Social Networking, E Commerce, Information Systems, It...

The purpose of this report is to understand the following topics which are Social networking, E commerce, information systems, IT risk management and how they have influenced the modern day business organizations in terms of Promoting their business through social networks, how important to have a risk management plan in an organization, and how Ecommerce has become essential part of the business, also The value of information system is for the people of the modern world. Introduction Social Networks:- What are social networks? Social networking is a plat form, online service or a website which focuses on connecting people who shares common interests and ideas. For an example people who shares common interests, activities back grounds etc. And further the social networks has made much easier to keep in touch with your loved once around the globe. Geocities is rated as the very first social network to launch in the internet in 1994. Since then social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Tumbler, tweeter has become more popular around the world. (Forbes, 2012) Why are social networks important to modern business? Social networks have become an essential part of a business in this modern world today. It help the organizations to network, interact with customers and team members and also to promote the business. (Able.com, 2013) E-Commerce:- What is Ecommerce? E-commerce is a commercial transaction that involves transfer of information across the internet. ItShow MoreRelatedEssay on Final Project2965 Words   |  12 PagesApplications and Social Networking Graded Assignments: Project Project Project Title Transforming to an E-Business Model Purpose This project provides you an opportunity to assume a specific role in a business situation. You then apply the competencies gained in this course to develop a solution for a business problem related to an organization’s transformation to an e-business model. Learning Objectives and Outcomes You will be able to: Gain an overall understanding of an e-business transformationRead MoreSecurity and Payment Issues Faced by e-commerce Business in the Hospitality Industry978 Words   |  4 Pagesviolations and cyber-attacks to e-commerce systems especially in the hospitality industry. â€Å"In 2011, Trustwave SpiderLabs conducted 42 percent more data breach investigations than in the previous year. More than 85 percent of these data breaches occurred in the food and beverage, retail and hospitality industries.† (Savitz Percoco, 2012). It seems logical that any business would understand that building a secure business is important to long term success. (Vacca, 2012). E-commerce as a catalyst has ledRead MoreWhy Personal Information Is Risky On The Internet And The Situation Of Information Security1422 Words   |  6 Pagesdatabase management tools† (http://www.pcmag.com). Not only the development strategy of the government and enterprises, but also threaten citizens’ personal information security. There are significant issues increases rapidly due to this environment such as transfer , reproduction and abuse of personal information. Therefore, it provides convenience to criminal who wants to steal personal information of other people for benefit reason or other reasons. This essay aims to introduce the risks to personalRead MoreCmgt 554 Entire Course ( Week 1-6 ) Complete Course1596 Words   |  7 PagesCommunity Hospital Virtual Organization Prepare a 1,400-2,450 word paper including the following: †¢ Identify how data is transmitted within the hospital and externally. †¢ Identify and describe the OSI layers directly involved. †¢ Relate this information to the OSI model. Identify the various protocols that are available for use, and provide a recommended standard that should be used for the hospital. Use outside research to show how these standards have been used in similar companies to explainRead MoreThe Growing Relevance And Role Of Web Based Technologies1547 Words   |  7 PagesSocial Media Today The growing relevance and role of web-based technologies in supporting â€Å"firm operations† is widely acknowledged both by practitioners and academics (Hanafizadeh, Hanafizadeh, Khodabakhshi, 2010). The explosion of social media across the globe has impacted personal and professional communications and has opened up a variety of opportunities for interaction with communities, regions and businesses across the world. Businesses now, and more importantly in the future, are nowRead MoreElectronic Payment Social Commerce Essay1413 Words   |  6 Pagesi.e. organizations that conduct their business solely online (Turban E. , Lee, King, McKay, Marshall, 2008), and for this reason e-payment is assumed to be the sole means of payment. (Snellman, Vesala, Humphrey, 2001) Defines e-payments as any payment service that makes use of information and communications technologies including Integrated Circuit (IC) cards, cryptography and telecommunications. However, in this study, e-payment refers to all electronic transactions as payment for goods andRead MoreThe Challenges of E-Commerce1403 Words   |  6 PagesThe Challenges of E-Commerce MKT552 The Challenges of E-Commerce Today’s business managers face many challenges when migrating a traditional ‘brick and mortar’ company to that which is now known as the evolutionary ‘click and mortar’ business model – that is, a business that operates in the Internet market space. To stand boldly in the face of challenges presented by the networked economy, firms must develop competencies that enable not only high performance market interactivity and adaptiveRead MoreAdvantages And Disadvantages Of Mobile Technology Essay1447 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction ‘The centre of gravity in information technology has shifted away from the desktop and laptop computer and into the palm of your hands’ (Schwartz, 2010). The remarkable development of technology in the past decade has elevated the standards of e-commerce in the contemporary market. E-commerce has expanded from the conventional methods of electronic transactions through hardware computers into more dynamic and expedient system of mobile commerce through portable devices. Mobile computingRead MoreCase Analysis : Manager, And Operator Of A Local Golf Course And Pro Shop Essay1702 Words   |  7 Pagescan best expand his business through an e-commerce website. Mr. Kirby’s goal is to integrate the site into all aspects of the golf course and pro shop by selling merchandise and offering online scheduling of tee times. Approximately 71% of all shopper’s shop online looking to get a better deal and nearly 80% of the U.S. population has made an online purchase. E-commerce factored to be 7.5% of all retail in the country for the fourth quarter of 2015. (E-commerce Statistics All Retailers Should KnowRead MoreRelevant Types Of E B usiness Models1701 Words   |  7 Pagestypes of e-Business models In this case analysis, we use the term e-Business as a broader definition of e-Commerce (EC), not just solely describing the buying and selling of goods and services, but conducting all kinds of business online such as servicing customer, collaborating with business partners, delivering e-learning, and conducting electronic transactions within an organisation. This has to be stated since in some sources, the terms EC and e-Business are considered equivalent. E-Commerce have

Case Study-General Mills Inc. - 3110 Words

Genera2013 Case Study 1: General Mills Inc. Understanding Financial Statements Group 5 Summary This case overall probes into 3 basic financial statements of the company and management’s view as well as auditors comments on it. It teaches about how business ethics and corporate governance works. Case study encouraged us to closely probe into each statements and line items and make us understand it. Few highlighted learning’s are preparation of common-size financial statements, understanding of footnotes, eye opening fact about use of estimates in preparation of financial statement, etc. Overall it was good exercise accomplished with great team efforts. Concepts a. General Mills is one of the largest food companies in the†¦show more content†¦Boards of directors use financial statement to review and supervise the performance of management. Employees, of course, are potential users of financial statements as well. Employees can also be investors, so they need financial reports of the company to decide if it would be worthwhile to invest in the company. Also, companies pay bonuses, promote, and demote employees sometimes based on the company s net income, which is reported on the income statement. (Users of Financial Statements, ref) e. General Mills Inc. selected the independent registered public accounting firm KPMG LLP to conduct an external audit. The first letter from KPMG discusses their review of General Mills Inc. management report on the internal controls over financial reporting as of May 28, 2006. The general responsibilities of General Mills internal controls were listed, as well as the duties and the ethical standards external auditors (KPMG) are held to. The audit reviewed the processes involved with reporting accurate financial information, in addition to verifying that all information was prepared in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles. The second letter from KPMG discusses the audit report on the consolidated financial statements and related financial statement schedule. In the same way as the first letter, KPMG briefly reiterated the responsibility of theShow MoreRelatedGeneral Mills Inc. Understanding Financial Statements Essay1733 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction The case study General Mills Inc. - Understanding Financial Statements focuses on the most basic idea of finance analysis. This case is a brief look into the language that is used in the finance world and a start to interaction with auditors. In this case, KPMG LLP, the public accounting firm that was auditing their statements, had sent two opinion letters. The first letter was ensuring that both parties were aware that General Mills had internal control over financial reportingRead MoreAccounting Case Study on General Mills1465 Words   |  6 PagesAccounting Case Study on General Mills General Mills, Inc. Financial Accounting Case Study Module 1: A. General Mills Consolidated Statements of Earnings: 1. The recorded sale amount of almost $8 billion is not the actual amount of cash collected. The amount of $8 billion includes cash and credit sales. 2. Sales increased each year from 2000 to 2002. The difference between the year 2000 and 2001 was a 5.35% increase (5,450-5,173/5,173 = .0535). The difference between the year 2001 and 2002Read MoreUtilitarianism and Omelas Applying John Stuart Mills Utilitarianism to Ursula Le Guins The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas1220 Words   |  4 Pagesargument, the reasons in which a follower of John Stuart Mill s Utilitarianism would disagree with the events taking place in Ursula Le Guin s The One s Who Walk Away from Omelas. The creed which accepts as the foundation of morals, Utility, or the Greatest Happiness Principle, holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness (Mill 55). This is how Mill first presents the idea of Utilitarianism. If it promotesRead MoreThe Issue Of Marriage Equality1393 Words   |  6 Pageschurches to marry homosexual couples, they can force state governments to recognize the legal aspects of non-traditional marriages. As of March 2015, a total of thirty-seven states legally recognize married gay couples, according to Freedom to Marry, Inc., a leading promoter of marriage equality. The United States Constitution states that issues such as marriage are to be handled individually on a state-by-state basis, but this poses a fundamental problem. If a marriage is recognized in one state butRead MoreGeneral Mills Case3749 Words   |  15 Pages1998 General Mills studied areas of potential growth and value creation for their company which lead to small acquisitions of other firms. Looking to further grow their company, in December 2000, management of General Mills made a recommendation to its shareholders that they authorize the creation of more shares of common stock and approve a proposal for the company to acquire Pillsbury Company, a producer of baked goods, from Diageo PLC. Company Information General Mills General Mills is oneRead MoreAnalysis Of The Internship Experience At Apg International, Inc.1353 Words   |  6 Pages APG International, Inc. is an internationally renowned specialty glazing and building enclosure organization with specialist personnel recruited from around the world. The company has offices in Europe, Asia and the Middle East with vendors and suppliers spread across the globe. The internship experience at APG International, Inc. has been an enlightening two month period that has provided me with an opportunity to learn above and beyond the syllabus, reinforce my existing knowledge, shape my thoughtRead MoreReaction Paper on: Is Management Really an Essential Ingredient for Success?1215 Words   |  5 Pagesmuch of it is traditional exaggeration? Is it a fact or fiction? Objectives: The main objective of the case study is to provide a suitable answer for the questions discussed above. By the end of the reaction paper it has to be established whether, management is important for organizational success or not. We will also try to analyze if there are any exceptions to what we establish or not. Study Questions: * What management really is? * In what ways, management affects a business? * Is thereRead MoreThe Role Of Women Judges On International Courts And Tribunals962 Words   |  4 Pageslitigation practice, and a law clerk to United States Federal District Judge Gerald Bruce Lee, in the Eastern District of Virginia. She has served as a legal advisor or consultant to Latin American states in three cases before the International Court of Justice, and has advised petitioners in cases before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, including a news organization and relatives of victims of a 1994 terrorist bombing in Argentina. Professor Grossman is co-chair of the American SocietyRead MoreCase Question2035 Words   |  9 PagesWarren E. Buffett, 2005 Case Questions: 1. What is the possible meaning of the changes in stock price for Berkshire Hathaway and Scottish Power plc on the day of the acquisition announcement? Specifically, what does the $2.17-billion gain in Berkshire’s market value of equity imply about the intrinsic value of PacifiCorp? Based on the multiples for comparable regulated utilities, what is the range of possible values for PacifiCorp? What questions might you have about this range? Assess the bid forRead MoreCase Question2051 Words   |  9 PagesWarren E. Buffett, 2005 Case Questions: 1. What is the possible meaning of the changes in stock price for Berkshire Hathaway and Scottish Power plc on the day of the acquisition announcement? Specifically, what does the $2.17-billion gain in Berkshire’s market value of equity imply about the intrinsic value of PacifiCorp? Based on the multiples for comparable regulated utilities, what is the range of possible values for PacifiCorp? What questions might you have about this range? Assess the bid for

Book Summary Free Essays

Book Summary Beginning chapter one with citing one of the ten commandments, â€Å"Thou shall not steal,† Wayne Grudem sets the stage of what is about to come; a black and white analysis on how having business success does not necessarily make you fall short of being a â€Å"good† Christian. As a well-known, very credible Christian theologist, one may wonder why Grudem would venture out to right a book solely about business. â€Å"Business for the Glory of God,† looks at business ownership, profitability, money, competition, and borrowing and lending, just to name a few topics. We will write a custom essay sample on Book Summary or any similar topic only for you Order Now This essay will take a look at a few of the controversial topics, and share insight of why they may or may not be feasible arguments for why business is, â€Å"a gift from God. † When Grudem speaks of the commandment that states, â€Å"Thou shall not steal,† he uses this as evidence that by stealing, one must have their own possessions, and if we did not have possessions, this commandment would make no sense. This is a reasonable assumption, therefore it can be a good way to begin discussing how ownership is not so bad; on the contrary, if Grudem is unable to offer clear, factual information, his credibility may waiver. Chapter one continues with Grudem’s discussion of how ownership is not synonymic for greed, and if one is selfless and realizes that God is the real business owner, he has not sinned. The points that Grudem makes are quite valid, and are very simple, and to the point; the issue with this, is that these may seem like simple subjects, however the responses are more analytical than what is given. When speaking of ownership, the only viewpoint is one attempting to prove that business ownership is not a sinful act; without overcoming specific objections that this may be a sinful act. While the writer makes valid arguments, he tends to only cater to what he believes, instead of being philosophical on the subject. This can lead to the reader questioning the content being read, and frankly can lead to distrust in the content overall. A similar argument would be, â€Å"The world was created in six days overall, because the Bible said so. † Though this may be feasible to someone who acknowledges that the Bible is accurate, it is not a proper argument for those who look for a deeper understanding of the matter. Chapter four’s focus is commercial transactions; the beginning of the chapter reads, â€Å"Buying and selling are fundamentally good and provide many opportunities for glorifying God, but also many temptations to sin. † On the topic of buying and selling, Grudem discusses how selfish motives can easily lead to a sinful nature. When a business or individual is making a profit from their company, and they do not share the profits accordingly with their partners, they have encountered a sinful nature. Also, when a business begins focusing on their profits only, they have â€Å"idolized† money, and forgotten their original business promises. Grudem speaks of many good points on how buying and selling is essentially trading, so that we can get what we need. This is obviously what makes our economy, and allows us to provide for our families accordingly. Unfortunately, an unaddressed concern would be price gouging. For a typical, middle class American, there are a lot of products and services that are necessary that are outrageously expensive due to circumstances. One example of an unethical, non-Christian business practice would be pricing generators at a higher price due to power outages. This is unfair to the consumer who needs the product, and demonstrates the seller’s greed. Profits allow businesses to succeed; if there was no money earned for one’s labor, a business would be unsuccessful. Reasoning as to why profits are not against what Christianity stands for, is because if we make something and sell it for a higher price, we are generally selling the value that we have added to a product. Mass merchandisers, such as Wal-Mart, have the ability to sell items at low prices, because they can financially order items in very large quantities. The discounts that they receive on their merchandise are evidential to the buyer, who chooses to buy their items because they are the cheapest. It becomes a pattern; and being that consumers are primarily focused on the cost point, Wal-Mart has become somewhat of a monopoly. There is no physical value added to purchasing things from Wal-Mart, but there is value in saving a dollar or two. Due to the fact that privately owned supermarkets barely stand a chance against a mass merchandiser, â€Å"mom and pop† places are forced to close, with the inability to compete. Though price is a consumer’s primary concern, if there were lower costs of living, small businesses would have a lower overhead cost, and would not be forced to raise their prices for consumers. This is not insinuating that mass merchandisers are being sinful with their low prices; this simply demonstrates how the government’s involvement in protecting small businesses can drive the economy. In chapter eight, Grudem discusses competition; this is probably one of the most controversial subjects surrounding one’s idea that businesses are synonymous with greed and corruption. Competition can be defined from several different view points, and can be either positive or negative. One example of friendly competition would be a children’s basketball game. Children are encouraged to be aggressive, and to win, however, they realize that the game is to be played fairly, and friendly. Teams know that at the end of the year, the best teams â€Å"win†, and are awarded accordingly, which is another motivator for friendly competition. Competition takes place through all business standpoints, and sometimes goes without notice. In my workplace, there is friendly competition amongst employees who are selling phones. Being that our pay is based on what we sell, this friendly competition can turn ugly very quickly; it just depends on your mindset. Being a Christian, I do not participate in unethical behavior that can hinder someone else, or me. I always make an attempt to treat each associate fairly, and I refrain from using foul or negative language. The unfortunate part is that not all associates will feel the same way about this, and this can lead to a tense environment, and ultimately employee remorse. This example demonstrates the positive and negative aspects of competition from a Christian viewpoint. Throughout his very short, theological book, Grudem tends to make a black and white analysis of topics pertaining to business. Throughout my reading, I found that his points were very valid; however, they could be contradicted very easily. To a common reader who may not have much knowledge on Christian theology, it would be feasible that they search for further explanation. This book would benefit from the author having more of a philosophical mindset, and sharing both views on the matter with conclusive evidence as to why his viewpoint is correct. In this instance, the reader yearns for more information and ultimately, a better argument. The writer begins each chapter with stating that all â€Å"can† lead to sin if you let it, but he does not elaborate enough. For my educational purposes, I found this book very helpful in its attempt to shed light on a commonly overlooked topic in the Christian world. I was able to see Grudem’s points very clearly, and more importantly, I was able to gain information that can help me in my profession. WORKS CITED Grudem, Wayne. Business for the Glory of God: The Bible’s Teaching On the Moral Goodness of Business. Wheaton, IL: Good News Publishers/Crossway Books, 2003 How to cite Book Summary, Papers

Creative Writing The Meadow Essay Example For Students

Creative Writing: The Meadow Essay Creative Writing: The MeadowOn a crisp autumn afternoon, I sat idly under an enormous oak treewatching as a whirlwind whisked across the rolling hills of the meadow. As itpassed by me, the whirlwind scooped up a dormant pile of leaves lying next tothe oak tree. The leaves appeared to come alive twisting, turning, and dancingabout the meadow. They were sporting their new fall colors of red, orange,brown, and yellow. The brittle autumn leaves seemed to be having a party. Asthe party moved out of sight, I began to think about the last time I visited themeadow. The memories of my last visit are vivid with relaxed and peacefulthoughts motivated by the images, scents, and sounds of the meadow. The beauty of the meadow in the summer is unequaled. My memoriescontained many images of this special place. Snow covered mountains extend highabove the heavens; thus, setting the backdrop to the meadow. Wildflowersspeckled the base of the mountain becoming more abundant near the babblingbrook. The brook ran through the middle of the meadow turning, and twistingaround the enormous oak tree. The lush green grass grew around the tree likehair on a dogs back. Birds flew through the radiant blue sky diving forinsects. My thoughts reflect relaxation as my mind focuses on the pleasingimagery. The sounds of the meadow complement the beautiful imagery, and create asense of inner peace and harmony. The soothing sounds drifted across the meadowlike an orchestra playing at Carnegie Hall. The buzzing of the bees feeding onpollen made up the chorus. A woodpecker kept a steady beat as he drilled a holein the oak tree. Birds whistling, and peeping formed the brass section liketrumpets playing an excerpt from the 1812 Overture. All these sounds, and manymore blended together to create a relaxing melody soothing to the ear. The scents that fill a place are often strong components of memories. The scent of the meadow established lasting images in my mind. A breeze thatwafted across the meadow was full of many different scents. The yellowwildflowers smelled like a rich box of dark chocolate fudge: that was presentedas a gift on Christmas Day. The green grass was an odoriferous carpet smellingmostly of mildew. Perhaps, the most pleasant scent associated with the meadowwas that of an approaching storm. I often found solace in the rhythmic noise ofthe raindrops, and the wonderful smell of life giving rain. It was as if thesmells of the meadow were tangible objects seen, felt, and touched. A chill came over me as crisp breeze whisked over the meadow. The sunhad passed behind the snow covered mountains. Small white flakes had startedto come down as I sat under the leafless oak tree. I got up to look around themeadow; now completely covered with a white blanket. It seems that I missedremarkable visit while reminiscing about the past. The imagery, sounds, andscents of the meadow were powerful constituents of my relaxing and therapeuticmemories.

Interpersonal Relationship and Simple Gift free essay sample

A sense of belonging or not belonging greatly influences an individuals identity. A change in identity occurs when belonging is found through meaningful, intimate relationships, with senses ofplace, community, safety and familiarity. The free verse novel, The Simple Gift, composed by Steven Herrick, and the dramatic fairytale film, Edward Scissorhands, directed and created by Tim Burton, both explore the concepts of belonging and relationships through the strong use of literary techniques; and focus on a changing Identity as a base for belonging. Both texts have significantly different perspectives of belonging and identity. Edward yearns to belong and become part of societys conformity and routine, whereas Billy aspires to a life of solitude and self reliance. Billy is a misfit in high school, having no significant relationships and a heartless abusive father, the old bastard. Before he embarks on journey for belonging, it is evident that he lacks a sense of belonging at home and in his community. We will write a custom essay sample on Interpersonal Relationship and Simple Gift or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Billy describes his home house as Deadbeat no hoper shithole lonely downtrodden house in Longlands road, Nowheresville. This string of informal negative description emphasizes Billys emotional isolation and dislocation within his community. His missing sense of belonging gives him the identity of an outcast, which proves belonging or not belonging greatly influences an individuals identity. Billys escape from his town, Nowheresville to Bendarat coincides with his discovery of relationships, acceptance and nourishment from strangers. Herrick has used the characterization of Billys father figures to portray his desire to belong. When Billy first escapes his town, and we see first see the weather motif, mirroring Billys belonging to place, the rain is personified as Billy describes it as hitting you in the face with the force of a fathers punch. This metaphor shows why Billy needed to escape from his abusive tyrant father, and his lack of intimate relationships and belonging. Herrick later utilizes the characterization of Ernie and Irene, total strangers who through altruism and kindness offer him refuge and simple gifts. Ernie starkly contrasts Billys father, and introduces the motif of gifts, which influences Billys selfless nature. Irene, the librarian, offers Billy empathy and doesnt judge him. The two characters of Ernie and Irene have anagrammatic names, because they were both designed to serve the same purpose offer the simple gift of kindness and altruism. Billys relationship with these characters fosters his change of identity to a much more caring person. Although Billys sense of not belonging is evident, he finds places of isolation, safety and familiarity throughout The Simple Gift. His makeshift home, a train carriage becomes his home and provides him with sense of belonging to place. Billy describes the train carriage as a cave and a hotel. He classifies it as a cave because it protects him from the elements and furthermore as a hotel because it is not his permanent residence. His places of belonging and refuge greatly influence his identity. Further on in The Simple Gift, Billy discovers true belonging is found through meaningful, emotionally nourishing relationships. Billys relationship with Old Bill is one of the most important, as they give each other purpose, safety and nourishment. Billy explains thats why I help Old Bill, for no reason other than he needs it; this shows Billys altruism through the use of simple gift motif. Billy develops another significant relationship with Caitlin, a wealthy girl who is smart enough to realise none of this means anything, because like Billy, she values a lack of material possessions, and dislikes the identity associated with being wealthy. Billys relationship with Caitlin provides him with belonging, trust, emotional nourishment and support. Billys belonging through these meaningful intimate relationships greatly influence each characters individual identity. The suburban community in which Edward attempts to belong has its own inclusive sense of belonging and conformity. All of the houses in the community conform; they are all one single, bright and cheerful colours. Edwards house is dark and gothic on the exterior, but beautiful on the inside, which is symbolic of Edward himself. The houses are a motif that explores the townspeoples identities. Throughout the film, Edward yearns to belong to the community that resides near his castle, and is willing to transform himself to belong. This is powerfully shown through the use of the talk show scene, where he admits he would like to have normal hands and another woman tells him he would be special, and he says yes I know, because he is willing to sacrifice his individuality and uniqueness to conform to the towns superficial identity. This scene explores belonging by showing the extent Edward will go to, to belong and permanently change his identity. Edwards gaining of belonging and change of identity is abruptly halted when the catalyst of the burglary occurs, because the town now sees him as villain. In the scene where Edward is being chased and he sits beside dog. When he cuts away the hair covering the dogs eyes, It runs away scared. The dog in this scene is symbolic of the whole town now judging him superficially, seeing him as a freak. By this scene it is clear Edward isnt going to belong. The end of Edwards story directly contrasts the conclusion of The Simple Gift, as Billy has found belonging through intimat e relationships. Edwards sense of belonging in the town is fostered by his fairytale-like relationship with Kim, Pegs daughter. As Edwards relationship with the town as a whole progressively fails, his relationship with Kim strengthens. This is shown through the increasing close-up camera angles on both Edward and Kims faces, and most importantly in the poignant scene where Kim dances in the snow made by Edwards ice-carving; she rejoices in his individuality. The camera angles in this scene show Kim and Edwards relationship and Kims acceptance of Edwards individuality. Edwards relationship with Kim shows the importance of relationships in belonging, and his sense of belonging and changing identity in the town is explored vastly through his growing relationship with Kim. The Simple Gift and Edward Scissorhands both creatively explores senses of belong and not belonging, and how a sense of belonging can change an Identity for the better or worse. Conclusively, Billy finds belonging due to finding intimate relationships and a sense of place, and Edwards quest for belonging ends in a tragedy, due to his failure to conform to the suburban communitys identity; and never being able to have meaningful relationships.

How to Grow Your Own Quartz Crystals

How to Grow Your Own Quartz Crystals Quartz crystals are silicon dioxide, SiO2. Pure quartz crystals are colorless, but impurities in the structure lead to beautifully colored gems, including amethyst, rose quartz, and citrine. Most natural quartz crystallizes from magma or precipitates from hot hydrothermal veins. Although man-made quartz is produced, the process requires heat not generally possible in a home setting. Its not a crystal most people want to try to grow at home  since perfect crystals require  specialized equipment. Synthesized quartz is made using the hydrothermal process in an autoclave. You probably dont have one of those in your kitchen, but you may have a smaller equivalenta pressure cooker. Growing Crystals With a Pressure Cooker If you are truly determined to grow quartz crystals at home, you can grow small crystals by heating silicic acid in a pressure cooker. Silicic acid can be made by reacting quartz with water or by  acidification of sodium silicate in aqueous solution. The main problem with either technique is that silicic acid has a tendency to turn into silica gel. However, it is possible to synthesize quartz crystals with a pressure cooker. In 1845, the German geologist Karl Emil von Schafhutl succeeded in making quartz the first crystal grown by hydrothermal synthesis. Modern techniques can be used to grow large single crystals, but you shouldnt expect fabulous gems from a home canning system. Similar Alternatives Fortunately, there are similar-looking crystals you can grow at home. One rather spectacular option is to make a fulgurite, which is the glassy shape made by a lightning strike or other electrical discharge into sand. If youre seeking a large colorless crystal to grow, try alum crystals.

1968 event Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

1968 event - Essay Example Immediately after the incident, he was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to injury and was pronounced dead after an hour. He passed away at the age of 39 (History 2012). Over four thousand National Guard Troops were ordered into Memphis to control the situation and prevent its aftermath; however the gunman managed to run away and escape. A curfew was immediately imposed as the 550,000 shocked inhabitants of the city, came to terms with the shocking incident. According to police accounts, the tragedy led to sporadic violence in Harlem and Brooklyn followed by incidents of looting and hostilities against the policemen by the districts with a majority of African American populations (The New York Times, 1968). The suspect who played a pivotal role in the tragedy was later identified as James Earl Ray – a small-time criminal, an ex-convict and a known racist was apprehended by the U.S. authorities at the Heathrow Airport on June 8 1968. Bystanders and witnesses present at the event narrated various accounts which included some of them witnessing him fleeing from a boarding house with a suspicious bundle, near the Lorraine Motel. It was alleged by the prosecutors that he had fired from the bathroom in the Motel building (History 2012). He was convicted for the murder of Dr. King and was sentenced to 99 years in prison on May 10, 1968. Earl Ray consistently denied his involvement in the assassination. The hunt for the suspects was one of the most sensational events in the history of the United States, giving rise to various conspiracy theories, misleading the investigators. Various eye witness accounts were taken into consideration and millions of dollars were invested by the Federal government to arrest the key conspirator. The tragedy was one of the most significant events in history since Dr. King was the leader and pioneer of the Civil Rights movement in the U.S. and played a key role in the upliftment of the suppressed African

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

Collective Law - Essay Example There were many law collectives in the 1970s and till late 1980s. These collectives ran as worker-run, co operative law firms. They often had revolutionary politics, and supported explicitly revolutionary groups and individuals. Lawyer and non-lawyer employees were paid the same wages, and had equal decision- making power. At some law collectives, workers supporting families were paid more. A handful of law collectives organized along those lines still exist – For example, the People's Law Office in Chicago. There has been a small movement of activist law collectives since the 1999 Seattle WTO protests. These groups are usually non-lawyer centered, they run along anarchist principles even if they do not explicitly identify as anarchist, and work as part of the movement for social justice. These law collectives are made up mostly or entirely of non-lawyers. They are located in cities including Philadelphia, Washington, DC; New York; Madison; Portland; Oakland; and Montreal, Ott awa, and Toronto, Canada. This new generation of law collective works to empower people to provide their own legal support. They give "trainer trainings" so people can give "Know Your Rights" and other workshops to their communities; teach people to provide legal support for their affinity groups or for specific protests; and demystify the law in general and law collective work in particular.... the "A16" World Bank and IMF protests in 2000; the Republican and Democratic convention protests, also in 2000; the Free Trade Area of the Americas FTAA protests in 2001 and 2004; on going protests by the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty; and in the mass protests around the US against the war in Iraq in 2003. Role of collective law in Canada:- Canadians believe that the rule of law must govern relations between states. Canadians have deemed their own security indivisible from that of their allies. These are the abiding foundations of Canada's commitment to collective security. Canadians have a strong sense of responsibility to alleviate suffering and respond, where their efforts can make a difference. Canadians have proven their worth in the past and remain equally valid in a global environment that is increasingly inter dependent. Canada cannot dispense with the maritime, land, and air combat capabilities of modern armed forces. at present, there is no immediate direct military threat to Canada and that today's conflicts are far from our shores. even so, the country must maintain a prudent level of military force to deal with challenges to our sovereignty in peacetime, and retain the capability to generate forces capable of contributing to the defense of their country when the need arise. Beyond the basic national requirement, were Canada to abandon the capability to participate effectively in the defense of North America, NATO-Europe allies, and victims of aggression elsewhere, the country would stand to lose a significant degree of respect and influence abroad. Collective Security and the Changing Face of Peacekeeping. If the country make a significant

PHI 101 Metaphysics and Theories of Reality Essay

PHI 101 Metaphysics and Theories of Reality - Essay Example We live in a dynamic universe. Knowledge is continually evolving. Progress on the scientific, economic and political fronts is essential for survival. Stagnation leads to entropy. There can be no standing still or going back. Growth is a fact of life and ensures that knowledge is continuously updated, and new paradigms constantly replace the old. Once the dynamic nature of knowledge is accepted, it follows that there can be no single universally accepted paradigm to withstand the test of time. