colors and shapes were so bright and different; it just jumped out at me. It was so unique and diverse from any of his other artwork; I had never seen anything like it before. With further research I discovered that this amazing work of art was created in 1982. This chair was one of the most important contributions to a design group called Memphis.The chair became a signature object for the Memphis Collection and was used on many book covers and posters. Shire got a lot of his inspiration from Los Angeles while creating this piece of post modern art. To me, the main part of the chair is obviously the colors. The vibrancy and brightness are the first things that catch the eyes of admirers. He didn’t stick to one color. He used a dark, maroon, red color for the back of the chair as well as a green, yellow color for the cylindrical arm which establishes a contrast. He used an orange for the sphere on the back part of the chair.My favorite color of the chair was the semi-pastel green on the bottom front of the chair. This color, along with the semi-pastel pink, makes it look classy and elegant. The materials used on this chair were wool and cotton. It brings the sense of warmth and comfort that makes you want to sit and curl up on the chair. Its inviting with the look of its bigness and comfort that makes it more attractive. Being an art teacher’s daughter, i’m drawn to this type of colorful extravagant art. It brings a spice and jazzy look to art. This chair was made of many different geometric shapes and materials.A sphere was used for the bottom back of the chair to add some diversity to the chair and make it Peter Shire’s own creation. A cylinder was used for the arm rest which is only on one side of the chair which creates a distinct look while the other side of the cha ir is half of a cylinder which helps to create a sense of uniqueness. A square was used as the seat of the artwork which exaggerates the look of it being a chair. The back of the chair is a different and difficult shape to explain. This shape makes you think and really admire the artwork.Trying to figure out what kind of creative mind could come up with such an extraordinary work of art puzzles me. Peter Shires inspirations came from many different objects. The sphere was inspired by a beach ball which he had used for the bottom back of the chair. The best part about the chair is the part where you lay your back when you sit. He got his inspiration from a beach wave or even a shark fin. An interesting part of this work of art is that it was named after a five-star luxury hotel in Beverly Hills California. The title that is on the Bel Air Chair was taken from the hotel and placed on his piece.At first glance, the work of art is not perceived as wood. It looked like shiny plastic glaz ed in bright colors. With a closer look it was clear that it was wood. This extravagant work of art looked difficult to carve yet so perfected. His use of the variety of colors was complimenting both to the objects and the other colors. His chair has been duplicated into a special limited edition which is shown at museums all around. His work of art would have not nearly gained the popularity it accomplished if it weren’t for the colors. The pop of the chair made it a hit.

Type 2 Diabetes

Living with Type 2 Diabetes Introduction Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Hyperglycemia, or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body's systems. No cure has been found for this disease. However, an important part of managing diabetes is maintaining a healthy weight through a healthy diet and exercise plan. Olokoba, Obateru, Olokoba, 2012) Type 1 diabetes (previously known as insulin-dependent, juvenile or childhood-onset) is characterized by deficient insulin production and requires daily administration of insulin. The cause of type 1 diabetes is not known and it is not preventable with current knowledge. Symptoms include excessive excretion of urine (polyuria), thirst (polydipsia), constant hunger (polyphagia), weight loss, vis ion changes, and fatigue. These symptoms may occur rapidly. Mosorovic, Brkic, Nuhbegovic, Pranjic, 2012) Type 2 diabetes (formerly called non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset) results from the body’s ineffective use of insulin. Type 2 diabetes comprises 90% of people with diabetes, and is largely the result of excess body weight and physical inactivity. Symptoms may be similar to those of Type 1 diabetes, but are often less obvious. As a result, the disease may be diagnosed several years after onset, once complications have already arisen. (Mosorovic, Brkic, Nuhbegovic, Pranjic, 2012) Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, affecting 25. million people of all ages (8. 3 percent of the U. S. population). Of the 25. 8 million affected people, 7. 0 remain undiagnosed. Diabetes is the leading cause of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, lower-limb amputations, and new cases of blindness among adults in the United States. (http://diabetes. niddk. ni h. gov) Meet Mrs. M, who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of 35. Mrs. M is now 57 years old. She has learned that although there is no cure for type 2 diabetes, it can be managed. She is aware that in order to better manage this disease she needs to eat well, exercise, and maintain a healthy weight.Mrs. M has graciously agreed to be interviewed. We will learn more about her, how she copes with this disease, and her struggle in maintaining a healthy weight by incorporating healthy cooking in her lifestyle. I will use the five holistic variables within the Neuman Systems Model (NSM) to identify how Mrs. M’s internal and external environment are affected. I will also assess Mrs. M’s learning needs and provide a trustworthy and reliable resource from which she can benefit from. Physical Variable Mrs. M was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of 35 when she became pregnant with her last child.During a routine doctor’s visit, it was noticed Mrs. M w as gaining a significant amount of weight. Around her 24th week of pregnancy, the doctor ordered she have a glucose test. The test showed a high level of sugar in her blood. The test was repeated and once again, it showed that her glucose level was higher than normal and there was also sugar in her urine. At that point, the doctor diagnosed her with gestational diabetes. In 1990, the only thing that was prescribed was that she begin administering a daily injection of insulin. This came as a completely shock to Mrs. M. She had never even heard of this thing called â€Å"diabetes†.Even more disturbing was the fact that she, and her unborn baby, was now carrying this disease. The doctor advised Mrs. M that although the glucose could reach and affect her baby, the insulin would not cross over to the baby. She was pleased with the news that once she delivered the baby, she would return to her normal diabetic state. The doctor informed Mrs. M the importance of checking her blood gl ucose and maintaining a healthy diet after the birth. This would help to reduce her chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Despite the recommendations, Mrs. M ended up developing type 2 diabetes.For the past 22 years, Mrs. M has been living with this chronic disease. Her medication has been changed several times throughout the years. At the moment, she is taking Glucophage 500mg and 4 units of Humilin in the morning. From the last time Mrs. M was seen by her primary care physician, these were her results: she weighed 170 pounds, blood pressure was 122/78, average blood sugar was 125 mg/dL, average hemoglobin A1c test (HbA1c) average was 5. 98%, her cholesterol and triglyceride levels were within normal limits, her kidneys were working well, and no obvious sores or infections of her feet or skin.Her last optometry visit showed no problems with her vision. She knows dental exams and cleaning are important and makes sure to visit the dentist every six months. In assessing Mrs. Mâ€℠¢s physical variable, I determined that the lack of knowledge about diabetes as a major stressor. Mrs. M’s doctor visits have been a major resource. Socio-cultural Variable She is a traditional Mexican woman and her cooking or eating habits have never been a concern. She has always cooked traditional Mexican dishes, which are high in fat. She never learned to cook or eat healthy.It is a belief of Mrs. M that anything that is â€Å"low fat†, â€Å"nonfat†, or essentially â€Å"healthy† must not taste good. Mrs. M was recently laid off and is unemployed, leaving her with no insurance. She does not want to visit the doctor’s office because she says that it is too expensive. Not only does she have to pay for her medication, but also the doctor’s visit and the laboratory bill. This has given her motivation to try to lose weight. She does realize that if she loses weight, she could possibly be able to get off the medications she is on.At this poin t, she is walking on a daily basis but still finds it hard to start healthy eating habits. She would like to learn how to maintain a healthy diet that she and her family can benefit from. It is hard for her to break free from all the foods she has loved all her life. However, she realizes it is necessary to make this drastic change in order to help her lose the weight. In assessing Mrs. M’s social-cultural variable, I determined that the lack of insurance as a major stressor. Mrs. M’s motivation and willingness to lose weight are major resources. Psychological VariableJust like everyone else, Mrs. M has good days and bad days. On most days, she feels motivated and hopeful that she will be able to better control her diabetes and get off her medicine. She goes on daily walks and really enjoys it when her daughter goes with her. She says that when her daughter goes on these walks with her, it makes the time go by fast and she really enjoys the time they spend together. Th ese walks serve not only to lose weight but also as a distractor. Mrs. M uses this time to talk about her day and about life in general. However, there are days that are not so good for Mrs. M.There are days where she feels defeated and burned out by her diabetes. She feels like she is â€Å"old† now and her health is slowly declining. She has had this disease for so long now and doesn’t see any improvement. It has been a stagnant process for her and that really frustrates her. There are days when she gets angry that she can’t eat certain foods and that she has to take medications to be able lead a semi normal life. Some days, she feels like just giving up and letting God decide her faith. In assessing Mrs. M’s psychological variable, I determined her feeling of defeat is a major stressor. Mrs.M’s daily walks with her daughter are a major resource. Spiritual Variable Mrs. M is a devoted Catholic. She has complete faith in God, the Catholic Church, and the power of prayer. Mrs. M feels our whole universe isn’t controlled by human beings, but by God. Her life, past and future, lies solely in God’s hands. There is no question in her mind that there is an afterlife, where her soul and spirit will rise to and will go to a better place. She is not scared of death. She looks forward to the day when she will be at peace and free of worries and pain; a place where she will live eternally, full of happiness and joy.She anticipates the day when she can reunite with her father and be able to see him, talk to him, and hold him again. Mrs. M feels she has lived a gratifying and good life. She says she has been blessed to have had the opportunity to live and experience this thing we call â€Å"life†. She knows her disease has many health consequences and feels that if something happens to her, God made it happen for a reason. He controls her life and she is willing to accept what he has decided for her. In assessing Mrs . M’s spiritual variable, I determined that there is no stressor involved. Mrs.M’s faith in God is a major resource. Developmental Variable Stage of development Generativity vs. Stagnation is Erik Erikson’s second psychosocial development stage of adulthood and happens between the ages of 25-64. During this time, we establish our careers, settle down within a relationship, begin our own families and develop a sense of being a part of the bigger picture. We give back to society through raising our children, being productive at work, and becoming involved in community activities and organizations. By failing to achieve these objectives, we become stagnant nd feel unproductive. Mrs. M is in the Generativity stage. (Craven, Hirnle, 2009) Tasks of developmental stage Mrs. M is married with 4 grown children, and will celebrate her 36th wedding anniversary on December 14, 2012. Mrs. M was born in Jalisco, Mexico and moved to the United States when she was 21 years old. Her ideas and customs still remain traditional to the Mexican culture. Mrs. M was raised with the idea that family should come before everything, even herself. Mrs. M put her education on hold to be able to provide for her family, leaving her to work low paying jobs.She has worked her whole life to give her children the most and best she can. This has included working 12 to 14 hour shifts and then rushing home to make sure her kids had dinner and did their homework. She has always strived to keep her family happy, safe, and united. Her children are grown now and she maintains a good relationship with them. Now that her children are grown, she feels a sense of emptiness. She admits to feeling an overwhelming amount of sadness when thinking of how her house was once filled with her children’s laughter and now is so â€Å"empty†.There have been days when she feels she may be depressed. On these days she has to force herself to get out of bed and doesn’t feel like eating. She knows this is not good for her and affects her diabetes. She has noticed when she is feeling this way, her blood sugar drops. On the other hand, remembering all the precious times she has lived with her family brings a smile to her face. Mrs. M has always made her kids her number one priority and feels they have not let her down. Knowing that her kids are positive and productive members of society gives her a sense of accomplishment.She has a glow on her face every time she speaks of her kids. It makes her feel proud, loved, and special to know she has a family she can depend on, regardless of the situation. In assessing Mrs. M’s developmental variable, I determined that the depression she deals with is a major stressor. Mrs. M’s family is a major resource. Health Learning Needs After speaking with Mrs. M, her main concern is incorporating healthy meals and eating habits into her lifestyle. She feels cooking healthy is something she has always struggled wit h and would like to get more information as to how to cook healthy meals.Mrs. M has made it clear that she is a visual and hands on learner. She needs to †first see it and then do it† in order to better understand a task. Due to this information, I believe Mrs. M would benefit from a website that plays videos and has live demonstrations. Learning resource My recommendation to Mrs. M is that she visits the American Diabetes Association website at www. diabetes. org. This website has a lot of information that is helpful to anyone with type 2 diabetes. Mrs. M would benefit from the â€Å"Food and Fitness† tab.Under this tab she can find information on what type of foods she should be eating, healthy recipes, and helps in planning meals. There is also information about fitness and weight loss. There are great exercise ideas which will help Mrs. M get motivated to lose weight. This website offers live videos which will help with her visual learning need. Conclusion In summary, the NSM aims to promote a client’s optimal wellness. This model helps us see beyond just the objective clinical manifestations, which we are trained to observe. It helps us understand our clients on a whole new level, an interpersonal and holistic level.By completing an accurate NSM assessment, we see how culture, economic resources, spirituality, and family affect a client’s disease process. With the help of the NSM, I was able learn more about Mrs. M, assess her learning need, and provide a trustworthy and reliable resource from which she can benefit from. The www. diabetes. org website will teach her how she can maintain a healthy weight by incorporating healthy cooking in her lifestyle. References Olokoba, A. B. , Obateru, O. A. , ; Olokoba, L. B. (2012). Diabetes Mellitus: A Review of Current Trends. Oman Medical Journal, 27(4), 269-273. oi:10. 5001/omj. 2012. 68 Mosorovic, N. , Brkic, S. , Nuhbegovic, S. , ; Pranjic, N. (2012). Quality of life of people with Diabetes Mellitus. Healthmed, 6(7), 1076-1080. Demirbag, B. (2012). Neuman system model as a conceptual framework for community-based nurses when working with patients. Healthmed, 6(7), 2438-2445. Craven, R. F. , Hirnle, C. J. (2009). Fundamentals of Nursing. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) (February 2011). Fast fact on Diabetes. Retrieved from http://diabetes. niddk. nih. gov/dm/pubs/statistics/#fast

