Internal Control Research

To critically analyze the †¢To evaluate the importance of having Internal Control procedures within ‘The Bargain Centre’ Aims: †¢To investigate the number of different internal control procedures used within ‘The Bargain Centre’ †¢To gain knowledge of how the different internal control procedures help secure the business against theft and embezzlement etc. Data collection: In order to carry out my research on Internal Controls within ‘The Bargain Centre Supermarket’ I have observed over a period of time, while I was employed part time, the different type of Internal Control procedures set place.I have also interviewed the owner, and two (2) managers and also three (3) employees to get their views on the Internal Control that are effected within the business A secondary method that was also incorporated into this Internal Assessment (I. A) was the use of the internet to gain general information about internal control systems. I hav e chosen the use of interviews to gather my information because it allowed me to get more in depth information and allowed me to dig deeper and get more information that was really needed to complete the report. ? Data Analysis: According to ‘www. liffnotes. com’: â€Å"Internal Control is the process designed to ensure reliable financial reporting, effective and efficient operations, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Safeguarding assets against theft and unauthorized use, acquisition, or disposal is also part of internal control. † Internal Control principles can be sub divided into a number of categories, a few important ones are: ? Segregation of duties: this requires that different individuals should be assign different duties, rather than one person be in charge of everything, as to reduce theft.For example the cashiers of a supermarket are not responsible for checking the money in their cash register. ?Establishing responsibilities: helps to ensure that all company activities adhere to guidelines unless other course of action is specified by a manager. For example there is a specific price list that has the price of every item with a store, only the manager can give authorization to change the price of a specific item. ?Documentation: provides evidence that financial statements are accurate and makes it possible to double check work.All records of sale and purchases should be kept safe and documented accordingly. ?Physical control: this should provide proper protection of company’s assets. Examples of physical controls are; †¢having fire proof safes and vaults to store cash before taking it to the bank †¢renting a safety deposit box for important papers like title deeds and insurance policies †¢having locked warehouse for inventories or stock †¢fencing company property †¢controlling computer facilities with a pass key which is access only by authorized personnel ?Mechanical control: i mprove accuracy and reliability of accounting information.These can come in the form of cash registers in shops, gasoline pumps in gas/petrol station and time clocks which employees use to show when they arrive at work. ?Electronic control: may be in the form of electronic burglar alarm system, television cameras to monitor thefts, as well as tags which must be removed or deactivated when the item is purchased or else they will trigger an alarm when the customer leaves the premises without having paid for the item. ?Independent internal verification: this is when an employee helps check the work of another to ensure it was done correctly.Internal Control over Inventory/Stock: In many businesses inventory is the most accessible assets, because of this it is made one of the prime target for theft. The business must there for have ways to protect inventory/stock from shop lifting from customers or even embezzlement by employees. A few ways to achieve this would be: †¢Use of survei llance cameras †¢Limiting access to store rooms and using physical control such as locks or vault to secure inventory/stock †¢Using sensitized tags on goods, which if not detached by sales clerk would trigger alarm, as to detour customers from shop lifting.Internal Controls over Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable: One of the most important principals of internal control is that an employee that has custody over cash (or assets that can easily be converted into cash) should not be in charge of accounts receivable records, as to minimize fraud or theft. Records of names of creditors must be recorded and kept safe, while cash disbursements should be made quickly and whenever possible.

Genetically Modified Foods One World Essay Essay

Did you know that we’ve been eating genetically modified foods for the past 10 years? It’s in about 70-75% of our nation’s food. Our food supply has greatly improved. Today we are going to find out what are genetically modified foods. Genetically modified foods are foods that have been engineered in the laboratory. They are improved in many ways. In the first part of my speech I will talk about the genetic modification technology in food and agriculture, locating improvements. In the second part I will include a debate about food safety, consumer attitudes and other concerns. Newspapers frequently carry stories about genetically modified food. The biotechnology agricultural age is occurring. Scientists had an idea to make food have better appearance, growth, and taste. In genetic engineering you take the best food available and add the few characters you are interested in so that you’re breeding efficiency is increased. The last century was a time of big changes in genetic engineering. Humanity made huge steps toward creating new life. Experiments with creating human were not successful, but the whole world was watching the experiment with sheep Dooley, which became first cloned animal. It was first such a big succeeded experiment and as a result almost everyone knew the last news about the sheep. However a big achievement was made in modifying new plants and crops. In the 21st century genetically modified products already became a part of our life. Every day new genetic products appear in shops and it becomes harder to find healthy food which does not contain any added chemical components. Apples during the winter time, oranges which become ripe twice faster than their period of ripening and tomato bushes which can survive very cold weather prove that biological world had experienced a lot of changes. Experiments are being made, new plants are being produced for a quite a long period of time, however genetically modified products is one of the hotly debatable topics today. The benefits of gene technology in terms of food production are enormous. The most common genetically engineered crops contain modifications that make the plants resistant to certain diseases and herbicides, or allow them to produce their own pesticides, thereby eliminating or reducing the need to spray. So-called â€Å"Bt corn,† for example, contains a gene resistant to the harmful mycotoxin fungus and herbicide producers, Monsanto have created a strain of soybeans genetically modified to be unaffected by their product Roundup. The soybean farmer therefore can avoid targeting specific weeds and require just one application of a general weed-killer, reducing costs and agricultural waste run-off. Genetically modified crops are also being adapted to grow in salty, dry or frosty environments, contain edible vaccines, have a longer shelf life and be more nutritious. A group of Swiss and German scientists recently developed a strain of GM rice known as ‘golden rice’ due to its altered color. Containing genes that produce a unusually high amount of beta-carotene (vitamin A), this rice could be a solution to the thousands of poor children in Asia who eat little but rice and go blind or die from lack of vitamin A. Public reaction to the use of recombinant DNA in genetic engineering however has been mixed. Sliding US export commodities such as genetically modified soybeans and corn have highlighted hardened public opinion and widespread resistance to biotech crops, especially in the European Union. Concerns about GM foods fall into three categories: economics, environmental hazards and human health risks. The latter two have been the subject of hot debate, both in Australia and overseas. Environmental damage from GM crops can be caused through various channels. One of the main concerns has been the possibility of gene transfer to a non-target species, that is crops engineered for herbicide tolerance and weeds cross-breeding, resulting in the transfer of the herbicide resistance to create ‘super weeds’. In addition, environmentalists fear that transgenic plants may proliferate rapidly, pollinating natural plants in their surroundings eliminating existing species. Further environmental suspicions include those of unintended harm to other organisms and of the reduced effectiveness of pesticides once insects become tolerant to a crop’s natural pesticide. Questions have also been raised on the human impact of genetically modified organisms. Critics of recombinant DNA fear that the pathogenic, or disease-producing organisms used in some recombinant DNA experiments might develop extremely infectious forms that could cause worldwide epidemics. Likewise, the unknown effect of foreign genes introduced into GM food crops in terms of human health also presents a controversial issue. Furthermore, there is a possibility that introducing a gene into a plant may create a new allergen or cause an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals. A proposal to incorporate a gene from Brazil nuts into soybeans in order to increase their nutritional value was abandoned when it was found that the genetically engineered soybeans caused an allergic reaction in people sensitive to Brazil nuts. For these reasons, extensive testing and labeling of GM foods may be required to avoid the possibility of harm to consumers with food allergies. Biotechnology has started to revolutionize food production, with fantastic results. With the world population of 6 billion expected to double in the next 50 years and an adequate food supply becoming a major challenge it will no doubt continue to do so in the future.

