The Killer Angels Essays (1374 words) - , Term Papers

The Killer Angels Wars have been fought for many different reasons through the years, and that holds true for the American Civil War (1861-1865). In Michael Shaara's Pulitzer Prize winning novel, The Killer Angels, the reasons for fighting the war are brought about through the officers and soldiers at a famous battle site of the Civil War, Gettysburg. Gettysburg was one of the most documented battles of the whole war. It took place over a span of three days and can be viewed as a turning point from Confederate prominence to Confederate demise. As in any conflict, there are two sides to the story. The Union and the Confederacy each had their own views as to why they were fighting the war. Victors write the history so too often only the Union side is presented. In the book we are presented with some of both veiwpoints. The propaganda pitch the Union gave was they were fighting to free the slaves. This was not true! It was said Southerners were fighting to preserve slavery. This is also a false statement. Roughly less than 6% of all Southerners owned slaves. In fact, there were a substantial amount of generals in the Union army that owned slaves themselves. In addition the constitution protected slavery. If the true issue was to maintain slavery the South would not have seceded. The most obvious myth is that the ?good? North marched into the cruel and evil South for the sole purpose of freeing the slaves. There are many quotes from Northern leaders that show clearly that the main purpose of the North was not the eradication of slavery, but subjugation of the southern people. Slavery was used to rally the Northern population behind Abraham Lincoln's war. It was an emotional issue, sure some Yankees joined and fought to ?set men free?, but most were there to preserve the union. Preserving the Union me ant stepping on the Southern people and keeping them as a tax base to feed Northern industrialists. An interesting conflict of Northern morals is discovered. The North is portrayed as wanting to set black men free, but they practiced economic slavery on the Southern states. The Civil War was really more politically complex with regards to Abraham Lincoln and his Republican party's actions. The South fought this war as the Second American Revolution. The cause of the South was equated to that of their forefathers who had fought and won their freedom from Great Britain less than 100 years earlier. If it was a war to set men free, it was the Southern farm boy that wanted his freedoms guaranteed under the original constitution. The Northern states' politicians were aggressively attempting to implement a monarchial form of government, which was precisely what the early colonists had fought against in the American Revolution. The Northern states were taking advantage of their superior numbers in the federal government and were using their advantage to implement unfair tariffs against the South. Enormous amounts of money were taken from the South and funneled into the Northern states. Most of the revenue taken from the Southern states was used to run government programs. This brought about the argument of ?State's Rights? and a weaker central government by the South. The main cause of the war was Lincoln's rejection of the right to peaceable secession of the eleven sovereign states and subsequently the denial of self-government to the nearly 8 million people living in those states. The Federal government needed the income from the South so they were forced into fighting to save the tax coming from the South. Without consulting Congress, Lincoln sent great armies of destruction to the South. The Southern people had no choice but to defend themselves from this invasion. The South fought, simply, for their independence, as the United States federal government of the Northern states refused to allow the South to leave peacefully. The men of the South did not fight to win their freedom, they fought to keep it! To quote from the Declaration of Independence: ?... that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation

Climate Change The Complex Issue of Global Warming

Climate Change The Complex Issue of Global Warming Introduction Global warming has emerged as one of the most important and complex global issues facing the international community. This phenomenon has led to climate change that has caused many negative impacts to the environment. The international community has come to a realization that it must pay greater attention to this problem. This paper will examine the complex issue of global warming by reviewing some important questions on the topic including the greenhouse effect, atmospheric carbon dioxide and the significant environment damages of increased carbon emissions.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Climate Change: The Complex Issue of Global Warming specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Greenhouse Effect and CO2 Global warming has been largely attributed to the greenhouse effect. By definition, the greenhouse effect is the process through which the atmosphere absorbs infrared radiation emitted from the Earthâ₠¬â„¢s surface once it is heated directly by the sun during the day. This heat energy is then used to warm the planet. Greenhouse gases (GHGs) play an important role in controlling temperatures on the Earth. These gases fulfill this role by preventing all the sun’s radiation from escaping from the earth through convection (Jacobson 316). The GHGs selectively absorb radiation in the infrared region and then release this heat energy in all directions. By trapping some of the Sun’s heat energy, the greenhouse effect ensures that the temperatures remain high even when the sun is not shinning directly on the Earths surface. The natural greenhouse effect ensures that the Earths average near-surface air temperature is 150 (Jacobson 316). Without the greenhouse effect, the average temperature would be -150 and this is too cold to support most life. In addition to the natural greenhouse effect, human activities have also increased this effect. The greenhouse effect attributed to activities by human beings is referred to as the anthropogenic greenhouse effect and it has led to undesirable increases of global temperature on the Earth. There are a number of main GHGs responsible for the greenhouse effect. Water vapor is the main contributor to the greenhouse effect on the planet due to its ability to absorb infrared radiation. The second major contributor is carbon dioxide and this gas contributes between 10 and 25% of the greenhouse effect depending on the region (Jacobson 317). Methane gas, which occurs naturally or though the fermentation of organic matter, is the third major contributor of the greenhouse effect. The Ozone layer, which is a naturally occurring gas that is mostly concentrated in the stratosphere, is the fourth major naturally occurring greenhouse gas. Nitrous oxide, primarily produced from agricultural activities, is also an important greenhouse gas. The level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has experienced significant increase from the 280 parts per million (ppm) levels of 1860. The IPCC reports that the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide has been steadily increasing over the past few decades (1). The concentration in ppm in 1998 was 365 while in 2007 it had risen to 379ppm. Readings from the Mauna Loa Observatory indicate that the current rate is 393ppm (IPCC 1).Advertising Looking for assessment on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More While natural atmospheric changes have contributed to an increase in the carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere, scientists agree that human activities have caused the greater increase (Dimitrov 801). Fossil fuel use has been the major cause of the increase in carbon dioxide levels. Fossil fuels have been used as the primary energy source for the industrialization process carried out from the last century. Cement production is also noted as a significant contributor to the carbon dioxide in the e nvironment. Carbon dioxide concentration has also risen due to the extensive deforestation that has taken place since 1860 (Dimitrov 802). Trees act as carbon sinks and reduce the level of CO2 in the atmosphere. Extensive deforestation has meant that the only a small amount of CO2 is absorbed by trees leading to the rise in atmospheric CO2. Environmental Damages of CO2 Emissions A number of major adverse effects to the environment are predicted if the CO2 emissions are not significantly reduced. The rise in CO2 will lead to increased temperatures on the Earth and this will increase the frequency of heat waves. Heat waves are devastating since they might lead to major fires that destroy natural habitats and even populated areas. Heat waves will also increase the demand on the available water resources (Fung and Lopez 119). The global warming attributed to carbon emissions will also increase flooding as the frequency of storms increases and sea levels rise due to the melting of ice at the Polar Regions. Fung and Lopez assert that climate change caused by CO2 will affect the quality of surface water. Some areas will experience increased flushing of nutrients and the increased storm intensity might lead to additional pollution of water (Fung and Lopez 119). The biodiversity on the Earth will also be negatively impacted by climate change. Some species will not be able to adapt the changing climate leading to their extinction. Analysis In my opinion, we do not need to wait for more evidence about the future of climate change before acting. The available evidence already strongly suggests that climate change is occurring due to the increase in greenhouse gases all over the world. Human activities are responsible for the extra CO2 emissions that have led to global warming.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Climate Change: The Complex Issue of Global Warming specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The freq uency of the adverse environmental effects attributed to global warming has already increased. Failure to take action to mitigate climate change over the last few decades has led to an increase in the detrimental effects of global warming. While there is no single solution to fix the problem, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions to the environment is an effective method. The global community should start acting now in order to reduce carbon emissions and therefore mitigate the problems caused by climate change. Dimitrov, Radoslav. â€Å"Inside UN Climate Change Negotiations: The Copenhagen Conference.† Review of Policy Research 27.6 (2010): 795-821. Web. Fung, Fai and Lopez Ana. Modelling the Impact of Climate Change on Water Resources. NY: John Wiley Sons, 2011. Print. IPPC. Human and Natural Drivers of Climate Change. Jan. 2013. Web. Jacobson, Mark. Atmospheric Pollution: History, Science, and Regulation. Cambridge University Press, 2002. Print.

