The Archaeology and History of Bitumen

Bitumen—also known as asphaltum or tar—is a black, oily, viscous form of petroleum, a naturally-occurring organic byproduct of decomposed plants. It is waterproof and flammable, and this remarkable natural substance has been used by humans for a wide variety of tasks and tools for at least the past 40,000 years. There are a number of processed types of bitumen used in the modern world, designed for paving streets and roofing houses, as well as additives to diesel or other gas oils. The pronunciation of bitumen is BICH-eh-men in British English and by-TOO-men in North America. What Bitumen Is Natural bitumen is the thickest form of petroleum there is, made up of 83% carbon, 10% hydrogen and lesser amounts of oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and other elements. It is a natural polymer of low molecular weight with a remarkable ability to change with temperature variations: at lower temperatures, it is rigid and brittle, at room temperature it is flexible, at higher temperatures bitumen flows. Bitumen deposits occur naturally throughout the world--the best known are Trinidads Pitch Lake and the La Brea Tar Pit in California, but significant deposits are found in the Dead Sea, Venezuela, Switzerland, and northeastern Alberta, Canada. The chemical composition and consistency of these deposits vary significantly. In some places, bitumen extrudes naturally from terrestrial sources, in others it appears in liquid pools which can harden into mounds, and in still others it oozes from underwater seeps, washing up as tarballs along sandy beaches and rocky shorelines. Uses and Processing In ancient times, bitumen was used for a huge number of things: as a sealant or adhesive, as building mortar, as incense, and as decorative pigment and texture on pots, buildings or human skin. The material was also useful in waterproofing canoes and other water transport, and in the mummification process toward the end of the New Kingdom of ancient Egypt. The method of processing bitumen was nearly universal: heat it until the gasses condense and it melts, then add tempering materials to tweak the recipe to the proper consistency. Adding minerals such as ochre makes bitumen thicker; grasses and other vegetable matter add stability; waxy/oily elements such as pine resin or beeswax make it more viscous. Processed bitumen was more expensive as a trade item than unprocessed, because of the cost of the fuel consumption. The earliest known use of bitumen was by Middle Paleolithic Neanderthals some 40,000 years ago. At Neanderthal sites such as Gura Cheii Cave (Romania) and Hummal and Umm El Tlel in Syria, bitumen was found adhering to stone tools, probably to fasten a wooden or ivory haft to the sharp-edged tools. In Mesopotamia, during the late Uruk and Chalcolithic periods at sites such as Hacinebi Tepe in Syria, bitumen was used for the construction of buildings and water-proofing of reed boats, with among other uses. Evidence of Uruk Expansionist Trade Research into bitumen sources has illuminated the history of the expansionist period of Mesopotamian Uruk. An intercontinental trading system was established by Mesopotamia during the Uruk period (3600-3100 BC), with the creation of trading colonies in what is today southeastern Turkey, Syria, and Iran. According to seals and other evidence, the trade network involved textiles from southern Mesopotamia and copper, stone, and timber from Anatolia, but the presence of sourced bitumen has enabled scholars to map out the trade. For example, much of the bitumen in Bronze age Syrian sites has been found to have originated from the Hit seepage on the Euphrates River in southern Iraq. Using historical references and geological survey, scholars have identified several sources of bitumen in Mesopotamia and the Near East. By performing analyses using a number of different spectroscopy, spectrometry, and elemental analytical techniques, these scholars have defined the chemical signatures for many of the seeps and deposits. Chemical analysis of archaeological samples has been somewhat successful in identifying the provenance of the artifacts. Bitumen and Reed Boats Schwartz and colleagues (2016) suggest that the onset of bitumen as a trade good began first because it was used as waterproofing on the reed boats that were used to ferry people and goods across the Euphrates. By the Ubaid period of the early 4th millennium BC, bitumen from northern Mesopotamian sources reached the Persian Gulf. The earliest reed boat discovered to date was coated with bitumen, at the site of H3 at As-Sabiyah in Kuwait, dated about 5000 BC; its bitumen was found to have come from the Ubaid site of Mesopotamia. Asphaltum samples from the slightly later site of Dosariyah in Saudi Arabia, were from bitumen seepages in Iraq, part of the wider Mesopotamian trade networks of Ubaid Period 3. The Bronze Age Mummies of Egypt The use of bitumen in embalming techniques on Egyptian mummies was important beginning at the end of the New Kingdom (after 1100 BC)--in fact, the word from which mummy is derived mumiyyah means bitumen in Arabic. Bitumen was a major constituent for Third Intermediate period and Roman period Egyptian embalming techniques, in addition to traditional blends of pine resins, animal fats, and beeswax. Several Roman writers such as Diodorus Siculus (first century BC) and Pliny (first century AD) mention bitumen as being sold to Egyptians for embalming processes. Until advanced chemical analysis was available, black balms used throughout the Egyptian dynasties were assumed to have been treated with bitumen, mixed with fat/oil, beeswax, and resin. However, in a recent study Clark and colleagues (2016) found that none of the balms on mummies created prior to the New Kingdom contained bitumen, but the custom began in the Third Intermediate (ca 1064-525 BC) and Late (ca 525-332 BC) periods and became most prevalent after 332, during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. Bitumen trade in Mesopotamia continued well after the end of the Bronze Age. Russian archaeologists recently discovered a Greek amphora full of bitumen on the Taman peninsula on the northern shore of the Black Sea. Several samples including numerous large jars and other objects were recovered from the Roman-era port of Dibba in the United Arab Emirates, containing or treated with bitumen from the Hit seepage in Iraq or other unidentified Iranian sources. Mesoamerica and Sutton Hoo Recent studies in pre-Classic and post-classic period Mesoamerica have found bitumen was used to stain human remains, perhaps as a ritual pigment. But more likely, say researchers Argà ¡ez and associates, the staining may have resulted from using heated bitumen applied to stone tools which were used to dismember those bodies. Fragments of shiny black lumps of bitumen were found scattered throughout the 7th-century ship burial at Sutton Hoo, England, in particular within the burial deposits near remains of a helmet. When excavated and first analyzed in 1939, the pieces were interpreted as Stockholm tar, a substance creating by burning pine wood, but recent reanalysis (Burger and colleagues 2016) has identified the shards as bitumen having come from a Dead Sea source: very rare but clear evidence of a continuing trade network between Europe and the Mediterranean during the early Medieval period. Chumash of California In Californias Channel Islands, the prehistoric period Chumash used bitumen as body paint during curing, mourning and burial ceremonies. They also used it to attach shell beads onto objects such as mortars and pestles and steatite pipes, and they used it for hafting projectile points to shafts and fishhooks to cordage. Asphaltum was also used for waterproofing basketry and caulking sea-going canoes. The earliest identified bitumen in the Channel Islands so far is in deposits dated between 10,000-7,000 cal BP at Cave of the Chimneys on San Miguel island. The presence of bitumen increases during the Middle Holocene (7000-3500 cal BP and basketry impressions and clusters of tarred pebbles show up as early as 5,000 years ago. The fluorescence of bitumen may be associated with the invention of the plank canoe (tomol) in the late Holocene (3500-200 cal BP). Native Californians traded asphaltum in liquid form and hand-shaped pads wrapped in grass and rabbit skin to keep it from sticking together. Terrestrial seeps were believed to produce a better quality adhesive and caulking for the tomol canoe, while tarballs were considered inferior. Sources Argà ¡ez C, Batta E, Mansilla J, Pijoan C, and Bosch P. 2011. The origin of black pigmentation in a sample of Mexican prehispanic human bones. Journal of Archaeological Science 38(11):2979-2988.Brown KM. 2016. Asphaltum (bitumen) production in everyday life on the California Channel Islands. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology 41:74-87.Brown KM, Connan J, Poister NW, Vellanoweth RL, Zumberge J, and Engel MH. 2014. Sourcing archaeological asphaltum (bitumen) from the California Channel Islands to submarine seeps. Journal of Archaeological Science 43:66-76.Burger P, Stacey RJ, Bowden SA, Hacke M, and Parnell J. 2016. Identification, Geochemical Characterisation and Significance of Bitumen among the Grave Goods of the 7th Century Mound 1 Ship-Burial at Sutton Hoo (Suffolk, UK). PLoS ONE 11(12):e0166276.Cà ¢rciumaru M, Ion R-M, Nitu E-C, and Stefanescu R. 2012. New evidence of adhesive as hafting material on Middle and Upper Palaeolithic artefacts from Gura Cheii-Rà ¢snov Cave (Rom ania). Journal of Archaeological Science 39(7):1942-1950.Clark KA, Ikram S, and Evershed RP. 2016. The significance of petroleum bitumen in ancient Egyptian mummies. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences 374(2079).El Diasty WS, Mostafa AR, El Beialy SY, El Adl HA, and Edwards KJ. 2015. Organic geochemical characteristics of the Upper Cretaceous–Early Paleogene source rock and correlation with some Egyptian mummy bitumen and oil from the southern Gulf of Suez, Egypt. Arabian Journal of Geosciences 8(11):9193-9204.Fauvelle M, Smith EM, Brown SH, and Des Lauriers MR. 2012. Asphaltum hafting and projectile point durability: an experimental comparison of three hafting methods. Journal of Archaeological Science 39(8):2802-2809.Jasim S, and Yousif E. 2014. Dibba: an ancient port on the Gulf of Oman in the early Roman era. Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy 25(1):50-79.Kostyukevich Y, Solovyov S, Kononikhin A, Popov I, and N ikolaev E. 2016. The investigation of the bitumen from ancient Greek amphora using FT ICR MS, H/D exchange and novel spectrum reduction approach. Journal of Mass Spectrometry 51(6):430-436.Schwartz M, and Hollander D. 2016. The Uruk expansion as dynamic process: A reconstruction of Middle to Late Uruk exchange patterns from bulk stable isotope analyses of bitumen artifacts. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 7:884-899.Van de Velde T, De Vrieze M, Surmont P, Bodà © S, and Drechsler P. 2015. A geochemical study on the bitumen from Dosariyah (Saudi-Arabia): tracking Neolithic-period bitumen in the Persian Gulf. Journal of Archaeological Science 57:248-256.Wess JA, Olsen LD, and Haring Sweeney M. 2004. Asphalt (Bitumen). Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 59. Geneva: World Health Organization.

