Extraterrestrial Volcanoes - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 7 Words: 2069 Downloads: 5 Date added: 2019/08/16 Category Environment Essay Level High school Tags: Volcano Essay Did you like this example? A volcano is defined, by NASA, as an opening on the surface of a planet or moon that allows material warmer than its surroundings to escape from its interior. While volcanoes are a generally thought of as a feature of Earth, there are plenty of other planets and even moons with a range of extinct, dormant, and active volcanoes in our solar system, and presumably in others as well. Once a feature has been officially defined as a volcano, it is then further classified into one of three designations, mons, tholus, and patera, based on their external presentation as defined by the International Astronomical Union, or IAU. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Extraterrestrial Volcanoes" essay for you Create order Montes are any mountains, while tholi are generally hills or small domical mountains, and paterae are irregular or complex craters with scalloped edges. The term volcano is pretty vague and many different variations on the feature can be found on a variety of different celestial objects throughout the solar system. Terrestrial Volcanoes There are four main types of volcanoes on Earth: cinder cone, composite, shield, and lava dome. Cinder cones are the simplest and happen when, over time, the lava that is spewed into the air rains back down and forms a cone with a bowl-like crater at the top. These volcanoes rarely peak much higher than 1,000 feet. Composite volcanoes are also known as stratovolcanoes and can reach thousands of meters tall. They have a system that allows for magma to be pulled from the mantle itself up to the surface, and often erupt violently, like Mount Saint Helens. Shield volcanoes are large and broad and resemble shields from above hence the name. The lava that pours out of these is thin, which allows it to travel easily down the shallow sides of the volcano, building up into many layers over thousands of small eruptions. Lava domes, or volcanic domes, are also caused by build up of lava over time, but this lava is thick, and the domes grow from the lava expanding within. These types are general ly more specific to terrestrial volcanoes, but they also serve as a base point for understanding extraterrestrial volcanoes, especially shield volcanoes. Planetary Volcanoes Mars Volcanoes can be found on all four of the terrestrial planets, but most of those found outside of the Earth are presumed to be dormant or extinct. Mars hosts the largest known volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons, which is 624 km wide, which is comparable to the size of the state of Arizona, and 25 km high, whereas Mount Everest is a little under 9 km. Most volcanoes on Mars are significantly larger than those on Earth, which can be attributed to its lack of tectonic activity. Terrestrial volcanoes are created by the shifting, and subsequent crashing, of Earths tectonic plates over top of a hot spot within the somewhat liquid mantle, and as the plates move over the hot spot multiple volcanoes are fed. Mars does not have tectonic plates or a liquid mantle, and so significantly more magma is spewed out of a singular volcano, which then piles up into a larger and larger volcano. Martian volcanoes are assumed to be extinct since the estimate for the most recent eruption on the plane t was from Arsia Mons around 50 million years ago, at around the same time as the Cretaceousâ€Å"Paleogene extinction. Volcanic activity is an integral part of Martian history and composition, even if there has not been any recent activity. Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the solar system Artistic Rendition of a volcano erupting on Mars Arsia Mons, Mars last active volcano Venus Venus has three main types of volcanoes, two of which are found on other celestial bodies and one that is exclusive to Venus. The most prevalent volcanoes are shield volcanoes, but they tend to be wider and shorter than those on Earth and Mars, likely because of its dense atmosphere. Venus also has lava domes, but they are often referred to as pancake domes because they are significantly larger than those found on Eart, sometimes up to 100 times so. The volcanic feature that is found exclusively on Venus is called a corona, which is an upwelling of material from the mantle that contains and is surrounded by volcanoes and lava flows. There is plenty of evidence of past volcanic activity on Venus, but is also the only other planet in the solar system, aside from Earth, thought to be actively volcanic. Current volcanic activity on Venus would explain the frequent flux in sulfur dioxide above the clouds, as well as the bursts of radio energy that occasionally observed coming from the pla net, but until some volcanic activity is observed, Venus cannot be classified as active. Nasa Image of Sapas Mons, a Venusian Volcano An Image of Venuss Pancake Domes A Computer generated view of a Venusian volcano from 1995 Mercury Mercury has not been volcanically active for around 3.5 billion years, but there is proof on the planet of volcanoes in its past. Mercury has a very small mantle, which is the part of terrestrial planets that produce the energy needed for volcanic activity through radioactive decay, and so it lost its internal heat much faster and its volcanism much earlier than the other planets. However, there are extensive smooth plains on Mercury, similar to the Lunas maria, where, billions of years ago, lava flowed across the surface and filled in the depressions. These smooth plains prove that at one point there was volcanic activity on Mercury, even if it has long since ended. Lunar Volcanoes Luna The volcanoes on Luna, Earths very own moon, seem to have been dormant for about a billion years, but the maria covering a significant amount of the near side of the moon is proof that there once was volcanic activity. These seas are similar to large parking lots, paved over and flattened out by lava flows earlier in the Moons life. Their location solely on the near side of the Moon implies that the volcanic activity was impacted in some way by the Earth, and adds another layer to the relationship between the two celestial bodies. Recently there has also been the discovery of Irregular Mare Patches, or IMPs, which are smaller spots on Luna that appear to be the product of volcanic activity, but some seem to be as young as 50 million years old. These IMPs mean that there could have been active volcanoes on the Moon during the time of the dinosaurs, and changes our perspective on the evolution of Luna. This also means that the interior of the Moon is likely warmer and possibly less dea d than we previously believed. The darker sections are the maria, evidence of a volcanic history for Luna A close up of a volcano on Io, taken from the Galileo spacecraft Jupiters moon Io has a very colorful exterior due to its volcanism Io Io is the most volcanically active object in the Solar system and thereby has the youngest surface, which is ironic when considering that its fellow Jovian moon Callisto has the oldest. Ios volcanism is a product of its location, being the closest of the Galilean Moons to their host planet Jupiter. Tidal forces from Jupiter are competing with tidal forces from Ganymede and Europa, two of the other Galilean Moons that are in resonance with Io, and these fighting forces cause Ios orbit to be highly eccentric. This eccentric orbit causes Io to flex as it revolves around Jupiter, and this flexing heats the moon in a process known as tidal heating. This heat is what allows for Ios volcanism, although the specifics of how it works are still being researched. Cryovolcanoes There are also some places in space that have ice volcanoes, known as cryovolcanoes, that instead of spewing out molten rock erupt volatiles, which are chemical compounds and elements with low boiling points. Cryovolcanoes happen on items further out from the sun, where it is cold enough for their surface to freeze, and there are several theories on the different methods these objects use to keep their internal temperature high enough to contain liquid. One seen in most moons with cryovolcanoes is tidal friction that stretches the planet enough to warm its core and give it a liquid interior, but there are other possibilities as well. Enceladus Enceladus is a moon of Saturn, a possible home for life, and a host of what seems to be at least one cryovolcano. On its southern pole, the moon spews out a plume of mostly water from spots within its Tiger Stripes, which are four large, linear depressions on the surface of the planet. This liquid water is believed to come from an internal ocean under the icy outer layer of Enceladus, and it is believed that Saturns tidal friction is keeping it warm enough to remain in a liquid state. This cryovolcanic activity is actually the cause of Saturns E ring, as the water freezes into chunks of ice and begins to orbit Saturn along with Enceladus. Enceladus, Saturns 6 largest moon A false-color view of Enceladuss plumes Enceladus eruption as captured by Cassini Titans thick haze and nearly opaque atmosphere make it seem featureless A topographic computer model of Sotra Facula, an apparent cryovolcano on Titan The south pole of Triton, Neptunes largest moon An artists rendition of volcanoes on Triton Titan Titan is Saturns largest moon, the second largest moon in the solar system, the only moon in the solar system with a substantial atmosphere, and is also believed to have cryovolcanic activity. The thick haze surrounding the planet and its nearly opaque atmosphere make Titans surface very difficult to study, but recent flyby missions have suggested that volcanic activity is a highly likely possibility. Volcanic activity would explain the continuous supply of fresh methane found in Titans atmosphere, and what seems to be lava flow surrounding mountains on the moon. Although there is currently no concrete evidence that Titan has volcanic activity, or that it is of the cryo variety, there is no concrete evidence to prove the reverse, either. Triton Triton is the largest moon of Neptune, and when Voyager 2 did a flyby of the moon in 1989 it discovered that it, too, has cryovolcanoes that are spewing nitrogen and ice 8 km into space. Little is known about the internal workings of these volcanoes because of the moons distance from Earth, but it has been observed being actively cryovolcanic. Pluto When the New Horizons space probe was launched in 2006, astronomers expected to find Pluto and its moon Charon to be icy wastelands, just hunks of frozen rock floating out in the Kuiper Belt. They were shocked when they found a high level of geologic activity on the two objects, and evidence of possible cryovolcanoes. There are two obvious spots on Pluto that are being looked into as volcanoes, Wright Mons and Piccard Mons, which appear similar to Mars volcanoes. This is the first time features like this have been found on celestial bodies that are not terrestrial planets, and if they are indeed cryovolcanoes, this could change everything we know about them. Pluto, taken by the New Horizons space probe Wright Mons, a possible cryovolcano on Pluto Charon, as taken by the New Horizons space probe An Artists rendition of a cryovolcano on Charon Volcanoes are found on celestial bodies all throughout the solar system, and as space continues to be explored, new types of volcanoes are discovered. They differ in every possible way, from size to eruption composition, to formation, but they all tell a story about an active and constantly evolving solar system, and by extension, universe. Bibliography https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/DescriptorTerms https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/volcanoes2/en/ https://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/atlas/olympus-mons.html https://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/ocr_gateway_pre_2011/rocks_metals/3_does_the_earth_move2.shtml https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2017/mars-volcano-earths-dinosaurs-went-extinct-about-the-same-time https://www.universetoday.com/27333/types-of-volcanoes/ https://hagablog.co.uk/demos/enceladus/volcanism/index.html https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/media/cassini-20081215b.html https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/12/101215-saturn-moon-titan-ice-volcano-nasa-science-pictures/ https://www.space.com/38383-ancient-moon-atmosphere-from-volcanoes.html https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2014/24nov_imps https://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/io-volcanoes-displaced.html https://astronomynow.com/2016/08/07/most-volcanic-activity-on-mercury-stopped-about-3-5-billion-years-ago/ https://geology.com/stories/13/venus-volcanoes/ https://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150708-the-volcanoes-found-in-space https://www.nasa.gov/feature/pluto-s-big-moon-charon-reveals-a-colorful-and-violent-history https://www.iflscience.com/space/nasa-think-they-found-enormous-volcanoes-plutos-surface-spew-ice-instead-lava-and-ash/ https://www.nasa.gov/feature/possible-ice-volcano-on-pluto-has-the-wright-stuff

