Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Stroop efect Essay Example

Stroop efect Essay Example Stroop efect Essay Stroop efect Essay Phonemic awareness The ability to hear and manipulate sounds in words Alphabetic principle (phonics) The ability to associate sounds with letters and use these sounds to form words Fluency with text The effortless, automatic ability to read words in text Understanding spoken language Vocabulary The ability to understand (receptive) and use (expressive) words to acquire and convey meaning Comprehension The complex cognitive process involved in the intentional use of text (or spoken language) to convey meaning Lexical/direct word recognition With/without semantics Read familiar words irregular words Phonological/indirect Read regular words nonsense words E. G. Eve, hoppled Models of skilled word recognition: Connectionist models Computational (mathematical) models of word-reading Implemented as computer simulations via neural networks All words are read by a single route that is sensitive to the statistical regularities between orthography (text) phonology (speech) Dual-route explanation of word frequency regularity effects The speed with which words can be named (from fastest to slowest) High frequency rods (like time) Are recognized quickly through the direct route (by sight) Low frequency regular words (like mint) Can be sounded out through the indirect route Low frequency irregular words (like pint) Cant be correctly sounded out using the indirect route Must be identified through the direct route, which is slower for less familiar words Onwards (like pint) Can only be pronounced through the indirect route Named most slowly both direct indirect routes must be explained Phases in learning to read Pre-alphabetic Partial alphabetic Full alphabetic Consolidated alphabetic (orthographic) Not strict stages of reading development Beginning readers may used a variety of strategies depending on the circumstances Can connect visual cues to word meanings Can read environmental print But cant read Coca cola, Stop etc. Would only see words within logos e. G. Partial alphabetic reading Uses cues based on letter-sound relationships Rehire Wile (1985) found: Children at this stage find it easier to learn phonologically plausible words: elephant easier than WAC IRK for giraffe, easier than WEB Full alphabetic reading LET for Readers use spelling-sound knowledge to sound out unfamiliar words b-a-t and d-o-g When readers use letter-sound rules to decode unfamiliar words They develop detailed representations of word sin lexicon Consolidated alphabetic Can use larger letter-sound patterns Chi-est. Vs.. Chi-e-s-t Can recognize morphological (meaning-based) units Help helpful unhelpful; beauty beautiful And common orthographical patterns -sigh, -sigh, -AAU, -ins, -deed, -Zion Shares (1995) Self-Teaching Hypothesis Sounding out words underpins fluent word recognition Provides a self-teaching mechanism for deciphering unfamiliar words Word recognition becomes consolidated after several repetitions (4 14 average; many more for poor reads) Item-based, rather than stage-based development Phonological deficit Double deficit Rapid automated naming (+ Phonological deficit) But letter naming is a useful predictor of early reading success Visual deficits/visual stress Cerebella deficit theory Difficulty in developing automatic Mango-cellular dysfunction Subtle auditory visual deficits Prerequisites of alphabetic literacy The ability to sound out unfamiliar words provides foundation for reading development Poor Onwards reading skills are sin qua non of reading disability In order to use spelling-to-sound information to sound out new words, beginning readers need: Spoken words can be thought of as sequences of sounds The same sounds occur in different words Letter knowledge Individual sounds (phonemes) can be represented by alphabetic letters Pre-requisit e skills Phonological awareness What is it? The ability to recognize manipulate sounds in spoken words The single most rueful advance in the science and pedagogy of reading (last) century How is it measured? Syllable phoneme counting/tapping How many sounds are in there in elephant? Rhyme production Tell me a word that rhymes with drink Phoneme deletion Say bed without the lb/ Which word starts with a different sound? Phonological awareness follows a developmental pattern Syllables pop-TA-to (kindergarten) Sub-syllabic units (pre-readers) Onset (initial consonants) Slip, slop, slap Rime (vowel later consonants) Bat cat Phonemic units (learning to read) Individual phonemes in words b-a-t

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Biography of Rem Koolhaas, Dutch Architect

