Environment and Behavior Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Environment and Behavior - Article Example In reference to the study of environment-behavior or for determinism in the context of environment, the author points out that three major areas are of importance. These are the built environment, the natural environment and the environmental factors which constitute factors such as social stimuli. However, in this paper, the two major factors that have been considered are Geographical determinism and Architectural determinism. According to the author, since geographical determinism refers to the natural environment whereas architectural determinism gives primacy to the built environment, when taken together these two are the best representatives of the phrase â€Å"physical determinism†. This article focuses on the fact that the philosophy of physical determinism has a lot of inherent weaknesses and due to this fact, many researchers stay clear of this subject due to a fear that any subsequent research is also going to be marred with the same weaknesses. The importance of the Physical environment: To begin with, Franck points out that the believers of geographical and architectural determinism are criticized because they are too literal in their belief of the fact that that environment has a direct effect on behavior. This stems from the fact that a lot of exaggerated stress has been laid by researchers on the idea that the physical environment has more impact on behavior than any other factors such as sociological factors. According to the author this criticism leveled at geographers and architects for being physical determinists has lead to the lack of research and development of theoretical frameworks that could generate further material for debate on the importance of physical determinism. The article points out that the right way to go forward for researchers would be to focus on the view that the physical environment is the sole factor influencing behavior and then work towards determining in which ways and conditions the behavior is effected. Ind irect Effects of the Physical Environment: Another criticism leveled at the determinist perspective in environment-behavior research is that there is a lack of clearly defined and measured intervening variables in the environment-behavior relationship. The lack of an intervening variable would, thus mean that the researchers are conferring or implying that the physical environment has a direct or unmediated effect on behavior in all situations or instances. Researchers such as Brody (1972) and Lang (1980) have been criticized due to this and there is a need to quantify the intervening variable that simply put explain why a proposed environmental feature or event effects behavior in a particular way. Since an intervening variable would therefore be considered both a result of the environmental feature being considered as well as the determinant of the resulting behavior, it would imply that physical environment is in most instances an indirect effect. The author says that researchers need to put effort into presenting clearly defined intervening variables that would help in the further advancement of this field of study. The Choices that People Make: A major criticism of the physical determinist approach has been that the researchers of environment-behavior research do not give enough importance to the fact that certain people may not react to a certain

Short Term vs Long Term Goals Essay Example for Free

Short Term vs Long Term Goals Essay Former US vice-president Al Gore has hit out at company bosses and fund managers for damaging the environment by focusing on short-term goals. Speaking at the National Association of Pensions Funds annual investment conference in Edinburgh, Gore warned that companies obsession with meeting short-term profit targets rather than taking a longer term view, was hampering work to combat climate change. Goals Goal-setting ideally involves establishing specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-targeted objectives. Work on the goal-setting theorysuggests that it can serve as an effective tool for making progress by ensuring that participants have a clear awareness of what they must do to achieve or help achieve an objective. On a personal level, the process of setting goals allows people to specify and then work towards their own objectives — most commonly financial or career-based goals. Goal-setting comprises a major component of Personal development. Short Term Goals Short-term goals expect accomplishment in a short period of time, such as trying to get a bill paid in the next few days. The definition of a short-term goal need not relate to any specific length of time. In other words, one may achieve (or fail to achieve) a short-term goal in a day, week, month, year, etc Long-term goals are ones that you will achieve over a longer period of time Long-term goals often are our most meaningful and important goals. One problem, however, is that the achievement of these goals is usually far in the future. As a result, we often have trouble staying focused and maintaining a positive attitude toward reaching these goals. â€Å"If one of your long-term goals is to get an electrical engineering degree in five years, you can set up enabling goals for each semester or quarter of college that supports this long-term goal. These goals could include attending classes, participating in professional development and internship opportunities at your school, maintaining a certain grade point average, and staying up-to-date in your readings and assignments.† the end toward which effort is directed. You must be able to measure the outcome of your goals. When you set a goal you must include a time frame for achieving it. You can also specify amounts Dont be negative. Make sure your goal is something you want rather than something you want to avoid. Keep your goals realistic. Make sure you have the ability and skills necessary to reach your goal Many long term goals will have short term goals that lead to them. Your short term goals will relate to your long term goal. 6 Steps to Creating Achievable Goals: With every goal you must follow the 6 P’s:  Prioritize: You may have several goals. Prioritize them on your list. Positive: Use positive language. I will †¦, I’ll be†¦, I’ll have†¦ Precise: Be precise. I will have supper with my family three nights a week rather than I will be home earlier Performance: Measure your performance. Set time for starting and completing your goal. May 1 – I will be home at 5:30 three nights this week Practical: Make your goals practical. Do you have the control to make this work or do you rely on other people to meet your goal? Personal: Is this goal a personal goal or someone else’s desire for you?

Cyber Terrorism Essay -- essays research papers

For my term paper, I researched on Cyber Terrorism. I believe that Cyber Terrorism is a big problem in our society and may even be a worldwide problem for all humanity today. I want to do my term paper on Cyber Terrorism because I had some personal experience with this sort of terrorism. About a two years ago, I encountered a Hacker on America Online. I opened an unknown message in my mailbox that was titled â€Å"Free Nude Teens†. Then about a couple weeks later, we received all sorts of bills that had to be paid. My father received bills for many different things such as electronics, clothes, and other items that had been purchased under our account on the Internet. My father was so pissed off because he thought that my brothers or I had purchased all those items. So we called the Company and found that our computer had been hacked into. And the so called hacker purchased items on our account number. And we found that the hacker gained entry by a message that I had opened . So we ended up paying only a thousand dollars out of almost six-thousand dollars worth of goods purchased on America Online. I want to do my research paper on Cyber Terrorism because I want to stress to people that this is a big problem and will become worse in the future since everything is being done in Cyber Space these days.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In this research paper, I will prove that hackers gain power and publicity with crimes they commit through cyber space. And it is easy for even amateur hackers to gain information and money from powerful organization without any detection or suspicion. Hacking is also a costly and destructive force for people in Cyber Space. Cyber Terrorism is such a destructive force that our country lost millions of dollars to hacking terrorists from other countries.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I know that Cyber Terrorism is becoming problem as a fact because I found that ninety-six percent of all illegally hacked computers are not detected. Just that one sentence says a lot about how unstoppable the force of Cyber Terrorism is.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hacking has become such a problem in today’s computer dependent society that stronger measures must be implemented to stop hackers, and if hackers are still successful, they should be severely punished. Hackers are a problem because with the amount of businesses and corporations we depend on ... ...) Audit systems and check logs to help in detecting and tracing an intruder. 5) If you are ever unsure about the safety of a site, or receive suspicious email from an unknown address, don’t access it. But there is a new method of prevention, which is constantly being improved upon is the â€Å"dongle.† It was devised and developed by Bell Labs. The â€Å"dongle† is a calculator-sized machine, which gives a new password to the user every time he or she logs onto the Internet. This device would protect your personal computer from any outside intruder who wouldn’t want to spend their time breaking down your information. Though, eventually hackers would want to be able to break those codes. It still is an important stride in the fight against hackers. An annoying, and time-consuming idea is encrypting all transmissions from computer to computer. One thing is for sure, all these devices will not keep a determined hacker out of a system, and these defenses w on’t be cheap to buy. Hackers need to be stopped because of the severe problems they can cause. Hopefully, people will soon realize the consequences of computer hacking and will stop. With all the problems it causes, something has to be done.

Fermentatiom By Yeast :: essays research papers

Fermentation of glycine, water, sucrose, galactose, and glucose as induced by yeast. ABSTRACT This lab attempted to find the rate at which Carbon dioxide is produced when five different test solutions: glycine, sucrose, galactose, water, and glucose were separately mixed with a yeast solution to produce fermentation, a process cells undergo. Fermentation is a major way by which a living cell can obtain energy. By measuring the carbon dioxide released by the test solutions, it could be determined which food source allows a living cell to obtain energy. The focus of the research was to determine which test solution would release the Carbon Dioxide by-product the quickest, by the addition of the yeast solution. The best results came from galactose, which produced .170 ml/minute of carbon dioxide. Followed by glucose, this produced .014 ml/minute; finally, sucrose which produced .012ml/minute of Carbon Dioxide. The test solutions water and glycine did not release Carbon Dioxide because they were not a food source for yeast. The results suggest that sugars are very good energy sou rces for a cell where amino acid, Glycine, is not. INTRODUCTION   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Fermentation is an anaerobic process in which fuel molecules are broken down to create pyruvate and ATP molecules (Alberts, 1998). Both pyruvate and ATP are major energy sources used by the cell to do a variety of things. For example, ATP is used in cell division to divide the chromosomes (Alberts, 1998). By taking a Carbon Dioxide, rich substance and mixing it with a yeast, solution fermentation will occur, and then it could be determined if it is a good energy-producer. In this study glacatose, sucrose, glycine, glucose, and water were used to indicate how fast fermentation occurred. The overall result shows that monosaccharides in particular galactose and glucose were the best energy source for a cell. Materials and Methods There were five test solutions used in this experiment, water being the control, which were mixed with a yeast solution to cause fermentation. A 1ml pipetman was used to measure 1 ml of each of the test solutions and placed them in separated test tubes. The 1 ml pipetman was then used to take 1ml of the yeast solution, and placed 1ml of yeast into the five test tubes all containing 1 ml of the test solutions. A 1ml graduated pipette was placed separately in each of the test tubes and extracted 1ml of the solutions into it. Once the mixture was in the pipette, someone from the group placed a piece of parafilm securely on the open end of the pipette and upon completion removed the top part of the graduated pipette.

