Focusing on the Market Research Society (MRS), does its code of Essay

Focusing on the Market Research Society (MRS), does its code of conduct play an effective role in governing research in this country and so help protect vulnerable groups - Essay Example The key areas that MRS focuses in the protection of vulnerable people are consent and protection of personal data. In accordance with MRS code of conduct, researchers should ensure that participation in the researches is based on voluntary and informed consent. On the other hand, MRS always recognizes young people and children as vulnerable individuals. As such, consent from a parent or guardian is required before research. Researchers are advised not to involve minors in studies on products and topics which are prohibited for their age group (Sarstedt & Mooi, 2014). MRS has invested a lot of resources and time in ensuring that the business research sector appreciates and understands the data protection laws. MRS offers training programs, legal and standards briefings, and guidance to members of the research community. Additionally, MRS provides regional campaigns on the themes of data security and data protection. Although MRS recognizes the need to update the current laws because of advancing technology in the field, business should not overlook the current framework. When businesses have a clear understanding of the code of conduct in the research field, they can conduct and make decisions on data collection and use, with confidence that they meet the legal responsibilities. It is not only the businesses that benefit but also the vulnerable parties involved in the

The Yellow Wallpaper - Reading Response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Yellow Wallpaper - Reading Response - Essay Example Considering the lonely and bored state of the narrator, one could certainly understand her obsession with the color and patterns on the yellow wallpaper, as she comments, â€Å"It is the strangest yellow that wallpaper! It makes me think of all the yellow things I ever saw- not beautiful ones like buttercups, but old foul, bad yellow things (Gilman 3).† However, the themes and patterns that this first person narrator sees in the yellow wall paper are not limited to a senseless and misplaced imagination, but rather are related to the issues and problems being faced by the narrator, in the context of her position and status in life. Yet, in a way the story The Yellow Wallpaper throughout remains uncertain and unclear about the narrator’s mental state and health. The other thing is that being limited to the confines of the upstairs nursery; the narrator is left with nothing to do, but, to think about the ugly yellow wallpaper with irregular patterns. At the start of the st ory the patterns and designs on the wallpaper appear senseless and meaningless to the narrator. In fact she positively finds the wallpaper to be boring and uninteresting. However, as the condition of the narrator worsens, this wallpaper begins to take an entire new meaning and importance for her. The wallpaper emerges to be the canvass on which she projects the imprints of her disturbed mental state and her suppressed emotions and aspirations. As her mental condition deteriorates, and perhaps she begins to lose stability, the wallpaper becomes the only puzzle that begins to possess and dominate her. Her occupation with the wall paper goes on increasing. In fact she begins to get confident that the themes and patterns she is able to identify in the wallpaper could be traced by nobody else. As the story proceeds, the narrator begins to lose interest in the people and gets more and more involved with the wallpaper. The wallpaper actually happens to be the only outlet where the narrator could vent her thoughts and aspirations. As her anger increases, she begins to engage in paranoid speculations regarding Jennie and John. â€Å"The fact is that I am getting a little afraid of John. He seems very queer sometimes, and even Jennie has an inexplicable look (Gilman 13).† Finding peace and happiness only in the wallpaper, the narrator slowly begins to merge her identity with the wallpaper, while distancing herself from the other people in her life. The narrator begins to see one other woman creeping behind the patterns in the wallpaper, which is perhaps some repressed aspect of her own personality. It is only after the tracing of the creeping woman in the wallpaper that the things get fast and racy, perhaps indicative of the narrators further decent into mental disturbance and illness. The expression of the narrator gets more confused and disjointed, yet seems to have a meaning and pattern of its own. The yellow wallpaper perhaps is symbolic of the stereotypical state of the women in the society of her times, where she is forced to come out with some sense and meaning within the confines of the physical and mental space that is allocated to her. The narrator once rightly says

Torture is Ethically Wrong: Analysis

Torture is Ethically Wrong: Analysis Stephen D. Dillehayes Serving in a combat centered career in the military for almost two decades I have many experiences with the topic of torture. I have attended classes on how to apply and resist, both with varying results. But one of the topics that always come up is Is torture ethically right. I believe argument can be broken down into categories, how it affects the person and how it affects the states, which will reveal how it is fundamentally wrong. Lets look at two sides of the debate. Argument: Premise 1: Provides information in time sensitive situations. Premise 2: The ends justify the means. Premise 3: The enemy uses it, so there isnt a reason we shouldnt. Conclusion: Torture is legally and morally right. Counterargument: Premise 1: By dehumanizing someone you can collect information easier, but this also dehumanizes you. Premise 2: Human rights are suspended by the torturer to get what he wants. Premise 3: Information received validity cant be trusted. Conclusion: Torture is legally and morally wrong. The first premise of the counterargument is centered on the acts of violence inflicted by the torturer. To be affective as a torturer you have to think of your victim as less than human, in order to justify the human rights violations you have to commit to get any useful information. This process have been seen throughout history, the most notable is the Nazis treatment of the Jews in World War II. These actions can led to not only war crimes, human rights violations but also legal ramifications which will have long term effects on the person i.e. criminal charges and psychological damage. For the second premise you have to look at human rights on a global scale. The United Nations, in 1948, wrote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. One of the Articles contained in it is Article 5, which states No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. In particular, no one shall be subjected without his free consent to medical or scientific experimentation. (UDHR, 1948). The United States of America was one of the members who helped draft and signed this collections of rights. By denying to fall it and allowing personnel within its government or military to use torture as a mean to get information the United States government as a whole is guilty of human rights violations. The last premise can be summed up from the Army Field Manual 34-52 Chapter 1, Experience indicates that the use of force is not necessary to gain the cooperation of sources for interrogation. Therefore, the use of force is a poor technique, as it yields unreliable results, may damage subsequent collection efforts, and can induce the source to say whatever he thinks the interrogator wants to hear. (AFM 34-52, 1992) This statement comes from an organization, the U.S. Army, which has been at war no stop with terrorism for over a decade and they dont even believe torture is an effective way to get information. It is hard to get a better first hand source then that. All of these lead to the conclusion that the argument is fundalmentally flawed. If you look at the main points you can see how they dont support the conclusion, whereas the counter argument not only supports but validates its conclusion. One, provides time sensitive information, which cant be trusted. Two, the ends justify the means, the same argument the Nazis use, which didnt make it right. Finally, our enemy use it so we should. This mindset was ban by the UN, which the US is part of, which makes the premise invalid. By looking at the evidence provided, which shows that torture dehumanized a person, but is globally wrong based off of articles of the UN, there is no other conclusion then torture is wrong. Not only on a personal standard, from what it does to someone. But since the USA has already signed an agreement banning it, it is legally wrong at the state level as well. References Universal Declaration of Human Rights (10 December 1948) retrieved from http://www.claiminghumanrights.org/udhr_article_5.html FM 34-52 (1992, September 28) retrieved from https://fas.org/irp/doddir/army/fm34-52.pdf

Russian History Essay -- Vladimir Lenin, Peter the Great

The Soviet Union has had numerous leaders throughout it’s existence as a country. However, there are a few leaders that will forever be in Russian history books and lectures. Among those leaders who have had the largest influence on the Soviet Union are; Vladimir Lenin, Peter the Great, Alexander Kerensky, and Joseph Stalin to name a few. While all of the leaders are interesting and have influence on Russia, this research paper will specifically focus on Joseph Stalin. Joseph Stalin lead the Soviet Union for over 20 years and he certainly had a unique way of doing so. While Stalin did contribute to turning Russia into a world superpower, he was a murderous dictator who is among many things, responsible for millions of innocent lives, genocides, and famines. While Stalin’s birthday is printed in different places as two different dates, Iosiph Vissarionovich Djugashvili was born on December 21, 1879 in Gori, Georgia (Montefiore 2004). Stalin was born to â€Å"illiterate peasant parents†, Vissarion and Ekaterina, and his father is said to be the cause of his ruthless soul. According to the Jewish Library, he was undeservingly beaten by his father and this was reason for him to have revengeful feelings towards everyone who had power over him (Jewish Virtual Library 2011). He eventually would chang his name to Joseph Stalin, which means â€Å"Man of Steel†. Some sources say that Lenin is referenced in his name change (stal + Lenin = Stalin) (Jewish Virtual Library 2011). When Stalin was just seven years old his face was permanently scared after he acquired a case of smallpox. Iosiph attended church school when he was young and would also do so later under the preference of his mother (Radzinsky 1996). Stalin was involved in two ac... ... of tyrant reign, millions of innocent Soviet people were enduring murders, false imprisonments, famines, brainwashing, and terror. They feared constantly that they be subjected to unjustified arrest or execution. They feared for the lives of their friends and family and also for the future of their children and the future of Russia. Stalin died on March 19, 1962 in Kazan where he was banished to. It is thought that he had help, like his father, in dying. I’m sure that the Soviet people breathed a sigh of relief, they no longer had to live in such an intense fear and anxiety. However terrible he was many Russians still believed him to be a great leader. Stalin was a murderous dictator who is among many things, responsible for millions of innocent lives, genocides, and famines however, Russia has Stalin to thank for turning the country into a world superpower.

Decision Analysis Essay

In business today, many decision-making situations occur under conditions of uncertainty. The demand for a product can be one number this week and double that number next week or vice versa. There are several decision-making techniques to aid the decision maker in dealing with these types of uncertainties. There are two classes of decision situations, situations where probabilities can be assigned to future occurrences and probabilities that cannot be assigned. A decision-making situation includes several components, the decision itself and the actual events that can occur in the future, we refer to those as states of nature. The states of nature can be good and bad economic conditions, cold or warm weather, and an accident or no accident. The state of nature that does occur will determine the outcome of the decision, but the decision maker has no control over which state occurs. Payoff tables are organized so that the decision situations can be analyzed. Using a payoff table is a means of organizing a decision situation, including the payoffs from different decisions, given the various states of nature. Each decision will result in a specific outcome corresponding to the particular state of nature that occurs in the future. Payoffs are usually expressed as revenues or costs, but the can be expressed in a variety of values. Once a payoff table has been organized, there are several criteria available for making the actual decision. One of those is the maximax criterion. The maximax criterion results in the maximum of the maximum payoffs. The decision maker would be very optimistic. They would assume the most favorable state of nature would occur. When considering profit, the decision maker would pick the state of nature that gains the highest revenue. When considering cost, the decision maker would select the minimum of the minimum of costs, which is also referred to as the minimin criterion. The maximin criterion is another criteria that can be used. The maximin criterion results in the maximum of the minimum payoff. This is a pessimistic criterion. The decision maker assumes that the minimum payoff will occur. Of those minimum payoffs, the maximum is selected. If the decision maker were to consider costs instead of profits as the payoff, the conservative approach would to select the maximum cost for each decision. Then they would select the minimum of those costs. The minimax regret criterion minimizes the maximum regret. Regret is the difference between the payoff from the best decision and all other decision payoffs. With this criterion, the decision maker attempts to avoid regret by selecting the decision alternative that minimizes the maximum regret. To use this criterion, the decision maker selects the maximum pay off under each state of nature and then subtracts the other payoffs from those amounts. The Hurwicz criterion is a compromise between the maximax and maximin criteria. The decision maker is not totally optimistic not totally pessimistic. With this criterion, the payoffs are weighted by a cofficient of optimism, which is a measure of the decision maker’s optimism. The coefficient of optimism must be determined by the decision maker, which is a limitation. It can be difficult for a decision maker to accurately determine his or her degree of optimism. This is a completely subjective decision making criterion. The equal likelihood criterion is done in the same way. The equal likelihood criterion multiplies the decision payoff for each state of nature by an equal weight. In conclusion, decision making analysis is a key component to maximizing profit and minimizing cost. There are several different decision-making criteria. Which criteria is used would be based on the decision makers outlook on the future.