Causes of changes in wheat prices

Causes of changes in wheat prices Since the summer of 2010, we have seen the price of wheat significantly increasing. In this essay I will outline the possible reasons why wheat prices have shot up in recent months and also introduce methods of intervention that can be used to try and contain the price rises. This year has seen irregular weather patterns considerably affecting harvests in many major wheat producing countries. This has in fact manufactured the recent spike in wheat prices across the globe. Russia’s harvest has been the most significantly affected by the weather. During the summer, Russia and the Ukraine had been experiencing severe droughts and wildfires which have prevented the growth of crops, also destroying a third of their produced wheat. As a consequence, Russia announced a ban on all exports of their grain from the 15th August – end of December, which was then extended into 2011. After the failure of the Russian harvest alone wheat prices shot up by 20% alone, illustrating a rest riction in supply of the grain. After this announcement the US Department of agriculture cut its projections for the next year’s world production of wheat by 15.3m tonnes to 645.7m tonnes. However, it is important to note that wheat stocks are higher still than crisis levels witnessed in 2007-08. This projection and halted production have caused wheat prices to increase on the future markets to their highest levels since the last crisis. Canada, the 2nd largest wheat exporter in the world has been severely affected by heavy rains which have prevented farmers planting seeds and also destroying hectares of land, considerably damaging next year’s harvest. India, the 2nd largest wheat producer, was hit by severe monsoon rains in August which heavily affected their wheat storage. They had insufficient storage, causing around 10m tonnes of wheat to be at risk of rotting due to it being exposed to the rain. Also, Egypt, Serbia, Australia and Pakistan have been hit by major fl oods which have destroyed up to a fifth of the countries crops, reducing supply further and aiding the price increases. The combined effect of these weather disasters is shown in the diagram below: The diagram shows that supply has fallen from S1-S2. This has reduced output from Q1-Q2 and increased the price from P1-P2. Here you can see that the change in price is considerably larger than the change in output. This is due to the fact that wheat is a necessity and therefore is price inelastic, which is represented by the inelastic demand curve. This means that with a reduction in the supply of wheat, even if it is below crisis levels seen in 2007-08, there will be a large increase in price. Another reason why prices have been rising lately is because of the rapidly increasing global population. The global population is rising so fast because emerging countries have the fastest increasing population rates. Many emerging countries are becoming wealthier meaning that demand for grains i s increasing faster than the population. However, it may be argued that recent spike in wheat prices has been caused by uncertainty in the market and panic buying, as a result of export restrictions and a fall in supplies. It may also be argued that recent price rises have been exaggerated due to ‘Speculators’. These are investors who purchase wheat on the commodities markets expecting further price rises and are compressing supply whilst making profits from doing so. This results in short term increases in the price of wheat, which is what we have witnessed in recent months.

2014 Gubernatorial Campaign Plan for James Walker Research Paper

2014 Gubernatorial Campaign Plan for James Walker - Research Paper Example Big Jim is married with two children and is currently a resident of San Antonio City, the second largest city in Texas and the administrative capital of Bexar County. While in High school, Walker demonstrated good interpersonal and leadership skills and he consequently served in a number of leadership positions. These positions not only gave him the necessary leadership skills but also widened his eyes to public service. After completing his law degree at Virginia School of law in 1986, He served briefly as a Texas Ranger before he became a renowned business man in Bexar County. As a former Ranger, Jim Walker acquired the characters associated with rangers such as determination, courage, dedication, integrity and respect for others. Finally as an active Republican activist, Mr. Walker has also been elected to chair several committees and has been in the fore front campaigning for the enactment of several statues benefiting majority of the citizens in Texas. The republican candidate i s currently considered as one of the ideal gubernatorial candidates of the year 2014 many people across the political divide. James Walker (Big Jim). Regional and cultural support With regard to the regional and cultural diversity of the modern state of Texas, our campaign plan will take into account the varying needs of various regions and cultures across the vast State. The main regions of Texas such as the Big Bend County, Panhandle plains, Prairies, Gulf Coast and the Pineywoods among other regions all have significant variations with regard to their economic activities and interests. Each of the regions is distinguished by different levels of prosperity, types of monetary activity, different political cultures, racial and cultural mix. Furthermore, East Texas and West Texas both are Texan, but have differences not only with each other but also from South Texas and Urban Texas. Generally the complex interplay between the diverse cultural, economic, historical, geographic and ins titutional as well as the social forces has continued to define the politics of Texas particularly the regional and cultural support for the candidates of various political offices in the State (Drake, 2011). Mr. James Walker is likely to experience some problems in his campaigns in regions such as Urban Texas which generally have greater economic activity and are known to favor candidates who favor economic liberalism. The other regions where Mr. Walker will also have an uphill task include South Texas Plains and Big Bend Country. This is because many voters believe Republicans are unlikely to enact economic liberalization policies since Republicans are considered to be conservatives. Consequently most of the Urban Texas regions have always been known to lean towards Democrats because their policies advocate for more economic liberalization. As a politician who favors social conservatism, Walker will most likely do well in the rural regions of Texas where many people favor politici ans who advocate for the restoration of traditional moralism and values. Additionally the Republican Party has strong influence in regions like Panhandle plains and Hill Country and therefore the people of these regions are most likely to vote Big James and people who pursue Individualistic political culture such as Mr. James Walker. Demographic support Demographic variation will also play a sign9ificant role in the2014 gubernatorial campaigns of James Walker. This is particularly with regard to the fact that the vast territory with a culturally diverse population that consist of people with various ethnic and racial backgrounds (Scharrer, 2011). Texas has a diverse demographic

