Public Policy and Section Assessment

Chapter 9 Section 1 p. 240 Section Assessment 1-4 1. What is a public policy? A public policy is a goal a government creates and accomplishes them. 2. List and describe the three main ideas in which political parties and interest groups differ. Political parties focus on nominations, on their goals and on their interests. Interest groups may favor a candidate, but the political party is in charge of the nominations. The political party is more concerned about the person who will be in charge of the government rather than the policies the government will create. . (a) How do interest groups stimulate interest in public affairs? They promote policies they favor and oppose those they fear as threats to their concerns. (b) Name at least three additional functions of interest groups. They unite with other people around the country to promote their concern. They provide detailed information to the government to address their concerns. They act as check-and-balances for the political proces s. 4. On what bases are interest groups often criticized? Some interest schools do not represent all the views they claim to speak.They can also use tactics to undermine the political system. They may also not represent all the people they claim to represent. Chapter 9 Section 2 p. 247 Section Assessment 2-4 2. (a) What are the four major types of economically based interest groups? Business, Labor, Agricultural, and Professional (b) List an example of a major type. A major type of organization is the American Medical Association, which focuses on the concerns of doctors. (c) How does a trade association differ from a labor union?A trade association is an interest group for business, while labor unions are interest group for workers that work in the same industry. Chapter 9 Section 3 p. 254 Section Assessment 1-4, & p. 257 1. For what three reasons do interest groups reach out to the public? They reach out to the public to share information that is necessary for the people to know. Also, they reach out to the public to impose a positive image on their interest group. Finally, they do so to encourage a public policy to be passed. 2. (a) Why do interest groups use propaganda?They use propaganda to influence the behavior and belief of people. (b) Identify at least three major propaganda techniques. They use bandwagon, which is when people are encouraged to take an action because everyone else is doing so. The plain-folks approach is where people must follow an action because it pretends to be one of the common people. Finally, the name-calling is where the opposing policy by calling negative nicknames to them to influence the views of people towards them. 3. (a) Why do interest groups try to influence political parties?Interest groups influence political parties in order to gain support for the passing of their public policies when the candidate of a political party holds office in the government. (b) What is a single-interest group? This group focuses on one par ticular issue and creates public policies concerning it. 4. How is lobbying used to influence public policy? Lobbying is used to influence public policy by pressuring legislators to bear aspects of the public policy-making process. Analyzing Political Cartoons 28 & 29 28. (a) What does the building in the cartoon represent?The building represent the government and the public policies made for the people. (b) What is the source of the words on the building? All the citizens of the United States have the right to represent themselves in the government. 29. What is the cartoon saying about the influence of special-interest groups on the political process? Interest groups have a great impact on the government’s public policies. Only those who are great in numbers can cause an influence in the government. Individuals must form into interest-groups in order to have a voice in the government.

Narrative Report Girl Scout Essay

INTRODUCTION The Girls Scout of the Philippines Visayas Regional Junior, Senior and Cadet Encampment was held at Marina Yulo-Vargas Regional Program and Training Center or Commonly known as Camp Marina, Located at Capitol Hills, Cebu City last October 22-27, 2014. GSP is indeed a labor of love, sacrifices and dedication of the combined effort of scouters, adult leaders, school administration and the council for the purpose of the following: 1. Acquiring new learning experience with the opportunity to develop sel-stem, confidence, creativity and life skills, 2. Discover and enhance their full potential and learn to relate with other girls in camp, 3. Acquire knowledge and skills on first aid and emergency preparedness with the opportunity to respond real situation that require them to use basic human survival skills, 4. Stimulate real enjoyment and appreciation of the out-of-doors through varied and interesting activities offered during the encampment. Southern Leyte Council registered 16 senior girl scout and 5 adult leaders headed by one council executive Marlita D. Corollo. The campers must be physical fit; must have earned at least one badge each under the challenge of environment, preparedness, Arts, eco-self-sufficiency, Heritage and Citizenship; and she must attended a troop/patrol camp/ provincial camp prior to this encampment. The encampment covers six (6) days of staying under the forest, sleeping on the tent with series of challenges and activities everyday. DAY TO DAY ACTIVITIES DAY 1, OCTOBER 22, 2014 (WEDNESDAY) ARRIVAL†¦. MORNING: The central staff welcomes the delegates and gives directions on how the campers could reach their sub-camps. Each sub-camps director guides and directs the campers under her jurisdiction to reach our respective area. Markers are used to designate the area for each delegation. Southern Leyte Council belongs to sub-camp Milagros together with Ilo-ilo, Negros Oriental and Northern Samar. Each council was responsible for making our area comfortable. We were put up tents, gadgets as part of the layout. We put some caption at the entrance of our area to identify the council we belong. Everyone were helping each other and do the task well in building our tent and making our area accommodating and comfortable. The head of the Southern Leyte Council were registering the girls with the secretariat. After registration the campers proceed to our area for the lunch. AFTERNOON: Medical re-check shall be done on the first day afternoon. The adult leaders were lead the campers to the infirmary area and present their Health Examination Forms to the Camp Physician upon examination to make sure that the campers were physically fit for the series of challenges and activities. EVENING: The orientation was given by the central staff. The details about the program of activities, food services, accommodation, management and other services as well as the camp mechanics were thoroughly explained by the staff in that orientation. The campers were feel free to ask questions if they were need further clarification on certain matters. DAY 2 OCTOBER 23, 2014 (THURSDAY) MORNING: At 7:30 AM the campers were in the grounds for the rehearsal of the opening ceremony, because they were forming 50 which represent 50 year anniversary  of Camp Marina.  At 9:00 AM the campers were in the actual area wearing their type A uniform for the Opening Ceremony. The central staff was sitting on the stage together with the guest speaker while the scouters and the adult leaders were on the ground forming 50. Each council was required to introduce their troop in the form of yell. The ceremony was ended at 12:00 noon. AFTERNOON: The first activity was all about Emergency Preparedness. It was held at the administration building. They were teach us on what to do during emergency, what are the things to prepare before the typhoon and other calamities come. After the discussion, we were doing the drill. EVENING: After taking our supper we proceed immediately on the covered court for the Council Extravaganza. Each council are required to present one presentation. For the Southern Leyte Council, a modern dance number were presented headed by the Dulfo twin sister. DAY 3 OCTOBER 24, 2014 (FRIDAY) MORNING: At exactly eight o’clock we were already at the covered court because the girls were very excited to do the activity no.2 which was all about ballroom dancing. The first move that the dance instructor taught us was the chacha, next in line was boggie, followed by zumba. That time I think, we were burn 1000 calories, fats and lipids because of so many sweats comes out from our body and so much fun. AFTERNOON: Activity no. 3 was the handicraft. At the back of the National Equipment Services (NES) building is a small auditorium, where the handicraft activity was held. Each girl were given a task to make any accessories using the  given accessories paraphernalia. Most of our girls make bracelets and some of them make necklace. EVENING: The most awaited part of the camping is the campfire. Everybody was gathered in front of the covered court to witness the campfire. Every sub-camp were required tp present a dance number which represent the culture and tradition of the place where they belong. The sub-camp 1 present a sinulog dance festival, the sub-camp 2 were present an ati-atihan festival and the sub camp 3 where we belong presents dinagyang festival. The girls from So. Leyte council wearing a type B uniform with malong, barefooted joined the dinagyang festival together with Ilo-ilo and the rest of the members of the sub-camp. The fire was lighted by the Regional Executive Director Mrs. Aida Saromines together with Mrs Ruth T. Jarantilla the Regional Vice Chairperson. DAY 4 OCTOBER 25, 2014 (SATURDAY) MORNING: Right after the breakfast of the girls they were proceeds to the top of the hill to perform the activity no. 4 which was all about mural painting. Southern Leyte was represented by Anna Henli and our very own Daphne Doris Jacka to do the mural painting while the other girls were the assistants and observer of their painting. The whole morning was not enough to do the task. The two were going down to take their lunch. AFTERNOON: After eating, the two were go back to work immediately, but trouble were happen because one of the girl from Maasin City change the work of Anna and Daphne totally while they were taking their lunch in the tent, this made the whole council shocked. Tears was falling down on the face of the two because many people were admired the work of Anna and Daphne but suddenly it was change by Inna. Until such time that the allotted time for mural painting  was up, so they do not have a chance to change it back. Sadness†¦..sadness†¦.sadness†¦. occur in the camp. At 5:00 o’clock we were going again to the top to attend the Holy mass which was an anticipated Sunday mass. EVENING: Inter-camp Visit was the event for that night but the girls are seems not interested anymore due to the trouble that had happen in that afternoon. The adult leaders were encourages the girls to nevermind that trouble because that was part of growing up and still do the task and perform it well. DAY 5 OCTOBER 26, 2014 (SUNDAY) MORNING: As early as five thirty our girls were ready for the scouts own. It is a solemn ceremony for the Girl Scout.  Right after the ceremony, we were took our breakfast immediately because we were excited for the tour which was the last activity of the encampment. Before seven o’clock we were on the top of the hill waiting for the bus to take us a ride for the tour. We were passing by the Cebu Capitol and Pari-an. The first place that we visit was the Fort San Pedro, commonly known as â€Å"Plaza Independencia† Then the next stop was Sto. Nià ±o de Cebu, then going to the South to visit the Chapel of Pedro Calungsod, and the last was the roaming around the Ayala Center of Cebu. While touring ourselves, everybody were so much fun, enjoyed and busy on taking pictures†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Click†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦click†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦click†¦.. AFTERNOON: Back to the camp at almost 1 o’clock, and take our lunch from Jollibee. Chicken joy†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ hhhmmm†¦ yummy†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. At two o’clock the closing ceremony was done†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Then home sweet home†¦. Joining the Visayas Regional Junior, Senior and Cadet Encampment was so fantastic and awesome experience which we will never forget forever. Through this memorable experience we were grow towards a responsible girl scout and become a better person and a good leader soon†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ It is indeed a labor of love, sacrifice and dedication.