Bullying And The Community Is A Problem - 1500 Words

Bullying in the LBGT community is a problem. The cases where bullying leads to suicide is becoming a considerably growing issue with no sign of stopping. This is where schools can step in. There are a few bullying codes that state that bullying is unacceptable and if someone is accused of bullying, there are consequences that will be handed out but unfortunately, this code is not enforced. There is a misconception that liking the same sex is morally and ethically wrong and this is why bullying in the LBGT community is so common amongst the younger generation. Understanding different sexualities and enforcing anti-bullying rules are key to prevent bullying against LBGT members. Bullying that leads to suicide in the LBGT community Suicide. That word alone makes you pause for a moment. Bullying. This word on the other hand, does not convey the same emotion. The word bullying has a nonchalant tone that does not have the same impact on people the way suicide does. When bullying becomes the cause of a person’s suicide, the thought process behind bullying becomes a more serious matter. During adolescent years, you come across people who identify as a certain sexuality. In middle school and older, there are many students that consider themselves as LBGT, an immense of these students have been bullied to the point of contemplating suicide and even actually committing suicide. Being a member of the LBGT community should not be seen as a negative in this day and age. TheShow MoreRelatedBullying Is A Problem That Has Affected Our Community1379 Words   |  6 PagesBullying is a problem that has affected everyone in the community. People are finding it necessary to address the rising issue of bullying. The eff ects of bullying have been a developing issue in the home, schools, and the community. Some individuals have said it is just kids having fun. However, it is not fun for the individual on the receiving end of the bullying. 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Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management Financial Profitability