Book Report on Little Princes

Book Report on Little Princes Essay How far would you push your boundaries to follow the insecure passion of altruistic salvation without the dire ability of foreseeing its outcome? One man is audacious enough to fulfill his self-assigned responsibility of family reunion in one of the most remote part of Nepal- Humla – without the apprehension of the imminent complications. Conor who desperately craved for a ‘radical change’ by traveling around the globe and volunteering in a war-torn nation (initially for impressing his colleagues and family); is yet to encounter life’s greatest trial which would later transform him beyond his expectations. ‘Little Princes’ is a compiled memoir of a ‘University of Virginia’; graduate, Conor Grennan ,which entails heart-rending story of those deprived but extremely resilient children; deceitfully contrasting to the title that provides a euphoric outlook. After Conor left East/West Institute where he worked as Deputy Director for Governance program; he ventured to volunteer at ‘Little Princes Children Home’ when Maoist insurgency in the country reached its pinnacle. At the beginning mope and reluctant, Conor constantly questions and fears his competency to cope with the children and circumstances in the country chosen for volunteering. But when Conor is revealed with the unavoidable truth about none of the children being at Little Princes being orphan; the stint volunteering becomes a part of grand-committed journey, never before attempted in the land of mystical mountains. Those children had been cruelly lacerated from their family by child-traffickers demanding hefty cash for their safety at the time of civil war; but later abandoned amidst the chaos of the Kathmandu Valley! Conor without any information of the family members or the relatives of the children ( as they were trafficked at an age when one doesn’t call their relatives with their names); has to tackle the compulsion to rely on faint hope and fate for the accomplishment of his commitment. But back in the capital while Conor risks his life in the breathtaking cliffs and numbing chilliness of Humla, his intimates Farid, Viva and his mentor Anna are operating Next Generation Nepal (NGN) the organization founded by Conor assisting the benevolent cause of combating child trafficking. As the memoir develops, it unfolds the root cause of the trafficking woes i.e. ‘Political Patronizing’ as a prominent theme; which influenced many like Golkka conduct trafficking during civil war. Conor who has managed various projects on Peace and reconciliation in Balkan explicitly criticizes the recruitment ‘One child per family ‘policy in Maoist stronghold places in Nepal. ‘If a five-year-old boy went missing in the United States, it would be front-page news for days. Entire towns would hold vigils. Millions of dollars would be spent†¦In Kathmandu, seven children vanished into thin air and nobody even missed them.’  Not only did the passionate cruise introduced Conor to his future wife but, Liz, who shared congruent ideology of selflessness; but also appeasing little teachers(the children) who rewarded him with the ability of compromising. Conor is spell-bounded by the children who effortlessly contrived happiness from ‘Drinking Jelly’ they ate, co-operatively handling ‘children home’ chores or be it curiously piling upon one another to ensure their faces in the tiny camera screen. All along Conor’s unpredictable journey the children had silently and secretly taught him the lessons of endurance and optimism. Conor, who eventually becomes immune to the monastery bells and habituated to swinging on metal bar of the overcrowded buses. As he mentions in the essay ‘How Taking notes and Living without indoor Plumbing would change my life’ (- published in Amazon): ‘the more time I spent in Nepal, the more normal these â€Å"strange† things became’ which is undoubtedly a tireless struggle of encompassing the love towards the children and their society. READ: Oedipus rex Essay Paper‘Little Princes’ is a solemn story of bridging over the tragic separation of children and their families so profoundly and wittily narrated. With a fair and reader friendly brevity, Conor leaves no stone unturned by vividly illustrating even the minute details; like the flashing of ‘I Love You’ each second in the watch borrowed from a friend by Santosh (a child from Little Princes) or the obscure plucking of blanket repairers with stringed harp around the shoulder, which gives a poetic justice to his life-changing experience in Nepal. Personally, it is a book capable of encapsulating and inspiring every reader to sort out the innate ability of absorbing evenness out of the odds. All in all the audacious adventure, riveting romance and devoted dedication yoked together makes ‘Little Princes’ a quintessential paradigm of how ‘real life can be stranger than fiction’; and guarantees your reading worthwhile till the end.  I have already made a difference in the lives of trafficked children as portion of my purchase is a contribution to Next Generation Nepal (NGN) working for the same altruistic cause; so when are you getting yours!

Society, Science and Technology course (STS101) Research Paper

Society, Science and Technology course (STS101) - Research Paper Example The internet has changed the way of life of Saudi nationals with the launching of social networking sites like face book, twitter, and blogs Today media is all around, but the profound impact which the computer and internet have on Saudi population is astounding. Information technology can be seen as corner stone of current world and it has revolutionized the communicating method of Saudi nationals. Technology has reached new heights and Saudi population’s indulgence with it has given ways to explore themselves and others. In her book (Turkle 1) writes that â€Å"Technology is seductive when what it offers meets our human vulnerabilities. As it turns out we are very vulnerable indeed†. The internet has made Saudi communities to be more interactive socially culturally and economically. Today internet makes it presence in homes, workplace, and schools which enhances its usability and potentiality as a social media platform. The social networking medium of internet like face book, twitter, and blogs has not only influenced adults but also enormously changed the way of life of youngsters. Face book, being the most popular networking site has given the population of Saudi a golden opportunity to interact with the outside world without encountering any taboos. As per (Social bakers) â€Å" Our social networking statistics show that Facebook penetration in Saudi Arabia is 22.95% compared to the countrys population and 52.48% in relation to number of Internet users. The total number of FB users in Saudi Arabia is reaching 5906220 and grew by more than 399720 in the last 6 months†. The people of Saudi have achieved a global platform to discuss their ideas and thoughts regionally and internationally. Twitter is one social networking site which has managed to hugely awaken the spirits of Saudi Arabians. In the same manner, blogs and other opportunity to present article have made the Saudi nationals more

