Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Right to Reject Vaccines Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words
Right to Reject Vaccines - Essay Example The interaction may lead to the spread of any disease that might be existent in those children who are not vaccinated. The risk of infections is made greater without vaccination. Another reason why all pupils should be vaccinated is that, most of the vaccines are given free by the government and others have their prices levied too. Therefore, there should be no reason whatsoever for any school going pupil, not to be vaccinated. Finally, there have been reports that the majority of parents fail to follow the required schedule in giving their children the required vaccine. Therefore making it mandatory for school going children to be vaccinated before being admitted might make the parents follow up the whole schedule of vaccination. Through the action of schools, the spread of diseases in public places will be minimized, and most of the children will be vaccinated and the risk of being infected reduced too. The result will be a reduction in infant mortality by a significant
Monday, October 28, 2019
The G8-G20 Roles and Relationship Essay Example for Free
The G8-G20 Roles and Relationship Essay The 68-620 Roles and Relationship John Kirton Director, 68 Research Group; Co-director, 620 Research Group john. [emailprotected] ca Paper prepared for a panel on The Future of the 68 and 620 Possible Scenarios at an expert seminar on The Future of the 68 and 620, sponsored by the Universiteit Gent and Egmont, Fondation Universitaire/universitaire Stichting, Brussels, April 26, 2010. Version of May 13, 2010. Introduction Now that the Group of Twenty (620) summit has arisen as the self-proclaimed permanent, premier forum for international economic governance, a lively debate as erupted about its relationship with the old Group of Eight (68) and the role of both bodies in the years ahead. Many assume or argue that the 68 will and should fade away, fast, and the 620 assume all the broad agenda and functions the former has long had. Far fewer assert openly that that the new and diverse 620 may itself fade away along with the galvanizing economic crisis that gave it birth, leaving the 68 with its inner Group of Seven (67) finance ministers to continue as the global steering group that counts. Given the durability of international institutions, it is more likely hat both, rather than either or neither, will continue for the foreseeable future, in a relationship that could take several forms. The major possibilities are competition, passive mutual coexistence by dividing up the global policy agenda and governance functions, or active cooperation that brings the comparative advantage of each to reap the global governance synergies that await (Kirton 2009). After less than two years of 620 summitry, it is still too soon to conclude with complete confidence which scenario will spring to life. But there is already substantial evidence to suggest that he system is moving toward synergistic cooperation between the two Gs that will strengthen each and both in the medium term. The global demand for governance is pulling the system in that direction and the old 68 great powers and new G20-only systemically significant ones are starting to supply that demand by working together in this way. However, its realization will take smart, strategic leadership from the 68 and G20s coming hosts and chairs, starting with Canada in June 2010. And if they provide it properly, in the longer term, the 68 and its 620 creation could become one, nited above all by the values that the G8 has successfully pioneered since its start. The Strengthening Success of the 68 and 620 Summits The prospect that both the 68 and 620 summits will continue rests in the first instance on the fact that few international institutions, even informal plurilateral, globally-relevant summit-level ones, tend to fade away. As Appendix A exhibits, many such institutions show impressive longevity, dating back a century or more. The 68, born in 1975, is one of the oldest such bodies of global relevance and reach. After 36 years in operation, it is unlikely to disappear soon. Kirton: The G8-G20 Roles and Relationship Moreover, as Appendix B indicates, the G8 shows a substantial and strengthening performance over these years on all six dominant dimensions of governance which such bodies are expected to perform. It has an improving and now respectable record in delivering its commitments, by having its members comply with them within the year after they are made. It has also become, from its summit centre, a full-strength governance system, with a broad array of G8-centred bodies at the ministerial, official and civil society levels below. There are no signs that it is a global overnance system on the wane. The 620, in its first two years of summit life, also shows signs of strengthening, even if it is still far less potent in its performance than the 68 has become. The 620 has beaten the 68 in the frequency of its summit meetings â⬠having had five scheduled within its first two calendar years. Yet, as Appendix C shows, on all six dimensions of global governance, the 620 remains far behind the 68. 620 summits last about half as long as 68 ones, generate only one- third as many decisional commitments, and have a compliance record that, while still n the positive range, is well behind that of the 68 and of the 68 members within the 620 itself. The future demand for global governance thus seems likely to be met by both bodies, rather than either or neither. In the case of the latter scenario, it is striking how the successful MEF/M-16 that arose as a core component of the last two 68 summits has disappeared from the 2010 one, even with the failure of the UNs Copenhagen COPMOP to effectively deal with climate change. The traditional preference of France and a few others for a 613 is voiced far less frequently now, ven as Frances turn to host both the 68 and 620 summits in 2011 draws near. The group of Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC), now having had two summits, remain largely members of both the 620 and G8 and have expressed support for the 620 itself. Shaping the G8-G20 Relationship If both bodies seem likely to continue and even strengthen, then given their high similarity in membership/participation, top tier plurilateralism, informality, summit centricity and global governance orientation, they will increasingly need to define and develop the relationship between the two. In the realm of competition there have been few substantial signs of rivalry. There is an ongoing desire on the part of several, largely Asian members that 620 summits precede 68 ones each year, to avoid any impression that the old 68 club is pre-defining or dictating to the newer, broader 620 one. But here the 67/8 has prevailed, in holding its June 2010 summit before the 620 one, in holding the 67 finance ministers meeting in late April 2010 just before the 620 one at the semi-annual Bank-Fund meetings in Washington, and thus far for 2011 in France, having the 68 summit in its normal summer slot receding the 620 in newly normal (for leaders but not finance ministers) November one. There has been only minor competition over issues each wish to take up, with a Sherpa-level tussle over which group will speak about the Haitian earthquake on January 12, 2010, serving as the major case to date. 2 Passive mutual coexistence is more evident, especially in dividing up the global policy agenda so that the 620 governs finance and economics and the 68 social, political and security issues. It is striking how easily the 68 in 2010, if not in 2009 has abandoned its finance and economic agenda in favour of the 620.
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Use of Comparative Description in Toni Morrisons The Bluest Eye Essay
Use of Comparative Description in The Bluest Eyeà à à Upon reading The Bluest Eye a second time, I noticed something about the nature of Morrison's prose. The term that I have heard to describe the book most frequently is beautiful. The first chapters strike me as both incredibly realistic, and unbelievably beautiful. The fact that Morrison can give a scene where Claudia is actually throwing up on herself a rosy colored, nostalgic tint, and still manage to convey a sense of realism is a testament to Morrison's skill with words. The language certainly is beautiful, a sort of sensual prose, almost bordering on poetry. I also believe that the style of Morrison's descriptions is a key to understanding the major underlying theme of the novel, which is the association of rac...
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Progressive Era Essay
The progressive era directly followed the post-civil wartime of chaos and corruption. The United States of America desperately needed change. As a result of this desire for change a varied group called progressives (which were largely composed of white middle class), pushed to improve Americaââ¬â¢s current condition and created a set of goals. A majority of these goals were achieved pushing America to having increased social justice, corporation control, and regulations on consumer products. However not all hopes of change were granted and some failures still remained. The progressive era was a time of major reform and for the most part took strides of success towards its myriad of goals, which the U. S. desperately needed to achieve. This era completely contrasts with the post civil war era, and created a better America. A large reason why this time of reform could occur is because during this time America had politically progressive thinkers. Theodore Roosevelt dedicated much of his presidency to increase and improve America as a democratic nation with an abundant source of justice and liberty. Roosevelt formed the new square deal which (the 3 coââ¬â¢s) controlled the corporations, had restrictions on consumer products, and allowed direct nominations. In the 17th amendment it was stated that elections should be nominated and controlled by the people. Document D describes the shift from the previous system of indirect voting through the electoral college, to the new direct nominations made from the people. This signified the power of the people and increased democracy ideals. Another one of Rooseveltââ¬â¢s contributions to progressivism was the regulation of meat, food and water. Document B illustrates the horrifying unsanitary conditions of meat packaging, but during the progressive era acts were passed to make restrictions and laws about the sanitation of consumer products. There were also regulations on water purity, and systems were developed to improve piping systems and created healthy water available to the public (especially in urban areas). The diseases and health issues portrayed in Doc. B were dramatically lessened as these regulations were put into place and medical advances were made. Roosevelt also contributed to the much needed act of trust busting. The cartoon in Doc. A shows T. R. using his big brandishing stick to crush monopolies and corrupt trusts which controlled big industries. However after T. R. ââ¬â¢s terms as president Woodrow Wilson went on a trust busting frenzy and together they stamped out a majority of trusts (T. R. crushed 44 trusts in 7 years while Wilson busted 70 trusts in only 4 years). In the Clayton antitrust act, laws against unjust ways of business were put into place. It became illegal to ââ¬Å"discriminate in price between different purchasersâ⬠¦. any line of commerceâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ (Doc. E) This act states that no discrimination in cost could be used and it made monopolies illegal. This act also kindly noted that labor organizations were legal. Another achieved goal during the progressive era was the economic positive aspects that were put into place. The federal reserve act insured that money would be controlled and divided to ensure its safety and conservation. The progressive era also was the final push women needed to secure their suffrage. There were helpful constrictions of labor and the hours and conditions improved. Public schooling also was improved and increased during this era. Also an environmental movement occurred. An innumerous amount of achievements and successes resulted from this reform movement. Although ultimately the progressive era brought a positive light over America it had some minor failures. For most of this movement it was backed politically but Taft (besides trust busting) was a set back to this revolution. In addition, Wilson didnââ¬â¢t place any laws against the KKK or ant lynching laws. Document I shows the discrimination against races and the ability to preform (perform) hate crimes without legal restrictions. Another social injustice was the lack of passing the equal rights amendment. The picture in Document H shows how equal rights werenââ¬â¢t set into place under Wilson. Although Wilson was a progressive in some aspects he was a racist and sexist in other areas. An economic problem cause by this era was the idea of ââ¬Å"credits. Credits were used to increase consumerism but in reality it just created large devts, which is a cause of the great depression. In general the progressive era led to a number of successes, but it also had its drawbacks. In conclusion, the progressive era led to various economic, social, and political reforms, most of which were positive. Even though it has some negative outcomes, in reality, some of these issues can never be completely solved, eve n today. All in all, the progressive era worked to produce a better nations and created many successes for the United States of America.