By the River by Steven Herrick Essay

Steven Herrick’s work of â€Å"By the river† displays a bildungsroman novel in which harry goes on a journey through life, facing love and loss. Steven Herrick’s verse novel â€Å"By the River† is very successful in conveying the significant ideas about human nature. He uses key themes such as grief, environmental influence and coming of age to explore these ideas. To convey the themes Herrick uses multiple techniques such as imagery, repetition, personification and positive and negative influence throughout his text. Grief is a key theme throughout Herrick’s novel â€Å"By the River† highlighting the suffering and distress from losing a loved one. Herrick explores this theme through the death of Harry Hodby’s mother and his close friend Linda. The first element of grief depicted in the novel is shown through the quotes â€Å"we sit in the tender shade/leave him to share some time with our mother/his wife. Herrick uses collective nouns in this quote to convey the ownership of the mother that not only does it show her titles but also it shows the roles within their lives. Herrick then uses personification to describe the â€Å"tender shade† and how it has a positive connotation displaying his positive outlook on grief. A second element that is depicted throughout Herrick’s novel is shown in the quote â€Å"and dad/alone in the kitchen/stirring his tea/until it was cold in the cup† Herrick uses imagery in this quote to display the numbness in his life. By using the theme grief we clearly see the ideas about human nature and how they can have a positive and negative outlook on life. Steven Herrick explores the idea that environment can define who you are. Herrick uses imagery to show the impact of setting on Harry. He shows Harry’s confusion in the first poem â€Å"The Colour of My Town. † Harry shows us the effects the environment of the place he has grown up in has had on his identity. And example of this would be â€Å"after listening to all these ugly little voices, I want to run away†. Herrick personifies the voices creating the impression that the voices has an effect over Harry making it hard for him to chose certain decisions that would shape parts of his life. Also the use of depressive connotations like squashed and dead in â€Å"A dead snake, cane toads squash flat, nothing that lives, and nothing that shines†. Herrick uses this theme to create a sense of the environmental effect on Harry Hodby’s identity, and to show the significant ideas about human nature. Coming of age is another major theme throughout Herrick’s novel â€Å"By the River†. In this novel we see Harry go on a journey through childhood to adolescence experiencing various changes and pleasures of life in a country town. In the quote â€Å"I see clearly now/which part of me/is my dads/the part inside/the good part/the part that knows/Johnny Barlow/Linda/the ring/the white cross† Herrick uses a list method and lists multiple things to show how much Harry has taken in over time and realized what has actually happened throughout his journey. This shows his change from child to adolescence. Herrick uses the repetition of the word â€Å"part† to emphasise to his readers that Harry has finally found the part of him, which belongs to his dad. Coming of age is a very important theme in this novel and expresses very significant ideas about human nature. Herrick was very successful in conveying the key elements of human nature by expressing them through the themes, grief, environmental influence and coming of age. The poetic techniques Herrick used to explore these themes are clearly shown throughout his verse novel â€Å"By the River†. As an audience we watch Harry Hodby go from child to adolescence and observe the various changes of life in a country town.

Kepler essays

Kepler essays I believe that Kepler contribute order in a time of disorder and chaos. Before Keplers theory was excepted, everybody believed that God controlled everything and earth is the center of the universe. People at the time were very superstitious, they believed in witches. They were very religious as well; they didnt want to accept anything but God. I think there was chaos because everybody was confused. No one knew the truth of universe and there were many religious wars at the time. Kepler had different views of the world then others because he was a scientist and an astronomer. I noticed that in the play A Short History of Night Kepler mentioned few times that things happen according to angles, geometry. That shows how he was very different from others. He didnt agree with the church. He was against what church said and he convinced the others that religion wasnt everything and God doesnt make everything happen. He spent all his life to prove that his theory and at the end he proved t hat the planets revolve by itself on axis. Which practically proved that church is wrong and that took away some of the powers and belief from the church. This play made me realized how it was in time of chaos. I noticed from beginning of play to end of the play there were many religious wars and battles. And also how religious people were at the time. There were witch hunters and witches were badly tortured and hunters accused even innocent girls and women and burnt them. ...

