The Debate Of The Drinking Age - 959 Words

The drinking age has always been twenty-one in the United States, whenever it has been questioned on why twenty-one and not eighteen. The scientific answer has always been because the eighteen-year-old brain is not fully developed yet. See what I have a hard time understanding is why eighteen-year-olds are considered adults at the age of eighteen, but we can’t have a drink. At eighteen you are allowed to buy cigarettes, join the army, change your name. I just don’t understand why at eighteen you are considered old enough to fight for the country, but you can’t just have a drink. I also do not quite understand why we haven’t moved the age of becoming a legal adult to twenty-one. Back in 1984 the government wanted to get a firm grasp on the country and wanted to knock them into line. So they made a deal with all the states that simply stated. Either make the minimum drinking age twenty-one or lose up to 10% of the federal highway funding. Now that’s s ome serious cash, so of course all the states went along with it and that is how the minimum drinking age came into play. The federal government did not just pick the number twenty-one out of a hat. Twenty-one came from the early English century. That was the age you could vote or become a knight back in that day. Since they became an adult then it only makes sense that they can drink. (Why Is the Drinking Age 21?). Which goes back to my first point, why are eighteen year olds considered adults at eighteen, but cannot drink?Show MoreRelatedThe Debate Over The Drinking Age1025 Words   |  5 Pageshave always wondered why the drinking age was raised to twenty-one. I have looked and researched the following information but still don’t have a true explanation as to why it was raised to the age of twenty-one. The movement called Amethyst Initiative began recruiting university presidents to provoke national debate about the drinking age. College Presidents from about 100 of the nation’s universities, are calling on law makers to consider lowering the drinking age from twenty-one to eighteen byRead MoreDebate on the Legal Drinking Age736 Words   |  3 PagesThe drinking age has been twenty-one for the past thirty years, but for the past few years, there have been debates on changing the drinking age back to eighteen. Most individuals under twenty-one have consumed an alcoholic beverage; many have done so because he or she thinks it is cool and/or his or her friends want him or her to. Regardless of why individuals drink before the legal drinking age, if those individuals are caught by authorities, the individual(s) will have to face the consequencesRead MoreThe Debate Over The Drinking Age2461 Words   |  10 Pagesexplores the debate over whether the drinking age should be lowered or raised in the United States. Multiple different sources are provided, each offering a different opinion. The article discusses the ethical, pathological, and emoti onal effects if the drinking age were to be lowered or raised. If the drinking age were to change, how would society react to this change and what would be the long term effects. Drinking has always caused negative effects, yet how would changing the age effect personalRead MoreThe Drinking Age Debate for Young Adults1360 Words   |  5 PagesThe Drinking age debate for young adults have been very controversial since the 1970s to the present days.The Drinking age have been very controversial between the age of 18 and the age of 21. For many years, Most people wanted the drinking age to be 18 because they believe since u are an adult u are mature. On the other hand the other side believes that keeping the legal drinking age at 21 causes less accidents and deaths. They have been many studies on why the drinking age shouldnt be 18. ThereRead MoreThe Debate On The Minimum Legal Drinking Age2364 Words   |  10 PagesThe Debate on the Minimum Legal Drinking Age There has been a debate going on about the minimum legal drinking age, or â€Å"MLDA†. Some people believe it has no impact on our youth, and should thus be lowered to the standard age of adulthood, age 18. They refuse to acknowledge the true significance of this law, however, and continue to see it as a futile attempt to control the inevitable. Yet in reality, having an MLDA of 21 has many benefits, and stands for a healthier view of alcohol consumption,Read MoreThe Debate Over A Proper Legal Drinking Age1243 Words   |  5 PagesThe debate over a proper legal drinking age has been ongoing for decades. Some people believe twenty-one is the right age for legally consuming alcohol, while others believe twenty-one is too old. There are many supporters of an age limit of eighteen on alcohol consumption, but it has not been enough to sway Congress away from their set age of twenty-one. One major advocate for the age of twenty-one is the organization MADD, or â€Å"Mothers Again st Drunk Driving†. This organization supports the age ofRead MoreEssay about Debate Over the Legal Drinking Age1735 Words   |  7 PagesThe Debate Over the Legal Drinking Age College life is filled with changes. It is filled with many new experiences. As college students, we are on our own, adults. As adults we are responsible for keeping up to date on information that affects us. One issue that affects college students nation wide is drinking. The current legal drinking age in the United States is twenty-one years of age. The Federal government raised the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 in 1984. Even with the current drinkingRead MoreResearch Paper Drinking Age1565 Words   |  7 PagesThe legal drinking age refers to the youngest age at which a person is legally allowed to buy and consumes alcoholic beverages. The drinking age varies from country to country. Here in the United States the legal drinking age is twenty-one. There has been much debate on whether the drinking age in the United States should be lowered from twenty-one to eighteen. People in favor of keeping the drinking age at twenty-one believe that there will be less alcohol related injuries and deaths fromRead MoreQuicker Liquor Essay1506 Words   |  7 PagesShould We Lower the Drinking Age? | 18 vs. 21 | â€Å"Quicker Liquor† A Short Research Paper Should the legal drinking age be lowered? Those who supported the change for the 2009 re-authorization of the law (dubbed Pro 18), and those who wanted the law to remain at the current age of 21 (dubbed Pro 21), had three major categories to explore for this debate: safety, binge drinking and maturity. There is opposition and support on both sides of the issue including a coalition founded inRead MoreLowering the Drinking Age to 18 May Help Reduce Binge Drinking1072 Words   |  5 PagesThe debate of the drinking age has been long discussed throughout America. The drinking age has been 21 for the last 22 years, and people around the country have wondered weather or not this was the right call. People say that 18 year olds may not be mature enough to drink alcohol and might not know when to stop. It isn’t that teenagers don’t know how to stop, but rather have not been properly taught when enough has been consumed or how to drink responsibly. Changing the drinking age from 21

Christianity And The Islamic Faith Essay - 1837 Words

Death is inevitable, we cant change the fact only accept it, what we can choose is our faith, who and what we believe in. Each religion is different they all have a different take and belief in what happens to us and our souls after we die. In this report I am focusing on two different religions and what they believe happens during life after death. My two religions are Catholicism and Islam. In the Islamic religion, beliefs are a key staple in their religion, there is a quote in the Quran stating that Righteous is he who believes in Allah and the Last Day and the Angels and the Scriptures and the Prophets (2:177). This quote outline the most important doctrines in the islamic faith. The islamic faith teaches that there is one god which is a monotheistic view on the world. The religion is held up by the 6 articles of faith, they are the belief in Allah, Angels, divine books, prophets, day of judgement and the Allah’s predestination. Their faith was founded by a mann named Mohammed in 610 A.D during his time a polytheism belief has in place, meaning the people worships and prayed to more than one god. Mohammed had a vision of an angel telling him â€Å"There is only one God, and His name is Allah. Worship Him.† This is what started the Islamic religion and the now monotheistic belief of the muslim people. Just like the other religions the Muslims aisles have a sacred book called the Quran they believe that the Quran was sent to Mohammed by Allah through an angel. In theShow MoreRelatedCompare And Contrast The Three Pillars Of Islam1157 Words   |  5 PagesChristian Beliefs In Islam and Christianity, there are similar and different beliefs and practices. In Islam, the five pillars form the core of the religion. Muslims go about their lives abiding by these pillars (â€Å"Islam†). In Christianity, there are not necessarily pillars, but there are commandments that one should live their life by (â€Å"Christianity†). The three pillars of Islam that will be identified resemble some of the beliefs in Christianity. The declaration of faith, prayer, and a period of sacrificeRead MoreEssay Understanding Islamic Religion and Culture1221 Words   |  5 PagesWhat is your view on the Islamic religion and culture? Did you know they are the fastest growing religion in the world today, with eighty-percent now developing outside the Arab world(Belt, Don) Today’s generation does not show much interest or knowledge of their own religion; let alone the Islamic people. Most people only expose themselves to information that matches their own opinio ns and beliefs. Instead of learning and exploring new things about the world they stick to what they know becauseRead MoreThe practises, beliefs and values of Christianity and Islam have an impact on Australia society;1600 Words   |  7 Pagesvalues of Christianity and Islam have an impact on Australia society; however, the media exploits the perceived tension between the two groups which has led to discrimination and violence. Over many years the way of which an individual lives their life has been shown to be affected by the religion of which they follow. This affects the way of life throughout the community surrounding these people, as well as having an impact on the social issues throughout this particular community. Christianity has aRead MoreJudaism, Islam, and Christianity Essay1687 Words   |  7 Pages Judaism, Islam, and Christianity are some of the religions that most individuals can relate to, being the three largest religions in the world. Like many religions they sh are many differences and also some similarities. One difference that these religions hold is their view of Jesus Christ. Similarities are surprisingly common to find among some religions because of the basis they put on one another. Some similarities between these religions include: belief of monotheism and the influence of ZoroastrianismRead MoreThe Function Of Prayer And The Islamic Faith1430 Words   |  6 Pagesnature of the one who prays.†Ã¢â‚¬â€¢ Sà ¸ren Kierkegaard   Islam is a monotheistic faith which centers around the sovereignty of Allah, the five pillars of faith, and the sanctity of the Qur’an.   Christianity views Islamic prayer as an opportunity for the real God reveal the truth to Muslims.   Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   â€Å"Islam is the fastest-growing major religion in the world† (Taylor).   In Islam, Allah is almighty (Qur’an Sura 67:2).   The five pillars of faith, Shahada, Salat, Zakat, Hajj and Sawm, are a constant reminder of a Muslim’sRead More Trinity of Beliefs Essay1361 Words   |  6 Pages We study different religious faiths in order to understand other people. Many people have strong religious convictions, and it would be impossible to understand them without first understanding their faith. Which is why when studying the early Western World the religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, which are all closely related, are examined. All three of these religions are Western, they are monotheistic, and together they form the Abramic religions. Judaism is the oldest, dating from aroundRead MoreChristianity And The Religion Of Islam1180 Words   |  5 PagesChristianity and the religion of islam have many differences. I believe it’s time fo r someone to go into depth of how Christianity and Islam are similar and different. One thing to remember is that all this is based on Historical discoveries, and my opinions are based on my research. So, without further ado, let’s get started. Take in mind that I have never read the, â€Å"Qur’an†, or the, â€Å"Holy Bible†. I will try my best to make everything factual. The descendant - Christianity: All christians believeRead MoreWorld Religions and the North Africa/Southwest Asia Realm854 Words   |  4 Pagesreligions; Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Centuries of conflict lie at the heart of this realm due to differences in religious beliefs. In reviewing the scripture readings presented for this lesson, each religion has one intrinsic similarity; that is the belief in God. Where both Islam and Judaism view God as one entity, Christians believe in the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), (Islam, Judaism and, 2004-2013). Review of the scripture readings show that both Judaism and Christianity areRead MoreReligions : Commons Goals Vs. Pretend Pluralism Essay1401 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"pretend pluralism†. There are many major and minor religions that have guided people in their morals and beliefs. Religions, such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. All five of these current, major religions have vast differences, but may have common goals in their morals, traditions, etc. Two of the most practiced religions, of these five, are Christianity and Islam. These two religions are constantly at battle with one another, but what many people don’t see is that there are justRead MoreSimila rities and Causes for Unfamilirity between Christianity and Islam1566 Words   |  7 Pagesaddress two of the most dominant faith traditions; Islam and Christianity. Regardless of my own religious beliefs, there is no denying that Islam and Christianity share many similar tenets that go unrecognized or ignored by followers of each monotheistic faith. The identification of these similarities and the causes for unfamiliarity between the two religions is my paramount goal within the parameters of this paper. Analysis of Similarities Islam and Christianity share a fundamental connection in

