Law and Informal Institutions free essay sample

International Business Chapter 2 Review Questions 1. Name the one pillar that supports formal institutions and the two additional pillars that support informal institutions. Answer: Regulatory Pillar that supports formal institutions and other two additional pillars name are Normative Pillar and Cognitive Pillar. Normative pillar refers to how to values, beliefs, and actions- collectively known as norms of other relevant players influence the behavior of focal individuals and firms. Cognitive pillar is the school support for informal institutions. It refers to the internalized values and beliefs that guide individual and firm behavior. 2. How does political risk affect global business? Answer: Managers and firms rationally pursue their interests and make choices within the formal and informal constraints in a given institutional frame work. While formal and informal institutions combine to govern firm behavior, in situations where formal constrains are unclear or fail, informal constrains will play a larger role in reducing uncertainty and providing constancy to managers and firms. We will write a custom essay sample on Law and Informal Institutions or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 3. Describe the differences among the three types of legal systems. Answer: Three types of legal systems are Civil law, Common Law, and Theocratic Law. Civil Law is a tradition that uses comprehensive statutes and codes as a primary means to form legal judgments. Common law is A legal tradition that is shaped by precedents from previous judicial decisions. Theocratic law is a legal system based on religious teachings. 4. Name and describe the three economic systems. Which economic system is the most common and why? Answer: Three economic systems are Market economy, command economy and Mixed  economy. Market economy is an economy that is characterized by the â€Å"invisible hand† of market forces. Command Economy is an economy in which theoretically all factors of production are state owned and state controlled, and all supply, demand, and pricing are planned by the government. Mixed economy is an economy that has elements of both a market economy and a command economy. 5. In what ways do institutions influence individuals’ and firms’ behaviors? Explain your answer. Answer: Institutions influence the decision-making process of both individuals and firms by signaling what conduct is legitimate and acceptable and what is not. Basically, institutions constrain the range of acceptable actions. 6. What fundamental aspect of democracy is relevant to the effective conduct of global business? Answer: Democracy is a political system in which citizens elect representatives to govern the country on their behalf. Usually the political party with the majority of votes wins and forms a government. Fundamental aspect of democracy that is relevant to global business is an individual’s right to freedom of expression and organization. 7. Name and describe the four types of totalitarianism. Answer: Communist Totalitarianism centers on a communist party. This system was embraced throughout central and eastern Europe and the former soviet union until the late 1980’s. It is still practiced in China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, and Vietnam. 8. Give an example of how theocratic law affects daily business operations. Answer: Theocratic law is based on religious techniques. In Saudi Arabia, McDonald’s operates â€Å"ladies only† restaurants in order to comply with the  Koran’s ban on direct, face to face contact between unrelated men and women in public. 9. Name three types of intellectual property, and explain how they could be used in business. Answer: Patents are legal rights awarded by government authorities to inventors of new products or processes. The inventors are given exclusive (monopoly) rights to derive income from such inventions through activities such as manufacturing, licensing, or selling. Copyrights are the exclusive legal rights of authors and publish and disseminate their work, for example the book you are reading now is protected by copyright. Trademarks are the exclusive legal rights of firms to use specific names, brands, and designs to differentiate their products from others. 10. Our current system of intellectual property protection stems from what early patent law? Answer: Couldn’t find it in the book but guessing, most probably it is a civil law?

Free Essays on I Infect Your Soul

My darkness fades from view And enters deep into you I infect your soul Let my darkness swallow you whole You are part of my dreams I am the precursor to your screams I engulf your spirit And take you to the limit Taking you over the edge Leaving you dangling on the ledge To jump and die Go on, pretend you can fly Let me watch you fall to the ground I will watch with joy unbound Let me take away your life Let me hand you this sharpened knife End it all And beware the fall Deep down into my dark black hole I am the keeper of your poor lost soul Come join with me Embrace me Clutch me to your breast Let my dark magic do the rest We are the terrors that fly in the night There is no point in putting up a fight Let us entwine Your wretched soul is mine Let us again embrace And leave behind this damned human race Your body is nothing but an empty shell Your soul belongs with me in Hell I infect your soulLet my darkness swallow you whole... Free Essays on I Infect Your Soul Free Essays on I Infect Your Soul My darkness fades from view And enters deep into you I infect your soul Let my darkness swallow you whole You are part of my dreams I am the precursor to your screams I engulf your spirit And take you to the limit Taking you over the edge Leaving you dangling on the ledge To jump and die Go on, pretend you can fly Let me watch you fall to the ground I will watch with joy unbound Let me take away your life Let me hand you this sharpened knife End it all And beware the fall Deep down into my dark black hole I am the keeper of your poor lost soul Come join with me Embrace me Clutch me to your breast Let my dark magic do the rest We are the terrors that fly in the night There is no point in putting up a fight Let us entwine Your wretched soul is mine Let us again embrace And leave behind this damned human race Your body is nothing but an empty shell Your soul belongs with me in Hell I infect your soulLet my darkness swallow you whole...

