TECHNOLOGY IN THE NEWS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

TECHNOLOGY IN THE NEWS - Essay Example There are rumors that some executives of HP may have tried to halt the appointment of the CEO by hiding Autonomy’s negative information. The reports are suggestive of lack of transparency at HP, if things are not more serious. The impact of the latest revelations on HP cannot be predicted with utmost surety at this time, but if HP is found guilty in the future, thus would lead to a big black eye with respect to the public relations. HP might have to face litigation accordingly. Contrary to the perception that there is no more place of new mobile phones in the world, a range of next-generation models will be introduced at the Mobile World Congress (MWS) 2014 (Cutlack). Samsung and Sony have made exceptions by demonstrating their new mobile models at separate events in 2013. This year’s MWC will display new tech such as bendable screens. Companies like Samsung have advertised their new models that will be displayed in MWS

Use of financial ratios in evaluating companies Essay Example for Free

Use of financial ratios in evaluating companies Essay Use of financial ratios in evaluating companies Introduction                   Financial ratios are the indicators used by financial analyst to determine the general position of a certain organization. They are also known as economic ratios, are obtained in financial statements, and are relative to figures of two distinct periods. These ratios compare the direction organizations are taking within a specified period. They will therefore show the strengths and weaknesses in the firms in relation to others or a comparison between two timelines. These ratios are important to the shareholders as they are able to know the direction a company is going by the shift in its share. In addition, the managers depend on them to know where they are leading the organizations. Some of the main financial statements where these ratios are gotten fro include the balance sheet and the statement of cash flows. Easy Jet Company is one of the companies that maintains its financial ratios and has benefited a lot. Although these ratios have many useful benefits in evaluating the performance and management of companies, they also have many limitations.                   Aspects of financial ratios that can be used include the liquidity ratio, which is the ability of an organization to pay the expenditures that are for a short period. Profitability ratios show the amount of dollars earned per sale of one item. Others include activity ratio, which indicates whether the company is capable of managing its total assets. The financial leverage ratio on the other hand shows the ability of the company meeting long term goals while shareholder ratio relates to amount of shares as per the stock. Finally, the return on investment ratio relates the amount of profit as per the assets used. Easy Jet Company uses these ratios and has benefits and limitations as discussed below.                   Financial ratios have an advantage in comparing different companies in the market. They enable the companies to be kept together not keeping into consideration such factors as capital amount, amount of sales and the market control. This is because the ratios do not depend much on the amount of starting but the rate of change of that amount in relation to other companies or time (Troy, 2008). They will tell the ability of a certain business to be able to pay its expenditure and probability of making a profit. Companies may, for example, boast of a high level of capital compared with other small ones, but when analysis is done from a perspective of rate of stock turnover. This may prove the smaller company is efficiently run. They therefore help in the comparison and the managers will be able to collect any problem that may be there and compete favorably.                   They also help in analyzing a certain line of industries and upcoming young companies to gauge the industries they want to venture in. The ratios will help also to show fast growing industries and advise young entrepreneurs accordingly. Small companies will also be able to gauge themselves on their relevance in the market due to their contribution compared to the big ones. According to Weygandt (1996), financial ratios also enable the shareholders and analysts to analyze stock valuation. Investors in this area will be able to gauge on the company worth investing in and those to avoid completely. This knowledge helps investors in investing their money where there is a likelihood of making a profit. The ratios will help the companies in performance and planning. To attract lenders and investors, companies may prepare a detailed report and convince them with the capability of the company. Managers are also motivated to work hard since the ratios will be see n by many and would expose their weaknesses.                   On the other hand, the ratios have limitations. Many companies deal with different products in the market and comparing them directly may not be an effective way of showing the success or failure of a business. Some companies enjoy low number of days at the rate of stock turnover due to a certain season. Comparing its ratios with off-season will definitely show a negative trend, which should not show someone being responsible for it. Comparing it with others during the high season will convince shareholders that the company is making progress only to realize it was due to seasonal product. Using financial ratios to compare companies leads to misleading information to the managers and the investors. Due to the use of different environmental, cultural and structure of the market, financial ratios are not a good measure of success or failure of a company.                   The ratios are affected by the level of inflation. Comparing a company’s financial ratio of a year without inflation with another year with high levels of inflation will not give a good result. The sales will be high, but the level of profit decreases, showing a negative trend which otherwise is not the case. This may cause loss of jobs and investors. The company may at last collapse not because of poor management but the financial ratios. There may also be a situation where the ratios used are a mixture of bad and good ones making it difficult to know the position of the company. Some companies operate departments in different industries. It therefore becomes difficult to come up with average ratios to measure the performance of the company. If these ratios are used well the results are insightful, but dangerous where when used mechanically.                   According to Ablin, et al (2013), Easy Jets payments to the employees increased from 476 £m in 2012 to 517 £m in the year 2013. This indicates an increase of 8% an indication that the company’s return on investment ratio has improved. This is marked by an increase from 317 £m to 478 £m a 51% increase in the total profit before tax which indicates appropriate strategies have been used. This includes the increase in the rate of income per seat, offset by the use of forward bookings and the purchase of additional A320 aircraft. Earnings per share increased 2013 as compared to 2012 with earnings per share increasing from 62.5 to 101.3 for basic and 61.7 to 100.0 for diluted increasing the shareholder ratio. The executive directors are employed and paid directly by the Easy jet airline company’s revenue.                   Return on capital increased with the onset of 2013 from 2012. The rate changed from 11.3% to 17.4% indicating growth in the company. This is attributed to increase in the number of leased aircrafts from 26% in 2012 to 33% in 2013 (Easy Jet, 2013). On May 2013, Easy jet entered into an agreement with Flybe for the exchange of some flying right in the airport of Gatwick. The shareholders approved the deal and on August the same year, $7 million was paid. This made the operations of the company effective, resulting in the increase in the return on capital. This is further explained by the shareholders decision to enter into a contract with Airbus in July 2013. In Easy Jet Switzerland S.A, the company has 49% shares and plans to own the remaining 51% by 2022.                   Upgrading by the company’s management from a 156 seater A319 aircraft to A320 results to a saving in the cost of a seat by between 8% and 7%. There is also another cause of increased savings in the development and movement from 180 seat A320 to 180 new generation neo aircraft. This cause further 4% to 5% savings per seat. This has made the company to continue offering services to the ever-increasing number of customers as the company. There has also been the development where the company has changed in reducing its cash on deposit. This has increased the amount of cash that the company holds in liquid following the release of the  £130 million previously held. Conclusion                   Financial ratios play an important role in determining the direction a company is taking. Like a driver who drives a vehicle, managers depend mostly on these ratios to determine the direction as drivers are heading the company. The companies are able to compare their performance in the market with others courtesy of these ratios. The ratios also have a role in enabling the investors and shareholders determine on which company is fit for them to invest. Similarly, they have drawbacks in that they do not reflect the true picture of a company’s position when there is inflation in the country in addition to company that deals with many departments within different lines of production. Easy Jet Company has successfully used these ratios effectively and has developed to be an excellent company competing effectively with others. It is therefore a successful company. Reference Ablin et al (2013). Easy jet plc (1st ed.). Switzerland: Park Communications. Troy, L. (2008). Almanac of business and industrial financial ratios.Chicago, IL: CCH. Weygandt, J. J., Kieso, D. E., Kell, W. G. (1996). Accounting Principles (4th ed.). New York Easy Jet. (2013). easyJet plc Annual report and accounts. Easy Jet plc Source document