Business Article assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Business Article - Assignment Example A research conducted by professionals from the University of Cambridge in 2008 aimed to determine â€Å"the risky decision-making abilities of entrepreneurs and corporate managers with similar IQs and experience levels using a battery of neurocognitive tests† (Mehta, par. 4). The results of the study indicate that the greater preponderance for risk taking activities of entrepreneurs were both traced from behavioral and physiological factors that affect their decision making processes. As averred â€Å"the entrepreneurs not only scored higher on personality tests that measure impulsivity and flexibility; they also experienced a chemical response in the reward center of the brain that the managers did not† (Mehta, par. 4). Concurrently, Mehta stipulated guidelines for potential entrepreneurs in terms of socializing with other entrepreneurs, conditioning oneself for small successes, having faith and determination, and seeking a partner who would complement lacking skills, abilities, and knowledge that is not present in one’s personal arena. Relation of Topic to Discussion The topic is significantly related to the class discussion on small businesses and entrepreneurship. More and more global organizations have struggled to grow from roots that were identified as small business ventures or from sheer innovative vision and strategies implemented by entrepreneurs. The article is relevant in terms of accepting the risk taking characteristics of entrepreneurs to identify unique opportunities in the external environment, which could initially be posed as a threat, but would eventually be converted into a privilege to create jobs and provide financial success to the entrepreneur and to the stakeholders who would benefit from the venture. As shown in the power point presentation as Chapter 7: Small Business and Entrepreneurship, entrepreneurs are a distinct breed of professionals who are predominantly risk takers and are willing to invest time, money and effort for potential ventures that could be successful or could ultimately fail. The thought provoking insight on famous entrepreneurs could inspire aspiring ones into trying their luck in diverse business opportunities. The experiences of Ray Kroc, McDonald’s founder and Steve Jobs, founder of Apple computers, have attested that entrepreneurs’ drive and determination do not die with past failures. Further, the entrepreneurial spirit that highlight extraordinary skills, talents and abilities of these individuals stir innovation through technological breakthroughs, use of cross functional teams, employ strategies that enhance strengths and competitive advantage in their chosen fields of endeavor. Personal Comments One’s personal contention on the topic of small businesses and entrepreneurship is the focus on distinct characteristics of entrepreneurs as drivers of businesses and new ventures. Entrepreneurs have keen business acumen and are unique in terms of t he extremely high desire to achieve. People like Donald Trump, Bill Gates, aside from those mentioned in class, have been instrumental in revolutionizing their business niche through innate desire to uplift the welfare of mankind. From what one has learned through research and through observing entrepreneurial talent, the innate desire and drive to discover something new that could be of benefit to a greater number of people have been most instrumental to their success. As learned from the class module, small businesses

Think tank Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Think tank - Assignment Example Rather, they are ideas generated on college campuses, in think tanks and in other research organizations around the country (Wiarda 55). This essay is going to draw comparison between the Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS), Rand Organization and American Enterprise Institute (AEI) think tanks, explore how they function, and finally how these think tanks influence the US foreign policy. Think tanks vary enormously in terms of size, staff, and institutional resources, but they all rely to a certain extent on both public and private channels to exercise policy influence (Wiarda 63). Of the more than 2,000 think tanks in the USA, close to 25percent of these are considered as independent or free standing whereby vast majority are affiliated with university departments. The Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS) is a popular American think tank that is based in Washington DC in the United States of America and it primary role is to conduct policy studies and strategic analyses on economic development and reconstruction, political and security issues, Global Health as well as climate change and energy (Arin 40). It also focuses on Human Rights, Technology, and Trade and Economics as well as Global Trends and Forecasting throughout the world. Nonetheless, CSIS pays special focus on issues concerning trade, international relations, energy, technology, finance as well as geostrategic. According to a report that was released by the University of Pennsylvania in 2013 entitled â€Å"Global Go To Think Tanks Report†, CSIS is the best think tank internationally for international affairs and security. It was also placed as the fourth best think tank globally and it has been termed occasionally as â€Å"one of the most respected of Washington’s think tanks† (Arin 39). CSIS invites well-known foreign policy and public service officials and from the US Congress and the executive branch inclusive of

Non-discrimination is a Cornerstone of GATT Law Essay

Non-discrimination is a Cornerstone of GATT Law - Essay Example The most important trade principle was non-discrimination with regard to the treatment of trade in goods among countries. Article 1 of the GATT, states that any advantage given by a contracting party to a product of another country, must be extended unconditionally to a like product of all other contracting parties. The above article is the most favoured nation principle. A second rule of non-discrimination is national treatment, the principle that imported and domestic goods should be treated equally. Although non-discrimination is a cornerstone of the GATT, some exceptions are allowed. For example, custom unions, free-trade areas, and special treatment for developing countries are permitted. (Fergusson, 2007). Another principle is the open and fair application of any trade barriers. Tariffs were the most common and visible form of trade barrier at the time the GATT was established. (Fergusson, 2007). Tariffs are bound or set at maximum levels, and not to increase above the negotiated level. In general, quantitative restrictions such as quotas were not allowed, since tariffs were much easier to identify and to eventually reduce. The paper will focus on the most favoured principles and the national treatment principles. Studies and researches will be presented to evaluate the cornerstone of GATT law which is non-discrimination. Definition of Terms GATT - General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade Like Products or Likeness - having the same characteristics. The term applies to the products of different countries being exported and imported. The purpose of defining "Like Products" is to create a criterion by which likeness to be measured. One must described the individual criteria with some care, and after that it is possible to talk about degrees of likeness within the boundaries of those criteria or characteristics. Discrimination - in economic, the definition is less favourable treatment of goods from one foreign country vis a vis the goods of another foreign country. Brief History of GATT Law After World War II a new order came in about trading. The Breton Woods Conference1 in 1944, created the International Monetary Fund2 nd the World Bank for economic restructuring and development in Western Europe. The General Agreement on Trade and Tariff was created at the first session of the Preparatory Committee of UN Conference on Trade and Employment in 1946. (Williams, 2006). The GATT's initial purpose was to negotiate tariff concessions among members and to establish a code of conduct and procedures for the resolution of trade disputes by negotiation. Successive negotiations (called rounds) have also focussed on the code of conduct for no tariff barriers. The GATT was founded on the principles of non discrimination and multilateralism in international trade. Non discrimination is expressed via unconditional Most Favoured Nation status for all contracting parties. By this convention "if the tariff on imports from one country is decreased, the tariff on all imports of the same goods from other GATT members must be reduced." (Williams, 2006). The debacle of the 1930's led to a reassessment, realignment and restructuring of the world economy. The result of the reassessment was that tariff wars were destructive

International and comparative criminal justice Essay

International and comparative criminal justice - Essay Example This is the way things should be. It is unacceptable for the police to contaminate evidence or obtain it through duress. However, its actual exclusion should rest at the discretion of a judge. This is the correct law and is followed in many common law jurisdictions, while it is less prevalent in civil law jurisdictions. In the course of this essay the rationale for this rule will be examined as will a number of cases and statutes relating to it. It is first important to discuss context. Crime has been an unfortunate aspect of human existence from the beginning of time. Each civilization and country has had to determine a method for dealing with it within their own moral vision. Different approaches to dealing with crime come from different values systems. Everyone is different and believes in different things. For people that believe a criminal is a product of his environment and is not personally responsible for committing of crime, it is likely that resources will be used on rehabi litation and treatment. Imprisonment will play a less important role. But for those who believe individuals are responsible for the things that they do and that if they intend to commit crimes they should be punished, the emphasis is likely to be on punishing or detaining the criminal. These different values play a role in determining how evidence is excluded. These two ways of dealing with crime can be broken up into two models. One will be likely to exclude contaminated evidence in order to preserve the human rights of the criminal, the second model would be much less likely to exclude evidence1. The first is the famous due process model present in most developed countries. The main idea of this model is that an individual should not be deprived of their human rights, even if it is clear that he or she has committed a terrible crime. To put someone in prison is to take away the criminal’s right to liberty. That is a very serious thing. The process must be scrutinized to ens ure that everything is done by the book. At its heart the due process model is the idea that the system would rather see ten guilty people go free than one innocent person in prison. The result of this model is many hours of painstaking work checking evidence and a long time-line of the court case moving slowly through the system. Because, historically, the legal system railroaded individuals by planting false evidence and by abusing human rights, we must be very careful when examining evidence. Permitting contaminated evidence into the legal system would encourage law enforcement officers to commit illicit acts. The due process model would strongly argue to exclude evidence obtained in the course of an abuse of human rights. The second way of looking at criminal justice regarding evidence is the crime control model. This model puts a high value on locking up guilty people. Its aim is to protect society and it tries to do this by detaining as many people as it can as quickly as it c an. Typically, in this model more money is spent on policing and deterring and prosecuting criminals as quickly as possible so that the police and prosecutors can start again quickly on the next group of criminals. If it happens that an innocent person is

Challenges of orgnizational change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Challenges of orgnizational change - Essay Example Challenge in strategic organization change is one of the most common problems that face organization (Reiss, 2011, 54). This problem involves an organization that may require making several imperative changes in the course of its operations. Many organizations set goals prior to engaging in a particular activity and a time may come that the management may find it necessary to make some changes in the course of operations. A challenge that may come up regarding this is the fact that the organization may lack sufficient resources to accommodate for these changes. A challenge that may pose is on structural change. This challenge is most common with organizations that may decide to fire some of the most important managers due to poor performance (Zentes, 2013, 32). This works effectively in that the company gets to cut its weak links. However, finding a person to replace the retrenched person is difficult owing to varying qualifications and experience. Process oriented change is another difficult change that takes place in organizations (Pritts, 2007, 78). This challenge is mostly financial from the fact that a company may require to re-engineer the various processes that it engages. This is imperative for an organization that seeks to score a higher number of clients. However, the company may have the problem of understanding the points from which to begin changes in the processes as it may disrupt already running processes. People- centered challenge is the other organizational challenge that may come up (Paton, 2008, 56). This challenge normally involves the organization getting new employees for a particular activity or rather business venture that it seeks to engage. There may be challenges in the training of these individuals that might slow down the operations of the organization. Culture is another organizational change that exists and involves the organization adapting to a new market where people have a different culture as compared

Obesity and Smoking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Obesity and Smoking - Essay Example 935). Smoking has been estimated to account for 8% of total healthcare costs in the US, 3.8% in Canada, and 3.7% in Germany (Chang et al, 2005, pp. 2122 -2125). Dramatic variations in rates and trends of smoking are evident for specific subpopulations of women in Canada. There has recently been a disturbing trend whereby smoking rates among teenaged girls exceeded smoking rates among teenaged boys for the first time. Among girls aged 15 to 19, 25.1% reported being daily smokers in 1998 - 1999 and 26% in 2001, as compared with 18.5% and 20% respectively for boys in this age group (Chang et al, 2005, pp.2126 -2128). Girls also started smoking at a younger age, 41% of girls aged 15 to 17 reporting having smoked their first cigarette before age 13 as compared with 29% of boys. In the last decade, daily consumption increased for girls aged 15 to 19 from 11.5 cigarettes per day in 1990 to 12.7 cigarettes per day in 1999; this has decreased to 10.8 in 2001 (Statistics Canada, 2000, pp. 238- 245). In this paper we would be discussing the two issues faced by the Canadians - Obesity and Smoking. The simplest definition of obesity is an excessive amount of body fat. It must be distinguished from overweight, which refers to an excess of body weight relative to height. Obesity is probably best assessed by the visual judgment of an experienced observer. If a man, woman, or child looks fat when undressed, he or she is probably obese. Measurement of sub scapular and triceps skin-fold thicknesses with calipers is the simplest objective way to assess body fat. Data from the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) indicate an obesity rate for Canada of 23.1% and an overweight rate of 59.1%. U.S. data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999 -2002 show that 65.1% of the American adult population is overweight and 30.4% are obese (Hedley et al, 2004, pp. 2847- 2848). The problem of obesity does not affect all populations equally, particularly in the U.S. The obesity rate in the U.S. is higher for women at 33.2% compared to the rate for men (27.6%). By race, these gender differences are exacerbated. F or example, the obesity rate among non-Hispanic white women is 30.7% compared to a rate of 49% among non-Hispanic black American women, whereas obesity rates across race for men do not differ significantly (Hedley et al, 2004, pp. 2849- 2850). In Canada, obesity rates do not vary substantially by sex (23.2% for women and 22.9% for men). However, obesity rates are higher for white women (24.8%) and white men (25 .5%) compared to their non-white counterparts (Hedley et al, 2004, p.2849). An estimated 80-90% of persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Canadian population are overweight or obese. Obesity is also a growing problem in children with type 1 diabetes (Hypponen et al, 2000, pp.1755-1760). Furthermore, intensive insulin therapy is associated with weight gain. Weight loss has been shown to improve glycemic control by increasing insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake and diminishing hepatic glucose output (Chou et al, 2004, pp. 565-587). The risk of death from all causes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and some forms of cancer increases with excessive body fat (Calle et al,

Question answer Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Question answer - Essay Example Notably, finance minister of State X was present at the signing of the agreement between the two parties and after signing the document, the finance minister added the words â€Å"approved and ratified† and the minister also placed his own signature. Later on, a dispute aroused where OIC initiated a settlement proceeding in accordance with the procedures set out in the joint venture contract specifying both IPF and State X. However, State X argued that settlement tribunal has no jurisdiction over it. The major case issue is that whether State X can be excused from participating in the suit or not. With regard to the case, it can be stated that State X cannot be excused from participating in the suit. As the common law of contract in Australia affirms that any third party benefitting from the contractual agreement is liable to sue the other major party under the contractual agreement and vice versa. Nonetheless, privity of contract states that only the major parties entering in to the contractual agreement has the right to sue each other if any dispute arises. Simultaneously, the doctrine of privity of contract denies any obligations or liabilities to third party1. However, the doctrine of privity states that the major party has the right to sue the third party benefiting from the contract. ... over the performance of IPF, it cannot be denied that any action performed by IPC is governed by and taken with the active participation of State X2. Thus, the action of IPC cannot be distinguished from State X. In addition, State X also affirmed the contract by providing its approval and rectification as well as the finance minister of State X placed his signature to the contractual agreement which provided an evidence of State X’s involvement to the contractual agreement entered between OIC and IPF. At the same time, it can be argued that finance minister of State X was endorsing the contract but he was not making government as a party to the contract entered. Despite this aspect, it can be stated that State X should not be excused from participating in the suit. Additionally, the arbitration tribunal has sole power to involve State X in the suit. QUESTION 2: Considering the case of the Republic of Argentina et al v. Weltover Inc. et al., The United States used the Foreign S overeign Immunities Act of 1996 to bring suit against Argentina for a default on bond repayment. According to Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act 1996, statutory method can be ascertained from the United States courts to acquire jurisdiction over non-US sovereign. It offers that any person in the United States can seek for jurisdiction for disputes resulting from business transactions to non-US sovereign. It immunises non-U.S. states from jurisdiction of US court unless any exceptional scenario applies. Accordingly, Supreme Court of the USA has characterised â€Å"commercial activity† as the most important exception. This exception provides the verdict regarding which party can apply for lawsuit against the non-US sovereign in the US court. As part of a plan to stabilise petitioner, the Republic of

The Concept of Privacy in the Workplace Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Concept of Privacy in the Workplace - Essay Example All the employees of the company must be given a corporate email account. The account will have a password known only to the user of the account. This control mechanism ensures that the only person that can enter the account is the employee. The concept of privacy in the workplace is a widely debated topic. A lot of employees feel that despite being paid a salary during work hours they are entitled to certain basic levels of privacy including the right to personal emails with confidential information. The company’s policy should be to allow personal emails to occur, but its content cannot be confidential due to the possibility of a traitor leaking confidential information to outsiders using the email system of the company. The email content will be audited every 30 days for quality assurance purposes. An important element of the email system of the company is the usage of email to provide customer service. All major companies provide its customers an email address for support. It takes a lot of labor to read through these emails. The company must hire an additional 50 employees to increase the speed of its email customer service support function. The new standard should be to increase the customer service response of the company to every 24 hours. To achieve this goal the customer service department must be redesigned to run a 24-hour operation composed of three daily 8-hour shifts. The email system and customer service function could be streamlined through the use of advances in information technology. The company could spend a few thousand bucks to incorporate an artificial intelligence that filters customer support emails based on necessity and customer inquiry. The system could be used to provide faster support to customers that have major issues that require immediate attention. All the emails that are sent and received by employees will be stored in a database for five years. The customer's emails the company receives will be also be saved for at l east five years. The system will automatically save the emails in a database upon being sent or received. Safeguarding the employees and customer information is very important for the company. The Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 increased the compliance costs for public companies in the United States. The stored capabilities of the system will help the company comply with the Security and Exchange Commission and other governmental agencies regulations. The internal email policy of the company includes the following stipulations. The employees of the company must answer all emails within 24 hours of receiving the email. The employees can only access the information system of the company from within the physical facilities of the company. The employees must not take any digital documents of any information. The employees can use the corporate email for personal emails, but they must realize that an audit may read the contents of the email for quality assurance purposes. The email has becom e a primary communication tool that everyone that is online uses for personal or business purposes. Due to the delicate nature of information transfer in corporate America companies have become stricter about security measures regarding electronic tools such as emails.

Thesis on video games Essay Example for Free

Thesis on video games Essay A video game console is an interactive entertainment computer or modified computer system that produces a video display signal which can be used with a display device (a television, monitor, etc. ) to display a video game. The term video game console is used to distinguish a machine designed for consumers to buy and use solely for playing video games from a personal computer, which has many other functions, or arcade machines, which are designed for businesses that buy them and then charge others to play. I. PLAYSTATION 3 The PlayStation family is the worlds highest-selling video game system. Sony Computer Entertainment released the PlayStation in 1995, followed by the PlayStation 2 in 2000, PlayStation Portable in 2004, and PlayStation 3 in 2006. Sonys first foray into the video game market,the PlayStation (codenamed PSX during development, now known as PS one), was initially designed as an add-on for Nintendo’s Super (Super Famicom) video game console as an answer to Segas Sega CD. When the prospect of releasing the system as an add-on dissolved, Sony transformed it into the standalone PlayStation video game console. Sonys follow-up console, the PlayStation 2 (PS2), currently the worlds best-selling console in history, was released in Japan on March 4, 2000 and in North America on October 26, 2000. The PSP or PlayStation Portable is a handheld game console made by Sony Computer Entertainment; a first foray into the handheld gaming market which was previously dominated by Nintendo. Though it has not had as much as of an impact as the PlayStation home consoles, the PSP is noted as being the most successful competitor to Nintendos handheld range yet. The newest console in the PlayStation series is Sonys entry in the seventh generation of consoles, the PlayStation 3 (PS3), which launched in November 2006. It uses a unique processing architecture called the Cell microprocessor, a technology jointly developed by Sony, Toshiba, and IBM. The graphics processing unit, the RSX Reality Synthesizer, was co-developed by NVIDIA and Sony. It is currently behind its competitors, the Xbox 360 and Wii in terms of sales. II. Xbox 360 The Xbox 360 is the video game console produced by Microsoft, and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Nintendos Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles. A prominent feature of the Xbox 360 is its integrated Xbox Live service that allows players to compete online and download content such as arcade games, game demos, trailers, TV shows, and movies. Major features of the console include its Windows Media Center multimedia capabilities, mandatory support of high definition in all games, movie rentals and game downloads from its online marketplace and the ability to watch HD DVD movies with an add-on drive. The Xbox 360 was officially unveiled on MTV on May 12, 2005, with detailed launch and game information divulged later that month at the Electronic. The console sold out completely upon release in all regions except in Japan, and, as of January 5, 2009, 28 million units have been sold worldwide, according to Microsoft. The Xbox 360 is currently available in three configurations: the Arcade, the Pro, and the Elite console, each with its own selection of accessories. III. Nintendo Wii The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsofts Xbox 360 and Sonys PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of both. As of December 31, 2008 the Wii leads the generation over the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in worldwide sales. A distinguishing feature of the console is its wireless controller, the Wii Remote, which can be used as a handheld pointing device anddetect movement in three dimensions. Another distinctive feature of the console is WiiConnect24, which enables it to receive messages and updates over the Internet while in standby mode. The Wii is Nintendos fifth home console, the direct successor to the Nintendo GameCube, and able to play all official GameCube games. Nintendo first spoke of the console at the 2004 E3 press conference and later unveiled the system at the 2005 E3. Satoru Iwata revealed a prototype of the controller at the September 2005 Tokyo Game Show. At E3 2006, the console won the first of several awards. By December 8, 2006, it had completed its launch in four key markets. 1. 1. 2 GPU (Graphics Processing Units). A graphics processing unit or GPU (also occasionally called visual processing unit or VPU) is a specialized processor that offloads 3D graphics rendering from the microprocessor. It is used in embedded systems, mobile phones, personal computers, workstations, and game consoles. Modern GPUs are very efficient at manipulating computer graphics, and their highly parallel structure makes them more effective than general-purpose CPUs for a range of complex algorithms. In a personal computer, a GPU can be present on a video card, or it can be on the motherboard. More than 90% of new desktop and notebook computers have integrated GPUs, which are usually far less powerful than those on a dedicated video card. I. NVIDIA NVIDIA a multinational corporation which specializes in the development of graphics processing units and chipset technologies for workstations, personal computers, and mobile devices. Based in Santa Clara, California, the company has become a major supplier of integrated circuits (ICs) such as graphics processing units (GPUs) and chipsets used in graphics cards, and of video-game consoles and personal-computer motherboards. Notable Nvidia product-lines include the GeForce series for gaming, the Quadro series for computer-aided design and for digital content creation on workstations, and the nForce series of integrated motherboard chipsets. II. RADEON ATI Radeon is a brand of graphics processing units (GPU) that since 2000 has been manufactured by ATI Technologies and subsequently AMD and is the successor to their Rage line. There are four different groups, which can be differentiated by the DirectX generation they support. More specific distinctions can also be followed, such as the HyperZ version, the number of pixel pipelines, and of course, the memory andprocessor clock speeds. 1. 2PROBLEM STATEMENT: â€Å"EXTREME GAMERS’ DEMAND PLAYSTATION 3 RATHER THAN PCs† * Is there sufficient demand and awareness for the higher end console like Sony Play station 3 * Is it better to face the competition with previous Play Station 2 and X box that are already in the market * Is there any know how of Blue-ray technology among the young generation that are more towards console gaming. * How difficult is to grab the existing market of PC gamers to feedt them with Game consoles. 1. 3SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY: * This study evaluates all aspects of the economic viability of the business venture including a description and analysis of your business prospects. * It serves as a benchmark against which, actual performance can be measured and reviewed. * It serves as a helpful tool to uncover weaknesses in the planning process for a gaming business. * It helps the management and / or an entrepreneur to clarify, focus and research their business’s or project’s development and prospects. * It serves as a basis for discussion with third parties such as banks, investors, lenders etc. The major focus of investors is on the risk and return on the investments. This research study would increase their awareness of the major factors that directly or indirectly affect the risk and return on their investments. 1. 4SCOPE AND DELIMITATION: The study has been undertaken to explore the potential customers’ preference between Game Consoles or Gaming PCs in Karachi. Primary data would be collected through prospective Gamers residing in Karachi only. I. LIMITING FACTORS: * Bias opinion of the respondents * Time limitation * PC Gamers II. DELIMITATIONS: The factors that delimit the findings of the study are: * The expected fierce competition from existing DVD 9 and DVD supported consoles and other HD-CD consoles * Lack of awareness from Game titles as most of the titles of Playstation 3 are built upon Direct X 10. 0, where as other consoles are using Direct X 9. 0c * 1. 5DEFINITIONS: Sony Computer Entertainment Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. is a video game company specializing in a variety of areas in the video game industry, and is a full subsidiary of Sony. The company was established on November 16, 1993 in Tokyo, Japan prior to the launch of the original PlayStation video game system. The logo has been used since 1994. SCE is also a developer and publisher of video game titles, and is comprised of biggest markets in: North America, Europe, Oceania and Asia. DirectX Microsoft DirectX is a collection of application programming interfaces (APIs) for handling tasks related to multimedia, especially game programming and video, on Microsoft platforms. Originally, the names of these APIs all began with Direct, such as Direct3D, DirectDraw, DirectMusic, DirectPlay, DirectSound, and so forth. DirectX, then, was the generic term for all of these APIs and became the name of the collection Blu-ray Blu-ray Disc (also known as Blu-ray or BD) is an optical disc storage medium designed by Sony to supersede the standard DVD format. Its main uses are high-definition video and data storage with 50GB per disc. The disc has the same physical dimensions as standard DVDs and CDs. Video game console A video game console is an interactive entertainment computer or electronic device that produces a video display signal which can be used with a display device (a television, monitor, etc.) to display a video game. The term video game console is used to distinguish a machine designed for consumers to buy and use solely for playing video games from a personal computer, which has many other functions, or arcade machines, which are designed for businesses that buy and then charge others to play. Seventh generation In the history of video games, the seventh generation primarily focuses on the consoles released since 2004 by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony. PlayStation Portable The PlayStation Portable (PSP) is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. Development of the console was first announced during 2003, and it was unveiled on May 11, 2004 at a Sony press conference. The system was released in Japan on December 12, 2004, in North America on March 24, 2005, and in the PAL region on September 1, 2005 Nintendo DSi The Nintendo DSi is the third iteration of the Nintendo DS handheld developed and manufactured by Nintendo. The handheld was unveiled on October 2, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan during the Nintendo Conference. It was released in Japan on November 1, 2008, Australia on April 2, 2009, Europe on April 3, 2009 and North America on April 5, 2009. Nvidia Nvidia is a multinational corporation specializing in the development of units and chipset technologies for workstations, personal computers, and mobile devices. Based in Santa Clara, California, the company has become a major supplier of integrated circuits (ICs) such as graphics processing units (GPUs) and chipsets used in graphics cards, and video-game consoles and personal-computer motherboards. Radeon ATI Radeon is a brand of graphics processing units (GPU) that since 2000 has been manufactured by ATI Technologies and subsequently AMD and is the successor to their Rage line. There are four different groups, which can be differentiated by the DirectX generation they support. More specific distinctions can also be followed, such as the HyperZ version, the number of pixel pipelines, and of course, the memory and processor clock speeds. RSX Reality Synthesizer The RSX Reality Synthesizer graphics processing unit is a graphics chip design co-developed by NVIDIA and Sony for the PlayStation 3 gaming console. Unless otherwise noted, the following specifications are based on a press release by Sony at the E3 2005 conference, slides from the same conference, and slides from a Sony presentation at the 2006 Game Developers Conference E3 The Electronic Entertainment Expo, commonly known as E3, is an annual trade show for the computer and video games industry presented by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). It is used by many video game developers to show off their upcoming games and game-related hardware. The new E3 Expo is run by International Data Group (IDG) instead of by ESA. CHAPTER # 2 RESEARCH- METHODOLOGIES 2. 1RESEARCH DESIGN I. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: An exploratory study is being undertaken for research on â€Å"The intense Gamers’ Demand Game Consoles Rather Then Gaming PCs† which would help in identifying market of the gamers about their preferences and affordability between a Game console and a PC. II. EXTENT OF RESEARCHER INTERFERENCE: Since this study is conducted in the natural environment, the extent of researcher interference is minimal or rather negligible. III. UNIT OF ANALYSIS: Unit of analysis for this research study includes: * Individuals: * PC Gamers * Console Gamers IV. TIME HORIZON: For my research report, data would be gathered just once, therefore the time horizon is cross-sectional study. 2. 2RESPONDENTS OF THE STUDY For this research study, the questionnaire is filled by 100 individuals (University Students, Gamers at Game Arenas) and unstructured interview is taken from two Extreme Gamers. The respondents of the study include: * Potential Gamers: Teenagers and Early 20s, residing at Karachi. * Extreme Gamers: PC and Console preferred. 2. 3RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS Two instruments would be used for this research: * Questionnaires * Unstructured interviewing 2. 4SAMPLING Sampling would be done randomly on basis of users of Console and PC gamers. 2. 5SOURCE OF DATA I. PRIMARY DATA Primary data would be collected through questionnaire filled by potential gamers i. e. the target market and unstructured interviews from intense Gamers. II. SECONDARY DATA Secondary data would be comprised of sources like magazines, newspapers, internet etc, which will help in understanding the topic more. 2. 6TREATMENT OF DATA Data that is collected through the research is analyzed qualitatively as well as quantitatively. The data is shifted and organization is a presentable shape through pie charts and tables, with comprehensive explanatory notes to make it easy to understand. The financial plan contains projected financial statements as well as other financial tools to support the analysis. CHAPTER # 3 REVIEW OF LITERATURE 3. 1FOREIGN LITERATURE 3. 1. 1PC vs. Console By Dave Spohn, About. com Guide Feb 10 2009 It wasnt that long ago that the PC was the only choice you had if you wanted to play games online. The first console that included a modem for online play was the Sega Dreamcast, which launched in Japan in 1998. The Dreamcast wasnt a big success, however, and went out of production in 2001. It wasnt until the second half of 2002 that PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube introduced online capabilities. Naturally, the latest generation of consoles all has features that use the Internet to enhance game play. Today, online console games are quite common, with Microsofts Xbox Live service leading the way. Sony also has big plans for online content for the PlayStation 3, and consoles are now starting to get game downloads and other applications formerly only available on the PC, such as Web browsers. A few titles can now be played across platforms, such as Final Fantasy XI, in which PS2, Xbox 360, and PC users explore the same online world. That said, PCs still offer the largest selection of online games, and some of the most popular online games, such as World of War craft, are exclusive to the PC. Of course, there are many things to consider before deciding on a gaming platform. Foremost among these is deciding which games you want to play, how much money you want to spend, and whether or not you need a PC for other purposes. Ideally I suppose we would all have both a console and a PC, but if thats not an option, here is quick comparison of the two. Console Advantages The most obvious advantage consoles have over PCs is cost. The majority of consoles sell for well under $500, often with a couple games in the bundle. A PC adequate for running the latest games can easily cost twice that much. The second most obvious advantage is simplicity. Lets face it, PC gaming can be a technical nightmare compared to console gaming. People can actually take a console home and be playing a game within minutes. No operating systems to configure or drivers to update, and better still, no purchasing a game only to find out that it isnt compatible with your PC for some obscure reason. Multiplayer gaming is also made easy with companies like Microsoft offering online services for their product. The Xbox, which came equipped with a network card, raised the bar for consoles in this regard, making it a simple matter to hook it up to a DSL or Cable Internet connection and get into a multiplayer game on Xbox Live, complete with voice chat. Another appealing thing about consoles is that many people prefer to play games sitting on the couch, or they want to play with friends in the same room. While these things are possible on a PC, consoles are extremely well-suited for this right out of the box. Console games are more readily rented than PC games, and more easily returned to the retailer if youre not satisfied with them. Generally speaking, it is difficult to return PC games because they are easy to copy. Console games tend to have a relatively low learning curve. You might need fast thumbs, but you certainly wont need to spend hours in a tutorial trying to learn how to operate basic game functions. Console Disadvantages Although sealing everything into one unit does keep it simple, when some of the components inside the box become dated theres no way to solve the problem without replacing the entire console. In most cases, upgrades that could prolong the life of the system are not an option. Consoles perform only one task really well, where PCs can be used for an extremely wide range of things. Some console manufacturers are trying to make them a little more flexible, but it will clearly be a long time before they support the staggering variety of applications that can be found for PCs. There is a distinct lack of inter-connectivity between the different console brands. Many games are available for one type of console but not others, and when it comes to online play, each is typically restricted to its own network. This means that people with Xboxes can usually only play against other people with Xboxes, so, for example, there is no way for console gamers to jump into a fray on one of the countless PC Counter-Strike servers available. The PS2 has made some progress in this area, forging the way for cross-platform gaming between PS2 and PC users, but only a few titles support this right now. While the PS2 network adapter supports both 56K modem and broadband connections to the Internet, broadband is required for Xbox online play. As well, Microsoft charges a yearly fee for use of the Xbox Live service. PC Advantages One of the biggest advantages the PC has over consoles right now is that there are a lot more games available for the PC than there are for consoles, particularly when it comes to multiplayer online games. Not only are the vast majority of MMOGs designed for the PC, but PC gamers also have the option to play MUDs, email games, browser games, and a wide variety of titles that are distributed digitally or available as free downloads. As mentioned above, another clear advantage PCs have over consoles is that you can use them for a lot more than playing games. Furthermore, if you like to modify games or edit maps for them, a PC is essential, and you have to take a break from gaming sometime to read gaming sites. PCs are always on the cutting edge of gaming technology. The current generation of consoles with high-definition capabilities did briefly narrow the gap, but well-equipped PCs continue to offer superior graphics. Computer monitors can be found with considerably higher resolutions than HDTVs, and the latest multi-core processors and dual GPU solutions make it possible to build a remarkably powerful game system. Even if a console offers incredible technology upon its release, there is no way for it to compete with the rapid hardware advancements that have become a way of life in the computer industry. When it comes online gaming, PCs give people a variety of ways to connect to the Internet, and to each other, which arent restricted to proprietary services or software. Different brands of computer and event different operating systems generally communicate very well with one another. This is quite different from services like Xbox Live, for example, which is the only option available to Xbox users that want to play online, and is closed to everyone that doesnt have an Xbox. Finally, as your PC ages, there is a reasonable chance of extending its gaming life with a component upgrade, although it can get a bit messy. PC Disadvantages While PCs have come down considerably in price over the years, they are still quite expensive compared to consoles. There ways to economize on a PC, such as building it yourself, but its not easy to get the cost of a PC down to a price comparable to even the most expensive console. Computers are also getting a little more user friendly, but eventually every PC gamer will encounter some technical complication that interferes with their gaming, be it a device driver that needs updating or components that are simply incompatible. PCs are also much more vulnerable to viruses and other security breaches. The truth is, installing a game on your computer is always a bit of a gamble. You never really know if its going to work until youre actually playing the game, and even then, in the back of your mind, youre expecting it to crash at any moment. Unlike most console games, PC games have the potential to get ridiculously complicated. This can give a game depth, but it can also result in tedious arrays of keyboard commands and lengthy tutorials which one must endure to learn how to play. PC games are often not well-suited for playing on the couch, especially given that the mouse and keyboard are the preferred PC game controllers. Unlike console games, you also wont find many PC games that support two players on one machine at the same time. Final Thoughts The latest round of consoles has a lot to offer online gamers, and if youre into sports and racing titles, consoles are a good way to go. If you like massively multiplayer games and online shooters, there are a great deal more to choose from on the PC. Online play options for consoles are getting better all the time, but proprietary networks and fees for services like Xbox Live make them a bit less attractive. For the most part, PCs are still the dominant platform for online gaming, and that appears likely to continue for a while yet. 3. 1. 23rd Generation Xbox Specs for 2011 Published: November 9, 2009 by Chairman Steve Its early enough to start speculating on the next Xbox (Xbox 3, Xbox 720). Well need a timeframe for the launch before estimating specs. Q4 2010 would be the earliest, while Q4 2011 I think is the most likely. So lets say Q4 2010 to Q4 2012. Anything in that range would have similar specs. The goals should be (1) low-cost reliable hardware with enough performance and (2) great tools for game developers. In other words, dont put a furnace in the box, dont stuff it with costly unnecessary features, and dont expect developers to fumble with a million threads each with its own 1K local memory. Keep it simple on both ends. I think Microsoft will stick with PowerPC CPU and ATI GPU. There is no reason to switch unless another solution allows lower cost for the hardware and/or software. Maybe AMD could offer a nice deal for a CPU/GPU combo, but PowerPC would allow simple backward compatibility with Xbox 360. The Main Processor The CPU will obviously be multi-core and at least triple-core. I think quad-core is enough with 2MB L2 shared cache. Combine that with an array of smaller cores accessed via an API similar to a PPU or GPU. 16MB eDRAM (or Z-RAM) cache may be something to consider to meet the bandwidth requirement of all those cores. The alternative would be 8 main cores, 4MB L2, and no smaller cores. The Graphics Processor An evolution of Radeon HD (R600) and the Xbox 360 GPU (Xenos) would be fine. Add more shader and texture pipes/processors. Increase the clock speed. And update the shader model (6. 0? ). eDRAM should be enough to fit 19201080 32-bit with 2x MSAA without tiling. Thats 32MB. Memory Advancing memory is simple. Increase capacity and bandwidth. Well need 2GB to 4GB of high-speed main memory. 2GB fast GDDR5/GDDR6 plus 512MB (or 1GB) slower RAM could be interesting. Not everything needs blistering speed. A relatively slow auxiliary memory could be a cost-effective way to maximize the use of main memory. Storage Drives Some next generation big budget games could use more space than DVD, and HD-DVD with a speed of 4x or 6x may be economical in 2011, as long as the format still exists. A holographic format is doubtful but would please the tech nerds on the Net. As for disc bandwidth, 6x HD-DVD would be the equivalent of 19. 5x DVD and not a large leap over 12x DVD from Xbox 360. Too slow for the load time nerds? Games may need large RAM, some auxiliary RAM, or a drive cache to help decrease the number of disc accesses. An option to install to the HDD would be nice. A hard disk drive I expect will be optional and swappable again, but all systems may come with some storage, HDD or Flash. HDD sizes may start at 250GB, while an Elite model has 750GB. Communication Ethernet and WiFi for networking should be standard. USB is the obvious choice for wired peripherals. What about wireless devices (controllers, etc. )? They could use the same proprietary protocol from Xbox 360 and/or Wireless USB. Controller Were you waiting for this part? The decision for what will be the standard controller can wait. Microsoft has time to gauge what consumers want. For now, Ill pencil in a wireless traditional game controller with some improvements such as TouchSense Vibration. A motion sensing wand could also be available separately packed with a casual game. Other options are a standard two-piece (or three with headset) motion controller or a standard 3D camera. Spec Summary 32nm Chip Process Technology IBM CPU at 4. 8GHz (4 Main Cores + Many Small Cores) ATI GPU at 800MHz 2GB GDDR5 Main RAM (~80 GB/sec) 512MB Auxiliary RAM HD-DVD 6x Drive (216Mbps) 250GB 2. 5-inch HDD Ethernet, WiFi, USB Flash Memory Unit Slots 3. 1. 3NVIDIA Tegra Provides The Multimedia Muscle In Zune HD World’s First Ultra-Low-Power HD Processor Behind Microsoft’s Next-Generation Portable Digital Media Player Wednesday, May 15, 2009 NVIDIA today announced that Microsoft’s new Zune HD portable media player is powered by the NVIDIA Tegra processor, which gives it exceptional multimedia capabilities. The Zune HD player, which Microsoft recently announced is available for preorder, is the first portable media player to combine HD-compatible video, HD Radio receiver, full-screen Internet browsing, an organic light emitting diode touch screen, and Wi-Fi. These features will connect consumers to a whole new world of entertainment, while delivering excellent battery life. Working closely with Microsoft and optimizing the Tegra processor, NVIDIA has played an important role in helping to bring the next-generation Zune HD portable digital media player to market. â€Å"Tegra provides the multimedia muscle in Zune HD,† said Michael Rayfield, general manager of NVIDIA’s mobile business. â€Å"Users will love the device’s new design, amazing multimedia features and HD video out capability. Zune HD is a must-have for anyone looking for the best portable digital media player on the market. † Key to Tegra’s rich multimedia features are eight independent processors, each designed for a specific class of tasks among them are an HD video processor, an audio processor, a graphics processor, and two ARM cores. The processors can work together or independently to minimize power consumption. The Microsoft Zune HD uses the following NVIDIA Tegra technology to deliver a unique visual experience: * an HD video processor dedicated to HD video, providing unprecedented picture quality and ultra-smooth, vivid movie playback with low power consumption * an ultra-low power graphics processor for a compelling and intuitive user interface. * NVIDIA nPower technology, which optimizes system power use and enables extended HD video and MP3 playback time Based on NVIDIA’s decade of graphics leadership, Tegra processor has been engineered over the past five years to bring high performance and low power capabilities to the next generation of mobile computing devices such as portable media players, smartphones, smartbooks, netbooks and tablets. Tegra processor-based devices are delivering the experiences that today’s mobile consumers demand, with HD video playback, always-on HD Internet, and intuitive 3D user interfaces. There are 50 active Tegra processor-based design projects currently in the works today. SOURCE: NVIDIA 3. 1. 4Xbox 360 First Gaming System to reach 10 Million in U. S. Console Sales Xbox LIVE tops 12 million members globally as Xbox 360 console sales hit more than 19 million worldwide. July 15, 2009 Microsoft today announced that the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system has sold over 10 million units in the U. S. , making it the first current-generation gaming console to break the 10 million mark in the U. S. The U. S. install base contributes to global sales of over 19 million. â€Å"This year will be the largest in the history of the video game industry, with Xbox 360 leading the charge in the U. S. and abroad,† said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. â€Å"History has shown us that the first company to reach 10 million in console sales wins the generation battle. We are uniquely positioned to set a new benchmark for the industry. † This announcement comes on the heels of one of the biggest entertainment launches in history, â€Å"Grand Theft Auto IV,† on April 29, 2008. Gamers eager to experience â€Å"Grand Theft Auto IV† online helped boost Xbox LIVE global membership to over 12 million this month. Fueled by an unparalleled combination of access to friends and family, the best online gaming features, and the best entertainment content, the Xbox LIVE service has doubled in membership in only one year’s time. â€Å"Reaching an installed base of 10 million consoles in the U. S. is a significant achievement and an essential milestone on the road to market leadership,† said Billy Pidgeon, research manager at IDC. â€Å"Perhaps more important is the Xbox 360 worldwide online base — 12 million Xbox LIVE gamers is the largest community in the connected console games sector, which represents the greatest growth opportunity in the console market and where Microsoft has been the leader for two generations. † Xbox 360 leads with the industry’s highest software attach rate, more than any other console this generation, and is home to the best-selling games. With the launch of â€Å"Grand Theft Auto IV† in April, Xbox 360 is now the home to more than 16 platinum titles that have sold through 1 million units or more, including hits such as â€Å"Halo 3,† â€Å"Madden NFL 07† and â€Å"Madden NFL 08,† â€Å"Gears of War,† â€Å"Guitar Hero II† and â€Å"Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock,† and â€Å"Call of Duty 2,† Call of Duty 3† and â€Å"Call of Duty. 4: Modern Warfare,† giving Xbox 360 two times more platinum-selling titles than the Wii and a 16:2 lead over the PlayStation 3 in game titles topping one million in sales. Games not only sell better on the Xbox 360, they play better, too: Xbox 360 has 91 titles with a Metacritic review score of 80 or higher, compared with just 22 titles for Wii and 50 titles for PlayStation 3. SOURCE: Microsoft 3. 1. 5Nintendo Wii Fit Makes Fitness Fun pat

Economy Oil and gas Essay Example for Free

Economy Oil and gas Essay Qatar occupies a small peninsula that extends in to the gulf from the east side of the Arabian Penisula countries bordering it are Saudi Arabia to the west and the United Arab Emirates to the south it’s located in the Middle East and borders Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia. Its population is approximately 907,229 with a population growth of 2. 4 %. The birth rate is 15. 6/1000 and has an infant mortality of 17. 5/1000. The life expectancy is 74. 1 and the population density per square meter is 214. Males from 0-14 years and 15-64 years are more than females and generally males are more than females. The death rate is currently 4. 82/1000. The total fertility rate is 2. 75 children per woman. Life expectancy is 76 years for women and 71 years for men. The population is under threat as women are marrying later in life and the abortion rates are increasing The official language in Qatar is Arabic and English is the second common language. The highest percentage of its population is Arab that forms approximately 40% the Pakistan and Indians constitute each 18% of the total population while Iranian and other races form 24%. 95% of its citizens are Muslim. Qatar’s total area is 11,437 km2 all of which is on land. The climate is arid mild and has pleasant winters but very hot and humid summers. The terrain is mostly flat and barren desert that is covered with loose Island and gravel. The natural resources in this state are petroleum and natural gas. Qatar territories include a number of islands and the most renowned Island is Hawar Island. Halul is the export terminal for the offshore oil fields. (http://www. infoplease. com/ce6/world/A0840678. html) It consists of flat rocky surfaces but has some hills and sand dunes, which reach an altitude of 40m above the sea level, in the western and northern parts. It has a rainwater-draining basis in the North and Central areas. The climate is a desert one with hot summers and mild winter. Coral reefs along the ports and shallow waters make navigation difficult especially on those areas where channels have not been dredged. Long summers from June through September have intense heat and alternating dryness and humidity with temperatures exceeding 55 degrees centigrade. From November through May there are moderate temperatures. Winter temperatures can fall to 17 degrees centigrade. The country receives very little rainfall that fills small ravines and the dry wadis. Water is saline and hence unsuitable for drinking or for irrigation purposes due to the high mineral content. Desalination of seawater is a common practice in Qatar. Through desalination In the North West there are jagged limestone outcroppings that rise over 40 meters high. To the South, impressive sand dunes rise up to 60 meters. Other notable features include coastal salt pans that are elevated by limestone formations along the west coast where Durkhan Oil fields and massive sand dunes surrounding Khor al Udaid which is an inlet of the gulf in the South East known as inland sea. Halul, the most important island, lies about 90 kilometers east of Doha and it serves as a storage area and as a loading terminal for oil from surrounding offshore fields. Qatar is limestone and dolomite peninsula of both flat and rocky surfaces and extreme desert conditions. The coasts are generally low with marine terraces and Sabkhas in several places. The sand dunes have moved progressively southwards due to the effect of the prevailing winds. Major Sand dunes are situated in the south eastern parts while limestones are to the western and northern parts of the country. Most land is quiet, uncultivated and scenically beautiful. It contains geographical features that are peculiar to the western side of the Arabian Gulf. There are the rainwater draining basin to the north and central parts which are considered the most fertile and attract heavy agricultural investment. Khor al-Udaid is a deep inlet from the sea on the south east coast. It is a ‘water sanctuary’ and fishing for commercial purposes is banned. It is a sea bay that harbors sea animals like sea turtles, water fowls, and sea birds. It is also an important breeding ground for dolphins. Flamingos also gather there during winter. It also has ponds like the Umm-Said sewage pond and Salwa road ponds. Al-Aliyah Island is also an important feature. It is located 13kilometers to the north east of the capital, Doha. It consist weathered limestone rocks and has uneven patches of salt tolerant bushes. It is an abode of shore birds, gulls, and* Al-Dhakita mangrove located 7 km north Al Khor consist of a group salt water bays. With dense mangrove growth with broad mud flats and salt marshy vegetation. It has valuable fish and shrimp stocks and is important destination for wintering birds and water ducks and flamingoes. Sabkha refers to flat saline areas of sand or silt lying above the water table and often containing soft nodules and veins of gypsum and a hydrite that was deposited over a long time by the action of wind blown sand. They have a crust of halite and gypsum. Caves or dulus are also widespread in Qatar. Ground water and rainwater reaction with soft surface and subsurface dissolves in limestone and gypsum creating cavities and the ceilings may collapse exposing the interior. It contains ten substantial caves although most have collapsed to form depressions and dolines of the northern Qatar. Sand dunes are also prominent features in Qatar. They have a crescent shape as the wind ward face is ripped off by the wind action. The leeward side collapses under the driving wind. Qatar has an interesting plateau of tertiary limestone standing out in the desert about 20meters high. This is between Dukhan through Umm Bab towards the Saudi Arabian border. Low hills are mushroom shaped due to erosion of underlying softer rocks. Gypsum crystals are also common. They are found south of Umm Said and are formed when high tides bring sea water into Sabkha. As the water evaporates, it forms gypsum crystals that appear as low crystalline forms. To the western side Geodes are found. Natural hazards that are dominant here are haze dust storms and the common sand storms. Most of its population is literate and the illiteracy levels are very minimal. Political system The government type of Qatar is emirate. The capital city is Doha. There are 10 municipalities that include. Al Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumaliyah, Al Khawr, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan, Al Batinah, Madinat ash Shamal, Umm Said and Umm Salal. The 3rdSeptember is the national holiday when people commemorate their independence. The capita city Doha is located on the central East Coast and it’s major functions are administrative, commercial and it is a population center. It is located on a harbour. Other ports include Umm Said Al Khor and Al Wakrah, Umm Said and Doha handle commercial shipping . The legal system is based on Islamic and civil law codes and the Amir controls the discretionary system of law. However civil codes are being implemented. The Islamic law dominates family and personal matters. Amir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani has been the chief of the state since 27th June 1995 after a bloodless coup. His father was not able to handle the country’s economic reforms. Since it is a monarchial government the father did not lose his title as much power was already in his sons. Crown prince Jassim did not want to be king and he abdicated in favor of his younger brother. He rose to power after outdoing his father Amir Khalifa. The government is constitutional monarchy and the president’s fourth son Tamin bin Hamad is the selected heir. Amir Hamad was the Armed forces commander and defense minister when he seized power from his father who was out of the country. He retains that title to date. He survived an attempted coup in 1996. He had also taken his father t court on alleged state fund misappropriation. However this matter was solved outside the court. Amir Hamad Khalifa father had deposed his cousin Emir Al-Thani family continued to hold power after independence in 1971. Government departments are responsible for ensuring economic and social progress. The emir’s leadership is influenced by consultation’s consensus and personal appeal. He is not accountable to anyone and he cannot violate the Islamic laws sharia. In per taking his functions he must seek the opinion of the leading notable and religious leaders. Expatriate and residents are excluded from elections. The role of municipal council is not executive but offering advice to the minister. . The prime minister is Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabir al-Thani since April 3rd 2007. His deputy is Abdullah bin Hamad al-Atiyah. He replaced Abdullah bin Khalifa who resigned April 2007. The cabinet comprises of council of ministers all of which are appointed by the monarchy. Elections are rarely done since the system of ruling is monarchial. However in April 2003 it held nationwide election for a 29-member central municipal council (CMC). The CMC has consultative powers geared to improving the efficiency in provision of municipal service. The advisory council or Maljis al-shura has 35 members who are appointed by the monarchy. Council members have their terms extended after every four years. However since the establishment of a new constitution in 2005, 10 more positions were to be introduced and the public had a chance to elect 2/3 of the seats while Amir the president appoints the other 1/3. Introduction of the first constitution would guarantee freedom expression assembly and religion and increment of parliament seats. Elections are to be conducted late this year. Amir appoints all judges based on recommendations of supreme judiciary council. The branches of the judiciary are courts of first instance appeal and cassation. Since it’s a monarchial government there are no political leaders or parties and political pressure groups. Women were allowed to vote for the first time in 1999 and municipal consisted of 29 members. Democracy is being incorporated ever since Amir brought liberal changes in to the economy. Economy Oil and gas are the dominant trade goods. They both account for more than 60% of the countries GDP. They also contribute to a tune of 85% of the country’s export earnings and 70% of the government’s revenue. They are the reasons the country is one of the world fastest growing countries. They have seen it’s per capital rise to equal that of European Union. Due to sustained high oil prices the country is able to build its budget trade surpluses and foreign reserves. The oil reserves in this country are more than 15 billion barrels and they can sustain continued surplus for more than 20 years. Natural gas reserves are also abundant. They exceed 25 trillion cubic meters, which is more than 5% of the word total and 3rd largest in the world. The country is undertaking measures to develop its gas field in ensuring that the country becomes the world’s top liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter. Foreign investment is also being encouraged so that non- energy projects can be improved by liberalizing the economy further. The country’s GDP real growth rate in 2006 was 7. 1% and the per capita GDP was $29,800. Composition of the GDP is mainly industry, which is 75. 8%, and service sector, which is 24. 1%. The unemployment rate was 3. 2% in 2006 and the inflation rate was 11. 8%. The major trading partners with Qatar are Japan, South Korea, Singapore, India, France, U. S, Saudi Arabia, united Arabs emirates, Germany and UK. Major imports are machinery and transport equipments manufactured goods, food and live animals. Japan receives the largest proportion of Qatar exports. Other important trading partners include South Korea and France. The service sector accounts for approximately a ? of the total GDP and creates employment for the Qatar people. The government is promoting the tourism sector in an effort to trying to make it match other industries in the economy. Qatar is the richest country in the Islam-dominated countries rising global demand for oil ensure increase prices of oil and this leads to increase economic growth. The economy of this country is not diversified it depends so much on oil and gas. Qatar’s industrial plants are located in Umm Said. There is a fertilizer plant for urea and ammonia a steel plant and a petrochemical plant. These industries use gas as their source of energy ands they are owned by state or European and Japanese firms. http://www. nationsencyclopedia. com/economies/Asia-and-the-Pacific/Qatar. html To control the influx of expatriate workers Qatar is tightening the administration of its foreign manpower programs. Foreign educated Qatar’s are returning back home to develop their home country. Development of other industries will enable the economy to withstand future possible negative oil shocks. Real economic growth had slowed down in 2002 after OPEC enforced oil output cuts. The gas industry was however not affected. Private investment is encouraged to ensure that the country’s economic growth does not decline with changes in the market. Steel industries have been making profits for the past 10 years, non-oil sectors in Qatar are building and construction, real estate communication, agriculture, fishing water and electricity and banking. The state provides incentives to foreign investors, which include security loans from Qatar Industrial bank QIB eliminates quantitative quotas on imports no income tax on salaries of expatriates no export duties and no taxes on corporate profit for pre determined periods. The country has a comparatively high public sector external debt. Debt has been incurred to finance LNG and other industrial products. The GDP is raising and thus the ratio of public external debt to GDP is declining. http://www. nationsencyclopedia. com/economies/Asia-and-the-Pacific/Qatar. html The economic challenge that the country faces is to maintain global competitiveness. There is need to improve on the macro-economic management and the public sector institutions. Absorption of new technologies ought to be done at a faster rate. This translates to more revenues being redirected in imports over reliance on one industry is an issue that needs to be addressed. Diversifying the economy is a safe approach of ensuring toast hock ups in oil industry will not adversely affect the countries economy. Investment in quality education will also be a wise approach of addressing the country’s issue. It will reduce the number of foreign employees in the country by substituting them with the locals. Leadership or quality of government also ought to be changed. Democracy will go along way in maintaining economic stability in the long run. The monarchial system needs to be reformed. Levels of unemployment ought to be completely eradicated investing heavily in human capita and education city project sponsored by the Qatar foundation has seen worlds top universities and research centers to the country. Qatar joined other emirates of the Tricia coast in forming the United Arab Emirates but together with Bahrain they disagreed about the merger but instead formed independent nations. (Crystal Jill,1995) A border dispute with Saudi Arabia was settled in 1992 although the dispute with Bahrain remains unsolved. It signed a defense pact with the US and it became the third country in the Gulf to do so. It is home of the immensely popular but controversial Arabic Satellite Television Network Al Jazeera. Contraversial because it is accused of not being free and fair in its broadcasts. Al Jazeera is not only popular in the Arab world but also globally. It was the only channel allowed to operate from Afghanistan and the first to air Osama bin Laden’s statement in October 2001. It favors those who are its allies and does not criticize or air anything negative about its own Government. (El-Nawawy et al, 2002) Pollution from oil and gas industries has negative impact on the diversity of species. It is an issue that ought to be addressed. Qatar is surrounded by sea on three sides and its territorial waters encompass 35,000 square kilometers. Marine life has to adapt to the harsh conditions of salty water and soaring temperatures.