Compare and Contrast Liberal and Realist Views of International Law Essay

Compare and Contrast Liberal and Realist Views of International Law - Essay Example This view led to creation of international law which provides a framework that guide international relationship. International relations theories address various concerns of countries. This paper intends to compare and contrast realist and liberalist views of international law. Political realists argue in favor of their nation in terms of its security, social reconstructions, and moral concern while political liberalists argue in favor of international cooperation (Claude & Weston, 2006:122). Security concern is a factor that affects national interests and international interests. It is apparent that political stability of a nation depends on the security measures in place. An instant of insecurity drag political gains and economic endeavors of a country. However, debate on security drags both realists and liberalists into explaining their views to international laws. Realists believe that a state has to strive to achieve state security through all possible means (Claude & Weston, 20 06:126). For instance, during the 9/11 bombing realists gave their response to international terrorism by arguing that the state should refocus on probable sources of its insecurity and that the state should handle non-state actors who are violent as proxies for national interest (Portmann, 2010:70). In this view, high state organs believed that non-state sponsors had a role in creating the infamous attack. In response to the attack, the realists focused their security actions to states they perceived as rogues i.e. nations that supported the actions of the insurgent groups (Portmann, 2010:69). Realists felt the threat posed by these countries and decided to wage war on terrorism in these countries. This justified the move made by United States to wage war on Iraq and Afghanistan. Liberalist contrasts the realist view of international law by favoring the interest of non-state actors (D’Aspremont, 2011:6). It is evident that liberals endow non-state players with agency and aut onomy. For instance, liberals believe that distribution of power does not only remain at state level, but also embeds it to entities such as NGO and international institutions (D’Aspremont, 2011:12). Liberals have taken a centre stage role in advocating for independent groups as forces that need recognition in the international politics. At the international scene, liberals argue that power is a multidimensional tool in which emphasis should be on soft power in addition to economic and military power. This argument makes the liberalist support international activities in contrasts to the interests of the realists. The use of soft power intends to eliminate conflicts, which drag international politics. For instance, the adoption of dialogue as a means of seeking a lasting solution to conflicts is a manifestation of using soft power in brokering interest of various countries. In the international politics, recognition of political realism is a concept of interest vested in term s of power (Neack, 2003:77). The motive behind each state behavior is power, which is either military power or potential power (assets). The means used by states to seek power vary because some states are weak while others are strong. However, power change from time to time. For instance, French military power dominated continent Europe in the early 1800s, but shifted in 1814 following the defeat of French military (Neack, 2003:78). Largely, realist perspective looks at state as

McDonalds Marketing Strategy Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

McDonalds Marketing Strategy - Case Study Example Shifting lifestyles, aging population and healthy food consumption trends hamper industry growth. Despite McDonald's many successes and long-standing position as a global industry leader, the golden arches are showing evidence of tarnish. Over the last years the company has shown signs of failure to identify with its customers and this has lead to retarded growth and unmet expectations. In this paper I will examine in greater detail latest industry trends and I will critically evaluate McDonald's marketing strategy. The final part of the paper discusses strategic alternatives and suggested strategies for McDonald's Corporation. The fast food market is dynamic and growing, it amounts to $99.6 billion and is expected to grow by 15% by 2009 (Datamonitor, Global Fast Food, 2005). To the west growth has been driven by changing consumer lifestyles. The restaurants segment benefits from the reduction of leisure time, accompanied by increasing trends away from preparing food at home (Datamonitor, Global Restaurants, 2005). The growth in the Far Eastern countries, on the other hand, is fuelled by growing population, economic development and rising purchasing power of local population (Datamonitor, Foodservice China, 2005). Still, the bright future of the fast food sector is not secur... The growth in the Far Eastern countries, on the other hand, is fuelled by growing population, economic development and rising purchasing power of local population (Datamonitor, Foodservice China, 2005). Still, the bright future of the fast food sector is not secured and it's again consumer trends that hamper its development. Aging population in US and Europe tends to favour more sophisticated food and service offers to fast-food restaurants (Datamonitor, Global Restaurants, 2005). A major threat to the fast-food industry is the trend towards healthy food that shifts consumption away from fast food market. Intense competition among fast food retailers has forced major chains to focus on value chain efficiencies in order to improve profits (Datamonitor, Global Restaurants, 2005). Additionally, local markets have put high legal and market-driven entry barriers for international retailers (Ball et al, 2005). Customer analysis All in all, the McDonald's fast food offer is attractive to people from all age groups. The company specifically targets children and middle-class households that are less demanding in their choice for sophisticated product offer. Rising incomes in developing markets make the McDonald's offer more feasible and better accepted even in places where the company has been regarded as rather expensive, one example is India. The American identity of fast food products in Japan and other countries in the Far East enhances their image. According to a survey by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, 50 % of teenagers prefer Western foods to traditional dishes. As a result, American companies in Japan account for half the business (Ball et

