Identify the major reasons causing the light pollution Essay Example

Identify the major reasons causing the light pollution Paper Identify the major reasons causing the light pollution in urban areas. Examine the methods to control excessive usage of external lighting. BY aakk1234991 Light pollution is an issue that affects the livability of a city. Although it is not always considered as a serious environmental concern, it Is an issue that has serious impact on the environment, ecology and society. Outdoor lighting Is designed with a purpose. External lighting Is considered as functional lighting. However, over-11th outdoor lamps including traffic lamps and advertisement spotlights have led to 377 implants to various government departments in 2009 (Imaging, 2010). The problem of light pollution have arouse much concerns. Are there any government policies that regulate the lighting at night and protect the dark sky of Hong Kong? This paper argues the main causes of light pollution as well as evaluating current polices on restricting unnecessary lighting In the city. To begin with, the term light pollution must be defined first. According to the International Dark-sky Association (IDA), light pollution is defined as any adverse effect of artificial light including sky low, glare, light trespass, light clutter, decreased visibility at night, and energy waste (IDA, 2010). Urban sky glow is defined as the brightening of the night sky over inhabited areas (IDA, 2009). Light trespass is defined as light falling to places where it is not Intended, wanted or needed (IDA, 2009). Clutter is the bright, confusing and excessive groups of light sources commonly found In over-11th urban cycles (IDA, 2009). The combined effects of sky glow, light trespass and clutter leads to light pollution in the city. There are 2 main objectives of outdoor lighting. The first objective is to revive visibility (Marinara Schroeder, 2004). We will write a custom essay sample on Identify the major reasons causing the light pollution specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Identify the major reasons causing the light pollution specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Identify the major reasons causing the light pollution specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Traffic light and headlights on motor vehicles are essential to provide a certain amount of visible distance for the drivers to drive safely. Headlights are designed such that the maximum amount of luminous flux Is parallel to the road. However, there Is always light escaped from the designed direction and reach the outer part of the road. As a result, observers standing beside the road can receive a considerable amount of unwanted light (Marinara Schroeder, 2004). The huge amount of traffic on roads therefore is a great cause for eight pollution. The second purpose of outdoor lighting is to decorate the city at night (Marinara Schroeder, 2004). Commercial activity at night must come along with a well lit environment. People are attracted by high-quality outdoor lighting on the streets to go shopping and leisure activities at night, Neon lights, outdoor advertisements and spotlights are the characteristics of the night view of Hong Kong. A Symphony of Lights organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board since 2004 is a synchronized laser and light multimedia display which has attracted millions of rigorists (Tourism Commission, 2005). Tourists are also attracted to see the charming view of the Victoria Harbor at night. However, the charming night view of the Harbor has become the cover story of an International astronomy magazine, being an commercial activities at night are another reason for light pollution. Observations for astronomy objects are very difficult to make as a consequence of light pollution. Lighting of industrial sites, airports, building sites, road and street lighting, advertising signs, floodlighting of buildings, lighting of sports facilities may interfere tit astronomical observations (Marinara Schroeder, 2004). A phenomenon called sky glow is the reason for dimmed astronomy objects. The upward light from poorly designed lamps are scattered and reflected downwards by aerosols in the atmosphere, reducing the details of the night sky (Motion 2002). Stargazing activities are therefore seriously affected by sky glow as many of the twinkle stars are covered up by the bright night. Wasted lighting is costly to the environment. The greenhouse gases produced and fossil fuel consumed on lighting is notable. Although street lighting consumed only 0. % in overall electricity consumption in 2009 (Census and Statistics Department, 2008), the overall effect cannot be neglected. Road lamps in Hong Kong are automatic. When the environment reach a certain darkness level. However, the lamps will not be turned off if there is no body nearby. They are kept on for the whole night even though they are not in use. Advertisement boards waste even more energy. A non-government organization Friends of the Earth launc hed a Ridiculous Lightings Vote in 2008. Spotlight outside the Windsor House was elected as the most ridiculous lighting by more than 600 citizens. The luminance level was 10,000 lug, which was 20 times brighter than a normal office (FOE, 2008). High-rise buildings in Hong Kong always use spotlights and LED to make their appearance sharper at night. One can see the advertisement display on the wall of Hopeless Center in Hawaiian across the Harbor. Even worst is that these highly laminated advertisement boards remain bright the whole night long. Another environmental group, Green Sense, conducted a study in 2007 to examine the number of neon lights, advertisement boards and spotlights that are still operating in major roads in Mongo Kook and This Shah Thus at 2300. The study revealed that a total of 1330 spotlights were used for 120 advertisement boards. 91 neon lights were still operating even though the shop concerned was closed (Green Sense, 2007). This kind of decorative lightings are obviously a kind of wastage. Light pollution has a significant impact on individuals health. Human beings are adapted too light/dark regime of 12 hours of sunlight and 12 hours of darkness depending on latitude and season (as cited in Ashram, 2009, p. 23). According to Ashram (2009), The primary unction of the human circadian rhythm, as set by the internal clock and outside visual reference, is the release of hormones that help to regulate varying bodily functions in response to the internal perception of time (p. 25). Light pollution is a form of annoyance. According to the World Health Organization, annoyance is described as follows, Annoyance is a feeling of displeasure associated with any agent or condition believed to affect adversely an individual or a group (as cited in Marinara Schroeder, 2004, p. 79). Friends of the Earth (HOOK) discovered that more Han 1900 street lamps are mounted on the wall of buildings. These lamps are too close to the residents and cause nuisance to them (FOE, 2009). They are like a kind of free bedside light turned on for the whole night with a strong intensity. A local resident, Mr.. Fond, described, The floodlight here switches off after 1200. The light is floodlight. In order to have good rest, I have to put up three layers of curtain (Sing Tao Ltd, 2007). It is obvious that this kind of wall lamps may cause annoyance to the residents. Nevertheless, the impact on health caused by light pollution is significant ND cannot be neglected. To be frank, there is no single department dealing with light pollution currently. Even worst is that there is no laws and guidelines regulating the problem of over-lit outdoor lamps. The former Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dry Sarah Lila replied to a question raised in a Legislative Council meeting in 2007 as follow: Light nuisance that may result from advertisement light boxes on the external face of buildings for the purpose of advertisement is not subject to control under the existing environmental legislations E light intensity of these facilities and whether they cause nuisance to nearby residents falls outside the current scope of control. (HUSSAR Government, 2007) The government cannot control any of the measures that directly lead to light pollution such as light intensity, direction of the luminous flux and angle of operation. Secretary for Transport an d Housing, Ms Eva Change, expressed that the government would consider the feasibility of legislation to regulate external lighting in the view point of energy wastage in a meeting in the Legislative Council in 2009 (HUSSAR Government, 2009). This suggests that the government would only consider the perspective on energy wastage but not the impact of light pollution on individuals and the ecosystem. As there is no measures that deal with light pollution, what methods can be used to regulate unnecessary external lighting? Light pollution cannot be alleviated solely by private initiative since it is not a problem that directly threatens the health of the general public. Legislation, therefore, is the only way to deal with the problem (Marinara Schroeder, 2004). In some Europe countries like the Czech Republic, Belgium and Spain, legislation have been made concerning light pollution. In other parts of the world, various guidelines and regulations have been adopted (Olivarez del Castillo et al. , 2003). Zoning and hour of restriction (curfew time) are the 2 parameters that are generally used to control light pollution (Marinara Schroeder, 2004). Zoning is a method dividing areas into zones. One of the methods is dividing the city into environment sub-zones (Marinara Schroeder, 2004). Different standards of restrictions are imposed in different areas. The city would be beautified by a decent environmental zoning scheme. An effective environmental zoning scheme also discourages unwanted light and alleviates light pollution (Aka, 2008). Hour of restriction (curfew time) is a method restricting the operating time of outdoor lightings. The major consideration of setting hour of restriction is to ensure a better resting environment at night. In order to identify the appropriate time for restricting outdoor lightings, working and rest hour are the 2 major considerations. As for the case in Hong Kong, 1 1 pm would be a suitable time. However, switching off outdoor advertisement light boxes may decrease incentives for entertainment at night and even mislead others that the shop is closed. Nevertheless, curfew time would be an effective way of alleviating light pollution (Aka, 2008). To conclude, It can be seen that light pollution causes serious destruction to the society and the environment. Lack of regulations is the main reason that leads to brightened night sky. By taking suitable The aim of achieving sustainable usage of energy and utility can be met. After implementing suitable measures to regulate light pollution, the city would be a more livable place to live in.

