Business Finance Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business Finance - Assignment Example The HSBC Bank is earnest in the provision of finance to individuals, small, medium sized and large companies to facilitate both formation and growth. The bank is the intent on guiding institutions on ways of improving themselves so that they are more likely to acquire finance whenever necessary; HSBC finances business endeavors aimed at enhancing the business’ ambitions both in the country and overseas. Moreover, the bank believes in cooperation between itself and the client by providing guidance on ways of presenting strong applications for finance in order to improve the clients’ business. The bank has a number of finance products, which target various entities; the small business loan, for instance, is ideal for funding long term business projects and programs. This business loan encompasses loans ranging from 1,000 – 25,000 pounds; thus, it is well within our reach and is repayable in between one year to ten years. HSBC charges a fixed rate of interest for th e duration of the loan, therefore, no terms on reducing balance are offered under this loan type. We have an option to pay or defer the first monthly repayment for up to three months once the loan has been disbursed. Such deferral is non the less considered as part of the loan repayment duration, and interest is charged for every deferred month. In order for clients to track repayments and account for the outstanding balance, the bank has incorporated the Business Internet Banking portal on its website where all interested clients receive a unique user name and password to enable them access their accounts portfolios. We note that HSBC’s charges and rates provide additional avenues for spending money. For instance, all loan applications are subjected to a 100 pound arrangement fee. This covers processing fees and all paperwork. Once disbursal is done, and payment is in default, the bank charges an additional fee for the default. However, the bank allows for overdrafts on loan s, essentially, this is additional funding on an already existing loan. In order to process such an overdraft, the bank charges an additional fee, and the interest is compounded for both the loan and the overdraft; these fees and charges are deducted from the client’s current account which is a mandatory requirement for all loan applicants. The bank rewards early loan settlement by awarding rebates according to the Consumer Credit (Early Settlement) Regulations 2004 (HSBC. 2011, p.14-17). The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), on the other hand, offers different loan packages based on the amount borrowable and the total repayment period. For instance, the bank offers both business and corporate banking modules; under corporate banking, businesses can only borrow from 26,000 pounds. The business banking module is thus better suited to our requirements as it offers facilities to individuals and small companies. Under business banking, RBS offers small business loans and fixed rate b usiness loans. These loans entail borrowing of up to 25,000 pounds and limits of 25,001-250,000 respectively. The small business loan is hence our best option in RBS. Under this type of finance, the bank may require security in the form of either a vehicle or other assets if it feels your repayment potential is questionable. The bank is quite a versatile option as it does not require payment of any arrangement or security fees. However, much like HSBC, RBS’

Learning Skills Improvement Service Essay Example for Free

Learning Skills Improvement Service Essay In my position as a workshop trainer at Deerbolt young offenders’ institute, the education I deliver for The Manchester College as part of their Offender Learning is supported, monitored and shaped by various professional bodies. The purpose of these bodies or sector skills councils vary however they all have a common goal in ensuring and enriching the quality of education being delivered. LSIS or the learning and skills improvement service are such a body who umbrella over every organisation that delivers qualifications throughout the country, and they do exactly what they say on the tin. LSIS improve quality, participation and increase standards in education and training. A lot of their work involves developing resources, implementing schemes, sharing delivery aids that improve quality and achievement and tailoring support to learners needs. â€Å"Colleges and providers helped by LSIS improved by one inspection grade at their next inspection.† (LSIS [ND] [online]) LSIS don’t just support the educational improvements though; in 2010 they recognised The Manchester College as a Healthy FE college, healthy initiatives offered throughout the college like loyalty cards, gym memberships and better eating schemes aimed to improve the health of students and staff. Another group that oversee our work as teachers is the professional body the IFL or the Institute for Learning. Their role is to register everyone practicing as a teacher or trainer in FE on to their database. They promote themselves as supporting professional excellence; they aim to increase the status of teachers as professionals, requiring a membership fee and proof of qualifications which is supported by the employer. They also champion the importance of CPD and require members to provide evidence of this and their teaching hours each year. This is seen to keep standards of teaching high, and promote quality and teaching as a profession. Until very recently this is how the IFL worked but due to the loss in government funding and teachers reluctantly to pay their own subscription the number of people renewing their subscription to the IFL fell by over half to just 85,000 signalling a loss of confidence in the body and an end to its presences. For many teachers and trainers in FE it was seen as a welcomed downfall as many believed the IFL did nothing for them, however now this professional body has collapsed there is no one regulating the qualifications or standard required to teach in FE which may lead to competiveness for jobs and or poor standards of teaching and training. These developments seemingly leave only Ofsted in place to assess the quality and standards of colleges and the individual teachers. â€Å"Ofsted would be made responsible for ensuring that FE teachers were appropriately qualified through inspections† (TES [30/03/2012] [Online]) However I see a huge flaw in this method of assessing quality and knowledge, not every Ofsted inspector can have the depth in knowledge of every subject of every teacher he or she is going to observe. For example if I am teaching bricklaying and I’m teaching unacceptable practices how is that inspector meant to know I am teaching the wrong methods? Surely the only way to overcome this problem is to have employed properly qualified teachers and trainers and not just people with some subject knowledge. Now that the IFL is a voluntary body the employers themselves have discretion over this matter. Construction Skills is another organisation that oversee and support the vocational training we deliver in offender learning. They are a massive organisation and have a lot of different strands from providing qualifications, courses and assessment and training support through CSkills as an awarding organisation. They also developing courses and provide support and training to local businesses through being an industry training board. In 2003 Construction Skills were awarded Sector Skills Council status, this allowed them to deliver valued support across the industry. Their main aims are to help reduce a shortage in specialise skills and help to bring a diverse workforce into the industry. They are also involved in improving business performance and developing professional standards for construction occupations both trade and professional. The other area that they cover is probably most relevant to my work as a vocational trainer; they have a large input on the improvement of education for apprenticeships and higher and further education. They achieve this by awarding grants for training, providing businesses with advice on getting the best from their work force offering card schemes, recognised qualifications and helping to link college learning with on the job experience. Professionalism As teachers, trainers, tutors or whatever you what to call us in FE we all have more than one hat we wear that makes us a professional. The IFL although seemingly no more used to keep everybody who worked as a ‘teacher’ under the status of a professional. They did this by having in place the requirement to achieve QTLS or ATLS within five years of working within the education sector. QTLS stand for qualified teacher learning and skills and ATLS associate teacher learning and skills. Everybody working as a teacher was required to register as one or the other of these statuses depending on your level of teaching qualification, the full Cert Ed being a level 5, I myself would have had to apply for QTLS status. However the following quote suggests that very little teachers working in the sector today have taken out the required status of QTLS/ATLS. â€Å"Only a small number of lecturers have become ‘fully qualified’ under the current arrangements: between 2,900 (GHK, August 2011) and some 6,000 (IfL submission, 2012). Whilst this number may rise as the five-year watershed approaches, some 85 per cent of FE lecturers have not embarked on the final supervised practice phase, following the diploma. We do not believe that so slight a result after such a long delay makes this qualification credible as a licence to practise which, properly speaking, should be earned before starting work, as it would be in other professions.† (Bis [03/2012] [Online]) By making this a requirement the IFL aimed at ensuring each individual teacher had the ability to work at the standards expected of a licenced practitioner. To meet this requirement you were expected to submit evidence of your teaching practice, subject and background knowledge, your continued professional development and your own reflective practice. I feel this was affair approach to the matter They may say the â€Å"licence to practice should be earned before starting work† but the profession of teaching is like no other. Its not really something you can learn out of a book you have to get out there and do it then reflect on it, prepare and do it again. My personal two hats consist of my subject specialism, Carpentry and Joinery level 3 qualification, and hopefully in a couple of months my Cert Ed teaching qualification. Other training and development also comes into it, like holding a CSCS card, which is the Construction Skills Certificate Scheme. Another initiative that Construction Skills mentioned earlier are responsible for putting in place. It means you must hold a valid card to work on any building site in the country. To get a card you must pass a construction health and safety test, the cards also state on the back your profession and level of qualification. This is another method of keeping this industry safe, to required standards and professional. â€Å"Professional formation allows teachers to describe how these standards are evidenced in their teaching practice, along with aspects of subject currency, teaching and learning, reflective practice and planning for continuing professional development.† (IFL [11/2008] [Online]) Professional formation isn’t just about your status or qualifications though. It’s a lot about your actions too. As professionals we are expected to present, conduct and discipline ourselves in a particular manor. However with this status we also have the benefits of being rewarded recognition for our work, enhancing collaborations, sharing good practices and having support and respect from our colleagues, colleges and partnering bodies. The importance of engaging in CPPD CPPD or Continuing Personal and Professional Development is something as professionals we should all be doing on a regular basis. It was a requirement of the IFL to record our CPPD hours each year and although a lot of teachers possibly never took this serious it is a good method of keeping in touch with current affairs and adapting to changing trends. The key thing to remember is that this is not just about completing a list of activities undertaken during the year that add up to 6 or 12 or 30 hours. The time spent can be meaningless unless it makes a difference. (IFL [08/2009] [online]) Education is one such sector that never stands still, the requirement to change and reform is evident and we do this to keep things interesting, relevant and to continually push up standards. From a personal point of view, if I’m teaching my subject specialism I want to be a fountain of knowledge in it, I think it’s important to have good subject knowledge and as I have been out of the trade a couple of years now this is something I aim the address on completion of the Cert Ed. I will look at gaining further qualifications in my subject, or maybe completing an assessor’s award. I have even considered going back to construction site work to gain further experience and update my knowledge. Ideally being out in the field working on actual jobs with students would be the perfect scenario for continually developing myself and I feel this would also benefit the learners immensely. As for CPPD in my teaching, I aim to complete all training events offered, for example we had smart board training at work the other day. I also aim to relish being thrown in at the deep end which regularly happens as a cover tutor. I’m lucky in the way my support role at the prison lets me observe a lot of different teachers each week and taking on their good practices and addressing learners needs is excellent CPPD for me. The importance of reflective practice Reflecting on our work as teachers is the best way to develop, its important to have regular teaching practice. We learn valuable things when were in lessons, under pressure and on the spot, however the real learning comes afterwards when we reflect and analyse the session. This is our time to put things right in our heads and prepare ourselves for the same scenarios the next time. It would be extremely difficult to pre-empt every situation that could occur and almost impossible to prepare for each. â€Å"teachers who explore their own teaching through critical reflection develop changes in attitudes and awareness which they believe can benefit their professional growth as teachers, as well as improve the kind of support they provide their students.† (tttjournal [ND] [Online]) Not only should we be reflecting from our own experiences but it’s also extremely valuable to reflect on observations, hearing opinions from another person’s point of view can really pin point things that may have been frustrating us for weeks. Critical reflective practice is more complex than just reflecting. It’s about planning how you will evaluate a lesson or even a CPPD event; it is good practice to critically review these situations through different people’s points of view. Your colleagues, students, boss, or even a person in the field actually doing what you’re teaching or being taught. With this in mind reflection is one of our most important tools. Bibliography Bis [03/2012] Professionalism in further education [Online] http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/further-education-skills/docs/p/12-670-professionalism-in-further-education-interim [Accessed 27/05/2012] IFL [08/2009] Guidelines for your continuing professional development (CPD) [online] http://www.ifl.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/5501/J11734-IfL-CPD-Guidelines-08.09-web-v3.pdf [Accessed 12/06/2012] IFL [11/2008] Professional Formation [Online] http://www.itslifejimbutnotasweknowit.org.uk/files/IfL-professional-formation-overview.pdf [Accessed 12/06/2012] LSIS [ND] Our Impact in the Sector [Online] http://www.lsis.org.uk/AboutLSIS/LSIS-impact/Pages/default.aspx [Accessed 20/06/12] TES [30/03/2012] FE professionalism gets radical shake-up [Online] http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6202944 [Accessed 15/04/2012] Tttjournal [ND] Towards Reflective Teaching [Online] http://www.tttjournal.co.uk/uploads/file/back_articles/towards_reflective_teaching.pdf [Accessed 03/06/12]

