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The Rise Of The Great Depression - 1183 Words

On October 29 , 1929 marked one of the hardest times in history know as the Great Depression. It has also been known as the Black Tuesday. On this day the stock market crashed. On October 29,1929 people all over the country were panicking not knowing what to do . Their were many causes on what lead to the great depression. People tried selling their stocks that they had bought before the stock market crashed, but no one would purchase them since the stock market crashed stocks were worthless. The stock system was one of the ways they made a living and now the market was bankrupt , no money was coming in. Since the People were not getting money they couldn’t purchase anything which was bad for companies because they would†¦show more content†¦The US economy was coming apart and the great depression was starting, when President Herbert Hoover came into office. Many people blamed President Hoover for the great depression. Newspapers started being called the Herbert Hoover Blankets. Millions of people were out of work and were looking for jobs. If there was a job that had a opening their would literally be about a thousand people lined up trying to get employed for the job. In the 1930s over 9,000 bank deposits were running out of money and were failing people , many people lost their life savings . (Ird.Yahooapis.com) .Many banks that were able to stay open were unsure about how they would survive through the great depression. Many of these banks stopped loaning money and stopped being so generous. (Ird.Yahooapis.com) In 1930s the government created the Smoot - Hawley Tariff to help protect American Companies . This made many Americans pay a high tax for imports which lead to less trade between America and many foreign countries which created a lot of arguments. (Huntington Post).Many People believed that the great depression was because of overproduction , because consumers did not want to take what was all produced , demand had decreased. In the US during the great depression there were many controversies about those who were earning lots of money and those were struggling to make due. In 1929

Sustainable Engineering Practices in Food Production and Processing

Question: Discuss about theSustainable Engineering Practices in Food Production and Processing. Answer: Engineering sustainability There is an increase in the growing number of human population and this has of no doubt come to the public interest that in the near future, there are various practices including lifestyle which will not be able to be sustainable. This is because there comes at a time when the resources will be too limited to satisfy all the human population. Sustainability in engineering can be defined as the process of coming up with engineering solutions with regards to taking into consideration the environmental impacts. There are various sustainable engineering practices which have been put into place to ensure that biodiversity is protected or the future generation will have to bear a lot of hardships(Alexander K, 2015, p. 775). Some of the sustainable practices may include manufacturing process, use of renewable technologies, extraction of materials or minerals, infrastructure challenges, food production among others. Introduction The case study in question is food production and processing. Generally, food is an integral part of human life and existence. Since time immemorial, the population of human beings was smaller and it was mandatory that human beings must eat in order to survive. However, the resources were unlimited and hence as populations grew there was a need for processing of food. Then there came the period of industrialization whereby the food sector had to be industrialized in order to meet the needs and demand of the ever-growing population .this also promoted to the rise of urban settling as more people would be comfortable living in the urban centers where they would still be able to access food(Benjamin S, 2015, p. 976). Thus, as time goes, there are constant increases in population thereby a need for coming up with sustainable ways of food production and processing became a necessity. This is because there are various factors which influence the need to adopt sustainable ways of producing food which may include climate change and health. According to the 2015 research, the population of the earth was estimated to be approximately 9 billion. This means that if there is an inadequacy in the supply of food, then there will be a serious global challenge of food. Presently, approximately 3 billion persons have been left malnourished due to a shortage of food and deficiency of iron. Surprisingly, more than 40 %of the food produced goes to waste as unused or not fully utilized yet the resources that are present have been over exhausted(Buch, 2016, p. 886). Objectives of the research The main objective of this report is to come up with sustainable ways of producing and processing food. There are numerous challenges that we face in relation to the manner in which food is produced and processed. These factors include environmental concerns such as land use , decrease of biodiversity, aquatic eutrophication by nitrogenous substances caused by over-fertilization, global warming caused by enteric fermentation and use of fossil fuels, aquatic eutrophication by phosphorous substances caused by fertilizers overuse, famine and water shortages , Eco toxicity, and human effects of pesticides(Zeiher, 2016, p. 995). These factors directly pose as threats to sustainability. Over time, they continue to exist and soon it will be very difficult to manage food concerns globally. The below-proposed ways of food production and processing will help in solving the issues to do with food scarcity(Norimoto K, 2016, p. 864). Food must be constantly produced and processed to meet the demand of the ever-growing population. This involves primary stages, secondary stages and the tertiary stages. Below are some of the best practices that will sustainably help in food production and processing(Columbia., 2015, p. 432). Use of enzymes Enzymes are biological catalysts which will help in speeding up the rate of reaction thereby overall helps in saving time, cost and energy. These enzymes are advantageous in terms of their sensitivity, inaction techniques, toxicity and also concentration. At low concentration, these enzymes are very active and since they are biological, they do not produce any toxic substances. Besides, the enzymes are environmentally friendly and will not cause any environmental pollution as compared to other means of production. Their specificity means that they result in products that are more consistent. Examples of enzymes that may be used include lipases, carbohydrates, transferees, oxidoreductases among others(Oliver, 2015, p. 200). Microbial food control Food safety is one of the most significant factors that is also taken into consideration when dealing with food production. This is because when the food is not safe, it may end up resulting in food poisoning. Traditionally, various methods of food preservation had been used including Thermal treatments, I.e. refrigeration, pasteurization, sterilization, chemical preservatives aseptic processing. These methods have been primarily put into practice to minimize the microbial loads and promote food safety and shelf life. Many of these operations require a lot of energy and a proposed techniques which utilize less amount of energy and has reduced environmental impacts is highly recommended for sustainability purposes. These sustainable methods may comprise microwave and radio-frequency heating, high-pressure processing, ionizing radiation, pulsed electric fields, ohmic heating, ultraviolet light treatment, and ionization(Frank, 2017, p. 214). Use of green drying schemes. Universally, Drying has been used by most companies to help in the preservation of many foodstuff. It helps in the processing of bulk food products thus overall reducing the transportation costs as well as enhancing the shelf life. On the contrary, it utilizes a high amount of energy and when it can be replaced by less energy-intensive techniques for example pressing, centrifugation, and separation of the membrane, filtration, coagulation, and sedimentation, before commencing the drying process(Santamouris, 2015, p. 564). Sustainability factors There are various sustainability factors which are related to food production and processing. These factors may include environmental concerns such as Land use in many parts of the world, most of the methods employed in agriculture have adverse effects on the fertility of the land. Most of the practices that are employed degrade the soil off useful minerals and with time the soil is left infertile. Thus, the manner in which land use is affected calls for sustainable methods of food production(Thomas, 2006, p. 761). The decrease of biodiversity- both the plant and animal life have been reduced. over time, many of the plants and animals that may be dibble become extinct thereby prompting the need for sustainably in food production Population growth with the ever-growing population. The demand for food keeps on increasing thereby a need for sustainable ways of food production which are environmental friendly are encouraged(Fred K, 2016, p. 363). Availability of arable lands- there are very many lands that are able to produce good produce when agriculturally utilized. The presence of these lands makes it viable to adopt sustainable ways of producing and processing food. Climate change and food availability- over the past, the climate has been constantly changing and being unfavorable to both human and plant life. The plant life is at risk of redundant growth, hence making the supply of food to be at risks. This, therefore, calls for the adoption of sustainable ways of food production and processing(Wolter J, 2016, p. 329). Aquatic eutrophication this is as a result of nitrogenous substances caused by over-fertilization. The use of chemicals during farming slowly degrades the existence of aquatic life Global warming- this is generally caused by enteric fermentation and use of fossil fuels. The overall aftermath makes the temperatures of the earth to be hot hence making the plant and human life unbearable. When this happens, the supply of food to meet the high demand for food globally is compromised(Goncalves, 2016, p. 543). Famine and water shortages besides other factors, situations of famine influences the need for sustainable food processing and production techniques. Some parts of the universe experience diverse famine conditions thereby prompting the need for sustainable means of food production. Summary The report is generally about the current trends and solutions using sustainable engineering practices.it specifically focuses on food production. There has been a constant increase in the human population and hence the need for coming up with techniques which help in meeting the demands of the high population. The traditional techniques that have been in use in food processing and production are increasing posing a risk to the availability of food in the near future. The paper presents other techniques which are environmentally friendly and are sustainable in that they are easily adopted without too much constrains. For instance the use of Use of enzymes which are biological catalysts and help in speeding up the rate of reaction thereby overall in saving time, cost and energy. These enzymes are advantageous in terms of their sensitivity, inaction techniques, toxicity and also concentration. At low concentration, these enzymes are very active and since they are biological, they do no t produce any toxic substances(Graham, 2015, p. 442). Adoption of the Microbial food control -traditionally, various methods of food preservation had been used including Thermal treatments such as refrigeration, pasteurization, among other practice to minimize the microbial loads and promote food safety and shelf life. These operations require a lot of energy and a proposed techniques which utilize less amount of energy and has reduced environmental impacts is highly recommended for sustainability purposes such as ionizing radiation, ultraviolet light treatment besides the Use of green drying schemes which applies less energy-intensive techniques, for example, pressing, centrifugation, separation of the membrane, filtration, coagulation, and sedimentation, before commencing the drying process also have been recommended to replace the traditional methods(Maldonado, 2016, p. 988). Conclusion Food is an integral part of human existence and its continued production and processing is of great significance .over the decades and years to come, the population of human increase and thus the demand for food keeps increasing. However, sousing the same old traditional means of food production and processing may end up resulting in situations of food shortage. Thus the sustainable practices which h have been outlined above can help in preventing such situation. Thus, sustainable practices are highly recommended for the continued meeting of the ever-growing food demand(Moubray, 2015, p. 732). References Alexander K, W. N. S. S. J. S. S. M. B., 2015. Systems Engineering Principles and Practice. 2nd ed. new york: John Wiley Sons,. Benjamin S, W. J. F., 2015. Sustainable Engineering practices and Analysis. 2nd ed. westminister: Pearson Education, Limited. Buch, M. N., 2016. Insects as sustainable food ingredients. 2nd ed. carlisle: Orient Blackswan. Columbia., B., 2015. Guide to Environmentally Friendly Food production ways. 4th ed. columbia: Islands Trust,. Frank, D. T. C., 2017. Land use literacy for sustainable food production:. 4th ed. chicago: FT Press. Fred K, H. P. B., 2016. Sustainable food production workshop. 3rd ed. carlisle: Elsevier Gulf Professional Pub. Goncalves, J. C. S., 2016. Human and environmental health for sustainability. 4th ed. carlisle: Routledge,. Graham, P., 2015. Building Ecology: First Principles For A Sustainable Environment. 3rd ed. chicago: John Wiley Sons. Maldonado, E., 2016. Environmentally Friendly practices. 5th ed. london: Routledge. Moubray, J., 2015. Food production ethics. 3rd ed. new york: Industrial Press Inc.. Norimoto K, Y. O., 2016. International RILEM Symposium on Environment-Conscious ways of food processing. 3rd ed. melbourne: RILEM Publications. Oliver, D. W., 2015. Asisting sustainabale food production. 1st ed. new york: McGraw-Hill,. Santamouris, M., 2015. Plant nutrition for sustainable food production and environment. 2nd ed. chicago: Earthscan. Thomas, R., 2006. Environmental sustainability. 1st ed. leicester: Taylor Francis. Wolter J, B. S. B., 2016. Life-cycle cost and economic analysis. 2nd ed. chicago: Prentice Hall. Zeiher, L. C., 2016. sustainable food planning. 2nd ed. chicago: Whitney Library of Design.