Top 10 Reasons to be The College Magazine Editor

Top 10 Reasons to be The College Magazine Editor You have decided to be a writer, and now you want to know what is the best way to get you prepared for a career once you leave college. Freelancing online for content writing, blog writing, and essay writing services can bring in lots of extra cash, but the best way to know the ins and out of the writing business is to become an editor of the colleges paper or magazine. Experience The editor is exposed to every level of writing that comes into the copy office. You would be responsible for reviewing proposals and drafts, planning, coordinating and editing the content of what gets published. Instead of just one genre of writing, becoming the editor in college will help you become a broader writer with exposure to more than general literature. It is beneficial to write technical and scientific papers, and as they come across your desk as you edit them; you will learn the formatting of this type of writing as well as some technical terms that you would not normally have been exposed to. Opportunities After Graduation Anyone can write, but not everyone is a writer. As you study your courses, the job as the college magazine editor will be the catapult to your writing career. When you are able to put the experience on your CV, it will open doors to the jobs you will be qualified for after graduation. Maintaining this position is equivalent to an apprenticeship as a professional editor. Books, Articles, and more Books As an editor of the college magazine, you will be sent articles to read all the time, but when you acquire the dream job in a publishing company, there will be books to read, and more books. Your love of words will be appreciated as a book/magazine/article editor. This is definitely the place for a bibliophile. You can even call for submissions if you dont think you have enough to read, but as an editor that is simply not going to happen. Ability to Choose Your Genre After spending time as the college editor you will definitely know what types of books and articles that you do not like to read. If you hate science fiction you will have the option of passing this type of reading on to a colleague that likes to read it. By the time you get out of college you will not be expected to know about everything you read but at least you will have much more exposure than those that did not use the time in college to write or edit. Your Importance to the Writer Every writer, no matter how good they think they are, needs an editor. You will always be in demand when you can tighten up a manuscript for an author that has spent years bringing their book to the publishing stage. You will be able to give them eyes that friends and relatives will not. An editor will be looking for the details and that is what you will be paid for. College Will Train Your Eye Many students that want to be editors for the college magazine will likely have to go through different aspects of editing that require different skillsets before being placed in the editor position. You will be better trained at the college paper that taking on an apprenticeship in an outside publishing house that may use you for free labor for 3-4 months and still not teach you any editing. In the college magazine offices, you will be learning the following skills: a. Acquiring editors: work directly with the author in the developmental stage of the manuscript and are concerned mainly with structure. b. Working along with the acquiring editor sometimes is a line editor, but they dont work as close to the author. They look through the writing but not as deep. c. The Copy Editor: Their focus is on the flow of the article or manuscript. They want to ensure consistency. d. Proofreaders: Finally, the proofreading position. This position is last and will not allow a book to be published without all the bells and whistles of grammar, style, and formatting in place. You Get to Help Authors Editors love to help authors do their best work, and as a college editor you will be working with your peers. These are new writers like yourself just starting out in the publishing world. These future number one bestselling authors may just end up being your clients for the rest of their lives. The networking in the college magazine offices is a gold mine for future writers. Many new writers see their by-line for the first time in this magazine or paper, and as the editor you will definitely make sure your by-line is published. In House Work The advantage that you will have when taking on college to get your BA degree is the acquiring of jobs outside of freelancing. A freelance writer who wants to go about editing, and is able to find work, can do so without a degree, but when you go into publishing houses looking for a position as an editor, they are going to hire those that have spent the time pursuing a degree in this field. English is not an easy degree to obtain, and neither is journalism. Your Reading will Improve There is a ton of reading involved in the editing process. A publishing house knows that if you took the time to get an English degree, you are a true grammarian, and will be an editor that has honed their critical research eye while in college. The more you read the better your eye for research will become. You will learn to read faster and smarter. You Typing Will Improve No more one-finger typing will haunt your hands. You may have taken a typing class in school, but when you become and editor for your college paper or magazine your speed will pick up and the mistakes will become less and less. Before you know it you will have finished typing papers in half the time it used to take you. You will not depend on your software programs to fix as many errors while you are working. You will become increasingly aware of your own errors and will auto correct them mentally as you go along. Becoming an editor and writer will help you start your own business if this is your career goal. Follow websites that give information on what the top writers in the industry are doing with the technology that is available on the market today. Every day look up what book publishers and e-zines are up too, and find sites that cater to writing and editing. These websites lead to job opportunities and have tutorials on how to further your career. Write on!