Thomas Hobbes Laws of Nature Essay -- Thomas Hobbes Philosophy

Thomas Hobbes: What Is The Difference Between Obligations In foro interno and In foro externo, and When Do We Have Such Obligations? According to Thomas Hobbes, there are certain laws of nature which exist in the absence of an organized government. These laws are extremely cut throat, and place people in extremely dangerous situations where their lives are in danger. Government is the answer to this dangerous situation, but it is here that the question of obligation comes into question. Does one have an obligation to take a chance and follow the laws set forth for them, or should they only think of themselves, and follow the laws of nature? This is a vital question which I will explore. According to Hobbes, the overriding law of nature is kill or be killed. Hobbes believed that, "every man has a right to everything, even to another man's body. And therefore, as long as this natural right of every man to everything endureth, there can be no security to any man(how strong or wise soever he be) of living out the time which nature ordinarily allowith men to live." However he also believed, "that a man be willing, when others are so too as far-forth as for peace and defense of himself that he shall think it necessary to lay down this right to all things, and be contented with so much liberty against other men, as he would allow other men against himself." The question now is, when do we have an obligation to strive towards peace when it means giving up our n...

Film Review of The Crucible :: Essay on The Crucible

Film Review of The Crucible The Crucible: A Film Review Who'd have thought that simple dancing could cause so much chaos in a small town. This is precisely what happens in the film The Crucible (Nicholas Hytner, 1996), which was originally written as a play by Arthur Miller. This story is based on actual events, which helps in showing the accuracy of the events. The story takes place in Salem in 1692, during the Salem witch trials. The story starts when a group of young girls, particularly one named Abigail, are caught dancing around a fire in the woods by the town preacher, Samuel Parris. In an effort to avoid getting in trouble, the girls begin to make accusations against the townspeople, saying that these people are witches who forced them to dance. As the hysteria grows in Salem, people begin to question their own neighbors, simply out of spite and vengeance, among other things. The Crucible is certainly historically accurate in it's portrayal of the townspeople's beliefs and attitudes. It is a film that should be seen to view the way people were in the seventeenth century. Fear was probably the biggest reason for all of the happenings. Fear is what got the girls started on their accusations, as they were afraid to get in trouble. They knew that if they were thought to be conjuring spirits, they would be hung. The townspeople were also afraid, especially of those who were different. They felt that they must be rid of anyone who disagreed with their beliefs. Just look at how the Puritans treated the Indians. They feared the Native Americans because their beliefs were different than their own. Also, the main reason that people were accused in the first place, is because when Tituba was being questioned, they were asking if she saw Sara Good and Sara Osborne with the Devil. Of course she said yes, they were threatening to kill her. Another example of fear in the village, is the fear of accepting your own actions and taking responsibility. The Puritans believed in predestination, and if the girls were dancing just to dance, and not because the Devil took them from their path to God, the townspeople would then have to take the responsibility for that, as it would be thier fault for letting these girls go astray. They were also afraid of change. Change in their beliefs would shut down the entire town, because it was built mainly on their ideology.

Michael Caine Essay

The Oscar winning British actor Michael Caine was born in 1933 at Bermondsey in London. He did not come from a theatrical family. His father was a porter at the Billingsgate fish market. His mother was a charlady (cleaning lady). His real name was Maurice Joseph Micklewhite. Young Maurice was evacuated from his home during the German World war II Blitz. He was placed in a home for 6 weeks where he was badly mistreated. He was beaten and poorly fed. At times he was locked in a cupboard. Finally his mother rescued him and throttled the lady who had mistreated him. The family expected Maurice to follow in his father’s footsteps, but he had other plans. He had early, if non-professional experiences with acting. At the age of 3 years on a regular basis he would have to convince the rent collector that â€Å"Mummy’s out†, while she hid behind the front door coaxing him. Family Michael did not come from a theatrical family. His father was a porter at the Billingsgate fish market. His mother was a charlady (cleaning lady). Michael’s father liked to gamble. His mother worked as a cleaning lady to give her sons a better life. Brothers Maurice grew up with his brother Stanley. The boys had an older brother, David, who was born with epilepsy. He was institutionalized as a baby. It was widely assumed in the 1920s that epilepsy was a form of mental illness which was untreatable. Their mother kept David’s existence a secret until her dying days. Childhood The Oscar winning British actor Michael Caine was born in 1933 at Bermondsey in London. His real name was Maurice Joseph Micklewhite. The family expected Maurice to follow in his father’s footsteps, but he had other plans. He had early, if non-professional experiences with acting. At the age of 3 years on a regular basis he would have to convince the rent collector that â€Å"Mummy’s out†, while she hid behind the front door coaxing him. World War II Evacuation Young Maurice was 6 years old when war was declared with Germany. He and brother Stanley were evacuated from his home during the German World war II Blitz. He was placed in a home for 6 weeks where he was badly mistreated. He was beaten and poorly fed. At times he was locked in a cupboard. Finally his mother rescued him and throttled the lady who had mistreated him. His mother was later evacuated as well. Education After the Blitz, Michael attended Wilson’s Grammar School, an academically selective secondary school. It was located in Peckham, close to where Last Orders was filmed. He did not like school and left at age 16. A Methodist minister introduced him to amateur theatricals which he did enjoy at school. Military Service He entered the army as a private after a few years of low-paying jobs. He was stationed in Korea and did not like the army either. Family Caine married one of his rep co-stars, Patricia Haines. The two had a daughter, Nikki, before divorcing. Caine later married Shakira Caine (nee Baksh) in 1973, Thy have two children: Dominique and Natasha. Career Caine has become a major film star, appealing to both men and women in his wide range of films. He is a versatile and very hard-working actor. His film career was launched by playing gritty working-class roles. The first was Alfie (1966) in which he played a womanizing Cockney in swinging London. Then came a trilogy of spy movies which were big successes. He played Len Deighton’s bespectacled agent, Harry Palmer, in Ipcress File, Funeral in Berlin, and The Billion Dollar Brain. He received Oscar nominations as Best Actor for Alfie, Sleuth and Educating Rita, he has won two Best Supporting Actor awards: for Hannah and her Sisters and The Cider House Rules. One film critic claims that Caine’s poor background caused him to take on a variety of roles in poor movies just to keep on working. Films Caine’s best remembered films are probably: Ipcress File, Zulu, Mr. Destiny, A Bridge Too Far, Miss Congeniality, Last Orders, The Man Who Would Be King, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Sleuth, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Hannah and Her Sisters. Interestingly in Zulu he plays a dilated aristocratic British officer, quite a stretch from his background. The portrayal was right on, at least with American audiences. I’m less sure about British audiences. Sources Caine, Michael. What’s It All About (1992)

How Far Was Germany Responsibl essays

How Far Was Germany Responsibl essays What made a nation in 1900 a great power was not how much strength it had, but how it used it. Also the capacity to use and use its geological positions, and its resources to its own benefit determined how effective the great power was. The ability to influence other nations, whether it be by colonial or imperial power, also played a major role in being known as a major power in 1900. Germany, Britain, France, and to a lesser extent, Austria-Hungary, Italy, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire all had these abilities, which allowed them therefore to become known as the Great Powers of Europe by 1900. Germany, the newest country in Europe, was becoming the strongest power with huge colonial expansion after their unification. This alarmed the other European countries of a neighboring threat. Germany managed to bring Austria-Hungary, and Italy together with itself to form the Triple Alliance, an agreement to support each other if Russia, or France were to attack. The nation did not rely on the size of the army, but on the sheer strength, and effectiveness. Germany by far was becoming the strongest and most powerful nation in Europe by 1900. Germanys population was increasing quite dramatically since its unification in 1871. Between 1871 and 1914 the wheat and cereal production had doubled. By 1900 it was the 4th biggest iron, and coal producer in the world. Germany dominated Europe. Germany had all of the features of a great power, it is because of this it could be called one. Britain was in a constant battle with Germany for the leading position in world power. It had a far more superior navy than ever seen in the world. It was also the chief supplier of materials, such as iron and coal. It was the richest country in the world. Some historians believe that Britain was not that strong just that She has been strong by the reason of others weaknesses by the use of others resources, by the spoils of conquest. (T ...

