Thursday, December 19, 2019

Essay about The Struggles Facing LD Students - 1306 Words

The Struggles Facing LD Students Students with learning disabilities are a part of the educational system and they always will be. These students have a single goal in mind, but their disability and social barriers keep them from it. On the other hand, educators have pledged to teach all students, but some fail to teach LD students. This represents an ethical, moral, and legal breakdown of their responsibilities. Educators need to be properly trained and aware of how to meet the needs of these students. The lack of such leads to failure. Students fail because they are afflicted by a disability that forces them to learn in unconventional ways. Teachers fail because they do not embrace the challenge brought about by the diversity of the†¦show more content†¦These processes are involved in understanding or using language (spoken or written) and affect the ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell or do math. Scientists at the National Institute of Health theorize that learning disabilities stem from subtle disturbances in the brains structures and functions. Learning disabilities do not include children who experience learning problems as a result of visual, hearing or motor handicaps. It also does not include children affected by mental retardation, or by environmental, cultural or economic disadvantages. Students with learning disabilities can learn, but they learn differently. It is up to the general education teachers to find a meaningful way of teaching these students. The teachers purpose is to teach all students; however, often it is not the case for students who have a learning disability. Educators fear how learning disabilities alter the learning modes of these students. This fear leads to a biased relationship between educator and student. This failed relationship leads to failure and frustration and encourages distrust. The educators, unable to make the student learn, see themselves as failures, and the students who have the learning disabilities become frustrated and discouraged. Educators grow to resent and dislike all students, who are different, especially if the difference is caused by a learning disability. A student with a learning disability is more like a personShow MoreRelatedPoverty In Pocatello, Idaho757 Words   |  4 Pageshave a sever poverty rate in eastern Idaho that will only continue to rise. A joined force was established in order to confront this problem in our community. As students who are studying Social Work, our duty is to advocate for people who are struggling and are needing assistance. Our group consist of five Idaho State University Students who are determined to address these issues, and to bring awareness to a respected organization that continues to service all eastern Idaho. Our project will mainlyRead MoreThe Telephone, Lewis Carroll2226 Words   |  9 Pagescommon? They were diagnosed with dyslexia. Growing, developing, and learning are the facts of life for all children. They are faced with understanding new concepts and challenges daily but imagine what it would be like facing new concepts and challenges life has to offer but facing them with a learning disability. Most people think of learning disabilities as something that only affects them upon entering school but, in reality, children with learning disabilities suffer from the moment they beginRead MoreAnalysis Of Ray Bradbury s All Summer1476 Words   |  6 Pagesresearch paper I began to think about what struggles I faced as an eighth grade teacher. I currently teach general education, an integrated co-teaching (ICT) class, and an ESL class in a widely culturally diverse school in Queens. In the last two years I also taught honors classes. I notice that the biggest challenge facing students from all my classes was reading comprehension. It was evident very early on in my teaching career that many struggling students w ho can technically read quite well don’tRead MoreAdhd And Comprehension Strategies For Students With Adhd5462 Words   |  22 Pagesprovide effective comprehension support for students labeled with ADHD. ADHD students struggle with comprehension and there is limited research on comprehension strategies for these student. This is a qualitative research study that proposes to find useful comprehension strategies for students with ADHD. The literature points to a need for further research in this area. The participants of the study are 1st to 4th grade teachers that teach students diagnosed with ADHD. The duration of the studyRead MoreSituational Analysis: 7th Grade Language Arts6569 Words   |  26 Pagesbuilding a cooperative learning environment that contributes to the confidence of students in sharing their ideas. This confidence is built around an understanding that the students have, that they are to respect each other and their ideas. There are multiple ethnicities represented in this classroom, therefore it is paramount that everybody respects each other and appreciates what others have to say. The students understand that in order for there to be an effective learning environment, they needRead MoreMadison Metropolitan School District18559 Words   |  75 Pagesprofessional development. Five Phases of Action Research Phase I - Problem Identification: * Why do you want to do it?   Is it an important and practical problem, something worth your time and effort, something that could be beneficial to you, your students and others? * Is the problem stated clearly and in the form of a question?   Is it broad enough to allow for a range of insights and findings?   Is it narrow enough to be manageable within your timeframe and your daily work? Phase II - PlanRead MoreAcca F5111177 Words   |  445 Pages11 A Co 12 Yam Co (6/09) n/a 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 n/a 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 12 59 62 64 65 67 69 72 73 76 78 79 81 Part B: Decision-making techniques 13 Preparation question: Linear programming 14 LD Co 15 Higgins Co (6/08, amended) 16 RB Co 17 New product 18 Ennerdale 19 John Robertson 20 Pixie Pharmaceuticals 21 Sniff Limited (12/07, amended) 22 Bits and Pieces (6/09) 23 BDU Co 24 Envico (PM, 12/05, amended) 25 Rotanola 26 SH (12/08, amended)Read MoreToys Project34340 Words   |  138 PagesTatjana MEDIC UNIVERZA V LJUBLJANI EKONOMSKA FAKULTETA PODIPLOMSKI STUDIJ SPECIALISATION THESIS International Business Strategy Of Toysâ€Å"R†Us For The Norwegian Market Ljubljana, May 2002 Tatjana MEDIC Conformation Tatjana Medic, a student of the University of Economics in Ljubljana, hereby confirms to be the author of this specialisation thesis written under the guidence of Professor Tone Hrastelj. Pursuant to 1st paragraph of the 21st article of the Law of the author and legal rightsRead MoreManaging Information Technology (7th Edition)239873 Words   |  960 PagesIII-5 NIBCO’s â€Å"Big Bang†: An SAP Implementation CASE STUDY III-6 BAT Taiwan: Implementing SAP for a Strategic Transition CASE STUDY III-7 A Troubled Project at Modern Materials, Inc. CASE STUDY III-8 Purchasing and Implementing a Student Management System at Jefferson County School System CASE STUDY IV-1 The Clarion School for Boys, Inc.– Milwaukee Division: Making Information Systems Investments CASE STUDY IV-2 FastTrack IT Integration for the Sallie Mae Merger CASERead MoreThe Marketing Research of Brainquiry33782 Words   |  136 PagesIn the patient market there is also no way to tell the prevalence but it could be seen as a very possible target in New York and even the US. The target group of most interest is more than likely the sports or golf market because of the ongoing struggle between golfers to get better than their competition. All three are very good possibilities for Brainquiry to enter into for sales and expansion. There is sufficient information to back up this assumption through out the entire report for New York

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Quality Maintenance in Healthcare