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens Essay Example

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens Paper Oliver Twist is the story of a young orphan, Oliver, and his attempts to stay good in a society that refuses to help him. Dickens shows and touches upon all the levels of society; these being the rich and poor. These levels of society give the story a theme that captures reality in the midst of nineteenth English century. As revealed in the tale, Englands nineteenth century was an era of much poverty and great social problems which resulted in a society of two opposing classes: the wealthy and the poor. Fagins den is where all the evil happens in the novel and is where he trains boys to become thieves and robbers and prostitutes meet together. Its where Oliver is brought by the Artful Dodger and where he is taught the art of pickpocketing through fun before he discovers the true purpose behind his training. â€Å"The walls and ceilings were perfectly black with age and dirt† â€Å"There was a deal table before the fire; upon which were a candle, stuck in a ginger bottle.. and standing over them with a toasting fork in his hand was a very old shrivelled Jew†. We will write a custom essay sample on Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Fagin the mastermind among the criminals is as ugly in appearance and the same with his temperament, but he is also two-faced. Dickens seems to be anti-Semitic as he connects Fagins character has something to do with his ethnic identity. He does this by always referring him as the â€Å"Jew† this seems to indicate all the evil things he does or think of is connected to his ethnic identity. When Fagin is provoked he may give way to his evil side but on ordinary occasions he is always joking around and this sarcastically gives him the name of â€Å"the merry old gentlemen†. Dickens uses sardonic humour much in the novel and is very effective in the novel. l It is plain that Fagins status among the thieves is a result of his considerable talents. He is smarter and more contemplative than his companions. While they may boast with the cockiness of young men. Fagin understands and appreciates the delicacy of his position and the urgent need for cautiousness and tireless alertness when leading a life of crime. Fagin at first seems a kind man there are some traces of human feeling left in Fagins nature. Many times in the book Fagin shows a trace of kindness to Oliver. One of the interesting features of the story is that Fagin is the first adult. Its the first time the reader has seen anyone be kind so its not immediately clear hes evil until they read further in to the book. â€Å"The Jew grinned; and, making a low obeisance to Oliver, took him by the hand, and hoped he should have the honour of his intimate acquaintance† The other side of Fagin is shown when Oliver wakes up in the morning and sees Fagin playing with his treasure and Fagin spots him he shows his ugly side and then after believing Oliver saying he didnt see anything he betrays his vicious nature and quickly recovers to the â€Å"merry old gentlemen†. Dickens shows Fagins ugly side by making Fagin look as though he would have killed Oliver because of his treasure. â€Å"Speak out, boy! Quick quick! for your life! † â€Å"No! No, indeed! replied Oliver. Are you sure? cried the Jew: with a still fiercer look than before: and a threatening attitude†. One of the tricks Dickens plays is that Oliver is very naive as he watches Fagins actions in a lot of respect and tends to follow everything he does. This makes Fagin feel very happy and proud of himself and laughs about how naive and innocent Oliver is as he doesnt really know whats happening. Dickens uses sardonic humour while Fagins showing him the handkerchiefs and wallets the boysâ€Å"make† but really stole. Dickens uses sardonic humour a lot for example â€Å"Ah, youre a-staring at the pocket-handkerchiefs! eh, my dear! There are a good many of em, aint there? Weve just looked em out, ready for the wash; thats all, Oliver; thats all. Ha! ha! Ha! †. Its easily spotted that Fagin has brainwashed these boys and has now too much power over them its so cruel the way he plays the game on them, he makes them do the dirty work and he sits down like a king waiting for his slaves to deliver and bring the goods but its their only choice or theyll get kicked out of his filthy den and be homeless. Fagins only aim is to capture and get control of him mentally so then he can have another accomplice in crime, but somehow every time Oliver escapes and his friends hide him he somehow finds out where he is. He is truly an enemy to Oliver like the devil is to a sinless human. Olivers natural goodness help him to overcome the odds of life. Therefore he establishes himself in a world of respectable people who cherish Olivers natural goodness these characteristics allow him to have the happy ending he had wanted. However Fagins bad manners and his excessive love for money and will go to the extent of killing makes his fate in the book also deserved for him. Dickens portrays Fagin as a very cunning man as he uses Bill Sikes quick temper to the maximum ability he can use it as Sikes is less intelligent than Fagin he insults Fagin by calling him you â€Å"thundering old cur† and also threatens him by saying â€Å"it will be for want of breath† this shows Sikes use intimidation and violence to get what he wants. However Fagin is really the smart one as all he had to say to trigger Sikes was that she has â€Å" she gave him a drink of laudanum† this is what makes Sikes feel like a fool and causes Nancys death that Fagin had wanted. Dickens portrays the nineteenth century as a time when people had no feelings for each other and were really no better than animals. The last chapter about Fagin(3.14:The Jews Last Night Alive) shows how different Fagin was from the rest of the society and even from the entire human race. Hes in a crowded courtroom, and is surrounded â€Å"by a firmament all bright with beaming eyes†(52. 1). The crowd of people is reduced to this one feature: their â€Å"eyes†(the narrator doesnt describe any other part of their body in that paragraph), so Fagin is made into a spectacle and his own sense of individual identity is totally destroyed by their â€Å"inquisitive and eager eyes†.

Value and Risk Management in construction UAE

An Evaluation of Current and Potential Future Application of Value and Risk Management into Construction Project Management Professional Services in the Construction Sector in the UAEAdvertising We will write a custom essay sample on Value and Risk Management in construction UAE specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Abstract: The UAE had an unprecedented boom in its construction sector between 2004 and 2008. This ended during the international financial crisis of 2008. As a result, the UAE Prime Minister issued a decree requiring all contractors to use green principles in construction projects. The high-end construction market responded by adopting stronger VRM practices. The state of VRM in the UAE is that it is growing in prominence. However, the professionals in the area are very few. In many cases, external consultants provide VRM services. The future of VRM in the UAE requires better training for undergraduate engineers, to supple ment the efforts of the existing postgraduate VRM professionals. General Structure of the Paper This paper has two main sections. The paper includes a literature review covering the essential background of both value management and risk management, and the result of the combination of the two, into value and risk management. The paper also presents the findings of a survey conducted to determine the VRM awareness levels of professionals in the construction sector in the UAE. The paper concludes by presenting the conclusions obtained in answer to the problem statement. Introduction The UAE is a regional leader in the application of VRM principles. This paper seeks to examine the issues that have an impact on VRM practices in the UAE and the implications of these issues for the future. The period between 2004 and 2008 will remain etched in the memory of the UAE as the heyday of the construction industry. In that time, value management did not command much respect because investors in the construction sector did not demand efficiency in their projects. They favored fast pace construction over cost management. The result of this attitude is that the UAE is now home to some of the most energy intensive skyscrapers in the world. Value and risk management is slowly finding its place in the construction sector. The rules have changed. It is no longer survival for the swiftest in the UAE, but survival of the fittest. This article examines the current state and future opportunities of value management in the UAE.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More VRM in the UAE In any business, value comes from business processes. The professional process of ensuring that a certain process yields maximum value for the stakeholder at the least cost is value management . The definition of value in this case is not just the financial value. Rather it is value in the context of the ba lanced scorecard, which covers the financial value, value from internal processes, value for the customer in question, and value in terms of transferable experience for the contractor . On the other hand, risk management is an active process of finding potential events or circumstances that can affect the progress of a project if they take place during the life of the project . The occurrence of risk must be uncertain. Otherwise, the event ceases to be a risk. Risks associated with the construction sector range from material defects to industrial action by workers. The cost of many construction projects is very high. This creates the need to manage risks as effectively as possible. Risk management involves the identification of potential events that will trigger the risk and determining the probability of occurrence of that event. After that, the risk manager quantifies the impact of the occurrence of risk-causing event on the project in terms of loss of life, time, money, and busin ess opportunities. It is possible to view risk management as a specialized form of value management because risk can erode the value of a project. It serves a preventative purpose. Value management on the other hand aims at increasing value from the processes by reducing costs or increasing the utility of the outcomes of the project . According to Karim, Berawi, Yahya, Abdul-Rahman, and Mohamed (2007) the value management process has three stages namely, value planning, value engineering and value analysis. Value planning takes place during the planning phase of the project. Value engineering occurs during construction, while value analysis takes place after the construction phase. Value analysis helps in the establishment of measures to ensure that the value gained during the value engineering process lasts throughout the useful life of the building. The risk management process involves risk identification, analysis, response, and monitoring . Risk identification and analysis take place during the planning of the project at the same time as value planning. Risk monitoring takes place throughout the active life of the project. The construction teams use risk indicators to monitor the risks. Risk response depends on whether the risk events take place or not. If a risk occurs, risk response takes place. The amalgamation of risk management (RM) and value management (VM) into risk and value management (RVM) comes from the relative similarity of the objectives of these two aspects of construction management. Focusing on RM only can erode value while focusing on VM only can introduce high risks to the project .Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Value and Risk Management in construction UAE specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The rising stature of VRM in the UAE is as a direct result of the events that took place between 2004 and 2008 in the construction sector . In 2004, the construction sector in th e UAE was experiencing unprecedented growth. The country was on the path to achieve its dream of becoming a transport, trade, and commercial hub in the Middle East . This led to an increase in the number of the immigrants looking for work in the Emirates. In addition, many traders were coming to the UAE to close business deals. The result was that the demand for housing and commercial buildings grew. The country saw the construction of an unprecedented number of new buildings to meet the rising demand. Since investment funds were flowing, the speed of construction became the driving force. VM was not central to project planning in the construction industry. The UAE ended up undertaking projects that delivered buildings with the highest energy consumption in the world . In 2008, the UAE economy went through a downturn occasioned by the global financial crisis triggered by the US real estate market . Since that year, there has been a growing appreciation of the role VM can play in the construction industry. The shift towards VM goes back to 2007 when Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister of the UAE, issued a decree that ordered players in the construction industry to conform to a newly established green standard in their projects . The decree took effect in January 2008 just when the global financial crisis was hitting the UAE. From that time, there has been a steady increase in the number of construction companies using VM in order to meet project goals and the regulatory goals. Evidence in literature suggests that the current state of application of VRM in the UAE is uncoordinated. While there is widespread recognition of the potential saving the use of VRM can bring to projects, the practice is not widespread. It appears that the planning processes of construction projects do not include VRM. A case in point is the low-income housing project in Musaffah, Abu Dhabi in which VRM principles were not part of the planning process . Some of the design choices made by the project planners seemed unsuited for the construction projects. For instance, the houses contained some utilities such as gas-powered central heating, which is not fitting for low-income housing . In addition, the water tanks positioned outside on the roofs of the houses started malfunctioning after three years, yet the project requirements stated that the life cycle for each house was to be twenty-five years . The main contention resulting from this situation is that project planners did not carry out VRM with the users of the house in mind.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Rather, the designers used uneconomical design options to raise their design fees since they charge a percentage of overall project cost. The current application of VRM in construction projects in the UAE is also a reflection of the little manpower available to conduct VRM. The VRM Survey Methodology A VRM survey conducted for this project revealed several issues regarding the current and future prospects of VRM in the UAE. The survey involved professionals working in the construction industry with decision-making responsibilities. Results The key findings of the survey were that only ten percent of the engineering professionals in the construction sector have any form of training in VRM, and none of the respondents have participated in a VM program. VM training in the UAE is available in postgraduate courses in construction management. The graduates do not all go to practice VRM hence the lack of involvement in any VRM project. The fact that most professional engineers in the UAE w ithout postgraduate qualifications have not formal training in VRM may indicate the low skill levels in the area of VRM in the country. Other findings in the survey showed that there is a general understanding of what RM is, but the views of respondents on VM did not demonstrate a strong grasp of the concept. When asked about their understanding of VM, most of the respondents used cost savings as the main issue in VM. The answers included phrases like, â€Å"help clients reduce costs†, â€Å"managing expenses in construction†, and â€Å"having the best quality with least money†. Forty percent of the respondents had no idea what VM meant. There seemed to be a perception that VM is part of project scope management because many responses included phrases talking about time, quality, and money. The responses for a similar question relating to RM showed a better understanding of RM in a project. RM is a core part of undergraduate construction courses hence it is not surprising that most of the respondents were articulate about RM. None of the respondents had any experience in analyzing the benefits of VRM exercise because none of them had participated in a VRM exercise. All the respondents felt that the application of VRM in the UAE should continue. The responses depended on their understanding of VRM in the first place. One respondent pointed out that VRM activities take place in large projects only. Therefore, there is a need to downstream the practice. Another respondent also added that the practice of VRM in the UAE is selective. The project managers choose to implement some elements and ignore others. This leads to low return from the VRM process, which requires implementations throughout the project cycle. Based on this survey, the need to make VRM conventional is obvious. If the professionals in the construction industry do not have a clear understanding of the basics of VRM, then the construction industry will not have people who can ch ampion for VRM. The best way to tackle this gap is to include VRM in the training curriculums of all construction courses. Even if this does not produce VRM consultants, it will empower these professionals to evaluate the benefits of VRM in construction projects. The current model where consultants carry out all VRM activities is not sustainable for nationwide impact. If project initiators do not want to spend money on consultants, a project does not benefit fully from VRM. Training all professionals in the industry to understand VRM will increase the appreciation and application of VRM in the industry. In conclusion, while the data available from industry sources such as The Oxford Business Group may suggest a vibrant VRM environment in the UAE, the data collected for this project shows that there are serious training gaps in VRM in the UAE. Industry publications are niche publications hence they may report in detail issues having an effect on a very small part of the overall envir onment. Conclusions The main conclusions from this project are as follows. VRM is increasing in importance in the UAE, partly because of intervention by the state, and partly because of the lessons learnt after the global financial crisis. The decree by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister of the UAE that took effect in 2008 requires all construction projects to use green principles in construction. VRM is an essential part of ensuring all green projects meet the requirements of the decree. Secondly, there is inadequate capacity in the UAE to mainstream VRM across the construction sector. This conclusion comes from the survey conducted for the purposes of this project to find out the current level of manpower available to push forward the VRM agenda in the UAE. If UAE can train professionals at all levels, then it will improve the practice of VMR in the country. Thirdly, the Engineering Associations in the can play a part in mainstreaming VRM by conducting train ing seminars for all engineers working in the UAE. Currently the training levels of VRM are too advanced. Undergraduate engineers do not have the skills and experience needed to implement VRM in their settings. Finally, institutions of higher learning in the UAE need to include VRM as part of the coursework for all construction courses at undergraduate level. This will serve to increase the capacity of the country to make VRM a part of construction planning for all sizes of projects. References Abdellatif, MA Othman, AA 2008, ‘Improving the Sustainability of Low Income Housing Projects: The Case of Residential Buildings in Musaffah Commercial City in Abu Dhabi.’, Emirates Journal of Engineering, vol 11, no. 2, pp. 47-58. Davies, RH Davies, AJ 2011, Value Management: Translating Aspirations Into Performance, Gower Publishing, Surrey. Gordon, RJ 2012, ‘Is U.S. Economic Growth Over? Faltering Innovation Confronts the Six Headwinds NBER, vol 18315, pp. 1-23. Jaapar, A Torrance, JV 2010, ‘Contribution of Value Management to the Malaysian Construction Industry: A New Insight’, Faculty of Architecture, Planning Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Karim, SBA, Berawi, MA, Yahya, IA, Abdul-Rahman, H Mohamed, O 2007, ‘The Integration of Value and Risk Management In Infrastructure Projects: Learning from Others’, Quantity Surveying International Conference., Value Management Centre (VMC), Faculty of the Built Environment, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumper. Koenig, M Meissner, J 2011, ‘Risk Minimizing Strategies for Revenue Management Problems with Target Values. ‘, Working Paper, Department of Management Science, Lancaster University Management School, Lancaster University Press, Lancaster. KPMG 2003, ‘Internal Audit’s Role in Modern Corporate Governance’, Risk and Advisory Services, KPMG, KPMG, Hong Kong. Meredeth, JR Mantel, SJ 2011, Project Management: A Manager ial Approach, 8th edn, John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken, NJ. Othman, AA 2005, ‘Value and Risk Management Protocol for Dynamic Brief Development in Construction’, Emirates Journal for Engineering Research, vol 10, no. 2, pp. 23-36. Othman, AA 2008, ‘Incorporating Value and Risk Managemen Concepts in Developing Low Cost Housing Projects ‘, Emirates Journal for Engineering Research, vol 13, no. 1, pp. 45-52. Siterman, E 2009, Value engineering in Dubai, https://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-6484-value-engineering-in-dubai#.UK-MnuR1-OH. The Oxford Business Group 2008, The Report: Dubai 2008, Oxford Business Group, Dubai. This essay on Value and Risk Management in construction UAE was written and submitted by user Giancarlo Russell to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Legalization of File Sharing

Legalization of File Sharing Share With AllMany computer programs remain available to the public, which allow people from all around the world share music. Currently, the process of sharing free files from user to user is considered illegal and the government recently decided to crack down on the users of these programs such as Kazaa, Lime Wire, and Bear Share. (http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStoryc=StoryFTcid=1079420217805) Although illegal, people still chose to download and share files because of the many positive factors, which exist. Sharing music files should be legalized because it allows people to listen to music without paying any charges, allows new artists to be released and heard by the public, and provides people the ability to easily preview music from artists before buying the CD.File sharing programs allow people to download and listen to music without paying any charges. Because of the easiness of using these programs, people can download almost any song fro m thousands of artists around the world.English: File Sharing on JoopeAAfter a person downloads the songs of their choice, they can easily play the audio file from their computer. This allows people to listen to music from basically any computer with connection to the Internet. The ability to download music for example, allows college students who do not have enough spending money to buy a CD, to listen to music from their favorite artists straight from their computer. People who use file sharing programs can save money by burning the audio files from their computer onto a CD. The burnt CD produces basically the same sound quality of the retail CD sold at stores. As you can see, file sharing allows people to download almost any music without the hassle of paying any money.Downloading and sharing music allows people to preview songs of new artists who recently released songs...

Persuasive Letter or Career Paper on Geography Essay

Persuasive Letter or Career Paper on Geography - Essay Example We do not want to be part of the statistic. In 2005, the United Nations and government agencies said the tsunami in Indonesia result to a death toll of 169,752 and the number of missing people at 127,294. (CNN) In 2010, it was reported that more than 50,000 people died from the earthquake that hit Haiti while 3 million were in need of help. (The Associated Press) In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan left the Philippines and 4.4 million homeless people in its wake, not to mention the number of deaths and cost of damaged infrastructure. Do we really want to be in the news this way? We can avoid this. Natural disasters are uncontrollable. Still, we can make sure that when they strike, the damage is not as immense as it has been for the past years. For example, the number of casualties brought about by the tsunami in Indonesia could have been decreased if resort owners were considerate of their surroundings, instead of constructing building structures on almost each and every space available at the waterfront. Trees absorb water. Maybe there would have been less disastrous consequences had there been more trees and higher ground area where the tsunami struck. The wrath of Typhoon Haiyan was inevitable. But the degree of destruction from the ensuing flooding could have also been minimized if the local government had been more prudent, when developing infrastructure, of the island’s location in reference to the surrounding bodies of water. An aerial shot of Tacloban a place greatly affected by Haiyan showed structures positioned tightly beside each other along the coastline. The green spaces were way behind the developments. (Mirchandani) The officials failed to consider the effect of flooding or a strong typhoon. Indeed, natural disasters are beyond man’s control. Nevertheless, if man does his share in nurturing the environment, then he would not need to cope with such kinds of devastation in the aftermath of natural

Arts administration and cultural heritage Research Paper

Arts administration and cultural heritage - Research Paper Example Telecasting companies in the present day are competing with one another to provide customers with best exploiting technology. Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) and Discovery Communications (DC) are two major television networks in the US that provide 24 hours broadcasting services to the country’s citizens. While PBS, with its 345 member stations, is a nonprofit public organization, DC is profit motivated and broadcasts a wide variety of non-fictional programs encompassing the topics of science, engineering, animal and plant life, marine life, science and technology, political events, environmental issues etc. It is one of the most vibrant players in the field surviving the stiff competition from other major network such as national geographic, Times networks etc. Organization and Structure: 1) Mission Statement of PBS: The Mission Statement of PBS encompasses the generation of content that informs, educates, and inspires. To achieve this, PBS provides  programs that develo p the minds of kids, documentaries,  non-commercialized programs for news that keep people informed on events around   the world and other cultures  and  various other programs that introduce US citizens to the worlds of theater, music, art and dance.   PBS has transformed itself from linear broadcasting business to a multi-platform leader that provides Americans access to mobile TV, television,  Web,  interactive whiteboards in the classroom  and more. PBS reaches out through their services to 123 million citizens by way of television and above 21 million people online every month.   2) Mission Statement of Discovery Communications: Discovery Communications is dedicated to being a globally renowned content provider of various options workplace. By building a healthy and wide-ranging work atmosphere that supports flexibility, balance, and different perspectives, they strive to inspire their employees to attain their maximum potential. They value of their team and f acilitate them the best resources and tools in the industry. Structure of PBS and Discovery Communications: 1) Structure of PBS: Primarily, PBS is not a network of television, but a membership business establishment. Out of 1,500 television stations in the US only about 350 are eligible for federal support as public television. â€Å"Of the 11,500 AM and FM stations operating in the U.S., only 1,650 are noncommercial and only about 700 qualify for federal support as public radio. Not wanting competition for their commercial programming, the big three networks successfully lobbied congress against structuring public broadcasting as a fourth network. Congress complied and created a highly decentralized public broadcasting service† (U.S. Public Broadcasting: Structure and Programming, 2003). The Corporation for Public Broadcasting acts as the financial agent for their services. CPB submits their budget straight to Congress and receives the funds as designated. To facilitate matc hing grants for development of programs, CPB receives funding in 3year cycles. On the other hand, the parliament and/or the White House exercise the power to rescind earlier authorization of funds. 2) Structure of Discovery Communications: Discovery Communications has, in the recent past, realigned its American networks portfolio with a view to further improve their content, programs, operational and promotional

Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest - Essay Example The major cause of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon is large-scale cattle ranching. Conversion of forestland to grassland in order to pave way for cattle production is widespread. The leather derived from cattle is exported to other countries while the beef is sold locally and within the highly populated urban markets. The environmentalists have pushed the government. Consequently, they have set stricter compliance regulations for cattle owners and slaughterhouses (Barbosa 2000 p. 34). Another cause of deforestation in the region is commercial agriculture and logging. The emergence of the soybean resulted into major deforestation in the Amazon. The soybean impact drove farmers deeper into the forest. In addition, rice and sugar cane farmers have also invaded the forest. Illegal logging in the forest is also widespread (Andersen 2002 p. 56). Other causes of deforestation are clearance of forest cover for hydroelectric power and mining of mineral, oil and gas. Furthermore, Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world. Its high population, rampant rate of urbanization and economic growth has made farmers invade the Amazon. Recent studies reveal that the destruction of the Amazon in every minute is an area equal to 50 football pitches (Carrington 2013 p. 1). Environmentalists fear that if this trend continues, approximately 20% of the forests tree cover will be lost in the next twenty years resulting into the crumble of the forests’

Degenerative Joint Disease Or Osteo Arthritis Nursing Essay

Degenerative Joint Disease Or Osteo Arthritis Nursing Essay Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States. Osteoarthritis affects an estimated 27 million Americans. This painful condition develops when there is a breakdown of cartilage in the joints (Shaw, 2012, p.1). Osteoarthritis can occur with age, or it can be caused by a joint injury or stress on the joints from a specific job, sport or being overweight. Over time, some people experience extreme inflammation and permanent damage to the joint. The joint may even need to be surgically replaced. The chance of developing the disease increases with age. Most people over age 60 have osteoarthritis to some degree, but its severity varies. Even people in their 20s and 30s can get osteoarthritis. In people over 50, more women than men get osteoarthritis (Gazella, 2009). Bone ends are covered with a layer of cartilage and lubricated by a synovial fluid to provide less friction and a smooth surface for the bones to move over each other. The whole joint is enclosed by the synovial sac (Gazella, 2009). In osteoarthritis, the cartilage becomes thinner and rougher while the bone underneath thickens. The ends of the bones start to rub against each other which causes pain and even more damage. The bones try to repair themselves, but this is not very successful, so it results in a more uneven surface of spurs and cracks. The synovium also produces extra fluid, which results in swelling, and there are changes to the ligaments, which cause movement restriction. Muscles may also become weaker Progression is slow and many patients diagnosed with OA will not suffer a great degree of deterioration (Gazella, 2009). The most common other form of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which has a different pattern of signs and symptoms, although some of the symptoms may overlap. Symptoms of OA can also vary, with flares and remission, which can make diagnosis more difficult. Other factors such as the cold and damp weather often can increase pain. One complication which can occur is calcification, which is when deposits of calcium crystals form in the cartilage to cause further swelling and the joint can become hot and red. Pain and stiffness in the joints are the most common symptom. The pain is often worse after exercise and when you put weight or pressure on the joint. Your joints may ache, or the pain may feel burning or sharp. For some people, the pain may come and go. Constant pain or pain while you sleep may be a sign that your arthritis is getting worse. When you have arthritis, getting up in the morning can be hard. Your joints may feel stiff and creaky for a short period of time, until you get moving. You may also get stiff from sitting. The muscles around the joint may get weaker. This happens a lot with arthritis in the knee. Arthritis can cause swelling in joints, making them feel tender and sore. Joints can start to look like they are the wrong shape, especially as arthritis gets worse. As it gets worse, you may not be able to fully bend, flex, or extend your joints. Or you may not be able to use them at all. Your joints may make crunching, creaking sounds. This creaking may also occur in a normal joint. But in most cases, it doesnt hurt and doesnt mean that there is anything wrong with the joint. The phrase morning stiffness refers to the pain and stiffness you may feel when you first wake up in the morning. Stiffness usually lasts for 30 minutes or less. It can be improved by mild activity that warms up the joint (Shaw, 2012). There are several factors that can increase the risk for developing osteoarthritis, including heredity, obesity, injury, or overuse of certain joints. People born with abnormalities are more likely to develop osteoarthritis. Some people have an inherited defect in one of the genes responsible for making collagen a major component of cartilage; this causes defective cartilage, which leads to more rapid deterioration of joints (Gazella, 2009). Obesity increases the risk of osteoarthritis. Maintaing ideal weight or losing excess weight may help prevent osteoarthritis, or decrease the rate of progression once osteoarthritis is established. Injuries contribute to the development of osteoarthritis. For example, athletes who have knee-related injuries may be at higher risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee. In addition, people who have had a severe back injury may be predisposed to develop osteoarthritis of the spine. People who have had a broken bone extending into the joint margin are prone to develop osteoarthritis in that joint (Osteoarthritis, 2009). Overuse of certain joints increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is not associated with fever, weight loss, or anemia. As of now there is no known cure for osteoarthritis, but treatments can help to reduce pain and maintain joint movement. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can relieve pain, but doesnt reduce inflammation. It has been shown to be effective for people with osteoarthritis who have mild pain to moderate pain. Taking more than the recommended dose can cause liver damage (Mayo Clinic, 2012). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs reduce inflammation and reduce pain. Over-the-counter NSAIDs can cause stomach upset, ringing in your ears, cardiovascular problems, bleeding problems, and liver and kidney damage. Narcotics typically contain ingredients similar to codeine and may provide relief from more severe osteoarthritis pain. These stronger medications carry a risk of dependence, though that risk is thought to be small in people who have severe pain. Side effects include nausea, constipation, and sleepiness (Researchers from National Research Center Describe Findings in Osteoarthritis, 2012). Working with a physical therapist can help. The physical therapist can work with you to create an individualized exercise regimen that will strengthen the muscles around your joint, increase the range of motion in your joint and reduce your pain. Find ways to go about your day without stressing your joints. Consider trying splints, braces, shoe inserts or other medical devices that can help reduce your pain. These devices can immobilize or support your joint to help you keep pressure off it (Gazelle, 2009). The Arthritis Foundation and some medical centers have classes for people with osteoarthritis or chronic pain. These classes teach skills that help manage osteoarthritis pain. Injections of corticosteroid medications may relieve pain in the joint. During this procedure the doctor numbs the area around the joint, and then inserts a needle in the space within the joint and injects medication. The number of cortisone shots you can receive each year is limited, because the medication can cause joint damage (Mayo Clinic, 2012). Injections of hyaluronic acid derivatives may offer pain relief by providing some cushioning in your knee. These treatments are made of rooster combs and are similar to a component normally found in your joint fluid (Mayo Clinic, 2012). In joint replacement surgery (arthoplasty), the surgeon removes the damaged joint surfaces and replaces them with plastic and metal devices called prostheses. The hip and knee joints are the most commonly replaced joints. Surgical risks include infections and blood clots. Artificial joints can wear out or come loose and may need to eventually be replaced (Shaw,2012). Medications and other treatments are key to managing pain and disability, but another major component to treatment is your own attitude. Your ability to cope despite pain and disability caused by osteoarthritis often determines how much of an impact osteoarthritis will have on your everyday life. Make a plan with your doctor for managing your arthritis. This will help make you feel that youre in charge of your disease rather than vice versa. Studies show that people who take control of their treatment and actively manage their arthritis experience less pain and function better (Mayo Clinic, 2012). It is also important that you know your limits. Rest when you think it might be needed. Arthritis can make a person feel fatigued and makes that person prone to muscle weakness, a deep exhaustion that makes everything you do a great effort. Resting or taking a short nap that doesnt interfere with nighttime sleep may help a great deal.

American Business History for Motor Vehicle Assembler

Contained in this essay is a business history for one of the first motor vehicle assemblers in the United States. Several aspects of the company and the entire industry would be discussed herein.The company’s organizational structure was at that time hierarchically arranged, with lower management and job levels reporting to top ones—all the way to corporate governance.The company had a 5000-labor force; most were located in the assembling facilities as assemblers. Marketing employees were scattered all over the country and therefore gave the company a national outlook. Other than employees, the company had a network of associates that provided vital services and support.Like many other motor vehicle assemblers in the United States, this one, too, was initially located in Detroit, Michigan (Robert, 2005, p. 96). Among the reasons for locating in the Midwest was high concentration of various parts suppliers in the region, which helped reduce the cost of transporting to ot her areas. In addition, the high concentration of vehicle part makers and assemblers resulted to development of highly skilled population, whose employment increased company productivity.The three resources needed to run the vehicle assembler included parts and accessories, skilled labor and energy. All three components were widely available in the region and in abidance. In addition, company founders understood that increased demand for respective products would call for more of the three inputs and therefore chose to locate in Detroit, a city famed for its ability to provide industrial environmental support to motor assemblers (Nelson & Stephen, 2001, p. 147).As mentioned earlier, parts and accessories were sourced from independent suppliers although the company was manufacturing some. Labor was readily available and the company embarked on retraining employees as a way of improving assembling skills. Power was bought from independent producers who had proved reliable on that fron t.The initial capital to start the business was $650 Million that was raised from banks and share offering. The company founders first embarked on seeking bank loan on which they raised about $250 Million. The industry’s potential to create money for investors led to several wealthy individuals seeking to provide capital for the company, on which another $150 Million was realized. These amount was however not enough capital, which led to founders floating shares in New York Stock Exchange. Investors from all walks of life applied for the stock. In fact, company shares were over subscribed by over 100 percent.The final products (motor vehicles) were supplied to customers through company owned dealerships in major cities (Stephen, 2003, p. 54). The company was also encouraging individual entrepreneurs to establish own outlets to market company products.Discounts and other incentives resulted to establishment of privately owned dealership all over the country, and thus gave the company a national outlook. The company was finally able to reach its target market—all Americans hungry of enjoying the newly found mobility (Haruhito & Kazuo, 1995, p. 108).The motor vehicles were competitively priced in order to appeal to the target market. To publicize the products and create differentiation from competitors, the company was undertaking campaign tours throughout the country; privately owned dealerships were provided with assistance in marketing around respective jurisdictions.Despite the many benefits of mobility provided by motor vehicle, the company and the entire industry were concerned with fatal accidents, which resulted to legal considerations on assemblers’ liability (David, 2004, p. 18). Industry participants thus embarked on warning customers on the dangers and the need to be careful when operating motor vehicles.ReferencesDavid, A. (2004). The Genesis of American Mass Vehicle Production. Baltimore: JHU.Haruhito, S. & Kazuo W. (1995). Ford ism Transformed. New York: OUP.Nelson, L. & Stephen, M. (2001). On the Line. Urbana: UoI.Robert, A. (2005). History of   US Auto Industry. Albany: SUNNY.Stephen, M.   (2003). Competition Management in US Auto Industry. Albany:   SUNNY.

Abraham Conclusion Essay

While writing the whole play for my group, and doing research, I learned a lot of things about Abraham. God helped Abraham a lot, first with the blessing, then Lot, and even for the birth of Isaac. Most of the time when something bad happens, Abraham doubted God. God never zapped him, or kill him, He was patient. At the end, Abraham could not help Isaac find a wife himself for he is weak and old, he trusted that God will help him like the way God helped him before. I think faith means to trust God completely, 100%. True faith is shown, when you yourself could not help anymore, only God could. And you trust unto Him a very hard job, being sure that He will be able to do it. See more: Beowulf essay essay This happened when Abraham was too old to go look for a wife for Isaac, he had faith that God will find one for him, and God did. What I learned about God while reading about Abraham is that God is very patient. Every time Abraham questions or doubts him, he doesn’t get angry. I also learned that God is faithful and true to his word. Every single promise God made came true, though not the way some people expected it. Last of all, I learned that God is omniscience. Though Sarah is very old and beyond the age of child bearing, God was able to make her have her son, the son that was the one to take the true blessing, Isaac.

Invasion of Australia essays

Invasion of Australia essays Invasion, Settlement or Colonisation For over 60,000 years Aboriginal people lived on this continent, owning, caring for and being sustained by the land. With their deep knowledge of nature and respect for the environment in which they lived, they developed a successful economy and a rich spiritual and cultural life. 1788 saw the arrival of Europeans and the decimation of the aboriginal people. 1. Enter territory with armed forces to attack, damage or occupy it. 2. Crowd in; tourists invaded the city. 3. Penetrate harmfully; the disease had invaded all parts of the body. Invasion suggests that there was already an inhabitant of the land and that the land of the inhabitants was. It also suggests that there was force used in claiming the land from its original inhabitants through use of military force. The European government that came to colonise Australia referred to the land as Terra Nullius, which means land that belongs to no one. They divided up land that was not theirs and built houses and farms. The aborigines were seen as savages. 1. Not civilized; barbaric: a savage people. 2. Ferocious; fierce: in a savage temper. The Aborigines were forced off their native land and when they opposed they were shot, hung or executed by other means. One such occasion was the Battle of Pinjarra. They might have called it the Battle of Pinjarra but like all of the massacres of the Aborigines it was more a case of wholesale slaughter than of some equally poised, European-style battle. Wrote Bruce Elder in his book Blood on the Wattle: the massacres and maltreatment of Australian Aborigines. Invasion, Settlement or Colonisation When the continent was invaded by Europeans in the nineteenth century, the White historians who wrote about Australia included a section on the nati ...

Ishi Living the Way essays

Ishi Living the Way essays Ishi has always strived to help his family; ingrained in him is a responsibility and desire to help protect and provide for them. Life for the remaining Yahi people becomes more and more complicated as their population decreases, and the saldu presence in the Yahi world increases. Ishi and his family are constantly adapting their lifestyle to survive in an ever-changing world. The one constant in Ishis life, weather he is living in the Yahi world or the saldu world, is his endless quest to live in accordance with the way, or in harmony with nature. Imbedded in Ishi is a respect for all the creatures around him. Ishi feels one with the world around him, the animals around him are not lesser beings, and they are an essential part of the world Kaltsuna and Jupka created thousands of years ago. A small cotton-tail rabbit came out of the brush, hopping closer and closer to him...with a last hop, rabbit landed between Ishis hands....I am hungry. My People are hungry. It is the duty of the hunter to take what he can. But this four-footer I shall not take. It came to me without fear, knowing I was not hunting.(Ishi last of his tribe Pg 46) How many could say truthfully, that near starving they would let an easy catch go? Not many. Ishi follows the way and does not take anything he doesnt need, or kill animals that come to him when he isnt hunting no matter how hungry he is. To Ishi what is one night of hunger for the life of a rabbit that trusted him? Ishi shows this kind of respect again while hunting the spring deer with Timawi. They observe the deer eating, and get the attention of the deer. They kill one of the younger males, and when they are finished they cover up all traces of the kill. The Yahi use the entire deer, the meat, the hide and the bones. The other deer and the birds and rabbits which had been close by disappeared into the brush...But there was no panic...nothing wa...