Writing a Custom Annotated Bibliography

Writing a Custom Annotated Bibliography The research paper is one of the most common academic writing assignments. But there is a plenty of other tasks like an annotated bibliography. This paper looks like is a list of primary and secondary sources on a specific subject that can be applied to the particular sphere of education. The best approach to writing such task with each clearly cited reference is to pretend you are a tutor who is recommending literature to be used for the accuracy of research. Sure thing, you should better read another article like this one to have more information on how to prepare a correct piece. But if you know how to choose the best source out of all relevant and up-to-date sources, then you’re half the way. Of course, writing skills are also required. Thus, sometimes it is better to buy excellent bibliography or its example online. Annotated bibliography is a useful paper for lengthy research paper or dissertation. It can be 2-3 pages with accurately chosen and properly listed sources. Still, it is separate assignment with its own format which can help students earn additional points throughout the course. Unlike essay or research paper, writing this sort of task does not always require citing text. It’s rather a summary or an objective review of each used source: Textbook Non-academic book Journal, newspaper or magazine article Audio Lecture Video/film Website Other Each entry has to be carefully formatted with respect to the required academic writing style. To remind, those are APA, MLA, Chicago, Vancouver, and other. The language should be concise and clear. There is a big difference how you cite textbook and Wikipedia or other internet sources. On the whole, each bibliography entry looks this way: A reference to the source just like you do at the end of each essay or research paper (authors, date, title, etc.); A brief summary (a section which includes 300-500 words) of the source. It can even be 2-3 sentences in length. If the student wants, he may cite a strong point. It depends on the length of the source and ability to include the main ideas in just a couple of paragraphs. Important: a student is also encouraged to add his own critique to show personal awareness of both particular source in the bibliography and subject. You may mention why this content might be useful to observe a particular topic with the help of bibliography. Don’t forget that the process of writing this type of assignment requires all sources to be named in alphabetical order. Teachers and professors usually assign this sort of paper for several different reasons like to make students provide valuable and logical feedback to the works cited. In other words, they want to see how students explain and select the sources. Second, this assignment allows students to find, choose, and use databases to place peer-reviewed pieces, as well as correctly format or Reference pages. Why Bibliography Is an Important Task Bibliographies are assigned within a great variety of disciplines. People who conduct research on a professional level and journalist also need to write down this type of work. The best authors on the market possess knowledge which is not limited by humanitarian or scientific subjects only. These writers possess a wide area of expertise, including even the narrowest subjects like Gender Studies or E-commerce. Because of the emerging technological progress and changing viewpoints, students have to pick only the latest sources for their bibliography. Each one should be no more than 5 years old. No matter whether you are a student from the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK, you have to use only classical English when writing such academic assignments as a bibliography. Mind your vocabulary, grammar, a particular subject, and writing style. The paper has to contain 100% unique content. Writing an annotated bibliography can be really cheap in case you decide to order one here. Thus, get armed to the teeth with the best writing experts by your side!

The Mexican-American War

The Mexican-American War From 1846 to 1848, the United States of America and Mexico went to war. There were several reasons why they did so, but the most important ones were the US annexation of Texas and the Americans desire for California and other Mexican territories. The Americans took the offensive, invading Mexico on three fronts: from the north through Texas, from the east through the port of Veracruz and into the west (present-day California and New Mexico). The Americans won every major battle of the war, mostly thanks to superior artillery and officers. In September  1847, American General Winfield Scott captured Mexico City: this was the final straw for the Mexicans, who finally sat down to negotiate. The war was disastrous for Mexico, as it was forced to sign away nearly half of its national territory, including California, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and parts of several other current US states. The Western War American President James K. Polk intended to invade and hold the territories he wanted, so he sent General Stephen Kearny west from Fort Leavenworth with 1,700 men to invade and hold New Mexico and California. Kearny captured Santa Fe and then divided his forces, sending a large contingent south under Alexander Doniphan. Doniphan would eventually take the city of Chihuahua. Meanwhile, the war had already begun in California. Captain John C. Frà ©mont had been in the region with 60 men: they organized American settlers in California to revolt against the Mexican authorities there. He had the support of some US navy vessels in the area. The struggle between these men and the Mexicans went back and forth for a few months until Kearny arrived with what was left of his army. Although he was down to fewer than 200 men, Kearny made the difference: by January of 1847 the Mexican northwest was in American hands. General Taylors Invasion American General Zachary Taylor was already in Texas with his army waiting for hostilities to break out. There was already a large Mexican army on the border as well: Taylor routed it twice in early May of 1846 at the Battle of Palo Alto and the Battle of Resaca de la Palma. During both battles, superior American artillery units proved the difference. The losses forced the Mexicans to retreat to Monterrey: Taylor followed and took the city in September of 1846. Taylor moved to the south and was engaged by a massive Mexican army under the command of General Santa Anna at the Battle of Buena Vista on February 23, 1847: Taylor once again prevailed. The Americans hoped that they had proved their point: Taylors invasion had gone well and California was already securely under control. They sent envoys to Mexico in the hopes of ending the war and gaining the land they desired: Mexico would have none of it. Polk and his advisors decided to send yet another army into Mexico and General Winfield Scott was selected to lead it. General Scotts Invasion The best route to get to Mexico City was to go through the Atlantic port of Veracruz. In March of 1847, Scott began landing his troops near Veracruz. After a short siege, the city surrendered. Scott marched inland, defeating Santa Anna at the Battle of Cerro Gordo on April 17-18 along the way. By August Scott was at the gates of Mexico City itself. He defeated the Mexicans at the Battles of Contreras and Churubusco on August 20, gaining a toehold into the city. The two sides agreed to a brief armistice, during which time Scott hoped the Mexicans would finally negotiate, but Mexico still refused to sign away its territories to the north. In September of 1847, Scott attacked once again, crushing the Mexican fortification at Molino del Rey before assaulting the Chapultepec Fortress, which was also the Mexican Military Academy. Chapultepec guarded the entrance to the city: once it fell the Americans were able to take and hold Mexico City. General Santa Anna, seeing that the city had fallen, retreated with what troops he had left to unsuccessfully try and cut the American supply lines near Puebla. The major combat phase of the war had ended. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo The Mexican politicians and diplomats were finally forced to negotiate in earnest. For the next few months, they met with American diplomat Nicholas Trist, who had been ordered by Polk to secure all of the Mexican northwest in any peace settlement. In February of 1848, the two sides agreed on the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Mexico was forced to sign over all of California, Utah, and Nevada as well as parts of New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming and Colorado in exchange for $15 million dollars and exoneration of about $3 million more in previous liability. The Rio Grande was established as the border of Texas. People living in these territories, including several tribes of Native Americans, reserved their properties and rights and were to be given US citizenship after a year. Lastly, future disagreements between the US and Mexico would be settled by mediation, not warfare. Legacy of the Mexican-American War Although it is often overlooked in comparison with the American Civil War, which broke out about 12 years later, the Mexican-American War was just as important to American History. The massive territories gained during the war make up a large percentage of present-day United States. As an added bonus, gold was discovered shortly thereafter in California which made the newly acquired lands even more valuable. The Mexican-American War was in many ways a precursor to the Civil War. Most of the important Civil War Generals fought in the Mexican-American War, including Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, William Tecumseh Sherman, George Meade, George McClellan, Stonewall Jackson and many others. The tension between the slave states of the southern USA and the free states of the north was made worse by the addition of so much new territory: this hastened the onset of the Civil War. The Mexican-American War made the reputations of future US Presidents. Ulysses S. Grant, Zachary Taylor, and Franklin Pierce all fought in the war, and James Buchanan was Polks Secretary of State during the war. A Congressman named Abraham Lincoln made a name for himself in Washington by vocally opposing the war. Jefferson Davis, who would become President of the Confederate States of America, also distinguished himself during the war. If the war was a bonanza for the United States of America, it was a disaster for Mexico. If Texas is included, Mexico lost more than half of its national territory to the USA between 1836 and 1848. After the bloody war, Mexico was in ruins physically, economically, politically and socially. Many peasant groups took advantage of the chaos of war to lead uprisings all over the country: the worst was in Yucatan, where hundreds of thousands of people were killed. Although Americans have forgotten about the war, for the most part, many Mexicans are still irate about the theft of so much land and the humiliation of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Even though there is no realistic chance of Mexico ever reclaiming those lands, many Mexicans feel they still belong to them. Because of the war, there was much bad blood between the USA and Mexico for decades: relations did not begin to improve until World War Two, when Mexico decided to join the Allies and make common cause with the USA. Sources: Eisenhower, John S.D. So Far from God: the U.S. War with Mexico, 1846-1848. Norman: the University of Oklahoma Press, 1989 Henderson, Timothy J. A Glorious Defeat: Mexico and its War with the United States.New York: Hill and Wang, 2007. Wheelan, Joseph. Invading Mexico: Americas Continental Dream and the Mexican War, 1846-1848. New York: Carroll and Graf, 2007.

Secondary Data Analysis Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Secondary Data Analysis Assignment - Essay Example figure 3 Deprived total compared No-qualification Level 4.2. Economic Deprivation: All Claimant compared higher level(4,5) qualifications 3.2.1 figure 4 All Claimant compared higher level(4,5) 5. Census Data and ACRON 5.1. Areas of agreement 5.2. Differences 6. Advantages and disadvantages of Census and ACRON 6.1. Advantages of Census 6.2. Disadvantages of Census 6.3. Advantages of ACRON 6.4. Disadvantages of ACRON 7. The Conclusion: Data Sources and Their Importance 1. Introduction and Background: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) produced Census data during 2001 and updated it during 2004. ONS counted all people resident in the area at the time of the 2001 Census and were aged 16 to 74 years old. On the other hand, CACI produced A classification called ACRON categorizing all UK population into 56 types. CANI provides marketing research and consumer classification data. In the following I will present some data analysis based on 2001 census data and then some information from ACRON. This practice will help me in understanding the advantages and disadvantages of both the sources. 2. Qualifications: In the following I will present the qualification comparison between Kingston upon Thames (Kingston), London, and England. This comparison will reflect the overall situation of qualifications in the respective area, region, or country with respect to the percentage of all people. 2.1. Qualification Comparison: All Levels As Kingston is part of London region and London region is a part of England, for valid and vivid comparison I will convert those counts into percentage with respect to all people counted in that area. Further, for better understanding the data will be represented in bar chart. 2.1.1. table 1 Comparison of Qualifications : All Levels    Area Level Kingston London England All People 109058 5300332 35532091 No Qualification 18707 1257929 10251674 Level 1 13315 689228 5909093 Level 2 20116 904205 6877530 Level 3 13503 518624 2962282 Level 4,5 37 698 1642467 7072052 Level Others 5719 287879 2459460 Data source: 2001 Census  © Crown Copyright 2001 2.1.2. table 2 Qualifications Comparison Percentage : All Levels    Area Level Kingston London England No Qualification 17 24 29 Level 1 12 13 17 Level 2 18 17 19 Level 3 12 10 8 Level 4,5 35 31 20 Level Others 5 5 7 Data source: 2001 Census  © Crown Copyright 2001 2.1.3. figure 1 Comparison of Qualifications in Percentage: All Levels Figure 1 reflects that in Kingston, trend of lower qualification is lower and higher qualification is higher as compare to London and England. For instance, no-qualification and level 1 qualification are respectively 17% and 12% as compare to 24,13 of London and 29,17 of England. On the other hand Level 4,5 qualification is higher in Kingston with the percentage of 35. Remember that level 1 is the lowest level of qualification in census and level 4,5 is the highest. Upon the basis of this data analysis I can safely conclude that level of qualific ation in Kingston is better than collective level of London and of England. In next section I will analyze whether this pattern have some correlation with economic deprivation or not? 3. Economic Deprivation: In 2001 census, for economic deprivation five key figures have been mentioned. In the following I will analyze three key figures i.e., All People of Working Age Claiming a Key Benefit(All Claiming), Jobseeker's Allowance Claimants(Jobseeker’s claimants), and Incapacity Benefits Claimants(Incapacity claimants). 3.1. Economic Depriva

Understanding International Relations (IR) Essay

Understanding International Relations (IR) - Essay Example This essay stresses that the globalisation concept explains international relations better than the sovereignty concept. For one, almost all the aspects of the modern day society seem to have been influenced either directly or indirectly by globalisation. In addition, globalisation in its entirety is all about intensifying cross-border relations/interactions. Moreover, it looks at the interdependence between countries; consequently, this has a major impact on the international system. This paper makes a conclusion that globalisation concept demonstrates interconnectedness of different states in the modern international system. The interconnectedness includes bodies such as the International Federation of Stock Exchange whose decisions have, in one way or another, impacted states all over the globe and the world economy. Even more importantly, globalisation has facilitated the opening of national borders and the subsequent implementation of free trade. The consequence of this is cohesion between states and reduction of conflicts. In a nutshell, therefore, it can be argued that the globalisation concept is quite explicit in as much as international relations is concerned. The increase in the level of dependence among states and their interconnectedness that are key to understanding international relations are captured well globalisation. Globalisation has equally contributed towards the solving of international problems.

Influence of packaging on consumer attitudes and perceptions in the Dissertation

Influence of packaging on consumer attitudes and perceptions in the luxury market - Dissertation Example Therefore, the process of packaging must evolve as consumer perceptions and expectations evolve. Packaging must reflect the authenticity and superiority of the products based on the consumer experiences and orientation. Luxury branding is more psychological than physical (Chevalier & Gutsatz 2012). Therefore, the cultural identity and the collectivism must play a significant role in addressing the consumer expectations. The situational stimuli and the social identity are necessary in ensuring that products and services meet the psychological standards set by the consumers (Heine 2012). These include the need for social recognition, show of might and satisfaction. In the United Kingdom, some luxury products believe that sustainability is necessary in the development of products. Therefore, luxury products are expected to be durable and classic. The uniqueness of products should be reflected in packaging and quality. For example, luxury cars are expected not only to be comfortable but durable. A growing number of luxury brands in the United Kingdom have devised products that are appealing to the social class especially after the purchasing power continues to decrease. The rationale of luxury concept is to develop differentiated products for the upper class (Michman & Mazze, 2006). This justifies the use of exclusive prices while marketing the products.... The logos and symbols are intended to identify with the consumers’ definition of superiority. Cultural factors influence consumer perceptions and hence the buying behavior. Members of different societies define luxury and uniqueness differently. Luxury brands in the United Kingdom market have been consistent in reflecting sophistication, national heritage, good taste and style to the consumers (Hines & Bruce, 2007). A telling example is the Victoria’s secret. The modern luxury brands in the United Kingdom market reflect liberalness and power of women (Mira, 2008). Consumers are willing to pay more for brands that capture their perception and expectations (Martinez, 2012). The current global trends have caused the world to be saturated with logos and symbols (Kapferer, & Bastien 2009). The interpretations of these logos and symbols are expected to lead to competitive advantage for the brands involved. The concept of logos and symbolic consumption is pushed by the need to have a status that is reflected in the symbols and logos. Therefore, it is important for luxury products to have competitive and visually appealing logos. Luxury brands are expected to have logos that carry the mission and vision of the company in a graphical and stylish manner (Chevalier & Gutsatz 2012). Symbolic consumptions rhyme with consumer expectations and the concept of perceptions and attitudes. Logos or symbols are known to reflect status and social classes (Kapferer, & Bastien 2009).The necessity of luxurious view on a product is largely influenced by the culture of a different society. With increasing competition, industry is unstable and the level of innovation has been on the rise (Martinez, 2012). Different strategies of packaging are used to ensure the

Religion journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Religion journal - Essay Example it excludes those sayings in which Jesus might have repeated elements from his religious heritage, and those which the church might have taken over from Jesus; and both kinds of sayings were surely on his lips. Nevertheless, in its scientific austerity the criterion of dissimilarity is the surest place to start in seeking to recover the teaching of Jesus. The three angels bring messages in the eternal gospel (v). Angels can be compared with messiahs who inform the audience about certain events: Babylon the Great and the warning message brought by the third angel. Historically, Bible was used to justify racism and injustice because it is always seen as the main books of moral laws and rules, cods of ethics and behavior. The Bible says something essential about God. In the present world the purpose and justice of God are not clearly apparent. A Christian will not question God's justice, but conditions in the world do not demonstrate it. Faith cannot escape the conviction that in the end God will vindicate his justice, manifest his fairness and goodness, and show his power to achieve his purpose. To regard this present tangled world situation as our last word about God would be fatal to New Testament faith. Jesus was not a figure of the past for his followers, but a living presence. He had risen from the dead and was spiritually present in his communities; his apostles and prophets spoke words inspired by his spirit, and since no strict distinction was made between the remembered words of the historical Jesus and the inspired words of the risen Christ, the tradition contains both kinds of material arbitrarily. It is also necessary to a sound faith in human destiny. It is not now obvious that life deals out fair treatment and offers wholesome fulfillment to all who seek...Anyone who would write about the teaching of Jesus first deals with the problem of ascertaining what that teaching was. The Old Testament can be seen and understood in relation to Christ. Jesus found guidance for his ministry and preaching in the Scriptures of his people. The earliest preachers used the Old Testament to show God's purpose in Christ, and interpreted the Christian faith as the divinely given fulfillment of the faith of Israel. If Christianity is true, the Christian interpretation of the Old Testament is the true interpretation. This life with God is life in a fellowship of worshipers. In both the Old and New Testaments the people of God furnish the setting of individual faith and worship. So, too, in the final order it is not as hermits, but as sharers in a human fellowship that men know and worship and serve God. But such good life exists only where man obeys God's will. Man is so made that he is not himself, he cannot find happiness, unless he accepts God as his Lord and lives in obedience to the divine will. But, as the New Testament sees, man has not yielded this acceptance and obedience. He is a sinner. His need roots in this fact. And this need is universal. No stress on the initiative and work of God excludes or obscures the responsibility of man to make the right response. To recognize the primacy and completeness of God's work through Christ puts the focus where it belongs, and gives the credit where it is due. But God has made man as a person, responsible for right decision and action. Every phase of life is included in this loyalty.

Making of Narco State in Afghanistan Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Making of Narco State in Afghanistan - Article Example To many, the United States led invasion of Afghanistan to topple Taliban's rule of the country were seen as aggression designed to get back to the international terrorist who staged the 9/11 attacks on Twin Towers of New York World Trade Center. But studying the background of the Talibans even the more objective mind might justly the US led coalition action against Afghanistan. First, it has become the breeding ground for international terrorist who do no have regard at all to human life, human rights and human dignity. As a matter of fact, even Afghan citizens particularly women were victims of bodily abuses, economic deprivation and injustice, corruption and so forth. This paper deals with the historical and cultural concept and influence of tribalism in their country, as well as its effect in the rise of the world's perception that Afghanistan is becoming a Narco State. In 1960s, Afghanistan was monarchial with the king and his relatives "dominated the central government," according to Microsoft Encarta. But in 1963, a prime minister was appointed for the first time outside the "royal family in order to distance the monarchy from policy-making" (Encarta). However, the administration of the new prime minister had experienced many conflicts; a series of coup ahs brought into power the Mujahidin Government. According to report made by Afghanistan Assessment, the new government is faced with "immense economic problems, including serious food and fuel shortages, a collapsed industrial sector, a severely damaged infrastructure, the difficulties of refugees returning to their ravaged farms and field studied with mines and high inflation." Prior to the 1973 Coup d' etat, Afghanistan has been beneficiaries from both East and West; both the United States of America and the Soviet Union built an international air part in Kabot and Kandahar respectively. But the 1973 coup d' etat had not only had some effect on Afghanistan but also foreign powers' attitude to domestic and political forces in Afghanistan. When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in December 1979, the Soviet installed Karmal as President, yet his regime was continuously plagued by civil wars, and constantly disrupted by anti-government guerilla forces; the Mujahiden depriving the government of authority over large areas of the countryside. Though poorly armed at first, they soon began to receive supplies mainly from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United States of America and China, which later helped them overthrow the existing government. According to Mohsen Makhmalbaf, during the early years, Afghanistan was "ruled by tribes." These tribes had each leader that a single leader coming from one tribe may not be acceptable. So they formed Tribal Federalism known as "loya Jirga." Makhmalbaf stressed that since then until now, "a more just and appropriate form of governing has not emerged in Afghanistan." Same author added further that the Loya Jirga system shows that "Afghanistan has never evolved economically form an agricultural existence." It has never moved beyond tribal rule and failed to achieve a sense of nationalism. He also pointed out that in Afghanistan each Afghan is Pashtun (the most dominant tribe), Hazareh,

Religion journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Religion journal - Essay Example it excludes those sayings in which Jesus might have repeated elements from his religious heritage, and those which the church might have taken over from Jesus; and both kinds of sayings were surely on his lips. Nevertheless, in its scientific austerity the criterion of dissimilarity is the surest place to start in seeking to recover the teaching of Jesus. The three angels bring messages in the eternal gospel (v). Angels can be compared with messiahs who inform the audience about certain events: Babylon the Great and the warning message brought by the third angel. Historically, Bible was used to justify racism and injustice because it is always seen as the main books of moral laws and rules, cods of ethics and behavior. The Bible says something essential about God. In the present world the purpose and justice of God are not clearly apparent. A Christian will not question God's justice, but conditions in the world do not demonstrate it. Faith cannot escape the conviction that in the end God will vindicate his justice, manifest his fairness and goodness, and show his power to achieve his purpose. To regard this present tangled world situation as our last word about God would be fatal to New Testament faith. Jesus was not a figure of the past for his followers, but a living presence. He had risen from the dead and was spiritually present in his communities; his apostles and prophets spoke words inspired by his spirit, and since no strict distinction was made between the remembered words of the historical Jesus and the inspired words of the risen Christ, the tradition contains both kinds of material arbitrarily. It is also necessary to a sound faith in human destiny. It is not now obvious that life deals out fair treatment and offers wholesome fulfillment to all who seek...Anyone who would write about the teaching of Jesus first deals with the problem of ascertaining what that teaching was. The Old Testament can be seen and understood in relation to Christ. Jesus found guidance for his ministry and preaching in the Scriptures of his people. The earliest preachers used the Old Testament to show God's purpose in Christ, and interpreted the Christian faith as the divinely given fulfillment of the faith of Israel. If Christianity is true, the Christian interpretation of the Old Testament is the true interpretation. This life with God is life in a fellowship of worshipers. In both the Old and New Testaments the people of God furnish the setting of individual faith and worship. So, too, in the final order it is not as hermits, but as sharers in a human fellowship that men know and worship and serve God. But such good life exists only where man obeys God's will. Man is so made that he is not himself, he cannot find happiness, unless he accepts God as his Lord and lives in obedience to the divine will. But, as the New Testament sees, man has not yielded this acceptance and obedience. He is a sinner. His need roots in this fact. And this need is universal. No stress on the initiative and work of God excludes or obscures the responsibility of man to make the right response. To recognize the primacy and completeness of God's work through Christ puts the focus where it belongs, and gives the credit where it is due. But God has made man as a person, responsible for right decision and action. Every phase of life is included in this loyalty.

CRITICAL SUMMARY - DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

CRITICAL SUMMARY - DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS - Essay Example work illustrates the physical and psychological transformation in females as they reach their puberty and the estrangement they feel in the process as well as their quest for relationships with men using their physical image. The author purpose is to inform the audience about the complexities of the transformation from childhood to pubescence and from there to teenage and adulthood. To illustrate her thesis, which mainly focuses on the influence of media and culture in formulating the concepts about females and their relationships, the author uses a wide variety of evidence both from research studies as well as personal experiences of female subjects. She has also used a wide range of statistical data to support and validate the claims she makes. Cohen uses a simple, straightforward narrative that makes the reading easy while being interesting. Her use of anecdotes to illustrate her ideas enables the readers to clearly understand the points she makes. This becomes evident in the way she describes the detachment of the father as his daughter attains puberty as â€Å"subtle†¦but clear† (26). The author eloquently demonstrates the anguish of pubescent girls through the characterization of Faith, who feels uncomfortable at the swimming pool about how the boys might perceive her. On the other hand, Lara thinks that before girls grew up into women, they were â€Å"whole, energized, excited† (27). Thus, the author deftly depicts the anguish and confusion of the girls as they grow up into adulthood, especially with the drive to feel wanted. Referring to other studies, the author contends that the secondary sex traits in girls, such as breast development and appearance of pubic hair, now appear earlier by â€Å"ag e 8† though there has been no change of status in their first menstruation (28). However, according to Cohen, while their physical development occurs in a hastened manner, their mental growth does not keep pace with these changes. Therefore, they lack in the

Causes and Spread of Infection Essay Example for Free

Causes and Spread of Infection Essay 1) Infections are the result of the body’s inability to fight off microorganisms that can cause damage or disease if they are left untreated. They can be viral or bacterial in nature and might be caused by a fungus or parasite. There are many common types and there are some rare ones which all have varying causes and treatments. Common bacterial infections include strep throat, urinary tract infections and E. coli; the different types are caused by many different types of bacteria. Infections are caused by micro-organisms which are known as pathogens, there are three sources of pathogens; †¢Within a person’s body- called endogenous †¢From other people through touching, coughs or sneezes called exogenous †¢From contaminated equipment or elements such as dust or water known as environmental. Viral infections are different than bacterial because they are caused by viruses which are smaller than a bacterium or fungus. When a virus infects healthy cells it prevents the cells from doing their job and causes sickness. Viruses infect a specific type of cell which causes viral infections to affect certain parts of the body. A cold is the most common type and generally affects the upper respiratory tract. Influenza is another common infection but symptoms can affect the entire body. Outcome 1 1)Bacteria are very small singular organisms which can be found almost everywhere; they are the smallest living cells typically only a few micrometres in length. A number of bacteria can cause disease, these are called pathogenic bacteria. Not all bacteria is bad, we need bacteria to stay alive. Viruses- it is a coated genetic material that invades cells and uses the cells apparatus for reproduction, this is why it is important to wash hands frequently. Fungi is a multi-celled living organism, it is a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and moulds. Parasites are types of living animals and plants that derive benefit from metabolism of other animals and plants. Viruses aren’t living; they are made of complex proteins and nucleic acids. Bacteria, Fungi and Parasites are living organisms. 2) There are common illnesses and infections which are caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Bacteria can cause food poisoning, ear infections, bronchitis, chest infections and tonsillitis. Viruses can cause common colds, flu attacks, sickness and diarrhoea and warts. Fungi can cause ring worm, yeast infections and athletes foot. Parasites can cause worms, malaria and sleeping sickness. 3) Infection in general terms in an invasion to the body tissues from a disease caused microorganism, it’s the illness caused by the growth of a germ on or in a person. The infection might not give any symptoms this is known as ‘asymptomatic’ infection. When the germ is found on our body without causing any illness it is known as colonisation. Colonisation is multiplication of microorganisms without tissue invasion or damage. 4)   A localised infection is an infection that is limited to a specific body part or region this could be infections such as cellulitis of the skin or a bladder infection. A systemic infection is the opposite, the infection is distributed throughout the whole body this could be illnesses such as a cold or the flu. 5) There are poor practices which may lead to the spread of infection, this could be not washing hands frequently, not wearing personal protective clothing, wearing jewellery, not tying back long hair, not covering your mouth and nose if you sneeze or cough. Wearing inappropriate clothing and footwear can also lead to the spread of infection. 6)   There are certain conditions which are needed for the growth of micro-organisms. Micro-organisms need food to survive, they like high protein food such as dairy products, raw eggs and uncooked fish. Microorganisms need moisture and warmth; they grow best at 20-40c. Air is needed for micro-organisms to multiply although some can do without. 2) Infections are caused by microorganisms known as pathogens, there are three sources of pathogens; 1)Within a person’s body called endogenous (For example, some microorganisms from the stomach can cause infections in other parts of the body) 2)From other people through touching, coughs or sneezes called exogenous 3)From contaminated equipment or elements such as dust or water- known as environmental. They could go down the respiratory tract into the lungs, coughs, colds and other common airborne infections are contracted in this fashion. Anything that penetrates the skin, or for that matter the mucous membrane that lines the mouth or nose provides a route for infection to enter; this could be bites, scratches, puncture wounds by needles etc. They could also enter down the digestive tract, food, drink or other infected products can be swallowed and infect the stomach or bowels which reveals itself in the form of diarrhoea and or vomiting. An infective agent might also enter up the urinary and reproductive systems; the infectious agent may remain localized or may enter the blood stream. Sexually transmitted diseases most commonly infect the genitals; these can be transmitted in saliva, seminal fluid or blood. 3) The sources of infection are numerous, for each type of infection a specific source becomes more significant than others in the delivery of the infectious agent to the host. The sources of infection can be divided into two main groups, these are exogenous and endogenous sources. A source of infection is endogenous when the infectious agent comes from the persons own body. Exogenous sources of infection introduce organisms from anywhere outside to the inside of the body, this is the case the majority of the time. Infections can come from unwashed hands, ppe not being worn, unclean equipment being used generally if poor hygiene is used. 4) There are various ways that infective agents can be transmitted to a person, it is usually the transmission of microorganisms directly from one person to another by droplet contact. Droplet contact is either sneezing or coughing on or near another person without using a tissue or hand to try and shield it. Infective agents can be transmitted to another person by direct physical contact, touching an infected person could lead to this. Indirect physical contact could also cause infective agents to be transmitted to another person, usually by touching soil contamination or a contaminated surface. Airborne transmission is very common; if the microorganism can remain in the air for long periods of time it can lead to infective agents being transmitted. Faecal-oral transmission usually from contaminated food or water sources also transmits infective agents to others. 5) There are key factors that make it more likely that infection will occur, if a person does not practice a safe and hygienic way of working this could make it more likely that infection will occur and then spread. Using person protective equipment is vital when providing care for vulnerable people whose immune system will not be as strong as a younger person. If ppe is not worn correctly it exposes people to all sorts of infections which could have disastrous consequences. Wearing the incorrect uniform and footwear could also increase the risk of infection; not washing hands frequently is a very common form of how infection occurs. If someone who has a virus goes into close proximity to another it will make it more likely that infection will occur. Dirty or contaminated areas in which bacteria can grow also increases the chance of infection occurring. If standard precautions are not met it increases the risk of infection occurring a lot.

Causes of Low Birth Rates

Causes of Low Birth Rates Childless or Childfree? Actress Katherine Hepburn said, â€Å"If motherhood doesn’t interest you then don’t do it!† She didn’t, along with opera singer Maria Callas, Queen Elizabeth I, and Oscar winning actress Helen Mirren , recently portraying Queen Elizabeth II. Melissa Dear, of the Family Planning Association, was recently quoted as saying that the falling birth rate was partly a reflection of the failure to provide women with adequate support. That may be so, but perhaps it is simpler than that. Perhaps more women want to have fun rather than have a baby. Not that babies can’t be fun some of the time, but really, what would you choose: worrying about ear infections, and wondering how to replace the front tyres on the car when you need to buy a miniature pair of winter boots which cost more than the ones you saw in your own size at Clarkes; or wondering about what to wear to your dinner party and where to go on holiday this year? In the past women reaching their thirties with no sign of a child would automatically be at the receiving end of thick streams of sympathy for their plight. After all, don’t all women have a deep maternal drive, this instinct, this burning desire to procreate? To experience for the best part of a year, haemorrhoids, backache and the raging hormones of pregnancy followed by the undeniably painful effort required to pass an infant the size of a melon through an opening better suited to something four inches in diameter. Then there’s the post pregnancy weight gain, possible occasional urine incontinence that means avoiding sneezing or coughing in public, and in private, your love life goes down the pan. Population forecasts suggest that of those women who are of childbearing age now, one in five may never have children. Some proportion of that will be due to infertility, but there will also be those women who make the choice not to have children. Some people might think this is an abnormal decision based on an immature worldview. There will still be the knowing nods and, â€Å"You’ll change your mind later!† â€Å"You are not truly a woman until you have given birth to a child.† Dr C Hakim, senior research fellow at the LSE said that researchers had been unable to account for the growing number of childfree women, finding no parallel with infertility statistics. Her research showed that there are rising numbers of women choosing not to have children. The childless woman is not necessarily bewailing her fate. Dr Hakim points out that around 10% of women reach the age of 45 with no children. She says: The whole idea of the childfree lifestyle is beginning to be recognised by the media. Private feelings are being legitimised and people are beginning to feel that they are not being deviant in some way. That â€Å"deviant† behaviour was addressed in a Radio 4 Woman’s Hour Phone-In, with women discussing problems in the workplace as childfree employees. You might think that it’s the mothers that have all the problems, considering they are the ones who have to work flexi hours, coming in late after the school run and having to rush off at the end of the school day. They are tied to school holidays, and are at the mercy of childminders in term time. However, the childfree women phoning in were generally quite resentful of the fact that they could not take advantage of later mornings as they had to cover the time the mums were not there. Victoria, a nurse, said, â€Å"I have covered for maternity leave, Christmas and all the other times that working mothers assumed was their right to be at home. I don’t get any tax relief or benefits for not having children, and I would like a little recognition now and then.† 20% of the adult female population in Britain are childfree, and Sarah from Leatherhead felt that she was treated as â€Å"a less useful citizen, despite holding down a demanding job† because she had no children. She said she was made to feel inferior and less important than the women with children, despite the fact that she often worked longer hours and seldom took time off. Why would childfree women would want to go on holiday in the summer with all those child-filled families? Surely the whole point is not to be around children? Apparently not. Childfree women do not necessarily dislike children; it is simply parenthood they are rejecting, and being a parent certainly is linked with disrupted lives and financial insecurity. Those women who do decide to have children are having them later. In 2005 the average age at which women had their first child was 27.3 years, with the highest rate of fertility being in their early 30s. Despite the rise in teenage pregnancies which alters the average, bringing it down, this is still a rise of almost 4 years since the 1970s. Clearly women are choosing to stay childfree for longer, concentrating on careers or travel, or just organising their lives before giving up their independence. Even then, it’s not all plain sailing! Julia Roberts, 39, actress and mother of 2-year-old twins reportedly said â€Å"I didn’t realise that I would get no sleep at all. I am so sleep deprived I can’t even stand, I have to sit down all the time.† Could it be that some women who have children are ever so slightly jealous of their carefree childfree sisters? Bibliography Dear, Melissa. (2002) Birth rate at all time low http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2570503.stm accessed 19 April 2007 Hakim, Dr C (2004) Family-friendly policies are unlikely to influence the voluntary childless http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/pressAndInformationOffice/newsAndEvents/archives/2004/Family_FriendlyPR.htm accessed 19 April 2007 Hepburn, Katherine. http://cheerfullychildless.com/CheeryQuotations.htm accessed 19 April 2007 Murphy, J (Unknown) re Julia Roberts Childcare tips from celebrity mums http://www.gomamatoday.com/modernmama/parenting/celebchildcaretips/?MemID=11 accessed 19 April 2007 National Statistics, (2006) http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/PopTrends126.pdf accessed 19 April 2007 Swann, C (2001) Famous people without children http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/childfree_by_choice/58081 accessed 19 April 2007 Woman’s Hour (2005) Childfree Women http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/2005_13_wed_01.shtml accessed 19 April 2007

Free Essays - Anthem :: Anthem Essays

Anthem is a story of man’s struggle to be free and to fight the masses of conformity.   It tells of human nature and the want to gain all the knowledge that one could possibly attain.   Man loses his safe haven and his security when he lets this lust for knowledge overpower him and lets it be seen by others. He becomes vulnerable Like Johann Faust, Prometheus sells his life for wisdom.   Unlike Faust, however, Prometheus is expelled from his society but gains his freedom of individuality and his freedom of knowledge and the ability to understand.   In Anthem, Prometheus and Gaea sin against society to become singular and understanding much like Adam and Eve’s sin against God when they ate the fruit of the tree of knowledge to gain wisdom; as a result, they can be compared to each other by there desire for learning and by their damnation.   An anthem is a sacred composition set to words from the Bible.   This may have significance with the title that Ayn Rand has given the book by paralleling the story of Prometheus and Gaea to that of Adam and Eve.   In the bible, Adam and Eve were given everything that they needed by God with the one exception of not to eat from a specific tree.   They were told by the devil that this tree was the tree of knowledge and to eat of it would give them knowledge equal to God’s.   In Anthem, Prometheus and Gaea are told that they have everything that they will ever need or desire by the council.   They are forbidden to gain knowledge that is not permitted by the council but only to do as they are told.   Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the pursuit of knowledge and ate of the tree in order to gain equality to God.   When they did this God found out and so condemned them and punished them for all eternity.   God banished them from paradise in the Garden of Eden.   A dam and Eve were no longer given anything as they were in the garden but instead were forced to suffer and survive on their own.   In Anthem, Prometheus and Gaea go against the will of the council and Prometheus yearns to gain knowledge that he realizes is being hidden from him. Prometheus hides his studies at first but then wants to share them with the council for the betterment of society but is instead condemned.

The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde and a Selection of Sherlock

In this essay the representation of the city will be explored in the writing style of the Fin de sià ¨cle. This essay will investigate The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde and a selection of Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle. Both books represent the city differently in some aspects, and in others, share similarities. Point one: dirty Dorian Gray is set in the late 19th century, in the middle of the decadent artistic movement, meaning Dorian would have been a fictitious contemporary of Wilde. Although the Victorian period was plagued with conservative views , Wilde has used Dorian to express the double standards those of the city’s elite indulge. Dorian sees between both ends of the social scales. But despite Dorian disapproving/disgusted he still visits the ‘narrow and gloomy’(Wilde,182) streets of the east end. As Richard Elman agrees ‘between these two worlds, no decent or comfortable middle classes , no quite family life, no dormitory sections in wildes vision of the big city’(p51). Dorian seems ignorant to the plight of people around him less fortunate. He uses this depressing environment as escapism, despite being inescapable to the poor people who live in the area whom opium dens, prostitution and filth are a reality. (Elman,154) P2-Sherlock Holmes-copper beeches) An alternative view of being able to disguise is that it is hard to realise that Holmes is one of these disguised people too. Holmes is a rational man in his work, but outside of that he is a drug addict, who ‘stores his tobacco in eccentric places like the toe of a Persian slipper’ (19th Century suspense, 93).In a city of thousands, Sherlock can easily flit in and out of society. Holmes is aware that vast amounts of crime happens everywh... ...ood, which means allot of things, are overlooked. The city environment allows him to seem as if he is a functioning like any other member of decent society. As this essay has shown, both texts use a variety of methods to show the opinions of the time and author. Wilde uses his character to portray the double standards and decadence of the age. While Doyle similarity uses Sherlock and Watson as moral compasses. Although on the face of it both Dorian and Sherlock seem polar opposites, they do share similarities; the city is seen as a corruptible force by the authors. Some people fight this, like Holmes and Watson, but others cannot or will not as in Dorians case. In the end, the city changes its inhabitants whether they like it or not. Works Cited http://www.angelfire.com/ok5/perceivers/images/Scandal.pdf http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1661/1661-h/1661-h.htm#1

Distingusih Between Assertive and Submissive Style of Communication

Distinguish between assertive and submissive style of communication What are assertive and submissive styles of communication? Assertive communication is a way of acting that does not make the people to hurt physically or emotionally. In addition, it allows us to declare our own rights and the rights of others. We are able to show our feelings, wants and needs openly. When we communicate with other people, we are open to listening their feelings or needs as well as are willing to compromise. Thus, it consists of strong self-esteem, self-respect and self-confidence.Submissive communication is a passive action that is self-denying and not searching for achieving goals. Moreover, it does not express needs, wants, opinions or feelings and then it always avoids conflict even though it is discomfortable. When we fail to communicate our concerns or hesitations, other people will not know how we feel or will misinterpret our actions. There are two differences between assertive and submissive style of communication such as behaviors and responses. To begin with, behavior is a difference of these communications.This is because assertive behavior is to pretend in a sense, which is neither passive nor aggressive. It demonstrates honest, self-confident and direct communication. When we are able to behave as an assertive person, we will express and use direct ways, which respect the feeling of the other people. For example, while you and your friend discuss about the assignment, you listen what your friend want to say first and then you give feedback honestly what it should be or not. Submissive behavior gives the priority to the other and is afraid of meeting conflict.It allows others to dictate to them, denies their rights and ignores the needs. In group projects, some group members take one task of their projects. Then, only one person needs to take two tasks of the projects but he has to do another project. Nevertheless, he does not refuse the tasks to take. And then he does not express the feeling that is not comfortable. Response is a kind of verbal and non-verbal interaction between the speaker and the listener. A basic assertive response may involve a simple request such as â€Å"You can help me how to calculate the equation†.But using â€Å"I† statement is not simply response to other people ‘s statement. For example, â€Å"I like the way you handled this project† or â€Å"I feel good when you accept my opinion†. In submissiveness, its response can encourage treatment that reinforces a passive role. While the underlying causes of passive responding are often poor self-confident and self-esteem, passive responding itself can serve to further reduce the feelings of self-worth. For instance, if a submissive person may tend to have poor eye contact that he has trouble looking others in the eye.He does not use any gestures when he is talking with someone as well as he doesn’t show much expression on his face . If he does responses an expression, it’s probably a constant smile or a blank look. In conclusion, behaviors and responses are the ways of acting in communication. We do need to be careful in using behaviors and responses as some of these actions will lead to bad attitude. We will apply suitable behaviors and responses in appropriate situation. I think that using assertive style can get successful in life because it is not anxious to face good things or bad things.However, submissive communication cannot achieve the goals hopping in the mind owing to the fact that it fears to experience an unmet thing. References Harris, G. (2011). The difference between Passive, Aggressive and Assertive Communication. The Recovering Engineer. Retrieved on March 19, 2013, from http://recoveringengineer. com/2011/10/ Changing Minds. (n. d. ). Submissive Behavior. Retrieved on March 20, 2013, from http://changingminds. org/techniques/assertiveness/submissive_behavior. htm

Interrail Pass Integrated Marketing Communication Plan Essay

The main difference between the EuRail and the InterRail is simply based on the passenger’s country of residency. The EuRail is available to residents of a non-European country and the InterRail is available for European residents only. You can be eligible for the InterRail if you have been a resident in a European country for at least 6 months. EuRail and InterRail Passes are widely known as the best rail passes in Europe, having the ability of flexibility by its large range of options. The main audience in the market for the InterRail are a highly 74% youth, having the highest sales in UK, Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Sweden. The InterRail Global Pass, valid for travel in 30 European countries, is still and remains for the 5 year the most popular option among the audience of youth travellers under 26 years old. But within the Global pass, there is dominance for the flexible travel. Due that is in high demand, it is clearly visible that the 10 travel days within 22 days is the most popular product for travellers not wishing to travel everyday of their vacations. One Country pass are Italy and Germany that combined form 62% of the market share. EuRail Group reports an audience of over 248,000 Europeans explored Europe by train. The biggest strength that InterRail has it that is a unique selling product in within the travel market. There is no other kind of pass similar to the InterRail, giving a huge advantage on the market place. Their only competition in a certain way will be the airlines, giving in some cases cheaper tickets or having a faster route. Other mayor strength is they have gathered all of the companies their users are more likely to need in their travels, and create a partnership between them, giving the user benefits and promotions in their services and products. A weakness for the product is that the trains can be highly confusing for the people that have never before use them, making that niche of the audience prefer that actual airplanes. Also there is an speculation in the internet about, the difficulties there are when booking a train with the pass. The Opportunities in within this product will always be to get as much destinations as possible. In within the travel market, the best agency will take you every place you want to go. Creating for InterRail, only a matter of agreements and routes to increase the diversification in the audience and options for the users. A Threat that I found on the market was the airplane because they can travel over seas, giving the advantage in some determined routes takes less time to arrive to the destination rather than the trains, making them look slower and therefore not functional. The Main objectives of the InterRail are to create, manage and target the increasingly comprehensive InterRail passes. Working to generate widespread awareness of the benefits of rail travel for the traveller. One of the Marketing Communication Strategies the product will be using is to emphasis on the brand differentiation with the airplanes. Letting know our audience and market, the benefits of using a train and with that, the InterRail. In here, the plan is to include us and other companies in a generic campaign, fighting for the environment. This would help the market to know, that using a train is more environmental friendly. Current Market Situation When the first InterRail Pass was launched on March 1, 1972 it was managed in conjunction by a large number of train and shipping companies. These companies were starting the business of an overall pass that could unite the traveling experience and save money traveling by train at the same time. In 2001, the EuRail Group was established as an organization dedicated to the marketing and management of the EuRail pass. The EuRail Group is wholly owned by the participating railways and shipping companies with key decisions being taken by the board, consisting of eight appointed member railways. In addition, the Group has many benefit partners, including hotels, transport companies, and museums, which offer their services either at a reduced rate or free of charge for rail, pass holders. In 2007 the EuRail group took over the InterRail pass, to give a more commercial focus. The Market of the InterRail has existed since 1972; there have been several changes. The first InterRail ticket was targeted towards backpacking students under the age of 21 travelling around Europe on a limited budget and cost around 118 euros. The age limit for availing of an InterRail holiday increased from 21 to 23 in 1976 and rose to 26 years in 1979. InterRail targets its rail passes to European residents of all ages and budgets. The highest sales originate in the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Sweden. Around 74% of InterRail customers are youth, under the age of 26. The proportion of young travellers is higher for the InterRail Global Pass; 79,7% of customers are youth. For the One Country Pass, this proportion is 62,1%.. EuRail Group reports a positive full year of sales for the fifth year running. They had over 248,000 Europeans explored Europe by train. Compared to 2010, the month-to-month sales followed a similar pattern that on 2010. But there were some changes in the months of April and May. These two months were more productive than last year, having a positive sale of 11% for April and 14% growth in May. Also there has been and increase on online sales if InterRail passes, being a 25% amount of the total sales. The InterRail Global Pass, valid for travel in 30 European countries, is still and remains for the 5 year the most popular option among the audience of youth travellers under 26 years old. But within the Global pass, there is dominance for the flexible travel. Due that is in high demand, it is clearly visible that the 10 travel days within 22 days is the most popular product for travellers not wishing to travel everyday of their vacations. In second hand, we have the InterRail one country pass, also having a significant increase of 5. % in sales. The most popular destinations for traveling with the One Country pass are Italy and Germany that combined form 62% of the market share. The Travellers purchasing this pass are interested in visiting one particular country and explore it in depth. The EuroRail Group estimates to see continued growth for the InterRail passes, even with the challenging current European economic state. Mr. de Groot, Managing Director of the EuRail Group said: â€Å"Whilst growth remained modest for the InterRail Global Pass, we still welcomed an additional 5. 00 passengers last year. This reconfirms that InterRail Passes are still an excellent way to explore Europe. We are therefore confident that InterRail sales will continue to grow in the years to come as more and more Europeans discover the real value for money this pass represents† SWOT and Market Analysis In the SWOT analysis we get to describe the strategic planning method used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats that are involved in a business venture. The analysis divides into two many factors, Internal and External. The Internal factors are the strengths and the weakness of the organization. The External factors are the Opportunities and Threats presented by the external environment to the organization. One of the biggest Strengths of the InterRail is that the EuRail Group has total control over the market, as I see it, it`s a Monopoly. I research for a competition pass, another company that was doing something similar, but I found none. This is because the EuRail Group belongs to the most powerful train companies in Europe, leaving no market space for any other company to equal their promotions. Their only competition in a certain way will be the airlines, giving in some cases cheaper tickets or having a faster route. But they make sure their costumers get what there are looking for, and that will be discount and saving money. EuRail Group has many benefit partners, including hotels, transport companies, and museums. This is another strength for the InterRail; they have gathered all of the companies their users are more likely to need in their travels, creating a microenvironment between them. Some benefits InterRail pass holders have are discounted and free ferry travels on various European crossings. An example can be, that the pass holder can travel free in a ferry between Italy and Greece and even can stop off in the Island of Corfu with no charges. Another strength the InterRail pass is the reputation it has in its marketplace. Since I’ve been to Europe in 2009 to travel with pass, every person I know from then, that has a relatively experience in travel in Europe or has been planning to do so in the near future, has the perception that the InterRail pass is the best way to travel, not only to get to know all of Europe in a short amount of time, but also a way to do explore and save money for other things. Another strength that InterRail has compared to airlines is that most of the stations are in the heart of the city, making it easy to move when arriving to your destination. As everything in life, there are strengths and weaknesses. The hard part about describing a weakness in this product is that they are the only product for this market. But there are a few we can talk about. One of the first weaknesses I found when starting to research was that at first, the InterRail was design for young people to get to travel around Europe for a low amount of money. But things have change, since the beginning of the InterRail; the pass has been changing its rules to travel. At first there was only a global pass, an unlimited month, were you can get in any train you want in the determined month you selected. But know, there is a different story. InterRail has now broken into several passes. Creating a new and different way to travel, having more options, because Europe had been divided into areas. However, some young people believe that the new-zoned tickets have destroyed the original InterRail concept, which allowed unlimited travel over a set period. Leaving the impression that the InterRail is to make profits, and not to help the traveler. Another weakness that I discover was the airplanes. As I began to research, general population of the InterRail had some problems with the booking of trains, they said that they didn’t know that some trains needed to be booked in advance or they didn’t know the difference within the ones you have to book or the ones who don’t. Creating an opinion that is safer to go in plane because you have secure you place in the plane when buying your ticket. Another weakness the InterRail has the trains cant leave the tracks, therefore having to create first the route with track to make the journey possible. The External factor of the InterRail are to be consider, these factors determine the position and structure EuRail Group has to market to be well placed in within the market. The opportunities InterRail has in the market are beginning to getting achieved. As you have read, the InterRail only moves within Europe. But what about Morocco, Libya, Iran Saudi Arabia or even better Mexico. The Opportunities in within this product will always be to get as much destinations as possible. In within the travel market, the best agency will take you every place you want to go. Creating for InterRail, only a matter of agreements and routes to increase the diversification in the audience and options for the users. Another Opportunity the InterRail can have, to create another kind of pass called â€Å"The Group†. This pass will have an itinerary and a trip already planed with nticipation, but the user gets to travel all the time with a group of 10 people, creating the experience of getting to know a new country or city with new people. Therefore the InterRail will become something more than just a pass, but the creator of a full experience trip. The Threats to this organization, the EuRail Group, has been and always be the airplane market. Because of that, the airlines become a direct competitor for the InterRail. This other different market basically does the same but has its difference. In the general outcome of airplanes, at first were considered annoying because of the separation between the city and the airport, the check in for the baggage and the long waiting hours to clime the plane. But all of this has given the InterRail some fight. Another advantage of the plane is that they can travel over seas, giving the advantage in some determined routes takes less time to arrive to the destination rather than the trains, making them look slower and therefore not functional. When booking a flight within 3 or more weeks in advance is a threat for the InterRail, because the airlines can assure very low prices. Another threat that came to me researching the airplanes market was the very low prices they can have in some flights. There is a website called lastminute. com, this website has flights opened at the last minute, 3 days before departure in some cases, and are sold at low prices. Another possible threat is the organization of the most powerful bus companies in Europe. Imagine creating the same pass the trains have, but creating a network of buses that could take you every were you want in the continent. Creating a similar but profitable competition for the InterRail a much cheaper way to travel in within Europe. This could be a niche even smaller than the one InterRail actually posses but can be a start, for the pass to be knowledgeable in the market place. As a general market analysis, the InterRail is in great positioning on the travel market. Giving the ability to travel all around Europe for a low cost, providing destination to every corner. The strength of the product makes it an incomparable experience, due to the factor that is an network of companies that have to share the expenses on the railing, and by that case, created an group for that same reason. As for the railing, its part of it weakness because of the fact that a railway route has to be made in order to create the destination, but what about those destination, not much frequent, but get to have a share in the audience options. Will it be profitable to have that destination; will it be profitable to have the railroad made? There is a lot to be discovered in this market but the most intriguing part of all its future are the opportunities they have to become bigger, to expand to different countries to different continents. Also the rapid innovation on train machinery makes the trains arrive faster at their destination and become more profitable an even more environmental friendly. For last, the most direct competitors for the InterRail are the airlines. They can have lower prices for longer destination, creating a disadvantage for the InterRail. Also can be considering the conjunction of the bus owners, having the same effect as the EuRail Group.

My Thoughts on Pygmalion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

My Thoughts on Pygmalion - Essay Example In order to come to a proper personal conclusion on Shaw's Pygmalion, one must critically evaluate not only the seen plot and sequence of events in this play, but as well how the actual play was written, and in what context it was expected to be presented in. Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion is a play in which there are many different issues that take place, however most of them are actually incredibly subtle, and so they are often missed by some who view it. The main issue of the play however is one which is certainly not subtle, and that is in regards to the relationship that grows and becomes more imminent between Higgins and Doolittle; we see Higgins at the beginning as being a rather arrogant and cocky man, as he makes a bet regarding someone that did not even know they were involved; as well, we see that although at first Doolittle obviously does not purposely want to be interested in him, she does end up having feelings for him but then goes contrast to that and declares that she is going to marry someone else. Despite the intense central relationship that takes place between Higgins and Doolittle, the play ends up with her leaving t

Network Security Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Network Security - Term Paper Example The rapid growth of networking has also come with its own challenges, mainly in the area of network security. Maiwald defines security as the â€Å"freedom from danger, fear or anxiety: safety† (4). He also defines a network as an interlinked system. Therefore, network security can be defined as the safety of interlinked systems. There are to kinds of networks: synchronous network and data networks. Synchronous network systems are made up of switches, which makes them immune to malicious attacks. However, data network systems contain routers that are computer based, making them susceptible to all kinds of malicious attacks. The internet is perhaps the best known and most widely used data network on the globe today. A few years ago, the computer system was seen as a harmless piece of technology and not many people cared really for computer security. To many people at the time, most computer operations and software were illogical, thus the risk of hackers was quite low (Kaufman, Radia and Speciner 43). However, since the mid 1980s, networked computer workstations became common and with this came the issue of information and network security. More and more people are able to read and understand computer algorithms, meaning that the likelihood of a system being hacked into is very easy. Organizations are forced to share networks with distrustful organizations and individuals. The world of network security is quite hostile since a small percentage of the population can cause untold damage to a global network. This is the situation that makes network security such an important matter in today’s highly networked society. There is need to protect the data and information that companies, institutions and individuals need protected by designing fool-proof network security systems. History of Network Security Widespread interest in network security gained ground in the 1980s when Kevin Mitnick hacked into the systems of several companies and made away with $80 million. This was the biggest computer-related crime by a single person in the history of the United States. The birth of the internet also marked the beginning of the interest in network security. In 1969, internet was developed after the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANet) was given the mandate to carry out research in networking. ARPANet was an instant success and before long, email applications had become quite popular (Pardoe and Snyder 223). Th InterNetworking Working Group (IWG) was given the responsibility of governing ARPANet by setting the standards for use. On the 1980s, TCP/IP, which is a common langu age shared by all computers connected to the internet, was developed. Thus internet was officially born. The mid 1980s saw a boom in the number of personal and commercial computers which led to many companies joining the internet bandwagon. In the early 1990s it was the urn of the public to get access to the internet, and this marked the birth of the World Wide Web (WWW) era. Today the internet is widespread all across the world and many people carry out their daily activities online (Maiwald 60). The actual history of internet security began in 1918 when an enigma machine that could convert plain text to encrypted messages was developed in Poland. 22 years later, Alan Turing broke the enigma code. The word hacker was first coined by students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The Telnet Protocol developed in the 1970s and this led to data networks being accessed by the public. The 1980s saw the rise of hackers and computer-related crimes. The Computer fraud and Abu se Act was enacted in 1986 to minimize cases of information stealing from military and federal offices (Kaufman, Radia and