Hedonism Essay - 1071 Words

Websters dictionary defines hedonism as the ethical doctrine that pleasure, variously conceived of in terms of happiness of the individual or of society, is the principal good and the proper aim of action or the theory that a person always acts is such a way as to seek pleasure and avoid pain. With this definition in mind, and with further examination of John Stuart Mills theory on hedonism, I am going to argue that hedonism is not an exclusive or distinct way of thinking. In fact, I think that with the exception of possibly a few people, most people are very hedonistically inclined. Hedonistic utilitarians†¦show more content†¦2. In the absence of conclusive evidence for a supernatural, ethics and morality must be based on our living in the natural world. 3. Pleasure and pain are our natural means for determining what is beneficial or harmful to life. 4. Those actions are best which lead to the greatest pleasure and happiness, or the least pain and suffering, in the long term for all concerned. 5. Our lives are made most happy and fulfilling by cultivating the higher pleasures of intellectual development, aesthetic appreciation and creativity, and social bonds of friendship, family and romantic love. 6. Happiness is best attained in an atmosphere of freedom, tolerance, nonviolence and diversity. The Hedonic society also states that the ethics of enlightened hedonism is a positive, dynamic and life- affirming alternative to traditional religious and political dogmas. In todays terms, when you hear someone speak of hedonism, your mind automatically goes to associating sex, orgasms, and all other types of physical pleasure with the term hedonism. The important thing to keep in mind, however is that hedonism does not just include physical pleasure. It is possible to strive to achieve happiness and excitement, and at the same time avoid sadness and anxiety. This is also a hedonistic way of thought. Hedonism is not the pursuit purely physical. It is possible to be intellectually hedonistic as well. And, Hedonism is not based solelyShow MoreRelatedHedonism : Utilitarianism And Ancient Hedonism1255 Words   |  6 PagesHedonism concerning Utilitarianism and Ancient Hedonism Hedonism comes from the Greek word hedone, which means pleasure (Weijers). Hedonism is the principle that pleasure or happiness is the most important objective in life. It states how we should behave, why we behave the way we do, and what is good for us. Pleasure and pain are the two most important components in all hedonistic theories. Pleasure is the primary central good; it is essentially valuable and pain essentially not valuable. ThereRead MoreWhat ´s Hedonism?555 Words   |  2 PagesThroughout history, pleasure has been the main goal that drives society. Pleasure can be described as an accomplishment or satisfaction of physical, intellectual, or spiritual desires. Hedonism, which is the view that sees pleasure as the only thing worth pursuing for its own sake, and that everything else is worth pursuing as long as it leads to pleasure. This view appears to be accurate since; everything that a person could ever want is for some thing to fulfill their desires. A philosopher namedRead MoreAn Inside Look at Hedonism Essay606 Words   |  3 PagesWhat is hedonism? Maybe most of us do not familiar with this word. Whereas, we could be a hedonist subconsciously. According to Cambridge Advance Learner’s dictionary, hedonism is living and behaving in ways that mean you get as much pleasure out of life as possible, according to the belief that the most important thing in life is to enjoy yourself. We called the people who do hedonism as a hedonist people. Hedonist connotes someone devoted to his own sensual pleasure (spot.colorado.edu). NowadaysRead MoreEthical and Psychological Hedonism Essay1395 Words   |  6 PagesEthical hedonism and psychological hedonism are two of the more studied versions of hedonism. These two theories are similar at their foundations (soon to be discussed) but when defined in terms of values, one is descriptive and the other is normative. Neither ethical nor psychological hedonism is perfect, I believe, though each has important strengths which offer the basis for discussion. Additionally, some arguments and ideas presented by Robert Nozick in his essay â€Å"The Experience Machine† proveRead MoreHedonism and Desire Satisfaction Theory861 Words   |  4 Pages Hedonism and the desire-satisfaction theory Name Institution Introduction Hedonism and the desire-satisfaction theory of welfare are typically seen as archrivals in the contest over identifying what makes one’s life better. It is surprising, then, that the most plausible form of hedonism is desire satisfactionism. 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Which Is More Plausible as a Theory of Well-Being?1837 Words   |  8 PagesWhat is the difference between Mill’s qualitative hedonism and Bentham’s quantitative hedonism? Which is more plausible as a theory of well-being? Hedonism is the idea that well-being of people comes about through pleasure. Pure hedonism is the thought that it arises through and only through pleasure and both Bentham and Mill advocate different approaches for which hedonism may be the basis of human well-being. Both Philosophers then go on to construct theories of morality on the basis of this ideaRead MoreExplain the Difference Between Narrow and Preference Hedonism. Which Is a More Plausible Theory of Happiness?2995 Words   |  12 Pagesand preference hedonism. Which is a more plausible theory of happiness? 1. Introduction (250) Happiness belongs to Hedonism. If one experience more happiness during life, his life will be better. The more happiness you experience, the better your life is. There are actually two schools of thought here, Narrow Hedonism and Preference Hedonism, each with its own definition of happiness. Narrow Hedonism deems happiness a homogeneous state of pleasure, while Preference Hedonism expands the definitionRead MoreHedonism, By Robert Nozick1272 Words   |  6 PagesHedonism Insufficient for Well-Being Hedonism is the belief that pleasure is the most important thing in life and everything else is trivial as long as you are getting pleasure, the goal being to accumulate the greatest amount of net pleasure in ones lifetime. I disagree with the thought that hedonism is the correct view of well-being for people. Life is more than breaking down acts into something as simple as level of pleasure and then determining happiness off of that. By examining Nozick’s experienceRead MoreHedonism In Siddhartha1324 Words   |  6 PagesHesse in 1922, focuses on the awakening of the titular character, who is on a path to find himself. The novel focuses on his pursuit of attaining enlightenment through finding Nirvana, the balance between asceticism and hedonism. He experiences the extremes of both asceticism and hedonism in order to find balance between the two. Throughout Siddhartha’s spiritual journey, he comes across multiple teachers, including the Samanas, Kamala, Young Siddhart ha, Vasudeva, and the river, who teach him something

Critical Perspective Leadership Managementâ€Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Critical Perspective Leadership Management? Answer: Introducation It is evident from the previous essays that the concept of leadership may be the same, but the perception of the leadership is different to different people. The basic concept of leadership is to possess the ability to motivate and guide the members of the following team into the right direction. However, the essay discusses the results, insights and the conclusions from the previous essays about the leadership. The essay discusses the idea organizational leadership in on the critical perspective of the same. A leader of the organization must possess the ability to harmonize the organizational stakeholders and the management into the business, since the organization requires the full support from its leaders in order to maintain a good relationship between the leader and the followers (Northouse, 2015). Another quality the leaders of the organization must possess is the effective communication within the team, since it is the basic means of leadership. The communication to certain extent ensures the success of the organization. Similarly, the effective leadership requires an effective framework in which the objectives of the organization will be focused. The last but not the least, I found out that the feedback from the followers is and effective and important tool to measures the ability of the leader. Feedback helps the leader to understand and realize the strengths and weaknesses of him i n terms of guiding the team. The previous essay gives the clear idea that there are different models of the leadership defied by the past scholars such as Public, Private and Personal. These leadership models were defined by the characteristics of the leaders (Scouller, 2011). The modern scholars have categorized leadership in four different departmental divisions, in terms of the organizational leadership. These leadership styles is designed specifically to describe the characteristics of the leaders in the broader perspective, namely in the organizational context. Relating to the four organizational leaderships, the first leadership, namely the participative leadership, refers to the stakeholders engagement into the organization. This leadership is well defined as the mission oriented leadership (Mullins Constable, 2013). The leadership is the transactional leadership, which is based on the performance of the team members. The central idea of this leadership is the system of reward and punishment according to the performance of the team members to control the followers. The leadership entails the conception of the motivating and encouraging the team members by the rewarding system. The transformational leadership is based on the communication among the team members and the leaders in every level of the team. This particular leadership focuses on the engagement of the team members into the work for the achieving the objectives (McCleskey, 2014). The leaders constantly works for motivating an empowering the team members. The last category of the organizational leadership is the autocratic leadership, which signifies the authoritative quality of the leaders. In any organization, the leaders are the managers. The managers are often tend to be dominant over the employees and do not accept the contribution of them (De Hoogh, Greer Den Hartog, 2015). From the understanding of the previous essay about the idea and concept of leadership I realized that the qualities and the abilities of the leadership lies in the characteristics of the leaders, irrespective of the background, context and the objectives of the leadership (Gchter et al., 2012). Leadership is the art of directing and guiding a team of skillful people into the right and proper direction by manipulating the skills, knowledge and the psychology of the followers. I have realized that the leadership involves various activities including the political, managerial, and social and so on. All the leadership requires the clear, wise and vast knowledge about the purpose, objectives, surround environment and the potential power of the team by the leader. Leadership can be rational as well as emotional. It depends on the involvement of the leaders into the team and with the individual followers. In addition, the involvement also refer to the rational thinking power of the leaders. From the above essay, this can be concluded that the organizational leadership possesses various qualities in for guiding team as well as the organization for meeting the business goals. Though the past scholars have identified certain leadership models, but the present organizational structure uses different leadership style according to the workflow of the organization. In this regard, I would like to know the reactions and comments of others on the understanding of the organizational leadership style. Reference: De Hoogh, A. H., Greer, L. L., Den Hartog, D. N. (2015). Diabolical dictators or capable commanders? An investigation of the differential effects of autocratic leadership on team performance.The Leadership Quarterly,26(5), 687-701. Gchter, S., Nosenzo, D., Renner, E., Sefton, M. (2012). Who Makes a Good Leader? Cooperativeness, Optimism, and Leading?By?Example.Economic Inquiry,50(4), 953-967. McCleskey, J. A. (2014). Situational, transformational, and transactional leadership and leadership development.Journal of Business Studies Quarterly,5(4), 117. Mullins, C. Constable, G. (2013). Leadership and teambuilding in primary care. Oxford: Radcliffe. Northouse, P. G. (2015).Leadership: Theory and practice. Sage publications. Scouller, J. (2011).The three levels of leadership: How to develop your leadership presence, knowhow, and skill. Management Books 2000.