Generic devolopment proces Free Essays

The work undertaken so far has proven that the development of a process map is gaining momentum within the construction industry as a whole. The Lethal inspired CRISP (Construction Research and Innovation Strategy Panel) community has in principle adopted the Process Protocol as a basis for its activities in terms of promoting process thinking in the construction industry. 2. We will write a custom essay sample on Generic devolopment proces or any similar topic only for you Order Now Introduction The need for improvement to the conventional design and construction process in the construction industry is well reported. Emerson (1962), Bankable (1964), and Lethal (1994) have all commented upon the need for change, and each highlight similar problem areas. Fundamentally, the need for improvement is related to the poor performance commonly associated with building projects. Typically, this performance is measured in terms of cost, time and/or quality. Unfortunately, it is the UK Construction Industry response to the need for change that has perpetuated and even perhaps fostered this problem. For example, Franks (1990) and Master (1992) presented the evolution of the range of procurement systems currently on offer to potential construction project clients as driven ultimately by the ‘product’ view, and the need to optimism cost, time and quality. Yet, whilst many of the more recent approaches to construction procurement (I. E. Design and Build, Construction Management) apparently attempt to address ‘process issues’, such as communication, in reality they fundamentally fail. In a survey conducted by Hubbard Disbarred (1996), a sample of 64 respondents (representing both clients and consultants) demonstrated that contract time performance was a factor considered to be relatively insignificant, when compared to there problems commonly associated with construction projects as shown in table 2. 1. Furthermore, Mortgaged Shari (1996) reported that from a total of 21 5 projects surveyed, 136 (63%) were delivered later than expected â€Å"†¦ In terms of the dates fixed by the contract or the dates given to the client for completion. † No. 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Variables Changing requirements Design team Communication Cost control Identification of responsibility Supply of information Quality Design faults Contract time performance Other factors Type of contract Percentage 25 18 6. 3 4. 7 3. 1 1. 6 Table 2. : Ranking of problems with current procurement methods (Hubbard Disbarred, 1996) Mortgaged Shari (1996) go on to suggest that it is the ‘expectation’ rather than the delivery which is at fault. The conventional process of generating an ‘expected’ delivery date is considered the reason for this: â€Å"In some cases commercial, economic or political considerations can be a driver towards setting these unrealistic goals which become expectations and contract dates for lack of informed and unbiased advice. Consequently, construction performance falls short of expectations which were largely unachievable when they ere established. † A number of lessons can be learned from the manufacturing sector with regards to the implementation and practical use of a ‘process view within the construction industry. The area within the manufacturing sector that relates closely to construction and building works is called new product development (NYPD). It concentrates in the development of an idea, need or client requirement to the final commercialism’s of the product e. G. A building or a car. A number of similarities can be found between the two industries with regards to the activities used for developing new products. For example they include: ; The start of a project can be initiated internally or by direct and/or indirect contact with the customers ; The development of the product requires the participation of a number of specialists and functions such as: designers, surveyors, marketing, stress analysts etc. ; The successful construction or manufacture of a building or product can only be achieved if all external (suppliers and consultants) and internal resources are utilizes and co- ordinate effectively ; The building or product is handed over to the customer/client and provisions are made for future support. However there are a number of distinct differences, the most important of which is that in the manufacturing industry all NYPD activities are co-ordinate, managed and controlled using a common framework which is the NYPD process. The construction industry mainly, uses ad-hoc methods for achieving the latter and therefore reducing repeatability of process execution, resulting in the same mistakes occurring time after time. This shift into the establishment of a consistent process for the construction industry requires a new way of thinking entailing a change of culture and working practices. Furthermore, it requires: ; a good understanding of current practices and future trends ; effective communication mechanisms of such processes, such as modeling ; agreement of participating parties Technology can then be used to enhance integration and sharing of information. In conjunction with a process map, an IT map should enable the effective use and co- ordination of technology based on a predetermined process framework. This paper proposes a process map which consists of a high level process and sub-processes (Activity Zones), which support the various phases of a construction project and the appropriate information technologies. 3. Methodology During the development of the Protocol a number of research methods have been used: 1. 4. 5. Retrospective and prospective case study analysis; Review and analysis of contemporary construction processes and practices; Review and analysis of concepts and practices applied within the manufacturing industries; Process modeling including various modeling tools and techniques; Iterative development using feedback from several industrial partners via interviews and workshop sessions and scenario building; The results to date of some of this work will be described in subsequent sections Principles As a result of the initial review of the literature, and the identification of the industry requirements through additional interviews with practitioners, six key principles are considered to provide the basis for an improved process. They are drawn heavily from the manufacturing sector where process thinking and continuous improvement has been focused upon for some 30 years. In addition, many of the principles relate to recognized problem areas in construction, where significant improvements have been called for (interracial Bankable, 1964; Lethal, 1994). The six principles are as follows: Whole Project View In the construction industry the definition of a project has traditionally being synonymous to actual construction works. As such the pre-construction and post- construction activities have been sidelined and often accelerated to reach the construction stage or to move on to the ‘new Job’. This has resulted in poor client requirements identification and delayed the exposure of any potential solutions to the need to any internal and external specialists. Any contemporary attempt to define or create a ‘design and construction process’ will have to cover the whole ‘life’ of a project from recognition of a need to the operation f the finished facility. This approach ensures that all issues are considered from both a business and a technical point of view. Furthermore this approach recognizes and emphasizes the inter-dependency of activities throughout the duration of a project. It also focuses at the front-end’ activities whereby attention is paid to the identification, definition and evaluation of client requirements in order to identify suitable solutions. A Consistent Process During the review of existing models and descriptions of the design and construction process, it was quickly established that little consistency existed. In such an environment, the problems encountered by temporary multi-organizations (TOM) working can be compounded. Luck Newcomer (1996) support this view, describing the ‘role ambiguity commonly associated with construction projects. Development of this generic Process Protocol provides the potential to establish its consistent application. Through consistency of use the scope for ambiguity should reduce. This, together with the adoption of a standard approach to performance measurement, evaluation and control, should facilitate a process of continual improvement in design and construction. Progressive Design Fixity The ‘stage-gate’ approach found in manufacturing processes (Cooper, 1994; ref. Fig. L) applies a consistent planning and review procedure throughout the Process. Phase Reviews are conducted at the end of each Phase with the aim of reviewing the work executed in the Phase, approving progress to the next Phase, and planning the resounding and execution of the next Phase. Cooper, in his third generation process, saw the need for ‘conditional-go’ decisions at phase gates, to accommodate aspects of concurrency. This philosophy is translated in the development of the Protocol’s phase gates. Phase gates are classed as either soft or hard, with the ‘soft gates’ allowing the potential for concurrency in the process, whilst ensuring that the key decision points in the process are respected. Fig. 4. 1 Cooper’s comparison of stage-gate processes (Cooper, 1994) The potential benefit of this approach is fundamentally the progressive fixing and/or approval of information throughout the Process. As Cooper(1994) states, the discipline of the Phase Review activity improved the conventional chaotic, ad-hoc approach of manufacturing to which the Construction Industry of today could be compared. Co-ordination Co-ordination is one area in which construction traditionally is perceived to perform poorly. This perception is supported by Bankable (1964) and Lethal (1994), in addition to many other reviews of the Industry. The need for improved co-ordination was also highlighted by the interviews with senior managers undertaken during the research project. It is therefore proposed that co-ordination of the Process Protocol is undertaken, principally, by the Process and Change Management Activity Zones. (see section 7) Appointed by the Client, the Process Manager will be delegated authority to plan and o-ordinate the participants and activities of each Phase, throughout the Process. The actions of the Process Manager are supported by the Change Manager, through which all information related to the project is passed. In this role, the Change Manager acts as the official interface between both the Activity Zones in the Process, and ultimately the Legacy Archive. Stakeholder Involvement Teamwork It has been recognized in the manufacturing industries that multi-function teams, established in a development process, reduces the likelihood of costly changes and production difficulties later on in the process by enabling design and manufacturing sections earlier in the process. Conventionally, many building projects comprise a team of participants assembled specifically to facilitate the development of that single. Consequently, a complete project team rarely works together on more than one project, and, as Somerville Stocks (1996) argue, this can negatively affect the assembled â€Å"team’s† performance. In addition, many key contributors are identified and included too late in the process. Project success relies upon the right people having the right information at the right time. Proactive resounding of Phases through the adoption of a ‘stakeholder’ view would ensure that appropriate participants (from each of the key functions) are consulted earlier in the Process than is traditionally the case. This, in itself, will not eliminate the problems associated with TOM working. However, the active involvement of all participants, especially in the early phases of a project, may subsequently help foster a team environment and encourage appropriate and timely communication and decision making. Feedback In addition to the direct teamwork problems associated with Tom’s, the ability to learn from experience is also hampered by the continual formation and break-up of project teams. Both success and failure can offer important lessons for the future, yet the fragmented and competitive nature of the Construction industry prevents the benefits of shared best practice being utilizes. The Phase Review Process facilitates a means by which project experiences can be recorded, throughout the Process, thereby informing later Phases and future projects. Competitive advantage will come from how such experiences are acted upon. (shared knowledge may not automatically reduce the competitiveness of companies working in construction. This Process Protocol therefore proposes the creation, maintenance and use of a Legacy Archive acts as a central repository, or information-spine (Sheath et. Al. , 1996), for the information generated through each of the phases of the process. The subsequent increase in awareness, project to project, has the potential for reducing risk and improving performance which over time may ultimately meet Lathe’s expectations. Process Development Given the apparent lack of commonality in the contemporary understanding of the design and construction process, an attempt was made to produce a model of the process which could be debated and subsequently refined towards a generic representation. The initial model was developed based upon existing descriptions of the design and construction process (inter alai Walker, 1989; Hughes, 1991), some case study data, and reviews of other published models (inter alai RIBS, 1980; Assassin, 1994; BAA, 1995) The DEFIED-O (Integration Definition language O for Function Modeling) process modeling technique was adopted, initially, as the most appropriate means of representing this process. The DEFIED-O technique essentially represents a process as a sequence of activities, described by a verb followed by a noun. Each activity has associated inputs, outputs, controls and mechanisms. It is this technique that has been used successfully to represent processes such as Assassin’s (1995) Integrated Building Process Model In developing a process model using the DEFIED-O technique, an initial step is the establishment of the activities that will comprise the model. In preliminary interviews and workshop sessions with the project’s in dustrial partners these activities were presented for discussion in the form of an Activity Hierarchy. However, initial reactions to this were poor, principally because such an approach did not facilitate communication of the process, either quickly or clearly. Moreover, it was found that the industrial partners to the project, at this stage, also preferred to concentrate on the general principles of the process, in preference to the detail of the activities involved. This preference for principles was found to have a certain congruence with other models of manufacturing processes. Cooper’s discussion of the evolution of the ‘stage-gate’ models in manufacturing (Cooper, 1994), and other (inter alai GAP (1990), Fissions) industrial models, demonstrate this. In such models the graphical representation of the process conveys it’s inherent reminisces. As Rousseau (1996) notes, such process models are â€Å"an effective way to show how a process works†. In their definition; â€Å"A process map consists of an X and a Y axis, which show process sequence (or time) and process participants, respectively. The horizontal X axis illustrates time in process and the individual process activities or gates. The Y axis shows the departments or functions participating in the process†¦ † (p. 444) Beyond this convention, there appears to be little formality in the method used to represent a process. Furthermore, it could be argued that the elated informality of the modeling process enhanced the contributions of the project’s partner representatives. Through several workshop sessions, the model was revised and deliberated by the partner representatives. As Rousseau (1996) argues, this â€Å"participative† approach to design makes any new process easier to accept and use. In an industry with a ‘need for change’ such an approach must be considered appropriate. Thus, through a process of gradual refinement, progress was made towards an agreed version, the Process Protocol, which this paper presents. 6. The Process Protocol The draft Process Protocol Model is presented in Fig. . 1 . Essentially, the model breaks down the design and construction process into 10 distinct phases. These 10 phases are grouped into 4 broad stages, namely Pre-pro]etc, Pre-Construction, Construction and Post-construction. Pre-project Stage The Pre-project Phases relate to the strategic business considerations of any potential project which aims to address a client’s need. Throughout the Pre-project Phases the client’s need is progressively defined and assessed with the aim of: 1. Determining the need for a construction project solution, and 2. Securing outline financial authority to proceed to the Pre-Construction Phases. In currently acknowledged models of the design and construction process (inter alai RIBS, 1980; British Property Federation, 1983; – Hughes, 1991 provides a comprehensive review), and recently published client-focused guides (CIRRI, 1995), this stage of a project is given scant consideration, when compared to the latter stages. However, the models assume that when approaching the Construction Industry, clients have already established the need’. Whilst there is little evidence to suggest this is not the case, it would seem reasonable to assume that the knowledge possessed by speculative alluding developers and consultants could assist any client in these early stages of a project. The problems associated with the translation of this need through the conventional briefing stage of design (Reilly, 1987) have the potential for substantial elimination via such an approach. Pre-Construction Stage With outline financial approval obtained, the Process progresses through to the Pre- Construction Phases where the defined client’s need is developed into an appropriate design solution. Like many conventional models of the design process, the Pre- Construction Phases develop the design through a logical sequence, with the aim of levering approved production information. The Phase Review Process, however, adds the potential for the progressive fixing of the design, together with it’s concurrent development, within a formal, co-ordinate framework. Progressive fixity should not be confused with ‘design freeze’, although to some this may be a desired aspect of the process. The major benefit of the fixity of design is the potential for improved communication and co-ordination between the project’s participants as they pass through each Phase. Given the dynamic market conditions which influence any construction client’s decisions, the need for flexibility must be addressed by the industry. At the end of the Pre-Construction Phases, the aim is to secure full financial authority to proceed. Only upon such authority will the Construction Phase commence, and this decision will be easier to make where the extent of the works, and it’s associated risks can be readily understood. Construction Stage The Construction Phase is solely concerned with the production of the project solution. It is here that the full benefits of the co-ordination and communication earlier in the Process may be fully realized. Potentially, any changes in the client’s requirements will be minimal, as the increased cost of change as the design progresses should be fully understood by the time on-site construction work begins. The ‘hard gate’ that divides the Pre-Construction and Construction Phases should not prevent a Workplace’ approach to construction, and the associated delivery time benefits this brings. As with all activities in the process, where concurrency is possible, it can be accommodated. The hard and soft gates that signify Phase Reviews merely require that before such an activity is carried out, approval is ranted. Post-construction Stage Upon completion of the Construction Phase, the Process Protocol continues into the Post-construction Phases which aim to continually monitor and manage the maintenance needs of the constructed facility. Again, the full involvement of facilities management specialists at the earlier stages of the process should make the enactment of such activities less problematic. The need for surveys of the completed property, for example, should be avoided as all records of the development of the facility should have been recorded by the project’s Legacy Archive. Figure 6. 1 . The Generic Design and Construction Process Protocol Model 7. The Sub-processes: ‘Activity Zones’ The earlier involvement of the project’s participants, throughout the process is a significant development of the conventional approach to building. Traditionally, a construction project’s participants are referred to by their professional or expert status. Ball (1988) demonstrates how this may be attributed to the inherent class relations associated with each of the professions and expert groups. As with all class distinctions, the effect that this basis for organizational structure in design and instruction has is division. A consequence of this traditional approach, by which even the more recent forms of contract procurement (design and build, management contracting, etc. ) are included, is the poor communication and coordination commonly associated with construction projects. The participants in the Process Protocol are referred to in terms of their primary responsibilities, and are represented on the Y-axis of the Process Model. It is recognized that traditionally, project to project, organizational roles and responsibilities change, resulting in ambiguity and confusion (Luck Newcomer, 1996). By basing the enactment of the process upon the primary responsibility required, the scope for confusion is potentially reduced, and the potential for effective communication and co-ordination increased. The Process Protocol groups the participants in any project into ‘Activity Zones’. These zones are not functional but rather they are multi-functional and they represent structured sets of tasks and processes which guide and support work towards a common objective (for example to create an appropriate design solution). A single person or firm can carry out an activity zone in small-projects but in large ND complex projects, an activity zone may consist of a complex network of people and between relevant functions and/or organizations. Since they are multi-functional, membership of the ‘zones’ is determined by the specific project task and/or process. For example Design Management often has important input in the Production Management and Facilities Management activity zones, amongst others and vice- versa. Of the activity zones associated with the model, not all will be discussed here. Most of the ‘zones’ are self-explanatory. However, the role of the Process/Change Management and Development Management activity zones will be described, as they present a significant departure from the conventional view of the design and construction process. Development Management The Development Management activity zone is fundamentally the client/customer for the potential project. In the Protocol scenario, it is ultimately responsible for the success or failure of the project. Representing the major stakeholder in the process, it has an important role. It is via the brief prepared by the Development Management that the client/customer’s needs are presented and ultimately interpreted. The Development Management is the only constant ‘player’ in the process. All other activity zones potentially consist of a dynamic membership, as the needs of the project develop throughout the process. The extent to which the other participants in the process, particularly the Process Management, have authority to proceed is delegated by the Development Management. It is they who will ultimately review the work of the project’s participants and sanction progress or cessation. Development Management is responsible for creating and maintaining business focus throughout he project, which satisfies both relevant organizational and stakeholder objectives and constraints. For example, a proposed speculative office development needs to satisfy the developers objectives (say, return on capital) and constraints (say, available finance), as well as fulfilling other stakeholder considerations (say, compliance with prevailing planning concerns). Process / Change Management The Process and Change Management activity zones are essentially the interface between the Development Management and the other project participants. Process Management has a role independent of all other activity zones. A distinction must be dad between this conventional view of a project manager and the Process Management role. Process Management, as the title suggests, is concerned with the enactment of the process, rather than the project. Key to the success of each Phase in the process is the production of project deliverables (reports and documentation associated with each Phase). In this respect the Process Management is responsible for facilitating and co-ordination the participants required to produce the necessary deliverables. Acting as the Development Management’s ‘agent’, it will ensure the enactment of each Phase as planned, culminating with the presentation of the How to cite Generic devolopment proces, Papers

