Business Information Systems Case Study Report Bognor Marine Essay

Business Information Systems Case Study Report Bognor Marine Watercraft - Essay Example Just because of the luxury element of the brand, some of these products are even purchased by non boat owners. Recently the brand has received significant media attention as several high profile celebrities have bought BMW boats. The owners of BMW desire to exploit this new opportunity and after holding several strategy meetings, they have recognized the potential areas for investment. Prior to creating their development plans, the investors and bank have asked a third party management industry to make a companywide evaluation, so that they can invest in the industry when it is officially deemed viable. One of the features that the bank looks for is the capacity for the organization to make quick progress in a competitive market. BMW basically comprises nine departments, which are: warehousing, manufacturing, human resource, finance, sales, marketing, design team and support departments. Warehousing departments take care of each delivery made by dealers with regard to raw materials a nd specific equipment that the industry purchases. Manufacturing departments give necessary instructions to suppliers for resources as and when required by the organization. The HR department runs full time and in order to be more effective and efficient the same jobs are assigned among two individuals. The team utilizes skills which are complicated to replace and this thus proves to be the biggest strength of the organization. In order to counter possible loss of skills BMW makes use of the apprentice method. However, the communication among the finance department of BMW and its employees is seen to be poor, this resulting in several mistakes that could be avoided if there were improved sharing of information. In the case of sales department, the manager is based in the major office and has responsibility for mainly two lines of actions. The sales personnel are field based and are dependable for the sale of BMW’s better volume manufactured ancillaries to various national dea lers. One sales individual is based at the office and he or she is responsible for the sale of the craft. Due to the price and nature of the luxury craft, customers pay great attention to details and will discuss at length the available features and choices of the craft. Marketing departments of BMW include mainly two people for exhibitions, design and additional marketing tasks containing campaign management. They work widely with third party experts who are trusted partners in the business. The distribution department consists mainly of four people. The important area of responsibility is the delivery of the better volume goods supplied to chandlers, luxury stores. Design team of the BMW includes several boat architects and contract designers. The support staffs of the company include two managers, secretaries, cleaners and drivers. BMW requires modifying and adopting information systems for a quality management. â€Å"An information system is a collection of hardware, software, data, people and procedures that are designed to generate information that supports the day-to-day, short-range, and long-range activities of users in an organization† (Types of Information Systems 2000). These are categorized into five types, namely: office information systems, management information systems, transaction processing systems, expert systems and decision support systems. Every organization requires information system

The Possible and the Potential Essay Example for Free

The Possible and the Potential Essay A Paper on Problems that a Teacher May Encounter in the Classroom Before a teacher steps into a classroom and valiantly imparts to the students whatever it is he/she needs to impart, there would inevitably problems that would be encountered. In fact, before, during and even after a lesson has been conducted and the chalk has been put away, there are bound to be problems encountered in each step. The art of teaching actually does not seem to run out of problems and yet, it is a glorious profession that only the best people on planet earth have the capability to practice. Out of all these inevitable problems, there are those problems which are more prominent than the others—and believe it or not, can easily be solved. In the three articles that are featured in this paper, there are numerous problems which they have pointed out and which can be solved by instructional means. In Holly Hansen-Thomas’ article, â€Å"Sheltered Instruction: Best Practices for Ells in the Mainstream†, she points out that sheltered instruction—a form of instruction used to teach ELL students—can also be used in teaching mainstream students. Sheltered instruction is defined as â€Å"a research-based instructional framework that provides clear and accessible content and academic language to ELLs in pre-K–12 grade-level classes† (Hansen-Thomas, 2008). This can help the potential problems that may arise in ELL classrooms wherein students of a different language are trying to learn English. Though Hansen-Thomas has specifically identified what are the things to keep in mind in ELL classes, the things that she also explained can also be applied in mainstream teaching and even other forms of pedagogy. Potential problems (or things that should be kept in mind to avoid the cropping up of problems) would centre on the instructional materials and if the teacher is competent enough to handle such materials or to even implement certain programs or curriculum. This may be seen as one of the things that would hinder optimum learning from the students if the teacher himself/herself is incapable of optimum pedagogy. The fact that there is already something wrong when the teacher fails to deliver his/her lessons well or even the strategy he/she is trying to employ would greatly reflect on the learners. Hansen-Thomas unfailingly reiterates that people who can deliver sheltered instruction for students are those teachers who specialize in such instruction. Thus, it is imperative to train and assist teachers in their professional development to solve and to even avoid potential problems in the classroom. This circumstance of incompetent teachers can be seen as a problem since time, money and effort would be wasted on all parties concerned—the teachers, learners, parents and the educational institution. Worst of all, the learners would not learn anything at all or if they do, it would be a misleading form of knowledge or skill. On the other hand, a different problem is discussed in the article of Amanda O. Latz, Kristie L. Speirs Neumeister, Cheryll M. Adams, and Rebecca L. Pierce entitled â€Å"Peer Coaching to Improve Classroom Differentiation: Perspectives from Project CLUE†. Latz et al. (2009) discusses in their article about the decrease in teacher differentiation. This may pose a problem because such method is needed in meeting all the needs, styles and levels of the students. It is commonly known that not all people are alike and this same goes on how students learn, retain learning and desire learning. Because of this diversity in students’ needs, desire to learn, level of learning, style of learning and other factors such as historical/cultural background, gender and age, there is a need to address everything (no matter how daunting and impossible it may seem) while implementing a strategy that would be fair to everyone. This is a problem for both the educational institution and most especially for the teachers since it would entail much assessment, research and preparation—and such factors are exactly the reasons why according to Latz et al. , fewer people are using differentiation on their teaching. This decrease in differentiation would greatly pose a problem for the students since their individuality as learners are not met and addressed. When this happens, naturally, only students who are targeted in the objectives of the teachers would fully take advantage of whatever strategy implemented by the teacher. This would mean that those students who are having problems in school due to behavioral problems, psychological/ mental/ emotional instability and even those who are gifted and talented to the point that they are not learning properly due to the inappropriate learning level they are in would never be solved and addressed. The lack of proper attention to their differences would prove insensitivity and maybe even laziness on the teacher’s part. Latz et al. (2009) sees peer coaching as the answer to support and catalyze teaching differentiation since it would allow help from the all the teachers to come together and cooperate to assess the individuality of the learners and come up with a game plan that would allow them to address that individuality. In the third and final article wherein Nancy Padak and Cheryl Potenza-Radis (2010) showed an example on how teachers successfully motivated readers who are struggling in their efforts to read on the same level as everyone else. In the article entitled â€Å"Motivating Struggling Readers: Three Keys to Success†, Padak et al. (2010) explained that there are students who are having difficulties in reading since they are either not motivated to read or they are ashamed of their incapability to read on the same level as everyone else. This situation is not new and can be seen as a threat to the learning of a child. Since the child would have such insecure notions about himself/herself, he/she will do anything to worm out of a situation that would entitle him/her to read in public, even to the point of being withdrawn or aloof to everyone else. Moreover, this would develop a psychological effect on the learner which would render him/her with the thinking that he/she is stupid or incapable of learning when in fact, such problem can be addressed. In the same article, Padak et al. (2010) pointed out that the answer to such problem lies in a conducive environment prepared by the teacher, the zealousness and efforts of the teacher to motivate and to teach the students to read and lastly, a routine implementation of a strategy that the students would enjoy and greatly benefit from. Reading is one of four macro-skills that is considered as a life-long skill needed for personal growth and everyday communications—if an individual cannot read or is hindered from enthusiastic reading the tendency is that the individual’s over all character would be greatly affected. To end, there are still many other examples of potential problems that may happen in the classroom and it is not up to the teacher alone to address or prevent the onslaught of such problems. It is up to the teachers, learners, parents, educational institution and even the government and the society to go on solving and preventing such problems. After all, a most educated learner who has received optimal capacity for learning would most likely mean a most efficient and valuable member of society in the future—and would not that be a pretty picture to envision? References Hansen-Thomas, H. (2008). Sheltered instruction: best practices for ELLs in the mainstream. Kappa Delta Pi Record, 44 (4), pp. 165-169. Name of Database. Retrieved: Date of Retrieval, from Website URL. Latz, A. O. et al. (2009). Roeper Review 31, pp. 27-39. Name of Database. Retrieved: Date of Retrieval, from Website URL. Padak, N. et al. (2010). Motivating struggling readers: three keys to success. New England Reading Association Journal 45 (2), pp. 1-7. ProQuest Education Journals database. Retrieved: Date of Retrieval, from Website URL.

Cloning is Unethical :: essays research papers

In recent years our world has undergone many changes and advancements, cloning is a primary example of this new modernism. On July 5th, 1995, Dolly, the first cloned animal, was created. She was cloned from a six-year-old sheep, making her cells genetically six years old at her creation. However, scientists were amazed to see Dolly live for another six years, until she died early 2005 from a common lung disease found in sheep. This discovery sparked a curiosity for cloning all over the world, however, mankind must answer a question, should cloning be allowed? To answer this question some issues need to be explored. Is cloning morally correct, is it a reliable way to produce life, and should human experimentation be allowed? Scientists have no problem with the ethical issues cloning poses, as they claim the technological benefits of cloning clearly outweigh the possible social consequences, not to mention, help people with deadly diseases to find a cure. Jennifer Chan, a junior at the New York City Lab School, said, "?cloning body organs will help save many patients' lives," she said. "I think that cloning is an amazing medical breakthrough, and the process could stop at cloning organs--if we're accountable, it doesn't have to go any further." This argument seems to be an ethical presentation of the purpose of cloning. However, most, if not all scientists agree that human cloning won?t stop there. While cloning organs may seem ethical, cloning a human is dangerous. Still, scientists argue that the intentions of cloning are ethical. On the other hand, there are many who disagree with those claims. According to those from a religious standpoint, it is playing God, therefore, should be avoided. From a scien tific standpoint it is also very dangerous, as scientists are playing with human cells which, if done wrong, can lead to genetic mutations that can either become fatal to the clone, or cause it severe disabilities. This information does, in fact, question the moral of the issue. If cloning is unsafe and harmful, what is the point? Another argument pertains to the reliability of cloning. Cloning experts have claimed it is, in fact, an effective procedure. Scientists have admitted it is risky, but also have argued that with time, and more experimentation, cloning will become extremely reliable and effective. However, facts are not as supportive towards this claim as scientists may want. Currently only 3 out of 71 cloning eggs have lived, and only 1 out of 278 fully developed clones have survived from those eggs.

I have chosen to analyse two Wordsworth poems, “Composed Upon Westminster Bridge” and “The World is Too Much With Us”

At one stage in his life, Wordsworth was greatly influenced by William Godwin, a philosopher who claimed that salvation lay only in reason perfected by education. Wordsworth adopted these Neo classic views for four years until he nearly suffered a nervous breakdown. Neo classicist writers believed that poetry had to be â€Å"fancier† than prose; they did not think of nature as a teacher as the Romantic writers did, they thought that reason was the prime source of inspiration and emotion was inferior to thought and they thought that poetry should be about people in high society; humble life was contemptuously ignored. After four years Wordsworth turned his back on Neo classicism and turned towards Romanticism. Romanticism was the idea that nature teaches the only important knowledge to man. The next philosopher to influence Wordsworth was Hartley, who taught that the mind was a â€Å"blank slate† until sensation introduced ideas into it, that sensation was the basis of all knowledge. Wordsworth, in his preface to the Lyrical Ballads insisted that poetry should be about the evocation of emotion and the inculcation of awareness through the artistic examination of immediate experience – poetry should be about how we emotionally respond to our experiences. For Wordsworth, the earth was not a dead thing, but full of life, full of the breath of the infinite Being. Composed upon Westminster Bridge shows Wordsworth apparently appreciating the beauty of a great city – though it is characteristic of his love for solitude that the poem is set in the early morning, when there is no noise or bustle. It has a calm, slow rhythm, which could represent the river, which adds to the relaxed atmosphere of the poem. The World is Too Much With Us embodies one of the main ideas of Romantic poetry – that in our daily life we have lost touch with the renewing powers of nature. The slow rhythm adds to the sombre, bitter mood of the poem. Both poems are written in the form of a Petrarchan Sonnet, which is divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines) by the rhyme scheme abbaabba cdcdcd. The essence of the Petrarchan sonnet is the unequal relationship between the octave and sestet. This structure is one of observation and conclusion, or statement and counter statement. In the octave of Composed upon Westminster Bridge, Wordsworth seems to be praising the city of London but the turn after the octave is a shift of feeling that develops the subject of the poem by surprise to its conclusion. In the sestet, Wordsworth praises the beauty of the morning that envelops the city. What seemed to be a celebration of London is actually a celebration of the beauty of the morning. The octave of The World is Too Much With Us plays with the idea that we have sold our souls to the material world and in doing so broken our bonds with nature. The sestet offers a solution to the problem, to go back to a less cultured, out of date society, the Pagans, and worship nature. Wordsworth was writing during the Industrial Revolution when society was becoming increasingly reliant upon mass production and there was a growth of towns and cities. These circumstances obviously affected Wordsworth – the majority of Romantic poetry is about nature whereas Composed upon Westminster Bridge is about the beauty of a city in the morning. Wordsworth used simple, everyday language that ordinary man could understand. The title â€Å"Composed upon Westminster Bridge† could be a pun; the word â€Å"composed† might also represent how the poet is feeling. Wordsworth suggests that people would have no sensibility if they could â€Å"pass by/ A sight so touching in its majesty. † The words â€Å"touching† and â€Å"majesty† suggests how powerfully this scene affects him. The words â€Å"now doth† seem to suggest that this is a transitory moment of beauty that will soon pass. The simile â€Å"This city now doth, like a garment, wear/ The beauty of the morning;† hints that the poem is celebrating the beauty of the morning before man wakes up and pollutes it. The words â€Å"bright and glittering† make this sight seem valuable; the â€Å"b† and â€Å"g† and the repetition of the â€Å"i† sounds makes it sound crisp. Wordsworth then compares the city to the country saying that â€Å"Never did sun more beautifully steep/ In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill. † The awe-inspiring image of this moment touches him and he feels that it is the most beautiful thing he has ever seen. He uses the metaphor â€Å"that mighty heart is lying still,† as when the people have woken up the city is beating and pulsating. The overwhelming nature of the scene resonates within him and he teaches us that we too should be still and appreciate nature. What at first seemed to be a celebration of London is ostensibly a moral lesson on standing still and appreciating nature. Wordsworth was writing The World is Too Much With Us during the Agricultural Revolution when meadows and woodlands began to disappear. The title â€Å"The World is Too Much With Us† means that we are too concerned with the material world. Wordsworth uses the image of â€Å"getting and spending† to show the greed of our society. Our â€Å"powers† are our ability to appreciate nature and what she has to offer. â€Å"Little we see in Nature that is ours,† seems to suggest that if we don't own it, we don't want to know about it. â€Å"Sordid boon† suggests how bitter Wordsworth feels about how we have â€Å"given our hearts away† to the material world and betrayed nature. Wordsworth uses sensual imagery – â€Å"This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon,† and the simile describing the wind â€Å"like sleeping flowers† helps to add to the sombre mood of the poem and effectively describes nature as a thing of beauty. For our ignorance, we are â€Å"out of tune;† we are lost in the wrong environment and have lost the harmony between nature and ourselves, man is trying to dictate to nature. Wordsworth would â€Å"rather be a Pagan;† he would rather go back to an out of date society to become less cultured but closer to nature. He feels â€Å"forlorn† because he is out of tune with nature, he has to reject cultured things and be a Pagan to be truly happy. Proteus and Triton were sea gods in the â€Å"outworn† beliefs of Greek mythology. Wordsworth finds it appealing that the Greeks had gods of nature. This shows how they revered and appreciated nature. The poem teaches us that we should be getting back to nature instead of concerning ourselves with material possessions. Both poems address the same aspect of Wordsworth's poetry – that we have become desensitised towards nature and don't stop long enough in our daily lives to appreciate the beauty around us, instead we are concerned with â€Å"getting and spending,† although they do so in different ways. Like most of Wordsworth's poetry they both comment on man's complex relationship with nature and the world around us. Composed upon Westminster Bridge celebrates the beauty of the morning and how it can make the city of London more beautiful than â€Å"valley rock or hill† and how man cannot appreciate this whereas The World is Too Much With Us describes how we â€Å"lay waste our powers† and destroy nature.

My Favorite Time of Year Essay

My favorite time of the year is naturally the time when I have the most fun. To me, that time of the year falls during the December holidays, or rather, it starts during the last term of school. It may sound strange of me to include the period of examinations. But I like the way teachers leave us, students, by ourselves to do our own revision. There is hardly any homework to be done but there is a lot of studying to take up our time. Finally, when the examinations are over, we can all heave a joyful sigh of relief and look forward to the seemingly eternal holidays stretching out before us. Just before school breaks up for the holidays, there are a host of post-examination activities, among which is mass dancing in the school hall. This is something I enjoy very much as I get to dance to the newest pop music with all my friends. The opportunity to â€Å"break-free† from serious activities of school and to sing and dance there is a truly welcome event. The last day of school comes and goes and the holidays start. The first thing I do is to go to the library and borrow as many books as possible to fill my holidays. I simply love reading book after book without having to worry about putting aside time for schoolwork. I make it a habit to read books of a particular author each holiday. Within the second week of the holidays my birthday arrives, I enjoy helping my mother prepare my favorite food for my birthday. I do not have big birthday parties. My birthday is celebrated within the family and I eat all my favorite food, with several helpings. Of course, I enjoy receiving presents and birthday cards from family members and friends. December is cool in Singapore and that is one reason why I appreciate the month so much. I do not like hot sunny. Christmas also makes the season all the more exciting. It would be impossible for me to sit at home and just read when so much is going on outside. Therefore, my friends and I take trips to Orchard Road, adding to the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping. We do not buy anything but just window shop leisurely and watch the excitement of Christmas shoppers. Orchard Road is illuminated with colorful lights for Christmas. I usually view these lights twice; once before Christmas and once after, sometimes cruising along Orchard Road with my neighbor’s family in a rented van, alongside an ordered mass of other slow-moving vehicles. We usually have a good time on these trips, joking and laughing. Programs based on Christmas are also shown on television to add more joy to the season. I never tire of watching the animated cartoons or motion pictures of classics like â€Å"A Christmas Carol† by Charles Dickens. Finally, after Christmas, I have to start buying my school-books for the new academic year. These books have â€Å"off the press† smell which makes me feel that I have to work hard the following year and make good use of these brand new and precious books which no one has ever used before. The last day of the holidays is the end of my favorite time of the year and school starts the following day. I fell excited, but I also know that once school starts I would be caught up with work. However, I do know that the days will fly by so fast that I shall experience my favorite time of the year all over again.

Bondage and Escape in Sons Lovers Essay Essay Example

Bondage and Escape in Sons Lovers Essay Essay Example Bondage and Escape in Sons Lovers Essay Paper Bondage and Escape in Sons Lovers Essay Paper Essay Topic: Love in Excess A major subject in â€Å"Sons A ; Lovers† is bondage and flight. Every major character is held surety by another character or by their environment. Her hubby. her household and her choler at the family’s societal position hold Mrs. Morel surety. She has no friends to be seen or money of her ain to utilize. Her flight from her bondage is her decease. She was unhappy her whole life and lived though another homo as a beginning of felicity. She basically lived her life through William and. after his decease. through Paul. which in a turn of sarcasm. by making so she is basically maintaining them in bondage. She wants William to travel to town to acquire a good occupation and a good married woman to assist up their societal position. When he does travel and convey place a adult female. she thinks she has eventually arrived. merely to be pushed back down with his decease. William. who found a good upper category adult female with Lily. brings her dorsum to his family’s place. He loves Lily. until he sees her behaviour to his sister ; Lily treats Annie like a retainer. Although his female parent likes Lily. he can non remain with her and shortly leaves her and so falls ailment and dies. William’s decease is his great flight from the bonds of his female parent. When William dies Paul replaces him as Mrs. Morel’s silent person ; Paul leads his life as his female parent wants him to. she keeps him in cheque. approves who he dates and even goes with him and speaks for him on his first occupation interview. The lone thing redeeming Paul in this is that he knows that he is being tied down by his female parent and is contending a soundless battle against her for his whole life. Although Mrs. Morel doesn’t like Miriam. he keeps his relationship with her. Although Mrs. Morel doesn’t privation Paul to remain out tardily. on most occasions he breaks this regulation besides. The lone thing that of all time releases Paul from Mrs. Morel’s appreciation is her decease. Mr. Morel’s imprisonment is the most actual. He is held confined by the mine ; every twenty-four hours he must work in the mine and the harder and thirster he works. the more money he makes. He is held confined by money and a blue-collar calling. As a adult male. he ahs more options than Mrs. Morel. he can travel to work. he can imbibe in the saloon after work. he has his ain money ; but still the mine is ever at that place. naming him back with the traditional knowledge of doing more money next hebdomad. Miriam is held confined by Paul and by her ain exalted hopes and dreams. Paul strings her along in their relationship. with no hereafter for them in the relationship. This deficiency of hereafter for them may be based on Mrs. Morel’s disfavor of Miriam and by Paul’s willingness to ever delight Mrs. Morel above him. Miriam is besides held confined by her ain dreams ; she envisions herself as a princess. non as the married woman of an office clerk. She has aspirations that are unachievable. and hence is kept down by her ain refusal to settle with Paul. Clara is held confined besides. but for the opposite ground that Miriam is: Clara is levelheaded and stable and back uping herself with a occupation. She is excessively healthy though and will non let herself to fall excessively much in love with Paul. She in the terminal seems to merely head further into imprisonment. by traveling back with her opprobrious hubby. In decision. everyone of the major character is held in bondage and non all are able to do an flight from their bonds.

Free Essays on 2008 Beinjing,China Olympic Games Controversy

On July 13th 2001, China was chosen among several nations like Turkey, Japan, France and Canada to organize the Olympics. Whether or not China should have been granted this opportunity remains a sensitive issue for many. As for me, I totally agree with the selection of Beijing, China as the host city of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. Many believe that China should not have been awarded the games based on alleged civil rights abuses on the part of the Chinese communist government towards its own dissidents. In this paper, I will talk about all the allegations put towards China as to why they should not have been awarded the games and explain why I believe that the decision to give Beijing the games was the right one. The allegations are well deserved. Due to communism, the preoccupation of the Chinese authorities is to maintain social stability in order to keep the power. Nowadays in China there is no freedom of association, no free speech and no press freedom. Journalists are not able to do their job freely because they could be prosecuted and jailed if their work is judged "against the Party". The most important repression of free speech concerns the Internet users. More than fifteen persons are in jail for having expressed themselves on the web and people continue to be arrested and charged with serious offences for using the Internet to spread information about human rights or other politically sensitive issues. From what I have found in my research, the human rights situation in China is particularly present in Tibet and in Xinjiang, areas that are located in west China. In 1950 this region was invaded by the Chinese forces. In 1959 Tibetan people tried to force the Chinese out but the army repressed this movement violently and the Dalaà ¯-Lama left Tibet. Since 1959, Tibetan people and particularly religious, Buddhist monks and nuns, have been victims of Chinese repression. At the end of 2000, hundreds of Buddhist monks and nun... Free Essays on 2008 Beinjing,China Olympic Games Controversy Free Essays on 2008 Beinjing,China Olympic Games Controversy On July 13th 2001, China was chosen among several nations like Turkey, Japan, France and Canada to organize the Olympics. Whether or not China should have been granted this opportunity remains a sensitive issue for many. As for me, I totally agree with the selection of Beijing, China as the host city of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. Many believe that China should not have been awarded the games based on alleged civil rights abuses on the part of the Chinese communist government towards its own dissidents. In this paper, I will talk about all the allegations put towards China as to why they should not have been awarded the games and explain why I believe that the decision to give Beijing the games was the right one. The allegations are well deserved. Due to communism, the preoccupation of the Chinese authorities is to maintain social stability in order to keep the power. Nowadays in China there is no freedom of association, no free speech and no press freedom. Journalists are not able to do their job freely because they could be prosecuted and jailed if their work is judged "against the Party". The most important repression of free speech concerns the Internet users. More than fifteen persons are in jail for having expressed themselves on the web and people continue to be arrested and charged with serious offences for using the Internet to spread information about human rights or other politically sensitive issues. From what I have found in my research, the human rights situation in China is particularly present in Tibet and in Xinjiang, areas that are located in west China. In 1950 this region was invaded by the Chinese forces. In 1959 Tibetan people tried to force the Chinese out but the army repressed this movement violently and the Dalaà ¯-Lama left Tibet. Since 1959, Tibetan people and particularly religious, Buddhist monks and nuns, have been victims of Chinese repression. At the end of 2000, hundreds of Buddhist monks and nun...

Ways to Improve Reading-Comprehension Skills

Ways to Improve Reading-Comprehension Skills Any person with top-notch reading-comprehension skills has done quite a bit of reading in their lifetime, which means that  they were not simply born an expert reader; instead they were taught at an early age – or learned somewhere along the line – the power of stories, the richness of their own language, and how both add meaning, joy, and purpose to their lives. Developing, then possessing, this very important skill helps the student excel in school, regardless of their level or grade. (Having superb or even average reading-comprehension skills also benefits the working adult in many ways – from understanding contracts they’re signing, prescriptions of medicines they may be taking, etc.) Various Strategies to Develop One’s Reading-Comprehension Skills Comprehension Monitoring. This technique involves pre-reading, then reading, followed by the post-reading of a text. Though it seems a bit of work, this method is quite effective. Students can first skim a text looking for and then defining keywords that may otherwise interrupt the flow of reading. After they read a text, it may help the student to write observations or orally summarize what they have just read. Diagramming. It may benefit a student to create an outline of the story, passage, chapter or section they have just read when it is the most fresh in their minds. This will help them concentrate on certain transitions, points, arguments and so on that comprises a story or passage of a text; this is also very beneficial to the student because this exercise allows the information to be stored in their long-term memory – instead of directing their focus on another task after the reading of something, allowing the information to be lost in their short-term memory (and possibly lost forever), because it was not immediately recalled. You may like these articles: How to Improve Ones Study Skills What is Proofreading? A Literary Technique That Works Wonders Harper Lee and Her Second Novel Yasar Kemal Is a Master of Word Question or prompt answering. Immediately after reading a text, a student can ask themselves questions or touch on certain points to a sort of exercise their reading-comprehension skills. Some could be: Explain briefly what was read. Why was it important to read? What are its implications? What was the meaning or purpose of reading the passage, section, chapter that was assigned? Read aloud. Some students, those who learn best as auditory learners, may learn and remember best when they hear something read out loud. Even if it themselves reading it aloud. Discussing the content. Some students who are oral learners may be fully engaged when they can discuss a subject openly with another person after reading something. They may need to verbally process information in order to store it for long-term use. Think thematically about the text. Too often a student, at any level, may read a text without picking up on key themes that are incorporated into it. They may look or focus on the wrong aspect of the text; in these cases, the student may want to conduct research, (perhaps by reading a simpler text, one that is broader in nature) to learn more about a subject that maybe a more advanced textbook may be overlooking or generalizing. Read, read, read. The more a student reads, the better they will improve their reading-comprehension skills. It’s very simple. It is a skill they will have to use all throughout their lives, so it’s best to accept this fact of life as early as possible. Reading every day stimulates one’s mental capacity for taking in and making sense of information, as well storing it for comprehension.

General Administrative Theories are they relevant to managing Modern Essay

General Administrative Theories are they relevant to managing Modern Global Organisations - Essay Example This essay stresses that Human Resource Management or HRM is one of the key methods by which managers keep hold of the actions of the people beneath them. This is also a way by which managers are able to control, at least in part, the behavior of the people to remain parallel to the interests of the firm. Nowadays, business managers are beginning to recognise the need to consider the weight and importance of human resource (HR) function in determining the growth or downfall of any venture. This paper makes a conclusion that modern global organisations need to leverage on all facets of financials, customer, best business practice and human resources, if it shall be sustainable for the long haul. More importantly, it should be able to dedicate attention to its most important resource: its people. This paper has presented the ways in which administrative theories may be expanded to encompass not only the end goals of productivity and profit, but also of people development. It points out that the human resource function may also be used as a control measure, focusing on all facets of attracting the right talent through careful staffing and training practices, setting apt performance goals, and similar people development initiatives. If people are adequately developed, they shall be able to contribute more to the enterprise and carry out initiatives that are directly aligned to corporate strategies. This will ultimately spell success for the global enterprise.

Tesla Motors Annual Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Tesla Motors Annual Analysis - Essay Example Extraordinary events are able to affect the financial standing of any given company because they are unforeseen and unplanned expenses. Natural disasters or things outside the company’s control can cost the company without it being able to plan or cater for the expenses. In the 2013 annual report, Tesla Motors did not report any extraordinary events that affected their financial standing. However, in the notes to financial statements, the company indicated that it has subsequent events, law suits as a result of environmental liabilities and assertion of intellectual property infringement claims by third parties against them in the form of letters. This may have adverse material effects and impacts on their brand, operations, cash flows, prospects and financial standing or position.The two years presented indicates a continued growth and expansion for Tesla Motors over the period. These expansions are both globally as well as nationally as shown by the trends in the companyâ₠¬â„¢s assets and liabilities. Despite the economic hardships experienced in the past ten years, the company increase has been steady. Due to the company’s global expansion and acquisition of new-retail locations, there has been a steady increase in its assets. As the assets increases, liabilities also increase, however, the company’s assets are larger that its liabilities are hence making it to be in good financial standing. The company is therefore capable of meeting their bills and to continue in this trend.

Management project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Management project - Essay Example Generation Y are engaged in extensive internet and new technology usage. They are innovators in the social media platforms. The youth segment accounts for high mobile and broadband internet for accessing information and online purchasing. With increased demand from this market segment, the airline industry went on to introduce more flights at cheaper rates. The impact of youth travels is not only limited to the travel industry but to the technology and telecommunication industry as well (Richards, and Wilson, 2004) The author Moutinho (2011) in his book explains the impact of youth travellers on the global tourism sector. More than 20% of the total international travels were the youth. The total international travels accounted for 940 million in 2010. The global tourism industry received $165 billion in 2010 from young travellers and also expects this number to grow in the coming years. The young population has driven the change in the communication technology and has forced the tourism industry to build new communication system to interact with them. The tourism industry has benefitted from the new market segment of not only through increased revenue but also allowed them to integrate their strategy with sustainability. The youth travel industry accounts for 190 million travels a year and its rate of growth has exceeded the growth rate of travel industry. The annual international youth trips are expected to reach 300 million trips by 2020 (Moutinho, 2011). The author Loudon (2001) explains that youth travel contributes to the development of local communities and the economies. It is seen that young travellers spend as much as 60% of their travel budget in the destination place. Small economies are solely dependent on the tourism sector for their revenue and the travel receipts from the young travellers contribute to the earnings of the local community. Local communities benefit from the

Research paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Research Paper Example Petite Palate specialized in producing baby food, and targeted Northeast and Midwest markets of the United States. At the time the company started its operations, the market had become significantly competitive due to the number of players that had already established operations in prior years. On the same note, the enterprise was essentially a gourmet baby food company that only pursued this line of production, unlike other players who had mixed lines of production for diversity purposes (Lawrence, Lyons & Wallington, 2012). The dedication by the enterprise to gourmet baby food constrained its operational strategies in terms of diversity. The baby food industry and the markets in this industry were experiencing an ever growing trend in terms of operational business enterprises and baby food and baby formula varieties before and during the time Petite Palate started its operations. As a result, competition in the targeted markets was relatively stiff. Petite Palate had to compete aga inst Gerber Baby Food, Beech-Nut Baby Food, Enfamil, and Carnation Formula among others. Most importantly, capturing Gerber customers was a significant operational challenge for Petite Palate. This was due to Gerber’s size, market share in the industry, and consumer loyalty that it enjoyed in the U.S markets. Petite Palate Company’s business vision was to become one of the leading producers of frozen baby food. This followed the belief that such food was healthier for children, compared to other types of baby foods that were not frozen; like food contained in jars and pouches (Smith, 2007). This business vision lasted for four years, since the company started its operations in the year 2006, only to close four years later in October 2010. In the four-year period that the company operated, it remained within its belief of frozen baby food as opposed to shelf-stable formulations that its rival firms provided in the markets. Reasons for Failure Business enterprises fail d ue to myriad reasons, all of which revolve around their plans, business strategies, and overall operations. The most contributing factors to business failure are financial, market, or economic-based. Mismanagement of resources has also seen many businesses collapse on the verge of their success. Poor planning, overestimation of business potential, and poor implementation of business strategies are also contributing to business failure (Platt, 2009). In the context of Petite Palate Company, the setting of its operations could have foretold that failure was looming. The company set up its operations in a substantially competitive market, but then limited its production to baby food that could be frozen. As earlier mentioned, the company regarded frozen food as healthier that shelf-stable formulations. This was the belief of the company’s founders; Lisa Beels and Christine Naylor. This belief plunged the company into a limited operational capacity at a time when market growth wa s exacerbating. In the year 2007, Petite Palate Company’s products hit the Northeast and Midwest markets, selling in about 100 stores (Lawrence, Lyons & Wallington, 2012). The same year, the founders of the company prepared and presented Petite Palate’s business plan in a bid to mobilize investment funds and resources to the company from potential investors. The company hoped to raise an amount between two and a half and five

Sustainable Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Sustainable Development - Essay Example Every person wants to raise his standard of living above the minimum level of sustenance but the resources provided by nature are limited. Limited resources may include the finite ones like land, drinking water and petroleum. Along with these there are intangible resources like the deterioration in quality of water, productivity of land and so on. Hence by these two arguments, one can easily judge or evaluate sustainable development in terms of political, technical and social and even environmental development. This difference between available resources and level of needs to be met has driven human beings to engage themselves in erratic interaction with the nature. This erratic interaction almost in all the cases has led to the deterioration of the future generation’s quality of life. When the natives of Easter Island engaged themselves in severe destruction of the Palm forest, they seldom managed to measure the future atrocities that they had to undergo following their own action

PESTEL Analysis of TopShop in China Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

PESTEL Analysis of TopShop in China - Essay Example The decision came to public knowledge in 2007when Top Shop signed a deal to own a store in Shanghai Super Brand Mal which is located in the hub of financial activity in China. The intervention of Chinese government in the economy is very high. This is because China has the social system of government. As a multinational the competition laws are very important. The local government must give foreign firms equal opportunity in the market. This is a severe issue in China, as the government supports its local companies at all cost. The Economy of China is booming and has the fastest growth rate over the last two decades by a long margin. After the economic recession in the western world, china has further gained a very dominating position in world markets. The GDP of China is reported at 4.91 trillion USD. Moreover a staggering GDP growth of 8.3% has been shown by China. Another important factor is the increase in per capita income of Chinese people. This factor is directly related to investment decision of a apparel company. The society of China is quickly changing. There was a time when china was called a city of bicycles. The situation has however changed over the last few years. The increase in income levels of Chinese consumer has ensured that their life styles have also changed. New imported Mercedes cars can be seen on streets of China. Fashion icons such as Gucci, Dolce, Zara etc are part of this new social shift in Chinese culture. China is equipped with latest manufacturing technology. The fact that they are the world’s largest outsourcer is a testament to this statement. The Chinese government has long fostered a culture of importing and locally encouraging the use of latest technology to foster China’s growth as the world’s first choice in outsourcing. Due to its very large area China experiences a diverse range of climates. The northern zone has a day time temperature of more

Sustainable Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Sustainable Development - Essay Example Every person wants to raise his standard of living above the minimum level of sustenance but the resources provided by nature are limited. Limited resources may include the finite ones like land, drinking water and petroleum. Along with these there are intangible resources like the deterioration in quality of water, productivity of land and so on. Hence by these two arguments, one can easily judge or evaluate sustainable development in terms of political, technical and social and even environmental development. This difference between available resources and level of needs to be met has driven human beings to engage themselves in erratic interaction with the nature. This erratic interaction almost in all the cases has led to the deterioration of the future generation’s quality of life. When the natives of Easter Island engaged themselves in severe destruction of the Palm forest, they seldom managed to measure the future atrocities that they had to undergo following their own action

Human Nature or Affirmative Action Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Human Nature or Affirmative Action - Assignment Example In all their activities they engage in, the human kind engage in activities that are geared towards achieving their individual targets but also, they at the back of their minds bear the ideology that this should not infringe of their neighbors peace and existence. This explains the existence of treaties and protocols, the peace deals and the different national and international organizations, groups and societies that exist in an effort of human kind to work together towards the achievement of their common goals at the different levels. The egalitarian belief will be used in subsequent arguments for my view which supports moral rights to euthanasia, in order to protect the innocent from unnecessary suffering. Libertarianism will also be incorporated due to its notion that anything done among adults with their consent is morally allowable and so is its stance against paternalism. On top of this, principles that are related to prima facie or that are prima facie of the actual beneficen ce and normal evidence will be used, mostly the well known kindness virtue in normal perfectionism. This kindness virtue is very well known to many people, and those who know its importance regularly display or use it. Then, I will persistently try to employ the use of utilitarianism also. 2A. As opposed to the simple-minded historical relativism which is traceable to Hegel’s influence, the deficiency when it comes to moral philosophy that combines consistency in theory and fidelity to known facts regarding human nature does not really change; this is because the problems have relatively remained the same in the changing social conditions. Blind alleys have revealed both the past theories and their critics; therefore it is possible to be on the past moral philosopher’s shoulders while trying to come nearer to both the facts of human nature and the new social conditions. Although one could sit in the same room with great mind in this field such as Plato, Montaigne, Hobb es, Aristotle and Adam Smith just to mention a few, one can read a paper regarding procedural justice to these brilliant minds. In the proceeding discussion, it is evident that those present were deliberating on the same subject and that it was certain that this was not a subject sustainable only by the syllabus used in a university. The underpinnings and origins of justice is what the discussion is likely to touch on, that is of the universal and usual elements present in justice, and the private to public relation of morality (Hampshire 157). 2B. I agree with this statement. 2C. Human nature naturally exists and this is the ability of a human being to make a perception about something. I believe it is a biological element that exists between us and gives us a way to go about different events and activities in life. It is our human nature that enables us to respect the virtues that are there to guide us on how we go about our daily activities. The virtues like honesty, loyalty and many others are guided by our human nature. We are able to forgive ourselves and others because of our human nature (Aristotle 14). Our responses to tasks and activities portray our human nature like when we are sad, we cry, when we are hungry, we look for food and eat and many other activities. Our ability to choose who to love and who to hate and the fact that we make this choices based on reasons and conviction from within us proves to us that human

Effects of Climatic Elements on Livestock Production Essay Example for Free

Effects of Climatic Elements on Livestock Production Essay INTRODUCTION Climatic elements have direct effect on the system of animal production, body physiology and animal behaviour, feed supply and quality, proliferation of pests and parasites as well as preservation of animal products (Samson et al., 2011) A number of climatic elements such as temperature, rainfall, humidity, radiant energy, air movement, light, altitude etc. greatly influence and interact with the performance of livestock production. Similarly, they also cause major effects on animal physiology, behaviour and productivity through their individual or separate effects but, more often, by their combinations with other environmental factors. The influence of climate on animal production (including animal body functions, behaviours and productive abilities) may be direct or indirect. In either way, systems of animal husbandry or management are also affected. Direct influence of climate on animal production and husbandry has to do with such influence on the animal itself, while indirect influence is on the animal’s environment each of these shall be examined closely. TEMPERATURE The over-riding environmental factor affecting the physiological functions of domestic animals is temperature. Temperature is measured using the instrument called thermometer, which are of various types. All domestic animals are homeotherms or warm blooded. In other words, they maintain their body temperature within a range most suitable for optimal biological activity. The body temperature range is relatively constant and is higher than the environmental temperature. The ambient temperature on the other hand varies with changes in the climatic elements at a particular time. The animal body temperature ranges within certain limits defined as the ‘Comfort Zone’ is a temperature range within which no demands are made on the temperature regulating mechanism (Samson et al., 2011). In this range the animals heat exchange can be regulated solely by physical means such as constriction and dilation of blood vessels in the skin, ruffling up the fur or feathers and regulation of t he evaporation from lungs and skin. For a typical tropical breed of cattle, the ‘comfort zone’ range from 100 C to 270 C while a tropical temperate cattle has between -10 C and 160 C (FAO, 1986). If there is a change in ambient temperature beyond either the upper or lower limit, physical regulation will not be sufficient to maintain a constant body temperature and the animal must, in addition, decrease or increase its metabolic heat production. The body mechanism for regulating animal body temperature is triggered to action to enable the body remains or return to normal (Samson et al., 2011). However, a further decrease or increase in temperature will eventually bring the temperature to a point beyond which not even a change in heat production will be sufficient to maintain homeothermy, hence, thermo-regulating mechanism may begin to fail, resulting in one or more of the following as elucidated by Samson et al., 2011: i.Abrupt rise in rectal temperature. ii. Decline feed intake i.e. loss of appetite. iii. Increase in water intake. iv. Decrease in productive process such as growth and milk/egg production v. Loss in body weight i.e. emaciation. vi.Change in composition of milk produced. This partly explains the deterioration of highly productive cattle imported from temperate area to the tropics. However, very young animal, lacking fully developed temperature-regulating mechanisms, particularly the ability to increase heat production by increased metabolism, is much more sensitive to its thermal environment and requires higher temperatures. Other behavioural and physiological responses of animal to excessive high temperature or heat load include: i.Sweating ii.Panting iii.Wallowing in mud or pool of water as in pigs. iv.Reduction in physical exercise and mating activities. Heat Regulation As mentioned earlier that all domestic livestock are homeotherms; that is, they maintain relatively constant internal body temperatures, usually within a 1 to 2 ° C range. Normal body temperatures of some domestic animals are given in Table 1. Table 1: Normal Body Temperatures of Domestic Animals (FAO, 1986). Animals Temperatures Average Range Dairy Cow 38.6 38.0 39.3 Beef Cow 38.3 36.7 39.1 Pig 39.2 38.7- 39.8 Sheep 39.1 38.3 39.9 Goat 38.7 40.7 Horse 37.9 37.2- 38.2 Chickens 41.7 40.6 43.0 The body temperature of most domestic animals is considerably higher than the environmental temperature to which they are exposed most of the time. They maintain their body temperatures by balancing internal heat production and heat loss to the environment. The hypothalmus gland acts as a body thermostat by stimulating mechanisms to counteract either high or low ambient temperatures (FAO, 1986). For example, increased conversion of feed to-heat energy is used to counteract low ambient temperatures, while for example increased respiration (rate and volume) and blood circulation in the skin counteracts high ambient temperatures. Varying temperature also results in changed behavior . Most animals reduce their level of activity in a hot environment and, for example, pigs lie clustered in a heap at low temperatures, while they lie spread out with extended limbs at high temperatures (FAO, 1986). This would suggest increased space requirement for pigs held in a warm, tropical climate. The body can tolerate short periods of heat stress, but if the ambient temperature exceeds the body temperature for an extended period, it may prove fatal. When feed is converted by the animals metabolism for the production of milk, eggs, meat, off-spring etc., heat is produced as a by-product. An increased production level and thus feed requirement will therefore result in increased internal heat production. High yielding animals are consequently more likely to suffer from heat stress in a hot climate than are low yielding ones. Feeding fibre-rich, low digestible feed stuffs like hay will result in high heat-production because of increased muscular activity in the alimentary tract and, in ruminants, increased micro-organism activity in the rumen. An increased share of concentrates in the feed may therefore reduce heat stress in an animal under hot climatic conditions (FAO, 1986). Effects of Temperature on Animal Activities Quite a number of animal activities are affected by ambient temperature ranging from grazing activities and feeding behaviour, growth and productive performance, milk yield and composition, reproduction etc. These effects are elucidated below: (a)The Effect of High Ambient Temperature Feeding Behaviour in Animals: Studies have shown that length of day time grazing is related to the ambient temperature, and reduction in heat load improves grazing behaviour. Herders in semi-arid and arid area have adopted the act of grazing at night to improve both intake and length of grazing in hot seasons. However, in the case of monogastric animals such as broiler birds, they are often fed in the night and when to be fed during the day, their feeds are sprinkled with droplets of water as means of alleviating heat load to improve feed intake and overall production (Da Silva, 2007). It should be noted that feeding fibre-rich, low digestible feed stuffs like hay will result in high heat-production because of increased muscular activity in the alimentary tract and, in ruminants, increased micro-organism activity in the rumen (FAO, 1986). An increased share of concentrates in the feed may therefore reduce heat stress in an animal under hot climatic conditions. In contrast, when the ambient temperature is low, the animal will increase conversion of feed to-heat energy is used to counteract low ambient temperatures, hence resulting to increase in feed intake (FAO, 1986). (b)Effect of Temperature on Growth and other Productive Performance: High ambient temperature depress appetite and reduce feed intake and grazing time which may also diminish production as measured by growth, milk yield and milk solids production. Experimental evidence has shown that there is a partial correlation with growth rate when body weight is constant. However, under good management conditions where feeding and management are adequate, high ambient temperatures do not appreciably affect growth rates. Temperate type sheep that are exposed to high air temperature often have a low lambing percentage and give birth to small weak lambs that have a high post-natal mortality. Lambs born in early summer and reared through hot summer are usually smaller at birth than lambs born in the cool months of early dry season (Da Silva, 2007). In poultry, light breeds and young chicks are more resistant to heat than heavy breeds and adult birds. High temperatures predispose laying birds to abrupt decline in egg production. (c)Effect of Temperature on Milk Yield and Composition: Studies have indicated the effect of temperature on milk yield, butter fat and solids – not – fat. All these are depressed by high temperature, but usually by indirect effect of temperature on changes in feeding. As much as between 44% and 55% differences in milk yield and butter fat production were noticed between twin heifer reared under sound tropical and temperature management conditions (Samson et al., 2011). With increasing air temperatures appetite is depressed, food intake lowered, and heat production reduced (Vercoe, J.E.). The exact mechanism of temperature effect on milk and milk composition is not known. Either the high temperature directly affects appetite, thus decreasing feed intake, productivity and heat production or the need to reduce heat production forces down appetite and hence lower feed intake (Vercoe, J.E.). The direct effect of temperature is further appreciated in a study that defines optimum temperature for milk production as 210 C 270 C in Jersey and Holstein 29-32 in Brown Swiss and higher in tropical breeds of cattle (Da Silva, 2007). Similarly, milk constituents namely; butter fat, chloride, lactose and total nitrogen are affected when temperature rises above 270 C 300 C (FAO, 1986). (d) Effect of Temperature on Reproduction: Air temperatures do not seem to affect reproductive cycle of cows, but bull fertility is markedly influenced. High testicular temperatures adversely affect spermatogenesis and hormonal system. Seminal degeneration and temporary infertility have been reported in Merino sheep exposed to temperature above 330 C over a length of time (FAO, 1986). In poultry, both sizes of egg and thickness of its shell decline when laying fowls are exposed to high temperatures. Egg productivity decline has been experienced in poultry farms in Nigeria. However, incubation and brooding are favoured under high temperature. HUMIDITY As stated earlier, it is difficult to separate or single out the effect of temperature, precipitation and humidity on animal production. Humidity is measured using the instrument called hygrometer. Evaporation is one of the important channels of heat loss. It depends on ambient air temperature, the amount of available moisture in the atmosphere (humidity), area of evaporating surface and the degree of air movement (Samson et al., 2011). The amount of available moisture partly affects the rate of evaporative heat loss from the skin and respiratory system of an animal. Poultry do not have sweat glands, so all evaporative heat loss must originate from the respiratory tract. Other livestock species have varying abilities to sweat and in descending order they are as follows: Horse, donkey, cattle, buffalo, goat, sheep and pig. In a hot-dry climate evaporation is rapid, but in a hot humid climate the ability of the air to absorb additional moisture is limited and the inadequate cooling may result in heats tress. Too low humidity in the air will cause irritation of the mucous membranes, while too high humidity may promote growth of fungus infections (Da Silva, 2007). High humidity may also contribute to decay in structures. High humidity also adds to the heat load of the animal by depressing evaporative heat loss with declining effect on feed intake and productivity as demonstrated under temperature effects. If possible keep the relative humidity in the range of 40 to 80%. SOLAR RADIATION OR RADIANT ENERGY The quantity of solar radiation or radiant energy received in tropical region differs profoundly from the temperate. Solar radiation is measured using the instrument called Photometer. The heat load on a grazing animal can be considerably increased by direct solar radiation and radiation reflected from clouds or the ground (Samson et al., 2011). For tropical breeds of animal, solar radiation effects are scarcely noticeable because of their skin and eye that are pigmented (Mahadevan, 1966). A white hair coat will absorb less radiant energy than a dark, but the heat penetrates deeper in a white, loose coat (FAO, 1986). In contrast, when temperate breeds are exposed suddenly to solar radiation of the tropics they suffer from sun burns or skin cancers, epithelioma (eye infection from solar radiation) and other photosensitive disorders. Furthermore, solar radiation may adversely affect the animals skin in particular breeds having unpigmented skin. Solar radiation correlates with air temperature and thus partly contributes to the ambient temperature which is a principal climatic element affecting animal production. Management systems adopted in the tropics as means of minimising adverse effects of solar radiation include: i.Grazing in the night. ii.Clipping of excessive hair.   iii.Provision of a shaded area for animals or grazing under shades in the day time. However, the shade should be sufficiently large to allow space between the animals so that the heat loss by other means is not reduced (FAO, 1986). Solar radiation may contribute or may even create a more severe heat stress, hence, all measures must be taken to reduce direct impact of solar radiation on animals. ALTITUDE Altitude refers to height of a place over and above relative to the sea level which is usually measured in metres. Altitude is measured using the instrument called Altimeter. Illustratively, three plateau in Nigeria exhibit micro-climatic conditions that differ slightly from the general tropical environment in terms of relatively lower ambient temperature, temperate vegetation and sometimes precipitation. This distinct condition confers on the Obudu Hill, Jos and Mambilla Plateau (Samson et al., 2011). Temperate-like micro-environment on these places located within the tropical Nigerian climate makes the production of cattle and other livestock to take the semblance of the temperate system of animal production. Some of the environmental stress conditions earlier enumerated may be unnoticed or moderated in the elevated places. Physiological responses of animals supported by favourable microclimatic condition tend to stimulate improved animal performance in terms of intake and metabolism of nutrients, growth and reproductive activities (Khalifa, 2003). The emerging growth in dairy production in Kenya is partly attributed to high productivity of dairy cattle located on high altitudes and highlands of the country. The geographical principle of â€Å"the higher the relative altitude of given place, the cooler it becomes† is characteristic of the micro-climatic phenomenon experienced in most tropical highlands, which has led to improved animal productivity (Samson et al., 2011) AIR MOVEMENTS Air movements involve wind direction and wind velocity but the most important is the wind velocity or speed. These will assist in heat loss by evaporation and by conduction/ convection as long as the air temperature is lower than the skin temperature. When the air temperature approaches the skin temperature rapid air movements are experienced as comfortable, but at low temperatures it will lead to excessive cooling of unprotected skin areas (cold draught) (Mahadevan, 1966). In addition air movements are required to remove noxious and toxic gases and to supply the animal with fresh air for breathing (Samson et al., 2011). A wind velocity of 0.2m/s is generally regarded as a minimum requirement, but it can be increased to 1.0m/s, when the temperature is nearing the upper critical, or more when it goes beyond that (Da Silva, 2007). Wind speed is measured using the instrument called Anenometers while wind direction is measured using Wind Vane. PRECIPITATION OR RAINFALL Heavy rain my penetrate the fur of an animal and decrease its insulation value. A strong wind can in such circumstances lead to excessive cooling. However, a naturally greasy hair coat will resist water penetration and with the provision of a shelter for the animals the problem may be avoided altogether (Samson et al., 2011). It should be noted that increase in precipitation result in consequent in increase in relative humidity. Rainfall is measured using the instrument called Rain gauge. LIGHT Light which dictates day length or photoperiod varies with latitude and season and has a direct influence on animal performance, especially on the breeding season for sheep and egg production of poultry. Under natural conditions, there is a correlation between length of day and rate of laying (Samson et al., 2011). Artificial light is used in the temperate zone to equalize egg production throughout the year (Mahadevan, 1966). Additional hours of light before dawn and after dusk are recommended in hot climates to encourage the hens to eat during the cooler hours. INDIRECT EFFECTS OF CLIMATIC ELEMENTS ON LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION Effects of the climatic environment on animal production, biotic agents, nutrition including the influence on animal feed supply and quality may be regarded as indirect effect that does not bear on immediate conduct of the animal but on its environment. These indirect effects include: (a) Effects on Feed Supply: Climate affects the quantity and quality of feed available to the animal. Temperature, precipitation, daylight and humidity limit plant growth and affect feed quality more drastically than other climatic factors. In humid and sub humid areas where there is sufficient rains, plant exhibit seasonal growth, hence seasonal availability of forage (Samson et al., 2011). In the dry season when plant experience slow growth or complete growth seizure, available grazing stuff declines and animals lack enough to eat. In the arid and semi-arid zone lack of sufficient grazing material results in seasonal movement in search of forage feed in the wetter areas. The pattern of distribution of rainfall in which tropical region experience torrential rainfall in a short duration also partly explain rapid growth of plants within a short while followed by fast decline in biomass and other nutritional qualities (Khalifa, 2003). Nutritional quality of feed has to do with proportion of constituent nutrients, availability and balance of these nutrients in the ratio needed by the animals. Feed quality is most influenced by the climatic factors as precipitation and humidity. Rapid growth of plants results in production of high fibrous content of the forage feed as quality deteriorates with age. Tropical forage compared with that of temperate matures quicker, such that at same age the fiber content is higher; and digestible protein and total digestible nutrients lower (Samson et al., 2011). Thus stocks in the tropics usually have to digest more fibrous feeds and this may add to their heat load. Studies have indicated the extreme sensitivity of cattle to heat stress(Mahadevan, 1966). It is noted that the balance of acetate available for purposes other than heat production is increased as environmental temperature increases. Ruminants in hot climate are more sensitive to imbalances of protein, energy, which results in an increased heat production (Samson et al., 2011). (b) Effects on Animal Disease, Vector and Parasites High temperatures and high humidity provide favourable breeding environment for internal and external parasites, fungi and disease vectors. There is high incidence of internal parasites in the humid tropics and in the wet season. In arid areas, and in dry season, the incidence of insect pests and external parasites remain a major health threat. As much as the vegetation-type influences the incidence of insect pests/vectors of disease, so much is climate indirectly affects animal production. Incidence of tsetse fly infestation and distribution between the humid and sub humid area explains the interaction between the climate and vegetation and their influence on an animal production. (c) Effects on Storage and Handling of Animal Products Tropical climate favours the rapid deterioration and increases the cost of handling animal products. In arid or humid climates of the tropics, substantial quantity of animal products have been lost to putrefying organisms which multiply rapidly under such conditions to cause deterioration, spoilage and ‘food poisoning’ of enormous economic value (Samson et al., 2011). This indirectly affects animal production in terms of high cost of generating electricity and provision of refrigeration on the farm to reduce wastage of valuable animal products. EFFECTS OF CLIMATIC FACTORS ON THE PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF VARIOUS LIVESTOCK SPECIES In tropical and subtropical countries, an animal may often be under heat stress when the environmental temperature exceeds the upper critical level (18 to 24 °C, depending on the livestock specie) there is usually a drop in production or a reduced rate of gain (FAO, 1986). Furthermore, when the temperature falls outside the comfort zone, other climatic factors assume greater significance. Humidity becomes increasingly important as do solar radiation and wind velocity. 1.Cattles Dairy cattle show a reduced feed-intake under heat stress resulting in lowered milk production and reduced growth. Reproduction is also adversely affected. There are, however, important differences between breeds. European cattle (Bos taurus) produce well at temperatures ranging from 4 to 24 ° C even at high humidity (FAO, 1986). Much lower temperatures (-10 °C) have little effect as long as fluctuations are not too rapid or frequent. On the other hand, a drop in milk production results with temperatures exceeding 25 °C (Vercoe, J.E.). The drop may be as much as 50% at temperatures of 32 °C or higher. In contrast, Zebu cattle (Bos indicus), which are native to warm climates, have a comfort zone of 15 to 27 ° C and milk production begins to drop only when temperatures rise above 35 °C. In addition, beef cattle make their best weight gains at temperatures below 25 ° C (FAO, 1986). They can easily tolerate temperatures below 0 ° C if they have a good supply of feed. It is important to note some of the physical differences between these two types of cattle that suit each to its climate of origin. The Zebu is characterized by a hump, large ears and loose, thin skin including a prominent dewlap. These characteristics promote heat loss by convection and evaporation and thus efficient body temperature regulation under hot climatic conditions (Khalifa, 2003). In addition, the Zebu has less subcutaneous fat, a lower body volume for the surface area, and short smooth hair all of which contribute to the animals comfort under hot conditions. The European breeds on the other hand have thick skin held tightly to the body, long hair and a large amount of fat which serve as insulators, traits desirable for cold or temperate climates (Da Silva, 2007). Calves seem most sensitive to cold draughts and poor ventilation, but are quite tolerant of a wide range of temperatures. 2.Pigs Pigs require a change in ambient temperature as they age and grow, and like cattle, they show a decreased feed intake when under heat stress. Piglets survive and develop best at 30 to 32 °C initially followed by a gradual reduction to 20 °C over the first three weeks. Feeder pigs (30 to 65 kg) make good gains in the temperature range of 10 to 25 °C with 24 °C reported optimum. The optimal ambient temperature for pigs weighing 75 to 120 kg is 15 ° C (FAO, 1986). Brood sows do well at 15 °C but suffer badly at 25 °C and above since they do not perspire when hot. Reproduction rates fall under heat stress and sows are more apt to trample their baby pigs in the discomfort of hot weather (Da Silva, 2007). 3.Sheep Sheep can tolerate a wide range of temperatures but should be protected from wind and rain. However, a long period of high ambient temperatures inhibits reproduction. Heat stress also reduces lambing percentage, decreases the incidence of twinning, and decreases the birth weight of lambs (Khalifa, 2003). When temperatures are below 7 °C at breeding time, ewes show improved reproductive efficiency. 4.Goats Goats are affected by temperature, humidity and rain. In hot climates, goats need shelter from intense heat during the day. In humid areas they need protection from prolonged heavy rain. Excessive wetting from rain can cause pneumonia and an increase in parasitic infestation. 5.Poultry The environmental requirements for poultry vary with age. Chicks should be started at 35 ° C. After one week the temperature is reduced gradually to 24 °C by the fifth week. Broilers and young turkeys reared at ambient temperatures below 18 °C are heavier than similar stock reared within the 18 to 35 °C range, but their feed conversion efficiency will be less. Laying birds produce the greatest number of eggs and the largest sized eggs at 13 to 24 ° C. The best feed conversion efficiency is achieved between 21 to 24 ° C (FAO, 1986). With increasing environmental temperature there is a decrease in feed intake and alterations in behaviour. Within the temperature range of 5 to 30 °C there is a reduction of about 1.6% in feed intake for every 10 °C increase in ambient temperature (FAO, 1986). Above 24 °C there is a reduction in egg production and egg size. A continued rise in temperature to 38 °C or more may prove lethal (Da Silva, 2007). High humidity at high temperat ures create conditions that are more likely to be lethal because of a breakdown in body cooling through respiration. 6.Rabbits Rabbits are affected most by sun and heat, wind, rain and draughts. Sunlight is of benefit to breading stock and the growing young, but it will also fade the coat of coloured rabbits and discolour a white one. While rabbits enjoy the sun, they must have the chance to get out of the direct rays. Because of their thick fur coats they tolerate cold better than extreme heat, but they are susceptible to chilling from draughts. Rabbits also need protection from rain and dampness. 7.Horses Horses do not require warm surroundings, but they do not easily tolerate draughts, dampness and high humidity. When exposed to high temperatures and vigorous exercise, horses sweat and the evaporation of this perspiration cools the skin and helps to maintain normal body temperature (FAO, 1986). CONCLUSION Virtually all production aspects of animal agriculture are affected or influenced by these unique climatic factors. It is very clear that the climate impinges directly on the biological functions of the body system, animal behaviour and production performance through such overbearing and moderating influence of temperature, humidity, solar radiation, air movement, altitude, precipitation, light and indirectly on feed supply, parasites and diseases, storage and handling of animal products. Progress in animal production has for age long being dependant on adjusting production system to suit the influence of the climate or changing the body physiological functions and behaviour to fix-up with climatic dictates. These fundamental factors underlie the various systems of production, systems of housing, feeding, reproduction and the overall management practices that are often adopted, modified or imposed REFERENCES Da Silva, R.G., 2007. Weather and Climate and Animal Production. In: The Guide to Agricultural Meteorological Practices, WMO No. 134. Available online: http://www.agrometeorology.org/files-folder/repository/gamp_chap_11.pdf. FAO, 1986. Animal Environmental Requirement. In: Farm Structures in Tropical Climates,FAO Corporate Document Repository. Available online: http://www.fao.org/docrep/s1250e/S1250E10.htm#Animal environmental requirements. Khalifa, H.H., 2003. Bioclimatology and Adaptation of Farm Animals in a Changing Climate. In: Interaction between Climate and Animal Production. Eds: Lacetera, N., Bernabucci, U., Khalifa, H.H., Ronchi, B., Nardone, A., Wageningen Academic Publishers, pp: 15-30. Mahadevan, P., 1966. The Relation between Climatic Factors and Animal Production. United Nation Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organisation, Symposium on Methods in Agroclimatology, Paris. Reading Symposium Paper, pp: 1-15. Samson, O.A., Afolabi, A., Jari, S., 2011. Effects of the Tropical Environment on Animal Production. In:Principles of Animal Production, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), pp: 11-19. Vercoe, J.E. Climatic and Environmental factors affecting Dairy Productivity. Available online: http://www.ilri.org/InfoServ/Webpub/fulldocs/SmHDairy/chap4.html.

Neural Cells as Harmony Detectors :: Neurology Brain Essays

Neural Cells as Harmony Detectors The issues of harmony have notably low profile in the current AI research. Meanwhile, when it comes to brain architecture, harmony plays the central role. As we hope to demonstrate in this essay, neural cells act primarily as local harmony detectors. On a less local scale, the consensus is that perceptions correspond to certain stable periodic patterns of neuron firing. A harmony-based architecture would probably be more successful than current AI paradigms. It would help here to recall the basics of neuron firing theory. In the rest state neuron membrane typically has electrochemical polarization potential of 70 millivolts. When the firing impulse comes to the neuron from another neuron via the corresponding synapse (the site of their connection), this polarization potential changes, typically by 1-2 millivolts or less. If the polarization potential decreases beyond the threshold of approximately 60 or 55 millivolts, the neuron fires, otherwise the polarization potential tends to rapidly relax to the original rest level of 70 millivolts. Hence, when the reception of an impulse via a synapse decreases the membrane polarization potential of the receiving neuron, we call this synaptic connection excitatory, because the decrease of the polarization potential makes it easier to fire for our neuron. Otherwise, the synaptic connection is called inhibitory. Because the reception of an impulse changes the polarization potential by at most 2 millivolts and because the polarization potential tends to rapidly relax back to 70 millivolts, the neuron can fire only if it receives several (from 4 to more than a dozen) impulses via excitatory connections simultaneously or in a very quick succession. Hence the neuron works as a detector of several excitatory impulses coming almost simultaneously. So we can say that the neuron detects the harmony between its incoming impulses. Now we shall turn to learning mechanisms in the brain, and observe that the local learning (on the level of one neuron) is directed towards detecting this harmony even better. As we have noted, the reception of an impulse changes the polarization potential usually by 2 millivolts or less. The actual value of this change is usually called synaptic strength. This value is not constant, but changes with time. This ability of synaptic strength to change is the key mechanism of neural learning and is called synaptic plasticity. The most typical rule of synaptic plasticity for excitatory connection works approximately as follows. If a neuron fires shortly after receiving an excitatory impulse (i.

My five Selves :: essays research papers

My five selves are physical, intellectual, social, emotional, and spiritual. My physical self is quite healthy because I fulfill the requirements of the FITT principle. The letters of FITT represent frequency, intensity, time and type. My intellectual self is interesting because I am mainly right-brained which means that I tend to use my creativity more than my mathematical skills. I am also a visual learned which is connected to me being right-brained. My social self consist of friends, family, and my surroundings. I spend most of my time at home with my family. Whenever I am with my friends, I observe their behaviours and listen to their opinions. I am more of an independent type of person. Being with different people has influenced me into appreciating different cultures and beliefs. I have learned things that have now been incorporated into my own set of beliefs and values. I greatly value freedom of thought, friends and family. My emotional self deals with feelings and my ability to handle the demands of life. The spiritual self is all about my beliefs, values, religion and my life philosophies. By satisfying the needs of all five selves, the result can be holistic wellness which is the ability to feel good about myself and others.Physical fitness is having ample energy and the ability to perform daily activities without being exhausted. My energy usually depends on the amount of sleep and food I get. If I have too much or too little sleep, I don't look forward to the day and am not enthusiastic about doing things. If I do not have a complete breakfast, it affects my energy level. When I have a good breakfast, and enough sleep, I can go through a whole day with enough energy and alertness to do many things. I have relatively good flexibility because I stretch a lot which increases the range of movement around my joints. I have muscular endurance which means that I am able to do repetitions over a length of time. Althought I have muscular endurance, I do not have muscular strength. I do not find that I am able to lift extremely heavy objects. I have adequate agility because I can move with speed and can change direction fairly quickly. My ability to balance myself changes very often. Sometimes I can balance in awkward positions, and other times I cannot. My five Selves :: essays research papers My five selves are physical, intellectual, social, emotional, and spiritual. My physical self is quite healthy because I fulfill the requirements of the FITT principle. The letters of FITT represent frequency, intensity, time and type. My intellectual self is interesting because I am mainly right-brained which means that I tend to use my creativity more than my mathematical skills. I am also a visual learned which is connected to me being right-brained. My social self consist of friends, family, and my surroundings. I spend most of my time at home with my family. Whenever I am with my friends, I observe their behaviours and listen to their opinions. I am more of an independent type of person. Being with different people has influenced me into appreciating different cultures and beliefs. I have learned things that have now been incorporated into my own set of beliefs and values. I greatly value freedom of thought, friends and family. My emotional self deals with feelings and my ability to handle the demands of life. The spiritual self is all about my beliefs, values, religion and my life philosophies. By satisfying the needs of all five selves, the result can be holistic wellness which is the ability to feel good about myself and others.Physical fitness is having ample energy and the ability to perform daily activities without being exhausted. My energy usually depends on the amount of sleep and food I get. If I have too much or too little sleep, I don't look forward to the day and am not enthusiastic about doing things. If I do not have a complete breakfast, it affects my energy level. When I have a good breakfast, and enough sleep, I can go through a whole day with enough energy and alertness to do many things. I have relatively good flexibility because I stretch a lot which increases the range of movement around my joints. I have muscular endurance which means that I am able to do repetitions over a length of time. Althought I have muscular endurance, I do not have muscular strength. I do not find that I am able to lift extremely heavy objects. I have adequate agility because I can move with speed and can change direction fairly quickly. My ability to balance myself changes very often. Sometimes I can balance in awkward positions, and other times I cannot.

Investigatory Project Essay

Introduction Oil used in cooking foods is commonly derived from vegetable. Cooking oil is high in fat calories. Unsaturated and saturated oils have approximately the same number of fat grams and calories. Olives, safflower, corn, cottonseed, canola, sunflower seed, soy palm and coconut oil all contain about 13.5 grams fat and 120 calories per tablespoon. Cooking oil is commonly used for frying and it’s usually thrown away. The recycling of cooking oil also provides a form of revenue for restaurants, which are sometimes compensated by cooking oil recyclers for their used deep fryer oil. Cooking oil recycling also results in less used oil being disposed of in drains, which can clog sewage lines due to the build-up of fats. Abstract This investigatory project determines the possibility of purifying used cooking oil using sedimentation method. The activated carbon was also used in the experiment to absorb some dissolved substances in the oil. The purified oil was compared to commercial oil in terms of color, odor and clearness using acceptability test The means of the samples were compared and revealed that purified oil had no significant difference to commercial cooking oil in terms of color/clearness and odor as the result of the acceptability test. Statement of the Problem This Investigatory project aims to answer the following questions: Can this purified vegetable oil become clearly as new oil? Is the product will be effective and safe to use? Is this product may lessen your daily expenses? How many times does this purified vegetable oil can be use? Objectives of the Study The Objective of the study are: To help you to lessen your expenses in home because it’s thrifty. To make the vegetable oil purified as new cooking oil. Significance of the study: The used cooking oil cause problem to the kitchen pipes, clogging them and creating odors, therefore all of us, the students should do campaigns of information so our people understand the need to recycle the used cooking oil. Some of the products that we can get from recycling used cooking oil are: detergents, candles, soap, paint, waxes and varnishes. We can get fertilizer for the agriculture too.And very important it can be recycled to make bio-diesel for engines in general. For every liter of used cooking oil that is recycle, one liter of bio-diesel can be produce. Chapter II Review of Related Literature Name: Cooking oil Background: Cooking oil is plant, animal, or synthetic fat used in frying, baking, and other types of cooking. It is also used in food preparation and flavouring that doesn’t involve heat, such as salad dressings and bread dips, and in this sense might be more accurately termed edible oil. Cooking oil is typically a liquid at room temperature, although some oils that contain saturated fat, such as coconut oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil are solid. For centuries, people have rendered fat, squeezed olives, collected cream and savored fish to obtain the fatty acids their brains, nervous systems, immune systems and body cells need to function well. Luckily for us, things are a bit easier these days and the oils we need for good health are available on the shelves at Whole Foods Market. they don’t improve with age. Heat and light can damage oils, particularly polyunsaturated ones, so keep them in the refrigerator to avoid rancidity. For the record, you’ll know your oil is rancid if it takes on a characteristic bad taste and smell, in which case you should toss it and buy fresh oil. Heating oils beyond their smoke point — the temperature at which the oil begins to smoke, generating toxic fumes and harmful free radicals — is never a good idea. Always discard oil that’s reached its smoke point, along with any food with which it had contact. Some oils are refined to make them more stable and suitable for high temperature cooking. Keep in mind, though, that the process removes most of the flavor, color and nutrients from the oils, too. That’s why  refined oils are perfect for baking and stir-frying, where their high smoke point and neutral flavors are a plus. On the other hand, unrefined oil is simply pressed and bottled so it retains its original nutrient content, flavor and color. Unrefined oils add full-bodied flavor to dishes and are best used for low- or no-heat applications. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooking_oilhttp://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/food-guides/cooking-oils