Question: Discuss about the Quality Maintenance in Healthcare. Answer: Introduction The ministry of Health Department in New Zealand has focused their concern in the development of the quality of healthcare services that are provided to the different citizens of the nation. This initiative had been proposed after the health department had thoroughly analysed the needs of various patients who come to seek service at the healthcare sectors. The concerned ministry have placed importance on each and every stakeholder in the healthcare sectors including who works in the healthcare system, the persons who come to seek service form them and the system itself to commit their dedication to the development and improvement of quality in the services provided and received in the sectors (Gilmour et al., 2016). The Ministry of healthcare dependent had set up a vision for the welfare of the citizens that include enhancement of the quality of the New Zealand healthcare sectors and the disability sectors. The ministry believes that it can be achieved by people cantered care and high quality and safe practices which should not only improve at a continuous rate but should be also culturally competent. They advise every stakeholder of the healthcare sectors to involve patients in the services they provide and at the same time be receptive and responsive to the demands of the patients needs and values (Healy, 2016). This will take into inclusion both individuals and groups of population as a whole. They have mainly adopted a system approach because provision of healthcare service is complex and involves decision making skills and action occurring attributes within peoples, individuals, teams, organisations and also subsystems. This approach was found to be helpful in benefitting the patients which involved individual patients and their families as whole (Clifford et al., 2015). It becomes extremely important to understand the proper meaning of the term quality before ensuring it in the healthcare services. Quality in this aspect can be defined as the degree which when successfully achieved in the service can ensure better survivability rate of patients, increasing likelihood of leading better lives, attaining desired health outcomes, encouraging patients with disability to become independent and participate in their treatments and feel themselves included in the treatment with proper education and current professional knowledge. This quality can be achieved only when proper interactions with fruitful results are possible within people, individuals, organisations, teams and systems (Gorman et al., 2015). The main aspects on which the Ministry had paid importance in these contexts are maintenance of people centred approach that ensures maintenance of dignity and morals of the stakeholders involved. It also pays significance to the fact that every of the individuals should have equal access to healthcare services irrespective of their caste, creed, religion and ethnicity. Developments should also be taken so that equity can be maintained in healthcare services irrespective of their socio economic backgrounds to which the individuals or the groups belong to. Maintenance of safety in every of the practices along with paying importance to the evaluation of the effectiveness of the services should be ensured for quality development. These would ultimately help in the achievement of efficiency in the different skills and knowledge of the concerned staffs so that the best quality service can be provided. All the important aspects were proposed by the Ministry to be dependent on the most valu able foundations of three important principles governing partnership, participation and protection maintained as the Treaty of Waitangi (Gauld Horsburg, 2014). Quality assurance activities mainly focused not only on maintenance of quality but also on quality improvements. This activities followed approaches which included the clear explanation of concern of quality which should be vested in teams. It also included proper monitoring and evaluation of the quality that is being exhibited through services. This would in turn help in further modifications if needed. Paying significance to the improvement of services to achieve desired outcomes should be the motto of each individual and also as a team (Dyall et al., 2014). Moreover they should also take initiatives which would help them to develop systems and invest in people with an aim of achieving outcomes in health which are of high quality. The goals of the system approach involved maintenance of special relationship with the Maori providing values to the principle of the treaty of Waitangi and exhibiting high quality leadership traits for maintaining service quality improvements taking Maori aspirations and priorities in mind. People were expected to take part in planning, delivery and assessment in healthcare services involving participation of Maori, spreading awareness, evolutionary redesigning of systems, building trustworthy relationships with all participants and many others. Motivational environment should be encouraged containing cultural competency tools; using knowledge including Maori satisfaction was proposed to support quality conscious culture ("Improvement Quality System Approach", 2017). A number of standards were also initiated nationwide for quality assurance programmes like the Health and Disability Commissioner (Code of the Health and Disability Services Consumers Rights) Regulations 1996, National Screening Standards and the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Bill and others. Funding came from the DHBs which are responsible for services with advisory committee including the Mortality Review Committees and National Health Epidemiology and Quality Assurance Advisory Committee. Since the time of 1983, the New Zealand health sectors have gone through a number of four structural transformations. In course of time, with each change, new organisations have come forward to help in funding. The first one was the 1983-1993 Area Health Boards (AHBs) which was followed by 1993-1997 Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) as well as Crown Health Enterprises (CHEs). Moreover there were instances when 1998-2001 Health Funding Authority (HFA)was also witnessed. Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) also helped. 2001 District Health Boards (DHBs) had been seen as well ("New Zealand Health System Reforms", 2017). All of them have helped in achieving health outcomes and also helped in increase of efficiency and accountability. They also helped in reduction of health expenditure. If one looks over the activities of 200, the main body of work was the District Health Boards called the DHB. This age mainly saw the 21 DHBS that was established along with the centralisation of health f unding with MOH. Emphasis was based on preventive health services. PHOs were established in 2002 and were funded by DHBs. In October 2007, low care practices were introduced that were backed up with governmental subsidies with free service for children under six. Presently there are 82 PHOs having 4 million enrolees. The practices done by GP vary between PHOs and their own practices and are monitored by DHBs and as well as independent Fee Review Committee ("New Zealand Health System Reforms", 2017). Fees of GPs are published under the guidance of DHBs and also on PHO websites. Recently not for profit organisations have also come to scenarios along with community organisations, third party organisations looking after the Maoris. Fig: Different important bodies involved in proper monitoring and evaluation of healthcare services in New Zealand. Source: ("New Zealand Health System Reforms", 2017) From the entire essay, it can easily be concluded that the system approach undertaken by the Ministry of Health in New Zealand in developing the quality of service in healthcare is thoroughly researched. It contains of many attributes which are not only evidence based but also ensures that they cover every prospect of healthcare systems required to ensure safe practice. They have included the principles of the treaty of Waitangi in each of the goals that they have set so that the entire nation can get the benefit and no one feels left out. They have incorporated important bodies into the plans which not only helped in funding but also helped in evaluations and monitoring mechanisms. Hence this initiative by the government is praiseworthy and if followed whole heartedly by every stakeholder, it can ensure better future for New Zealand healthcare systems. References: Clifford, A., McCalman, J., Bainbridge, R., Tsey, K. (2015). Interventions to improve cultural competency in health care for Indigenous peoples of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA: a systematic review.International Journal for Quality in Health Care,27(2), 89-98. Dyall, L., Kepa, M., Teh, R., Mules, R., Moyes, S., Wham, C., ... Loughlin, H. (2014). Cultural and social factors and quality of life of Maori in advanced age. Te puawaitanga o nga tapuwae kia ora tonu-Life and living in advanced age: a cohort study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ). Gauld, R., Horsburgh, S. (2014). Measuring progress with clinical governance development in New Zealand: perceptions of senior doctors in 2010 and 2012.BMC health services research,14(1), 547. Gilmour, J., Strong, A., Chan, H., Hanna, S., Huntington, A. (2016). Primary health?care nurses and Internet health information?seeking: Access, barriers and quality checks.International journal of nursing practice,22(1), 53-60. Gorman, D. (2015). Developing health care workforces for uncertain futures.Academic Medicine,90(4), 400-403. Healy, J. (2016).Improving health care safety and quality: reluctant regulators. Routledge. Improvement Quality System Approach. (2017).www.health.govt.nz. Retrieved 6 April 2017, from https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/publications/improvingqualitysystemsapproach.pdf New Zealand Health System Reforms. (2017).www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 6 April 2017, from https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/research-papers/document/00PLSocRP09031/new-zealand-health-system-reforms

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

The Technology of Email Essay Example

The Technology of Email Essay In today’s world, people of all ages are confronted with an increase in technology. The Internet is continually improving, and we use it every day with a whole range of devices, such as mobile phones, computers, and tablets. Even though technology has its disadvantages, it shows a quantity of positive characteristics. One of them is the communication system that has become much easier and quicker than it has ever been before. E-mails are probably the tool that is the most used. However, we can ask ourselves about questions like â€Å"How do I write an e-mail?† â€Å"What level of language can I use?† or â€Å"For what purposes is it suggested to write emails?† The answer to this question is easy as pie: E-mails can be written for any situation, at any time, using the language register you consider appropriate. A simple way to advertise an event or invite someone to a party is to send an e-mail to all your friends, contacts and customers. You will be able to include pictures and sounds, in other words, methods that will make your message diverting. It’s a way to advertise that is much more attractive and quicker than sending flyers and brochures which will probably end up in the receiver’s bin. I remember having invited all my family to a Christmas party, in which I mixed pictures of Christmas trees and a Christmas melody. The people that I invited loved this way of inviting people and even told me that they already felt like being at the party as they were reading my e-mail. We will write a custom essay sample on The Technology of Email specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Technology of Email specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Technology of Email specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer E-mails can also be used in the for job applications. It’s true that to apply for a job; you had better send a formal letter. However, when you want to get information about a particular workplace, sending e-mail is an effective way. Of course, the level of language must be as high as possible, and the overall form must be presentable. For instance, I had an experience in a workplace in which we had access to an e-mail inbox so that we could notify our coll

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Oedipus/Antigone Response free essay sample

What factors contributed to Antigone’s downfall, and does the end of the play satisfy the audience’s demands for justice? There are different factors that contribute to the downfall of Antigone. Firstly, the fact that two of her brothers have been fighting to death for the throne has had a negative impact on her life. She has lost both of her brothers at the same time. Secondly, Antigone believed that her decision was following divine justice. For example, she once said to Creon â€Å"Your order was outrageous. And lastly, she has been arrested and put into a cave for following her sense of justice has led to the downfall of Antigone. Despite the fact that Creon has taken back his words and fix what he did, everyone has died and hence, the audience’s demand for justice is not satisfied. 2. Referring to at least three tragic elements, determine whether Creon or Antigone is the more tragic hero(ine). We will write a custom essay sample on Oedipus/Antigone Response or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page According to â€Å"Once upon a Greek stage†, we can determine that Creon is definitely the more tragic hero than Antigone via some elements: hamartia, hubris and catharsis. First, hamartia is basically when Creon suffered greatly because of his actions. That caused the lost of his family and the support of his country. Next, the tragedy concept of hubris is largely demonstrated through Creon. For instance, as the king of Thebes, the people all looked to him for the answer. This made him believed that he was always right and everything had to go in the way he wanted to: â€Å"I am King of Thebes, Antigone. I have a duty as a monarch. Moreover, he also believed that his decision was right in the punishing of Antigone, despite that fact that she was engaged to Haemon, Creon’s son. â€Å"A broken law is a broken law, and lawbreakers must be punished. Antigone will be no exception. † In this case, his sense of pride was the tragic flaw that led him to his downfall. At the end, Creon finally realized that his pride has brought everything down, and also was the cause of his family’s death. Comparing to Antigone, in the end of the story, s he still did not realize her faults and thought everything she did was following divine justice. About Creon, he was able to realize his mistakes at least, and this showed the tragedy of catharsis. The moment when he lost his wife and his son, it responded the sense of pity. Not only that, the sense of divine justice performed when he announced burying Polynices. Eventually, the conflict of the play developed him to be the more tragic hero than Antigone. 3. What universal truth is discussed within the play â€Å"Once upon a Greek stage†, and what implications result from this message? The play â€Å"once upon a Greek stage† contains a couple of universal truths. The fight between two blood brothers for the throne points out that family may not always support each other. Furthermore, Creon, uncle of Antigone, has acted cruelly to Antigone and Polynices; once again justify the truth above. Both Polynices and Eteocles have done wrong but only Eteocles was buried. It points out the universal truth that life is not always fair. It implies that sometimes, you might not get what you deserved, and that luck plays a vital role in life. In conclusion, â€Å"Drama is a fine way of teaching a universal truth. † Aristotle.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Defining Permafrost

Defining Permafrost Permafrost is any soil or rock that remains frozen (below 32 F) throughout the year. For a soil to be considered permafrost, it must be frozen for at least two consecutive years or longer. Permafrost can be found in cold climates where the mean annual temperature is less than the freezing point of water. Such climates are found near the North and South poles and in some alpine regions. Soils in Warmer Temperatures Some soils in areas that experience warmer temperatures thaw for a short time during warmer months. The thawing is restricted to the top layer of soil and a permafrost layer remains frozen several inches below the surface. In such areas, the top layer of soil (known as the active layer) warms up enough to enable plants to grow during the summer. The permafrost that lies below the active layer traps water close to the soils surface, making it quite soggy. The permafrost ensures a cool soil temperature, slow plant growth, and slow decomposition. Permafrost Habitats Several soil formations are associated with permafrost habitats. These include polygons, pintos, solifluction, and thermokarst slumping. Polygon soil formations are tundra soils that form geometric shapes (or polygons) and are most noticeable from the air. The polygons form as the soil contracts, cracks, and collects water trapped by the permafrost layer. Pingo Soil Pingo soil formations form when the permafrost layer traps a large amount of water in the soil. When the water freezes, it expands and pushes the saturated earth upward into a large mound or pingo. Solifluction Solifluction is a soil formation process that occurs when thawed soils slide down a slope over the permafrost layer. When this happens, the soils form rippled, wave patterns. When Thermokarst Slumping Occurs Thermokarst slumping occurs in areas that have been cleared of vegetation, usually due to human disturbance and land use. Such disturbance leads to the melting of the permafrost layer and as a result the ground collapses or slumps.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