Human Rights or Technology? Essay

In today’s highly technological world everyone wants the latest and greatest gizmo on the market. Companies like Apple, want to make as much money as possible. With both Apple and society being held responsible for the outrageous working conditions in the factories in China workers can be treated more like people. In the article â€Å"In China, Human Costs are Built into an iPad,† Charles Duhigg and David Barboza argue that Apple and society are responsible for the repugnant conditions in China. In this article, the authors use facts, personal experience and a story about a worker from one of Apple’s factories, making the article more interesting and personal to the reader. Giving personal background brings you into the story. The article not only discusses the working conditions, but also discusses the living conditions. Without giving specific examples, Apple and society need to take a closer look and be held responsible for the horrendous conditions in China. In an essay written by Namit Arora, he discusses his own experience about his socioeconomic status. Arora writes that maybe it was not due to his hard work, but that he was in the right place at the right time. Arora describes different types of economic justice and makes the reader think about what we deserve. Do you deserve to have everything handed to you because you come from a rich family or should your hard and diligent work give you that reward; this is the very topic of Arora’s essay. The connection between the article written by Duhigg and Barboza with that of Arora is that of basic rights as a human being. If the rich are made richer in turn makes the poor become poorer. No matter what we do there really will never be a truly fair or just way to distribute an economy. There will always be those that fell their not being treated fairly even if everything is spoon fed to them, there just needs to be more balance to our current systems. Arora’s essay talks about those that are born with natural abilities from a moral standpoint is the same as those that have silver spoons in their mouths. Arora also discusses the â€Å"Difference Principle† which deals with this natural lottery. First off, Duhigg and Barboza discuss what we as consumers want. â€Å"Customers want amazing new electronics delivered every year.† (Duhigg and Barboza) This means the customers don’t care about how the products are made or who is hurt during the manufacturing process. During the course of the interviews Duhigg and Barboza conducted, a former worker told them that Apple did not care about anything except making more products and lowering costs to make those items. People who buy these products are blinded by the technology bug. If consumers did not want the latest and greatest phones or other electronic devices, there would not be as high of a need to for Apple to find the cheapest suppliers. Working conditions are not the only issues for the workers in these factories. The living conditions in China are horrific-there are more people living in their apartments then is safe by any standard. There were numerous people committing suicide due to the conditions at the factories. Apple is one of the most sought after brands. So if Apple were to make some changes it could make significant strides at reducing the working and living issues in China. If society were to inquire about how the workers are being treated this could also lead to changes being made in favor of the employees. Apple would be more likely to actually take action correct these substandard conditions, since no company wants their dirty laundry to be aired outside the company. Second, as discussed by Duhigg and Barboza, Apple is trying to make things better, but people would still be disgusted with what was seen. Duhigg and Barboza write that these devices are produced in substandard labor conditions, which is according to workers, worker advocates and reports published by companies themselves. There are underage workers and in many cases earn little to no money at all. In today’s society we need to take a round turn and prevent these children and other workers not get used and abused. Although Apple says it is trying to make things better there has been former workers say â€Å"finding new suppliers is time-consuming and costly,† Duhigg and Barboza report. Since Apple is an American based company the standards of the United States should be imposed on not just Apple, but any company that try to exploit these lower standards of other countries. As with society, we need to stop thinking of the things we want, but how and who is affected by making these products. If a company knows about issues but does nothing to correct those issues before someone were to get hurt they are just as responsible if not more responsible because something could have been done to prevent those injuries. â€Å"Apple had been alerted to hazardous conditions inside the Chengdu plan.† (Duhigg and Barboza) This shows that Apple is aware of conditions at their supplier but are taking no actions because as long as Apple gets its products the injuries of workers are none of their concern. Apple workers need to not only have better working conditions but also have better living conditions. This is not due to the fact that Apple has the money to pay their workers more; it’s actually due to the fact that the workers are human beings and should be compensated better. As well as having living conditions that are safer and healthier. The opportunity costs in China are significantly lower in China. The workers in China are willing to earn pennies on the dollar. From Apple’s standpoint it just makes sense to have their factory in China, instead of the United States. Apple has become one of the largest companies in their field due to these countries with lower standards. Even though Apple may make it seem like these conditions are not approved of, they would not be the electronic power house they are today. Arora discusses people may lack opportunity due to their lower or social economic status. In China the lack of opportunity does not play as much as it does in the U.S., since a company in China hires workers of almost any age. The downfall for those workers is getting treated as less than a human being as more like part of a machine. This is just morally wrong, for Apple to just turn a blind eye to these conditions. If Apple really cared these conditions could be better. The conditions may not be up to the standards of the U.S. but these people could actually be treated like a person. Due to the lower economy of China and the low opportunity cost, these two go hand-in-hand. Apple is taking all the risk and should be compensated for their risks. Even if we try to uphold higher standards there really is not much which can be done. No matter how much we try there will always be a country that has lower standards and cheaper workers; companies will just go to those places which makes profits the highest. To conclude, society as a whole needs to change our mind set from not caring how we get our products towards caring about how the products we buy are produced. As far as Apple goes, Apple needs to be held responsible not only for how the products are produced, but also how the workers making their products are being treated. Works Cited Arora, Namit â€Å"What Do We Deserve?† Emerging Contemporary Readings for Writers Composition Subjects Ed. Barclay Barrios. Bedford/St. Martins, 2010, 87-91. Book. Duhigg, Charles, and Barboza, David â€Å"In China, Human Costs are Built Into an iPad† The New York Times, 25 Jan. 2012. Editorial.

Individual Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Individual Project - Essay Example Some other communication responsibilities entail conflict resolution, employee motivation and speaking to the public on behalf of the company Managers have to ensure they have qualified staff to perform their duties. They schedule training programs and orientation and always carry out continuous assessment to identify training needs. They work with every employee to create career objectives and plans to achieve them It is the sole responsibility of a manager to ensure the success of the organization. Managers are hired to run daily operations, maintain quality control, coach employees and make sure that company’s products and services meet the needs of the customers. Managers review the company’s financial, production and budgetary goals to ensure the success of the organization Ethics forms everything we do in day to day activities. As a manager, you continuously make decisions through the prism of your ethics and values. Ethical dilemma involves situations where it becomes difficult to ascertain whether a conduct is regarded as right or wrong. Project Management Institute (PMI) provides guidelines to be followed before making a decision. As for the case where a manager is faced with a dilemma of whether to expose the information to his friend, the following guidelines should be followed to determine whether the decision to be made is right or wrong. An organization exists in various types of environment ranging from political, economic, social, legal and technological environment. These are forces that are outside control of an organization and can cause some potential threats to the performance of an organization. Managers should therefore understand that any change in the global environment can create opportunities for them to strengthen the organization. On the other hand, managers should also understand that such changes may pose a threat to the organization if not properly handled This is the process where an organization measures

Article Assignment - 2 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Assignment - 2 - Article Example The criminal meanwhile is celebrating independence and may be encouraged to do the criminal offence again when and if given the chance. Finally the last reason identified by the authors is that all individuals need the reassurance that they are safe from a faulty judiciary. If due to any reason the people get the impression that the judiciary is sentencing the wrong people, or passing wrong sentences on criminals then it undermines every constitutional provision. Any errors in passing sentences (be it Police Error, Prosecutional Error, Inadequacy of Counsel, or a Judicial Error) all stain the reputation of the legal process and are proof to the people that they are not safe†¦ not only from criminals but the law as well. Thus, it is a major concern to conduct research on the number of wrongful convictions which occur in any given place. As mentioned earlier there are a number of errors which take place in the wrongful convictions. The major parties recognized which may influence wrongful conviction are the police detectives, the prosecution, the counsel and the judge himself. To decrease the rates of wrongful convictions firstly, the police should conduct thorough investigations with absolute findings and no conspicuous evidences. Also the police should not use the biased investigation techniques which tend to make neutral evidence appear in their favor. The prosecutors can help cut down rate of wrongful convictions by deliberating thoroughly on which cases to pick up as they have the time and resource available to analyze the case thoroughly and go through all the evidence available. The attorneys must conduct independent research rather than relying on the evidences handed down to him. Judges must simply be honest to their profession as they could put an innocent man in jail or set a serial criminal out free. But the common solution here which could favor

Answering the question in skills Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Answering the question in skills - Essay Example What did you learn from your visit to the library? Which resources are you planning to use for your assignments this term? I learned from my visit to the library that there is a vast amount of reference materials available that can fully equip a student with all the knowledge, information, and data for any research work. I also learned that a student must familiarize himself how the materials in the library are Well-organized so one can efficiently conduct a research. It was very interesting for me to know that there are many databases that I can access in the library. These databases are provided by really good sources such as Cambridge, EBSCO, Harvard and other reputable academic organizations which provide an almost endless supply of journals. The Bridgeman Education is also helpful since it contains images that I can use for my projects. The journals coming from SAGE or EBSCO are even peer-reviewed which means that I get quality reference materials for any research I have to make. Also, it would be worth mentioning that the design of the library as well as the ambience is very conducive to reading. It was awesome to see such beautiful library containing 350,000 books and 8,000 journal articles. Indeed, the administration really made such an effort to giving the students the best possible support to their academic life. Aside from the books, I am planning to use the PCs since the electronic journals as well as databases can be accessed from there. The e-library provides convenience in reading materials even when you’re off-campus since I can access materials even at a net cafe. Yes I am confident in using the library resources and librarians are helpful in case you can’t find what you need. The only way to enhance research skills is by reading a lot of materials and organizing the reading list that you have. Having worked in groups today please reflect how successful you think it was? What do you think

Write an essay in which you discuss the impact of feminism in the 20th

Write an in which you discuss the impact of feminism in the 20th century. What 3 accomplishments by feminists do you think have contributed most to changes in womens roles from 1870 to the present - Essay Example That is why after they were enlightened on their rights they choose to fight for equality and remove the biases, which dominated against women. This essay expounds on the on the impact of feminism in the 20th century and lastly the accomplishments that have contributed to changes in women roles from 1870 to the present. In the 20th century, women have impacted greatly on the area of political leadership. This is because women have been given the opportunity to vote and stand as candidates during general elections. For instance, in the United States of America the right to vote was granted to women according to the 19th amendment of the constitution. At the congress, women were able to improve all aspects of their lives by bringing out their grievances. As a result of the political impact, women are able to join the labor market impacting positively to the growth of the economy. In addition, in the job market, women are not excluded from certain industries. Due to this, different organizations fought for the rights of women to ensure that they joined the job market. This was done by ensuring that, they received the required education. Feminist focused on fighting for their rights and advocating for equality (Sheffield, 2006). In 19th century especially during the First World War, the National Women Party marched outside the White house with banners, which accused the government for unequal democratic rights especially in the area of rights to vote. Women were not allowed to publicly declare want they wanted their role was to meet the needs of the husband and the children. If any woman was found displaying masculine behaviors publicly, she was defined as rude and unable to yield to the customs of the land (Sheffield, 2006). Because of this, if a woman was found addressing people publicly she was ignored because they claimed that, she had a biological weakness hence she could not rule or address people in public. As a result of this biasness feminist

Emerging Technologies Trends Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Emerging Technologies Trends - Essay Example The fundamental task of this technology is to provide the users with numerous computers at any locations to execute their respective tasks (Mark Weiser, 1993). It is basically a technology that defines anywhere everywhere computing for the users of diverse necessities. This particular feature has been invented so as to enhance the communication features between the users present at various locations (Steglich.S, 2005). The Internet had grown manifolds over the past decade, which indeed had been a driving force for the research, over the improvisation of the availability of computing technology. This technology is not a simple implementation over the desktop computers. It involves all the diverse gizmos that can enable the user to communicate with various others users within a short period of time (Fujitsu.com, 2003). This is considered to be the future of the world where tasks are executed in the split of a second. The executable tasks comprise of online conferences, adding on new de als, decision that demand stern actions and many more which play a vital role in embedding a set of new tasks in a man's daily life. Thus turning into one of the favorite technologies it draws huge amount f attention from the users. WiMAX is an abbreviation for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. It is a technology that enhances the features of the Wireless MAN. WiMAX is also considered to be the technology that provides last mile wireless connectivity (PaloWireless.com, 2006). This concept of wireless technology is considered to wipe out the limitations of existing technologies by providing wireless connectivity to numerous computing systems spread over a large volume of area. Thus it is considered as the "last mile" connectivity which will also be available at affordable prices (RNCOS.com, 2006). WiMAX technology enables the users to communicate with each other over a wide spread area without facing any problems due to varied networks. This technology also provides the broadband connectivity at faster access rates with affordable price tags. Such a technology forms the backbone of Ubiquitous Computing so as to be implemented with ease. This technology not only supports Internet connectivity to th e computing devices present anywhere but also is being framed as a backbone for the mobile applications in near future (Intel.com, 2007). This will result in a wireless world turning into reality which indeed drives technology to higher standards. Service Oriented Architecture Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) is the latest buzzword that possesses all that is needed to provide a springboard to any organization that aims at utilizing IT services to the most optimum extent possible. It induces agility and competitiveness in commercial organizations. It transforms the IT assets of a company directly into bottom-line goals and objectives. While SOA requires some upfront strategy and investment, its benefits are numerous. "Just as the Databases were at the center of design of applications of the 70s and 80s, Components are at the center of design of the applications of the 90s and the next century" - David Vaskevitch, VP, Microsoft. The researchers at Gartner have stated that studies show that by the year 2008, SOA will become the dominant framework for creating and