Employment Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 3

Employment Law - Essay Example The contract of employment is the cornerstone of the employment relationship. In Gascol Conversions Ltd., v Mercer1 Courts found that contracts of employment, like all other contracts, consist of express and implied terms and the written statement is only evidence of the various contractual terms and, unless the employee has agreed that it accurately represents those terms, it is not binding on the employee. Here the argument is that at the time of recruiting the employee, employer can impose these restrictive clauses. Restrictive covenants are terms in a contract of employment that limit the employees activities following termination of their employment. Now it need to consider the capacity of Balmoral to change or impose new restrict covenant. In RS Components v Irwin2, a case before the National Industrial Relations Court the employer decided that it needed to introduce restrictive covenants. The NIRC held that held that there was nothing in the section to preclude the tribunal from finding. The dismissal on the grounds of the needs to impose the new restriction fells within the some other substantial reason category. If employees refused to sign, the new contract could therefore be dismissed. Here the Court noted that the employer would have to devise covenants that were not void. It is a landmark case that decided in 1973 should demonstrate best practice, rather than Windsor Recruitment v Silverwood and others3, which decided in 2006. Employment law still has the capacity to spring a surprise. In Hanover Insurance Brokers Ltd v Schapiro4 the CA Dillon LJ argued that a restriction that seeks to prohibit a defendant from poaching any employee, irrespective of expertise or juniority and including those who entered employment after the defendant left, is invalid5. In Living Design (Home Improvements) Ltd. v Davidson6 the CA has recognized the possibility of a restrictive covenant sufficient to

Role of Kidney in Osmoregulation

Role of Kidney in Osmoregulation Water is a vital molecule for the human body. Approximately 98% of the human body is made up of water. Human beings cannot survive if their water content decreases below 12%; hence the homeostasis of water is an important mechanism. Water has many important functions in our body. Water acts as a transport medium in blood and secretion e.g. in digestive juices, tears. Water is a good lubricant and acts to reduce friction when combined with particular proteins e.g. mucus to aid external movement. Many chemical reactions take place in an aqueous medium (Jones M.et al.2000) The kidneys are highly specialised organs of the body and play an important role in homeostasis. Fig 1a shows the location of the kidney in the human body.The kidney maintains homeostasis by regulating water balance, waste removal and blood composition and pressure. The kidneys dispose of waste by-products of metabolism and hence prevent the build up of toxic products in the body and to regulate the chemical components of the bodys fluids by responding to any imbalances of body fluids. These functions are fulfilled by a process of filtration of blood, which mainly includes the movement of solutes between the internal fluid and external environment. The movement of solutes is normally through a transport epithelium, in the case of the kidney it is in the form of a tubular channel; this tubular channel gives the kidney a large surface area. As Fig 1b shows blood enters each kidney via the renal artery and leaves via the renal vein. The kidneys weigh less than 1% of the human body, they receive approximately 2 % of blood pumped with each heartbeat. Urine exits the kidney through a duct called the ureter. The ureters of both kidneys drain into a common urinary bladder. Urine leaves the body from the urinary bladder to the urethra which empties near the vagina in females or through the penis in males. (Campbell N. A. et al. 1999, Michael F. et al. 2001) At one end the nephron forms a cup-shaped structure called glomerulus. From the glomerulus a tube runs towards the centre of the kidney first forming a twisted region called the proximal convoluted tubule and then a long hair-pin loop in the medulla, it runs back upwards into the cortex where it forms another twisted region called the distal convoluted tubule, this then joins a collecting duct which leads down the medulla and into the renal pelvis The functional unit of the kidney is a nephron. Microscopic sections of the kidney show that the kidney is made up of thousands of nephrons. Fig1b shows the location of a nephron and Fig2 shows the detailed structure of a nephron. Each renal capsule is supplied with blood by the afferent arteriole a branch of the renal artery this splits into many capillaries in the capsule which then rejoin to form the afferent arteriole. The nephrons structure is closely related to its function of regulating solutes Osmoregulation is maintaining constant levels of water in the body. Cells cannot survive a huge deviation from its osmolality. Hence, cells have a continuous movement of water across their plasma membranes. A net gain of water will cause the cell to swell up and burst, while a net loss of water will cause the cell to shrivel up and die. Water is transported by osmosis around the body. Osmoregulation is accomplished by creating an osmotic gradient; this requires lots of energy and is done by maintaining solute concentrations in the body fluids. The osmolality of the body is fixed at a mean of 290 ±5 mosmos/g. The kidney is able to maintain a constant osmolality as its able to adjust the rate of water excretion over a wide range. The volume of the extra-cellular fluid is mainly determined by the concentration of sodium ions, hence slight adjustments to the renal excretion rate have a major impact on the extracellular fluid volume. Changes in tubular sodium transport is accompanied by parallel movements of water, this results in no net change in body fluid osmolality  (Campbell N. A. et al. 1999, Frederic H.M. 2006, Michael F. et al. 2001) The loop of Henle creates a longitudinal osmotic gradient across the medulla; this aids the reabsorption of water and other important solutes. Ascending and descending limb are parallel and adjacent to each other with a layer of tissue fluid in between. Fluid enters from the proximal convoluted tubules flows down the descending limb and then up the ascending limb. This is known as a counter-current flow. Thewalls of the descending limb are permeable to water, while the walls of the ascending limb are impermeable to water. The ascending limb of the Loop of Henle is made up of a thick walled tubule which is impermeable to the outward movement of water but not salt. The red arrows on fig3 show the movement of water amd solutes along the loop of Henle and the collecting duct. Also, the walls of the ascending limb contain pumps to remove sodium chloride from the lumen and add it to the surrounding interstitial fluid. Hence sodium and chloride ions are actively transported out of the ascen ding limb. This is the site of reabsorption in the kidney, here fluid from theà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦enters and the kidney reabsorbs all the useful solutes and water. The permeability of the loop and the collecting duct depends on the osmolality of the blood and is controlled by a negative feedback mechanism by osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus A high concentration of salt builds up in the medullary tissue, this together with urea retention by these tissues, helps build up a high osmotic pressure in the medullary tissue. This creates a gradient of 200 mosm/g across the tubular wall at any point and causes a loss of water from the descending limb. The loss of water concentrates sodium and chloride ions in the descending limb. Salt concentration in the medullary tissue is highest at the apex of the loop, the tissue in the deeper layers of the medulla contain a very concentrated solution of sodium ions, chloride ions and urea. The fluid leaving the ascending limb is hypo-osmolar as compared to the fluid that enters and has a osmolality of approximately 100 mosm/g .Sodium and chloride ions diffuse out in the lower part of the ascending limb. Fluid passes down the collecting duct through the medullary tissue of increasing salt concentration, water can pass out of it by osmosis. The reabsorbed water is carried away by blood capil laries  (Campbell N. A. et al. 1999, Frederic H.M. 2006, Michael F. et al. 2001) Control of water regulation Osmoregulation by the kidney involves a negative feedback mechanism. The osmoreceptors are in the hypothalamus and the effectors are the pituitary gland and the walls of the distal convoluted tubules. Osmoreceptors detect alterations of water levels and send impulses to the pituitary gland which then increase or decrease the production of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). In the case of a low osmolality,when the nerve cells are stimulated by osmoreceptors action potentials travel down them, this causes ADH to be released from their endings into the blood capillaries in the posterior pituitary gland from here it is distributed throughout the body. ADH acts on the plasma membranes of the cells of the collecting ducts. ADH is picked up by a receptor on the plasma membrane which then activates an enzyme. This causes vesicles with water permeable channels to fuse with the plasma membrane hence ADH makes the membrane more permeable to water than usual. Hence more water will be reabsorbed by the collecting duct and more concentrated urine will be produced. On the other hand, when the blood water content rises the osmoreceptors are no longer stimulated and hence do not lead to the secretion of ADH. Hence, ADH secretion slows down and the collecting duct cells become less permeable to water, so less water is reabsorbed and more diluted urine is produced  (Campbell N. A. et al. 1999, Frederic H.M. 2006, Michael F. et al. 2001) In conclusion, the regulation of water is essential for the survival of human beings and is carried out by the kidneys and monitored by osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus and controlled by the pituitary gland. Each of these plays an equally important role in the regulation of water and without any one of them the body will not be able to function in a normal manner. [Words: 1328]