Biography of Rem Koolhaas, Dutch Architect Rem Koolhaas (born November 17, 1944) is a Dutch architect and urbanist known for his innovative, cerebral designs. He has been called a modernist, a deconstructivist, and a structuralist, yet many critics claim he leans toward humanism; his work searches for a link between technology and humanity. Koolhaas teaches at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University. Fast Facts: Rem Koolhaas Known For: Koolhaas is an architect and urbanist known for his unusual designs.Born: November 17, 1944 in Rotterdam, NetherlandsParents: Anton Koolhaas and Selinde Pietertje RoosenburgSpouse: Madelon VriesendorpChildren: Charlie, TomasNotable Quote: Architecture is a dangerous mixture of power and impotence. Early Life Remment Lucas Koolhaas was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on November 17, 1944. He spent four years of his youth in Indonesia, where his father, a novelist, served as cultural director. Following in the footsteps of his father, the young Koolhaas began his career as a writer. He was a journalist for the Haase Post in The Hague and later tried his hand at writing movie scripts. Koolhaass writings on architecture won him fame in the field before he had even completed a single building. After graduating in 1972 from the Architecture Association School in London, Koolhaas accepted a research fellowship in the United States. During his visit, he wrote the book Delirious New York, which he described as a retroactive manifesto for Manhattan and which critics hailed as a classic text on modern architecture and society. Career In 1975, Koolhaas founded the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) in London with Madelon Vriesendorm and Elia and Zoe Zenghelis. Zaha Hadid- a future winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize- was one of their first interns. Focusing on contemporary design, the company won a competition for an addition to the Parliament in The Hague and a major commission to develop a master plan for a housing quarter in Amsterdam. The firms early work included the 1987 Netherlands Dance Theater, also in The Hague; Nexus Housing in Fukuoka, Japan; and Kunsthal, a museum built in Rotterdam in 1992. Delirious New York was reprinted in 1994 under the title Rem Koolhaas and the Place of Modern Architecture. The same year, Koolhaas published S,M,L,XL in collaboration with the Canadian graphic designer Bruce Mau. Described as a novel about architecture, the book combines works produced by Koolhaass architectural firm with photos, plans, fiction, and cartoons. The Euralille Master Plan and Lille Grand Palais on the France side of the Channel Tunnel were also completed in 1994. Koolhaas also contributed to the design for the Educatorium at the University of Utrecht. Koolhaass OMA completed Maison Bordeaux- perhaps the most famous house built for a man in a wheelchair- in 1998. In 2000, when Koolhaas was in his mid-50s, he won the prestigious Pritzker Prize. In its citation, the prize jury described the Dutch architect as that rare combination of visionary and implementer- philosopher and pragmatist- theorist and prophet. The New York Times declared him to be one of architecture’s most influential thinkers. Since winning the Pritzker Prize, Koolhaass work has been iconic. Notable designs include the Netherlands Embassy in Berlin, Germany (2001);  the Seattle Public Library in Seattle, Washington (2004);  the CCTV Building in Beijing, China (2008);  the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre in Dallas, Texas (2009);  the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in Shenzhen, China (2013);  the Bibliothà ¨que Alexis de Tocqueville in Caen, France (2016);  the Concrete at Alserkal Avenue in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (2017); and his first residential building in New York City at  121 East 22nd Street. A few decades after founding OMA, Rem Koolhaas reversed the letters and formed AMO, a research reflection of his architecture firm. While OMA remains dedicated to the realization of buildings and masterplans, states the OMA website, AMO operates in areas beyond the traditional boundaries of architecture, including media, politics, sociology, renewable energy, technology, fashion, curating, publishing, and graphic design. Koolhaas continued to do work for Prada and in the summer of 2006, he designed the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion in London. Visionary Pragmatism Koolhaas is known for his pragmatic approach to design. The McCormick Tribune Campus Center in Chicago- completed in 2003- is a good example of his problem-solving. The student center is not the first structure to hug a rail- Frank Gehrys 2000  Experience Music Project (EMP) in Seattle has a monorail that goes directly through that museum, like a Disney extravaganza. The Koolhaas Tube (made of corrugated stainless steel) is more practical, though. The city train connects Chicago with the 1940s campus designed by  Mies van der Rohe. Not only was Koolhaas thinking about urbanist theory with the exterior design, but before designing the interior he set out to document student patterns of behavior to create practical pathways and spaces inside the student center. This was not the first time Koolhaas had played with trains. His Master Plan for Euralille (1989–1994) transformed the northern city of Lille, France, into a tourist destination. Koolhaas took advantage of the completion of the Channel Tunnel, using it as an opportunity to remake the city. Of the project, he said: Paradoxically, at the end of the 20th century, the frank admission of the Promethean ambition- for example, to change the destiny of an entire city- is taboo. Most of the new buildings for the Euralille project were designed by French architects, except for Congrexpo, which Koolhaas himself designed. Architecturally, Congrexpo is scandalously simple, it says on the architects website. It is not a building that defines a clear architectural identity but a building that creates and triggers potential, almost in an urbanistic sense. In 2008, Koolhaas designed the China Central Television Headquarters in Beijing. The 51-story structure looks like an enormous robot. Yet The New York Times writes that it may be the greatest work of architecture built in this century. These designs, like the 2004 Seattle Public Library, defy labels. The Library appears to be made up of unrelated, disharmonious abstract forms, having no visual logic. And yet the free-flowing arrangement of rooms is designed for basic functionality. Thats what Koolhaas is famous for- thinking forward and backward at the same time. Designs of the Mind How are we to respond to structures with glass floors or erratically zigzagging stairs or shimmering translucent walls? Has Koolhaas ignored the needs and aesthetics of the people who will occupy his buildings? Or is he using technology to show us better ways to live? According to the Pritzker Prize jury, Koolhaass work is as much about ideas as it is buildings. He became famous for his writings and social commentary before any of his designs was actually constructed. And some of his most celebrated designs remain on the drawing board. Koolhaas has said that only 5% of his designs ever get built. Thats our dirty secret, he told Der Spiegel. The biggest part of our work for competitions and bid invitations disappears automatically. No other profession would accept such conditions. But you cant look at these designs as waste. Theyre ideas; they will survive in books. Sources â€Å"Jury Citation: Rem Koolhaas.† The Pritzker Architecture Prize.â€Å"IIT McCormick Tribune Campus Center.† OMA.Oehmke, Philipp, and Tobias Rapp. â€Å"Interview with Star Architect Rem Koolhaas.† Spiegel Online, Der Spiegel, 16 Dec. 2011.Ouroussoff, Nicolai. â€Å"Koolhaas, Delirious in Beijing.† The New York Times, The New York Times, 11 July 2011.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Construction Law Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 3