Risk and its Importance Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Risk and its Importance - Coursework Example Essentially a company is indulging into risk management if it is actively analyzing and attempting to quantify the possible losses in a business decision or an investment and then is taking appropriate action to mitigate the possibility of those losses occurring. It is fairly important to manage risk in an investment appraisal process as it helps the organization in protecting itself from all kinds of risks; it helps the organization’s customers from large non-market related losses such as a firm failure or fraud. A strong risk management process does not only help the organization, but it also provides security to the overall industry. Importance of risk management can also be gauged by some recent crisis that has happened due to loopholes present in risk management strategies of a few companies. The financial meltdown of 2008 is a key example. b) Measuring risk and incorporating risk in an investment opportunity Risk management is now an essential part in all the businesses as more and more businessmen are facing the repercussions of a poorly managed business decision in terms of risk. With the financial crisis slowly recovering, it is harder for people to now ignore the importance of risk. Predominantly, risk is considered to be a negative term. It is the probability of a result deviating from its forecast, usually towards the negative side. Therefore, it is predominantly considered negative. However, in investment and financial terms, risk is always associated with return. The more risk a person or an entity is willing to take, the more the return is expected. Understanding risk today is perhaps one of the most important things in financial education and financial market. Its importance cannot be stressed more. A deviation from expected outcome can both be negative as well as positive. Therefore, the idea of ‘no pain, no gain’ works in harmony with this situation. If one is willing to undertake a certain amount of losses to ensure that t hey are the winner in the end in terms of returns, they are effectively managing their risk. Measuring risk in absolute terms is done through standard deviation. It is the basic tool for understanding the deviation of an outcome from a central tendency. A lot of other techniques are used; tools are incorporated in order to measure risk of an investment opportunity. There are a number of models through which firms decide upon the nature of risk that an investment opportunity might have. VaR is another tool; value at risk defines how bad things can go and its probability giving a certain level of confidence for a given amount of time. This helps to identify the potential losses that an investing entity might have if they take a certain decision, taking time and confidence of calculations into account. Incorporating risk in an investment opportunity is through taking into account the impact of risk on the outcome of the investment. Critical questions should be answered as the start of the investment appraisal such as the time, the expected return on investment or if the money invested could be used better in another investment opportunity. Beta is another measure through which risk associated with two different investment opportunities is measured. It is specific for a specific kind of project (Jackson, 2008).

Friction. Lab report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Friction. - Lab Report Example Record the load and the hanger’s weight and repeat this procedure placing masses of 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 g successively on top of the wood block. Turn the wood block on its side and repeat former task with a mass of 400 g on top of the block then turn the same block with the largest contact surface with the plane and place 400 g on top of the block, gradually increasing the load on the hanger until the block just starts to move. Set up the board as an inclined plane and place the wood block on the plane with its largest surface in contact, and gradually tip the plane up until the block just starts to slide down. Results: Coefficient of Kinetic Friction (based on the graph) = 0.323 ÃŽ ¼k = 0.307 (procedure 4) ; ÃŽ ¼s = 0.3710 (procedure 6) ÃŽ ¼s = 0.4073 (procedure 5) ; ÃŽ ¼k = 0.3575 (procedure 7) Applications: The concept may be applied by an engineer or specialist who needs to know the type/ property, mass of material, and angles of impending motion suitable for use in problems where friction is a significant factor in design and construction. Calculations (1) Using MS Excel, Based on this, ?k = 0.323 (2) Using the data of Procedure 4: total normal force = 6.388 N and friction force = 1.962 N and since fk = ?k * FN then, ?k = 1.962 N / 6.388 N ---? ?k = 0.307 (3) From the data of Procedure 5: ?s = force to start moving the block / total normal force Trial 1: ?s = 2.7468 N / 6.389 N ---? ?s = 0.4299 Trial 2: ?s = 2.354 N / 6.389 N ---? ?s = 0.3684 Trial 3: ?s = 2.707 N / 6.389 N ---? ?s = 0.4237 Average value (?s) = (0.4299 + 0.3684 + 0.4237) / 3 = 0.4073 Deviation (trial 1) = 0.4299 - 0.4073 = 0.0226 , |0.0226| = 0.226 Deviation (trial 2) = 0.3684 - 0.4073 = -0.0389 , |-0.0389| = 0.0389 Deviation (trial 3) = 0.4237 - 0.4073 = 0.0164 , |0.0164| = 0.0164 (4) From the data of Procedure 6: ?s = tan (?max) Trial 1: ?s = tan (19Â °) ---? ?s = 0.3443 Trial 2: ?s = tan (23Â °) ---? ?s = 0.4245 Trial 3: ?s = tan (19Â °) ---? ?s = 0.3443 Averaage value (?s) = (0.3443 + 0.4245 + 0.3443) / 3 = 0.3710 Deviation (trial 1) = 0.3443 - 0.3710 = -0.0267 , |-0.0267| = 0.0267 Deviation (trial 2) = 0.4245 - 0.3710 = 0.0535 , |0.0535| = 0.0535 Deviation (trial 3) = 0.3443 - 0.3710 = -0.0267 , |-0.0267| = 0.0267 Difference between two values of ?s = 0.4073 - 0.3710 = 0.0363 (5) From the data of Procedure 7: ?s = tan (?max) Trial 1: ?s = tan (21Â °) ---? ?s = 0.3839 Trial 2: ?s = tan (19Â °) ---? ?s = 0.3443 Trial 3: ?s = tan (19Â °) ---? ?s = 0.3443 Averaage value (?s) = (0.3839 + 0.3443 + 0.3443) / 3 = 0.3575 Deviation (trial 1) = 0.3839 - 0.3575 = 0.0264 , |0.0264| = 0.0264 Deviation (trial 2) = 0.3443 - 0.3575 = -0.0132 , |-0.0132| = 0.0132 Deviation (trial 3) = 0.3443 - 0.3575 = -0.0132 , |-0.0132| = 0.0132 Questions & Answers (1) Explain in your own words why it is necessary that the block move at constant velocity in Procedures 2 – 4. The block must move in constant velocity so that no acceleration occurs which would create a net force that would affect determination of normal force and friction. (2) (a) How does the coefficient of friction depend upon the normal force between the surfaces in contact? (b) How does it depend upon the area of the surfaces in contact? The coefficient of friction decreases with increasing normal force between the surfaces of contact. However, coefficient of friction does not depend upon the contact surface area because in the experiment, values of normal forces stay the same while the force to keep the block moving uniformly does not differ much between that of the flat position and the

Negotiating One's Salary and Benefits Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Negotiating One's Salary and Benefits - Essay Example Writing out applications and covering letters, attaching resumes and visiting job interviews till one is selected is a laborious process but one does ultimately learn what works and what doesn’t in the real world. The proof is that one, finally, gets the job - now what comes next? The question of salary and benefits during the selection process has brought out varying reactions from a number of different candidates. While some people embrace it as a way of proving their net worth in the market place, others fear and label it as unpleasant because it is likely to intervene in negotiations and could keep them back from joining a company. Thus, negotiating salary and benefits refers to the ability to know what the worth of your skills is on the marketplace. This is a tremendously essential requirement for job seekers who want to be shown the career paths available in an organization. Salary negotiation typically starts after the candidate has proved of some value or purpose to an employer or even on the basis of his or her job profile, career path adopted so far and prospects and potential for the future that an employer sees in them. Sometimes a candidate can overvalue himself or herself and, thus, disqualify oneself out of the reckoning for the final selection. In an employer’s market especially during a downturn this can leave many worthy, experienced and capable candidates feeling undervalued or not being required. If the candidate relents and joins the organization at a lower salary than he is worth. , no doubt the employer will get excited and eager to welcome the candidate but this euphoria will typically be short-lived since the candidate is liable to switch in the event of a better position available elsewhere at a later juncture. It is clear that the salary and benefits issue remains paramount in the job market, as well as opportunities for promotion and growth in employment because it has been seen that management is already intent about taking the best of value from an employee but hesitates to pay him or her what they are really worth. What organizations don’t realize are that it takes a lot of time and effort to advertise, recruit, interview, select, orient and train every employee and there are a lot of resources involved in training and development of an individual. It is customary for both prospective employer and job seekers to engage in these activities. So if the rewards and promotions are not commensurate with the efforts that the employees are putting in, ultimately they will leave and join other organizations, primarily competitors in the same industry. Looking at salary and benefits as part of the total compensation package is a much better prospect. As long as the emoluments are enough to keep the home fires burning, the inexperienced candidates should understand that their qualifications will be undervalued until they can attach some relevance to it in terms of earned experience or projects handled and completed so that they get some feeling of the real world in action. After spending at least 2 to 3 years in their first job they can claim to have learned the ropes and begin to hold their own in