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Muet vs Ielts
MUET VERSUS IELTS. In todayââ¬â¢s global world, the importance of English cannot be denied and ignored since English is the most common language spoken everywhere. Although Malay language is our mother tongue, we still have to conquer this language if we want to compete with other international countries. With the help of developing technology, English has been playing a major role in many sectors including medicine, engineering, and education is the most important arena where English is needed.Particularly, as a developing country, Malaysia needs to make use of this world-wide spoken language in order to prove its international power. Consequently, English should be the medium of instruction at universities in Malaysia. The reason for why English should be the medium of instruction at universities in Malaysia is that it helps students find a high quality jobs for students and the common language is obviously English. Next and the most important, it enables students to communicate with the international world and at once we can compete with other emerging international countries.So, to align with national development, Malaysia has established Malaysian University English Test (MUET) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to help students nowadays to improve a lot in English language. Firstly, the Malaysian University English Test (MUET) is an examination which measure the ability to use and understand English as it is spoken, written and heard in university campuses. This test is set and run by the Malaysian Examinations Council.MUET is created for Malaysia public universities enrolment needs and comprising 4 components that are listening, speaking, reading and writing. It is categorized into six bands or levels and only recognized in Malaysia and Singapore. Each components of this exam has its own scores. The maximum scores for each component is 45 for Listening and Speaking,120 for Reading and 90 for Writing, with the total score of 300. The scores are then graded in 6 bands, with Band 6 the highest and Band 1 the lowest.Firstly for listening test, candidates will be required to listen to recorded texts twice and answer questions consisting of information transfer, short-answer questions, and three option multiple choice questions and 4-option multiple choice questions. For speaking test, candidates will be required to perform the individual presentation and group discussion. For the individual presentation, candidates will be given 2 minutes to prepare for the given task and 2 minutes to present. Candidates will also listen to the other candidates while they are making their presentations and take down notes for the group discussion.For the group discussion that consists of 4 students, candidates will be given 2 minutes to prepare points to support or oppose the other candidatesââ¬â¢ views. After listening to everyone in the group, candidates will make a conclusion based on their topic. The group will be given 10 minutes for the group discussion. For reading test, candidates will be required to answer the questions that comprises 45 multiple choice questions based on the texts which may be taken from journals, newspapers or magazines sources. Lastly for writing test, candidates will be required to write 2 essays.This paper comprises two writing tasks that are interpretation of information based on specific stimuli provided and extended writing based on a given topic. Secondly, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an examination specially designed to assess a candidateââ¬â¢s competency in the English language for university studies. The IELTS examination is recognised by universities in the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. IELTS also conforms to the highest to the highest international standards of language assessment.Its purpose is to find out what level band of English from 0-9. Usually people need to take the IELTS test if applying for a job or to study in a college or university in an English-speaking or the immigrants. There are two modules of the IELTS test which are academic and general. The academic module is for the future students and for the general module is or immigrants. Besides, the format for IELTS is same as MUET which include four tests which are reading, writing, speaking and listening. The listening test takes about 40 minutes.The 30 minutes early for listen to a tape and to answer questions on what you hear and then 10 minutes left to transfer answers to the answer sheet. Next, reading test takes one hour and the task is to read passages of text and answer questions according to what you have read. Then, the writing test that also takes one hour and divided into two sub part. The first 20 minutes for write a letter or report and other 40 minutes to write an essay. The last one is speaking test that takes up to 15 minutes and consists of three parts which are personal interview, cue card talk and discus sion.In additional, all the test is continue one after another but for the speaking test get a break or been held on a different day. In conclusion, IELTS is much better compare with MUET. This is because the benefits of taking IELTS are many. If we like to study in world class universities like The Oxford University, Cambridge University, University of Bridgeport, University of California Berkeley, San Francisco State University we must take IELTS. Once we are graduated from any of these universities, our career begins with a fantastic position heading toward a bright future.Moreover, we will get exposed to the best intellectual as well as socio-economic environment that would nurture outstanding personality in us. Thus, we can find a dramatic change in our intellectual, professional and financial spheres. Further, we can have access to employment abroad by writing the IELTS General Module. We can enjoy incredible lifestyle and financial security if we are employed in the United Ki ngdom, Australia or New Zealand and the most important we can gain access to on-going support from some of the worldââ¬â¢s leading language assessment experts.Although IELTS is more tough compare to MUET but we still can work harder to success as English proverb says ââ¬Ëit doesnââ¬â¢t kill you make you strongerââ¬â¢. For many years, English has been the common wold-wide language, and it will be in the future. For this reason, if you want to follow trends, new gadgets and technology, modernization of the developing world, you have to know English whatever age you are in. ?
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Chili Peppers - An American Domestication Story
Chili Peppers - An American Domestication Story Chili pepper (Capsicum spp. L., and sometimes spelled chile or chilli) is a plant which was domesticated in the Americas at least 6,000 years ago. Its spicy goodness spread into cuisines throughout the world only after Christopher Columbus landed in the Caribbean and took it back with him to Europe. Peppers are widely considered the first spice to have been used by humans, and today there are at least 25 separate species in the family of American chili peppers and over 35 in the world. Domestication Events At least two, and perhaps as many as five separate domestication events are thought to have occurred. The most common type of chili today, and likely the earliest domesticated, is Capsicum annuum (the chili pepper), domesticated in Mexico or northern Central America at least 6,000 years ago from the wild bird pepper (C. annuum v. glabriusculum). Its prominence around the world is likely because it was the one that was introduced into Europe in the 16th century AD. The other forms which may have been independently created are C. chinense (yellow lantern chili, believed to have been domesticated in northern lowland Amazonia), C. pubescens (the tree pepper, in the mid-elevation southern Andes mountains) and C. baccatum (amarillo chili, lowland Bolivia). C. frutescens (piri piri or tabasco chili, from the Caribbean) may be a fifth, although some scholars suggest it is a variety of C. chinense. The Earliest Evidence of Domestication There are older archaeological sites which include domesticated chili pepper seeds, such as Guitarrero Cave in Peru and Ocampo Caves in Mexico, ranging in age from 7,000-9,000 years ago. But their stratigraphic contexts are somewhat unclear, and most scholars prefer to use the more conservative date of 6,000 or 6,100 years ago. A comprehensive examination of the genetic (similarities among the DNA from different types of chilies), paleo-biolinguistic (similar words for chili used in various indigenous languages), ecological (where modern chile plants are found) and archaeological evidence for chile pepper was reported in 2014. Kraft et al. argue that all four lines of evidence suggest that chili pepper was first domesticated in central-east Mexico, near Coxcatln Cave and the Ocampo Caves. Chili Peppers North of Mexico Despite chilis prevalence in southwestern American cuisines, the evidence for early use there is late and very limited. The earliest evidence of chili peppers in the American southwest/northwest Mexico has been identified in Chihuahua state near the site of Casas Grandes, ca AD 1150-1300. A single chili pepper seed was found at Site 315, a medium-sized adobe pueblo ruin in the Rio Casas Grandes Valley about two miles from Casas Grandes. In the same contexta trash pit directly underneath a room floorwas found maize (Zea mays), cultivated beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), cotton seeds (Gossypium hirsutum), prickly pear (Opuntia), goosefoot seeds (Chenopodium), uncultivated Amaranth (Amaranthus) and a possible squash (Cucurbita) rind. Radiocarbon dates on the trash pit are 760 /- 55 years before the present, or approximately AD 1160-1305. Cuisine Effects When introduced into Europe by Columbus, the chili launched a mini-revolution in cuisine; and when those chili-loving Spanish returned and moved into the Southwest, they brought the spicy domesticate with them. Chilies, a large part of central American cuisines for thousands of years, became most common north of Mexico in places where the Spanish colonial courts were most powerful. Unlike the other central American domesticated crops of maize, beans, and squash, chili peppers did not become part of southwestern US/northwestern Mexican cuisine until after Spanish contact. Researchers Minnis and Whalen suggest that the spicy chili pepper may not have fit into local culinary preferences until a large influx of colonists from Mexico and (most importantly) a Spanish colonial government affected local appetites. Even then, chilies were not universally adopted by all southwestern people. Identifying Chili Archaeologically Fruits, seeds and pollen of capsicum have been found in deposits at archaeological sites in the Tehuacan Valley of Mexico beginning about 6000 years ago; atà Huaca Prietaà in the Andean foothills of Peru by ca. 4000 years ago, atà Ceren, El Salvador by 1400 years ago; and in La Tigra, Venezuela by 1000 years ago. Recently, the study ofà starch grains, which do preserve well and are identifiable to species, has allowed scientists to peg the domestication of chili peppers to at least 6,100 years ago, in southwestern Ecuador at the sites of Loma Alta and Loma Real. As reported inà Scienceà in 2007, the earliest discovery of chili pepper starches is from the surfaces ofà milling stonesà and in cooking vessels as well as in sediment samples, and in conjunction with microfossil evidence of arrowroot, maize, leren, manioc, squash, beans and palms. Sources Brown CH, Clement CR, Epps P, Luedeling E, and Wichmann S. 2013.à The Paleobiolinguistics of Domesticated Chili Pepper (Capsicum à spp.).à Ethnobiology Lettersà 4:1-11.Clement C, De Cristo-Araà ºjo M, Dââ¬â¢Eeckenbrugge GC, Alves Pereira A, and Picanà §o-Rodrigues D. 2010.à Origin and Domestication of Native Amazonian Crops.à Diversityà 2(1):72-106.Duncan NA, Pearsall DM, and Benfer J, Robert A. 2009.à Gourd and squash artifacts yield starch grains of feasting foods from preceramic Peru.à Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciencesà 106(32):13202-13206.Eshbaugh W. 1993. Peppers: History and Exploitation of a Serendipitous New Crop Discovery. pages 132-139. In: J. Janick and J.E. Simon (eds.),à New Cropsà Wiley, New York.Hill TA, Ashrafi H, Reyes-Chin-Wo S, Yao J, Stoffel K, Truco M-J, Kozik A, Michelmore RW, and Van Deynze A. 2013.à Characterization of Capsicum annum Genetic Diversity and Population Structure Based on Parallel Polymorphism Discovery with a 30K Unigene Pepper GeneChip.à PLoS ONEà 8(2):e56200. Kraft KH, Luna Ruiz JdJ, and Gepts P. 2013. A new collection of wild populations of Capsicum in Mexico and the southern United States.à Genetic Resources and Crop Evolutionà 60(1):225-232. doi:10.1007/s10722-012-9827-5Kraft KH, Brown CH, Nabhan GP, Luedeling E, Luna Ruiz JdJ, dEeckenbrugge GC, Hijmans RJ, and Gepts P. 2014.à Multiple lines of evidence for the origin of domesticated chili pepper, Capsicum annuum, in Mexico.à Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciencesà Early Edition. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1308933111Minnis PE, and Whalen ME. 2010.à The first prehispanic chile (Capsicum) from the U.S. southwest/northwest Mexico and its changing use.à American Antiquityà 75(2):245-258.Ortiz R, Delgado de la Flor F, Alvarado G, and Crossa J. 2010. Classifying vegetable genetic resources- A case study with domesticated Capsicum spp.à Scientia Horticulturaeà 126(2):186-191. doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2010.07.007Perry L, Dickau R, Zarrillo S, Holst I, Pearsall DM, Piperno DR, Berman MJ, Cooke RG, Rademaker K, Ranere AJ et al. 2007.à Starch Fossils and the Domestication and Dispersal of Chili Peppers (Capsicum spp. L.) in the Americas.à Scienceà 315:986-988. Pickersgill B. 1969.à The archaeological record of chili peppers (Capsicum spp.)and the sequence of plant domestication in Peru.à American Antiquityà 34:54-61.
