Identifying the Barriers and Facilitators to Participation in Physical Activity for Children with Down Syndrome

Identifying the barriers and facilitators to participation in physical activity for children with Down syndrome. Images Authors: Barr M; Shields N Author Address: School of Physiotherapy and the Musculoskeletal Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic. , Australia. Source: Journal Of Intellectual Disability Research: JIDR [J Intellect Disabil Res] 2011 Nov; Vol. 55 (11), pp. 1020-33. Date of Electronic Publication: 2011 May 10. Publication Type: Journal Article Language: EnglishJournal Information: Publisher: Blackwell Scientific Publications on behalf of the Royal Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults : Oxford, UK Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9206090 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1365-2788 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 09642633 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Intellect Disabil Res Subsets: MEDLINE MeSH Terms: Physical Education and Training* Sports*/psychology Down Syndrome/*physiopathology Down Syndrome/*rehabilitationMo tor Activity/*physiology Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child Behavior ; Child, Preschool ; Disability Evaluation ; Down Syndrome/psychology ; Family Health ; Female ; Humans ; Life Style ; Male ; Motivation ; Parents/psychology ; Qualitative Research ; Victoria Abstract: Background: Many children with Down syndrome do not undertake the recommended amount of daily physical activity. The aim of this study was to explore the barriers and facilitators to physical activity for this group.Methods: Eighteen in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 parents (16 mothers, 4 fathers) of children with Down syndrome aged between 2 and 17 years to examine what factors facilitate physical activity and what factors are barriers to activity for their children. The participants were recruited through a community disability organisation that advocates for people with Down syndrome and their families. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and independently coded and analysed by two researchers using th ematic analysis.Results: Four themes on facilitators of physical activity were identified: (1) the positive role of the family; (2) opportunity for social interaction with peers; (3) structured accessible programmes that make adaptations for children with Down syndrome; and (4) children who were determined to succeed and physically skilled. Four themes on the barriers to physical activity were also identified: (1) characteristics commonly associated with Down syndrome; (2) competing family responsibilities; (3) reduced physical or behavioural skills; and (4) a lack of accessible programmes.Conclusions: The results highlight the important role of families in determining how much physical activity children with Down syndrome undertake and the effect that common characteristics associated with Down syndrome can have on maintaining an active lifestyle. Future research needs to concentrate on successful methods of encouraging physical activity, such as ensuring social interaction is part of the activity, and eliminating barriers to physical activity such as the a lack of appropriate programmes for children with Down syndrome.Implementing these strategies may encourage children with Down syndrome to participate more frequently in a physically active lifestyle. ( (c) 2011 The Authors. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research (c) 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. ) Entry Dates: Date Created: 20111024 Date Completed: 20120221 Update Code: 20120221 DOI: 10. 1111/j. 1365-2788. 2011. 01425. x PMID: 21554468 Database: MEDLINE with Full Text Images: Clinical practice. The care of children with Down syndrome. Images Go to all 8 images >> Authors: Weijerman ME; de Winter JP Author Address: Department of Pediatrics, VU University Medical Center, P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands. [email  protected] nl Source: European Journal Of Pediatrics [Eur J Pediatr] 2010 Dec; Vol. 169 (12), pp. 1445-52. Date of Electronic Publication: 2010 Jul 15. Publication Type : Journal Article; Review Language: English Journal Information: Publisher: Springer Verlag : Berlin Country of Publication: Germany NLM ID: 7603873 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1432-1076 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 03406199 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Eur. J. Pediatr. Subsets: MEDLINE MeSH Terms: Life Expectancy* Cardiovascular Diseases/*therapyDown Syndrome/*mortality Down Syndrome/*therapy Respiratory Tract Diseases/*therapy Vision Disorders/*therapy Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology ; Cardiovascular Diseases/genetics ; Caregivers ; Child ; Comorbidity ; Delivery of Health Care/standards ; Down Syndrome/complications ; Down Syndrome/diagnosis ; Down Syndrome/epidemiology ; Gastrointestinal Diseases/epidemiology ; Gastrointestinal Diseases/genetics ; Gastrointestinal Diseases/therapy ; Humans ; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases/epidemiology ; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases/genetics ; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases/therapy ; Parents ;Practice Guidelines as Topic/standards ; Prevalence ; Respiratory Tract Diseases/epidemiology ; Respiratory Tract Diseases/genetics ; Risk Factors ; Vision Disorders/epidemiology ; Vision Disorders/genetics Abstract: Down syndrome (DS) is one of the most common chromosomal abnormalities. Because of medical advances and improvements in overall medical care, the median survival of individuals with DS has increased considerably.This longer life expectancy requires giving the necessary care to the individual with DS over their total longer lifespan. DS medical guidelines are designed for the optimal care of the child in whom a diagnosis of DS has been confirmed. We present an overview of the most important issues related to children with DS based on the most relevant literature currently available. Entry Dates: Date Created: 20101025 Date Completed: 20110218 Update Code: 20111122 PubMed Central ID: PMC2962780 PMID: 20632187 Database: MEDLINE with Full Text

Strategic Mangement(Krispy Kreme)