The Adventure of the Speckled Band Essay Example for Free

The Adventure of the Speckled Band Essay I read through two quite different short stories, continually considering how they both created suspense (anxious uncertainty, or expectation, or waiting for information) and tension (mental strain or excitement) and more importantly how I could compare the two, considering both similar and divergent parts in the stories. The first short story I examined was The stolen Bacillus. The title itself creates suspense, because of the word stolen. When something is stolen, you always expect a chase or investigation into finding the stolen item, and the word Bacillus (a single bacterium) this would prompt the reader to think of the stereotypical idea of bacteria- tiny green creatures that appear in films and cartoons. Therefore from the title, the reader is urged to read on and find out why it has been stolen, who has taken it and if it is going to be recovered. In the opening paragraphs of the story, a pale-faced man is inside the office of the bacteriologist. Wells refers to this man as the visitor, confirming that he is not known to the bacteriologist, leaving him at this point in the story totally anonymous. Wells describes the visitor in great detail, particularly concentrating on his physical attributes. Examples of this are he held a limp white hand over his disengaged eye. These particular details help to develop this feeling of suspense and tension, as our idea of the visitor now, is that he is rather creepy and sinister. What follows this is a very important line from the visitor: And yet those little particles, those mere atomies, might multiply and devastate a city. This captures the feeling of the plot entirely, the reader is now wondering why the twisted and sadistic visitor is there after all. These anarchist rascals. Perhaps at this point, the visitor was going to tell the bacteriologist what his real aim was. But before he can do so, the wife of the scientist (Minnie) knocks on the office door- a perfect opportunity for the visitor to take the Bacillus (cholera). At this point, the reader can now decide whether the visitor will take it or not. This draws us into the story, as well as building up a great deal of tension. After this, comes the most exciting and fast part of the story- the chase. The bacteriologist has realised that his visitor has stolen the bacillus, so he pulls up a horse-drawn cab and begins the chase. A lot of tension and suspense is built up in this scene; firstly the pace of the story picks up because of the use of Shorter words/sentences, Wells uses this technique to increase the overall excitement of the chase scene. Words that create this are: gesticulating wildly, mad, hastily and swished. The other cockney cab men are commentating on the chase, making it seem like a horse race on the radio or television, which adds to the excitement. Harry Hicks (the visitors cab driver) was using his whip, which was very surprising as it states that cab drivers never normally used their whips. This also adds to this exciting, tense atmosphere. Minnie then picks up a cab and starts to chase the others. The behaviour of the other cab drivers then begin to change they become really excited and start shouting remarks out. It is at this point in the story in which Wells now refers to the visitor as the Anarchist, earlier on in the story, he was calling anarchists Rascals. Towards the end of the chase, the anarchist reveals what his motives for stealing the bacillus were. This is the result of a lot of tension, as this is the first time we know why he has stolen from the bacteriologist. At the end of the chase, when the Phial breaks, the feeling of the story becomes very sorrowful, as the anarchist believes he is going to die, and more importantly, so does the reader. But the actions of the casualty become quite sinister once again, as he starts to laugh and states, anyhow, I shall be a martyr. There is a lot of suspense at this point of the story, coming from the fact that he is laughing when he shouldnt be. Throughout the chase scene, the bacteriologist had been extremely worried, but at the end we find out that the so called cholera is actually a substance that turns animals blue, and the reader sees the bacteriologist laugh it off, and the only factor he worries about is the fact that hell have to make some more. The reason why Wells did so well creating the Suspense and Tension in his story, is the fact that he left it until the very end to let the reader know what the bacillus really was. The second Short story I read was The Adventure of the Speckled Band, which is based around Sherlock Holmes and his partner Watson trying to solve the murder of a young lady. What I believe made this story really worth reading, is the fact that Conan Doyle wrote it from Watsons point of view. Where as The Stolen Bacillus was written in third persons point of view, which in my opinion isnt as effective as Conan Doyles first person view. My reason for this, is the story can be made a lot more descriptive, and that it draws the reader into the story as it makes them feel as though they are in the story as a lot more personal words are used: we, you, they etc