International Monetary Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

International Monetary Economics - Essay Example From the Keynesian identity it can be deduced that the current account deficit is caused by the reduction of the private spending and a large budget deficit. This model was applied to the international trade by Keynes. Keynes designed this model just to deal with the current account deficit that UK was suffering from in the 1960s. Since at that time the foreign capital investment was minimal and there was a fixed exchange rate system in the UK, most of the policies of the Keynesians work according to these two conditions. The Keynesian model relies greatly on the expenditure changing policies. The expenditure changing policies are designed to change the level of spending in the domestic economy. This can be explained through the income and the adjustment model. Since the expenditure that is spent on the imports results in a loss of the money and income to the foreign countries, it is considered an injection. The Keynesian model states that in order to maintain or improve the circular flow of income it is important that the expenditure on the imports is reduced. This can be done if the income in the country is reduced. The domestic income has a direct relation with the imports of a country. This is because as the income in the country increases, there is an increased amount spent on the imports. Also the increase in the income means that the production of the country has increased. The production process may also involve raw materials that are to be imported. As a result the expenditure on the imports would be further increased. In order to reduce the expenditure spent on the imports the Keynesian policies propose the reduction of the domestic production. Since the Keynesian identity is also applicable to the domestic economy (without the net imports), the governments can reduce the government expenditure and reduce the taxes etc to decrease the domestic activity and so the expenditure

Research Plan Essay Example for Free

Research Plan Essay Background of the Study Solid waste management is increasingly seen as a major issue in the country due to high rates of urbanization and increasing per capita solid waste generation with greater affluence (Petnamsin, et al., 2000). A major component of solid waste is resin based plastic. Plastics posses many properties such as water resistance and long life, that makes them perfect candidates for packaging. Unfortunately, the properties that make this product suitable for packaging also are the major cause of the environmental problems related to packaging. Given the wide use of plastics, the magnitude of the environmental problem is large and long terms. The choices for dealing with this waste are limited as incineration of plastic polymers invariably results in the generation of toxic emissions (Srorith, et al., 2000). The only visible solution is to bury the material in landfills. However, this approach is also limited because of the resistant nature of plastic to biological degradation. Jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. is a popular fruit-crop that is widely grown in tropical areas. Often, its seeds are discarded because of the preferred well-flavored yellow sweet bulb for consumption. The seeds have high carbohydrate and protein content, hence, an abundant source of starch (Kurian, 2010). Starch is identified as a key natural product for the production of biodegradable plastic (Pranamuda, et al., 2006). Based on the above information, the researchers decided to do research work on starch-based biodegradable plastic from jackfruit seeds. Henceforth, there is a need to establish the additive property of starch from jackfruit seeds as scientific basis for its use in the production of biodegradable plastic. Objectives of the Study The study will aim to find out if jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.  seeds can be a main component in the production of biodegradable plastic. Specifically, the study will 1. determine the efficacy of starch from jackfruit A.heterophyllus Lam. seeds at varying concentrations as additives in the production of biodegradable plastic. 2. compare the mechanical properties between the produced biodegradable plastic from starch of jackfruit A.heterophyllus Lam. seeds, and commercially prepared plastic, polyethylene in terms of tensile strength, flammability, soil biodegradability and air test. 3. compare the effects of acids and bases and organic solvents between produced biodegradable plastic from starch of jackfruit seeds and commercially prepared plastic, polyethylene. Hypotheses of the Study The following hypotheses will be put forward: 1. There is no significant difference in the efficacy of starch from jackfruit seeds at varying concentrations in the production of biodegradable plastic. 2. There is no significant difference on the mechanical properties between the produced biodegradable plastic from starch ofjackfruit seeds and commercially prepared plastic, polyethylene in terms of tensile strength, flammability, soil biodegradability and air test. 3. There is no significant difference on the effects of acids and bases and organic solvents between produced biodegradable plastic from starch of jackfruit seeds and commercially prepared plastic polyethylene. Significance of the Study The results of the study would be beneficial and helpful to the manufacturing plastic industries because it would relieve negative effects of overproducing plastics. By changing its raw materials and components, commercial plastic may be improved so that it would become biodegradable while retaining its good quality. Moreover,this component from starch of jackfruit seeds would help in the natural decomposition of plastic raw materials. Thus, a convenient way of minimizing waste management problem in the country, more so, the high demand for plastics would give the world the hazard of garbage problem, therefore, utilizing starch from jackfruit seeds as component in the production of biodegradable plastics would be the relative answer. Scope and Limitations of the Study The study will focus only on the starch-based biodegradable plastic from jackfruitA.heterophyllus Lam. seeds. It will be conducted at the Physics/Chemistry Laboratory of Antique National School, San Jose de Buenavista, Antique from July 15, 2011 to September 30, 2011. The variables to be evaluated will be the effect of starch from jackfruit seeds at varying concentrations for the production of biodegradable plastic; the mechanical properties between the produced biodegradable plastic from starch of jackfruit seeds and commercially prepared plastic, polyethylene in terms of tensile strength, flammability, soil biodegradability and air test;the effects of acids and bases and organic solvents between the produced biodegradable plastic from the starch of jackfruit seeds and commercially prepared plastic, polyethylene. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) will be used as statistical tools to identify the significant differences among treatment means and their interactions at 0.01 and 0.05 levels of significance, respectively. Definition of Terms Biodegradable.A substance or property of the produce plastic in the study that can be broken down into simpler substances by the activities of living organisms for decomposition.  Plastic. An end product obtained mainly as a result of the study using starch from jackfruit seeds as main component mixing with other components for biodegradable formation. Starch. A complex carbohydrate extracted from jackfruit seeds and used in the study for the production of biodegradable plastic. Polyvinyl Alcohol. An odorless, colorless, tasteless, thermoplastic synthetic resin used in the study that is soluble in water and insoluble in common organic solvents.  Glycerol. A simplest trihydric and commonly called glycerin in commercial  form that is used in the study for the production of biodegradable plastic. CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE After cutting talahib pulps into very small pieces, they were combined with different chemicals such as polyvinyl alcohol, sodium hydroxide in aqueous solution, glue, and glycerol to produce biodegradable plastics with different amounts of talahib pulp. (Valdez, 2009). A study determined the effectiveness of cassava starch as component of biodegradable plastic. Results confirmed that cassava starch is ideal as tests proved its worth (Romero, 2007).  It was known that starch-based packaging materials are produced from extrusion or compression technology and have been developed as a substitute for polystyrene in producing loose-filters and other expanded items. The type of starch and synthetic polymer as well as their relative proportions in the blends may influence the properties of the resulting plastics (Sriroth and Sangseethong, 2003). Some physicochemical and rheological properties of jackfruit seed flour and starch, isolated from the flour were investigated. The flour had good capacities for water absorption and oil absorption. Flour from jackfruit seed was prepared by dry milling. It is high in protein and carbohydrate contents. The flour has good water and oil absorption abilities (Tulyathan, 2002). The range of possible applications for starch plastics is restricted by their sensitivity tomoisture and water contact and high water vapour permeability. The biodegradability of starch plastics largely depends on the biodegradability of the copolymer. High copolymer content can adversely affect biodegradability due to the complex interaction of starch and polyester at the molecular level (DegliInnocentiBastioli, 2002). Starch is unique among carbohydrates because it occurs naturally as discrete granules. This is because the short branched amylopectin chains are able to form helical structures whichcrystallize. Starch granules exhibit  hydrophilic properties and strong inter-molecular association via hydrogen bonding due to the hydroxyl groups on the granule surface (Daniel et al., 2000). Jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. is a popular fruit-crop that is widely grown in the Philippines and other tropical areas. The ripe fruit contains well-flavored yellow sweet bulbs which are consumed fresh or processed into canned products and seeds embedded in the bulb. Seeds make up around 10-15% of the total fruit weight and have high carbohydrate and protein content and are normally discarded or steamed and eaten as a snack or used in some local dishes. As fresh seeds cannot be kept for a long time, using them as source of starch is advisable (Bobbio et al 1978). Based on the above review of related literature, there is a need to conduct a study on starch-based biodegradable plastic from jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. seeds and because in all studies, nothing has been mentioned about jackfruit seeds as component of biodegradable plastics. CHAPTER 3 MATERIALS AND METHODS The flow of processes on starch-based biodegradable plastic from jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. seeds is shown in Figure 1. Collection and Preparation of Research Materials, Tools and Equipment The researchers will collect three (3) kilograms of jackfruit seeds from the source for two (2) days before the conduct of the study. These will be brought to the Physics/Chemistry Laboratory of Antique National School, San Jose de Buenavista, Antique. Technically grade ethanol, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid and sodium hydroxide, ammonia, distilled water, chlorine, polyvinyl alcohol, epoxydized soy bean oil, and glycerol will be obtained from chemworks, Inc.Jaro, Iloilo City prior to the conduct of the study. The other materials and equipment needed will be mortar and pestle, grinder, beakers, alcohol lamp, rolling pin, aluminum foil, stirring rod, molders, spring balance, double beam balance, tray, plastic cups, graduated cylinder, stopwatch, and hot plate. Research Procedure/ Experimental Design Three (3) kilograms of jackfruit seeds will be rinsed and washed in running water and will be air-dried for twenty-four (24) hours at room temperature. After air-drying, the seeds will be peeled manually. Then the seeds will be cut into smaller pieces and ground using an electric grinder. The ground jackfruit seeds will be added with water following the ratio 1:2, one (1) liter of distilled water to two (2) kilograms of ground jackfruit seeds. The mixtures will be placed inside the beaker for decantation for three (3) hours. After decantation, the supernatant will be discarded and the settling material will be collected and placed in an evaporating dish for the starch sediments to settle. This will be sun-dried for five (5) hours to let the water evaporate completely. After the evaporation process, the collected starch sediments will be ground using mortar and pestle until it will turn into powdered form. The produced starch will be weighed and placed in a sterilized container ready for experimentation. Measured amount of the water and jackfruit starch based on different treatments will be mixed and boiled using a hot plate at eighty (80(C) degrees Celsius until it will form into a sticky paste. After removing the starch-water mixture from the hot plate, the rest of the materials will be added such as polyvinyl alcohol, epoxydized soya bean oil, and glycerol. After mixing all the materials, the mixture will be heated again using a hot plate at a temperature of one hundred eighteen to one hundred twenty (118-120(C) degrees Celsius for seven (7) minutes. Then it will pass through a rolling pin and transferred to containers for sun-drying process until the plastic will be formed. The plastic will be cut into strips (3 cm wide by 5 cm long) for mechanical property, effects of acid and base, and organic solvents tests, respectively. The experiment will use five (5) treatments with three (3) replicates each. The duration of the experimental activities will be seventy-eight (78) days that will begin on July 15, 2011 and will end on September 30, 2011. The five (5) treatments that will be used in the study are as follows. Treatment A = 100 grams starch + 100 grams water + 100 grams polyvinyl alcohol + 2.5 grams epoxydized soya bean oil +10 grams glycerin Treatment B = 75 grams starch + 100 grams water + 100 grams polyvinyl alcohol + 2.5 grams epoxydized soya bean oil +10 grams glycerin Treatment C = 50 grams starch + 100 grams water + 100 grams polyvinyl alcohol + 2.5 grams epoxydized soya bean oil +10 grams glycerin Treatment D = 25 grams starch + 100 grams water + 100 grams polyvinyl alcohol + 2.5 grams epoxydized soya bean oil +10 grams glycerin Treatment E – Control – Commercial plastic (polyethylene) Gathering of Data The cut samples of the produced biodegradable plastic will be subjected to the following tests: Flammability Test. The strips of the produced biodegradable plastic and commercial plastic with the same dimensions will be completely burned using alcohol lamp and the burning time will be noted. Soil Biodegradability Test. The plastic strips will be stapled to a piece of cardboard and will be buried in a can of soil. The strips will be unearthed after a week and the final dimension will be recorded. Tensile Strength Test. The plastic strips will be hooked to a spring balance and will be pulled until they will tear apart. The reading of the balance when the plastic strips will break will be recorded. Effects of Strong and Weak Acids and Strong and Weak Bases.The plastic strips will be immersed in concentrated strong/weak acids and strong/weak bases for thirty (30) minutes. Changes in length, width, and appearance will be noted. Organic Solvent Tests. The plastic strips will be immersed in a bottle of  chlorinated water/ethanol. The bottle will be sealed so as to isolate its contents from the external environment. After a week, their final dimensions will be noted.