National Public Health Performance Standards Assignment

National Public Health Performance Standards - Assignment Example While answering these questions, responses given to the National Public Health Performance Standards helps in identifying the strengths and weaknesses as well as the opportunities available for investment by the public health. One of the national performance standards is to Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues. According to the crafters of this standard, its main service include providing health information, offering the public with health education and promotion of health activities which are designed to reduce the risk of health among the people, consequently promoting better health to the public (â€Å"Centre For Disease Control And Prevention†, 2013). Focusing on partnering health education and health promotion programs with schools, faith communities, and work sites, personal care providers, among others so as to implement and reinforce health promotion programs strengthens the standard. Through such programs, the public is aware of the most important health messages they wish to send across to the people. More particularly, the exploitation of a number of channels to communicate these messages such as the social media and media advocacy has successfully communicated these m essages to the people. Thus, the biggest strength of this standard is the effective communication of important health information and education to the public through different channels. School programs and religious organizations used as platforms for the spread of the information successfully make sure that all people receive the information on time. Outbreaks of diseases and immunization as well as education of the public on the various ways of maintaining their health is strength of the standard (â€Å"Centre for Disease Control and Prevention† 2013). Because of the application of these standards, I would expect the public to be more vigilant on the need to maintain their health. According to the feeding activities of the

Why has feminism not been able to remove all sources of gender Essay

Why has feminism not been able to remove all sources of gender discrimination - Essay Example This essay "Why has feminism not been able to remove all sources of gender discrimination?" outlines the possible reasons why the women haven’t achieved the due recognition and the feminism movement. Apart from the pre conceived mindset of men being the superior forces, the cultural barriers and the cultural mindset that believes the man to be in a stronger position from different perspectives should be eliminated and equal opportunity and equal capability based mindset should be harnessed which will allow for the gender discrimination to get eliminated. The report published showing the findings from Great Britain institutions also come along with recommendations. Few of these include the introduction of clauses where the political parties are bound to increase the number of seats that they must dedicate to women. Similarly, other business enterprises, both private and government assisted must reserve quota for women which will allow for more inclusion of women. The lack of skilled women and the lack of women who can meet and fulfill the criteria of becoming the top heads of the business organizations or the government institutions or the political parties, all these would require women to be equipped in an effective manner. The need is to impart true means of education and empowerment amongst the women from grass root level. Policies and actions must be devised which will help the women in a longer run towards becoming an equal and effective members of the society and decision-making corridors.

Emergency planning Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Emergency planning - Research Paper Example LOGISTICS deals with a broad range of activities including the acquisition and dissemination of all finances and resources required for emergency response, to and from the emergency site and EOC. Moreover, the logistics section also deals with the establishment and maintenance of communication at the EOC. Further, logistics deals with the coordination of all activities necessary for a prompt response to emergencies and recovery from disasters, including MAAs. Plans are developed in collaboration with a number of different stakeholders who partake in the emergency response process. The essence of including such stakeholders is that emergency response is a community-wide process that requires the participation of a broad range of stakeholders. As such, the Tampa county department continually undertakes to train the relevant stakeholder in order to ensure that they are capable of providing meaningful input that will assist in the delivery of a compact and appropriate emergency response plan. Moreover, these individuals play an important part in the continual review and update of the emergency response

Instruction essay Essay Example for Free

Instruction essay Essay Sport is a very important part of life of many people. Even though most of the people don’t become outstanding athletes, they still devote lots of time to watching sports on TV and playing them themselves when they have time. One of the most popular kinds of sports nowadays is tennis, and many guys and girls devote lots of time to playing it. The most thrilling part of tennis is taking part in competitions and competing with other tennis players. The process of preparing for a tennis tournament is not an easy task to complete, that is why we are going to give detailed step-by-step instructions for this process which will help anybody to get ready for it. The first thing you have to do when getting ready for tennis competitions is staying in a good shape. Even though the tournament might be starting in a couple of months, you have to make sure you devote lots of time not just to playing tennis but also doing general exercises. It’s very important to build up your endurance before the tournament because lots of matches may turn out very long, and if you are not in the best shape, you will eventually lose only due to your bad endurance. It’s necessary to start running every day for long distances in order to prepare for running in the tennis-court. Running should take place not only in the morning when it’s comparatively cool, but also in the day time because very often games on tournaments start in the mid-day when the sun is shining the most. In order to be ready for that time of weather and not to get tired right away, you have to get used to that well before the tournament. Most recommended is running for 3-4 miles every day. It doesn’t take much time, so you can do lots of other things during the day, but at the same time you will be working on your endurance without fail. If you have friends who are preparing for the tournament together with you, you should practice not only running but some team sports which will probably be even more interesting for you. After you are done with running for the day, you should devote some time to team sports. Basket-ball and volley-ball are recommended in such a case because they require lots of movements, and you will all get a good exercise. The fact that you are preparing for the tennis tournament doesn’t mean that you only need to play tennis to get ready. The more sports you play, the better you will be able to react during your match, and thus the better your results will be. During the next step of preparing for the tournament you have to do such general exercises like jumping and swimming. Swimming is always considered great exercise because it helps to build up both your muscles and your endurance. You also have to do some weight-lifting in the fitness center to make sure your legs and arms are in a very good shape. The stronger your arms and legs will be, the better you will be serving and just hitting the ball. As long as you follow all the mentioned steps about the general exercising part of your preparations, you will make sure that during the tournament you will only have to worry about your technique. As long as your opponent and you will be playing at the same level, you will be able to compete until the last minute because you won’t be getting tired. Next step of getting ready for the tennis tournament consists in practicing the technique. It’s by far the most important step, that is why you have to make sure you devote maximum attention to it. Practicing tennis should be done every day preferably 1 or 2 times for a couple of hours. Here you have to focus on the following main issues: playing with as many partners as possible and trying to make as few mistakes as possible. Practicing technique has to include the following steps: practicing forehand, backhand, volleying, and serves. When you are practicing forehand, you have to make sure you realize that this will be your main weapon during the game. You need to hit the ball as hard as possible in order to make sure you will the point any time you have a chance. Practicing backhand should mostly focus on avoiding mistakes, but you shouldn’t forget about hitting the ball with lots of power. When you are standing near the net, you have to remember that you can easily win a point there as long as you hit the ball in the empty part of the tennis-court. It’s very important to look at the opponent and notice his movements so that you can easily lay the ball into the corner which is not protected at the moment. When you are serving, you have to remember that the first serve can be as powerful as possible and you can hit it flat. However, you need to be much more careful with the second serve because you might end up making a double-fault, so you need to make sure you hit the ball in the court. You have to remember that winning your own serve is goal number one: once you lose it, your opponent gets some advantage which you might not be able to get back. The last step of preparing for tennis competitions is making sure you are emotionally ready for them. You have to tell yourself every day that you are capable of winning all the matches, and that you will be fighting for every point. You have to remember that many people lose matches not because they are bad players but because they are not very strong emotionally. You have to prepare yourself for possible difficulties during the match during which you will never give up but keep playing at the same high level. All the described steps will help you to get ready for the tennis tournament in the best possible way. In order to achieve the best results, you have to devote equal attention to every one of the mentioned steps, and make sure you follow all the mentioned instructions. Winning a tournament is very difficult but as long as your process of preparing for it is provided on a high level, you can always count on the best possible results.

The Power of Nature :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

The Power of Nature The power of nature is all around us and can be found almost anywhere. One is able to study nature through experiencing it firsthand, looking at a picture, watching a movie, or even reading a familiar children’s story. I believe that by learning more about nature we can grow closer to God. Emerson states, â€Å"Nature is so pervaded in human life, that there is something of humanity in all, and in every particular† (Emerson 508). Like Emerson, I believe that humanity and nature were created by God and we can learn more about the Spirit of God by studying nature. I also see that nature has the power to influence our emotions and actions. I see evidence of this through various landscapes such as the desert, the beach, the mountains and the jungle. I thought about the vastness of the desert during a recent trip to the desert with my class. I think about nature and my love for it when I am scanning through my photo album and see pictures that capture me enjoying the mounta ins of Utah. When I watched the movie The Beach I was struck out how nature, specifically the beautiful beaches of Thailand, influenced the actions of every character in the movie. Of course it is hard to read a legendary story such as â€Å"Jungle Book† and not see what a powerful effect nature and its’ animals can have over humans. During my trip to the Arboretum I thought a lot about the importance of the desert. I thought about how complex and beautiful it is. It is a landscape that I do not think many people view as beautiful. I know that when I first came to visit Phoenix I thought the desert was quite ugly. It wasn’t until I made an effort to find its exquisiteness that I did. Participating in activities like visiting the arboretum and taking day trips to Sedona and Tuscon have helped me to see the magnificence of a cactus existing in the sand with no water for weeks at a time. This one thing amazes me so much. The blooming flowers on a cactus are breathtaking to me. I think the contrast of cactus flowers and the vastness of the sand in the desert is what makes it so striking.