Value Engineering Management Executive Summery Construction Essay

Value Engineering Management Executive Summery Construction Essay Value Management is structured and systematic process of team based decision making and professional team may involve to the workshop by decision making as per the current situation, condition or issue. VE is a speculated cost control techniques performed by an independent group of experienced professionals. The technique involves an intensive, systematic and creative study to reduce cost while enhancing reliability and performance. Most of investors enthusiastic to have best value for their investment by implementing Value management/ engineering process, through life cycle of the projects. As a result of unstable world economy and political conditions, Al Maya Resident Complex project (Including with 25 no stories and car park in three story basement) client was unable to find necessary funds required for the project. Therefore the cost of construction should reduce as much as possible. Hence it is necessary to carry out a value engineering workshop to find out possible ways to reduce the cost of construction by maintaining the required level of quality, performance and functional requirement. ACKNOWLEDGMENT INTRODUCTION Value Management is well established methodology which can use for maximizing the value for money. Value management strategies can apply at any stage of the life cycle (project from inception to the demolition) of a project. By applying value management strategies since the conception stage of a project, the client will be able to achieve a better value for his investment (money) by providing required level of quality, performance and all necessary functions. The client can carry out Value management / engineering work shops while construction is ongoing also by considering market conditions, economy conditions, political conditions, environmental conditions etc to seek better value for money by finding alternative methods, do changes as necessary etc. MAIN BODY DISCUSSION What Is the Value Engineering/ Value Management? Concept of Value Engineering When study about concept of VE, Lawrence Miles who is the founder of VE in 1940s a purchase engineer with the  General Electric Company  (G. E. C). Miles observed that many of the alternates were providing equal or better performance at a lower cost and from this changed the first definition of value engineering, as per the article of WBDG National Institute of Building Sciences by Scott Cullen (12-15-2010). Value Management Process Value Management is structured and systematic process of team based decision making and professional team may involve to the workshop by decision making as per the current situation, condition or issue. There are few stages in decision making such as; Information phase. Objective phase. Functional analysis phase. Creativity phase. Evaluation phase. Development phase. Reporting and recommendation phase. What Is the different of VE and VM? VE Consider from a tactical point of view, VM consider from the strategic point of view. In simple terms VM address WHY? And VE address HOW? What Is the Value Engineering? The Value Engineering for Wastewater Treatment Works of USA- EPA, noted in it, VE is a speculated cost control techniques performed by an independent group of experienced professionals. The technique involves an intensive, systematic and creative study to reduce cost while enhancing reliability and performance. Why Is it used? To establish the best design alternatives for Projects. To reduce unnecessary cost on the Projects. To improve quality, increase reliability and availability, and customer satisfaction. To improve schedule. To reduce risk. To identify problems and develop recommended solutions. Generally value engineering process can be apply at any point/ phase in a project, However, usually if use in early stage of the project life cycle, will have sufficient benefits on investment. There are three main stages of VEs application, those are describing as below. Planning Phase Planning stage is pre-study preparation phase of VE; there are additional benefits to be resulted from a Value Engineering Workshop. Therefore independent team can be: Review the program. Perform a functional analysis of the facility. Obtain the owner/users definition of value. Define the key criteria and objectives for the project. Verify/validate the proposed program. Review master plan utility options, Offer alternative solutions. Verify if the budget is adequate. Graph showing the potential savings from VE applications Graph 1.1 VE application This graph shows very clear VE benefits of VE application furthermore. (Extracted from Value Engineering for Wastewater Treatment Works of USA- EPA) VE Workshop Phase This is the most important phase of the VE process, generally address as VE workshop, required at least one workshop, typically 40- hour workshop session. As well as, client and designer whom they are decide the location as convenient of them. The first step is prepare of agenda including; Introduction, Briefing of value engineering, Presentation of Project design by project designer, Outline of the project Constrains, Question by VE team members for the designer, Methodology and Approach There are particular identify five-step during the actual Workshop of job plan of the VE study, as prescribed by article of Value Engineering; by Scott Cullen in WDBG program. Information Phase The Value management facilitator gives brief explanation to all participants about the value management process, project and study objectives; roles and rules of the exercise. Information about the project objectives, critical issues and constraints identified at the Strategic Diagnosis meeting, etc. Speculation (Creative) Phase Collecting of creativity ideas from each team member and analyze them to identify which idea is worthy, which one should improve to use, which one not worthy or additional study required to evaluate, etc. Judgment (Evaluation) Phase By evaluating all creativity ideas with cost benefits etc the decision making team will take the final decision about each idea / proposal to incorporate to the final report. Development Phase (Value Management Proposals) In this phase VE team prepare alternative designs with capital and life cycle cost comparison of original design and proposed alternative. And all recommendation supplements with written descriptions, sketches, basic technical information and cost summaries. Presentation Phase (Report/Oral Presentation) In this phase VE team present the summery of it s finding to the owner and designers, explaining the basic ideas of alternatives. Post Work shop phase The Value management Facilitator prepares and presents a report for key stake holders of the project which includes Summary of each phase, decisions made and actions to be taken, alternative methods and materials etc. which provide a complete audit trail. Then client and designers will consider the VE recommendations. Value Engineering Workshop Report of Al Maya Residential Complex Project Introduction This Dubai base multi story residential Complex project; Client is a one of the reputed experienced person in the Construction industry. According to the requirement of the client, he anticipate to reduce the unnecessary cost in the project if available, without touching or disturbing to the original quality, value of the project that planned at the began. This workshop was held in client office and all expenditure bared by client as own budget. Hence Value management and value engineering workshops are conducted according to the following principles: The workshop is held to reduce the cost of the project. All participants are stakeholder of the project. All participants take part and are able to put forward ideas and suggestions. The study was facilitated by Mr. Susan Ali and Mr. Smith De Silva of Sullivan of PMP Pty Ltd in accordance with the requirements of AS/NZS 4183:1994 (Value Management). Project details Type of the project Al Maya Resident Complex including with 25 no stories and car park in three story basement. Participants Client Mr./Ms Al Suwahdi Mohomad Civil Engineer (Contractor) ASCON Construction LLC Project Manager- ALEC Project Management LLC Architect- Design Group LLC MEP Designer- ASCON Construction LLC Quantity Surveyor- TEAMS Consultant LLC Safety Manger- ASCON Construction LLC Value Engineer Team- PMP Value Management LLC Location of the Project Zone 452/5, Block No.115, Emirate garden, Al Kahweenj, Dubai Duration of Construction 24 Months (18 Months remaining for Construction) Agreed Cost of the Contract AED 30.5 million agreed sum Current Issue Reduction of Unnecessary construction cost of the Proposed Resident Complex project through without touching or disturbing the required level of quality, functions and value due to lack of allocated finance. Agenda of Value Engineering Workshop Project: Al Maya Resident Complex including with 25 nos stories and car park in three story basement. Subject: Reduction of Unnecessary construction cost of the Project due to lack of allocated finance. Location: On 12th Nov. 2012 at the Park Building, Dubai. One day basis No. Events Person From To 1. Introduction Clients representative 9.00 am 9.15am 2. Briefing of VE VE Team leader 9.15 am 9.45am 3. Presentation of the Project details Designers 9.45am 10.15am 4. Tea Break 10.15am 10.30am 5. Outline the Project constrain Project Manager 10.30am 11.00am 6. Questions by Value Manger VE member 11.00am 12.00pm 7. Lunch 12.00pm 12.30pm 8. Information Phase VE member 12.30pm 1.30pm 9. Speculation Phase VE member 1.30pm 2.00pm 10. Judgment Phase All Individual members (VE members) 2.00pm 3.00pm 11. Development Phase VE member 3.00pm 3.30pm 12. Tea Time 3.30pm 3.45pm 13. Presentation Phase 3.45pm 4.30pm The VE workshop This Value Engineering Workshop occurred according to the five-stage of job plan that recommended by New Zealand standard (AS/NZS 4183: 1994). The aim of this value Engineering workshop consist of identifying unnecessary cost, developing alternatives, enabling decisions to be made without touching or disturbing the required level of quality, functions and value. Information phase Particularly in this phase of the workshop, client shared relevant information with workshop members, mainly objective of the workshop to ready all participant for ask questions, begin to develop ideas and suggestions and challenge ideas already on the table. The ideas are being to promote innovative alternatives and ideas that may lead to better value outcomes for the project. All participant were presented they ideas asking question at this stage therefore this very important stage of the VE workshop for clearly make understand of the objective further. Client Agent He explained the project background and objectives for all participants clearly, and his expectation getting of workshop finally as unnecessary cost reduction of the project without touching or disturbing the project original scope. Civil Engineer He explained the existing situation of construction and agreed with some proposals given by VE team. Such as local made sanitary fittings and accessories, wall floor tiles, etc. due all make under UK standards Project Manager He explained possibility of mange for all ideas Architect He very much concerned about change of tile and local made sanitary items, eventually, he satisfy and explain those are under similar quality of original design. MEP Designer He explained the possibility of change of lighting system inside the all room without harm to the original quality and value. Quantity Surveyor He explained cost effective for all participant ideas, Safety Manger He explained concerning the safety side for all new ideas, potential incident in future as well as some changes by recommended. Value Engineer Team They explained the their proposals Speculative phase This step of the VE workshop concerned developing creative ideas, the VE team trace all possible methods of providing the required functions within the project at a lower cost to the owner, many of the ideas were generated during the function analysis by detraining the worth of Collecting of creativity ideas from each team member and analyze them to identify which idea is worthy, which one should improve to use, which one not worthy or additional study required to evaluate, etc. Hence, all ideas given by the Value engineering team are as follows, and also the Quantity Surveyor provided possible cost saving by each idea. N Specified work items in Contract Proposed Ideas Comments Original Cost Proposed Cost Potential Savings 1. Important sanitary fittings and bath room accessories UK made as specified. locally made Similar quality instead of import from UK Cost saving, not effect to the quality. AED 4.2 million AED 3.1 million AED 0.9 million 2. 9 cement blocks for internal walls. 4 cement block for internal walls. Cost saving and not change the quality. AED 8.5 million AED 6.1 million AED 1.5 million 3. 100 Lux Normal Incandescent Lights bulbs for all rooms and out sides 100 Lux energizer bulbs instead of specified Incandescent Lights bulbs. Cost saving but the change will effect to the appearance AED 11.0 million AED 8.0 million AED 1.0 million 4. Cast in-suit concrete floor and guard wall of Car park. Precast concrete for car park floor slab and guard walls. Cost saving Possible time. AED 5.5 million AED 5.5 million 5. Electrical panel boards and accessories units import from UK. Electrical panel boards and accessory units should import from china instead of UK made. Cost saving and might not high standard with compare of UK made. AED 10.0 million AED 10.0 million 6. 9 inch thick internal block wall as specified. For all 9 inch brick internal wall should be changed to 4 inch block walls. Cost saving, AED15.0 million AED15 million All participants were noted down the ideas but not judge them at this stage. Later in the workshop all participants would be given the opportunity to judge all proposals for worth and assess whether can be implemented to archive the aim of the VE workshop, hence at the Judgment Phase each of the ideas was evaluated for worth. JUDGEMENT PHASE In this phase the whole group judged the speculative ideas for merit; the purpose being to identify ideas that are likely to reduce cost of the project. Evaluation The following table lists the ideas submitted by participants and they were evaluated in accordance with the following rating system: Each Idea has rated by each participant as how it is effecting to the time, cost and quality of the project. Then it is possible to put rates at the opportunity column according to the given points by professionals. Then the Value Engineering Coordinator can select which proposal should develop, which proposal should reject and also which proposal can directly push for the action, etc. Company: PMP Value Management LLC. Project: Al Maya Residential Complex Project,( 25 storey and Car park in basement) Held on : 05-10-2012 Table of Impact of VE workshop Summary No Description Impact Opp. Action Remarks T C Q 1. Locally made Similar quality instead of import from France made sanitary fittings accessories. 5 5 4 5 A Cost saving 2. 4 cement block for internal walls. 5 4 5 5 A Cost saving 3. 100 Lux energizer bulbs instead of specified Incandescent Lights bulbs. 5 3 3 4 R Effect to Appearance 4. Precast concrete for car park floor slab and guard walls. 5 5 5 5 D To be identify possible areas 5. Electrical panel boards and accessory units should import from china instead of UK made. 3 5 4 4 A Cost saving but should order again 6. For all 9 inch brick internal wall should be changed to 4 inch block walls. 3 5 5 5 A Cost saving but design to be done back Code of Rating Opp = Opportunity, Impact= T Time, C Cost, Q Quality Rating of Impact = 1 Possible/Low, 5-Very Possible/High Action=A (Accept), D (Develop), R (Reject) This identified ideas with the potential of cost saving or improvements to the project shall be identified for further development under development phase. DEVELOPMENT PHASE In this phase participants have the opportunity to make specific recommendations and proposals based on outcomes of the earlier phases. Workshop outcomes and a specific action plan are also produced pending the post workshop report. EVALUATION OF THE PROPOSAL The proposal was supported by participants because it: Support to local traders, Improves efficiency of lighting system, Provides safety of workmanship during the construction, Provides an alternative energy savings, and environmental safe. Issues that detract from the proposal It requires more evaluation for life cycle cost of maintain period and functioning, as well as it does not include infrastructures work review. CONCLUSION/ RECOMMENDATION Value Management strategies can apply for any stage of any project. It is very much use full to apply Value Engineering/ Management strategies since the connectional stage of a project. Also these strategies can be applying to any project till the demolition phase its, thus for the life cycle of the project. Any client can have a great value for his investments by applying Value management/ engineering strategies for his/ her investment. It is highly recommended to carry out the proposals which proposed by the vale management team and also it is highly recommended to carry out further value management workshops to find out further more possible ways to reduction the construction cost.