Praying Essays - Fauna Of California, Mantis, Mantidae,

Praying Mantis Mantodea - most commonly known as the Praying Mantis, order mantodea is a group of about 1800 carnivorous insects which prodominatley live in tropical regions of the earth. Though certain species can be found in locations with moderate climate. With an extremely striking appearence, mantids almost have human like qualities with the ability to hold an erect stance, and arms that face forward. A very efficient killer, mantids were created for hunting and killing prey. Order Mantodea is in the subclass Pterygota. As with all classifications there can be debates on where certain orders or species belong. Historically there has been some confusion on whether Mantodea deserves there own order. Some experts have placed Mantodea in the dictyoptera order along with cock roaches (Ramel 1996, Jaques 1981, Phoenix Zoo). Others say mantids belong in Orthoptera, which consists of grasshoppers. Experts say this is due to their large pro notum (Stokes 1983, Borror and White 1970). The emerging consensus around the position of Mantodea believes Mantodea constitute their own independent order of insects. Mantids can be characterized by their triangular head, and filiform antennae. This head has the ability to turn 180 degrees. With their prominate pair of compound eyes located on Peters 2 the sides of the head, the mantis can almost see 360 degree's around. However the sharpest vision is located in the compound eye's center, for the mantis to optimaly see objects it must turn its head so that the eye is facing the object. These eyes are extremely sensitive to light, changing from light green or tan in bright light, to dark brown in the dark. The prothorax of the mantis is another aid in giving them their distintive appearence. This prothorax has the ability to bend and twist which aids in the mantids ability to see close to 360 degrees around. The two long "raptorial" front legs are adapted to seize and hold prey. The coxa connects the tibia which has sharp spines to firmly hold prey. The femur has matching groves where the spine on the tibia fold into. This creates a "jack knife" effect that allows the insect to assume it's distinctive praying position. The other four legs of the mantis are designed for locomotion. These legs can regenerate if broken, but only in the molting process. These limbs that regenerate are always smaller than they were originally. A full grown adult that no longer molts no longer possess the ability to regenerate limbs. The front"raptorial" limbs do not regenerate if broken. Because of their large bulky bodies mantids are fairly weak flyers. They have four pairs of wings. The first pair are leathery tegmina wings that lay over the inner pair. The Peters 3 mambrenous inner pair are folded under the first pair and are used for flight and to startle enemies. The large segmented abdomen houses the digestive system and reproductive organs. The male mantis has 8 segments, and the females are born with 8 segments as well. But with each succesive molt in the female the last two segments begin to overlap resulting with 6 segments left. Sixty percent of mantid species possess an ultrasonic ear on the under side of the metathorax, especially those that have wings. The mantid is an "auditory cyclops", which means it only has one ear. The ear is 1mm long with cuticle like knobs at either end and two ear drums buried inside. The ear is specially tuned to very high ultrasonic freqeuncies of sound waves from 25 to 65 kilohertz. Apparently, the ears primary purpose is designed to respond to the ultrasonic echo-location signal used by hunting bats. The mantis primarily uses its ultrasonic ears while in flight. When a mantis senses a bat's ultrasonic echo at close range, it curls it's abdomen upwards and thrusts its legs outward creating a drag and resulting in a sudden aerial stall. This flight manuever of the mantis creates an unpredictable flight pattern for the bat, and is very effective at avoiding hungry bats. There are three ways to distinguish between female and male mantodea. The male has 8 segments, while the female has Peters 4 The second is size, the female is always bigger than the male. The third is behavior, the male mantis is more prone to take flight in search of a mate, while the female often remains stationary. Mantids are extremely predacious feeders, only eating live prey, or prey that is moving, and hence appears alive. Varying on the species, you can see what diet preferences are. Some species only

The Civil War as a Second American Revolution History Essay Example

The Civil War as a Second American Revolution History Essay Example ly correct variant of the word Negro Afro-American, as negro is considered to be an offensive word. Calhoun points out Never before has the black race of Central Africa, from the dawn of history to the present day, attained a condition so civilized and so improved (p.602). One more achievement of the second revolution is the establishment of contract labor. As legislation, norms of banking, railroad tariffs and rules, regulations related to public land and many others. Adams pointed out all positive and civil laws, should conform as far as possible, to the Law of natural reasons and equity (p.109). These very features distinguish this Civil War among all civil wars which did not have such a prominent effect on the history of the world and of the United States in particular. One more distinguished feature of the Civil War that its leader Abraham Lincoln had ideas different from these ones declared by the Revolution. Thus, being an inveterate mercantilist he refused free-market capitalism. Also he doubted canons of civilization, constitutional rights of people, freedom, equality and fraternity of people regardless their skin color. Nothing could alter his belief in superiority of white people in comparison with the black ones. He saw America created for people like him and not for others. Lack of coincidence between revolution and its leader outlines this event from the list of outstanding revolutions of all times. To sum it up it should be pointed out that the Civil War is justly considered to be a second American revolution. Douglass pointed out that peace men preferred revolution to peaceful submission to bondage (p.595). It brought key changes to the main aspects of human life. Different leaders were appealing to the equity of all people in their speeches. Any power was considered as violence. Only tolerance was believed to be acceptable in new society. In spite of the fact that a big number of people died, the Civil War was marked by the triumph of freedom of black slaves and equity of black and white people. Equity was proclaimed as the main principle in social relationship formation. Tolerance was applied in the attitude to others concerning their religious, cultural or social preferences. Total revolution has brought total freedom in everything.

buy custom The Relation of Emotional Experience and Expression to Nursing Career essay

buy custom The Relation of Emotional Experience and Expression to Nursing Career essay Researchers claim that there are several influences on emotional experience and expression. From the health nursing perspective, the ability or inability of a person to express emotions can be viewed as a medical condition. It can be diagnosed and the victim subjected to treatment. Additionally, both emotional experience and expression are dependent on an individual's past experience that encompasses the environment he/she is living in. Depending on the nature of risk, individuals will express their emotions differently, which will help to make an accurate diagnosis. According to Wade and Tavris (2000), several variables affect the way people experience and express emotions. The authors provide display rules, technology, emotional cognition, gender and its roles, emotional intelligence, and personality (Wade Tavris, 2000). These factors can be either causes of emotional and behavioral diseases or symptoms of the diseases. They are important in the nursing profession to identify or help diagnose an emotional problem. They inform about the type of a patients background, which, undoubtedly, may be the cause of emotional problem. Additionally, these factors, for example the display rules, show how different people who suffer from emotional diseases will express themselves. This, in turn, will give a hint on the level of the disease. In the nursing profession, emotions are used to diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD). With the disease, people show different emotions. The disease comes as a result of unsatisfactory lifestyle or condition that one might have experienced. The ideas discussed in the book, such as culture, are important in determining the cause of the disorder (Wade Tavris, 2000). When people come from a culture that does not allow them to express themselves in the way they would like to, they will succumb to stress over time, which will influence on the way of expressing emotions later in life. The authors provide a good example by describing a situation in Japan where people are not allowed to expressemotions to people of their culture. In this case, people who probably have been hurt by their friend who is from the same culture will not express their feelings. The anger will accumulate and will only reveal in the form of a disease, PSTD. Additionally, geography of a place will help a registered nurse (RN) who is managing a case or is in the process of diagnosing to understand the disorder expressed by the patient. A patient with PSTD will likely show signs of the disease depending on the area he/she comes from. People from different geographical locations express emotions differently (Wade Tavris, 2000). For example, people living in South America touch each other more often than people in the north. Patients in America having PSTD would be suffering the effect of seeing their loved one being touched by a friend or neighbor, and they may interpret it as infidelity. As such, they will develop stress and may change the way of expressing their emotions. Such information will assist the RN to arrive at a correct diagnosis. The other members of subgroups within bigger cultures will experience moments that will interfere with their emotions, experiences, and expression. The information about the link between subcultures and emotions is helpful to a nurse in diagnosing PSTD (Wade Tavris, 2000). A good example is people who form a religion that believes diseases are curable, and they do not have to go to the hospital for treatment. A member of such a group may develop a disease and never consult a doctor. As a result, such person will progressively change regarding the type of illness they experience. All the aforementioned factors including technology use, gender roles, and sex of an individual give important information for an RN to diagnose PTSD. On the other hand, such information is also helpful in explaining the type of behavior or level of the disease (Wade Tavris, 2000). A patient with PSTD will either show intensification, de-intensification, simulation, inhibition or masking. An RN will be in a better position to get to the starting point of the diagnosis. A persons behavior is a helping factor in the management of the disease. A good example is when a PSTD patient will mask his/her genuine emotions. In that case, an RN will try to investigate the reasons that make the patent mask the emotion, and upon identifying such objects the medical workers will be in a position to administer change mechanisms. Moreover, information about emotional experiences and expression is helpful to the nursing fraternity in determining the type of emotional and behavioral disorder of a patient. Information about emotional intelligence will guide an RN in understanding the ability of a patient to accurately perceive emotions, understand them, and provide room for their growth. Such information is used in testing the effectiveness of treatment methods that patients have been exposed to (Wade Tavris, 2000). When a patient with an emotional disorder including PSTD arrives at a hospital and is put on medication, it is crucial to review the medication periodically in order to determine that it is working as planned. One way to do this is by testing the emotional intelligence of a patient. Results obtained will demonstrate if the case management plan should be restructured. Undoubtedly, nurses also use information about emotional contagion to diagnose a patient with emotional problems. Information about contagion is necessary for medical science as it shows the extent to which a patient can mimic other people's emotion. If they are in a position to mimic, then an RN will be sure that they are fit. If they are not, the nurse will be informed that the patient has an emotional problem hence emotional disorder (Wade Tavris, 2000). Additionally, information about a patient's personality is used in diagnosis. It helps a nurse to understand the reasons why the patient suffers from a particular emotional problem. Thus, it will guide the decision-making process of the nurse regarding the type of environment which they should expose the patient to in order to ease the process of healing. Buy custom The Relation of Emotional Experience and Expression to Nursing Career essay