Mr Makedama

Macadam case analysis by UCT group of MBA students Company overview: Macadams Bakery Supplies Holdings (Macadams) is a manufacturer of oven and other appliances for the baking industry. Their financial statements for 1996 highlight a very strong year. Turnover grew by 59% to R125. 3m and profit increased by 81%. An acquisition of Livanos Brothers (February 1996) took place in response to the increased demand in the local market as well as an expansion of market base in foreign markets. Depreciation of the Rand against other major currencies also supported export sales.The company has entered a phase of rapid expansion, expanding its main factory in Cape Town by 50%. As well as opening new sales and distribution centers in Durban and Bloemfontein in the current year, with further plans to expand in to Zimbabwe in the following year. An analysis of the company’s financial statements will determine whether the company is in a position to leverage its expansion, or whether it is p erhaps growing too rapidly. Detailed Financial Analysis Profitability: Macadams experienced a healthy turnover, which increased by 58. 5% between 1995 and 1996.This â€Å"abnormally† high growth in turnover was due to a surging demand for their products, favorable exchange rates and acquisitions of business’s, which complimented their current product portfolio. They further expanded the operational network to service the growing market they were operating in. It should however be noted that a growth rate of 58. 5% per annum is not sustainable or realistic, and although Macadams has extended their products and services to global markets through joint ventures and M&A’s, there would be a point where there growth would become organic, or at least in line with industry standards..Although operating and net margins have improved since 1995, the net margin remains low at 8. 5%. This indicates that despite dramatic increases in revenue, Macadams have only marginally im proved the ability to generate profits. Liquidity: The income statement displays a healthy growth by Macadams; however the cash flow statement shows a contradictory picture. Macadams have a serious liquidity problem. Cash generated from operations is significantly down by 87% in comparison to the prior financial year.The operation did not generate sufficient cash to fund its interest, taxation or dividends payments for the year. As a result these payments were made through borrowed funds. Working capital movements in 1996 adversely impacted cash generated by operating activities, with a noticeable increase in working capital of 595% from R2. 7million to R19million. This is due to an increase in inventory of 66%, to meet perceived consumer demand, which was funded by cash resources. There has also been an increase in debtors of 129%, due to increased credit sales.Furthermore, creditors increased by 87%, which only partially offset the increase in current assets. This is a scenario of a business expanding too rapidly. There are high levels of sales and gross profits, but a serious cash flow problem created by inventory build-up, and high level of receivables. Cash is now tied up in stock and debtors. The lack of available cash in the business could impact Masadams’s ability to service their short-term liabilities. Efficiency: Macadams have become less efficient in 1996. The accounts receivables increased by 129% in 1996.Reviewing the debtor’s collection period we can clearly see the longer collection period (53 days in ’95 to 77 days in ’96) could be indicative of more relaxed credit terms, which could be MBS’s strategy to attract more sales and increase turnover. This strategy does however create a risk of bad debt and creates a problem for operational cash flow, as it currently is experiencing. It is also noted on the financial statements that Debtors have been used by ceded to the banks as security for facilities granted. Ce ssion of debt means that the banks do not have faith in Macadam’s ability to repay its debt.Leverage The debt ratio has increased by 9%; this was for the funding of the expansion. The additional funding taken out, mortgage loan is secured by land and buildings, and the movable assets secure the installment sale agreement. This is risky as it means should Macadams fail to make payment on either of these loans, they would lose R4. 3 million of its movable and immovable assets. Incurring debt to expand their operations and grow the business is not a bad thing, and is necessary. Despite the massive increase in debt, the interest cover ratio is still healthy.This however, is not a cash based ratio and gives us no indication as to whether the company is able to make its cash payments to service the increased quantities of debt. For this reason the concern would be raised with respect to Macadams ability to service their debt. This concern is specific to their lack of liquid funds a vailable in the business. DuPont analysis: With the aid of the DuPont model of analysis the following observations were made: Macadams ROE, of 30. 63%, has decreased by 1. 4% during the financial year under review.However it could be seen as a good return on equity, as it is 10% higher than the prime interest rates at the time (20. 25% Nov 1996). Macadams have become less efficient in using its assets to generate profits. Its’ efficiency ratios demonstrate a drop from 2. 37 to 1. 90; however this could be explained by the timing of the acquisition of assets. Vacant land was acquired in September 1996, just three months before the December year-end, and new premises opened in Bloemfontein in November 1996. These assets would not yet have had the opportunity to generate the profits that may be expected in future.Macadams profitability has increased marginally since the previous year; however their net margin is still a low 8. 50%. Macadams are not using its revenue to generate sufficient profits. In terms of leverage, the ratio has increased marginally from the 1995 financial year, to 1. 89, in line with increasing debt in terms of both long-term and short-term borrowing. Conclusion: Macadams are a promising business which is currently generating high sales volumes and generous profits. The problem with the business is the following: †¢Their inability to translate their sales into cash. The drive and efforts to grow the business at a rate which is not practical to their available resources and balance sheet; this results in the following: oAccrual of high volumes of long-term and short-term debt. oHigh inventory levels as a result of their steep growth plan which they have implemented (cash on the shelves/in the store room) oIncreased overheads to operate newly established network offices to service the market. If Macadams operates their business as they are, they will eventually grow their business into bankruptcy.As a â€Å"turn around† stra tegy, I would implement the following initiatives to maximize the output of the business and create a more sustainable business model. †¢Slow-down the growth rate which Macadams is currently experiencing. †¢Limit its debt, i. e. not take out any further debt. †¢Analyze the current business operations to improve operational efficiency, thus decreasing COS of sale per unit sold, and inevitably increasing gross, net and operating profit margins. †¢Improve sales efforts to reduce inventory levels, and simultaneously increasing overall sales. Macadams should also review their current costs and look for cost saving initiatives. This will ensure that the revenue increase is matched with a similar increase in profits. †¢Ensure the business is more liquid by having more operational cash and cash in the business; this can be achieved by decreasing the debtor’s collection period from 77 days to 30 days, and increasing their creditor’s period to 45 days. I f I had shares in Macadams I would hold on to them if the above initiatives were implemented, as this would ultimately result in an increased EPS.

International development project analysis Essay

Introduction: – †¢ New science, technologies and ideas are crucial for the achievement of the goals, but global research investments are insufficient to match needs and do not focus on the priorities of the poor. †¢ Many technological and policy innovations require an international scale of research effort. †¢ DFID’s (Department for International Development) Central Research Department (CRD) commissions research to help fill this gap, aiming to ensure tangible outcomes on the livelihoods of the poor. †¢ CRD seeks to influence the international and UK research agendas, putting poverty reduction and the needs of the poor at the forefront of global research efforts. †¢ CRD manages long-term research initiatives that cut across individual countries or regions, and only funds activities if there are clear opportunities and mechanisms for the research to have a significant impact on poverty. †¢ CRD works closely with DFID’s Chief Scientific Adviser to maintain external links, particularly with UK Science, Whitehall and political stakeholders, to promote DFID’s agenda. †¢ DFID is seeking views to help it develop a new research strategy 2008-2013. Your chance to get involved When developing policies, it is recognized that consulting with a wide range of interested groups helps to ensure that the impact of its proposals on different sectors of society is taken into account. Public consultations are carried out wherever possible as recommended in the Code of Practice on Consultations by the Cabinet Office in January 2004. The Code aims to increase the involvement of individuals and groups in public consultations, minimizing the burden it imposes on them, and giving them enough time to respond. This guidance is used in conjunction with the compact between the government and the voluntary and community sector which includes a specific code of good practice on ‘Consultation and Policy Appraisal’. If you would like to take part in DFID public consultations, information will be posted on these pages. . . . Page-2 Page-2 Consultation The Cabinet Office is conducting a review of Consultation Policy to see how Government consultations can be improved and is keen to hear your views. As the centre–piece of this review, Hilary Armstrong MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Social Exclusion, has launched a paper entitled â€Å"Effective Consultation† to seek evidence on Government consultations. The consultation is aimed at anyone with an interest in responding to government consultation exercises, from those who regularly respond to the Government’s consultations to those who might be interested in doing so. These might include business organizations, voluntary and charitable sector organizations, campaigning bodies, trades unions, citizens, etc. The Better Regulation Executive is keen to meet with people who have experience of Government consultations and to discuss with them how Government consultations can be improved. The BRE is therefore organizing a series of events with Government Offices including two, larger, public seminars on the subject. †¢ Annual Reports: Assessment of performance on government consultations. †¢ Code of Practice: The Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Consultation sets out the basic principles for conducting effective Government consultations. †¢ Consultation Guidance: Guidance for running consultations in government. †¢ Current Cabinet Office Consultations: A list of current Cabinet Office consultations with links for more information. †¢ Government Consultations: Links to departmental consultation websites. †¢ Effective Consultation Events: Further details on the Better Regulation Executive’s program of Consultation events. The following eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were agreed at the United Nations Millennium Summit in September 2000 and nearly 190 countries have subsequently signed up to them. The eight Millennium Development Goals: 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. 2. Achieve universal primary education. 3. Promote gender equality and empower women. 4. Reduce child mortality. 5. Improve maternal health. 6. Combat HIV and AIDS, malaria and other diseases. 7. Ensure environmental sustainability. 8. Develop a global partnership for development. . . . Page-3 Page-3 REPORTS AND FORMATS Annual Report Format for DFID-contracted Research Programmes Front cover with Title of Research Programme, Reference Number and the Period Covered by the report. Include a table of contents, annexes, etc. , as necessary. 1. Background Information Title of Research Programme: Reference Number: Period covered by report: Name of lead institution and Director: Key partners: Countries covered by research: Planned Actual Start Date: End Date: Total programme budget: 2. One page summary (A narrative focussing on two main questions: (i) How far have intended outputs as listed in the logframe been achieved? And (ii) What is the impact of the research programme so far? ) 3. Key Themes – Progress towards outputs and impact What are the research outputs? Outputs OVIs Progress Recommendations/Comments Where are the research impacts? Purpose OVIs Progress Recommendations/Comments 4. Lessons learnt †¢ Working with Partners †¢ Good Practice/Innovation †¢ Project/programme Management †¢ Communication 5. Programme Management Annual Report Summary sheet for R4D 1. Background Information Title of research programme: Reference Number: Period covered by report: Name of lead institution and Director: Key partners: Countries covered by research: Start Date for research programme: End Date for research programme: 2. One page summary 3. Products and Publications Inception Phase Report Format Front cover with Title of Research Programme, Reference Number and the Period Covered by the report. Include a table of contents, annexes, etc. , as necessary. 1. Background Information Title of research programme: Reference Number: Period covered by report: Name of lead institution and Director: Key partners: Countries to be covered by research: 2. A document of overall plans to complement your research proposal and setting out: †¢ Themes. †¢ Planned activities. †¢ Areas for development during life of the research program. †¢ Where appropriate, a response to referees comments on the original research proposal and/or any comments or note of endorsement from the CAG/CARG. 3. Finalized log frame 4. Plans for capacity development 5. The Management structure for the research program 6. Ongoing monitoring arrangements for the research program 7. Communication strategy 8. Annual activity plan 9. Detailed financial plan.