Question: Describe about the Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management for Financial Profitability. Answer: Introduction Growth of economy and wealth maximization is encouraged with the use of correct investments at corporate level. Accordingly, it is important to consider significant financial and economic elements of the company for the purpose of investment. Investment may be in the form of acquisition of assets, which includes the listed companies stocks, and shares that are traded publicly (Wang and Choi 2015). However, the investors are required to analyze the companies financial performance and position in which they want to invest. In view of this, the following report is structured to present the analysis of financial position and performance during the past three accounting years 2013, 2014 and 2015. The selected company is Xpress Holdings Limited, listed on Singapore Securities Exchange by examining several financial ratios on profitability, liquidity, investment and gearing. The report would also highlight the SWOT analysis on the overall performance of the companys business. Companys financial problems have also been identified and recommendation to deal with the same has been highlighted in the present report. Discussion Companys Background Xpress Holdings Limited, formed in the year 1986 was listed on the Singapore Securities Exchange on 28 June 1999. The company is engaged in providing the services on print management that includes the conceptualization, designing, printing, copywriting, distribution and delivery. The operating business locations of the company include China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Australia along with the headquarters at Singapore (Xpress.sg 2016). The company financial performance was observed to be $23.70 million in the year 2013 while that of $13.64 million in the year 2014. According to the reports the fall in revenue generation of the company was due to declining trend in the printing media sector. The companys earnings per share in the year 2013 were around 0.06 cents whereas the net asset value was 7.9 cents as at 31 July 2013 (Xpress.sg 2016). Financial Ratio Analysis Financial ratio is computed to analyze the overall financial performance of the organization using two relative accounting values. The analysis of financial ratios is conducted by the companies for taking better business decisions whereas by the investors for optimum portfolio management (Ma and Rath 2016). There are numerous financial ratios based on the accounting elements i.e. profitability, liquidity, investment and capital and financing. The following report presents the analysis of these ratios of Xpress Holding Ltd for the accounting year 2013, 2014 and 2015 as follows: Financial Ratio Worksheet for Xpress Holding Ltd (year 2013 to 2015) Formula Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Remarks A. Profitability [shows the companys ability and efficiency in generating profit] Gross profit ratio Gross profit x 100% Sales 56.57 % 36.50 % 64.80 % It can be observed that the companys gross profit ratio had a fluctuating trend. In the year 1 i.e. 2013 it had gross profit ratio of 56.57 which declined in the year 2014 and again increased in 2015 by 8%. Net profit ratio net profit x 100% Sales 4.37 % 0.00 % 2.60 % Net profit of the company in 2013 was highest whereas in the year 2014 the company incurred loss and in 2015 the company again earned profit but at lower percentage from that of 2013. Return on capital employed (ROCE) [CE=Equity+ Debt] net profit x 100% equity + debt 0.75 % 0.00 % 3.33 % However, the companys return on capital employed was increased in the year 2015 by 3% while in 2014 the company incurred loss. Return on assets (ROA) [TA= FA+CA] net profit x 100% Total Assets 0.62 % 0.00 % 1.54 % Return on assets in 2015 was the highest with an increase of around 1%. On the other hand, return on assets in 2014 was nil since the company incurred loss. Return on equity (ROE) net profit x 100% Equity 0.75 % 0.00 % 3.61 % Similarly, return of equity during the year 2014 was nil as the company incurred loss while the companys profitability increased in 2015. Accordingly, the return on equity increased to 3.61% in 2015. Formula Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Remarks B. Liquidity [shows the companys ability in repaying short term debt] Current ratio Current assets Current liabilities 2.71 times 0.62 times 1.10 times It can be observed from the computation that the companys current ratio was highest in 2013 whereas it was lowest in 2014. In 2015 the company had moderate current ratio that means Xpress had 1 times more current assets than the current liabilities. Quick ratio Current assets-inventories Current liabilities 2.55 times 0.54 times 0.97 times It has been observed that Xpress Ltd had most favorable quick ratio in the year 2013 which declined in 2014 and again increased in the year 2015. Stock turnover ratio [COGS=cost of goods sold] Closing inventory x 365days COGS 130 days 90 days 172 days As the high stock turnover ratio implies strong sales for the company, it can be observed that Xpress Ltd had strong sales in 2015. It had highest inventory turnover ratio in 2015 with 172 days whereas it was lowest in 2014. Debtors collection period A/R: acc receivable=debtor [refer to Notes] Trade A/R x 365 days Credit sales 583 days 143 days 151 days Debtors collection period is always considered to be better if it is short period. In case Xpress Ltd, company had 583 days collection period which is too long. However, the management could cut it short in later years which was best in 2014 with 143 days and again increased in 2015. Creditor payment periods A/P: acc payable=creditor [refer to Notes] Trade A/P x 365 days Credit purchases 497 days 872 days 1170 days Like debtor payment period, creditors payment period is also recommended to be of shorter period. The company had lowest payment period during the year 2013 and highest in 2015. C. Gearing (= Leverage) [shows the companys capital structure] Gearing ratio Debt equity 0.00 3.00 0.08 The company had lowest leverage ratio in the year 2013 which increased in 2014 but again declined in 2015. This trend reflects that company was not consistent with its capital employment structure. Debt ratio [TA= FA + CA] Debt Total Assets 0.00 0.04 0.04 Determination of debt ratio of the company reflects stable business in 2013 in which the ratio is lowest. On the contrary, the ratio in 2014 and 2015 was similar with a higher debt capital. Interest coverage ratio [interest = financial charges or expenses] Net Profit Interest Expenses 1.20 0.00 1.37 The interest coverage ratio in 2013 and 2015 signifies that the company had earned enough return to pay its debt interest. However, in the year 2014 due to huge losses, the company could not make enough money to pay its interest. D. Investment [shows the return to the companys investors] Earnings per share (EPS) [refer to P/L statement] Net profit No. of shares 0.06 cents (6.41) cents 0.01 cents The result of EPS shows that the company was profitable the most in 2013 and lowest in 2014 with negative EPS. On the other hand, Xpress Ltd had moderate EPS at the end of the year 2015 with 0.01 cents. Price earnings (PE) Market price of shares EPS 1.75 0.00 74.50 Price earnings ratio in the year 2015 reflects positive performance whereas moderate performance in 2013. However, due to net loss earned during the year 2014, the price earnings ratio of company was nil which reflected poor performance. Dividend per share [find out from the annual report] Total Dividend paid No of shares 0.00 cents 0.003 cents 0.00 cents The ratio of dividend per share reflects the negligible payment of dividend in the year 2014 while in 2013 and 2015 the company did not pay any dividend. Table 1: Ratio Analysis (Source: Created by author) Profitability ratio measures the ability of the companys performance during the year with respect to incur profits. The common ratios used to determine the performance are gross profit ratio, net profit ratio, return on capital employed and return on assets. Higher profitability ratios indicates favorable and efficiency of the company to generate maximum profit during the financial year (Vedd and Yassinski 2015). Profitability ratio enables the investors and creditors to examine the companys investment return based on the sources and assets. It reflects the efficiency of the company to generate profits from the operation by using the asset resources. Gross profit ratio, net profit ratio, return on capital employed and return on assets determine the capability of the company by using the net profit earned with the relative components of sale, capital amount and assets. In case of Xpress Holdings Limited, profitability ratio on gross profit reflects the positive performance, which is highest in the year 2015 while it was lowest in 2014. On the other hand, net profit ratio indicates the lowest performance in 2014, which signifies the overall poor performance as the company incurred huge losses. However, in 2013 and 2015 the net profit ratio reflected positive results but at lower percentage. Similarly, ratio of return on assets and capital employed reflected adverse performance in 2014 while it was highest in 2015. It indicates that the company was efficient to earn returns on its investments. Liquidity ratio signifies the companys capacity to pay off its liabilities and obligations that are of short term period. A higher liquidity ratio or a ratio more than 2 times is preferable better for the company (Zhang 2015). It states that the companys current assets are two times more than the liability values during the accounting year. Most common liquid ratios used to determine companys efficiency are current ratio, quick ratio, inventory turnover ratio, debtors and creditors payable ratio (Khan and Khokhar 2015). In case of Xpress Limited, liquidity ratio in the year 2013 was the best as it was more than 2 whereas in the year 2014 it was less than 1. It reflects that the company was not efficient in 2014 to meet its current debts with the invested current assets. However, in the year 2015 it was lower than 2 but higher than 1 which states that the companys payment position was better. On the other hand, companys inventory turnover period, receivables and payable reflected high er number of days that indicate unfavorable for the companys efficiency in converting cash and selling off the units or services. Gearing ratio and investment ratio of the company reveals the efficiency of company in managing the invested capital and providing expected returns to the investors. It is determined by using debt and equity employed by the company, payments made to the debt holders, payment of dividend and price earnings ratio (Wijaya 2015). It implies the risk of companys finance because in case the company use high amount of debt then it might face financial risk as capital structure. If the gearing ratio is high it indicates the company is highly leveraged and might put the company at risk. Since, the debt equity mix of Xpress Limited in 2013 was almost negligible it can be analyzed that the company was not leveraged and capital employment mix was not optimum. On the contrary, the earnings per share in the year 2015 were highest which reflected the favorable performance and good share price based on the earnings. Considering the financial data and information of Xpress Limited for the three financial years 2013, 2014 and 2015 it has been analyzed that the profitability generation in 2014 was the lowest whereas, profit on production was highest in 2015. Company earned higher net profit during the year 2013 but the profitability percentage was lower. On analysis the different ratios it can be said that the company has opportunities in future years to earn maximum profits and returns on investment (Saghi-Zedek and Tarazi 2015). Additionally, the companys strength was evaluated on managing its value of assets to meet the current obligation even during 2014 when company incurred huge loss. However, the company weakness and threat seemed to be in inventory conversion management, conversion of cash from credit sales as well as payment of credit purchase (MATTHEW, FADA and UKONU 2016). This is because the company reflected highest collection period in the year 2013 for receivables and in 2015 for pay ables. Recommendation on dealing with financial problem It has been observed that the company, Xpress Limited experienced certain unfavorable performance in the years 2014 and 2015. The most inefficient part was generation of net loss in the year 2014, which also reflected nil price earnings ratio. Since the gross profit in 2015 was higher than the net profit, percentage it is advised to the management that company should control its finance and administration costs to increase the net profitability. Similarly, the company is advised to control and manage its finance payables period and debt capital to maintain the leveraged form. In order to increase the earnings on shares for investors, the company should control its business expenses and increase the sales revenue. In the year 2013, the companys debt capital is less that reflects the gearing ratio at around 0.00% while in the year 2014 it was 3.00% and 0.08% in 2015. Therefore, it is recommended to the management to employ finance by borrowing debts to maintain the ratio at around 1.00 %. It will minimize the cost of capital employment and increase the profitability of the company. Comments on information released through financial press and internet on financial performance It can be noted that the company faced the decline due to several economic unfavorable situations during the year 2014 and 2015. Even thought the companys net profit in 2015 was less, its earnings on market value of shares was high that indicates the efficiency of company in paying off the expected return to the investors (Berger et al. 2016). Although, the company did not pay any dividend amount to the investors, its positive ratio on debt financing and interest coverage represents the better performance in 2015 as well as in future years. Conclusion Good and favorable financial performance is essential for a companys sustainability and growth. Companys existence and growth depends on its profitability, liquidity and proper management of capital employment to provide returns to the investors and other stakeholders. In case of Xpress Holdings Limited, the financial performance during the year 2014 and 2015 were not so efficient than that in the year 2013. However, it managed to regain the profitability back during the financial year 2015, which reflected the efficiency of company to meet its liabilities and other obligations. Xpress Ltds profitability ratio dropped in the year 2014 and again increased in the year 2015 that was achieved by maintain the sales revenue and controlling the production cost. In order to maintain the sustainability it is important to control the unnecessary production and administration cost. Apart from that, management of the company is required to manage the asset resources to generate maximum profitabi lity that assist in wealth maximisation for organizations and investors. Considering the favorable market conditions post 2014 financial year the management of Xpress Holding Limited expects to stabilize the revenue and requirements to improve the business performance. Reference List: Berger, A.N., Bouwman, C.H., Kick, T. and Schaeck, K., 2016. Bank liquidity creation following regulatory interventions and capital support.Journal of Financial Intermediation,26, pp.115-141. Khan, M.N. and Khokhar, I., 2015. THE EFFECT OF SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIOS ON PROFITABILITY: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF LISTED FIRMS OF CEMENT SECTOR IN SAUDI ARABIA.Quarterly Journal of Econometrics Research,1(1), pp.1-12. Ma, S. and Rath, S., 2016. Market Timing of New Equity Offerings: Evidence from Chinese Listed Firms.Australasian Accounting, Business and Finance Journal,10(2), pp.23-53. MATTHEW, D.A.A., FADA, A. and UKONU, I.C., 2016. ROLE OF FINANCIAL RATIO ANALYSIS IN ASSESSING BUSINESS PERFORMANCE IN THE HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM OPERATIONS.Development,4(4). Saghi-Zedek, N. and Tarazi, A., 2015. Excess control rights, financial crisis and bank profitability and risk.Journal of Banking Finance,55, pp.361-379. Vedd, R. and Yassinski, N., 2015. The Effect of Financial Ratios, Firm Size Operating Cash Flows on Stock Price: Evidence from the Latin America Industrial Sector.Journal of Business and Accounting,8(1), p.15. Wang, X.J. and Choi, S.H., 2015. Stochastic Lot Sizing for Shareholder Wealth Maximisation under Carbon Footprint Management.Journal of Industrial and Intelligent Information Vol,3(1). Wijaya, J.A., 2015. The Effect of Financial Ratios toward Stock Returns among Indonesian Manufacturing Companies.iBuss Management,3(2). Zhang, Z., 2015. Financial Ratios and Stock Returns on Chinas Growth Enterprise Market.International Journal of Financial Research,6(3), p.p135. Bibliography List: Baker, S.D., Hollifield, B. and Osambela, E., 2016. Disagreement, speculation, and aggregate investment.Journal of Financial Economics,119(1), pp.210-225. Barbulescu, M. and Hagiu, A., 2016. ASPECTS OF THE FINANCIAL RISK IN THE ROMANIAN ECONOMY VERSUS THE FRENCH ECONOMY-COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE AND ANALYSIS.Scientific Bulletin-Economic Sciences,15(1), pp.69-76. Calomiris, C.W. and Khan, U., 2015. An assessment of tarp assistance to financial institutions.The Journal of Economic Perspectives,29(2), pp.53-80. Guastaroba, G., Mansini, R., Ogryczak, W. and Speranza, M.G., 2016. Linear programming models based on Omega ratio for the enhanced index tracking problem.European Journal of Operational Research,251(3), pp.938-956. Jami, M. and Bahar, M.N., 2016. Analysis of Profitability Ratios to Evaluation of Performance of Indian Automobile Industry.Journal of Current Research in Science, (1), p.747. Kimbrough, E.O., Rubin, J., Sheremeta, R.M. and Shields, T.W., 2015. Commitment problems in conflict resolution.Journal of Economic Behavior Organization,112, pp.33-45. Lashgari, M., 2015, January. RETURN ON COMMON STOCK. InAllied Academies International Conference. Academy of Accounting and Financial Studies. Proceedings(Vol. 20, No. 1, p. 19). Jordan Whitney Enterprises, Inc. Maxwell, S.L., Rhodes, J.R., Runge, M.C., Possingham, H.P., Ng, C.F. and McDonaldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ Madden, E., 2015. How much is new information worth? Evaluating the financial benefit of resolving management uncertainty.Journal of Applied Ecology,52(1), pp.12-20. Van den End, J.W., 2016. A macroprudential approach to address liquidity risk with the Loan-to-Deposit ratio.The European Journal of Finance,22(3), pp.237-253. Voss, G. and Prewysz-Kwinto, P., 2015. Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued OperationsEvaluation of LiquidityDetermination of Ratioor Necessity of Adjustment?.Eurasian Journal of Economics and Finance,3(1), pp.13-21. Xpress.sg. 2016. XPRESS - Home. [online] Available at: https://www.xpress.sg/ [Accessed 5 Sep. 2016].