African American Culture 5 Essay

Question# 4: African cultures, by and large, bring a similar world view to the relationship between man and the spiritual realm, one that is marked by an extremely personal interaction. In the broader African spiritual world human beings are seen to be under the constant influence of other people, their ancestors, minor deities, the Creator, and various forces of nature. As a result the African spiritual world can be described as interactive since all things are endowed with life-force. How is this idea expressed in ritual approaches to morality, wrongdoing, and spiritual empowerment? African American religion has always been heavily involved and influenced by the notion of morality, wrong doing and spiritual empowerment since the slave days if not earlier, African Americans came to embrace Protestant Christianity and adapted their own version of it which is consistent with evidence in the 19th century and a little bit of the 18th, at the time Christianity had little effect on slave society through the efforts of Anglicans, but it was not because African Americans rejected the gospel but because whites seized Christian brotherhood from blacks. As blacks in the South and in the British Caribbean struggled to develop individual and collective identities from the ideas and ways of African culture and their new conditions of life, the series of efforts by evangelicals to convert slaves eventually gave rise to a distinct African-American form of Christian theology, worship style, and religious community. The importance of religion and having their own take on it is among African Americans, as among all people, rests on fulfilling the human need for an understanding of one’s place in both the spiritual and temporal world. Although it was difficult, African Americans discovered in evangelical conversion requirements an opportunity to reassert personal authority based on their ability to communicate directly with God and to bring others to recognize the need for personal repentance and acceptance of Jesus. A perfect example that supports the connection between religious involvement and a sense of personal identity, is found in a slave woman who, back then it was not common for them to tell missionaries that her people have come from across the sea and lost their father and mother, and therefore want to know the Father. The displacement of Africans, for whom locality was critical to interactions with the spiritual world, did not strip them of their religious identity, but required them to learn the spiritual landscape of their new home and reshape their practices accordingly. â€Å"Come Shouting to Zion† details the many religious rituals that Africans preserved in the new world, especially those surrounding fundamental life events such as the birth and naming of children, marriage, burial ceremonies, and ritual dancing and singing to communicate with ancestors and deities. The influence of Africans with many diverse but fundamentally similar cultures in a strange new land encouraged slaves to form new pan-African cultures, which grew increasingly popular as later generations of slaves were born into bondage in America, establishing a distinct African-American culture. The pidgin African-English is a prime example of Africans in American creating a system of communication that was not traceable to a particular African ethnic origin, nor was it a perfect imitation of American English, but was instead shared by blacks in America. As slaves first encountered a foreign language that whites wished them to learn well enough to be more productive but not well enough to pose a threat to the race-based socioeconomic hierarchy, so they became acquainted with Christianity at the will of whites, but when given the opportunity, appropriated it for their own purposes. In the early encounters between slaves and Christianity it is without question that African, and particularly American-born slaves, sought a spirituality that would explain or show their temporal condition. Some salves looked to a theology of liberation and equality among Christians, which they could glean from 18th century evangelicals, mostly Anglicans, who tried to downplay these aspects of biblical teaching. The early period of evangelism was restricted by the fears of slave-owners that slaves who converted to Christianity would feel empowered to revolt against their bondage. Several conspired rebellions and many smaller incidents of black assertion were linked to blacks who had heard enough preaching to identify themselves with the enslaved nation of Israel. This fed the fears of whites, and Anglicans continued to complain that the planters who prohibited them from educating slaves on religious matters were the largest hindrance to saving African American souls. While racism was strengthened and slaves were unable to improve their social status by conforming to white European-American values, very few blacks found the Christian message Anglicans shared with them appealing . Anglican churches maintained strict separation of rich and poor, white and black, during services and sacraments. The high-church emphasized that learned men alone were authorized to teach and that blacks would listen without questioning and to accept the extension of their temporal message and isolation from whites into the religious sphere. Under these terms, it is I am not surprised that Christianity failed to take root as a meaningful religion, a spiritual world that Africans wanted to live in. But it is essential to recognize the role of whites in shaping the message that Africans were allowed to hear, and the role specifically of slaveholders in excluding blacks from access to Christianity. That blacks expressed their agency in rejecting this early version of Christianity offered to them. . At the same time Anglicans were confused over their lack of success in the Southern mainland, Moravians made a significant impact on blacks in the Caribbean by bringing a different vision of a Christian community. Moravians, Methodists, Separate Baptists, and a few other missionaries in the late 18th and early 19th centuries who sought out African Americans stressed spiritual, if not always worldly, equality. Africans identified with and embraced images of a savior who had suffered like they did, and joined these Christian images with African musical modes of expression to create spirituals that reminded: â€Å"Jesus been down to de mire/ You must bow low to de mire† (Stuckey, 139). However, you must finally accept Christianity as an affirmation of their lowly place in society and a divine exhortation to obedience and docility, as many white slaveholders had hoped they would. Rather, blacks found opportunities at biracial revival meetings which were meetings held at locations most often church, in which slaves and blacks were black would interpret what they heard and to share their divinely inspired interpretations of Christian faith, even from pulpits. During this critical period when a significant portion of blacks in the Caribbean and American South were first offered Christianity, they clearly adopted it and transformed it into something that was their own. After the period of revivals that first sparked wide-scale conversions in the South, many African-Americans focused on building a community in which they could support one another and worship in their own African-influenced style. Local black congregations extended their religious community, most notably with the founding of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in1816. As an institution spanning several states, the A. M. E. Church allowed blacks to take part at different levels in a collective, hierarchical social system as had never before been possible under American slavery. blacks continued to participate as minorities in biracial congregations (still with segregated seating) in most parts of the south and the expanding frontier, but found fewer opportunities to become ordained preachers or lay leaders in mixed parishes, where they were likely only to be allowed to â€Å"exercise the gift, provided they teach sound Doctrine sic† under the approval of whites (Frey & Wood, 166). In the creation of their own religious communities in which no whites were present to criticize â€Å"overemotional† black forms of religious expression and persisting practices, such as polygamy and dancing, African-Americans actively designed a spirituality that fulfilled their needs in the slave societies of the Americas. African-American religiosity was then, as it is now, â€Å"centered on extended and expanding families and households, the importance of self-determination and personal dignity, mutual aid, and shared responsibility for the progress of the race† (Hortons, xi). In my opinion, African agency is most clearly supported by evidence of Africans defining their faith, modes of worship, and religious ties as part of a larger emerging African-American culture. Change was a relentless fact of life for Africans in 18th and 19th century America, most tragically present in enslavement and removal from Africa and domestic trade within the Americas that broke up families as masters bought and sold property. Outside the personal struggles of individual slaves, the changes in ideology and society wrought by the era of the American Revolution exposed Africans and their descendents to evolving external ideas about their place within American society, their rights as humans, and their needs as spiritual beings. Religion was one of the few arenas in which African-Americans could control the changes in their individual lives and their culture as a whole. Evolving religious traditions provided individuals over generations with a source of spiritual renewal and a supportive community and prepared an institution that could serve future generations. The long and turbulent transition from African forms of religiosity to African-influenced forms of Protestantism shows that black Americans created, out of all religious ideas and structures available to them, a faith that was their own. Question#3 The musical selections in this section come from Africa and the Americas. Some are examples of the preservation of traditional musical styles; others are examples of the adaptation of traditional modes of expression to modern styles. Prevalent in each performance is the use of either percussion instruments such as drums or singing in groups or by soloists. How do these musical selections exemplify a common African musical aesthetic, i. e. rhythmic syncopation, call-and-response, melodic constructions, vocal colors, in both traditional and contemporary expressions? African dance has contributed many characteristics to dance in America. We see evidence of this in many aspects of dance today. Being such a diverse nation, America has the blessing of combining original dances from different cultures to create an amazing dance repertoire. American dance as we know would be completely different, if it weren’t for the Africans. African dance began with the different rhythms of the tribes. Its roots in America began with the slave trade. The American slave trade began in 1619, (However, Africans were imported as slaves to the West Indies staring almost a century before that) with the arrival of Dutch trading ships carrying a cargo of Africans to Virginia. They were first brought over by boat to places such as Brazil, Cuba, and Haiti. Eventually different countries end up taking over those nations and slaves fall under their rule. In Brazil, the Portuguese take over, in Cuba the Spanish take over, and in Haiti, the French take over. The retaining of African culture by those in slavery was stronger in the other nations than in America, as the Spanish and French rulers adhered to the more lenient view of dancing taken by the Catholic Church. In America, the Protestant church strongly disapproved of dance. Therefore, dances that occurred in the West Indies, Brazil, Haiti and Cuba retained more of the African dance structure, than those in America did. Those dances can be classified as recreational or sacred. An example of a recreational dance is the Juba, which was a competitive dance where opponents would outdo each other in feats of skill, sometimes while balancing something on their head. Sacred dances were based on the worship of religious gods. The goal of the dance was for the dancer to become â€Å"possessed† by the god so that it would speak through the dancer. Two examples are voodoo and Shango dances. Traces of the African religious practice of possession, or disengaging from reality through the combined effects of music and dance, can be detected in the appeal of some forms of jazz dance. In America, the dance movement of Africa was restrained mainly by two factors: the attitude of the church towards dancing as being immoral and the restricted use of the primary African instrument (the drum). Drumming was banned in 1739 following a slave insurrection. White plantation owners responded by banning all drums and that forced slaves to search for other percussion options. They substituted