Property Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Property Economics - Essay Example The homeowners who planned to sell the properties were unable to sell due to a massive fall in prices that led to â€Å"upside down" mortgage. Notably, the mortgages were greater than the property resulting in reduced incentive for homeowners. The graph below indicates the trends in housing sector prices (Sanders, 2008). The housing sector experienced the bubble leading to the eventual collapse of the subprime mortgage market. The subprime mortgages are provided to homeowners with below-average income (Christopher et al., 2008). With the trend in the housing sector, there was a need to engage in more subprime mortgages. Consequently, this led to mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures that caused the devaluation of the housing-related securities (Sanders, 2008). Therefore, there was the reduction in business investment and household spending. Notably, these experiences were dominant in regions with high household debt and highest housing price decline (Immergluck, 2011). The increase in interest rates resulted in global investors reducing their purchases of the mortgage-backed debt while the securities found it risky to continue with the lending (Sanders, 2008). Subsequently, the mortgage crisis was a major factor that worsened the effects of the Great Recession in America (Christopher et al., 2008) . Immergluck, D. (2011). The Local Wreckage of Global Capital: The Subprime Crisis, Federal Policy and High-Foreclosure Neighborhoods in the US. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research,

An understanding of product is essential for effective marketing Essay

An understanding of product is essential for effective marketing. Discuss - Essay Example The welfare of customers and other stakeholders must be considered as the primary objective of a business. In this respect, marketing activities includes all these important factors that enhances the value of an organisation and ultimately leads to wealth creation of its stakeholders. Marketing is broad concept and a crucial primary activity of a value chain. According to Robert Skrob, â€Å"using sound marketing principle, strategies, and techniques will allow you to build a large list, form great relationships with your clients, and provide them with outstanding products and services - things they want, get value from, and that you are proud of† (Skrob, 2008, p.63). Therefore, for establishing and achieving long term success, a business organisation must formulate an effective marketing strategy. The increasing competition in the business world is one of the vital reasons that have increased the significance of marketing strategy. A successful marketing strategy enables an o rganisation to achieve competitive advantage. It enables a company to gain an upper hand position in the market. Product or service is the core factor that serves the consumers’ demand and utility. It is the prime factor for running a business. This paper will attempt to deal with the understanding of product for effective marketing. In this respect, the paper will discuss various aspects of product that affect product strategies. Various theories and models will be presented to support the primary objective of this essay. Finally in the conclusion section, overall discussions and analysis will be summed up. In the process of strategic management, a marketer must consider four primary component of marketing. These marketing components are product, price, promotion and place. The four components of marketing are known as ‘marketing mix’ or four ‘Ps of marketing’. Marketing mix can be defined as the basis of marketing strategy and it â€Å"establishes

Drug Testing Welfare Recipients Essay Example for Free

Drug Testing Welfare Recipients Essay Welfare is the provision of a minimal level of well-being and social support for all citizens, sometimes referred to as public aid. In most developed countries, welfare is largely provided by the government and to a lesser extent charities, informal social groups, religious groups, and inter-governmental organizations. There are 12,800,000 people on welfare in the United States. 46,700,000 are on food stamps, 5,600,000 are on unemployment insurance. The total government spending on welfare is $131. 9 billion, not including food stamps or unemployment (Welfare Statistics). As of April 17, 2013 29 states have proposed legislation requiring some form of drug testing or screening for public assistance recipients in 2013. Eight states, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Utah, have already passed legislation regarding drug testing or screening for public assistance applicants or recipients. States have proposed drug testing of applicants and recipients of public welfare benefits since federal welfare reform in 1996. In 2009, over 20 states proposed legislation that would require drug testing as a condition of eligibility for public assistance programs, and in 2010 at least 12 states had similar proposals(Drug Testing and Public Assistance). Data from Utah has shown Utah spent more than $30,000 dollars from August 2012 to July 2014 to screen welfare recipients, but only twelve people tested positive. 250 people failed to meet drug screening requirements and were banned from receiving or applying for benefits for three months. Those people would have received more than $350,000 in benefits. Utah’s law does not disqualify people who test positive from benefits, but instead requires them to enter substance abuse treatment. (Utah’s Welfare Drug Testing Saved More than $350,000 in First Year, Officials Say). Robert Rector, senior research fellow in domestic policy at Heritage foundation and leading authority on the welfare system, also believes people receiving welfare should be drug tested. He says, â€Å"Taxpayers should provide support to those in need; recipients, in return, should engage in responsible and constructive behavior as a condition of receiving aid. †. Almost 20% of welfare recipients report recent use of some illicit drug. (Key Research Findings). Robert also says, â€Å"Scientific evaluation of Florida’s drug-testing requirement showed that welfare recipients who used illegal drugs had earning that were 30% lower than those who did not. Quite simply, drug use was linked to lower levels of work. † Peter Cappelli, who is the George W. Taylor Professor of Management at the Wharton School and director of Wharton’s Center for Human Resources, says that police already have the right to require drug test when there is probable cause. Peter states that people do not choose to be on welfare, unlike kids who play football at a local high school. Peter also goes on to say that the children are potentially affected by the drug testing. Kansas’s SB 149 bill says, â€Å"If an applicant for a recipient of cash assistance is ineligible for or terminated from cash assistance as a result of a positive test result for unlawful use of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog, and such applicant for or recipient of cash assistance is the parent or legal guardian of a minor child, an appropriate protective payee shall be designated to receive cash assistance on behalf of such child. †(United States Cong. ). Many who have proposed drug testing those on welfare proposed to require drug testing when reasonable suspicion exist(Drug Testing Public Assistance). The United States should test those on welfare and other benefit programs. The amount it would cost and amount of money that could be saved could help lower the nations national debt. If Utah can save $350,000, the United States as a whole could save even more.

The Exchange of Information Essay -- Internet Communication Technology

The Exchange of Information The Internet is a telecommunications superhighway, a collective data of information for corporations, government institutions, private individuals, and universities. This branch of roads leads into nearly every corner of the globe. The superhighway, picks up potential travelers from far away places, exotic destinations, and interesting people. The internet can transport you from one major destination to another quickly, then it also can detour you into a leisurely exploration. Like a superhighway, the internet carries holiday and family traffic. Also traveling are both people who know precisely where they are going and those who are wandering. Government, educational, and business institution are also frequent travelers of the internet. In brief, the internet is an open road for anyone interested in a journey or for users who need a quick shortcut across the country. Information and communication are the main resource pools for the internet. The internet provides information, the raw data for which we need knowledge to decode or understand. Looking at the internet as a source of information leads us to ask if this information is a commodity. According to Webster's Dictionary, a commodity is an article of trade or commerce which holds a value and use, especially a product distinguished from a service, like the internet. The internet provides wide variety of information to enhance our knowledge. This information matches this description of commodity because of the benefits being exchanged through this modern technology. Therefore, the internet represents the commodification of information through the commercial, private, and government sector of our economy. To fully understand the significan... ... and government sectors, in some way or another. Individuals can profit through this trade of information on the internet, too, by increasing their knowledge and offering personal benefits. Information is a commercial product is as tradable as the precious metals(GOLD). Works Cited 1.) Canter, Laurence, and Martha Siegel. How to Make a Fortune on the Information Superhighway. New York: Harper Collins Publishers,1994 2.) Cook,William. The Joy of Computer Communication. Chicago: Dell Publishing Co., Inc.. 1984 3.) Gilster, Paul. The Internet Navigator. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1993 4.) Mandel, Michael. "The Digital Juggernaut." Business Week June. 1994: 22+. 5.) Moore, Dinty. The Emperor's Virtual Clothes. N.C.: Algonquin Books of Chapel of Hill, 1995 6.) Verity, John. "The Information Revolution." Business Week June. 1994: 10+.

How does the view of modern media and literature vary to the biblical literature on the medical developments of Cloning?