P r o j e c t o f Strategic Management Case Study Krispy Kreme Doughnut HAILEY COLLEGE OF COMMERCE UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB We are thankful to ALLAH (all mighty) for guiding us and giving us power and courage. Project submitted: Sir Ishfaq Ahmed This project is based on our course of S. M. We have tried to utilize our knowledge about the subject which was taught by our professor. S. M is a vast field and it was a bit difficult for us to cover it all at our learning phase. We have applied many concepts of S.M to the case study We are very much thankful to our Sir Ishfaq Ahmedfor teaching us this important subject with all dedication and interest. It was very necessary for us to understand the real concepts of S. M. for our future practical working life. Project prepared by: Bilal Raja 792 Krispy Kreme Doughnut History and Growth The founder, Vernon Rudolph, worked for his uncle, Ishmael Armstrong, who purchased a secret recipe for yeast-raised doughnuts and a shop on Broad Street in P aducah, Kentucky, from Joseph LeBeouf of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Rudolph began selling the yeast doughnuts in Paducah and delivered them on his bicycle.The operation was moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and other family members joined to meet the customer demand. The first store in the nation with the Krispy-Kreme name opened on Charlotte Pike in 1933. Rudolph sold his interest in the Nashville store and in 1938 opened a doughnut shop in Winston-Salem, and began selling to groceries and then directly to individual customers. The first store in North Carolina was located in a rented building on South Main Street in Winston-Salem in what is now called historic Old Salem. The Krispy Kreme logo was designed by Benny Dinkins, a local architect.By the 1960s, Krispy Kreme was known throughout the southeastern United States, and it began to expand into other areas. In 1976, Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation became a wholly owned subsidiary of Beatrice Foods of Chicago, Illinois. The headquar ters for Krispy Kreme remained in Winston-Salem. In 2003, a pilot project in Mountain View, California, to sell doughnuts through car windows and sunroofs at a busy intersection (with wireless payment) failed. On February 19, 2007, Krispy Kreme began selling the Whole Wheat Glazed doughnut in an attempt to appeal to the health conscious.The doughnut has twenty Calories fewer than the original glazed (180 vs. 200) and contains more fiber (2 grams vs. 0. 5 grams). As of January 2008, the trans-fat content of all Krispy Kreme doughnuts was reduced to 0. 5 of a gram or less. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration, in its guidelines, allow companies to round down to 0 g in its nutrition facts label even if the food contains as much as 0. 5 of a gram per serving. Krispy Kreme benefited from this regulatory loophole in its subsequent advertising campaign, touting its doughnuts as â€Å"trans- fat free† and having â€Å"0 grams trans-fat! Krispy Kreme began another phase of rapid ex pansion in the 1990s, opening stores outside the southeastern United States where most of their stores were located. Then, in December 2001, Krispy Kreme opened its first store outside the U. S. in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, just outside Toronto. Since 2004, Krispy Kreme has rapidly expanded its international operations. On April 5, 2000, the corporation went public on the NASDAQ using the ticker symbol KREM. On May 17, 2001, Krispy Kreme switched to the New York Stock Exchange, with the ticker symbol KKD, which is its current symbol.On January 18, 2005, Krispy Kreme announced Stephen Cooper, chairman of financial consulting group Kroll Zolfo Cooper LLC, as interim CEO. Cooper replaces Scott Livengood, who the company said has retired as chairman, president, CEO and a director. The company also named Steven Panagos, a managing director of Kroll Zolfo, as president and COO. Although based on informal advertising such as word-of-mouth, in 2006, Krispy Kreme moved into television an d radio advertisements, beginning with its â€Å"Share the Love† campaign with heart-shaped doughnuts. Vision and ValuesOur Vision †¢ To be the global leader in doughnuts and complementary products, while creating magic moments worldwide. Our Values (with acknowledgement to Founder, Vernon Rudolph) we believe†¦ †¢ Consumers are our lifeblood, the center of the doughnut †¢ There is no substitute for quality in our service to consumers †¢ Impeccable presentation is critical wherever Krispy Kreme is sold †¢ We must produce a collaborative team effort that is unexcelled †¢ We must cast the best possible image in all that we do †¢ We must never settle for â€Å"second best†; we deliver on our commitments We must coach our team to ever-better resultsMission statement We create the tastes for good times and warm memories for everyone, everywhere. With our Original Glazed doughnut as our signature and standard, we will continually improv e our customer's experience through: †¢ Innovative ideas †¢ Highest quality, and †¢ Caring service Financial/ business performance Environmental analysis Internal factors Strong brand recognition and recall Wide appeal of signature glazed doughnuts Vertical integration Development in international markets Strong channel of distribution Quality of product Expanded assortment of offerings at KKD stores including beverages Doughnut machine technology.Perishability of product Limited product line (heavy reliance on doughnut sales) Overextended (i. e. , Montana Mills acquisition) Lack of locations in some areas Pricing in some locations External factors Increasing popularity of coffee shops and bakery cafes Popularity of American foods and fashion in overseas markets Growth in two-income households Americans continue to experience time-starvation Entertaining opportunities moving from home to work environment Technological advancements (i. e. paperless ordering, predictive modeling software, hand held computers for delivery drivers) Channel expansion possibilities (i. e. , Internet pre-ordering) Competitors like Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks Low-carb trend in eating preferences All-natural, organic, healthy eating trends Cultural differences in breakfast and snack foods Increase in eating at full-service restaurants combined with a decrease in the use of fast-food restaurants S. W. O. T analysis Strengths 1. Affordable, high-quality doughnuts with strong visual appeal and â€Å"one-of-a-kind† taste 2.Neon â€Å"Hot Doughnuts Now† sign encourages people outside the store to make an impulse purchase 3. Market research shows appeal extends to all major demographic groups including age and income 4. â€Å"Hot shop† stores save money while keeping KKD customer experience intact 5. Vertical integration helps ensure high quality product 6. Consistent expansion; now in 16 countries 7. Product sold at thousands of supermarkets, convenience stores, and retail outlets through U. S. Weaknesses 1. Return on equity, assets, and investments all negative in the trailing twelve months; skill of mgmt. s questionable 2. Shareholders have not received dividends recently, and are not expected to in near future; stock price in state of flux 3. Closing stores when stores should be opening globally at steady rate to keep up with competitors' growth 4. Management states in recent 10-K that it is struggling with how to make stores profitable 5. Product line slow to expand with nothing Threats 1. Dunkin' Donuts presently dominates the doughnut market, particularly in northeastern U. S. 2. People are becoming more healthconscious, which does not bode well for highsugar, high-fat treats 3.Starbucks has approximately 25 times the amount of stores worldwide that Krispy Kreme Donut has 4. Restricted cash flow from banks and massive layoffs have stifled the world economy, decreasing discretionary income 5. Europeans prefer their local brands of Opportunities 1. Families crave convenience because of busy lifestyles 2. Asians love sweets and are open to trying foreign foods 3. Starbucks lacks a diversified and distinctive pastry line 4. Dunkin' Donuts does not have hot doughnuts to sell 5. Many children love sweet treats 6. Tim Horton has yet to expand beyond the U. S. nd Canada, and its product line does not appear to be competitive 7. South America, Africa, and Southern Asia are markets to conquer outside â€Å"sweet treats† to draw in healthconscious customers 6. Advertising not aggressive enough to appeal to areas outside southeast of U. S. where most stores are 7. Revenues down, net losses in each of past three years 8. Per 10-K, continued disputes with franchisees could hurt future business doughnuts 6. Britons tend not to have cars, which inhibits drive-thru customers, and their eating habits and office etiquette differ from Americans 7.Shareholders may sell KKD stock for lack of returns and dividends compa red to other similar firms in the industry SO Strategies 1. TV, radio, and print ads demonstrating 27 varieties of doughnuts against non-descript pastry offerings by Starbucks (S3, O3) 2. All store signs in supermarkets and conveniences where product is sold have picture of young child eating a Krispy Kreme doughnut (S7, O5) 3. Continued grand openings of stores in highly-populated cities such as Sao Paulo, Brazil & Johannesburg, South Africa (S6, O7) ST Strategies 1.Compare â€Å"hot† doughnut appeal of Krispy Kreme Donut to cold doughnuts of Dunkin' Donuts in TV and Internet ads (S1,T1) 2. Do â€Å"roadshow† across Europe as means of advertising, driving truck and mobile â€Å"hot shop† to major European cities and filming their reactions for European ads (S2, S4, T5, T6) 3. Express strengths and outline concrete strategies in clear format within 10-K in order to restore shareholder confidence in future of Krispy Kreme Donut (S1-S7, T7) WT Strategies 1. Expand product line with low-calorie foods (W5, T7) 2. Recruit top executive talent from other WO Strategies 1.Make doughnuts filled with fruit, put fruit cups on menu, and develop wide variety of fresh fruit smoothies; offer ways to incorporate nuts and protein into foods (W5, O3) 2. Aggressive Internet ads demonstrating the appeal of Krispy Kreme Donut hot doughnuts (W6, O4) 3. Open small but profitable â€Å"hot shops† in South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia in order to expand globally (W3,O7) fast-food firms (W1, T7) 3. Survey franchisees to discover ways to repair business relationships and retain growth of franchise model; study McDonald's model for tips (W8, T1, T3) I. F. E E. F. E C. P. M Space matrix Boston Consulting Group Matrix (BCG)Krispy Kreme Donuts has three business segments, and they are presented here along with their annual revenues per Form 10-K filed on April 17, 2009: Company Stores ($266M), Franchise ($26M) and Krispy Kreme Supply Chain ($93M), with app roximately $384M in total revenues for the year ending February 1, 2009. This means that each business segment represented the following percentage in revenues: Company Stores (69. 2%), Franchise (6. 7%), and Krispy Kreme Supply Chain (24. 1%). Profits for each business segment are as follows: Company Stores ($-2M); Franchise ($18M); and KK Supply Chain ($25M), for a total of $41M in profits.Therefore, Company Stores has 0% of the profits; Franchise has about 41%; and Krispy Kreme Supply Chain has about 59%. We’ll assume that Company Stores has 3% of the market share and a -13% growth rate; Franchise has 3% of the market share and a 10% growth rate; and Krispy Kreme Supply Chain has 3% of the market share and -7% growth rate. Grand Strategy (GS) Matrix Recommendations 1- Reduce operating expenses (down-size individual stores) Lower Costs of Doing Business †¢ reduce operating costs per individual store by changing average size of stores from 2500-4500 sq. t. range to 1500 2000 sq ft. Potential for 30 – 50 % decrease in operating cost on a cost per square foot basis. I. Change entire manufacturing and distribution strategy – Implement par baked manufacturing operation †¢ to allow individual stores to decrease in size, thus lowering per store operating costs to a more appropriate level for sales volume †¢ Increased efficiency – smaller workforce per store, par-bake allows for minimal waste – inventory as needed (important b/c fresh goods – low shelf life †¢ Par bake will allow for â€Å"hot doughnuts now† all of the time. Implications of transition to par bake operation †¢ New Plant Equipment – freezers, production equipment, freezer trucks for distribution/delivery. †¢ Store Equipment – freezers, oven for various par baked goods, fryers for doughnuts. †¢ R&D for unique par bake operation, doughnuts still to be fried and glazed on site. II. Sale of Plant and Equipment -sell Effingham plant †¢ Potential buyers are large scale baked-goods manufacturers †¢ Sara Lee Corporation †¢ Entenmann’s (George Weston Bakeries Distribution) †¢ Harlan Bakeries, Inc. Estimated value of 10. 5 – 12 million. III. Remove â€Å"doughnut theater† from 95% of locations, doughnut theater can be part of a select few Flagship locations only. (3 – 5 Stores) 2- Develop stronger relations and control of franchisees I. Short-term period of one year – postpone new franchise agreements/new store openings II. Implement Franchise Support Systems †¢ Communication – between corporate and franchisees †¢ Support – training, advertising †¢ Utilize recommendation #1 in order to lower operating expenses for franchisees. – Implement Marketing Strategies I. Advertising – national television and radio advertising campaign based on â€Å"hot doughnuts now†. II. Marketing research  œ periodic research to stay abreast of trends. III. R&D – product development 4- Strengthen Competitive Advantage †¢ Strengthen Competitive Advantage through differentiation in products and services. I. Continue to utilize â€Å"hot doughnuts now† II. Expand product line †¢ Account with A&S â€Å"New York† Bagels (par-baked). Par baked will allow for â€Å"Hot Bagels Now†.

Review of Blue Lagoon Essay

The Blue Lagoon Explores the Garden of Eden The Blue Lagoon is often ridculed as a fluff piece of adolescent nudity. However I believe The Blue Lagoon raises interesting questions about human sexuality. How did we discover sex, and what about our sexuality is innate? The movie presents the case of an innocent boy and girl from the Victorian Age, shipwrecked on a beautiful tropical island. They are soon without any adult guidance whatsover. As children, the two are inseparable, but the movie presents a plausible change in their relationship as they start to go through the changes of puberty. They don’t understand the physical changes that are happening to their bodies. And they start to become distant and secretive and angry with each other and they don’t quite understand why. What they don’t realize is that these changes are part of the process of moving apart and developing a separate sexual indentity from each other. Only after we see the steps of this transformation to sexual maturity completed do we see they are ready to discover human’s oldest instinct in each other, which comes naturally to them in time. They then go on to discover the mysteries of parenthood and the psychological changes that come with that. Other themes such as religion and law are explored as well. What keeps this movie watchable is the beauty of the actors and the beauty of the island. The scenes on the lush tropical island and the bright blue ocean are beautifully shot and dreamlike. The natural beauty evokes a Garden of Eden. And this movie seems to try and explore the relationship that might have existed between Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, learning about love, sex, and children all on their own. And I think the movie gives it a pretty good shot. The Blue Lagoon is much deeper than people give it credit for.