Critical Study - Othello Essay free essay sample

A play dominated by deep, extreme interactions between characters and audience is The Tragedy of Othello: The Moor of Venice, written by William Shakespeare in 1406. The intense relationships between characters are a focus point of which honesty and deception are at the base within this play. Iago uses Roderigo, Emilia and Cassio as pawns, tools, and guides the interlocking pieces in his puzzle to eventually strike at Othello and unleash the devastating horrors of jealousy, in order to denounce him from upper society and loss of vital respect and reputation. Roderigo is unknowingly exploited for money and manipulated during Iago’s personal quest of vengeance against Othello. Many times Roderigo and Iago both reference to the prominent fact that Roderigo is Iago’s beneficiary, his money bag, but what Roderigo does not realise is that he is in fact continuing to provide for non-existent results and is being misused by Iago. We will write a custom essay sample on Critical Study Othello Essay or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Roderigo is honest in his lust for Desdemona and Iago deceives him with it. Upon Roderigo’s acceptance of defeat and surrender it is Iago that persuades him to keep on, and to â€Å"put money in thy purse† Act 1: Scene 3. He repeats and reuses this phrase to emphasise their meaning throughout his debate for Roderigo to persist in the pursuit of Desdemona (i. e. money for Iago). Roderigo is but a trust fund and dupe in Iago’s grand scheme against Othello. Regardless of Emilia being the voice of reason in Othello, even she succumbs to Iago’s deceptions. In Act 3: Scene 3 Emilia finds Desdemona’s handkerchief, â€Å"I am glad I have found this napkin/This was her first remembrance from the Moor† yet despite knowing its importance, she gives it to her husband (Iago). Emilia doesn’t know what Iago will do with Desdemona’s precious handkerchief nonetheless she yields, â€Å"I nothing but to please his fantasy†. Upon receiving it from his wife he dismisses her and her questions with, â€Å"Be not acknown on’t; I have use for it. Go, leave me,† he uses high modality and authority enforcing his superior place and dominion over her as his property as women were in Shakespeare’s Jacobean era. Emilia shows her honesty and naivety to her husband’s plans but still betrayed Desdemona to be a true and faithful wife; Iago does earnestly want this handkerchief but as he does with most things, lies to acquire it. The handkerchief is the catalyst within his plot of Cassio and Desdemona’s supposed affair, which sows the dissention between Othello and his newlywed bride. Cassio is a mere puppet to the skilled puppeteer of Iago’s pretense and deviousness, a key element and casualty of Iago’s conspiring plot. Although Iago’s final aim is shrouded, his malicious ambition is clearly evident when he says, â€Å"If I can fasten but one cup upon him With that which he has drunk to-night already He’d be as full of quarrel and offence As my young mistress’ dog† in Act 2: Scene 3. His use of simile and bestiality of comparing people to animals fully portrays his purposeful wrongdoing, vindictive nature, and the evilness of his intent. The character of Cassio lies at the heart of this induced make-believe scandal, his honesty and loyalty to Othello, Desdemona and for fellow comrades (Iago) is what blinds him to the defamation of first himself and then also Othello in the collusion manufactured by Iago. Othello’s character progresses throughout the play Othello along a pathway deliberately set by Iago with misleading and false accusations, which in turn brings Othello’s downfall. Othello becomes the very persona of the green-eyed monster of jealousy just as Iago foreshadowed in Act 3: Scene 3, â€Å"O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;/It is the green-eyed monster whish doth mock†. During his reveal of the supposed affair of Desdemona and Cassio, Iago’s character uses language techniques such as pause, intonation and inflection as Shakespeare intended, causing Othello to get frustrated, impatient and underlying annoyance, which leads him to say, â€Å"By heaven I’ll know thy thoughts†. Iago lulls a false sense of safety and false anxiety leading Othello to believe he is honest, especially when he says â€Å"I should be wise, for honesty’s a fool/And loses that it works for†, â€Å"To be direct and honest is not safe† in Act 3: Scene 3. Othello believes Iago is honest and trusts him undoubtedly because of the mateship that exists between comrades, Iago uses this connection to mislead and manipulate him. Iago is a conniving and deceiving puppeteer to all those in the play, all in order to attempt to bring Othello’s downfall of office, respect, and reputation. Through Iago’s intelligence and knowledge of potential and existing weaknesses within characters he is able to tell and lie to the characters, effectively manages to manipulate and bring about the final tragedy in Othello. The concept of honesty and deception between throughout this play by William Shakespeare is intense, important, and prominent.

Brand Value and Brand Cannibalization Essay Example

Brand Value and Brand Cannibalization Paper In brand marketing, the term cannibalization refers to a new product eating into the profits of a current product from the same company. Its a fairly common business strategy, and while the idea of cannibalizing your own product sounds bad, it can actually be a successful business practice. In 2010 for example, when Apple introduced the iPad, it took sales away from the original Mac computer. However, the iPad ultimately led to an expanded market for consumer computing hardware and was quite a successful venture for Apple. Brand management is a process that involves every part, bit and employee of the company to capture the true essence of the brand. Brand Value cannot be built in a day. It is a long process of building inseparable attributes in consumers mind. Consumers take time to adjust and bond well with a brand. They, like any other child, need to be taken care of, served well and be communicated as well as educated with the correct knowledge at every touch point. Over a period of time, as the brand ages, the loyalty within their minds evolve into an inseparable bond. Hence, brand Value cannot be created by the company alone; it requires to be co-created by the consumers too. The process of brand management is not the role of the marketing department but of the top management of the company. The paper will discuss the theory of creating a brand strategy for a company as a tool for managing a brand and developing it. Now at Present the role of branding is of great importance in the business world and its role is quite hard to ignore. Branding helps differentiate goods or services of one firm from another. It is because of branding that customers are able to identify and prefer the products and services of one firm over another. The paper will examine a uniform knowledge of what the brand stands for and how it will be communicated to the general public and serve as a framework for strategic decision-making for the company management and employees. We will write a custom essay sample on Brand Value and Brand Cannibalization specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Brand Value and Brand Cannibalization specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Brand Value and Brand Cannibalization specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Brands are in stores, in advertisements, television commercials and with the internet, they are everywhere we look, while browsing through the vast networks of our interests. In brand management, brand contains manager-based and customer-based functions. Brand managers usually stand from the marketer’s and the firm’s perspectives, stressing the perceptions they accrue to a brand to promote products, differentiate companies from their competitors and satisfy short-term commercial goals [5, 6]. From the customer’s point of view, brands not only sign to differentiate products from competing goods but also a semiotic engine producing meaning and values [13]. Therefore a brand is the product as it is experienced and valued in social life, and branding refers to all the activities that shape customer perceptions, particularly the firm’s activities. Today brand management’s importance lays company†²s outside the business itself, in the minds of potent ial buyers [16]. These values of brands are reflected in the, anchors of company. Products are introduced, they live and disappear but brands never ended [16]. The term brand holds multiple meanings. According to John Murphy, founder of Interbrand, a brand is not only an actual product, but also the unique property of a specific owner. Brands are increasingly considered to be the primary capital in many businesses. Sterne [26] argues that a brand is not a name. A brand is not a positioning statement. It is not a marketing message. It is a promise made by a company to its customers and supported by that company. Sterne’s statement indicated a phenomenon of how consumers give their passion and loyalty to a brand. We can explain this phenomenon in a more straight forward way via taking an example of Apple. Apple maintains its consumers by creating a brand connecting with an image of imagination, design and innovation, which is the key to its survival. This phenomenon indicates a brand has an additional value that enables marketers to maintain current consumers and attract new consumers. This value is brand equity. Brand equity means raising brand awareness, maintaining brand loyalty, building up positive associations about brand, and spread product or service information via words-of-mouth communication. How to achieve these goals via optimizing of brand management resources becomes the challenge for today’s marketers [1]. Hence, the paper begins by giving a background of the happening of brand and brand equity valuation are the centre of interest of both academic and business experts in today’s world. The paper also highlights how a company can build, and use a brand in order to obtain and sustain the competitive advantage in the market place. Therefore a brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that identifies one seller’s good or service as distinct from those of other sellers. Branding is the main important strategy of any business. Branding or Brand is not important only for companies but it takes equal importance for customers. Brand for customers will indicate commitment towards quality from sellers there by reducing time spent in coming to a purchase decision. Brand for companies will indicate a sort of benchmark in quality as well as customer expectation, a point of differentiation from competitors and a steady stream of profit. The brand value can be shown in to four dimensions like Reputation Value, Relationship Value, Experiential Value, and Symbolic Value. Working with a scarcity mentality will help maximize returns for every dollar spent by answering the question, Is this the best way to spend dollars on marketing my brand, or is this money better spent elsewhere to generate greater returns? Like Starbucks, instead of spending money on TV advertising, clusters an area with its stores, increasing total revenue and market share. This was contrary to what established retailing houses did, which was to avoid placing stores near each other so as not to cannibalize sales at existing outlets. For Starbucks, doing so resulted in reduced supply costs and made management of the stores cheaper, which more than made up for sales lost to cannibalization. Thus, funding for expansion from internal cash flow was a judicious use of money. Until recently, Starbucks spent just 1% of its revenues on marketing and advertising (compared to more than 10% for companies of the same size).