with banjos, clapping hands, stomping feet, and the fiddle. Dances that occurred on the Plantations were for recreation and religious reasons also. Because of the European influence in America, the movement gave a distinct American appearance, rather than a strictly African one. Many dances imitated animals. There were also circle dances and dances for celebrations. Another category that emerged was competitive dances. The most well known one was the cakewalk. The slaves had witnessed their owners’ dancing festivities and imitated their stiff upper bodies while contrasting it with loose leg movements. The owners enjoyed watching this and gave a cake to the best dancer. The observation of African dancing by the whites led to them stereotyping the dancing slave. They began to blacken their faces and imitate them using such indigenous movements as the ‘shuffle’. The imitation dances by whites started an era of American entertainment based on the stereotype on the dancing ‘Negro’. Before the Civil War, professional dancers were mostly white, with the exception of William Henry Lane. He was also known as â€Å"Master Juba† and was a freeborn slave thought to be the best dancer in the World. He had lived in Manhattan where the Irish immigrants also lived. His dancing was a combination of Irish jig dancing and African rhythm, just like the slaves who were forced to compete with the Irish migrant workers aboard the ships. Both his movements and the Nigerian slaves are said to be the start of tap dance. Minstrelsy was also a popular form of entertainment in America from 1845 –1900. The Minstrel show was a group of male performers that portrayed the Negro as either slow and shuffling or sharply dressed and quick moving. The minstrel show proved prominent in spreading vernacular dances like the cakewalk and jig dancing on a wide scale. The next major change after minstrelsy came with the birth of ragtime music and ballroom dancing after 1910. A bunch of animal dances were seen in white ballrooms. Examples were the Turkey Trot, and Chicken Scratch. The invasion of ballrooms with native inspired dances set the stage for the same process to occur on Broadway. Zeigfield borrowed some of these dances for his Follies. Social dance became introduced on the theatrical stage. The big aspect being borrowed wasn’t the actual dances, but their swinging qualities. In 1921, Shuffle Along featured a jazz inspired dance called the Charleston. It left the audience with a lot of energy and a new respect towards black dancing. Tap was now also brought to white audiences and the musical comedies took on a new, more rhythmic life. In the late 1920s, jazz inspired songs replaced the popular white standards and America accepted Jazz music as its own. Louis Armstrong was a big part of the creation of swing music. It was a style of jazz music that emphasized African influenced rhythm and was played by big bands. Faster and sharper footwork came about and the Lindy was the new dance craze. It incorporated the shuffle and glide and buck and wing movements from early African dances. The Lindy was significant for starting jazz dance styles used in later musicals. It also gave the opportunity for white choreographers to experience African swing. Jazz music and dancing slowed down in popularity after WWII. Technology and music were evolving. The beat became more complex and musicians like Charlie Parker and Dizie Gillespie explored more with improve. The overall result was, jazz music became something more to listen to rather than to dance socially. The advent of Television in the 1950s also kept people at home instead of on the dance floors. African American dance became more of an artistic expression than a social means. Professional companies and dancers restored early African rhythms and the beauty and emotion of their traditional songs, including Catherine Dunham’s â€Å"Shango†, Alvin Ailey’s â€Å"Revelations† and Bill T. Jones’ â€Å"Uncle Tom’s Cabin†. In the past 50 years, African American dance has been rich in innovations as well as connections with the past. The definition of professional dance has broadened beyond ballet, modern, and jazz. Popular and social dances, including the urban black dance forms of break dancing and hip-hop have been recognized for their artistry and expressiveness. Dance created and performed by African Americans has become a permanent part of American dance. Every dancer and almost every person in America, in one way or another has danced steps that resemble early African polyrhythmic movements. Personally, I think the dance World in America could no have flourished as well as it did without it’s African influences. since the slave trade the drum has been used all over the world as a means of communication and self expression. Its broad variety of users includes the early African tribes, using them for ceremonial purposes. The Africans brought drums with them to the Americas and helped to develop their popularity among American musicians. In the mid 1900’s drum sets were brought about. These revolutionary collaborations of percussive pieces started off with a pair of hi-hats, a bass and snare drum, and a couple of tom toms. Later as the music progressed, so did the drum kits, completely eliminating the need for an entire drum section. With the coming of the rock and roll movement the drum kits were changing, they needed to accommodate the new music styles. They became sonically diverse and even electronic drums were brought about; making them infinitely adjustable both ergonomically and musically. With every major drum manufacturer competing to have the best product on the market drums will always be evolving. African American musicians and early slaves choose to use drums as a common form of expression because of the deep bass that was used to duplicate heart beat and thunder. The sound waves for open ended and string instruments is fairly straight forward. However, for a closed end instrument, such as a drum, the sound waves are different. A lot of the energy is dissipated through the shell of the drum, which is the reason for the variance in drum construction these days. Many different kinds of wood are used to generate different sounds, or a different amount of energy absorption. For a warmer, deeper sound maple construction is used while birch is used to get a high, resonant tone full of vibration. The heaviest wood that dissipates the most amount of energy is oak, creating a lower, flat sound. Question#1 I believe that Egypt’s economic progress over the last decade is a great example of showing how They have come a long way and are still vastly improving. Egypt is the third-largest economy in the Middle East and North Africa region (after Saudi Arabia and Israel), as well as one of the strongest, with significant potential for future economic growth and diversification. With a real commitment to economic reform, which favors a large privatization program and the encouragement of private investment and growth. The improvement in Ghana is evident in how their country has such a diverse economy. The Gold Coast was renamed Ghana upon independence in 1957 because of indications that present-day inhabitants descended from migrants who moved south from the ancient kingdom of Ghana. By West African standards, Ghana has a relatively diverse and rich natural resource base Minerals–principally gold, diamonds, manganese ore, and bauxite–are produced and exported. Exploration for oil and gas resources is ongoing. Timber and marine resources are important but declining resources. Agriculture remains a mainstay of the economy, accounting for more than one-third of GDP and about 55% of formal employment. Cash crops consist primarily of cocoa and cocoa products, which typically provide about one-third of export revenue, timber products, coconuts and other palm products, shear nuts , and coffee. Ghana also has established a successful program of nontraditional agricultural products for export including pineapples, cashews, and peppers. Cassava, yams, plantains, corn, rice, peanuts, millet, and sorghum are the basic foodstuffs. Fish, poultry, and meat also are important dietary staples. Ghana’s industrial base is relatively advanced compared to many other African countries. Industries include textiles, apparel, steel (using scrap), tires, oil refining, flour milling, beverages, tobacco, simple consumer goods, and car, truck, and bus assembly. Industry, including mining, manufacturing, construction and electricity, accounts for about 25% of GDP. I strongly believe that since Ghana and Egypt have improved so vastly it is helping African Americans improve in general, the saying â€Å"We come from a long line of kings and queens is such a truthful statement if you look back on history. We have a lot of ancestry that lies within Ghana and Egypt. With the knowledge of the past it will help us to continue realize our past and bring us to terms with the future. We can reverse the process by not letting people hold us back and to not blame others. I also believe that strong knowledge of Ghana and Egypt and Mali, will also further our culture by being educated and not told how our past was. There are a lot of invention by many great African Americans that most people do not know that black inventors were behind the idea, not that is matters that a black or a white person constructed or came up with an idea for a patent, it is essential that we are have contributed just as many things if not more than any other culture. There have been so many contributions to society to western civilization and I feel it is so important that we surround our selves with knowledge of our ancestors because they worked hard to get us to the point today where we are able to vote and the possibility of a black president. The saying that we come from a long line kings and queens is so powerful because it shows you that black really is beautiful and if you retrace our ancestors you will find out that our people were just as important as kings and queens. Lewis Temple was the inventor of a whaling harpoon called the â€Å"Temple’s Toggle† and the â€Å"Temple’s Iron. † He was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1800 and arrived in New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1829. He worked as a blacksmith and had lots of friends that were whaler’s who bought harpoons and had lots of conversations with them. Granville T. Wood was known as the black Edison. Woods was born in Columbus, Ohio on April 23,1856. He never finished elementary school and he worked in a machine shop at a very young age. He moved to Missouri in 1872 at the age of sixteen. By 1881 he opened a factory in Cincinnati, Ohio and manufactured telephone, telegraph and electrical equipment. He filed for his first application for a patent in 1884 for an improved steam-boiler furnace. Woods patented the† telographony ,† a combination of the telegraph and the telephone. He produced one of his most important inventions in 1887, it was called the Synchronous Multiplex Railway Telegraph. It enabled messages to be sent from moving trains and railways stations. In 1890 he set out to improve the lighting system by creating an efficient safe economical dimmer. It was safer and and resulted in 40% energy savings. Woods also created an overhead conducting system for electrical railways and the electrified third rail. By the time of his death in 1910 he had 150 patents awarded to him all together. Lewis H. L was a pioneer in the development of the electric light bulb. He was also the only black member of the Edison Pioneers, a group of inventors and scientists who worked with Thomas Edison. He was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts in 1848 and was raised in Boston. He enlisted in the Navy and served as a cabin boy on the U. S. S Massaoitta the age of sixteen. Latimer was given the assignment to draw plans for Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone patent . In 1879 Latimer went to work as a draftsman for Hiram Maxim, who invented the machine gun and headed the electric lighting company. Latimer worked on improving the quality of the carbon filament used in the light bulb. In 1882 he received a patent for an improved process for manufacturing carbon filaments. Gerrett is best remembered for his invention of the gas mask and the three way traffic signal. Mogan was born on March 4,1875 in Paris, Kentucky. He left school after fifth grade at the age of fourteen. He left Kentucky and headed for Cincinnati, Ohio and got a job as a handy man in a sewing shop. Morgan directed his attention to the frequent instances of firemen being overcome by fumes and thick smoke when they went into burning buildings. He perfected breathing device which he patented in 1914. In 1923morgan patented an automatic traffic signal which he sold to the General Electric Company for four thousand dollars. In 1963 Garrett A. Morgan died at ht age of 88 in Cleveland, Ohio after he was ill for two years. Just to name a few ,those were a couple of major contributors to the African American culture and western civilization.