The Eight Types of Alternative Fuel

The Eight Types of Alternative Fuel Free Online Research Papers There are different kinds of alternative fuels in the world at present. There are eight different types of alternative fuels which are Ethanol, Natural Gas, Propane, Hydrogen, Bio-Diesel, Electricity, Methanol and P-series. All these alternative fuels have different properties, different source used, and different vehicles used and different impact on the environment and on the world. But one point to be noted is that even though they have different impact on environment, alternative fuels in vehicles can generally reduce harmful pollutants and exhaust emissions. Another interesting fact I found about these fuels in particular is that they can rather be domestically produced and can be derived from renewable resource but the fossil fuels which are being used today such as petroleum and diesel cannot be derived from renewable source. Once these fossil fuels will be extinct alternative fuels are the one which will come to use. I personally think that if even a small majority of the people in the world start using alternative fuels then the pollution and disease will decline and the pressure on fossil fuels, of course, will decrease. The advantages to use alternative fuels are massive. The impact of alternative fuels can have on earth, on people, on so many things is just great. Using alternative fuels can change a lot of things on earth a pollution free place. Here are some possible alternative means of propulsion for road vehicles. 1. Biodiesel 2. Electricity 3. Ethanol 4. Hydrogen 5. Natural Gas 6. Propane BIODIESEL Biodiesel is a fuel made by chemically reacting alcohol with vegetable oils, fats or greases, such as recycled restaurant greases. It is most often used in blends of two percent or 20 percent (B20) Biodiesel. It can also be used as neat Biodiesel (B100). Biodiesel fuels are compatible with and can be used in unmodified diesel engines with the existing fuelling infrastructure. It is the fastest growing alternative transportation fuel in the U.S. Biodiesel contains virtually no sulphur, so it can reduce sulphur levels in the nation’s diesel fuel supply. Removing sulphur from petroleum based fuel results in poor lubrication. Biodiesel is a superior lubricant and can restore the lubricity of diesel fuel in blends of only one or two percent. Biodiesel can also improve the smell of diesel fuel, sometimes smelling like French fries. B100 and Biodiesel blends are sensitive to cold weather and may require special anti-freeze, as petroleum-based diesel fuel does. Biodiesel acts like a detergent additive, loosening and dissolving sediments in storage tanks. Because Biodiesel is a solvent, B100 may cause rubber and other components to fail in vehicles manufactured before 1994. Using B20 minimizes these problems. Environmental Impacts: Biodiesel is renewable, safe, and biodegradable, and reduces serious air pollutants such as particulates, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and air toxics. Emissions of nitrogen oxides, however, increase slightly with the concentration of Biodiesel in the blend. Biodiesel’s fuel characteristics exceed those of petroleum-based diesel in cetane number, resulting in superior ignition. Therefore, Biodiesel has a higher flash point, making it more versatile where safety is concerned. Horsepower, torque, and fuel economy are comparable to diesel. Benefits of Biodiesel Use: Biodiesel Displaces Imported Petroleum. Biodiesel Reduces Emissions. Biodiesel Improves Lubricity. Biodiesel is Easy to Use. Average emission impacts of Biodiesel fuels in CI engines Drawbacks of Biodiesel Use: Biodiesel contains 8% less energy per gallon than typical No. 2 diesel in the United States; 12.5% less energy per pound. The difference between these two measurements is caused by the fact that Biodiesel is slightly denser than diesel fuel, so there are slightly more pounds in a gallon of fuel. All Biodiesel, regardless of its feedstock, provides about the same amount of energy. Safety, Health and Environmental Issues: Biodiesel contains no hazardous materials and is generally regarded as safe to use. Like any fuel, certain fire safety precautions must be taken. Appendix III contains a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) with details on concerns in these areas. A number of studies have found that Biodiesel biodegrades much more rapidly than conventional diesel. Users in environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands, marine environments, and national parks have taken advantage of this property. ELECTRICITY In 1891, William Morrison of Des Moines, Iowa, developed the first electric car. By the turn of the century, dedicated electric vehicles (EVs) outnumbered their gasoline-powered counterparts by two-to-one. Today there are about 10,500 dedicated EVs in use in the United States, mostly in the West and South. Researchers are still working on the same problem that plagued those early dedicated EVsan efficient battery. Battery Limitations: Dedicated electric vehicles must have batteries that can be discharged and recharged repeatedly. Since most batteries can’t store large amounts of energy, a dedicated electric vehicle must carry as many batteries as possible. In some dedicated EVs, the batteries constitute almost half the weight of the car. The typical dedicated EV battery pack must be replaced every 20,000 to 30,000 miles, a big expense in itself. Tax incentives can offset some of these costs. The batteries limit the range of a dedicated EV, which is determined by the amount of energy stored in its battery pack. The more batteries a dedicated EV can carry, the more range it can attain, to a point. Too many batteries can weigh down a vehicle, reducing its load-carrying capacity and range, and causing it to use more energy. The typical dedicated EV can only travel 50 to 130 miles between charges. This driving range assumes perfect driving conditions and vehicle maintenance. Weather conditions, terrain, and some accessory use can significantly reduce the range. Dedicated EVs, therefore, have found a niche market as neighborhood or low speed vehicles for consumers going short distances at speeds of 30 mph or less. The batteries used in EVs today include lead-acid, NiCad, NiMH, nickel iron, and nickel zinc. Extensive research is being conducted on advanced batteries that will increase electric vehicle range. Some of these batteries are scaled-up versions of the batteries used in portable computers. Such advanced batteries could double the current range of electric vehicles, and hold promise for being longer lived. Environmental Impacts: Dedicated electric vehicles produce no tailpipe emissions, but producing the electricity to charge them can. EVs are really coal, nuclear, hydropower, oil, and natural gas cars, because these fuels produce most of the electricity in the U.S. Coal alone generates more than half of our electricity. When fossil fuels are burned, pollutants are produced like those emitted from the tailpipe of a gasoline-powered automobile. Power plant emissions, however, are easier to control than tailpipe emissions. Emissions from power plants are strictly regulated, controlled with sophisticated technology, and monitored continuously. In addition, power plants are usually located outside major centers of urban air pollution. Maintenance: The low maintenance of dedicated electric vehicles is appealing to many consumers. Dedicated EVs acquire no tune-ups, oil changes, water pumps, radiators, injectors, or tailpipes. And no more trips to the service station. Dedicated EVs can be refueled at home at night, when electric rates are low, making the fuel cost comparable to or lower than gasoline. There are also more than 600 refueling stations, mostly in California and Arkansas. HYBRIDS HEVS HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) may be the best alternative vehicle for the near future, especially for the individual consumer. HEVs offer many of the energy and environmental advantages of the dedicated electric vehicle without the drawbacks. Hybrids are powered by two energy sources an energy conversion unit (such as a combustion engine or fuel cell) and an energy storage device (such as battery, flywheel, or ultra capacitor). The energy conversion unit can be powered by gasoline, methanol, compressed natural gas, hydrogen, or other alternative fuels. HEVs have the potential to be two to three times more fuel-efficient than conventional vehicles. HEVs can have either a parallel or series design. In a parallel design, the energy conversion unit and electric propulsion system are connected directly to the vehicles wheels. The primary engine is used for highway driving; the electric motor provides added power during hill climbs, acceleration, and other periods of high demand. In a se ries design, the primary engine is connected to a generator that produces electricity. The electricity charges the batteries and drives an electric motor that powers the wheels. Hybrid power systems were designed as a way to compensate for the limitations of dedicated EVs. Because batteries can only supply power for short trips, a generator powered by an internal combustion engine was added to increase range. A HEV can function as a purely electric vehicle for short trips, only using the internal combustion engine when longer range is required. HEVs on the market today combine an internal combustion engine with a battery and electric motor, resulting in vehicles with twice the fuel economy of conventional vehicles. Depending on driving conditions, one or both are used to maximize fuel efficiency and minimize emissions, without sacrificing performance. An HEV battery doesn’t have to be recharged. It has a generator powered by the internal combustion engine to recharge the batt eries whenever they are low. A regenerative braking system captures excess energy when the brakes are engaged. The recovered energy is also used to recharge the batteries. Environmental Impacts: The HEV provides extended range and rapid refueling, as well as significant environmental benefits, reducing pollutants by one-third to one half. Their range and fuel economy will make them attractive to consumers as more models become available to meet their needs. ETHANOL History of Ethanol: Ethanol is not a new product. It was widely used before the Civil War. In 1908, Henry Ford designed his Model T to run on a mixture of gasoline and alcohol, calling it the fuel of the future. In 1919, the ethanol industry received a blow when Prohibition began. Since ethanol was considered liquor, it could only be sold when it was denatured rendered poisonous by the addition of petroleum components. With the end of Prohibition in 1933, interest in the use of ethanol increased. Ethanol as a Fuel: In the 1970s, the oil embargoes revived interest in ethanol as an alternative fuel. Today, more than fifty ethanol plants, mostly in the Midwest, produce over a billion gallons of ethanol. Gasoline containing ten percent ethanolE10is widely used in urban areas that fail to meet standards for carbon monoxide and ozone. Since ethanol contains oxygen, using it as a fuel additive results in up to 25 percent fewer carbon monoxide emissions than conventional gasoline. E10 is not considered an alternative fuel under EPACT, but a replacement fuel. There are about three million vehicles on the road today using ethanol blends. Vehicles are not converted to run on E85, they are manufactured. Flexible fuel vehicles (FFV) are designed to use any combination of ethanol and gasoline up to 85 percent ethanol. E85, a fuel that is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline is used mainly in the Midwest and South. There are about 150,000 light-duty vehicles using this fuel, serviced by ethanol fueling stations. Nearly half of these are private vehicles; the rest are federal, state and local government fleet vehicles. The cost of E85 is equivalent to mid-grade gasoline. The fueling process for E85 is the same as for gasoline, however, vehicle range is about 15 percent less. With an octane rating of 100, power acceleration, payload capacity, and cruise speed are comparable to gasoline. Maintenance is also similar. Ethanol is made from domestic, renewable feed stocks. It can reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil. Using ethanol can also reduce carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide emissions. Ethanol is made from crops that absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. This carbon cycle maintains the balance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere when using ethanol as a fuel. As new technologies for producing ethanol from all parts of plants and trees become economical, the production and use of ethanol should increase dramatically. Natural Gas (CNG/LNG) The natural gas we use for heating, cooking, clothes drying, and water heating can also be a clean burning transportation fuel when compressed or liquefied. Natural gas vehicles burn so cleanly that they are used to carry TV cameras and reporters ahead of the runners in marathons. Natural gas is a nonrenewable fossil fuel with plentiful supplies in the United States. Its chemical formula is CH4. CNG- COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS Natural gas is usually placed in pressurized tanks when used as a transportation fuel. Even compressed to 2,400-3,600 pounds per square inch (psi), it still has only about one-third as much energy per gallon as gasoline. As a result, natural gas vehicles typically have a shorter range, unless additional fuel tanks are added, which can reduce payload capacity. With an octane rating of 120+, power, acceleration and cruise speed are comparable. Today, there are about 144,000 CNG vehicles in operation in the U.S., mostly in the South and West. About half are privately owned and half are vehicles owned by local, state, and Federal government agencies. Vehicles manufactured to run on CNG are available from several manufacturers. A gasoline engine can also be converted to run on CNG at a cost of $2,000-3,000, depending on the number of fuel tanks installed. The lower price of natural gas and tax incentives can help offset the cost of conversion. Some people are concerned about the safety of using CNG as a fuel. CNG tanks are designed for high pressures; they are many times stronger than normal gasoline tanks. It is much less likely that CNG fuel tanks will be damaged in vehicle crashes than the typical gasoline tank. Additionally, if a fuel line is accidentally severed, the natural gas that is released rises and disperses, unlike gasoline, which forms puddles. Natural gas also ignites at a much higher temperature than gasoline (1,200o Fahrenheit compared to 800o Fahrenheit), making accidental combustion of natural gas less likely. The production and distribution system for natural gas is in place, but the delivery system of stations is not extensive. Today, there are about 1,250 natural gas refueling stations in the United States, considerably less than the multitude of gasoline stations. CNG refueling stations are not always at typical gasoline stations, may not be conveniently located, and some have limited operating hours . Natural gas vehicles are well suited to business and public agencies that have their own refueling stations. Many fleets report two to three years longer service life, because the fuel is so clean-burning. Environmental Impacts: Compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles emit 85-90 percent less carbon monoxide, 10-20 percent less carbon dioxide, and 90 percent fewer reactive non-methane hydrocarbons than gasoline-powered vehicles. (Reactive hydrocarbon emissions produce ozone, one of the components of smog that causes respiratory problems.) These favorable emission characteristics result because natural gas is 25% hydrogen by weight; the only combustion production of hydrogen is water vapor. LNG- LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS: There are also about 3,100 vehicles in the U.S. that run on LNG that is liquefied by cooling to 259OF. Most LNG vehicles are government-owned; there are less than 100 LNG-fueling stations at this time. The advantage of LNG is that natural gas takes up much less space as a liquid than as a gas, so the tanks can be much smaller. The disadvantage is that the fuel tanks must be kept cold, which uses fuel. PROPANE Propane is an energy-rich fossil fuel often called liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). It is colorless and odorless; an odorant called mercaptan is added to serve as a warning agent. Propane is a by-product of petroleum refining and natural gas processing. And, like all fossil fuels, it is nonrenewable. The chemical formula for propane is C3H8. Under normal atmospheric pressure and temperature, propane is a gas. Under moderate pressure and/or low temperature, however, propane can easily be changed into a liquid and stored in pressurized tanks. Propane is 270 times more compact in its liquid state than it is as a gas, making it a portable fuel. HOMES AND BUSINESS: Homes and businesses use about one-third of the propane consumed in the U.S. Propane is used mostly in rural areas that do not have natural gas service, as well as in manufactured (mobile) homes. Homes that use propane as a main energy source have a large propane tank either above or below ground that holds between 5001,000 gallons of liquid fuel. Dealers deliver propane to the residences in trucks, filling the tanks several times a year. Propane is used in homes for air conditioning, heating water, cooking and refrigerating foods, drying clothes, lighting, and fueling fireplaces. Millions of backyard cooks use gas grills for cooking. And recreational vehicles (RVs) usually have propane-fueled appliances. More than a million businesses such as hotels, schools, and restaurants use propane for heating and cooling, cooking and refrigerating food, heating water, and lighting. Environmental Impacts: Propane-fueled engines produce less air pollution than gasoline engines. Carbon monoxide emissions from engines using propane are 50 to 92 percent lower than emissions from gasoline-fueled engines. Hydrocarbon emissions are 30 to 62 percent lower. Why is propane not more widely used as a transportation fuel? The infrastructure for distributing propane is in place across the country, but it is not as conveniently available as gasoline. In 2004, there were about 3,500 LPG vehicle-fueling stations in the U.S., which cost about the same to build as gasoline stations. Second, a conventional automobile engine has to be converted to use propane fuel, at a cost of approximately $2,500. Out of all the alternative fuels available today, the alternative fuel which I consider to be the system for the most potential is â€Å"THE HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS†. Given below is the clear description of the hydrogen fuel cell which supports my statement. HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS In the future, hydrogen may provide a significant contribution to the alternative fuel mix. The space shuttles use hydrogen for fuel. Fuel cells use hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity without harmful emissions; water is the main by-product. Hydrogen is a gas at normal temperatures and pressures, which presents greater transportation and storage hurdles than liquid fuels. No distribution system currently exists. Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, but it doesn’t exist on Earth as a gas; it is produced by two methods electrolysis and synthesis gas production from steam reforming or partial oxidation. Electrolysis uses electricity to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. The Department of Energy does not expect electrolysis to be the predominant method of producing large quantities of hydrogen fuel. Today, the predominant method of producing hydrogen is steam reforming of natural gas, although biomass and coal can also be used as feed stocks. High production costs have limited hydrogen as a fuel to date except in research vehicles, but research is progressing on more efficient ways to produce and use it. The largest drawback to widespread vehicle use will be storage the lower energy content of hydrogen requires fuel tanks six times larger than gasoline tanks. Its environmental benefits, however, mean that in 20 years, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles may be a common sight on the roadways of America. The Bush administration has launched a hydrogen fuel cell initiative to further research and development of this promising technology. Fuel Cells Offer Significant Improvements in Energy Efficiency and Emissions: Fuel cells represent a radically different approach to energy conversion, one that could replace conventional power generators like engines, turbines, and batteries in applications such as automobiles, power plants, and consumer electronics. Fuel cells, like batteries, directly convert chemical energy into electric power. But unlike batteries, fuel cells do not need recharging; instead they use fuel to produce power as long as the fuel is supplied. Fuel cells operate quietly and are relatively modular. Largely because of these characteristics, hydrogen-powered fuel cells promise: 1. For vehicles, over 50% reduction in fuel consumption compared to a conventional vehicle with a gasoline internal combustion engine. 2. Increased reliability of the electric power transmission grid by reducing system loads and bottlenecks. 3. Increased co-generation of energy in combined heat and power applications for buildings 4. Zero to near-zero levels of harmful emissions from vehicles and power plants 5. High energy density in a compact package for portable power applications STATUS OF HYDROGEN TODAY: Although hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, it does not naturally exist in its elemental form on Earth. Pure hydrogen must be produced from other hydrogen-containing compounds such as fossil fuels, biomass, or water. Each method of production requires a source of energy, i.e., thermal (heat), electrolytic (electricity), or photolytic (light) energy. Hydrogen is either consumed on site or distributed to end users via pipelines, trucks, or other means. Hydrogen can be stored as a liquid, gas, or chemical compound and is converted into usable energy through fuel cells or by combustion in turbines and engines. Fuel cells now in development will not only provide a new way to produce power, but will also significantly improve energy conversion efficiency, especially in transportation applications. LPG omitted because it scales the graph so trends of the other fuels are obscured. icecoolamigo@gmail.com Research Papers on The Eight Types of Alternative FuelAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfOpen Architechture a white paperGenetic EngineeringPETSTEL analysis of IndiaRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andThe Spring and AutumnRiordan Manufacturing Production PlanInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married Males