Symbolic Mockingbirds Essay examples -- English Literature Essays

Symbolic Mockingbirds Symbolism is used extensively in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. The theme of prejudice in the novel can be best perceived through the symbol of the mockingbird. Atticus advised his children that if they went hunting for birds to "shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird" (96). Miss Maudie explains this further by saying that "mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird" (96). Bluejays are considered to be the bullies of the bird world. They are very loud, territorial and aggressive. The bluejays represent the prejudiced bullies of Maycomb, such us Bob Ewell. Mockingbirds, on the other hand, are innocent and all they do is sing beautiful songs; they would not harm anyone. Tom Robinson is an example of a mockingbird. Tom never harms anything or anyone. The only mistake Tom made was to help Mayella and hack wood. Mayella accused Tom of raping her. When asked if Tom was the man who raped her, she replied and said that he "most certainly is" (192). He is unmistakably innocent, but still, those around him must sin and kill a mockingbird. "Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed" (247). After Tom was killed for attempting to escape from prison, Mr Underwood wrote in an editorial that...

Spice Chart

Mature common Woman: Firm of heart strong beautiful brave like a man Bad woman: Thin tottering weak unfriendly The Weaver: Concern Hi her thread skilled a blender of colors Bad Weaver: Silly foolish unskilled unobservant Physician knows the herbs conducts examination professional trustworthy mutates Women spent 30 to 40 hours a week into preparing basic foods Political Leaders/ Elites: Herman Cortes the Spanish captain who first entered the city reported the â€Å"the stone masonry and the woodwork are equally good; they could not be better anywhere. † Vernal Ditz del Castillo admired the Aztec city so much rods could hardly explain Toppling- Tolled leader and apparently a priest dedicated to the god Quadruplicate who later became confused with the god himself in the legends Toppling a religious reformer who was involved in a struggle for priestly or political power with another faction. When he lost him and his followers went into exile they promised to come back on the same date on the cyclical calendar Anesthetically was a leading Aztec king of the 15th century.State Structure: Political units claimed authority on the basis of their military power and their injections to Tolled cultures Aztec distrusted by everyone however they were seen as good use due to their fighting skills. This made them attractive as mercenaries or allies. Mowers death or death while taking prisoners for the sacrificial knife, was the end to a nobles life and ensured eternity in the highest heaven a reward also promised to women who died in childbirth Subjects were forced to pay tribute, surrender lands, and sometimes do military service for the growing Aztec empire Mexican had become a stratified society under the authority of a supreme ruler Greatly expanded into an enormous cult in which the military class played a central role as suppliers Of war captives to be used as sacrificial victims.Aztec state was dominated by a king who represented civil power and served as a repres entative of the gods on earth Human sacrifice and conquest was united with the political power of the ruler and the nobility Banners, cloaks, and other insignia marked off the military ranks Military was organized by ranks based on experience and success in taking captives Military virtues where linked to the cult of sacrifice and infused the whole society Nobility broke free from their old calculi and wend private lands Long distant merchants formed a sort of calculi with patron gods, privileges and internal divisions; served as spies or agents of Aztec military The state controlled the use and distribution of many commodities and redistributed the vast amounts of tribute received from subordinate peoples Tribute levels were assigned on whether the subject people accepted Aztec rule or fought against it Tribute payments where things such as food , slaves, and sacrificial victims, served political and economic ends 1 20,000 mantles of cotton cloth alone were collected as rebut each year and sent to Authentication Aztec divided into seven Calculi, or clans, a form of organization that they later expanded and adapted to their imperial position. -Included neighbors, allies, and dependents Wars/Revolutions: â€Å"flower wars† could be staged in which both sides could obtain captives for sacrifice Diplomacy: Treaties: Courts, Law: Feeding the great population of Authentication and the Aztec confederation in general depended on traditional forms of agriculture. Lands conquered peoples often were appropriated, and food sometimes was demanded as tribute. Nationalism:Human sacrifice, long a part of Micronesian religion, greatly expanded into an enormous cult in which the military class played a central role as suppliers of war captives to be used as sacrificial victims. Interaction- Geography: Lakes contained cities Rise of lakes made it impossible to continue an irrigated system Disease: Patterns of Settlement: Migration: Migrated to the shores of Lake Texaco C hemic migrants came from the northwest and various groups of sedentary farmers Aztec domination expanded from the Etruscan frontier about a hundred miles north Of present day Mexico city Technology: Canoes which allowed transportation Many bridges at intervals Wood work They built artificial floating islands about 17 feet long and 1 00 to 330 feet wide Millard- a machine that grinded helped female have more spare time helped trade Demography: 1. Million to 25 million people 20 million people excluding the Maya areas Aztec were a group of about a 10,000 people Culture- Religions: Micronesian Belief Systems: Aztec where tough warriors and fanatical followers of their gods Human sacrifice Aztec would settle when they saw an eagle perched on a cactus with a repent in its beak Mexican people who served gods Micronesian religion believed in human sacrifice Gods of rain, fire, water, corn, the sky, and the Sun 128 deities Each deity had a male and female form Believed gods might have diffe rent manifestations similar to avatars of the Hindu deities Certain gods were thought to be the patrons of specific cities, ethnic groups, or occupations Festivals and ceremonies that involved feasting and dancing along with penance and sacrifice God of Fertility called Tallow God of the Rain Coach Gods and Goddesses of water, maize, and fertility Creator deities – gods and goddesses who created the universe Hydrochloric was the old sun god and saw him as a warrior in the day and in order to live he needed the human blood Human hearts and blood sustained the gods Believed the world had been destroyed four times before and we would be destroyed again Food was offered as tribute Philosophies and ideologies: fatalism in Aztec thought and a premonition that eventually the sacrifices would be insufficient and the gods would again bring catastrophe.