Free Essays on A Valediction

John Donne’s â€Å"A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning† portrays true and deep love as strong enough to withstand distance and separation through his use of literary techniques and metaphysical conceits. The poet uses a variety of literary techniques to show the parallel between approaching death and parting from a lover in a not so negative perspective. The author uses numerous paradoxes to illustrate the separation of the two lovers. Beginning in the first quatrain, the author explains that when â€Å"virtuous† men die, they â€Å"whisper to their souls to go,† while others await their parting, insinuating that such men should set an example to lovers, for the separation of the soul from the body and the separation of two lovers from each other is not an ending, but the beginning of a new cycle (i-iv). Continuing into the next quatrain, the poet says, â€Å"let us melt...make no noise...no tear-floods...sigh-tempests,† implying that the bond of the lovers will disperse quietly like the soul of a dying man leaving his body, and his lover is to remain poised and resist any show of emotion upon his departure (v-vi). Likewise, the author uses metaphors comparing his love to divergent objects in order to show how they are imperceptible to others. In the third quatrain, â€Å"[movements] of th’ earth† are feared due to their potential to ravage the land, whereas the â€Å"trepidation of the spheres† in the heavens are picayune to the average person; therefore, this comparison is used to suggest that matters beyond one’s control, like the separation of lovers, should be approached sensibly (ix-xi). The poet then explains that â€Å"dull sublunary† lovers are flawed human beings who do not actuate mature love, for the soul of their love is â€Å"sense† and they need physical contact to inveterate their relationship; however, the speaker suggests that reason can free itself from any con nection with a sensory experience, so lovers with full... Free Essays on A Valediction Free Essays on A Valediction John Donne’s â€Å"A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning† portrays true and deep love as strong enough to withstand distance and separation through his use of literary techniques and metaphysical conceits. The poet uses a variety of literary techniques to show the parallel between approaching death and parting from a lover in a not so negative perspective. The author uses numerous paradoxes to illustrate the separation of the two lovers. Beginning in the first quatrain, the author explains that when â€Å"virtuous† men die, they â€Å"whisper to their souls to go,† while others await their parting, insinuating that such men should set an example to lovers, for the separation of the soul from the body and the separation of two lovers from each other is not an ending, but the beginning of a new cycle (i-iv). Continuing into the next quatrain, the poet says, â€Å"let us melt...make no noise...no tear-floods...sigh-tempests,† implying that the bond of the lovers will disperse quietly like the soul of a dying man leaving his body, and his lover is to remain poised and resist any show of emotion upon his departure (v-vi). Likewise, the author uses metaphors comparing his love to divergent objects in order to show how they are imperceptible to others. In the third quatrain, â€Å"[movements] of th’ earth† are feared due to their potential to ravage the land, whereas the â€Å"trepidation of the spheres† in the heavens are picayune to the average person; therefore, this comparison is used to suggest that matters beyond one’s control, like the separation of lovers, should be approached sensibly (ix-xi). The poet then explains that â€Å"dull sublunary† lovers are flawed human beings who do not actuate mature love, for the soul of their love is â€Å"sense† and they need physical contact to inveterate their relationship; however, the speaker suggests that reason can free itself from any con nection with a sensory experience, so lovers with full...

Edwin Long essays

Edwin Long essays Art is a talent acquired by experience, study, or observation learning that requires the conscious use of skillful and creative imagination. A piece of artwork reflects the culture that created it, though this might not be apparent to its contemporary observers. Art heavily depends on context. The available materials, subjects, themes, metaphors, politics, and technology influence the creation of painting. The audience's insight into a work improves as an understanding of the artist's culture grows. In this essay, I will give a brief overview of Edwin Longs life, discuss the events that were occurring during the time he painted Vashti Refuses the Kings Summons, and explain the story behind this painting. Edwin Long was born in Bath in the year of 1829. Edwins father was an artist therefore; he had an early and precocious talent for drawing (Bills 12). He began his career as a portraitist and in his youth, he twice tried to enroll at the Royal Academy Schools. However, was refused entry due to deficiencies in his drawing. He then decided to move back to Bath because of the setbacks. He visited Spain in 1857, on the advice of John Phillip, who was his teacher (22). Edwin listened to John and visited the country regularly between 1857 until 1873. He was very impressed and interested in the work of Murillo. After seeing Murillos work, Edwin began to paint scenes of Spanish life and portraiture. He visited Egypt and Syria in 1874 and his career took a new direction. The direction it took made him become an orientalist painter. He started to develop large historical works illustrating passages from the bible and the customs of the ancient civilizations of Greece, Rome, and Eg ypt (32). Edwins paintings consisted of a rich and exotic style. They were strong in detail and often on canvases of large size, allowing him to show long processions and enormous palaces. He was a very popul...

25 Synonyms for Beginner

25 Synonyms for Beginner 25 Synonyms for â€Å"Beginner† 25 Synonyms for â€Å"Beginner† By Mark Nichol There are a lot of terms used to identify a beginner many of them condescending or derogatory, so pay attention to connotation before employing any of these synonyms: 1. Abecedarian (from the Latin term abecedarius, â€Å"of the alphabet,† coined from linking the first four letters of the alphabet with vowels to form a pronounceable word): One in the early stages of learning. 2. Amateur (from the Latin term amator, â€Å"lover†): Someone who engages in an area of skill or expertise without remuneration, or, derogatorily, a person without experience or ability. 3. Apprentice (from the Latin term apprendere, â€Å"to learn†): One in the midst of hands-on training; originally denoting someone bound by a contract to train with a craftsperson, but now employed simply to refer to someone inexperienced. The term is used in a naval enlisted rank (â€Å"seaman apprentice†) and for the lowest level in Freemasonry (â€Å"entered apprentice†). 4. Babe (from the Middle English word coined in imitation of baby talk): An inexperienced person, with a condescending connotation of naivete. 5. Boot (from Anglo-French bote, â€Å"boot†): A US Navy or US Marine Corps recruit, perhaps from â€Å"boot camp†). Condescending. 6. Colt (from the Old English term for a young horse): A young, inexperienced person. Condescending. 7. Cub (from the word for a young animal): A young, inexperienced person, as in the expression â€Å"cub reporter,† referring to a new journalist. Condescending. 8. Fledgling (ultimately from Old English fleogan, â€Å"to fly†): Originally, use was confined to the literal meaning of â€Å"a young bird just learning to fly†; now, it is also a rare informal, condescending term for a young, inexperienced person (and is used to refer to a new enterprise). 9. Freshman (derived from fresh, as in â€Å"new to a situation,† and man): Originally referred only to a first-year student; now also denotes a politician or an athlete at the beginning of their career. 10. Greenhorn (from an obsolete English word referring to the new horns of a young horned mammal): Refers not only to a naive, inexperienced person but also to someone unfamiliar with customs or procedures. Condescending. 11. Layperson (from the Latin term laikos, â€Å"of the people†): A non-gender-specific variation of layman, originally denoting someone who is not a member of the clergy but now a general reference to someone who is not part of a particular profession or does not have expertise in a given subject matter. 12. Neophyte (from the Latin term neophytus, â€Å"newly planted† or â€Å"newly converted,† from the Greek word neophytos): A beginner or a convert. Mildly condescending. 13. Newbie (a diminutive noun derived from new): A person new to a place or situation, especially one unfamiliar with the conventions and etiquette of online interaction; a newer diminutive of this slang term is noob (or n00b, using zeros instead of the letter o, a variation often used in online conversation). Condescending or even derogatory. 14. Newcomer (a compound noun formed from new and come): Originally, one newly arrived to a location, but now a beginner in general. 15. Novice (from the Latin term novicius, â€Å"newly imported†): Originally, a probationary member of a religious organization, now generally someone with rudimentary skills. Depending on context, can be condescending. 16. Novitiate (see novice, above): A variation of novice, as well as a word for the condition of being a clerical novice, or the name of their residence. 17. Proselyte (from the Latin term proselytus, â€Å"foreign resident,† derived from the Greek word proselytos): A recent convert. 18. Probationer (from the Latin term probare, â€Å"approve†): Someone in the process of learning. 19. Punk (origin obscure): A young, inexperienced person, though it also has connotations pertaining to punk subculture and to sexuality. Derogatory. 20. Recruit (from the French term recrute, derived from recroistere, â€Å"to grow up again†): A newcomer; often used in a military or similar context. The term is used in the lowest naval enlisted rank (â€Å"seaman recruit†). Depending on context, can be condescending. 21. Rookie (uncertain; perhaps derived from recruit): One in his or her first year or years of experience, originally in the context of professional sports but now general in usage. (The back-formation rook is rare.) Depending on context, can be condescending. 22. Tenderfoot (a combination of tender and foot): Originally, someone new to a frontier area, unused to hardship; in the modern sense, a beginner. Condescending. 23. Trainee (from the Latin term traginare, â€Å"to draw† or â€Å"to train†): One learning a job or skill. 24. Tyro (from the Latin term tiro, â€Å"young soldier†): An inexperienced person. 25. Virgin (from the Latin term virgo, â€Å"young woman, virgin†): Originally a specific reference to a female with no sexual experience, now used lightheartedly to refer to someone new to a situation. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:English Grammar 101: All You Need to KnowBody Parts as Tools of MeasurementCapitalizing Titles of People and Groups

Assignment 7 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 4

7 - Assignment Example In this case, the society incorporates biased attitudes that favor men. For instance, organizations prefer to employ men than women, despite having the same qualifications. In addition, some employers affirm that men have a huge responsibility of taking care of family, thus will be devoted to work compared to women. Callister states that women ought to be given equal chances to work in organizations so as to enhance the Gross Domestic Product of a nation. This is because women who stay at home taking care of the young ones and conducting household do not contribute to the growth of the nation’s economy. Callister came up with a six year research, so as to improve the recruitment and progress of women in organizations. As a result, there was improvement in the recruitment and advancement of women between 2003 and 2009 at Utah State. Currently, most women are able to advance their studies, resulting to reduction in illiteracy and women unemployment rate (Eaton 2). In conclusion, the education sector in any given nation should be enhanced so as to give women the opportunity to attend school. In this case, the government should employ qualified teachers, construct many schools and subsidize education fees. More so, organizations should come up with codes of conducts that protect the rights of women such as sexual harassment from male colleagues. The sexual harassers should be punished by the organization or the government law

