Superior's balance sheet Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Superior's balance sheet Report - Essay Example The working capitals for Superior Living for the three years are computed as follows: The above calculations clearly highlights that Superior Living has had a steady working capital which is adequately higher than the current liabilities of the company. However, if the company aims at entering into newer projects and investments, the company would require to have a higher working capital. The ration of the current assets and current liabilities is referred to current ratio. The current ratio highlights the liquidity position of the firm and this also highlights the ability of the firm to cover the current liabilities with the help of the current assets. The ratio between the ready cash assets and the current liabilities is referred to as the quick ratio. This is calculated as current assets – inventories – prepaid expenses. The liquidity ratios for Superior Living are computed as follows: Superior Living’s ratio has been at a steady around 2 for the three years. This is a strong indication of good liquidity within the company. It is interesting to note that the inventories form a large portion of the current assets and they cannot be readily liquefied. The ideal quick ration is 1:1 however the company has a much lower ratio and accounts to 0.55. This highlights the fact that the short term cash needs and solvency of the company can be hard to meet (Burks and Wilks, 2007). Hence the company needs to improve the cash assets. Superior living’s short term debts and long term debts are as in the table below. Short term debts refers to the ones which are due within a year which the long term debts refers to the ones due in more than one year (Samuels et al, 2000). Superior highlights a very low gearing ratio and is as low as 2% - 3% for the three years. It is essential to note that despite the increase in the long term debt, there is no evident change in the debt equity ratio. The company is not utilizing its borrowing abilities as an optimum gearing

Stages of Development Essay Example for Free

Stages of Development Essay Thus, he or she is â€Å"challenged† to identify which skills he or she lacks to reflect upon how to improve his or her thinking †¢ Stage Three: The Beginning Thinker wherein the individual is already taking steps to improve upon and understand his or her thinking. He or she is aware that improving his or her thinking is not just a necessity but a commitment †¢ Stage Four: The Practicing Thinker wherein the individual is not only taking the necessary steps to create a systematic way of thinking but he or she also criticizes if indeed the system is working. Self-reflection becomes a habit for the practicing thinker. †¢ Stage Five: The Advanced Thinker wherein the acquired system of thinking starts to pay off for the individual, gaining for him or her a deeper understanding of problems and better insight on the difference of egocentic and sociocentric thought †¢ Stage Six: The Master Thinker wherein the individual now has a fully integrated system of understanding and monitoring of thinking, that critical thinking is now intuitive. Master thinkers not only practice but are actively seeking ways to improve their thinking, exhibiting a deep commitment to the development of their consciousness Comparing the characteristics of each stage to his experiences, the writer concludes that he is at the Stage Three of Development Thinking. Since the writer has been exposed to different situations, people and philosphies, he is in the stage of seeking out his own system of thinking. Like a sift under a steady stream of sand, the writer opens himself up to a myriad of opinions, concepts and philosophies and tries to apply different aspects of these into his own consciousness. The Evolution of I I would like to think of myself as a rational thinker. In decision making, I seldom rush into actions without first analyzing each aspect of the problem at hand. I give weight to opinions, treating them as important factors in my reflections. However, I have the tendency to overthink things. My mind is sometimes deluged with so much advice and points of view that I sometimes lose my own thinking about issues. When this happens, I usually end up pleasing all sides and almost always regretting the decision. I have tried to create my own system of thinking which will aid me in decision making. My academic experience has been a rich source of these different systems since I am exposed to a myriad of individuals, each with his or her own unique thinking. In converstaions with friends, I would always probe their own systems of thinking in the hope of finding useful strategies to further my own system. One of the most common strategies that I have discovered is the technique of listing down the strengths and weaknesses or the pros and cons of each decision. I have adopted this technique and it is in this frame that I usually tackle problems. Although I have found it time consuming, listing down the differences between decisions gives me a clearer picture of their consequences. One instance of my application of this technique also happened in school. I was given a choice between which group to join for a final project in an English class. I could either join a group where the members were most of my friends or another group where all the members were merely acquiantances. My first reaction was to go with my friends since I was sure that I would enjoy doing the project. However, my subconscious implored me not to be rash and that was when I applied the pros and cons technique.

Culture: The Wests Biggest Export? :: Tourism Tourist Papers

Culture The West's Biggest Export? I spent a month over the summer of 2002 trekking in Borneo with a team of 15 other boys from my school. This was the first time that I had traveled outside England, my home, to a destination that was not geared towards hosting tourists. The expedition provided me with a very interesting perspective on the march of developed culture across the globe. The tourism industry is simply one example of this expansion, but it is an interesting example because it is the industry that takes the public to these â€Å"exotic† lands. The 20th century has seen the creation and rapid expansion of the tourism industry, fuelled by our ability to travel faster and more conveniently to remote places on the planet. Tourism describes a huge variety of different activities, all falling under the banner of people traveling for pleasure. I think of tourists as falling into two main categories, those people who travel to find somewhere to relax, and those who travel to experience new cultures. The first category has less direct effect on the spread of tourism, as these people prefer to travel to places in developed countries, where they can relax in comfort. The second category likes to travel to experience new cultures and environments without necessarily having a relaxing trip. It is these people who are constantly pushing the tourist industry into new areas. Once the tourist industry realizes a region is becoming popular with adventurous tourists, big resort hotels appear, and the wild is tamed for the benefit of the to urist who likes to feel adventurous without having to endure the hardship of dingy, cockroach-ridden hotels. The location is now ruined for the adventurous tourist. These westernized resorts can be found all over the world, giving a highly sanitized version of the local culture. This leaves the adventurers to go in search of a new location to visit, an even more remote and exotic place is visited, and so the cycle continues until we will have a resort hotel next to every lake, mountain, forest and beach on the planet. I have been lucky enough to see this expansion of tourism firsthand during my trip to Malaysian Borneo in the summer of 2002. This was a very interesting place to visit because different parts of the country are at different points in the transition between untouched wilderness and popular tourist spots.

Significant Event

One of these events stands out in particular to me and had he greatest impact in my life. Physically disciplining a child has a dramatic impact on both the child as well as the parent. As a child I remember that for any little misbehaver resulted in a physical punishment as well as getting yelled at, as time went by my mind was set that I already knew when the â€Å"beating† was going to come. My family continue to be very big on respect and discipline, but at the time little did they know that by hitting us they weren't just punishing us for a little while, they were in fact pushing us away and causing frustration, at times even hatred.I also researched that in result of physically harming children increases their risk of mental illness, in which resulted when I came upon this article which states that â€Å"It's pretty well established that physically harming children has a negative impact on mental health, but this is showing the same effect even when you look at milder fo rms of physical force. This is saying that physical punishment should not be used on children of any age. † Each perspective has its strengths and weaknesses, which brings difference to our understanding of the human behavior.In my situation am going to go with the behavioral perspective, as well as the psychodrama perspective. By looking at the physical punishment from a behaviorism perspective, conditioning by pain requires that the consequence always occurs immediately after every incident. The psychodrama perspective states that in childhood certain incidents may occur that produce behaviors in their adulthood. Many different conflicts throughout childhood development shape overall personality. Observational learning refers to learning that occurs as a function of observing, and placating behavior observed in which is particular during childhood.I later figured out that the way my mother and aunts were physically punishing me, resulted in the fact that they learned from my grandmother, they completely mimicked the way my grandmother punished them. As I grew older I began to express myself to them in a matter that I felt curious I began to question why would they always physically harm my cousins as well as myself, their excuse still remains the exact same in which they say † That it is simply something they grew up seeing on a daily basis†. SST memories are not always accurate which can result in a blur, but do believe that it depends on how intense was the situation. There are many memories do vividly remember from my childhood but they are also plenty which don't necessarily remember everything, at times will looking at certain photos and remember exactly what I did that particular day, so I do think that it all just depends on the importance of the situation. Although do in fact accurately remember many different situations in which was hit, many of which I now think back ND know that could have been easily solved with just a simple co nversation.

Сhapter of autobiography

Now we have reached October 2004. From this date to the present, I am still greatly affected about what has happened to my family and I. Although October was the month in which my pain and heartache started, two years later on Saturday 24th June 2006 was the day that many things ended. Equally, it was the day that many other things and experiences begun. Monday 11th October 2004 â€Å"Come on Bex, up you get.† â€Å"Yeah, ok mum, just five more minutes. Please?† â€Å"No. Now!† With that, I peeled off my covers and rolled out of my bed. I stood up and pulled back my curtains. The sun was glistening and the leaves on the trees were swaying in the morning breeze. â€Å"Bye, I'll see you after school. Love you† â€Å"Bye mum. Love you too.† So, there I was strolling off towards school for yet another long day. â€Å"BRRRRRING!† At long last, the end of another exhausting and dragging Monday at school. Lumbered with bags and files, I started my journey towards home. When I, eventually reached my house, I recognised Siobhan and Ruth were running about frantically. I asked what their problem was; they replied with the words, â€Å"Mum's gone.† I was so confused; I had no idea what they were doing or what they were talking about. Suddenly, it clicked. Mum had been ill for quite a while now, which had been extremely odd, as mum hardly ever got ill. If she ever had the flu she would still be up and down, being her busy old self, helping people, caring for people, being there for people. When we had all calmed down, we retired to the front room. Siobhan picked up her phone and tried to call Mum, Ruth did the same and phoned Dad, I also called someone, my Uncle John. He had been at home all day looking after mum, due to the fact that she wasn't feeling to good. The three phones rang and rang. No one answered. Not Mum, not Dad and not even John. Yet again, panic had struck in the Heneghan house. Siobhan then noticed my Mum's flowery coffee cup, placed upon the table in front of me. She walked over and dipped her finger into the coffee. It was stone cold. The panic in the house was growing by the second. No note, no text, no phone call. Nothing! The three of us just sat there, we knew that the only thing any of us could do was wait. That night as Dad returned home, he sat us down and explained where Mum was. Immediately we all got in the car and drove to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. We sat tight listening to what we were being told about our critically ill Mum. After having found some active cancerous cells in recent blood tests, she had been called into hospital at once. The doctors explained that she had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and needed an immediate transfer to St. James' Hospital in Leeds. Mum remained there for two months, in the Leukaemia unit on ward 68, room 5. Two months seemed like a long time for Mum to be away from home, but the fact that I wouldn't get to see her much, as we lived a twenty five minute drive away, seemed totally irrelevant. I thought to myself, as long as she's in the best place for her, then that's all that truly matters. Isn't it? Saturday 25th December 2004 Christmas day had arrived. Could I have possibly been more wrong about my earlier prediction? It certainly was one huge issue that Mum hadn't been there for the previous two months. It was unbelievably hard for my Dad, both my sisters and I. With cooking, cleaning, ironing, washing and various other jobs to do, the four of us were finding it an enormous struggle. Being thirteen, I had never really done many of these â€Å"jobs† before and some of which were new to me. I realised how much I had taken my Mum for granted and had relied on her for thirteen years of my life. Now, it was time to grow up. Friday 31st December 2004 New Years Eve and also, the day Mum was allowed to return home. Lumbered with bags upon bags of tablets, medicines and dressings, Mum, emotionally, unpacked her bags and remained on a strict diet of only certain foods and liquids. Weeks passed and finally, there was a phone call saying that they had found someone whose bone marrow matched Mum's and that she was now ready to start the transplant process. At this, Mum repacked her things and, once again we kissed her goodbye. Friday 25th February 2004 The day of the transplant. Mum was now being treated in the BMTU (Bone Marrow Transplant Unit) back in St. James' Hospital and was to remain there until further notice. With long daily visits from her husband and her three girls, Mum made a rather speedy recovery and returned home, again, on Friday 8th April 2005. Although this time, it was for good. Or so we thought! The family was told it would be about eighteen months until Mum would be in the all clear. With weekly check-ups, four months had past. Next, the check-ups were every fortnight, eight months had passed. Now, the check-ups were monthly and sixteen months had passed. It was now May 2006. Two more months to go and then Mum would be fully recovered. Thursday 25th May 2006 Apparent side effects and symptoms were starting to happen to Mum. These had come from her, now small, dose of tablets and medicines. We were told that these symptoms she was experiencing had never been obvious in any patient before, yet they were happening to my Mum. They were happening to my family. They were happening to me. Who could I turn to? Where could I go? I couldn't, I had to be strong. I had to be there for my Dad and my sisters but most of all, for my Mum! Within the next few weeks of Mum being in intensive care, in the BMTU, things got rapidly worse. Mum started to deteriorate; her platelets became lower, as did her blood count, also part of her memory. One of the worst things I have ever experienced in my whole life was when I went to visit my mum. She was drugged up with large amounts of morphine and her other medications. This made Mum's memory and mind very vague and distant. As I was visiting, I walked into her room. She stared at me blankly, just looked straight through me. She had no idea who I was. I walked over to her, stroked her hair and kissed her on the head. She peered up at me. â€Å"Who are you?† she asked me. I burst out into tears and ran out of the room. It was the worst feeling I have ever had. My heart just sunk like an anchor on a ship. I couldn't come to terms with the fact that my own Mum didn't know who I was. Eventually, I pulled myself together and managed to go back in to support my Mum and to be there for her every single step of the way. Saturday 17th June 2006 The whole family were called. We had been told that Mum would have just a few more hours to live. My heart started to bleed viciously. I felt so sick. It was too hard to think about the fact that these few precious moments could be the last ones I would ever share with my Mum. Once again, Mum managed to prove the doctors wrong. She hung on in there for yet another week with my dedicated Dad at her bed side, all day and all night. Saturday 24th June 2006 Heartbroken and alone, Dad returned home with the expected news. She was gone! It was over. Mum was in no more pain. Her suffering had ended. She was fast asleep, resting in the place that was best for her. I was fourteen when it happened and it was now time to start living my life without my Mum. It was right in the middle of my school exams. I did them. She never left my mind of course, but with my friends, family and also a huge help from my teachers, I did them. I had to; I knew it's what she would have wanted. Even now I still hear her sometimes, waking me up in a morning. Shouting me down for my tea. Telling me to clean my bedroom. It hurts and I know full well that it always will, but at the same time, it has made me so much stronger. I could never forget my Mum, no matter how unhappy I may be at times, no matter how much pain and heartache this ordeal has caused me. I know, deep down, that she will never leave me. She will always be looking down, watching over me and will always stay in my head and in my heart. For eternity she will be a marvellous Mummy, wonderful wife, devoted daughter and fantastic friend. I miss her so much, words cannot describe. Wherever you are Mum, I love you!