Ratio analysis Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Ratio analysis - Coursework Example This difference could have been caused by a reduction in expenses including operating and financing expenses. ROCE also increased from 25.03% to 32.18% which shows a difference of 7.15%. This difference could be due to efficient utilization of assets to produce income and effective asset management. Liquidity of the company can be assessed using current ratio and quick ratio. Current ratio measures the number of times that current liabilities can be financed by current assets before they are exhausted (Pollitt, 2001). Quick ratio measures how current liabilities can be measured by more liquid assets before they are exhausted. The current ratio of Youngs increased from 1.37 in 2013 to 1.48 in 2014. This means that the company was able to meet its obligations faster in 2013 than 2013, i.e. it was able to meet its financial obligations easier in 2014 than 2013. The quick ratio of the company also increased from 0.36 in 2013 to 0.43 in 2014. Therefore, the company was more liquid in 2013 than 2014. This liquidity could be due to effective cash management in the company. Efficiency of Youngs can be determined by inventory turnover and total asset turnover. The inventory or stock turnover measures the number of times that stock is turned into sales in a year (Fridson & Alvarez, 2002). Total asset turnover measures the amount of sales generated by the sale of a single unit of the total assets. The total asset turnover of Youngs was 2.11 in 2013 and 2.09 in 2014. This means that a single unit of asset was used to generate 2.11 units of sales in 2013 and 2.09 units of sales in 2014. However, the difference between the inventory turnovers in the two years was -0.02 which is a negative figure. It could be because the company acquired more assets and failed to utilize the new assets efficiently to generate more sales. The company also had an inventory turnover of 6.85 in 2013 and 6.88 in 2014. This indicates that the company turned its stock

Political,social,and economicial collapse of communism Essay

Political,social,and economicial collapse of communism - Essay Example Nevertheless having traded totalitarianism for democracy both Russian and Eastern Europeans got economic disorder, political disorder and sometimes even war. As Coit D. Blacker put it on 1990 the leadership of the Soviet Union â€Å"appeared to have believed that whatever loss of authority the Soviet Union might suffer in Eastern Europe would be more than offset by a net increase in its influence in Western Europe" (Blacker, 1990). However it is not likely that â€Å"architects of the Perestroika† were going to dismantle completely Warsaw Pact and Communism. Rather Gorbachev and Politburo supposed that Eastern European communist or Socialist parties should be reformed the way Soviet Communist party was being reformed. Nevertheless reforms run away with both Soviet and Eastern European communists. As soon as popular masses realized that they are no more controlled by omnipotent KGB and local security services they toppled entire communist regimes. Some countries like Eastern G ermany Czechia, Slovakia, Poland succeeded to transit to democracy without having lots of their citizens victimized while Romania and former Yugoslavia were involved in terrible bloodshed.

Globalisation and Crime ( Criminology) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Globalisation and Crime ( Criminology) - Essay Example Human trafficking is concerned only with trading of people and it does not necessarily include any kind of movement of people from one location to another. The annual international trade in relation to human trafficking constituted an amount of $31.6 billion (Anderson, 2000 ).The most popular – and fastest growing – activity of the criminal organizations that operate transnationally is that of human trafficking. According to international convention, the concept of human trafficking is related to violation of the basic human rights. It is even subjected to directive in the context of the European Union. Human trafficking can be further be defined as transport, recruitment, harbouring, selling and even receipt of people through some exploitative means such as threat, fraud, deception and force. The main forms of human trafficking comprise sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, labour exploitation, internal trafficking, organ trafficking, and child trafficking. There ha ve been policies and strategies that have been set forth by various nations, some of which are effective, but still this issue is growing and gaining more importance in the current decade. The main focus of human trafficking is in the areas of the trafficking of women. The key countries that constitute women trafficking are United Kingdom, eastern and central European countries (such as Hungary, Belarus, Lithuania or Ukraine), South East Asia, Latin America, West and East Africa. The countries in which there exists a great deal of woman trafficking are Germany, Italy, Belgium, Greece, Netherlands, and countries in which such trade is moderately high are Denmark, Austria, France, Spain, Poland, UK, Switzerland, Bosnia, Poland and Kosovo. Each country where such trafficking is a very serious issue has different statistics, which cannot be considered as a reliable source to predict the consequences that some

Rosetta Stone Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Rosetta Stone - Research Paper Example One of the key features about the Rosetta stone is its name. The name is currently commonly confused with one of the quickest growing educational blogs. The blog was named after the rock since it serves the same role the Rosetta stone played for archeologists and the world, which was the deciphering of the hieroglyphs. Jean-Franà §ois Champollion was the archeologist who was able to decipher the meaning of the hieroglyphs. Champollion had a good understanding of the Greek language and had expansive knowledge and comprehension of Coptic. With an understanding of Coptic script and Greek, Champollion was able to decipher the hieroglyphs. Another interesting aspect about the Rosetta stone is its naming. The rock, which is believed to be made of granodiorite, is named after the town in which it was discovered. However, the Town was not known as Rosetta but rather is historically and geographically known as Rashid. However, the English translation of Rashid is Rosetta. Conventionally, the importance of the Rosetta stone, other than its contribution to the deciphering the hieroglyphs in 1822 is still not clearly known. However, several propositions of its roles have been from the translation of the hieroglyphs. The rock was uncovered by Napoleon’s soldiers when they were digging foundations in el-Rashid, which is commonly referred to as Rosetta The Rosetta stone is believed to have been issued in 196 BC in Memphis, Egypt. The stone was developed as a decree on behalf of King Ptolemy V. The stone is believed to have been written in three scripts for it to be easily read by priests, government officials and rulers of Egypt. Presumably, each of these groups used a different script in their literature. The current level of knowledge of deciphering argues that the stele was erected to assert the beginning of a new reign; a divine cult (Sandborn & Sandborn 110). The stone is one of the few historical

Extra assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Extra assignment - Essay Example The article talks about the evil practice of evading taxes and the topic has been narrowed down by the author and primarily focuses upon the citizens of Switzerland. There are about 52000 American depositors who have intentionally hidden some information regarding tax evasion with the help of their Swiss Bank accounts, the Swiss authorities are known for their secrecy and this is a double edged weapon and it is certainly proving out to be that way. The US government is putting extreme pressure on the Swiss government to provide them with information of the American citizens who have Swiss bank accounts. The US government has even launched a civil suit in Miami to get access to this pivotal information. The US government firmly believes that the American citizens have hidden their potential worth of about $ 14.8 billion in various Swiss bank accounts and recently a Swiss bank by the name UBS provided information important information to the US authorities of as many as 250 US citizens who have their bank accounts with the bank. The Swiss government is trying really hard to implement a tax system which will complement their secrecy but this has not been implemented yet. The French president has also got involved in this and he recently said that Switzerland would be put in a black list of the G-20 members for being a tax- haven nation. The Swiss president has assured the US authorities that they have set up a panel to deal effectively with this potential problem of tax evasion. The Swiss officials have acknowledged that they have not been invited in a conference that deals mainly with reforming the international financial system. This is quite unfair, the officials should have invited to the conference in order to solve this problem. Avoiding these officials will not help in solving this colossal problem, the whole world is facing the same problem and this does not mean that the officials involved in solving this

The effects of retail channel integration through the use of Essay

The effects of retail channel integration through the use of information technologies on Firm performance - Essay Example The article â€Å"The effects of retail channel integration through the use of information technologies on Firm performance† gives a vivid insight into the strategy that can be employed to integrate activities across multiple channels. This resolution lies in the use of information technology, a solution that offers a promising opportunity for most of the retail firms. This is because it is directed towards the enhancement of the relationship that exists between them and their customers. This is, in addition to improving the performance, of the firm in virtually all sectors. This can be tied to the fact that the goal of most firms is to improve people’s lives through their services and products. This is, in addition to, making profits that can enable them stay in the market for a long time. Throughout the article, the authors have focused on the constructive effects of information technology just to encourage those who are not into it to try out. They base this on the f act that by integrating both traditional and contemporary Channels within the retail industries efficiency and integration is improved. These effects, in one way or another, function to the act of the firm as well as customers who are among the key stake holders in any given firm. Another fact is that environment has a role to play because its dynamism is a sure moderating factor of the effects brought about by competence and modernization. All these attributes are aimed at inciting firms to employ this technique in both the retail and service sectors especially to those firms that have both physical and online operation. (Khosrowpou, 2006). Critique of article In the modern world of business, there has been increased shift towards the creation of positive environment that enhances productivity and efficiency. Thus, why many firms resolve to employ CRM software to provide a dependable platform for both customers and firms. This, in part, corresponds to the message in the article dis cussed. However, even though there is the persistence of adoption of technology, it should be noted that it is not for all companies to use it for some use â€Å"excel and outlook† in a stationary surroundings to uphold their information. In such a company, high technology such as use of CRM software is undoubtedly inappropriate. Therefore, the article has not emphasized on what companies are eligible to this high technology, for this is most prominent in growing businesses who are obliged to manage customer’s information with reliable software especially in the constantly changing business environment (Sambumurthy, 2003). However, the article has a valuable message concerning the ways in which businesses can manage change. This is because the modern day organizations have become complex, uncertain and more unpredictable, and, therefore, invention of ways of overcoming these challenges. Therefore, the advent of globalization demands that companies keep themselves up-to -date either through the latest technology or management fad (Lin-Bin et al, 2010). This vertical integration has numerous effects on the factors that lead to firm’s performance such as increasing firm size and reducing uncertainty. However, it has also its own

Essay Example for Free

Essay The objective of this paper is to compare the major players in the beverage/soft drink industry, Pepsi Co. Coca Cola Co. This paper will give you sound information on which company to invest in as well as taking a deeper look at both companies over all. My analysis will be made based on the company’s income statements, horizontal, vertical analysis, balances sheets and financial statement ratios. This along with other information should give you a clear picture of which company is the best company to invest in. Researching this analysis is needed find the soundest corporation for investment. Out of the myriad of sodas, Coca Cola and PepsiCo. are the most recognized name and the most known rivalry in the soft drink industry. Coca-Cola owns the somewhat disputed title as being the best cola brand worldwide. Some on the other hand know PepsiCo as the rival brand because Coca Cola has had such great marketing and advertising. In 2004, PepsiCo achieved marginally growth rate in net profit and sales, where Coca Cola has maintained profit margin. The PepsiCo. presented lower short-term liquidity risk to investors compared to Coca Cola. Coca Cola and PepsiCo. There was low long-term solvency risk with PepsiCo’s risk being marginally greater than Coca Cola’s. PepsiCo’s overall asset in my opinion was more proficient than Coca Cola. These and other companies help investor confidence and market share with their sales margins. PepsiCo stock is dividend-generating stock, but Coca Co la has had a higher yield and payout. Coca Cola has had a superior profit margin and dividends are lucrative to investors in this industry but PepsiCo’s diversification, low short-term liquidity risk, low long- term solvency risk, make it a proficient asset application for PepsiCo stock look like a better investment. The competition between these two soda giants is strong. Having said that, there is still a point where price is not the issue but taste. Some people swear by the taste in this loyal brand market. These two corporations have concentrated on cultivating brand management through applicable advertising, marketing campaigns. According to Bloomberg BusinessWeek, â€Å"Coca-Cola remains the best globally recognized brand across all industries for ages, while PepsiCo’s brand ranked number 26 in year 2008.† PepsiCo has been able differentiate itself from competitors by tapping into other markets like chips and healthy alternative foods. While PepsiCo is known for their soda, their expansion is clear in showing there is a need for other things being non-soda. The time for vitality comes with diversification because there are true signs of a shift in consumption. The decrease in soda consumption raises PepsiCo. has positioned it to continue to remain profitable for its shareholde rs. The income statement of PepsiCo’s COS to sales percentage slightly rose from 43.31% in year 2004. Coca-Cola’s five-year average COS to sales percentage was only 35.26%, much lower than PepsiCo. Coca Cola was able to achieve a higher gross profit margin with lower COS to sales percentage. PepsiCo is the consequence of its tougher pricing structure. â€Å"PepsiCo arguably has the most diverse set of distribution systems of any consumer product company, including direct store delivery (DSD) at Frito-Lay and our bottling partners, warehouse delivery for Quaker products, and warehouse delivery and chilled DSD at Tropicana. The reach and scale of these systems provide considerable cost efficiency and system effectiveness in driving value. Our systems deliver product freshness and quality for the consumer; generate cash flow for our retail customers, and pro- vide economic value for PepsiCo. Our products respond very well to merchandising, and need to be replenished ofte n because they sell so quickly. By having our DSD associates deliver products and stock the shelves themselves, we save retailers money by doing this labor for them, and help make sure our products are fresh, available and displayed to our advantage.† http://www.pepsico.com/Download/2004-Annual-English.pdf According to the Business Insider, Coca Cola has 42% of the market share while Pepsi Co. has 31%. The annual revenue for two companies is $35.2 billion and $57.8 billion respectively. Coca Cola spending roughly $2 billion on advertising while their rival spend around $1.1 billion. http://www.businessinsider.com/coca-cola-vs-pepsi-timeline-2013-1?op=1 â€Å"PepsiCo is the largest food-and-beverage company in the United States, and the second-largest in the world, after Nestlà ©. If PepsiCo were a country, the size of its economy—sixty billion dollars in revenues in 2010—would put it sixty-sixth in gross national product, between Ecuador and Croatia. Many studies point to the ubiquity of high-calorie, low-cost processed foods and drinks as one of the major drivers of this condition. Snacks, in particular, play a role in childhood obesity, which is growing even faster than obesity in adults. Americans consume about fifty gallons of soda a year, more than four times the a verage per-capita consumption sixty years ago. Americans also ingest about thirty-four hundred milligrams of sodium per day, twice the recommended amount; sodium has long been linked to high blood pressure. almost half of PepsiCo’s business is overseas (thirty per cent of it in developing countries), foreign markets eventually tend to follow U.S. trends. The markets of the future may well be in â€Å"packaged nutrition†Ã¢â‚¬â€in enriched products like PepsiCo’s SoBe Lifewater, which contains vitamins, and in its pricey Naked line of fruit juices and smoothies, which contain antioxidants. Another growing category is â€Å"functional† foods and beverages, like varieties of the sports drink Gatorade, which PepsiCo markets for specific physiological or metabolic attributes. (Thanks to Gatorade’s new â€Å"fit series,† you can drink G1 Prime before you work out, G2 Perform during your workout, and G3 Recover when you’re cooling down.† http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/05/16/110516fa_fact_seabrook?currentPage=2 The above quote taken from the New Yorker shows that diversity in such a highly competitive beverage market, diversity is needed. Coke depends on the consumption of their product. That is still their main source of revenue for the company. It could be said that maybe PepsiCo is too diverse. I would say I see this as an example of ensuring a proper return to the investor and keeping the integrity of the company. PepsiCo displayed advanced long-term affluence risk due to its higher debt to equity ratio of 1.24 and higher long-term debt to equity ratio of 0.68 on average, compared to Coca-Cola’s 0.90 and 0.29. The soda industry is wide and there are always new players but PepsiCo has managed its debt obligations more so than Coca-Cola by the measure of times interest earned ratio. PepsiCo had a better average return on common equity of 33.92% than Coca-Cola’s 30.29%, whereas both companies had similar return on assets with Coca-Cola’s 16.54% average only being slightly better. PepsiCo and Coca Cola are the leaders in the caramel color soda market. There earning regardless of the company you select show the investor that their staying power is evident. References Books Brigham, E, F, Erhhardth, M, C (2005). Financial Management Theory and Practice. Eleventh Edition. South Western Publishers Thomas, A, (2002). Introduction to Financial Accounting. Fourth Edition. McGraw Hill. Websites Kulawik, A (2009), The development of Coca Cola Advertising Campaigns, retrieved on November 29th, 2010 from, http://images.nexto.pl/upload/publisher/All%20Free%20Media/public/the_development_of_coca-cola_advertising_campaigns_(1886-2007)_demo.pdf Andrew (2002), A brief Pepsi History retrieved on November 29th 2010 from, Day, J (2008), Theme: Analyzing Financial Statements, retrieved on 30th November 2010 from Gattis ,C,G.(2009).Using Financial Ratios http://bluepointstrategies.com/uploads/White_Paper_-_Using_Financial_Ratios.pdf [30th November 2010]

The Brain Left vs Right Essay Example for Free

The Brain Left vs Right Essay The brain is a continually researched part of the human anatomy. With advances in technology, medicine and psychology it has been continually researched. The current science we have now reveals many things about the brain, such as there are two hemispheres in the brain, the left side and the right side. How much truth is there behind certain hemispheres impacting learning differently? In this essay we will take a look at each hemisphere separately, together and there correlation to learning determining and evaluate any actual facts. The left hemisphere of the brain is assumed to control certain functions more so than the right side. The left brain is often more associated with tasks involving logic, analytical thinking, and language. Much of the research is controversial as to if each hemisphere is different, and unique. Hines (1987) states, clearly there â€Å"are differences between the two hemispheres of the human brain† in regards to how â€Å"they process information.† This being said if the left hemisphere is mainly in charge of language and logic, what is the right responsible for? The right hemisphere is thought to control expressive and creative tasks such as emotional, creativity, music etc†¦ There have been multiple studies that point towards each hemisphere having more control over certain areas than others. That being said there is controversy that you are using both hemispheres equally. There are many theories out there but no one hundred percent facts yet. With this in mind is either side more advantageous in regards to learning? The hemispheres usually work together in every aspect, they work together to create the best outcome. In order to read, for instance, a person needs to constantly access both the left and right hemispheres of the brain simultaneously. The brain has something called the corpus callosum, a bundle of nerve fibers. This is what allows the two brain hemispheres to communicate and transfer information freely. Brain Yochim et al. â€Å"†¦hypothesized that the RH [right hemisphere] performs a â€Å"coarse grain† analysis from which the LH[left hemisphere], which performs a â€Å"fine grain† analysis, then selects the most appropriate interpretation.†. Obviously the brain functions as a whole but is either side more advantageous in regards to learning? Then if each of the hemispheres of our brain has certain functions or specialties, this would make the brain avoid duplication of function. According to Ann Hermann-Nehdi â€Å"the brain functions as a whole, not two individual parts-has evolved into a useful framework for learning and performance.†(2010). The hemispheres work together making all learning a combination of the left and right hemispheres. There is however, a tendency if you will for one hemisphere to be more dominant. The dominant hemisphere directly effects how each individual will respond to new experiences and learning techniques. With this knowledge in mind we are better able to decide the style of learning to pursue. There has been and will be continuous research into the anatomy of the brain. The brain in its complexity may one day be figured out. When that one day comes maybe the facts will push humanity even further toward greatness. The two hemispheres of the brain may be responsible for different things, but both are used. In regards to learning that is also the case, we use both hemispheres and different learning styles to create the most logical interpretation of the presented information. The brain is a complex organ and the continual advances in science and technology may one day lead our knowledge of learning even further.

An Overview Of Tattoos And Piercings Sociology Essay

An Overview Of Tattoos And Piercings Sociology Essay Tattoos and piercings have been used for thousands of years to show personal expression, beliefs, dedication, devotion, regret, and desires. Tattoo is defined by the Webster dictionary as an â€Å"indelible mark or figure fixed upon the body by insertion of pigment under the skin or by production of scars† and piercing as â€Å"a piece of jewelry (as a ring or stud) that is attached to pierced flesh†. Tattoos and piercings have been used for thousands of years dating back to the Bronze Age. According to DIG magazine, â€Å"Some of the oldest tattoo marks ever found are on Otzi, the Iceman, the frozen mummy dating to around 3300 B.C. that was found in the Tyrolean Alps.† Otzi had 58 tattoos and it is generally believed they were for medicinal purposes. These tattoos were simple using dots and lines and places near joints possibly to provide relief associated with arthritis. The history of piercings is not as clearly documented as tattoos but date back to ancient t imes. Piercings were once reserved for women and cross-gender acceptance began in the early 1900s. Infections are common with both tattoos and piercings. An individuals should take extreme care when deciding where to get one on their body, which facility to perform the procedure, and post procedure practices to help reduce the risk of infections. Tattoo and piercing facilities should be researched to find the ones that use the best practices. Are the instruments sterilized before each piercing and are new needles used for every tattoo? If a facility says no to any of these items, it may not be a reputable shop, and one should keep looking. Not using sterile equipment and having a clean environment to receive a tattoo or piercing can lead to a number of infections. According to (Hamodat Hutchinson, 2007), a 17 year old girl died from infection after by getting her nipple pierced by a friend. This young woman developed Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) after receiving this piercing. Despite receiving medical care for this infection, she died two weeks after the piercing. De spite locating a clean facility to receive a tattoo or piercing, skin infections, bacterial infections, and allergies still occur. Individuals should adhere to the prescribed methods for caring for this new body modification. Whether deciding to get a tattoo or piercing through a carefully thought-out plan or impulsive decision, one should consider the possible diseases that can be transmitted through the procedure. According to the Center for Disease Control â€Å"hepatitis C can be transmitted through contaminated devices used for tattoos, body piercing† (Davies, 2005, p. D.1). One of the most popular examples of a person contracting hepatitis C from a tattoo is Pamela Anderson. Pamela Anderson contracted hepatitis C from sharing a needle used to get a tattoo with her Tommy Lee. Additional blood-borne diseases that can be transmitted through having a tattoo or piercing include hepatitis B, HIV, and tetanus. These diseases can have life-threatening consequences up to and including death. Listed in the chart below are the definitions of each of these diseases according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website (2009). †¢ Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It ranges in severity from a mild illness, lasting a few weeks (acute), to a serious long-term (chronic) illness that can lead to liver disease or liver cancer. †¢ Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV infection sometimes results in an acute illness, but most often becomes a chronic condition that can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. †¢ HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus may be passed from one person to another when infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions come in contact with an uninfected persons broken skin or mucous membranes*. In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their baby during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast-feeding. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. Some of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection. †¢ Tetanus (lockjaw) is a serious disease that causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to locking of the jaw so the victim cannot open his mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in about 1 in 10 cases. Beyond the risk of infection and disease, there exists a negative association with tattoos and piercings in society. Future employers tend to look negatively on individuals with visible tattoos and piercings. Companies such as retail and sales want to present a clean image to their potential and existing customers and having visible tattoos and piercings is not what they want from their employees. Companies that require business casual or professional attire from their employees do not want the distractions that come with tattoos and piercings. In the â€Å"Your Chatter† section (2005), Crains Cleveland Business asked several senior executives whether they would hire someone with tattoos and or piercings. Their findings reveal that employers think that people with body modification are less professional, skilled, and intelligent because of partaking in this risky expression of oneself when compared to people without them, regardless of qualifications. While employed, displays of body art can also have undesired results. Job advancement and promotions can be hindered because the majority of managers find it easier to advance employees that have the traditional appearance. Tattoos and piercings have been used for thousands of years to show personal expression, beliefs, dedication, devotion, regret, and desires. Tattoo is defined by the Webster dictionary as an â€Å"indelible mark or figure fixed upon the body by insertion of pigment under the skin or by production of scars† and piercing as â€Å"a piece of jewelry (as a ring or stud) that is attached to pierced flesh†. Tattoos and piercings have been used for thousands of years dating back to the Bronze Age. According to DIG magazine, â€Å"Some of the oldest tattoo marks ever found are on Otzi, the Iceman, the frozen mummy dating to around 3300 B.C. that was found in the Tyrolean Alps.† Otzi had 58 tattoos and it is generally believed they were for medicinal purposes. These tattoos were simple using dots and lines and places near joints possibly to provide relief associated with arthritis. The history of piercings is not as clearly documented as tattoos but date back to ancient times. Piercings were once reserved for women and cross- gender acceptance began in the early 1900s. Infections are common with both tattoos and piercings. An individuals should take extreme care when deciding where to get one on their body, which facility to perform the procedure, and post procedure practices to help reduce the risk of infections. Tattoo and piercing facilities should be researched to find the ones that use the best practices. Are the instruments sterilized before each piercing and are new needles used for every tattoo? If a facility says no to any of these items, it may not be a reputable shop, and one should keep looking. Not using sterile equipment and having a clean environment to receive a tattoo or piercing can lead to a number of infections. According to (Hamodat Hutchinson, 2007), a 17 year old girl died from infection after by getting her nipple pierced by a friend. This young woman developed Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) after receiving this piercing. Despite receiving medical care for this infection, she died two weeks after the piercing. Despite locating a clean facility to receive a tattoo or piercing, skin infections, bacterial infections, and allergies still occur. Individuals should adhere to the prescribed methods for caring for this new body modification. Whether deciding to get a tattoo or piercing through a carefully thought-out plan or impulsive decision, one should consider the possible diseases that can be transmitted through the procedure. According to the Center for Disease Control â€Å"hepatitis C can be transmitted through contaminated devices used for tattoos, body piercing† (Davies, 2005, p. D.1). One of the most popular examples of a person contracting hepatitis C from a tattoo is Pamela Anderson. Pamela Anderson contracted hepatitis C from sharing a needle used to get a tattoo with her Tommy Lee. Additional blood-borne diseases that can be transmitted through having a tattoo or piercing include hepatitis B, HIV, and tetanus. These diseases can have life-threatening consequences up to and including death. Listed in the chart below are the definitions of each of these diseases according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website (2009). †¢ Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It ranges in severity from a mild illness, lasting a few weeks (acute), to a serious long-term (chronic) illness that can lead to liver disease or liver cancer. †¢ Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV infection sometimes results in an acute illness, but most often becomes a chronic condition that can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. †¢ HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus may be passed from one person to another when infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions come in contact with an uninfected persons broken skin or mucous membranes*. In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their baby during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast-feeding. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. Some of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection. †¢ Tetanus (lockjaw) is a serious disease that causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to locking of the jaw so the victim cannot open his mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in about 1 in 10 cases. Beyond the risk of infection and disease, there exists a negative association with tattoos and piercings in society. Future employers tend to look negatively on individuals with visible tattoos and piercings. Companies such as retail and sales want to present a clean image to their potential and existing customers and having visible tattoos and piercings is not what they want from their employees. Companies that require business casual or professional attire from their employees do not want the distractions that come with tattoos and piercings. In the â€Å"Your Chatter† section (2005), Crains Cleveland Business asked several senior executives whether they would hire someone with tattoos and or piercings. Their findings reveal that employers think that people with body modification are less professional, skilled, and intelligent because of partaking in this risky expression of oneself when compared to people without them, regardless of qualifications. While employed, displays of body art can also have undesired results. Job advancement and promotions can be hindered because the majority of managers find it easier to advance employees that have the traditional appearance.

Islam:The role and function of an Imam in a Sunni Mosque Essay

The role and function of an Imam in a Sunni Mosque The word Imam is an Arabic word which means 'Upfront'. As with many ancient words relating with faith the word carries a great deal of meaning and, depending of usage in text as well as speech, can take on numerous different meanings. In Sunni Islam the term Imam is used principally as a title and has minimal importance in theology. The congregational prayer performed in Mosque is lead by the Imam who stands in front of the lines of worship leading them in recital of prayer. The meaning of the word Imam is related to this role. In the standard interpretation being Imam is not a profession nor is it a qualification. The Imam is only Imam as long as he is leading prayer. He is not ordained as a holy man and should treated like any other member of the Muslim community. There are no priests or monks in Islam, all Muslims are regarded as equal. Any respected Muslim who is normally well-trained in leading prayer, As Salat, can be an imam. In general, it is the person with the most knowledge of Islam, pious, has the ability to recite the Qur?an properly and is the most respected and learned person in the assembly who is offered the honour of being Imam. Some Imams are specially trained at Islamic colleges called Dar-al-uloom, where students follow a seven year course in Arabic and Islamic Studies. Often the imam will have an advanced education, and will be very knowledgeable about Sharia , the Islamic law set down in the Qur?an and further writings. This helps the imam who works in a pastoral capacity to counsel members of the mosque. The congregation, in mosque prayer, must follow... ...mam is only human and no different than any other member of the congregation. Many people are misinterpreted about the role and function of the Imam, they believe that his job is primarily to carry out the task of leading the congregation to prayer which is a very significant and important task yet the Imam does much more The Imam is often relied on by the community for advice and guidance when needed. However of course the Imam doesn?t have all of the answers which is why he often refers to The Qur?an, The Hadith or The Sunnah. An Imam is not just a village hafiz , they have to deal with immigration and visa problems, marriage problems, all sorts of counselling and reconciliation, visiting of hospitals and prisons, education , organise social programmes, dawah programmes and much more. He is thought of as a pillar of the community Islam:The role and function of an Imam in a Sunni Mosque Essay The role and function of an Imam in a Sunni Mosque The word Imam is an Arabic word which means 'Upfront'. As with many ancient words relating with faith the word carries a great deal of meaning and, depending of usage in text as well as speech, can take on numerous different meanings. In Sunni Islam the term Imam is used principally as a title and has minimal importance in theology. The congregational prayer performed in Mosque is lead by the Imam who stands in front of the lines of worship leading them in recital of prayer. The meaning of the word Imam is related to this role. In the standard interpretation being Imam is not a profession nor is it a qualification. The Imam is only Imam as long as he is leading prayer. He is not ordained as a holy man and should treated like any other member of the Muslim community. There are no priests or monks in Islam, all Muslims are regarded as equal. Any respected Muslim who is normally well-trained in leading prayer, As Salat, can be an imam. In general, it is the person with the most knowledge of Islam, pious, has the ability to recite the Qur?an properly and is the most respected and learned person in the assembly who is offered the honour of being Imam. Some Imams are specially trained at Islamic colleges called Dar-al-uloom, where students follow a seven year course in Arabic and Islamic Studies. Often the imam will have an advanced education, and will be very knowledgeable about Sharia , the Islamic law set down in the Qur?an and further writings. This helps the imam who works in a pastoral capacity to counsel members of the mosque. The congregation, in mosque prayer, must follow... ...mam is only human and no different than any other member of the congregation. Many people are misinterpreted about the role and function of the Imam, they believe that his job is primarily to carry out the task of leading the congregation to prayer which is a very significant and important task yet the Imam does much more The Imam is often relied on by the community for advice and guidance when needed. However of course the Imam doesn?t have all of the answers which is why he often refers to The Qur?an, The Hadith or The Sunnah. An Imam is not just a village hafiz , they have to deal with immigration and visa problems, marriage problems, all sorts of counselling and reconciliation, visiting of hospitals and prisons, education , organise social programmes, dawah programmes and much more. He is thought of as a pillar of the community

High Altitude Climbing :: essays research papers fc

High altitude climbing is a very dangerous sport, well, we won’t call it a sport, it is more like a profession for highly skilled individuals. High altitude climbing is when mountain climbers decide that they want to climb higher  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  and more difficult mountains. To do this they need the right training and also need to know the effects of high altitude climbing to their bodies.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The body attempts to maintain a state of homeostasis or balance to ensure the optimal operating environment for its complex chemical systems. Any change from this homeostasis is a change away from the best possible operating environment. The body attempts to correct this imbalance. One such imbalance is the effect of increasing altitude on the body's ability to provide adequate oxygen to be utilized in cellular respiration. With an increase in elevation, a typical occurrence when climbing mountains, the body is forced to respond in various ways to the changes in external environment. Foremost of these changes is the diminished ability to obtain oxygen from the atmosphere. If the adaptive responses to this stressor are inadequate the performance of body systems may decline dramatically. If prolonged the results can be serious or even fatal.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In looking at the effect of altitude on body functioning we first must understand what occurs in the external environment at higher elevations and then observe the important changes that occur in the internal environment of the body in response. In discussing altitude change and its effect on the body mountaineers generally define altitude according to the scale of high (8,000 - 12,000 feet), very high (12,000 - 18,000 feet), and extremely high (18,000+ feet), (Hubble, 1995).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A common misperception of the change in external environment with increased altitude is that there is decreased oxygen. This is not correct as the concentration of oxygen at sea level is about 21% and stays relatively unchanged until over 50,000 feet (Johnson, 1988). What is really happening is that the atmospheric pressure is decreasing and subsequently the amount of oxygen available in a single breath of air is significantly less. At sea level the barometric pressure averages 760 mmHg while at 12,000 feet it is only 483 mmHg. This decrease in total atmospheric pressure means that there are 40% fewer oxygen molecules per breath at this altitude compared to sea level (Princeton, 1995). The pulmonary surface and the thickness of the alveolar membranes are not directly affected by a change in altitude.

Techniques and Outcomes of Germ-line Gene Therapy Essay -- Biology Med

The Relative Positives and Negatives Behind the Techniques and Outcomes of Germ-line Gene Therapy Abstract: Ever since the idea of altering the human genome was created through the research of germ-line gene therapy, advocates and protestors entered into contention with one another. Supporters of the new technology argue about the benefits of germ-line therapy. Humans have the right to scientific inquiry, especially if it is beneficial to mankind. However, their counterparts claim that the difficulty and unknown side effects (coupled with a few unsuccessful and fatal trials) will cause damage greater than any potential good. Furthermore, some even argue with the ethical issues resultant of a possible eugenics movement. Despite level of intellect or personal opinion about the issue, the new, viable chance for germ-line genetic therapy has quickly become a major issue of controversy. Since the dawn of time, man has striven to postpone death while increasing his quality of life. In 1991, human medicine opened an entire new horizon when Ashanti DeSilva became the first person in the world to receive gene therapy for her illness (Gene Therapy Turns 10, 2001). Doctors managed to add a critical gene that allowed her to produce the then absent (and essential) adenosine deaminase (ADA) enzyme. However, because only somatic cells are effected, this practice only has partial success, as DeSilva still needs to take weekly injections of the DNA. Thus, the idea of germ-line gene therapy was born. Germ-line therapy, the altering of embryonic and sex cells of the body, allows all of the new cells in the body to contain DNA along with all future offspring produced by that individual. With the notion that germ-line altering could soon become a... ... Human Gene Therapy, (volume 5). 151-152. Kittredge, Clare. (2005). Gene therapy†¦under the microscope again: some investors show new interest in gene therapy, despite the latest scare. The Scientist, (volume 19). Page 14. McLaren, Anne. (1998). Problems of germline therapy. Nature, (volume 392). 645. Wadman, Meredith. (26 March 1998). Germline Gene Therapy ‘must be spared excessive regulation’. Nature. 30 July 2005: http://www.nature.com/cgi- taf/DynaPage.taf?file=/nature/journal/v392/n6674/full/392317a0_r.html&filetype=&dynoptions= Willgoos, Christine. (2001). FDA regulation: an answer to the questions of human cloning and germline gene therapy. American Journal of Law & Medicine, (volume 27), page 101. Wivel, Nelson A. et al. (1993). Germ-Line Gene Modification and Disease Prevention: Some Medical and Ethical Perspectives. Sciences, (volume 262). Pages 533-538.

Mary Shelley novel ‘Frankenstein’ Essay

Once, Victor completes his creation of the being he finds him to be very repulsive and he feels it is impossible to love such a ‘ thing ‘, ‘ His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black and flowing†¦ but these luxuries only formed a more horrid contrast’. Instead of staying to understand why and how his experiment went so drastically wrong, or to take care of his creation, he runs away from his responsibilities with fear ‘ one hand wrenched out, seemingly to detain me, but I escape and rushed down stairs†¦ ‘ During Victors encounters with his creation he treats his creation with disrespect and hatred even though it was he who created this monster. Victor feels his creation is disdain and malignant, he also feels that his creatures ‘ ugliness rendered it almost too horrible for human eyes ‘. During this time Victor is very childish in his opinions as he insults his creation ‘ it ‘ hasn’t done anything wrong. But on the other hand, his creation tries to be civilized and reasonable. Victor tries using his intelligence to fight against the creature, as the creature defeats him in any imaginable physical aspect. But Victor underestimates the creature’s true intelligence and understanding of life; the creature returns the fire back to Victor with his own degree of intelligence. This situation soon turns to Victor becoming seriously immature and irresponsible, as he tries to incorporate a verbal battle into the damage relationship between them unlike the creature who tries to civil. Initially Frankenstein’s creature is seen as aggressive and violent but this is only shown in the eyes of Victor Frankenstein. The creation is no portrayed a thoughtful and caring creature but this is overshadowed by his aggression which he only uses to emphasise is want for a father figure and a friend, so he looks to Frankenstein, his creature. Because of Frankenstein’s rejection the creature becomes more and more bitter and rejected and as a result becomes more violent and aggressive which is his way of portraying hatred towards Frankenstein. At this point of the novel the creature created by Frankenstein acts more adult-like than Frankenstein himself. I feel that Frankenstein should take responsibility for his own action and consider the consequences, and then reflect on these consequences, but he totally rejects the creature because of its appearance. The creation has learnt a lot of advanced knowledge in a short space of time, and has become more lingual than his creator, which shows that the creature could live alone in the world but it just needs a companion or a father figure to help him on the way. Victor’s tragic fate is sealed by his growing obsession to destroy his creation because of all the hurt it has caused him in the latter stages of the novel. As Victor’s obsession to destroy the monster grows he begins to have a role reversal as he becomes the outsider and the creature becomes the supremely intelligent one, now he experiences all the misery and hatred that the monster felt after he rejected him. This change is quite ironic as the creature and Victor switch roles. This ironic change also shows Frankenstein how he treated people at this time from this Victor learnt a very important lesson ‘ Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself ‘. This change now begins to change Victor’s perspective on life, as he starts to feel guilty for what he has put his creation through, the torture and rejection. The guilt has now been emphasised by the hatred of Frankenstein of him self and his hatred of the creature. In conclusion the tragic fate of Victor Frankenstein is brought about by his own careless actions. Mary Shelley is showing us that the causes of Victor’s death were down to himself and his own actions. Victor’s careless pursuit of scientific knowledge is partly to blame for his fate as he never, until his monster was created thought about the consequences. Victor’s overstepping of human boundaries by defying God and going against nature is also partially to blame as, he again never considers the moral issues surrounding the recreation of people. Finally the main point of his fate was caused by his inability to love what he has given to live. Frankenstein only sees his creation for its inhuman looks and physical appearance, instead of the creature’s personality and feelings; he only shows a one-dimensional view of the monster. Mary Shelley has given the novel a hidden message, this message is trying to put across the dangers of pride and egotism, as in the novel Victor feels that when he recreates life he will become world famous. The second message of this novel is that the careless use of science can become dangerous. Frankenstein not considering the consequences of his action is showing this careless use of science. Mary Shelley does not criticize this act of creation, but Victor is unwilling to accept responsibility, for his deeds. His creation only becomes a monster because of its rejection from humans and especially Victor Frankenstein. Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Mary Shelley section.

Leonardo Da Vinci Essay

Leonardo da Vinci was inarguably a great mind of the Renaissance, a period of European civilisation where revival of classical learning and wisdom took place after a long period of cultural decline and stagnation. He was an Italian painter, draftsman, sculptor, architect, and engineer whose talents reflected the diversity of achievements of the Italian Renaissance. With his outstanding versatility, Leonardo has often been described as a universal genius of the Renaissance, the fame that has remained undimmed as a result of his great desire for knowledge. His Last Supper and Mona Lisa are among the most widely popular and influential paintings of the Renaissance, and they gained worldwide fame only after his death. However, he was far from prolific, as only 17 of his paintings, many of which remained unfinished, have been identified. In addition to art, Leonardo studied a wide range of scientific topics including anatomy, geology, botany, hydraulics and aerodynamics. His science was expressed through art, and his drawings and diagrammes show how he understood the world. Leonardo used an observational approach to study science. In this approach, he considered his eyes to be his main avenue to knowledge, and sight alone could convey the facts of experience immediately and correctly. Leonardo also considered a painter as the person best qualified to achieve true knowledge because he could closely observe, understand and then carefully reproduce the world around him through art. Leonardo once said, â€Å"Whatever exists in the universe, a painter has first in his mind and then in his hands.† In addition to Leonardo’s unique approach and concept, his superb intellect and mastery of the art of drawing to study nature itself allowed his dual pursuits of art and science to develop. Leonardo’s scientific and technical observations are found in his handwritten notebooks or manuscripts, the greatest literary legacy he left to the world. The notebooks also equal the importance of his paintings as the pages reveal his inventions of machines such as the bicycle, airplane, helicopter and parachute. His findings of anatomy, which were among the most significant achievements of the Renaissance science, are also portrayed in the famous anatomical drawings in the notebooks. Leonardo also shared his thoughts on the nature of painting which has become a contribution to later generations of artists. More interestingly, what he wrote and sketched also gave an insight into his approach to life because in these notebooks, he also wrote his grocery lists and even the names of his debtors.One special feature that makes Leonardo’s notes and sketches unusual is his use of mirror writing. The handwriting is so peculiar that the task of deciphering the notes would requi re great effort. The aid of a mirror in reading reversed handwriting appears to be available only for the first experimental reading. The persistent use of it is impractical, considering the enormous mass of manuscripts to be read. Leonardo’s handwriting, which runs from right to left in inseparable writing, is illegible, and this unusualness in the writing is not the only obstacle in mastering the text. Leonardo also joined several short words into a long one or divided a long word into two short words. This arbitrary way of writing is not aided by punctuation to regulate the division and construction of the sentences; therefore, it is not surprising that some attempts to understand Leonardo’s handwriting would fail. Why was such odd handwriting used by Leonardo? Although a popular belief is that Leonardo intended some amount of secrecy, it might also be due to Leonardo’s left-handedness. Another unusual feature in Leonardo’s manuscripts is the relationship between words and pictures. As Leonardo emphasised, drawings are superior to words. Leonardo strove passionately for a language tha t was clear yet expressive. The wealth of his vocabulary was the result of intense study on his own and represented a significant contribution to the development of scientific terms in the Italian language. Despite his articulateness, Leonardo gave absolute preference to the drawing over the written word in his own approach. The drawing does not illustrate the text; rather, the text serves to explain the drawing. Leonardo’s work was a pioneer of modern scientific illustration. His notebooks reveal a spirit of scientific inquiry and a mechanical inventiveness that were centuries ahead of their time. However, he neither taught nor published his findings, and almost none of his inventions were built during his lifetime. If his work had been published in an intelligible form which others were able to understand, Leonardo’s place as a pioneering scientist would not be questioned. If his inventions had been built, they might have revolutionised the history of technology. The wealth of Leonardo’s anatomical studies that have survived also shapes the basic principles of modern scientific illustration. From observing the static structure of the human body, Leonardo continued to study the role of individual parts of the body in mechanical activity. He drew parts of the human body in three-dimensional diagrammes. He became the first person to accurately draw a child in the womb. His aim was to record the birth, life, and death of man in his Treatise on Anatomy which begun in 1489. However, his work was never published. Adapted from Heydenrejch, L.H. (n.d.). Leonardo da Vinci. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/leonardo-da-vinci.| 1510152025303540455055606570|

Concepts Of Absolute And Comparative Advantage

Let us take an example of two farmers who are producing the same type of commodities, which are ground nuts and maize, from the same size of farms. If the two farmers decide to devote all their efforts in producing maize, their farm outputs will be as follows: farmer A – 600 bags; and farmer B – 200 bags. If they allocate their resources well and produce ground nuts, their output will be as follows: farmer A – 300 bags, and farmer B – 200 bags. We can say that that farmer A enjoys absolute advantage in producing both maize and groundnuts than farmer B.The two farmers can however still benefit from each other through specialization and commodity exchange. Farmer A has a comparative advantage in producing maize while farmer B has comparative advantage in producing groundnuts due to opportunity cost of production in both farms. Based on current economic conditions, make one argument in favor of more government involvement in the economy and one argument in fa vor of less government involvement in the economy. For many governments, involvement in their respective economies is important.This is because the governments can ensure that producers are not exploited due to lack of market for their products in by enhancing trade with other countries. The governments will thus procure ready markets for that product in other countries, hence promoting the economy in their home countries. Moreover, governmental involvement in their countries’ economies is important because it can ensure that business activities are regulated for a free enterprise and competition. Governments may also fight corruption in private sectors to ensure that consumers are not exploited by the large producers and monopolies.Diminishing marginal utility explains a lot about human behavior. For example, it helps illuminate why diets fail, romances fade, too much exercise harms us, and many other things. Select a human behavior and construct a â€Å"mini case studyâ₠¬  that highlights the workings of marginal utility. Take an example one being thirsty and instead of drinking water, deciding to go to a nearby kiosk or shop to drink a cold soda. The first soda they get may be very good or appetizing until they decide to take another one. For the first soda taking, on a scale of ten, the person can even score ten out of ten.For the second soda, since they have somehow quenched their thirst, they can score five out of ten. If they continue to take another soda, they can even not finish it and now score two out of ten. Read the LAST Word piece â€Å"Financing Social Security† listed below. Of the alternative approaches to repairing social security, which do you think makes the most sense, and why? As part of your answer find a recent (less than a year old) article on the subject and cite it. The approach that makes the most sense is investing the payroll taxes through personal retirement account.This approach is important because it can impr ove the standard of living of employees in the future after they have retired from work. Employees will be able to properly structure their incomes besides being allowed to get used in future to any need during their time of retirement. They may thus either start their own business or incase of death arises; they can leave those funds for their families. An advantage of using this approach is that new employees, who will perhaps be earning low incomes as compared to the old employees, will have to contribute fewer taxes toward the security fund.They will however continue increasing their remittances as their payroll will continue to rise up. Those funds must also be deducted throughout one’s life until they retire from your job. People will thus start receiving the benefits of that scheme, or in case of they die, their spouses or dependants can enjoy that benefit. Another importance is that workers of any income level are allowed to contribute to this scheme and build nest eg gs for their families. Personal retirement accounts are voluntary and young workers have an opportunity to open and continue with them for future benefits which could be a worth a presentable sum of money. Concepts Of Absolute And Comparative Advantage Let us take an example of two farmers who are producing the same type of commodities, which are ground nuts and maize, from the same size of farms. If the two farmers decide to devote all their efforts in producing maize, their farm outputs will be as follows: farmer A – 600 bags; and farmer B – 200 bags. If they allocate their resources well and produce ground nuts, their output will be as follows: farmer A – 300 bags, and farmer B – 200 bags. We can say that that farmer A enjoys absolute advantage in producing both maize and groundnuts than farmer B.The two farmers can however still benefit from each other through specialization and commodity exchange. Farmer A has a comparative advantage in producing maize while farmer B has comparative advantage in producing groundnuts due to opportunity cost of production in both farms. Based on current economic conditions, make one argument in favor of more government involvement in the economy and one argument in fa vor of less government involvement in the economy. For many governments, involvement in their respective economies is important.This is because the governments can ensure that producers are not exploited due to lack of market for their products in by enhancing trade with other countries. The governments will thus procure ready markets for that product in other countries, hence promoting the economy in their home countries. Moreover, governmental involvement in their countries’ economies is important because it can ensure that business activities are regulated for a free enterprise and competition. Governments may also fight corruption in private sectors to ensure that consumers are not exploited by the large producers and monopolies.Diminishing marginal utility explains a lot about human behavior. For example, it helps illuminate why diets fail, romances fade, too much exercise harms us, and many other things. Select a human behavior and construct a â€Å"mini case studyâ₠¬  that highlights the workings of marginal utility. Take an example one being thirsty and instead of drinking water, deciding to go to a nearby kiosk or shop to drink a cold soda. The first soda they get may be very good or appetizing until they decide to take another one. For the first soda taking, on a scale of ten, the person can even score ten out of ten.For the second soda, since they have somehow quenched their thirst, they can score five out of ten. If they continue to take another soda, they can even not finish it and now score two out of ten. Read the LAST Word piece â€Å"Financing Social Security† listed below. Of the alternative approaches to repairing social security, which do you think makes the most sense, and why? As part of your answer find a recent (less than a year old) article on the subject and cite it. The approach that makes the most sense is investing the payroll taxes through personal retirement account.This approach is important because it can impr ove the standard of living of employees in the future after they have retired from work. Employees will be able to properly structure their incomes besides being allowed to get used in future to any need during their time of retirement. They may thus either start their own business or incase of death arises; they can leave those funds for their families. An advantage of using this approach is that new employees, who will perhaps be earning low incomes as compared to the old employees, will have to contribute fewer taxes toward the security fund.They will however continue increasing their remittances as their payroll will continue to rise up. Those funds must also be deducted throughout one’s life until they retire from your job. People will thus start receiving the benefits of that scheme, or in case of they die, their spouses or dependants can enjoy that benefit. Another importance is that workers of any income level are allowed to contribute to this scheme and build nest eg gs for their families. Personal retirement accounts are voluntary and young workers have an opportunity to open and continue with them for future benefits which could be a worth a presentable sum of money.

“Ithaca” by C.P. Cavafy Essay

Everyone is given the opportunity to take the odyssey that is â€Å"life, however it is important to make the journey as memorable as one possibly can. The poem â€Å"Ithaca† by C.P. Cavafy suggests that what is most important in life is the experience that is incorporated with the journey, not necessarily just reaching the ultimate goal. It is the quest, not the destination which matters most. This message is conveyed through the poem through the use of allusion, myth and symbolism. The poem, â€Å"Ithaca†, is based loosely around the great epic the Odyssey by ancient Greek poet Homer. In the Odyssey the character Odysseus trying to make his way home to his kingdom, Ithaca. The character faces many vicious creatures and other challenges he must endure in order to make it to the final goal. This is alluded to in the poem, by making reference to one of the characters starting out on â€Å"[his] journey to Ithaca† (line 1). C.P. Cavafy also refers to mythological creatures such as â€Å"the Cyclopes and the fierce Poseidon† (line 5), as well as â€Å"the Lestrygonians† (line 6) posing as obstacles during the journey, just as they did in the Odyssey. The allusion to the myth of the Odyssey is appropriate for the meaning the poet is trying to convey. References to the Odyssey evoke thoughts of going on a journey, which may include obstacles, new experiences and the opportunity to gain a wealth of knowledge. This is central to what the poem â€Å"Ithaca† is suggesting about the journey of life. The journey of life is all about the experiences that one encounters, the knowledge that is gained, and the deeper appreciation for the journey, not just for attaining the goal. The poem is somewhat faithful to the myth of the Odyssey. C.P. Cavafy does not distort the myth in any way, but rather leaves out many of the events that occurred in the Odyssey that perhaps were not relevant to the central theme being portrayed. The general idea of the journey to Ithaca is kept intact throughout the poem. The central theme of the poem â€Å"Ithaca† is based on the meaning of life, and the journey that one takes through life. The importance of â€Å"[praying] that the road is long† (line 10) is stressed continually throughout the poem. The poet emphasizes the idea that one should not â€Å"hurry the voyage at all† (line 23). Experience and wisdom are gained throughout time and the aging process.  It is also learned through the poem that it is important to take time for things that one finds enjoyable. Such things as â€Å"mother-of-pearl and corals† (line 16) represent those things which make us joyful. It is suggested that one is supposed to enjoy and obtain these niceties while they last. The journey of life is something that a person only gets to encounter once, so experiencing things which bring joy to a person are important. In the poem the speaker advises those embarking on the journey to â€Å"visit hosts of Egyptian cities† (line 19) to â€Å"learn from those who have knowledge† (line 20). Learning from those who are wise and intelligent can prove beneficial for carrying on with the journey. C.P. Cavafy also mentions that the elements that make a person rich in life, are the experiences and â€Å"the great wisdom [he/she has] gained† (line 23) along the way. If a person finds himself at the end of the journey, and sees nothing of value around him, â€Å"Ithaca has not defrauded [him]† (line 31) for Ithaca is not the final destination but the passage one takes and the wisdom one obtains. If a person can recognize that the journey, and what the journey brings, is more important than the final destination or goal, then that person has understood the true meaning of life and â€Å"what Ithaca means†. As humans we are all given the chance to embark on a wonderful journey through life. Some choose to focus on the final goal and choose to dedicate their lives for the end destination. The poem â€Å"Ithaca† by C.P. Cavafy suggests that one should not focus ones entire life on the end goal but instead enjoy the journey, and take as much as one possibly can from it. The author uses Ithaca as a metaphor for life in the poem. It can be understood from this poem that Ithaca represents the journey of life; the beginning, the end and everything in between.

RFID Technology Deployment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 7000 words

RFID Technology Deployment - Essay Example Nevertheless, most suppliers were ready to beat the January 1 2005 deadline while others were in the pilot study stages (RFID). For Wal-Mart however, deployment was slow due to the overwhelming data available for the firm. This overwhelming data was a result of failure to adopt an incremental approach in the deployment of RFID. In comparison, METRO Group, Nestle, and Albertsons each used an incremental approach and effectively succeeded in deploying the technology (RFID). RFID deployment ensures a higher profit margin for a business. However, firms should use three critical areas to gauge the effectiveness of the technology. The first area is the maturity of the organization using the Capability Maturity Model. Secondly, organizations should gauge the effectiveness of investing in RFID by a better inventory management and control. Finally, another area to gauge the investment is by gauging the effectiveness of the automated method in manufacture of the passive tags (RFID). The U.S. D oD implemented the RFID technology in 2003. Importantly, DoD’s suppliers use either the passive program or the active RFID program. In this regard, this technology helps the DoD monitor the flow of supply along the frontlines. In addition, the technology is crucial to reduce losses and misplacement of its supplies. Finally, the technology is crucial in enabling a constantly moving force replenish its stocks through a better system of inventory (RFID). 2.1.2 RFID Technology: Basics, Advantages, and Disadvantages The passive RFID market is growing at a faster rate in comparison to the active RFID markets since the products are smaller and easier to use. In effect, their small size ensures small data storage capacity in comparison to the active RFID products that allows multiple files stored in the database. Consequently, active RFID products have a quick transfer rate of data in comparison to passive RFID products. However, both products are easily mounted on a plane surface an d are flexible enough (RFID). Programming RFID tags enhances security levels on who can read what part of the data. On the other hand, the level of programming is useful to allow only a few people gain the access to the operation and handle the RFID tags since the power to the chip has to meet a certain threshold for operation to take place. However, there is a limitation in the level of programming. In this regard, effective programming requires connection to a network (RFID). In addition, some tags have security features that act as anti-theft deterrents. The battery power capabilities vary in different RFID tags. On one hand, active tags draw their power from readers with a ten-year limit of battery life while passive tags have no battery power. On the other hand, semi-active tags, also known as semi-passive tags, have flexible and low-cost battery used to run the chip’s circuitry. However, unlike the active tags, they do not boost the radio frequency range though they off er a better range in comparison to the passive tags. The failures in battery have been crucial in slowing the growth of active RFID tags.

Why did non-slave owners fight in the civil war Research Paper

Why did non-slave owners fight in the civil war - Research Paper Example It is estimated that over three million soldiers took part in the civil war, with two million fighting for the Union states and one million fighting for the Confederate states (Catton & McPherson, 2004). Around 600,000 of these soldiers died in combat, making it the deadliest war in American history (Catton & McPherson, 2004). One of the main reasons for the American civil war was that many people in the northern states felt that slavery was immoral and unnecessary, whilst those in the south wanted to keep their slave-owning plantation way of life. It is easy to understand why those in possession of slaves would want to keep their lifestyle and their cheap labor source, but why did non-slave owners fight in the civil war? Inequality Whilst it may seem ridiculous to some to support a system that does not benefit yourself, such as non-slave owners supporting slavery in the civil war, but there are many reasons why. One of the main reasons is that black people and white people were not seen as equal at the time. The general consensus of the time was that those of African descent were a slave race (Hansen, Gallagher & Jakes, 2010) and deserved to be treated as such. This is one of the reasons why inequality lasted for such a significant amount of time after the civil war; it was difficult for some people to accept equality. Despite many soldiers fighting for the Confederate states not owning slaves, it may be that these individuals wished to maintain the quality of life. In the case of those who were termed ‘poor whites’, it may have been that they enjoyed being part of a system in which they were superior to one set of people; the African slaves. The abolition of slavery meant that everyone was equal, but those with money still retained some superiority. Those who were part of the ‘poor white’ lost their superiority altogether and may have felt uncomfortable with this idea. The culture of slavery was deep-rooted in society at the time and many are often uncomfortable with changes to the social order, and this may have been an example of this phenomenon (Catton & McPherson, 2004). The abolition of slavery did require a significant change to the social system of the day, so the Confederate supporters were not wrong to be worried. However, in recent decades the status of African Americans is now seen as equal to that of whites in the United States, so it is evident that some time has shown that there was a reason to fight for this equality, despite the problems it may have caused the Confederate soldiers at the time. It is interesting to consider how those labelled ‘poor whites’ of the day reacted to the abolition of slavery, and how they were now seen as equal to black, whereas prior to this the colour of their skin still set them apart. This was probably one of the major reasons why non-slave owners fought in the civil war. State Pride Something that may be easier to understand for modern Americans is th e concept of state pride. As the ownership of slaves was so deeply ingrained into culture, some soldiers may have wanted to go to war to prevent themselves being under the legislation of the Union states who did not necessarily understand the way of life in the south (Hansen, Gallagher & Jakes, 2010). In many cases, soldiers would have been proud to be fighting for their state, despite their beliefs or their slave ownership status. Slavery was one of the main issues in the American civil war, but it was not the only one. Many people on both sides of the civil war believed in what is known as State Sovereignty, which essentially maintains the right of each individual state to control and create its own laws (Catton & McPherson, 2004). The Union was fighting to unite the states, both southern and northern, to create a more harmonious single