The Understanding Of Prejudice Can Lead To Us Removing Of Racism And D

The understanding of prejudice can lead to us removing of racism and discrimination in our country. Stereotyping, or forming a set of characteristics thought to be common to all members of a certain group, leads to prejudice influencing the observer to be part of a group rather than an individual. Traits that go against the stereotype that could bring an end to prejudices, are ignored. The diversity movement claims that its goal is to halt racism and build acceptance of differences. But, someone cannot teach students that their identity is determined by skin color and expect them to become colorblind. Someone cannot be exposed to multiculturalism and expect students to see each other as individual human beings. Someone cannot teach the need for self-esteem while destroying the staff that makes it possible. Basically, the diversity movement is a complete contradiction of itself, because after all is said and done, we're back to where we started. Bibliography nope

Answers to Questions About Hyphens

Answers to Questions About Hyphens Answers to Questions About Hyphens Answers to Questions About Hyphens By Mark Nichol Here are several questions from DailyWritingTips.com readers about hyphenation, followed by my responses. 1. Please help settle an ongoing debate in my office. We often use the phrase â€Å"City of Los Angeles-owned property.† Of the following examples, which, if any, is correct? a) City of Los Angeles-owned property b) City of Los Angeles -owned property c) City of Los Angeles owned property Of course we could change the wording to something like â€Å"property owned by the City of Los Angeles† but that would take the fun out of the debate! The correct answer is d), â€Å"none of the above.† If the reference were generic, â€Å"city-owned property† would be correct, but when a phrase that represents a single concept (such as â€Å"City of Los Angeles†) is attached to a one-word adjective to form a phrasal adjective that precedes a noun, an en dash is used in place of a hyphen to signal that the entire phrase, not just the final word in it, is being attached to the adjective: â€Å"City of Los Angeles–owned property† (not â€Å"City of Los Angeles-owned property,† which appears to suggest â€Å"Angeles-owned property having to do with the City of Los†). (Many readers will miss the subtlety of this convention, which is also little known among writers, even those in the journalism and publishing realms if you see an en dash, thank an editor! but it observes a useful distinction.) Even correctly rendered, however, the phrase is cumbersome. Now that the debate has been settled, relax the wording to â€Å"property owned by the City of Los Angeles.† 2. I recently wrote a hyphenated word, and the spell-checking program underlined it and took out the hyphen. So I replaced the hyphenated word and made it unhyphenated. To my great surprise, when I did that, the spell-checking program highlighted it again and put the hyphen back in! You say look it up? A very good idea, but if a spell checker can’t make up its mind, can we rely on different dictionaries having the same spellings as each other? That’s puzzling! But take solace in the fact that spell-checking programs will never prompt you to misspell a word; they just might prompt a variant spelling. And, no, dictionaries don’t always agree on the best variant, but they never lead one astray. Just use a single dictionary (and, if you write for a client or a company, find out which dictionary it prefers). 3. â€Å"The less-traveled road† is correct. Is a hyphen required for â€Å"the road less traveled†? No. As is usually the case, the hyphen is omitted when the phrasal adjective follows the noun. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Spelling category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Arrive To vs. Arrive At"Certified" and "Certificated"8 Great Podcasts for Writers and Book Authors

Learn How Animals Are Classified

Learn How Animals Are Classified For centuries, the practice of naming and classifying living organisms into groups has been an integral part of the study of nature.  Aristotle (384BC-322BC) developed the first known method of classifying organisms, grouping organisms by their means of transport such as air, land, and water. A number of other naturalists followed with other classification systems. But it was Swedish botanist, Carolus (Carl) Linnaeus (1707-1778) that is considered to be the pioneer of modern taxonomy. In his book Systema Naturae, first published in 1735, Carl Linnaeus introduced a rather clever way to classify and name organisms. This system, now referred to as Linnaean taxonomy, has been used to varying extents, ever since. About Linnaean Taxonomy Linnaean taxonomy categorizes organisms into a hierarchy of kingdoms, classes, orders, families, genera, and species based on shared physical characteristics. The category of phylum was added to the classification scheme later, as a hierarchical level just beneath kingdom. Groups at the top of the hierarchy (kingdom, phylum, class) are more broad in definition and contain a greater number of organisms than the more specific groups that are lower in the hierarchy (families, genera, species). By assigning each group of organisms to a kingdom, phylum, class, family, genus, and species, they can then be uniquely characterized. Their membership in a group tells us about the traits they share with other members of the group, or the traits that make them unique when compared to organisms in groups to which they do not belong. Many scientists still use the Linnaean classification system to some extent today, but it is no longer the only method for grouping and characterizing organisms. Scientists now have many different ways of identifying organisms and describing how they relate to each other. To best understand the science of classification, it will help to first examine a few basic terms: classification - the systematic grouping and naming of organisms based on shared structural similarities, functional similarities, or evolutionary historytaxonomy - the science of classifying organisms (describing, naming, and categorizing organisms)systematics - the study of the diversity of life and the relationships between organisms Types of Classification Systems With an understanding of classification, taxonomy, and systematics, we can now examine the different types of classifications systems that are available. For instance, you can classify organisms according to their structure, placing organisms that look similar in the same group. Alternatively, you can classify organisms according to their evolutionary history, placing organisms that have a shared ancestry in the same group. These two approaches are referred to as phenetics and cladistics and are defined as follows: phenetics  - a method of classifying organisms that is based on their overall similarity in physical characteristics or other observable traits (it does not take phylogeny into account)cladistics  - a method of analysis (genetic analysis, biochemical analysis, morphological analysis) that determines relationships between organisms that are based solely on their evolutionary history In general, Linnaean taxonomy uses  phenetics  to classify organisms. This means it relies on physical characteristics or other observable traits to classify organisms and does consider the evolutionary history of those organisms. But keep in mind that similar physical characteristics are often the product of shared evolutionary history, so Linnaean taxonomy (or phenetics) sometimes reflects the evolutionary background of a group of organisms. Cladistics  (also called phylogenetics or phylogenetic systematics) looks to the evolutionary history of organisms to form the underlying framework for their classification. Cladistics, therefore, differs from phenetics in that it is based on  phylogeny  (the evolutionary history of a group or lineage), not on the observation of physical similarities. Cladograms When characterizing the evolutionary history of a group of organisms, scientists develop tree-like diagrams called cladograms. These diagrams consist of a series of branches and leaves that represent the evolution of groups of organisms through time. When a group splits into two groups, the cladogram displays a node, after which the branch then proceeds in different directions. Organisms are located as leaves (at the ends of the branches).   Biological Classification Biological classification is in a continual state of flux. As our knowledge of organisms expands, we gain a better understanding of the similarities and differences among various groups of organisms. In turn, those similarities and differences shape how we assign animals to the various groups (taxa). taxon  (pl. taxa) - taxonomic unit, a group of organisms that has been named Factors That Shaped High-Order Taxonomy The invention of the microscope in the mid-sixteenth century revealed a minute world filled with countless new organisms that had previously escaped classification because they were too tiny to see with the naked eye. Throughout the past century, rapid advances in evolution and genetics (as well as a host of related fields such as cell biology, molecular biology, molecular genetics, and biochemistry, to name just a few) constantly reshape our understanding of how organisms relate to one another and shed new light on previous classifications. Science is constantly reorganizing the branches and leaves of the tree of life. The vast changes to a classification that have occurred throughout the history of taxonomy can best be understood by examining how the highest level taxa (domain, kingdom, phylum) have changed throughout history. The history of taxonomy stretches back to the 4th century BC, to the times of Aristotle and before. Since the first classification systems emerged, dividing the world of life into various groups with various relationships, scientists have grappled with the task of keeping classification in sync with scientific evidence. The sections that follow provide a summary of the changes that have taken place at the highest level of biological classification over the history of taxonomy. Two Kingdoms (Aristotle, during 4th century BC) Classification system based on:  Observation (phenetics) Aristotle was among the first to document the division of life forms into animals and plants. Aristotle classified animals according to observation, for example, he defined high-level groups of animals by whether or not they had red blood (this roughly reflects the division between vertebrates and invertebrates used today). Plantae  - plantsAnimalia  - animals Three Kingdoms (Ernst Haeckel, 1894) Classification system based on:  Observation (phenetics) The three kingdom system, introduced by Ernst Haeckel in 1894, reflected the long-standing two kingdoms (Plantae and Animalia) that can be attributed to Aristotle (perhaps before) and added third kingdom, Protista that included single-celled eukaryotes and bacteria (prokaryotes). Plantae  - plants (mostly autotrophic, multi-cellular eukaryotes, reproduction by spores)Animalia  - animals (heterotrophic, multi-cellular eukaryotes)Protista  - single-celled eukaryotes and bacteria (prokaryotes) Four Kingdoms (Herbert Copeland, 1956) Classification system based on:  Observation (phenetics) The important change introduced by this classification scheme was the introduction of the Kingdom Bacteria. This reflected the growing understanding that bacteria (single-celled prokaryotes) were very much different from single-celled eukaryotes. Previously, single-celled eukaryotes and bacteria (single-celled prokaryotes) were grouped together in the Kingdom Protista. But Copeland elevated Haeckels two Protista phyla to the level of kingdom. Plantae  - plants (mostly autotrophic, multi-cellular eukaryotes, reproduction by spores)Animalia  - animals (heterotrophic, multi-cellular eukaryotes)Protista  - single-celled eukaryotes (lack tissues or extensive cellular differentiation)Bacteria  - bacteria (single-celled prokaryotes) Five Kingdoms (Robert Whittaker, 1959) Classification system based on:  Observation (phenetics) Robert Whittakers 1959 classification scheme added the fifth kingdom to Copelands four kingdoms, the Kingdom Fungi (single and multi-cellular osmotrophic eukaryotes) Plantae  - plants (mostly autotrophic, multi-cellular eukaryotes, reproduction by spores)Animalia  - animals (heterotrophic, multi-cellular eukaryotes)Protista  - single-celled eukaryotes (lack tissues or extensive cellular differentiation)Monera  - bacteria (single-celled prokaryotes)Fungi  (single and multi-cellular osmotrophic eukaryotes) Six Kingdoms (Carl Woese, 1977) Classification system based on:  Evolution and molecular genetics (Cladistics/Phylogeny) In 1977, Carl Woese extended Robert Whittakers Five Kingdoms to replace Kingdom bacteria with two kingdoms, Eubacteria and Archaebacteria. Archaebacteria differ from Eubacteria in their genetic transcription and translation processes (in Archaebacteria, transcription, and translation more closely resembled eukaryotes). These distinguishing characteristics were shown by molecular genetic analysis. Plantae  - plants (mostly autotrophic, multi-cellular eukaryotes, reproduction by spores)Animalia  - animals (heterotrophic, multi-cellular eukaryotes)Eubacteria  - bacteria (single-celled prokaryotes)Archaebacteria  - prokaryotes (differ from bacteria in their genetic transcription and translation, more similar to eukaryotes)Protista  - single-celled eukaryotes (lack tissues or extensive cellular differentiation)Fungi  - single and multi-cellular osmotrophic eukaryotes Three Domains (Carl Woese, 1990) Classification system based on:  Evolution and molecular genetics (Cladistics/Phylogeny) In 1990, Carl Woese put forth a classification scheme that greatly overhauled previous classification schemes. The three-domain system he proposed is based on molecular biology studies and resulted in the placement of organisms into three domains. BacteriaArchaeaEukarya