Functional Health Patterns Community Assessment Essay

Sharp Healthcare offers groups for breastfeeding mothers, postpartum depression, grieving for loss of a child, obesity, eating disorders etc. Do the community members value health promotion measures? What is the evidence that they do or do not (e.g., involvement in education, fundraising events, etc.)? Fundraising events for local kids with Neuroblastoma (Pediatric) Cancer Fundraise for community sports like football and cheerleading What  does the community value? How is this evident? Religion- Church on Sundays with family Family Values- many family functions like concerts in the local park, movie night at the Lake On what do the community members spend their money? Are funds adequate? Cars Homes, rent- cost of living is high in CA Eating out Shopping Middle Class majority, funds can get tight Health Perception/Management Predominant health problems: Compare at least one health problem to a credible statistic (CDC, county, or state). Obesity 33% in San Diego are overweight, 26% are obese 30% of kids grades 5/7/9 are overweight/obese in San Diego County (â€Å"Community profile: county†, 2013) Immunization rates (age appropriate). 4.5% of Kindergarteners are missing one or more vaccines Out of 43,000 kindergarteners in the county, 1900 are not fully immunized Not all families in San Diego are immunizing their children due to things they hear about vaccines- EX: vaccines causing autism Parents do not do their research and often listen to hear-say or false news reports Appropriate death rates and causes, if applicable. Top 10 causes of death in San Diego: Malignant neoplasms, diseases of the heart, Alzheimer’s, chronic lower respiratory diseases, cerebrovascular disease, accidents (unintentional injuries), diabetes, intended self-harm (Suicide), chronic liver disease (cirrhosis), hypertension/hypertensive renal disease and influenza/pneumonia (â€Å"San Diego County†, n.d.) In 2012, in San Diego alone there were 20,018 deaths 3,684 in East County San Diego 1,806 were Male 1,876 were Female 377 Hispanic 3,015 White 130 Black 88 Asian 70 Other Age groups 0-4 (28 deaths), 5-14 (6 deaths), 15-24 (42 deaths), 25-24 (68 deaths), 35-44 (90 deaths), 45-54 (278 deaths), 55-64 (474 deaths), 65-74 (587 deaths), 75-84 (863 deaths), 84+ (1,248 deaths) (â€Å"San Diego County†, n.d.) Prevention programs (dental, fire, fitness, safety, etc.): Does the community think these are sufficient? Drug Abuse prevention programs, Delinquent and school failure prevention programs CAL Fire teaches a fire prevention program locally in San Diego, CA Safe Kids San Diego which teaches prevention of unintentional accidents such as drowning, child passenger safety, sports and recreation safety and pedestrian safety (â€Å"Safe Kids San†, 2014) Western Dental provides services for people who no insurance for a cheaper rate Multiple gym facilities such as 24 hour Fitness, Crunch and Chuze are some of the biggest gyms out here Available health professionals, health resources within the community, and usage. Planned Parenthood- health care for pregnancy and STD prevention Local hospitals- Kaiser Permanente, Sharp Grossmont Hospital, Scripps Hospital, Sharp Memorial Hospital are a few big hospitals in San Diego, CA Urgent Care clinics like Doctors Express are available San Diego Public Health Language Specific healthcare such as Arabic, Spanish, Tagalog etc. Common referrals to outside agencies. WIC- Women, Infants and Children Black Women, Infants and Children Food Stamps Low Cost medical and dental care Habitat for Humanity Nutrition/Metabolic Indicators of nutrient deficiencies. Vitamin deficiencies such as Vitamin D and Iron Unexplained fatigue, brittle, dry hair, ridged or spoon shaped nails, mouth  problems, diarrhea, irritability or lack or appetite can all indicate nutrient deficiencies San Diego has one of the largest homeless populations in the country, especially homeless veterans. Malnutrition is prevalent in this group of people Obesity rates or percentages: Compare to CDC statistics. This bullet was answered up above in a previous question. Affordability of food/available discounts or food programs and usage (e.g., WIC, food boxes, soup kitchens, meals-on-wheels, food stamps, senior discounts, employee discounts, etc.). Food Stamps WIC (Women, Infants and Children) BWIC (Black Women, Infants and Children) Meals on wheels Senior discounts offered at some restaurants like Soup Plantation. 55 plus is considered senior citizen here in California Project Homeless Connect Availability of water (e.g., number and quality of drinking fountains). Water fountains in all stores and schools Drinking water (Tap water) meets most government standards but needs to be more thoroughly treated Water comes from 3 places: Northern California from snow and rain, the Colorado river and local rain water runoff Fast food and junk food accessibility (vending machines). Vending machines at most all high schools California trying to change contents to offer healthier choices Fast food on almost every corner- very accessible Evidence of healthy food consumption or unhealthy food consumption (trash, long lines, observations, etc.). Always long line as fast food places Gyms always crowed, protein/workout drinks always in hand Beaches are full of people in bathing suits (fit and unfit) Farmers markets on Wednesdays crowded A lot of people do special programs like Weight Watchers, Opti-Fast, Medi-Fast, Nutri-System, Jenny Craig etc â€Å"Re-think your Drink† this program is trying to eliminate sugar sweetened drinks and are replacing them with water, low fat milk for 50% or greater natural fruit juices Provisions for special diets, if applicable. Items containing specific allergies have them stated on the label like nuts, shellfish or specific fruits For schools (in addition to above): Nutritional content of food in cafeteria and vending machines: Compare to ARS 15-242/The Arizona Nutrition Standards (or other state standards based on residence) Fruit/veggie based drinks with no less than 50% fruit juice Milk 2% fat, non-fat, soy or rice milk Not more than 35 percent of its total calories can come from fat (excluding: nuts, seeds, eggs, cheese, fruit, vegetables and legumes) Not more than 10 percent calories from sat fat (Excluding: eggs and cheese) Not more than 35% of its total weight may be composed of sugar, including naturally occurring and added sugar (excluding: fruits and vegetables that have not been deep fried) Not more than 250 calories per individual food item (Middle schools and Jr High Schools, High Schools) No more than 175 per individual food item for elementary schools Amount of free or reduced lunch 60% free or reduced lunch in schools in San Diego, CA Elimination (Environmental Health Concerns) Common air contaminants’ impact on the community. Smog, Allergies- Pollen, Mold Noise. Major Airport, major Military bases, heavy traffic noises Waste disposal. Miramar Landfill Pest control: Is the community notified of pesticides usage? Yes, individual residences take care of their own pest problems Hanta Virus- In mouse poop in our area Hygiene practices (laundry services, hand washing, etc.). Laundry mats are in abundance, dry cleaners and individual washer and dryers in some residences Singing the â€Å"Happy Birthday† song twice while washing hands was on the local news to help people wash their hands more efficiently Toilet seat covers in most public bathroom services Signs stating â€Å"Must wash hands before returning to work† in all restaurant bathrooms Bathrooms: Number of bathrooms; inspect for cleanliness, supplies, if possible. Most public bathrooms have signs for employees to sign when they have checked and maintained the restroom Public bathrooms are generally clean and well stocked, if not usually an employee of the place is easily notified Universal precaution practices of health providers, teachers, members (if applicable). Protective gowns, gloves, shields when handling bodily fluids for health providers when in facilities Teachers usually do not have access to all of the equipment necessary but generally have gloves on hand Temperature controls (e.g., within buildings, outside shade structures). Temperatures generally in the 70-75 ranges in controlled areas such as schools and stores Shades provided at local parks Community pools and beaches available for hot temperatures Safety (committee, security guards, crossing guards, badges, locked campuses). Most day cares are locked facilities Crossing guards at most elementary and middle schools Security guards at stores and hospitals to prevent theft and crime Trolley Guards Volunteer Police patrol (Elderly men and women) Activity/Exercise Community fitness programs (gym discounts, P.E., recess, sports, access to YMCA, etc.). YMCAs Gyms: 24 hour fitness, crunch, chuze AYSO (local soccer leagues for kids) T-ball/ baseball/ softball fields at Cactus Park (name of play park) P.E in middle school/high school for 2 years Recess at elementary schools Zumba and Jazzercise programs locally Recreational facilities and usage (gym, playgrounds, bike paths, hiking trails, courts, pools, etc.). Playgrounds at most local parks Mission Trails- hiking, bike trails Cowles Mountain, Iron Mountain- Hiking trails Community pools- YMCAs Safety programs (rules and regulations, safety training, incentives, athletic trainers, etc.). Lifeguards at local community pools and beaches Safe drivers incentives with Allstate Insurance Discounts on car insurance with good grades and no trouble Crime Stoppers, Mc Gruff Crime Dog, Kidzwatch Academy, Safety Sam are police station programs that kids and other community members can participate in to ensure community safety Injury statistics or most common injuries. In San Diego, unintentional injuries were the sixth leading cause of death in 2009 Nearly 1000 people died that year of unintentional injuries with 30% of those caused by poisoning including overdose Every hour in San Diego, an average of 19 people are hospitalized or treated in the ER because of injuries Car accidents, drowning, falls, assault, struck by an object, burns, overexertion and suffocation are some of the most common causes of injury in all age groups Evidence of sedentary leisure activities (amount of time watching TV, videos, and computer). Computers used as primary resource for schools Internet used as primary resource for community Driving short distances that could be walked T.V takes up, on average, 2.8 hours of most people’s day Ages 15-19 spend read for an average of 4 minutes per weekend day and 52 minutes playing a game on the computer Ages 75 and over spend an average of 1 hour of reading per weekend day and 20 minutes playing games or using a computer Employed adults with no children spend about 4.5 hours per day doing leisure activities and employed adults with a child/children spend about 3.5 hours doing leisure activities per day Means of transportation. Trolley, Bus, Cars, Bikes, Walking and park and ride for carpool Sleep/Rest Sleep routines/hours of your community: Compare with sleep hour standards (from National Institutes of Health [NIH]). Eating heavy dinners, caffeine, smoking and exercise late in the day is effecting sleep of people in San Diego Graveyard shifts are common due to places being open 24/7 Sleeping anywhere from 6-9 hours Indicators of general â€Å"restedness† and energy levels. Lack of â€Å"bags† or â€Å"dark circles† under eyes Hair, makeup and outfit appropriate for environment Less caffeine needed Factors affecting sleep: Shift work prevalence of community members All shifts, mostly 12 hour shifts in the healthcare field, Mainly anywhere from 7am-6pm for most full time employed people Environment (noise, lights, crowding, etc.) Near main airport, military bases, lights and crowds near football and baseball stadiums, colleges, living near freeways Consumption of caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and drugs A least 3 major Universities in San Diego (Caffeine intake!) Average age in San Diego is 20s-30s and large nightlife crowd downtown San Diego (Alcohol and drugs) 2012 drug stats: Heroin increase, crack/cocaine decrease, methamphetamines increase, marijuana increase, prescription opioids decrease, ecstasy decrease (â€Å"Drug abuse patterns†, 2014) Homework/Extracurricular activities High school student average 3 hours of homework per night Anywhere from 6.8 to 17.5 hours of homework per week for high school students Elementary schools 2.9 hours per week Middle school 3.2 hours per week After school sports- up to 3 hours of practice for some like football Health issues Stress, common colds/flu, pediatric cancers, diabetes types 1 and 2, obesity, hypertension Cognitive/Perceptual Primary language: Is this a communication barrier? English/ Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese (possible communication barriers) 37.1 % of San Diego’s population speaks a different language than English Educational levels: For geopolitical communities, use http://www.census.gov and compare the city in which your community belongs with the national statistics. San Diego County : High school graduates 85.4 % Bachelor’s degree or higher 34.4 % (â€Å"State and county†, 2014) Opportunities/Programs: Educational offerings (in-services, continuing education, GED, etc.) Many programs offering GED programs and prep classes including community colleges All hospitals and healthcare centers provide in-services Grossmont college, Grossmont adult night school ROP (Regional Occupation Program) Learn English (program in El Cajon, CA to help foreigners learn English) Educational mandates (yearly in-services, continuing education, English learners, etc.) CEUs for nurses- 30 hours every 2 years for RNs Special education programs (e.g., learning disabled, emotionally disabled, physically disabled, and gifted) GATE- gifted and talented education program Children’s outreach project Library or computer/Internet resources and usage. El Cajon library Internet on all phones, ipads Computers at most schools including elementary schools Funding resources (tuition reimbursement, scholarships, etc.). Scholarships offered through the Chamber of Commerce for academics up to $3,000. Many colleges offer academic scholarships and sports scholarships (Full and partial rides) UCSD and Rady’s Children’s Hospital both have tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment programs UCSD will repay two thirds of the tuition or student loans Board of Governor’s Fee waver Military discounts Self-Perception/Self-Concept Age levels. Many families in El Cajon Mainly 20s and 30s in San Diego County such as downtown San Diego Kids under age 5= 6.5% of population People under age 18= 22.6 % of population People 65 and over= 12.3 percent of population Programs and activities related to community building (strengthening the community). San Diego City College peer mentoring program MAD (mothers against drunk driving) Big Brothers/Big Sisters program (Mentoring adolescents) Peer Leaders (high school program- students give other students â€Å"counseling† when they feel like they cannot talk to an adult) Community history. The area now known as San Diego County has been inhabited for over 10,000 years by the Kumeyaay Indians San Diego became part of the United States by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on 1848 ending the U.S. –Mexican War One of the original counties of California San Diego used to be a very large county including all of Los Angeles and extended to the Colorado river Pride indicators: Self-esteem or caring behaviors. San Diego is one of the most sought out cities to visit and/or live Very expensive because they demand is there A lot of plastic surgery in San Diego Spray tans, fake nails, fake hair, people are in shape (wears bikinis) San Diego residents support a lot of charities and cancer/disease foundations Donating money to a good cause is common among this community Published description (pamphlets, Web sites, etc.). San Diego Magazine Sandiego. org for local media (Website) Union Tribune San Diego (News Paper) Role/Relationship Interaction of community members (e.g., friendliness, openness, bullying, prejudices, etc.). East San Diego is more friendly than West or North San Diego (More money in those areas) Very accepting of Gays and Lesbians in San Diego ( Hill Crest is a city known for an abundance population) Gay Pride Parade is a huge event in SD Very large interracial community, not a lot of prejudices Programs to prevent in-school bullying Vulnerable populations: Why are they vulnerable? Homeless population downtown San Diego Lack of medical insurance How does this impact health? Increase spread of disease Increased severity of disease No access to medication or medical treatments Power groups (church council, student council, administration, PTA, and gangs): Mexican Mafia Logan Heights Gang Hells Angles PTAs in elementary schools Jehovah’s witness Mormons How do they hold power? Influential Have a lot of people under them or following them PTA helps make decisions for schools Positive or negative influence on community? Gangs usually a negative influence Hells Angels used to have more of a negative influence but now are more positive towards the community and support local charities like pediatric cancer ones Harassment policies/discrimination policies. Under the California Department of Public Health all employees have a right to work in an environment free from all forms of discrimination, including sexual harassment, intimidation, retaliation or coercion. The CDPH is committed to providing a work environment free from sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that is illegal under both  state and federal law The Fair Employment and Housing Act defines sexual harassment as harassment based on sex or of a sexual nature; gender harassment; and harassment based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. The definition includes harassment based on sexual orientation, and also protects an individual’s actual or perceived gender identity, whether or not different from the individual’s actual gender at birth The CDPH endorses a â€Å"zero tolerance† policy aimed at preventing all such inappropriate behavior. As a result, CDPH may take corrective actions, up to and including formal discipline, when policy violations occur, even if they are not so serious as to be unlawful (â€Å"Sexual Harassment Prevention†, 2008) Relationship with broader community: Police San Diego has had allegations of inappropriate behavior of police officers such as groping and sexual favors CHP, Sheriff’s department, Police in each city such an San Diego Police Department Fire/EMS (response time) Generally called from the City in which the Emergency is Response time is good- generally under 10 minutes Fire departments all work together from all surrounding cities when needed Large fire in Escondido/ San Marcos just happened in San Diego County, fire departments from all around came to help Cedar fire in El Cajon more than 10 years back, fire departments from out of state came and helped Other (food drives, blood drives, missions, etc.) San Diego Blood Bank- always has blood drives in parking lots of big stores like walmarts and businesses Local food drives at schools and healthcare clinics/facilities Sexuality/Reproductive Relationships and behavior among community members. Have had many allegations of teacher/student relationships Many older male/young female relationships and visa-versa Many relationships with more than 10 year gaps Young marriages/pregnancies common Married Population 45.15% Single Population 54.85% Now Married 43.16% Married but Separated 1.99% Never Married 40.39% Widowed 4.58% Divorced 9.88% Married, w/children 35.54% Married, no children 37.34% Single, w/children 16.27% Single, no children 10.86% (â€Å"People in San†, 2014) Educational offerings/programs (e.g., growth and development, STD/AIDS education, contraception, abstinence, etc.). Planned Parenthood- teachings and prevention methods of STDs and Pregnancy, prenatal care Access to birth control.