Unzipped :: Free Essay Writer

Unzipped In the expository text Unzipped- everything teenagers want to know about love, sex and each other, Bronwyn Donaghy has written about the facts and consequences of teenage sex. By doing so she has presented us with her old fashioned ideologies and her strong ‘anti-teenage-sex’ values and attitudes. As the audience Donaghy has tried to scare us into believing and following these attitudes, which are very evident throughout the entire text. Virginity and abstinence is the way to go. This text is targeted at young youths who are curious and want to explore their sexuality and their parents who Donaghy thinks should be open and willing to educate their children on the subject. In order to do this she has employed the use of three different writing styles: These being narrative, expository and real life accounts. Between chapters and further the different sexual topics, Donaghy has split the information up by an ongoing fictional story, which runs through the entire book. It is a narrative story about two inquisitive and curious adolescent teenagers who fall in love and start to get ‘full on’ but then decide against the idea of sex as it is simply too complicated. Donaghy has done this by using very ‘down to earth’ language that she thinks teenagers can relate to and a simplistic story line. However by trying to relate to teenagers at what she perceives is their level in my opinion gives the story very little realism in regards to reality as she simply cant ‘pull it off’. The story is made to almost look superficial. Within the story it is made very clear that abstinence is the way to go, reflect Donaghy’s ideologies. As the writer she does not even try to hide this attitude of hers and at one stage, through Ben’s mum is able to vocalise th is: ‘ Love is a wonderful thing†¦. Sex on the other hand, can be very dangerous in the hands of the young and inexperienced.’ She then goes on to say: I sincerely hope you wont’. This is in relation to Ben and Lucy’s sex life. By creating this story Donaghy tries to manipulate us as the audience to accept these ideas and her values as being right. To further shape our response towards this very strong attitude Lucy and Ben adhered to Ben’s mum’s opinion and further Donaghy’s ideologies. She developed these characters in order to express her perception of what teenage relationships should be like in her eyes.

Peace Journalism Is Incompatible with Achieving the Journalistic Ideal of Objectivity

In the media world we observe that the framing of narratives in conflicts plays a crucial role in politics and in lives of regular people. There is a certain manipulation on the presentation of war and peace in the media. Main question is what media ought to do and what they can do. One of the alternatives is Peace Journalism. This paper will analyse it in the light of the journalistic ideal of objectivity. George Orwell wrote that â€Å"history is written by the winners†, and that there is no universally accepted answer just because it is true – in each case there is a great number of incompatible answers and they struggle to be adopted (Orwell, 1944). This statement can be understood that there is no objective truth. Maybe especially when it comes to conflicts there is no objectivity. None the less, this essay will look at the objectivity as a possible practice, mentioning some scholars that oppose this view. On one hand arguments showing that Peace Journalism is objective will be shown, and on the other hand arguments opposing this statement will be presented. As the propaganda model is essential for understanding objectivity in the journalistic practice, one section will be devoted to short analysis of Herman and Chomsky’s theory. But first definition of Peace and War Journalism will be introduced, and a notion of objectivity examined. Peace journalism vs. War Journalism Peace Journalists claim that conflicts can be exacerbated or ameliorated with the use of media. Lynch and McGoldrick argue that a typical practice of contemporary journalists is War Journalism. According to them such way of reporting exacerbates conflicts, for that reason, they propose a revolutionary alternative to War Journalism. In order to stop violence journalists need to make innovations in the way they report conflicts. One can ask if such approach is objective, but they believe that their approach is an answer to how to be a humane observer-participant in un-humane context (McGoldrick & Lynch, 2000). War Journalism is a practice of most journalists who focus on two sides of conflict. Usually in such reporting one side wins and the other loses, there is no space for complex relations with many parties involved. War Journalists are occupied with violence. They choose one side of the conflict to be a victim and the other to be a villain (dualism). What is more, the reports are based on official sources, and that makes them highly biased – their alternative is on the other hand not dependent on official sources, hence, it is objective. Media according to some scholars are relying on both political and economic elites (see the Propaganda Model), however, also social and cultural factors contribute to the way conflicts are reported. Especially to the domination of war journalism have those factors contributed a lot. Universal practice is, however, non-critical reporting of official versions of events. In the eyes of public media generally seem to be more reliable than politicians. For this reason, they are often used by elites to broadcast the official messages, which are not necessarily objective. According to the critics of War Journalism, media’s reporting is more about military leaders than the people involved in conflict. This is the main point made by Annabel McGoldrick and Jake Lynch, who argue that non-critical reporting of official sources is often rewarded by military sources. Peace Journalism on the other hand analyses conflict including balance, impartiality and truth in reporting. Again, it is therefore more objective than War Journalism. War Journalism is the dominant discourse and it tries to be an objective form of reporting conflicts. It focuses on violent responses to conflict and undervalues non-violent ones. McGoldrick and Lynch recognise three conventions within War Journalism. Two of them have already been mentioned earlier. Those thre conventions are: a bias in favour of official sources, a bias in favour of event over process and a bias in favour of â€Å"dualism† in reporting conflicts. Because of objectivity in War Journalism, we hear little about change agents and peace-building initiatives, at least compared with official sources who take most part of conflict coverage. How we understand conflicts is depending on choices made in newsroom. In War Journalism it is safer to stick to events and report what has taken place. That is why most common practice is to report on events and not on processes. Dualism may seem to appear to the public as common sense, it is a key part of objectivity, however, it is a key element of War Journalism as well, and therefore, Peace Journalists oppose it. Hearing both sides is in fact bad practice and can be a proof of lack of journalistic skills. In this short introduction, it is visible that at the first sight War Journalism is raditionally said to be more objective than Peace Journalism, however, Peace Journalists claim that their practice is more objective. Their new way of reporting has an important influence on the audience and their understanding of conflicts. Peace Journalists’ approach to the coverage of conflict means showing compassion and understanding. It sets people’s sights on suffering, howev er, emphasizes peace initiatives at the same time. It is not glorifying one side while castigating the other; it shows falsehood on both sides. In this sense it is objective. War Journalism on the other hand, presents conflict as a battle between the good and the bad, where the result is either victory or defeat. Using non-violent perspective, explaining the background of the conflict, giving a voice to all parties should be a new practice according to the peace researchers. The link between media and military has undergone some changes, and it seems that journalists have only two choices. One is to report official statements and be part of military propaganda, for example embedded journalism, or the second choice is to become doubtful observer who struggles to explain the events that influence lives of nations. Objectivity Objectivity is â€Å"a cornerstone of the professional ideology of journalists in liberal democracies† (Lichtenberg, 1996). What is problematic with objectivity is that in fact it only gives a resemblance to the real course of events. It makes an audience passive; they are being served the news without a profound analysis or explanation. Giving just both sides of the story may be a sign that a journalist has not done a proper work with the case. When defining notion of objectivity in this way, Peace Journalism would not be compatible with achieving it. Defining objectivity is not an easy task, though. Understanding objectivity as neutrality is wrong as it is utopian ideal. For example, newspapers always need to take a standpoint when they decide what stories to feature in their editions, the same when broadcasters choose what stories to cover, whom they interview etc. Objectivity is not impartiality or fairness or balance. Objectivity is based on facts or evidence, not feelings or opinions. It requires evidence and verification more than attempt to being neutral (Sambrook, 2004). Hence, we may say that Peace Journalism can be objective. Fundamental question one needs to ask is, if there is any such thing as â€Å"truth†. Do facts in truth prove anything? Lichtenberg writes that â€Å"our most fundamental interest in objectivity is an interest in truth† (1996, p. 227). Journalists have their biases, hence, it seems that in fact ideal of objectivity is not possible to achieve. It is impossible to include all perspectives, as well as it is impossible to reject one’s bias (Bell, 1997; Lichtenberg, 1996). Journalists need to acknowledge their unfairness, so that they can fight it and realize what the accepted narratives are. However, if there is possible bias, it means that there should be unbias possible as well. To deny that objectivity is possible would mean that there is any way of getting at the truth (Lichtenberg, 1996). Propaganda model Problem with objectivity is that a notion of objectivity favours official statements and viewpoints of governments and powerful players, like corporations. Before further analysing of Peace Journalism in terms of objectivity, it is crucial to introduce the conceptual framework, which shows how media institutions work nowadays. Christiane Amanpour claims that media are getting too close to show business (1996). This claim finds confirmation in the theory of Herman and Chomsky. Herman and Chomsky's Propaganda Model of the media consists of a system where the government and dominant players are able to broadcast their message to the public and control what is becoming a news. This is possible in an American media landscape, because of money and power, according to the two scholars. The factors of money and power filter the news – depending if the news is appropriate for the media they can get to the public; one that is opposing is left aside. In Herman and Chomsky’s model there is no space for possibility of objectivity, though. In Manufacturing Consent they mention â€Å"worthy† and â€Å"unworthy† victims. With â€Å"worthy victims† they mean casualties that are harmed in enemy state, there is much coverage of â€Å"worthy victims†, because their suffering is crucial for US case. Those that are abused, but not mentioned in media coverage are â€Å"unworthy victims†. Criterion of worthy/unworthy victims is one of the examples how media report conflicts. Media are subordinated to political as well as economic powers, according to the Propaganda Model. Herman and Chomsky’s theory assumes that there are five filters that make link between governing powers and media. First one is the nature of media ownership, second, advertising and its influence on media, third is the fact that media rely on the governmental, business and involved partial sources (for example, so called â€Å"experts†), fourth factor is what they call fear of flak – a constant pressure from media institutions that you as a broadcaster may be criticised, and last factor is national religion or anti-communism, later re-phrased into ideological convergence – war on terror (Herman & Chomsky, 1988). This theory is confirmed by many practitioners. Martin Bell claims that screens are the filters. The programme editors seem to know how it is being a war correspondent, and they think that they have been there (Bell, 1997). Conflict coverage is shaped according to their view or perception of reality. It is therefore not objective. Peace Journalism vs. Objectivity Peace Journalism in a way can be called journalism of attachment; it disregards objectivity to some extent. In journalism of attachment media are embedded in international affairs. They play a part in reproducing inequalities between nations. But maybe journalism does not have to be objective? The statement that the news holds a mirror up to nature is untrue, because mirror does not affect the image, it does not change what it reflects, while television image does (Bell, 1997). This means that the media are powerful and have a direct effect, this effect can be called CNN effect, BBC effect or Al-Jazeera effect. Irrespectively of name, this effect assumes that new types of broadcasting are capable of changing policies. News is not only global/international, but also immediate or live, and most importantly continuous. US ambassador for UN said that CNN should become the 16th member of the UN Security Council (Amanpour, 1996). Seeing the sea of blood on the front pages and in TV news reports increases the pressure on political elites to do something about the conflict, as seen in case of for example Bosnia or Rwanda. Amanpour compares the role and influence of media on the society to a brain surgery – it is about feeding the brains. However, such statement does not take into account that media are controlled by professional values and organizational instructions that do not give journalists so much freedom to influence the masses to full extent. Interestingly, it is mostly politicians that claim that CNN effect has a huge influence of policy-making. They believe there is a strong CNN effect, therefore, they act as if it did. Journalists on the other hand have mixed opinions. The issue of objectivity is complex. According to Sambrook objective approach is facts, evidence, verification, independence and transparency (2004), hence, peace journalism is incompatible with achieving objectivity, because it is people-oriented, truth-oriented and solution-oriented, it may be therefore selective in the coverage. War Journalism is biased in that way that it favours violence, Peace Journalism on the other hand avoids bias, because it does not give so much importance to violence or violent parties in conflicts. Then, to some extent it is possible to say that Peace Journalism is compatible with achieving the journalistic ideal of objectivity. As of appealing to its audience, Peace Journalism promotes peace and social justice, elements that are values in the modern society. Interesting change in the reporting that has happened last decades is the fact that the cycle of news is 24 hour long, and the speed is crucial when it comes to breaking stories. Because of that it is impossible to devote time to report events objectively. Would that mean that no journalism can be in fact objective? In general Peace Journalism is more objective than War Journalism. It focuses on positive developments in peace-making and peace-building initiatives. It includes both elites and non-elites. Peace Journalism is objective, because it is focused on exposing untruths on all sides. Amanpour says that objectivity in war is important. The practice should give all sides a fair hearing, but it does not mean that journalists should treat all sides equally. Objectivity must go together with morality. Conclusions George Orwell in his essay â€Å"Historical truth† from 1944 makes an interesting point that Encyclopaedia Britannica could collect information on the campaigns during The First World War also from German sources, because data like casualty figures was neutral and unbiased. At the time when the essay was published Orwell claims that, such practice would not be possible, because Nazi and non-Nazi versions of World War II were so different from one another (Orwell, 1944). However, how Orwell puts it â€Å"[t]here is some hope (†¦) that the liberal habit of mind, which thinks of truth as something outside yourself, something to be discovered, and not as something you can make up as you go along, will survive†. Martin Bell in TV news: How far should we go? wished to be called a Peace Correspondent, however, according to the reporter unfortunately there is no such thing, like Peace Correspondent. Bell writes that sometimes it seemed to him that as a humankind we learned nothing and forgotten everything (Bell, 1997). He claims that although there is a new element – television – we are not learning much from conflicts and still are revisiting history. Yet, the way of reporting wars has changed. First of all, there are TV and satellite dishes, a technological factor. Second change is a shift of approach. Just like communication technology, people’s attitudes also have changed. Before it was objective and necessary for journalists to stay distanced and detached, nowadays the practice common in media is what Bell calls bystanders’ journalism. It is concerned with circumstances of conflict more than with people. But for Bell objectivity is a slogan, an illusion impossible to achieve. He says: â€Å"[w]hen I report from the war zones, or anywhere else, I do so with all the fairness and impartiality I can muster, and a scrupulous attention to the facts, but using my eyes and ears and mind and accumulated experience, which are surely the very essence of the subjective. † Journalism of attachments is a journalism that cares and knows, as Bell puts it. It assumes that journalists are part of the world, so they can be involved in the events they report. The journalist being a neutral observer and witness is a myth (Bell, 1997). Does it mean that Peace Journalists are not objective then? Even screens are the filters. The programme editors seem to know how it was being war correspondent, and they think that they have been there. It is a time to be passionate and a time to be dispassionate. It is simply a matter of common sense (Bell, 1997). Then, it can be said that Peace Journalism does not necessarily mean subjective reporting. Peace Journalists are not selective in their reporting, so although it is questionable if it can be called objectivity, Peace Journalism to high extent is compatible with achieving the journalistic ideal of objectivity.

Philips Kotler Marketing Management Essay

Analyzing Consumer Markets Since marketing starts from the customer, it is of primary importance to understand the psyche of the customers and their buying motives. This chapter talks about the various behavioural patterns that govern the decision making process of a customer. A marketer needs to understand these factors affecting the customer’s purchase decisions so as to design an appropriate marketing strategy. Factors affecting Consumer Buying Behaviour 1. Cultural Factors a. Culture – Frames traditions, values, perceptions, preferences. E.g. Child learning from family & surroundings. b. Sub-culture – Provides more specific identification and socialization. Include nationalities, religions, racial groups and geographic regions. c. Social Class – Homogeneous and enduring divisions in a society which are hierarchically ordered. Members share similar tastes and behaviour. 2. Social Factors a. Reference Groups – Have direct or indirect influence on person’s attitude and behaviour. Primary groups: regular interaction, e.g. family, friends, neighbours. Secondary groups: religious, professional, trade union groups. Aspirational Groups: ones that a person hopes to join. Dissociative groups: whose values or behaviour and individual rejects. b. Family – Family of orientation: parents and siblings. Acquires orientation towards religion, politics and economics, sense of personal ambition, self worth and love. Family of procreation: spouse and children. More direct influence on buying behaviour. c. Roles and Status – Role consists of activities a person is expected to perform. Each role carries a status. Marketers must be aware of the status symbol of each product. Chapter 6 – Analyzing Consumer Markets 3. Personal Factors a. Age and Stage in the Life Cycle – Tastes are age related. Markets should also consider critical life events or transitions. b. Occupation and Economic Circumstances – Economic Circumstances like spendable income, savings, assets, debts, borrowing power etc affect consumption patterns. c. Personality and Self Concept – Personality, set of distinguishing characteristics that influence his/her buying behaviour. Consumers match brand personality with their ideal self concept instead of their actual self concept. d. Lifestyle and Values 4. Psychological Factors a. Motivation: Freud’s theory of id, ego and super ego; Maslow’s need hierarchy theory; Herzberg’s two factor model. b. Perception: Process by which we select, organize and interpret information inputs. In marketing, perceptions are more important than reality. c. Learning – Induces changes in behaviour arising from experience. Marketers can build demand by associating the product with positive drives. d. Memory – Short term and long term memory. Build brand knowledge and brand recall as node in memory. Problem Recogniton Information Search Evaluation of Alternatives Purchase Decision Postpurchase Behaviour The Buying Decision Process Problem Recognition – Customer recognises a need triggered by internal or external stimuli. Marketers need to identify circumstances that trigger needs. Information Search – Two levels of involvement – Heightened attention when person becomes more receptive to information about the product. At next level consumer may enter into active information search, looking for reading material, phoning friends etc. Evaluation of Alternatives – Factors influencing a particular choice over the other include attitudes, beliefs and expectancy value. Purchase Decision – Between purchase intention and purchase decision, 2 intervening factors come into play- Attitudes of others and Unanticipated situational factors. Marketers should understand that these factors provoke  risk and should provide information to reduce it. Post purchase Behaviour – Marketers must monitor postpurchase satisfaction, postpurchase actions, and postpurchase product uses. Chapter 6 – Analyzing Consumer Markets Trends Level of customer involvement Involvement Significant Insignificant Differences in Brands High Complex Buying Behaviour Low Variety Seeking Dissonance Reducing Habitual 1. Complex Buying Behaviour: When a customer purchases something for the first time. 2. Variety Seeking: Consumers will keep switching varieties just out of boredom. Eg- Biscuits. Marketer should keep introducing new products and display the product prominently. 3. Habitual: Buying the same thing out of habit and not out of loyalty. Distribution network should be excellent in this case. Maintain consistency in product and advertising. 4. Dissonance Reducing: In case of repeat purchase of same product.

buy custom Charles Seven essay

buy custom Charles Seven essay Charles seven attacked the Danes who had thought of invading Sweden and with his very able team of military officers he conquered and subdued them. He had already proved his strength through this win and after this he attacked the much larger Russia. He attacked Narva and routed them. Charles felt very strong militarily through this win yet another time. He was overconfident and was willing to try an even bigger team of military officers. In his quest for this achievement, he attacked the Saxons to occupy Poland. He concentrated on this ambition at the expense of a larger Russia that was attacking in revenge led by Peter the great. Peter was used to warfare as statistics show that he only experienced an 18 month period of peace during the whole period of his leadership. He was therefore one experienced leader who had realized the secret of success in any warfare. Among the tips he had received from countries in the West were Ability to create a centralized bureaucracy Presence of a standing and strong army and navy Practice of raison d eat He attacked Charles with an unending zeal and Charles reiterated. This however was defeated by famine and drought during winter therefore the soldiers fought with less morale. They had also lost at the battle of Poltava in 1709. The Swedish army was defeated and Charles immediately took possession in the West. The political axis of power shifted to Russia. The war of Spanish succession emerged in 1902-1914. Attempts to get a suitable replacement to take over Spain leadership failed. The Bourbon and Hapsburg dynasties exploded into warfare. Louis IV sent his troops into Netherlands. William III formed the grand alliance. They wanted to prevent further unification of France and Spain. This ended in the Treaty of Utrecht which forced France to 1. Renounce the idea of a union with Spain. 2. Give up the Spanish Netherlands to Austria 3. Renounce all territories east of River Rhine. 4. Raze all the fortifications at Dunkirk. 5. Surrender important territoriesin North America to Great Britain. 6. Britain acquired the base of Gibraltar. This treaty aimed at achieving peace and tranquility of Europe through a balance of power. Spain realized the principles of the maxim of securing forever the good of Europe. The subject of space craft and force occurs at the end of a dangerous period of violence. Louis iv started reflecting on the importance of peace and tranquility. A certain diplomat friend of Louis IV wrote on the Manner of Negotiating with princess in 1716. The book outlines the ideas necessary in all negotiations o achieve significant leadership. A leader requires a frivolous mind, an observant one and the spirit application which refuses to be distracted. The book upholds that dignity, morality and virtue are important values for successful diplomacy and leadership. Callieres was against dishonesty in acquiring wealth and leadership terming it as unruly. He adds that truth must be upheld at all times by a negotiator. He maintains that a countrys foreign relations should be held and led by professionals and not just political appointees. He said that an incompetent countrys envoy can do more harm than good to diplomacy standards. A major part of success of any state is the establishment of a strong diplomacy to foreign states. The diplomacy must be headed by an ambassador or secretary. Soldier Fredrick William 1 during the wars against Louis XIV maintained these principles as well as having a centralized government and strong standing army. Fredricks son Fredrick II followed in his fathers footsteps working to centralize bureaucracy and his army. In Venice, consuls were appointed by the communities around though not to act like diplomats. They acted like bank representatives. They had high access to senior officials making them appear like diplomacy representatives. Milan was the first country to send a diplomatic representation to Italy. Between 1430 and 1440 the habit of representation had become common. The title of ambassador was later selected to describe the resident representative. Lying, cheating, and concealment were however common with this development since the diplomats were working for the interest of the appointing authority. Emergence of the Resident in northern and Western Europe Italy diffused to the greater Europe in the 17th century sending representatives to almost all European countries. France invaded Italy in1494. Smaller states could also not stay free without being attacked by stronger states. Italy became the cock-pit in which large states fought for supremacy. These were Spain, Austria and the French ruling family (Valois). Italy therefore had the need to be represented more than any other state. Milan sent a representative to Spain. A Genoese merchant was sent to represent Italy in Henry VII. Naples sent residents to Spain, England and Germany. Summary The introduction of diplomacy appears to come after a series of wars. Driven by the race for arms and consequently countries trying to prove their military strength there were fights and struggles between countries. They were fighting each other to take complete dominion and thus be able to exploit resources. The major powers such as Spain and France had already established a standing army that was being commanded to attack. The frequent attacks saw death of people and destruction of property happening, something that was wrong. Peace organizations were set up to try and change this and it led to treaties being signed. To maintain peace and tranquility, the idea of diplomacy came in. It was a direct result of emergence of super powers like Russia. Representatives sent by one country into another were important so that things would run smoothly. They would have to bargain on behalf of their governments back at home. Buy custom Charles Seven essay

The rise of Obesity and type 2 diabetes in America. Literature review Assignment

The rise of Obesity and type 2 diabetes in America. Literature review - Assignment Example Some states, such as Mississippi, had higher rates of obesity and diabetes than the national average, at 24.3 percent and 8.8 percent respectively, while states like Alaska had lower prevalence rates than average, at 4.4 percent for diabetes, and Colorado, at 13.8 prevalence rates for obesity (Mokdad et al.). The escalation in the obesity and diabetes rates is likewise reflected in rising rates of obesity among children below the age of 5 years in America and the rest of the world, with the rise in obesity associated with a correlative rise in type 2 diabetes rates among the same age group (Deckelbaum and Williams 239s). Fast forward to the present, and newer data suggests a further escalation in the rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes in America, mirroring the global rise in rates of the two conditions all over the world. Worldwide, about 1.6 billion adults were deemed overweight in 2005, rising to 2.3 billion 2.3 billion by 2015. Obesity figures are expected to balloon to 700 mill ion. In America, by 2005-2006, obesity rates had soared to 33 percent, where the greatest representation of obese people came from the Mexican-American females and Black Americans. These figures are expected to further rise, triggering a massive health crisis. ... On the other hand, the obesity trends where the metric used as standard is abdominal obesity, measured by waist size, likewise show a general long-term trend towards increased obesity rates (Moffat and Prowse 231-232). Looking at the long term picture, meanwhile, it is clear that diabetes and obesity rates are expected to rise even more sharply, with global estimates at the rise in incidences of diabetes pegged at 20 percent for the developed world from 2010 to 2030, and 69 percent for the whole planet. In the United States, the number of adults with diabetes is expected to rise from 26.8 million people in 2010 to 36 million in 2030, making the United States number three among countries in terms of diabetes incidence for the adult population worldwide (Shaw et al. 5-11). These are essentially macro, big picture views of trends in diabetes and obesity in the US as they compare with the rest of the world. Looking at the micro view, meanwhile, the picture in the United States is one of increasing variances in the occurrence of obesity and type 2 diabetes by ethnicity. The figures from 2009 reflect observations elsewhere, that some ethnic groups have higher rates of diabetes compared to others. In the concrete, among a sample population consisting of adults who are deemed overweight, one study notes that over time, the rates of diabetes has increased 60 percent for Black Americans, 227.3 percent for Mexican Americans, but only 33.3 percent among white Americans. One interesting fact is that among groups who have undiagnosed diabetic conditions, there are fewer disparities among ethnic groups. This analysis is from data on diabetes rates among different ethnic groups from 1971 to 2004, among adults between the

Assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Assessment - Essay Example No single agent in this economy might be better off without making another agent worse off. This leads to the achievement of allocative efficiency (MC=AR). It is known as â€Å"Pareto optimum allocation of resources† (Klein, 2007). Productive efficiency: In the long run, in a perfectly competitive market structure, the output is produced at the lowest level of average total cost. This phenomenon is known as productive efficiency (MC=ATC). The firms that incur high unit cost are inefficient and are not fit to stay in business in the long run. The forces of competition would not allow them to charge high price. Thus, they would be forced to quit industry in the long run. Dynamic efficiency: One important assumption in the competitive market structure is that all producers in the industry produce homogeneous products. Homogeneity of the products ensure that the products are similar in features and attributes and any single firm would not have the facility to make any innovation s uch that it would make the products of the firm to differentiated from the products of the other firms. This creates dynamic efficiency. No single firm would be able to enjoy competitive advantage over the others or enjoy any degree of monopoly power. Figure 1: Efficiency in perfect competition (Source: Author’s creation) Answer 2. ... Short Run Equilibrium In the short run, equilibrium is achieved at the point at which marginal revenue equals marginal cost. As long as value of marginal revenue (MR) exceeds value of marginal cost (MC), producer would expand output since profit level rises with rise in output (MR>MC, i.e., difference between MR and MC is positive). When marginal revenue is smaller than marginal cost, the producer would reduce output until the two values equate. Thus, in short run, profit maximizing price and output firm is determined at the position where MR equals MC. In short run, firms might earn super normal profit if average cost is less than average revenue, or conversely, they might incur a loss if the average cost is greater than average revenue. Figure 2: Short run equilibrium under monopolistic competitive market structure (Source: Author’s Creation) Long Run Equilibrium In long run, there are scopes of entry of new firms into the industry. Therefore, supernormal profit is erased in the long run. As new firms enter into the industry, demand faced by each firm decreases and Average revenue (AR) curve shifts leftwards. Consequently, supernormal profit falls. Firms would produce at the level at which marginal revenue equals marginal cost and price is determined by the interaction between average revenue and average cost. All firms earn normal profit in the long run. Some firms that incur loss in the short run would leave the industry in the long run and the remaining firms would earn normal profits. Figure 3: Long run equilibrium under monopolistic competitive market structure (Source: Author’s Creation) In case of monopolistic competition, in the long run, firms operate at the zero profit condition, which ensures that price