Organic foods

Organic foods are defined as foods without pesticides, antibiotics,or gefetically altered organisms. Organic farming began in the late 1940’s in the united states, and in recents years it has grown into a multi-billion dollaer industry. Sales for organis foods in the past decade have increased annually by 20%. Its 20% growth is ten times as much as non-organic food’s growth. Organic food makes up only a fraction of the food market even though there are over ten million consumers. The sales of organic foods are expected to climb to over 6 billion dollars within the upcoming years. Soil is also a crucial component of the organic process. Soil is said to be organic when it has been deemed ‘clean’ for three years. Making a commitment to healthy eating is a great start towards a healthier life. Beyond eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and good fats, however, there is the question of food safety, nutrition, and sustainability. How foods are grown or raised can impact both your health and the environment. This brings up the questions: What is the difference between organic foods and conventionally grown foods? Is â€Å"organic† always best? What about locally grown foods? Organic food, natural cleaners, green businesses, even organic clothing; natural and organic products continue to be the centre of attention for those seeking a healthier lifestyle, but just what is organic food, is this organic trend long-lasting, and what organic food facts provide compelling reasons to grow, shop, cook and eat organic food. Today, organic food accounts for 2% of global food sales and is growing at an average rate of 20% each year. Today, you can have your organic food delivered, buy it online, at your local grocery store, grow it yourself and order organic food at many restaurants. This continuing rise in demand creates a need for regulations to protect both consumers and farmers. Organic food is not the same thing as natural food. Natural refers to the way a food is processed rather than the ingredients. A food that is free of additives and preservatives, but contains commercially-produced ingredients, is considered natural. Organic food contains primarily organic ingredients, while natural foods may be made with items grown with the aid of chemicals as well as genetically modified ingredient and it is not just apples and bananas. Nearly every food available also has an organic version in today’s market. Organic milk, chicken, and even pasta can be found right on the shelves of your neighbourhood supermarket. Many leading food manufacturers are creating organic food in convenience packaging to fit into modern lifestyles. Canned organic tomatoes and frozen organic peas are among many options. Organic food is not bland and tasteless. In fact, most people claim organic ingredients are fresher and more flavourful than conventionally grown foods. Chemical residues, added ingredients, and hurried, mass production detract from the natural juices within fruits and vegetables. Organic food is free of chemicals, leaving nothing but pure, fresh flavour. Regulations and procedures for organic certification are still relatively new but organic farming and cultivation are not. Farmers were using natural, chemical-free methods of growing long before pesticides and fertilizers were available. As more research continues to reveal the dangers of these chemicals to both humans and the planet, consumers continue to explore the benefits of organic food. The advantages of arganic food are that you can choose to grow and/or buy food that is healthier for you, and the environment; cooking and eating organically also often offers more flavor and better tasting foods. Use organic farming methods and organic gardening tactics such as organic garden fertilizer and compost to grow your food; the organic food advantages and organic food benefits are significant for you, your family and the planet. Organic food benefits have been a hot topic for more than a decade now but it wasn't until relatively recently that these advantages were supported by more than just hearsay. Extensive research conducted over a number of years has proven that organic food not only tastes better than commercial foods, but it is also better for us and our children, as well as our animals, wildlife, and the environment as a whole. Care and maintenance of soil, and preventive farming methods like crop rotation create fruits and vegetables that contain up to 50% more vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients than intensively farmed foods. Encouraging natural and organic farming methods and gardening practices, will allow organic soil to rebuild and contribute healthy vitamins and minerals to feed the crops, and you. Organic foods have higher levels of many disease-fighting antioxidants and essential vitamins, including Vitamin C. Industrial pesticides and fertilizers used in intensive farming contain synthetic, toxic chemicals, residues of which remain in the food they are involved in producing. Organic farming uses natural, synthetic-chemical-free methods that produce foods much safer for the humans, as well as the animals, that consume them. And if you grow your own fruits and vegetables, using organic garden fertilizer, natural pesticide methods, and organic soil Such chemicals are responsible for a number of common allergies and have also been linked to serious diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. An organic diet significantly lowers these