The Ideology Of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria Research Paper

The Ideology Of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria - Research Paper Example They employ the vicious Hudud punishments in enforcing sharia laws in the areas they control in Iraq and Syria. The Jihadist group is also known as the â€Å"Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant† (ISIL) and controls an unrecognized state and caliphate in the Middle East. ISIS originated from the almost fallen Al-Qaeda. The Al-Qaeda who embarked on the arbitrary and brutal treatment of civilians tried to ignite a sectarian war to the majority Shia community in 2006 under Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The ignition was almost a success after they bombed a Shia shrine, Al-Askariya Mosque, in Samarra sparking retaliatory attacks. Their leader was however killed and the group was nearly destroyed (Charles River Editors, 2014, 10). When the US forces left Iraq, a ‘third generation’ of Al Qaeda emerged. Rebranding their name to Islamic State in Iraq, 2006 saw the birth of this new generation of Al Qaeda. They would later add and Syria to the name to complete the name ISIS. The Shia-dominated government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, they claimed, starved resources and excluded the Sunnis from a share of power. The new leader, Abu Omar al Baghdadi re-established the group’s influence through ideologies when Sunni senior political leaders were being arrested and people from the Sunni dissent suffered heavy-handed suppression (Charles River Editors, 2014, 16). In 2010, Abu Omar al-Baghdadi was killed in a joint US-Iraq operation paving way for the Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi governance. In 2013, ISI absorbed the Al-Nusra Front which was an Al Qaeda backed militant group in Syria. Al-Baghdadi named the group ISIS. Al-Nusra Front’s leader and Al Qaeda however later renounced the ties after months of infighting. The group then started taking control of cities starting with Mosul and Tikrit freeing prisoners and radicalizing young people. The group is both politically charged and still rules through Islam fanaticism.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Management report for sevice improvement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Management report for sevice improvement - Essay Example The project involving nurses at the district and ward levels will involve filling of the checklist before referrals are made to district nurses. A pilot study will be done to establish the effectiveness of the proposed criteria before necessary changes are made to improve the criteria and associated processes. Evaluation of the project will be based on the number and type of referrals to district nurses after the implementation of the criteria in comparison to data obtained before the institution of the project. Introduction Several changes have been witnessed in nursing practice at the district level over the last couple of decades. Some of the changes that are evident include the introduction of new technologies to help in nursing, the rise in morbidity rates, and the increase in mortality rates. Yet another major change in the same respect is the attendance to more complicated cases in the community. With this being the case, it is beyond doubt that the nursing fraternity in the d istrict has become overloaded which has effectively increased the stress levels experienced by the nurses. In order to solve this problem it is proposed that a District Nurse Checklist be created and instituted for use in deciding whether or not a patient should be referred to a district nurse for care. The proposal will rely on a SWOT analysis of the proposal considering its effectives in predicting the internal and external forces that may affect the success of the project. During implementation, the PDSA cycle will be applied considering its effectiveness, limited resource requirements and limited risk association. Analysis of Change Needed According to the Royal College of Nursing (2003), a major problem facing district nurses is the huge number of referrals that they have to handle. More specifically, the problem is seen when such referrals are uncalled for. Clover (2010) notes that for every single inappropriate referral to a district nurse, close to five hours of precious tim e is lost. A study conducted in the past revealed that several patients were discharged from hospital with community nurses taking little or notice of the events (Clover 2010). The study further revealed that several cases of referrals were inappropriate and therefore had to be re-routed or altogether declined. It must be taken into account that there are several alternatives that can effectively be applied to ensure proper home are to patients who have been discharged. Some of these alternatives according to Vafeas (2000) include practice nursing, visiting clinics and making outpatient hospital visits. A report by the Audit Commission (1999) reveals that of all referrals to district nurses, 11% are unwarranted. Practical experience during clinical practice as a member of district nursing teams has shown that inappropriate referrals are associated with a lot of time and resource wastages. What this means is that without a proper referral criteria that assists clients and other healt h practitioners in deciding when and when not to effect a referral, the situation is bound to get worse. In effect, when a referral criteria is developed, various parties will better understand their responsibilities and roles, the district nursing service will enjoy greater credibility, and health practitioners will be encourage to work in unity. Health practitioners, patients and clients among other parties should appreciate the reason for the establishment of the

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Credit card Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 15000 words

Credit card - Essay Example The various types of credit card fraud and the manner by which they are carried out are related, including the surrounding circumstances that enable or disable the commission of the crime. The various methods and techniques by which credit crime fraud is countermanded or mitigated are also presented, pursuant to the theory of situational crime prevention from the viewpoint of the individual, business firms, and the crime enforcement authorities. Other than the common typologies presented, seven case studies in particular are detailed with the intention of highlighting the special circumstances that set the case situations apart from the common types of card fraud. The unique situations may or may not easily lend themselves to situational crime prevention – the latter pertaining to terrorist activities in particular – but all of which crime enforcers are mandated to address and seek a solution to. The proposed research will examine one of a number of growing crimes that is perpetrated over the Internet via the World Wide Web (WWW). Specifically, it will look at credit card fraud. Although credit card fraud is not new, some form of fraud involving credit cards has existed for decades; the growth of commercial transactions over the WWW has made these crimes a major consideration for law enforcement agencies. This is because criminals are using new ways to steal technologies, merchandise from retail outlets, and cash from automated teller machines (ATMs). Credit Card Fraud is aspecies of payment card fraud, defined thus: "Payment card fraud is a generic term used to describe a range of offences involving theft and fraudulent use of payment card account data. Frequent types of payment card fraud include: lost or stolen card, account takeover, counterfeit card, application fraud and card not present." (Interpol, 2009) Incidents of payment card fraud became increasingly widespread following the technology boom in the