Queen Hatshepsut A Female Pharaoh

Queen Hatshepsut A Female Pharaoh Free Online Research Papers Queen Hatshepsut a Female Pharaoh Ancient Egypt has a long illustrious history. A compelling reason why it was one of the earliest civilizations has to be its geographic location. Situated on the northeastern tip of the African continent; bordered on the north by the Mediterranean Sea, the east by the Red Sea, and to the west by the great Sahara Desert, it was naturally protected from invasion. Egypt was vulnerable to invaders, by land, only from the south. Secondly, the great, fertile, Nile river valley contributed to Egypt’s emergence as a great civilization. The annual flooding of the river left a silt-rich valley region able to yield great quantities of cultivated crops capable of supporting an ever-growing population. The northern Delta (Lower Egypt) and the southern valley (Upper Egypt) regions where eventually united by King Menes (Dynastic period, 3100-2660 B.C.E.); thus, creating an important ancient civilization that lasted over 3000 years. King Menes established his capital city (Memphis) along the Nile located just before the flat delta region where the river branches out into several tributaries that flow to the Mediterranean Sea (Hawass, 18). During an era called the New Kingdom (1550-1069 B.C.E.) Egypt experienced its greatest expansion and prosperity directly attributed to a series of strong warrior kings. The first being Ahmose I (r.1550-1525 B.C.E.) whom drove the Asiatic Hyksos out of the delta region and reunited Egypt. Thutmose I (r.1504-1492 B.C.E) using military tactics gleaned from the formidable Hyksos (fast, sleek horse drawn chariots and bronzed tipped arrows), further expanded Egyptian rule by destroying Kerma (1500 B.C.E.) the Nubian city to the south ( 3rd and 4th cataract regions). Thutmose III (r. 1479-1425) orchestrated 17 military campaigns in which he expanded southward further into Nubia; but more impressively he conquered city-states in Syria and Palestine known as the Levant region. Thutmose III had a co-regent `when he was a mere lad. Queen Hatshepsut his co-regent and aunt led a very interesting and atypical life. Even though several prominent Pharaohs followed her (Amenhotep IV, Sety I, Rameses II) during the New Kingdom era; she is the main point of interest for this discussion (lecture notes-timeline, 3-4). The purpose of this essay is to explore Queen Hatshephut’s reign (r.1473-1458) as the most prominent female ruler in ancient Egyptian history. Several Egyptian Queens ruled Egypt but their short reigns took place during periods when the central government seem to be collapsing cause by invasions from outside peoples (Hyksos), or when the ruling family failed to produce male heirs. Such is the case with Queen Nitokerty the last ruler of the 6th Dynasty at the end of the Old Kingdom (2660-2160 B.C.E.). Queen Sobekneferu the last ruler of the 12th Dynasty ruled for four years. Queen Tausret the chief wife of King Seti II ruled for six years at the end of the 19th Dynasty. Records of all three women’s reigns were systematically obscured by the powers to be. This action was an attempt to reaffirm the Egyptian cultural belief that kingship was reserved for males only (Hawass, 31-35). Queen Hatshephut tried and succeeded to dispel this myth during her reign (1473-1458 B.C.E.). She challenged Egypt’s political theology of the era (New Kingdom), starting with her vicarious ascension to the throne. She accomplished things primarily reserved for her male counterparts. Being very ambitious and competent she even expanded Egypt’s repetition as an important world power. Yet; like all three of the aforementioned ruling Queens of the Egyptian pharaonic era, She died in obscurity. Egypt’s political theology was one were only men rulers could secede to the throne under the guise that they were immortal for they were direct descendents of Amon-Re (lecture notes Ancient Egypt, 7). Amon and Re were sun gods worshiped originally in two different regions (Thebes and Heliopolis respectively), but they became the principal gods of Egpyt’s political theology (Bentley, Ziegler, 77). Further legitimizing their claims as absolute monarchs, Egyptian kings were thought to be upholders of cosmic harmony (MA’AT). The logical conclusion to this way of thinking is that only males where divine; thereby, only they could hold the royal office of Pharaoh (lecture notes-Ancient Egypt, 7). Now comes along a woman, feminist in nature, coupled with unyielding ambition and competent as any man to boot. Queen Hatshepsut reigned during the New Kingdom era (1473-1458 B.C.E.). She came to power by slick manipulation of the co-regent position. Queen Hatshepsut’s husband (Thutmose II) died leaving as heir to the throne his son (Thutmose III) by a minor wife. The queen felt he was too young to rule. Therefore being a loving, ambition relative (aunt), she declared herself as co-regent convincing the bureaucratic class that this was the best course of action. Simultaneously she took on the throne name Ma’Atkare (Truthful harmony is the genius of the sun god) (Ray, 45). This was the beginning of 22 year reign during which Queen Hatshepsut begin constructing a female version of Egyptian political theology. Most apparent evidence of her course of action is best recorded in her tomb at Deir-el-Bahri (Essay assignment #1 The Divine conception of Queen Hatshepsut, 1-2). In this epitaph she explains how her mother (Queen Aahmes) was impregnated by the great sun god Amon whom tells the council of gods (The Great Ennead) that this offspring is to have dominion over all (1). Later in this inscription she writes that the gr eat Amon unequivocally states she is of his seed and should be allotted all rights and privileges of kingship backed up by his divine protection (2). Feeling she had justified her right to hold the office of Pharaoh she begins to, pardon the euphemism, strut her stuff. It must be remembered that Egyptian political theory purported that only males could ascend to the office of Pharaoh. Knowing this Queen Hatshepsut created the fiction of her birth via the god Amon; thereby, giving her kingship legitimacy. She further illustrated this claim by doing things previously reserved for her male counterparts such as directly making offerings to the gods as depicted in a relief at the temple of Karnak. Additionally she oversaw the building of two huge granite obelisks in front of the same temple. The inscriptions included such remarks as: the luminous seed of the mighty one, the fine gold of kings, as well as other writings along this vein. Other inscriptions make cunning references to her father (he also sired her half brother and husband Thutmose II). Queen Hatshepsut was much enamored with her father (Thutmose I). He was a great warrior Pharaoh; conversely, her husband (Thutmose II) was not. Could it be a simple matter of hero worship, or was she using he r father’s validity as a great warrior for political reasons (Ray, 53-55). I think a little of both. Queen Hatshepsut proved to be an incredibly gifted administrator and a feminist extraordinaire (Hawass, 33), (Ray, 53-56). During her reign Egypt was experiencing great prosperity in regards to crop production. This enabled the Queen to establish trade with other countries as well as keep her populous fed. Once again, Queen Hatshepsut took advantage of this economic boon, provided by the Nile, to solidify her standing as a female Pharaoh (3). It was very probable that a few bureaucrats were opposed to her stance on kingship. Understandably so being that her claims was a great departure from the long standing divine male concept. Crafty as she was as a politician Queen Hatshepsut once again deferred to her fictional birthright in an attempted to quell the grumblings of her detractors(4). Queen Hatshepsut changed the gender of language as evidenced in the inscriptions on the great monuments erected by her The script referred to her/she; whereas, before the male counterpart him/he was used. Ironically she was portrayed as a male Pharaoh complete with ceremonial beard and headdress in temple scenes; yet, three-dimensional sculptures/statues showed her finer feminine features (rounded, softer facial bone structure, slender limbs, unmistakable breasts, arched eyebrows). She was well aware and proud of her softer feminine physical qualities despite her aggressive feminist ideals (Hawass, 28,31,197) (Ray, 46-47). Besides the great obelisks in front of the Karnak temple, the Queen built an amazing mortuary temple for herself at Deir al-Bahari. This architectural wonder is referred to as one of the jewels of ancient Egyptian. It is built against the cliffs at western Thebes and rises in a three terrace design. The avenue leading up to it is lined with sphinxes and trees. The architectural plan makes use of colonnades on each terrace, and exquisite reliefs that depict not only Hatshepsut’s fictional birthright prose but other accomplishments of her reign. Senenmut her top advisor had the responsibility of overseeing this great venture (Hawass, 33-34). He will be discussed in more debt later. Queen Hatshepsut was portrayed as a great military leader and diplomat. I tend to believe she inherited a great standing army and advisors from her father’s/husband’s (Thutmose I II) reigns. She did not possess great military experience; but, using her feminine wiles, coupled with her better-than-average political astuteness she was able to maintain control of the army and her administration. The army had successful campaigns under her father’s rule and the queen knew they had to be pacified (once a warrior, always a warrior). What better way than to send them off on a peace time campaign to Punt (1450 B.C.E.), under the guise of expanding Egypt’s borders. Brilliant! two birds with one stone. The military brass is sated and geographically speaking, out of her hair. The military set out for the Red Sea and down its coast to the gulf of Aden; a vast exploratory venture complete with a well equipped army, a great fleet, complete with scholars and artists to record the expedition. Engaging the people of Punt (possibly Ethiopia, Somalia or further south to Zanzibar, historians are not sure), they brought Egyptian goods to trade with the natives. In return they brought home all kinds of exotic goods never the like seen in Egypt (monkeys, gemstones, all sorts of animal skins, spices, tropical plants and trees of the most exotic variety). This expedition lasted two years. While the military was away Queen Hatshepsut surely began setting her own loyal people in key political roles, and systematically purged detractors and the old guard (advisors leftover from her fathe and husband’s reigns). What a smooth way to solidify her grip on the kingship. Naturally she had her artisans and scholars record this venture to Punt in elaborate reliefs on the walls of her temple at Deir el-Bahri for all posterity. Based on the observation of people who made the journey; the Queen of Punt was portrayed as, let us say, a very plumb representative of t he female gender. This trip endeared the commoners to her for they experienced economic security; and based on the portrayal of the Queen of Punt commoners also felt a national pride in their Queen as being superior in all ways (diplomacy, military brilliance, physical beauty). Needless to say Queen Hatshepsut got considerable mileage out of this expedition for the rest of her reign (Ray, 49-52). Being queen did not exclude Hatshepsut from moral impropriety as in the relationship between her and Senenmut: the royal advisor, architect, tutor to her daughter (Nefrure), and just one of many males of the court vying for her favor. She was a widow and it is not such a stretch to think of the Pharaoh Queen seeking male companionship from time to time. In the case of Senenmut he had the ear of the queen, and being a commoner (parents died with no title to speak of) he was granted quite a few perks. He even went so far as to portray himself and the royal mistress worshipping Amon together. Even though these reliefs where hidden when doors in the temple were opened, I would venture that Hatshepsut had full knowledge of their existence. Further evidence of their possible romantic involvement surfaced some years ago. At a dig on the cliffs above Hatshepsut’s temple a drawing was uncovered showing a female pharaoh engaged in a passive amorous affront from a male figure. This type of activity by male leaders is generally accepted; but, unfortunately strong women caught in this same scenario are generally ostracized. Queen Hatshepsut died in February 1458 B.C.E. (Hawass, 34) (Ray, 57-58). It is not known whether she was forced from office, assassinated, or died of natural causes. I am sure some evidence could be found to develop a theory for any of the three. Queen Hatshepsut’s many accomplishments; feats as a diplomat, architect of some of Egypt’s most beautiful monuments, and kingship as a female pharaoh were almost completely eradicated by her nephew and co-regent Thutmose III. He did not order the defacement of her name and image until late in his reign. His late action in this regard leads me to believe that he loved his aunt but was forced to take this action to appease various political factions (Hawass, 34) (lecture notes-timeline, 3) (Ray, 58-59). Queen Hatshepsut, to coin a popular modern-day accolade, put a million cracks in the glass ceiling of Egyptian political theology during her reign. Unfortunately, her nephew king Thutmose III damn near repaired them all. She was a prolific diplomat, administrator, builder, spin doctor and feminist. The fictitious account of her birthright is a decent bit of prose. Queen Hatshepsut had no qualms whatsoever meshing reality with fiction. Her monuments and buildings like the temple at Deir el-Bahari is one of the finest ever constructed in Egypt. The expedition into Punt brought great wealth to Egypt, and cemented her fame as a diplomat. Her superb abilities as stateswoman kept Egypt’s standing army sound. Her feministic approach to kingship set her apart from other female Queens/Rulers of Egypt. I believe that fact alone led to her demise and the attempt to eradicate her accomplishments from ancient Egyptian history. BIBLIOGRAPHY Bentley, Jerry H., Ziegler, Herbert F., (2008). Traditions Encounters: A Global Perspective on the Past. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill. Garasanin, Olivera (2009). Essay Assignment #1The Divine conception of Queen Hatshepsut. Garasanin, Olivera (2009). Lecture NotesAncient Egypt and Ancient Nubia. Garasanin, Olivera (2009). Lecture NotesAncient Nubia and Ancient Egypt-Timeline. Hawass, Zahi (2000). Silent Images: Women in Pharaonic Egypt. New York: Harry N. Abrams, INC. Ray, J. D. (2002). Reflections of Osiris: Lives from Ancient Egypt. New York: Oxford University Press. Research Papers on Queen Hatshepsut A Female PharaohCanaanite Influence on the Early Israelite ReligionBringing Democracy to AfricaAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeComparison: Letter from Birmingham and Crito19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraAppeasement Policy Towards the Outbreak of World War 2Mind TravelHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows EssayBook Review on The Autobiography of Malcolm XAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into Asia

Types of Paartnership

Types of Paartnership Partnership is a type of business organization in which two or more individual's pool money, skills, and other resources, and share profit and loss in accordance with the terms of the partnership agreement. In absence of such agreement, a partnership is assumed to exist where the participants in an enterprise agree to share the associated risks and rewards proportionately. There are two main types of partnership the general partnership, the limited partnership, limited liability corp. (LLC) and the limited liability partnership (LLP).In a general partnership the partners are responsible for managing the company. They also assume the responsibility for the partnership's debt and other obligations. For example, if a partnership is delinquent on a payment to a creditor, the partners' personal assets are likely going to be liquidated to make payments to the creditor. By default, profits are shared equally amongst the partners. However, a partnership agreement will almost always express t he manner how profit and losses will be shared.English: CITYpeek, Baltimore Maryland Limited Liab...Each general partner is deemed a representative of the partnership. A partnership will terminate upon the death, disability, or even withdrawal of any one partner. However, most partnership agreements provide for these types of events, with the share of the departed partner usually being purchased by the remaining partners in the partnership.A limited partnership has both general and limited partnership. A limited partnership does not participate in the day-to-day management of the partnership and his/her liability is limited. In many cases, the limited partners are merely investors who do not wish to participate in the partnership other than to provide an investment and to receive a share of the profits.A Limited Liability Corp (LLC) is available as a replacement to the general partnership this form of a business restricts the liability to a partner. The...

Top Career Advice from Former Presidents

Top Career Advice from Former Presidents Feel like you need a bit of career inspiration? In honor of the upcoming President’s Day, you might enjoy these tidbits from former statesmen, great and†¦ less great. Their advice, however, is uniformly fabulous. So follow in their footsteps and achieve your dreams. Remember, some of these guys got to be the leader of the free world. â€Å"It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.†This tidbit was offered by our first president, George Washington, to his niece in 1791. The emphasis here is on honesty and integrity. The takeaway: don’t be one of those people constantly making excuses for yourself. Only make them if they’re really good and really can honestly get you off the hook. Otherwise, keep your mouth shut and vow to do better next time.â€Å"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.†This nugget is similar, but from Lincoln. And about how to look much smarter by not jumping into the conversat ion too quickly. If you don’t know enough of what you’re talking about to dazzle or contribute constructively, then sit back and listen until you do. You can’t take back stupid comments. Also, nobody loves the coworker who talks too much. Be like Lincoln and value brevity, directness, smarts.â€Å"If you treat people right they will treat you right†¦ 90 percent of the time.†This little gem comes from Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Keep this in mind when you are networking. The Golden Rule is called that for a reason. Sometimes others won’t respond in kind, but for the most part, they will.â€Å"Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.†This from Thomas Jefferson goes without explanation. We should all do better at following this advice.â€Å"Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.†Thanks, for the motivation  Andrew Jackson. In other words: think before you act, but eventuall y you have to actually act. Don’t be afraid to jump once you’ve thought through the landing plan a few hundred times.â€Å"If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn’t sit for a month.†Teddy Roosevelt there. Remember, you can spend a whole lot of time blaming other people for your problems, but you cannot forget to ask yourself what part you had in where you are.â€Å"I not only use all the brains that I have, but all I can borrow.†Woodrow Wilson. Teamwork is dreamwork, baby.â€Å"If, when you get a job, you don’t believe you can get to the top in it, it’s the wrong job.†Reagan said this back in 1942. First, love what you do. Second, believe that it’s important and eventually everyone else will too. And third, don’t take any opportunities that aren’t going to let you soar (with hard work of course) straight to the top. Don’t set yourself up for anything less than total success.â€Å"To those of you [students] who received honors, awards and distinctions, I say well done. And to the C students, I say you, too, can be President of the United States†George W. Bush knows that a little hustle and using what connections you have can lead to marvelous results. Just keep your nose down and work hard. A little blind faith in yourself can’t hurt either.â€Å"Worry less about what you want to be and more about what you want to do.†And from 44, Barack Obama, is  this gem. Sometimes it isn’t about being famous or important, it’s about choosing something that you believe in and devoting your career and life to that cause. Make it bigger than yourself and you might just end up doing major things.

Paraphrasing#2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Paraphrasing#2 - Essay Example The readings are then to be taken using a multi-meter. Resistors in circuit one had all currents through the same because they were connected in series. In a series connection, voltage is divided among all the components. Resistors in circuit two had equal voltage through them because they were in a parallel connection. This is because current flowing through them is the same. In circuit three, R2 and R3 were in parallel hence equal voltage through them. The last circuit four had had R1 and R5 resistors in a series arrangement hence equal current through them. From the experiment’s results, the function generator produced square waves. It displayed in the form of waves as seen in the oscilloscope. The wave measured 3Vpp and 1.0 KHz and had the shape of a saw tooth. The experiment’s aim was to make a voltage divider in the multisim. The voltage divider was to equally divide circuit one into two parts. Circuits two and three were to be divided into three and four parts respectively. In the first circuit, currents I1 and I2 were equal. Vi1 and V2 were also equal since the connection was series. In circuit two, the voltage divider we designed divided the voltage of 12v three times and verified that by measuring with a multi-meter. In circuit three, we again verified that the voltage divider had divided the 12v. In circuit one, we determined the voltages Va, Vb, Vc Vac, and Vbc using readings from the multi-meter. The current I2 and source current Is3 were also determined. In circuit two, current through the 10ÃŽ © resistor was also determined. In the last circuit three, a nodal analysis was applied in the circuit. The objective was to examine the prototype board and use the multi-meters provided to measure the resistance, current, and DC current through the circuit. Using the oscilloscope, we were also to measure Ac voltage. Finally, we have to create voltage from the generator provided. Based on the experiment’s objectives, we

Agency and business organizations Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Agency and business organizations - Assignment Example The type of a business organization determines how it is operated and managed. The different types of business ventures have different structures and are differently managed. The laws that govern their operations also have some little differences. Examples of business organizations include: sole proprietorships, franchises, partnerships, limited liability partnership, limited liability companies, joint venture, syndicate, joint stock companies, business trusts, cooperatives and corporations. Sole proprietorship A sole proprieto0rship is a form of business entity that is formed and managed by one person. This business has the advantage of simplicity information, as it does not require long formation procedures. The owner also has the advantage of enjoying all the profits and faster decision making. Moreover, sole proprietorship businesses also have the advantage of tax simplicity and the owner will not be required to make complex tax return to the authorities (Bouchoux, 2007). Despite the advantages, sole proprietorship business also suffers from several drawbacks. First, this form of business entity faces challenges in acquisition of capital for its projects. The major drawback of this business however is the fact that the owner has unlimited liability on the losses and risk of the business. The owner and the business is the same entity and therefore losses and risks of the business are completely borne by the sole owner. In addition, sole proprietors businesses face management problems, as the owner has to work for many hours and sometimes lack the skills required in managing the business (Bouchoux, 2007). ... Partnership businesses have the advantage of easy procedures in formation, combined skills, and efforts, ease of raising more funds from the partners and the moral support from the members in the partnership. The partners can therefore share the risk and losses that might arise from the operation. The various limitation of partnership business include: long procedures in making decisions as all the partners have to be consulted, partners are also individually responsible for the actions of other partners. Moreover, partnership business involves the sharing of profits, unlimited liability on the partners and limited lifespan (Markman & Lesonsky, 2010). The death or disagreements can always result into the dissolution of the business. Limited liability partnership LLP is a form of business organization that has the characteristics of both a partnership and a limited liability company. In LLP, the partners’ liability is limited and the partners are not liable for the action of ot her partners. The partnership will remain liable on its assets and the LLP is considered a different entity. This form of business organization has the advantage of limited liability on the partners and the flexibility in operation just like in the general partnership. LLP the disadvantage of difficulty in the formation and in the filing of returns. This makes the business be complex to manage and operate. The government might also closely monitor the operation of the partnership. Limited liability Company This is a form of business organization in which the owners have limited liability and blends the characteristics of both partnerships and corporate structures. The business is a separate legal entity and the members’ liability is limited to the proportion of the unpaid shares.

Impacts of Spread of Communication in Science and Technology Essay

Impacts of Spread of Communication in Science and Technology - Essay Example There is no other area where advances in communication have had significant changes like in the area of development and use of new science and technology. Impacts of spread of communication technology on science and technology First and foremost communication has been advanced by the use of internet in the 21st century and has significantly increased the amount of information that has been transferred and exchanged throughout the world. Thus the first impact which touches on science and technology greatly is increase on the volume of information being exchanged globally. The internet communication today plays an interactive role which is by far the most important impact. This is particularly in the field of science considering that production of scientific knowledge is basically a social process which involves sharing information, information collaboration and the mobilization of outputs. The old hierarchy which was based essentially on email made it possible for an instant collabora tion and creation of a group. This removed some of the barriers towards cooperation that had existed before and also brought some limitations to science and technology (Hattie, 2009, pp.132-134). ... The birth of science 2.0 through collaboration by scientist and the mass dispersal of scientific information gathering, the wisdom of the crowds have enabled a large pool of people to examine the same problem. This process has the ability of diminishing the distinction existing between informal and formal processes of creating knowledge. Communication is a critical factor that has a great impact on future development and the use of science and technology. The change in the face of global communication, in broad terms has affected science and technology in various ways. Enhanced research on science and technology Traditional forms of scientific communication emphasized production of knowledge by individuals with feedback from colleagues only and then subsequent knowledge exchange. This in simpler terms means interaction was limited to certain stages of the research project or was temporarily limited to proximate researchers. The output from the diversified knowledge is thus improved. More technological and scientific inventions and innovations are realised as a result of diversified knowledge. Researchers in the modern world of advanced communication are able to exchange knowledge and information outside the circles of colleagues. This has in effect enabled the researchers to gather a variety of information and leading to diversified knowledge. This has generally improved the outcomes in the various fields in science and technology. Revolutionizing of peer –peer and peer- lay information exchange The advance made in modern communication is changing the peer-peer and peer-lay exchange of information. It was a physical adventure to root out scientific information Some 20 years ago. One would have to cycle through libraries, chase up references

ECONOMICS 3400 QUIZ 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

ECONOMICS 3400 QUIZ 1 - Essay Example Bhagwati also says that the fair trade that Obama agitates for affect free trade agreements. If Obama needs to clinch multilateralism and free trade in a forceful manner, he needs competent advisors that will see and criticize the demands associated with free trade and which amounts to protectionism (Bhagwati). Moreover, his advisors should also dismiss union fears that trading with poor countries harms the workers wages. Therefore, Bhagwati affirms that free trade is not a country’s interest. His arguments depicts that trade liberalization tends to expose secluded industries and capitalism associated with them and finally making them vanish. However, this approach does not result to growth. Moreover, it will result to emergence of new sectors that create modern exports. This will in turn propel a country towards comparative advantage. Bhagwati furthers presents his argument that free trade should not be reciprocal for it to be advantageous. He argues that the country tends to destruct its trade barriers after being offered mutual reductions. Moreover, he argues that trade liberalization has a capacity of weakening what a country is capable of offering in swapping to attain adequate access to foreign

Case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

Case study - Essay Example Then came the contributions of Lee Gordon along with other famous American idols such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Eddie Cochrane, and Gene Vincent whose musical styles helped lay foundations to the pop culture of rock & roll in the country (Jitterbug, 2009). By the start of a new decade in the 60s, a significant number of the youth population in Australia were engrossed about the American ‘Rock and Roll’ which started hitting their airwaves also through artists like Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, and Bill Haley and His Comets who inspired the Australians to initiate modern popular music recordings (Creswell & Fabinyi, 1999). As one product of this shared genre, Johnny O’Keefe became the first Australian rock star to have notched the first in the charts. Australians further gained appreciation of the ‘Twist’ and the ‘Stomp’ fads, the latter being based on American surf culture and about this time, 'The Beach Boys' earned wider acclaim on touring Aussie populace. Out of this influence emerged the surf rock band Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs. ‘The Beach Craze’ likewise was drawing Australian teenagers to consider spark for surfing and this new heap idea did make it to a trend among the youth at the time who looked up to Midget Farrelly after winning the Surfing World Championships at Bondi aside from the relevant music of ‘The Beach Boys’ and Little Pattie (Batstone & Pyne) which all the more enhanced the ‘Stomp’ fad era. The presence of Bob Dylan and Elvis Presley in the scene of pop culture and world tour served as another blast of sensation for Australian followers of the enduring American ‘Rock and Roll’. Because the American craft with music as such truly bore heights of motivation for the Australians to establish their own identity with rock & roll, the level of enthusiasm rose up in quest of individuals with the right set of potentials. Besides Johnny O'Keefe and Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs, Jimmy Little also managed to have gone the same way, becoming known with ‘Royal Telephone’ (Creswell & Fabinyi, 1999) and these Australian artists obviously adhered or at least exhibited significant inclination to American themes as reflected in the contents of their songs and general outfit thereof. Invasion of Australian culture by the British, in the similar manner, amounted to an equivalent degree of reception marveling at ‘The Beatles’ which essentially made Australians begin weighing options in the market where British and American alternatives coexisted. Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs dominated the Australian Top Ten charts with the Beatles. British acts had turned out to be more influential over the American acts in the long run especially upon the arrival of ‘The Rolling Stones’ to the sellout crowds and such events with the British idols marked the reception of Britain's prevailing ‘Mod’ fad during the mid-1 960s in major cities as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth (Creswell & Fabinyi, 1999). ‘Beatlemania’ obtained enormous fanaticism of hundreds of thousands while several other bands from Liverpool like the ‘Merseyside’ (Batstone & Pyne) also made quite a remarkable impression to still numbers after numbers. As another consequence, Australian rock & roll group AC/DC was formed in 1967 through Malcolm and Angus who obtained production support from their guitarist brother, George Young of ‘The Easybeats’ whose pop song ‘

ECONOMICS 3400 QUIZ 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

ECONOMICS 3400 QUIZ 1 - Essay Example Bhagwati also says that the fair trade that Obama agitates for affect free trade agreements. If Obama needs to clinch multilateralism and free trade in a forceful manner, he needs competent advisors that will see and criticize the demands associated with free trade and which amounts to protectionism (Bhagwati). Moreover, his advisors should also dismiss union fears that trading with poor countries harms the workers wages. Therefore, Bhagwati affirms that free trade is not a country’s interest. His arguments depicts that trade liberalization tends to expose secluded industries and capitalism associated with them and finally making them vanish. However, this approach does not result to growth. Moreover, it will result to emergence of new sectors that create modern exports. This will in turn propel a country towards comparative advantage. Bhagwati furthers presents his argument that free trade should not be reciprocal for it to be advantageous. He argues that the country tends to destruct its trade barriers after being offered mutual reductions. Moreover, he argues that trade liberalization has a capacity of weakening what a country is capable of offering in swapping to attain adequate access to foreign

EU law (European Court of Justice) Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

EU law (European Court of Justice) - Case Study Example However, the ECJ in the Van Gend case laid down the conditions before EC law would be capable of direct effect, otherwise known as the Van Gend criteria. First, the provision or law must be "sufficiently clear and precise" before being capable of direct effect although it does not mean that the whole provision must comply such as for example in one case2 where it was held that even if only a part of Article 141 fulfilled this criterion, the same was directly effective. Second, a provision should be unconditional. If it conditional if the right provided depends in some way on the judgment and discretion of an independent body unless such discretion is subject to judicial conduct.3 Finally, the third Van Gend criterion is that the provision should not be subject to any further implanting measures on the part of either the EC or the national authority. The third criterion appears to be liberally applied as can be observed in one case4 where based on the wording of the Treaty, it had bee n anticipated that the EC would have to enact secondary legislation before the objectives contained in Article 43 would provide rights to individuals. However, the ECJ declared the provision to be directly effective ratiocinating that to do otherwise could result in individuals being denied their rights under EC law. In the given problem, it is clear that all the three conditions of the Van Gend criteria are present. First, the provision of the Directive in question is "sufficiently clear and precise" by Defrenne v Sabena standards. The Directive is clear that owners of animals may be compensated from a fund be set up for the purpose of compensating owners whose animals are slaughtered pursuant to the Directive. Second, the provision in the Directive is not conditional. The right to be compensated for animals being slaughtered is not dependent upon the judgment and discretion of an independent body. Finally, the third Van Gend criterion has been complied in the given problem because the Directive is not anymore subject to any further implanting measures on the part of either the EC or the national authority. Be that as it may, the third criterion had been liberally applied because to do otherwise would produce an anomalous result where individuals can be denied of their rights under the EC law. A corollary issue in the given problem is whether the Directive as such may be directly effective. A negative answer to the issue means that James and Neil are without any recourse under the Directive. Article 249 EC provides that: "A directive shall be binding, as to the result to be achieved, upon each Member State to which it is addressed, but shall leave to the national authorities the choice of form and methods." Directives are therefore not directly effective as directives require implementation into national law and as such, directives do not appear to provide rights to individuals until they are incorporated by way of national legislation although directives do place obligations upon member states. However, in another case,5 the ECJ ruled that a directive maybe given direct effect it imposes an obligation to achieve a required result. Furthermore,

Employment and Delegation Essay Example for Free

Employment and Delegation Essay In the scenario given there were five behaviors of delegation used. They were: clarifying the assignment, specifying the employees range of discretion, allow the employees to participate, inform others that delegation has occurred, and establish proper feedback channels. In this paper, each behavior will be discussed as used in the scenario, and will give specific detail of how we as managers would have handled the delegation. Clarity of the assignment, is providing clear expectations of an assignment with details, deadlines, an audience, and the importance of the assignment being done on time. This is the first step in the delegation process of the project. If we ask someone to complete one of our assignments, we would want to be sure that the assignment is done the way we would have completed it. Theres a reason why we asked that particular person. If it was something anyone could do you can ask for volunteers. Informing others that delegation has occurred is essential behavior in the delegation process. Obviously Ricky has other employees that he manages. So it is important to inform those employees about the delegation as well. He chose Bill because of his three year experience in the contracts group. However, there isnt any mention of addressing Rickys other employees. Since he assigned Bill to this project what about Bills daily duties? Is Ricky going to provide Bill with help in regards to his daily work, or will he be required to complete both the project and his work? Thats what we do not know, but they were having a meeting in the morning to discuss the assignment. These are issues Ricky has to figure out now, along with informing his staff, because if Ricky did not inform his other employees, they may perceive it as favoritism and think he is trying to hide it from everyone. Ricky should also inform Bill of the reasons he chose him at their meeting in the morning, and also let him know he will be communicating the project to the rest of the team so they are aware Bill will be working on the assignment for the given time frame. Normally in those situations you look to the person who may be capable of doing the job based on previous experience. It is important to share the wealth when it comes to delegating task to the staff. I would assume that Bill is one of the go-to guys that can and is able to complete task with assigned deadlines. However, the behavior skills that stick out to me the most are clarify the assignment, inform others that the delegation has occurred, and establish feedback channel. It is important that Ricky clarifies with Anne what the guidelines for the new manual are so that he can clearly communicate them Bill. Setting up one-on-one sessions or a team meeting will be useful to inform all team members of the decision. Lastly, Ricky should set up periodic reviews with Bill to check on his progress and also see if any assistance is needed. agree that some of the delegation skills where used in this scenario, but not all were used fully. I like the point made earlier in the discussion that Ricky probably manages more then one employee, In the scenario I think Anne did a poor job for a few reasons. 1) Ricky already was working on a major project, and as his boss she should have been aware of that before she asked him to do it. She may have been, but this is what we dont know. 2) Anne asked Ricky to do the assignment. Obviously there was a reason why she asked him, so when he requested Bill to replace him why did she allow it? If I delegate an assignment to my employee I want the person to do what I asked. I feel that clarifying the assignment, specifying the employees range of discretion, allow the employee to participate were the delegation skills used the most in the scenario, while establishing feedback channels and inform others that delegation has occured wasnt as much if any. I remember an old saying form a manager I had who would say, inspect what you expect! We are tasked to ensure what we empower our workforce to accomplish is completed the way we expect it to be done. However, if we do not adequately communicate our expectations to the employee, than how will we be able to hold them reliable for the job. Now, am I saying we should micro-manage? Never! And im sure no body wants to spend time micro-managing. What we do want to ensure though is task completion and work from a decentralized form of management so the employee doesnt get frustrated in their job. Bottom line, we empower people everyday, the question is how much do we trust them? Allow the employee to participate. We have that found the employees participation is the best means to empower them not only in their job, but it gives them personal satisfaction. Now, this can be somewhat dangerous because you never want to give them an unchecked decision machine. As the section mention, you allow the employee to participate in that decision and then a set limit of authority is transferred to them for the project. We know, from experience that you must maintain that channel of communication with the employee so to keep them on the right direction. This will be training opportunities for managers with the employee in how to better make decisions without being biased. I know it can be challenging at times and personal matters may strive to cloud our decision process, but over time the employee will learn how to set aside personal reasoning.

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 (%)

Raising the Dropout Age Essay -- Education, GED, high school

Children are told from a young age that it is mandatory for them to graduate from high school, but it’s not until they are on the verge of dropping out that they hear the importance for staying in school. It is also when they hear how high school students who dropouts learn the incredible price to pay in the future when they give up on an education. Thinking with a teenage state of mind and trying to take the easy way out they go straight for a GED, which is told to be an equivalent earning of a diploma. Stated in a complete listing of educational resources most teachers tend to argue that â€Å"The General Educational Development lacks the depth and breadth found in a traditional high school education† (â€Å"The Facts about Getting a GED† par.5) Initially, the program was created for World War II veterans to receive their high school education after the war and not for students who decided that they wanted to give up (â€Å"General Educational Development† par.1). This was until the year of 1959 when veterans were not the only ones getting there GED but also those adults who had yet to finished high school (par.1). In the article â€Å"Dropouts†, from Education Week, it was stated that â€Å"Overall, the dropout rate has changed among racial and ethnic groups; the minorities tend to have higher dropout rates than their white classmates†(Kaufman and Bardby par. 4). As of today the GED profile is still changing into 3.5 to 6 million young teens between the age of 16 and 17 year olds who have decided that they do not want to finish school (Haskins par.1). Due to the National Public Radio it was stated that â€Å"Many states are willing to reduce the dropout rate by rising the high school dropout age to 18† (Abramson par. 10). This law should be passed throughou... ... set the same as the mandatory age for dropping out of leaving school. This is a high risk for giving children the opportunity to leave their education to earn money which will not benefit them in the long run without a diploma. There are few that will state that the mandatory age of a high school dropout is good at sixteen. Main requirements taught in high school become unnecessary, especially lower skilled jobs so not all people who dropout will be unsuccessful. Therefore, society is creating an economic waste by providing a service that has very little benefit to the majority of people (Rodriguez par.2). The PBS, the Public Broadcasting Service, provided facts that show that not all GED recipients are less successful than high school graduates. In example, both comedians Bill Cosby and Dave Thomas both received a GED and became highly successful. (Schleicher 1).

