Saturday, August 31, 2019

Artur Czapla: Manager of MIG-Investments

Arturo Cabala is the manager of my big real estate company, called MIX-elements. He was born on the 23rd February 1985 and has started his career at a very young age. While still a teenager, he has interned at companies such as Dolomite and also worked at his father's firm to gain valuable experience. He was admitted to MIX- Investments for the position of a sales representative and has worked his way up to the administrative position over the course of 3 years. His main responsibilities as a manager include allocating others' work and supervising his subordinates.Some of the many positive qualities that enable him to perform well at the Job are motivation and consistency. His great organization skills help him make sure that all deadlines are met. Arturo Cabala Is a person who Is Incredibly demanding and expects everyone to put their best effort Into the tasks they are performing. However, at the same time he can maintain friendly relationships with all of his subordinates. Cabala I s a great worker with few blemishes which are overridden by his Immense assets. Even though he has his flaws, he Is someone highly recommendable. E administrative position over the course of 3 years. His main responsibilities as a the many positive qualities that enable him to perform well at the job are motivation are met. Arturo Cabala is a person who is incredibly demanding and expects everyone to put their best effort into the tasks they are performing. However, at the same time he can maintain friendly relationships with all of his subordinates. Cabala is a great worker with few blemishes which are overridden by his immense assets. Even though he has his flaws, he is someone highly recommendable.Arturo Cabala is the manager of my big real estate company, called MIX-elements. He was born on the 23rd February 1 985 and has started his career at a very young age. While still a teenager, he has interned at companies such as Dolomite and also worked at his father's firm to gain valu able experience. He was admitted to MIX-elements for the position of a sales representative and has worked his way up to the administrative position over the course of 3 years. His main responsibilities as a manager Include allocating others' work and supervising his subordinates.Some of the many positive qualities that enable him to perform well at the Job are motivation and consistency. HIS great organization skills help him make sure that all deadlines are met. Arturo Cabala Is a person who Is Incredibly demanding and expects everyone to put their best effort Into the tasks they are performing. However, at the same time he can maintain friendly relationships with all of his subordinates. Cabala Is a great worker with few blemishes which are overridden by his immense assets. Even though he has his

Friday, August 30, 2019

All About Dyes

No one really knows how or when people first learned that colors could be taken from natural materials to be transferred onto stone, wood, clay, skin, or cloth. Many early discoveries were probably accidental: a section of cloth stained brown by someone sitting on iron-rich soil; a cook’s hands absorbed color from food during preparation. An interest for color is next to human nature. Color perceives life, things, moods and movements as well as taste. Can you imagine a world devoid of color? Certainly not. For example, an art aficionado cannot properly appreciate Michelangelo’s painting of â€Å"The Last Supper† if it lacks color because color depicts the theme of that painting. Mercifully, necessity always comes into play for as they say, â€Å"necessity is the mother of all inventions†. Man’s necessity drove him to be resourceful and make things out of nothing either by accident or sheer force of nature, to fulfill his needs and improve the lives of others. The discovery of coloring materials such as dyes were the by-products of a man’s never-ceasing thinking cap, signaling a domino effect to the invention of synthetic dyes—dyes produced from chemical infusions. This paper will discuss the common information one has to learn in order to know the benefits people gain from using dyes and to use it with concern on its effects on the environment and on the user itself. The process of tie-dyeing, a method common in many societies and in the fashion industry, will also be discussed as a form of craft and an alternative to the different fashion trends being followed today. Origin and History A dye is a substance capable of coloring materials such as textiles, paper or plastics and is generally applied in a solution or dispersion. Dyes, as said are usually of natural origin but nowadays are all synthetically made. Various discoveries were made by leading chemists such as Peter Woulfe, Michael Faraday and Sir William Henry Perkin as the years progressed. Earliest records of using dyestuffs dates’ way back 2600 B. C. in China. As no chemical-producing colors were yet to be invented, colors were derived by natural means. Natural dyes such as quercitron, a black oak’s bark yields a yellow dye, and cudbear, a red or purple dye obtained from lichens used as a colorant in pharmaceutical preparations were some early sources. Cudbear is another natural dye patented by its discoverer Dr. Cuthbert Gordon. From dated artifacts and early manuscripts we know that long before the Christian era many civilizations in various parts of the world were using dyes and pigments for many purposes. All dyes available to men from antiquity came from natural sources. Most of these were vegetable extracts and a few were from animal products a popular example of which was the Tyrian purple dye derived from a Mediterranean mollusk murex, utilized for the emperor’s robes and tunic (http://www. dyesonline. net). Hence, the colors produced from these sources were scarce and limited. The middle Ages and early years of the Renaissance saw the dye industry spread from the eastern Mediterranean toward the west and northward into Europe. It is said that there were some 200 dye enterprises in Jerusalem during the 12th century. In 1160 A. D, Jewish dyers gained influence westward and took control of most of the Italian dye industry. Florence, Italy in the 14th century was famous for their dye works. As the Renaissance progressed and Europe began importing indigo and other dyes, controversy arose concerning the handling and control of foreign dyestuffs (http://www. herbsociety-stu. org/Dyeing. htm). Dyes were also a part of the ancient Egyptian civilization. Proofs were unearthed Egyptian mummies wrapped a cloth dyed red, probably from the juice of the madder plant. Even Alexander the Great of Macedonia fooled his adversaries by sprinkling red dye on his army to deceive that they were mortally wounded. Based on legend, dyes were a part of a Roman civilization. The demi-god Hercules discovered Tyrian purple, when his dog bit a snail which stained his jaw purple. It can be explained why most of the kings and queen’s robes were usually purple. The color indigo is found in many antique quilts, both in cloth dyed by traditional methods of vat dyeing, and fabric that has been synthetically-dyed. In Malaysia and Indonesia, a method called Batik dyeing was used in ancient times. It employs wax treatment to the cloth beforehand to produced unusual designs and patterns to the cloth. From natural dyes came the discovery of producing synthetic dyes that can be used easily and can adopt well when applied into different kind s of surfaces and fabrics. The British chemist, Peter Woulfe, treated the natural dye indigo with nitric acid to create picric acid. Though able to stain various materials yellow, it was not used for this purpose until the late 1840’s (http://www. micro. magnet. fsu. du/micro/gallery. html). The birth synthetic dyes started with the discovery of Scottish chemist, Sir William Henry Perkin of â€Å"mauve or mauveine†, a pale purple dye obtained from crude aniline, and the first synthetic dye to be manufactured and used. This breakthrough opened the possibilities of creating a variety of dyes through the synthesis of materials. The emergence of synthe tic dye industries phased out the previously used natural dyes among manufacturers. Composition Chief compositions of dyes are substances synthesized from aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene, benzene and naphthalene. Traditionally, hydrocarbons were derived from a raw material called coal tar. Coal tar is a thick black liquid obtained by the destructive distillation of bituminous coal in coke oven or retort to give such important products such as benzene, discovered by Michael Faraday, phenol, naphthalene and creosote. As the name suggests, hydrocarbons are compounds that contain hydrogen and carbon only (Sakheim and Lehman, p. 248). Sources of hydrocarbons are petroleum and natural gas. Classification Dyes are classified in several ways. They may be classified to the fiber or materials to which they are applied or on their chemical contents. Types of dyes include direct or substantive dyes, which can color fabrics with the aid of an affixing agent called mordant; disperse dyes, which are generally used to dye nylon and other hydrophobic fibers, the fiber-reactive dyes, mordant dyes and vat dyes (Abrahart, p. 7). Vat dyes such as indigo are commonly used for cotton and other cellulosic fibers. Direct dyes are cheaper in usage because it can be applied by just simply dipping the fabric in the solution. Fixation rate or the rate of how fast a dye stains a material may depend on the pressure, heat and the ability of the substance to permeate the given material. Other types include Azo dyes. It is the largest group of dyes. All types of azo dyes amount to over one thousand and are commercially the most important class of synthetic coloring (http://www. dyesonline. net). Forms Forms of dyes include powder, granules, pastes, liquids, pellets and chips to suit different kinds of surfaces and fabric textures and also for flexibility in application. Liquid and powder dyes are generally for fabrics. Forms of dyes are alternated to best adopt to heat, weather conditions, ultra-violet rays and also in reinforcing fiber, free from heavy metals. Methods The process of dyeing may be done depending on the specific dye to be used as well as the material on which it will be applied. Silk, wool and some other textiles may, for instance, be directly applied by simply dipping them into the colorant (http://micro. magnet. fsu. edu/micro/gallery/dyes. html). In the Philippines, the method of dyeing involves dissolving the powdered dye into boiling water. The t-shirt to be dyed beforehand is tied with rubber bands on desired area of the shirts to create circular designs or prints. Other method involves the use of vats and the affixing agent mordant for better color cohesiveness. Uses Anything can be tie dyed – T-shirts, jeans, sheets, pillowcases, fabric, scarves, and sportswear. From acting as colorants in plastics as well as in the field of biotechnology, Dyes were commercially used in the textile industry for variations in fabric colors such as in t-shirts, handkerchief, draperies and other fabrics. The world of art has never been the same again since the emergence of different color variations from acrylic supplies. The first acrylic-based color was Prussian blue. In the field of cosmetics, hair dyes were invented. The first hair coloring was sold in 1907 in France. In 1956, Miss Clairol became the first in-home hair dye that was also used as a shampoo (Buckley, p. 72). Photography also benefited from the invention of dyes. Men like Eastman-Kodak, Daguerre and Niecephore made used of dyes in their attempt to improve photography by putting in colored forms (Rigg and Stone, p. 8). Dyes are also used as a colorant for food and drinks. Carbonated drinks, junk foods and preserved foods make use of dyes to stimulate appetite among its patrons. Other dye applications includes paper and pulp products, adhesives, art supplies, beverages, ceramics, construction materials, glass, paints, polymers, soaps and in the industry of inking and tinting. Modern technology made money and investment s in this industry. Without dyes, we never would have colored printed documents from the computer. In fashion, dyed shawls became a part of a person’s accessory. Beautiful sarongs and malongs with varying styles and designs can be seen almost everywhere on the beach. Men and women alike cannot resist showing off their fashion statements, whether in or out of the sun. Dyes are an integral part of Microbiology. Dyes are used to make microorganisms distinctly visible and or to differentiate them. Crystal violet (C-8650) and safranine (S-0700) are the two dyes that are used in Gram’s stain, a technique of staining to classify bacteria respectively. In it, a bacterial specimen is stained with crystal violet, afterwards it is treated with iodine solution, decolorized with alcohol and lastly again counter-stained with safranine. It has been found out that Gram-positive bacteria is able to retain the violet stain, while Gram-negative cannot (http://dyespigments,com/applications. html). Tie-Dyeing Tie-dyeing method is common to hand-loom weavers of the ancient times and became popular in the revival of craft in the 1960's. It is used to decorate curtains and table cloths but is now been utilized to create artistic designs on casual clothes. Since then tie-dyed clothes and cloths are now a common feature in craft fairs. Even though tie-dyeing is truly an art, the process can involve ordinary people and engage them in relatively easy methods on designing their clothes. First, the materials to be used must be prepared. Home tie-dyeing do not require any chemicals of some sort thus removing the risks of hazardous exposures. Materials include cotton t-shirt, dye in various colors, rubber gloves, rubber bands, salt, mixing containers, and water. The rubber gloves do not only prevent the person to color his or her own hands with dye but also prevents harmful dusts common in dye powders. Mixing containers are used in mixing dyes to have different colors and also used for dipping the clothes. The rubber bands will be used to tie the shirts. Other safety instruments like a face mask should be used. The next step is to tie portions of the shirt. Different techniques in tying can create different patterns and designs. Basically, the areas tied by the rubber bands become the border of colors. Through random or patterned ties, horizontal pleats create vertical stripes and vice versa, one can create designs using the rubber bands. However, one should make sure that the ties are tight to prevent the dye from penetrating and coloring the entire cloth. Using the instructions provided by the manufacturer, mix the dyes accordingly in separate containers. Some powder dyes generally require to be mixed in boiling or hot water in order to dissolve. Do so carefully. One may also combine colors to create other desired but unavailable ones. After it is mixed add a few teaspoons of salt to the mixture. The salt can help set the pigment of the dye. Using rubber gloves, swirl the tied shirt in the dye mixture, immersing different areas in different dye colors. Leave the areas soaked for about an hour for it to fully absorb the colors. After soaking let th shirts sit and dry for about 3-4 hours. After drying rinse it with water and remove the rubber bands. Tie-dyeing is usually constituted with trial and error. The maker cannot really see the designs made by his or her ties. However one should always make sure that the ties are tight. Also, proper working clothes should also be worn. Old clothes are suggested and rubber gloves are required. Lastly, always protect work areas with old newspapers and other protective materials to prevent it from being colored. Environmental Issues and Health Hazards For one thing, dyes are toxic. As synthetic dye industries began to flourish with time, certainly, there is need to produce dyes in large quantities and efficiencies. And since dyes are chemically synthesized, environmental hazards were encountered by dye manufacturers and textile companies. In the research, Health Hazards in the Dye Industry, A. K. Smith, M. D. hazards concerning chemical compounds threaten workers in crowded dye industries of severe diseases. Smith saw the mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids used to nitrate benzine or toluene components as very dangerous to workers exposed on such mixed acids. Nitrous fumes also causes severe respiratory conditions together with atomized acids including nitric peroxide which can be inhaled by workers in the industry. Hair products like hair dyes in cosmetics are said to be harmful to the scalp when a person changes his hair color frequently. Chemicals like AZO in dyes can easily penetrate the scalp and may cause itchiness, allergies and irritation, even cancer as recent studies shows. In the world today, we are exposed to many agents, some of them naturally occurring and some of them man-made, that either cause direct genetic damage or therefore might be able to produce cancers, or which alter our hormone levels which might encourage cancerous cells to grow. Powder dye in particular can cause adverse health effects like asthma, eczema, and severe allergic reactions on people exposed to its dust. The handling of powder dye and its transfer from large to small containers releases dust which may be inhaled or may stick on a worker's skin. This exposure to dust are also perceived to be a source of cancer due to its potent occupational carnocinogen (Wallace). From the invention of the first synthetic organic dyes in mid 19th century till late sixties, textile world was oblivious of the hazardous effects of textile dyes on humans, living species and environment in general. Also, then came the findings of the various Research Institutes of Europe who were engaged in the field of Textile research, that some of these dyes are potentially carcinogenic. The manufacturing of Eco-labeled dyes are now being promoted to increase awareness on the adverse effects of using dyes on human health and on the environment. Though many new policies are making it hard for the dye industry to survive, these new regulations are necessary for human and environmental welfare. â€Å"The extensive use of dyes often poses pollution problems in the form of colored wastewater discharge into environmental water bodies,† said by R. Kaur, TPS Walia, and Sumanjit in a research presented in the Online Journal of Health and Allied Sciences. A lot of cases throughout the whole world are reported about the roles of dyes in connection with variety of skin, lung, and other respiratory disorders. † They also added that the chemicals in dyeing processes causes variations in wastewater chracteristics like pH, color, and chemical oxygen demand. These changes in characteristics prevents typical wastewater treatment facilities and procedures from handling con taminated waters effectively. In 2006, the Yellow River in China has been reported to have turned red caused by the discharge of dyed water in the river (AP, 2006). China is known to be a major user of dyes even in the ancient past and is still using it in large quantities. The accident turned a half-mile section of the river into bright red due to spill and then feared to have some toxic effects on the people around the area. It would take some time in chemistry to produce products that are environment-friendly. People should do their share in making this world a healthy place to live in. Conclusion Certainly colors are everywhere. People can find it even in the most unexpected materials. Dyeing has been used for thousands of years already starting with soil and certain leaves as sources of colors. Now certain chemicals can be used to create artificial colors in decorating cloths for various uses. Dyes are also being utilized in fashion, through hair coloring and clothings. Various forms, powder, liquid, or chips are made to fit in every methods. Regardless of its many uses, careful application should be maintained in order not only to protect ourselves from its hazardous implications but also to prevent our environment from deteriorating due to wastes. Still, one can never erase the diverse benefits people have from using dyes, simply on its adding of color in their life. Online Sources http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/micro/gallery/dyes.html March 01,2004 http://dyespigments,com/applications.html http://www.herbsociety-stu.org/Dyeing.htm. http://www.dyesonline.net http://www.tokyopop.com/Robofish/tp_article/286950.html http://www.greenbeans.co.nz/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=265_209 http://www.wormspit.com/dyeing.htm http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/howtotiedye.shtml

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Underage drinking

Underage Drinking underage drinkers drink to look cool and It may be the social thing to do at the latest party or even at home; feeling curious a teen may consume alcohol to tit in with their surroundings. This can be due to the fact that the minor could be pressured into drinking. With all the popular media hype about alcohol and especially during the Super Bowl; it Just shows minors that it is okay to participate in drinking and if they do, this great boost will occur.The other cause to these other Influences could have already had happened, such as the childhood experience being abused by the runken father or alcoholic mother who does not nurture her children. Underage drinking Is detrimental to the health of themselves and others whom they affect: It Is an ongoing problem that continues, with the number of students Increasing each year Drinking underage can be linked to advertising that is very persuasive to the minors. These advertisements, some say target children, but the alc ohol companies deny.In efforts to prove the people wrong; alcohol companies have put forth their part into making an advertisement discouraging alcohol abuse. The advertisements ake the young minded minors to think drinking can put on physical attractiveness, It is fun, or gives special powers to make the person better at athletics. Some would soy the audience that Is targeted In the beer advertisements. such ds Bud Light, are Indeed minors, seeing an alcoholic beverage and having the appeal to take acuon are different. ne of the advertisements by Bug Light were shown on the super Bowl commercials ot people stranded on an island; they found a radio, but instead ot using it to find help, they found a cart of alcoholic beverages and showed them aving the best time on the island. The reality of this commercial is saying to teens, if you drink alcohol you will have the best time of your life. Especially, when those minors are being pressured into by their peers to take the shot, it make s the situation Into a more dangerous one.Having a party with friends Is one thing, but If that party host has access to their parents liquor stash It becomes d different party. â€Å"Rates are higher among 12th graders, with reporting at least one alcoholic drink during their lifetime, 43% reported at least one drink In the past 30 days, 28% reporting runkenness in the past 30 days, and reported daily use ot alcohol (Centers tor Disease Control and Prevention, 2008; Johnson et al. , 2009! ‘ (Song).These statistics are also closely related to my own experience, my own friends would come to the football game under the influence or go to the party this weekend which had alcohol. Drinking while in high school can also be lead to drinking in college, but the major dfference Is that alcohol is more demanding dt the college parties. Minor's consequences on whom drinks can also Increase their risk of unhealthy outcomes; uch as fighting one another. which can lead to Injuries, reckle ss sexual behavior and drlvlng under the Influence. hile many do not have parents who have alcohol at their house, there are many ways ot obtaining alcohol by having take ID's, by asking a stranger and giving them extra money for buying the booze for them; making college parties that much easier to obtain alcohol. â€Å"Researchers have identified a number of factors that contribute to adolescent alcohol use, including being male, having easy peers also drink alcohol† (Song). Minors receive biases messages about alcohol, it can e from the D. A. R. E program that educates the minors about the drugs and what it does to their bodies.The other messages could be from biased adults and popular media whom say one drink will not hurt, but the fact is that one drink can harm the body of the minor in psychological and physical ways. One of the counter arguments about underage drinking is lowering the drinking age to prevent binge-drinking at age 18 or 19 years old. â€Å"The problem i s that underage drinking is now forced off campus, leading to â€Å"a culture of dangerous, clandestine binge-drinking† (Alcoholism Drug Abuse Weekly). Having the law as it is, makes the drinking go farther than the campus walls.If the age at which people are legal to drink is lowered, then the developing minds that are affected by the alcohol can reduce the minor's chances of being successful. Having the age at 21 is good, not only does it prevent alcohol- related trauma, â€Å"But 10 percent of a state's federal highway funds are cut if the state doesn't mandate a drinking age of 21† (Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly). Popular media, community norms, and peer pressure, all have a fundamental root cause to hy adolescents drink at such an early age, it is because of their childhood experience.In order to be able to understand why college students are drinking at such an early age, analyzing how they were raised and their family life can be a big factor. One's childhood e xperience can drastically take for the worst if their mother, father, or parental guardian is a drunk. Every night they would come home from drinking at the bar, see their child and tell them that everything is okay; the child would start to develop the idea that coming home drunk is an okay thing to do.The reason for the child's drinking at an early age would be to cope with such a graphic image of their parent figure drinking and acting out violently towards their loved ones, â€Å"First, it created physical and emotional stress, which participants believed could be reduced through alcohol use. Second, victims of abuse began â€Å"to stop caring† about what happened to them or what people thought about their behavior. Third, many abuse victims absented themselves in order to escape the abuse, removing themselves to unsupervised or risky settings where they were offered, or it as easy to obtain, alcohol and drugs† (Rothman).The turn to alcohol is easy with a motive, s uch as lessening or not dealing with the burden put on the child through the traumatization. The risks to drinking can be the underdevelopment of the brain, although the changes are subtle, over a long period of time it can be noticeable. The liver and the growth hormones are affected by the consumption of alcohol at the early ages; they tend to produce a lot of liver enzyme, which is indicating some liver damage and throwing off the hormones of the adolescent's puberty stage.With the umber of the population increasing, so does the student body, thus resulting in the pressures of drinking at an early age because of the ongoing problem with underage drinking. The cycle of underage drinking would occur, if the parents are young and are not ready to deal with a child; so when the child is growing the parents might be drinking because of the stress of dealing with the financial troubles if present. The problem on campus is not because the college students are doing it because they can, it is a variety of issues that causes them to take the drink at the college party.This problem is need of the utmost attention because it affects the student life on pressures of drinking or taking the load off. Its impact on the community is detrimental to their personal health, but also the safety of others due to the fact that driving under the influence can be fatal to not only themselves, but whom they cause harm to. Work Cited Rothman, Emily F. , Judith Bernstein, and Lee Strunin. â€Å"Why Might Adverse Childhood Experiences Lead To Underage Drinking Among US Youth? Findings From An Emergency Department-Based Qualitative Pilot Study.

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Thomas & Ely's Three Paradigm in The State of Diversity Within The Essay

Thomas & Ely's Three Paradigm in The State of Diversity Within The Organization - Essay Example The CEO, Prince (Paine et al., 2008) has been able to turnaround the prospects of the company by ensuring a culture of shared responsibility. He has been not only been able to exploit the tenets of the diverse workforce but it has been aligned to work in tandem with work perspective vis-a-vis its long term and short term goals. The paradigm, connecting diversity to work perspectives broadly refers to the way cultural differences are incorporated within the business strategies to enhance productivity and business outcome. In the current environment of rapid globalization, managing diversity is one of the most critical elements of success. Citigroup has expanded its business across the globe and to maintain a competitive advantage within the industry, managing diversity has become the need of the hour. It, therefore, exploits socio-cultural paradigms of the region to improve its business outcome, both within the US and also in its offshore business. It promotes a better understanding o f cross-cultural understanding to resolve workplace conflicts. At the same time, it takes cognizance of cultural differences and exploits human competency for optimal performance. The other two paradigms: The discrimination and fairness paradigm; and the access and legitimacy paradigm, are not relevant in the case of Citigroup. The first paradigm ensures that diversity is included in the workforce.

International Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 5

International Finance - Essay Example Though the negative event cannot be avoided, but the impact can be reduced. There are two types of risks vis-a-vis systematic and unsystematic risk. Investors usually hedge against systematic risk which includes financial risk, operational risk, liquidity risk, financing risk, currency risk, etc. According to the authors Clark and Ghosh, large firms usually balance their hedging techniques so as to minimise the cost of hedging. Corporate managers try to identify the risks facing the company so that they can strategise a suitable hedging technique to counter the effect of those risks. Big corporations are quite concerned with the foreign exchange risk, owing to their global business exposure. The author also stated that, the large corporations have global presence and trade across nations, thus vulnerable to currency risk as they have to trade in the local currency (Clark and Ghosh, 2004). Though there are various hedging techniques like futures, forwards, options, swaps and debt, but big corporations usually trade in futures, forwards, options and debt (Homaifar, 2004). As per the author Coyle, companies enter into an agreement with other party willing to buy/ sell currency. It is in the form of an agreement, where one party agrees to buy/ sell a specified amount of the currency at an agreed price, at an agreed time, delivery method to another party. Forwards trade takes place in two ways i.e. the spot market where the delivery takes place after T+2 days and the forward market where the price and other conditions are set before the delivery. The delivery takes place at a future date. In forwards contract companies usually face the counterparty risk, where one of the party refuses to buy/sell the derivative, thus putting the hedger at risk (Coyle, 2000). X is an IT company that exports software services to Y, a company in the US. X expects a payment of $1 million after five months. Assuming the exchange rate is  £1/$, it will receive  £1 million at the

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Corrections Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Corrections - Essay Example In some cases, corporal punishment s used, but in the modern era, prison is the most desired type of punishment. This paper will look at the various forms of correctional philosophies in the prison system and various issues in correctional management. Throughout historical times most societies have been known to have some places where they hold criminals. Confinement in form of prisons is a new thing since in ancient times corporal punishment was the best kind of punishment; beheading, hanging, whipping and rack stretching to take a few examples. Early jails were overcrowded, dark and filthy and there was no separation of the inmates. In America, imprisonment was realized in 1600s after the abolishment of death penalty (Simonsen, Allen, & Latessa, 2004). The federal prison system was established to hold inmates who are sentenced to time in prison and those who await trials. It contains of prisons and detention facilities. The organizational structure of American correction systems gives the department of justice the authorization to control all operations in the system. The governor, who is the second in rank, is in charge of supervision of the activities in correctional facilities (Todd, George, & Michael, 2011). There are four directors who are mandated to supervise the legislative affairs, information, quality assurance, medical docket and public communication; all these in the attempt to make the correction system a perfect place for reformation. The hierarchy follows to the support administration in charge of matters relating to field operations, operations support, community development, and correctional facilities administrations. Under them there are junior officers who oversee research, parole, human resources, operations, and security and general inmate’s welfare. Correctional management considers several philosophies for corrections. This paper will look into five main philosophies namely, rehabilitation, restorative justice,

Monday, August 26, 2019

The final project should be an integration of your scholarly study Essay

The final project should be an integration of your scholarly study during the semester and a personal reflection on your service experience - Essay Example The enduring purpose of the institution is to develop a love and fondness for God, service to others, self-knowledge and respect for all creation and these missions were overly significant in my development and also the connection I built with the students. I started on 2nd June, 2014, and my main work was to ensure that the children received their snacks and that they were doing what they were supposed to. I was also charged with taking them out to the playing ground during their play time and setting their beds up for a nap. At first, I used to feel nervous. However, Dr. Zukowski words always inspired me because I always recalled him telling me to try and get out of the box. At once, I noticed a group of children staring at me and one ran up to me and hugged me. I froze for a second then I said hi to all children. Even though, I still remained nervous the entire day, I hoped that it would change in the future. On 9th June, 2014, I learnt that children have a very good memory. When I walked into the class, all the children recalled my name and I had just told them once. It was a shock to me. From them onwards, I decided to try and know all the names of the students because this could also make them feel important. 9th June was also the graduation day for some of the students. Just seeing them getting ready to leave felt kind of sad even though I had not known them for long. I think it was more about me thinking that I am also graduating this year and it made me realize that going to miss the professors and friends I made at Felician College. But, on the other hand, I feel so proud of myself just as I felt proud of the children today. All the goals and mission stated at the beginning of this paper overly helped me in my service to the children, and I understood myself more after the work. We also had two birthday parties on that same day and we sang happy birthday songs as I helped pass out ice cream to all the

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Oil and gas correlation Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Oil and gas correlation - Research Paper Example It would therefore be important to explain why and the possible reveres resolution (Ross 42). There has been an increased shift towards use of gas in production of domestic electricity against the small oil use. This factor explains the increasing trend of negative correlation between the two commodities as noted from late 1970s (Roberts 51). It is also evident that from 1991, the import of oil by US had reduced but this still represented approximately 40% of the consumption by US against a paltry 5% of gas consumption by the US (YeÃŒ pez-Garcia, Rigoberto , and Julie 86). This is an evident case to support the observed negative correlation. The increasing local production of gas by US in 1980s led to the increased supply of gas which affected prices locally and internationally but exhibited consistent trend towards a positive correlation with oil prices (YeÃŒ pez-Garcia, Rigoberto , and Julie 86) . Increased technological advancement which has seen a rise in gas fuelled cars is likely to push the gas prices up. This would initiate the positive correlation between the two commodities. It is also predicted that increased export of LNG by US to the global market will promote the chances of gas offering competition to oil thereby moving in the same direction in terms of prices (CretiÌ€

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Cognitive Biases and Strategic Decision Processes Assignment

Cognitive Biases and Strategic Decision Processes - Assignment Example The actions did or applied to this mode require the compression of larger problems into smaller ones that can be managed easily. For example, A Bata Shoe sales manager will solve the problem of reduced sales by first vetting the branch supervisors and thereby motivating the salesmen etc. which are easier tasks to accomplish but will affect the end result. The avoidance mode, on the other hand, entails the outlining of the strategic decision-making process with the aim of impressing authority. The main aim is to maintain the status quo and avoid change. Basically, the avoidance mode applies the use of elaborate recognition of new problems that would render any new changes unnecessary. It is the finding of the problem that kills the change necessitating problem. For example, instead of a Walmart manager hiring more sales assistants, he will look at the existing staff and identify employees who are under-tasked so as to prevent the decision of hiring new workers. When the manager is solely focused on maintaining the status quo, they are more likely to be exposed to limited alternatives.  

Friday, August 23, 2019

The Tiffany & Co Analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

The Tiffany & Co Analysis - Research Paper Example This article is about Tiffany & Co analysis as a high-end jewelry company. We discuss briefly the history of the company history, its products, pioneers, location and distribution globally, and customer relation. The article also exploits the company’s’ new ventures in the jewelry industry. We also analyze the company position by performing a SWOT analysis to determine the various parameters influencing the company. The company has profound strength in its strong local existence, Positive brand image, well known for its silvery jewelry and strong direct selling strategy. Tiffany has some weakness as a result of declining cash flows and limited product range. Contrary to the weakness, the company prides in a number of opportunities such as Singapore as a luxury retail hub for Asian market and new business venture- Corporation with other companies to expand its market dominance. For the company to maintain its positive growth, it has to address the following threats; Prol iferation of imitation for its items and Economic slowdown This study also expands its analysis by looking at the quantitative variables that influence company performance. Here we scrutinize quantifiable variables of the company like company worth and predictable sales. The method involves analyzing profit and loss accounts, arithmetical state of the financial system, sales and earning histories. The variables discussed in this section are; Financial Ratio Analysis, Industry Specific Metrics and EV/Revenue Valuation. Under the financial analysis, we study the company’s Liquidity, Asset, and Debt Management and Profitability status. For specific company metrics; Sales per Retail Square Foot, Sales per Employee and Capital Intensity are as well discussed. The analysis winds with a EV/Revenue Valuation. The article finalizes by making suggestions which if incorporated can boost the company revenue, increase customer relation and deliver quality products to customers. The change in the company’s old model of management and market strategy will improve its goods and service delivery. We also take a conclusive analysis relating both quantitative and qualitative analysis to give advice to investor, buyers and company management on critical issues that needs to be addressed. We close the study by not recommending major fix within the company, but an advice to investor of the current company position and worthiness of making an investment. The fluctuations in major determining factors do not necessarily mean that the company is on the fall, but rather is responding to a change in prevailing conditions. Tiffany has shown excellent response to change in key determining factors like recession. Introduction Tiffany & Co. is the most popular lavish jewelry corporation in the United States of America.

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Symbols as Used in the Things They Carried Essay Example for Free

Symbols as Used in the Things They Carried Essay The use of symbolism in this story is really amazing. Using the items soldiers tend to take with them to combat zone Tim O’Brien is able to tell a lot about what really soldiers have in mind, their characters and even what might be going on in their personal life. I find this a story interesting to me because when I was deployed I carried things to keep me going. Personal little items I carried with me had a meaning. In this story, although the writer is talking about things that soldiers carried with them, he is passing a message with a different meaning. He is not just telling an interesting story but also describes each of the main characters by telling the readers what these characters carry. Some of the characters carried things demanded by necessity and while some carried emotions and love. All these things they carried symbolized something. In this story, the writer is able to show in detail, each of the soldiers’ ways of dealing with the stresses of war by what they choose to carry. The writer calls this â€Å"humps†. Lt Jimmy Cross carrying love letters symbolizes how desperate these soldiers are for love. Lt Jimmy is dealing with the devastations of war by pretending that a girl called Martha is in love with him even though he knows that she is not. He would vividly fantasize, imagine and even got carried away by Martha. Clearly affection and love was Lt Jimmy’s way of escaping the horrors of everyday. Mitchell Sanders the RTO and Henry Dobbins escape the reality of war by fantasizing about sex. Mitchell Sanders for example carries condoms and tiger fatigues while Henry Dobbins has his girlfriend’s pantyhose â€Å"around his neck as a comforter. Rat Kiley on the other hand carries comic books as an escape. The New Testament Bible carried by Kiowa symbolizes religion and the solid foundation of what the soldiers believe in. The use of tranquilizers by Ted Lavender symbolizes fear and how painful the death can be. Carrying lice and diseases and they still survive shows how these soldiers were strong and how the living conditions were horrible. The use of poncho in carrying the dead body symbolizes the creativity of the soldiers and how equipment can be modified to perform more than one function. Normal Bowker carrying a thumb symbolizes these soldiers’ minds, body and spirit have dissociated. Carrying a thumb which had been cut from a corpse symbolizes numbness and emotionless. Soldiers marching for the sake of marching and with no purpose and no winning or losing symbolizes that they were just doing what they are ordered to do by the government. They left supplies wherever they go since they knew that the chopper will supply them with more equipment the following day. This symbolizes how financially the government is and how resources are being wasted in times of war. Lt Jimmy after blaming himself for the dead of Lavender he decided that he will start instilling discipline and avoid living the things they carried or throwing away the equipment. This may represent a larger group of citizens back at home who are opposing wasteful spending.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Procter & Gamble Financial Analysis Essay Example for Free

Procter Gamble Financial Analysis Essay What began as a small family-run candle and soap business, grew through innovation, creative marketing and partnerships to become the largest consumer goods company in the world. William Procter, emigrating from England, established himself as a candle maker in Cincinnati, which was a busy center of commerce and industry in the early nineteenth century. And James Gamble, arriving from Ireland, apprenticed himself to a soap maker. The two might never have met had they not married sisters Olivia and Elizabeth Norris, whose father convinced his new sons-in-law to become business partners. As a result, in 1837, a bold new enterprise was born: Procter Gamble. William Procter was born in 1801 in England. As a boy, he worked as general store apprentice, learning to â€Å"dip candles† – a skill that would later lead to both fame and fortune. His first entrepreneurial venture, however, met with disaster. The day after opening, his dry goods shop in London was robbed, leaving Procter $8,000 in debt – a huge sum in 1832. Determined to rebuild, he and his wife decided to immigrate to the United States. While traveling down the Ohio River, Mrs. Procter became ill and died a few months after their arrival in Cincinnati. Procter first worked in a bank. He then decided to use his past experience as a candle maker to earn extra income and help pay off his debt. He took advantage of the fat and oil by-products from Cincinnati’s large meatpacking industry. Procter began as a one- person operation – manufacturing, selling and delivering candles to his customers in the area. During this time, he also met and proposed to Olivia Norris, the daughter of a prominent candle maker in town, Alexander Norris. Meanwhile, James Gamble was born in 1803, in Ireland. He immigrated with his family to America in 1819 as part of a mass exodus from Northern Ireland. They were headed for Illinois, but during the trip, James Gamble, then 16, became violently ill; his parents took him ashore in Cincinnati. By the time James recovered, the family had decided to stay. At 18, James began an apprenticeship with a local soap maker, then years later, opened his own soap and candle shop with a friend. Before long, Gamble met and married Elizabeth Ann Norris, the second daughter of Alexander Norris. The business began during nationwide panic and depression. But the struggling young firm survived. Cincinnati proved a sound business base because as a meat packing center, it offered plenty of fat and oil for soap and candle making. †¢The Procters’ eldest son, William A. Procter, was the first PG President in 1890. †¢Son Harley T. was the company’s first Advertising and Sales Manager. He named Ivory Soap. †¢The Gamble’s eldest son, James N. Gamble, invented Ivory Soap and founded the first laboratory in PG history.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) The pancreas performs both exocrine (secretes into a duct) and endocrine (secretes directly into the blood) functions, that are vital for correct metabolic function. One such role, is the secretion of digestive enzymes by pancreatic acinar cells, essential for the breakdown of nutrients in the small intestine.    Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a degenerative disease caused by the insufficient production and secretion of pancreatic digestive enzymes; this leads to maldigestion (an inability to breakdown nutrients) in the duodenum and if untreated, ultimately death through starvation, regardless of how much the dog may seem to be eating (Foster, 2017). EPI is often accompanied by a secondary condition, known as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). Due to the nature of EPI, bacteria take advantage of the undigested food in the intestine, which often leads to many of the same symptoms as EPI, especially bowel discomfort and flatulence (GlobalSpan, 2013). Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) deficiency, is another secondary condition that more than 80% of dogs with EPI have (Steiner, 2011). This is because cobalamin requires intrinsic factor (IF), produced by the pancreas, for protection and absorption from the small intestine (SI). In addition to low IF levels, SIBO can also lead to reduced cobalamin uptake, as the bacteria bind it and prevent uptake from the SI (PetMD, 2017). Cobalamin deficiency can prevent weight gain and even has neurological side effects, which may affect the animals behaviour (Steiner, 2012). The pancreas is an elongated gland, located close to the small intestine, with the pancreatic duct emptying into the duodenum at the hepatopancreatic ampulla (Figure 2) (Ross Pawlina, 2015). The pancreas is split into exocrine acini and the endocrine Islets of Langerhans, these are interspersed around the acini. The functional exocrine portions of the pancreas look similar to a grape vine and are made up of three types of epithelial cell, acinar, centroacinar and duct cells, as shown in figure 3 (Yuen Dà ­az, 2014). The acinar cells produce inactive digestive enzymes (see table on page 5 for key zymogens produced), as well as store them within zymogen granules (figure 3.) ready for secretion into the acini lumen (Ross Pawlina, 2015). Once secreted, duct cells transport the zymogens along with their own bicarbonate secretions to the duodenum, where they will be activated and then proceed to digest and breakdown the chyme into absorbable nutrients. Exocrine cell Stimulation of enzyme secretion Secretion Function Acinar Upon the arrival of food into the duodenum, enteroendocrine cells release Cholecystokinin (CCK), which stimulates the acinar cells to secrete zymogens into the acini lumen. Acinar cells are also under the control of the parasympathetic nervous system. Proteolytic endopeptidases (trypsinogen and chymotripsinogen) Proteolytic exopeptidases (procarboxypeptidases and proaminopeptidase) Amylase Lipase Nucleolytic enzymes (deoxyribonuclease and ribonuclease) Endopeptidases digest proteins by cleaving internal peptide bonds. Trypsinogen is particularly important, as, after being activated itself by enterokinases secreted by the enterocytes of the duodenum, it then goes onto activate the other zymogens in the pancreatic juice (Pandol, 2015). Exopeptidases digest proteins by cleaving the terminal peptide bond Amylase breaks down carbohydrates into maltose by cleaving the glycosidic bonds Lipase cleaves the ester bond in triglycerides, resulting in fatty acids Nucleolytic enzymes cleave the nucleotide link between DNA or RNA, leaving mononucleotides Ductal cells Secretin is secreted by the cells of the duodenum in response to acidic pH conditions in the small intestine. It acts on the duct cells of the pancreas, stimulating them to secrete bicarbonate ions (Bowen, 2003). Bicarbonate ions These neutralise the acidic chyme when it enters the duodenum from the stomach and establish optimum pH for the pancreatic enzymes. Abnormal physiology Any physiological change that prevents pancreatic enzymes from reaching the duodenum can lead to EPI. This includes potential damage to the enteroendocrine cells of the duodenum (which secretes cholecystokinin (CCK), essential for stimulating pancreatic enzyme secretion (Gartner Hiatt, 2005)) or an obstructed pancreatic duct, due to cancer (Parambeth Steiner, 2011). However, the most common physiological change that causes EPI is the loss of the pancreatic acinar tissue. This typically comes about in one of two ways, pancreatic acinar atrophy (PAA) or chronic pancreatitis, although the exact pathogenesis of either is still unknown (Steiner, 2017). PAA is the selective destruction of the acinar cells and is thought to be caused by an auto-immune response (Morgan, 2009). This is supported by pancreatic biopsy analysis, which show a high prevalence of intra-acinar T lymphocytes in affected dogs, however there is still a lack of evidence to fully support or explain the exact cause (Morgan, 2009). PAA is the cause for approximately 50% of all EPI cases and appears to be a hereditary disease that occurs most commonly in German shepherds, rough-coated collies, and Eurasians (Westermarck, 2012). Originally thought to be passed on by an autosomal recessive allele (Clark, et al., 2005), new research points towards it being a polygenic disorder with possible environmental factors (Clark Cox, 2012). Dogs affected by PAA are typically young adults (1-2 years old), with German Shepherds generally being the youngest when diagnosed (Parambeth Steiner, 2011). Figures 4 and 5 provide a good illustration of the stark changes to the pancreatic physiology after acinar atrophy. Normal pancreatic structure is scarcely recognizable, becoming thin and typically transparent with prominent ductal structures. Histologically, early subclinical EPI may be visible as partial acini breakdown; however, when clinical signs become apparent, all acinar tissue has been destroyed, with atypical tissue left behind, often adipose in the case of PAA (Westermarck, 2012). Another cause of EPI, that can occur in all dog breeds, although generally later in life than PAA, is chronic pancreatitis. This refers to the recurring inflammation of the pancreas. Under normal conditions the pancreas secretes digestive enzymes as inactive forms to help prevent autodigestion; however, when inflamed the pancreatic enzymes are activated. If the pancreas remains inflamed long enough, then pancreatic atrophy (Figure 5.) and fibrosis can occur leading to both exocrine and endocrine diseases, such as EPI and diabetes mellitus (IDEXX Laboratories, 2016). Chronic pancreatitis can cause the pancreas to shrink and become nodular with fibrotic growth. Histologically, chronic pancreatitis displays extensive fibrosis and increasing acini destruction the longer the inflammation occurs (Westermarck, 2012).   Clinical signs develop due to maldigestion and malabsorption of nutrients ingested and begin to show when 85-90% of the pancreatic acinar cells are lost (Parambeth Steiner, 2011). Severity of the disease can vary, as well as the time it takes for symptoms to develop. In some patients, signs begin to show within a few weeks, but also take much longer in others. This may be because dogs can have subclinical EPI (no recognizable symptoms) for months, sometimes even years, before it becomes noticeable (Kennedy, 2009). The key signs associated with EPI are typically pronounced (Foster, 2017). The most noticeable sign is a rapid loss of bodyweight, due to a reduction of body fat, and muscle atrophy, making the dog look severely anorexic (Figure 1). This is especially apparent when the dog is eating normally or showing signs of polyphagia (excessive hunger/appetite) (Steiner, 2017). In some cases, coprophagia (consumption of faeces) and/or pica (consumption of non-nutritional substances) can occur (Bilton Veterinary Centre, 2011). Other signs of EPI and generally the first to present themselves are revolved around changes to the dogs faeces and defecation patterns. This includes passing extremely malodorous faeces, an increase in faecal volume and frequency of defecation (>3/day) (Parambeth Steiner, 2011). The faeces are commonly a distinctive pale yellowy colour and have a cow-pat consistency, as illustrated in Figure 4. Although somewhat dependent on the dogs diet, the faeces can appear greasy (steatorrhea) and undigested (Steiner, 2017). Increased flatulence and borborygmus (rumbling noises, due to movement of fluid/gasses in the intestine) are also common occurrences. Due to nutritional deficiencies, dogs may also have an extremely poor coat quality and seem nervous, aggressive, or irritable (GlobalSpan, 2013). Clinical signs, as well as signalment are useful for raising suspicion of EPI, however many of the symptoms are non-specific to EPI and can be seen in other disorders.   Reliable diagnosis can be made based on a pancreatic function test. The most consistent and reliable being the canine serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity (cTLI) test (Whitbread, 2016). Canine serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity (cTLI) As trypsinogen is exclusively produced by the acinar cells of the pancreas cTLI can measure its ability to produce enzymes (Suchodolski, 2012). Performed after a fasting period of 12-15 hours, cTLI tests for concentrations of trypsinogen and trypsin circulating in the blood, via radioimmunoassay. Under normal conditions, small amounts of trypsinogen enter the serum from the pancreas and have a reference cTLI range of 5.7-45.2  µg/L (Suchodolski, 2012). However, due to loss of acinar cells, dogs with EPI have a much lower concentration of trypsinogen in the serum and may even be undetectable. Values below 2.5  µg/L are considered to be highly diagnostic for dogs with EPI, especially considering clinical signs are almost always present at these levels (Parambeth Steiner, 2011). Results between 3.5-5.7 µg/L rarely coincide with any clinical signs of EPI, however may represent subclinical EPI. At this point it is recommended that the patient is tested again after a one month resting period (Kennedy, 2009). TLI tests are species specific, making them highly sensitive to EPI and considered almost 100% accurate (Bilton Veterinary Centre, 2011). Faecal pancreatic elastase 1 (FPE 1) Although cTLI is considered the gold standard for EPI diagnosis, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) forFaecal pancreatic elastase 1 (FPE 1), another inactive enzyme produced solely in the pancreatic acinar cells, can be used(Parambeth Steiner, 2011). A value of 40  µg/g shows normal pancreatic exocrine function (Morgan, 2009). However, FPE 1 tests should be conducted alongside cTLI serum tests, as the rate of false positives have been shown to be as high as 23% (Steiner, et al., 2010). Although restoration of pancreatic acinar cells is currently not possible, EPI is entirely manageable with the correct enzyme supplementation and dietary changes. Follow-up care is also essential for recovery and management, especially monitoring body weight and faeces. Enzyme supplementation The preferred method of treatment involves the supplementation of pancreatic enzymes (lipase, amylase and protease). Raw and powdered enzymes are more effective than tablets, especially those with an enteric coating, as pancreatic bicarbonate is needed to remove the coating (Morgan, 2009). Dogs should initially be provided with 1tsp/10kg of bodyweight, mixed with each meal (Parambeth Steiner, 2011). However, once clinical signs have been resolved, this can be slowly reduced until the lowest effective dose has been reached (cTLI can be used to monitor this while still supplementing with enzymes, as it is unaffected by exogenous enzymes). Raw pancreas can be used as an alternative to powder, in this case 30-90g should be used per teaspoon of powder (Steiner, 2017). Response to enzyme supplementation should see results within a few days, however an increased dose or a change from porcine to bovine enzymes and vice versa may be needed (GlobalSpan, 2013). Around 3 in 25 dogs suffer from oral bleeding, although this appears to correct itself once the dose was lowered (Steiner, 2017).   Dietary considerations A highly digestible diet, with a low fibre % (below 4%) is recommended, as fibre inhibits pancreatic enzyme activity. Another consideration is the provision of a raw diet, as raw meat contains its own enzymes that aid in digestion (GlobalSpan, 2013). More than 80% of dogs with EPI suffer from cobalamin deficiency, which prevents weight gain regardless of enzyme supplementation; for this reason, regular cobalamin and folate serum concentration tests should be performed and if necessary, cobalamin injections provided (Steiner, 2017). Some dogs will only need short term cobalamin supplementation, while others may need it for the duration of their life. With SIBO being a common condition alongside EPI, antibiotics may need to be administered initially and potentially followed up with probiotics to help restore gut flora. Client considerations Potential for a normal and long life is extremely favourable with the correct management, however clients need to be made aware that EPI is a lifelong condition and can be extremely expensive, with some enzyme supplements alone costing over  £3000 a year, although this can be reduced by shopping around (epi4dogs, 2012).   Ã‚  

Pure Competition Essay -- essays research papers

There are many industries. Economist group them into four market models: 1) pure competition which involves a very large number of firms producing a standardized producer. New firms may enter very easily. 2) Pure monopoly is a market structure in which one firm is the sole seller a product or service like a local electric company. Entry of additional firms is blocked so that one firm is the industry. 3)Monopolistic competition is characterized by a relatively large number of sellers producing differentiated product. 4)Oligopoly involves only a few sellers; this â€Å"fewness† means that each firm is affected by the decisions of rival and must take these decisions into account in determining its own price and output. Pure competition assumes that firms and resources are mobile among different kinds of industries.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   No single firm can influence market price in a competitive industry; therefore a firm’s demand curve is perfectly elastic and price equals marginal revenue. Short-run profit maximization by a competitive firm can be analyzed by comparing total revenue and total cost or applying marginal analysis. A firm maximizes its short-run profit by producing that output at which total revenue exceeds total cost by the greatest amount. A complete firm maximizes profit or minimizes loss in the short run by producing that output at which price or marginal revenue equals marginal cost, provided price exceeds minimum average v...

Monday, August 19, 2019

Plastics :: essays research papers

Plastics are a product that is very common in our everday usage. We use plastics everywhere ranging for Tupperware to the cars that we drive. Although most everyone has accepted the fact that plastics make our lives easier and has become essential to us, there are people out there who are perhaps unaware of how important plastics are to our society, or people who just don't approve of plastics because of its environmental harm. An advertisement in a Health Care magazine tries to convince this audience why plastics are needed and the usefulness of plastics. The advertisement tries to show its audience that plastics play an important role in our everyday lives and tries to make the audience question where we would be without the use of plastics. This advertisement, directed towards people that do not realize the usefulness of plastics or who do not approve of the use of plastics, through the use of pathos, logos, and ethos tries to persuade its audience that, "Plastics make it possible." The pathos plays on the audience's sympathy of why we should use plastics, the logos gives reasons how plastics are useful and why they are used in our society, and the ethos makes the audience feel that if unconvinced by the advertisement alone, there is more information available to them.First and foremost seen in the advertisement is pathos. The advertisement grabs the audience's attention by showing a picture of a bunch of boys playing football. Knowing that the children are our future and that the children of today shape our tomorrow, many people are concerned with the problems of our younger generations and care a great deal about what happens to our younger generations. The advertisement does a good job of playing on the aud ience's emotions by involving children. Half of the advertisement is covered by the picture of a bunch of little boys playing football. The boys are wearing football helmets and look as though there is not one scratch on any one of them. The advertisement is trying to convey is that if it were not for the football helmets, which happens to be made out of plastic, then the boys would be hurt and all bruised up. This gives the image that the reason the boys can be rough with one another and not be hurt is do to the fact that they are all wearing plastic helmets.

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Dreams :: essays research papers

Dear Dr. Universe, Why do we dream? Pat Caraher - Pullman, Washington When I asked Barbara Hammond this question, the first thing she said was, "Who knows?" Barbara Hammond is a psychologist at Washington State University. What she means is that a lot of people have some interesting ideas about dreams. But that's about it. By the time you finish reading this, you'll know much of what we know for certain about dreams. You're about to become a dream expert. One thing we do know is WHEN we dream. That's during a period of sleep called "REM sleep." REM means rapid eye movement. During REM, your eyes are moving around a lot even though they're closed. Your brain is also very busy--and you're dreaming. Hey, I'm no Sigmund Freud, but who's a psychologist to turn to when they have a weird dream they want to talk about? Another thing that happens during REM is that your muscles are basically paralyzed. You know those dreams where you're trying to run away from something, but your legs are really, really heavy? Now back to WHY. According to Ms. Hammond, there are two sets of explanations. First there's the "physiological" set. "Physiological" has to do with how the body works. Some scientists think maybe we dream in order to exercise our brains. When you're awake, messages are constantly speeding among all your billions of brain cells to keep you moving and thinking and digesting and so on. So the idea is that when you're asleep, dreams exercise the "pathways" between the brain cells. Personally, I like this idea of exercising while I sleep. There are a couple of things that help this idea make sense. The first couple years of your life are the most intense for learning. That's also when you have the greatest amount of REM sleep -- which means you probably dream an awful lot. Another thing--your brain waves during REM sleep look about the same as your brain waves while you're awake. (Brain waves are electrical patterns that show up on a machine that measures the brain's activity.) During other parts of sleep, the brain waves look very different. Then there's the "psychological" set of ideas about why we dream. Psychology has to do with your thoughts and emotions. Ms. Hammond says that most dreams are actually about immediate concerns in our lives. Some dreams may help us know more about ourselves. Others might be practice for dealing with daytime problems.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Anthro Assignment

Anthropology 100Dr. Judkins Fall 2012 Writing Assignment by Christina O’Shea In the early twentieth century, Arnold van Gennep, a French ethnographer, wrote â€Å"The Rites of Passage† in which he describes the process of changing social states of being. This one theory has certainly made a deep impact on anthropological thought due to the fact that it can be applied to a number of situations, both past and present, in which transitions are made. It can also be used as an educational tool for people to use so that they can have a better understanding of the practices of many different cultures.In fact, many examples of the theory of Gennep can be found in ethnographic autobiographies, such as â€Å"Sun Chief: The Autobiography of a Hopi† by Don C. Talayesva. â€Å"Sun Chief: The Autobiography of a Hopi† is the story of Don C. Talayesva, a man raised as a Hopi Indian and then trained as a white man. Written from his point of view, the autobiography allows t he reader to have a better understanding of Hopi culture as Don shares the story of his life. At one point in the work, Don mentions a particular moment in his life when he decided to join his father on a salt expedition to Little Grand Canyon.I can honestly say that when I first read of the salt expedition of Don, I did not really think much of it. I believed that the reason that this event was even mentioned was to describe to the reader the method that the Hopi Indians used to acquire salt. However, after learning the rights of passage theory of Arnold van Gennep, I began to realize that this journey became more to do with initiation rather than nutrition. In â€Å"The Rites of Passage†, Van Gennep explains that a rite of passage has three phases that are handled through ritual and a symbolic code by which we understand meaning.The first phase is called the â€Å"separation† phase in which you remove yourself from a former social status. In â€Å"Sun Chief†, one example of how Don used this phase while on the expedition was before the journey even began. Don states that on the morning of the expedition, â€Å"the War Chief sprinkled a corn-meal path, placed a feather upon it with the breath line pointing westward†¦each of us stepped on the â€Å"road-marker,† and the expedition was under way†. Throughout the journey, Don describes the ultiple customs of must perform while on the salt expedition in which he and his traveling companions pay respect to the ancestors and the gods which allowing Don to grow more spiritually, thereby preparing him for his transition. Following in the tradition of his ancestors, Don carves his clan emblem on a rock in order to pay respect to Hopi salt gatherers from years passed. At the shrine of the Salt Woman, Don also has intercourse with the shrine as a prayer for health and an increase in offspring. Since it was his first expedition, Don had to strip completely naked beforehand.While re ading of the various tasks that Don had to complete on his journey, I realized that the amount of commitment that Don had to these preparations reminded me of how I felt as I was preparing to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. By deciding to be a candidate for Confirmation, I, like Don, chose to follow in the footsteps of my parents and grow more spiritually. In order to be â€Å"confirmed†, I had to complete various activities to prove that I should become an adult member of the Catholic Church.The second phase of passage is called the â€Å"liminality† or â€Å"transition† phase is essentially the middle point where the actual transformation takes place. When Don arrives at the kiva â€Å"and the hole through which mankind emerged†, since this was his first salt expedition, he is given the task by the War Chief to reach down into an empty cavity, where the kiva was connected, while holding a prayer feather sprinkled with corn meal in his hand. In ex change for the feather, the spirits, traditionally, will give to Don the coveted yellow clay that, Don states, â€Å"is always used for paho making†.Without fear Don reached down, while being held securely by his father and the War Chief, into the hole and, while letting go of each feather, drew handfuls of clay. During this, Don states â€Å"I could feel the presence of spirits below, who accepted the feather and gave me clay†. After depositing the feathers and praying, Don and his companions proceeded to a small fountain, high atop which was a cupped top overflowing with salt that they proceeded to gather for themselves and for the Salt Woman. While reading of the spiritual connection that Don experienced, I remembered that which I received during my Confirmation ceremony.I had spent months preparing for this moment and now, at long last, there I was, wearing my red robe sitting in the pew in front of the church, waiting for my name to be called. Finally, when I was called by the bishop to come to him in front of the alter, I, like Don, showed no fear as I rose out of the pew and walked down the aisle of the church with my back to the congregation. After being called by the name of the saint that I chose to honor, I received a blessing from the bishop and was proclaimed a confirmed member of the Catholic Church.The third and final phase of passage is called the â€Å"re-aggregation† phase in which one re-enters society with their new status. In â€Å"Sun Chief†, when all of the needed salt is gathered, it is determined that the expedition is now over and Don and the others begin the journey home. As they pass the various shrines Don notices that his offerings had been viewed favorably by the spirits. Eventually, after distributing a large amount of salt to the Salt Woman, they reached Moenkopi and, after turning the â€Å"road-marker†, which they used in the beginning of their journey, eastward, they soon made their way bac k home to Oriabi.Don is asked by his father what he thought of the salt expedition. Don replies that it was â€Å"pretty tough† and he believes that the salt that they have gathered will not last them a year. His father replies that this is the way that most young men think now. After finishing Don’s account of the salt expedition, I could not help but sympathize with Don. After all of the steps that Don had to preform, Don probably thought that he would receive a larger amount of salt than he actually got.As I was preparing to receive Confirmation, there were times where I would be sacrificing time, which, at the time, I felt was more important and so, I began to wonder if all of these preparations were even worth going through. However, I soon realized that spiritual growth is not something that is just given to you; it is something that is earned. Therefore, the journey to that growth needed to be tough for it showed how much you wanted it. Throughout the process, I kept reminding myself that it would all be worth it and, in the end, it was.After being confirmed into the Catholic Church, I instantly felt the feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment. I was now officially an adult member of the Catholic Church. I also felt that through this sacrament, I had grown more spiritually and that my relationship with God had grown stronger. In Don’s case, without question, he showed no fear as he performed each of the tasks and, though he did not think so at the time, all of the preparation was truly worth it. While on the expedition, Don paid tribute to both the spirits and the ancestors allowing him to grow more spiritually.Since Don participated in the expedition, his elders no longer consider Don a novice for he has now gained experience necessary to assist him in the future. By going on this salt journey, Don has shown his respect for his culture and how he honors the traditions and customs of his heritage. By using van Gennep’s rit es of passage theory, the overall structure and true meaning of Don’s salt expedition has certainly become clearer. Using this information, I have also found that van Gennep’s theory cannot only be applied to the salt expedition, but to other life events of Don as well.Other instances in â€Å"Sun Chief† where van Gennep’s rites of passage theory can be applied are when Don was born, when he became married to Irene and when he was initiated into the Wowochim society. By showing me how Don’s journey of spiritual growth resembled my own, I can now say that van Gennep’s, surprisingly universal, theory has allowed me to have a better understanding of Don’s culture. Works Cited 1. Talayesva, D. (1942). Sun chief: The autobiography of a hopi. (p. 232-246). London, England: Yale University Press.

Friday, August 16, 2019

Aging Bill in PA

This course study will dwell on the subject of the House Bill 1935 in Pennsylvania, how it came to be and the contributing factors that necessitated its emergence as a bill of rights for the elderly. Likewise, this study shall review other related studies and find the current approaches and support mechanism it receives from various government agencies and representatives.Introduction:As an important factor in the lives of every individual, a roof over one’s head is a basic need that is a vital necessity to life. For many, it offers a form of security that can be a bulwark against fear of homelessness, institutionalization, and isolation (Comijs, et al, 1998:886).The elderly individuals in PA need an ideal laboratory to age in place considering that elderly household represents 31% of the nations 1.1M public housing households (Dolon and Blakely, 1989:31). It is understood that elderly individuals consider the home as a form of security that guards them against ill-treatment a nd invasion which is an indispensable factor in their retirement years.Throughout the 1960s, older Americans with lower income were accommodated through large number of developments that built traditional apartments. Public housing did not originally target older Americans at all (US-HR; 1981).This was considered adequate for the majority of low-income older residents; although this housing program does not provide the flexibility to allow residents to age in place, nor does it necessarily provide the range of housing options needed to serve the increasing share of frail seniors (US Nat’l Center for Assisted Living, 2001) (Pifer and Bronte, 1986).More recently though, the elderly resident population is changing radically, bringing new challenges to public housing providers (Kassner, 2005). Undeniably, the increasing adult population are not only poorer, they are also older and a disproportionate minority and female, and more likely to be alone (US Nat’l Center for Assi sted Living, 2001).These population demographics are increasing and as baby boomers age, the US government and the housing authorities will be faced with problems of providing appropriate and adequate facilities for them. The increasing need of frail seniors therefore needs to extend public housing as a large federal program offering housing assistance to low-income elders (US Nat’l Center for Assisted Living, 2001).Several case studies embarked on the successful developments planned by housing authorities to address the needs of their rapidly aging populations. Efforts were offered as a supportive mechanism for housing authorities to adopt new approaches in order to meet the needs of their elderly tenants (Pifer and Bronte: 1986).Some program of development were even dismissed and simply declared as ill-equipped to meet the residential and supportive service needs of their increasingly frail and diverse residents (Pifer and Bronte: 1986). Without such acceptable services, th e government is faced with an alternative of moving senior citizens into costly, isolated institutions (Schwartz, 2000).This remedy though was seen as giving a devastating effect that might develop into unnecessary institutionalization of elderly persons which was later considered far more costly than those offered in other settings.Public housing authorities across the country were then trying to find innovative ways to serve these tenants and are building partnerships with nonprofit organizations and with the state and local service providers.They tried finding new ways to raise capital for modernization and development, creating models that can guide other housing authorities grappling with similar situations (Schwartz, D.C. (2000).In answer, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency in collaboration with the Department of Aging and the Department of Public Welfare under PA Bill 1935 aimed to provide appropriate housing and care needed by frail elderly and other benefits of enhance d senior services (HB 1935).The development of HB 1935Existing programs in the face of huge budget cuts have recognized the need to meet the shelter and service needs of the growing elderly population. This growing population is consisting of adult individuals well into the eighties and nineties who need a physically supportive environment that will sustain their needs.The government is suddenly faced with the pressing need to bring services to the existing developments that can no longer provide nor suit their frail physical condition.Faced with looming budget problems, several programs were stalled that ultimately empower the federal government to reassess the needs of the elderly individuals by fielding service coordinators to the assisted housing complexes across the country.Assumptions made by government authorities endorsed the idea that senior citizens who are growing frail will have to move to a different housing continuum as a housing option. Basically as older couples are sooner separated by illness or death, older individuals are also asked to transfer to single family homes, apartments, congregate living, assisted living and board and care homes (Brenton, 1983).Equally though, frail people are moved into nursing homes that vary according to their availability and affordability. Under this notion, housing options are differentiated by the types of services generally offered which includes the supportiveness of the setting in terms of accessibility features and design and competence of the persons to whom the housing is targeted (Holshouser, 1988).The response gathered by service coordinators however created a differing view which recognized the fact that frail, older persons do not necessarily have to move from one setting to another if they need assistance which has often resulted to health problems for them(US,APA:2002);(US-HR:1981).Studies were soon allowed to create a feasibility haven for dependent or dependent older persons who can live in a v ariety of settings, including their own homes and apartments, if the physical environment is made more supportive, caregivers are available to provide assistance and affordable services are accessible (Haber and Gratton, 1993).

Thursday, August 15, 2019

What legal rights (if any) does Milesofpaper Ltd have in respect of payment for the stationery and office equipment??

Introduction As Mr Frank and Mr Stamp entered into the contract with Milesofpaper Ltd before the incorporation of Wearboaters Ltd, it would appear that the contract was entered into under the partnership of Pleasure Boats & Co and thereby governed by the Partnership Act (PA) 1890. In order for a partnership to be created, there must be two or more persons that conduct business with a view to profit. Partnerships are defined under s. 1(1) PA 1890 as a â€Å"relation subsisting between persons carrying on business in common with a view of profit†. Mr Frank and Mr Stamp had clearly entered into a partnership as they carried on business (pleasure boat building and repairing) with a view to profit; Khan v Miah, Ahad and Miah[1]. Unlike companies, partnerships do not have a separate corporate personality and are instead regarded as a collection of individuals or persons.[2] This means that each partner is jointly liable, without limit, for the debts and obligations of the partnership incurred wh ile he or she is a partner (s. 9 PA 1890). Mr Frank and Mr Stamp will therefore both be personally liable for any debts the partnership incurred; M Young Legal Associates Ltd v Zahid[3]. In considering whether Milesofpaper has any rights in respect of payment for the stationary and office equipment, it will need to be considered whether Mr Frank and Mr Stamp are personally liable the contact is capable of binding the partnership. Given that both partners entered into the contract with Milesofpaper, they will be deemed to have had actual authority to bind the firm. S. 5 PA 1890 states that every partner is an agent of the firm whose acts bind the firm and his partners, unless the partner acting had no authority to do so. Given that both Mr Frank and Mr Stamp would have the authority to enter into the contract with Milesofpaper, it is clear that their actions would have bound the firm. However, because the contract was entered into under the company’s name; Wearboaters Ltd, it is doubtful that this particular transaction will be binding against the partners. It is noted under s. 6 PA 1890 that an act relating to the business of the firm must be done in the firm name or any other manner to be binding on the firm and all its partners. Since the act relating to the business of the firm was done in the name of the new unincorporated company, it is unlikely that the partnership will be liable for the debt. Ye t, the individual who entered into the contract may be liable for the debt as their own private act[4]; Sangster v Biddulph[5]. Furthermore, even though Wearboaters Ltd has now been incorporated, Milesofpaper Ltd will not be able to enforce the pre-incorporated contract. The reason for this is that; â€Å"before incorporation, the company is not competent to enter into contract in its own name as it has no legal entity†[6]. As such, Wearboaters Ltd will not be capable of being sued for the pre-incorporation contract that was entered into between Mr Frank, Mr Stamp and Milesofpaper. In Re English & Colonial Product Co[7] it was held that a company was not liable to pay for services and expenses incurred by a solicitor pre-incorporation as the company was not in existence at the time when the expenses were incurred. In addition, it was also held in CIT v City Mills Distilleries (P) Ltd[8] that a company has no status prior to its incorporation and can have no income or liability. As the company had not been incorporated, Mr Frank and Mr Stamp will be classed as ‘promoters’ who will have purported to enter into a contract by or on behalf of Wearboaters Ltd[9]. As promoters, Mr Frank and Mr Stamp will be personally liable unless the contract states otherwise (s. 51 Companies Act (CA) 2006). In Phonogram Ltd v Lane[10] it was held that a promoter of a company was personally liable to repay a deb t that was made on the company’s behalf under s. 51 CA 2006 (previously 2. 36 CA 1985) even though the claimant was unaware that the company was not in existence at the time the contract was entered into. Overall, it is likely that Milesofpaper will have a claim against Mr Frank and Mr Stamp in respect of payment for the stationery and office equipment. What legal rights (if any) do Mr Frank and Mr Stamp have in respect to payment for compensation for the destroyed boats and equipment? Once a company has been incorporated, it is separate and distinct from its members as shown in Salomon v Salomon[11]. Here, it was made clear that a company shall be solely liable for any losses or mishaps that arise within the company. In accordance with this principle, a company has the capacity to enter into contracts and sue and be sued in its own name. If the company suffers a breach of contract, it is the company who will be able to sue on the contract for breach and thereby seek to take the appropriate remedial action[12]. As business assets are owned by the company, it is the company who is responsible for insuring them. Because Mr Frank had insured the assets of the business under the partnership, the assets that have been transferred to the company will no longer be insured. This is because Mr Frank does not have an insurable interest in the company’s assets and a new contract would need to have been entered into between the company and the insurer. This was identifi ed in Macaura v Northern Assurance Co Ltd[13] where Macaura was the owner of a timber estate who took out an insurance policy in his own name. Most of the timber was destroyed by fire but Macaura could not claim for loss of goods as he did not have an insurable interest in the timber. It was held that a person cannot claim for loss of goods that are owned by another party. As the company owned the timber, Macaura could not make a claim. Since Wearboaters Ltd is the new owner of the assets, Mr Frank will not be able to make a claim as they no longer have an insurable interest in the assets. When the assets were transferred a new insurance policy should have been taken out in Wearboaters Ltd’s name. As Mr Frank and Mr Stamp have failed to take out a new insurance policy, they will be deemed to have breached their directors’ duties and will be found personally liable for the loss that has been caused to the business. It cannot be said that Mr Frank and Mr Stamp were promoting the success of the company as required under s. 172 CA 2006 and will therefore be liable for any losses incurred; Re Duomatic[14]. This is an exception to the rule in Salomon that a company is separate and distinct from its members and thus allows the corporate veil to be lifted in certain circumstances. In addition, Mr Frank and Mr Stamp also breached their duty to â€Å"exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence† under s. 174 CA 2006 as shown in Secretary of State for Trade and Industry v Goldberg[15]. Although the courts are generally reluctant to lift the corporate veil, they will do so when â€Å"common sense and reality demand it†[16] and when â€Å"there is a powerful argument of principle for lifting the corporate veil where the facts require it†[17]. It could be said that this is to apply in the instant situation as Mr Frank and Mr Stamp should have insured the assets of the business as they were the first directors of Wearboaters Ltd. The courts will only pierce the corporate veil in very limited circumstances, however, and if Mr Frank and Mr Stamp can demonstrate that there was no evidence of â€Å"fraud, illegality or a sham or if the company is a mere facade concealing the true facts† (ss. 213-215 of the Insolvency Act 1986, s. 993 CA 2006 and s. 15 of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986), then it is unlikely that they will be found personally liable; Adams v Cape Industries plc[18]. As noted by Talbot; â€Å"veil piecing is not an end in itself but a means to an end†[19]. Therefore, unless the circumstances of the case give rise to fraud or a pre-existing obligation, the courts will be unlikely to pierce the veil in its entirety; Pirelli Cable Holding NV v IRC[20]. It has been said that the courts will â€Å"go to great lengths to avoid any obvious penetration of the corporate veil, whilst still making the sort of inquiries that would be satisfied by just such a process†[21]. T his prevents the doctrine from being completely undermined, whilst also protecting the public; Millam v Print Factory (London) 1991 Ltd[22]. The veil will only be lifted in exceptional circumstances[23] so as to prevent individuals from being discouraged from investing in companies[24]. Overall, given that it Mr Frank and Mr Stamp appear to have made a genuine mistake in respect of the insurance, it is unlikely that they will be found personally liable. However, they will not be entitled to compensation for any loss suffered. Bibliography Text Books A Dignam and J Lowry. Company Law (Core Text Series). (Oxford: OUP Oxford, 2012). D French. S Mason. and C Ryan. Mason, French & Ryan on Company Law, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013). L Jones. Introduction to Business Law. (Oxford: OUP Oxford, 2013). L Talbot, L. Critical Company Law, (London: Routledge, 2007). P P S Gonga. A Text Book of Company Law., (London: Chand, 2002). Journal Articles S Ghaiwal, S. ‘Chandler v Cape plc: Is there a chink in the corporate veil?’ (2012) Health and Safety at Work Newsletter, vol 18, no 3, 487-499. V V Watcher. ‘The Corporate Veil’ (2007) New Law Journal, vol. 990, no. 7218, 22-27. Legislation Partnership Act 1890 Cases Adams v Cape Industries plc [1990] Ch 433 CIT v City Mills Distilleries (P) Ltd (1996) 2 SCC 375 Khan v Miah, Ahad and Miah [2001] All ER Macaura v Northern Assurance Co Ltd [1925] AC 619 Millam v Print Factory (London) 1991 Ltd [2007] EWCA Civ 322 M Young Legal Associates Ltd v Zahid [2006] EWCA Civ 613 Pirelli Cable Holding NV v IRC [2006] UKHL 4 Phonogram Ltd v Lane (1982) QB 938 Re Duomatic [1969] 2 Ch 365 Re English & Colonial Product Co (1906) 2 Ch 435 Salomon v Salomon [1987] AC 22 Sangster v Biddulph [2005] PNLR 33 Secretary of State for Trade and Industry v Goldberg [2004] 1 BCLC 557