Friday, November 15, 2019

Climate Change And The Disaster Environmental Sciences Essay

Climate Change And The Disaster Environmental Sciences Essay Climate change and the disaster of the environment have driven the planet in a crucial state. Although it is irreversible, countries all over the world have entered a route of mitigating this disaster. In this essay we are going to talk about how Hamburg, one of the largest cities in Europe and one of the largest and busiest ports worldwide, have managed to solve in a big percentage, regardless of its big population, issues, among others, like reduction of CO2 emissions and management of waste disposal and recirculation. We are also going to see one environmental issue that hasnt been solved yet and we are going to explore the various impacts of this as well as what Hamburg is planning to do about it in the future.2 The city of Hamburg and the importance of its port The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg is a city state and the second largest city in Germany with 1,7 million of inhabitants. It is a cultural and a commercial center for Northern Germany, its metropolitan region consisting of approximately 4 million people. Hamburg municipal area is equal to 755,3 km2 and embraces 14 districts around the City of Hamburg.(HPA,2011) It is the third biggest industrial area In Germany after Ruhr and Berlin, with business related to aircraft and ship building industry, automotive industry and mineral oil processing. However the highest importance is the industry that is related to the harbor and all its activities. The port of Hamburg is the largest port in Germany, the third largest port in Europe and one of the ten largest ports worldwide. Only the port by itself employs around 75,000 people and more than 133,000 jobs are directly or indirectly related to the port due to its high importance as it is one of the most important trading centers in Northern Europe. As for this reason Hamburg sustainability has become very topical as environmental protection has turned into a major factor for business decisions. 3 Environmental issues solved 3.1 Reduction of CO2 emissions Hamburg has gone too far investigating and researching new methods of contributing in the mitigation of climate change. One major issue that has been solved at a considerable percentage is the reduction of CO2 emissions. The efforts are great considering the scale of energy demand, the citys population and the ports traffic. The government itself has gone into an ECO-partnership with the commercial sector, encouraging companies to go beyond statutory requirements regarding CO2 emissions. As for the port, Hamburg has established the Automated container taxis which in fact eliminates the transportation of containers via trucks and instead containers are transported from one terminal to the other, through long distance railway. (New European Economy, 2012) In the city, again Hamburg gives the example, having many cleaner means of transportation for short and long ranges. Not only the worlds biggest fleet of hydrogen-fuelled buses, but also an exclusive bicycle network exists in the city, with additional bike lanes and cycle-hire schemes. (European Union, 2011) Last but not least Hamburg has in many places around the city heating plants which provide district heating. This system produces and provides heating to some districts using, as basic energy consumption renewable energy such as solar energy, wind energy and biomass, combined with fossil fuels. All these have a huge impact on the environment and people because it has a considerable reduction in CO2 emissions, great noise reduction, less need for fossil fuel consumption, so that means, a healthier and greener way of life. 3.2 Waste water management Sustainable waste water management has been a top priority is Hamburg for more than a decade. Mainly the Public Sewage Company HSE but also other organizations have invested a considerable amount of money so that Hamburg will reach a satisfactory percentage of prevention of waste water to go to lakes and waterways. The key issues that were achieved were the storage of waste water in tanks, the treatment of waste water, which actually is the dehydration of the waste water, the separation of ammonia in the waste water (de nitrification) and the energy production from the separated sludge. Especially in the energy production from the sludge, HSE has done a great job, equipping all the treatment plants with a new chain process which exploits energy resulting from the treated sludge. So as a result of this sewage gases are transformed to electric energy, further decreasing CO2 emissions that stated before. (European Union, 2011) C:UsersPanosDocumentsenviromental engineering Sources2012_04_26_Abb Konzept mit Garrest_eng_skaliert.jpg Also there is a concept to come into force from the HWC company in the near future that will be a great innovation. According to that concept every residence will be able to manage, treat, and recycle the waste water disposal and also convert it to energy. All of the above have as a result the creation of a better environment for the flora and fauna in the lakes and waterways, the recycling of the evaporated water which comes in terms of rain and the increase in the oxygen expulsion. 4 Issue that has not been yet solved Since there isnt any city, state or country in the world that has solved all the environmental problems, same goes for Hamburg that has one critical environmental problem that troubles scientists and researchers for long time now and that goes with river Elbe. Due to Hamburgs location and topography there is a need for dredging of accumulating sediments. Since 1990s, it was decided that the deepening of river Elbe was a critical matter since it was found that the sediments were highly contaminated and they needed to be treated before they could go into disposal. 4.1 River Elbe River Elbe is the third largest river in Central Europe after Danube and Rhine and in terms of length it covers a distance of 1091 km (727 km in Germany, 364 km in Czech Republic). Its catchment area goes through Prague, Dresden, Berlin and Hamburg. Especially around the city of Hamburg, where the port of Hamburg is allocated, river Elbe is influenced by the tide. 4.2 Environmental problems on River Elbe As we mentioned before river Elbe is influenced by the tide. This has as a result to have several sediments staying at the bottom of the river, and following that, the level of the seabed of the river is rising through time. In order to sustain the trade of the harbor by having free passage to ships, as well as keeping the harbor fully operational, the depth of river Elbe and thus the depth of navigation needed to be assured. Constant dredging was the answer to the problem to achieve that depth. At the beginning of the idea, the sediments that were dredged from river Elbe were used again for agriculture. However it was found that the dredged sentiments were contaminated with heavy metals (As, Cd, Hg, Zn) and organic contaminants (PCB, Dioxins, PAHs) which had great negative impacts to the environment (Heise, 2005). This pollution was a result of upstream industrial activities in the former GDR (German Democratic Republic) and Czech Republic such as pharmaceutical, chemicals from mini ng, pulp and paper, and leather-processing industries (Netzband et al., 2002). Until 2000 there were some measures that were taken in order to reduce this contamination, such as the treatment of the dredged sediments. This system was aparted from two sections. The first section was the pre-treatment which was the separation of the sediments into sand and contaminated silt fraction, and the main treatment was the dewatering process followed by the environmentally safe disposal of the silt. Both treatments were carried out by one large scale plant named METHA (Netzband, 2002). Since 2000 the sediments have been increasing 3 to 4 million m3 per year (HPA, 2005b). This is of great importance to Hamburg and its environment because from one point the sediments have to be dredged more quickly, due to the current needs of the harbor area and from another point the capacity of METHA has already been exceeded. As it is understandable the continuously dredging of river Elbe destroys its morphological environment, and from at the part of the pollutants we already have a decrease in oxygen, combined with the existence of contaminants we have a progressive destruction of the environment. Especially the summer time the oxygen depletion of river Elbe is great which results in a large number of fish kills. 4.3 Possible solutions Although the dredging of river Elbe is an issue that troubles researchers for over two decades, the impacts are not irreversible. Since the reason for deepening river Elbe is solely financial, it is suggested by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, that a second port should be opened as a deep water port, located at Wilhelmshaven and acting as a hub (HA, 2004a). This is one of the best ideas if it will be financially supported, so that the need of 24 hour navigation on river Elbe, regardless of the tide, will be eliminated as well as the need for dredging. Apart from that, the European WFD (Water Framework Directive) implements new quality standards for chemicals used in agriculture.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Nature is as Man Decrees :: Writing Technology Invention Essays

Nature is as Man Decrees I found this assignment far more difficult than I thought it would be at first glance. While thinking about it on the way home from class, I discarded one idea after another because technology had touched nearly everything I would think of. As Dennis Baron, author of From Pencils to Pixels wrote, once we are used to certain technologies â€Å"we come to think of them as natural rather than techEven thinking about going to a national park, the truth is that just by setting it aside as a "natural" state...makes it in essence, not natural because were it not for the decrees of humanity, it would be over run with fast food stores and gas stations. In fact, sadly, writing is in one sense both creative and destructive to nature. A tree is destroyed for the very paper we write on. The question arose, is there really any such thing as natural in the 21st Century or is that a word that no longer applies in its truest sense. That, of course, led to thoughts on just what is "natural." My insti nctive definition of natural is that it is not influenced or hampered or changed by humanity. So in some regards I think my initial conclusion is correct, that at least here in the Midwestern area of United States, finding something in nature that was not influenced in some way by technology or human interference might prove impossible. So the words that would end up being my project ran round and round in my head on the long ride home, â€Å"Nature is as man decrees, hedged by his technologies.† Later on while still pondering exactly what to do in order to "create" a writing technology, I ended up, most often coming back to..."Well, if I was a Native American in this area and I wished to write something...what would I use?" We tend to have the idea that the people native to the area didn't use technology and thus could offer suggestions on what is natural. Still, that brings to the forefront, what is technology, because in reality the natives did use technology, if a pencil is considered technology, as Dennis Baron in "From Pencils to Pixels" asserts it is. He defines technology as â€Å"a way of engineering materials in order to accomplish an end† (37). So in this regard, sewing, tomahawks, and all the other tools we think of as Native American are technologies even if we don't see them on the same level as a computer.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