CHAPTER 1 Essays , Research Papers

CHAPTER 1 Mini-Exercises |1-1|(1) B, (2) D, (3) A, (4) C*, | | |(5) B, (6) D, (7) A, (8) D. | | |* Dividends paid in cash are | | |also subtracted in the | | |Financing section of the | | |Statement of Cash Flows..| |1-2|(1) SE, (2) A, (3) R, | | |(4) A,| | |(5) E, (6) A, (7) E, | | |(8) L, (9) A.. | |1-3|(1) CPA: Certified Public| | |Accountant | | |(2) GAAP: Generally Accepted | | |Accounting Principles | | |(3) AICPA: American Institute | | |of Certified Public| | |Accountants. | | |(4) SEC: Securities and | | |Exchange Commission| | |(5) FASB: Financial Accounting | | |Standards Board | Exercises |1-1 |(1) K, (3) I, (5) A, (7) | | |J, (9) C, (11) H, (13) N | |1-2 |(1) A, (3) R, (5) L, (7) | | |E, | | |(9) E, (11) A, (13) L, (15) | | |E| |1-3 |(1) L, (3) L, (5) SE, | | |(7) A, (9) E, | | |(11) R, (13) E, (15) A,| | |(17) E.| |1-4 |Total Assets = 11,819 (in| | |billions of Yen). | |1-5 |Req. 1: Total Assets = | | |$179,350 | |1-6 |Net Income is $25,100. | |1-7 |Net Income is $522 (in | | |millions). | |1-8 |Net Income is $50,180. | |1-9 |(A) Stockholders' Equity = | | |$74,200. | |1-10|(B) Total Liabilities =| | |$241,600. | |1-11|Net Income = $75,500. Total | | |Assets = $196,250.| |1-12|Ending Retained Earnings = | | |$40,100. | |1-13|(1) I, (3) F, (5) O, (7) I| |1-14|Cash flow from operating| | |activities = $95,000. | Problems |1-1|Req. 1: Net Income = $32,060.| | | | | |Req. 3: Total Assets = | | |$157,000. | |1-2|Req. 1: Net Income = $4,925. | |1-3|Req. 1: (d) Income = -$2,900, | | |Cash = -$10,500. | |1-4|Req. 4: Stockholders Equity = | | |$29,000| Alternate Problems |1-1|Req. 1: Net Income = $20,050.| | | | | |Req 3: Total Assets = | | |$117,050. | |1-2|Req. 1: Net Income = $9,120. | |1-3|(d) Income -$36,000, Cash | | |-$30,000| Cases |1-1|(7) Total Liabilities = | | |$554,645,000.| |1-2|(2) Net Sales = | | |$1,834,618,000. | |1-3|(1) At the end of the most | | |recent year, American Eagle | | |Outfitters had total assets of | | |$1,963,676,000. Urban | | |Outfitters' had total assets = | | |$1,329,009,000. Clearly | | |American Eagle Outfitters is | | |the larger of the tow companies| | |in terms of total assets at the| | |end of the most recent year. | |1-4|Req. 2: Total Assets = | | |$142,000. | |1-5|Req. 1: Assert the need for an| | |independent audit of the | | |financial statements each year,| | |because this is the best way to| | |assure credibility -| | |conformance with GAAP, | | |completeness, and absence of | | |bias. | |1-6|(4) There is an ethics | | |violation in this case because | | |she would audit statements that| | |covered a period of time where | | |she was responsible for the | | |accounting operations of the | | |company. This is a problem both| | |in appearance and in fact.| |1-7|The solution to this case will | | |depend on the company and/or | | |accounting period selected for | | |analysis. | CHAPTER 2 Mini-Exercises |2-1 |(1) C, (2) H, (3) G, | ||(4) A, (5) I.| |2-2 |(1) D, (2) C, (3) A, | ||(4) I, (5) B.| |2-3 |(1) Y, (2) N, (3) Y, | ||(4) N, (5) Y, (6) N. | |2-4 |(1) CL, (3) NCA, (5) SE, | ||(7) CA, (9) NCA, (11) CA, | ||(13) SE, (15) CL. | |2-5 |(b) Cash -$7,000. Notes | ||Receivable +$7,000. | |2-6.1|Assets: Debit: increases; | ||Credit: decreases.| |2-7.2|Liabilities: an Increase is | ||recorded as a Credit; a| ||Decrease is recorded as a | ||Debit.| |2-8 |(d) Equipment (+A) | ||15,000| ||Cash (-A) | ||6,000| ||Notes Payable (+L)| ||9,000| |2-9 |Cash has a $6,800 debit| ||balance. | |2-10 |Total Assets = $44,700.| |2-11 |2007: Current Ratio = 1.50 | ||2008: Current Ratio = 1.18 | |2-12 |(a) F, (b) I, (c) F, | ||(d) I, (e) F..| Exercises |2-1 | (1) E, (3) B,(5) | | |K,(7) S,(9) I, | | || | |(11) O, (13) C, (15) D, | | |(17) N, (19) T.| |2-2 |Req. 1: (k) Received: | | |Investments (A); Given: Cash | | |(A) | |2-3 |(3) Taxes Payable: CL,| | |credit balance. | |2-4 |(c) Cash +9,000. Notes| | |Payable +9,000. | |2-5 |Req. 1: (c) Liabilities: | | |Dividends Payable +121.4. | | |Stockholders' Equity: | | |Retained Earnings -121.4| |2-6 |(e) Land (+A) | |

Briefly elaborate what this expressionist form consists of and how it Essay

Briefly elaborate what this expressionist form consists of and how it reflects the movement as a whole. Then relate these genera - Essay Example Moreover, it is depicted as choosing the subject matter of spiritual reclamation and using an oratorical tone. In reality, expressionism combined realist and symbolist objects and its transcendental instruments provided an intuition into the social and historical elements (Bronner & Kellner, 4). Expressionism has often been characterized based on the analytical and abstract proclamations of expressionist artists and literarians. In truth, the novel and modernistic art movements that prospered in Europe resulted in various confused ideas and beliefs that had been associated with the movement but had nothing to do with the art. Expressionism gained a significant artistic revolution after it rationalized its importance by proclaiming its profound unconventionality. The movement was further promoted by expressionist artists, literati, and publicists. It soon gained recognition due to its abstract writing and legitimating theories. Geoffrey Perkins also describes these as being the reason s for its demise. The â€Å"two Expressionisms† theory developed by Wolfgang Paulsen divides expressionism into two stages. It explains the distinction of each stage, the first one being detracting and extremely creative and the second one being unsophisticated, vocal and politically active stage. However, there are various contradictory trends in the movement which make it difficult to place them into distinct stages for example, â€Å"naive† and â€Å"sophisticated†, â€Å"rhetorical† and â€Å"formal†, and â€Å"artistic† and â€Å"political† (Bronner & Kellner, 5). The presence of the two extreme tendencies of artistic and political, and rhetorical and formal in the same works makes the segregation of expressionism into two categories unattainable. Expressionism has an inconsistent culture. The lack of homogeneity of expressionist rebellions allows inaccurate assumptions to be made. Despite difficulties in defining expressionism, this art movement has been influenced by the social conditions and the cultural traditions that existed in Germany during that time. Nietzsche’s powerful significance in Germany had a great impact on expressionism. Expressionist art was also influenced by romanticism, gothic, and baroque styles of painting (Bronner & Kellner, 7). The zeal and dissatisfaction of expressionist spurred them to demand novel forms of expressions thereby resulting in modernization. Expressionism is therefore a crucial source of knowledge illustrating subjectivity through its paradoxical attempts (Bronner & Kellner, 31). The film The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari was written by two authors, Hans Janowitz ad Carl Mayer. The story was influenced by an event Janowitz experienced before World War I near Holstenwall. In trying to find an inspiration, he followed the path of a girl’s laugh which seemed to taper off behind a shrubbery. Few minutes later a dark bourgeois man passed him and the next day a murder in Holstenwall made the headlines (Kracauer, 1). The story of the film is therefore located in Holstenwall where a fair moves. It is also important to note that Janowitz had served as an officer in the regiment during World War I and had returned developing a sense of hatred for the authority that resulted in the deaths of millions of people. After both the authors had written the manuscript they were stuck at the name of the

The tax issues Starbucks is facing with the UK government Essay

The tax issues Starbucks is facing with the UK government - Essay Example Their action of tax evasion stoked public protests whereby demonstrators brandishing ply cards flushing harsh words against Starbucks. Example of one held in a crowd huddled up in one of the entrances of a Starbuck coffee branch read â€Å" 74% of 45 billion pounds benefit cuts taken from women’s income† while another screamed in bold â€Å" Starbucks have not paid tax since 2009 (Mangold, 2010)†. The protesters seething with vent also threatened to switch allegiance to rival companies like Costa. These threats appeared to shake-up Starbuck who feared their customers were starting to decline and this compelled them to appease the population by volunteering to the British taxman 10 million pounds more tax than required by law for the years 2013-14. Since the start of the economic depression that ails most of the western world there has been deliberate action to conjure up ways to hoard up monies to revive the economy. One of ways to expand the exchequer is to invoke strict laws to close down on tax evaders and enact tougher punishments for offence (Gilbert, 2008, p. 67). This has been the main attribute as to the disclosure of how much cooperation tax Starbuck and other large corporate pay and prompting the revenue collectors up to their ante. A scrutiny at a SWOT analysis of Starbucks reveals its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Starbucks Corporation serves restaurants and coffeehouses worldwide with its headquarters in the USA. Its revenue and profits for 2012 were $ 13.29 billion and $ 1.38 billion respectively (Barney, 2009). With its CEO Howard Schultz, Starbucks employs 149,000 employees. Some of its biggest competitors include MacDonald Corp., Costa Coffee, Caribou Coffee Company, Dunkin Brands Group, and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters among others. Starbuck is the no. 1 brand coffeehouse chain in the

Biological Aspects Of The Evolution Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Biological Aspects Of The Evolution - Case Study Example The ancestral character is normally inherited from a distant ancestor while the derived character is one that has experienced fresh evolutionary transformation in a group. The derived characters are employed to classify species that share the trait together to signify that a common contemporary ancestor had similar traits. The sharks share a common character with the rest of the organism in the tree, which is a vertebra. This implies that all animals in the phylogenetic tree are vertebrae. The second trait that is found in all the animals except the shark is a bony skeleton that developed in Phase 2 of the tree. This makes the shark different from the other organisms. At level 3, the specific trait that is shared amongst the rest of animals is four limbs. Therefore, ray-finned fish are separated from the other animals at this stage of growth. At the development stage, 4 the common trait is an amniotic egg that is present in the remaining species. At level 5, the derived character that makes primates, rodents, and rabbits to be distinct is the existence of hair. The crocodiles, dinosaurs, and birds, have one trait, which is two post-orbital fenestrae (University of California Museum of Paleontology, 2011). In conclusion, transformation in character happens in a period where traits may be acquired or become extinct.