Construction Law - Assignment Example There are many requirements for the formation of a company in London, as guided by rules and regulations. The formation of the company will start off from the formulation of a unique company name, as regulated by London authorities. There will be a search of the Company House’s register to ensure that the formulated company name does not exist in the register or be closely similar to another company’s name (Gregory, 2014). The company name must not contain misleading words or expressions and must not suggest any connection with the government or other authorities in West London. This will ensure that there is no infringement of copyright and intellectual property rights, as well as adherence to the provisions by the Company House. Before registering the company’s name, there will be a consultation or check with the trade mark register to ensure that it can be registered as a trade mark. There will be development of a business name, as formulated from the register ed company name to facilitate easier conducting of business activities. The formulation of the company name, trade mark and business will result from extensive consultations and agreement amongst all the associates, in the form of consensus where every associate will provide suggestions to each of the three (Gregory, 2014). On the other hand, the registration of the company will be followed by the development of a unique company address as required by the Company House, HM Revenue and Customs, and other concerned authorities, as well as an address for clients. The company address will be a physical address registered in London, which is the planned company’s location. This will ease the management of corporation tax and the accessibility of the company in the Company House’s register. Each of the associates will become a director and shareholder of

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Risk of Disease due to Heredity and Lifestyle Term Paper Essay

Risk of Disease due to Heredity and Lifestyle Term Paper - Essay Example That while both grew up under almost similar conditions, eating more or less similar foods, and with both developing affinity for basketball at early ages, the latters’ injury that left him with a broken leg during his second year in college would latter change his fortunes forever. Though Johnson remained focused on his studies, the loss of his basketball career was but a painful experience that pushed him into a partying spree that included heavy drinking, with beer alongside buffalo chicken wings and pizza finding way much into his daily diet. Despite the unforeseen circumstance that befell his brother, Lida never lost hope, spending hours conditioning his weight both in the gym and through sports in order to scale up the heights that they both started together. Unknown to Lida was the very fact that Johnson has gone extreme, eating convenience foods, heavy in protein, in effect avoiding the strenuous, time consuming fresh food preparation that are usually much healthier. At his graduation, Johnson weighed over 400 pounds, increasing even further after securing a job in one of the reputed auditing firms in the country. He, Jonson, would soon be diagnosed with hypertension, type 2 diabetes and mild kidney disease, all of which can be traced within the family lineage. More than anything else, he has more than worsened obesity statistics that the state is fighting so hard to reduce. It is more of a fact that obesity is a threat to a healthy lifestyle. The above diseases are more related to poor eating habits and inadequate physical exercises to help in the burning of excess fats within the body systems, and that more than ever, I am determined to pursue nutritional information as much possible, ensure the availability of nutrient-rich snacks, model healthy eating habits, and more than anything else, make tremendous efforts in practicing such healthy

Sunday, November 17, 2019

SWOT of Mercedes Essay Example for Free

SWOT of Mercedes Essay Strengths Due to Mercedes is a leading of automobile companies and lead other manufacturer around the world. It is well established, provides high quality vehicles, and enjoys very good branding, earning itself plenty of respect and prestige. It is a well-known provider of luxury, offering solid design and expertly tuned ride comfort, making them one the most comfortable cars to ride. The company is also market savvy, with good access to global distribution with an array of agreements and alliances. Weaknesses The great quality means that they are price is very expensive, with much of the cost as a result fashion. The strong branding which promotes this has positives and negatives consumers like a good brand, but high prices can also be an issue. Promotion is one clear source of weakness. The companys promotional campaigns are rare, and the cars take a long time to make, which can lead to impatient customers. Recently, UAW contracts have cast the company under a negative light. Mercedes Benz should not lose sight of the ever changing market base. And keep a keen eye on the needs of the consumer, and the competitors. Opportunity There will always be plenty of opportunities for Mercedes-Benz, which can lead to higher profits and future expansion. The new clean energy cars will be the future, and will be a major new opportunity for the company if they can secure the right technology. Booming car markets in the world offer new places to sell, and the honing of already established features will ensure that new customers will want to purchase from Mercedes-Benz. Threats Competition is increasing, as new and dominating Asian car markets move towards the global stage. Japan and America have increased car tax for large luxury cars, which makes them less desirable. There are also more subtle social and cultural factors which could have consequences for profitability in the future.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Tom Sawyer :: English Literature Essays