Optimization of Benchmark Functions using VTS-ABC Algorithm

Optimization of Benchmark Functions using VTS-ABC Algorithm Performance Optimization of Benchmark Functions using VTS-ABC Algorithm Twinkle Gupta  and Dharmender Kumar Abstract  A new variant based on tournament selection called VTS-ABC algorithm is provided in this paper. Its performance is compared with standard ABC algorithm with different size of data on several Benchmark functions and results show that VTS-ABC provides better quality of solution than original ABC algorithm in every case. Keywords— Artificial Bee Colony Algorithms, Nature-Inspired Meta-heuristics,Optimizations, Swarm Intelligence Algorithms, Tournament selection. NOMENCLATURE ABC – Artificial Bee Colony ACO – Ant Colony Optimization BFS – Blocking Flow-Shop Scheduling DE – Differential Evolution EA – Evolutionary Algorithm GA – Genetic Algorithm MCN – Maximum Cycle Number PSO – Particle Swarm Optimization TS – Tournament size TSP – Travelling Salesman Problem 1.INTRODUCTION For optimization problems, various algorithms havebeendesigned which are basedonnature-inspiredconcepts [1].Evolutionary algorithms(EA) and swarmoptimizationalgorithmsare two different classes in which nature inspired algorithms are classified.Evolutionary algorithms like Geneticalgorithms (GA)andDifferentialevolution (DE) attempt to carry out the phenomenon ofnaturalevolution [2]. However, a swarm like ant colony, a flock of birds can be described as collection of interacting agents and their intelligence lieintheir way of interactions with other individuals andtheenvironment [3]. Swarm optimization includes Particle swarm optimization (PSO) modelon socialbehaviorofbirdflocking [4], Antcolony optimization (ACO) model on swarmofants and Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) model on the intelligent foraging behaviour of honey bees [5]. Some important characteristics of ABC algorithm which makesitmoreattractivethanotheroptimizationalgorithms are: Employs only three control parameters (population size, maximum cycle number and limit) [6]. Fastconvergencespeed. Quite simple, flexible and robust [7] [8]. Easyintegrationwithotheroptimizationalgorithms. Therefore, ABC algorithm is a very popular nature inspired meta-heuristic algorithm used to solve various kinds of optimization problems. In recent years, ABC has earned so much popularity and used widely in various application such as: Constrained optimization, Image processing, Clustering, Engineering Design, Blocking flow shop scheduling (BFS), TSP, Bioinformatics, Scheduling and many others [9]-[18].Similar to other stochastic population-based approaches like GA, Ant Colony etc. ABC algorithm also applied Roulette Wheel selection mechanism which chooses best solution always with high selection pressure and leads the algorithm into premature convergence. With ever-growing size of dataset, optimization of algorithm has become a big concern. This calls for a need of better algorithm. The aim of this paper is to create such an algorithm named VTS-ABC algorithm. This new variant is based on tournament selection mechanism and selects variable tournament size each time in order to select the employed bees sharing their information with onlooker bees. Onlooker bees select solution from selected tournament size of solutions with less selection pressure so that high fitness solutions can’t dominate and give better quality of solutions with large data set as well. A worst solution is also replaced by better solution generated randomly in each cycle. Rest of the paper is divided in different sections as follows: Introduction to standard ABC algorithm is described in section 2. Section 3 describes the proposed VTS-ABC algorithm. Experiments and its simulation results to show performance on several Benchmark functions are described in section 4 and in the last; Conclusion of the paper is discussed. 2.ARTIFICIAL BEE COLONY ALGORITHM In 2005, Karaboga firstly proposed Artificial Bee Colony algorithm for optimizing numerical problems [19] which includes employed bees, onlooker bees and scouts. The bee carrying out search randomly is known as a scout. The bee going to the food source visited by it before and sharing its information with onlooker bees is known as employed bee and the bee waiting on the dance area called onlooker bee. ABC algorithm as a collective intelligence searching model has three essential components: Employed bees, Unemployed bees (onlooker and scout bees) and Food sources. In the view of optimization problem, a food source represents a possible solution. The position of a good food source indicates the solution providing better results to the given optimization problem. The quality of nectar of a food source represents the fitness value of the associated solution. Initially, a randomly distributed food source position of SNsize, the size of employed bees or onlooker bees is generated. Each solution xi is a D-dimensional vector that represents the number of optimized parameters and produced usingthe equation 1: where,xmaxandxminare the upper and lower bound of the parameterxi,respectively and j denotes the dimension. The fitness of food sources to find the global optimal is calculated by the following formula: where, fm(xm)is the objective function value of xm. Then the employed bee phase starts. In this phase, each employed bee xi finds a new food source viin its neighborhood using the equation 3: where, t: Cycle number; : Randomly chosen employed bee and k is not equal to i ; ( ): A series of random variable in the range [-1, 1]. The fitness of new solution produced is compared with that of current solution and memorizes the better one by means of a greedy selection mechanism. Employed bees share their information about food sources with onlooker bees waiting in the hive and onlooker bees probabilistically choose their food sources using fitness based selection technique such as roulette wheel selection shown in equation 4: where, Pi: Probability of selecting the ith employed bee, S: Size of employed bees, ÃŽ ¸i: Position of the ith employed bee and F : Fitness value. Afterthatonlookerbeescarried outrandomly searchintheirneighborhood similar to employed bees and memorize the better one. Employed bees whose solutions can’t be improved through a predetermined number of cycles, called limit, become scouts and their solutions are abandoned. Then, they find a new random food source position using the following equation 5: Where, r: A random number between 0 and 1 and these steps are repeated through a predetermined number of cycles called Maximum Cycle Number (MCN). 3.PROPOSED WORK: VTS-ABC ALGORITHM In every meta-heuristic algorithm mainly two factors need to be balanced for global optimization outcome i.e. Exploration and Exploitation but ABC is a poor balance of these two factors. Various variants of ABC have been modelled for its improvement in different phases by number of researchers like Sharma and Pant have proposed a variant of ABC called RABC for solving the numerical optimization problem [20] and Tsai et al. have presented an interactive ABC optimization algorithm to solve combinational optimization problem [21] in which the concept of universal gravitational force for the movement of onlooker bees is introduced to enhance the exploration ability of the ABC algorithm. D. Kumar and B. Kumar also reviewed various papers on ABC and give a modified RABC algorithm based on topology for optimization of benchmark functions [22] [23]. Intelligence of ABC algorithm mainly depends upon the communication between individual agents. Employed beesshare their information with onlooker bees waiting in the hive and flow of this information from one individual to another depends on the selection mechanism used. Different selection schemes select different individuals to share the information which affect the communication ability of individuals and primarily the outcome of the algorithm. ABC algorithm uses Roulette wheel selection mechanism in which each onlooker bee selects the food source based on certain probability. Each onlooker bee selects the best food source with high selection pressure and lead to premature convergence. To overcome this problem, its new variant is proposed in which Tournament Selection method is applied based on Cycle number and number of employed bees. In Tournament selection, a tournament size (TS) is chosen to select the number of employed bees sharing the information with onlooker bees. For better exploration, TS=2 i.e. Binary Tournament is applied in early stages and for better exploitation, variable tournament size is applied based on the current cycle number (CYL) and size of employed bee in middle stages. As the stages grow, this method works similar to Roulette wheel method in the end. Hence, the selection pressure is less in early stages and more in final stages which provide us better quality of solution. As variable size of tournament is used at different stages of the algorithm, hence the algorithm named VTS-ABC (Variable Tournament Size Artificial Bee Colony) algorithm. Method used for calculating TS is shown in equation 6 and equation 7: If SN >= 20 If SN Where Here, two equations are shown for calculating tournament size of tournament selection method. The purpose of using these two equations is to increase the speed of algorithm. When the size of employed bee i.e. given population of food source positions is small like 10, a solution can be easily found by changing the tournament size by 1 but as the size grows i.e. when best food source position is to be found in large set of population for example when SN=40 or more than 40, increasing size of tournament by 1 and 2 only is a very tedious task as it will take more time to run the algorithm. Hence, in order to increase speed of algorithm, the tournament size based on current cycle and size of population is increased. One more concept is applied to increase its convergence speed. At each iteration or cycle, a new solution is generated randomly similar to scout and its fitness value is calculated. Greedy selection mechanism is applied between new solution and worst one and the better solution is memorized. Hence, it helps in finding good quality of solution as well as improving the convergence speed and provides better balance between exploration and exploitation. 4.experiments and simulation results 4.1 Benchmark Functions The Benchmark Functions used to compare the performance of VTS-ABC algorithm with original ABC algorithm are illustrated below: Sphere Function: Schwefel Function: Griewank Function: Where Ackley Function: Here, ObjVal is the function value calculated for each food source position. A food source is represented by X and population size is taken of n*p matrix where n is the no. of possible food source positions and p represents the dimension of each position. 4.2 Performance Measures Simulation Result The experimental results of VTS-ABC and ABC algorithm in MATLAB are taken under the parameter of size of food source positions (n*p) i.e. different size of population with different dimensions are taken to run and compare both algorithms. MCN is set as 2000 and each algorithm is run for 3 iteration i.e. Runtime=3. Limit for scouts is set equals to 300. In order to provide the quantitative assessment of the performance of an optimization algorithm, Mean of Global Minimum i.e. mean of minimum objective function value at each cycle of all iterations are taken as performance measure whose values are shown in table1and figure 1-4. Table1: Mean of Global minimum on different size of data Fig. 1: Mean of Sphere function values on different size of data Fig. 2: Mean of Schwefel function values on different size of data Fig. 3: Mean of Griewank function values on different size of data Fig. 4: Mean of Ackley function values on different size of data Figure 1 to 4 show simulation results of ABC and VTS-ABC algorithm with different size of data on Sphere, Schwefel, Griewank, Ackley respectively and reveal that VTS-ABC algorithm provides us better quality of solution than original ABC algorithm by minimizing objective function value or producing higher fitness solutions. 5. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION In this paper, a new algorithm VTS-ABC is presented. In this algorithm, firstly variable tournament size (TS) is applied to select the food source position for onlooker bees which helps to achieve diversity in solution. Then to increase convergence speed, a new solution is generated in each cycle which replaced the worst one. In order to demonstrate the performance of proposed algorithm, it is applied on several Benchmark functions with different size of data set as input. Simulation results show that it provides better quality of solution than original ABC algorithm in every case. Therefore, it can be applied in different fields of optimization with large and higher dimensions data set efficiently. References Yugal Kumar and Dharmender Kumar, â€Å"Parametric Analysis of Nature Inspired Optimization Techniques†International Journal of Computer Applications, vol. 32, no. 3, pp. 42-49, Oct. 2011. P. J. Angeline, J. B. Pollack and G.M. Saunders, â€Å"An evolutionary algorithm that constructs recurrent neural networks,† Neural Networks in IEEE Transactions on, vol. 5, no. 1, 1994, pp. 54-65. J. Kennedy and R. Eberhart, â€Å"Particle swarm optimization,† in Proceedings of IEEE international conference on neural networks, 1995, vol. 4, pp. 1942–1948. E. Bonabeau, M. Dorgio, and G. Theraulaz, â€Å"Swarm intelligence: from neural network to artificial intelligence,† NY: oxford university press, New York, 1999. D. Karaboga, â€Å"An idea based on honey bee swarm for numerical optimization,† Techn.Rep. TR06, Erciyes Univ. Press, Erciyes, 2005. D. Karaboga and B. Akay, â€Å"A comparative study of artificial bee colony algorithm,† Applied Mathematics and Computation, vol. 214, no. 1, pp. 108–132, 2009. R. S. Rao, S. V. L. Narasimham, and M. Ramalingaraju, â€Å"Optimization of distribution network configuration for loss reduction using artificial bee colony algorithm,† International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems Engineering, vol. 1, no.2, pp. 116–122, 2008. A. Singh, â€Å"An artificial bee colony algorithm for the leaf-constrained minimum spanning tree problem,† Applied Soft Computing, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 625–631, Mar. 2009. D. Karaboga and B. Basturk, â€Å"Artificial bee colony (ABC) optimization algorithm for solving constrained optimization problems,† in Foundations of Fuzzy Logic and Soft Computing, Springer, 2007, pp. 789–798. C. Chidambaram and H. S. Lopes, â€Å"A new approach for template matching in digital images using an Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm,† in World Congress on Nature Biologically Inspired Computing, 2009. NaBIC 2009, IEEE, 2009, pp. 146–151. N. K. Kaur Mann, â€Å"Review Paper on Clustering Techniques,† Global Journal of Computer Science and Technology, vol. 13, no. 5, 2013. S. Okdem, D. Karaboga, and C. Ozturk, â€Å"An application of Wireless Sensor Network routing based on Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm,† in 2011 IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation (CEC), 2011, pp. 326–330. T. K. Sharma, M. Pant, and J. C. Bansal, â€Å"Some modifications to enhance the performance of Artificial Bee Colony,† in 2012 IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation (CEC), 2012, pp. 1–8. L. Bao and J. Zeng, â€Å"Comparison and analysis of the selection mechanism in the artificial bee colony algorithm,† in Hybrid Intelligent Systems, 2009. HIS’09. Ninth International Conference on, 2009, vol. 1, pp. 411–41. C. M. V. Benà ­tez and H. S. Lopes, â€Å"Parallel Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm Approaches for Protein Structure Prediction Using the 3DHP-SC Model,† in Intelligent Distributed Computing IV, M. Essaaidi, M. Malgeri, and C. Badica, Eds. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2010, pp. 255–264. D. L. Gonzà ¡lez-à lvarez, M. A. Vega-Rodrà ­guez, J. A. Gà ³mez-Pulido, and J. M. Sà ¡nchez-Pà ©rez, â€Å"Finding Motifs in DNA Sequences Applying a Multiobjective Artificial Bee Colony (MOABC) Algorithm,† in Evolutionary Computation, Machine Learning and Data Mining in Bioinformatics, C. Pizzuti, M. D. Ritchie, and M. Giacobini, Eds. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2011, pp. 89–100. L. Wang, G. Zhou, Y. Xu, S. Wang, and M. Liu, â€Å"An effective artificial bee colony algorithm for the flexible job-shop scheduling problem,† Int J Adv Manuf Technol, vol. 60, no. 1–4, pp. 303–315, Apr. 2012. S.-W. Lin and K.-C. Ying, â€Å"Increasing the total net revenue for single machine order acceptance and scheduling problems using an artificial bee colony algorithm,† J Oper Res Soc, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 293–311, Feb. 2013. D. Karaboga, â€Å"An idea based on honey bee swarm for numerical optimization,† Techn.Rep. TR06, Erciyes Univ. Press, Erciyes, 2005. T. K. Sharma, M. Pant, and J. C. Bansal, â€Å"Some modifications to enhance the performance of Artificial Bee Colony,† in 2012 IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation (CEC), 2012, pp. 1–8. TSai, Pei-Wei, et al. , Enhanced artificial bee colony optimization.International Journal of Innovative Computing, Information and Control,vol. 5, no. 12, 2009, pp.5081-5092. B. K. Verma and D. Kumar, â€Å"A review on Artificial Bee Colony algorithm,† International Journal of Engineering Technology, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 175–186, 2013. D. Kumar and B. Kumar, â€Å"Optimization of Benchmark Functions Using Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) Algorithm,† IOSR Journal of Engineering, vol. 3, no. 10, pp. 09-14, October 2013.

Do objects exist independent of the mind?