How Is Degradation Effecting South East Asia Environmental Sciences Essay

IntroductionBing a tropical part, bulk of Southeast Asia ‘s member states are rich in biodiversity. Southeast Asia in general is one of the countries in the Earth that holds most of the resources. However, the rich biodiversity of the country did non vouch economic stableness ( although the part experienced economic growing in the recent decennaries ) . Apparently, it is an country which is comprised chiefly by developing states and states with flourishing population. Further, the rate of population growing in the part is comparatively high, and it ranked among the fastest turning topographic point in the universe. Hand in manus with this, is the rapid urbanisation that is taking topographic point in assorted states of the Southeast Asia. Presently the population of Southeast Asia makes the 8.7 per cent of the entire universe population, nevertheless its land district merely comprised of about 3 per cent of the whole land country of the universe. These two variables are distributed at different proportions among the states comprises Southeast Asia, and Indonesia embraces the largest part land district in the part at the same clip it is considered the biggest archipelago in universe. Therefore, it has the largest figure of human species in Southeast Asia, and fundamentally ranked 5th among the states of the universe with the highest figure of population. Furthermore, because of its archipelagic characteristic, Indonesia is bestowed with singular biodiversity both in land and marine countries[ 1 ]. The natural resources have been an of import participant to the economic development of Indonesia. However, the arresting biological wealth of state is invariably confronting sedate menace. Being situated at the Pacific Ring of Fire, it faces assorted black activities related to the motion of the Earth which threaten the being of some species in the country, but aside from this natural menace, a more terrible signifier of menace that is continuously being experienced by the country comes from human activities which led to a great magnitude of devastation natural resources in Indonesia. Too frequently, development plans of the states are made with small respects to the environment and its possible impacts and changes to the ecosystem ( Partha ; 2002 ) .. The mere ballooning of the human population is another challenge to both the economic system and the environment. With the rapid population growing of the state and altering regulations in the resource instabilities occur. And there is no better illustration of the instability that occurs between the economic system and the environment than clime alteration.[ 2 ]This merchandise of environmental debasement due to human activities desire for development resulted to extreme inundations, drouths and typhoons, which straight or indirectly affects the state ‘s economic system ( Tasaka ; 1992 ) and its people. At this point we are all cognizant that Indonesia is the top state in Southeast Asia when it comes to natural resources and biodiversity ; nevertheless it is besides the state that has the highest rate of environmental loss. In this respect this paper will show the initial reply to the undermentioned inquiries: What are the effects of environmental debasement particularly climate alteration in Indonesia? What are top beginnings of environmental debasement in the said country, and to what extent does it impact the socio-economic state of affairs of the people and the state in general? What is the current position of the environmental debasement and clime alteration in Indonesia, and how does the job of environmental impairment being addressed by the province?Different Faces of Environmental DegradationThe high quality in resources of the state, like what is mentioned above, is based on its rich environmental diverseness. However, this profusion is easy stealing off due to the environmental debasement. Therefore, twelvemonth by twelvemonth the gait of environmental debasement becomes faster than the old old ages. Long-run development of assorted resources put excessively much toll on the environment. The end for development normally clashes with the environmental rule, and this is non a state of affairs endemic in Indonesia, about all underdeveloped states is confronting the same quandary. Export Pollution During the earlier decennaries, among the several identified causes of the weakening of natural resources or environment in general is â€Å" Pollution Export † . This pollution export was introduced to the part by Nipponese industries. Two decennaries after the World War II, Nipponese industrialisation took off. This advancement nevertheless is anchored at the Swift development of heavy and chemical industry and most of their physical constructions were built in intensely populated locations. The locations of these construction triggered bitterness from the locals. Huge protest started to put in gesture in order to eliminate the constructions which protestors and civil societies claimed to hold a destructive consequence non merely to the environment but to the nearby population ( Hall, 2002 ) . In the coming of 1970 ‘s, people ‘s consciousness and concerns were heightened. Many of the local groups pressured the authorities to turn to the issue on local pollution being produced by chemical industries by taking into consideration resettlement countries of the mills both domestic and international sites. As a response of the province, industries were transferred to prefectures and some where even moved to other provinces, and Southeast Asiatic states were the 1s seen as promising locale for resettlement ( Lucas ; 1992 ) . The transportation of industries to the developing states had been easy because leaders of these states took the state of affairs as an chance for development without taking into consideration the effects to the environment. Due to this, the fact that these industries were evicted from their original locations because of the anthropogenetic pollution that it created and its negative impact to the environment were overlooked, if non deliberately neglected. With the transportation of these industries, pollution was besides transferred to the new site. One of the industries relocated in Southeast Asia, peculiarly in Malaysia and Indonesia is the International Tree Plantation ( ITP ) . This is a big graduated table plantation is consist of one assortment of works that is in demand for export. ITP vary from oil thenar plantation, pulpwood plantation, timber plantation and others. In the countries of Malaysia and Indonesia, it is either Pulpwood or Palm oil plantation that is present. Although, ITP sometimes is perceived as non destructive as compared to other signifiers of resettled industries, it still has a negative consequence on the environment. All these plantations are monoculture that tries to replace natural ecosystems which can take to negative effects on the environment and the society. Take for case the eucalyptus plantation in Indonesia, wherein it causes the lessening in H2O production and the supplanting of autochthonal people shacking in the country that was cleared for plantation. These industries are merely taking to bring forth and sell ( Lohmann ; 1999 ) . Transboundary Haze Pollution Another major subscriber to the environmental debasement in the part is transboundary pollution and it is known as haze pollution.[ 3 ]This pollution crosses lodgers of different districts. There are two common types of haze pollution, foremost is the pollution that can make topographic points through organic structures of H2O, and the 2nd type are those pollution that is being carried to different topographic points through air ( Hanim, 2002 ) . Among the types of transboundary pollution, it is air pollution that affects most of Southeast Asia. Although, marine pollution is besides a job in the country, when it comes to the consequence and how the part is being affected, it is air pollution brought more incommodiousness. Since transboundary pollution is a traveling pollution, it has the inclination of transporting the pollution off from the emitters and conveying it to the non-emitters doing the one responsible for the pollution acquire off with the effects while those who are guiltless of the dead suffer the majority of its terminal consequences. This scenario has been a perennial experience among Southeasterly Asiatic states, although here both the emitters and non-emitters suffer the consequence of the actions of the anterior entity. Transboundary haze pollution that has been experienced in this part is normally caused by forest fires in Indonesia.[ 4 ]The forest fire is normally the result of glade of the plantation countries that got out of manus and go a full blown forest fire. Although, there has been a policy that summon plantation industries non to utilize combustion in uncluttering the field, still there are still a batch of them that stick to this method because it ‘s more convenient and fast. Furthermore, with the altering clime and increasing temperature in the current clip, happenings of forest fire will be more frequent particularly if the plantation industries will go on to utilize firing a method of uncluttering the field. In connexion to this, governments identified country of Kalimantan and Sumatra as most vulnerable to forest fire because of two grounds. First, because the countries are to a great extent forested hence fire could easy eat the full wood and go forthing an undreamed sum of am endss, and 2nd, is because bulk its constituents are extremely combustible. Prior to the recent 2006 forest fire that occurred in Indonesia, it had a series of destructive forest fires in the yesteryear that made major belittling effects non merely to the people but most particularly to the economic system of the states affected. During the El Nino phenomenon on 1997-1998, the recorded worst forest fire broke off in the land of Indonesia. Total estimated damaged reached US $ 9 billion in all sectors that were affected in the state, nevertheless non included in this figure are the sum of damaged it caused to its adjacent states, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. In 2002, another forest fire occurred in Indonesia, nevertheless as compared to the earlier forest fire in 1998, this one is less aggressive and caused lesser damaged. The most recent wood fire, like what is mentioned above, occurred on October 2006 covering the hot topographic point countries of Kalimantan and Sumatra. This recent episode of forest fire even affected the Pacific Islands. The effects of forest fire as transboundary pollution are countless. The gas emanation from the burning is the ground why Indonesia is among the top ranking green house gas emitters. Each clip a wood or a plantation is cleared, dozenss of anthropogenetic gases are being release in the ambiance. These gases are major ground for planetary heating. Aside from the fatal effects of haze pollution to the environment, it besides places damaging consequence on people ‘s wellness ; moreover it disrupts the economic activities. Climate Change The issue on environmental debasement and clime alteration are inseparable. Whenever the impairment of the environment takes the spotlight, non far buttocks is the fickle shifting of planetary temperature, entangled happenings of drouth and typhoon and so many others. Scientists claim that the adhering tie between the two issues is the opprobrious human activities. Harmonizing to some bookmans, although non all of the lending factors to climate alteration are semisynthetic, comparatively immense part of it was triggered by unstoppable human activities. Take for illustration, the abovementioned wood fire. Some may reason that forest fire are non truly associated to any activities of homo, nevertheless this statement might be true in some occasions like in the times of boom storm. However, if we would analysis it deeper, the figure of boom that hits the forested country is undistinguished as compared to human-induced instances of forest fire. These issues ( environmental debasement and clime alteration ) are non confined in an country or countries entirely. Climate alteration specifically is a planetary concern and it will go on to be one. Sometimes this issue leads to the division of the universe between the South and the North The division between universe states is mark by the separation between the developed and the developing economic systems of Southeast Asia. This limit besides separates the major subscribers to climate alteration, in other words the states that emit most of the green house gases, and the states that have small part in the emanation of green house gasses, yet are most likely to super the most effects. Normally, developing states comprise the South contingent, while developed states comprise the North contingent. With this it is noticeable that developing states as a whole has a comparatively little emanation of GHG which cause clime alteration. On the other manus, developed states about occupied all the top places as provinces with the highest sum of GHG emanations. This tendency is straight relative to the sum of industrialisation that occurs in a peculiar province. In retrospect, since developed states are less industrialised in contrast to the extremely industrialised states of the North, that is why they have history for a lesser GHG emanations unlike in the instance of the ulterior group. In footings of emanation Indonesia ranks among the states with high GHG emanations. Forest fires and deforestations are the beginning of green house gases being emitted by Indonesia to the ambiance. In comparing to non-forestry emanation, forestry emanations are five times larger than emanation generated from non-forestry sector ( industrial and energy sectors ) . In the figure below, Indonesia ranked 3rd among the highest subscribers of C dioxide in the universe ( Houghton ; 2003 ) . Furthermore, deforestation and land transition are the major beginnings of emanations of ghg in Indonesia, while agricultural sector has the lowest part to the ghg and the sum accumulated by this sector is globally undistinguished.[ 5 ]Unlike in developed states wherein their chief beginning of gas emanation is from the energy sector in Indonesia, energy sector emanation is really little, nevertheless it is little yet quickly turning. In the thick of industrialisation that is go oning in the state it is the energy sector that supports the said growing, and with the rapid rate of industrialisation growing, the use of energy goes bigger every bit good ensuing to the increasing emanation of ghg by the sector.Summary of Green House Gas EmissionThis chart shows the ranking of top GHG emitters ‘ states harmonizing to the US EPA. It besides shows the dislocation o f beginnings of GHG emitted by each state.It is noticeable that some of the development states are included among the top emitter states In Indonesia forestry ( deforestation and forest fire ) is the chief beginning of GHG emanation. Figure 1 Beginning: US EPA 2006The Deterioration of the Environment and Its ImpactsEffectss of environmental debasement are extremely apparent in Indonesia. This is farther aggravated by inconsistent clime ( which is besides a merchandise of environmental debasement ) . Because of this, the country is exposed to great losingss. The combined emphasis due to the rapid population growing of its population and its physical features as an archipelagic state with a astonishing coastline put the full state in a really vulnerable terms to the impacts of clime alteration. Among the extremely affected group are the people from below poorness. Most of them shack along the unguarded countries and they besides do n't hold mechanism to accommodate to the altering state of affairs being face by the state. In the recent clip, the state has already experienced drawn-out drouths, stronger typhoons and inundations. All these are rooted to the abuse and maltreatment of the environment. In add-on, the rich biodiversity of the state is besides at hazard which may do drastic consequence on nutrient supply and security of the state. Another at hand menace to nutrient security is the clime alteration ; this might impact the activities of the husbandmans and fishermen taking to production loss. Aside from these, listed below are the other impacts derived from environmental debasement. Agriculture, Economy and Food Security, Agribusiness is a major economic sector in Indonesia. It accounts for bulk of GDP of the state, and so Indonesia relies to a great extent on the part from this sector and most of the economic systems are depending on agribusiness and natural resources. In add-on, this is besides the sector that provides most of the nutrient demands of the state. With the coming of the embracing consequence of environmental debasement, clime alteration is badly pounding agribusiness. Changes in precipitation and temperature curtail the agricultural activities because it lower dirt birthrate, shorten turning season, limits the type of harvest that can be planted, and hence put the husbandmans at the losing terminal. All these interpret to lesser output, lesser production and comparatively low income for the people involved in this economic system. Scholars stressed the high possibility of nutrient deficit because of these alterations in the usual mechanism of the environment ( Amin ; ; 2004 and Fahn ; 2000 ) . With the diminution in agricultural production, nutrient security will automatically be affected. Take for case, the 1997-1998 El Nino Southern Oscillation ( ENSO ) phenomena, the event affected the length of moisture and dry seasons in Indonesia.[ 6 ]Prolonged moistures and dry seasons were experienced which caused a crisp diminution in agricultural production and brought about one of the greatest autumn in gross domestic merchandise in the past several old ages ( Lasco et al. ; 2008 ) . Just the mere hold of one month in the oncoming of rainy season during El Nino old ages decreases the production of rice by 6.7 % in west Indonesia and 11 % in East Indonesia ( Naytor et al. ; 2007 ) .The ENSO Map of Indonesia-10 months – 8 months – 6 months – 4 months – 2 months – 0 months Beginning: World Meteorological Organization Based on figure 2, the islands of Java, Bali, Komodo, Flores, Lombok, Sumbawa, Alor, West Timor, part of Sumatra, part of Sulawesi and parts of Irian Jaya experienced the longest drouth which lasted eight months during the El Nino Southern Oscillation. Figure 2. Above is a map demoing the length of dry season experienced throughout Indonesia during the happening of ENSO in 1997-1998. -10 months – 8 months – 6 months – 4 months – 2 months – 0 monthsSummary of Observed Impacts of Climate Change on Forestry Sector Climate alteration Observed impacts Increasing temperature – Increased frequence of forest fires every bit good as country of burnt woods – Increased plague and disease infestation in woods Variability in precipitation ( including El Nino Southern Oscillation ) – Increased forest fire, and pest and disease infestation due to drought – Change in precipitation form, impacting endurance of seedlings and saplings – Increased dirt eroding and debasement of water partings due to intermittent drouth and implosion therapy – Increased population of invasive works species Sea degree rise – Loss of Rhizophora mangle woods due to progressing sea degrees Beginnings: Boer and Dewi ( 2008 ) , Cuong ( 2008 ) , Ho ( 2008 ) , Jesdapipat ( 2008 ) , Perez ( 2008 ) .Impacts of Climate Change on Agriculture SectorClimate alteration Observed impacts Increasing temperature – Decreased harvest outputs due to heat emphasis – Increased livestock deceases due to heat emphasis – Increased eruption of insect plagues and diseases Variability in precipitation ( including El Nino Southern Oscillation ) – Increased frequence of drouth, inundations, and tropical cyclones ( associated with strong air currents ) , doing harm to harvests – Change in precipitation form affected current cropping form ; harvest turning season and sowing period changed – Increased overflow and dirt eroding caused diminution in dirt birthrate and accordingly harvest outputs Sea degree rise – Loss of cultivable lands due to progressing sea degree – Salinization of irrigation H2O affected harvest growing and output Beginnings: Boer and Dewi ( 2008 ) , Cuong ( 2008 ) , Ho ( 2008 ) , Jesdapipat ( 2008 ) , Perez ( 2008 ) .Summary of Observed Impacts of Climate Change on Coastal and Marine ResourcesClimate alteration Observed impacts Increasing temperature – Increased coral bleaching and devolution of coral reefs Variability in precipitation ( including El Nino Southern Oscillation ) – Increased loss of land due to eroding and implosion therapy of coastal countries – Increased harm from inundations and ramp rush including harm to aquaculture industry Sea degree rise – Accelerated salt H2O invasion inland Beginnings: Boer and Dewi ( 2008 ) , Cuong ( 2008 ) , Ho ( 2008 ) , Jesdapipat ( 2008 ) , Perez ( 2008 ) . Beginning: Taken from Asian Development Bank Indonesia gets hotter than of all time Annual temperature in Indonesia has been increasing as observed by scientists. During 1990 ‘s until the first twosome of old ages of 2000, temperature in the state has a hiting up tendency by 0.3 grades Celsius. This form of addition has been consistent throughout the decennary, although there were times that the addition is a small spot below or above that the expected temperature. However, the greatest divergence of expected heating of temperature happened during the 1998 which coincide with ENSO. The addition in temperature about reached 1 grade Celsius which was manner higher than any addition in temperature in the span of three decennaries ( 1961-1990 ) . That was the hottest twelvemonth in Indonesia in a century ( Climatic Research unit-WWF ; 2006 ) . For the following decennary, Indonesia is anticipating a greater addition in temperature throughout the state because of extra consequence of clime alteration. From 0.3oC annual addition in the old decennaries, in 2020 Indonesia ‘s temperature will increase at the rate of 0.36 grades Celsius up to 0.47 grades Celsius. In the projection done by Susandi ( 2007 ) below, the southeasterly portion of the Moluccas Island and the island of Kalimantan will see the highest temperatures. Beginning: Taken from World Bank and Department for International Development Report Figure 3. Projected Average Temperature by Year 2020 The addition in temperature has direct and indirect effects on agribusiness, forestry and marine sectors. The forestry sector has experienced greater episodes of forest fire due to the rise of temperature. This was proven by the important addition of countries burned during the El Nino. During the series of El Nino phenomenon dated 1982-1983, 1994 and 1997-1998 a sum of 13.5 million hour angle of wood had been burned Murdiyarso and Adiningsih ; 2006 ) . Forest fire triggered by lifting temperature ( climate alteration ) and/or by human activities is damaging to human. Health jobs arise from this event and aside from which, it besides affects the economic system. In Marine sector, the most prevailing consequence of warming of temperature in Indonesia is coral bleaching.[ 7 ]Presently, in the survey conducted on coral reefs a really little part, 6 % , of the state reefs remain at an first-class status while the largest ball, 70 % , of the coral population are classified under carnival to hapless status and 24 % are in good status ( Johns Hopkins University 2003 ) . Majority of coral population under the class of just to hapless were bleached. This state of affairs decreases the marine biodiversity and marine resources. Sea Level Rise