Some Abortions are Immoral and Some are Moral Essay

Some Abortions are Immoral and Some are Moral - Essay Example The debate on 'Why would a mother choose to end her own child's life' is never ending. There are various moral, ethical, health and legal issues involved. Abortion not only effects mother and her baby but also the rest of the family members: father, siblings of baby, grandparents, friends and everyone else involved in the process. 1. Measure of birth control: 98% of abortions result as a measure of birth control. It is the leading cause of death in America. Since no birth control method is 100% effective, women opt for a termination in case of an unplanned pregnancy ("Abortion 101,"n.d.). 2. Teenage Pregnancy: One of the major reasons of teenage pregnancy is unawareness. Most of these pregnancies are unintended resulting from unsafe sex. Teens choose abortion as they are not prepared to become parents at such an early age of life. In 1999, over 148,000 teenage pregnancies ended in abortion. Most of the abortions are performed without the consent and knowledge of parents. The best measure to prevent the teenage pregnancy is the education about safe sex and support of parents (Alford, 2003). 3. Rape and incest: Rape and incest victims account for 1% of the abortion cases ("Abortion 101,"n.d.).Abortion is often seen as a solution to the problem. But it can have serious long lasting effects on the mother such as depression, guilt, anger, loneliness. (Reardon, 1994). 4. Single parenting: In many cases, woman's partner may not support her in pregnancy and wants to go ahead with the abortion. This leaves mother in dilemma to choose birth or abortion. Understanding the problems faced by single mothers in the society, mother may opt for an abortion ("Why Do Women Have Abortions," 2006). 5. Financial issues: Some mothers consider that they are not financially sound to support their child after birth. This situation may lead to inadequacy of indispensable resources in upbringing of the child. The future and security of both the mother and the child are at risk. Most of the times this situation is due to single parenting ("Why Do Women Have Abortions," 2006). 6. Pregnancy due to a dishonest premarital or extramarital relationship: Pregnancy resulting from an illicit relation may ruin a women's family and social life. It may have serious impact on other family members such as her husband, other children, in laws and friends. 7. Pregnancy as a hurdle in education and career: College age women form the major abortion carrying group. Pregnancy is seen as hurdle in realizing their dreams. 8. Gender selection: It is also a major cause of abortions, especially in Asian countries like India and China. Families who do not have enough funds to raise and educate many children, opt for sons who will eventually earn for the family in future and abort girl child with the fear of raising her to be married into someone's else's home. 9. Domestic violence issues: Women subjected to domestic violence in their families do not want to give birth and raise their babies in such an environment and choose an abortion over birth. 10. Birth defects detected in the babies: If the medical tests detect birth defects in the babies, mothers can opt

The role of humans in the global warming Term Paper

The role of humans in the global warming - Term Paper Example A war that is now fought with scientific data as the baseline, the rifts between the two opposing sides continues to widen with rising global temperatures, evidently, becoming grossly enjoined in the controversy. From the observed instrumental temperature records, the rising sea levels, to the disappearing glaciers in the Northern Hemisphere relative to the increased greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, the indication that the present environmental state of affairs is massively man-made is beyond any reasonable doubt (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate (b) Change chapter 2). Indeed, from a sketchy â€Å"greenhouse† effect warning as a result of heat-trapping emissions due to global, heavy reliance on fossil fuels over the last two decades to the recent conviction of an increasing impact on the Earth's climate, coupled with deforestation, but to a lesser extent, the absolute certainty of man’s contribution to global warming has become even clearer. While scie ntific experts have fallen short of determining the precise amounts of warming attributable to human activities, recent measurements of the temperature increases of the world’s oceans relative to the expected amounts of warming from greenhouse gases, strengthen the IPPC consensus (Hansen 1433). Without a doubt, the observed dramatic increases in the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere since the advent of modern civilization, buoyed in part by industrial revolution, have been higher than at any other time in history (IPCC (a) chapter 12). As alluded above, the principal greenhouse gases [carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and the halocarbons (such as fluorine, chlorine and bromine)], each of which absorbs outgoing infrared radiation in the atmosphere, ultimately warming the planet, are all attributable to human activities. Increases in carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the atmosphere have not only resulted from the use of fossil fuel s in transportation, cooling and the manufacture of cement and other goods, but have also emanated from decaying plants occasioned by deforestation (IPCC (b) 19-20). The alterations of natural land cover around the world, principally for crop production since the industrial era, have all negatively impacted global climate. Available evidence indicates that industrial activities over the past 150 years increased the level of Carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere from 280 parts per million to 379 parts per million (IPPC (b) 54). Agriculture related activities and man’s increasing need of landfills have contributed more than stuffed Methane (CH4) into the atmosphere. The use of fertilizers has also done a fair share in the emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O). Industrial use of halocarbons on the other hand has had irrefutable effects in stratospheric ozone depletion. A number of aerosols, now massively preset in the atmosphere, are the result of biomass burning and surface mining among other industrial processes (IPCC (b) chapter 8). The above human activities, in addition to many more similar activities, have all contributed to significant radioactive forcing in one way or another, consequently altering the earth’s surface temperatures over time. Accordingly, the 2013 revised, integrated scientific review of climate change by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (7) has

Corporate Social Responsibility Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Corporate Social Responsibility - Term Paper Example They also realized that injudicious exploitation of the communities and the environment is nothing more than making graveyards for themselves. The importance of a healthy community and environment has been realized quite late by the corporate world. The above realization resulted in the development of topics such as corporate social responsibility, sustainable development etc. he needs of nature and societies should be balanced with the needs of the corporate world in order to create a healthy business environment. Earlier, business world were concentrated more on their own needs which resulted in weakened relationships between the business and the society or nature. In short, current companies are aware of doing something to the communities and the environment in which they operate. This paper briefly analyses various dimensions of corporate social responsibility. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Change is an inevitable aspect of human life. One can see tremendous changes in ev ery aspect of human life if he compares the current standards of living with respect to that a couple of decades before. Business circle is also undergoing lot many changes over the past few decades. The introduction of globalization, privatization and liberalization forced corporate companies to implement many changes in their business strategies. Earlier, organizations were more focused increasing their profits. They did so at the expense of the interest of the people. However, current organizations realized the importance of doing something in return to the community in which it operates. Corporate Social Responsibility is thus evolved as a new term in organizational world recently. Nexen (2009) defined Corporate Social Responsibility â€Å"as a commitment to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of our workforce and their families as well as the local community at large† (Nexen, 2009). Ethics and morality are rapidly d isappearing words from human life; however in the corporate world, these topics are much debated ones now. Relationship building is accepted as the core of every business activity by the modern companies. They are keener in establishing or developing strong relationship with the community in which they operate. Companies often strengthen their relationship with the communities with the help of doing some favors to the communities for the re4sources they exploited from the community. In short, modern companies are so particular in protecting the community and the environment in which they operate. Corporate social responsibility is currently accepted just as another business strategy by the modern organizations. Various dimensions of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Hawkins, (2006) has pointed out that it is â€Å"the society which provides both customers and resources to fulfill the business objectives of the corporate companies† (Hawkins, 2006, p.2). A company can never operate in vacuum. Moreover, a company can never operate with the help of their own resources alone. For example, Coca Cola is the biggest soft drink manufacturer in the world at present. It operates in more than 200 countries worldwide. The major ingredient of every soft drink is water. Coke can never generate water from vacuum. They are exploiting both ground water and under water resources to produce their soft drinks. Exploitation of water resources will create drinking water

The role of humans in the global warming Term Paper

The role of humans in the global warming - Term Paper Example A war that is now fought with scientific data as the baseline, the rifts between the two opposing sides continues to widen with rising global temperatures, evidently, becoming grossly enjoined in the controversy. From the observed instrumental temperature records, the rising sea levels, to the disappearing glaciers in the Northern Hemisphere relative to the increased greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, the indication that the present environmental state of affairs is massively man-made is beyond any reasonable doubt (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate (b) Change chapter 2). Indeed, from a sketchy â€Å"greenhouse† effect warning as a result of heat-trapping emissions due to global, heavy reliance on fossil fuels over the last two decades to the recent conviction of an increasing impact on the Earth's climate, coupled with deforestation, but to a lesser extent, the absolute certainty of man’s contribution to global warming has become even clearer. While scie ntific experts have fallen short of determining the precise amounts of warming attributable to human activities, recent measurements of the temperature increases of the world’s oceans relative to the expected amounts of warming from greenhouse gases, strengthen the IPPC consensus (Hansen 1433). Without a doubt, the observed dramatic increases in the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere since the advent of modern civilization, buoyed in part by industrial revolution, have been higher than at any other time in history (IPCC (a) chapter 12). As alluded above, the principal greenhouse gases [carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and the halocarbons (such as fluorine, chlorine and bromine)], each of which absorbs outgoing infrared radiation in the atmosphere, ultimately warming the planet, are all attributable to human activities. Increases in carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the atmosphere have not only resulted from the use of fossil fuel s in transportation, cooling and the manufacture of cement and other goods, but have also emanated from decaying plants occasioned by deforestation (IPCC (b) 19-20). The alterations of natural land cover around the world, principally for crop production since the industrial era, have all negatively impacted global climate. Available evidence indicates that industrial activities over the past 150 years increased the level of Carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere from 280 parts per million to 379 parts per million (IPPC (b) 54). Agriculture related activities and man’s increasing need of landfills have contributed more than stuffed Methane (CH4) into the atmosphere. The use of fertilizers has also done a fair share in the emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O). Industrial use of halocarbons on the other hand has had irrefutable effects in stratospheric ozone depletion. A number of aerosols, now massively preset in the atmosphere, are the result of biomass burning and surface mining among other industrial processes (IPCC (b) chapter 8). The above human activities, in addition to many more similar activities, have all contributed to significant radioactive forcing in one way or another, consequently altering the earth’s surface temperatures over time. Accordingly, the 2013 revised, integrated scientific review of climate change by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (7) has