A Business report of British electricity distributor industry Term Paper

A Business report of British electricity distributor industry - Term Paper Example Other than enabling consumers to access electricity, electricity distribution industry also creates employment, enhances investment and promotes economic growth. This report examines the structure of electricity consumption industry, including the firms that make up the industry and their market share. It also explains the reason for the chosen structure. Furthermore, this report analyses the contribution of the electricity distribution industry to the economy. It also provides a critical analysis of sustainability targets on business plan for the industry as well as the factors that contribute competitive advantage for the electricity distribution industry in UK. The market structure of UK electricity distribution industry is an oligopoly. An oligopoly is a market structure which involves the domination of a few firms in an industry, although smaller firms with small market shares may exist in the market. In this case, a few firms may be concentrated. The UK electricity distribution industry consists of six large electricity distributors with a total of 90% market share. The remaining market share is held by smaller networks owned and operated by Independent Network Operators (IDNOs) which operate within the areas covered by the larger firms. The market shares of major British electricity Distribution Networks (DNOs) is divided by regions, as shown in appendix one. Each serves specific region. The six distributors by region include: UK Power Networks, Western Power Distribution, SSE Power Distribution, SP Energy Networks, Northern Powergrid, and Electricity Northwest. In a competition newsletter of 2014, UK Power Networks (UKPN) analysed the market share of its distributors in its designed regions. The newsletter categorised the market share into three: Eastern Power Networks plc (EPN), London Power Networks plc (LPN) and South Eastern Power Networks plc (SPN). The market shares for the three distributors are

A New Saxophone Music Style Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

A New Saxophone Music Style - Essay Example This "A New Saxophone Music Style" describes the versatility of this instrument. The saxophone acceptation into the classical music is limited, since the orchestras were fully developed before the invention of saxophone. Some pieces by important composers –like Berlioz– were composed for saxophone, but its importance as a jazz instrument is undeniable. For saxophonists, it is important to study both jazz and classical styles, in order to become more versatile performers. By means of the art of improvisation, saxophone was developed as an unbeatable instrument for jazz solos. The versatility of saxophone can establish a remarkable difference between jazz and classical styles. In a concert band or orchestra, the jazz-oriented player may sound too loud and raucous, while the classically-oriented player may be considered rigid in the jazz ensemble. According to Walsh (1-2), classical and jazz styles differentiate in the notation of articulations. Classical music tends to be meticulously notated, and performers should reproduce the articulations shown in the sheet music. â€Å"Notated jazz, on the other hand, often features a string of eighth notes under a long slur or with no markings whatsoever†. In the case of jazz, performers are expected to play the articulation they find stylistically appropriate, rather than just focusing on the page. Other differences in both styles depend on the use of fundamental elements in saxophone playing, e.g. tone colour, vibrato, articulation, accents, scoops, glissandi and ghost notes, among others.

Leadership Challenge and Charge Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Leadership Challenge and Charge - Research Paper Example Strategic thinking is similar to that of cognitive ability. Strategic thinking involves proper analysis of the problem. It does not end with mere analysis of the problem, instead planning and arriving at a solution is also considered as strategic thinking. The team leader or the manager should analyze the problems in all perspectives so that the corresponding decision or solution eradicates the problem. Another important factor is managing change and strategic thinking revolves around this concept which highlights the most prominent features of this concept. The cognitive ability, strategic thinking and analytical skills are considered as the basic requirement of a leader. Decision making skill is also one among the most important skills which a leader should possess. It is the ability to arrive at a decision based on the problem and in certain cases it might also depend on a particular situation. (Manning & Curtis, 2003). Apart from these factors, the skill to manage the difference in opinion among the team members is also required. This skill brings about several changes in the organization and hence it is considered as the crucial one. The scenario changes after every decision and this is the main reason why a leader is expected to possess the decision making skill. Though these skills play a major role in shaping up a leader, the interpersonal skills are also equally important. The Art of Leadership also includes coaching ability and learning skills that will help the leader to manage the team effectively. (Grint, 2001). Team leaders or managers must know how to coach the team members or the trainees. This in turn will enable the employees to perf orm in a better way. The interaction with the team increases the productivity of the organization as it motivates the employees to work towards achieving their goal. The art of leadership not only covers these skills, but

Animals for drug testing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Animals for drug testing - Essay Example The anti-animal testing campaigners argue the exact opposite, not only insisting that the use of animals for drug testing is completely inadequate for drug-safety testing but that safer alternatives exist. While conceding to the fact that the use of lab animals for drug and medical research may have been at the core of some medical advances, the fact is that the use of animals for drug testing is unethical, costly and unsafe, in addition to which, ethical, less expensive and safer alternatives are available. The proponents of animal testing maintain that without the use of live specimens, the medical and pharmaceutical communities would not have been able to acquire the anatomical knowledge of the human body, they currently possess. There is no doubt that this claim is partially valid. As Joan Dunayer, a medical researcher notes, the similarities between the human and the ape anatomy have allowed medical researcher, through vivisection, to explore the ape anatomy and through that, acquire an expanded understanding of the human one. Certainly, one cannot ignore the fact that the dissections carried out on human corpses have been the primary contributors to the mapping of the human body but, the fact remains that the observation and examination of a live human specimen is, or was up until a certain time, impossible. The use of apes provided the medical research community with the ability to conduction vivisections on live specimens and, in so doing, acquire a significant, and invaluable, u nderstanding of the human body at work.... Similarly, the medical and pharmaceutical communities claim that without the use of lab animals they would not have been able to develop much of the chemical and drug cures now being routinely used to save millions of human lives. As Jones argues, live animals are used in the research lab setting in order to determine whether or not the introduction of a certain chemical compound into the body reacts with specific viruses, bacteria and disease, resulting in their elimination. Secondly they are further used to test whether the cure, or the chemical compound which has been determined to successfully eliminate a particular disease, virus or bacteria, has any side effects, both long term and short-term, harmful or benign (Jones). In other words, animal testing is essential for both the development of effective drug cure and their later testing for safety before production and licensing for human use. While the pro-animal testing argument appears strong, the fact remains that the practice is inhuman and incontrovertibly unethical. Alan M. Goldberg and Thomas Hartung, both science researchers, note that over the past four decades "hundreds of millions of animals" were sacrificed in the name of medical and chemical research. The unethical aspect of the stated is better clarified when the method of their death, invariably involving prolonged and senseless torture and suffering, is considered (Goldberg and Hartung). Irrespective of its best intentions, animal testing is fundamentally based on the deliberate infliction of pain, suffering, disease and death on countless of millions of animals. Despite the undeniably unethical character of animal testing, proponents have claimed it

Leadership Challenge and Charge Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Leadership Challenge and Charge - Research Paper Example Strategic thinking is similar to that of cognitive ability. Strategic thinking involves proper analysis of the problem. It does not end with mere analysis of the problem, instead planning and arriving at a solution is also considered as strategic thinking. The team leader or the manager should analyze the problems in all perspectives so that the corresponding decision or solution eradicates the problem. Another important factor is managing change and strategic thinking revolves around this concept which highlights the most prominent features of this concept. The cognitive ability, strategic thinking and analytical skills are considered as the basic requirement of a leader. Decision making skill is also one among the most important skills which a leader should possess. It is the ability to arrive at a decision based on the problem and in certain cases it might also depend on a particular situation. (Manning & Curtis, 2003). Apart from these factors, the skill to manage the difference in opinion among the team members is also required. This skill brings about several changes in the organization and hence it is considered as the crucial one. The scenario changes after every decision and this is the main reason why a leader is expected to possess the decision making skill. Though these skills play a major role in shaping up a leader, the interpersonal skills are also equally important. The Art of Leadership also includes coaching ability and learning skills that will help the leader to manage the team effectively. (Grint, 2001). Team leaders or managers must know how to coach the team members or the trainees. This in turn will enable the employees to perf orm in a better way. The interaction with the team increases the productivity of the organization as it motivates the employees to work towards achieving their goal. The art of leadership not only covers these skills, but

New product development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

New product development - Essay Example The feature has been described in a manner that it is distinguishing the product from the rest. For example, the image of the beverage is to look natural. That distinguishes the product from the rest. Moreover, the design also looks different. The fact that the beverage is natural also means it is simple in making and in design with no chemicals. That is an attractive feature. The second feature is the benefit associated with the product is the positioning. The product is positioned outside the school business on St Lawrence and 15th Street. The advantage associated is with the distance. The target group in this case is the students. The students will not have to walk long distances to search for their natural juice. The next concept is the cost. Since the beverage is made from fresh pressed apple cider, the cost will be affordable for all the customers. That is the concept and perception that the consumer will have. In addition, the target audience is the students hence the prices must be pocket friendly to win a huge number of

Accounting for Business Combination and Ethics Assessment Essay Example for Free

Accounting for Business Combination and Ethics Assessment Essay Early 2011, Yung Limited acquired 75% interest in Chum Limited. This is the first time of Yung Limited preparing the consolidated statement. A few issues regarding to the first consolidated financial statement have been raised up. This report is used to solve the raised issues and explain general principle of consolidation accounting. Before the acquisition, Yung and Chum was a competitor to each other. Their financial statement only reflects their own financial position. Thus, the balance and transaction would state in the financial statement. The reason is that they are viewed as two entities from different aspect. However, after the acquisition, Yung and Chum became a single combined entity as Yung held 75% interest in Chum. It means Yung can direct business decision of Chum according to its preference. This view would be reflected in the consolidated financial statements. Since the consolidated financial statements view Yung and Chum as a single combined entity, the balance due to each other would be eliminated as a result. As Yung and Chum are the single entity, the amount due to Yung is set off by the amount due from Chum. One entity cannot lead money to itself in order to create a liability or asset. See more:Â  Capital budgeting essay As Yung and Chum are a single entity, transactions with each other are just a transfer of assets or liabilities, or a relocation of assets, this would not recognise as a transaction in the consolidated financial statements. Generally, profit margin is added to those transactions. These profit margins would raise book value of assets in the transactions. The common example is inventory and non-current assets. Those profit margins can only be realised in the sales or disposal to external parties. Thus, the consolidated financial statements would eliminate those unrealised profit also. According to the above statement, Yung gets the power of control in the Chum. It means every transaction can be related to Yung and its decision. The relationship between Yung and Chum would be a parent-subsidiary, and not just similar to other associate as investor-investee. Therefore, it is required to show consolidated financial statement of Yung and Chum. The distinction between consolidation and equity basis of accounting is power of control. Generally, if an entity holds more than 50% interest of another entity, the entity is required to consolidate the controlled entity. However, if an entity holds about 20% to 50% interest of another entity, the entity is required to practising the equity basis of accounting. Comparing with the two methods, consolidation basis of accounting would reflect a smaller net income if there are a large amount of inter-company transactions. Equity basis of accounting only show the share of profit in associate as an extra item in the income statement of investor (parent in consolidation). Thus, it would be a greater net income unless there is a net loss in the associate. In conclusion, different methods change the net income. The financial statements for equity basis of accounting are only included the investment in associates as non-current assets, and recorded as cost plus fair value adjustments in the net shares of equity. The consolidated financial statements are the combination of the parent and subsidiaries, and goodwill, excluding inter-company balance and cost of control. Thus, Yung’s financial statements would be greater value in statement of financial position if all investments were consolidated, but smaller value in income statement as there are large amount inter-company transactions between Yung and Chum. Equity basis of accounting could provide a greater asset value to Yung, but a smaller net income to Yung also. Dear Mr. Li, Memo regarding the revenue cut-off problem of Yung Limited According to the recent conference with John Au, President of Yung Limited, he reported that the sales of Yung Limited in 2010 incorrectly included sales in 2011. However, we did not discover this material error by our audit work. This material error overstated the profit of Yung in 2010 by 10%, but understated the profit of Yung in 2011 by the same rate. John Au also mentioned that he prefers to ignore this error because he can get benefit from this error as the understated profit. Ignoring revenue cut-off problem leads to conflicts in ethical and professional. This conflicts with fundamental ethical principles, such as integrity, objectivity and professional behavior. In the integrity aspect, we should not disclose any untrue financial statements. In the objectivity aspect, our professional judgments should not be influenced by reputation of our audit firm and any potential legal sue. In the professional behavior, we should comply with relevant laws and regulations relating to this revenue cut-off problem. The following are some of my recommendation on this revenue cut-off problem. The first recommendation would be reporting to the board of directors directly. This material error should be report the board of directors of Yung Limited. This report could give directors’ chance to decide the treatment of this material error. They could estimate effect of this material error. The second recommendation would be following John Au’s suggestion, ignoring this material error. This could be a way to accommodate our client. The third recommendation would be requiring John Au to correct this material error. This could reflect the true financial position of Yung Limited. The fourth recommendation would be convening an extra-ordinary general meeting with all shareholders of Yung Limited. This EGM could give shareholders opportunity to aware this material error, and understand the potential. Finally, I would recommend asking John Au to correct this material error. Although this correction would make him loss of a bonus, this is a fair treatment to all stakeholders at all. Also, this solution could reflect the professional position of our company.