Tom Sawyer Growing up in a small community can be hard, I won’t be the only on to tell you that, but living in one in the 1800’s was tougher. This is especially true when there’s a murdering robber who wants revenge lurking about. But it’s got its good qualities too, I mean, there’s the picnics and the adventures and everybody knows everybody so no ones threatening anybody with their strange presence. This is why The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain display such a realistic life; it portrays both the Good and Evil in a little society. There’s Evil in a small town? Isn’t that impossible? Amazingly enough, no, it’s not. A prime example of it comes straight from the book in the character Injun Joe. When we first meet Injun Joe, he’s taking part in the despicable crime of grave robbing. That’s bad enough, but he adds on to his sins with a more heinous act; murder. If you still don’t believe that’s Evil, then maybe his last two extensions are. He starts with a bout of robbery and tallies it all up with a threat to an old woman named Widow Douglas. So you see there is such a thing as iniquity in a place like Tom’s home town. But like I said, you also have some good no matter where you go, and this is especially true in the book, too. If you still want to find me at fault, just ask Huck Finn, he’d back me up anytime. See, poor Huck, though unwanted by the city adults, was worshipped by all the local boys and cherished by a few elders here and there. But there was no elder more loving towards him than Widow Douglas, especially after he saved her from Injun Joe’s wrath. She bestowed upon him the kindest, most generous gift she could think of, and that was the right to call her Mother. You can’t disagree with me now, if a drunkard’s son can become the child of a respected family, then there’s got to be some humanity in the town, too. That’s all just a story though, right? Nothing like that happens in real life, does it? I beg to differ, and after I support my claim, you probably will, too? It’s right here in the town I grew up in, all of it. Our community’s Evil struck when I was little, a mad drunk stormed through a bar and shot and killed three people.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Challenges for Women in India Essay