My Perception of an Addict Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

My Perception of an Addict - Essay Example Addicts like any other group of people have their own stereotypes and these are what most people think of when they are presented with the concept. In most movies, drug addicts are often portrayed as disheveled, unruly, disoriented, aloof, and of course, snorting cocaine, or smoking marijuana and goes unmindful of the world or worse making trouble. Chain smokers are also similar to drug addicts in terms of portrayal as well as with alcoholics. The latter, aside from being disheveled and disoriented, are also portrayed to pass out. Of course, these presentations in movies and other texts have shaped my perception of addicts and that is they are out of control. As defined, addicts of substances like drugs are characterized by these three things: loss of control, compulsive preoccupation and continued use despite negative consequences. These characterizations in the movies are of course with specific basis. However, not all stereotypes are true to every single occurrence of the conditio n. The TV series Monk has shown a different side of addiction, that of compulsion. Adrian Monk’s character shows an investigator with obsessive-compulsive disorder. At first, he cracks me up like when he couldn’t just leave three flower vases with unevenly distributed flowers, he tries his best to distribute the flowers just to make it even. He also constantly avoids lines in the pavement and this is how his compulsion is being manifested. Another episode also showed him trying to perfectly position the frame hanging in the wall even if it was just a few degrees skewed. Harmless as it may seem but in some cases, addiction is not. Most of the cases featured in Criminal Minds all involve a certain degree of addiction or as termed in the episodes obsession or compulsion. One episode I can’t forget during their earlier seasons was where the unsub or the suspect was obsessed with the number 3. She murders in three’s using three bottles of chemicals and either done on the third floor or with three people, as with the case of her last victims. What have I learned from these portrayals? It shows that addiction can be in varying degrees. It shows that addiction even when it is a synonym of obsession and compulsion is different from the other two terms with respect to the degree of addiction. Addiction can also be toward other things like computer games or even bonsai or other things. People who are addicted to computer games are almost always seen in front of their computer consoles playing day and night. For those who are addicted to other things may find themselves collecting these and storing these things. Some episodes in Pawn Stars and American Pickers showcase people in America who collect these things and not really do anything about them. In one episode of American Pickers, it shows several hectares full of cars just sitting there and deteriorating. When these guys from American Pickers asked if he wanted to sell, he declined not bec ause of their asking price but because of his attachment to these things. This gives another aspect to addiction in my definition is an attachment to material things. Addiction is not just toward material things. David Duchovny was actually into rehab for sex addiction (Serjeant).  Ã‚  

Insurance Industry and Global Climax Change Research Paper

Insurance Industry and Global Climax Change - Research Paper Example However, the level of human consumption and the consequential degradation of the natural environment have reached a level of mutual destruction and dire consequences for both human inhabitants and the nature. Thus, the greatest environmental concern facing the planet is excessive carbon footprints left by the people on the planet. Carbon is a vital element for both human beings and the natural environment (Mills et al, 2006). Climate Change A. Data about how frequency of disaster due to climate changes Climate change has negative impact in the sense that landslides and floods, tsunamis and hurricanes are common phenomenon. For instance, landslides and floods have claimed more than one thousands lives in Brazil. Further, climate change has seen the sea ice in countries such as Canada take long time to appear during the months of winter, which in turn negatively affects the polar bear this is because the polar bear are spending too much time on land decreasing the time they spend hunti ng in the sea ice. Polar bear can hunt effectively in sea ice not on land, and as a result, the population of this creature is rapidly decreasing. In addition, climate change has led to increase in extra tropical cyclones, hailstorms, bush fires, droughts and heat waves. More extensive destruction, social, environmental, and economical impacts from weather related tragedies. Transformations in atmospheric process will negative influence the health, property and lives of many people in the world (Mills, 2005). B. Data about damage climate change every year The increase in temperatures causes large boulders of ice to melt and form water, which flows to large water bodies. As a result, there is a rise in sea level all over the globe. This reduces the area of land under settlement and is posing a threat to human existence. The human being who had caused the warming, with or without their knowledge, is now being punished by nature. The Antarctic regions is a good example, as the melted i ce masses causes displacement of people and the consequence is causing a strain on land space (Jacobs, 2012). C. Direct Impact on human and properties a. Health Impacts a. Weather-related Mortality Climate change that took place since 1970s has claimed over 150,000 excess lives yearly by the year 2004. The number of weather related tragedies has increased since 1960s. Each year, these tragedies lead to more than 55,000 deaths particularly in developing nations. b. Infectious Diseases Global climate change influence the environmental and social determinants of health in the sense that human beings are exposed to unclean air, unsafe drinking water, lack of sufficient food and poor shelter. This in turn leads to many infectious diseases such as diarrhea, malaria, dengue and malnutrition which worsen as the climate transforms. c. Air Quality- Respiratory Illnesses Global increase in the respiratory diseases such as allergies and asthma results from global warming such as depletion of oz one layers, spread of communicable illnesses because of earth heats, and rising temperatures. 2. Agriculture Impacts a. Crop Yields i. Food shortage The increasing precipitation and rising temper

International Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words - 2

International Business - Essay Example For Coca-Cola, it meant duplicating a substantial part of its value-creation process—from product formulation to marketing and delivery—throughout the world. Intel’s global competitive advantage is based on attaining technological leadership and preferred component supplier status on a global basis. For a midsize company, it may mean setting up a host of small foreign subsidiaries and forging numerous alliances. For still others, it may mean something entirely different (De Kluyver & Pearce, 2006). Thus, although it is tempting to think of global strategy in universal terms, globalization is a highly company-and industry-specific issue. It forces a company to rethink its strategic intent, global architecture, core competencies, and entire current product and service mix. For many companies, the outcome demands dramatic changes in the way they do business—with whom, how, and why. In the study of management, it is already a common knowledge that it involves four basic functions: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling resources (land, labour, capital, and information) to efficiently reach a company’s goals. Controlling is the fourth basic managerial function. In management, controlling means monitoring a firm’s progress toward meeting its organizational goals and objectives, resetting the course if goals or objectives change in response to shifting conditions, and correcting deviations if goals or objectives are not being attained. Managers should strive to maintain a high level of quality—a measure of how closely goods or services conform to predetermined standards and customer expectations. Many firms control for quality through a four-step cycle that involves all levels of management and all employees. In the first step, top managers set standards, or criteria for measuring the performance of the organization as a whole. At the same time, middle

Congestion Charging Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Congestion Charging - Essay Example The problem has been aggravated by absence of effective public transport systems in major cities of the world (Banister D, 2003). This has resulted to the need for people to acquire private means of transport, resulting in traffic congestions which are characteristic of almost all major cities. The major principle underlying congestion charging is to ease traffic. It has been found out that the amount of man hours spent on traffic jams impacts very negatively on the economy of any country (Litman T, 2006). In many cities, people waste a third of a regular working day held up in traffic jams. Having too many cars in the city has also brought about the problem of parking. The parking space available is not enough to accommodate the rising number of cars in the cities. This has resulted to having many cars in the streets, not having anywhere to park People result in unlawful practices like double parking which exposes them to penalties. Noise pollution has also been blamed on too many cars in the cities. Workers in the cities mostly find presence of many cars being much of a pollutant (Litman T, 2006). Over use of certain roads at particular times of a day also contributes to running down such roads. It has been established that during the peak hours, that is, morning and evenings during weekdays, the volume of cars is usually very high, thus occasioning the need to restrict movement. How it is supposed to work The workability of such a project relies heavily on the available alternatives. Most city residents who would be affected by this will first be interested to know what options would be available. This calls for building of a good public transport network. This system works within a given radius of the central business area of the city (Banister D, 2003). Motorists wishing to enter such areas are supposed to pay a premium. The London city congestion charging system, for example uses various ways of collecting money for those wishing to enter the restricted parts of the city such as: - Payment through credit or debit cards via a call centre, send cheques through the postal system or pay cash through retail outlets like petrol stations and grocery stores. All these payments are connected to a central database that helps in tracking defaulters (Banister D, 2003). There could also be a system whereby prospective users of the charging area can buy electronic cards which they load with credit. At the entrance of the charging a

Managerial Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

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Current Status of Security Awareness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

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Group marketing plan Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Group marketing plan - Assignment Example The company also improves customer loyalty through frequent discounts and promotions. After sales services has given the organization an upper hand through customer awareness. Clear reinforcement and tradeoffs service provision offers a competitive market ground. Significant influence is by the company’s founder who advocated cost cutting (Henry & Mayle, 82). Cost cutting has been vital in securing a large market compared to its competitors. Warehouse location selection is important in determining customer growth rate (Henry & Mayle, 72) and hence the organization’s trade flow. The company mainly has established its warehouses in the rural areas, which reduces expenses compared to its competitors in urban areas and hence more financial gains. The major drawback in the organization is in the application of the shareholders model regarding its workers. Low workers’ pay has made them compromise with service delivery compared to its competitors. The company has extensive market empire achieved by the exploitation of advantages from cost differentiation, use of better technology and excellent location choices for warehouses. Maintenance of market domination by the organization is vital. Keeping ahead of the competitors will be crucial for better growth rate of the

Eruptive history of Mt. Etna Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Eruptive history of Mt. Etna - Research Paper Example the 59th tallest world mountain (this height varies with frequent summit eruptions), Mount Etna lies above the convergent plate margin between the African plate and the Eurasian plate. It is associated with the subduction of the African plate under the Eurasian plate. It is thus the tallest active volcano in Europe and the tallest in Italy south of the Alps with an area of 1,190 kilometers squared (459 square miles) and a basal circumference of 140 square kilometers (comfortably making it the largest of all the 3 active volcanoes in Italy – almost two and a half times larger than the next largest, Mount Vesuvius. In the whole of the European-North African region, only Mount Teide in Tenerife is larger) (Coltelli, Marsella, Proietti & Scifoni, 2012). Eruptions of Mount Etna follow a variety of patterns with most occurring at the summit where there are currently five distinct craters (Northeast crater, the voragine, the Boca Nuova and the south east crater complex (2). The summit eruptions can be very dramatic and explosive but rarely threaten the inhabited areas around the volcano. Summit eruptions occurred in 2006, 2007-2008, January-April 2012 and July-October of the same year. Other eruptions take place at the flanks that have more than 300 vents which vary in size (from small holes in the ground to large craters hundreds of meters across). It is these flank eruptions that often encroach inhabited areas. Many villages and small towns lie around or on cones of past flank eruptions. Etna has had four flank eruptions since 200. These were in 2001, 2002-2003, 2004-2005 and 2008-2009. The lava type on Mount Etna is called pyroclastic flow which comprises broken fragments of rock, pumice, rocks and other materials (Coltelli, Marsel la, Proietti & Scifoni, 2012). Etna’s eruptions have been documented since 1500 BC when praetor-magmatic eruptions drove away residents of the eastern part of the island into the western end. Known eruptions on Mount Etna date far back