This essay deals with the issues raised in the media by the rapid technological developments of cloning and in particular on the religious beliefs of the uniqueness of life. It will also touch upon the ethical and legal issues brought about through out the development of cloning. 1A clone is a group of genetically identical organisms. Identical twins are therefore a clone since both come form one fertilised egg that is divided into two genetically identical cells that then separate. In the process of mammalian cloning there are two processes. Nuclear Transfer is where the nucleus is removed from the unfertilised egg cell; this eliminates all its genetic information. The cell nucleus of the individual being cloned is introduced into the enucleated egg cell though cell fusion. If this is done in the right conditions, the egg cell then begins to divide and go through a process of foetal developments as if it had been fertilised normally. The other process is artificial twinning which is a process of splitting the embryo into two or more embryos. First an egg cell is fertilised by sperm, then left to grow into an embryo. The embryo is split into two or more embryos when it is still in the early stage of development. The split embryo are nurtured into new embryos, all genetically identical, then implanted into the surrogate mother to grow. This is not the same as nuclear transfer as the born animal has biological parents and is a clone of its brothers and sisters. Cloning of mammals has proven to be difficult and has only developed in the past few years through a long line of research. 3In 1997 came the most famous sheep of all Dolly who was cloned using a cell from an adult sheep. She represented a new departure because she was the first mammal to have been cloned using a nucleus taken from an adult sheep. She possessed a genetic code identical to that of her original parents. This breakthrough raised the possibility of cloning adult mammals rather than embryos. However it is not known yet whether nuclear transfer will be possible in the process of cloning humans. Most future cloning developments will not even concern the reproduction of humans but it will focus on using cloning to understand cell development, heredity and genetic structure. For example cloning research may contribute to disease treatment by allowing scientists to reprogram cells. Through research, skin cells could be reprogrammed into insulin producing cells in the pancreas. These skin cells would then be introduced into the pancreas of the diabetes patients, allowing them to produce insulin. 4However a number of other applications has been envisaged. It could be used in future research in which cloning may be beneficial, such as encouraging research into cloned tissues to work with the basic building blocks of life ‘the stem cells' and discovering how to reprogramme them in such away that they will develop into the tissue that is needed such as skin or heart muscle or nerve cells. These stem cells can be acquired from the foetus which has miscarried or been aborted. In order to obtain these stem cells which are genetically identical to the suffer, it is necessary to use the cloning technique, taking the nucleus of a cell from the affected person and putting it into a human egg, from which the nucleus has been removed. This is the creation of life; it is genetically identical to the person who is suffering. After just a few days of cell division, the stem cells would be removed from the embryo and then the embryo would be destroyed, this would give you a cell line which would never be human but would be used for producing identical tissue for a patient who needs a supply of cells or tissue for grafting, such as replacing heart muscle tissue which would offer hope for people with heart disease, or brain tissue which would help suffers of Alzheimer's. However many of these future applications of cloning involve the creation of embryo solely as a source of cells and destroying them. In an article by Roger Highfield science editor of The Daily Telegraph raises the ethical question, does the 100 cell early embryo that will be used in the stem cell research count as a person? That is the question at the heart of the debate. At one extreme, pro-life groups, the Catholic Church and some other religious organisations argue that the embryo becomes a human being as soon as an egg is fertilised, and should be accorded the same respect as a baby. However, as stated by Roger Highfield in the Sunday Telegraph 2002 the Christian tradition has not always granted this moral status to the early embryo. For many centuries it was believed that the human soul did not enter the embryo until 40 days after conception in the case of a man, and 90 days after conception in the case of a woman. This distinction only ended in 1869 when Pope Pius IX declared that women who had survived an abortion were to be excommunicated implying that a person was ‘ensouled' at conception. Highfield believes those at the other extreme of the debate claim that a very early embryo is no more than a collection of undifferentiated cells and deserves little more attention that any other isolated human cell or tissue. The fact that the embryo has the potential to become a person does not they say accord it the rights of a person. They also say the view that the embryo is a person from the moment of conception does not match most people's idea of human personal identity. The Warnock committee concluded that the early embryo has special status but not one that justifies its absolute protection. One of the arguments used by the modern media against developing embryonic stem cells is the same for cloning whole animals. As it could be argued that once scientists have done this there would be no stopping them from going on to develop a human clone. If once the first step is taken it might seem inevitable that the next step should follow. Therefore is it wrong to let the first step take place? As Mary Warnock suggests in her article on stem cell research from the Dialogue journal is our fear of genetic manipulation different in kind from other fears? Many fears of new discoveries have been fears of supposed risks. This was the case when people feared steam engines or internal combustion engine. And we have on whole become a risk averse society, we think of minimising risks as human nature. The issue poses the question of how cloning maybe beneficial as well as morally wrong. The people against cloning feel it is an affront to religious sensibilities; it seems like playing God and interfering with the natural process. There are other objections too like they are worried that cloning appears to be a powerful force that can be exploited to produce horrendous results like creating a population entirely the same. One of the main ethical concerns brought up by the media is the possibility of the psychological impact on the offspring. Would the human clone have a diminished sense of individuality? Perhaps human clones would think that they were genetically destined to the same fate as the person from whom their donor cells came. 7Ethical questions have been raised about how cloning could also control the children's genotypes, which could be practised in discriminatory ways. As the author Peter Paris expressed in the Ethics of Human Cloning that parents could use cloning as genetic manipulation along with other techniques to exercise the quality control over their children, or perhaps scientists may use it with racist intent a fear raised by Peter Paris,' Since Europeans, and euro Americans have never been able to affirm the value of the worlds darker races as equals, there is little reason to believe that their scientists would not seek to rid the world of some of its racial diversity by combining science of eugenic with that of human cloning,. From this there could be a reduction in genetic variability, for producing many clones runs the risk of creating a population entirely the same. The population would be susceptible to the same diseases and one disease could devastate the entire population. Too this lends support to old prejudices and it could also raise new ones which cut across existing social divisions. In the modern media supporters of cloning consider that with careful continuation of research, the technological benefits of cloning clearly outweigh the possible social consequences. In their minds, the final products of cloning, like farm animals and laboratory mice will not be the most important achievement. The applications of cloning the envision are not nightmarish and inhumane, but will improve the overall quality of science and life. Cloning will help to produce discoveries that will affect the study of genetics, cell development, human growth, and obstetrics. Also the people who argue in favour of cloning believe that much of the concerns are based on misunderstandings. They believe cloning in reality would produce what amounts to a delayed identical twin, several years or even decades younger than that person who is being cloned. Identical twins are separate individuals. They look different because of different preferences, clothing and hairstyle. They even have different moral values, academic achievements and tastes in music. As many identical twins through their lives develop unique identities of their own. Another misunderstanding is how genes influence an individual's development. Human beings do not inherit a fixed unchangeable genetic blueprint from their parents. Scientists believe it's an interaction between genes and the environment in which an individual grows up and lives including the environment in which the foetus is in the womb. 8One of the major reasons people fear cloning is based religious reasons on the notion that a clone is an imperfect imitation of the real thing, which causes some people to think that far from having the same soul as someone else a clone would have no soul at all. In the book Remaking Eden it was stated that the Irvine, California, rabbi Bernard King was seriously frightened by this idea when he asked, ‘Can the cloning process create a soul? Can scientists create the soul that would make a being ethical, moral, caring, loving, all the things we attribute humanity to? ‘. The Catholic Father Saunders suggested that, ‘Cloning would only produce humanoids or androids-soulless replicas of human beings that could be used as slaves. ‘ However there is nothing artificial about the cells used in cloning. They are alive all through the cloning process. The newly formed embryo can only develop inside the womb of a woman in the same way embryo and foetuses develop. Cloned children will be proper human beings thus the notion of soulless clone has no basis in reality. 9Though the fundamental ethical concern is something for which Christian theology provides some insights. Neil Messer suggests that the act of cloning can go against many people's moral and religious beliefs. The bible is an important part of any Christian's life and it contains the teachings of God and his views on life. In genesis he talks of the creating of earth where on the fifth day: ‘God created man in his image: in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1v27. Human beings are made in the image of God. This bestows on them unique status in creation to treat them, not as manipulated, is to violate Gods given nature. Should we be going against him and creating humans to our specifications? Or is this what God would have wanted? Many strong Christians would disagree with pre-cloners saying that God made man and we should not be tampering with God and his creations, we are finite and limited creatures, we are mortals rather than God, and it is both foolish and self destructive for us to forget that. Whilst many would answer with arguments that if God had not wanted this then he would not have let humans progress so far, like genesis 11 we find human beings use there God given skill and ingenuity to try and reach up to heavens, to make a name for themselves in efforts to become like God ‘ Come let us build ourselves a city a tower that reaches the heavens, so that we may make a name for themselves and not be scattered over the face of the earth' Genesis 11v3. In this man is using Gods given ability to push back out limits to take some measure of control and authority over created order and share in Gods creative work. This was seen as an arrogant use of that skill and ingenuity to pretend that we have no limits, that we are Gods. However God has given us freewill and to exercise this freewill would mean consequently God cannot be held responsible. 10Also in Bioethics a primer for Christian Gilbert Milander believed Christians would also see cloning as a violation to the uniqueness of human life, which God has given to each person and to no one else. Christians are given their individualism uniqueness in the ritual of baptism. In baptism God sets his hand upon them calls them by name and thereby establishes their unique individual identity and destiny. Their uniqueness is not a personal achievement or power it is established in community with God when they realise that they can not directly control their destiny but when they admit that life is grounded and sustained by God. 11Nevertheless from the earliest time of human culture we have been co-creators with God. We have taken the things around us including our own bodies and brains and reorganized them into a number of different ways. We can ask ourselves the question is there anything that can be excluded from the touch of the human hand and the initiative of the human brain Even now we have discovered that life itself can be tampered with. Which shows us that we are co creators with God and we can shape life anyway we desire. 12Consequently can we Christians accept their positions as co-creators or would this be seen as blasphemy? Although the fact remains that humans have been given such power without the knowledge and understanding of God, which means the moral issue then becomes whether we will use our power responsibly. What wrong things might we create with the power of life? Will we be able to watch someone die knowing we are able to create replicas of them? Will we deny our human weakness and try and stop the process of aging by replacing aging parts of our body? Will we worship physical strength and create a society where only those people live and make false images of human life selected by our own preferences. The media has now made us aware that the possibility of cloning humans is only a few years away. Though Cloning has offered us an insight into the power of creation that humanity has done. A Christian could come to the analysis that humans are co creators with God, that we are ever moving closer to making babies rather than having babies. The media and religious organisations believe Cloning represents a test of human restraint wisdom and technological developments and in many ways identifies genetic engineering as one of the most moral problems of the 21st century. Epilogue The media provides us with information that the science of cloning continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and medical advancements based on this science will continue to provide new ethical and religious challenges. As Dr Michael West said on a radio4 Today programme when interviewed by John Humphry's ‘The Use of stem cell research for the relief of disease, Parkinson's, Cystic thybrosis will prove to be irresistible but not for human cloning, Literature Review I have many books written about the ethical debate surrounding cloning all of which are in the light of the recent developments of cloning and sets out the modern debate and the Medias views of cloning as well as the theological issues. The books seem quite useful all giving different viewpoints on the subject and they all seem to have been written quite recently as cloning is a new issue and first explored in March 1997 when Dolly the first cloned mammal was born. There are journals which consist of the moral debate of cloning hence I will be able to get hold of up to date information and the view ethicists in this area. The Ethics of Human Cloning Neil Messer 2001 With all the recent events and research of cloning this booklet sets out the debate of cloning it explains the technical terms clearly and draws out the theological issues and shows what Christians have to contribute to the discussion of Cloning. 2 Clone The Road to Dolly and The Path Ahead 1998 This book puts the science and ethics into context and discusses what part of cloning may play in the future of this medical research and human race. The book also considers the ethical dilemma that maybe used to clone human. Also the book touches on how news on scientific journals reach the popular media. 3. Remaking Eden Cloning and Beyond 1999 This book explores the science of embryology touching down on cloning and the new world of baby making , it explains what science can do and will be able to do. 4. Flesh of my flesh, the ethics of Human cloning This book contains a collection of articles from scientists, philosophers, bioethists and theologians debating whether cloning should be allowed , it also examines up to date laws on cloning and different legal points of views.