In this article, I try to expose the discriminations against Indian women, beginning with the origin of such discrimination in India. Then I discuss the reform movement against these acts of discrimination before describing the current prevalence of discrimination in that country. In India, Women play a very important role in society. Women in India get a prominent role in all walks of life. Now women are shining in every field and are doing as well as men. For example: Mizoram has a higher proportion of women in its population than men. However most of the states in India have fewer women than men in their population. New colleges for women are being opened India all the time. Even male colleges are changing to co-educational faculties. Women are working on night shifts in their employment, just as men do. That is one side of the story. On the other hand, you should look at the other side of these optimistic statements. Mizoram did not have a woman MLA until 2003, and there were just four women candidates in the last electoral ballot. St Joseph’s College in Bangalore is being accused of a gender bias in its admission policy after the college raised the cut-off percentage marks for girls to qualify for a course. The Government introduced an AIDS-awareness campaign for the telemarketing and call center industry. Since these workers are working at night they are easily discriminated against by men. While women are guaranteed equality under the constitution, legal protection has little effect in this society. Legal loopholes are used to discriminate against women in India. Now let me explain when such discrimination against women began in India. Firstly, let us examine the status of women in ancient and medieval India. Status of Women in Ancient India: In this period, women also had equal status to men. Women were educated just as men were. Hindu religious books like the Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, and Mahabharata mention the names of many women who were great scholars, poets  and philosophers of the time. Here I would like to mention some of the women achievers in ancient India.  · Leelavati, who, in 6,000 BC, established mathematical lore in India, leading eventually to formulation of the decimal system in later centuries.  · Dhanawantri, who along with her husband Sage Dhanawantar, was the foremost physician in 5,000 BC, and established a comprehensive system of medicine and surgery.  · Devi Leilama, who was the first to establish Guilds in India, and was the Chief of the Clan in 5,333 BC  · Mailalladevi, a senior queen of Someshwara-I ruled the important province of Banavasi comprising 12,000 villages.  · Jakkiabbe ably administered seventy villages after the premature death of her husband.  · Piriyaketaladevi, a queen of Chalukya Vikramaditya VI, ruled three villages. Such examples go some way to demonstrate the high status and image of women in ancient India. If there was discrimination in these periods, it was perhaps against men; for instance, men were to retire as hermits at the age of 60, while a woman was free from such disability. Most of the discrimination against women came during the grim centuries of the Muslim rule. During the Muslim period of history, women were deprived of their rights of equality with men. They were compelled to keep themselves within the four walls of their houses with a long veil on their faces. Even today in some Islamic countries women are not allowed to go out freely, whilst in India the Muslim women are far more backward than their Hindu, Christian and Sikh counterparts. Now let me mention how the discriminations such as child marriage, Sati and Dowry were started in India. [BB] FEATURED ARTICLE: Shaken, not Stirred Sati : This is the practice of widows killing themselves by jumping into the funeral pyre of their dead husbands. There is not even one scriptural statement in thousands of Hindu scriptures concerning Sati. On the contrary, according to the funeral hymns in RIGVEDA, there is a ceremony of a widow sleeping next to the corpse of the dead husband and then being allowed to marry anyone she pleases. Sati has its roots in Greece. The practice of Sati came to India through the tribe known as KUSHANS in 1 A.D. RAJPUTS, who were a warrior tribe descending from KUSHANS, and who were very fanatical Hindus with an extremely monogamous culture were among the first to practise Sati. Dowry: Dowry refers to a marriage practice in Hindu society where gifts of cash or other valuable items are exchanged between the families of the bride and groom. Although its ancient meaning was to show respect, dowry has taken on a harmful form and meaning in recent times. Rape : In Ancient India, women were treated well. There were no incidents of rape in ancient India. It all came after the influence of Muslims. Here I want to mention a famous war, which was known as the â€Å"Third Battle of Panipat†, in which historical accounts estimate that more than 10,000 women were raped. Many were alleged to have committed suicide because of constant rapes perpetrated on them, whilst all of them were exchanged or sold as sex slaves to Afghanistan. Likewise, every discrimination against women has its own story. Status of women at the time of Independence Discriminatory practices started in medieval times continued during this time. The reason why I have chosen this independence period is that it was only during this period that the status of women changed drastically because of Gandhi’s work. Reformers such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Jyotiba Phule and Savitri Bai Phule played a pivotal role in addressing the issues such as sati, child marriage, widow remarriage, and women education. However, it was only under the enlightened leadership of Mahatma Gandhi that women re-asserted their equality with men. In response to the call of Gandhi, women discarded their veil and came out of the four walls of their houses to fight the battle of freedom shoulder – to shoulder with their brothers. He called upon the young to marry the widows and also to boycott child marriages. In Gandhi’s salt march, hundreds of women joined and eventually the salt protest was made successful by the many women who not only made salt, but also sat openly in marketplaces selling, and indeed, buying it. Gandhi never had a specific program for women, but women had an integral role to play in all his programs. In 1920, the All India Women’s Conference was set up, which was involved in the struggle for independence and addressed issues of women education and the right to vote. In this time, many women’s groups were formed, and they took up issues ranging from rape and sexual assault, domestic violence, impact of health policies, hazardous contraceptive technologies, impact of structural adjustment policies, rise of right wing politics, sexuality and many other issues. One of the first issues to receive countrywide attention from women’s groups was violence against women, such as rape and dowry. Most protests were directed at the State. Because women were able to mobilise support, the State responded, seemingly positively, by changing the law on rape and dowry, making both more stringent. This seemed, at the time, like a great victory. These women’s groups fought for the creation of new women-sensitive laws or amendments to existing laws. Due to the pressure of such groups the following changes took place: In 1950, Women in India received the right to vote. India was one of the first countries in the world to give women the right to vote. In 1983 an amendment was made to laws pertaining to rape. Among the provisions was a minimum of seven years’ imprisonment for this crime. For Sati, in 1988 the Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act was passed. It clearly states that burning or burying alive of widows is revolting to the feelings of human nature and is not enjoined in the religion. For domestic violence, a legal provision was introduced under Section 498 of the criminal code. Under this provision violence inflicted on a woman by her husband or his family was declared a non-bailable, non-cognizable offence. The Dowry Prohibition Act was introduced in 1961 and was amended in the 1980’s partly in response to the demands of the women’s movement. One significant amendment stated that an official inquiry would be conducted if the wife died within seven years of marriage. If found guilty of dowry harassment the husband (and co-accused) faced seven years in jail as well as fines. Some of the other important decisions taken were those surrounding stree dhan (the gifts given to the bride by her parents, husband and in-laws). Similarly, many laws are being changed even now for the betterment of women.X-TREME: Do you know about escapology? [BB] Status of Women in 2005 At the time of Independence, only 2% of the women had any kind of education and women did not have an identity of their own. Women could not go out of the house unless accompanied by men and their face was covered with cloth. But today, women are getting education equal to men and are even working on night shifts. Indian women have their identity at the international level. I would like to mention some of the Indian women at the  international level. Sonia Gandhi – named the third most powerful woman in the world by Forbes magazine, next to Condoleezza Rice and Wu Yi. Arundhanti Roy – First Indian citizen to win the prestigious Booker prize. She was also one of People Magazine’s â€Å"50 Most Beautiful People in the World 1998†. Deb Agarwal, a top scientist at a national laboratory and Radha Ramaswami Basu, a high-tech entrepreneur, are the two Indian women among the top 25 women on Web award winners for this year. Aishwarya Rai – Miss world 1994. Kalpana Chawla – NASA Astronaut – Died on February 1, 2003 over the southern United States when Space Shuttle Columbia and her crew perished during entry, 16 minutes prior to scheduled landing. Now women are proving themselves in every field. However I could not say that discrimination has been eliminated completely from Indian society. Some types of discrimination have been reduced in recent times and have also taken other forms such as: Mistreatment : Women are mistreated at the workplace. They are facing work harassment. Under- Represented : They are under-represented in governance and decision-making positions. At present, women occupy fewer than 8% of Parliamentary seats, fewer than 6% of Cabinet positions, fewer than 4% of positions on the benches of the High Courts and Supreme Court. Fewer than 3% of administrators and managers are women. Molested : Police records show that a woman is molested in the country every 26 minutes. A rape occurs every 34 minutes. Every 42 minutes, an incident of  sexual harassment takes place. Every 43 minutes, a woman is kidnapped. Every 93 minutes, a woman is killed. The women’s groups in India today are vibrant, and are linked together through networks on different issues and campaigns. But they are moving without a good leadership like Gandhi’s. Moreover some groups are raising their own finances for their publicity and activities. Furthermore, violence against women has proved to be an effective weapon for the political parties to silence their adversaries. For an opposition party, it became a law and order issue which could be used to denigrate the ruling party. As I mentioned at the start of this article, legal loopholes are used to discriminate against women in India. Before closing this article, I wish to emphasise two things. Firstly, women’s groups should pressure the government to change the existing loopholes in laws. Secondly, such changes should be done by the lawmakers for their intrinsic benefit and not for any political purposes. Once the laws are changed, we will hopefully see some drastical changes.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Factors Contributing to Christopher Columbus’ Voyage