Monday, October 21, 2019
Learning Moral Values in College Movies
Learning Moral Values in College Movies Read how college movies can teach moral values. Organized youth groups, sports clubs, church organizations promote traditional moral values through peer interaction and learning the social consequences of a particular behavior. Similarly, moral values are promoted through mass media communication such as television, videos, songs, and movies by offering different models of behavior and their corresponding rewards or punishment. Movies are not simply entertainment as they expose people to social norms and life experiences. They are normally presented with themes and characters displaying value-laden principles and taking moral decisions that are influential in shaping or modifying a personââ¬â¢s value system. Movies displaying immorality such as crimes, violence against women, homosexuality, and others are likely to influence their audience moral values negatively.à Movies are important elements in youthââ¬â¢s socialization and reinforcement of values learned from home and school. For example, study shows that cowboy heroes in movies unintentionally convey socially significant information that influences values, attitudes, and beliefs of young people. Life Lessons in College Movies There are a number of movies set in college with moral value.à In 1994 for example, the movie With Honors is about an arrogant Harvard student (played by American-Canadian actor Brendan Frazer) who loses the only copy of his thesisà which he later found in the hands of a homeless but street-smart older man. The conflict began when the homeless man used the thesis as leverage for some favors. The egotistical and antagonistic Harvard senior student tried but failed to outsmart the situational intelligence and shrewd resourcefulness of the street smart and finally agrees to negotiate. The movie according to some reviews is a thoughtful representation of life with a moral value that people should do what makes them happy. The Harvard student negotiating for his thesis is at first snobbish and insufferable but mature and becomes sympathetic to the pain and suffering of the homeless man. Find more interesting information: How Human Dignity Is Valued in Academic Sphere Can We Actually Rewrite a Film? Most good college movies explore social and moral issues and teach important life lessons. One of them is the 1998 dark comedy film Dead Man on Campus, the story of college studious student (Josh) who is led astray by his roommateââ¬â¢s (Cooper) carefree lifestyle. Initially, the movie explores the economic reality of getting a college education and consequences of neglecting your studies. For instance, Josh gets into college on a scholarship that requires him to get a passing grade each semester. Cooperââ¬â¢s college education, on the other hand, is funded by his father despite consistent failing grade. Lost in Cooperââ¬â¢s partying world, the normally studious Josh failed to pass all his mid-term exams and facing a loss of scholarship. Similarly, Cooperââ¬â¢s father finally discovers his sonââ¬â¢s lack of concern in passing the course and threatens to stop the funding if Cooper fails again. Facing a similar dilemma, they found a solution in an unusual academic rule where roommate of a student who commits suicide gets a perfect grade but it didnââ¬â¢t work. The problem was resolved when the school gives Josh (who commit a fake suicide attempt over the bridge) a second chance while Cooper, (a hero to his father as he allegedly convinced Josh to abandon his plan) maintained the funding. However, they learned the lessons well as both became more serious in their studies.
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Command Economy Definition, Characteristics, Pros and Cons
Command Economy Definition, Characteristics, Pros and Cons In a command economy (also known as a centrally planned economy), the central government controls all major aspects of a nations economy and production. The government, rather than the traditional free market economy laws of supply and demand, mandates which goods and services will be produced and how they will be distributed and sold. The theory of a command economy was defined by Karl Marx in the Communist Manifesto as ââ¬Å"common ownership of the means of production,â⬠and it became a typical characteristic of communist governments. Key Takeaways: Command Economy A command economy- or centrally planned economy- is a system in which the government controls all facets of the nationââ¬â¢s economy. All businesses and housing are owned and controlled by the government.In a command economy, the government determines what goods and services will be produced and how they will be sold according to a multi-year central macroeconomic plan.In nations with command economies, health care, housing, and education are usually free, but the peoplesââ¬â¢ incomes are controlled by the government and private investment is rarely allowed.In the Communist Manifesto, Karl Marx defined command economy as ââ¬Å"common ownership of the means of production.â⬠While command economies are typical of both communism and socialism, the two political ideologies apply them differently. While command economies are capable of rapidly making sweeping changes in a countryââ¬â¢s economy and society, their inherent risks, such as overproduction and stifling of innovation, have driven many long-time command economies like Russia and China to incorporate free market practices in order to better compete in the global marketplace. Command Economy Characteristics In a command economy, the government has a multi-year central macroeconomic plan which sets objectives like nationwide employment rates and what the government-owned industries will produce. The government enacts laws and regulations to implement and enforce its economic plan. For example, the central plan dictates how all of the countryââ¬â¢s resources- financial, human, and natural- are to be allocated. With the goal of eliminating unemployment, the central plan promises to use the nationââ¬â¢s human capital to its highest potential. However, industries must adhere to the planââ¬â¢s overall hiring targets. Potential monopoly industries such as utilities, banking, and transportation are owned by the government and no competition is allowed within those sectors. In this manner, monopoly prevention measures such as anti-trust laws are unnecessary.à The government owns most, if not all of the countryââ¬â¢s industries that produce goods or services. It may also set market prices and provide consumers with some necessities, including health care, housing, and education.à In more tightly-controlled command economies, the government imposes limits on individual income. Command Economy Examples Globalization and financial pressure have led many former command economies to change their practices and economic model, but a few countries remain faithful to the principles of command economy, such as Cuba and North Korea. Cuba Under Raul Castro, Fidel Castroââ¬â¢s brother, most Cuban industries remain owned and operated by the communist government. While unemployment is virtually nonexistent, the average monthly salary is less than $20 USD. Housing and health care are free, but all of the homes and hospitals are owned by the government. Since the former Soviet Union stopped subsidizing Cubaââ¬â¢s economy in 1990, the Castro government has gradually incorporated some free-market policies in an effort to stimulate growth. North Korean currency, featuring Kim Il-Sung, DPKRs first leader. johan10 / Getty Images North Korea The command economic philosophy of this secretive communist nation focuses on meeting the needs of its people. For example, by owning all of the homes and setting their prices accordingly, the government keeps the cost of housing low. Similarly, health care and education in government-operated hospitals and schools are free. However, with the lack of competition leaving them little reason to improve or innovate, the government-owned industries operate inefficiently. Overcrowded transportation facilities and long waits for health care are typical. Finally, with their incomes strictly controlled by the government, the people have no avenue for building wealth. Pros and Cons Some advantages of a command economy include: They can move quickly. Controlled by the government itself, industries can complete massive projects without politically motivated delays and fears of private lawsuits.Since jobs and hiring are regulated by the government, unemployment is consistently minimal and mass unemployment is rare.Government ownership of industries can prevent monopolies and their inherent abusive market practices, such as price gouging and deceptive advertising.They can quickly respond to fill critical societal needs such as health care, housing, and education, which are typically made available at little or no charge. Disadvantages of a command economy include: Command economies breed governments which limit the rights of individuals to pursue their personal financial goals.Due to their lack of free-market competition, command economies discourage innovation. Industry leaders are rewarded for following government directives rather than for creating new products and solutions.Since their economic plans are unable to respond to changing consumer needs in a timely manner, command economies often suffer from over and under production resulting in shortages and wasteful surpluses.They encourage ââ¬Å"black marketsâ⬠that illegally make and sell products not produced by the command economy. Communist Command Economy vs. Socialist Command Economy While command economies are typical of both communism and socialism, the two political ideologies apply them differently. Both forms of government own and control most industries and production, but socialist command economies do not attempt to control the peoplesââ¬â¢ own labor. Instead, the people are free to work as they wish based on their qualifications. Similarly, businesses are free to hire the best-qualified workers, rather than having workers assigned to them based on the central economic plan. In this manner, socialist command economies encourage a higher level of worker participation and innovation. Today, Sweden is an example of a nation using a socialist command economy. Sources and Further Reference ââ¬Å"Command Economy.â⬠Investopedia (March 2018)Bon, Kristoffer G.; Gabnay, Roberto M. editors. ââ¬Å"Economics: Its Concepts Principles.â⬠2007. Rex Book Store. ISBN 9712346927, 9789712346927Grossman, Gregory (1987): ââ¬Å"Command economy.â⬠The New Palgrave: A Dictionary of Economics. Palgrave MacmillanEllman, Michael (2014). ââ¬Å".â⬠Socialist Planning Cambridge University Press; 3rd edition. ISBN 1107427320
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Representations and Misrepresentation of race in American Culture Essay
Representations and Misrepresentation of race in American Culture - Essay Example This paper looks at the representations and the misrepresentation of culture in America, as discussed by Steve Olson in his book ââ¬Å"Mapping human history.â⬠Ideally, the occurrence of mutations in genetics mostly of the mitochondria is claimed to be the reason behind the migration of the different races between the different continents especially the mixed population. Hawaii state has always been marked by controversy in that the even the scientists are not able to tell the original inhabitants of this beautiful island state. A prime reason is that most of the current inhabitants of this state are not true offspringââ¬â¢s of the first people who live in this island commonly known as the Polynesians. However, there is an existing correlation in the biological and ethnic heredity of the people especially because most people only identify themselves with the racial background. The main cause for the misrepresentation of the aboriginals of Hawaii is the intermarriage between the natives and the visitors to the island (Olson, 260). The government of the United States splits its population into four major categories based on their racial background. ... They include the color of their skins, the shape and the size of their yeas, the size and the shape of their skulls, and the types of their hairs. These dominant factors are mostly notable among the black, the whites, Asians and the Indians (Olson, 259). However, there is an element of misrepresentation in that it is not possible to tell how different their genetic makeup is in the four groupings. Olson notes, ââ¬Å"The rapid growth of interracial marriages in the united states and elsewhere marks a new face in the genetic history of humanity. Since the appearance of modern humans in Africa more than 100,000 years ago, human groups have differentiated in appearance as they have expanded across the globe and have undergone under some measures of reproductive isolationâ⬠(Olson, 259). He also asserts, ââ¬Å"This differentiation has been limited by the recentness of our common ancestry and the powerful tendency of groups to mix over the same timeâ⬠(Olson, 259). The native i nhabitants of Hawaii have highly been misrepresented in various statistics. Statistics shows that the natives of Hawaii live in the lower end of the social and economic life. In addition, they have the lowest incomes and highest unemployment rate in America among any ethnic group. Moreover, the native inhabitants of Hawaii have the highest rates of health problems and have the lowest life expectancy ratio. Besides, they are least likely to go to colleges, and almost certainly to be imprisoned. However, it is utmost misleading to generalize this kind of statistics in a large group of people such as the native Hawaiians. These amounts to misrepresentation since a large portion of Hawaiians, comprising of a fifth of the entire native population are now educated and very successful. In
What Economic Factors are the Reason for the Decline of Retailers and Term Paper
What Economic Factors are the Reason for the Decline of Retailers and Department Stores such as JC Penney and Staples - Term Paper Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that external economic factors have often been argued to influence operational efficiencies of contemporary organizations that further cause negative implications for the organizationsââ¬â¢ competitive sustainability within the industry context. In this regard, the economic factors can be considered as one of the major influencing factors having strong negative impacts on the organizations while performing business operations in the overseas markets. For instance, the business decline of few leading retailers and departmental stores such as J.C. Penney Company Inc. (JCP) and Staples Inc. (Staples) has been witnessed as the recent illustrations of impacts caused by economic factors on business stability and sustenance. Emphasising the influence of economic factors, the primary objective of this report is to identify and critically analyze the key economic factors responsible for the decline of retailers and department stores such as JC Penn ey and Staples. In this regard, the report also tends to assess each key economic factor to have a major influence on the multinationals while performing their business functions in the overseas locations. In addition, the report also critically discusses the negative scenarios faced by these widely renowned retailers and departmental stores owing to the economic factors operating in their external business environment. The emergence of globalization has been observed to improve the business performance of the firms irrespective of their inhabiting business industry.
Friday, October 18, 2019
Direct Analysis Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words
Direct Analysis - Coursework Example 3. Pertaining the research method, the authors use a primary and a secondary review of literature. In the primary literature review, the authors begin by examining 18 bibliographic search training articles, where they find that search training is effective for residents and medical students and that the effects of training were robust with time (Goodman, Gary, & Wood, 2014, p. 336). However, due to lack of actionable recommendations from the primary review, the authors embark on a secondary review where they examine 2 articles and a pilot study they conducted. The second review reveals the types of training that improve bibliographic search skills hence recommendations for bibliographic search training (Goodman, Gary, & Wood, 2014, p. 342). The method is effective in producing data to answer the research question identified in question 1. The primary review of literature shows that the training is valid though with a room for improvement, while the second review shows the specific me asures by which the training could be improved. Macedo-Rouet, M., Rouet, J. F., Ros, C., & Vibert, N. (2012}. How do scientists select articles in the PubMed database? An empirical study of criteria and strategies. European Review of Applied Psychology, 62, 63-72. 5. The three thorough search strings that I would use to search the relationship between telework success and an organizations leadership style are: telework success AND organizationââ¬â¢s leadership; (telework AND success) AND (organization AND leadership); and (telework OR communication) AND (success OR achievement) AND (organization OR company OR business) AND (leadership OR management). 6. The symbol represents the mean of a number of values. In this instance, it is used to represent the mean of the ages of the participants. The implication is that members of one participant group had about 11.8 yearsââ¬â¢ extensive experience performing general bibliographic search engines on
E-commerce Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1
E-commerce - Essay Example Although new e-commerce start-ups involve a lot of risk, extending a traditional business with e-commerce capabilities can still prove to be very profitable. Besides generating additional revenues, it can enhance brand name awareness and recognition for your business. Hence if a business is planning to move towards ecommerce, the article mentions some of the strategies that they should plan to follow. At the first step, a company needs to synchronize their strategies and make the ecommerce website fix in the overall strategic plan. They should make sure that the physical and electronic businesses complement each other rather than competing with each other. Secondly, a business needs to analyze its competitors and look at the kind of user interface and experience they are providing to their customers. The business also needs to focus on the customers and look into the experience they need to provide to the customers. Depending on whether it is a b2b or a b2c business, the business needs to provide an appropriate interface on the website so that it is easy for visitors to use the website. Personalization is an important concept in todayââ¬â¢s ecommerce websites. The basic idea of personalization is to cater to the needs of every visitor individually and to make them feel. Besides this, the website should take appropriate measures to ensure safety and security on the website. Often companies who have outsourced the website development and maintenance to other companies have little or no knowledge about the underlying technologies. The article mentions that is important that companies have a knowhow of the software and hardware platforms, and t. It is not enough to create a website. The company also needs to promote it by publishing the website address on all its advertisement and notices. They also need to the search engine ranking of the website. Lastly, before
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Australia Broadcasting Comporation report Essay
Australia Broadcasting Comporation report - Essay Example Starting from news papers to the modern online network of mass communication encompasses a wide variety of means to ensure the seamless flow of communication. The mass media at present has evolved developed enormously from the earlier stages. The accuracy and speed of communication through various media have remarkably advanced. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is a key player in the field of mass communication, and the national broadcaster of Australia they have a long, successful presence of eighty years in this field. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC): Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), informally known as ââ¬ËAunty,ââ¬â¢ is a publicly owned national broadcaster of Australia. ABC has been providing various communication services to the country since last eighty years. It started its journey with radio service at national level and has enlarged its broadcasting service to global level with ABC online services. ABC provides radio, television, mobile and online services to national as well as global customers. The services of ABC are available in all regions of the country and they have played major role in various emergency and important situations. ABC also performs a variety of other functions. ââ¬Å"The ABC also operates network of retailing outlets known as ABC enterprises.... ABC also performs a variety of other functions. ââ¬Å"The ABC also operates network of retailing outlets (24 shops and 119 ABC centres) known as ABC enterprises. Operations include the production of books, classical and contemporary recordings, audio cassettes, videos, multimedia and licensed products, and music and magazine publishingâ⬠(2000 Year Book Australia No. 82 2000, p. 349). This paper discusses the history of ABC in the following segments. The services provided by ABC- radio, television and online are analyzed separately. The national and global coverage of the ABC services are also examined and the most effective means of communication service provided by ABC is identified. 3. ABC - A History: The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, formerly known as Australian Broadcasting Company, was established by the government of Australia on 1st July 1932 to run the National Broadcasting Services as the Postmaster Generalââ¬â¢s Department failed to do the operation. The f irst broadcasting service of Australian Broadcasting Company was Radio service and ABC had 12 radio stations in major cities of the country at its beginning. Inspired from BBC, the working of ABC was done accordingly. The period of World War II (WW- II) and the period following it, were crucial in the history of Australian Broadcasting Company. During WW- II, considering the importance of communication and providing information to the people, the Australian Broadcasting Act was passed in 1942. This gave the company the power to make decisions to broadcast political speeches without external interferences. In 1948, ABC was given complete government appropriation through amendments made in the Broadcasting Act. The next major mile stone of Australian
Biblical 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
Biblical 2 - Essay Example They became what we know now as the Twelve Apostles. This started with the calling of Peter and Andrew (Matthew 4:18-20). He told these two men and the ten after them that Heââ¬â¢s going to teach them to become more than fishermen that catches fish in the sea. He taught these men how to become fishers of men inviting them to leave their families and the life that they know in order to help Jesus bring to the people the Kingdom of God. These Twelve Apostles were in parallelism with the Twelve Tribes of Israel of the Old Testament. His act of establishing the core of His Ministry showed He recognized His need of help. With them, Jesus started his Galilean Ministry, establishing the groundwork of working His way through preaching and healing people (Redford). With them, he made sure that His teachings will carry on even when He has gone from the earth. While gathering His Apostles, He was also gathering a public ministry which consisted of people who readily accepted His miracles and the doubtful who wanted to see more so they can believe in His works are the works of God and not of the Devil. Jesus loved to teach using parables, using the lessons and hidden messages to interpret and characterize the Kingdom of God and how the people should act to receive the blessing of being accepted in the Kingdom of God. One of His most famous teachings happened during the Sermon on the Mount or what is called The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-20, 38-48). The Beatitudes represented the standard of conduct of the people who would become the citizens of the Kingdom of God (Redford). It described how people should act in order to gain entry into the Kingdom and to maintain a life there. Jesusââ¬â¢ lessons described mainly how people should repent and act in order to cleanse themselves and be worthy of the Kingdom of God. His teachings, particularly the Beatitudes showed people that those who are
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Australia Broadcasting Comporation report Essay