Burundi Music Essay

Every individual is inherently unique from one another because of many factors. Their individual uniqueness could be in terms of their personality, beliefs, lifestyle and others. Nevertheless, despite these differences, individuals still feel a sense of belongingness because they find themselves part of a certain group that shares things that are common among them. The concept of culture plays an important role in establishing ties among individuals of a particular group, community, or even a nation. This is due to the fact that culture mirrors the way of life of the people. It symbolizes the heritage of a group of people, which could be seen through the art of music as well as the instruments that they use in order to produce their unique sounds. In relation to this, the country of Burundi also has their unique flair for music that describes the very culture that these people have. The country of Burundi or officially known as the Republic of Burundi is among the smallest and most densely populated territories in African continent. Burundi is a small landlocked country in Central Africa wherein it is surrounded by other countries including Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda. The country is also situated just south of the equator. Bujumbura is the capital of the country. This city has a population of about 600,000 that is located at the western Burundi’s Great Rift Valley on the shores of Lake Tanganyika (Africa Travelling, 2000). The population of the country is originally composed of the Twa Pygmies of the forests, which was later joined by the Hutu agriculturists. After the 14th century, the Tutsis who were characterized as war-like and reared long-horn cattle. As time passes by, the Tutsis were able to dominate the society of the country and have established feudal obligations between the farmers and cattle owners. The authority of the Tutsis created more conflict when Germany and Belgium gained possession of the territory and acquired leadership indirectly through the Tutsis. For the span of several centuries, the Tutsi Royalty held the seat of power in the country wherein they provided organized leadership as well as a rich dynastic culture. However, after the Second World War majority of the Hutus insisted that they should be given greater participation in the affairs of the country. Because of this, the royal family failed to show their ability to rule as they cannot properly handle the demands of the Hutus. The downfall of the royal family paved the way for the country to be under the central authority of the military and police (Travel Documents Systems, 2009). Most scholars who studied the Burundian culture found out that the royal court has a huge influence in the country’s culture. Their cultural heritage is centered on music and dance that gave reverence to the virtues of kingship. They also held numerous festivals wherein the drummers of Burundi had the most captivating presence. The dances and elaborate ceremonies are usually performed with royal drums. Drumming is regarded as a vital aspect of the Burundian culture. For more than forty years, the world renowned Royal Drummers of Burundi are recognized for their traditional drumming styles. They used native drums such as: â€Å"amashako†, â€Å"ibishikiso†, and â€Å"ikiranya†. The performances of this percussion ensemble are usually part of ceremonies like births, funerals, and the coronations of their Kings, which they called as â€Å"mwami† The â€Å"karyenda† drums that the band also uses, are sacred in Burundi. These drums symbolize the mwami and regeneration as well as fertility. The drums use by the Royal Drummers of Burundi came from hollowed tree trunks and covered by animal skin. There are also other drums that are used like the â€Å"Inkiranya† that serves as the central drum and the Amashako which is responsible in giving a continuous beat as well as the Ibishikiso that follows the rhythm of the Inkiranya (Maps of World, 2009). The performance of the Royal Drummers also stands for the music heritage of its people. The way in which they play these various drums has been the same for centuries because the techniques and traditions have been passed on from generation to generation. Members of the ensemble take turns in playing the drums and dancing throughout the performance. The drummers start the show by balancing the heavy drums on their heads, at the same time singing and playing. There are also some extra members that hold ornamental shields and spears. Their purpose is to lead the procession with their dance (Maps of World, 2009). The unique and long-standing musical heritage of Burundi is not only seen in drumming but also in their songs. Burundian gives utmost importance to the family, which is why during their gatherings they have the â€Å"imuyino† songs. Imuyino songs have a short refrain and a strong beat, which usually include improvised verses when sung. On the other hand, another type song, the â€Å"indirimbo† is more passive as compared with the imuyino. The indirimbo is sung by a single singer or a small group. Distinction in the gender roles in their society is also reflected in their music. Men sing the â€Å"kwishongora†, which is a rhythmic song that is characterized with shouts and trills. Women sing the â€Å"bilito†, which is a more sentimental music (Stanford, 2007). Their music shows men as more authoritative and responsible with decision-making while women are more emotional and has the duty of child rearing. Burundian music is also known for its â€Å"whispered singing. † This is sung at a low pitch in order for the accompaniment of the instruments to be heard more. The instruments used in singing are the â€Å"inanga†, a hollow wooden bowl with six to eight strings stretched over it; the â€Å"idono†, a one string fiddle; the â€Å"ikihusehama†, a clarinet-like woodwind; and the â€Å"ikimbe†, a linguaphone (Stanford, 2007). The cultural heritage of Burundi is indeed exceptional due to the fact that it is rooted in their history and it mirrors their values and way of life. Nevertheless, the arts and humanities of the country especially its music and dance have not been given due attention in order for it to flourish more. The current situation of the country that is often plagued with internal conflict among its various tribes, as well as some disagreements with its neighbor countries made life very difficult in Burundi. Arts and humanities have been taken for granted because of more pressing issues like the security and welfare of the Burundian citizens. References Africa Travelling. (2000). Bujumbura – Culture. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http://www. africatravelling. net/burundi/bujumbura/bujumbura_culture. htm. Maps of World. (2009). Royal Drummers of Burundi. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http://www. mapsofworld. com/burundi/culture/royal-drummers. html. Stanford, E. (2007). Culture of Burundi. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http://www. everyculture. com/Bo-Co/Burundi. html. Travel Document Systems. (2009). Burundi Africa: Culture. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http://www. traveldocs. com/bi/culture. htm.