Napoleon’s Foreign and Domestic Achievements

In 1797, Napoleon Bonaparte became first consul after overthrowing the Directory and establishing the Consultate. He had many achievements for France under educational, financial, administrative, legal and religious reforms. However, these achievements are often exaggerated. Napoleon was indeed the ‘heir† of the revolution as he completed much of the work that the revolution had started, such as the creation of a Civil Code and the reforming of the education system. Despite this, he also destroyed much of the revolution†s work. He ignored and betrayed some of the revolution†s beliefs and much of his achievements were incomplete. Napoleon†s achievements in Europe were mainly for his own purposes – he wanted to enhance his prestige and make France a great nation. He appears to have had little interest in helping the European people. Napoleon, although his main achievements centered on areas such as administration, had other remarkable, although minor, achievements in France. He improved the appearance of French cities such as Paris by building bridges and canals and by planting trees at the sides of roads to protect them from the sun. This aided the beauty of Paris as it is today. Napoleon also reformed the tax system, which meant that no one was tax exempt. One particular achievement, which may rank on the same level of importance as the Napoleonic code, but appears to be often overlooked in textbooks, is Napoleon†s founding of a national education system from primary to university. The focus of his attention was secondary schools, of which he opened more. Higher education also became more available in major cities. Napoleon spent more money on education than anything else during his time in power. However, Napoleon was somewhat inefficient in this achievement. The educational system discriminated against females. Napoleon saw education as being â€Å"not suitable† for girls. Female students were to learn the very basics of education – how to read and write, and also how to do traditional female work such as nursing and embroidering. Pupils had little choice over their career – most were forced into a military career. What is considered to be Napoleon†s most significant achievement for France was his establishment of the ‘Napoleonic Code†. This was the codifying of all France†s civil, commercial and criminal law. This marked a trend to centralize and organize power on a national level. This code was successful as it formed the basis of many European legal systems. This ‘code† was requested in many grievances, which were sent to Louis XVI and was demanded by the revolutionaries†. Thus Napoleon appeared to be truly the â€Å"heir of the revolution† as he had so claimed. The code took into account issues that the revolution had stood for, such as equality before the law and freedom of religion. This Civil code also gave equal inheritance to all offspring should a parent die. Marriage became a civil rather than a religious act. Napoleon stopped a proposal for girls to marry at thirteen and for boys to marry at fifteen. Instead, he increased the marital age to eighteen for girls and twenty for boys. The civil code also permitted divorce. On the other hand, according to John Merriman, this was also an incomplete achievement and did not satisfy everyone. Napoleon went against one of the revolution beliefs – equality for women. A woman†s wage went to her husband and she could also not buy any property without her husband†s or male relatives† permission . Women had to be committed to obedience and fidelity to their husbands. Napoleon further betrayed the opinions of most French people by declaring women were † nothing more than machines for producing children†. He also betrayed the revolution by abolishing titles that the revolutionaries had abolished such as Duke or Prince. Although these titles were not heredity as before, it contrasted the aim of ‘equality† in that people were still different in terms of social class. Prior to the French Revolution, France was bankrupt. Napoleon undertook vast financial reforms upon coming to power. The French currency was stabilized and was the most stable in Europe until after World War 1. In 1802, Napoleon was successful in achieving the balancing of the budget in France. Taxes came from reasonable sources – taxes were raised on alcohol and tobacco. The major financial reform was Napoleon†s establishment of the National Bank of France. This improved France†s ability to finance wars without the worry of inflation, which had been a problem for most French governments after 1789. Nevertheless, there was still a financial crisis in 1810. Military spending accounted for around forty to sixty percent of national expenditure, leading to an increase in taxation A further achievement by Napoleon was his reforming of the administrative system in France. The Consulate inherited the Council of State from the revolution. He improved it†s handling of administration and justice issues in France. He used it to help weaken legislative assemblies and ministries. This reform ensured that Ministers were prevented from acquiring their own authority. Local government was practically abolished and prefects were appointed to carry out administration in each French region. Government chose prefects, Mayors and Ministers. The administrative system was Napoleon†s most permanent legacy in France and survived until very recently. The revolution had started moves towards administrative reform, by abolishing institutions such as the ancient parlements. Napoleon†s role was to complete these reforms. Napoleon also helped to put an end to the conflict with the church, which had existed since the period of the Enlightenment. This is viewed as one of the few achievements which was entirely Napoleon†s – for example, work on the Civil code and the reforming of education had been started by the revolution. In 1801, he signed a concordat with the Catholic Church. Catholicism was recognized as the ‘preferred† religion in France, but others were also tolerated. Napoleon was believed to have had a â€Å"profound insight into the importance of religion for the mass of the people†. Through this move, it can be argued again that Napoleon was indeed the ‘heir† of the revolution as he did not change revolutionary reforms such as holding and selling church property and members of the clergy becoming paid servants of the state. Priests and Bishops had still to be elected and the clergy also had to take oaths of allegiance to the French government. Despite this, there was still some conflict with the church in that it was controlled and supervised by the French government, displeasing the Pope. The government was given the â€Å"power of the police† in all matters concerning religion. Under Napoleon, the French economy also improved. France began to export goods, which had been imported before the French revolution. France†s industries improved with her exports of silk and cotton increasing (2). Under Napoleon, France produced more corn, meat, butter and cheese. However, D. G. Wright claims that French economic progress was in fact â€Å"unspectacular† due to France†s â€Å"lack of industrial and commercial innovation compared to Britain†. Communications was another improvement brought by Napoleon. Three canals three ports and three roads were built. The roads helped carriages to travel through the Alps, which had previously taken longer due to heavy snow. These roads made communications between France, Italy and Switzerland easier. Napoleon also had many achievements for Europe as well as for France. Napoleon replaced the old order with a contemporary, modern regime. In 1810, France†s boundaries were extended beyond her modern boundaries. France was almost constantly at war between 1792 and 1814. These Napoleonic wars were supposed to free oppressed individuals throughout Europe. This was true of the wars with Austria and Prussia. France†s boundaries extended when Napoleon went to war against Austria in Italy in 1801, and succeeded in obtaining the north of Italy back in control. Napoleon†s main achievement in Europe was aiding the unification of the German and Italian states. Defeating Austria in 1805 at Austerlitz, and Prussia in 1806 left him free to rearrange the German territory, which these nations lost as a result. Napoleon reorganized the three hundred German states into thirty-nine states and also developed the Confederation of the Rhine, which consisted of sixteen states. After Napoleon†s defeat at Waterloo in 1815, the forty states remained; therefore Napoleon partly achieved the unification of Germany by breaking down medieval boundaries. Napoleon also restored the Cis-Alpine Republic in 1797 and became its president. In 1805, he called it the Kingdom of Italy. Despite this, H Butterfield argues that Napoleon did not really intend to unite the German and Italian states. He believes that these states were ‘open† to control by a foreign nation and that Napoleon seized this opportunity in his bid to make France greater. When Napoleon was defeated, there was a turning back towards the old order. Many of the achievements and changes that Napoleon gave France and Europe disappeared. The Grand Coalition, consisting of Britain, Austria, Prussia and Russia, restored the old French monarchy, which had been abolished by the French revolution. Napoleon betrayed France when he escaped from his prison on the Isle of Elba. In 1814, the Coalition had treated France lightly – she was allowed to keep her frontiers of 1792 (including the land she won in conquest) and was not required to pay for the cost of war. There had been constant warfare for twenty – five years and the French people appeared to be restless for peace. However, all peace plans ere ruined when Napoleon returned from Elba and started the battle of Waterloo. In the second treaty of Paris (1815), France was treated much more harshly. Her frontiers were restricted to that of 1790 and she had to pay seven hundred million francs – the cost of war. The German Confederation of thirty-nine states remained, but Germany was still divided, ruled by monarchs and still under Austrian presidency. In addition, despite Napoleon†s attempts to give Italy unification, Italy was recognized as no more than a â€Å"geographical expression†. In conclusion, it is clear that Napoleon did have many achievements, especially with legal and administrative reforms, which remained long after his defeat. Napoleon established laws, which covered all of France, not just different regions, and also gave all French children the opportunity for education. Napoleon improved the appearance of France and brought France back form bankruptcy. Nevertheless, he does not appear to have been seriously concerned with the beliefs of the revolution – he had hoped that by getting involved, he would gain promotion. Therefore, he was more concerned with himself than doing anything for France, Europe and their people. This can be proven in this statement given after his victory over Austria in Italy: â€Å"I realized that I was a superior being and conceived the Ambition of performing great things†. Napoleon†s achievements in Germany and Italy were not for the benefit of these nations, as he himself admitted: † If I conquered other kingdoms, I did so in order that France would be the beneficiary† Napoleon went against the French revolution†s belief in freedom of speech. He reduced and suppressed newspapers in France and the newspapers that remained were threatened or bribed in to supporting him. It has been claimed that â€Å"his genius owes more to propaganda than to deeds†. Napoleon did wish to continue revolutionary reforms. Although it can be argued that he did not continue all of its aims, this was because many of the revolution†s goals and believes were impractical: â€Å"we must see what was real and politically possible in it†s principles, instead of grasping at their speculative and hypothetical side. After 1815,France lost all of the territory she had acquired in the Napoleonic wars. The monarchy was restored in France and Germany and Italy were still not united. Therefore, Many of Napoleon†s achievements did not last. Napoleon was the ‘heir† of the revolution but his achievements are exaggerated because the revolution had already done much of his work for him: â€Å"†¦ he found the work already three-quarters done for him†.