Australia Broadcasting Comporation report - Essay Example Starting from news papers to the modern online network of mass communication encompasses a wide variety of means to ensure the seamless flow of communication. The mass media at present has evolved developed enormously from the earlier stages. The accuracy and speed of communication through various media have remarkably advanced. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is a key player in the field of mass communication, and the national broadcaster of Australia they have a long, successful presence of eighty years in this field. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC): Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), informally known as ââ¬ËAunty,ââ¬â¢ is a publicly owned national broadcaster of Australia. ABC has been providing various communication services to the country since last eighty years. It started its journey with radio service at national level and has enlarged its broadcasting service to global level with ABC online services. ABC provides radio, television, mobile and online services to national as well as global customers. The services of ABC are available in all regions of the country and they have played major role in various emergency and important situations. ABC also performs a variety of other functions. ââ¬Å"The ABC also operates network of retailing outlets known as ABC enterprises.... ABC also performs a variety of other functions. ââ¬Å"The ABC also operates network of retailing outlets (24 shops and 119 ABC centres) known as ABC enterprises. Operations include the production of books, classical and contemporary recordings, audio cassettes, videos, multimedia and licensed products, and music and magazine publishingâ⬠(2000 Year Book Australia No. 82 2000, p. 349). This paper discusses the history of ABC in the following segments. The services provided by ABC- radio, television and online are analyzed separately. The national and global coverage of the ABC services are also examined and the most effective means of communication service provided by ABC is identified. 3. ABC - A History: The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, formerly known as Australian Broadcasting Company, was established by the government of Australia on 1st July 1932 to run the National Broadcasting Services as the Postmaster Generalââ¬â¢s Department failed to do the operation. The f irst broadcasting service of Australian Broadcasting Company was Radio service and ABC had 12 radio stations in major cities of the country at its beginning. Inspired from BBC, the working of ABC was done accordingly. The period of World War II (WW- II) and the period following it, were crucial in the history of Australian Broadcasting Company. During WW- II, considering the importance of communication and providing information to the people, the Australian Broadcasting Act was passed in 1942. This gave the company the power to make decisions to broadcast political speeches without external interferences. In 1948, ABC was given complete government appropriation through amendments made in the Broadcasting Act. The next major mile stone of Australian
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Common Accreditation Standards in Hotels Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words
Common Accreditation Standards in Hotels - Essay Example These policies are based on improving infrastructure, affordable and luxuries transport facilities and above all luxuries accommodations. Accommodation is a serious issue because not only tourists, VIP's, foreign government officials, celebrities visiting a country all need hotels for accommodation. Thus the basic criterion to impress visitors, guests or tourists is to provide them with a choice of hotels which maintain certain standard of luxury. UK is one of the territories that attracts a large number of tourists, celebrities, government officials and hence, it needs a variety of accommodations. People from different strata's of world come to visit the United Kingdom. Thus, to improve the standards of hotels and to grade hotels the government of the United Kingdom have deduced a way known as common accreditation standard aimed at grading the UK's hotels. A certification is an external evaluation of a hotel by a third- party to achieve certification by the third party that the organization is providing certain amount of luxury and comfort. This certification is verified by an authoritative body they verify the competence of those doing the certifying or auditing. The accreditation is common of services like health care services, educational services and hotel services. The accreditation process is a procedure which not only focuses that the hotels maintain minimum criteria of comfort and luxury but accreditation model includes several elements that promote quality improvement. (Christine et al, 149) In the case of hotels, the process of accreditations is divided into two sections. The first one reviews the hotels operation's satisfy the specific minimum quality criteria. While the second procedure of accreditation is to check weather training programs satisfy the specified minimum quality criteria. Hotels Operation's The accreditation process evaluates hotels operations from every section and subsection. The location of a hotel is an important aspect the hotel, it should be at a place from were transportation is easily available, located at a place from were all famous sights must be close by. The facade, architectural features and general construction of the building shall have distinctive qualities. Bedroom should be of a decent size, inclusive of bathrooms. There shall be one suite per thirty guest rooms. All rooms must have bathrooms which shall be equipped with fittings of the highest quality befitting a with 24-hour service of hot and cold running water. Then there should be other equipments like telephones, television refrigerator in working conditions. There shall be a 24-hour room service. (Carla and Petty, 38) Housekeeping shall be of the highest possible standard. There shall be plentiful supply of linens, blankets, towels, etc., which shall be of the highest quality and shall be spotlessly clean. The linens, blankets and towels shall be changed daily. Laundry and dry cleaning services shall be available in the establishment. All public and private rooms shall have superior quality carpeting which shall be well kept at all times. There shall be a coffee shop and at least one specialty dining room which are well-equipped, well-furnished and well-maintained, serving high quality cuisine and providing entertainment.
Monday, October 14, 2019
Blind Date Script Essay Example for Free
Blind Date Script Essay Far From The Madding Crowd Blind Date Script. Graham: Its Blind Date! And here is your host, Miss Cilla Black! Cilla: Hello ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Blind Date. In a moment well be meeting the lucky lady who gets to pick from one of these gorgeous guys! So, lets meet the boys! So, hello number 1; whats your name and where do you come from? Bo: Good Evening, Cilla. My name is William Boldwood, and I am from Weatherbury. C: Nice to meet you, William. So tell everyone a bit about yourself. Bo: Well, Cilla, I am a 42 year old bachelor, I own a large farm, and. Im incredibly wealthy! C: And, I understand, correct me if Im wrong love, that you have had a nasty experience involving a Valentines card? Bo: That is correct, Cilla. I once received a Valentines card through in the mail, and I had no idea who the sender was. I was a little afraid, you see, it could have been anything. So, I erm, placed it on my mantelpiece. Well, then I couldnt stop thinking of it, so I stared at it for quite some time. C: How long for, love? Bo: For a matter of days, Cilla. C: Oh dear. Well I for one am always scared when the postman comes, I mean, when them bills get posted through my door I know Im too terrified to open them for a week! C: Alright love, well, best of luck tonight, and please dont be scared of the date cards if youre picked cause weve only got so long, you know. Okay, number two, whats your name and where do you come from? T: Hello, Cilla, my love, my names Frank Troy and Im from Weatherbury too! C: Hiya Frank. Tell us all a bit about yourself, love. T: Well, Im 31, Im a Sergeant in the Army, so I travel a lot, and I enjoy sword fighting, so I spend a lot of my spare time practising that, and, Im quite skilled if I may say so myself. C: Oh really? Come on, then. Show us some moves! (Troy shows off with sword techniques). C: Wow, I wouldnt want to be on the receiving end of that lot! Eh, thanks very much love, well done. Best of luck tonight, but if you win, leave the sword at home, wont you? Hello number three, whats your name and where do you come from? O: Eh Cilla, me names Gabriel Oak an I be from Weatherbury as well. C: Hiya, chuck, why dont you tell everyone a bit about yourself? O: Well, Im 28 an I work on a farm in Weatherbury, Cilla. C: And I heard that you used to own your own farm, is that right? O: Ay, that be correct, Cilla, I used to ave some lovely little sheepies, but, sadly, most of em died in a tragic accident. C: Awwwwww (Sympathy) O: Yer, so maybe, even though I dont ave a lot, shell still be willing to ave me. Then Ill know she be genuine an all that. An it could get me a few sympathy votes as well, But I wont let on until after the show, just in case. C: A man with a plan! Well, you probably wont even need to use the sheep story Gabriel, Im sure youll be fine. And may the best fella win. Good luck to all of you. Now, guys and girls, lets meet the lucky lady who gets her pick of one of these gorgeous guys! (Bathsheba enters) C: Hello love, and you are Bathsheba, is that right? B: Yes Cilla, thats right. C: And where are you from, Bathsheba love? B: Im from Weatherbury Cilla. C: Oh I didnt see that one coming. Now, what sort of thing are you looking for, and hoping to find tonight in one of our top-class bachelors? B: Well, Im looking for someone who will flatter me but also stand up to me. Im very independent. C: Oh, thats right, you own a farm, dont you? B: I do indeed, Cilla. C: Well, lets hope those three blokes over there stand up to you more than your farm animals do. And lets hope they smell better an all. B: well I wont know until the date, but lets hope so. C: Alright love. Lets get on with your three questions then. Fire away! B: Hello boys! ALL: Hello Bathsheba! B: Okay, my first question is; If I was an animal, I would be a tiger, because I could definitely use a little taming. If you were an animal, what would you be, and why? That goes to number 1, please. Bo: Well, Bathsheba, I would be a snake, a boa constrictor, so I would be able to wrap myself around you, and squeeze you as tight as I can. B: And to number 2, please. T: Well, I would be a fox, most obviously because of my red coat, but also because I hunt my prey and always get what I want. B: And, lastly, to number 3, please. O: Well, I would probably be a sheep, because, apart from being cute n cuddly, I would follow you round as a sheep does and always be with you. B: Okay, 2nd question. If I were a type of food, I would be a curry, because I am hot and spicy! What food would you be, and why? That is to number 2, please. T: Well, I would be Egg and Soldiers, so you could have a dip in me anytime! B: And to number 3, please. O: Okay, if I was a food, I would be Shepherds Pie, because I be a shepherd, and I be warm, tasty and simple. So, heat me up, and itll be dinner for two. B: And lastly, to number 1, please. Bo: If I was a sort of food, I would most certainly be Toad in the hole, because once you dig down to my deep centre and kiss the toad, I would be your handsome prince. B: And my last question is; I am a woman who likes to be pampered and showered with gifts. If you could give me one thing, what would it be and why? To number 3, please. O: Well, I dont ave a lot, you see, but I would give you my heart of gold, because that be all I wantin in return. B: And to number 1, please. Bo: I would give you anything you want, anything your heart desires. And the greatest gift any woman could wish for ME! B: And last but not least, to number 2, please. T: I would give you the sheath to my prized possession, my sword, because then I would be allowed to put my things inside yours. C: Oh well, Bathsheba, thats all your questions. But dont make your mind up yet, heres a bit of help from Our Graham! G: So Bathsheba, will it be Toady number 1, who will give you himself and squeeze you tightly, just dont send him any mail! Or, will it be foxy number 2, who likes nothing better than putting on his Soldier coat and doing sword tricks just keep the toast away from his yolk. Or, will you decide on warm and simple number 3, and if on your date his sheepy antics get on your nerves, you could always sell that gold heart he gave you. THE DECISION IS YOURS! C: So who will it be love 1, 2 or 3? B: Im going to have to go with number 3, Cilla. C: Oh, but what about the two you turned down? (introduces Troy, then Boldwood they leave) C: So here is your Blind Date, you picked number one, that was Gabriel Oak from Weatherbury come in Gabriel! (Gabriel and Bathsheba meet) C: Alright, are you pleased? (Both nod). Okay then, lets pick a date! Which one will be picking? O: Ill let the lovely lady here pick. (Bathsheba picks) B: A sightseeing trip to London! (Hands envelope to Cilla) C: It says here that the two of you will be seeing all the sights of the Famous London! Have either of you been there before? (both say no). Good. Then after that, youll be shopping til you drop and then staying in a luxury hotel! It says here lets hope that the two of you arent calling each other pigs by the end of the week! Okay, lets have a round of applause for Bathsheba and Gabriel!