Parenting a Genius Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Parenting a Genius - Essay Example However, there are rare situations wherein the gift is a clear portrayal of superb talent at an early age. It does not only manifest as a mere potential because it enormously exceeds being above average. Hence, a gift becomes a miracle because it appears innate and needs less effort for its development. People argue that if all are given potentials, why do some individuals fail to develop their talents? The answer lies in the fact that while all people are bestowed with capabilities, not all have the passion for the enhancement of these capabilities. Talent and passion come hand in hand. Passion is the fuel that can nourish one’s talent. It is noteworthy, that there is a thin line that separates passion from talent. One may develop interest in an area which is far from his potentials. The stimulation of this passion is the key role that one’s environment plays. The surroundings contribute highly to a person’s development. One essential component of this environme nt is home, which includes the parents. Parents are primary caregivers and the ones mainly responsible for igniting a child’s passion. A harmonious parent-child relationship fosters positive environment. The resulting positivity at home is an atmosphere conducive for refinement of a child’s talents. ... It is his empathic nature that compelled him to choose not to win. The subliminal message of innocence and conscience transcends into the viewers. The film also contains a brief comparison of how a father and mother view their child. The father is eager for achievement like winning, while the mother is unconditional and focuses on his son’s feelings. In a heated argument, the mother is willing to take away her son for the sake of the latter’s freedom. Although, the difference between a father’s and a mother’s love cannot be generalized, it touches the fact that family dispute is unsuitable for a positive parent-child relationship. This, in turn, leads audience back to the realization that home is a key factor in the development of a person’s character. It is a common trend when a family’s passion is into music that the children become inclined to music as well. This is the case for David Helfgott, an Australian pianist, to whom the 1996 film Shine centered upon. Director Hicks made an effort to bring Helfgott to the audience through the exploration of the deep core and complexity of the human character. It is with Helfgott’s father, that we came to realize that parents are human beings too - imperfect and vulnerable to egotistical mechanisms. Amidst these parental flaws, what is more important is the parents’ ability to overcome such temptations. In the film Shine, the father tries associating his past through imposing tension upon his son. Helfgott’s father creates an authoritative ambiance which seemed to be suffocating. As a consequence, Helfgott entangled himself with the pursuit of freedom which ultimately led to an emotional collapse. The mental breakdown of Helfgott opened the viewers’

Joint venture paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Joint venture - Research Paper Example One of the benefits of forming a joint venture therefore is to gain access to the new markets as two entities; one foreign and one domestic and as such foreign entity often bring in new technologies which can benefit the domestic entities due to technology transfer. In US, Joint ventures are mostly regulated by Partnership laws, Contract Act as well as commercial transaction laws. In order to successfully formulate a joint venture, it is really important to consider due diligence, business plan as well as the allocation of the income must be decided before formation of the joint venture contract. This report will present an analysis of the joint venture between NIKE and Adidas, the business potential and the international aspects of NIKE as well as performing a due diligence of the potential joint venture between the two. 1. Nike own and operate various retail stores, ecommerce, independent distributors as well as franchisers across the United States and World. Nike has one of the unique business models in place where it manufactures its products through its contract centers located across the world. This provides NIKE necessary cost advantage over its competitors. 2. Nike manufactures and sells branded footwear, apparel as well as equipment and different accessories. This range includes various brands offered across the world either supplied locally or through franchising. 3. Make its supply chain more competitive as well as efficient through strong operational discipline. NIKE’s supply chain is truly a global supply chain due to the fact that it involves different stakeholders at different points in the supply chain. Besides, these stakeholders are spread across the world. 4. Achieving strong cost advantage through adoptive lean manufacturing philosophy. NIKE has adapted a very unique manufacturing philosophy

Business Ethics Essay Example for Free

Business Ethics Essay H.B Fuller and the Street Children of Central America (Summary) The Resistol were produced by H.B Fuller company, a global manufacture of adhesives, sealants, and other specialty chemicals, and had operations in over 40 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. H.B Fuller was a very profitable company. Honduras and Guatemala are two countries where fuller markets it glue products and the two countries where Resistol abuse is most pronounced. More than a third of people in Honduras and Guatemala were below poverty, and this economic condition directly affected to Family Life situation, commonly unstable, stressful conditions, husbands abandoned their wives and children. The countless children ran away from home life and roamed the city street, street children uses glue (H.B Fuller) by sniffing them (glue addicted) as the way to get-away from their real life condition. The misuse one of the adhesives, Resistol, a toluene base glue, by the street children of America, where the social economic was taking part of this situation. For years H.B Fuller had been pressure by child advocate groups in Central America and the United States, and encouraged the company to minute amounts of mustard seed-oil a common food additive, reported virtually eliminated abuse of its glue. In March 1989 legislature of Honduras passed decree 36-89 which banned importing or manufacturing solvent based adhesives that did not contain mustard oil. This situation surely disadvantages for H.B Fuller company business environment , H.B. Fuller subsidiary began lobbied the government to have the law revoked, brought some data and showed by adding the mustard seed oil caused; reduce the glue effectiveness, the smell would irritating to legitimate user, the substance was potentially carciogenic. H.B Fuller also took several actions related to help to prevent glue addiction for street children, in order to reduce the availability of glue to children they discontinued selling the glue in small jar, paying the social workers to work with street children and began providing information to distributors warning of the dangers of Resistol addiction. The actions keep continued on July 16th, 1992, the company stop selling the glue to retailer and only sold the glue to industrial customer in large tubs and barrels and cooperate with distributors to set up new control restricting distributions in retailer, on 1994, the company decided to change the toluene based into cyclohexane and increased the price up to 30% it further out of reach of children, of these moves, the company said, that this would discourage use of this glues among street children. In 1995, company issued a statement claiming that in reality it, neither manufactured nor sold Resistol, instead the company, asser ted it was a subsidiary of a subsidiary of the company in central America that had actually made and sold Resistol, and claims that the company was responsible the deaths of children are nothing More than attempt to hold fuller liable for acts and omissions of its second-tier Guatemalan subsidiary.

Satellites :: essays research papers

Satellites Satellite is probably the most useful invention since the wheel. Satellites have the capability to let you talk with someone across the nation or let you close a business deal through video communication. Almost everything today is heading towards the use of satellites, such as telephones. At&t has used this communications satellite (top right) ever since the late 1950s. TVS and radios are also turning to the use of satellites. RCA and Sony have released satellite dishes for Radio and Television services. New technology also allows the military to use satellites as a weapon. The new ION cannon is a satellite that can shoot a particle beam anywhere on earth and create an earthquake. They can also use it's capability for imaging enhancement, which allows you to zoom in on someone's nose hairs all the way from space.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Robert Gossard (left) was one of the most integral inventors of the satellite. He was born on October 5, 1882. He earned his Masters and Doctoral degree in Physics at Clark University. He conducted research on improving solid- propellant rockets. He is known best for firing the world's first successful liquid-propellant rocket on March 16, 1926. This was a simple pressure-fed rocket that burned gasoline and liquid oxygen. It traveled only 56m (184 ft) but proved to the world that the principle was valid. Gossard Died August 10, 1945. Gossard did not work alone, he was also in partnership with a Russian theorist named Konstantin Tsiolkovsky. Tsiolkovsky was born on September 7, 1857. As a child Tsiolkovsky educated himself and rose to become a High School teacher of mathematics in the small town of Kaluga, 145km (90mi) south of Moscow. In his early years Tsiolkovsky caught scarlet fever and became 80% deaf. Together, the theoretical work of Russian Konstantin Tsiolkovsky and the experimental work of American Robert Gossard, confirmed that a satellite might be launched by means of a rocket.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I chose the satellite to research because many things such as computers, TVS and telephones are using satellites, and I thought it would be a good idea to figure out how they work and the history behind them before we start to use them more rapidly. I also picked the satellite because I think that my life would differ without it. For instance, The Internet or World Wide Web would run very slowly or would cease to exist altogether. We wouldn't be able to talk to people across the world because telephone wires would have to travel across the Atlantic, and if they did, the reception would be horrible. We wouldn't know