Friday, November 8, 2019

Menes Was the First Pharaoh of Egypt

Menes Was the First Pharaoh of Egypt The political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt occurred about 3150 B.C., thousands of years before historians began to write such things down. Egypt was an ancient civilization even to the Greeks and Romans, who were as far removed in time from this early period of Egypt as we are from them today. Who was the first pharaoh to unite Upper and Lower Egypt? According to the Egyptian historian Manetho, who lived in the late fourth century B.C. (the Ptolemaic period), the founder of the unified Egyptian state which combined Upper and Lower Egypt under a single monarchy was Menes. But the exact identity of this ruler remains a mystery. Was Narmer or Aha the First Pharaoh? There is almost no mention of Menes in the archeological record. Instead, archaeologists are unsure whether â€Å"Menes† should be identified as either Narmer or Aha, the first and second kings of the First Dynasty. Both rulers are credited at different times and by different sources with the unification of Egypt. Archaeological evidence exists for both possibilities: the Narmer Palette excavated at Hierakonpolis shows on one side King Narmer wearing the crown of Upper Egypt- the conical white Hedjet- and on the reverse side wearing the crown of Lower Egypt- the red, bowl-shaped Deshret. Meanwhile, an ivory plaque excavated at Naqada bears both the names â€Å"Aha† and â€Å"Men† (Menes). A seal impression discovered at Umm el-Qaab lists the first six rulers of the First Dynasty as Narmer, Aha, Djer, Djet, Den and [Queen] Merneith, which suggests that Narmer and Aha may have been father and son. Menes is never seen on such early records. He Who Endures By 500 B.C., Menes is mentioned as receiving the throne of Egypt directly from the god Horus. As such, he comes to occupy the role of founding figure much as Remus and Romulus did from ancient Romans. Archaeologists agree that it is likely that the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt occurred over the reigns of several First Dynasty kings, and that the legend of Menes was, perhaps, created at a much later date to represent those involved. The name â€Å"Menes† means â€Å"He Who Endures,† and it may have come to connote all of the proto-dynastic kings who made unification a reality. Other Sources The Greek historian Herodotus, in the fifth century B.C., refers to the first king of a unified Egypt as Min  and claims that he was responsible for the draining of the plain of Memphis and founding the Egyptian capital there. It’s easy to see Min and Menes as the same figure. In addition, Menes was credited with introducing the worship of gods and the practice of sacrifice to Egypt, two hallmarks of its civilization. The Roman writer Pliny credited Menes with the introduction of writing to Egypt as well. His achievements brought an era of royal luxury to Egyptian society, and he was taken to task for this during the reigns of reformers such as Teknakht, in the eighth century B.C.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Mini CVs and pen portraits for management consultants - Emphasis