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is an examination of the duality of human nature Essay Example for Free

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is an examination of the duality of human nature Essay Discuss the duality expressed not only in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, but also in other characters. It is believed that there are two parts to a person; good and evil. In most people the good side is stronger and the evil side is repressed. In Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde the repression of Dr Jekylls evil side has made it become much stronger and eventually when the evil side is released it takes over and changes the balance of good and evil in Dr Jekyll. The evil side becomes dominant. In the Victorian era science was a very interesting topic as Charles Darwin had just come forth with his theory of evolution and more facts about the evolution of man were being found out. Charles Darwin claimed that humans, over many years of time, had descended from the apes; this shocked many people in Victorian times as they were very religious and strongly believed in God, and felt like any other theory than the one in the Bible was unbelievable. In the novel Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde the duality of human nature is shown as a split of good and evil. Robert Louis Stevenson shows that there are two sides to everyone; this is especially shown in Dr Jekyll. Dr Jekyll has a good side to him that his friends see, he is portrayed as a kind, sensible and well mannered man, but he also has a side of him that wants to break free and not have to be sensible and well mannered. The parts that Hyde is mentioned in the book are usually to do with crime or violence, and anyone who spoke of him felt that there was something strange and eerie about him. Our introduction to Hyde is him trampling a girl on the floor. Mr Hyde broke out of all bounds, and clubbed him to the earth. Hyde is described is compared to an Ape and other animals by many different people, it is almost as if when Jekyll transforms into Hyde he is evolving backwards, becoming more ape-like. Hyde is the personification of Jekylls evil side. It wasnt like a man; it was like some damned Juggernaut. Whereas Dr Jekyll is described as: A large, well-made, smooth-faced man of fifty, with something of a slyish cast perhaps, but every mark of capacity and kindness. Our introduction to Jekyll is at a dinner party, where he is civilised, sociable and elegant. As Jekyll is such a good man it is strange that he would let a man like Hyde have a key to his house so he may come and go whenever he pleases. Why does Hyde only enter the house through the laboratory door? It is also extraordinary that Jekyll did not mention Hyde to any of his other friends. Mr Utterson and Dr Lanyon have been friends with Dr Jekyll for many years but they both do not appear to have their own key to his house. It is suspicious that Hyde goes into Jekylls house in the middle night at comes out with a cheque signed by Dr Jekyll. Is Hyde blackmailing Jekyll? In Victorian times it is highly unlikely that anyone would have guessed that Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde were the same man. This is because they have completely different characteristics and qualities; Hyde is short, whereas Jekyll is tall. But to the modern reader it is in some cases obvious that they are the same man; Hyde and Jekyll are never around at the same time. Other characters in the book who have met Mr Hyde describe him as wicked looking and having an impression of deformity without any nameable malformation. Mr Hyde appears to have some kind strange of aura about him; that makes other people around him nervous and scared. He was perfectly cool and made no resistance, but he gave me one look, so ugly that it brought out the sweat on me like running. Dr Jekyll, however, seems very sociable and pleasant to look at. But the reader knows that Dr Jekyll has a terrible secret. A secret that is so awful, it cause Dr Lanyon to break their friendship and eventually resulted in Dr Lanyons death. I am quite done with that person; and I beg that you will spare me any allusion to one whom I regard as dead. In the novel, before the revelation, Jekyll allows Hyde to become increasingly stronger. Jekyll finds that he cannot control the transformations, and they happen without him taking any of his potions. I was slowly losing hold of my original and better self, and becoming slowly incorporated with my second and worse. Not being able control the transformations means that Dr Jekyll is unable to see anyone, and when Mr Utterson and Mr Enfield see Dr Jekyll at his window, Jekyll begins to transform and has to slam the window shut before the other men see. But Mr Enfield and Mr Utterson did catch a momentary look of what was happening on the other side of the window. They saw it but for a glimpse, for the window was instantly thrust down; but that glimpse had been sufficient, and they turned and left the court without a word. Mr Utterson is a curious character in the novel. His friendship with Mr Enfield is particularly strange. It was reported by those who encountered them in their Sunday walks, that they said nothing, looked singularly dull, and would hail with obvious relief the appearance of a friend. It seems rather odd that the two men would go out every week, but do not seem to like each other. Mr Utterson must have some secrets and strange history that is not mentioned in the novel. And though he enjoyed the theatre, he had not crossed the doors of one for twenty years. Mr Utterson seems to keep himself to himself. He does not talk about his feelings and thoughts or his past, and to Mr Enfield he hardly talks at all. Yet when Mr Utterson has a drink at a dinner party something eminently human beaconed from his eye, this may be some part of him that wants to be expressed and let loose and he is just managing to repress it. After the revelation Dr Jekyll claims that man is not truly one, but truly two. He thinks that every soul contains two parts; good and evil. But one is always dominant. In the case of Dr Jekyll it appeared that the good side was the dominant side but after the transformations it was realised that really the evil side was dominant, and had somehow become stronger than the good side by being repressed for all those years. The novel Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde shows a lot of different sides of the duality of human nature; good and evil, right and wrong. These differences are shown in many of the characters in the novel. The book emphasises the goodness of Dr Jekyll and evilness of Mr Hyde, however is also points to Mr Utterson and Dr Lanyon who both display moments when they too have unstable characters.

Concept of Flexibility in Architecture

Concept of Flexibility in Architecture 1.0 Introduction An Overview Of The Terminology And The Conceptual Framework This chapter aims to define the meaning of the term ‘flexibility’, †Adaptability’ and ‘typological variety’ are the other concepts that related to ‘flexibility’. Both N.John Habraken (2008) and Tatjana Schneider and Jeremy Till (2007) mention that flexibility and adaptability have overlapping meanings,but the colloquial and the technical meaning can provide a departure point for their clarification and the conceptual framework of the study. The meaning of the typological variety is more obvious, it points to freedom of choice (Duygu Albostan, 2009) The English colloquial usage of the word â€Å"flexibility† is : capabilities of being bent,pliancy. Susceptibility of modification or alteration; capacity for readily adaptation to various purposes or conditions;freedom from stiffness or rigidity. (Oxford English Dictionary Online,2009) It is important to refer professional or researchers who point out the technical meanings of the concept of flexibility ,according to their changing senses over time. Andrew Rabeneck, David Sheppard and Peter Town published two articles related to flexibility and adaptability. The articled entitled â€Å"Housing Flexibility† (1973) and â€Å"Housing Flexibility/Adaptability?† (1974) â€Å"Flexibility†is proposed against â€Å"tight-fit functionalism† (p.698) They introduced the term †tight-fit functionalism† that refers to the unhealthy situation of mass housing in the twentieth century of Europe.They explain it as miniaturized living areas with the cell types rooms which do not allow any changes(1973,p.698) The unsuccessful attempts in flexibility are criticized for they may lead to what they call the ‘fallacy of freedom through control†.(1973,p.701) Flexibility housing should be capable of offering â€Å"choice† and â€Å"personalization†. (1973,p.701) Rabeneck, Sheppard and Town involve the scope of flexibility in housing project. They see flexibility as a tool to make the minimal housing environments capable of offering for ‘choice’ and ‘personalization’. They criticize flexibility can lead to too technical or complicated housing projects. The adaptability approach,in contrast to the flexible,emphasizes planning and layout rather than constructional technique and services distribution.It is based on carefully considered variations in room sizes, relationship between rooms,slightly generous openings between spaces and little overt expression of room function.(Rabeneck, Sheppard Town, 1974, p.86) Rabeneck, Sheppard and Town claim that flexibility relates to design decisions about the permanent and fixed parts of the building:the structural system and service spaces, whilst adaptability related to consideration about the architectural layouts of the remaining spaces such as the organization of the rooms, their dimensions, the relation between the rooms and their functions. The concept of flexibility deals with the ‘constructional technique and services distribution†. (1974, p.86) As previous, they claim the flexibility related to structural system and services spaces, in â€Å"Housing Flexibility/Adaptability?† (1974) they again emphasize on the construction technique and the position of service spaces. They also compare the flexibility with adaptability. They claim that adaptability more towards the architectural layout. Herman Hertzberger emphasized the importance of the concept of flexibility in architectural design in his book entitled Lessons for Students in Architecture (1991). According to Hertzberger flexibility suggest and open-ended solution,which refers to what is called ‘rhetotic value’of flexibility that defines by Schneider and Till (2005). Flexibility signifies-since there is no single solution that is preferable to all others-the absolute denial of a fixed, clearcut standpoint. The flexible plan starts out from the certainly that correct solution does not exist Although a flexible set-up admittedly adapts itself to each change as it presents itself, it can never be the best and most suitable to any one problem;it can at any given moment provide any solution but most appropriate one. (1991, p.146) From Hertzberger’s perspective, flexibility refers to the caple of proposing different solutions for diverse users with no certain single solution but most appropriate one. He discussed flexibility in a different perspective by introducing the term ‘polyvalence’ which means a characteristic of a static form, a form that can be put into different users without having undergo changes itself, so that a minimal flexibility can still produce an optimal solution. (1991, p.147) Steven Groà ¡k discussed the difference between flexibility between flexibility and adaptability from a different perspective in his book entitled The Idea Of Building: Though and Action in the Design and Production of Buildings (1992). The spatial organization and internal environment may be suitable for only a limited array of uses. Here we should distinguish between ‘adaptability’, taken to means †capable of different social uses†, and â€Å"flexibility†, taken to means â€Å"capability of different physical arrangement†. The building’s capacity for accommodating changed uses will depend on the extent to which it is adaptable and/or flexible. (Groà ¡k, 1992, p.15-17) Groà ¡k tries to explain the the adaptability related to the use of space whilst flexibility refers to different physical arrangement.He emphasize that flexibility is valid not only for interior but also for the exterior adjustments. In this respect,it can be inferred that Groà ¡k agrees with the definition of Rabeneck, Sheppard and Town. Gerard Maccreanor explained the relation between the concepts of flexibility and adaptability by emphasizing the flexibility includes adaptability as well.(1998) Flexibility is a â€Å"designed idea that leads to the collapse of the traditional layout†. (1998, p.40) Adaptability is a different way of viewing flexibility.The adaptable building is both transfunctional and multifunctional and must be allow the possibility of changing use; living into working,working into leisure or as a container of several uses simultaneously. Adaptability is not primarily concerned with a designed idea of flexibility based on the collapse of the traditional layout. An apparent robust identity and enduring presence within an urban context is required that allows the building to cope with future needs and changing conditions. (Maccreanor, 1998, p.40) Flexibility has for a long time been a subject of interest for architects. In the years to follow this resulted in many buildings with open, changeable planning around fixed service cores.One conclusion is that flexibility doesn’t simply imply the necessity of endless change and breakdown of accepted formula. On the contrary, the buildings that have proven to be the most adaptable, were those not originally planned for flexibility. (Maccreanor, 1998, p.40) Maccreanor points out flexibility is neither a characteristic of indeterminate space that allows â€Å"endless change†, nor is it a characteristic of detrminate space with too much technical equipments.In other words, if architects leave thir buildings open for infinitely different solutions for the users;they lead to â€Å"open-endedness † (Scheneider Till, 2005, p.158) and â€Å"uncertainty† (Hertzberger, 1991, p.117). By the same token,if architects put more emphasis on flexibility through building with movable partition, they will create â€Å"false neutrality† as a result of too much technical or strictly defined spaces (Schneider Till, Theory, 2005, p.158). They are the two controversial approaches to flexibility in architectural design that belong rather to â€Å"the rhetoric of flexibility† by Schneider Till (2007, p.5) Gerard Maccreanor has a different view about flexibility. He said that flexibility does not imply ‘an endless change’. He also asserted that the building which are not originally design for flexibility, can be the most adaptable one. Adrian Forty (2000) deals with flexibility as an issue that requires long-term thinking in architectural design. The incorporation of â€Å"flexibility† into the design allowed architects the illusion of projecting their control over the building into the future, beyond the period of their actual responsibility for it. (Forty, 2000, p.143) The confusion in meaning of â€Å"flexibility† is based on two contradictory roles: †it has served to extend functionalism and so make it variable† and â€Å"it has been employed to resist functionalism. (200, p.148)