Question for analysis 2 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Question for analysis 2 - Assignment Example Many people have become victims of distracted and cursory thinking that the internet poses. The fragmented information on the Internet tends to disrupt the readers’ concentration. In essence, the online environment promotes the superficial and hurried search for information, which the readers spend less time to internalize and think comprehensively. The alternatives to becoming critical information consumers and questioners are printing and people questioning whatever content they read on the internet. The advantage of publishing a tangible publication is that the readers will have time to internalize and engage with the content as they embrace intensive reading (Robin and Power 35). Readers can concentrate on the content without distraction as pointed out by the author. However, the challenge of printing is the increased automation of books and the environmental fears about depleting the natural resources. Alternatively, the readers can take charge of whatever they read on the internet. In this respect, behavioral change is critical in transforming people from mere decoders of information to critical questioners of the content. The change in the reading habits is a viable solution because everybody can decide to embrace the comprehensive interaction and critical acquisition of

Financial Management and Risk Analysis Assignment

Financial Management and Risk Analysis - Assignment Example The new automated assembly line will be requiring the purchase of five new robots, each costing $32,000 and associated gripping devices costing a total of 65,000. Roller tracking and new assembly fixtures will also be needed adding up to a cost of 15,000. The new assembly cells will be manned by three cell programmers/operators who will be paid 20,000 each. The finance department estimates that installing the automated system will generate an annual cost savings of 5,000 due to the reduction in reduction in scrap and rework. After five years, the robots can be sold each with market value of 1000. This report will analyse the possibility of investment in the new assembly line by utilizing financial management tools. The first section will look at the annual expected cash inflows and outflows. The next will be an analysis of the investment through the use of capital budgeting tools like payback period, return on investment, net present value, discounted payback period, internal rate of return, and sensitivity analysis. Recognizing that numbers don't tell all, this report also goes beyond quantitative analysis by also looking at the quantitative issues which should be considered by the firm. Table 1 shows the expected annual cash flow that our business organization hopes to incur in the installation of the automated assembly line. ... The first to fourth years are forecasted to generate cash inflows of 93,000 annually which reflects the cost savings from rework and scrap and the elimination of the cost incurred in hiring fitters offsetting the salaries of the computer technician. During the fifth year, the company will be incurring the same costs and benefits together with the expected salvage value of the robots. Table 1. Forecasted Cash Flow III. Payback Period The payback method is one of the most popular tools in conducting capital budgeting decision. The payback period tells the company the length of time required to recoup the original investment through investment cash flows. This is essentially the time when the company breaks even-the initial capital outlay is equal to the cash flows. Considering that the business organization invests in a project which generates the same level of cash flow annually, the payback period is computed as the follows: Payback = Initial Investment Annual Cash Flow (equation 1) However, if the investment generates unequal annual cash flows, then the individual annual cash flows are subtracted from the initial investment until a difference of zero is reached (Lightfoot 2003). The year when cash flow equals investment is the payback period. Other things being equal, the investment with a low payback period is chosen as it implies less risk for the company. Table 2. Payback Period Table 2 shows how the pay back period for the proposed automated assembly line. As the investment yields unequal cash flow for the five-year period, this report simply subtracted the yearly cash inflow to the total amount of the investment. The cash outlay for