Christopher Columbus departed Spain on August 3, 1492 for his first voyage. He stopped at the Canary Islands for a final restocking and left there on September 6. He was in command of three ships known as the Pinta, the Nina, and the Santa Maria. On October 12, they first sighted land which turned out to be a small island in present-day Bahamas (Minster, 2012a). There are various factors which influenced Christopher Columbus to undertake this voyage. He had a personal interest and determination to find a faster more efficient route to the East Indies. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella financed his voyage because they were interested in material wealth and converts for Spain. The time period in which Columbus lived also had a great influence since the Renaissance period was a time of exploration and finding new meanings for existence. Christopher Columbus examined mostly southward voyages of the Portuguese into the Atlantic and Africa and thought that one could also sail westward and ultimately reach India. This belief was also influenced by accounts he read from the travel accounts of writer Marco Polo. Columbus may have conceived this idea of sailing west to reach Asia as early as 1481 in a correspondence which he sent to Italian Scholar, Paolo del Pozzo Toscaneli. Apart from proving his theory of traveling westward, Columbus also had a personal interest on the voyage. When King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella approved his voyage, Columbus would become viceroy of all the lands located and he would keep a tenth of all values found (â€Å"Thinkquest,† 2013). When Columbus sighted land, he believed he had reached the Asian islands as is evident in his self-promoted letter which he sent to the King and Queen of Spain. When Columbus developed his theory of sailing westward across the Atlantic in search of a shorter route to Asia, he first submitted his proposal in 1484 to John II, King of Portugal. He wanted the Portuguese to finance his expedition across the Atlantic. The King passed on the petition to the Royal Maritime Commission who rejected Columbus since other ships were already traveling to Africa (â€Å"Ucalgary,† 1997). Columbus then moved to Spain where he petitioned Queen Isabella. The Royal Commission first rejected his plan but he tried once more in 1492 when it was approved. Spain had its own interest in the voyage since it had a desire to spread Christianity and claim new land to expand its empire. They were also interested in the Northwest Passage which Columbus claimed since it would allow them to gather new sources of wealth such as spices, silk and gold. Christopher Columbus was born in 1451 which was the period of the Renaissance. It was a time marked by renewed interest in art, culture and exploration. As mentioned before, countries such as Spain and Portugal wanted to expand their empires and spread Christianity to new lands. This was the perfect period for Columbus to explore new lands since people began to chase secular pursuits and there was greater emphasis on human potential and human progress (Tammy, n. d. ). Knowledge became the key to understanding the world that surrounded human beings and Columbus’ voyage would directly help in increasing this thirst for knowledge. During this period there was increased trade and commercial activity, growth of cities and towns and the expansion of learning all aided in fueling Columbus desire to initiate his voyage. After landing on the island which he named San Salvador on his first voyage, Columbus sailed to other islands including Cuba and Hispaniola. Columbus returned to Spain in March of 1493 and although his first voyage was almost a failure, he lost his biggest ship and did not find the promised route to the west, the Spanish Monarchs were very intrigued with his discoveries. Spain financed three more voyages for him with the aim of establishing permanent colonies (Minster, 2012b). As can be seen there are various factors which contributed to Columbus’ voyage, including his personal interests, Spain’s interest of expanding its empire and religion and the time period in which his voyage took place. Today, Columbus is remembered for both the ‘good and the bad’ since he discovered the Americas but also opened the doors for exploitation, subjugation and slavery.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Thing to Consider When Planting A Norway Maple