Analysis of Land Consumption Rates

Analysis of Land Consumption Rates CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the Study Studies have shown that there remains only few landscapes on the Earth that are still in there natural state. Due to anthropogenic activities, the Earth surface is being significantly altered in some manner and mans presence on the Earth and his use of land has had a profound effect upon the natural environment thus resulting into an observable pattern in the land use/land cover over time. The land use/land cover pattern of a region is an outcome of natural and socio economic factors and their utilization by man in time and space. Land is becoming a scarce resource due to immense agricultural and demographic pressure. Hence, information on land use / land cover and possibilities for their optimal use is essential for the selection, planning and implementation of land use schemes to meet the increasing demands for basic human needs and welfare. This information also assists in monitoring the dynamics of land use resulting out of changing demands of increasing population. Land use and land cover change has become a central component in current strategies for managing natural resources and monitoring environmental changes. The advancement in the concept of vegetation mapping has greatly increased research on land use land cover change thus providing an accurate evaluation of the spread and health of the worlds forest, grassland, and agricultural resources has become an important priority. Viewing the Earth from space is now crucial to the understanding of the influence of mans activities on his natural resource base over time. In situations of rapid and often unrecorded land use change, observations of the earth from space provide objective information of human utilization of the landscape. Over the past years, data from Earth sensing satellites has become vital in mapping the Earths features and infrastructures, managing natural resources and studying environmental change. Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) are now providing new tools for advanced ecosystem management. The collection of remotely sensed data facilitates the synoptic analyses of Earth system function, patterning, and change at local, regional and global scales over time; such data also provide an important link between intensive, localized ecological research and regional, national and international conservation and management of biological diversity (Wilkie and Finn, 1996). Therefore, attempt will be made in this study to map out the status of land use land cover of Ilorin between 1972 and 2001 with a view to detecting the land consumption rate and the changes that has taken place in this status particularly in the built-up land so as to predict possible changes that might take place in this status in the next 14 years using both Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing data. 1.2 Statement of the Problem Ilorin, the Kwara State, capital has witnessed remarkable expansion, growth and developmental activities such as building, road construction, deforestation and many other anthropogenic activities since its inception in 1967 just like many other state capitals in Nigeria. This has therefore resulted in increased land consumption and a modification and alterations in the status of her land use land cover over time without any detailed and comprehensive attempt (as provided by a Remote Sensing data and GIS) to evaluate this status as it changes over time with a view to detecting the land consumption rate and also make attempt to predict same and the possible changes that may occur in this status so that planners can have a basic tool for planning. It is therefore necessary for a study such as this to be carried out if Ilorin will avoid the associated problems of a growing and expanding city like many others in the world. 1.3 Justification for the Study Attempt has been made to document the growth of Ilorin in the past but that from an aerial photography (Olorunfemi, 1983). In recent times, the dynamics of Land use Land cover and particularly settlement expansion in the area requires a more powerful and sophisticated system such as GIS and Remote Sensing data which provides a general extensive synoptic coverage of large areas than area photography 1.4 Aim and Objectives 1.4.1 Aim The aim of this study is to produce a land use land cover map of Ilorin at different epochs in order to detect the changes that have taken place particularly in the built-up land and subsequently predict likely changes that might take place in the same over a given period. 1.4.2 Objectives The following specific objectives will be pursued in order to achieve the aim above. To create a land use land cover classification scheme To determine the trend, nature, rate, location and magnitude of land use land cover change. To forecast the future pattern of land use land cover in the area. To generate data on land consumption rate and land absorption coefficient  since more emphasis is placed on built-up land. To evaluate the socio economic implications of predicted change. 1.5 The Study Area The study area (Ilorin) is the capital of Kwara State. It is located on latitude 80 31 N and 40 35 E with an Area of about 100km square (Kwara State Diary1997). Being situated in the transitional zone; between the forest and the savanna region of Nigeria i.e. the North and the West coastal region, it therefore serves as a melting point between the northern and southern culture.(Oyebanji, 1993). Her geology consists of pre-Cambrian basement complex with an elevation which ranges between 273m to 333m in the West and 200m to 364m in the East. The landscape of the region (Ilorin) is relatively flat, this means it is located on a plain and is crested by two large rivers, the river Asa and Oyun which flows in North South direction divides the plain into two; Western and Eastern part (Oyebanji, 1993). The climate is humid tropical type and is characterized by wet and dry seasons (Ilorin Atlas 1981). The wet season begins towards the end of March and ends in October. A dry season in the town begins with the onset of tropical continental air mass commonly referred to as harmattan. This wind is usually predominant between the months of November and February (Olaniran 2002). The temperature is uniformly high throughout the year. The mean monthly temperature of the town for the period of 1991 2000 varies between 250 C and 29.50 C with the month of March having about 300C. Ilorin falls into the southern savanna zone. This zone is a transition between the high forest in the southern part of the country and the far North with woodland properties. (Osoba, 1980). Her vegetation is characterized by scattered tall tree shrubs of between the height of ten and twelve feet. Oyegun in 1993 described the vegetation to be predominantly covered by derived savannah found in East and West and are noted for their dry lowland rainforest vegetal cover. As noted by Oyegun in 1983, Ilorin is one of the fastest growing urban centers in Nigeria. Her rate of population growth is much higher than for other cities in the country (Oyegun, 1983). Ilorin city has grown in both population and areal extent at a fast pace since 1967 (Oyegun, 1983). The Enplan group (1977) puts the population at 400,000 which made it then the sixth largest town in Nigeria. The town had a population of 40, 990 in 1952 and 208, 546 in 1963 and was estimated as 474, 835 in 1982 (Oyegun, 1983). In 1984, the population was 480, 000 (Oyegun, 1985). This trend in population growth rate shows a rapid growth in population. The growth rate between 1952 and 1963 according to Oyebanji, 1983 is put at 16.0 which is higher than other cities in the country. The population as estimated by the 1991 population census was put at 570,000. 1.6 Definition of Terms (i) Remote sensing: Can be defined as any process whereby information is gathered about an object, area or phenomenon without being in contact with it. Given this rather general definition, the term has come to be associated more specifically with the gauging of interactions between earth surface materials and electromagnetic energy. (Idrisi 32 guide to GIS and Image processing, volume 1). (ii) Geographic Information system: A computer assisted system for the acquisition, storage, analysis and display of geographic data (Idrisi 32 guide to GIS and Image processing, volume 1). (iii) Land use: This is the manner in which human beings employ the land and its resources. (iv) Land cover: Implies the physical or natural state of the Eaths surface. CHAPTER TWO 2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW According to Meyer, 1999 every parcel of land on the Earths surface is unique in the cover it possesses. Land use and land cover are distinct yet closely linked characteristics of the Earths surface. The use to which we put land could be grazing, agriculture, urban development, logging, and mining among many others. While land cover categories could be cropland, forest, wetland, pasture, roads, urban areas among others. The term land cover originally referred to the kind and state of vegetation, such as forest or grass cover but it has broadened in subsequent usage to include other things such as human structures, soil type, biodiversity, surface and ground water (Meyer, 1995). Land use affects land cover and changes in land cover affect land use. A change in either however is not necessarily the product of the other. Changes in land cover by land use do not necessarily imply degradation of the land. However, many shifting land use patterns driven by a variety of social causes, result in land cover changes that affects biodiversity, water and radiation budgets, trace gas emissions and other processes that come together to affect climate and biosphere (Riebsame, Meyer, and Turner, 1994). Land cover can be altered by forces other than anthropogenic. Natural events such as weather, flooding, fire, climate fluctuations, and ecosystem dynamics may also initiate modifications upon land cover. Globally, land cover today is altered principally by direct human use: by agriculture and livestock raising, forest harvesting and management and urban and suburban construction and development. There are also incidental impacts on land cover from other human activities such as forest and lakes damaged by acid rain from fossil fuel combustion and crops near cities damaged by tropospheric ozone resulting from automobile exhaust (Meyer, 1995). Hence, in order to use land optimally, it is not only necessary to have the information on existing land use land cover but also the capability to monitor the dynamics of land use resulting out of both changing demands of increasing population and forces of nature acting to shape the landscape. Conventional ground methods of land use mapping are labor intensive, time consuming and are done relatively infrequently. These maps soon become outdated with the passage of time, particularly in a rapid changing environment. In fact according to Olorunfemi (1983), monitoring changes and time series analysis is quite difficult with traditional method of surveying. In recent years, satellite remote sensing techniques have been developed, which have proved to be of immense value for preparing accurate land use land cover maps and monitoring changes at regular intervals of time. In case of inaccessible region, this technique is perhaps the only method of obtaining the required data on a cost and time effective basis. A remote sensing device records response which is based on many characteristics of the land surface, including natural and artificial cover. An interpreter uses the element of tone, texture, pattern, shape, size, shadow, site and association to derive information about land cover. The generation of remotely sensed data/images by various types of sensor flown aboard different platforms at varying heights above the terrain and at different times of the day and the year does not lead to a simple classification system. It is often believed that no single classification could be used with all types of imagery and all scales. To date, the most successful attempt in developing a general purpose classification scheme compatible with remote sensing data has been by Anderson et al which is also referred to as USGS classification scheme. Other classification schemes available for use with remotely sensed data are basically modification of the above classification scheme. Ever since the launch of the first remote sensing satellite (Landsat-1) in 1972, land use land cover studies were carried out on different scales for different users. For instance, waste land mapping of India was carried out on 1:1 million scales by NRSA using 1980 82 landsat multi spectral scanner data. About 16.2% of waste lands were estimated based on the study. Xiaomei Y, and Rong Qing L.Q.Y in 1999 noted that information about change is necessary for updating land cover maps and the management of natural resources. The information may be obtained by visiting sites on the ground and or extracting it from remotely sensed data. Change detection is the process of identifying differences in the state of an object or phenomenon by observing it at different times (Singh, 1989). Change detection is an important process in monitoring and managing natural resources and urban development because it provides quantitative analysis of the spatial distribution of the population of interest. Macleod and Congation (1998) list four aspects of change detection which are important when monitoring natural resources: i. Detecting the changes that have occurred ii. Identifying the nature of the change iii. Measuring the area extent of the change iv. Assessing the spatial pattern of the change The basis of using remote sensing data for change detection is that changes in land cover result in changes in radiance values which can be remotely sensed. Techniques to perform change detection with satellite imagery have become numerous as a result of increasing versatility in manipulating digital data and increasing computer power. A wide variety of digital change detection techniques have been developed over the last two decades. Singh (1989) and Coppin Bauer (1996) summarize eleven different change detection algorithms that were found to be documented in the literature by 1995. These include: 1. Mono-temporal change delineation. 