Censorship and Banned Books in Schools

Censorship and Banned Books in Schools While reading Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in school, teachers often spend full class periods discussing a very important issue: Mark Twains use of the n word throughout the book. Its important to not only explain that the book must be looked at through the context of the time period but also what Twain was trying to do with his story. He was trying to reveal the plight of the slave and he was doing so with the vernacular of the time. Students may make wisecracks, but its important to address their humor with information. Students need to understand the words meaning and Twains reasons for using it. These conversations are difficult to have because they are controversial and many people are very uncomfortable with the n word- for good reason. Due to its origins in slavery and racism, it is often the topic of disgruntled phone calls from parents. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is the 4th most banned book  in schools according to Banned in the U.S.A. by Herbert N. Foerstal. In 1998 three new attacks arose to challenge its inclusion in education. Reasons for Banned Books Is censorship in schools good? Is it necessary to ban books? Each person answers these questions differently. This is the core of the problem for educators. Books can be found offensive for many reasons. Here are just some reasons taken from Rethinking Schools Online: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. Reason: Rape scene, anti-white.Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Reason: Profanity.Go Ask Alice by Anonymous. Reason: Drug use, sexual situations, profanity.A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck. Reason: Depiction of pigs mating and being slaughtered. More recent books that were challenged according to the American Library Association include the Twilight saga due to its religious viewpoint and violence and The Hunger Games because it was unsuited to the age group, sexually explicit and too violent. Many ways exist to ban books. Our county has a group which reads the questionable book and determines whether its educational value exceeds the weight of the objections against it. However, schools can ban books without this lengthy procedure. They just choose not to order the books in the first place. This is the situation in Hillsborough County, Florida. As reported in the St. Petersburg Times, one elementary school will not stock two of the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling because of the witchcraft themes. As the Principal explained it, the school knew they would get complaints about the books so they did not buy them. Many people, including the American Library Association, has spoken out against this. There is an article by Judy Blume on the website for the National Coalition Against Censorship to be very interesting. Its title: Is Harry Potter Evil? The question that faces us in the future is when do we stop? Do we remove mythology and Arthurian legends because of its references to magic? Do we strip the shelves of medieval literature because it presupposes the existence of saints? Do we remove Macbeth because of the murders and witches? Most would say there is a point where we must stop. But who gets to pick the point? Proactive Measures an Educator Can Take Education is not something to be feared. There are enough hurdles in teaching with which we must deal. So how can we stop the above situation from occurring in our classrooms? Here are just a few suggestions: Choose the books you use wisely. Make sure that they fit nicely into your curriculum. You should have evidence which you can present that the books you are using are necessary for the student.If you are using a book that you know has caused concerns in the past, try to come up with alternative novels that students can read.Make yourself available to answer questions about the books you have chosen. In the very beginning of the school year, introduce yourself to parents at  an open house  and tell them to call you if they have any concerns. If a parent calls you there will probably be less of a problem then if they call administration.Discuss the controversial issues in the book with the students. Explain to them the reasons those parts were necessary for the authors work.Have an outside speaker come to class to discuss concerns. For example, if you are reading  Huckleberry Finn, get a Civil Rights Activist to give a presentation to students about racism. Final Word Ray Bradbury  describes a situation in the  coda to  Fahrenheit 451. It is about a future where all books are burned because the people have decided that knowledge brings pain. It is far better to be ignorant than knowledgeable. Bradburys coda discusses the censorship that hes faced. He had a play that he sent to a university to be produced. They sent it back because it had no women in it. This is the height of irony. Nothing was said about the content of the play or the fact that there was a reason it featured only men. They did not want to offend a certain group at the school: women. Is there is  a place for censorship  and banning of books? Its hard to say that children should read certain books in certain grades, but education is not to be feared.

10 Compare and Contrast Essay Topics on Cultural Relativism

10 Compare and Contrast Essay Topics on Cultural Relativism Cultural relativism is a complex matter that needs thorough processing. When writing a compare and contrast essay on it you will need a few solid facts. It is for this reason what we’ve prepared the 10 below for you. Please be sure to check them: Cultural relativity is the idea that cultures are responsible for shaping perceived notions, beliefs, and the value systems of their organization. It is also believed that culture is what informs people within a specific group and directs their behavior. In the fields of linguistics and psychology, the theory of cultural relativism is the one which has been explored for economic, sociological, and political gains. It is hoped by some researchers that their findings can contribute to better knowledge about cultures. Cultural relativism is explored typically by ethnographic research, where the scientists are the observers within a culture. Immanuel Kant played a key role in the foundation of cultural relativism, whose ideas were challenged by Johannes Gottfried Herder. Herder helped to inspire better research aside from pure reason, specifically as it related to ethnology and geography. It is here that it was argued that humans will rely upon signs in order to gain comprehension and make decisions, signs which are not necessarily from a god or celestial authority but are handed down within their community. Human communities have their own understanding, their own knowledge, their own meaning, and each person within that community gains specific cultural enlightenment. One area often passed down among cultures is the idea of gender roles and what constitutes a rite of passage. The Catholic faith hinders a sexual rite of passage by regulating sexuality and linking any sexual act outside of a committed marriage to sin. The Catholic Church significantly interferes with the sexual rite of passage associated with the sociocultural transitory phases of sexuality. Whether a lifestyle of complete devotion or a lifestyle of complete sin, both are harmful to the development of a person and contradictory to the sexual development of individual consciousness. The rite of passage is meant as a sociocultural idea, categorized as the liminal period. It is an inter-structural situation which is experienced as the individual but influenced by the culture or society. The successful rite of passage encompasses the full transition from one state to another. In this instance, â€Å"state’ relates to a fixed or at least stable condition, which can include things such as social constancies like a profession or a calling, or can include the physical, mental, and emotional conditions in which a person might be at a unique moment in time. State is culturally recognized as the two ends of a process of becoming, or a transformation. Conflicts between new and old nations are often rooted in a lack of cultural relativism, or one wherein the two cultures refuse to be accommodating or accepting of the other. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in the Middle East. The conflict in the Middle East, between Israelis and Palestinians, can be said to have roots in several of these common issues. For one thing, the conflict itself tends to be viewed as a religious one. This is because the Israeli state was created as a haven for the remaining Jewish population at the end of World War II. It is estimated that the Holocaust eliminated 1/3 of all Jewish persons in the world, and the newly-founded United Nations along with many supporters helped to establish Israel. This means that it is a Jewish state in the heart of the Arab world. The Arab world is predominantly Muslim, and this is where the majority of the religious conflict can be identified. Just because one nation is Jewish and other is Muslim, is not the sole reason of the conflict. Political and economic causes are also present. In their rush to establish a reasonable and tenable place for Jewish immigrants to settle, leaders in Europe and the United States have failed to address the dissatisfaction of the existing population in what had been Palestine, and which was divided up to create Israel. Black Liberation Theology is a theological system founded by Reverend James Cone. Its origins begin in 1966 with the National Committee of Negro Churchman. Over the decades, this theological belief system has purported that God is black and that His Word is focused on helping the oppressed and the downtrodden. Within American Christianity the ideas of slavery and race were purportedly supported by the Bible. Southern Baptists supported slavery with the Bible and not until 1995 was a formal Declaration of Repentance adopted which declared all forms of racism as deplorable and lamented, with all historical ties to racism an evil part of history. It was the Southern Baptist Committee who issued a formal apology for having perpetuated racism. And while all branches of Christianity had their racist past ties, Black Liberation theology attests that Christ is the forerunner for pursuing individual sanctuary and opposing racism. As a result, dialogue must be had regarding the implications that historical racism had on the black community. Black liberation theology primarily focuses today on how to make Christianity real for the African American community. It explains that Christianity focuses on liberation in the here and the now, not just in the afterlife. The goal of this theology is not to require special treatment, but to require freedom and justice. Black theologians use scripture as the sanction for these demands. These should make your essay writing firm and greatly improve your narrative. For additional information you may check our 20 topics and 1 sample essay on cultural relativism along with our guide on a compare and contrast essay on this topic. References: Berry, Jack W. Radical Cultural Relativism and the Concept of Intelligence. Culture and  Cognition: Readings in Cross-Cultural Psychology  (1974): 225-229. Betwixt and Between: The Liminal Period.  Rites De Passage. Proceedings of the American  Ethnological Society, 1965. 93-111. Print. Brems, Eva. Enemies or allies? Feminism and cultural relativism as dissident voices in  Human Rights Discourse.  Human Rights Quarterly  19.1 (1997): 136-164. Christensen, Harold T. Cultural relativism and premarital sex norms.American Sociological  Review  (1960): 31-39. Cook, John W. Morality and Cultural Differences. (1999). Donnelly, Jack. Cultural Relativism and Universal Human Rights.  Human Rights  Quarterly  6.4 (1984): 400-419. Gell, Alfred. The Anthropology of Time: Cultural Constructions of Temporal Maps and  Images. (1992). Herskovits, Melville J. Cultural Relativism; Perspectives in Cultural Pluralism. (1972). Joyce, James.  A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.  New York: Viking, 1964. Print.