risks. Organic foods Organic foods are defined as foods without pesticides, antibiotics,or gefetically altered organisms. Organic farming began in the late 1940’s in the united states, and in recents years it has grown into a multi-billion dollaer industry. Sales for organis foods in the past decade have increased annually by 20%. Its 20% growth is ten times as much as non-organic food’s growth. Organic food makes up only a fraction of the food market even though there are over ten million consumers. The sales of organic foods are expected to climb to over 6 billion dollars within the upcoming years. Soil is also a crucial component of the organic process. Soil is said to be organic when it has been deemed ‘clean’ for three years. Making a commitment to healthy eating is a great start towards a healthier life. Beyond eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and good fats, however, there is the question of food safety, nutrition, and sustainability. How foods are grown or raised can impact both your health and the environment. This brings up the questions: What is the difference between organic foods and conventionally grown foods? Is â€Å"organic† always best? What about locally grown foods? Organic food, natural cleaners, green businesses, even organic clothing; natural and organic products continue to be the centre of attention for those seeking a healthier lifestyle, but just what is organic food, is this organic trend long-lasting, and what organic food facts provide compelling reasons to grow, shop, cook and eat organic food. Today, organic food accounts for 2% of global food sales and is growing at an average rate of 20% each year. Today, you can have your organic food delivered, buy it online, at your local grocery store, grow it yourself and order organic food at many restaurants. This continuing rise in demand creates a need for regulations to protect both consumers and farmers. Organic food is not the same thing as natural food. Natural refers to the way a food is processed rather than the ingredients. A food that is free of additives and preservatives, but contains commercially-produced ingredients, is considered natural. Organic food contains primarily organic ingredients, while natural foods may be made with items grown with the aid of chemicals as well as genetically modified ingredient and it is not just apples and bananas. Nearly every food available also has an organic version in today’s market. Organic milk, chicken, and even pasta can be found right on the shelves of your neighbourhood supermarket. Many leading food manufacturers are creating organic food in convenience packaging to fit into modern lifestyles. Canned organic tomatoes and frozen organic peas are among many options. Organic food is not bland and tasteless. In fact, most people claim organic ingredients are fresher and more flavourful than conventionally grown foods. Chemical residues, added ingredients, and hurried, mass production detract from the natural juices within fruits and vegetables. Organic food is free of chemicals, leaving nothing but pure, fresh flavour. Regulations and procedures for organic certification are still relatively new but organic farming and cultivation are not. Farmers were using natural, chemical-free methods of growing long before pesticides and fertilizers were available. As more research continues to reveal the dangers of these chemicals to both humans and the planet, consumers continue to explore the benefits of organic food. The advantages of arganic food are that you can choose to grow and/or buy food that is healthier for you, and the environment; cooking and eating organically also often offers more flavor and better tasting foods. Use organic farming methods and organic gardening tactics such as organic garden fertilizer and compost to grow your food; the organic food advantages and organic food benefits are significant for you, your family and the planet. Organic food benefits have been a hot topic for more than a decade now but it wasn't until relatively recently that these advantages were supported by more than just hearsay. Extensive research conducted over a number of years has proven that organic food not only tastes better than commercial foods, but it is also better for us and our children, as well as our animals, wildlife, and the environment as a whole. Care and maintenance of soil, and preventive farming methods like crop rotation create fruits and vegetables that contain up to 50% more vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients than intensively farmed foods. Encouraging natural and organic farming methods and gardening practices, will allow organic soil to rebuild and contribute healthy vitamins and minerals to feed the crops, and you. Organic foods have higher levels of many disease-fighting antioxidants and essential vitamins, including Vitamin C. Industrial pesticides and fertilizers used in intensive farming contain synthetic, toxic chemicals, residues of which remain in the food they are involved in producing. Organic farming uses natural, synthetic-chemical-free methods that produce foods much safer for the humans, as well as the animals, that consume them. And if you grow your own fruits and vegetables, using organic garden fertilizer, natural pesticide methods, and organic soil Such chemicals are responsible for a number of common allergies and have also been linked to serious diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. An organic diet significantly lowers these risks.