National Economy over the Next Decade Essay

Beyond 2007, the pace of economic growth will probably slow somewhat. The main reason is that the labor force is projected to grow less quickly as members of the baby-boom generation begin to retire and as the scheduled expiration of various tax provisions in 2011 discourages work by raising marginal tax rates. Real GDP is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 3. 1 percent between 2008 and 2011 and at 2. 6 percent between 2012 and 2016. The rate of inflation is assumed to average 2. 2 percent after 2007; and the unemployment rate, 5. 2 percent. Interest rates on three-month and 10-year Treasury securities are projected to average 4. 4 percent and 5. 2 percent, respectively (Marron 6). Over the longer term, the aging of the U. S. population combined with rapidly rising health care costs will put significant strains on the federal budget, which begin to be evident within the projection period. When the first members of the baby-boom generation reach age 62 in 2008, they will become eligible for Social Security benefits. As a result, the annual rate of growth of Social Security spending is expected to increase from about 4. 8 percent in 2008 to 6. 5 percent in 2016. In addition, because the cost of health care is likely to continue rising rapidly, the annual rate of growth of Medicare spending is projected to increase from 7. 4 percent in 2008 to about 8. 9 percent in 2016. (Medicare spending is anticipated to rise by 17 percent this year and 14 percent in 2007 as the new prescription drug program gets under way. ) Rapid growth is also projected for Medicaid spending—an average of 8. 3 percent annually from 2008 to 2016. According to Congressional Budget Office, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid together will account for 56 percent of all federal spending by the end of the projection period (up from 43 percent in 2006). Measured as a share of the economy, spending for the three programs will equal 10. 8 percent of GDP in 2016, up from 8. 7 percent this year. In addition, no evidence suggests that the growth of health care costs, which have risen faster than GDP over the past four decades, is likely to slow significantly in the future. As a result, spending for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid will exert pressures on the budget that economic growth alone is unlikely to alleviate. A substantial reduction in the growth of spending and perhaps a sizable increase in taxes as a share of the economy will be necessary for fiscal stability to be at all likely in the coming decades. References: Baker, Gerard. U. S. economy may be headed for a big crash. The Times of London. August 23, 2006. 23 Aug 2006. Barrell, Ray et al. World Economy Forecast. National Institute Economic Review. 28th July, 2006. No. 197. Baumohl, Bernard. Mid-Year U. S. Economic Forecasts For 2006 and 2007. Wharton School Publishing. June 15, 2006. 23 Aug 2006.

A Comparative Analysis of the Article in Chapter Eleven of the Introduction to Educational Research by Burrow

A Comparative Analysis of the Article in Chapter Eleven of the Introduction to Educational Research by Burrow A comparative analysis of the article in Chapter eleven of the Introduction to educational research by Burrow-Sanchez and Lopez (2009) in Metler and Charles (2011) and a survey research of satisfaction levels of graduate students enrolled in a nationally ranked top-10 program at a mid-western university by Sum, McCaskey and Kyeyune (2008) reveals both similarities and differences.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on A Comparative Analysis of the Article in Chapter Eleven of the Introduction to Educational Research by Burrow-Sanchez and Lopez (2009) in Metler and Charles (2011) and a Survey Research of Satisfaction Levels of Graduate Students Enrolled in a Nationally Ranked Top-10 Program at a Mid-Western University by Sum, Mccaskey and Kyeyune (2008) specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The purpose of the first article was to carry out a survey on high school counsellors to identify substance abuse among high school students . On the other hand, the researchers in the second article sought to â€Å"determine the satisfaction level of existing master’s students attending a two-week summer session towards the same masters program in education with specializations in career and human resources education† (p. 1). Both articles adopt a similar organizational pattern as expected of a research article. They have detailed literature review sections, which outline approaches adopted by the researchers in demonstrating the existence of research gaps, articulating research questions and the effectiveness of the adopted methodological frameworks. In addition, the articles have outlined their research problems, purposes of the studies, significances of the studies, methods of data collection and analysis, findings and implications of the research. Concerning data collection, Burrow-Sanchez and Lopez (2009) employed a proportional, stratified random sampling procedure to select â€Å"sample of 289 part icipants, of which data from their surveys were coded and entered for data analysis† (p. 73).Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Sum, McCaskey and Kyeyune (2008) employed a convenient sampling design because of time constraints to select a sample population of 2008 students. In order to address the research questions, the researchers used SPSS Version 14.0 to perform measures of frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Burrow-Sanchez and Lopez (2009) presented â€Å"a clear focus on understanding the perspectives on student substance abuse issues from counselors at the high school level† (p.78). The researchers recommend more research on the role of middle school counselors in developing substance abuse prevention or intervention programs. Sum, McCaskey and Kyeyune (2008) concluded their research by presenting â€Å"the need to allow stakeholders to pinpoint what each group (on-campus and non-traditional) of students need to be successful in obtaining their Master’s degree† (p.16). Similarly, the researchers recommend future research for the improvement of quality of human resource education career to attract and retain future students. The difference between correlation research and other types of research is that it focuses on an examination of mutual relationship between two or more things. The sources of data for experimental and quasi-experimental research are points of overlap. Both research approaches use standardized assessments. However, in addition to standardized assessments, quasi-experimental research uses surveys, interviews, and observations to obtain data.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on A Comparative Analysis of the Article in Chapter Eleven of the Introduction to Educational Research by Burrow-Sanchez and Lopez (2009) in Metler and Charles (2011) and a Survey Research of Satisfaction Levels of Graduate Students Enrolled in a Nationally Ranked Top-10 Program at a Mid-Western University by Sum, Mccaskey and Kyeyune (2008) specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Planning study on community satisfaction would involve the views and perceptions of a large sample population. Quantitative data using survey questionnaire and qualitative data using focus group discussions would provide adequate data to gain insights on the levels of community satisfaction with the school. The selection would be random sampling technique because the focus of the study would be to collect data from all community members irrespective of their levels of education, social class or race. The data would be collected, corded and analyzed using SPSS Version 14.0 to perform measures of frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. This is a mixed research approach that employs both qualitative and quantitative data to gain insights into a phenomenon. References Burrow-Sanchez, J.J. and Lopez, A.L. (2009). Identifying Substance Abuse Issues in High Schools: A National Survey of High School Counselors. Journal of Counseling Development.87 (4): 72-79. Metler, C, and Charles, C. (2011). Introduction to educational research. San Francisco: Allyn and Bacon Sum, V., McCaskey,S.J. and Kyeyune, C. (2008). A survey research of satisfaction levels of graduate students enrolled in a nationally ranked top-10 program at a mid-western university. Research in Higher Education Journal. 3(2): 1-16.