2. Delta or post classification comparisons. 3. Multidimensional temporal feature space analysis. 4. Composite analysis. 5. Image differencing. 6. Multitemporal linear data transformation. 7. Change vector analysis. 8. Image regression. 9. Multitemporal biomass index 10. Background subtraction. 11. Image ratioing In some instances, land use land cover change may result in environmental, social and economic impacts of greater damage than benefit to the area (Moshen A, 1999). Therefore data on land use change are of great importance to planners in monitoring the consequences of land use change on the area. Such data are of value to resources management and agencies that plan and assess land use patterns and in modeling and predicting future changes. Shosheng and Kutiel (1994) investigated the advantages of remote sensing techniques in relation to field surveys in providing a regional description of vegetation cover. The results of their research were used to produce four vegetation cover maps that provided new information on spatial and temporal distributions of vegetation in this area and allowed regional quantitative assessment of the vegetation cover. Arvind C. Pandy and M. S. Nathawat (2006) carried out a study on land use land cover mapping of Panchkula, Ambala and Yamunanger districts, Hangana State in India. They observed that the heterogeneous climate and physiographic conditions in these districts has resulted in the development of different land use land cover in these districts, an evaluation by digital analysis of satellite data indicates that majority of areas in these districts are used for agricultural purpose. The hilly regions exhibit fair development of reserved forests. It is inferred that land use land cover pattern in the area are generally controlled by agro climatic conditions, ground water potential and a host of other factors. It has been noted over time through series of studies that Landsat Thematic Mapper is adequate for general extensive synoptic coverage of large areas. As a result, this reduces the need for expensive and time consuming ground surveys conducted for validation of data. Generally, satellite imagery is able to provide more frequent data collection on a regular basis unlike aerial photographs which although may provide more geometrically accurate maps, is limited in respect to its extent of coverage and expensive; which means, it is not often used. In 1985, the U.S Geological Survey carried out a research program to produce 1:250,000 scale land cover maps for Alaska using Landsat MSS data (Fitz Patrick et al, 1987).The State of Maryland Health Resources Planning Commission also used Landsat TM data to create a land cover data set for inclusion in their Maryland Geographic Information (MAGI) database. All seven TM bands were used to produce a 21 class land cover map (EOSAT 1992). Also, in 1992, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources completed mapping the entire State of Georgia to identify and quantify wetlands and other land cover types using Landsat Thematic Mapper â„ ¢ data (ERDAS, 1992). The State of southern Carolina Lands Resources Conservation Commission developed a detailed land cover map composed of 19 classes from TM data (EOSAT, 1994). This mapping effort employed multi-temporal imagery as well as multi-spectral data during classification. An analysis of land use and land cover changes using the combination of MSS Landsat and land use map of Indonesia (Dimyati, 1995) reveals that land use land cover change were evaluated by using remote sensing to calculate the index of changes which was done by the superimposition of land use land cover images of 1972, 1984 and land use maps of 1990. This was done to analyze the pattern of change in the area, which was rather difficult with the traditional method of surveying as noted by Olorunfemi in 1983 when he was using aerial photographic approach to monitor urban land use in developing countries with Ilorin in Nigeria as the case study. Daniel et al, 2002 in their comparison of land use land cover change detection methods, made use of 5 methods viz; traditional post classification cross tabulation, cross correlation analysis, neural networks, knowledge based expert systems, and image segmentation and object oriented classification. A combination of direct T1 and T2 change detection as well as post classification analysis was employed. Nine land use land cover classes were selected for analysis. They observed that there are merits to each of the five methods examined, and that, at the point of their research, no single approach can solve the land use change detection problem. Also, Adeniyi and Omojola, (1999) in their land use land cover change evaluation in Sokoto Rima Basin of North Western Nigeria based on Archival Remote Sensing and GIS techniques, used aerial photographs, Landsat MSS, SPOT XS/Panchromatic image Transparency and Topographic map sheets to study changes in the two dams (Sokoto and Guronyo) between 1962 and 1986. The work revealed that land use land cover of both areas was unchanged before the construction while settlement alone covered most part of the area. However, during the post dam era, land use /land cover classes changed but with settlement still remaining the largest. CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1 Introduction The procedure adopted in this research work forms the basis for deriving statistics of land use dynamics and subsequently in the overall, the findings. 3.2 Data Acquired and Source For the study, Landsat satellite images of Kwara State were acquired for three Epochs; 1972, 1986 and 2001. Both 1972 and 1986 were obtained from Global Land Cover Facility (GLCF) an Earth Science Data Interface, while that of 2001 was obtained from National Space Research and Development Agency in Abuja (NASRDA). 0n both 2001 and 1986 images, a notable feature can be observed which is the Asa dam which was not yet constructed as of 1972. It is also important to state that Ilorin and its environs which were carved out using the local government boundary map and Nigerian Administrative map was also obtained from NASRDA. These were brought to Universal Transverse Marcator projection in zone 31. Table 3.1 Data Source 3.2.1 Geo-referencing Properties of the Images The geo-referencing properties of both 1986 2001 are the same while image thinning was applied to the 1972 imagery which has a resolution of 80m using a factor of two to modify its properties and resolution to conform to the other two has given below; Data type: rgb8 File type: binary Columns: 535 Rows: 552 Referencing system: utm-31 Reference units: m Unit distance: 1 Minimum X: 657046.848948 Maximum X: 687541.848948 Minimum Y: 921714.403281 Maximum Y: 953178.403281 Min Value: 0 Max Value: 215 Display Minimum: 0 Display Maximum: 215 Image thinning was carried out through contract; contract generalizes an image by reducing the number of rows and columns while simultaneously decreasing the cell resolution. Contraction may take place by pixel thinning or pixel aggregation with the contracting factors in X and Y being independently defined. With pixel thinning, every nth pixel is kept while the remaining is thrown away. 3.3 Software Used Basically, five software were used for this project viz; (a) ArcView 3.2a this was used for displaying and subsequent processing and enhancement of the image. It was also used for the carving out of Ilorin region from the whole Kwara State imagery using both the admin and local government maps. (b) ArcGIS This was also used to compliment the display and processing of the data (c) Idrisi32 This was used for the development of land use land cover classes and subsequently for change detection analysis of the study area. (d) Microsoft word was used basically for the presentation of the research. (e) Microsoft Excel was used in producing the bar graph. 3.4 Development of a Classification Scheme Based on the priori knowledge of the study area for over 20 years and a brief reconnaissance survey with additional information from previous research in the study area, a classification scheme was developed for the study area after Anderson et al (1967). The classification scheme developed gives a rather broad classification where the land use land cover was identified by a single digit. Table 3.2 Land use land cover classification scheme The classification scheme given in table 3.2 is a modification of Andersons in 1967 The definition of waste land as used in this research work denotes land without scrub, sandy areas, dry grasses, rocky areas and other human induced barren lands. 3.5 Limitation(s) in the Study There was a major limitation as a result of resolution difference. Landsat image of 1972 was acquired with the multi spectral scanner (MSS) which has a spatial resolution of 80 meters, whilst the images of 1986 and 2001 were acquired with Thematic Mapper â„ ¢ and Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM) respectively. These both have a spatial resolution of 30 meters. Although this limitation was corrected for through image thinning of the 1972, it still prevented its use for projecting into the future so as to have a consistent result. Apart from this, it produced an arbitrary classification of water body for the 1972 classification. 3.6 Methods of Data Analysis Six main methods of data analysis were adopted in this study. (i) Calculation of the Area in hectares of the resulting land use/land cover types for each study year and subsequently comparing the results. (ii) Markov Chain and Cellular Automata Analysis for predicting change (iii) Overlay Operations (iv) Image thinning (v) Maximum Likelihood Classification (vi) Land Consumption Rate and Absorption Coefficient The fist three methods above were used for identifying change in the land use types. Therefore, they have been combined in this study. The comparison of the land use land cover statistics assisted in identifying the percentage change, trend and rate of change between 1972 and 2001. In achieving this, the first task was to develop a table showing the area in hectares and the percentage change for each year (1972, 1986 and 2001) measured against each land use land cover type. Percentage change to determine the trend of change can then be calculated by dividing observed change by sum of changes multiplied by 100 (trend) percentage change = observed change * 100 Sum of change In obtaining annual rate of change, the percentage change is divided by 100 and multiplied by the number of study year 1972 1986 (14years) 1986 2001 (15years) Going by the second method (Markov Chain Analysis and Cellular Automata Analysis), Markov Chain Analysis is a convenient tool for modeling land use change when changes and processes in the landscape are difficult to describe. A Markovian process is one in which the future state of a system can be modeled purely on the basis of the immediately preceding state. Markovian chain analysis will describe land use change from one period to another and use this as the basis to project future changes. This is achieved by developing a transition probability matrix of land use change from time one to time two, which shows the nature of change while still serving as the basis for projecting to a later time period .The transition probability may be accurate on a per category basis, but there is no knowledge of the spatial distribution of occurrences within each land use category. Hence, Cellular Automata (CA) was used to add spatial character to the model. CA_Markov uses the output from the Markov Chain Analysis particularly Transition Area file to apply a contiguity filter to grow out land use from time two to a later time period. In essence, the CA will develop a spatially explicit weighting more heavily areas that proximate to existing land uses. This will ensure that land use change occurs proximate to existing like land use classes, and not wholly random. Overlay operations which is the last method of the three, identifies the actual location and magnitude of change although this was limited to the built-up land. Boolean logic was applied to the result through the reclass module of idrisi32 which assisted in mapping out separately areas of change for which magnitude was later calculated for. The Land consumption rate and absorption coefficient formula are give below; L.C.R = A P A = areal extent of the city in hectares P = population L.A.C = A2 A1 P2 P1 A1 and A2 are the areal extents (in hectares) for the early and later years, and P1 and P2 are population figure for the early and later years respectively (Yeates and Garner, 1976) L.C.R = A measure of compactness which indicates a progressive spatial expansion of a city. L.A.C = A measure of change in consumption of new urban land by each unit increase in urban population Both the 2001 and 2015 population figures were estimated from the 1991 and the estimated 2001 population figures of Ilorin respectively using the recommended National Population Commission (NPC) 2.1% growth rate as obtained from the 1963/1991 censuses. The first task to estimating the population figures was to multiply the growth rate by the census figures of Ilorin in both years (1991, 2001) while subsequently dividing same by 100. The result was then multiplied by the number of years being projected for, the result of which was then added to the base year population (1991, 2001). This is represented in the formula below; n = r/100 * Po (1) Pn = Po + (n * t) (2) Pn = estimated population (2001, 2015) Po = base year population (1991 2001 population figure) r = growth rate (2.1%) n = annual population growth t = number of years projecting for *The formula given for the population estimate was developed by the researcher In evaluating the socio economic implications of change, the effect of observed changes in the land use and land cover between 1972 and 2001 were used as major criteria. CHAPTER FOUR DATA ANALYSIS 4.0 Introduction The objective of this study forms the basis of all the analysis carried out in this chapter. The results are presented inform of maps, charts and statistical tables. They include the static, change and projected land use land cover of each class. 4.1 Land Use Land Cover Distribution The static land use land cover distribution for each study year as derived from the maps are presented in the table below LANDUSE/LAND COVER CATEGORIES 1972 1986 2001 AREA (Ha.) AREA (%)