How to Write a Research Paper on Death Penalty

How to Write a Research Paper on Death Penalty Research Paper on Death Penalty How to start a research paper on death penalty Tips on how to start Making an outline Outline example Thesis statement examples Example of a death penalty research paper introduction How to write body paragraphs for the research paper on death penalty Tips on writing the body of the research paper First paragraph example Second paragraph example Third paragraph example How to write a conclusion of a research paper on death penalty Tips for writing a conclusion Example of a conclusion Revision tips How to start a research paper on death penalty In making a research paper, you should first come up with a topic. The topic should be relatable and informative. In choosing the topic, the author must consider the current events that are happening, the most talked about a topic that the readers would be interested to read. Death penalty is one of the biggest issues that have been revolving in the news for a very long time. Below are the tips on how to start writing your own research paper about the death penalty. Tips on how to start 1. Gather Information A student should first read journals and articles that are related to death penalty to be able to understand the topic well. An author should touch every aspect of the topic so when the writing starts not to state the false truth and to make the research paper or thesis reliable and factual. 2. Familiarize with the topic Familiarization will help an author see different sides of the topic death penalty. He or she can do this by watching videos of debate on death penalty. This way a student will understand the topic better and will be able to write the research paper in an objective manner. It is important to be objective in this kind of topic because the readers will have the freedom to take a side based on truths and evidences and not just based on the subjective point of view of the author. 3. Incorporate laws in the research Death penalty is a very sensitive topic and the information about it should be disseminated to the readers in a manner that is not derogatory to anyone. Reading law articles would be helpful in writing a research paper on this topic. This way the author will be informed of what laws are interconnected and related to death penalty. Making an outline An outline will serve as a guide for a research paper to be written in an organized manner so that the readers will understand it. This will help you organize your thoughts and ideas before writing. It is important to make an outline first before making the research paper to avoid errors and mixed information. The outline should consist of the following points: Thesis statement Supporting Arguments Body of the research paper of thesis Conclusion Outline example Thesis Title Abolish Death Penalty Thesis Statement Death penalty should be abolished because there is no assurance that the justice system is foolproof. It will only make the risks higher for innocent people to be punished in crimes they did not do. Supporting Arguments a) Killing people is inhumane and immoral. b) Death penalty is against human rights and very barbaric. C) The prisoners in the death row can possibly be innocent. Body of the Research Paper List of reasons why death penalty never fit a crime and why it is not morally accepted. Conclusion a) Supporting quote (relate back to intro): â€Å"The fear of death is the fear of life.† b) Restate thesis: Death penalty will not help people find justice; instead, it will only worsen the flaw in our justice system. Above is a sample outline that will guide you and give you an idea on how to make your own research paper. In your actual research paper or thesis, the body of the paragraph should consist of more than four paragraphs while the conclusion can be one long paragraph. Thesis statement examples In order to help you with your research paper, here are some thesis statement examples that will give you an idea of writing your own. The thesis statement is the problem that will be discussed in the entire research paper so if the statement is good the whole paper will be good. Death penalty should be abolished because of there is no assurance that the justice system is foolproof. It will only make the risks higher for innocent people to be punished for crimes they did not do. The approval of death penalty will only bring back the medieval way of punishing people in the most inhumane way. Death penalty is just like giving the politicians the right to murder anyone to settle political scores. Example of a death penalty research paper introduction In each given thesis statement examples above, there is a correspondent example introduction below to show you how to make an introduction. An introduction should always answer the questions why and how, why it should happen and how it would be accomplished. This will also help you come up with your own introduction in your research paper. The abolition of the death penalty should be pushed through so no one will be put into jail and die because of injustice. It will only happen if the government justice system will listen to the peoples cry and if they will consider human acts of punishment. In the medieval times, people were punished to death if they did something that is against the law. If we just continue this inhumane act of our ancestors, we will only prove that we have not evolved and stayed the same. In this present age, people are more open to change; if we continue the traditional punishment it only will show that there is no difference between the medieval people and us. Death penalty is an act that shows how the justice system will legalize a different kind of murder. The politicians who abuse their powers will be delighted to use death penalty as their scapegoat in murdering innocent people that come their way. How to write body paragraphs for a research paper on death penalty A body of the paper should contain supporting statements that will make the research paper convincing. Below are some tips on how to write the body of the paragraph. Tips on writing the body of the research paper You should start by writing your main and supporting ideas. The main ideas should always be in the first paragraph and the supporting ideas should be on the next paragraphs so the readers will understand the main topic. Each idea has to be explained and elaborated well for the readers to understand it clearly. You can also provide examples to give clarification to the readers. You should cite legitimate sources in your research paper. In finding supporting statements, you should make sure that you cited from books and journals that are used by lawyers and professionals. This will make your research paper authentic and reliable. If you want, you can also state news and article reviews as evidences of your statements. Conclusion in every paragraph is optional but it can also help the readers summarize the whole research paper. Below is an example of a short body of the paragraph to be your guide in writing your own research paper on death penalty. Thesis statement: Death penalty should be abolished because of its injustice. First paragraph example There is a number of reasons why death penalty never fit a crime. Even if a person did a crime, there is still no valid reason for anyone to sentence him death. The current justice system states that a person who committed the worst crime should be punished based on how worst his crime is. This seems to be completely illogical and contradictory. How can a person be accused of a crime that he did not do anything about? The answer is no one; therefore, the death penalty is not morally accepted. Second paragraph example In terms of morality, those people who receive the death penalty are usually not physically or mentally fit to receive the punishment. Some are suffering from mental disabilities that have caused them commit such crimes. Twelve percent of people who are on the death row are proven mentally retarded making them not fit to the punishment of death. Third paragraph example The electric chair used for killing people who are in the death row has reported to fail and causes multiple attempts of execution before the prison actually die. Even the lethal injection used in modern execution sometimes fails and makes the prisoners execution slower and painful. Things like this prove that there is a serious flaw in the justice system. How to write a conclusion of a research paper on death penalty A conclusion serves as the summary of a research paper. It will also include your stand on the topic, whether you agree or disagree. It is important to include a conclusion in every research paper because it will be the closing paragraph and it indicates the end of the research paper. Tips for writing a conclusion A conclusion should have a brief summary of a body of a research paper. You can use a quotation related to death penalty to capture the attention of your readers until the end. Recall some important points in the body of the research so that the information will be refreshed in the mind of the readers. Compare your topic with other. In this way, you will show the readers that your research paper is broad and universal. Lastly, give recommendations. This will make your conclusion more professional. To complete your guide in writing a research paper on death penalty, below is an example of a conclusion that you can use as to help you write your own conclusion. Example of a conclusion A wise man once said, â€Å"The fear of death is the fear of life.† Death penalty will not help people find justice; instead, it will only worsen the flaw in our justice system. The people who commit crimes should receive punishment but not in the form of death. Their lives should be valued no matter what mistake they have made. They should learn their lesson while in jail but they should never suffer death as a form of payment for their crimes. Revision Tips After submitting your final thesis or research paper your professor/instructor will give advice on how you can improve your research paper. Below are some tips on how you will revise your paper fast and efficiently. List down corrections When your professor gives back your thesis or research paper for the revision you must first check what are the parts that need revision. Once you finish scanning the paper for all the revisions needed you can already start revising. The best technique to make revising fast is to go page by page. When you do this, you can make sure that there is no single word in the research paper that you have not seen. Consider feedback Your professor aims to help you in your research paper so you should consider all his notes and advice in improving your research paper. Accept that your paper is not perfect and the advice that he or she gave you is important and will be so much help. Ask for help When you are having a hard time correcting your own work it is okay to ask someone for help. It may be your classmate, brother, sister, or parents, as long as they are willing and knowledgeable you should always consider their help. Sometimes we cannot see our own mistakes, so having another person check your work and give comments about it will not only improve the research paper it will also give you ideas on how to make it better the next time you make another research paper.

Whole Foods Market Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Whole Foods Market - Case Study Example WFM’s mission is: â€Å"Whole Foods – Whole People – Whole Planet,† aiming â€Å"to promote the vitality and well-being of all individuals by supplying the highest quality, most wholesome foods available† (WFM Form 10-K, 2013, p. 1) – thus the reference to Whole Foods. It follows, however, that the purity of the food provided WFM’s customers is directly determined by the quality of the environment, therefore the reference to Whole Planet. Finally, the provision of good, healthy food and maintenance of the environment can only be achieved by dedicated individuals working towards a common objective; therefore the reference to Whole People. This analysis explores WFM’s business and control strategies, adopting the paradigms of Porter’s generic strategies and the organisational theory by Coase/Williamson, respectively. It discusses the approach of WFM to substantial changes in terms of technology, products and services, and o rganisational structure, strategy and culture, and explains how change policies have evolved in WFM. Finally, discussion is focused on WFM’s virtual and self-managed teams which are the fundamental organisational units of the firm and the source of its competitive advantage. WFM’s Business and Control Strategies Business strategy of WFM A business strategy, in its simplest definition, is the means by which a business organisation identifies and attains its goals (Porter, 1996). Devising a strategy for business begins with identifying the firm’s goal, and then systematically formulating a plan by which the goal may be achieved. WFM’s purpose is embodied in its mission and core values. Its strategy goes well beyond merely providing fresh foods. The vision emphasises that â€Å"whole people† are as important as â€Å"whole foods† – that is, developing their human component to their fullest potential, allowing them the freedom to create a nd innovate, and the power to decide on matters that affect their sphere of work. Generic strategies based on Porter’s typology (Parnell, 2013, p 184) Emphasis on Entire Market or Niche Emphasis on Low Costs Emphasis on Differentiation Emphasis on Low Costs and Differentiation Entire Market Low-cost strategy Differentiation strategy Low cost differentiation strategy Niche Focus low cost strategy Focus differentiation strategy Focus low cost differentiation strategy WFM’s business strategy emphasises creativity and innovation which create a difference in the stores’ choice of product offerings and the quality of their service delivery, for the entire market. This is the differentiation approach. This is the strategy that is ideal in markets dominated by large market leaders – in this case, Wal-Mart which overshadows all other competitors in the grocery industry. Rather than going head-to-head with Wal-Mart and inevitably lose in the process, WFM could achi eve greater business success if it distinguishes itself along key strategic points. These key attributes are those competitive factors that the smaller grocer can develop but which Wal-Mart cannot easily duplicate, such as less hectic stores, superior selection of certain food products, or greater convenience to the customer (Parnell, 2013). WFM’s favourable employee policies that develop a sense of engagement and ownership among its workers are evidenced by its annual inclusion in Fortune Magazine’

Politics of the knowledge Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Politics of the knowledge - Essay Example Moreover, it crates diverse outlining mechanism of the societal, communicative coupled with chronological references. Constructivist makes this story to be radical, inventive and popular thus conforming to the modern approach of the societal science. Majority of the populace prefer truth-possessing evidence coupled with diverse comprehension. Traditions are methodological that share healthy skepticism of inductivism of knowledge and truth. Inductivism emphasizes on the significance of precise experimental element of the underlying story. Moreover, there is no substitute for an analyst’s knowledge with a data in historical learning of practical influence (Carr, 1987). Above argument is evident in the elaboration of the theory of the epistemic justification and understanding of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca. All aspects of the chapter aid in understanding despite the existence of competing ideas. Constructivism aids in inserting studies into a bigger social scientific projects. Chapter 8 gives distinct description of the diverse methods , which readers can comprehend the patterns of the