Jollibee Foods Corporation Essay

What were the strategy and competitive advantages of Jollibee in the Philippines? JFC observed that the fast food market in Philippines had a high growth potential. They were the first movers in the market and therefore able to build up brand recognition. JFC’s success could be attributed to its differentiation strategy that created and sustained a competitive advantage especially against McDonalds. The McDonalds was a global giant strictly following the philosophy of standardization especially with its hamburger line. JFC realized that it could attract customers with superior tasting products for more affordable prices due to their tight control over operations management. JFC was also aware that the founders of Jollibee (Tan family) had a family tradition (a capability) of making delicious food tailored for the needs (local tastes) of Filipino customer. In conclusion, JFC offered a more tailored menu with a sweeter hamburger, an innovative chicken product, a kid-oriented chicken plate in line with the preferences of consumers whereas McDonalds did little or nothing to modify its products due to mainly its US based decision process. This might be, because the global operating competitor McDonalds would jeopardize its brand image and values, if they would adapt local needs – the contrary applies for JFC. The flatter organizational structure allowed JFC to respond to market changes more quickly. In addition being closer to the market as well as better connected (Many franchisees were friends of Tan family) helped JFC to establish themselves better. JFC’s managers knew that offering tasty hamburgers were not sufficient. They took the initiative to replicate and improve the McDonalds operating structure so that Jollibee became more competitive at store level. Lessons learned from the competitor at the early stages of the small food chain enabled it to reduce production time and ensure consistency and cleanliness of its products. The combination of being the first in the market, service with innovative products and opening new and efficient store at good locations allowed  Jollibee to expand the growing fast food market to new consumers. In addition, Jollibee’s organizational culture and philosophy summarized by ‘Five Fs’ (Friendliness, flavorful food, fun atmosphere, flexibility in catering customer needs and focus on families) sustained the competitive advantage against competitors by enhancing the customer experience and optimizing processes to keep costs low and quality high.

Reader Responses

Real Relationships Fahrenheit 451 , written by Ray Bradbury, introduces many motifs to the reader. One of them being television. Television isn't the problem, but the over-indulging was the thing that hurt the many relationships of this book. Having so much technology and instant satisfaction at one's fingertips can be deadly. Specifically, so many people watch It because It's an escape from the viewer's real life. They don't have to face their problems. Without problems being faced, relationships are being less cared about, and less emotions are rolling to the reface.As In Fahrenheit 451 , the protagonist Montage's wife Mildred attempted seclude because of her great pain and Inability to confront her sad life. As the book says, the only attachment she has, Is to the â€Å"family on her favorite television show. In article â€Å"Face Time vs.. Screen Time†, written by Chancre Johnson, researchers found that people, especially teens are communicating with their families more, but with less emotions. Parenting expert Denies Daniels says, â€Å"These kids aren't connecting emotionally.Just like in Fahrenheit 451, no one in this futuristic society was connecting emotionally. They would talk about things that would happen, but not why. They never wondered. They were never emotional. Dry Kate Roberts says, â€Å"Families text rather than have conversations. We're living in a culture of sound bites, and that is not developing our verbal skills or our emotional intelligence. † Like in the book, a character, Mrs.. Bowels (Milliard's friend) has obviously had problems with emotional attachment, emotional intelligence, and communicating with her cabanas/past husbands.She had one divorce, one husband killed in a car accident, and another that has committed suicide. Not to mention that both of her kids utterly despise her. If she wasn't so superficial and had good verbal skills and emotional intelligence, she would be liked. This isn't necessarily her fault though, because this is a normal thing in this books society. Compared to the article, it is talking about real life too! This isn't part of a science fiction book anymore, this is slowly happening to our society.We are losing our communication skills. And if we cannot turn technology off more often, we are likely to lose the people we love. Reader Responses for Fahrenheit 451 By Audrey-Scrooges Fahrenheit 451, written by Ray Bradbury, introduces many motifs to the reader. Deadly. Specifically TV, so many people watch it because it's an escape from the viewer's real life. They don't have to face their problems. Without problems being faced, relationships are being less cared about, and less emotions are rising to the surface.As in Fahrenheit 451, the protagonist Montage's wife Mildred attempted suicide because of her great pain and inability to confront her sad life. As the book says, the only attachment she has, is to the â€Å"family' on her favorite television show. With less em otions. Parenting expert Denies Daniels says, â€Å"These kids aren't connecting emotionally. † Just like in Fahrenheit 451 , no one in this futuristic society despise her. If she wasn't so superficial and had good verbal skills and emotional life too! This isn't part of a science fiction book anymore, this is slowly happening to

Kindergartens as a First Step towards Adult Life

Kindergartens as a First Step towards Adult Life A person's development begins from the very childhood. During their very first years children become more and more curious about the world around them and get some education by learning how to speak and asking all their why-questions. Then they start to learn the alphabet and start to read. They want to learn more about this life and demonstrate their talents. Before the age of six children are very sensitive, and it is crucial to find the right approach to every single individual at this period of time. The reality today is that parents cannot afford to stay at home with their children all day. Nowadays both parents have to work to make money for their family, and not every couple can hire a person that will take care of their children. This is why kindergartens are so popular and widespread in almost every country. Children are sent to the full-day kindergartens, and these places have a great impact on their upbringing and further education. A lot of researchers believe that it is crucial for younger children to have an access to education because it has a positive impact on their ability to read; besides, this improves their cognitive performance throughout their lives. Anyway, if parents have to spens all day at work and nobody can help them, they do not even ask the question about the importance of a kindergarten – this place is their only option. However, some families can choose to let a child go to the kindergarten or to stay with him/her at home. What should these parents prefer? Is a kindergarten the best alternative for them and their child? Disadvantages of a Kindergarten We would like to start this discussion with disadvantages of sending children to kindergartens. First and foremost, this experience is always stressful for children. No matter how good the teacher is and how great the other kids are, a child who comes to the kindergarten from home always feels nervous and stressed because of this huge change. The child is surrounded by strangers, his/her dear parents do not come to take him/her home for a few hours already – a child does not understand that immediately, which might cause a negative reaction. However, usually children overcome these difficulties and start to enjoy their days in the kindergarten a lot. Secondly, they can be negatively influenced by other children. Children in the kindergarten can have different backgrounds, and there is always a risk of a negative impact on your child. This is normal because teachers cannot control all communication between the children, and here it is very important for parents to help their children be open with them and teach them how to treat other children and how to solve conflicts. Advantages of a Kindergarten There are a lot of advantages of kindergartens which make these institutions so popular. To begin with, kindergartens help children become more independent. It is extremely valuable that children can learn how to do a lot of things without their parents’ help. They learn how to make the bed, how to clean, how to put on clothes, etc. When children stay home with their mothers or grandparents, they do not need to think about such important things because adults take care of them. However, at certain age children already need to do a lot of things without adults’ assistance, and kindergartens help them achieve this goal. Secondly, all children need to communicate with other children starting with the age of three or four. At this age they already require important social skills and learn how to build relationships with other people (in this case with their peers). Kindergartens also allow them to spend more time with other adults. This might be stressful for some children, but it is crucial because later they will become school students and they will have to establish good relationships with their school teachers. In the kindergarten children learn that parents are not the only authoritative people in their lives. Since children acquire all these social skills in the kindergarten, it is easier for them to study in school and make friends there and be in good terms with their teachers. Another very strong advantage of a kindergarten is education. This is the place where children start to learn how to write and improve their reading skills. They get a lot of different math assignment and have to memorize poems and perform them in front of their peers. In the kindergarten children make their first educational steps which help them a lot when they come to school. Since they do not have an easy access to TVs and computers, children are more busy with other activities: either they play together outside, which is great for their health, or do some sewing and knitting exercises which develop their fine motor skills. In the kindergarten children have to be disciplined and follow strict rules, and this is also very useful because it makes their transition to school much easier and less stressful. As you can see, kindergartens have their pros and cons, and it is only up to you to decide whether you want your child to go such a place. You can send your child to a kindergarten and see how he/she reacts. If this is too much for you boy or girl, then you should wait a little. However, your child can enjoy going to the kindergarten, and all your problems will be solved.