The Development Quantum Computing Essay Example for Free

The Development Quantum Computing Essay The story of computers started with the abacus invented by the Babylonians around 500 B. C. In 1614 John Napier began to develop mechanical computers such as the Babbage differential engine that could carry out one fixed problem to the accuracy of 20 decimal places using steam power. This is a picture of the left side of the Manchester Mark 1 computer, which was constructed in 1947. However, computing didnt advance until the introduction of vacuum tube powering in the early 20th century and transistors in 1947. At present computers work by manipulating bits, that can only be of discrete values of 1 or 0. In a digital computer the value of a bit is generated by the voltage on a capacitor, with a charged capacitor representing 1 and an uncharged capacitor denoting 0. According to Moores law the number of transistors in computer chips doubles every 18 months and computers have been seen to double in speed and half in size every two years, this is due to advanced lithography that allows wires and transistors contained in chips to be one hundredth of the width of a human hair These computers can carry out calculations using algorithms, a precise set of instructions used to solve a particular problem, an example of a fast or usable algorithm is addition and a slow or hard algorithm is factorisation. There a limits to present computers, that cant seem to be overcome by present technology. Hard algorithms like factorisation increase in time taken to solve exponentially when the number of digits increase, factorising a 400 digit number would take the most technologically advanced computer a billion years to perform. Computers have also reached their present size boundaries as transistors and wires cant be decreased to less than a width of an atom. (Approximately 10? 10 meters) The dawn of quantum computers In 1982 Richard Feynman began to consider the idea of quantum computers and in 1985 a revolutionary paper was published by David Deutsch of Oxford university, describing a universal quantum computer, however a use for quantum computers couldnt be found, until 1994 when Peter Shor from ATTs Bells laboratories devised a quantum algorithm that could theoretically perform efficient factorisation, creating a killer application for quantum computers for their great potential to break complex codes, for example electronic bank accounts, which gain their security from the present difficulty in factorising large numbers. What a Quantum computer can do for you In order to continue the advance in computing a new type of technology needed to be exploited. According to quantum physics a subatomic particle cant be said to exist, there are only probabilities of its existence and position until its definite state and position is discovered, then its probabilities collapse. Quantum physics breaks down the classically binary nature of a bit, with the invention of a quantum bit or qubit that can exist in coherent superposition, i. e. as a 0, 1 or simultaneously as a 1 and 0, with a numerical coefficient representing the probability of each state. The qubit is represented by the nuclear spins of each individual atom, for example the change in energy state. When you perform a calculation using an electron existing in both states you are performing two calculations, when another superposed qubit is added four calculations can be performed at once and so on. This exponential increase means that the time taken to carry out calculations rapidly decreases. The time to carry out calculations also decreases as atoms change energy states far quicker than even the fastest computer processors. With only a few hundred qubits it is possible to represent more numbers than there are atoms in our universe. It also increases storage capacity exponentially, as N qubits can store 2 numbers at once. Imagine the qubits are atoms whose different electronic states can be controlled by a tuned laser; this will change their state allowing in only one computational step a calculation to be performed on 2 different input numbers encoded in coherent superpositions of N qubits. The actual space a quantum computer will take up will be significantly smaller than present day desk tops, allowing the further development of sophisticated, efficient palm held computers. This is because given the right calculation each qubit can take the place of an entire processor, meaning that 100 barium ions could take the place of 100 computer processors. Aside from computers quantum technology has developed rapidly in the last ten years. In June 2002 a team of Australian scientist were able to teleport a laser beam, causing it to disappear and be regenerated 3 ft away, the results are yet to be confirmed but if they are sound this development could in a matter of years be able to teleport actual objects significant distances. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance After Shors discovery quantum computing construction began in earnest, however due to the phenomena of decoherence no atom or photon, being the qubit, can be of an undetermined state after being detected, the probabilities collapse and its state becomes definite. This makes further calculations impossible as the exponential element of the qubit has been lost, causing it to behave as a regular analogous bit. In order to keep the coherence of the qubit the inner workings of a quantum computer must be separate from the outside environment to stop any interactions that may determine the state of the qubit from occurring, but also be accessible so that calculations can be carried out and results obtained. A solution was Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) a technique developed in the 1940s, which is widely used in medical imagery and chemistry. Experiments were carried out, during the mid 1990s and it was found using a classical fluid made of many (1023) selected molecules allowed each qubit to be represented by many molecules allowing interactions to take place between some of the molecules but still maintaining the coherence of the qubit. NMR treats the spins of qubits as tiny bar magnets that will line up when a magnetic field is applied, allowing manipulation of the qubits. Two alternative alignments are generated one parallel to the external field and one anti-parallel to the field, corresponding to two different quantum states. NMR procedures also use an oscillating electromagnetic field, which is specially selected according to the properties of the molecules used. This causes certain spins in the liquid to be rotated, causing them to perform the different calculations required. Example Hydrogen nuclei placed in a magnetic field of 10 tesla, change orientation at a frequency of 400 megahertz (radio frequency) Due to decoherence the pulse is only turned on for a few millionths of a second but can cause the spins to rotate by 180 degrees, a pulse half that length causes a 90 degree spin. This causes the spins to be of state 1 or 0 with equal probability. This causes the spin to rotate about the magnetic field, as shown in the image on the right. This rotation emits a weak radio signal, which is picked up by the NMR apparatus.

Death And Concentration Camps In The Holocaust History Essay

Death And Concentration Camps In The Holocaust History Essay The Holocaust was a horrifying crime against humanity. Adolf Hitler led a nation of Germans who were trying to rid inferior races. Hitler had a final solution to take care of anybody who he saw as inferior. The plans included in the Final Solution included the deportation, exploitation, and eventual extermination of European Jews. (Grobman) His method was to kill any undesirables. He would use concentration camps and death camps. Within the years 1941-1945 over eleven million people were killed. Six million of those who died were killed simply because they were Jewish. Over one million children were also killed during the Holocaust. Nazis, Hitlers followers, killed over two thirds of the Jewish population in Europe. Groups that were brought to concentration camps and death camps included Jews, gypsies, homosexuals, mentally or physically disabled people, and people who did not agree with the government. The first concentration camps were established in 1933. In the beginning concentration camps were places that held people in protective custody. Victims for protective custody included those who were both physically and mentally ill, gypsies, homosexuals, Jehovah Witnesses, Jews and anyone against the Nazis. By 1934 there were at least fifty concentration camps throughout Europe. In the beginning these camps were watched over by the police, and then Hitler had his security take over. Camps were set up for different reasons. Some for forced labor, others for medical experiments and, for death. Camps were set up along railroad lines, so that the prisoners would be close to their destination. As they were being transported either to a camp or from one to another, the soldiers kept telling the Jews to have hope. The conditions on the train were terrible. Many people died of starvation before they arrived. Most families ended up being separated when they arrived at a camp. Jews were forced to obey the guards orders from the moment they arrived at the camps. The prisoners usually had marks on their clothes or numbers on their arms to identify them. The conditions of the camps were terrible and inhumane. Within the first few days of being at the camps, thousands of people died of hunger, starvation and disease. Other people died from the cruel punishments of the guards beatings and torture. In 1937, seven thousand Jews were in camps. By 1938, ten thousand more Jews were sent to camps. Jews were taken to camps if they expressed negative feelings about the government, if they married a non-Jew, if they were sick, mentally or physically, or if they had a police record. When someone escaped from the camp, all the prisoners in that group were shot. Nazis, who claimed that they did not necessarily hate Jews, seemed to enjoy making the Jews suffer. They also felt that slavery was better than killing their prisoners. Surrounding some of the camps in Poland was a forest that the Jews who planned to escape would flee into. Before the escaped prisoners got very far, they were killed. The people who could not run away from the camps thought about revolt. Joseph Mengels, one of the most notorious Nazi doctors, selected his victims for the gas chambers or medical experiments. His women victims for sterilization were usually twenty to thirty years of age. Other experiments included pu tting inmates into high pressure chambers to test the effects of altitude on pilots. Some inmates were frozen to determine the best way to revive frozen German soldiers.(Bauer) Auschwitz, located in Poland, was Nazi Germanys largest concentration camp. It was established by order of Hitler on April 27, 1940. At first, it was small because it was a work camp for Polish and Soviet prisoners of war. It became a death camp in 1941. Auschwitz included camp sites a few miles away from the main complex. At these sites, slave labor was used to kill the people. The working conditions were so poor that death was an almost certain result. In March 26, 1942, Auschwitz took women prisoners, but after August 16, 1942 the women were housed in Birkenau, another section of the camp. When the Jews arrived at Auschwitz, they were met with threats and promises. If they didnt do exactly as they were told, they would be beaten or deprived of food. They were assured that things would get better. The daily meals in Auschwitz consisted of soup, once a day, with a small piece of bread. Most of the prisoners were extremely malnourished and on the brink of death. The bad sanitary cond itions, the inadequate diet, the hard labor and other torturous conditions in Auschwitz, most people died after a few months of their arrival. The few people who managed to stay alive for longer were the ones who were assigned better jobs. In place of toilets, there were wooden boards with round holes and underneath them concretes troughs. Two or three hundred people could sit on them at once. While they were on these troughs they were watched in order to assure that they did not stay too long. When people were loaded onto trains to be taken to the gas chambers, they were told that they were being placed in new labor camps. This was one of the many lies told. It was impossible for the Jews to make out which buildings were the gas chambers because they seemed normal from the outside, just like any other building. Over the gas chambers were well kept lawns with flowers bordering them. When the Jews were being taken to the gas chambers, they thought they were being taken to the baths. At first, there were five gas chambers in Auschwitz, the procedure for gassing was About 900 people were gassed at a time. First they undressed in a nearby room. Then, they were told to go into another room to be deloused; they filled the gas chambers like packed like sardines. After a few minutes of horrible suffering, the victims died. The bodies were then transported to ovens where they were burned.(Weapon of War) The gas chambers were not large enough to execute great numbers at a time, so crematoriums were built. The crematoriums would burn 2,000 bodies in less than 24 hours. Many Jews and non Jews tried to escape from Auschwitz. Some succeeded. Of course they wanted to inform the world of what was going on. Those who escaped wrote descriptions of the horrors they suffered. Information spread to many countries,yet no countries seemed to do anything to help the situation. In fact, as the war progressed, the number of prisoners increased. In total, between one and a half and thr ee and a half million Jews were murdered at Auschwitz between the years 1940 and 1945 Usually, the death camps were part of existing camps, but some new ones were just set up for this purpose. When the prisoners first arrived at the camps, those sent to the left were transferred to death camps. Once in the death camps the prisoners were again divided. Women were sent to one side to have their hair shaven and the men to the other. There were six death camps; Chelmno, Treblinka, Auschwitz (Birkenau), Sobibor, Maidanek, and Belzec. These camps used gas from the shower heads to murder their victims. A seventh death camp, Mauthausen, used a method called extermination through labor. Basically they worked their prisoners until their bodies couldnt handle it anymore and they died. In conclusion, The Nazis, organized the destruction of the Jews. Why they did it is unknown. Perhaps it was because of a history of tension between the Christians and Jews, or perhaps, because Hitler needed a scapegoat for Germanys problems. People throughout history have been murdered; but never as many people as during the Holocaust in such a short period of time. One third of all the Jews in the world were eliminated. Hitlers method of killing the Jews and other undesirable people was first by torture and then by plain murder. In the early days of his leadership, he took away their rights as citizens and then as people. They were treated like slaves and lived like animals. After 1942, his goal was to exterminate all Jewish and impure(Stillman) people. Many Jews were killed before that date, but they were a small number compared to the mass murdering of the Holocaust.