Bob Beall at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation c Case Study

Bob Beall at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Case Study Example It is an orphan disease means that it is hard for it to get funding for research on the area. This means that Cystic Fibrosis Foundation had to suffer issues with funding. Because Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a rare and also a genetic disease makes it hard for research on the disease to be done as smoothly as other non-genetic and maintain diseases. The kind of leadership that Bob Beall displayed was the democratic leadership. It is very clear that he uses democratic leadership. In the case study, it has been identified that he never pressured his researchers to deliver the result. His favorite quote was â€Å"no pressure† which means that he always believed that his researchers did not have to be pushed or micromanaged to be able to perform better. However, this did not mean that he did not have compassion for the patients who needed to have a working medication as soon as possible. His passion to start working for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is enough proof that he was determined to develop a solution for this issue that was affecting so many lives, especially the young ones. One of the major advantages of this kind of leadership is that it allows innovation. In the long term, this is good for such an organization that is focused on research to develop a solution that has not been developed in the past. Democratic leadership has the advantage of the fact that the subordinates are allowed to be in control of their work. This increases motivation as people are naturally happy with autonomy and are not happy when they are being micromanaged. In such an environment where people with such specialized and expert-level skills as the kind people who were doing research at Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, it is necessary to give them freedom since this kind of research requires them to be creative and do not operate under a structured environment. This allows them to explore all the possibilities and allows them to be flexible in what they do, thus  raising the chance of successes.

Oscilloscope The most useful instrument

Oscilloscope The most useful instrument INTRODUCTION Cathode Ray Oscilloscope (CRO): An oscilloscope is easily the most useful instrument available for testing circuits because it allows you to see the signals at different points in the circuit. The best way of investigating an electronic system is to monitor signals at the input and output of each system block, checking that each block is operating as expected and is correctly linked to the next. With a little practice, we will be able to find and correct faults quickly and accurately. The symbol for a CRO: The screen of a CRO is very similar to a TV, except it is much simpler. We will not go into the similarities except to say that the picture tube on a TV and the screen on a CRO are both a special type of valve called a Cathode Ray Tube. It is a vacuum tube with a cathode (negative electrode) at one end that emits electrons and anodes (positive electrodes) to accelerate the electron beam up/down and left/right to hit a phosphor coating at the end of the tube, called the screen. The electrons are called cathode rays because they are emitted by the cathode and this gives the oscilloscope its full name: Cathode Ray Oscilloscope or CRO. CRO IN DETAIL The main part of the C.R.O. is a highly evacuated glass tube housing parts which generates a beam of electrons, accelerates them, shapes them into a narrow beam, and provides external connections to the sets of plates for changing the direction of the beam. Internal Components K, an indirectly heated cathode which provides a source of electrons for the beam by boiling them out of the cathode. P, the anode (or plate) which is circular with a small central hole. The potential of P creates an electric field which accelerates the electrons, some of which emerge from the hole as a fine beam. This beam lies along the central axis of the tube. G, the grid. Controlling the potential of the grid controls the number of electrons for the beam, and hence the intensity of the spot on the screen where the beam hits. F, the focusing cylinder. This aids in concentrating the electron beam into a thin straight line much as a lens operates in optics. X, Y, deflection plate pairs. The X plates are used for deflecting the beam left to right (the x direction) by means of the ramp voltage. The Y plates are used for deflection of the beam in the vertical direction. Voltages on the X and Y sets of plates determine where the beam will strike the screen and cause a spot of light. S, the screen. This is coated on the inside with a material which fluoresces with green light (usually) where the electrons are striking. As well as this tube, there are several electronic circuits required to operate the tube, all within the C.R.O. along with the tube: A power supply, operated from the 110 volt 60 cycle per second electrical mains. This supply provides all the voltages required for the different circuits within the C.R.O. for operation of the tube. A sawtooth, or ramp signal generator which makes the spot move left to right on the screen. External controls for this circuit allow variation of the sweep width, and the frequency of the sweep signal. Because of the persistence of our vision, this sweep is often fast enough that what we see on the screen is a continuous horizontal line. Amplifiers for the internally generated ramp signal, and for the unknown signal which we hook up to the C.R.O. for the purpose of displaying it. Shift devices which allow us to control the mean position of the beam; up or down, or left to right. The synchroniser circuit. This circuit allows us to synchronise the unknown signal with the ramp signal such that the resulting display is a nice clear signal like a snapshot of the unknown voltage vs. time. C.R.O. Operation: Typical front-panel controls Front Panel On-off switch. INTENS. This is the intensity control connected to the grid G to control the beam intensity and hence the brightness of the screen spots. Dont run the intensity too high, just bright enough for clear visibility. Always have the spot sweeping left to right or the beam may burn a hole in the screen. FOCUS allows you to obtain a clearly defined line on the screen. POSITION allows you to adjust the vertical position of the waveform on the screen. (There is one of these for each channel). AMPL/DIV. is a control of the Y (i.e. vertical) amplitude of the signal on the screen.(There is one of these for each channel). AC/DC switch. This should be left in the DC position unless you cannot get a signal on-screen otherwise. (There is one of these for each channel). AB/ADD switch. This allows you to display both input channels separately or to combine them into one. +/- switch. This allows you to invert the B channel on the display. Channel A input Channel B input X POSITION these allow you to adjust the horizontal position of the signals on the screen. LEVEL this allows you to determine the trigger level; i.e. the point of the waveform at which the ramp voltage will begin in time base mode. ms/ µs This defines the multiplication factor for the horizontal scale in timebase mode. (See 15 below.) MAGN The horizontal scale units are to be multiplied by this setting in both timebase and xy modes. To avoid confusion, leave it at x1 unless you really need to change it. Time/Div This selector controls the frequency at which the beam sweeps horizontally across the screen in time base mode, as well as whether the oscilloscope is in timebase mode or xy (x VIA A) mode. This switch has the following positions: (a) X VIA A In this position, an external signal connected to input A is used in place of the internally generated ramp. (This is also known as xy mode.) (b) .5, 1, 2, 5, etc. Here the internally generated ramp voltage will repeat such that each large (cm) horizontal division corresponds to .5, 1, 2, 5, etc. ms. or  µs depending on the multiplier and magnitude settings. (Note also the x1/x5 switch in 14 above.) The following controls are for triggering of the scope, and only have an effect in timebase mode. A/B selector. This allows you to choose which signal to use for triggering. -/+ will force the ramp signal to synchronise its starting time to either the decreasing or increasing part of the unknown signal you are studying. INT/EXT This will determine whether the the ramp will be synchronised to the signal chosen by the A/B switch or by whatever signal is applied to the EXT. SYNC. input. (See 21 below.) AC/TV selectors. Ive never figured out what this does; find whichever position works. External trigger input INTRODUCTION FUNCTION GENERATOR A function generator is a device that can produce various patterns of voltage at a variety of frequencies and amplitudes. It is used to test the response of circuits to common input signals. The electrical leads from the device are attached to the ground and signal input terminals of the device under test. Most function generators allow the user to choose the shape of the output from a small number of options. Square wave The signal goes directly from high to low voltage. Sine wave The signal curves like a sinusoid from high to low voltage. Triangle wave The signal goes from high to low voltage at a fixed rate. The amplitude control on a function generator varies the voltage difference between the high and low voltage of the output signal. The direct current (DC) offset control on a function generator varies the average voltage of a signal relative to the ground. The frequency control of a function generator controls the rate at which output signal oscillates. On some function generators, the frequency control is a combination of different controls. One set of controls chooses the broad frequency range (order of magnitude) and the other selects the precise frequency. This allows the function generator to handle the enormous variation in frequency scale needed for signals. The duty cycle of a signal refers to the ratio of high voltage to low voltage time in a square wave signal. FUNCTION OF FUNCTION GENERATOR Analog function generators usually generate a triangle waveform as the basis for all of its other outputs. The triangle is generated by repeatedly charging and discharging a capacitor from a constant current source. This produces a linearly ascending or descending voltage ramp. As the output voltage reaches upper and lower limits, the charging and discharging is reversed using a comparator, producing the linear triangle wave. By varying the current and the size of the capacitor, different frequencies may be obtained. A 50% duty cycle square wave is easily obtained by noting whether the capacitor is being charged or discharged, which is reflected in the current switching comparators output. Most function generators also contain a non-linear diode shaping circuit that can convert the triangle wave into a reasonably accurate sine wave. It does so by rounding off the hard corners of the triangle wave in a process similar to clipping in audio systems. The type of output connector from the device depends on the frequency range of the generator. A typical function generator can provide frequencies up to 20 MHz and uses a BNC connector, usually requiring a 50 or 75 ohm termination. Specialised RF generators are capable of gigahertz frequencies and typically use N-type output connectors. Function generators, like most signal generators, may also contain an attenuator, various means of modulating the output waveform, and often the ability to automatically and repetitively sweep the frequency of the output waveform (by means of a voltage-controlled oscillator) between two operator-determined limits. This capability makes it very easy to evaluate the frequency response of a given electronic circuit. Some function generators can also generate white or pink noise. More advanced function generators use Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) to generate waveforms. Arbitrary waveform generators use DDS to generate any waveform that can be described by a table of amplitude values. REFERENCE http://www.doctronics.co.uk/scope.htm http://www.9h1mrl.org/workshop/CRO-Ebook-1/html/CRO-P1-Intro.html http://denethor.wlu.ca/pc200/scope/oscilloscope.pdf http://cnx.org/content/m11895/latest/

The Wilderness in Margaret Atwood’s Surfacing, Mary Austin’s Land of Li

The Wilderness in Margaret Atwood’s Surfacing, Mary Austin’s Land of Little Rain, and Gary Snyder’s The Practice of the Wild Journeys into the wilderness test far more than the physical boundaries of the human traveler. Twentieth century wilderness authors move beyond the traditional travel-tour approach where nature is an external diversion from everyday life. Instead, nature becomes a catalyst for knowing our internal wilderness and our universal connections to all living things. In Margaret Atwood’s Surfacing, Mary Austin’s Land of Little Rain, and Gary Snyder’s The Practice of the Wild, â€Å"nature† mirrors each narrator: what the narrators ultimately discover in the wilderness reflects what needs they bring to it. Their points of view, expectations, and awareness all determine their experiences of the wild and â€Å"self.† Ultimately, however, each work reveals that the experience of nature need not be restricted only to â€Å"self-discovery,† but may well expand to an understanding of the spiritual â€Å"family self.† Atwood’s psychological novel describes the return journey by its narrator from a self-centered, urban existence to the Canadian wilderness of her youth, where she finds the meaning of family and her role in it. Though not overtly psychological, Mary Austin’s intense devotion to the life and people of her desert community suggests these have become replacements for her own, unsuccessful attempts at conventional family life. Finally, Gary Snyder’s kinship with nature exemplifies a life integrated in all aspects—a union that merges the practical, psychological, and spiritual into what may be called the â€Å"cosmic† family. Birth of Family Margaret Atwood’s Surfacing describes the heroine/narrator’s phy... ...our experiences: the progress of our consciousness. This progress resolves issues of the self and one’s individual past, heals our psychic pain, and releases us from powerlessness and fear. By accepting the wilderness in ourselves we will understand the wilderness in each other and our connectedness. Nature functions as catalyst, as guide, as test, as teacher. Then opening the spiritual window to grace, we ultimately realize the possibility of being fully human. References Atwood, Margaret. Surfacing (New York: Fawcett Crest, 1972). Austin, Mary. Stories from the Country of Lost Borders. Ed. Marjorie Pryse (New Brunswick: Rutgers UP, 1987). Pryse, Marjorie. "Introduction" to Stories from the Country of Lost Borders by Mary Austin. (New Brunswick: Rutgers UP, 1987). Snyder, Gary. The Practice of the Wild (San Francisco: North Point Press, 1990).

Helicopter Emergency Medical Service

Helicopter Emergency Medical Service Air medical transport has only been used for the past 70 years. The first true air ambulance flight was during the Great War. A Serbian officer was transported from the battlefield to the hospital by plane. Air ambulance was being tested by different military organizations during the First World War. Schaefer Air services was the first United States air ambulance service, created in 1947. The Korean War was the big turning point for EMS helicopters. In 1950, the military was given authorization to use helicopters for medical purposes.These helicopters were used to evacuate injured patients from the battlefield during combat. The small helicopters were equipped with basket stretchers that were attached to the landing gear. The patients were transported outside of the aircraft, which did not allow for medical during transport. From January 1951 to January 1953 more than 17,000 patients were removed from the battlefield and transported to the hospita l by helicopter. The use of medical helicopter transport significantly decreased the causality/death rate among the people in combat.World War II death/causality rate was 4. 5 deaths per 100 casualties, whereas, the Korean War death/casualty rate was 2. 5 deaths per 100 casualties. The Vietnam War introduced to idea of patients receiving medical care during air transport. The Bell UH-1 also known as the Huey was the frost helicopter that was large enough to carry the patient and medical staff inside the aircraft. The state of Maryland started the nation’s first combined emergency service helicopter program, in 1969. This program was put into place by the Maryland State Police and the University of Maryland.The program joined together the state police, rescue and HEMS (helicopter emergency medical service). In 1972, St. Anthony Central Hospital in Denver Colorado was the first hospital to have civilian hospital-based helicopter transport. This hospital-based helicopter transpo rt system is still in use today and is now intergrated with Denver EMS. The attributes of helicopter transport are speed, accessibility, specialized personnel and technology. Modern medical helicopters are capable of sustain speeds in excess of 150mph. This allows for patients to be transported to a specialized care center much faster than ground transport.Using a helicopter allows for emergency medical personnel to access patients in places ground crews cannot go. A helicopter can take off and land in a vertical motion. Emergency medical helicopters are staffed with highly trained and skilled staff. EMS helicopters are equipped with highly sophisticated medical technology and can reach people across a wide geographical area. When considering the use of the EMS helicopter you should take all these attributes into consideration. If these attributes are not important, then the use of an expensive EMS helicopter should not be used.Air medical transport can pose its own stressors to pat ients, medical staff and medical equipment. These stressors are more predominant in fixed-wing operations rather than helicopter transport. Hypoxemia is the biggest threat to people who fly. However helicopters no dot exceed 1000 feet above sea level. Patients being transported by helicopter are at no significant risk of hypoxemia secondary to decreased ambient pressure. Acceleration of the aircraft is another factor that can stress the patient. Helicopter acceleration force is not that much different than that of ground transport.Acceleration is more significant in fixed-wing aircraft. Noise is a major issue when it comes to helicopter transport. The noise inside the helicopter causes problems for the medical staff. The noise may hinder the medical staff from hearing lung sounds. The staff must use headphones and an intercom system to communicate. Vibration of the aircraft is another problem for the patient and staff. The vibrations can cause fatigue and discomfort to the patient. Vibration can also cause monitoring errors and equipment malfunction. Air medical transport has a few cons but when life is on the line these issues seem minor.Each helicopter has its own transport team. The transport team may consist of a pilot, registered nurse or paramedic, and can include EMT’s and EMT-I’s. Some flight crews include a physician. Physicians on fight crews have posed a lot of controversy as to whether a physician as a crew member improves the outcome of the patient. Each crew member must undergo many education courses as well as hands on training before being employed by HEMS. Safety is the most important aspect to HEMS. Emergency medical helicopters have an alarming history of crashes.The National Transportation Safety Board conducted a study to determine the major causes of helicopter crashes. Important areas of flight risk are the pilots, the mechanics of the aircraft, crew training, maintenance, weather conditions, time of day, and landing sites. The study showed that poor weather conditions posed the greatest risk for helicopter crashes. Since, the study many improvements have been made to improve the crash rate. It has been said that the sole decision is set on the pilot as to whether it is safe enough to take the flight or not.The pilot must consider the weather conditions, aircraft maintainence, and crew readiness. Medical personnel cannot make the decision to take the call. Medical personnel should not tell the pilot the nature of the call, because this may deter the pilot’s judgment. Currently the Federal Aviation Administration is looking to make changes in the safety procedures of HEMS. Air medical transport is generally used in for two reasons, rescue and inter-hospital transfer. Helicopter transport is very expensive and is potentially dangerous.Rescue helicopters are dispatched by emergency personnel at the scene. The helicopter reports to the scene of the accident or illness. When should a EMS helicopter be dispatched? EMS helicopter should only be called out when speed, accessibility, specialized equipment and personnel are all needed to save life or limb. Inter-hospital air medical transport is generally used to transfer critically ill patients to another hospital that suites the needs of the patient. There are two types of landing sites for EMS helicopters. One type is the controlled site. The controlled site located at hospitals.These landing sites are constructed to safely accomindate the aircraft. The second type of landing site is the uncontrolled landing site. The uncontrolled landing site is landing at the scene of an accident. The landing site is selected by the ground EMS. The pilot looks at the site and determines if it is safe to land or not. Ground EMS are trained on how to chose, and mark a landing site. Ground EMS personnel are also trained on how to behave around the aircraft. When a patient is going to be transported by air the ground EMS must prepare the patient f or transport.The EMS ground crew should have the patient stabilized as much as possible before transport. Another way ground EMS can prepare the patient is to intubate a patient that has a high potential for loss of airway. Good communication is the biggest factor in a successful transport. Ground EMS typically has radio communication with the helicopter. The communication between the two should be maintained until after the helicopter takes off. Maintaining good communication allows the flight crew to inform ground EMS of any major, unexpected patient complications or malfunctions of the aircraft.EMS helicopters must have well trained, diverse flight crews. These crew members must be able to perform their duties on the scene of an accident and while in flight. The crew members are trained to handle many different types of patients such as drowning, burns, spinal cord injuries, heart attacks, pediatric and neonatal patients. The flight nurse is responsible for the patient assessment , and interventions before loading the patient on the aircraft. The flight nurse must know how to use all the equipment and know all the safety guidelines pertaining to the aircraft.There are many different requirements to becoming a flight paramedic. A person who wants to become a flight paramedic must be able to work in chaotic situations. Becoming a flight paramedic involves a lot of hard work and dedication. The person who wants to become a paramedic must have at least one year EMT experience and many different certifications such as: CPR, Basic Life Support (BLS), Basic Pediatric Life Support (BPLS), Basic Trauma Life Support (BTLS), Neo Natal Life Support (NALS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).In order to become a flight paramedic this person would have to have at least 5 years critical care experience in a high volume progressive EMS system. Becoming a flight paramedic is no easy task.References Formm, Jr. Robert E. â€Å"Air medical transport†. Journal of Family Practice. March 1993. http://www. findarticals. com/p/articles. html . 1 Oct. 2010. Kreisher, Otto. â€Å"The Rise of the Helicopter During the Korean War†. Aviation History Magazine. History. net Jan 2007. http://www. historynet. com/the-rise-of-the -helicopter-during-the-korean-war. htm. 1 Oct. 010 Federal Aviation Administration. â€Å"Helicopter Emergency Medical Service Safety. †8 June 2010. http://www. faa. gov/news/fact_sheets/news_story. cfm? newsID+6763. 1 Oct. 2010. Lenworth M. Jacobs, MD, MPH, FACS, and Bennet, Barbra, RN, MPH. â€Å"The Critical Care Helicopter System in Trauma. † Hartford Conneticut.. http://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/pmc/articles/PMC/articles. 1 Oct. 2010 Gentile. Rosanne. â€Å"How to Become a Flight Paramedic: Required Qualifications and Education. † Associated Content. 18 August 2008. http://associatedcontent. com. 1 Oct. 2010