Thing to Consider When Planting A Norway Maple Norway maple (Acer platanoides) was introduced by botanist John Bartram of Philadelphia from England to the U.S. in 1756. It has been planted on farms and in towns for its shade, hardiness, and adaptability to adverse conditions, which has ensured that the maple, when planted, would spread like wildfire. Because of this, and a variety of other negative factors, the Norway maple has earned itself the title of a Bad Tree, meaning its destruction is often sought out by city governments and concerned landscapers fearing that the large canopy of leaves this particular maple yields will block all other growth underneath it. However, there is a number of redeeming qualities to this type of trees such as its tolerance to multiple types of soil nutrients and climate conditions, its optimal fall foliage, and beautiful yellow flowers in the spring. Why Norway Maples Are Bad Trees The shallow, fibrous root system and dense shade of Norway maple make it virtually impossible for grass to grow under the tree, and the aggressive roots frequently girdle even the parent tree, ultimately choking itself to death, making it a bad tree if youre planning on growing anything else around it. Further, Norway maples are also non-native invasive exotic trees that have escaped the urban environment and is a threat to native maples because of its sun-blocking foliage. Norway maple populations overwhelm sites by displacing native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous understory plants, and once established, creating a canopy of dense shade that prevents regeneration of native seedlings; it is also thought to release root toxins that inhibit or prevent the growth of other plants. Norway maples also reproduce quickly, forming dense root systems in a matter of seasons that are nearly impossible to fully remove without killing the surrounding soil entirely. However, this isnt to say there are no redeeming qualities for this type of tree. Redeeming Features Norway maples are arguably among the most beautiful variety of maple tree currently in North America with rich yellow leaves in the fall under optimal conditions and lovely yellow flowers on leafless branches in the spring. These trees are also highly resistant to climate conditions and lack of nutrition in the soil and can grow almost anywhere as a result, which makes them great for planting on land that usually cannot support much greenery. Also, due to their nature of spreading rapidly, harvesting new trees for distribution is surprisingly easy- just replant one of its many roots and a new tree will begin growing in no time. Plus, Norway maples grow rather quickly and provide lots of shade, so they can be used to generate a quick, natural privacy fence for your property.

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

The History and Domestication of Cassava

The History and Domestication of Cassava Cassava (Manihot esculenta), also known as manioc, tapioca, yuca, and mandioca, is a domesticated species of tuber, a root crop originally domesticated perhaps as long ago as 8,000–10,000 years ago, in southern Brazil and eastern Bolivia along the southwestern border of the Amazon basin. Cassava is today a primary calorie source in tropical regions around the world, and the sixth most important crop plant worldwide. Fast Facts: Cassava Domestication Cassava, commonly called manioc or tapioca, is a domesticated species of tuber, and the sixth most important food crop in the world.  It was domesticated in the southwestern Amazon of Brazil and Bolivia some 8,000-10,000 years ago.  Domesticate improvements include traits which must have been added by means of clonal propagation.  Burned tubers of manioc were discovered at the classic Maya site of Ceren, dated to 600 CE.   Cassava Progenitors The progenitor of cassava (M. esculenta ssp. flabellifolia) exists today and is adapted to forest and savanna ecotones. The process of domestication improved the size and production level of its tubers, and increased the photosynthesis rate and seed functionality, by using repeated cycles of clonal propagation- wild manioc cannot be reproduced by stem cuttings. Archaeological macro-botanical evidence of cassava in the little-investigated Amazon basin has not been identified, partly because root crops do not preserve well. Identification of the Amazon as the point of origin was based on genetic studies of cultivated cassava and all various possible progenitors, and the Amazonian M. esculenta ssp. flabellifolia was determined to be the wild form of todays cassava plant. Amazon Evidence: The Teotonio Site The oldest archaeological evidence for manioc domestication is from starches and pollen grains from sites outside the Amazon.  In 2018, archaeologist Jennifer Watling and colleagues reported the presence of manioc phytoliths attached to stone tools at the southwestern Amazon Teotonio site in Brazil very near the Bolivian border. The phytoliths were found in a level of dark earth (terra preta) dated to 6,000 calendar years ago (cal BP), 3,500 years older than any terra preta anywhere else in the Amazon to date. The manioc at Teotonio was found alongside domesticated squash (Cucurbita sp), beans (Phaseolus), and guava (Psidium), indicating that the inhabitants were early horticulturalists in what is becoming recognized as an Amazonian center of domestication. Cassava Species Around the World Cassava (Manihot esculenta), root and ground for dinner.   Rodrigo Ruiz Ciancia / Moment / Getty Images Cassava starches have been identified in north-central Colombia by approximately 7,500 years ago, and in Panama at Aguadulce Shelter, about 6,900 years ago. Pollen grains from cultivated cassava have been found in archaeological sites in Belize and Mexicos Gulf coast by 5,800–4,500 bp, and in Puerto Rico between 3,300 and 2,900 years ago. Thus, scholars can safely say that the domestication in the Amazon had to happen before 7,500 years ago. There are numerous cassava and manioc species in the world today, and researchers still struggle with their differentiation, but recent research supports the notion that they are all descended from a single domestication event in the Amazon basin. Domestic manioc has larger and more roots and increased tannin content in the leaves. Traditionally, manioc is grown in the field-and-fallow cycles of slash and burn agriculture, where its flowers are pollinated by insects and its seeds dispersed by ants. Manioc and the Maya The Pompeii of North America, Joya de Ceren, was buried in a volcanic eruption in August 595 CE. Ed Nellis Members of the Maya civilization cultivated the root crop and it may have been a staple in some parts of the Maya world. Manioc pollen has been discovered in the Maya region by the late Archaic period, and most of the Maya groups studied in the 20th century were found to cultivate manioc in their fields. The excavations at Ceren, a classic period Maya village that was destroyed (and preserved) by a volcanic eruption, identified manioc plants within the kitchen gardens. Manioc planting beds were discovered some 550 feet (170 meters) away from the village. The manioc beds at Ceren date to approximately 600 CE. They consist of ridged fields, with the tubers planted on the top of the ridges and water allowed to drain and flow through the wales between the ridges (called calles). Archaeologists discovered five manioc tubers in the field which had been missed during harvesting. Stalks of manioc bushes had been cut into 3–5 foot (1–1.5 meter) lengths and buried horizontally in the beds shortly before the eruption: these represent preparation for the next crop. The eruption occurred in August of 595 CE, burying the field in nearly 10 ft (3 m) of volcanic ash. Sources Brown, Cecil H., et al. The Paleobiolinguistics of Domesticated Manioc (Manihot esculenta). Ethnobiology Letters 4 (2013): 61–70. Print.Clement, Charles R., et al. The Domestication of Amazonia before European Conquest. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 282.1812 (2015): 20150813. Print.De Matos Viegas, Susana. Pleasures That Differentiate: Transformational Bodies among the Tupinamb of Olivenà §a (Atlantic Coast, Brazil). Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 18.3 (2012): 536–53. Print.Fraser, James, et al. Crop Diversity on Anthropogenic Dark Earths in Central Amazonia. Human Ecology 39.4 (2011): 395–406. Print.Isendahl, Christian. The Domestication and Early Spread of Manioc ( Manihot Esculenta Crantz): A Brief Synthesis. Latin American Antiquity 22.4 (2011): 452–68. Print.Kawa, Nicholas C., Christopher McCarty, and Charles R. Clement. Manioc Varietal Diversity, Social Networks, and Distribution Constraints in Rural Amazoni a. Current Anthropology 54.6 (2013): 764–70. Print. Sheets, Payson, et al. Manioc Cultivation at Ceren, El Salvador: Occasional Kitchen Garden Plant or Staple Crop? Ancient Mesoamerica 22.01 (2011): 1–11. Print.Watling, Jennifer, et al. Direct Archaeological Evidence for Southwestern Amazonia as an Early Plant Domestication and Food Production Centre. PLOS ONE 13.7 (2018): e0199868. Print.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Response Memo Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Response Memo - Case Study Example However, the governors are full time employed in the Corporate secretary. The C.E.O is the senior most corporative Officer in the organization. Generally, he is in charge of managing organizational activities. In this organization, the C.E.O reports directly to the board of Governors (p.33). Additionally, he is charged with the responsibility of maximizing the entity value. He is also the director and the lead decision maker in the organization. On the other hand, he is represents the organization in the outside world. The Chief Finance Officer also a corporate officer directly reports under the C.E.O. His main responsibility in the organization is managing the organization’s financial risks. Additionally, he is responsible for record-keeping and financial planning. Alternatively, he deals with financial reporting especially to higher management. As a chief Operating Officer, I have different responsibilities for my organization and I ensure that I carry out these tasks to the maximum ability so that to have quality output and consequently increase the profit margin for the organization. ID Security develops software used by different organizations and I always make sure that the people operating subordinate to me understand the importance of carrying out their responsibilities effectively to the pleasure of our clients. The advance system that the organization with ensures that the clients not only receive the various biometric systems that we manufacture, but also ensure that we carry out follow up procedures and installations to ensure the effective working of these systems. It is critical to go through the responsibilities of my subordinates for it allows for the understanding of their operations, review their character and abilities and also advise on the best manners through which they can improve in their roles. Salary and the compensation package is however much lower as compared to the C.E.O and the C.O.O. Averagely, a yearly salary stands at