Uncle Toms Cabin :: American America History

Uncle Tom's Cabin Uncle Tom's Cabin is one of the most famous and popular pieces of Civil War literature. It was drawn from selected pieces of a real life memoir done by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin was a book that drew many people into the fight over the institution of slavery. Northerners hailed the book saying it exposed the truth, while southern slaveholders and plantation owners claimed that it had many falsehoods in it. President Lincoln, when he met Stowe called her, "the little lady who started this big war." Originally planned for a series of short essays for the National Era (an abolitionist newspaper) in 1851-1852, Stowe gathered so much information, that is was too large for newspaper print, and was published originally by the Boston publishing company Jewett. Immediately it became a hot seller, with northerners and southerners alike. It sold more copies than any other piece of literature, with the exception of the Bible and soon Stowe was touring the United States and Europe to speak against slavery. Many argued that there were false reports in what she wrote because the slave owners were portrayed as heartless devilish men, and the slaves were portrayed as their victims. These were mostly Southern slave owners who believed they treated their slaves well and the slaves were happy. To respond to this, Stowe published A Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin a year later, in 1853, to provide documentation of the truth upon which her novel is based. Uncle Tom's Cabin tells a story of adversity in the struggle for freedom, a look into human cruelty as well as human compassion, and one man's loyalty to those he is indentured to. It is set in a period just before the Civil War; during the time when the black people of America were not citizens, but property and had no rights. In the south during this time, the blacks were forced to work hard labor on plantations and were required to live in small dorms outside of their owner's homes. However, the novel is more than just a narrative of slaves, but of human emotion rising up in the face of adversity. It is a story of the fight for freedom, and an account of the history of America. The author brings out the humanity in the slaves, and describes the great injustices that took place during the time.

Huxleys Brave New World Essay -- Huxley Brave New World Essays

Huxley's Brave New World Today, in 21st century United States, people are concerned with the fast pace of new and growing technology, and how these advances should be used. In the last decade alone we have seen major advancements in technology; in science, cloning has become a reality, newer, more powerful drugs have been invented and, in communications, the Internet has dominated society. There is a cultural lag due to the fast rate of increasing technology, and while the governments of the world are trying to keep up their role as censors and lawmakers, we as individuals are trying to comprehend the effects it has on our lives. Will these advances enhance our lives to an unprecedented level of comfort, or lead to the loss of actual happiness? In the early 1930's, when Aldous Huxley wrote Brave New World, this was a question he felt was worth asking. In Huxley's Brave New World there are two forms of happiness: physical and actual. The fulfillment of physical happiness is the basis of the New World society. Residents never have to worry about food, shelter, job security, or sickness. One will never look fat, wrinkly or become weak with brittle bones and, thus, even the fear of growing old is taken away. Mustapha Mond, one of the world controllers in the novel, sums up physical happiness with the statement: ?The world is stable now?They?re well off; They?re safe; They are never ill; they?re not afraid of death; they?re blissfully ignorant of passion and old age(Huxley 220). The characters, Bernard Marx, Lenina Crowne, and Helmholtz Watson are each looking for more than what is offered by physical happiness, they are looking for actual happiness. Actual happiness ?relates more to the mind and heart? (HH Dalai Lama 21). For example, Helmholtz has the desire to be creative and Lenina has the desire to love. Bernard Marx, knowing that he is different and considered inferior to other Alpha-plus males, has the desire to not only fit in, but to be respected by others. Other individuals in the Brave New World are content while these three characters are searching for something not given to them by the government, something beyond physical happiness. They are searching for actual happiness. Individuality, which is one of the strongest values in the United States today, is taken away at the moment of conception in the B... ...e a prophetic tone seventy years after it was written. Our society?s priorities, like the one in the Brave New World, seem to be quite shallow in its obsession with physical appearance and conspicuous consumption of material objects. People undergo surgery to improve their appearance and maintain their youthful image of themselves. People, generally, judge others as well as themselves by their possessions, status, and appearance, rather than the quality of their character. Cloning is no longer science fiction, and with increasing technology, the absolute need for mothers and fathers could disappear. At what point does social stability outweigh human nature? There needs to be a balance between physical and actual happiness, and where the proper balance should be is questionable. Huxley doesn?t have the answer, but he leaves the reader with an idea of why balance is so hard to find: ?Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the overcompensations for misery? (Huxley 221). WORKS CITED: Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. New York: HarperCollins, 1998. Lama, HH Dalai. The Art of Happiness. London: Hoddler and Straughton, 1999.