Do objects exist independent of the mind? This essay will investigate the question of whether mind independent objects exist according to John Locke and George Berkeley. John Locke reasons that objects do exist independently of our mind but this is not without some caveat. George Berkeley on the other hand argues that no material substances exist other than ideas or perceptions in our minds. Hence there are no mind independent objects. I will argue that John Lockes reasoning is actually stronger than Berkeleys and therefore the case for mind independent objects existing is coincidentally stronger as well. Lockes argument in support is that we can be sure of the limits of our knowledge of their existence because of the ideas we obtain from our senses. I will firstly detail how Lockes reasoning supports this contention. Secondly I will explore Berkeleys claim which denies that any form of material substance and hence mind independent objects do not exist independently. I will argue that Berkeleys claim fails because of inadequacies raised during his rejection of Lockes argument. Berkeley relies on an appeal to the supernatural (e.g. God) to counter the universal proposition that he inevitably draws himself into with the existence of other minds in external human bodies and in his contention that external objects only exist as ideas in the mind. Locke adopts a pragmatic approach to this inquiry because he uses the senses in a practical everyday way to assess the degree of certainty of knowledge. Importantly, Locke accepts the limitations of human knowledge which then defines the inquiry question of what level of certainty there is for the existence of external objects (Bennett, 2007). Locke says that an idea is; whatever is the object of the understanding when a man thinks (Bennett 2007 p2). This is an important definition because it suggests an idea to be more than just a representation of an external object. What Locke alludes to here is that we have a cognitive ability to obtain knowledge of the external world through a relationship in our mind between simple (sensations from experience) and complex (abstracted from particular to universal principles) ideas and are thus able to pass judgement (subjective) about the certainty of that knowledge. Locke states that; Knowledge, then, seems to me to be nothing but the perception of the connection and agreement, or disagreement and incompatibility, of any of our ideas. That is all it is (Bennett, 2007, p196). So knowledge then becomes the outcome of complex ideas created in our mind from sensations. The mind has no innate ideas and starts out as a tabula rasa (or blank sheet) but with mental faculties which thus enable the creation of ideas from experiences of the external world (Bennett, 2007). This is not unproblematic though because it raises the question of exactly which faculties are then innate. However, the ideas created come into being from when a person first has sensations. Locke says that: Since there appear not to be any ideas in the mind before the senses have conveyed any in, I think that ideas in the understanding arise at the same time as sensation (Bennett, 2007 p22). These ideas fashioning our knowledge are thus derived from our experience. They are also built upon the immediate impression of external objects in our mind through our senses. More complex and abstract concepts result from our own introspection. Locke then talks about three types of knowledge which are important in our understanding of the certainty of the existence mind independent objects. He claims that these three types of knowledge are; 1. Intuitive Knowledge which is the immediate agreement or disagreement between ideas without an intervention of other ideas; 2. Demonstrative Knowledge which does not immediately perceive the agreement or disagreement of ideas. It therefore brings into itself more ideas and creating complex ideas thus calling it reasoning; 3. Sensitive Knowledge which is knowledge gained through the senses (Bennett, 2007 p22). Sensitive knowledge is the key element of his claim that external objects exist independent of the mind. Whilst it is readily conceded by Locke that sensitive knowledge is not as certain as intuitive knowledge or demonstrative knowledge, it nevertheless goes beyond probability (Bennett, 2007, p202). It follows then that the level of certainty in establishing a case for the existence of external objects knowledge using the senses is limited. But I contend that the degree to which it is limited does not discount its use. Locke also asserts that whilst some philosophers question whether external objects exist even though they may have an idea in their mind, there is a degree of evidentness which puts the question beyond doubt (Bennett, 2007, p202). So he postulates that we can feel the sun, notice the difference at night without the sun and appreciate the contrast between a dream and an idea coming into our mind through the senses (Bennett, 2007, p202). So for all practical purposes, I contend along with Locke that this is all we need to establish a high level of certainty about the existence of mind-independent objects. This is not to say, that his logic is not without some openings for criticism such as the probabilistic certainty of sensitive knowledge. However I argue that the strength of Lockes reasoning for the existence of mind independent objects lies in its pragmatic simplicity. If we have the idea that something exists independently of our mind and we confirm this with our senses, then it is highly probable that it does exist independently of our mind. If we have the idea that the ground we walk upon is solid, then the idea comes from our experience of solid ground through our walking upon it. Using Lockes reasoning then, the idea of solid ground (as a mind independent object) can be held to be certain; to the limit that sensitive knowledge allows. In contrast to Locke, one can postulate as does George Berkeley, that material substances (and hence mind independent objects) do not exist. In his inquiry, scepticism surfaces amidst the proposition that we think only about the idea and not the actual external object. This scepticism charges the materialism of Locke for example, with implying that it leads to disavowing God (Downing, 2011). This aspect of Berkeleys rejection of Lockes materialist conceptions of the existence of external objects is also a key element of my rejection of Berkeleys Idealism. Berkeleys main argument for the mind independent objects not existing is structured thus; That we perceive ordinary objects and I wouldnt have known them if I hadnt perceived them by my senses; Things perceived by the senses are immediately perceived; and Things that are immediately perceived are ideas; and Ideas cant exist outside the mind. So it follows that; The existence of things I perceive by my senses consists in being perceived. When they are actually perceived [the existence of things], therefore, there can be no doubt about their existence (Berkeley P41). Unfolding what Berkeley means by this hinges upon his use of the word perceive. If the definition of perceiving is to become aware of something through the senses, then it seems that what Berkeley is saying is that we can have knowledge of the existence of external objects. But in fact that is not what he is saying. In #1, #2, #3 #4 he is arguing that our perception or awareness of ordinary objects (external) is based upon the use of our senses creating ideas which can then only exist in our minds. Premise #5 makes his argument look remarkably circular but I will grant that it isnt for this purpose. What he is saying is that external objects only exist because we are able to be aware of them. His conclusion at #6 reiterates the thrust of his claim that when we are made aware of external objects by our senses, then we cannot doubt their existence. He does not mean the external object. He means the idea of the external object. So, if the external object is not a representation and it is not anything other than an idea brought about by a perception or awareness through the senses, how is it that we come by the idea of knowledge of the external world? And more so, how is it that when we are not present or are denied our senses for any reason, that other people continue to experience the external world. Berkeley answers this by saying that When I say that sensible things [external objects] cant exist out of the mind, I dont mean my mind in particular, but all minds. Now, they clearly have an existence exterior to my mind, since I find by experience that they are independent of it (Berkeley p42). I argue here that this sentence inherently disrupts Berkeleys claim that there are no mind independent objects. How is it that there can be other independent minds (assuming them to be within external human bodies) which have an existence exterior to his and which perceive external objects whilst Berkeley is say, asleep? How is it that they are not considered to be external mind independent objects? There must be some other explanation. So Berkeley finds himself having to refer to the supernatural deity for relief; God. There is therefore some other mind in which they [external objects] exist during the intervals between the times when I perceive them; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.. it necessarily follows that there is an omnipresent, eternal Mind which knows and comprehends all things and lets us experience them in a certain manner (Berkeley p42). In my assessment this appeal to the omnipotence of God diminishes Berkeleys argument dramatically. It is not a question of having or not having a belief in God. It is about establishing a level of certainty that the external world exists independently of our mind. In contrast to Lockes argument which allows for a probabilistic consideration about the certainty of knowledge; Berkeley simply refutes the external mind independent world and fills the void he creates with that of a supernatural deity. It is contextually understandable but I argue that it severely reduces the plausibility and explanatory power of his claim that mind independent objects do not exist. This essay has argued that Lockes assertions about the existence of mind independent objects are stronger than Berkeleys claim that no mind independent objects exist and to this I offer my support. Lockes probabilistic approach to sensitive knowledge assists him to overcome the vicarious connections between the mind and the external world. This is not without its problems though as I have discussed in the paper. Locke struggles with innateness of ideas and faculties along with proving the level of certainty against a measure of probability. In contrast, Berkeley simply rejects mind independent objects outright, which leaves him with the problem of how to then deal with the issue of other minds and human bodies. To this he simply defers to a supernatural deity in God. This I contend creates a most significant weakness in his argument and causes me to reject it. ConAgra Foods, Inc: Economic Analysis ConAgra Foods, Inc: Economic Analysis Author: Artem Zaiets(36981) Summary This paper’s purpose is to look through and analyze the activities of ConAgra Foods within food processing industry. It will touch the areas of the financing of the company as well as those of the business strategies and compare the company’s major competitors’ operations over the past 5 years. The statistics will also project the expected future growth under the rate of 5% over a 3 year period and look at the sensitivity analysis. Using the projected data, this paper will also show the internal growth rate of the company as well as the external funds required for the future. Introduction ConAgra Foods, Inc. is an American packaged foods company that is located in Omaha, Nebraska that was founded a whole century ago in 1919. The company produces and sells products under 27 different brand names, most of which are popular and known only within the North America. Some of ConAgras major brands include Hunts, Healthy Choice, Marie Callenders, Orville Redenbacher, Slim Jim (snack food), Reddi-wip, Egg Beaters, Hebrew National, P. F. Changs, and Bertolli ready meals. The products of the company diverse from cooking oil to hot dogs, frozen dinners, peanut butter, hot cocoa and many more. As was mentioned earlier, the company’s brands are known mostly in North American, including Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, nevertheless, the company still competes with European and Asian packaging food companies in the market and holds a quite strong position in the list. Financial Strategy There are many tools and ratios that can be useful in order to find out a firm’s financing strategy over a course of period. In this passage, I will be discussing 3 of them: debt to equity ratio, payout ratio and retained earnings during the period from 2010 to 2014, and will compare them with other major competitors that the company has in the food processing industry. The first tool that will be used is debt to equity ratio. This ratio indicates the proportion of equity and debt that a company uses to finance its assets to know whether it is conducting a riskier but more profitable business or vice versa. From the chart we can observe the comparison of this ratio with 2 other industry-related companies (Appendix Table 1). As can be seen from the chart, over the course of these 5 years, the ratio for ConAgra Foods, Inc. jumped drastically from 0.7862 to 1.752 in December 31st of year 2013. This can be explained by the fact that the company decided that it did not have sufficient revenue in order to operate further, and as was mentioned earlier the higher the ratio is, the more risk the company takes but the more money it receives as a turn-over at the same time. We can observe the same situation with Kraft Foods, an American company which was founded in year 2012 as a grocery manufacturing and processing conglomerate. A new company has relatively à ¢â‚¬Ëœless’ to lose than an older one, especially when a company such as ConAgra Foods is nearly 100 years old. Indeed, in the short run, according to microeconomic rules of companies, the latter need to have as much revenue as possible in order to operate in the long run. That is why the ratio for the second company is relatively high. As for Nestle which was founded in year 1905 and that is headquartered in Switzerland, we can observer that the situation is rather more stable compared to the 2 other companies. In year 2012, it reached a maximum of 0.4494 ratio in debt to equity which is quite low considering this industry is capital-intensive. The payout ratio, on the other hand, shows the amount of dividends per share to earnings per share that a company makes. For investors, the ratio can show whether the company’s dividend payments seem to be appropriate and sustainable or whether the company’s paying out more than it can sustain. New and-or fast growing companies usually focus on re-investing their earnings so the business can grow, and as a result, tend to have lower dividend payout ratios. Conversely, larger companies usually have a higher payout ratio. Let us analyze the data from Table 2 (Appendix Table 2). ConAgra Foods company’s payout ratio during the period of 2010 to 2011 has been always higher than 40%, and in 2012 even reached 84.8%. This shows that the company decided to increase the relations with their shareholders, or increase the amount of people contributing to the company by having a more attractive dividend payment. As for the new company Kraft Foods, in 2012 the ratio was at 18.2% which is not surprising. However, the company in the next year decided to increase the dividend payments to 48.2%. The reasons may be the same as ConAgra Foods company’s and also that the company does not have much operating cost at this stage. Nestle in years 2010 to 2011 was quite low, but increased to a reasonable amount in the next years. Yet another tool can be used in defining a company’s financial strategy and it is the retained earnings. Retained earnings are usually used to pay off debts and/or gain additional assets (Appendix Table 3). Table shows the relationship between the retained earnings with long-term, short-term debts, as well as non-current assets and stockholders’ equity for ConAgra Foods company. The short-term debt in the company is kept relatively low at all times in the company, which shows that it spends its earnings to keep them down. Non-current assets, however, get increased by twice as much in year 2013. The explanation for this may be that the company decided to increase investments for its many brands recognition, as well as some new equipment. 1.2. The relationship between the financing strategy and the business strategy Since ConAgra Foods, Inc. has so many brands under its name, a wise strategy for the company would be to increase their investments on those brands that have the highest potential, make them more recognizable around the U.S. The company has, therefore, undertaken a few financial actions that would reflect on their business operations. An example of that is the dividend action. The dividend continues to represent one of the highest payout levels among consumer food companies today. As was shown earlier in the chart with the payout ratios of the company and its competitors, we could indeed see that the ratio was the highest for ConAgra Foods, Inc. Restructuring charges is the next strategy that the company recently implemented. The balance of this charge will reflect upon the volatile and non-volatile costs relating to the implementation of restructuring activities, including programs designed to reduce the company’s ongoing operating costs. In other words, the company also focu ses on reducing operating costs. This does make sense, knowing that this industry is quite capital-intensive. The company also announced plans to divest its seafood and domestic imported cheese businesses. 1.3. Internal Growth Rate The internal growth rate of a company illustrates the highest level of growth which is achievable by the company without obtaining external financing. The formula for calculating the growth rate is as following: IGR = Plowback ratio Ãâ€" return on equity Ãâ€" . The plowback ratio is simply 1 subtracted by the payout ratio (1 – payout ratio), and the return on equity is the net income divided by the shareholders’ equity (ROE = ). Using the latest financial data of the company for year 2014, we get that IGR = (1 – 0.527) Ãâ€" Ãâ€" =0.473Ãâ€"0.058Ãâ€"0.272=0.00746 or roughly 0.75%. A conclusion of this is that without external financing, the growth rate of the company is mediocre. In case of any questions considering number (Appendix B Balance sheet of the company). 2.1. ConAgra Foods spreadsheet Assumed growth rate 0,05 Comments Comments Income statement 2014 2015 2016 2017 Revenue 17 702 600 18 587 730 19 517 117 20 492 972 5% increase Cost of goods sold 13 980 000 60,4% of sales 14 679 000 15 412 950 16 183 598 5% increase EBIT 955 400 1 003 170 1 053 329 1 105 995 5% increase Interest expense 379 000 379 000 379 000 379 000 Earnings before taxes 576 400 EBIT-I.expense 624 170 674 329 726 995 Taxes 298 000 51,7% of EBT 322 696 348 628 375 856 Net income 315 100 EBIT I.expense taxes 301 474 325 701 351 139 Dividents 166 057 Payout ratio = 0,527 158 877 171 644 185 050 Reatined earnings 149 043 Net income-dividents 142 597 154 056 166 089 Balance sheet Assets Net working capital 1 588 400 1 667 820 1 751 211 1 838 772 5% increase Fixed assets 15 123 600 15 879 780 16 673 769 17 507 457 5% increase Total assets 16 724 000 17 547 600 18 424 980 19 346 229 Equity and liabilities Long-term debt 8 767 600 8 767 600 8 767 600 8 767 600 Shareholders equity 5 258 500 5 401 097 5 555 154 5 721 242 Increase due to Retained earnings Other liabilities 2 601 200 2 601 200 2 601 200 2 601 200 Minority interest 96 700 96 700 96 700 96 700 Total liability and s.equity 16 724 300 Equal to total assets 16 866 597 17 020 654 17 186 742 Required external finance 0 681 003 1 404 326 2 159 487 Total assets Total liab. and s.equity From this table we can observe how much external finance company needed to maintain future growth. It means that company will either sell equity or borrow debt to obtain extra cash for future growth. Required external finance was calculated, simply, by subtracting future total assets from future total liabilities and shareholders’ equity. In case of any questions considering number (Appendix B Balance sheet of the company). Appendix A 2.1. Financing strategy Table 1 DEBT TO EQUITY 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 ConAgra Foods (CAG) 0.6543 0.6183 0.7862 1.752 1.522 Kraft Foods (KRFT) N/A 0.0021 2.79 1.924 2.298 Nestle (NSRGY) 0.3249 0.3928 0.4494 0.3475 0.3024 The numbers were taken from December 31st of each consecutive year. Table 2 PAYOUT, % 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 ConAgra Foods (CAG) 43 46.8 84.8 82.1 52.7 Kraft Foods (KRFT) N/A N/A 18.2 48.2 53.1 Nestle (NSRGY) 17 18.5 60.6 72.2 47.5 Table 3 Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Retained Earnings 4417 4854 4765 5130 5011 Short-term Debt 261 364 78 703 226 Long-term Debt 3226 2870 2859 8887 8768 Non-current Assets 7778 7509 8223 16026 15136 Stockholders Equity 4924 4702 4440 5264 5259 Appendix B 1.3. Internal growth rate; 2.1. ConAgra Foods spreadsheet Balance sheet of the company 2014 Assets Current Assets Cash And Cash Equivalents 183,100 Net Receivables 1,393,200 Inventory 2,292,600 Other Current Assets 361,900 Total Current Assets 4,230,800 Property Plant and Equipment 3,822,800 Goodwill 7,836,500 Intangible Assets 3,205,800 Other Assets 270,500 Total Assets 19,366,400 Liabilities Current Liabilities Accounts Payable 2,416,400 Short/Current Long Term Debt 226,000 Total Current Liabilities 2,642,400 Long Term Debt 8,767,600 Other Liabilities 2,601,200 Minority Interest 96,700 Total Liabilities 14,107,900 Stockholders Equity Common Stock 2,839,700 Retained Earnings 5,010,600 Treasury Stock (3,494,400) Capital Surplus 1,036,900 Other Stockholder Equity -134,3 Total Stockholder Equity 5,258,500 References conagrafoods, (2015).Investor Relations and Investor Information | ConAgra Foods. [online] Available at: http://www.conagrafoods.com/news-room/news-ConAgra-Foods-Announces-Strategy-for-Strengthening-Long-Term-Operating-PerformanceStreamlined-PortfolioIncreased-Marketing-on-Key-BrandsAggressive-Cost-Programs-and-Lower-Dividend-Shape-New-Financial-Profile-1008563 [Accessed 29 Jun. 2015]. Financials.morningstar.com, (2015).Balance Sheet for ConAgra Foods Inc (CAG) from Morningstar.com. [online] Available at: http://financials.morningstar.com/balance-sheet/bs.html?t=CAGregion=usaculture=en-US [Accessed 29 Jun. 2015]. Gurufocus.com, (2015).ConAgra Foods Inc (CAG) Debt to Equity (%). [online] Available at: http://www.gurufocus.com/term/deb2equity/CAG/Debt+to+Equity+%28%25%29/ConAgra+Foods+Inc [Accessed 29 Jun. 2015]. Markets.ft.com, (2015).Nestle SA, NESN:VTX financials FT.com. [online] Available at: http://markets.ft.com/research/Markets/Tearsheets/Financials?s=NESN:VTX [Accessed 29 Jun. 2015]. Finance.yahoo.com, (2015).CAG Balance Sheet | ConAgra Foods, Inc. Common Stoc Stock Yahoo! Finance. [online] Available at: https://finance.yahoo.com/q/bs?s=CAG+Balance+Sheetannual [Accessed 30 Jun. 2015]. Finance.yahoo.com, (2015).CAG Income Statement | ConAgra Foods, Inc. Common Stoc Stock Yahoo! Finance. [online] Available at: https://finance.yahoo.com/q/is?s=CAG+Income+Statementannual [Accessed 30 Jun. 2015].