Intermediate Horsemanship Syllabus Essay Example for Free

Intermediate Horsemanship Syllabus Essay Course Objectives: This course is designed to be a laboratory class giving students maximal opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with horses. This is a continuation of ADSC 2500L (Beginning Horsemanship) and will go into greater detail of advanced concepts regarding riding, training, and handling horses. This class assumes that students have a basic understanding of rider position. This class will focus on going into more detail on rider influence of the horse and training techniques for different disciplines. Prerequisites: ADSC 2500L or a good basic mastery of correct riding position and basic riding skills. Riders should be able to catch, groom, and saddle their horses independently, as well as mount from the ground unassisted. Riders should also be able to ride comfortably at a walk, trot (jog), or canter (lope) in order to be comfortable performing exercises involved in the class. Physical requirements: This class involves physical activity and inherent risk associated with working with horses. While we do everything possible to ensure safety of students, there is always a risk of being injured while riding. In order to participate in this class, you will be required to sign a waiver releasing UGA of all liability associated with any injury you may sustain while participating in the class. I am not a doctor and cannot tell you what you are medically or physically capable of doing based on pre-existing conditions, physical fitness, etc. If you have concerns as to whether you can safely participate, please see a licensed health care physician prior to participating in this class. At the very minimum, students will be required to saddle horses unassisted (requiring you to lift approximately 30 lbs over head) and be able to mount unassisted from the ground. Attire: Long pants and boots with heels are required each day in order to participate. Approved helmets are mandatory but will be provided. All other equipment will be provided. If you choose to bring your own saddle, please do not leave it at the Arena—we cannot be responsible for lost or damaged equipment. Please recognize that you are responsible for ensuring the safety and functionality of any equipment you choose to bring to use. Text: There is no required text for this class. I will often copy chapters from Centered Riding by Sally Swift (copyright 1985) as well as excerpts from related books, magazines, and journals. A list of tentative handouts for each week is provided on the syllabus. Schedule: (This is a tentative list of topics. Topics may be added or deleted as necessary to benefit the course) Week 1 Jan 7-11: Introduction Week 2 Jan 14-18: Basic position, correct use of hands; practice bending, transitions, canter departures; drill team exercises at the walk, trot, and canter â€Å"Basic Horsemanship Required for Training Horses†, â€Å"Half Halt How To†, â€Å"Half Halt† in Centered Riding Week 3 Jan 21-25: Learning collection and developing self carriage in horses, discussion of training aids such as martingales, draw reins, side reins, and types of bits; exercise: barrel patterns to improve turns â€Å"Bitting and Driving†, â€Å"Circles and Turns†, â€Å"Borrow A Trainer-Correct Bends on Curves and Squares†, â€Å"The Perfect Turn, Parts 23† Week 4 Jan 28-Feb 1: Simple lead changes, work on correct bending, movement of hind end and front end of horse; exercises: barrel patterns and serpentines through cones â€Å"Suppling the Horse† Week 5 Feb 4-8: Riding for accuracy developing response time; exercises: continuation of barrel patterns and serpentines as well as pattern work with transitions, straight lines, circles, etc. Week 6 Feb 11-15: Extending and shortening the stride, learning stride control using poles, emphasis on self carriage and pace control â€Å"Walk and the Following Seat†, â€Å"Lengthening Stride†, â€Å"Borrow a Trainer-Extending the lope and slowing back down†, â€Å"†Jarring Jog† Week 7 Feb 18-22: Collection and extension, use of poles, pole courses â€Å"Building Stronger BasicsBAR—Simple Changes on Course† MIDTERM—FEB 20/21—covers handouts thru week 6 Week 8 Feb 25-Mar 1: Controlling the bend and stride of the horse using poles; pole exercises on circle Week 9 Mar 4-8: Flying lead changes â€Å"Flying Change of Lead—Presentation† Week 10 Spring Break—March 11-15 Week 11 Mar 18-22: Counter canter and balance â€Å"Chapter 10—Counter Canter†, â€Å"Confirm that Counter Canter† Week 12 Mar 25-29: Counter canter; patterns incorporating canter, bending, counter canter Week 13 Apr 1-5: Learning lateral movements, moving parts independently â€Å"Lateral Work†, â€Å"Always a Pleasure† Week 14 Apr 8-12: Teaching horses lateral movements and pivots Week 15 Apr 15-19: Trail courses to improve control Week 16 Apr 22-26: Practice day April 29—Last day of class Final Exam: M/W section: Wednesday, May 1, 8:00-11:00 am T/H section: Thursday, May 2, 12:00-3:00 pm Grading: Participation and progress25%* Midterm25% Final25% Final Project25% * will be determined by a % of days in class (i.e. no absences = 100%); lateness or non-participation will count as an absence for the day; participation may at times include riding tests. Absences may be excused for medical or school related activities. In the event of an excused absence, these days will count neither for nor against your attendance grade. ***More than 5 absences (excused or unexcused) will result in a failing grade for the course. Final Project: Video will be taken during different portions of the course. You will write a paper to evaluate your riding. Paper should be a minimum of 2-3 pgs single spaced in length. Papers should include the following: analysis of your riding strengths and weaknesses, analysis of what skills you have improved upon, analysis of your position and effectiveness as a rider including areas which you are strong and areas that you need to improve, specific examples (i.e., people in the class) who exemplify particularly desirable riding skills that should be emulated (e.g., â€Å"Mary is particularly effective at controlling her horse’s pace using little hand movement†Ã¢â‚¬â€perhaps this is due to correct position, stability of seat, etc. These are areas you can expand upon), analysis of the exercises done in class as to their effectiveness in improving your riding skills, other exercises you feel you should be doing to improve your riding techniques.

Analysis of Coursework Feedback

Analysis of Coursework Feedback In this feedback, Ill be analysing and examining ways I could improve my first assignment. I also didnt go into much detail about government bail-outs and how regulatory initiatives may help evade the risk of a moral hazard, involving around tax-payer bailouts. I should have talked about the liquidity provisions and BASEL III capital. Then go on to examine the BRRD and concept of bail-ins, along with more academic articles to help support and develop my arguments. Firstly, looking at me overall mark for my first assignment, I have mixed feelings as I am neither sad nor exceptionally thrilled with my grade, as I know that I could have improved my grade, if I applied my information and went into depth, along with my statements and given supporting evidence to back up my statements. In my feedback, numerous key words such as analysis and ..examining.. stood out to me the most, which further supports my statement that if I applied more knowledge to my understanding by demonstrating how my analyses of the TBTF and Moral Hazard, relates to that of the assignment question, and how it is relevant to Deutsche Bank. I could have also talked about the arguments for and against governments bail-outs by talking about how the bailout will help the global financial stability, by avoiding any financial disasters but instead bring enormously calm atmosphere in a rather hectic economic situation. This will help in protecting the veracity of the financial economy/system. If governments help bailout banks, it will help improve the investments opportunities, within the financial economy and as Warren Buffet perfectly expressed [1]Yeah, well, its everybodys problem. Unfortunately, the economy is a little like a bathtub. You cant have cold water in the front and hot water in the back. [2]We must do this if we all want to avoid an economic collapse, along with the effect it will have on the countries that depend upon their trade. It very important that money must be kept liquidated through the markets to ensure my trade and investments into the financial system. I must also analyse the against factors which i nclude how costly it will be and, credited properties cannot be recovered. It can cause a budget shortage and we can calculate the exact amount that will be helpful for the bailout, or when there will be even be enough money for this action plan to take place. In my first assignment, I didnt include the regulatory initiatives and how this will help with the bailouts and that of moral hazard. As Government bailouts increment moral peril by inducing a business atmosphere in which organisations feel they will be shielded from the outcomes of poor choices and unsafe conduct. Since they no longer dread these outcomes, at any rate not to the level they ought to, they regularly neglect to avoid potential risk to prepare for pointless hazards. This absence of judiciousness as often as possible has extensive repercussions, including shareholder misfortune, indebtedness and disintegration. If they are right and the administration ventures into safeguarding the organization out, the outcomes of this will help benefit the public. Unfortunately, as citizens bear the cost of bailouts, which is likewise to wreak destruction on government spending plans. This is demonstrated in the Great Recession as due to the government bailout during this time, resulte d to terrible conduct from the administrators who didnt treat the citizens well. This is moral risk. After this examining on Moral Hard and government bailouts, I should have gone on to talk about and examine the arguments of Moosas on the needs for why banks should be allowed to fail. [3]Such as finding it ironic that regulators are the ones in sole charge of implementing Basel II and argues that considering the subprime, Basel II may be suggesting inappropriate or inadequate financial supervision.[4] While capital adequacy requirements are designed to protect banks from insolvency. As the problem that the banks faced during the crisis illiquidity. [5]Basel III is a piece of the persistent impulsion to improve how Banks are managed. It expands on the Basel I and Basel II archives, and tries to enhance the saving money segments capacity to manage monetary anxiety, enhance chance administration, and fortify the banks straightforwardness. Basel III is to cultivate more noteworthy versatility at the individual bank level with a specific end goal to decrease the danger of framework wide shock factors. Basel III presented more tightly capital necessities in contrast with Basel I and Basel II. Banks administrative capital is partitioned into Tier 1 and Tier 2, while Tier 1 is subdivided into Common Equity Tier 1 and extra Tier 1 capital. Deutsche Bank offers have been pounded, while its adaptable ties have been in freefall. As Nobel Economist Professor Stiglitz said, [6]The UK has been hit hard because the banks took on enormously large liabilities in foreign currencies. Should the British taxpayers have to lower their standard of living for 20 years to pay off mistakes that benefited a small elite? There is an argument for letting the banks go bust. It may cause turmoil but it will be a cheaper way to deal with this in the end. The British Parliament never offered a blanket guarantee for all liabilities and derivative positions of these banks. The new banks will be more credible once they no longer have these liabilities on their back. I would have to agree with Professor Stiglitz statement, as it is fair to say that its about time that we set aside, and allow at least one bank become bankrupt. Especially Big Banks, as another round of safeguard outs is unsatisfactory. The general population accounts wont be able to stand the strain, the effect on the financial economy will be unfair, and the ethical risk would be excessively enormous. If we do see a few banks fall, we ought to be prepared and willing to watch them go down. In my next assignment, Ill be making sure to go into more depth in examining and analysing the question, as well as backing by my statements with supporting arguments and articles. Bibliography Evans-Pritchard A, Let banks fail, says Nobel economist Joseph Stiglitz The Telegraph (2 February 2009) accessed 20 December 2016 Moffatt M, Should banks be allowed to fail? When does a private institution become too big to fail? (Education, 25 September 2015) accessed 20 December 2016 Investopedia.com, Basel III (2010) accessed 21 December 2016 Clark A, Banking crisis: Warren Buffett sees US bailout as a golden opportunity The Guardian (24 September 2008) accessed 21 December 2016 DePersio G, How do government bailouts increase moral hazard? (2015) accessed 26 December 2016 accessed 26 December 2016 BBC, Bail-out debate: For and against BBC Business (25 September 2008) accessed 21 December 2016 Moosa IA, Quantification of operational risk under Basel II: The good, bad and ugly: 2008 (Palgrave Macmillan 2008) [1] Andrew Clark, Banking crisis: Warren Buffett sees US bailout as a golden opportunity The Guardian (24 September 2008) accessed 21 December 2016 [2] BBC, Bail-out debate: For and against BBC Business (25 September 2008) accessed 21 December 2016 [3] Imad A. Moosa, Quantification of operational risk under Basel II: The good, bad and ugly: 2008 (Palgrave Macmillan 2008) [4] Imad A. Moosa, Quantification of operational risk under Basel II: The good, bad and ugly: 2008 (Palgrave Macmillan 2008) [5] Investopedia.com, Basel III (2010) accessed 21 December 2016 [6] Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, Let banks fail, says Nobel economist Joseph Stiglitz The Telegraph (2 February 2009) accessed 20 December 2016

Leaving Home for College: Expectations for Selective Reconstruction of Self

In this article the author’s goal were to analyze the perspectives of 23 upper-middle-class high school students as they move through the college application process and contemplate leaving home. While the students in this study viewed college as a place to develop skills and knowledge to become self-supporting adults, they also viewed it as a place to find their â€Å"true† identity, or simply changing a few things about themselves. This article relates the turning point of attending college to marriage, having children, etc.The students in this study viewed the meaning attending college as finding who they are, starting over, becoming adults, gaining independence, beginning a new life, entering the â€Å"next stage. † All of the students were stressing more on the personal changes in identity and their opinion on themselves more than the actual move to college. It’s a mind over matter issue. Along with finding their true identity, the college bound senio rs in this study viewed attending college as a time to create the person they want to be.They view their upcoming experience as a chance to edit or revise certain parts of their â€Å"biographies. † Also wondering if their families will miss them, if they will no longer play the role they once did before moving away for college. The students in this study were all upper middle class students. They come from families that are well off, successful parents. Most of them knew they were going to college because that’s the thought their parents engraved in their heads therefore they never questioned the idea.Other students just want to keep their social class, coming from a well off family; they themselves also want to be set for their futures. The chapter book that relates to this article, states that academic achievement varies by social class. Basically meaning the more money your family has, the higher chance you have in attending college. That is true in most cases. Jus t as mentioned above, most of the students in this study wanted to carry their social class, and others were going because their parents went.Also, being raised in a low-income family doesn’t predict academic failure. The choice of attending college is mostly up to the person not their background. Many students undergo different experiences in college. Their journey never goes as expected. Along with many experiences are changes. The experience of college changes a lot of students, sometime for the better, others for the worse. It depends wholly on the change the student wants to bring upon their life.