Sunday, October 13, 2019
Biography of Primo Levi: Vanadium
Biography of Primo Levi: Vanadium ââ¬ËVanadiumââ¬â¢ ââ¬â The Periodic Table (Primo Levi) Annerita Ng Primo Levi was a Jewish chemist and author born in Italy. The majority of his writings revolved around his experience surviving the Holocaust of World War II, some with a heavy subtext of chemistry. One of his books entitled ââ¬ËThe Periodic Tableââ¬â¢ is a memoir of his life collated in 21 chapters, each of which is given the title of an element that is somehow woven intrinsically into the story. In chapter 20, called ââ¬ËVanadiumââ¬â¢, Levi does a seamless job of tying in the chemistry he learns with past personal experiences that plague his mind. In 1941, after Italy had entered World War II as an ally of Germany, Levi accepted a job at a mine in which he was to extract nickel to aid the production of weaponry for the Germans2. He then worked in Milan with a former acquaintance from university, before returning to Turin in 1943. He became involved with an Italian partisan group when he returned to Turin after Italy became occupied by the Germans. Levi was captured and sent to a transit camp before being deported to a Monowitz-Auschwitz camp. The Buna Werke plant nearby the camp, run by German chemical industry corporation I.G. Farben, focused on the production of synthetic rubber and made use of slave labour from the concentration camp. Thanks to his professional abilities, Levi secured a position in the Buna Werke laboratory, which ultimately led to his survival in the camp. He was freed in 1945, eleven months after he was deported to the concentration camp. He began working different chemistry related jobs not long after his liberation and eventually obtained a job in a paint business as a chemist and technical director2. It was in this job that Levi based his short story ââ¬ËVanadiumââ¬â¢ from his book ââ¬ËThe Periodic Tableââ¬â¢. While working for the company a shipment of resin for varnishes is received, which Levi then learns does not dry properly when mixed with the required chemical agent. He then discovered that the supplier is a descendant of I.G. Farben, who operated the Buna Werke plant during his stay at the concentration camp. After a series of letters sent to their representative, Levi realizes that the representative, Doctor Muller, was an acquaintance of his from the Buna Werke laboratory. This connection was set off after a misspelling of the name of a chemical, the same word which Muller often mispronounced while working at the Burna Werke laboratory. Memories of his experience working in the laboratory were triggered. Levi explains that Muller, along with other men, would often visit the laboratory he worked at to give himself and two other prisoners strict instructions. Muller only spoke to him a few times, but during one of those times he had continuously mispronounced ââ¬Ënaphthenateââ¬â¢ as ââ¬Ënaptenateââ¬â¢. Levi also remembered Muller giving him permission to shave twice a week (as opposed to the rule of prisoners shaving once a week), and also provided him with a pair of leather shoes. He also noted that Muller was rather ignorant to the events occurring at the concentration camp nearby the laboratory, as he asked Levi why he looked so anxious working at the factory. As Levi sent letters to Muller regarding the flawed shipment, he had also sent him a private letter in order to confirm if he was the same Muller he met at the Buna Werke Laboratory. While he waited for Mullerââ¬â¢s confirmation he begun testing the instructions given to him in order to cure the shipment of resin. Levi had been directed by Muller to add 0.1% of vanadium naphthenate to the resin in order for it to dry properly. Vanadium naphthenate acts to accelerate the drying process of the resin3,4. It is able to protect the inner material and keep it undamaged from oxidation by forming oxide layers. This occurs as the hydrocarbon ring of the vanadium compound reacts with the oxygen in air3. He discovered that the Italian version of the vanadium naphthenate was not as effective as the German kind, and accordingly he requested for a shipment of German naphthenate. Muller had replied to his private letter a while later, confirming that he was the ââ¬ËMuller of Bunaââ¬â¢ and requested to meet with Levi in order to rise above the past between them. Levi, however, was not so keen for this meeting, stating that he had no past that needed resolving. He avoided this topic altogether and, instead, Muller spoke of their ââ¬Ëfriendshipââ¬â¢ as they worked together in the laboratory of the camp. Levi recalled no friendship between the two men, but realised that the other had saved his life by selecting him in to work at the laboratory. He assumed that Muller had perchance fabricated a convenient past for himself. In a sense, the variable effectiveness of the Italian and German versions of the vanadium naphthenate can be associated with the different versions of Levi and Mullerââ¬â¢s memories of the camp. A few days later, Levi had received a letter from the supplier apologising for the inconvenience he, and the company he worked for, had suffered. However from this disruption they had realised it would be more appropriate and convenient if they themselves integrated the vanadium naphthenate into the resin before delivering them. Here, we see the success that prevails from the deductive processes of chemists and the elements of small-scale industrial chemistry. After the problem was encountered with the shipment of resin, Leviââ¬â¢s immediate action was to contact the source/supplier. The buyer-supplier connection is necessary for the industrial chemistry department, especially in when issues arise. These connections can be somewhat difficult when the buyer and supplier are located for apart, such as in Leviââ¬â¢s case. He was then given instructions in which he would test the effect of a required chemical and observe and confirm if it was the solution to the problem. In other words, trials were to be conducted to narrow down the cause of the issue. In this instance, materials monitoring is helpful for quality control and to review the materials and the processes they endure. In Leviââ¬â¢s case, a positive outcome was reached as the supplying company recognised a more convenient route to take with th eir resin product in order to avoid future issues. At first, Levi refused to forgive Muller despite his high respect for the man. He could not fathom the idea of meeting Muller with open arms after all he had to suffer through. He did not hate Muller, rather he harboured an abhorrence toward the Germans in general, and assumed Muller a substitute for those who harmed the Jews. But after further contemplation he became sympathetic to Mullerââ¬â¢s plight as he tried to clear his conscience of any wrong doing. Levi then began drafting a letter to thank Muller for selecting him and even mentioned a readiness for forgiveness. On the same evening he received a phone call from Muller asking to meet with him in the near future. The language barrier helps prevent him from making his feelings of distaste known. He carelessly agreed to the meeting as he was caught off guard. However, the meeting would not occur as only a week later Levi discovered that Muller has passed away unexpectedly. This chapter provided an insight of the relationship between his chemical career and other aspects of his life, such as his writing career. Chemistry seems to be quintessential to his life. Levi finds a brilliant way of linking his chemical profession to his personal and social experiences, showing that he was deeply invested in his profession. Even in the Auschwitz concentration camp, he couldnââ¬â¢t escape it, and it most probably saved his life. He continued working as a chemical professional after he was freed from Auschwitz despite the obvious psychological trauma he suffered. From this chapter of his book, it is seen that Levi correlates the characteristics of vanadium naphthenate to the important features of his story. And although this unique chapter is mainly about his personal experience and his reflection on the injustices handed to him, it does contain factual information on the chemical it is named after. Levi also provides an understanding of the logical manner in which chemists must think within the industry and the elements involved in the processes of industrial chemistry ââ¬â proving how communication is key within the world of industrial chemistry. Without a doubt Levi has a very powerful way with words, intertwining his personal tale with scientific principles. References Levi, P., (1986). Vanadium. In: The Periodic Table, 1st ed. Abacus: Sphere Books Ltd, pp.211 223. Patruno, N. (n.d.). Primo Levi: Surviving the Haulocast. [online] Bryn Mawr College. Available at: http://www.brynmawr.edu/italian/holoc/essays/surv_hol.htm [Accessed 12 Dec. 2014]. Chemical Land 21, (n.d.). Vanadyl Naphthenate. [online] Available at: http://www.chemicalland21.com/industrialchem/organic/VANADYL NAPHTHENATE.htm [Accessed 15 Dec. 2014]. Kemi Swedish Chemicals Agency, (n.d.). Metal Naphthenates. [online] Available at: http://apps.kemi.se/flodessok/floden/kemamne_eng/metallnaftenater_eng.htm [Accessed 15 Dec. 2014]. Sumatran Orangutan: Threats and Rehabilitation Strategies Sumatran Orangutan: Threats and Rehabilitation Strategies The Sumatran orangutan is widely considered as the most threatened species of great ape Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust 2006. It is estimated that there are approximately 6,500 individuals remaining in Sumatra (Wich et al, 2008), and the species is listed as Critically Endangered under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List (Singleton et al, 2008). This is due not only to the small remaining population, but to the fact that the population has declined by over 80% in the last 75 years (3 generations) (Wich et al, 2008). The Sumatran orangutan is endemic to Sumatra (considered a separate species from the Bornean orangutan (Mittermeier et al, 2009)), with its range restricted to a small area of fragmented habitat in the North of the island. Historically, the species had a much larger range across Sumatra, but the majority of the population is now constrained to the province of Aceh (Singleton et al, 2008). This condensed population means that we can expec t the population to show more intense competition within the species for food and resources, causing an increase in mortality over time (Marshall et al, 2009). The orangutan is an arboreal species, it is highly adapted to spend all of its time above the ground, and primarily inhabits lowland tropical forest and peat-swamp forest ecosystems (DWCT, 2006). These traits have left them extremely vulnerable to habitat destruction, the major threat to orangutans in Sumatra. Heavy logging of the orangutans natural habitat means that only less suitable habitat remains for them (Wich et al 2008). In addition, the majority of the orangutan population in Sumatra were found outside of protected areas, and many within potential logging areas (Singleton et al, 2008). It is clear that the Sumatran orangutan is under severe pressure, and many threats need to be addressed in order to attempt to restore the population. Threats