20 Best Christmas Gifts Ideas for College Students

20 Best Christmas Gifts Ideas for College Students It all comes down to this, a legendary list of the 20 best Christmas gifts for college students that will make you a seasonal rock of Gibraltar; a Christmas hero! 1. A Really Cool Tetris Light These are probably the coolest door room lights to hit the world since the Lava Lamp. Stackable, colorful and cool the Tetris Desk Light is an awesome choice. Boys and girls will love them. We sure do! 2. A Pair of Quality Headphones College roommates often have different sleeping patterns because theyve got different classes and different class schedules. Time in the room is usually accompanied by video, gaming or noisy internet browsing. A pair a quality headphones is a college student’s best tech-friend. 3. Gift Cards This is universal. Don’t give college kids money because it will almost never be spent on what it should be. Gift cards direct their focus and they’re far more likely to buy necessities like food and toiletries. 4. Dorm Room TV (Space Saver) Flat space saving digital TV’s that can sync with gaming consoles and computers are awesome! Plus, they’re not bulky at all. If the model you choose can be wall-mounted, then there’s nothing better. Furthermore, these days the prices are ridiculously low. Not long ago even buying a smaller quality TV for college kids was spendy. 5. Someone Else’s Wallet? This is a neat idea, and a great way to buy a new wallet for the guys. Get a nice new wallet and then fill it with things like gift cards, new photographs, perhaps sporting event or movie tickets etc. Just a neat way to give a bundle of gifts at the same time in a small package that’s super easy to send in the mail. 6. Gourmet Coffee College kids are the only people on earth who drink more coffee than corporate office bees. The problem is that 99.9% of the time it’s cheap and not so tasty. A nice big bag of gourmet coffee is that understanding and supportive gift that all students appreciate (if they drink coffee that is). 7. Study Abroad Money Most students who study abroad are even more broke while they’re away in some exciting new place than when they’re back in their dorm room. If you can give them some extra spending money for the trip, they’ll never forget it, ever. 8. One-Stop-Shop Bathroom Kit These really are appreciate and used extensively. Don’t think this kit will go to waste because it won’t. Well, maybe some of the little accessories might not get used but the major components never fail. Razors, shaving cream, cologne, soap etc. Mainly because the stuff in the campus store is horrible. 9. An Assortment of Great Sauces College students aren’t known for being good cooks. They just put any old thing together and call it food. That being said, a box of assorted and tasty sauces will be used within a month. Maybe before New Years†¦imagine the flavors of Top Ramen they could conjure up. 10. Shower Slippers The kind that you can wear into the shower to protect your feet and then they dry off super quick so you don’t track water down the hall. Nobody wants athletes foot or to step into someone elses bodily fluids, whatever kind that may be. 11. A Traditional Popcorn Serving Set Seriously, who eats more popcorn than college students? You can survive on the stuff! It would be neat to have a quality serving set that looks just like the kind you get at the movies. How cool is that? 12. High-Brow Bedding Goes without saying†¦ 13. New Laptop Again, an incredible tool that will be used (and abused) and every penny will be squeezed out of it. No college students neglects a new laptop. It’s almost the equivalent to buying them a new used car (except the laptop should be new). You get the idea. 14. Beer Pong Table and Set Yeah, really. Everyone loves the game, but very few students have the table and set. Your kid could be THAT kid in the hall. Hey, college is about networking. 15. DVD Set of Favorite TV Series Are they a crazed Walking Dead fan? Sure, they probably know how to watch every episode online for free, but having their own set they can watch whenever is actually really handy. 16. Clean (Actually White) Socks and Undies Always needed†¦ 17. A Laundry Hamper with Style It needs to have some flare or it will go unnoticed and blend into the disaster area of clothes around it. 18. Good Food Baskets! Can’t go wrong here. A sure winner 100% of the time without fail. 19. Subscription to Netflix All the kids are getting them. That’s the rumor anyways. Beware! Some students become addicted to Netflix in no time. 20. Set Them Up with a Classy Interview! What a novel idea right? Perhaps the ultimate gift you can get a college student this year is to pull some string and set them up with a quality interview. With so many options to choose from it was hard to narrow down the list into a top 20 type presentation. Therefore, we updated the list adding 20 more Christmas gifts ideas for college students. Check them out! Well, here’s your chance students. What would be the perfect Christmas gift for you?

Emerging Issue assignment- new global initiative Essay

Emerging Issue assignment- new global initiative - Essay Example This stresses the fact that the magnificent diversity of cultures should not be a constraint for maintaining the relationship as one human family and one Earth community with common destiny. The main aim of The Earth Charter has been purported ‘to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace’ (Preamble). Therefore, it is quite evident that The Earth Charter stands for protecting the mother Earth, based on the concept, Earth our home. The Earth Charter Commission, in the first four paragraphs of The Earth Charter, brings our attention to the core issue by making us aware of man’s interdependence on nature. The first paragraph entitled as ‘Earth Our Home’ rightly observes this interrelationship when it writes thus, ‘The resilience of the community of life and the well-being of humanity depend upon preserving a healthy biosphere with all its ecological syste ms, a rich variety of plants and animals, fertile soils, pure waters, and clean air.’ (Earth Our Home). This establishes the strong bond between man and nature, and also reminds the reality that human wants are unlimited but the environment or the resources of nature are limited. Therefore, one should keep in mind that the ‘protection of Earth's vitality, diversity, and beauty is a sacred trust.’ (Earth Our Home). One should also be aware of the present global situation described under the title The Global Situation. Here the Charter identifies the main factors causing for environmental devastation, namely, ‘production and consumption’ which may in time lead to ‘the depletion of resources, and a massive extinction of species’ (The Global situation). Other problems identified are the ‘unprecedented rise in human population’ and the basic difference between the rich and the poor, the grave issue that denies the benefits of dev elopment. Another severe problem affecting the ecological and sociological systems has been identified as the uncontrollable population growth. The Earth Charter identifies that ‘Fundamental changes are needed in our values, institutions, and ways of living’ (The challenges ahead) to keep up the stability of Earth. The Earth Commission also envisages that if we are ready to show the sense of universal responsibility, that is, ‘We are at once citizens of different nations and of one world in which the local and global are linked’ (Universal responsibility), we can certainly protect the Earth from anymore harm. Therefore, The Earth Charter proposes 16 interdependent principles assuring a sustainable life. The principles have been arranged under four main headings, namely, ‘Respect and care for the community of life’, ‘Ecological Integrity’, ‘Social and Economic Justice’ and ‘Democracy, Nonviolence, and Peace.â€⠄¢ Each heading discusses another four points and sub points narrating the core subject. The title ‘Respect and care for the community of life’ focuses on the necessity of showing respect to every form of life regardless of its worth to human beings. This principle also warns against man’s exploitation of the environment without considering the reality, resources and limited and to avoid environmental harm. The third principle speaks of building democratic societies that are just,

Political Terrorisim Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Political Terrorisim - Essay Example At most times, control is usually built into the institutions that exist in the society. It may be on a macro-level, which necessitates a formal control system like laws and instructions from the government and even private organizations. On a micro-level, this focuses more on informal control systems; this implies a more unwritten norm among the members of society. It is also external, meaning the control comes from an individual person’s need to comply with the dictates or regulations of another person or a small group (Chriss, 2007). Terrorism from above is also known as state terrorism which is more recognizable in the repressive and suppressive acts of the state and human rights violations practiced by the agents of the state upon its citizens. Terrorism from above is the means adopted in order to achieve social control. Terrorism from above is carried out under the guise of national interest, however, in reality it is carried out in order to control the society and the people. â€Å"Control of the mass media and suppression of dissent are common trademarks, and it would be a mistake to neglect corruption, or the desire to line one’s pockets† (O’Connor, 2008). Terrorism from above and the implementation of social control are connected with each other because one is essential to the other. Terrorism from above is carried out in order to implement social control by fair means or foul, but mostly, foul. Authoritarian fascist and communist governments like Nazi Germany and Mao’s China are more likely to use terror as their method of social control because they can easily achieve control and whatever goals they aim for by instilling fear among their subjects. These types of governments can incapacitate the citizens through violence and the threat of violence. â€Å"In such context, fear is a paramount feature of social action; it is characterized by the inability of social actors to predict

Marketing plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Marketing plan - Essay Example Since the beginning of the competition, the company has decided to come up with different ways of reaching out to its potential customers. So far the company has hired Fallon worldwide and advertisement agencies in Minneapolis to develop new marketing strategies for their products. Since its introduction in automotive sector in 1916, BMW Company has come up with different products in the sector (Martin, Fabian, and Josh 2002A) The Company is also known for producing and marketing a range of sporty and higher end motorcycles and cars. Despite investing on cars and motorcycles, the company has also embarked on aircraft engine known as Rolls Royce. The company global subsidiaries and manufacturing plants are situated in Mexico, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Egypt, Vietnam United Kingdom, United States of America, Australia and Germany. All this plants have very concrete and productive marketing channels and strategies. Currently, the company is as well operating its financia l cooperate which offers financial assistance to potential customers. This marketing plan is based on a 4C framework of credibility, consistency, competitiveness and clarity as BMW strives to enhance its market niche in Japan and China. Credibility refers to continued use of reliable information to customers and all the conditions of sale will be upheld. Moreover, BMW will continue to make luxurious vehicles that will meet customer needs and will strive to gain competitiveness in the new market. Moreover, the channels of distribution used by the company will be clear. 2.0: Introduction Since producing its first car, BMW has grown significantly marketing its products in different parts of the world. 1,366,838 cars of different models were produced by BMW group in 2006 and this figure rose to 1,481,253 in 2010. Moreover, the company has been producing motorcycles since 1916 and does its production in different countries of the world including Mexico, China, Russia, UK, Australia, US a nd South Africa. However, it only started producing cars in China 2008 as shown in the table below. Table1 showing BMW vehicle production from 2005 to 2010 Year BMW Rolls-Royce MINI 2005 1,122,308 692 200, 119 2006 1,179,317 874 186,674 2007 1,302,774 1029 237,700 2008 1,203,482 1417 235,019 2009 1,043,829 918 213,670 2010 1,236,989 3221 241,043 Source (BMW Group 2011A) 56 percent of the total BMW branded vehicle are petrol powered as the remaining are powered using diesel. 27 percent of the vehicles powered by petrol have four cylinders while another 9 percent have eight cylinders. 2.1: Market overview So far the company has to a great extent succeeded in its marketing strategy. The success is highly attributed by functional and consistent marketing strateg

The Impact Of Culture On Healthcare Nursing Essay

The Impact Of Culture On Healthcare Nursing Essay Culture is one of the most important determining factors in healthcare preferences and practices. Thus, the need for transcultural nursing is undeniable. Transcultural nursing requires sophisticated assessment and analytic skills and the ability to plan, design, implement, and evaluate nursing care for individuals, families, groups, and communities representing various cultures (Andrews and Boyle, 2008, p.4). In order to effectively practice transcultural nursing, one must first understand the need for cultural competence. It is vital for nurses to have a desire to become culturally aware, culturally knowledgeable, culturally skillful, and to seek cultural encounters. Cultural desire is the stimulator in the eruption of the process of cultural competence and the nurse must seek and be open to learn and accept others, understand the process is lifelong, and set aside personal feelings to effectively treat unique patients (Campinha-Bacote, J, 2003). The Giger and Davidhizar (2002) Tran scultural Model is a helpful tool that addresses and effectively treats patients who have different cultures. The model takes into consideration 6 important phenomena. Communication keeps culture alive by verbal and nonverbal means; it is one of the biggest obstacles in healthcare. Nurses ask questions to determine patients views on illness, causes, and possible treatments. They listen and interpret their patients level of understanding and ability to follow through with treatment. Also, nurses interact with the patients family. Communication varies from culture to culture. Americans are expected to speak Standard English; however, it varies based on region, ethnicity, and social class (United States, 2001). Americans use a variety of nonverbal communication. Eye contact, which is viewed as a sign of trust and honesty, between patients and healthcare professionals is the norm. Expression of emotion varies in American culture. Americans use a combination of verbal language, body language, and gestures. Americans are often straightforward and rather demanding. Unlike Americans, Asians rarely complain. Silence and withdrawal may be the only indication of a problem. Asians tend to not ask for anything, accept pain, and remain stoic (Fernandez V. K., 2008, Asian Community). Many Asians dont engage in eye contact with powerful persons; the avoidance of eye contact shows respect and reverence (Non-Verbal Communication, p.4). Asians speak more than 100 languages; they vary based on the geographic regions they descend from (Asian Americans, p. 2). Arab Muslims usually cooperate by answering questions, listening, and following directions until they see improvement. They believe their expression, such as pain, should be quickly met with response (Fernandez V. K., 2008, The Middle Eastern Community). The Arabic language uses devices that outmatch reality and is not very direct or explicit (Ayish, 2003). Hispanics are very emotionally expressive. Effective communication with Hispanics is not based on just speaking their language; cultural rules allow for certain discussions with certain people (Fernandez V. K., 2008, The Hispanic Ameri can Community). Eye contact is expected on the nurses part but will not necessarily be reciprocated (Andrews Boyle, p.25). Nurses, if available, should undergo cultural competency training. Berln and Fowkes LEARN Model can assist; LEARN, represents the process of listening to the patient, explaining your view, acknowledging differences and similarities, recommending and negotiating a plan (Campinha-Bacote, J.,2003). Nurses should enlist the help of trained interpreters, preferably of the same gender, mature, and of no relation to patient; if there is no interpreter, the following but not limited to, is necessary: politeness, slow and concise speaking, simplicity, pantomime, validation of understanding, and instructions in the proper sequence (Andrews Boyle, p.29). Space is also important when dealing with various cultures. Nurses are required to interact with patients, often invading personal space. Giger and Davidhizar (2002) state: Territoriality refers to feelings or an attitude toward ones personal area. Each person has their own territorial behavior. Feelings of territoriality or violation of the clients personal and intimate space can cause discomfort and may result in a clients refusing treatment or not returning for further care. (p. 185) Americans tend to require a need for personal space. When family and friends are near, Americans tend to be relaxed; however, when a stranger or mere acquaintance invades space, it can become uncomfortable. Asians prefer a great amount of social distance. Many prefer minimum physical contact with acquaintances; excessive contact is viewed as inappropriate. Unlike Americans, who believe touch is a sign of friendliness, Asians view the head as a personal area that contains the seat of the soul and it should not be touched. Arab Muslims seem to require the least amount of space. It is not uncommon for people from the Middle East to stand closely when conversing. However, gender can play a role; Muslim woman may become distraught when a male, even a healthcare professional, stands or sits near her; Arab Muslims expect females to tend to females and males will care for males. Hispanics, unlike Americans, are use to standing or sitting near people they are not well acquainted with (Non-Ver bal Communication, p.3). Hispanics and Arab Muslims may unintentionally invade nurses space as a means of getting closer and more comfortable (Andrews Boyle, p.26). Nurses should take the patients lead; if the patient seems to gravitate towards you or initiates touch, then it is acceptable to do the same. At all times respect the patient and boundaries. When dealing with patients, there must be consideration of social organizations or what role the patients culture plays in his or her life. Family members are often the providers of a patients eating habits, sick role behaviors, and medications used. Americans view family as a vital part of their healthcare plans. It is common for Americans to be visited and supported by family; they often discuss and make important decisions. Asians are concerned with family interdependence over independence; family usually likes to assist with patient care. In some Asian cultures, some members, such as men and elders, dominate and consider women and children inferior (Galanti, 2005). Arab Muslims regard family as the foundation of their society. The husband answers questions, makes all major decisions, and gives consent. Often times, Arab Muslims dont believe in divulging family history. The family cares for the ill. (The Middle Eastern Community). Hispanics have large families who visit for long h ours as a way to demonstrate their love and genuine concern. Often times, decisions are made by the entire family or designated members (Galanti, 2003). Religious and spiritual beliefs are important factors during illness, recovery, and death. In the United States, most people consider themselves Christians; Catholics singly dominate, but the Protestant groups combined outnumber them. Americans include religious practitioners such as priest, ministers, and rabbis as well as nontraditional leaders during health related situations. Americans include religious objects, such as the Bible, and also rituals, such as communion. Death and end of life choices are also influenced by religion and practices; typically, Americans consider death a sad and somber time. Asians are host to numerous religions; Christian, Muslim, Buddhism, and Hindu are just a few. Many Asians believe in bad spirits; infants attract them and induce death. If the illness is thought to be caused by spirits, healers are sought (Asian Community). Arab Muslims are usually of the Islamic faith and pray 5 times a day to the Holy Land, Mecca. Muslims recharge their spiritual battery during the month of Ramadan; fasting from dawn to sunset accompanies. Arab Muslims often read from the Al Quran (The Middle Eastern Community). Hispanics are usually Catholics with the recent emergence of Pentecostals. Shrines and religious objects are common in practice. Health is viewed as Gods gift and should be revered (The Hispanic Community). Nurses must be accommodating to patients families and the value placed on family within cultures. Nurses must be sensitive to religious beliefs or practices and must not impose personal beliefs. Seeking knowledge is essential. However, exposure to diverse cultures is one the best learning mechanisms. Understanding a cultures notion of time elapsing, specific periods, and clock time are necessary for effective healthcare. Cultures may be past, present, or future oriented. Americans use time to provide order. Americans expect care at designated times; appointments are a prime example. Americans are future oriented; they believe they can manipulate the future by taking certain actions. Americans tend to be proactive; the focus is optimism, coping strategies, and preventive measures. Americans often demonstrate this orientation through self examinations, check-ups, and staying informed about healthcare advances. Asians tend to have a past orientation. They prefer to adhere to traditional methods and treatments; they are apprehensive about new innovations. Recently however, Asians are shifting towards future orientation (Galanti, 2004). Arab Muslims are present oriented and are neglectful of preventive measures. They may be late or not attend appointments at all (The Middle Eastern Community). Hispanics also focus on the present. They believe the future arrives in its o wn time and thus the notion that one cannot be late exist (Galanti, 2004). Nurses must explain the importance of time regarding life processes while being respectful and mindful of cultural views. Nurses should try to refrain from making time oriented promises that cant be kept. Environmental control or the attempt to control nature affects patients health practices, values, and the definitions of health and illness (Giger, Davidhizar, 2002). Americans believe nature can be controlled. Americans equate the body to a machine; if its broken, allow healthcare professionals to fix it (Galanti, 2004). Americans conform to the Western biomedical model which defines health as the absence of disease or the signs and symptoms of disease. The holistic paradigm exists in Asian cultures; it deals with the concept of yin and yang, in which forces of nature must be balanced to produce harmony (Andrew Boyles, 69). Asians tend to view people as part of nature. The land is a resource used to treat disease; herbal remedies are common (Galanti, 2004). Arabs believe the key to good health is personal hygiene and a healthy diet. They place a high value in modern Western medicine and have confidence in the medical profession (The Middle Eastern Community). Hispanics believe nat ural forces are not in their control and preventative measures are not often taken. (Galanti, 2004). Their system, the Curanderismo, combines spiritualistic, homeopathic, and scientific elements; curandero or holistic healers are utilized (The Hispanic Community). Nurses should become familiar with factors. Nurses should not dismiss patients view of their power and accountability or lack thereof. Biological variations exist between races; some groups are sensitive to certain medications, have metabolic differences, and are prone to certain diseases or factors that can affect healthcare. African Americans are three times more likely to get tuberculosis than whites; they also have higher rates of hypertension. Sensitivity to cardiovascular effects from Propranolol occurs more in Asians than Whites. Ethnic minorities, such as Hispanics, have higher HIV rates (Giger and Davidhizar, 2002). Middle Easterners or Arab Muslims have a lower percentage of sweat chlorides (Andrews Boyle, 54). The list of variations is broad and extensive. Accurate assessment and evaluation of clients require knowledge of normal biocultural variations among healthy members of selected populations (Andrews Boyles, 49). Nurses must acquire skills that will allow the recognition of variations. A nurse must always remember that the focus should remain on the patients well being and recovery. It is necessary to understand that individuals will never be the same. A patients health status and treatment is directly influenced by their culture and it is this reasoning, which has been proven through testing and the development of theories that has led to the conclusion that culture cannot and will not be ignored. Human diversity makes tolerance more than a virtue; it makes it a requirement for survival (Dubos). Healthcare will not suffice without negotiation, adjustment, and respect of differences. Transcutlural concepts in nursing care have made cultural competency an expected standard and it is the duty of every nurse to help maintain this standard.