Understanding Split Infinitives in English Grammar

Understanding Split Infinitives in English Grammar In English grammar, a split infinitive is a construction in which one or more words come between the infinitive marker to and the verb (as in to really try  my best). Also called a cleft infinitive. A   split infinitive  is sometimes regarded as a type of tmesis. I think the evidence is conclusive enough, says editor Norman Lewis: it is perfectly correct to consciously split an infinitive whenever such an act increases the strength or clarity of your sentence (Word Power Made Easy, 1991). Examples and Observations Here are some examples of split infinitives, and descriptions of the term and its uses from other texts to help you better understand their function: To deliberately split an infinitive, puristic teaching to the contrary notwithstanding, is correct and acceptable English.(Norman Lewis, How to Speak Better English. Thomas Y. Crowell, 1948I was wise enough to never grow up while fooling most people into believing I had.(attributed to Margaret Mead)Hamilton from boyhood on was an overachiever, one who found it necessary to more than compensate for his feelings of inadequacy.(Peter R. Henriques, Realistic Visionary. University of Virginia Press, 2006)Her first class wasnt until the afternoon. That would give her time to quickly head to the house, then come back and grab a bite to eat in the cafeteria.(Kayla Perrin, The Delta Sisters. St. Martins Press, 2004It seemed that he had caught [the fish] himself, years ago, when he was quite a lad; not by any art or skill, but by that unaccountable luck that appears to always wait upon a boy when he plays the wag from school.(Jerome K. Jerome, Three Men in a Boat, 1889Milton was too busy to mu ch miss his wife.(Samuel Johnson, Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets, 1779-1781 News of the government’s plan to on average halve pay for the top 25 employees of firms that took two bailouts ricocheted down Wall Street on Wednesday.(Eric Dash, A New Challenge for 2 Ailing Banks. The New York Times, Oct. 21, 2009The phrase to solemnly swear is at best an explication of what is implied in the idea of swearing, at worst a pleonasm.(Peter Fenves, Arresting Language: From Leibniz to Benjamin. Stanford University Press, 2001 A 19th-Century Proscription Hostility to the practice of splitting infinitives developed in the nineteenth century. A magazine article dating from 1834 may well be the first published condemnation of it. A large number of similar prohibitions followed. The first to call it a split infinitive was a contributor to the magazine Academy in 1897. (Henry Hitchings, The Language Wars. John Murray, 2011) A False Analogy With Latin The only rationale for condemning the [split infinitive] construction is based on a false analogy with Latin. The thinking is that because the Latin infinitive is a single word, the equivalent English construction should be treated as if it were a single unit. But English is not Latin, and distinguished writers have split infinitives without giving it a thought. Noteworthy splitters include John Donne, Daniel Defoe, George Eliot, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, William Wordsworth, and Willa Cather. Still, those who dislike the construction can usually avoid it without difficulty. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th edition, 2000)The split-infinitive rule may represent mindless prescriptivisms greatest height. It was foreign. (It was almost certainly based on the inability to split infinitives in Latin and Greek, since they consist of one word only.) It had been routinely violated by the great writers in English; one 1931 study found split infinitives in English literature from every century, beginning with the fourteenth-century epic poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight . . .. (Robert Lane Greene, You Are What You Speak. Delacorte, 2011) Clarity and Style In fact, an unsplit infinitive may be less clear than a split one, as in He decided to go boldly to confront his tormentor, where it is unclear whether boldly is attached to go or confront or perhaps both. (Jean Aitchison, The Language Web: The Power and Problem of Words. Cambridge University Press, 1997)The condemnation of  the split infinitive  seems so devoid of adequate justification that, personally, I am accustomed to look upon it as merely idiosyncratic. The use of the idiom can be defended on various grounds, not the least substantial of which is the need of allowing language that freedom from purely artificial restraints which it continually and successfully claims. . . . Adverbs of one or two syllables readily adhere to the verb as prefixes, and thus disguise their reprobate individualities. But it is generally assumed that there is no glue strong enough to make such processional words as circumstantially, extraordinarily, disproportionately, and the like,  stick wit hin  the split infinitive,  and therefore they must  be trailed after  verbs like cartloads of bricks. The majority of the adverbs in common use, however, do not attain such unwieldy dimensions, and  may  well be admitted within  the split infinitive,  especially if  clarity  of apprehension is promoted  thereby. And  surely the idiom is not to be pilloried if it serves to make the sentence more harmonious- as, for instance, in He decided to rapidly march on the town, where to march rapidly is certainly less pleasing to the ear. From such considerations as these I therefore infer that  the split infinitive  does not merit the censure which critics frequently bestow on it.   (J. Dormer, Split Infinitive. Notes and Queries, January 21, 1905) The Lighter Side of Split Infinitives Would you convey my compliments to the purist who reads your proofs and tell him or her that I write in a sort of patois which is something like the way a Swiss waiter talks, and that when I split an infinitive, God damn it, I split it so it will stay split.(Raymond Chandler, letter to Edward Weeks, Jan. 18, 1947. Quoted by F. MacShane in Life of Raymond Chandler, 1976)

Sugar Ray Leonard essays

Sugar Ray Leonard essays This is my last fight, my decision is final. The journey is ended, my dream fulfilled. This is what Sugar Ray Leonard said after he won the gold medal for boxing in 1976. The journey was not over, nor was the dream was unfulfilled. Leonard had just begun one of the greatest careers the sports world had ever seen. Leonard early life, training, professional career, style, and ability to come back despite many obstacles shaped him into one of the greatest and most successful boxers of all time, not only in wins and loses but also in dollars and cents. This great and successful boxer had to begin somewhere. Even though Ray Charles Leonard was named after the great jazz musician, Ray Charles, he did not follow his parents dream for him to be a singer. Ray Charles Leonard was born on May 17, 1956, in Wilmington, North Carolina (Leonard). Leonard grew up in Wilmington and in Palmer Maryland, a racially-mixed lower-middle class suburb of Baltimore. He was the fifth child of Goethe and Cicero Leonards seven children. He graduated from high school and had no further education. His mothers original dream for him was early exhibited. He sang in the church choir with two of his sisters. Leonard was a good singer and the local church parishioners commented that he sounded similar to Sam Cooke (Schwartz). His brother Roger turned him to the boxing world early in his teens. Ray told his mother about his boxing I put the singing in the swinging (Schwartz). His statement was a good demonstration of the artistry in his boxing. Having avoided a life as a singer Leonard was ready to jump into the world of boxing. His first trainers were Dave Jacobs and Janks Morton, who took care of Leonard and taught him how to box. Leonard was considered a natural by his early trainers (Schwartz). Leonard was able to do almost anything in the ring (Sugar Ray). Leonard fo...

Business Model Concept

Model in business is a precise and clear way in which a company can generate profit or revenues. Due to the technology change and advance in communication has put customers in a variety of choice. Competitiveness and efficient has contributed to managers employing the business model to provide better product and services. The business model is a way of analyzing data and evidence presented to prove how they can increase the value of their customer (Peris-Ortiz, 2016). Type of product determines the criteria in company choose a business model. Additionally, the model determines how a company goes about sales and marketing strategies including pricing, sales channel, potential partners, and branding. However, produce a super average profit and sustainable competitive advantage, business should excel in both business model design and product innovation (Fields, 2016). Business model differs from one company to another; because of companies offering differing products (Piperopoulos, 2012 ). The main aim of a company is to generate high-profit margin. For instance, the mobile industry might decide to sell the mobile at a low price, and then they will generate revenues from the sales of recharge card. Due to global economy development, the company has changed the relationship between the customers and suppliers (Rainey, 2010). This essay aims to explain and provide a discussion of value creation and appropriation and innovation process at firms. The business model is how a company makes, delivers, and gets value in the social, cultural and economic environment (Baden-Fuller and Morgan, 2010, P.161). Theoretically, a company comprises core aspects including trading practices, strategies, infrastructure, targeting customers, purpose, operational policies, organizational structures, and business process. In a theoretical perspective, design logical is a process of changing organization management to get profit. â€Å"Managers were interviewed, and also various literature was conducted to understand what comprises business model† (George and Bock, 2012).In this design logic, it explains how the managers can view and explain business modeling. The relevant studies show how managers create a strong narrative study on how to move the business from one point to another. If the stories are incoherent, the business will fail (George and Bock, 2012). Companies create value by their products in the stable market. Suppliers set up and capture value by introducing their product to a competitive market price (Ruzzier et al., 2014).The law of demand and supply states that vendors are ready to provide their product to market if demand is high and therefore recording high-profit margin. On another side, the customers will buy the product if the price is less than utility yielded (Ruzzier et al., 2014). Innovation occurs due to technology change (Rainey, 2010). The ability of value is capturing; the firm must embrace new business modeling. The technology that does not match with new business modeling is meant to fail (Piperopoulos, 2012). The history shows that innovation will fail if the market system does not offer quality at good prices and also compelling value. On the contrary, small business does not require business modeling change (Zott and Amit, 2010). Therefore expanding the market share and segment one can achieve innovation; helps to create new business models will further create a new organization. Innovation process cannot make sense without the process of innovation of products and services. For instances, the Google, e-bays, and Apple: embraced new business models due to advancement in technology (Ruzzier et al., 2014). Apparently, designing efficient business models require one to have an in-depth knowledge about various items including market research, availability of the intelligent system and Innovation point of view (Chesbrough, 2010, p.355). The business model is worthy if the system is dynamic.Therefore contributes to the success of the firm. Business modeling is all about organizing value chain. However, it shows also the value capturing importance (Teece, 2010, p.176). Hybrid framework of business model  Ã‚  Ã‚   Importance of business model in value creation Perception of the business concept, antecedents, then consequences Clarity in the business model and innovation The first quadrant represents a clear understanding of the business concept`s conceptualization. There is also conceptual of antecedences and its consequences. It focuses on academic rather than practical oriented. This quadrant shows the essence of the concept, whereby academic journals published mainly in the English language. The second quadrant shows the established business for an existing technology like automobile industries. There are openness and clarity to external environment and technology innovation. .in order to further understand this quadrant, (Daimler AG (‘Car2Go’) and Volkswagen AG (‘Quicar’) have developed an approach to car sharing. The third quadrant examines the efficiency and novelty lock-in centered designs (Amit & Zott, 2001). Automated electronics industries in Germany such as control systems, electric drives, measurement and testing equipment and finally electric drives (Zott and Amit, 2010, p.218). The fourth quadrant takes most dynamic aspect. It focuses on content, structure or governance.it represents the new to the technology. Quadrant identifies the element of business model change. (Berglund and sandstorm, 2013, p.280). Another importance issue worth discussing is that complementary in finding the business partner. When finding a business partner, Managers should make sure that value drivers of partnering business; can only be achieved by analyzing their business model (Zott and Amit, 2010, p.218). According to Zott and Amit (2009) considers themes design and content design as important in business model design. Design content refers to examining to greater details actions completed, and finally sequencing the operations and looking for someone to perform. Themes design is the dominant value of the system in value creation. Basing on the above, Zott and Amit (2009) views the business model as two market choices: differentiation and cost leadership (Zott and Amit, 2010, p.219).Design themes include company description and modeling: targeting segment, the channel of distribution, partner network, value appropriation, customer relationship, revenue model and cost structuring (Zhang, 2009). Building on the same literature argument, a business can be conceptualized as series of dependent events forming business and then expanding its borders. The designer of action systems needs to check design themes and design elements (Zott and Amit, 2010, p.220). For a new entrepreneur, the business model is vital while for already existing firms, their managers will have difficult tasks to change a new one (Fields, 2016). These dependent events are performed or done by the leaders integrate organization activities to form business activity system. Value appropriation depends on the way competitors put pressure to the choice of business modeling manager as chosen (Berglund and sandstorm, 2013, p.277).The pricing strategies are related to product design while revenue design compliments the model layout. Conceptualization of business is the set of activities. First, business systems enable addressing of all vitals issues. Managers and academic languages have conceptual tools on how to engage in a proper manner (Zott et al., 2011, p.1025). Another point is that activity system enables firms not to think about product activity, but help in the holistic system is thinking about the business model (Zott and Amit, 2010, p.218).  Ã‚   Zara is a retail enterprise in Spain which has an excellent thoughtful of the business model. Conceptualization in the business activities enables more of further theoretical development. Even though there is little devotion in the world of business management literature, scholars have been unable to put together the relationship between team activities, individual actions, and performance of business model to come up with activity system (Zott et al., 2011, p.1020). The operation system could crucial in developing old and current business model, improve on predictive business design model. To conclude, this essay has addressed some significant issues regarding business model. Managers must be considerate to an external and internal environment surrounding the firm. The companies should know what their customers want, where and when. Activity system is vital in the development of new and old business model. Zott and Amit’s (2010) contribution to this essay is highly significant. Zott and Amit work explains largely on Business modeling, business as an activity and innovation in respect to the business model design. Baden-Fuller, C., & Morgan, M. S. (2010). Business models as models. Long range planning, 43(2), 156-171.   Berglund, H., & Sandstrà ¶m, C. (2013). Business model innovation from an open systems perspective: structural challenges and managerial solutions. International Journal of Product Development, 18(3-4), 274-285. Chesbrough, H. (2010). Business model innovation: opportunities and barriers. Long range planning, 43(2), 354-363. Fields, Z. (2016). Incorporating business models and strategies into social entrepreneurship. Hershey, PA: Business Science Reference. George, G., & Bock, A. J. (2012). Models of opportunity: How entrepreneurs design firms to achieve the unexpected. Cambridge University Press. .Peris-Ortiz, M., & Sahut, J. (2016). New challenges in entrepreneurship and finance examining the prospects for sustainable business development, performance, innovation, and economic growth. Cham: Springer International. Piperopoulos, P. G. (2012). Entrepreneurship, innovation and business clusters. Farnham: Gower. Rainey, D. L. (2010). Sustainable business development: inventing the future through strategy, innovation, and leadership. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Ruzzier, M. K., Ruzzier, M., & Hisrich, R. D. (2014). Marketing for Entrepreneurs and SMEs A Global Perspective. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing. Teece, D. J. (2010). Business models, business strategy and innovation. Long range planning, 43(2), 172-194. Zhang, X. (2009). Values, expectations, ad hoc rules, and culture emergence in international cross-cultural management contexts. New York: Nova Science . Zott, C., & Amit, R. (2010). Business model design: an activity system perspective. Long range planning, 43(2), 216-226. Zott, C., Amit, R., & Massa, L. (2011). The business model: recent developments and future research. Journal of management, 37(4), 1019-1042.