An Analysis of Communism Essay -- Exploratory Essays Research Papers

An Analysis of Communism Different forms of government have existed through the ages, including capitalism, monarchy, socialism, dictatorship, and theocracy. Communism is a government that developed in the early nineteen hundreds. The theory of communism is to create a government under which all people are equal. Communism hasn't achieved its goal to make all people equal. The leaders of communist nations have shown an insatiable desire for power. They take what the workers produce and give back only what is necessary (Orwell 10). Purges took place in communist governments under the leadership of dictators such as Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong. Under Stalin's rule "30,000 communists [were] killed in Paris" (Joseph Stalin). George Orwell narrowly escaped Stalin's purges in Spain where "many of [his] friends were shot, and others spent a long time in prison or simply disappeared" (Orwell 5). In this purge Stalin successfully executed Trotsky, who had been a key figure in establishing communism in the U.S.S.R (Joseph Stalin). Communist governments are unstable ... An Analysis of Communism Essay -- Exploratory Essays Research Papers An Analysis of Communism Different forms of government have existed through the ages, including capitalism, monarchy, socialism, dictatorship, and theocracy. Communism is a government that developed in the early nineteen hundreds. The theory of communism is to create a government under which all people are equal. Communism hasn't achieved its goal to make all people equal. The leaders of communist nations have shown an insatiable desire for power. They take what the workers produce and give back only what is necessary (Orwell 10). Purges took place in communist governments under the leadership of dictators such as Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong. Under Stalin's rule "30,000 communists [were] killed in Paris" (Joseph Stalin). George Orwell narrowly escaped Stalin's purges in Spain where "many of [his] friends were shot, and others spent a long time in prison or simply disappeared" (Orwell 5). In this purge Stalin successfully executed Trotsky, who had been a key figure in establishing communism in the U.S.S.R (Joseph Stalin). Communist governments are unstable ...