Free Essays on Henry Thoreau A Critical Analysis

Henry David Thoreau wrote in chapter 2 of Waldon: Time is but a stream I go a-fishing in. I drink at it; but while I drink I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is. It’s thin current slides away, but eternity remains. I would drink deeper; fish in the sky, whose bottom are pebbly with stars. I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and rifts its way into then secret of things. I do not wish to be any more busy with my hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated in it. My instincts tell me my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their snout and fore-paws, and with it I will mine and burrow my way through these hills. I think that the richest vein is somewhere hereabouts; so by the divining rod and thin rising vapors I judge; and here I will begin to mine. In this passage, Thoreau is trying to Understand the complexities of our lives, as well as that of the time we spend here. He begins by comparing time to a stream, an ever-flowing endless body of water, yet he is still able to see the bottom. In saying this, I gather he is comparing his life span (the distance to the bottom) to the ever-flowing body of time. He is telling us our life is but a short period in the stream of time. It is important to understand that we are not as significant as we would like to believe. Thoreau believes the only way to cut through this insignificance is to use our intellect like a â€Å"cleaver†. Cut through the all of the social mores and beliefs that have jaded our view on this wonderful world in which we live. To cut through our own faults and fears and discover the vein of truth that is within us all. He teaches us not to bother with unnecessary busy work, and focus on the more important things in our lives. To... Free Essays on Henry Thoreau A Critical Analysis Free Essays on Henry Thoreau A Critical Analysis Henry David Thoreau wrote in chapter 2 of Waldon: Time is but a stream I go a-fishing in. I drink at it; but while I drink I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is. It’s thin current slides away, but eternity remains. I would drink deeper; fish in the sky, whose bottom are pebbly with stars. I cannot count one. I know not the first letter of the alphabet. I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born. The intellect is a cleaver; it discerns and rifts its way into then secret of things. I do not wish to be any more busy with my hands than is necessary. My head is hands and feet. I feel all my best faculties concentrated in it. My instincts tell me my head is an organ for burrowing, as some creatures use their snout and fore-paws, and with it I will mine and burrow my way through these hills. I think that the richest vein is somewhere hereabouts; so by the divining rod and thin rising vapors I judge; and here I will begin to mine. In this passage, Thoreau is trying to Understand the complexities of our lives, as well as that of the time we spend here. He begins by comparing time to a stream, an ever-flowing endless body of water, yet he is still able to see the bottom. In saying this, I gather he is comparing his life span (the distance to the bottom) to the ever-flowing body of time. He is telling us our life is but a short period in the stream of time. It is important to understand that we are not as significant as we would like to believe. Thoreau believes the only way to cut through this insignificance is to use our intellect like a â€Å"cleaver†. Cut through the all of the social mores and beliefs that have jaded our view on this wonderful world in which we live. To cut through our own faults and fears and discover the vein of truth that is within us all. He teaches us not to bother with unnecessary busy work, and focus on the more important things in our lives. To...

Peoples Republic of China Facts and History

Peoples Republic of China Facts and History The history of China reaches back over 4,000 years. In that time, China has created a culture rich in philosophy and the arts. China has seen the invention of amazing technologies such as silk, paper, gunpowder, and many other products. Over the millennia, China has fought hundreds of wars. It has conquered its neighbors, and been conquered by them in turn. Early Chinese explorers such as Admiral Zheng He sailed all the way to Africa; today, Chinas space program continues this tradition of exploration. This snapshot of the Peoples Republic of China today includes a necessarily brief scan of Chinas ancient heritage. Capital and Major Cities Capital: Beijing, population 11 million. Major Cities: Shanghai, population 15 million. Shenzhen, population 12 million. Guangzhou, population 7 million. Hong Kong, population 7 million. Dongguan, population 6.5 million. Tianjin, population 5 million. Government The Peoples Republic of China is a socialist republic ruled by a single party, the Communist Party of China. Power in the Peoples Republic is divided between the National Peoples Congress (NPC), the President, and the State Council. The NPC is the single legislative body, whose members are selected by the Communist Party. The State Council, headed by the Premier, is the administrative branch. The Peoples Liberation Army also wields considerable political power. The current President of China and General Secretary of the Communist Party is Xi Jinping. The Premier is Li Keqiang. Official Language The official language of the PRC is Mandarin, a tonal language in the Sino-Tibetan family. Within China, however, only about 53 percent of the population can communicate in Standard Mandarin. Other important languages in China include Wu, with 77 million speakers; Min, with 60 million; Cantonese, 56 million speakers; Jin, 45 million speakers; Xiang, 36 million; Hakka, 34 million; Gan, 29 million; Uighur, 7.4 million; Tibetan, 5.3 million; Hui, 3.2 million; and Ping, with 2 million speakers. Dozens of minority languages also exist in the PRC, including Kazakh, Miao, Sui, Korean, Lisu, Mongolian, Qiang, and Yi. Population China has the largest population of any country on Earth, with more than 1.35 billion people. The government has long been concerned about population growth  and introduced the One-Child Policy in 1979. Under this policy, families were limited to just one child. Couples who got pregnant for a second time faced forced abortions or sterilization. This policy was loosened in December of 2013 to allow couples to have two children if one or both of the parents were only children themselves. There are exceptions to the policy for ethnic minorities, as well. Rural Han Chinese families also have always been able to have a second child if the first is a girl or has disabilities. Religion Under the communist system, religion has been officially discouraged in China. Actual suppression has varied from one religion to another, and from year to year. Many Chinese are nominally Buddhist and/or Taoist  but dont practice regularly. People who self-identify as Buddhist total about 50 percent, overlapping with the 30 percent who are Taoist. Fourteen percent are atheists, four percent Christians, 1.5 percent Muslims, and tiny percentages are Hindu, Bon, or Falun Gong adherents. Most Chinese Buddhists follow Mahayana or Pure Land Buddhism, with smaller populations of Theravada and Tibetan Buddhists. Geography Chinas area is 9.5 to 9.8 million square kilometers; the discrepancy is due to border disputes with India. In either case, its size is second only to Russia in Asia  and is either third or fourth in the world. China borders 14 countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burma, India, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Vietnam. From the worlds tallest mountain to the coast, and the Taklamakan desert to the jungles of Guilin, China includes diverse landforms. The highest point is Mt. Everest (Chomolungma) at 8,850 meters. The lowest is Turpan Pendi, at -154 meters. Climate As a result of its large area and various landforms, China includes climate zones from subarctic to tropical. Chinas northern province of Heilongjiang has average winter temperatures below freezing, with record lows of -30 degrees Celsius. Xinjiang, in the west, can reach nearly 50 degrees. Southern Hainan Island has a tropical monsoon climate. Average temperatures there range only from about 16 degrees Celsius in January to 29 in August. Hainan receives about 200 centimeters (79 inches) of rain annually. The western Taklamakan Desert receives only about 10 centimeters (4 inches) of rain and snow per year. Economy Over the past 25 years, China has had the fastest-growing major economy in the world, with annual growth of more than 10 percent. Nominally a socialist republic, since the 1970s the PRC has remade its economy into a capitalist powerhouse. Industry and agriculture are the largest sectors, producing more than 60 percent of Chinas GDP, and employing over 70 percent of the workforce. China exports $1.2 billion U.S. in consumer electronics, office machinery, and apparel, as well as some agricultural produce each year. The per capita GDP is $2,000. The official poverty rate is 10 percent. Chinas currency is the yuan renminbi. As of March 2014, $1 US 6.126 CNY. History of China Chinese historical records reach back into the realm of legend, 5,000 years ago. It is impossible to cover even the major events of this ancient culture in a short space, but here are some highlights. The first non-mythical dynasty to rule China was the Xia (2200- 1700 BCE), founded by Emperor Yu. It was succeeded by the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BCE), and then the Zhou Dynasty (1122-256 BCE). Historical records are scanty for these ancient dynastic times. In 221 BCE, Qin Shi Huangdi assumed the throne, conquering neighboring city-states, and unifying China. He founded the Qin Dynasty, which lasted only until 206 BCE. Today, he is best-known for his tomb complex in Xian (formerly Changan), which houses the incredible army of terracotta warriors. Qin Shi Huangs inept heir was overthrown by the army of commoner Liu Bang in 207 BCE. Liu then founded the Han Dynasty, which lasted until 220 CE. In the Han era, China expanded west as far as India, opening trade along what would later become the Silk Road. When the Han Empire collapsed in 220 CE, China was thrown into a period of anarchy and turmoil. For the next four centuries, dozens of kingdoms and fiefdoms competed for power. This era is called the Three Kingdoms, after the three most powerful of the rival realms (Wei, Shu, and Wu), but that is a gross simplification. By 589 CE, the Western branch of the Wei kings had accumulated enough wealth and power to defeat their rivals  and unite China once more. The Sui Dynasty was founded by Wei general Yang Jian  and ruled until 618 CE. It built the legal, governmental, and societal framework for the powerful Tang Empire to follow. The Tang Dynasty was founded by a general called Li Yuan, who had the Sui emperor assassinated in 618. The Tang ruled from 618 to 907 CE, and Chinese art and culture flourished. At the end of the Tang, China descended into chaos again in the 5 Dynasties and 10 Kingdoms period. In 959, a palace guard named Zhao Kuangyin took power and defeated the other small kingdoms. He established the Song Dynasty (960-1279), known for its intricate bureaucracy and Confucian learning. In 1271, the Mongolian ruler Kublai Khan (grandson of Genghis) established the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). The Mongols subjugated other ethnic groups including the Han Chinese  and eventually were overthrown by the ethnic-Han Ming. China flowered again under the Ming (1368-1644), creating great art and exploring as far as Africa. The final Chinese dynasty, the Qing, ruled from 1644 to 1911, when  the  Last Emperor  was overthrown.  Power struggles between warlords such as Sun Yat-Sen touched off the Chinese Civil War. Although the war was interrupted for a decade by the Japanese invasion and World War II, it picked up again once Japan was defeated. Mao Zedong and the Communist Peoples Liberation Army won the Chinese Civil War, and China became the Peoples Republic of China in 1949. Chiang Kai Shek, leader of the losing Nationalist forces, fled to Taiwan.