Research about a STD called Chancroid Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

About a STD called Chancroid - Research Paper Example Today, in the United States, medications and treatments are available to treat and, possibly, cure certain sexually transmitted diseases; however, that was not always the case in our past and certainly not the case for many other countries around the world. There are quite a few sexually transmitted diseases that are more familiar than others; including gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, candidiasis, trichomoniasis, and lastly, chancroid. Chancroid, which is possibly unfamiliar to many, is uncommon in the United States today, but it is a serious condition that is spreading throughout parts of Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean (Comacho, 2012). History Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, like chancroid, have probably been around since as long as human civilization. For our ancestors, lacking sophisticated sciences and healthcare, distinguishing between one STD and another with similar symptoms could become quite difficult. It is estimated that chancroid, specifically, was prevalent in t he United States and Europe in the 19th and early 20th centuries, most likely, caused by mass migrations, economic expansions, and the availability of sex for sale. In the earliest part of the 20th century Britain estimated that, at least, 10% of the population was infected with syphilis, even, more had contracted gonorrhea, and chancroid was equally as common as syphilis. However, by the 1930’s Britain’s percentages of chancroid decreased rapidly. In the United States the experience was rather similar. After World War II, with the advent of antibiotics, STD statistics as a whole declined and chancroid, specifically, dropped 80-fold between 1947 and 1997. Antibiotics, a less prevalent sex trade, better economic opportunities for women, and reduced migration, also, contributed to the positive decline of Chancroid in America. As can be seen from the chart below the statistical numbers of chancroid have continued to drop with great consistency. There was a few years in th e mid-1980s and early 1990s, where the occurrences of chancroid spiked. Experts insist that this coincided with a spike in sex trade and drug-trafficking that negatively highlighted that portion of the decade (Goldman & Schafer, 2011). Discussion In order to understand the specifics of chancroid better it is necessary to detail the nature of the disease, the symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, as well as other relevant information. Chancroid is defined as a sexually transmitted disease that is characterized by inguinal lymphadenitis and genital ulcers, which is cause by Haemophilus ducreyi, or H. ducreyi, which is a gram negative cocco bacillus (Goldman & Schafer, 2011). It is most commonly suffered by men, but women, by no means, are immune. It appears to thrive in developing countries and where the sale of sex is highest. H. ducreyi enters the body through any breaks in the epithelium, or skin, during intercourse. It may take as long as a few days or as short as a few hours before pa pules appear. Within a 2 to 3 day pustules will ulcerate. These ragged-edged ulcers are extremely painful, are, sometimes, covered in grayish or yellow exudate, and it may bleed when scratched. As can be seen in the illustrations below, men display their chancroid externally; the lesions appear on the foreskin, coronal sulcus, and shaft of the penis. A woman’s experience with this condition presents itself a little differently. In women chancroid will develop the ulcers, but they

Sector Matrix Framework Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Sector Matrix Framework - Essay Example This paper aims to evaluate â€Å"Sector Matrix Framework† for its usefulness in analyzing demand and supply linkage. This evaluation will compare Froud’s Sector Matrix Framework with Porter Value Chain concept and Gereffi’s Global Commodity Chain Framework. Value Chain Approach Concept Michael Porter in his 1985 book â€Å"Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance† gave the management concept of the value chain. A value chain is a firm’s chain of activities to produce its output. It focuses on the organization’s process view. Porter classified the hundreds of activity of converting input in to output in two categories. Particularly, primary activities, which include â€Å"inbound Logistics, Operations, Outbound Logistics, Marketing and Sales, Service† (Porter, 1998). These activities are â€Å"Involved in the physical creation of the product and it sale and transfer to the buyer as well as after sales assist ance† (Porter, 1998). The other category is of Support activities, which includes â€Å"Procurement, Human Resource management, Technological Development, and Infrastructure† (Porter, 1998). ... Porter believes that a firm to achieve competitive advantage should focus on its discrete activities in â€Å"designing, producing, marketing, delivering, and supporting its products† (Porter, 1998, p.33). That is why he introduced value chain as a valuable tool for systematically analysing these activities. Analysis of Demand and Supply Porter value chain approach analyse demand and supply on the bases of value adding procedure and the industry structure. Porter believed that the interdependent processes of the value chain adds value to the product and, as a result, finally generate demand. He was further of the believe that as value chain delivers value to the customer with firms obtaining competitive advantage for the production of the product it helps to determine the supply (Sople, 2012, pp. 37-41). According to Porter, the demand and supply balance is very much dependent upon the structure of the industry. As the industry structure plays a vital role in determining an or ganizations profit, it has a significant role in achieving and maintains demand and supply balance of a product. Evaluation Although, chain concept is one of the most applicable and successful concept for achieving competitive advantage it is not without drawbacks. Chain concept is not of much help for a diversified firm operationally defined as one sells related and unrelated products thus compete in different industries. It works for commodities, which do not need infrastructure and complementary services before there usage. The chain value analysis of Ford would evaluate that the company due it to it being involved in more than one generic strategy suffers from lack of competitive advantage and exhibits below average performance. There may be some

Peru Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Peru - Essay Example A good example is when President Alberto Fujimori who ruled the country from 1990 to 2000 was found guilty for grave violation of human rights by the Peruvian Supreme Court. The conviction and prosecution of the president in the country indicated that the country was able to deal with crimes of such levels. The verdict aimed at achieving accountability after the crimes committed in the country and the globe (Giddens & Thomas, 30). Cases of grave human rights violation have often been presented at the international criminal court basing on the absence of effective judiciary systems in the member states. The trial of the former Peru president was successful despite the many challenges. The trials of Head of States such as Slobodan Milosevic and Charles Taylor have taken place in the international court. However, Peru’s approach indicates that national governments can be able to prosecute former leaders by putting unique and highly competent judiciary system in place (Lee, Ambrose, 70). Basing on the second principle of the Rio Declaration targeting sharing and management of transboundary resources, States have, in accordance with the principles of international laws and charter of the united nations, the sovereign rights to extract and exploit their resources pursuant to their own developmental and environmental policies, and the responsibilities of ensuring that activities within their control and jurisdiction do not cause harm to the environment of neighboring states and beyond. Political borders are drawn on natural resources and environment that overlap into one another. Such resources are often extracted for developmental gain although sometimes it may result in consequences such as pollution (Kauffer, 40). The consequences of extraction may cross the political boundary set and affect the neighboring states. Peruvian people and boundary have to be protected from the effects of resource extraction in the neighboring countries such as

Proposal - short online course to training the faculty member how they Research

- short online course to training the faculty member how they can manage their online class - Research Proposal Example Indeed, in the current environment of advancing technology, online training hugely facilitates development of critical skills and knowledge. It provides a more innovative approach to education and acquisition of knowledge that can be adjusted to suit the needs and requirements of individuals. The role of faculty in online classes becomes important element of the success of the same. The proposal is for short training program for the faculty members of online courses so as to equip them with necessary skills to manage their online classes with high degree of efficiency 2. Problem statement The online training courses are major elements of constant learning environment that incorporates the demands of changing business compulsions. The online courses are distinct in their teaching methodologies that rely on digital communication vis-a-vis online conferencing techniques, email etc. The electronic interaction is much different to classroom communication. It requires multifunctional capab ilities that incorporate pedagogical skills like: effective learning processes that can be easily grasped by learners; creating comfortable learning environment; skills to resolve technical issues; and administrative knowledge that can explain the course logistics (Sargeant et al., 2006). Very often, the faculty members of online courses are not trained appropriately in the modalities of online classes. The working population and adult learners are therefore not able to exploit the vast potential of the same. Most importantly, the spatial features of learning environment and medium are crucial factors that influence the learning process. In online courses, the multimedia becomes the key component that is exploited judiciously by the teacher to make course curricula interesting, powerful and highly motivating (Sims, 2003). The efficacy of online teaching is considerably increased when teaching skills are integrated judiciously with managerial skills and use of technology. As such, it becomes essential to impart training to the faculty members to make them more effective online teachers. 3. Objectives 1. One week training course on management skills as required for online courses to equip them with the methodologies of electronic communication techniques. 2. To make online classes more effective and motivating. 3. Managing workload of teaching online. 4. Program description/ design framework The design framework of course is important for increasing the core competencies of the participants and equipping them with skills that add value to their knowledge and teaching skills. The various approaches to instructional designs offer effective teaching under different environment and medium of instructions. The training program would use ADDIE framework or Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation structure. Its stepwise approach helps the teachers to develop easy and iterative instructions which can be applied to real life situations, thus making t hem hugely relevant to the learners (Peterson, 2003). The ADDIE design process promotes active participation of the learners that exploits tacit knowledge of the learners and helps them apply critical thinking to resolve problems or look at problems from wider perspectives of creative advantages (Tee & Karney, 2010). The five stages are described as below: 4.1a. Analysis This part of the program is intended to identify and evaluate the needs of the learners so

Newspaper Article Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Newspaper Article - Essay Example Over 80 per cent of the health expenditure in India is in the private sector, while in most developed societies more than 80 per cent of health expenditure is borne by the exchequer. In SAARC, India’s infant mortality rate is 56 per 1,000 live births in 2005 better than that of only Pakistan. It is a far cry from 12 in Sri Lanka. Similarly, life expectancy at birth is 64 years in India, 63 in Nepal & 75 in Sri Lanka. The author of the article titled, â€Å"Financing healthcare in India†, dated: Jan 16, 2010, is Mr. N. J. Kurian. He is a visiting Professor at the Social Development, New Delhi and the Institute of Public Enterprise, Hyderabad. The newspaper, The Hindu, carrying the article is one of the leading newspapers of India with a circulation of 1.45m and readership of 5.2m. The article attempted to give a panoramic view of the universal health care system with emboldened comparisons with the United Kingdom. Despite the detailed information, there was no information on the state of the African nations, or the emerging super power, China. Latin America, received little mentioning with a positive citation of Cuba. It would be unfair to say of any bias in the article as the pros and cons of each system, so mentioned, have been kept with utmost clarity and facts. The subjectivity has been supported with data, for marked credibility. The NHS has been kept as the role model for future course of action for other lagging countries without mincing matters. In US, the healthcare system is expensive with a nexus between private health insurance companies and healthcare providers. Invariably expensive drugs and procedures are prescribed by health insurance companies to the young, the employed and the rich, avoiding those who are elderly, unemployed and poor. Indispuably, all Americans already have access to at least emergency care and hospitals are legally obligated to provide care regardless of ability to pay. It