Mini CVs and pen portraits for management consultants Mini CVs and pen portraits for management consultants When inviting a bid, clients sometimes ask you to include mini biographies, also known as pen portraits, of the potential team. Here, we show you   how to treat this as an opportunity to sell your company.   Focusing on the client’s needs and objectives is just as important in this section as it is in every other part of a bid. Most people read shorter, more easily digested chunks of information first. Mini CVs tend to (or at least should) fit this brief, so clients will often read these during their first flick through the bid document. It may even be the first section they read – and therefore your first opportunity to sell your team and your company. On the other hand, the client may read them once they have pretty much made up their minds to use you – in which case you want to confirm in their minds that you have assembled the right team for the job. Consider whether you want to include every potential team member, or just the senior figures. Do you know exactly who will be on the team, or will that be decided later? To keep it concise, perhaps write full portraits for the key members of the team and give just a brief outline of other potential team members. Your CV summaries need to be as targeted as the rest of the bid. So be sure to:   keep them short   give only relevant information   use specific examples   tie all information back to the project in hand   avoid clichà ©s (such as ‘client-centred advice’ and ‘proactive’). Dont do this David Stevens qualified as a management consultant in 1986 while at Smith Watson. He joined our Barking office when it was still owned by Stanford Prentice, a local management consultancy that had been established in the region for more than 80 years. David has worked for a wide and varying range of clients, and has experience of working with retail, law, agriculture, manufacturing and voluntary-sector organisations. He is also the author of a number of management consultancy guides, including The Stevens Method, which was first printed in 1995 and has been reprinted twice since. He is married to Clara and has two children – James and Isobel. He is also an avid football fan and sits on the board at Lincoln City FC. Instead, do this David Stevens – Senior Consultant Davids role will be to:   Keep you up to date through regular project meetings.   Control and authorise the project’s progress and be accountable for achieving its objectives. David has focused on work with retail businesses in the past five years, before which he specialised in voluntary-sector organisations. He is therefore particularly adept at designing and building new operating processes in businesses such as this, as well as delivering robust communication plans to ensure that all employees are engaged with the objectives of the project. He is also a leading member of our Employee Solutions team, and has a particular interest in employee share schemes and capital tax planning. Keep it relevant Remember to tie all the information back to the project in question – if you can’t, then it’s not relevant; and if it’s not relevant, it’s not helping your bid. Want more advice on writing bids? Read about our in-company   High-impact tender and sales proposal writing course. Or, if you want to train only one or two people, check out our open course sessions. Alternatively, give us a call on   +44 (0)1273 732 888. All businesses referred to in this article are fictional. To learn more about making  report writing a much easier and less painful task, check out our free webinar  recording How to turn your expert analysis into exceptional reports.  Its ideal if you have to write reports to colleagues and clients as part of your day-to-day job – whether thats as a traditional written report or as a slide deck.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Quantitative Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Quantitative Research - Essay Example A sample will be drawn from a population of breastfeeding mothers. The breastfeeding mothers will form the population group and will be divided into non-overlapping groups and then simple random samples will be picked from each group and the samples will be the experimental groups. One sample will not be allowed to breastfeed their children and will form the control group. Different groups will be required to breastfeed their children for a certain period of time different from the other group while other groups will be allowed to feed their children with formulas of intact cows milk or soy protein for the same periods of time. Different measurements will be undertaken before the onset of the study. Clinical tests will be carried out at different times and the readings of the experimental groups and those of the control group will be compared. During the study, censoring of participants will be allowed in case of death or willingness to terminate participation. Compared results will be the summarized to determine whether the hypothesis is true or not. The dependent variable in this study will be the incidence rate of getting asthma while the independent variables will be, age, duration of breastfeeding, gender, kind of feeding (breastfeeding or formulas of intact cows milk or soy protein). However, the dependent variables may be many depending on the kind of measurement intended. This can be measured depending on the type of variable if it will be continuous (age, duration of breastfeeding etc.), categorical (type of feed), ordinal (incidence rate) or nominal (gender). A sample will be drawn from a population of breastfeeding mothers which will be the sampling frame. The breastfeeding mothers will form the population group and will be divided into non-overlapping groups (strata) and then simple random samples will be picked from each group (stratum) and the samples will be the experimental groups. One sample

Friday, November 1, 2019

Prejudice at the Work Place Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Prejudice at the Work Place - Essay Example Prejudice mainly comes because of comments that discriminate against sex, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender. Prejudice at the work place is exhibited in a number of ways. An employee may be uncomfortable with a fellow employee, or the employee may be skeptical about the ability of his colleague. The provision or sharing of resources also shows how the work place can be discriminative.One way of reducing prejudice at the workplace is to speak out against ills meted out against a fellow workmate; this is the surest way to ensure there is smooth running of the work place. Silence is often taken as consent to the discriminative acts of employees against their colleagues; therefore, it is important that all employees take it upon themselves to put a stop to acts or conversations that might be construed as prejudicial to others.Intensive reading helps in reducing prejudice in the work place that may be hurtful to persons or destructive in the productivity of hu man resource. Therefore, it is important that all employees take it upon themselves to find information that will promote easy understanding of the different demographic aspects of everyone. This is made easier because authors write books from different backgrounds, thus enabling the reader to appreciate the culture and norms of everyone. Another way of reducing prejudice at the work place is to seek and consider opinions or viewpoints that may differ from what you hold

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Assess the claim that progress has stalled in terms of raising the Essay

Assess the claim that progress has stalled in terms of raising the proportion of women in senior executive and boardroom positio - Essay Example As argued by Howard and Wellins (2008) â€Å"in all major global regions, women are more likely than men to fall off the management ladder before reaching the top† (p. 6). They explained this through the theory of ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors which involves an array of economic, organisational, and social aspects. Push factors refer to passive or unfulfilling jobs. On the other hand, the pull factors are life situations that force women to leave their jobs like health problems, family commitments, or caring obligations (Howard & Wellins, 2008). A recent study by Schneer and Reitman looked at the effects of career preference and outcomes for women in comparison to men in managerial positions (Bilimoria, 2007, p. 21). They discovered that the effect of gender differences on the work setting for women in comparison to men with MBA degrees was more pronounced in later than earlier career phases. Numerous researchers have observed that organisations are †˜gendered’, and hence view of career plans is expected to have more unfavourable effects for females than males (Fagan et al., 2012). Thus, what is most important is possibly not the quantity of work but the quality and nature of that work, particularly for career women. Another major phenomenon that has been given much emphasis recently is the issue of whether part-time job characterises unfavourable reduced work or favourable flexible work patterns for employees, particularly women. Several researchers report that women prefer or are more contented with part-time job than men, because this work arrangement offers flexibility (Burke & Mattis, 2005). Nevertheless, stages of part-time work have detrimental effects on pay, and females are more likely than males to engage in part-time jobs. This implies that earlier assumptions that career women with children can gain from part-time work arrangement without considerable negative impact on present and future career opportunities or outcomes could be flawed, especially in early stages of career (Durbin & Tomlinson, 2010). It is possible that these kinds of interruptions are not merely cutbacks in work time, but also signify a reduction or impediment in status that is disadvantageous for the women’s future career outcomes. Some claim that the higher probability of a women engaging in part-time work compared to men occupying part-time jobs signifies the likelihood of preserving or reinforcing the inferior standing of women in society (Liff & Ward, 2001). Findings on job satisfaction show that women who are voluntarily engaged in part-time jobs usually agree to weaker job security and lower pay in return for less stress and more favourable working arrangements. Mothers are usually more likely than childless women to work part-time because it facilitates reconciliation of domestic and career obligations (Durbin & Tomlinson, 2010). Mothers in the UK, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, and Austria are s pecifically likely to engage in part-time job (Rubery, 1998, 200). According to Wirth (2004), the inadequacy of quality, inexpensive childcare compels many women with children to accept part-time work arrangements. Women, across all sectors, are currently engaged in managerial work but are less likely to occupy higher level leadership positions, suggesting that obstacles to women’s career progression are still existing. The number of women occupying senior management and board positions across the globe are few compared

Monday, October 28, 2019

Virtue ethics Essay Example for Free

Virtue ethics Essay Character-based ethics A right act is the action a virtuous person would do in the same circumstances. Virtue ethics is person rather than action based: it looks at the virtue or moral character of the person carrying out an action, rather than at ethical duties and rules, or the consequences of particular actions. Virtue ethics not only deals with the rightness or wrongness of individual actions, it provides guidance as to the sort of characteristics and behaviours a good person will seek to achieve. In that way, virtue ethics is concerned with the whole of a persons life, rather than particular episodes or actions. A good person is someone who lives virtuously who possesses and lives the virtues. Its a useful theory since human beings are often more interested in assessing the character of another person than they are in assessing the goodness or badness of a particular action. This suggests that the way to build a good society is to help its members to be good people, rather than to use laws and punishments to prevent or deter bad actions. But it wouldnt be helpful if a person had to be a saint to count as virtuous. For virtue theory to be really useful it needs to suggest only a minimum set of characteristics that a person needs to possess in order to be regarded as virtuous. being virtuous is more than having a particular habit of acting, e.g. generosity. Rather, it means having a fundamental set of related virtues that enable a person to live and act morally well. James F Keenan, Proposing Cardinal Virtues, Theological Studies, 1995 Principles Virtue ethics teaches: An action is only right if it is an action that a virtuous person would carry out in the same circumstances. A virtuous person is a person who acts virtuously A person acts virtuously if they possess and live the virtues A virtue is a moral characteristic that a person needs to live well. Most virtue theorists would also insist that the virtuous person is one who acts in a virtuous way as the result of rational thought (rather than, say, instinct). The three questions The modern philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre proposed three questions as being at the heart of moral thinking: Who am I? Who ought I to become? How ought I to get there? Lists of the virtues What would a virtuous person do? Â © Most virtue theorists say that there is a common set of virtues that all human beings would benefit from, rather than different sets for different sorts of people, and that these virtues are natural to mature human beings even if they are hard to acquire. This poses a problem, since lists of virtues from different times in history and different societies show significant differences. The traditional list of cardinal virtues was: Prudence Justice Fortitude / Bravery Temperance The modern theologian James F Keenan suggests: Justice Justice requires us to treat all human beings equally and impartially. Fidelity Fidelity requires that we treat people closer to us with special care. Self-care We each have a unique responsibility to care for ourselves, affectively, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Prudence The prudent person must always consider Justice, Fidelity and Self-care. The prudent person must always look for opportunities to acquire more of the other three virtues Good points of virtue ethics It centres ethics on the person and what it means to be human It includes the whole of a persons life Bad points of virtue ethics it doesnt provide clear guidance on what to do in moral dilemmas although it does provide general guidance on how to be a good person presumably a totally virtuous person would know what to do and we could consider them a suitable role model to guide us there is no general agreement on what the virtues are and it may be that any list of virtues will be relative to the culture in which it is being drawn up.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Alka Seltzer Dissolving at Different Temperatures Essay example -- Alk