Regulatory Risks Essay

Risks are inherent to all business organizations. Risk management often considers several areas of practice and is an absolute necessity, not merely an option. The author will discuss regulatory risks for organizations, and explain how they can be identified and managed. Risk management requires considering and weighing risks and implementing procedures to monitor and moderate them. Risk Identification Overview Legislative and executive branches of the United States government have enacted laws that regulate all businesses.  Thousands of administrative agencies are authorized by Congress to administer and enforce statutes by regulating businesses. Administrative agencies are typically given executive power to investigate and prosecute potential infringement of statutes, administrative rules, and administrative orders (Cheeseman, 2010). Intentional Torts, Negligence, and Liability While no organization’s risks are identical to another’s, several can be identified and applied to organizations in general. There are three categories of â€Å"wrong:† intentional torts, unintentional torts, and strict liability. Intentional tort. This category of â€Å"wrong† requires that intent was present when harm was caused. Examples of intentional torts are assault, battery, and false imprisonment. The law safeguards individuals from uninvited touching, restraint, and any other contact (Cheeseman, 2010). Unintentional tort. Negligence is the â€Å"omission to do something which is a reasonable man would do, or doing something which a prudent and reasonable man would not do† (Cheeseman, 2010, p. 80). For a legitimate negligence lawsuit, several elements of negligence must be present: duty of care, reached duty, injury, act was the actual cause of injuries, and the negligent act was the legal cause of the injuries. Strict liability. Even if an individual was not negligent and had no intent, he can still be held legally liable for injuries caused by certain activities. Strict liability imposes legal responsibility for injuries sustained in the following: product liability, ultra-hazardous activities, animal care, and some statutory offenses (Butera, Beausang, Cohen, & Brennan, 2011). Disclosure of Agency Actions To prevent public perception of secrecy, Congress has allowed statutes to promote public disclosure of federal administrative agency actions, while at the same time protecting companies from overly public administrative agency actions. These statutes are the Freedom of Information Act, the Government in the Sunshine Act, the Equal Access to Justice Act, and the Privacy Act. Freedom of information act. This federal law allocates for full or limited disclosure of formerly unreleased information and documents. This law guarantee public access to government records and holds a presumption of disclosure. However, there are nine exemptions of the act. Government in the sunshine act. This law allows closed or partially closed advisory committee meetings. Closed or partially closed to the public are discussions of classified information, reviews of proprietary data, and deliberations that consider personnel privacy. Equal Access to Justice Act. A party who is subject to an action of an unjustified administrative agency can sue to recover attorney’s costs and other fees (Cornell University Law School, n. d. ). Privacy Act.  This act safe-keep records that ca be recovered from a system of records by personal identifiers like name or social security number. An individual can have access to his records and request correction if they are incomplete or inaccurate (Social Security Administration, 2011). Risk Management The Industrial Revolution caused substantial environmental pollution of solid and toxic wastes into the land and water. Companies such as Alumina, Inc. , were not efficient in voluntary pollution control, so the government took on its regulation and control (Cheeseman, 2010). Awareness of and compliance to these regulatory statutes may be the best risk management strategy available to companies who are at potential risk. Risk assessment and compliance are managed in together with one another. Compliance management includes three interrelated perspectives: preventive, detective, and corrective procedures. 80% of organizations report improvements from expanding their compliance regimens (BPM Forum, 2006). Preventive The easiest, most fiscally sound, fastest way to solve a problem is to prevent the problem in the first place. The best risk preventive practice for agencies such as Alumina, Inc is regulatory compliance. The government places a high level of importance on the preservation of the environment and has stringent means of enforcing compliance to environmental regulation. The best approach for achieving compliance, thus minimizing regulatory risk, is to have a preventative focus. Congress created the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970 as a rule-making agency to hold hearings, make decisions, and order remedies for violations of environmental laws. Air and water quality standards are established that regulate pollution rates. If companies were compliant with enacted statutes at all times of business operations, such measures would prevent regulatory risks. Although Section 5 of the FTC Act prohibits unfair and deceptive practices, some companies are in violation. Part of preventive risk management, companies must avoid misleading or omitting information. Unsubstantiated claims and bait and switch tactics must be avoided as a preventive measure. Insurance, which is governed by the law of contracts, is designed for businesses to protect themselves against risk of loss. The law requires some companies to carry a minimum of $1 million of liability insurance, which will cover negligence, wrongful acts, and misconduct by the company (Cheeseman, 2010). Liability insurance will guarantee injured third parties compensation. This measure is both preventive and corrective. Detective Compliance evaluation inspections and audits will not serve as a preventive measure; however serve to detect possible risks and is an â€Å"after-the-fact† approach. Compliance is defined as ensuring business procedures, operations, and practices are in concord with a given set of norms (Sadiq & Governatori, 2010). Detective measures are based on reporting and conducting internal and external audits. Changing legislatures and compliance requirements make it difficult to detect. â€Å"The diversity, scale and complexity of compliance requirements warrant a highly systematic and well-grounded approach,† (Lu, Sadiq, & Governatori, 2008, p. 345). Corrective Measures Organizations can raise several defenses as corrective measures against liability. While maintaining public image and damage control, defenses must be ethical in resolving potentially damaging lawsuits. Alternative Dispute Resolution. Negotiation is a simple form of alternative dispute resolution, and includes only the parties involved in the dispute. Negotiation is resolved when the parties reach a voluntary resolution. Mediation is another popular form of alternative dispute resolution. It is available through individuals and organizations like the American Arbitration Association and some court systems. Alternative dispute resolution is an attractive way to resolve disputes because of its speed and the empowerment of the involved parties. Court litigation is slow, expensive, and has uncertain results. Organizations can hold back sensitive business information from public dissemination. This will protect the disclosure of information that could hurt foreign policy or national defense, privacy of individuals, proprietary interests of business, functioning of the government, and other interests (HRSA, 2011). Corrective measures vary from the initiation of a new regulation, to breech reporting, to the company coming under surveillance and scrutiny by a control authority. In the worst-case scenario, a company can undergo an enforceable undertaking (Lu, Sadiq, & Governatori, 2008). The company will position itself favorably with regulators and other controlling authorities if corrective measures are undertaken with a proactive approach. Conclusion The states as well as the federal government administer and enforce laws related to safety. Companies are required to comply with the regulations and legal procedures of regulatory agencies just as much as they are required to follow federal laws. Managers must be aware of, and comply with federal and state laws that govern their business. Aligning business objectives with regulations and legislation will minimize tort and regulatory risks and improve business performance.