Peru Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Peru - Essay Example A good example is when President Alberto Fujimori who ruled the country from 1990 to 2000 was found guilty for grave violation of human rights by the Peruvian Supreme Court. The conviction and prosecution of the president in the country indicated that the country was able to deal with crimes of such levels. The verdict aimed at achieving accountability after the crimes committed in the country and the globe (Giddens & Thomas, 30). Cases of grave human rights violation have often been presented at the international criminal court basing on the absence of effective judiciary systems in the member states. The trial of the former Peru president was successful despite the many challenges. The trials of Head of States such as Slobodan Milosevic and Charles Taylor have taken place in the international court. However, Peru’s approach indicates that national governments can be able to prosecute former leaders by putting unique and highly competent judiciary system in place (Lee, Ambrose, 70). Basing on the second principle of the Rio Declaration targeting sharing and management of transboundary resources, States have, in accordance with the principles of international laws and charter of the united nations, the sovereign rights to extract and exploit their resources pursuant to their own developmental and environmental policies, and the responsibilities of ensuring that activities within their control and jurisdiction do not cause harm to the environment of neighboring states and beyond. Political borders are drawn on natural resources and environment that overlap into one another. Such resources are often extracted for developmental gain although sometimes it may result in consequences such as pollution (Kauffer, 40). The consequences of extraction may cross the political boundary set and affect the neighboring states. Peruvian people and boundary have to be protected from the effects of resource extraction in the neighboring countries such as

Newspaper Article Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Newspaper Article - Essay Example Over 80 per cent of the health expenditure in India is in the private sector, while in most developed societies more than 80 per cent of health expenditure is borne by the exchequer. In SAARC, India’s infant mortality rate is 56 per 1,000 live births in 2005 better than that of only Pakistan. It is a far cry from 12 in Sri Lanka. Similarly, life expectancy at birth is 64 years in India, 63 in Nepal & 75 in Sri Lanka. The author of the article titled, â€Å"Financing healthcare in India†, dated: Jan 16, 2010, is Mr. N. J. Kurian. He is a visiting Professor at the Social Development, New Delhi and the Institute of Public Enterprise, Hyderabad. The newspaper, The Hindu, carrying the article is one of the leading newspapers of India with a circulation of 1.45m and readership of 5.2m. The article attempted to give a panoramic view of the universal health care system with emboldened comparisons with the United Kingdom. Despite the detailed information, there was no information on the state of the African nations, or the emerging super power, China. Latin America, received little mentioning with a positive citation of Cuba. It would be unfair to say of any bias in the article as the pros and cons of each system, so mentioned, have been kept with utmost clarity and facts. The subjectivity has been supported with data, for marked credibility. The NHS has been kept as the role model for future course of action for other lagging countries without mincing matters. In US, the healthcare system is expensive with a nexus between private health insurance companies and healthcare providers. Invariably expensive drugs and procedures are prescribed by health insurance companies to the young, the employed and the rich, avoiding those who are elderly, unemployed and poor. Indispuably, all Americans already have access to at least emergency care and hospitals are legally obligated to provide care regardless of ability to pay. It

Access to the Bendee Essay Example for Free

Access to the Bendee Essay The availability of relevant local culture, indigenous practices and knowledge combined with new ideas in technology and science can generate successful sustainable community development through innovation. Indigenous knowledge will not only contribute to the success of intervention, but better still its sustainability into the future. Numerous indigenous communities worldwide have always developed, operated and acted to different life challenges using indigenous methods passed on from one generation to the next. Our main focus in this paper will be to study and design a simple bridge, highlighting the use of relevant traditional and indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage amongst the Aboriginal people and technology to create a way across the Nebine Creek. Introduction Access to the Bendee Downs site requires vehicles to cross the Nebine Creek which remains impassable during the wet seasons. The site is a ten hour car trip from Brisbane, the closest city with a major airport, and can be accessed via the Murra Murra Road off the Balonne Highway or the Munda Munda Road and east via Fernlee Road. See more: Analysis of Starbucks coffee company employees essay Nebine River is approximately twenty meters wide. The bridge design would respect the Nebine Creek’s cultural importance to the Kooma People; it provides a place where they can identify with their homeland and share their culture hence should be protected (EWB Challenge, 2010). The property has become a conservation icon for the region due to its conservation values. About 40km of the Nebine Creek flow through the properties and it has a 4km permanent waterhole behind the old homestead. During the rainy seasons, the wetlands render the river impassable yet still it hosts a vast diversity of birds and fauna hence rendering it regionally, nationally and internationally valuable (EWB Challenge, 2010). Our design had to borrow much from the indigenous knowledge of the local community in conserving the site to design a technologically sound bridge. The following were considered in the design process: †¢ The maximum load it can support at the middle. †¢ The maximum load divided by the weight of the bridge (a measure of efficient use of materials) †¢ Aesthetic appeal of the final project to give the conservation efforts a boost. †¢ The materials to be used. We settled on locally available materials like wood to make it affordable and to make use of indigenous knowledge. The design process was geared towards solving the problem of impassable road by building a beam wooden bridge that would be capable to allow even small vehicles to go across. This was supposed to present a creative solution and involve teamwork in implementing the design. Background Information Indigenous knowledge, sometimes referred to as ‘local knowledge’, ‘traditional science’ or ‘folk knowledge’ is a form of knowledge that is unique to a culture or society. It is passed from generation to generation by word of mouth and cultural rituals and has been applied in almost all forms of life including cooking, health care, agriculture, conservation, education and several other facets of life that have sustained societies the world over. The indigenous way of practical learning has been interrupted by the abstract form of formal and academic way of learning witnessed presently (Fien, 2010). As the indigenous knowledge disappears, with it goes the valuable knowledge about ways of living sustainably. In order to fulfil our objective of the design project, first we sought to find how the Aborigines lived and travelled in the past. This we did to help us understand the local conditions and provide a productive context for our design to help the community. Traditionally Aboriginal people carried as little as possible in their journeys and usually chose implements which were multi-purpose. They would revisit favourite campsites of previous years where they had left that were too heavy to carry. These items would be left closer to water so that it wouldn’t need to be carried far. The women carried items on their heads and would make a ring shaped cushion of human hair, manguri, to wear when carrying heavy loads such as a big wooden dish etc. Men sometimes after hunting would carry a kangaroo on their heads. They carried their babies in a pouch in the back of a possum skin cloak (Berowra Valley Regional Park, 2010). This knowledge was very important in choosing the best type of bridge. Types of Bridges Several types of bridges are in existence today such as: Beam Bridges, Box Girder Bridges, Arch Bridges, Truss Bridges, Suspension Bridges, Cable Stayed Bridges. Examples of these bridges are included in the appendix Beam Bridges A beam bridge is very simple. The farther apart its supports are, the weaker it becomes. Although the beam needs careful design, it is cheap and easy to manufacture but this compromises on its beauty. Box Girder Bridges This is similar to the beam bridge but with a girder, box shaped, which makes it stronger. The girder needs careful design; it is cheap and easy to manufacture but not very beautiful. The performance of a beam bridge can be improved by using supports i. e. arches, trusses, cables. Arch Bridges Being one of the oldest types of bridge, they have great natural strength. Instead of pushing straight down, its weight is carried outward along the curve of the arch to the supports at each end. These supports or abutments carry the load and keep its ends from spreading out. Although they are heavy, they are strong if well designed and can be very beautiful. Truss Bridges Truss bridges are mostly empty space, but very effective. They are made of thin triangulated assemblies of metal members. They have a very good strength to weight performance and can be incorporated into any design. They are usually very beautiful. Suspension Bridges A suspension bridge as its name suggests, suspends the roadway from huge main cables extending from one end of the bridge to the other. All the highly stressed parts of a suspension bridge are in tension apart from the towers. These cables which rest on top of towers are secured at each end by anchorages. They have a high aesthetic value, are light and strong. They span greater distances, are expensive and are susceptible to wobble if designed improperly. Cable-Stayed Bridges The cables are attached to the towers which bear the load alone. They are very beautiful and require less cable. They are easier and faster to build but require stronger towers. Core Material The design process Design of an arch bridge. Initially, a suspension bridge and other options were considered but because of the sandy nature of the place and foundation limitations, we decided on an arch bridge. We set to design a timber bridge over the Nebine Creek not only capable of carrying pedestrians and animals but also motor vehicles. This bridge would be built on concrete and stone abutments for the many girder span designed. Instead of pushing straight down, the weight of the bridge (mainly made of laminated softwood) is carried outward along the curve of the arch to the supports at each end. These supports or abutments carry the load and keep its ends from spreading out. The abutments should carry a span of 22 meters. Four pairs of wooden beams, running lengthwise to the in relation to the bridge i. e. ‘longitudinal’, will rest on hammerhead bearings. The wooden beams are made of wooden pieces put in layers and glued together to form a larger beam. The layers, which are glued laminated wooden beams to make them more durable, are laid horizontally to form the main beam. Each pair measures 1 meter by 0. 5 meters, 15 centimetres thick. The span is 22 meters. The beams are to be made of softwoods like pine which are readily available in the community. To hold the pieces together firmly, metal brackets would be used to bolt the pieces together. On top of the stringers, small pieces of timber would be laid across and a coating of asphalt pavement would provide the road wearing surface. Since the stream has high banks and can hold rising waters caused by a flash flood during the rainy season, a concrete and stone arch bridge was chosen. The goal was to maintain the level of the road to allow for maximum potential stream flow. Traditionally, each family amongst the Aboriginal people would have a canoe, made from a single sheet of bark heated under low temperatures and then bent into shape. These canoes were used for fishing and crossing rivers especially during the rainy seasons. A base of clay built in the bottom of the canoe, would be used to light fire to cook some of the fish caught from the river. The remainder of the fish would be brought ashore to be shared amongst the rest of the people. Crossing rivers, they would put logs across minor streams and sometimes large rocks would be used (Berowra Valley Regional Park, 2010). Examples of these are shown in the appendix. A simple model would be made of wood to test the usability of the bridge. A bridge plan diagram was drawn to determine the amount necessary; this was done by tracing on the arch at the bottom with a pencil. On the model, an allowance of 10 inches is left from the end of the boards on the bottom cut to allow plenty of support on the stringers to carry the weight of the bridge. The amount of arch on the model was determined by using tack and string to make the arch. Wood glue is used to attach the pieces together, the cut out pieces are attached to the top of the stringer with a bead of wood glue and small screws (they are put on the underside so that they do not show. The pieces are then brought together to form the model beam.