Health Risks Associated With Chromium-6

Health Risks Associated With Chromium-6 Chromium-6 is recognized as a human carcinogen when it is inhaled. Chronic inhalation of chromium-6 has been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer and may also damage the small capillaries in kidneys and intestines. Other adverse health effects associated with chromium-6 exposure, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), include skin irritation or ulceration, allergic contact dermatitis, occupational asthma, nasal irritation and ulceration, perforated nasal septa, rhinitis, nosebleed, respiratory irritation, nasal cancer, sinus cancer, eye irritation and damage, perforated eardrums, kidney damage, liver damage, pulmonary congestion and edema, epigastric pain, and erosion and discoloration of ones teeth. An Occupational Hazard NIOSH considers all chromium-6 compounds to be potential occupational carcinogens. Many workers are exposed to chromium-6 during the production of stainless steel, chromate chemicals, and chromate pigments. Chromium-6 exposure also occurs during work activities such as stainless-steel welding, thermal cutting, and chrome plating. Chromium-6 in Drinking Water The potentially adverse health effects of chromium-6 in drinking water have become an issue of growing concern nationwide. In 2010, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) tested tap water in 35 U.S. cities and found chromium-6 in 31 of them (89 percent). Water samples in 25 of those cities contained chromium-6 at concentrations higher than the safe maximum (0.06 parts per billion) proposed by California regulators, but far below the safety standard of 100 ppb for all types of chromium combined that was established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). That doesnt mean the EPA was declaring drinking water with a chromium-6 safe for human consumption. Rather, it underscored the lack of confirmed knowledge and clear guidelines concerning the level at which chromium-6 in drinking water becomes a public health hazard. In September 2010, the EPA launched a reassessment of chromium-6 when it released a draft human health assessment that proposes classifying chromium-6 as a likely carcinogenic to humans who ingest it. The EPA expects to complete the health-risk assessment and make a final determination about the cancer-causing potential of chromium-6 through ingestion in 2011  and will use the results to determine whether a new safety standard is needed. As of December 2010, the EPA has not established a safety standard for chromium-6 in drinking water. Evidence of Adverse Health Effects From Chromium-6 in Tap Water There is very little evidence of chromium-6 in drinking water causing cancer or other adverse health effects in humans. Only a few animal studies have found a possible connection between chromium-6 in drinking water and cancer, and only when the laboratory animals were fed levels of chromium-6 that were hundreds of times greater than the current safety standards for human exposure. Concerning those studies, the National Toxicology Program has said that chromium-6 in drinking water shows clear evidence of carcinogenic activity† in laboratory animals and increases the risk of gastrointestinal tumors. The California Chromium-6 Lawsuit The most compelling case for human health problems caused by chromium-6 in drinking water is the lawsuit that inspired the film, Erin Brockovich, starring Julia Roberts. The lawsuit alleged that Pacific Gas Electric (PGE) had contaminated groundwater with chromium-6 in the California town of Hinkley, leading to a high number of cancer cases. PGE operates a compressor station for natural gas pipelines at Hinkley, and chromium-6 was used in cooling towers at the site to prevent corrosion. Wastewater from the cooling towers, containing chromium-6, was discharged into unlined ponds and seeped into the groundwater and contaminated the towns drinking water. Although there was some question whether the number of cancer cases in Hinkley was higher than normal, and how much of a danger the chromium-6 actually posed, the case was settled in 1996 for $333 million- the largest settlement ever paid in a direct-action lawsuit in U.S. history. PGE later paid nearly as much to settle additional chromium-6-related claims in other California communities.

Entrepreneur - link literature review theories to real life Essay

Entrepreneur - link literature review theories to real life entrepreneur - Essay Example The so called killer phrases are also sometime referred to as one of the real barriers behind the process of creative thinking. However in order to overcome these barriers to the creative thought process, resources are required which might include the right attitude adopted by the entrepreneur. Creativity and innovation are probably the two ways through which entrepreneurs make difference in the world. This assumption of having creative and innovative entrepreneurs is based on the fact that every entrepreneur has certain personal traits and motivations and key element of this is their ability to put their efforts and endeavors behind it. Probably the most innovative and creative endeavor of entrepreneur is his ability to create capital. (Thompson, 1999). By adding value and creating capital, entrepreneurs basically transform their business activities in the larger good of the society. It is largely believed that the success of entrepreneurship therefore base on the personal traits of the entrepreneur which include his ability to be an intuitive thinker and innovator. The notion of creativity and innovation is associated with the process of entrepreneurship because of the fact that creativity is often considered as the personality trait of the entrepreneur. (Thompson, 2004) . This approach tends to focus on the role of people in developing creative and innovative enterprises. Many researches have suggested that the competitive advantages which entrepreneurs enjoy over their competitors are based on their internal resources. These internal resources are often linked with knowledge based resources which are ultimately linked with the innovation and creativity of the entrepreneurs. (Mosakowski, 1998). These knowledge based intangible resources flourish creativity and innovation in entrepreneurs. However these knowledge based intangible resources

Theory of Good by Wilhelm Leibniz Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Theory of Good by Wilhelm Leibniz - Essay Example Leibniz in his lifetime proposed theories relating to God and made a derivation from every theory he proposed. He is also known to be the father of calculus and the basic founder of the technology known as computer. Leibniz in his lifetime proposed a theory known as 'the theory of good'. This theory gives the basic facts about goodness while relating it to the God. Leibniz put in his own perceptions and came out with the theory of good which is now famously applied by many people. This theory has come into many criticisms; however some people are still in the favor of this theory. This article would further discuss the theory of good according to the facts given in by Leibniz and would give in a conclusion after assessing the theory. One of the very important theories Leibniz put in was the theory of good which was the basis for the ethics of Leibniz. This theory revolved around the basis of goodness and how it was affected. This theory was again laid upon three basic principles which were according to Leibniz's words hedonism, Platonism and perfectionism. Platonism basically signifies that goodness is correlated to reality, hedonism relates good to satisfaction and gratification whereas perfectionism implies to fastidiousness that is one should try to achieve precision in one's character. But with all these three principles there is a co existing form of malevolence. With the abstract good there is the wrong associated when there is defiance of reality. With the ethical good there is malevolence of bad and evil. And in the hedonism which is then related to the evil of pain. In constructing his theory of good and relating abstract good with abstract malevolence Leibniz has taken assistance from the work of Augustine, Boethius, Plotinus and in the theory of Plato Leibniz has given a clear cut view in his theories that everyone and everything is not equally perfect. He states that it is only God who has immeasurable and unbounded perfection and faultlessness. God is the creator of everything and he has given his creations varying amounts of perfection. To give his creations complete exactness and divinity like Himself would be like the creation of another God by Him and this is not how the universe has been based. The universe has been based on His principles and thus with His creations God has given everyone his own boundaries and limitations that are to be followed by everyone. This clearly means that everyone is not equally perfect and thus Leibniz is trying to explain that precision and flawlessness is not based on the law of none and all. It comes in different amounts. Thus it is clear that everything except God, including the universe has its own flaws. A common concept of Leibniz is that the flaws suffered by all the things on this univ erse are made by the God himself. He is basically describing his theory of good by relating it to the power of God and his flawlessness. As described by Leibniz, every single thing on this planet has some flaws. For e.g. one human being cannot be perfect in whatever action he does. As is said in one famous quote "no one is perfect". Leibniz here clearly is relating this object of flaws found in the things made on the universe with reality. Over here another worldly example may be considered that everything that has been invented by the modern technology also has some limitations as we may consider that

The Sacred and the Profane Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Sacred and the Profane - Essay Example The water of baptism also, symbolises, a complete renewal or rebirth of the baptized person, into the new life in Jesus Christ (133). Secondly, baptism ritual signifies the confronting of Satan, symbolized as the dragon in the Bible, and defeating the dragon, as one starts the new life in Jesus Christ (133). Defeating the Satan here means a complete overhaul in one’s life, to start a new life in Jesus Christ. This confrontation and defeat of Satan is symbolized through the immersion into water. The abyss of water symbolizes danger and battle. Just as Jesus before starting His public ministry went to River Jordan to face the Dragons in the abyss of water, and to defeat them, Christians, also, through immersion into the water are able to face their spiritual dragons, the Satan, and to defeat them. We find Noah in the Bible, also, through his faithfulness in God, overcoming the dangers of the immense flood, and emerging the winner. The abyss of water, therefore, signifies the battle with the Satan, and the eventual defeat of Satan. The third meaning of Christian baptism ritual lies in the act of baptismal nudity itself. The nudity in baptism signifies the abandoning the old garment of sin and old ways of life, and embracing the new garment in the life in Jesus Christ (134). The baptismal nudity, also, represents the primitive holiness. Prior, to sinning, Adam and Eve were naked and yet they were comfortable with that because they were innocent (134). Does Eliade Think that in the Modern World there is a Place for the Religious worldview of archaic civilizations?

Drug Cartel Violence Along the Mexican Border Essay Example for Free

Drug Cartel Violence Along the Mexican Border Essay In lines thirty-five through forty-five of Ian McEwan’s Black Dogs, June and Bernard stand upon the precipice of a cliff in the French countryside. The particular description in this section, when teamed with June’s observations as they near the cliff, provide a startling comparison to June’s inner turmoil and the changes inherent to the baby she carries within her womb. Like her own future prospects, the path’s trajectory is a â€Å"steep descent† that fills her with anxiety and place June and Bernard’s relationship and imminent future into the context of a fall. Like the â€Å"bright, empty space† of â€Å"baking rock dropping three hundred feet† , their future stretches out before them and represents the unknowable nature of human relationships. However, perhaps more important in relating to June’s anxiety is her own awareness that such a physical descent of the earth could as easily be seen in as the physical and mental transformation she will go through in becoming a parent. The danger she senses is not merely the physical danger of their present but the psychological and emotional danger inherent to their own relationship with one another and their future child. The couples relationship in particular is vulnerable to the chasm that opens up before them with the knowledge of this new life and responsibility. Like the earth at the bottom of this open space, they can guess what the future will bring when they return to England but they cannot truly understand the context of what such a journey entails. There is the sense that they will look back upon this moment for a significance that they can only partially understand. On July 16, 2009, James Bone’s article for the London Times reported a series of murders that had just taken place in Mexico. Michoacan, where the killings have taken occurred, is an area of Mexico along the Pacific coast. As the country’s primary source of opium and marijuana, Michoacan hosts a great deal of drug cartel activity and violence the most recent being when a dozen federal agent bodies were found on a highway in the mountains. These anti-drug agents are among several who have been killed this year in a series of attacks. This killing spree is reported to have been sparked by the arrest of Arnoldo Rueda Medina, a commander of La Familia cartel, which took place in Morelia Michoacan’s capital. Seven cities came under attack from La Familia shortly after Medina’s arrest, including the tourist sites of Patzcuaro and Zitacuaro. The twelve bodies that were found on the highway one woman and eleven men marks the most severe attack thus far. Found with the bodies were death threats from La Familia, saying â€Å"†¦Join its ranks or leave† and â€Å"Let’s see if you try to arrest another one†, alluding to Medina being arrested. La Familia’s killing spree is reported to be a turning point in the long-standing Mexican drug war, as they are now killing federal agents directly. Some believe this proves that the arrest of Medina was a serious setback for the cartel. According to Jorge Chabat, a drug expert, the cartel’s operations have been negatively affected and they are showing signs of weakness rather than strength. Putting an end to this cartel, however, is seemingly an endless task and due to La Familia having penetrated the legal system and obtaining protection, it is difficult to speculate when this violence is going to end. Link: http://www. timesonline. co. uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6715478. ece