Deforestation and fragmentation Both legal and illegal logging are a major threat to the Sumatran orangutan. The species main habitat, primary lowland forest, has been devastated in the last 30 years due to large scale forest conversion to agricultural land and oil palm plantations (Singleton et al, 2008). One study between 1990 and 2000 recorded a 13% loss of orangutan habitat forest (Gaveau et al, 2007). Another study by van Schaik et al (2001) found that during the late 1990s habitat supporting 100 orangutans was lost each year in the Leuser Ecosystem in Sumatra. This habitat loss was largely due to legal logging concessions from the Indonesian government for oil palm conversion (van Schaik et al, 2001). The orangutans habitat of lowland forest has been targeted due to the fact that it is easily and cheaply accessible for logging (Campbell-Smith et al, 2011). The forest is being destroyed in order to provide hardwood to developed nations, providing income to boost Indonesias economy, as well as to clear land for agricultural conversion and expanding human populations (DWCT, 2006). Within the last decade the scale of logging in Sumatra has continued to expand. This was partly due to the surge in demand for timber since the 2004 tsunami (Singleton et al, 2008), as well as a peace agreement in the Aceh province. A moratorium on logging during the conflict meant a lower rate of forest loss, however a peace accord in 2005 led to a lift of the moratorium and re-issuing of logging permits in Aceh (Singleton et al, 2008). In addition, the history of political unrest in the province has greatly impacted past conservation efforts (Marshall et al, 2009). This recorded habitat loss is the main contributor to the species declining population. orangutans are particularly vulnerable due to the fact that they are an arboreal species. They spend the majority of their lives in the canopy to avoid the threat of tigers, meaning the species is restricted to areas untouched by deforestation. However, the spread of human settlements and development of new road systems has caused severe fragmentation of their remaining habitat. In addition, a proposal for the Ladia Galaska road network in Aceh has been put forward, and if allowed will quickly fragment the last remnants of habitat (Singleton et al, 2008). The remaining forest within the orangutans range cannot support its prior ecosystems, and further deforestation and fragmentation could lead to multiple extinctions. Indonesia has converted over 3 million hectares of land to oil palm plantations, with plans to convert a further 4 million (Brown and Jacobson, 2005). However areas of oil palm monoculture only supports 20% of its previous diversity (Marchal and Hill, 2009). Even small scale selective logging can reduce local orangutan densities by as much as 60% (Rao and van Schaik, 1997), which shows how sensitive the species are to the destruction of habitat. The threats to orangutans from deforestation are made greater by the fact that the Indonesian government supports development (orangutan National Action Plan, 2007), and are therefore willing to issue large numbers of logging permits. Furthermore, the decentralisation of forest management in 2001 has aided the rise in forest destruction, as it means that regional land use plans are made without any though for conservation (The Ministry of Forestry, 2009). The increase in human population also increases pressure, as greater resource degradation occurs to meet an ever increasing demand for timber and agricultural land. A paper by Robertson and van Schaik (2001) suggests that ultimate causal factor of deforestation is corruption, as well as feeble compliance with legislation and poor law enforcement. Corrupti on is the most difficult threat to overcome, but law enforcement and compliance need to be improved in order to have a chance of protecting the remaining orangutan population. Other threats As well as being severely threatened by habitat destruction, orangutans are also in high demand for the pet trade across Indonesia. The central demand is for infant orangutans, considered as good pets as they do not reach full size until the age of 7, and are known for their trait of human imitation. Currently around 200-500 infants are taken from the wild for the pet trade each year in Kalimantan (Nijman, 2005). No data is available for the Sumatran orangutan, but demand for pets is high in both Borneo and Sumatra, and the number of infants being removed from the wild is unsustainable. Wild orangutans are also threatened by their conflict with humans, and they are at times killed as pests. They are forced to encroach upon agricultural land as a result of habitat destruction, but are considered pests by farmers and often killed when found raiding crops at forest edges. In a study interviewing farmers in northern Sumatra, 28% of those interviewed feared orangutans. They also on averag e believed orangutans to be the third most frequent, and the fourth most destructive pest (Campbell-Smith et al, 2010). This shows that a high proportion of orangutans are being forced to raid crops due to destruction of habitat and food sources, but also that the human-orangutan conflict may not easily be reconciled as it is largely driven by fear. Finally, the current small nature of the remaining orangutan population means it is highly vulnerable to stochastic events such as natural disasters, random genetic fluctuations and disease outbreak (Caughley, 1994). The species relatively slow reproductive rate (25 years per generation) and the ongoing vulnerability to habitat reduction means it is at constant risk of extinction. Past and current recovery strategies Rehabilitation centres During the 1970s the Indonesian government began to establish reserves for orangutans, which are now seen across Sumatra. The reserves act as rehabilitation centres where orphans are taught how to live in the wild and then returned, but also as sanctuaries for individuals unable to be reintroduced. Individuals found in logging areas, as well as orphans and orangutans confiscated by the forestry department, are moved to these sanctuaries (DWCT, 2006). It is estimates that around 63-97% of intakes by orangutan centres are under 7 years old (Russon, 2009). The orangutans are treated medically until their health is regained, as they are often in bad condition. For example many have gunshot and machete wounds, scars from tight chains, and internal damage, as well as behavioural and psychological damage as a result of prolonged isolation, abuse, and abnormal associations with humans (Russon, 2009). In addition many orangutans arrive carrying human diseases such as Tuberculosis, as well as significantly high parasite loads (Russon, 2009) after living in close proximity with humans. Once treated, the orangutans are taught ecological and social skills, and gradually weaned from human contact in order for them to be able to live independently in the wild once released (Beck et al, 2007). When the rehabilitation centres were initially established, uncertainty over orangutan numbers meant that rehabilitation programmes concentrated on releasing individuals into areas with existing wild populations to supplement those that were too small (Russon, 2009). Between 1973 and 2000, 218 orangutans were released at Bohorok in Gunung Leuser National Park, Sumatra, to supplement the rapidly declining population. The Sumatran orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP) is one of the orangutan rehabilitation centres in Sumatra, but it also concentrates on other aspects of orangutan conservation. The SOCP rehabilitation centre and quarantine site is in the Medan region, and individuals are released in Bukit Tigapuluh National Park. Over ten years, 190 orangutans have been through quarantine, with 125 individuals released into Bukit Tigapuluh, and 3 wild births by reintroduced females (DWCT, 2006). In addition the programme is helping to improve law enforcement through providing facilities for confiscated or unwanted orangutans. The availability of sanctuaries means that illegally kept individuals are more readily reported (DWCT, 2006). A mobile education unit from SOCP is used as an educational tool to teach conservation and the importance of orangutan tolerance, particularly in human-orangutan conflict areas. This provides a vital part of the orangutan conservation effort, as building understanding within local communities will help to reduce threats. Additionally, the programmes links with the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust means they also have access to the latest research in orangutan medicine, husbandry and captive care (DWCT, 2006). Protected Areas There are many protected areas across Sumatra, however illegal logging still occurs within the majority of them. The Leuser Ecosystem Conservation area, established in 1998, is considered a conservation stronghold for orangutan populations (Singleton et al, 2008). It is a 2.6 million hectare area consisting of two National parks and containing around 5,800 (over 85%) of the remaining Sumatran orangutan population (Mittermeier et al 2009). It is the only conservation area within Sumatra with viable populations of the Sumatran orangutan, Sumatran tiger, Sumatran Rhinoceros and the Sumatran elephant. This shows that the Leuser Ecosystem Conservation area is highly important in the conservation and protection of the Sumatran orangutan. However, the national park is predominantly a mountainous region, which is highly unsuitable for the lowland orangutan species. This means that most of the orangutan population is found outside of park boundaries, leaving them even more vulnerable to habit at destruction. It is estimated that only around 30% of the orangutan population in Sumatra are found within park boundaries (Mittermeier et al, 2009), causing more problems and difficulties for their conservation. Legislation The Sumatran orangutan was listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES) in 1975 (DWCT, 2006). This means that no trade is allowed in live orangutans or orangutan products. The ban was put in place due to the expanding pet trade in Indonesia, and by 1980 over 30,000 orangutans had been killed as result of this trade across Sumatra and Borneo (DWCT, 2006). In addition the species has been protected under Indonesian domestic law (Singleton et al, 2008). Act no.5, which was made law in 1990, legally protects the orangutan from hunting throughout its range. The Act also aims to protect environmental support structures and preserve biodiversity in Indonesia. However, a ban on hunting is extremely difficult to enforce, and current law enforcement of legislation appears to be very weak. Foreign support Many foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have invested an interest in the future survival of the Sumatran orangutan. For example, the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust based in Jersey joined the effort to conserve Sumatran orangutans in 1968. Durrell has contributed greatly to the survival of the species, breeding 7 babies in Jersey for the international Sumatran orangutan breeding programme (DWCT, 2006). The trust also helps by sharing information with orangutan rehabilitation centres, as well