Merck’s Risky Bet on Research

While Kenneth Frazier worked liability suits for Merck, he caught the company’s attention and they hired him in 1992. By 1999 Frazier was appointed Merck’s general counsel. Merck saw that Frazier had several good personality traits and values that would benefit their organization. Kenneth Frazier is a very hard-working man and has been taught not to fail and to push himself to excellence. Frazier has always pushed himself to always do better, he has never just settled. Frazier likes to take risks to see how far he can push himself and to see what he can accomplish. Frazier has a very high self-esteem and a need for achievement. Under the five big personality traits, Frazier best fits under openness to experience. He is willing to take risks and is daring and open minded. I believe one of the most important terminal values to Frazier is a sense of accomplishment. Even though, there are several terminal values that I believe are important to Frazier, I feel this is the most important. Frazier lost his mother at a very young age and was raised by his hard-working father. His father taught him to work equally as hard and to always strive for excellence. Frazier believes that at work he should never back down and always strive for more, and that you must work hard to accomplish everything you want. This especially showed when Merck found their drug Vioxx was doubling the risk of heart attach and strokes and Frazier fought each case instead of taking the easy way out and negotiating settlements. Frazier won 11 of the 16 cases. Frazier was determined to win and he did. Frazier gets pleasure from achieving his goals and enjoys the social recognition that he gets by winning his cases. Instrumental values are just as important as terminal values. The most instrumental value that stands out in Frazier is his ambition. Frazier is not only hard working but understands what it takes to achieve his goals. A few of the other instrumental values that I feel are important to Frazier are being responsible, polite, and daring. Working as a litigator or in management you will not always be liked. At times people will go against you and not agree with what you are doing. Frazier is daring as he goes against others but when he must go against others he does it respectfully and politely so he can get others to take his side and agree with him. Frazier has some very important personality traits that will help him influence Merck’s culture in his role as CEO. Frazier’s openness to experience gives him the ability to have an open mind and the ability to take risk that will allow him to move the company forward. Frazier also has the ability as CEO to mentor other managers to achieve the company’s goals. After watching Frazier handle some of Merck’s liability suites, the company decided that Frazier would be a valuable asset. Merck could see that Frazier had some very important personality traits that could benefit their company.

Imporatance of 3 Period Name Lesson Essay

For the purpose of giving a clear perception of an idea in association with language, Montessori advised that the â€Å"three period lesson† of Seguin should be used. The periods are: 1st period: â€Å"The association of the sensory perception with the name†. Example: Give the child a large and a small cylinder and say â€Å"this is large† and â€Å"this is small. † 2nd period: â€Å"Recognition of the object corresponding to the name. † Example: Ask the child to indicate which is the large cylinder and which is the small cylinder. rd period: â€Å"the remembering of the name corresponding to the object. † Example: show the child the large cylinder and say â€Å"what is this? † then show him the small cylinder and say â€Å"what is this? † The 3 period name lesson is very useful because it is very simple and very clear for the child. Furthermore the teacher does not ask the child to actually name the object until she is sure he can recognize it. The importance of the three period lesson can’t be underestimated. This tool can be used anywhere. In the classroom we use it to introduce letter sounds, number values and symbols, continent names, plants and animals, but it is not limited just to the classroom. It can also be used in the playground, in the kitchen, at music lessons, even at the super market. It can even be used to introduce object names in a second language. There is no limit to how this lesson can be used because, under the right circumstances, there is no limit to the amount of information a child between the ages of 3 and 6 is capable of absorbing. The real beauty of the three period lesson is that it allows Montessori teachers to meet each child exactly where they are. In other words, the technique allows the children as much time as they need to learn each new concept – some children will absorb a concept quickly and only need the lesson once or twice while other children may want to be given the lesson many times until they are confident enough to move on.

Preparing for Success Essay

Education is the basis of creating a life full of wealth and contentment. Obtaining a high school education can help one succeed in his or her future and give one the opportunities to pursue his or her aspirations. Unfortunately many students lack the education, resources and knowledge to enter adulthood after graduating high school. They are not sufficiently prepared to enter into the work force, succeed at a university, or have any understanding on how to be an ethical citizen. Students should be given the chance to develop a strong work ethic, be given the opportunity to explore different careers and college options, acquire skills that will help them in college and obtain an understanding of how their government works before graduating high school. A strong work ethic is obtained by developing a sense of independence and becoming dependable. Every year, if students’ reliance on teachers was decreased, they would be forced to rely on themselves to remember when coursework i s due. During my senior year at the high school I attended, El Molino High School in Forestville California, students in my English class were given a syllabus with an outline of the course and dates when homework was due. The teacher did not remind us when assignments were due, and we had to remember when work was due. In college, a student has to rely on himself or herself to take notes, remember when homework is due, and study on his or her own for exams. Therefore academic skills learned in high school should be similar to the skills required in a college classroom and those that people can use in their adult lives. Students graduating from high school should†¦be able to read with understanding classic literature and write well-organized and grammatically sound essays; they should know the basic outlines of American and European history, have a good beginner’s grasp of at least two natural sciences as well as pre-calculus mathematics (Gutting). Having these basic skills and learning to become self-sufficient would make the transition from high school to career less stressful for those who decide not to attend college. Being independent and learning to rely on oneself will help one become more  dependable, and in turn, a better employee. To strengthen a student’s work ethic, high schools should require students to rely more on themselves, which would help students become more independent. Students will not know what career they want to pursue once they graduate high school if they are never given the opportunity to investigate and experience different occupations. For students who have decided not to attend college, high school should be the institution where different careers can be explored. High schools should have the responsibility of helping students find internships or job shadowing opportunities specific to careers students are interested in. At El Molino High School a career based project, during our senior year, was given so students had the opportunity to research the occupation they are interested in. They were then required to find an internship or a volunteer opportunity related to the career topic they had selected. Students could then find out what they liked and didn’t like about the career through first-hand experience and have more insight into whether or not they wanted to pursue that career after graduation. For my project, I chose to volunteer at a convalescent center to gain experience in the nursing field. After the project was over, I knew nursing was the right career for me, and decided to pursue a degree in the health care industry. But if a career based learning project is not required, counselors should help students find internships, attend job fairs, and find classes that would be beneficial to the career a student wants to pursue. High school should be a place where students are given adequate preparation for the work world, whether they are attending college or not. In high school, many students have no idea which college they should attend. Counselors should take the time to discuss with each student his or her plans for after graduation. The counselor and the student should then construct a list of universities that have programs corresponding with the degree the student wants to pursue. At the end of my junior year at El Molino High School, I met with my counselor and we created a list of ten colleges that had respectable nursing programs. Making the list helped me to narrow down my search and choose a college, but many students at my high school did not take advantage of the opportunity to meet with their counselor because the information about meeting was not broadcasted well.  Meeting with a counselor when going through the college process is incredibly helpful. If more students made the effort to receive help from high school counselors and counselors made a better effort to reach out to all students when exploring college options, they would have an easier time choosing a university. High school should thoroughly prepare students who are planning to seek a higher education after graduation. Academic skills learned in high school should be similar to the skills required in a college classroom. Developing adequate study habits is key to success in college. Studying for a couple hours every day, whether or not there is homework, should be second nature to a student when he enters college. Attaining proper note taking skills in high school and figuring out a format that best helps one study is a critical aspect to receiving good test grades. Some students do not have a chance to learn how to take usable notes. At Analy High School, which is a high school near El Molino, students were never taught how to take usable notes which made it more difficult for them to study for tests due to poor organization of the notes they did take. I taught one my friends from Analy the note taking styles I had learned. After he mastered the different styles and started taking organized and usable notes his grades improved. A specific section in freshman English should teach students the different note taking styles. In my sophomore English class we were introduced to different not taking styles including the Cornell method, which I found was a very useful way to study for tests. Another element that should be incorporated into high school curriculum is different essay and paper formats. Many high schools only teach the MLA paper format, and do not cover APA, which is the format many college students are required to use for their papers. If core classes taught techniques that students could utilize in college, the transition between institutions would be less difficult. After graduating high school, students should have a general understanding of how their government works in order to become competent citizens. According to Theodore Sizer â€Å"knowledge of the government to the extent the child will be equipped to make informed choices among persons and issues that affect his own governance† (119), is one of the general elements of an efficient education system. To make decisions when voting that will benefit oneself, he or she needs to be informed on all the candidates and propositions. When I was in Advanced Placement  Government, my class spent a significant amount of the first semester researching candidates and understanding the propositions for the 2012 election. Though few people were eighteen and had the ability to vote, reviewing the information in the voting packet helped us understand how the voting process works, and how to read the propositions thoroughly so we when we did vote, we could understand exactly what we would be voting for. All high schools should offer a course that helps students understand the voting process and sufficient information about the American government should be provided to all students before they have the capability to vote. High schools should be able to sufficiently prepare students for their lives after graduation by giving them tools to develop a strong work ethic, explore colleges and careers, and understand how the government works. If students were given these opportunities for improvement in high school, the transition into an adult life would be easier. Works Cited Gutting, Gary. â€Å"What Is College For? (Part 2).† The New York Times: The Opinion Pages. 11 Jan. 2012. 17 Nov. 2013. Sizer, Theodore. â€Å"What High School Is.† Reading Culture. White Plains, NY: Longman, 2011. 119.