Events that Lead to the Civil War Essay example -- history

Events that Lead to the Civil War The civil war is known for its issues of slavery and the conflict between the north and the south. The split in the union can be traced as far back as the 1810’s, just as the industrial revolution was beginning. With the industrial revolution’s effects on the north and the south caused the economy to split. The north became more industrialized; the south started relaying more on agriculture. In the north, machines, interchangeable parts, and mass production took over, and started the building of factories. These first factories were used for making textiles and later evolved to manufacturing a wide variety of goods. This sparked opportunity for jobs, and with immigrants flooding in form Europe it was no problem filling the positions. With the factory system, it was efficient and inexpensive for the north to employ a large work force. The factories caused slavery in the north to die. In the south cotton was becoming king; it was the biggest money marker the south had. Cotton is a very laborious crop, hence the ownerships of a lot of slaves. Unlike the immigrants in the north, slaves were property. Slaves were also much less of a prophet, because when a slave got sick an owner couldn’t just replace him, they needed to take care of their property. In the north if a worker got sick, there were plenty more immigrants waiting for a job. In 1818 the power balance in congress was equal; ten free states-ten slave states. Then, Illinois became the 11th free state and Alabama followed as the next slave state. There were two more states that wanted to enter the union, Missouri and Maine. This brought about the Missouri compromise of 1820. In 1819, Missouri wanted to join the Union, but in the North, as a slave state. This would make the balance of power in congress unequal. Many Northerners were opposed to the idea, so northern congressmen refused to pass the bill. Northerners proposed that Missouri be a slave state and that no more slaves were to be brought in and all slave children would be free at the age 25, so Missouri would eventually become a Free State. Southerners were opposed to the idea. Congress debated for many months, and then Henry Clay proposed that Maine enter the Union as a Free State. He also proposed prohibiting slavery above the 36030’ latitude, the southern boundary of Missouri. The South agreed, sin... ...e planned on giving weapons to slaves so they could rebel against their owners. The south saw this as a threat, that a man was helping blacks kill them and their families. Brown was captured and hung. The election of November 1860 was the final straw for the south, after Lincoln was elected South Carolina seceded from the union. Abraham Lincoln was a republican, his main goal as president was to preserve the union, not abolish slavery. The seven deep southern states were the next to secede, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. These eight states then formed the confederate states of America, electing Jefferson Davis as their president and Alexander Stephens as their vice president. The start of the War April 12, 1861, less than a month after President Lincoln was inaugurated, Lincoln already had trouble with the confederate states of America. All union troops loyal to the north had been expelled form the southern posts and sent back to the north, but one fort was still occupied by union troops, Fort Sumter. Lincoln told Davis that he was going to re-supply the fort. When the ships came with supplies the south fired on the fort starting the war.

Teaching Critical Reflection :: Education Educational Essays

Teaching Critical Reflection The ability to reflect critically on one’s experience, integrate knowledge gained from experience with knowledge possessed, and take action on insights is considered by some adult educators to be a distinguishing feature of the adult learner (Brookfield 1998; Ecclestone 1996; Mezirow 1991). Critical reflection is the process by which adults identify the assumptions governing their actions, locate the historical and cultural origins of the assumptions, question the meaning of the assumptions, and develop alternative ways of acting (Cranton 1996). Brookfield (1995) adds that part of the critical reflective process is to challenge the prevailing social, political, cultural, or professional ways of acting. Through the process of critical reflection, adults come to interpret and create new knowledge and actions from their ordinary and sometimes extraordinary experiences. Critical reflection blends learning through experience with theoretical and technical learning to form new knowl edge constructions and new behaviors or insights. Learning by critical reflection creates new understandings by making conscious the social, political, professional, economic, and ethical assumptions constraining or supporting one’s action in a specific context (Ecclestone 1996; Mackintosh 1998). Critical reflection’s appeal as an adult learning strategy lies in the claim of intellectual growth and improvement in one’s ability to see the need for and effect personal and system change. Reflection can be a learning tool for directing and informing practice, choosing among alternatives in a practice setting, or transforming and reconstructing the social environment (Williamson 1997). Can critical reflection be taught in a classroom? Does the new knowledge created foster change? This Myths and Realities investigates the extent to which critical reflection can be taught to adult learners. How Do Adults Learn to Be Critically Reflective? Without agreement on what reflective practice is, it is difficult to decide on teaching‑learning strategies. Reflective practice may be a developmental learning process (Williamson 1997), may have different levels of attainment (Wellington 1996), and may be affected by a learner’s cognitive ability (James and Clarke 1994), willingness to engage in the process (Bright 1996; Haddock 1997), and orientation to change (Wellington 1996). However, there does seem to be some agreement that critical reflection consists of a process that can be taught to adults. Brookfield (1988) identified four processes central to learning how to be critically reflective: assumption analysis, contextual awareness, imaginative speculation, and reflective skepticism. Assumption analysis describes the activity adults engage in to bring to awareness beliefs, values, cultural practices, and social structures regulating behavior and to assess their impact on daily activities.

Corruption in Sudan Essay

Other cities like Omdurman have 2. 1 million, Port Sudan have a total population of 450,000. Kassala, Kosti, Juba are the capital of southern region. People from the country are called Sudanese and 2009 in July Population was 41,087,825: 2. 143%. There are two ethnic groups namely : Arab/Muslim, theses group of people live on the northern part of the country and black African or Christian on south. There are also two types of religion, Islam (official), indigenous beliefs (southern Sudan), Christianity. There are also many languages like Arabic which is official, English also official, tribal languages. Education in Sudan is compulsory for some years,8 Attendance(35%-40%). Literacy level is 61. 1. This country’s main natural resources include reserves of oil, gold, natural gas copper, iron ore and other industrial metals. Sudan got its independence on January 1, 1956 and the type of government they operate is the provisional government which was established by the comprehensive peace Agreement (CPA) and signed in January 2005. This offers power sharing as far as the national elections takes place. The national election took place starting from April, November 2010. Sudan became the largest debtor to the World Bank and IMF by 1993 this resulted to the suspension of their voting rights by IMF and withdrawals under operative and fully expended loans and credit by the World Bank. It was also said that â€Å"extensive petroleum exploration began in mid1970’s and might cover all of Sudan’s economic and energy needs†. This year according to martin † Sudan may need as much as $1. 5billion of foreign aid a year and plans 2 slash government spending by a quarter as it faces budget difficulties due to its recent split into two countries, its finance minister said† and according to the finance minister† we’re expecting 6 percent (economic growth) or a little more for 2012† There have been conflicts with the northern and southern part of Sudan that have killed 1. 5 million people and also driving many ethnic groups and people from their homes. Sudan had had several episodes of civil welfare since its independence, broke association and now rule with Egypt (this actually did not benefit them anything but further trouble). All regions of Sudan face problems, both the south and the north and corruption can be counted as one of them. The southern part of Sudan has separated as an autonomous region in July 2011 even though it is a different state but it is still a very poor nation with a very low human development. Media on the southern part of Sudan is very poor, undeveloped and not well equipped. A journalist(s) does not have the right to broadcast, report or give any news, information to Darfur (other part of Sudan) and if any journalist(s) violates that law, he/she/they would be severely punished and even be jailed. Today, many journalists are still in prison and only God knows when they might be freed and which will be out. For example, in October 2010, a radio station ’Dabanga’ in Khartoum after a movement of arrests was shut down by the government and seven of its employees have been alleged of exposing state secretes, breaking the constitutional system, the punishment foe this crime is a death penalty. The civil war of 1991 in southern Sudan destroyed almost all southern medical facilities except those that had been rebuilt to treat their people who have been wounded in Juba, Malakal and Waw, these three hospitals are controlled by the government. The facilities were impracticable to use because of the scarcity of the most basic medical materials and a similar problem is faced in the northern Sudan, health care facilities had been considered helpless by the economic situation. Sudan does not have the hard currency to buy basic drugs, such as antibiotics and anti-malarial drugs, and the most important equipment, such as syringes. Private medical care in towns still functions but was also hindered by the scarcity of pharmaceuticals. In conclusion, I think after analyzing these situations in the area of banking, finance, media and medicine, the conflicts and political instability and so one, those should or are the main reason why Sudan is rated as one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife Essay