as sending experts to the field in Sumatra to help in the rehabilitation process. Some governmental support for the protection of the Sumatran orangutan has also been shown. Through the United Nations Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD), the Norwegian government pledged US$1 billion to Indonesia to reduce deforestation rates (Butler et al, 2009). Success of species recovery to date The Sumatran orangutan has been listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN since 2000 when it was first categorised (Singleton et al, 2008). The species data was re-examined in both 2007 and 2008, and in both cases it was found to still be Critically Endangered (Singleton et al, 2008). The population in Sumatra has been decreasing since the 1900s, with the most recent decline from 7,300 individuals in 2004 (Singleton et al, 2004), to around 6,500 in 2008 (Wich et al, 2008). It appears that, despite efforts to restore orangutan populations over the last 40 years, the species recovery has been unsuccessful to date. The predominant reason behind the continued decline of orangutan populations is the sustained level of deforestation, allowed by legal logging permits, illegal logging, poor law enforcement and ultimately corruption. Legislation is ineffective and reserves are not sufficiently policed, allowing commercial forestry to continue to occur even within protected areas. The rate o f illegal logging to legal logging is 4:1 (DWCT, 2006), meaning that without drastic improvements in law enforcement orangutans will remain at constant threat of extinction. Furthermore, despite the illegalisation of trade in orangutans, the pet trade for the species is still booming throughout Indonesia. Although the forestry department are responsible for confiscating many illegally owned orangutans for reintroduction, a huge proportion of individuals remain in human possession. The current level of protection for orangutans is not enough to combat the threats to the species. The most successful recovery attempt has been through the rehabilitation centres, but even they have a limited capacity. The rehabilitation process is only able to reintroduce a relatively small number of individuals, with one centre returning 125 orangutans to the wild over a ten years period. Over the same 10 year period only 3 wild births from ex-captive mothers occurred, and a high infant mortality was found at many release sites (Russon, 2009). Several observations of released orangutans at Bohorok release site showed individuals returning ill, underweight or wounded by wild counterparts (Dellatore, 2009). It is clear that there are still some problems with the rehabilitation and reintroduction process, and room to expand projects to a larger scale. However, it is also evident that these projects are the most successful aspect of the species recovery to date. The centres carry out highly important medical and genetic screening of individuals. orangutans are susceptible to human diseases, and the risk of spreading disease is great, so medical screenings help prevent disease from entering wild populations. Genetic screening is also highly valuable, as it helps monitor genetic diversity and maintain a healthy population. Rehabilitation centres also play an important role in orangutan welfare, allowing the confiscation of poorly kept individuals and providing safe places to go (Russon, 2009). In this aspect, they are an important part of the limited law enforcement available. Finally, the centres provide vital infrastructure and logistical support in the translocation of wild orangutans away from deforested areas (Beck et al, 2007). Recommendations for future management practices It is estimated that if the current rate of orangutan decline is sustained, we could see a further 50% loss of the population within ten years (Mittermeier et al, 2009). In order to ensure the Sumatran orangutans future, drastic action needs to be taken. Conservation of the species relies on immediate improvement of forest and wildlife laws, an increase in consideration for biodiversity in land use planning, and greater law enforcement effectiveness. The implementation of patrols to prevent illegal activity is vital as the first step to stopping illegal logging (Mittermeier et al 2009). In order to do this regular funding is required to put operations in place, and a forum for monitoring the enforcement of current legislation needs to be established. It is also important to implement anti-hunting patrols, as even very low hunting levels have strong deleterious effects (1% annual hunting rate sustainable) (Marshall et al, 2009). Patrols will also stem some of the supply to the pet trade, and attempt to reduce levels of illegal logging. In addition it is advised to temporarily halt legal logging and forest conversion, as well as road development plans (Mittermeier et al, 2009) in order to establish a more viable orangutan population. However, it is unlikely that the Indonesian government would halt development plans as it is essential for the countrys economic growth. A final step in the improvement of law enforcement would be the establishment of more patrols to confiscate illegally owned and poorly kept individuals to be taken to rehabilitation centres. This means that it is also vital to ensure the future expansion of rehabilitation centres across Sumatra. It is important to build capacity within current centres, as well as establishing new release sites across the island to restore populations in areas outside the Aceh province. Funding and volunteers would be required to expand the reintroduction projects across Sumatra. The future of orangutans also relies on the provision of protected areas and reserves with strict controls to prevent illegal activity from still occurring. Again, this would involve the supply of regular reserve patrols and stringent regulation. National park perimeters should also be increased to enhance the conservation areas. It is important to include large areas of forest below 1000 metres above sea level within the protected areas (Singleton et al, 2008), as this is the orangutans primary habitat. Habitat restoration is also needed within the protected areas in order to make it suitable for orangutan reintroduction. In addition, the re-establishment of habitat corridors is greatly needed (Robertson and van Schaik, 2001) to improve genetic flow between fragmented populations. Improving habitat connectivity will increase genetic diversity and therefore make the species more adaptable to its constantly changing environment. The conversion of any remaining orangutan habitat to oth er uses should be strictly prohibited immediately, as only a very small fraction remains. In order to do this, alternative livelihoods will need to be provided to many local communities which may have relied on the land. This should be done by employing locals in orangutan conservation projects, helping with rehabilitation, habitat restoration and law enforcement. Not only will this provide an income for communities, it will provide an economic incentive to protect orangutans, and may potentially start to change local opinion of the species. Building tolerance of the species and changing attitudes towards them is an important part of their conservation. It is important to address the human-orangutan conflict, especially as in the future more orangutans are likely to be living in close proximity to humans. In Batang Serangan in Northern Sumatra, a small group of orangutans were found to live in peaceful co-existence with farmers. The landscape is made up of degraded natural forest, s mallholder farms and oil palm monoculture plantations (Campbell-Smith et al, 2011). Although not an ideal habitat for orangutans, the mixed landscape was still suitable for the small group to live. Once tolerance of the species has grown, it would be possible to begin establishing small populations in these mixed agro-forest systems which occur across Sumatra. The ultimate aim is to create a landscape of primary lowland forest within protected areas, joined by corridors through major agricultural land. With the addition of further release sites, a connected habitat and better law enforcement, it is possible to establish viable populations across the island of Sumatra. Conclusion In order to reduce the current threats to the Sumatran orangutan immediate action needs to be taken. The species critically endangered status and its vulnerability to habitat destruction mean it is at great risk of extinction if further protection measures are not put in place. By following some of the recommendations laid out above, and increasing the level of support for orangutan projects, the species may yet have a future.
Saturday, October 12, 2019
The Third World :: Society Leadership Governmental Essays
The Third World The Third World has undergone an intense transformation over the past century. It has encountered the slow progression from a traditional society to the brink of modernization. Two of the most influential components of this extensive transformation are leadership and ideology. They have left an indelible mark on the Third World and have helped to define the direction of this revolution and its influence on the rest of the modern world. Third World leadership has played a significant role in the success and implementation of reform which has resulted in the legitimacy and stabilization of governments. It has also produced a formidable presence on the global scene in terms of economic trade and a strong military threat. The personality of many of these leaders is defined in their charisma and nationalism. One of the first prominent leaders of the Third World was Nasser of Egypt. He leaped upon the scene during the infamous Alexandria speech. During his address, an assassination attempt failed as four shots were fired and missed him. The crowd ducked in chaos, but rose to the voice of Nasser as he uttered "I live for Egypt, I die for Egypt." Immediately, the crowd and the rest of Egypt rallied behind Nasser. His reign resulted from a military takeover that succeeded the speech. He was seen as a type of God and his charisma resulted in revolutionary reform that included agrarian reform and the seizure of the Suez canal from the British. Nasser single-handedly brought the ancient feudal system to a halt by closing the gap between the rich elite and the poor through comprehensive agrarian reform. He also defied the British and their hold on the Suez canal. He displayed tremendous imagination in his successful stand against the invasion of England, France, and Israel by inspiring the civil ians to take to the streets and fight with their teeth, knives and fists. Instantly, his fame spread throughout the Third World. He became a source of inspiration and precedence in the modernization of the underdeveloped world. Later, other charismatic leaders such as Quadafi of Libya, Castro of Cuba, and Hussein of Iraq helped solidify the trend of centralized military governments led by strong dictators. These men are disliked and beguiled by most of the developed world, but they are beloved by their people. This affection is seen by the overwhelming approval ratings of these leaders.
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