Friday, November 1, 2019

Community Foundations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Community Foundations - Essay Example The ACF acts as a connection between donors, and the charitable money from the donors helps to improve the lives of all of the people living in Central Texas. The Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides positions for over two hundred individual charitable funds. The Austin Community Foundation handles over five hundred charitable funds that have been established by non-profit agencies, individual donors, and corporations. Some of these charitable funds include scholarship funds, special project funds, and donor designated funds. The task of the ACF is to help the funds back into the community to help in the supporting of charitable efforts, such as scholarships and grants. These grants support animal-related services, recreation, education, arts and culture, the environment, and health, among others. Some of the projects that the Austin Community Foundation sees to vary in the type of fund that is it, and the fund, or project, itself. Unrestricted funds help the most pressing of needs of the community, allowing the Board of Governors to decide on the recipients. Some of these funds include, but are not limited to, the Austin Community Foundation Fund, the Emily Lake Fund, and Gatewood Newberry Endowment Fund. Donor advised funds are made through the consultation of the donor, which will benefit charitable organizations. Some of these funds are The Austin High School Endowment Fund, Austin Playhouse Endowment Fund, and the Charity Partners of Austin Fund. Donor designated funds benefit the specific organization or fields of interest – a few of these funds include A.I.S.D. Redesigning High Schools Fund, Jeanne Deason Fund for the Salvation Army, and the Sidney Burleson Smith Red Cross Fund. Non-profit endowments are non-profit organizations that provide permanent structure and professional investment