My brother Leon was returning to Nagrebcan from far away Manila, bringing home his young bride who had been born and had grown up in the big city. Father would not accept her for a daughter-in-law unless he taught her worthy to live in Nagrebcan. Father devised an ingenious way to find out, and waited for the result. She stepped down from the carretela of Ca Celin with a quick, delicate grace. She was lovely. She was tall. She looked up to my brother with a smile, and her forehead was on a level with his mouth â€Å"You are Baldo. † She said and placed her hand lightly on my shoulder. Her nails were long, but they were not painted. She was fragrant like a morning when papayas are in bloom. And a small dimple appeared momentarily high up on her cheek. â€Å"And this is Labang, of whom I have heard so much. † She held the wrist of one hand with the other and looked at Labang, and Labang never stopped chewing his cud. He swallowed and brought up to his mouth more cud, and the sound of his inside was like a drum. I laid a hand on Labang’s massive neck and said to her: â€Å"You may scratch his forehead now. â€Å"She hesitated and I saw that her eyes were on the long curving horns. But she came and touched Labang’s forehead with her long fingers, and Labang never stopped chewing his cud except that his big eyes were half closed. And by and by, she was scratching his forehead very daintly. My brother Leon put down the two trunks on the grassy side of the road. He paid Ca Celin twice the usual fare from the station to the edge of Nagrebcan. Then he was standing beside us, and she turned to him eagerly. I watched Ca Celin, where he stood in front of his horse, and he ran his fingers through its forelock and could not keep his eyes away from her. Maria—â€Å" my brother Leon said. Read more:  How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife by Manuel Arguilla Essay He did not say Maring. He did not say Mayang. I knew then that he had always called her Maria; and in my mind I said, â€Å"Maria,† and it was a beautiful name. †Yes,Noel† Now where did she get that name? I pondered the matter quietly to myself, thinking Father might not like it. But it was only the name of my brother Leon said backwards, and it sounded much better that way. â€Å"There is Nagrebcan, Maria† my brother said gesturing widely toward the west. She moved close to him. And after a while she said quietly: You love Nagrebcan, don’t you, Noel? Ca Celin drove away hi-yi-ing to his horse loudly. At the bend of the camino real where the big duhat tree grew, he rattled the handle of his braided rattan whip against the spokes of the wheel. We stood alone on the roadside. The sun was in our eyes, for it was dipping into the bright sea. The sky was wide deep and very blue above us; but along the saw-tooth rim of the Katayaghan hills to the southwest flamed huge masses of clouds. Before us the fields swam in a golden haze through which floated big purple and red and yellow bubbles when I looked at the sinking sun. Labang’s white coat, which I had washed and brushed that morning with coconut husk, glistened like beaten cotton under the lamplight and his horns appeared tipped with fire. He faced the sun and from his mouth came a call so loud and vibrant that the earth seemed to tremble underfoot. And far way in the middle of the fields a cow lowed soflty in answer. â€Å"Hitch him to the cart, Baldo,† my brother Leon said, laughing and she laughed with him a bit uncertainly, and I saw he had put his arms around her shoulders. â€Å"Why does he make that sound? † she asked. â€Å"I have never heard the like of it. † â€Å"There is not another like it,† my brother Leon said. I have yet to hear another bull call like Labang. In all the world there is no other bull like him. † She was smiling at him, and I stopped in the act of tying the vinca across Labang’s neck to the opposite end of the yoke, because her teeth was very white, her eyes were so full of laughter, and there was a small dimple high up on her right cheek. â€Å"If you continue to talk about him like that, either I shall fall in love with him or become very jealous. † My brother Leon laughed and she laughed and they looked at each other and it seemed to me there was a world of laughter between them and in them. I climbed into the cart over the wheel and Labang would have bolted for he was always like that, but I kept firm hold on his rope. He was restless and would not stand still. , so that ny brother Leon had to say â€Å"Labang† again, my brother Leon lifted the trunks into the cart, placing the smaller one on top. She looked down once on her high heeled shoes, then she gave her left hand to my brother Leon, placed a foot on the hub of the wheel, and in one breath she had swung into the cart. Oh, the fragrance of her! But Labang was fairly dancing with impatience and it was all I could do to keep him from running away. Give us the rope, Baldo,† my brother Leon said. â€Å" Maria , set on the hay and hold on to anything. † Then he put a foot on the left shaft and that instant Labang leaped forward. My brother Leon laughed as he drew himself up to the top of the side of the cart and made the slack of the rope hiss above the back of Labang. The wind whistled against my cheeks and the rattling of the wheels on the pebbly road echoed in my ears. She sat up straight on the bottom of the cart, legs bent together to one side, her skirt spread over them so that only the toes and the heels of her shoes were visible. Her eyes were on my brother Leon’s back; I saw the wind on her hair. When Labang slowed down, my brother Leon handed me the rope. I knelt on the straw inside the cart and pulled on the rope until Labang was merely shuffling along, then I made him turn around. â€Å"What is it you have forgotten now, Baldo? † my brother Leon said. I did not say anything but tickled with my fingers the rump of Labang; and away we went back to where I had in hitched and waited for them. The sun had sunk and down from the wooded sides of the Katayaghan hills shadows were stealing into the fields. When I sent Labang down the deep cut that would take us to the dry bed of the Waig, which could be used as a path to our place during the dry season, my brother Leon laid a hand on my shoulder and said sternly: â€Å"Who told you to drive through the fields tonight? â€Å"His hand was heavy on my shoulder, but I did not look at him or utter a word until we were on the rocky bottom of the Waig. â€Å"Baldo, you fool, answer me before I lay the rope of Labang on you. Why do you follow the Waig instead of the Camino real? † His fingers bit into my shoulder. â€Å"Father- he told me to follow the Waig tonight, Manong. Swiftly his hand fell away from my shoulder and he reached for the rope of Labang. Then my brother Leon laughed, and he sat back, and laughing still, he said: â€Å"And I suppose Father also told you to hitch Labang to the cart and meet us with him instead of the Castano and the calesa. † Without waiting forn me to answer, he turned to her and said, â€Å"Maria, why do you think Father should do that, now? † He laughed and added, â€Å"Have you ever seen so many stars before? † I looked back and they were sitting side by side, leaning against the trunks, hands clasped across the knees. Seemingly but a man’s height above the tops of the steep banks of the Waig, hung the stars. But in the deep gorge the shadows had fallen heavily, and even the white of Labang’s coat was chirped from their homes in the cracks in the banks. The thick, unpleasant smell of dangla bushes and cooling sun-heated earth mingled with the clean, sharp scent of arrais roots exposed to the night air and of the hay inside the cart. â€Å"Look, Noel, yonder is our star! † Deep surprise and gladness were in her voice. Very low in the west, almost touching the ragged edge of the bank, was the star, the biggest and brightest in the sky. I have been looking at it,† my brother Leon said. â€Å"Do you remember how I would tell you that when you want to see stars you must come to Nagrebcan? †. â€Å"Yes, Noel,† she said. â€Å"Look at it she murmured, half to herself. â€Å"It is so many times bigger than it was at Ermita beach. †The air here is clean and free of dust smoke. † So it is Noel,† she said,drawing a long breath. â€Å"Making fun of me, Maria? â€Å"She laughed then, and they laughed together and she took my brother Leon’s hand and put it against her face. I stopped Labang, climbed down, and lighted the lantern that hung from the cart, and my heart sang. Now the shadows took fright and did not crowd so near. Clumps of andadasi and arias flashed into view and quickly disappeared as we passed by. Ahead, the elongated shadow of Labang bobbled up and down and swayed drunkenly from side to side, for the lantern rocked jerkily with the cart. â€Å"Have we far to go yet, Noel? † she asked. â€Å"Ask Baldo,† my brother Leon said,†we have been neglecting him. † â€Å"I am asking you, Baldo,†she said. Without looking back, I answered, picking my words slowly: â€Å"Soon we will get out of the Waig and pass into the fields. After the fields is home – Manang. â€Å"So near already. † I did not say anything more, because I did not know what to make of the tone of her voice as she said her last words. All the laughter seemed to have gone out of her. I waited for my brother Leon to say something, but he was not saying anything. Suddenly he broke out into song and the song was â€Å"Sky Sown with Stars† –the same that he and father sang when he cut hay in the fields of nights before he went away to study. He must have taught her the song because she joined him, and her voice flowed into him like a gentle stream meeting a stronger one. And each time the wheel encountered a big rock, a voice would catch in her throat, but my brother Leon would sing on, until, laughing softly, she would join him again. Then we were climbing out into the fields, and through the spokes of the wheels the light of the lantern mocked the shadows. Labang quickened his steps. The jolting became more frequent and painful as we crossed the low dikes. â€Å"But it is so very wide here,† she said. The light of the stars broke and scattered the darkness so that one could see far on every side, though indistinctly. You miss the houses, and the cars, and the people and the noise, don’t you? † My brother Leon stopped singing. â€Å"Yes, but in a different way. I am glad they are not here. † With difficulty, I turned Labang to the left, for he wanted to go straight on. He was breathing hard, but I knew he was more thirsty than tired. In a little while , we drove up the grassy side onto the camino real. â€Å"-you see,† my brother Leon was explaining, â€Å"the camino real curves around the foot of the Katayaghan hills and passes by our house. We drove through the fields, because- but I’ll be asking father as soon as we get home† â€Å"Noel,† she said. Yes, Maria. † â€Å"I am afraid. He may not like me. † â€Å"Does that worry you still, Maria? † my brother said. â€Å"From the way you talk, he might be an ogre, for all the world. Except when his leg that was wounded in the revolution is troubling him, Father is the mildest tempered, gentlest man I know. † We came to the house of Lacay Julian and I spoke to Labang loudly, but Moning did not come to the window, so I surmised she must be eating with the rest of her fam ily. And I thought of the food being made ready at home and my mouth watered. We met the twins, Urong and Celin, and I said â€Å" Hoy,† calling them by name. And they shouted back and asked if my brother Leon and his wife were with me. And my brother Leon shouted to them and then told me to make Labang run; their answers were lost in the noise of the wheels. I stopped Labang on the road before our house and would have gotten down, but my brother Leon took the rope and told me to stay in the cart. He turned Labang into the open gate and we dashed into our yard. I thought we would crash into the bole of the camachile tree, but my brother Leon reined in Labang in time. There was light downstairs in the kitchen, and Mother stood in the doorway, and I could see her smiling shyly. My brother Leon was helping Maria over the wheel. The first words that fell from his lips after he had kissed Mother’s hand were: â€Å"Father – where is he? † â€Å"He is in his room upstairs,† Mother said, her face becoming serious. â€Å"His leg is bothering him again. † I did not hear anything more because I had to go back to the cart to unhitch Labang. But I had hardly tied him under the barn when I heard Father calling me. I met my brother Leon going to bring up the trunks. As I passed through the kitchen, there were Mother and my sister Aurelia and Maria, and it seemed to me they were crying, all of them. There was no light in Father’s room. There was no movement. He sat in the big armchair by the eastern window, and a star shone directly though it. He was smoking, but he removed the roll of tobacco from his mouth when he saw me. He laid it carefully on the windowsill before speaking. â€Å"Did you meet anybody on the way? † â€Å"No, Father,† I said. â€Å"Nobody passes through the Waig at night. † He reached for his roll of tobacco and hitched himself up in the chair. â€Å"She is very beautiful, Father. â€Å"Was she afraid of Labang? † My father had not raised his voice, but the room seemed to resound with it. And again I saw her eyes on the long curving horns and the arm off my brother Leon around her shoulders. â€Å"No, Father, she was not afraid. † â€Å"On the way-â€Å"â€Å"She looked at the stars, Father And Manong Leon sang. † â€Å"What did he sing? † â€Å"Sky Sown with Stars. † She sang with him. He was silent again. I could hear the low voices of Mother and my sister Aurelia downstairs. There was also the voice of my brother Leon, and I thought that Father’s voice must have been like it when he was young. He had laid the roll of tobacco on the windowsill once more. I watched the smoke waver faintly upward from the lighted end and vanish slowly into the night outside. The door opened and my brother Leon and Maria came in. â€Å"Have you watered Labang? † Father spoke to me. I told him that Labang was resting yet under the barn. â€Å"It is time you watered him, my son. † My father said. I looked at Maria and she was lovely. She was tall. Beside my brother Leon, she was tall and very still. Then I went out, and in the darkened hall the fragrance of her was like a morning when papayas are in bloom.