Ethical Information and Communication Technologies for Development Solutions Essay

Question 1 Can ICTs be innovatively used in the absence of minimum literacy levels among the poor? Yes, I believe ICTs can be innovatively used in the absence of minimum literacy levels among the poor. ICTs enable societies to produce, access, adapt and apply information in greater amounts, more rapidly and at reduced costs and offer enormous opportunities for enhancing business and economic viability. ICTs can also contribute towards strengthening democracy, increasing social participation, competing in the global market place and removing barriers to modernization; making poor populations fuller agents in the sustainable developmental process. The minimum requirements of ICT facilities require a computer with connection (3G, Wi-Fi, etc.). Unfortunately above mentioned is expensive, the poorest of the poor would not be able to afford it. Connectivity of mobile phones is also limited. Thus in order for ICTs to be innovatively used in the absence of minimum literacy levels among the poor, the above mentioned obstacles must be overcome. While poor nations grapple with the problems of investing in these technologies, recent experiments show that convergence of new and traditional communication media is still relevant to poor communities who lack basic infrastructure such as roads, water, electricity and telephones. ICTs are not just about technologies, but more about information transfer and communication. My aunt, ninety-six years of age, and my uncle, ninety years of age, rely exclusively on verbal communications. They have learned at an early age, that to observe and to be able to accurately account what had happened was of outmost importance – therefore their reliance on verbal communication. The elderly in our community therefore rely on the radio, and if available the television, as the means of communication with the outside world. Here it must be stressed that the language of communication must be in their own native tongue. My little girl is more adapt than me handling my cell-phone or tablet, yet she is also able to communicate with the outside world at her level. The scenario above illustrate that there is a definite need to ensure that information reach the elderly as well as the young of heart. Using innovative ways of applying ICTs we will be able to address this dire need. To reach this goal, communities must pool together to establish the basic infrastructure needed to roll out the information highway. The combination of radio, television and internet must be utilize to improve the level of education. Our government has projects in place to assist communities to have access to internet, especially our youth. Schools offer computer classes to scholars from Grade 1, to name but a few. Question 2 How can the same ICTs be used for multiple purposes? What steps are needed to use, say the internet for meeting the educational and health needs of poor female farmers in an isolated rural community? The same ICTs can be used in a variety of communication fields, from education and healthcare, to agriculture and business. For example, a radio can broadcast important news, financial news, weather, even educational programs. Thus spanning one form of ICT into a variety of sectors. Poverty reduction ICTs are considered increasingly important in the effort to eradicate poverty. It is widely recognized that ICTs can provide access to information which can in turn create earning opportunities, improve access to basic services, increase the impact of education and health interventions, and give the poor a voice to demand government support and reforms. Despite these potential links between ICTs and poverty reduction, direct access by the poor to ICTs is extremely limited. Citizens of poor countries, especially women, have significantly less access to ICTs than those living in rich countries. Factors such as excessive domestic workload, illiteracy and lack of formal education prevent these groups from accessing information. Poverty reduction means focusing on particular groups within societies not on ‘poor countries’. Education It is generally believed that ICTs can empower teachers and learners, making significant contributions to learning and achievement. However, current research on the impacts of ICTs on student achievement yields few conclusive statements, pro or con, about the use of ICTs in education. ICTs do offer many beneficial opportunities for education, but they are no substitute for formal schooling. Teachers need to be empowered to use ICTs so that they can gain the confidence and skills to work in an ICT – driven environment. Health ICTs can play a critical role in improving health care for individuals and communities. By providing new and more efficient ways of accessing, communicating, and storing information, ICTs can help bridge the information divides that have emerged in the health sector in developing countries—between health professionals and the communities they serve and between the producers of health research and the practitioners who need it. Through the development of databases and other applications, ICTs also provide the capacity to improve health system efficiencies and prevent medical errors. Gender Women’s ability to take advantage of ICT is dependent on conductive policies, an enabling environment in their countries to extend communications infrastructure to where women live, and increased educational levels.

The Prairie Schooner, Americas Classic Covered Wagon

The Prairie Schooner, Americas Classic Covered Wagon The prairie schooner was the classic covered wagon that carried settlers westward across the North American plains. The nickname came from the typical white cloth cover on the wagon, which, from a distance, made it resemble the white cloth of a ships sails. Prairie Schooner The prairie schooner is often confused with the Conestoga wagon, but they are actually two very different types of wagons. Both were horse-drawn, of course, but the Conestoga wagon was much heavier and was first used by farmers in Pennsylvania to haul crops to market. The Conestoga wagon was often pulled by teams of up to six horses. Such wagons required reasonably good roads, such as the National Road, and were simply not practical for moving westward across the plains. The prairie schooner was a lighter wagon designed to travel great distances on rough prairie trails. And the prairie schooner  could usually be pulled by a single team of horses, or sometimes even one horse. As finding food and water for animals could present a serious problem while traveling, there was an advantage to using light wagons that required fewer horses. Depending on the circumstances, prairie schooners would also be pulled by oxen or mules. How They Were Used Adapted from light farm wagons, prairie schooners generally had a canvas cover, or bonnet, supported on wooden arches. The cover provided some protection from sun and rain. The cloth cover, which was typically supported on bows of wood (or occasionally iron) could be coated with various materials to make it waterproof. The prairie schooner would typically be packed very carefully, with heavy pieces of furniture, or crates of supplies, placed low in the wagon box to keep the wagon from tipping on rough trails. With the possessions of a typical family stowed aboard the wagon, there generally wasnt much room to ride inside. The ride was often pretty rough, as the suspension was minimal. So many emigrants heading westward would simply walk alongside the wagon, with only children or the elderly riding inside. When stopped for the night, families tended to sleep under the stars. In rainy weather, families would seek to stay dry by huddling under the wagon, rather than inside it. Groups of prairie schooners often traveled together in the classic wagon trains along such routes as the Oregon Trail. When the railroads expanded throughout the American West in the late 1800s there was no longer a need to travel great distances by prairie schooner. The classic covered wagons fell out of use but became an enduring symbol of the westward migration.