The Role of Afro-Cubans in the Formation of Cuba Essays -- History Cub

The Role of Afro-Cubans in the Formation of Cuba Introduction In the formation of the Cuban nation, the role of Afro-Cubans is undeniably of great importance. The success and riches obtained by Cuba as a Spanish colony would have been unthinkable without the exploitation of African slave labor. Even before emancipation, there were key figures in the Cuban independence movement, such as Antonio Maceo, who were free men of Afro-Cuban origin. After emancipation in 1886, Afro-Cuban ex-slaves showed their enthusiasm for their future in Cuba by volunteering in large numbers to fight in the Liberation Army. Yet in the victory over the Spanish in 1898, Afro-Cubans were given little recognition for their overwhelming support, and were bypassed for positions of authority during the American occupation. The Americans generally appointed white Cuban exiles or Spanish soldiers over Afro-Cubans, destroying the hopes many had of finally receiving their "rightful share", in the words of historian Aline Helg. Helg’s book Our Rightful Share: The Afro-Cuba n Struggle for Equality, 1886-1912, discusses these repeated disappointments felt by Afro-Cubans. In 1902 Cubans were at last free to govern themselves, and a constitution was drafted declaring all men equal, and granting universal male suffrage. Yet whites still dominated the positions of power in Cuba, and justified themselves by adhering to a myth that racial equality had been established (Helg, 70). Dissatisfied with their lot, Afro-Cubans again participated in large numbers in a revolution, this time under the liberal Jose Miguel Gomez, who promised them improved representation in government positions. Following the disappointment surrounding the 1908 elections, Afro-Cubans began to d... ...top sacrificing everything for the good of Cuba. They had to love themselves and recognize their personal value; then they had to love their families, then, their race; and then, only after all this, their homeland" (241). The myth, or maybe ideal of racial equality and unity had been forgotten. The failure of Afro-Cubans to attain equality in Cuba was the result of a racist societal hierarchy dominated by a white upper class. The more Afro-Cubans pushed for reforms, the more whites resisted. Eventually, Afro-Cuban tactics became more radical, which led to the violent response to the Partido Independiente de Color. The ideal of fraternity between the races, held by the Cuban revolutionary heroes Maceo and Marti, was not able to survive. Resources Helg, Aline. Our Rightful Share: The Afro-Cuban Struggle for Equality, 1886-1912. UNC Press, Chapel Hill, 1995.

Do Animals Have Language Essay

†Language is the method of human communication, either spoken or written, consisting of the use of words in a structured and conventional way†(1) Language is humanity’s way of communicating with each other, there are over 6,500 different languages spoken around the world. Every language is communicated by two or more people. Every person can have a combination of languages. It all depends on what that person chooses to do. Some individuals believe that there is no communication without language. But many like myself, beg to differ. As I believe there are numerous ways to communicate, whether it is by speech, symbols or sound. A few might argue that speech and sound are the same thing, to me they are completely different. Yes we need to make sounds that represent the letter that make up the word, but in some languages the sounds are the words. For example the Xhosa language; spoken by approximately 7.9 million people of the South African population, it is a tonal language. I believe that animals communicate using the same technique. I see that certain animals have a specific sound for their specie. For example a dog’s bark, a cat’s meow, and the whale’s songs. They are all a series of sounds, to each other they are understood. Upon being put in the right sequence they convey the message to the other members of that specie. It is a language they use, that we cannot comprehend. The languages present here in Earth are very detailed and elaborate, because humans have a very complex life, they need a lot of words to make sense of it. Animals live very simple lives, needing to communicate when in danger, or directing others. That is why their languages are probably much more simpler than ours. Other animals communicate through dance, and movements. I consider this a language of its own, as these dances create symbols, and symbols are a language. This is still considered using language as a method of communication. So yes, I do believe animals have a language, through sounds. Although those language are most likely very simple, they are their way of communicating with each other. (1):http://www.google.com.sa/search?hl=en&safe=active&sa=X&biw=1280&bih=596&q=language&tbs=dfn:1&tbo=u&ei=TbpMUMmDL4fvsgbWsYC4BA&ved=0CB0QkQ4

History of the Marine Nco

voice of the nautical Non equip policeman subsequently the Vietnam War abolished, the ocean corps master(prenominal) focus changed from broad scale trading operations, to macrocosm an Expeditionary Force in Readiness. Although this was no new comp singlent for the United States ocean army corps (USMC), there corroborate been many changes in society, technology and tactics that mend how the Corps operates. However, everywhere the last 36 years one thing has remained the same, and that is the utilization of the devil dog Non commissioned Officer (NCO).With the military man changing ever so rapidly, the buckram values and responsibilities of the Marine NCO be now, much than than ever, necessary to require out the operations being assigned to United States Marines. The role of the NCO is characterized by their take placeership skills, ability to require and care for their subordinates, as well as their responsibility to enforce Marine Corps standards to meet the proficiency of the Marines in their social unit. 1 Strong NCO leadership is extremely important on the battlefield, particularly when it comes to small unit combat operations.The Marine NCO must put one over courage to be able to lead their Marines in the presence of danger. An excellent model of the courage shown by an NCO is portrayed through with(predicate) the actions of Sgt Dakota L. Meyer. On phratry 8th 2009 (Corporal at the time), Meyers unit was ambushed by over 50 Taliban insurgents. This turned into a six-hour levy-fight, in which he risked his life for his fellow usefulness members. Meyer repeatedly exposed himself to rival fire to rescue the wounded, and bring 13 U. S. Marines and Soldiers, as well as 23 Afghanistani National Army Soldiers to safety. Along with these actions he as well killed over eight enemy combatants. For his actions, Sgt Meyer has been nominated for the palm of Honor and is plan to receive it sometime in September 2011. Sgt Meyers o utstanding leadership has prove how important the values of courage and altruism are in the Marine Non fit out Officer. Another important responsibility of the NCO is to retard their Marines are knowledgeable. During humanitarian aid missions kindred deed Restore Hope (Somalia 1992) and consummation Unified Response (Haiti 2010), troops were deployed on short notice. It was imperative that these Marines understood the mission, and had the victorian training before hand to carry out these tasks.The focus that NCOs put on training and preparedness was proven to be successful when it came time for their Marines to assist in expediting the relief efforts. The training Marines are precondition consists of maintaining annual qualifications, Military Occupational posture (MOS), and skipper Military learning. It is the responsibility of the Non Commissioned Officer to ensure that their junior Marines are completing rifle qualifications, physical seaworthiness tests, swimming qual ifications as well as any other yearly requirements.Marines should also be seeking knowledge in and outside of their MOS on a mending basis, and are encouraged to do so by their NCOs. The more knowledge Marines possess, the more successful they will be as individuals, as well as the USMC as a whole. The deep sense datum of professionalism and tradition is influenced heavily by the Marines who enforce the standards of the Corps. It is utter that the Marine NCO is the Backbone of the Marine Corps. This green goddess be attributed to the fact that it is the NCO, who enforces the regulations and standards of the Marine Corps.Non Commissioned Officers have a thorough pinch of Marine Corps Orders, and the Uniform grave of Military Justice. They make sure that Marines are conducting themselves professionally, and that they are proficient in their work. NCOs tog the example by keeping a good personal appearance, attitude and sense of leadership at all times. These standards and trad itions have remained strong until today because of strong NCOs. passim the many changes the world has experienced since the end of the Vietnam War, the Roles of the Marine Corps Non Commissioned Officer have remained the same.NCOs continuing to lead, train, set the example, and ensure Marine Corps standards are followed has contributed to the overall success of the Marine Corps. It is clear that one of the most important parts of the USMC is the role of the Marine Non Commissioned Officer. Bibliography History of the Marine NCO assimilator Guide. Quantico United States Marine Corps EnlistedProfessional Military Education Curriculum Branch, 2011. The Marine Corps Organizational Structure pupil Guide. Quantico United States MarineCorps Enlisted Professional Military Education Curriculum Branch, 2010. Medal of Honor Sgt. Dakota Meyer Operation Enduring Freedom.Official U. S. Marine Corps Website USMC course of instruction of Public personal matters Media Team, 2011. http//www. ma rines. mil/ alliance/Pages/MedalofHonorSgtDakotaMeyer-HeroicActions. aspx (accessedSeptember 7, 2011). Endnotes 1 History of the Marine NCO Student Guide. (Quantico United States Marine Corps Enlisted Professional Military Education Branch, 2011), 5. 2 Medal of Honor Sgt. Dakota Meyer Operation Enduring Freedom. (Official U. S. Marine Corps Website USMC Division of Public Affairs Media Team, 2011), http//www. marines. mil/ community/Pages/MedalofHonorSgtDakotaMeyer-HeroicActions. aspx (accessed September 7, 2011).