Magic Realism in One Hundred Years of Solitude

Magic Realism in One Hundred Years of Solitude Magic Realism is a term found by art historian Franz Roh in 1925, to describe a visual arts movement emerging throughout Europe. It is known that a large number of critical terms in literature are borrowed from painting. Magic Realism is one of those terms. The usage of that technique leads the author make the themes and subjects are more imaginary, outlandish and with a fantastic dream like quality. Gabriel Garcia Marquez, who is the author of One Hundred Years of Solitude, does not like to be considered a writer of Magic Realism, even it is clear to see Magic Realism technique in his novel, he claims only to be realist without much exaggeration in his work. He states, As the final judgment runs, the source of all creation is reality. In One Hundred Years of Solitude for example, the banana company treats its workers so badly that they all go on strike. They gathered in the main square of the town, where the government has them surrounded by soldiers armed with machine guns. When the crowed refuses to disperse, the order is given to open fire, and three thousand people are killed. Their corpses are, then, put into the trains and sent off to the sea, and the whole incident is officially denied to the point that Jose Arcadio Segundo finds it impossible to persuade anyone that it has taken place. For a European observer, the ability of a government to hide such incidents is indeed unbelievable. However, in Latin America, as well in the most of the third world countries, the situation is still worse than can be imagined. To the eye of European and North American common sense, the career of the Central character in One Hundred Years of Solitude Colonel Aureliano clearly belongs to the realm of magic and fantasy and not of reality. For, in the course of his career he, Organized thirty two armed uprisings and he lost them all, he had seventeen male children by seventeen different women and they were exterminated one after the other in a single night he survived fourteen attempts on his life, seventy three ambushes and a firing squad. He lived through a doze of strychnine in his coffee that was enough to kill a horse. He refused the Order of Merit He rose to be the commander in chief of the revolutionary forces with jurisdiction and command from one border to the other and the man most feared by the government Although he always fought at the head of his men, the only wound that he received was the one he gave himself. He shot himself in the chest with a pistol and the bullet came out through his back wi th out damaging any vital organ. (MÃ ¡rquez, 2003) Early in the novel, a mysterious girls arrives who either cannot or will not speak and whom they call Rebecca. She brings with her the sickness of insomnia of which the most fearsome part, as an Indian woman explains, was not the impossibility of sleeping, for the body did not feel any fatigue at all, but its inexorable evolution towards a more critical manifestation; a loss of memory. Melquiades, a man of letters discovered its remedy but before him, Jose Arcadia has already invented a memory machine in which he has recorded almost fourteen thousand entries. World, in this way, becomes a slave of dictionary as it refuses all possibility of change by overcoming the loss of memory. It is not difficult to count a number of reasons for these apparently incredible details, which Gabriel Garcia Marquez provides in his work, but the most convincing one is, perhaps the obvious mundane purpose of enabling him to avoid censorship. Marquez technique has also been described as a kind of narrative hyperbole which seeks to expand the sensibility with which we perceive the world we live in. In One Hundred Years of Solitude, Marquezs characters are often endowed with a kind of supernatural power. Aureliano can see the future. Remedios The Beauty is taken up into the clouds as a divine being. Melquiades survives death, and stays on earth as a ghost. Ursula chooses not to die and lives for over a hundred years. In One Hundred Years ofnSolitude, if the resolution is strong enough, nothing can overpower it. It is perfectly possible for people to have power over even death. The characters struggle to create and define their own worlds, their fight is against time, history and fate. It could be said that Marquez endowment of his characters with special power is an illustration of our powerlessness against forces which remain outside our control. By crossing the border of normal possibility, Marquez reminds us of the limit ations of our own real lives, but also of the possibility of viewing the world in an entirely different way. Marquezs characters struggle to control, and to create their own world. It is through this act of creation that we can truly escape the forces in life over which we have no control. Marquez suggests that literature is the means by which we can gain understanding of a world-view different from our own, and therefore an understanding of our common humanity. While politics and ideology have the power to de-humanise, literature has the power to remind us of our humanity. Through imagination, and art, we can be elevated from the restrictions we face in day to day life, and we can also be enlightened as to the true potential of our lives, and our own individual power to create and shape our own destinies. Bibliography MÃ ¡rquez, G. G. (2003). PURPLE PATCH: Liberal Paradise . Retrieved from Daily Times: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_3-12-2003_pg3_7

The Hobbit by JRR Tolkein :: essays research papers

The Hobbit The story starts out telling you about hobbits and stuff that you think you should know before reading the book. Then it talks about the main start Bilbo Baggins just sitting on his porch smoking a pipe about as long as he is. When a wizard named Galdalf come up to him and stares at him for a long while till Bilbo looks up at him and says good morning. Well the go on to talk about an adventure that Galdalf as kind of forced on him. Bilbo does not wish to go on any Adventures thinks that they are not worth the trouble. Well after Bilbo goes in side Galdalf puts a mark on his door. Later the next day there came a knock at his door. He thought it was the wizard but was not. It was dwarf named Dwalin the dwarf later cam 12 other dwarfs named Blain Kili, Fili, Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, Gloin and Thorin. Thorin was the most important dwarf. That night the all partied and drank and ate in till the next morning where they went on an adventure.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Bilbo woke up and had forgot about the night before in till Galdalf came knocking on his door. He said that the hobbit was late and must ran has fast as he could to some Inn. When Bilbo got there Blain was waiting for him. Then came the rest of the people on ponies and one for Bilbo of course. At first the adventure seemed fine to Bilbo it was peaceful not a car in the world but then it started to turn ugly the lost a lot of food. There where wondering why Galdalf was not with them no more. Well then they saw a light down in the forest. They sent Bilbo down to go see what it was. When he got down there he seen that it was Goblins by the fire. They where eating and talking. When Bilbo went to go back he thought he better at lest steal something when he tried one of the goblin picked him up by his throat and they started to ask him questions. Well when Bilbo had been gone for such a long time that the went to go see what was wrong when the got down there they seen w hat happed and jumped the goblins. All of the dwarfs where captured in sacks.