Organizations as Organisms

Organizations as Organisms Free Online Research Papers Organizations are not just a working machine that functions for its own benefit without regard to the environment, but should be viewed as living systems that are comprised of smaller units that work inter-dependently to create a whole organism, or in other words, an organization. The military and the orchestra are two examples of distinct entities that can be viewed as an â€Å"open system† that is distinctive in that in order to survive, it must depend on its environment and interact with its own sub systems or units in order to survive. Sub units can be seen as aspects of an organization that contribute to its working parts. When looking to the environment for survival, resources that are deemed necessary, such as money, people, or the community, we see this as an open system since an organization’s interactions with its sub units will depend on its survival. This paper intends to provide that organizations, such as the military and the orchestra are different organi zation, but relate in that they can relate as a living system and both depend on its environment for survival while at the same time prove its distinct difference prove productive on how they obtain their needed resources. The military is considered a basic-economic system, an â€Å"Eco system† comprised of different basic units with its own labor source that works towards the overall goal of creating a military â€Å"aggregate soldier† that can exceed the addition of all subunits to create a bigger entity that impacts the world. The military is a unique organism but at the same time, its size and force can work against it. The military unit is a continuous force of input and output that drives on the economic resources it needs to produce its domestic product, a ready military force. This constant need can sometimes create a burden because our society allows a voluntary source; by creating a constitutional duty that is seen vital, the military mandates a period of time for people to serve to help produce that economic resource. The military relies on the external economic environment to provide resources to create its domestic product and depending upon the stability of the environm ent, the military’s performance may be hindered due to reduce combat capability as well as the member’s personal consumer society. In order for the military to be a true productive force, the ingrained economic laws in which society follow that govern life and activity are used by each unit to determine the effectiveness each subunit can provide. Labor efficiency is done by upgrading logistical and technical equipment capability, ensuring every member is qualified, raising economic awareness to reduce waste, fostering cohesion and teamwork, as well as investigating other national and foreign units to develop a cohesive, economically sound team (Federov, 2001). Like the military, the orchestra can also be system a similar organism with subunits that comprise the unit as a whole. It has complex interdependent subsystems that cause the orchestra to rely on its economic environment for its survival. An orchestra runs like an organization in terms distinct job function boundaries, the orchestra itself, staff, board members, and volunteers. These systems may be broken down further by departments within each job function. The orchestra relies heavily on the external environment for income through ticket sales and contributions to support the orchestra’s â€Å"personnel intensive† asset needs. To help the support the orchestra, marketing advertises concerts to generate income as well through record sales. To promote the environment’s love for music, members are reaching out to their community with music education in hopes that the community will provide inputs. Another issue is not in the form of economic need, but a pers on’s quality of life that music brings. It is an intangible asset to consider in terms of the impact on the community, the community’s economy and the value added. Measuring an intangible asset is hard, but looking at the community as a whole and the stability of an orchestra’s economic input-process-output stability can give a better indication Roelofs, 2005). The military and an orchestra are similar in terms of a living system in that they both have relationships with its smaller units and is an integrated whole. The military is a single whole process where each military member creates a unit that in turn produces a systemic effect. These individual units build and each section produces an effect that when in combination, creates a military force that can create a large labor force in a limited space. Relationships are formed through cohesiveness, a common sense of duty, and an understanding of economic expectation of labor outputs. The orchestra also consists of systems and subsystems that work to create the orchestra as a whole. Subsystems consist of board members that work to obtain contributions for the orchestra, staff, volunteers, and the musicians themselves. Both the military and the orchestra are seen as a whole unit as the military impacts the entire globe. The military combat warring nations to protect communities and ser ve as ambassadors to other nations to build friendships and strengthen units to ensure longevity. The orchestra work to provide music to communities to build a sense of pride and unity and establish themselves with people. Every system has its autonomy and function; managers work through systematic processes within its own logic and how the organization reacts to situations. By treating organizations as a living system, managers cooperate and try to build partnership for sustainability (Capra, 1996). Looking at an orchestra and the military in terms of a systems approach, there are some important differences in the way it functions for the environment. Both parties function in that they each are developed through sub units with its own interdepartmental system and how they work to support the overall whole unit, but one can look at the orchestra as its own subunit of the organization whereas the military is still just considered the whole of an organization. With an orchestra, one can be found in almost every community and each one works to support itself to provide music to the community and the various programs it provides. Each organization may run a little differently, budgets and contributions will vary and each orchestra’s depth will vary; its output will be based on what their own individual organization wants to deliver. With the military, the sub units as a whole works towards a common goal set by the organization. Its living systems are predetermined on how they will exist and to what function. The goal is a two-fold process, how do we become the best technologically and maintain the skill set needed through the economic boundaries set forth and how do we create a sustaining mindset within thousands of individuals to understand we are a living system as one? Each organization is common in that they require an open system of resources for sustenance but each is different in their output. All things can be considered living systems, take TUIU for example. TUIU can be looked at as a whole unit because it is a university organization with different subunits that make up the sum of the whole part. Like a human body, students are like cells that create different organs and tissue. The tissue can be seen as the classes offered to the cells, like food to exist within the subunit. The organs are each department of the university that takes in all the cells and refers it to various parts for answers and needed functions. The whole university functions as the brain, which needs all parts to help function. TUIU becomes a social system when students come together for a common purpose and have mutual interaction and focuses on the basic principles of what they are trying to accomplish. If students fail to interact, processes begin to dissect. As we discussed living systems in comparison to the orchestra and the military, how could we put this in terms for a new organizational member? An organization is considered a living system when you look at the autonomy each department has is accomplishing the processes to reach goals. Managers take in the logic and emotions of the organization’s mission and implement ways to influence its employees to create ways to make processes better, faster, and cheaper as a way to empower them and be committed to the organization by cultivating what is important to them (Capra,1996). Even though many see an organization as a living system, how can we relate it to a machine? Organizations are a relationship that persists over time, as does a well-running machine. Members that work machines (inter-departments) must anticipate changes that a machine may need as the environment changes since information is the food that drives it. The levers (people) take signals from the environment and bring the data forward to modify the organization’s actions. For example, your organization is marketing a new shoe. You decide to do a marketing analysis through random cities that are selling the shoe (feedback loop) and your levers (people in the organization) are providing the feedback signals to the machine (inter-departments) to determine the changes needed to modify in relation to the change in environment to market new changes to the shoe (Flower, 1995). The military and the orchestra are but two examples on how anyone can break down an organization in a living system, a whole unit with sub units that relate and interconnect in order to support being a whole unit. The wholeness of a unit comes from its social system, the community or ecosystems. The military is unique in that it survives not only on the technology and economic resources it is given, but the global need for protection and people who feels it’s their constitutional duty to serve those people. The orchestra is also unique in that its survival completely rest on their community. Music is a way to bring communities together but its resources must come from those same people to survive; inter-departments work together in order to support the orchestra as a whole. Another concept viewed is how an organization or an organism can function as a machine. The environment acts as the feedback loop and uses the organization’s levers to provide signal for change. The environment is the driver of change and organisms, us, must learn from our past in order to adapt to the changing environment and function as a whole unit. References Capra, F. (N.D.) Living Systems. The Light Party. Retrieved May 18, 2009, from lightparty.com/Visionary/LivingSystems.html Fedorov, G.S. (2001) The Military Unit as Part of the Armed Forces Economic System . Military Thought . July. Retrieved May 18, 2009, from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0JAP/is_4_10/ai_78839805/ Flower, J. (1995) The Structure Of Organized Change: A conversation with Kevin Kelly. The Healthcare Forum Journal, vol. 38, no. 1, January/February 1995. Retrieved May 18, 2009, from well.com/user/bbear/kellyart.html Roelofs, L. (N.D.) Organizational Change: Open System Concepts. Symphony Orchestra Institute. Retrieved May 18, 2009, from soi.org/reading/change/concepts.shtml Research Papers on Organizations as OrganismsOpen Architechture a white paperBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfGenetic EngineeringAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeDefinition of Export QuotasIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalThe Project Managment Office SystemInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductAppeasement Policy Towards the Outbreak of World War 2

Economics for Business 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Economics for Business 3 - Essay Example Various macroeconomic variables were affecting the demand and supply of the products produced by Apple exist. Additionally, these variables are essential in ensuring that Apple poses a cutting edge in the market today. These variables include interest rates, GDP, GDP plays a key role in influencing the demand supply of the Apple Inc. in 2013, for instance, the global forecast for GDP was at 3.3% according to the Global Macroeconomic Outlook. This was a relatively slow growth, having in mind that the growth of the GDP in the last decade hit a 3.8% gain. Usually, slow growth in GDP is followed by a fall in demand for goods and services. Apple being a producer of cyclical products, led to a fall in demand of their products. Additionally, slow growth rate may end up leading to the company lowering its prices hence leading to a reduction in profit margin (Tynjà ¤là ¤ &Eloranta, n.d). In 2010, growth rate in the economy was registered and hence Apple’s profit margin rose from 21.5% in 2010 to 23.8% in 2011. A rose in profit margin also came from the fact that there was the demand for Apple’s product. Interest rates affect the demand and supply of products of a given organization to a large extent. An increase in interest rates by banks leads to decrease in demand for products. When interest rates increase, people tend to avoid dealing with the increased interest rates and wait till when the rates reduce. Apple Inc. Being an organization that deals with product sales is also affected by interest rates. In Japan, one of the major consumers of Apple’s products experienced increased interest rates in 2012. On a large extent, it led to the reduction in supply of the Smartphones in Japan. Inflation refers to the long-term rise in price of goods and services due to the devaluation of a currency. Apple targets several consumers in various

Anglo American Plc report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Anglo American Plc report - Essay Example The five major categories of financial ratios are liquidity, financial leverage, asset efficiency, profitability, and market values (Peavler, 2013). The purpose of this report is to analyze the financial performance of the company Anglo American Plc by performing ratio analysis. Trend Analysis Anglo American A trend analysis of some key financial indicators of Anglo American is illustrated below. 2012 (millions) 2011 (millions) % change Sales 28761 30580 -5.94% Gross profit 2768 13237 -79.09% Expenses 30449 21141 44.03% Interest payable 798 695 14.82% Net profit before tax 138 10599 -98.70% Total assets 79369 72422 9.56% Total liabilities 35582 29253 17.79% Capital and reserves 37657 39092 -3.67% Advantages ratio analysis Ratio analysis is a tremendous analytic tool that can be used to evaluate the financial performance of an enterprise. One of the virtues of this type of analysis is that any person with access to the internet can extract the financial statements of a company to real ize the analysis. The basic formulas used as input in ratio analysis mostly utilize data from the financial statements of the company. The use of ratio analysis can help people instantly check weather a company is sound financially (Bott, 2013). Another advantage of ratio analysis is that the ratios can be compared against the performance of other companies or the industry. Financial ratios can also be compared against the financial ratio results of previous years. The ratio analysis performed on Anglo American in this paper includes the use of 21 different ratios. Ratio Analysis Anglo American The net margin of Anglo American in 2012 was -2.1%. Net margin measures the absolute profitability of a company. It is calculated dividing net profit by total sales. A negative net margin result is an unfavorable outcome. This ratio was chosen because it shows the profitability of the firm. In 2012 Anglo American obtained an earnings per share (EPS) metric of -$1.19. The company’s EPS went down by $3.91 since the previous fiscal year. Earnings per share is the portion of a company’s profit allocated to each outstanding share of common stock (Investopedia, 2013). EPS was selected because this metric influences the buying decisions of investors. The return on assets (ROA) of the company in 2012 was -0.8%. ROA is calculated by dividing net income by total assets. The reason I selected this ratio is because it shows how effective a company has been at generating profits from its assets. The efficiency of the company is an important aspect of the operations to measure. Anglo American achieved a return on equity (ROE) in 2012 of -1.4%. This metric measures the extent to which financial leverage is working towards benefiting the company. The formula to calculate return on equity is net income divided by total equity. ROE was used in this analysis because this metric demonstrates the ability of the firm to generate income from its equity. The debt ratio of the com pany is calculated dividing total debt by total assets. Anglo American had a debt ratio in 2012 of 0.45: 1. This ratio shows how well prepared the company is to pay off its long term debt. Anglo American does not seem to have overextended its debt position. The debt ratio was used in the analysis due to the fact that this ratio evaluates the long term solvency of the firm. Typically companies are in trouble when the debt ratio is too