Economic Analysis of Shanghai Port

Economic Analysis of Shanghai Port GROUP MEMBERS: Li Zhou (043-867-118) Botao Lin (053-077-129) Mingwei Tang (038-307-138) Yihong Wu (014-113-138) Introduction and Background: Introduction: Shanghai port is one of the most famous ports in the world; it is also the worlds busiest trading port. Shanghai ports foreign trade accounted for the major coastal port throughput of about 20% in China, government use Shanghai port to implement open-door policy and participate in the international economy. As statistics shown, Shanghai cargo and container throughput are among the top in the world in 2010. Location: Shanghai port is located in the central China coastline. â€Å"Situated at the junction of the West/East transport route by the Yangtze River and the South/North route along the seacoast† (shanghai port). Size: â€Å"Shanghai covers an area of 3,619.6km ² at the mouth of the Yangtze.†(Ship technology )The total quay length of about 20 kilometers and has 293 thousand square meters of warehouses.†(Port profile). Shanghai Port is the largest port in China. History: On November 17th 1843, Shanghai port was forced to operate by the Qing Government. A lot of foreign businessmen start swarmed into Shanghai. â€Å"They took notorious actions like appointment of foreign harbor master, designation of foreign vessel anchorages and berths, demarcation of apron waters, building of warehouses and yards, drug smuggling, human trafficking.†(Shanghai). This rampant phenomenon always occurs, but incompetent Qing government had no power to solve and prevent the phenomenon. After the Qing government reforms its own institutions, Shanghai port consolidated the rights and began to focus on trade. In 1853, â€Å"Shanghai became the largest foreign trade port in China. After the 1870’s, Shanghai Port evolved into the shipping center in China where contemporary industrial clusters took shape at both sides of Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek.†(Shanghai). At the beginning of the 20th Century, â€Å"Huangpu Fairway Bureau dredged and harnessed several sections of the Wusong Estuary and the Huangpu River so that 10,000-tonnage vessels might sail into the Huangpu River at high tide.†(Shanghai).Because a lot of investment development of the port, Shanghai port developed very rapidly. It facilitated the transport of goods; as a result Chinas economy has improved dramatically. Through more than half a century of endless efforts, Shanghai Port has become a one of the most modern and famous ports in a world. In the future, the Chinese government will continue the development of the port of Shanghai; it has become an important symbol of China. Globalization: Driven by open-door policy and economic globalization, the port became an important international connecting channel node. As an important port, Shanghai port is one of the most effected ports about international trade in the world. Therefore, China began to spend a lot of money and labor to develop the port of Shanghai. Under the influence of globalization, China is known as the worlds factory, most of the worlds low-cost products are made à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹in china. Moreover, Shanghai port not only maintains a good state, but it also has a perfect transportation system, as a result China developed close trading relationship with other countries. More and more international companies build factories or look for factories in China. This will stimulate the Chinese and the world economy. People witnessed the phenomenal growth of globalized Shanghai Port. Over the past decade, Shanghai’s throughput has increased more than two times of the original. In year 2008 to 2012, despite the economic crisis, Chinas port economy is still in a rising state. Compared with neighboring countries: South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Shanghai port has a clear price advantage. This is also a reason why numerous companies choose Shanghai. Shanghai port cargo throughput currently still has steady growth of 4.9 percent average annual growth rate. Since 2010, Shanghai is emerged as the worlds largest container port, and its containers throughput reached a record-breaking of 32.5 million TEU. Shanghai is a high efficiency, strong hinterland accessible world-class port. Cultural Considerations: Shanghai has different position in different times. In ancient times, from the Qin Dynasty to the Tang and Song dynasties, it gradually forms the edge of the center; from the Yuan Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, it is in the prosperous city. In modern times, it is a Chinese mega-city. It is the largest port, the foreign exchanges base, the economic center, and most importantly one of the national cultural centers in China. Since 1949, it is still the Chinese mega-cities, Chinas industrial base, the financial backbone of the 1990s in the forefront of reform and opening up in China. Shanghai is located in the midpoint of the Chinese mainland coastline, the sea of the Yangtze River, where is on the â€Å"T shaped intersection. After shipping developed into such geographical conditions on the advantages of the port, through the Huangpu River, the Grand Canal and the southern waterways dense spider web, Shanghai became the hub of the Yangtze River Delta foreign trade. Therefore, since the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Shanghai is one of the important foreign trade ports in China. After entering the modern history of the development of shipping and technology, the rapid development of oceanic trade, located in the Western Pacific hub of Shanghai route, ideal for port development and shipping trade of the world. Shanghai North and Tokyo, Osaka, Japan, the East and San Francisco, Los Angeles area, south of Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore, distances are relatively modest, after the opening of the Suez Canal, and the European transport more convenient. Remediation of the Hu angpu River in the early 20th century road carried, increasing the port’s deep-water berths and shoreline, construction of a number to meet the needs of large shipping docks, warehouses and stacks, a large port of Shanghai as an international condition more perfect. Competitive factors – locally, regionally, and internationally. SWOT Analysis: Strengths Strong market leadership: in 2010, shanghai overtook Singapore to become the busiest and largest port in the world. â€Å"China’s Shanghai port has retained its title as the worlds busiest container port in 2013 with a total throughput of 33.6m teu, up 3.4% from 32.5m teu in 2012.à ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã‹â€ shanghai)† Advantageous geographical location: Shanghai port located at the front edge of the Yangtze River Delta and near major global shipping routes. It’s one of major hub port in china and the china’s most important gateway for international trade. The port of shanghai is equipped with world’s biggest crane, high-tech trials and one of most advanced control systems that any containable. Moreover, they have some of best container port operators in the business. Weaknesses: 1) The port facilities cannot cope with such an increasing volume of exports and imports. Small player compared to its competitors: there is no doubt that shanghai is busiest and largest port in the world. However, compare with other competitor, Shanghai port has low port productivity. In time million tons of silt washed down the Yangtze River. Because of insufficient water depth, shanghai port is unable to accommodate big ship. (except Yangshan deep water port) Opportunities: 1) Government support: The government pay attention on shanghai port. â€Å"The China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (PFTZ) officially launched and the existing Yangshan Free Trade Port Area will be included in the new zone.†(Free) 2) With the global expansion of business, more and more countries need to do the trade with china and import goods from china. Moreover, most â€Å"well know† brand’s majority of its goods are assembled or made in the Chinese mainland. 3) Deep-water port started operationà ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã… ¡Shanghai Yangshan port is able to accommodate big ship. Threats: The competition is increasing. The port of shanghai will face increasing amount of competitors from neighboring port. The rising fuel price and labor price. Successful Factors: The geographic of shanghai port is a key factor that lead to the success of this key seaport. Shanghai port located at the front edge of the Yangtze River Delta and near major global shipping routes. The shanghai port comprises a deep water port and a river port. â€Å"With a favorable geographical location, it made shanghai port becomes a key area of development for coastal trade during the Qing dynasty from 1644 to 1912.†(The world) The policy of government is a key factor that leads to the success of this key seaport. In 1842, China opened port to foreign trade. Throughout most of the Chinese history, Shanghai port plays an important role in import and export trade. â€Å"In 1991, the central government allowed Shanghai to initiate economic reform.† As result of this policy, the port of shanghai has developed rapidly. In 2013, the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone officially launched and its first free trade zone is established in China. It definitely attract foreign investor investing in shanghai. With the global expansion of business, more and more countries need to do the trade with china and import goods from china. Competitive Factors: Shanghai Port is the worlds busiest container port in 2010. In 2010, Shanghai also took a quarter share of Chinas foreign trade. China is the largest container market in the world today. Consequently Beijing is focusing attention on Shanghai and hopes it will be a world-leading international shipping and financial center by 2020. In its 12th five-year plan, Beijing also emphasized the importance of the development of Hong Kongs maritime industry. The ports are considered crucial gateways: Shanghai to the booming Yangtze River Delta region and Hong Kong to the hugely successful Special Economic Zones in the Pearl River Delta region of southern China. Shanghais proximity to the Yangtze River Delta is expected to contribute to significant growth in port traffic driven by exports. However, with the development of the Yangshan Port approximately 27 kilometers from the coast of Shanghai, the Port has established competitive transshipment capabilities. Asias dominance in world seaborne trad e will require the continued development of ports and bonded areas to attract associated maritime services. Infrastructure is crucial but it is not the whole story: competitive strategies and collaboration through effective government policy will help shape the future success of individual ports. Although it has been suggested that the Port of Shenzhen may overtake the Port of Shanghai by the end of the decade, Shanghai’s increasing dominance in transshipment and more generally as a maritime center makes it a crucial comparator port to Hong Kong. This working paper will first identify the key features of the ports of Hong Kong and Shanghai. In order to identify disparities and opportunities, it will examine the regulatory framework of the Port of Shanghai, including incentives for the maritime industry. There is a substantial body of academic research concerning interaction between ports: predominantly in the fields of economics, management and transport logistics and geography. It is perhaps only through such a broad spectrum of analysis that the overall competitiveness of a port can be properly assessed–it is impossible to attribute the success or demise of a port to a single factor. Moreover, modern ports are a complex agglomeration of stakeholders including terminal operators, regulatory bodies, logistics companies, shipping lines, and many more. Although it is the intention that the present working paper focus on two specific aspects of maritime competitiveness, namely governmental regulation and policies, the wealth of discourse on port competition and integration is instructive and reference will be made where relevant. Process of the Seaport: Our goods will ship to Canada from Shang Hai seaport. Our good is clothes. We are going to ship our good by container ship. We will use closed general cargo container. We decided to use FCL as our containerized service, because our goods have huge export volume. We are going to pick regional service routes as our trade routes, because we have sufficient volume to commitment of direct services between Shanghai and Canada. If we want to ship goods to Toronto, we will use Macro land bridge internationalism, because it saves time and money. We will sign clean bill of lading with master of the ship to indicating the apparent order and condition of the goods received on board. Sustainability: â€Å"Shanghai is the largest Chinese city by population and the largest city proper by population in the world.†(from) â€Å"Shanghai is a global financial center, and a transport hub with the worlds busiest container port.†(from) â€Å"Shanghai sits on the Yangtze River Delta on Chinas eastern coast, and the main seaports area distributed along the Yellow River.† (shanghai) The Yangtze River and Huangpu River can provide fresh water for the seaport, and it is also ensures that the width of the ship into the territory and a lot of space ship anchor. There are some data shows that Shanghai seaport has all kinds of harbor berths of 1140, and wharves line length is 91.6 km. Container throughput in the feeder container volume 2,026,000 TEUs, international transit boxes 785,000 TEUs, domestic container throughput of 3,137,000 TEUs. By the end of 2006, Shanghai seaport container liner route to reach 2106 flights per month, of which 498 flights are ocean routes. In the first five months of 2013, Shanghai seaport handled 12.7 million TEU, but its biggest rival Singapores container volume was just 12.1 million TEU. Because of the low labour costs, more and more manufacturers would love to set up factories in western China. Therefore, Shanghai expected the throughput’s average annual growth rate to be about 10% in the next five years. Based on above six points, Shanghai is a big city that has great potential and sustainability of seaport in the future. Financial Analysis: Commodity description: clothing, T-shirt, fitted top in pima cotton jersey. Price per piece/unit: 1.3 CAD. Quantity of product: 10000 pieces. Total weight of shipment Weight: 18kg/per carton*100 = 1800kg. Total cube of shipment: 24m^3 Total Quantity: 100cartons. Carton: 80cm*50cm*60cm 0.8m*0.5m*0.6m = 0.24m^3 0.24m^3*100 = 24m^3 = 20ft container INCOTERM chosen: CIF and shanghai port as to incoterm 2010. Port of loading: Shanghai Port of destination: Montreal Total export price: 13000CAD. Total freight amount in Canadian dollars: ocean freight 1350CAD, inland freight 300CAD Total: 1350 CAD. Insurance premium (if applicable):0.8% war 0.08 Profit margin: 30% Total/final export price (based on INCOTERM chosen): 13000*(1+15%-9%)/ (1+15%) +1650 = 13632.6087 CAD 13632.6087/ (1 1.1*0.0088 0.3) = 19748.24531 CAD Citations About the Port of Shanghai.Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission. N.p., n.d. Web. 12Mar.2014. Port of Shanghai: Port Profile Freight Statistics, Container Shipping — Dedola Global Logistics.Freight Forwarder, Global Logistics, Supply Chain, Customs Broker Dedola Global Logistics. N.p., n.d. Web. 12Mar.2014. Port of Shanghai.Ship Technology. N.p., n.d. Web. 12Mar.2014. from Shanghai Pudong airport to the Westin Bund Center.SHANGHAI. N.p., n.d. Web. 12Mar.2014. Shanghai.Artistopia Music. N.p., n.d. Web. 12Mar.2014. Shanghai retains crown as worlds busiest container port in 2013. Seatrade Global – Maritime News | Offshore News | Shipping News. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2014. free trade zone raises hopes-shanghai. BBC News. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Mar. 2014. PortArea .com | World Leading Port Agent Center Port of Shanghai. PortArea .com | World Leading Port Agent Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2014. WPS Port of Shanghai review. World Port Source. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Mar. 2014. The worlds busiest, handles 736m tonnes every year. Mail Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Mar. 2014.

Collapse of Civilizations Essay -- essays research papers

The factors that lead to the â€Å"collapse† of civilizations are almost directly related to those that created it. Archaeologists characterize collapse by a number of elements, some of which we have evidence for, others we do not. Most archaeologists are unsure of exactly what caused the decline of most civilizations in the ancient world, yet there are many clues to some of the events that could have contributed. The collapse of the ancient Roman Empire, the Mesoamerican Mayan, and the Egyptian cultures will be discussed in the following paragraphs, with a focus on the uniqueness of each.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Collapse† is in quotations because its definition when applied to civilizations is often debated. Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary states: 1: to fall or shrink together abruptly and completely: fall into a jumbled or flattened mass through the force of external pressure 2: to break down 3: to cave or fall in or give way 4: to suddenly lose force, significance, effectiveness, or worth 5: to break down in vital energy, stamina, or self-control through exhaustion or disease; especially: to fall helpless or unconscious 6: to fold down into a more compact shape Although this definition can vaguely describe the overall fall of most civilizations, the actual details are more finite. One such event would be an environmental change. Archaeologists use this as a reason for the decline of civilizations often because it fits so well into any situation. A terrifying earthquake, a change in flow of a vital river, and a volcanic eruption are examples of what could have happened to abruptly end a civilization. Another reason might be over use of natural resources. As civilizations grew, the need for more resources increased. They could not grow enough food to support the growing population, and as a result trade networks fell apart, people began to starve, and large epidemics spread. Also many of these civilizations based everything on ideology. They believe that their rulers were gods on earth, so when these devastating things started happening, they lost faith in their ruler. Building temples, making statues of their kings, redistributing their good s, and the following of rulers all ceased. The accumulation of all these factors resulted in decline.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  For a long period of time, the Mayan civilization was assumed to ha... ...n 1163 B.C., Egypt entered a period of slow decline (Scarre 1997:116). Pharaohs became less powerful, and their prestige dwindled. Hungry soldiers were terrorizing the community, while tomb robbers were raiding the pyramids for resources that were very much needed. They had buried their pharaohs with food, goods and jewelry, all of which were needed to keep the civilization in tact. They had built too many pyramids, and there were setbacks in Asia which corrupted trade. People did not understand why the pharaohs could not fix the problems that were going on. They viewed them as gods and lost trust and faith. Egypt fell apart as these things culminated with loss of belief in the pharaohs. These three civilizations all had a decline that can not be totally explained. Each unique yet similar in different ways. Both the Egyptian and Mayan civilization seemed to have declined because of agricultural and ideological reasons, and all three had to do with a loss of power and trust in rulers. There are many factors that create a civilization or empire and make it powerful. The corruption and loss of these same factors is what leads to the decline of an otherwise successful civilization.