Analysis of “Al Gore on Climate Crisis and Global Power”

Former Vice President Al Gore was the featured â€Å"My Turn† opinion writer for the December 18, 2006 issue of Newsweek Magazine. This opinion article was a part of Gore’s environmental awareness campaign which began with the publication of his book An Inconvenient Truth.  Gore presents a very well written argument advocating the necessity for massive change in the use of energy. According to Gore, â€Å"we are now faced with an urgent crisis—a crisis that is altering the very nature of the earth’s climate.†Gore makes his compelling argument without preaching, scolding, or frightening. This is extremely rare, and valuable, given the highly volatile nature of any debate involving energy sources and environmental concern. The article is interesting for what is said as well as for what is omitted.The piece is devoid of the usual â€Å"doomsday† statistics and anecdotes projecting a critical problem without a solution. Instead, Gore portrays t he world at a crossroads, the beginning of â€Å"a new age† where â€Å"crisis† should be defined as the Chinese write it: â€Å"danger† and â€Å"opportunity†. He does not need to elaborate on the well-known and documented dangers facing the world regarding climate change. Instead, he illustrates several of the opportunities he visualizes in the future.His first example is the development of an â€Å"electranet† distribution network for electrical power. Instead of massive coal, oil, or nuclear fuel power plants, smaller suppliers, including wind and solar power generators, will be widespread.Additionally, anyone on the â€Å"electranet† who can generate electricity, from small home solar units to larger industrial generators, will be able to sell their surplus power to the grid. Other changes envisioned include â€Å"smart† buildings â€Å"constructed with breakthrough solar and nanotechnologies† and super-high mileage vehicl es.Gore is optimistic because â€Å"market forces that are now in motion— driven by visionaries at companies as diverse as Wal-Mart, British Petroleum and General Electric†   are having an effect. But, more must be done: governments must â€Å"exert real leadership† in agreement to the Kyoto treaty and then beyond in order to meet the crisis. With optimism Gore closes by stating it is â€Å"a rare opportunity for our generation to unite behind a historic mission.†I share Gore’s attitude and opinions regarding energy and the environment; however, I believe I am not alone in feeling very apprehensive. A day does not pass without more evidence documenting incredible damage and change in the global environment.It is easy to fear that the world of our children and grandchildren will be terribly damaged. It is difficult to focus on what one individual can do when there is a fear of it being â€Å"too little too late.† As Gore believes market for ces will cause the beneficial change, I believe we must examine how â€Å"we the people† can be a significant part of that force.To paraphrase Gore, the immediate future will be incredibly challenging. I believe he frames the issue perfectly as â€Å"a historic mission† in which we must all play a significant role. In unity there will be success; the environment does not have the luxury of time for divisiveness or finger-pointing.Although it is very likely we will be able to see the reward of collective action, if not, it is certain future generations will see the result of our action or inaction.

Business IS essays

Business IS essays Information System - A set of interrelated components that collect, retrieve, process, store and distribute information for the purpose of facilitating planning, control, coordination, analysis and decision making in organisations. Input - the capture or collection of raw data resources from within an organisation or from its external environment. Processing - The conversion of raw input into a more appropriate and useful form. Output - The transfer of processed information to the people or activities that will use it. Feedback - Output that is returned to appropriate members of the organisation to help them refine or correct the input phase. Formal Systems - Information Systems that rely on mutually accepted and relatively fixed definitions of data and procedures for collecting, storing, processing and distributing information. Manual Systems - An information system that uses only paper and pencil technology and does not rely on computers. Computer Hardware - the physical equipment used for the input, processing and output work in an information system. Computer Software - Preprogrammed instructions that coordinate the work of computer hardware components to perform the processes required by each information system. Storage Technology - physical media for storing data and the software governing the organisation of data on these media. Communications technology - Physical media and software that support communication by electronic means, usually over some distance. Network - Physical media and software that link two or more computers together to transmit voice, data, images, sound and/or video or to share resources such as a printer. Internet - A vast interconnected network of networks linking business, governmental, scientific and educational organisations as well as individuals around the world. World Wide Web - a set of standards for storing, organising and displaying information in a networked environment....

GREENEST CAMPUSES essays

GREENEST CAMPUSES essays Role of campuses in Environmental protection Environment protection is one of the most burning issues these days with people complaining about the negative effects of various business and social activities on ecology. In this connection, green movement activities and environmentalists around the globe are urging people to pay closer attention to the consequences of many activities with may even appear harmless on the surface. Urban areas are the special victims of environmental destruction. Orr (19991) writes: "It is becoming increasingly apparent that our present environmental crisis is evidence of a prior failure of mind and perception- which is to say, a failure of education. The loss of species, topsoil, rain forests, and impending climate change are not primarily technological problems or even economic ones. They are first and foremost about how we think about the world we inhabit". However while we do know how cities are contributing to destruction of ecology, we simply fail to understand how colleges and universities could also be playing an influential role in this connection. Louisiana Tech or any other institution needs to understand that role educational institutions can play in saving the environment. Tech must therefore closely follow the example of other institutions in this connection. Noel Perrin in his article on the issue clearly describes the green programs of various universities and colleges thereby showing their contribution to ecology preservation. Some people may argue that Louisiana Tech doesn't need to participate in such programs for it is not contributing to environment destruction. However this is a completely illogical viewpoint because only there are many different ways in which colleges and universities contribute to environmental problems. for one we must keep in mind that tech would certainly be a better place if it implements some sound green progra...