Alka Seltzer Dissolving at Different Temperatures The variable that I will change will be the temperature of the water that the Alka Seltzer is put in. For my results I will measure the time taken for the Alka seltzer tablet to completely dissolve in water at different temperatures. Input variables: * Varying surface area of Alka-Seltzer tablet, i.e. if cut into smaller pieces or crushed it will increase the surface area. (If the surface area is increased (more powdered) the rate of reaction also increases. This means that there are more collisions between the solid and liquid.) * Amount of tap water H2O used, i.e. volume (ml). * Amount of Alka-Seltzer tablets used, i.e. quantity of tablets. (one is used) * Number of times the solution is stirred. (If the solution is stirred more there are more collisions between the particles therefore the reaction is speeded up.) * Temperature of Water-Â °C. (As the temperature increases so does the rate of reaction. By increasing the temperature, particles move faster, i.e. they have more energy. So, they collide with more energy and more frequently.) * pH of Solution: Water has pH of 7 at 25Â °C. As the pH decreases, i.e as the solution increases in acidity, the rate of the reaction increases as well. Output Variables: ----------------- Rate of reaction depends on all the 6 points I have stated above: ----------------------------------------------------------------- * If the surface area of the tablets is increased by crushing, the particles around it in the solution will have more area to work on, and the rates of reactions will increase because there will be more collisions. Complete reaction will finish faster. * The more amount of water used as we increase the temperature, the quicker the tablets will dissolve because there will be more water particles to collide with. So the rate increases. * If the amount of tablets being used is increased for the same amount of water, i.e as concentration increases, rate will increase as well because there will be more collisions between particles. * If the water with Alka-Seltzer tablets are stirred during the reaction, then the rates of reactions will increase because the particles will be forced to make contact with each others and react much quicker, rather than take their time to make contact, and therefor... ... water bath could have been used, because I could set it to my required temperature. Also it would mean that the solution inside it would reach the exact temperature or close to It., and not increase or decrease once the water inside it has reached equilibration. It was also very difficult for me to observe exactly when the Alka-Seltzer tablets had totally dissolved and consistently decide this for every result obtained. This was probably the main factor that would have decreased the accuracy of my readings. To avoid this happening I would have needed to use specialized piece of equipment which would tell me exactly when the tablet was dissolved Overall, I can come to firm conclusion from my results that support my prediction and background knowledge that: As the temperature increases, less time will be required for a reaction to take place i.e. the rate of reaction increases. To improve the experiment overall I could use distilled water to avoid inaccuracies related to the hardness of tap water. I believe I should get a straight line curve. Another improvement I could have made is to increase the range of the temperatures investigated. (10Â °C to 100Â °C).

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Racism in Morocco Essay

AP History Take home test Yasser Benamirouche1-compare and contrast president Polk’s willingness to go to war against Mexico over Texas but not against Britain over Oregon. I believe that there is political and economical reasons behind that.. Britain is a much stronger enemy and I do not think it was a good idea to go to war with them because it might end badly for the U.S while Mexico that just got its freedom it was an â€Å"easy target† I believe and it kinda was the case because the United States one the war and got Texas and more. A second reason will be that Polk; being from the Jacksonian party which stood for slavery; wanted to get Texas and make it a slave state which will give more power to the slave states while if they got Oregon it would have been a free state which is not what Jacksonian democrat would want. Those were the political reasons now with the economical reasons, getting Texas would open a gateway to California and therefor the trade with Southern America which will be very profitable for the United States of America. 2-what are the reason that American settlers were so eager to go west in this time period? Discuss the hardships they would have faced on their journey West. American settlers moving West was motivated by different ideas like that the settlers were responsible of spreading Christianity and that the United States was meant to spread in the continent making a â€Å"making a new heaven on earth† and it was documented and it became the practical document â€Å" Manifest Destiny which was used by democrats to explain their expansions â€Å" the War with Mexico etc.. 3-Asses the validity of the following statement†although Americans percieved manifest destiny as a benevolent movement, it was in fact an aggressive imperialism pursued at the expense of others† I believe what was said is very true, the Manifest Disteny was a way to explain the unexplainable which is going to war and taking over lands by killing its native habitants like in the War of Mexico and the Trails of tears, while at the same time discourage any attempt by the eastern world to take any similar actions 4-asses the validity of the following statement â€Å" the Mexican war was a major reason of the American civil war†. Caused by the addition of vast new territories and the fight between the southerners and northerners to see which states will be slave states and which states will not, the northerners wanted California so badly so they had to give something in exchange and the thing they gave was the right for southerners to hunt down any running slaves and bring back which irritated the northerners and overheated the whole debate by the end of 1850’s+.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

New York’s Money Drain

ALBANY, NY – Rising energy and health care prices have been slowly creeping their way up the city of Albany’s annual budget, backing a nationwide trend towards higher state expenditures on these basic costs. Mayor Gerald D. Jennings, in his State of the City Address to the Albany common council mentioned the costs currently appropriated in Albany’s budget.   Ã¢â‚¬Å"Expenses such as State pension payments and health insurance expenses for employees, utility expenses and the like continue to be a challenge,† he said. Residents of Albany won’t have to fear a deficit or higher city taxes just yet, since according to Jennings, Section 19-a payments, which come from the state of New York, currently offset these increases in city expenditures. â€Å"We’ve succeeded in this regard largely because of the successful efforts to obtain and increase the State payment in lieu of taxes on the Empire State Plaza – our Section 19-a payments,† the mayor said. â€Å"During 2006 and again for 2007 through 2010 our 19-a payments will total $22,850,000.† For the state of New York, however, the problem is mirrored, albeit in a much larger scale. The State and the Cost of Health Currently, the state capital Albany allocates fifteen percent of its annual budget of around $175 million on health insurance expenditures for its employees, or around $27 million annually.   Employees of the local government are in pretty good shape however, compared to their private sector counterparts, where employers are facing a rough choice on how to face the escalating cost of health care. Yet New York is again facing a cut in health care spending, ushered in by then-incumbent Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who had previously proposed a $1.3 billion, cut in the expense last year. Gov. Spitzer resigned last March after an unrelated prostitution scandal, which left the talks with the health care lobby hanging.   Before Spitzer left, discussions about the cut in health care services this year were already ongoing. In a New York Times interview, Dennis P. Whalen, Spitzer’s deputy secretary for health, commented on the change of mood.   Ã¢â‚¬Å"I think you can see already that the level of discussion and reaction is different this year than it was last year,† said Whalen.   Ã¢â‚¬Å"We’ve been engaged in productive discussions with hospitals about these changes that we’re pursuing.† While health care budgets are being cut, health insurance has been growing at a steadily alarming rate in recent years.   In 2007, nationwide averages for health insurance premiums increased by 6.1 percent—two times the rate of inflation. For employees’ insurance, the state isn’t so much squeezed as much as small businesses are.   Private employers are taking the brunt of the action, especially with state mandated benefits which in New York cover more than 30 different instances.   According to the Employer Alliance for Affordable Health Care, New Yorkers pay 26 percent more than the national average for health care. The Alliance is also pointing fingers at the proposed 2008-09 budget plan for the state, which includes a $140 million increase in the Covered Lives Assessment—a surcharge paid on every insurance policy and premium tax on some health insurers, which the Alliance claims will ultimately be borne by consumer. â€Å"With small and medium businesses in New York struggling to provide health insurance coverage and state leaders who have called for expanding health insurance coverage to all New Yorkers, it doesn’t make sense to propose taxes that will make it even harder for business to offer coverage at all,† said Alliance chair Jeff Leland. It all makes for a sticky situation, but another potential headache for legislators is simmering within New York’s extensive power supply grid Rising Energy Last winter, Gov. Spitzer announced additional emergency home heating assistance to New York’s most vulnerable residents.   That winter, qualified applicants through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), a federally funded program, issued benefits to more than 719,000 families, totaling more than $178 million. The government subsidizing energy costs is inevitable however, with the way energy prices are going.   Residents of New York have long paid some of the highest electricity prices in the United States.   According to a conservative think tank, New York should reconsider some of its most ambitious energy policies to keep costs down. The study, â€Å"NY Unplugged?   Building Energy Capacity and Curbing Energy Rates in the Empire State,† was released in March by the Empire Center for New York State Policy, which is a project of the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. â€Å"New York will need a lot more power—the equivalent of more than five new 500-megawatt generating plants—to avoid blackouts early in the next decade,† said the study.   Ã¢â‚¬Å"Yet only one new large-scale generating plant, representing barely one-eighth of the required additional capacity, has been proposed in the state since the expiration five years ago of Article X, the landmark state law designed to speed the building of such facilities.† Donald LaVada, director of marketing and development at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, said energy spending in New York tops $53 billion annually, and 85 percent of the energy used is imported into the state.   And half of it comes from OPEC nations.   With oil heading towards $120 a barrel, energy spending has nowhere to go but up. The cost to the local government remains a drain for taxpayer money.   Back in Albany, the 2008 has appropriated around $33 million for operating expenses, the majority of which will go pay for energy consumption by the city.   A policy change, however, remains to be seen in the country’s third largest state. R E F E R E N C E S Peters, Jeremy W. (2008). Time Runs Short to Decide Albany Health Care Cuts. The New   York Times. February 22, 2008. â€Å"A Better Albany†. (2007). State of the City Address by Mayor Gerald D. Jennings of   Albany New York. Retrieved May 2, 2008 from http://www.albanyny.gov/Government/ MayorsOffice/StateOfTheCity.aspx â€Å"Governor Spitzer Announces Additional Heating Assistance to Combat Rising Energy   Prices†. (2008). Division of Housing & Community Renewal, New York State.   Retrieved May 2, 2008 â€Å"NY Unplugged? Building Energy Capacity and Curbing Energy Rates in the Empire State†.   (2008). Empire Center for New York State Policy. Retrieved May 2, 2008 from   http://www.empirecenter.org/Special-Reports/2008/03/NYUnplugged.cfm â€Å"Proposed Budget Increases Costs to Small Business†. (2008). Alliance Alert. The   Employer Alliance for Affordable Healthcare. Retrieved May 2, 2008 from  http://www.employeralliance.com/images/Newsletter_spring08.pdf