The Benefits of Community Service :: Community Service Experience Paper

A typical school day for many University students consists of sitting in a classroom and listening to a lecture. While there is great value in this style of learning, my community service work has taught me the many benefits of learning not only from professors, but also from fellow classmates, partners in the community, and individuals at volunteer sites, regardless of their age or educational background. It has also taught me to be an active member of our community and to share the burdens and responsibilities that goes along with that role — caring about the living conditions of others. I am very interested in literacy so I chose to volunteer at the Literacy Center and work with 11- to 16-year-old students after school. On my second visit to the center, I ate dinner with a 14-year-old boy and asked him how his day had gone. He said he didn’t like his reading class, and I asked him why. He replied, â€Å"I read at a third-grade level.† I was extremely shocked and didn’t know how to respond. After a minute of silence, he asked me if I knew about the Spanish_America War. I told him that I had just learned about it last semester in my college history class. He said he had to write a paper on it and asked if I could review what he’d written. I was amazed; a 14-year-old student was writing a paper about a piece of history I hadn’t even known existed until I was nineteen. This discussion gave me a new perspective on the concept of literacy. I learned that when considering what literacy means, it’s important to consider not only an individual’s ability to read and write, but also his or her total cache of knowledge.

Agricultural exploitation and human effects on the environment

Humans rely on earth's resources for a high quality of life. As the population surge continues, more food has to be produced to meet the high demands of people. However in relying on more and more resources, the population have forgotten to stop and think about the environment. The growth in human population has caused: * More waste is being produced. * More pollution is being caused. * Non-renewable energy resources, such as coal, oil and natural gas, are being used up rapidly. * Raw materials are being used up rapidly. Agricultural production has been rising over the last few decades. Production has been rising due to an increase in the development of various crops and animals, and more intensive methods of farming. New varieties if crops and farm animals have been developed by artificial selection and genetic engineering. Crops can be genetically engineered to be resistant to pests. Many foods now contain genetically modified organisms. Some humans think that these will help food production and maintain high standards of living for the population. However, there are people that believe that we have the ability to produce adequate food without genetically modified organisms. They believe that the genetically modified organisms should be researched into for long term effects on health and environment. Agriculture is becoming more and more mechanised and the conditions can be controlled much more than before. On many arable farms machines have replaced labourers almost entirely. Every stage of crop production is carried out by machines. Large amounts of pesticides are used to increase crop yield by reducing competition from weeds and minimizing losses to disease and pests. Inorganic and organic fertilisers keep mineral levels high in the soil. Without fertilisers, heavy harvesting, of most crops would deplete the soil of the minerals. A deficiency of any one mineral limits plant growth. Fertilisers can increase crop yields however above a particular level, the increase in crop yield for each unit of fertiliser used gets less. Worse to that is that if a high over use of fertiliser is used then it will result in a decrease in crop yield and also have the long lasting effect on the environment. Among the most intensive forms of farming are greenhouse cultivation of plants and factory farming of animals. Both these methods grow organisms indoor in a confined space under controlled environmental conditions. Growing plants in greenhouses allows conditions such as light intensity, temperature, carbon dioxide concentrations, and mineral levels to be controlled artificially. Many people are against factory farming due to the following reasons: * Intensive cultivation is not cost effective because it relies on the heavy use of fossil fuels * Antiobioitcs, pesticides, and growth-promoting substances may harm human health and the environment. * Excessive use of antibioticvs in farm animals is contributing to the evolution of antibiotic resistance * Intensive cultivation isn't cost effective and is damaging to the environment whereas organic farming isn't dependent on fossil fuels and is better for the environment. Land clearance for cultivation and for grazing reduces the number of habitats available. Tropical forests are cleared for timber and land use on a massive scale, destroying important habitats and making the soil unstable. Destruction of a habitat reduces variation and the gene pool. Maximum use is made of available agricultural land by intensive cultivation, including the use of nitrate fertilisers. This causes there to be soil erosion and eutrophication. Agricultural pests cause economic damage to crops and farm animals. They can have a terrible effect especially in monocultures in which only one crop is grown. These systems are simpler than natural ecosystems and usually lack the predators of pests. Also, the growing the same crop on the same land again and again may allow the pests to increase in number. Pests attack crop plants and animals – which reduces yield. They cause disease, spoil stored food, compete for resources and increase the chance of pathogenic disease. These factors have a bad effect leading to a reduced amount of food produced and a huge economic loss for farmers. à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ Pests for plants include weeds, insects and crop diseases à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ Weeds compete with crops for water, light and ions, – reducing crop yields à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ Insects damage crops – By eating leaves – photosynthesis – Tunnelling into stems – transport – Attacking roots – water uptake – Destroying buds and shoots Pesticides are poisonous chemicals used to control organisms considered to be harmful on agriculture or organisms involved in disease transmission. Pesticides should be specific, non persistent (biodegradable) and shouldn't accumulation. Pest control cannot completely remove a pest. The point is to remove enough of a pest so the farmer can get a good profit return. Pests can also be controlled chemically. This involves the use of herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides to kill the pests. The chemicals can be sprayed onto the crop, applied as powders or smokes in enclosed areas, sprayed onto animals or added to animal feed. Advantages of chemical control: * Pests are destroyed quickly and fairly cheaply * Chemicals can be applied on a small level * Doesn't need a high level of skill * Very effective means of control Disadvantages of control: * Chemicals aren't specific and can damage non target insects. With the removal of insect predators, there may be a resurgence in the pest * Pesticides contain poisonous chemicals which could enter into food chains likely to then kill birds, fish or mammals. * Pests could become resistant to pesticides. * Chemical residue could harm humans Chlorinated organic chemicals such as DDT were constant and remained in the environment for long periods, which is not what is required of a modern pesticide. However DDT was over used and this led to resistance from many species of insects. The suitable insecticide is an effective pesticide at low quantities and kills harmful insects. Another key point is that it should have no environmental effects. Researcehrs are constantly making progress on developing on new compounds. In the latest generation of insecticides, the pyrethroid has been developed from the flower of the plant named Pyrethrum. However, the effect of the natural pyrethrum was found to be short term as it was quickly broken down by sunlight. Biochemists then used the natural pyrethrum as a beginning point to develop a much safer, stable compound, suitable for insect control in field crops. Farmers should spray their crops in early morning or late evening to avoid harming passing by bees and ladybirds. Chemical pest control may involve the use of: * Herbicides – for control of weeds * Insecticides – for control of insects * Fungicides – for control of fungi * Molluscicides – for control of slugs and snails There have been many problems with insecticides since the primary idea behind insecticides was to kill all the pests possible – the effects on non-target organisms wasn't looked into, some of which are beneficial. Biological control target natural enemies to maintain the population of pest species. A beneficial organism (agent) is deployed against a harmful organism (target). The purpose is to reduce the pest population down to a level which is economically profitable. If the pest population was completely wiped out then it would have a counter effect because there would be no food for the natural predator which would soon die out. Advantages of biological pest control: * Can provide long term control if population equilibrium is reached * Even though it is expensive in the short term (introductioin), it can work out cheaper in the longer term * Unlike chemical control, it's highly specific to a pest which means less chance of having an effect on non target organisms. * No environmental contamination * It can be used in a glasshouse situation Disadvantages of biological control * Success needs deep level of skill and research. This can be expensive. * Examples which have gained success are fairly few in number * A thorough amount of knowledge is required about the life cycle. * Possibility of releasing organisms with unknown ecological effects * Consistent input is needed to maintain a population stability There are advantages and disadvantages of both chemical and biological control. Integrated pest management is the merging of the two methods. It is seen as a very effective way of tackling pests. This is achieved by: * Varying cultivation techniques * Use of biological agents * Minimal and well-targeted use of highly selective pesticides. Deforestation is having a effect on the environment. They are being cut down for reasons such as: * Sale of valueable timber * Freeing of land * Clearing land for roads The trees are being cut down at a much faster rate than they can regenerate. The consequences of deforestation are: * Soil erosion – digging and ploughing loosen up the topsoil, which is aiding in the process of soil erosion. * The removal of vegetation affects the regional climate mainly by reducing rainfall which increases speed of desertification. * Deforestation of the watershed causes lowland flooding. The removal of vegetation on the higher slopes of valleys consequents in heavy rain sweeping exposed soil to the floods below. On the lower slopes, plants and leaf litter would act as a sponge and soak up water gradually released into the soil. Instead, due to the absence of plants, only evaporation occurs. This is generally slower than transpiration in returning water vapour to the atmosphere, so soil conditions become wetter. * Climate change – A reduction in the level of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as there is less global synthesis. This leads to global warming. Cutting down forests hasn't much effect on global carbon dioxide levels however since forests burn rapidly releasing lots of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which assists in acid rain and helps towards global warming. Destruction of natural habitats leads to reduction in biodiversity. It is estimated that around 50% of the earth's species live in the rainforests even though rain forests only take up around 10% of the earth's land. If natural habitats are exploited then it could make them become extinct. This may lead to a loss in medical properties of some tropical plants which haven't been looked into. Agricultural is way of combating deforestation. Possible solutions to problems of deforestation: * Managed forests involving the sustainable replanting and regeneration. * Providing protected areas to preserve species. There have been dramatic increases in the intensity and efficiency of commercial methods. This has meant that over-fishing is happening in many areas of the world. Fish are a renewable source. Over-fishing results in a depletion of younger fish, so that the breeding stock can't maintain previous population levels. If the rate at which they are removed exceeds that at which they have been produced, their supply is disappearing. Fishing isn't examined for possible negative issues. In a fish farm, fish are replaced by artificial breeding. However in the ocean, fish are taken out of the sea from humans with no aim to replace them by breeding. Over fishing often causes both a fall in the number of fish and a change in population structure: young smaller fish may become increasingly common as fishing fleets try to maintain the size of the fish they catch. Catching large numbers of small fish before they spawn can seriously reduce their ability of their species to reproduce. This could lead to a terrible fall in the local population of smaller fish. However fishing is likely to halt due to economic reasons, fishing is likely to stop before it can cause extinction. International agreements have been gained on control like: * Enforcing exclusion zones * Imposing quotas * Restricting the mesh size of nets – bigger nets may allow juvenile fish to escape and reproduce. * Having closed seasons for fishing