Great Bear Rainforest Essay example -- British Columbia Nature Wildern

Great Bear Rainforest The controversy over logging, and more specifically clearcutting, is not a new issue in America. Ever since the 1920's and 1930's, when this nation started to become conscious of conservation, citizens have weighed the consequences of logging. Critics have questioned whether the increase in jobs, tax dollars, and economic growth was worth the destruction of forest lands. Regardless of what they believe today, the logging industry had become so efficient that by the late 1980's nearly 100,000 acres of federal land had been clearcut since the industry began. Logging technology has advanced rapidly in terms of speed, to meet the increasing demands for lumber, paper, and other products derived from trees. This in turn has greatly impacted the environment by severely degrading watersheds, leading to increased soil erosion, the diminution in the quality of drinking water, and the decline of fish stocks, among many other consequences. In this essay I will examine the progression of logging equipment throughout the 19th and 20th centuries and discuss how these changes in technology have not only changed the relationship of those who work in the industry, but also haw this has changed the wider relationship of society and nature. Before starting my research I thought there had been a progressive increase in the amount of land that had been clearcut. My reasoning for this was that logging machinery at the end of the 19th century was primitive compared to that of more recent times. As a result, it would have been difficult to compete with the output of today's industry. However, in the late 19th century there was a boom in the logging industry and thousands of acres of land across the nation were forested. Hist... ...the improvement in machinery. However, if they were just based on technological improvements, there would not be a continual rise and fall in the logging industry. These periods of increased logging have drastic affects on the environment, today, just like one hundred years ago. More importantly, the growth in technology has led to the reduction of workers. In my opinion, it seems that now we are dealing with the big capitalist pull. Individual companies are buying these forests just to log. For the most part, they are the ones that are reaping the benefits, while destroying habitats for people and animals alike. Thereby changing the relationship of those who work in the industry and that of environmentally conscience society. 1 According to Foster, "harvesting is sustainable if the stimulated growth rate is equal to or greater than that of the existing forest."

The Defense of Marriage Act Violates the Civil Liberties of Same Sex Couples :: gay studies, gay marriage, argumentative

Marriage is the religious and legal commitment between two people, as well as the ultimate expression of love. However, marriages between same sex couples are not recognized by the federal government due to the Defense of Marriage Act. In essence, their civil right to be married is withheld from them. The Christian majority's influence in federal policy and lawmaking is one of the foremost reason why same-sex marriage has continually failed to gain long term acceptance in the United States. Same-sex unions have come to the forefront of American politics in the last couple of decades, but history has shown that it is a longstanding issue. The first historical mention of same-sex marriages occurred during the early Roman Empire. Emperors Nero and Elagabalus both married male slaves and historians are much agreed that same-sex marriages were common. However as Christianity, then a new religion, gained momentum, it's sanctions against homosexuality eventually ensured that same-sex marriages lost favor. In fact, as new Emperors themselves were now Christians, a new law in the Theodosian Code was issued, prohibiting same-sex marriage and making the offense punishible by execution. Thus began a long history of Christian persecution of homosexuals. Today, the most common objection to same sex marriage again seems to arise from religious doctrine. Opponents argue that same sex marriage not only infringes on religious freedom and that such unions are in contradiction to the biblical purpose of marriage, but will also have the effect of normalizing and encouraging homosexual behavior. However, many Christian leaders have spoken out in support of same sex marriage, going so far as to state that it would only strengthen marriage as an institution. Christian supporters also note that in widely respected works of biblical records the term "homosexual" is never used, affirming the claims that the term is actually a mistranslation from the original text of the bible. They further attest that since the original authors of the bible never use the term homosexual, the bible cannot therefore forbid homosexuality and by extention, same-sex marriage. Furthermore, The Church of Canada, many Quaker organization, The Church of Christ, The Met ropolitan Community Church and some Catholic theologians have openly supported and approved same-sex marriages. The legal issues surrounding same-sex marriage in the United States are complicated by the nation's federal government system of government.

Asses sociological explanations for ethnic differences in educational achievement Essay

Asses sociological explanations for ethnic differences in educational achievement. 20 marks. Ethnicity refers to shared cultural practices, perspectives, and distinctions that set apart one group of people from another. That is, ethnicity is a shared cultural heritage. The most common characteristics distinguishing various ethnic groups are ancestry, a sense of history, language and religion. Modern Britain is said to be a multicultural society made up of many different ethnic groups. Achievement within education is very varied across cultures, with some such as Chinese and Indian students performing above the average, and African-Caribbean and Pakistani students performing well below average. There are many factors which can reduce a child from an ethnic backgrounds attainment. For instance, Material deprivation. Material deprivation focuses on income inequality and the material problems that are associated with it. An example of such a study is J. W. B Douglas, ‘The Home and The School’ (1964). He argued that an interlocking network of inequalities existed which operated against many working class students. This included, differential effects of regional and variations in educational provision and expenditure. Also, housing and environmental factors. Which led to chances of access to ‘good’ primary schools. Therefore, hindering the chance of access to top streams. As a result, minority ethnic children are more likely to live in low-income households. This means they face the problems that Douglas highlighted, the material factors, such as poor quality housing, no working space and even possibly bad influence of peers. One other reason for differences in educational achievement between ethnicities is the basic family life. African-Caribbean communities have a high level of lone parenthood. Actually, it is estimated 50% of African-Caribbean households have a lone-parent . This can mean that many face financial problems, this can lead to lower achievement in school (Douglas’ material factors). Conversely, single mothers can be a positive role model or influence for many young girls, meaning they perform better in education. Another explanation for ethnic differences is Language. For many children of an ethnic minority English is not their primary language. This can be a disadvantage because they may not understand exams as well as others. Also they might struggle to express themselves with limited English. Finally, some teachers may mistake poor English for a lack of intelligence, when actually this could be completely untrue, meaning that a clever child may be let down by the teacher who might not push the student to their full potential. However, you could argue that Chinese and Indian students first language isn’t English, on the other hand in these two cultures it is the norm to learn English as a strong second language. Therefore, they are not hindered by the second language barrier, as opposed to Bangladeshi’s for example. Language was such a big issue that Bernstein (1973) categorised students into two groups. Elaborated and restricted. In the case of an elaborated code, the speaker will select from a relatively extensive range of alternatives. However in the case of a restricted code the number of these alternatives is often severely limited. Bernstein’s work was not always praised. For instance, Labov (1974) argued that young blacks in the United States, although using language which certainly seems an example of the restricted code, nevertheless display a clear ability to argue logically. Their lack of knowledge concerning the subject may reach further than just the exams they have to take. For instance, due to the large amount of failing black Caribbean’s and Bangladeshi’s (a combined total of 41% managed to get 5 A* – C grades), teachers may be subconsciously prejudiced against ethnic minorities. This can lower the students attainments in many ways, one is that the teachers give the student lower grades. Another way is that the teacher negatively labels a student of ethnic minority which can lead to self-fulfilling prophecy. Racism can also lead to conflict between students and teachers, making learning a much harder task. Lastly, racism can lead to low-self esteem among ethnic minorities. A researcher who studies this was Howard Becker (1971). Becker Interviewed 60 Chicago high school teachers. He found that they judged pupils according to how closely they fitted image of â€Å"ideal pupil†. Their conduct & appearance influenced judgement. Middle class was closest to ideal, working class furthest away & labelled as badly behaved. As a result you can see, if teachers labelled students on how they look, you can imagine how they would label a whole ethnic race. Another factor for ethnic differences in educational achievement is the ethnocentric curriculum. There are several reasons why ethnic minorities may struggle due to this curriculum. One is that the subjects often focus on British culture; naturally White British students will have grown up with this culture, so they might have a greater understanding of the content than students who grew up in a different culture. Another reason is that the content of the curriculum could lower ethnic minorities self-esteem, this is because often the white character is seen as â€Å"good† and superior whilst the ethnic minorities are seen as â€Å"not as academic†. However, it is crucial not to forget that every ethnic minority underachieves at this level. In fact, in the UK, Chinese and Indian pupils score better grades than the â€Å"White† ethnic race. One of the main reasons for this is the support of the parents. Research has shown that some parents of ethnic minority, such as Chinese and Indian, take more interest in their child’s education, they also encourage their child more than other in other cultures. This obviously leads to higher achievement for the child. Not only the parents play a part. Some teachers may stereotype some ethnic minorities to be intelligent and hard-working. This encouragement and sort of support can aid a student in raising their grades. To conclude, there are many sociological explanations for the ethnic differences in educational achievement, from language barriers to family life at home. However, it is important to remember not all ethnic minorities to underachieve. Rafi Kentafi – Lindill 12P.