Reconstruction and Race Relations Paper Research

Reconstruction and Race Relations - Research Paper Example Another law was also passed which is the Disenfranchisement Law that deprived Afro Americans of their right to vote. The passage of the segregation law and disenfranchisement law meant the white and the black cannot be together on public places and public transportation. These oppressive laws were then implemented in various states and municipality mandating the segregation of the blacks and the whites not only on public transportation but also in other aspects of public life that include, schools, hospitals, parks, movie houses, hotels and even restrooms. The Disfranchisement Law as the name implies, remove the right of the Negro to exercise his civil liberty to vote by despite the guarantee of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. This was evident with the exclusion of the blacks from the list of those who can vote in 1870 and made it more difficult for blacks to vote (if they can) by passing the poll tax law. Ridiculous as it may sound but a literacy requirement was also enacte d in 1890 that if a black person is allowed to vote, he or she must satisfy the â€Å"understanding clause† that they understood the constitution before the state registrar. Naturally, the determination of the black person’s fitness to vote became arbitrary that deprived many of them of their right to vote. Voting restrictions were also imposed to make it difficult for black people by stating deadlines of poll tax payment and voter registration unannounced. All of these were designed to make it difficult, if not impossible for a black person to vote. The Reconstruction and beyond The end of the civil war marked the reconstruction period in the South. There are many accounts and interpretation why the Reconstruction became a splendid failure but it converged on the idea that it did not achieve what it intended to achieve. One its failure was failure was the attempt to provide some civil rights such as the right to vote for African Americans (Fitzgerald, 2008). This was evident in the Dred Scott decision which the Supreme Court ruled that blacks â€Å"had no rights which a white man was bound to respect; and that the Negro might justly and lawfully be reduced to slavery for his benefit† (Freerepublic.com). In 1876 however, a change in political tide was seen when the Republicans gained control in Congress. From the repressive regime of the Democrats, the Republicans passed the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution where several civil rights bills were introduced which will give every Americans equal protection before the law (Cornell University Law School, nd). One of the laws that were also passed was the granting of the right to vote among African Americans. In effect, this would have also given the African Americans some civil rights and the benefit of equal protection before the law except that it was blocked in every way of its application. One particular right, of the four civil rights that was passed in Congress that was circumvented in its application was the protection of right to vote as expressed in the Fourteenth Amendment. The Democrats device several political implements to block the application of the African American right to vote which included imposition of poll taxes, literacy tests, grandfather clauses and Gerrymandering. The imposition of

Data Mining and Big Data Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Data Mining and Big Data - Assignment Example It is very essential to note that a deep scrutiny of real world commercial implementation of data, makes the International Business Machines (IBM) come out as one of organizations with a high quality ‘Big data’ hub. At this company’s ‘Big data’ hub, large volumes of information are handled, which are actually very hard to process in a traditional database. The data hub is composed is of data mining engines integrated to aid in easy handling of data. The integration of data mining in IBM has made very easy and fast for the company to manage and process data in its globally placed (using cloud technology) immense data warehouses. Thus, this makes it clear that although the data is large, it is realistically the simplest and easily tolerable data volumes in data mining. In this sense, I hereby agree that the term ‘Big data’ is actually an over-hyped buzzword for data mining. Microsoft Incorporation is one of the most successful software companies globally. Due to the large data volumes handled at the company, the subject of ‘Big data’ in the company has also been a subject of concern. At this company, issues related to ‘Big data’ have usually been experienced in scenarios where the organization’s traditional database system is exhausted with the ever-increasing data volumes. This includes operating system files, cache files, customer data and management information system data. However, through the adoption of data mining engines, Microsoft Incorporation has smoothly been handling all the large amounts of data that it shares globally with clients and partners. Therefore, this case study further makes me agree with the statement. Thirdly, Facebook Incorporation is a social network website that manages online communication for over a billion global users a month. These users share messages, photos, poking, placing status and storing personal data. In essence, the company handles very immense and