Holden Caulfied in The Catcher in the Rye :: Essays Papers

Holden Caulfied Which Character Gives Us Who He Is Holden Caulfield, the main character in J.D. Salinger?s The Catcher in the Rye, is very complex, mentally and emotionally. The readers of the novel would not be able to understand Holden as much as they do, if it was not for Holden?s deceased younger brother Allie. Although Allie is never actually met in the novel, Holden?s discussions about him and his ?conversations? with him help us understand Holden better. It may seem strange that a dead character would shed so much light on a living one, but Holden had a strong bond with Allie, one that he refuses to give up. Our first introduction to Allie is early in the book when Holden is writing a paper for his roommate Stradlater. Holden writes about his brother?s baseball mitt, a very personal object that sheds light on how much Holden loved Allie. Writing this composition provokes him to say, ?It wasn?t just that he was the most intelligent member of the family. He was also the nicest, in a lot of ways.? It becomes very clear right away that Holden loved and respected Allie, and was very sad that he was gone. As previously stated, Holden had a bond with Allie that he refuses to give up. The night after he died, Holden punched out all of the windows in the garage and even broke his hand. The signs don?t stop there, though. After Holden ordered a prostitute in New York and decided he didn?t want her services, he was feeling rather depressed. He said, ?I felt so depressed you can?t imagine. What I did, I started talking, sort of out loud, to Allie. I do that sometimes when I get very depressed.? Th is is the first major indication that Holden has rather severe emotional problems. Holden inability to give up his relationship with his brother is very interesting. One of the main reasons that Holden liked Allie so much was because of his innocence and his purity. Since Allie died at a young age, he died with innocence and he will be forever innocent. Holden never wanted Allie to change. We know this because he said, ?Certain things they should stay the way they are. You ought to be able to stick them in one of those big glass cases and just leave them alone.? Allie innocence and Holden?

Walmart Global Expansion

Wal-Mart’s Global Expansion Introduction Sam Walton established Wal-Mart at Arkansas in 1962. It has grown dramatically over the last 40 years and has become one of the world’s largest retailers with the sales of $401 billion in a year ending Jan. 31st 2009. Wal-Mart has approximately 7,000 stores globally with 2 million employees. It is the largest private employer in Mexico and Canada with the employee figures hitting around 1. 4 million in this region. It also operates 3,600 additional stores in 16 worldwide markets that include China, Japan, South Korea, India and United Kingdom. Wal-Mart does particularly well in Canada where they have a chain of 314 stores. In 2008, it had 92,284,000 dollars of gross profit. Wal-Mart serves its customers and members over 200 million times per week and ranked first among retailers in Fortune Magazine’s 2009 Most Admired Companies survey. Wal-Mart provides sustainability- focused products. Wal-Mart not only provides jobs for senior citizens and students but also provide opportunities to build careers with competitive salaries. The retailer claims that 75% of its stores management team joined the company as hourly sales associates. Wal-Mart has also got an impressive ethical policy which includes regular use of recycling products and creating almost zero landfill waste. The company also makes vast amount of donations to different local level charitable organizations every year for improving people’s lives, which made Wal-Mart a trusted organization for funding the community programs to address hunger, homelessness, education, job training and other basic needs. International Expansion of Wal-Mart and its Benefits By 1990, Wal-Mart realized that the opportunities for growth in United States is becoming limited because of the saturation of the market and decided to expand their business globally. Their international expansion put a greater impact on international market and has changed the way business is conducted globally. It has also increased the benefits for the consumers as it helps them spend less money on goods they purchase. The company’s relationship with their key suppliers such as General Electronics (For appliances), Unilever (For Food Products) and Procter & Gamble (For Personal care products) is very good. All these suppliers are internationally recognized with vast global expansion and because of this Wal-Mart are able to demand deeper discounts from the local operations of its suppliers. Apart from these world renowned suppliers Wal-Mart also does business with more than 2,500 minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBE). The result of this good relationship with suppliers means they can lower their prices to attract more consumers, gain market share and increase their profit margins in international market. Wal-Mart claims in its data sheet for December 2009 that its international business achieved 11. % rise in sales for the whole financial year. Except the profit and market share another benefit of international expansion for Wal-Mart is the flow of different ideas for example, a double-floor store in New York was opened because of the success of multi-floor stores in South Korea. Other ideas such as the layout of the wine department in Argentina have now been used into th e layouts of company’s stores worldwide. Wal-Mart is also constantly trying to improve its reputation ethically and consistently helping over 100,000 charitable and community-focused organizations by providing financial and volunteer support. Retailer’s policy of buying fair-trade products in the international market is also attracting the attention of many consumers to shop in Wal-Mart. Risks When Entering Other Retail Markets The idea of expanding internationally was initially jeered off and the critics showed that Wal-Mart’s style of trading only suits to an American market, which in other countries is not going to work because of the different market structure, people’s taste and the popularity of already established retailers. But instead of all the critics Wal-Mart went ahead with an idea and in 1991opened their first international branch in Mexico. Expanding business internationally also brought some risks for the retailer as being new in the market they faced problems like bad infrastructure, lack of leverage from their suppliers and no knowledge about consumers taste, which resulted the rise in prices of their products and lack of interest from the consumers. One prime example of this kind of mistake was in Mexico where they merchandised products like ice skates, lawn mowers and fishing tackles which were good sellers in United States but without a surprise didn’t do well in Mexico. Managers had to reduce prices to sell that stock but it was re-ordered because of the automated ordering system. These problems created a large risk to prove the critics right about Wal-Mart not surviving internationally. Diminishing the Risks Wal-Mart learned vastly from their experience in Mexico and after that whenever they entered any international market they took strict measures on not repeating the same mistakes. To avoid risks of making past mistakes they made deals with vehicle companies which means improved and frequent distribution system, adapted local environment and merchandised goods in stores that appealed local tastes. With the grown presence of Wal-Mart in the international market their suppliers built factories near the distribution centers so they could serve the company better, which meant frequent inventory and cutting down the cost to get better market share. These are the tactics that has made Wal-Mart one of the most successful and globally recognized retailer in the world. Entering Mexico via Joint Venture Wal-Mart first entered Mexico through a joint venture with Cifera, because it was the largest local retailer in Mexico which was somehow within the standard as Wal-Mart was in the United States. The other reason it entered through a joint venture was because they wanted to be on the safe side when entering a new market considering they had no previous experience of the market they were planning to enter and hoped the experience from Cifera will help them in making their brand global, which they had planned to do after the market in America got saturated for domestic growth. Financial Aspect of Joint Venture As for the financial aspect of joint venture seems to be that both companies can benefit from the profit as well as share the risk and cost. Get a greater access to resources which both companies can share with each other and also the availability for both companies to a new market distribution. While not to forget the risk of this particular idea for a business is that every company has different objectives on how to move forward with the business. The other risk is the communication flow as one company can be centralized and the other decentralized. Purchase of Joint Venture Partner The major reason believed to push Wal-Mart to buy of their Mexican joint venture partner Cifera. Was that they had gained enough experience working in Mexico which was around about 7 years and during that time they had increased their sales of good as well as made contacts to help them prosper without the help of having a joint venture. After getting exposed and experience within the market they had considered to start their own chain of stores to have a firsthand control rather than having to collaborate with their partner to make certain decisions. The other reason could be considered that is since their deployment in the Mexico during 1991 when goods were being sold at 20 percent more than in the States due to various different conditions such as transport and production of goods. They were able to sort out the problem by at first having a deal in place with a major transport company to bring products from their factory to the stores in Mexico, which later on opted on suppliers to open factories around areas where stores were located which enabled to cut down on logistics cost. Having this in place they were able to provide the same goods in the same price as they did in the States. Difference of Strategy for Dominance Before explaining the strategy that Wal-Mart pursued it would be helpful in understanding the strategies. As per the question four different strategies were provided to consider and show the one chosen by Wal-Mart to match its strategic choice and why. The four strategies are global strategy, localization strategy, international strategy, and transnational strategy. Global standardization strategy is a â€Å"strategy that focuses on increasing profitability by reaping cost reductions from experience curve and location economies† (Hill, 2009). Localization strategy is a â€Å"plan which focuses on increasing profitability by customizing the goods or services to match tastes in national markets† (Hill, 2009). Transnational strategy is a â€Å"plan to exploit experience-based cost and location economies, transfer core competencies with the firm, and pay attention to local responsiveness† (Hill, 2009). Lastly international strategy is â€Å"trying to create value by transferring core competencies to foreign markets where indigenous competitors lack those competencies† (Hill, 2009). Domination The strategy that Wal-Mart used to go global from United States was the global strategy at first in Mexico but after noticing that the strategy has no affect rather than sales going up they had to cut down the price of goods to be able to sell them. This enabled the company to change from global to localization strategy which is to focus on increasing profitability by customizing the firm’s goods or services they provide a good match to tastes and preferences in different national markets. This enabled them to adapt to the local market and provide goods that matched the local environment. As for making sense of this strategy it was a valuable and the right decision considering the outcome from the change. As profit grew so did the hold in the market as well as outsmarting their nearest rival by having more than twice as many stores within the country. Conclusion To conclude, Wal-Mart benefited vastly from their global expansion. It experienced an increase of global market share, reputation and profit margin. It also gained economies of scales. Although, they faced massive problems when they took their business internationally but they quickly learned from their mistakes and adapted the strategies according to different international markets, which benefited them in many ways. Wal-Mart ranked 8th in 2009 Forbes Magazine’s of global companies but 1st in global retailers ranking and if they keep attracting consumers by their business strategies then without a doubt it will stay the top retailer for a long time.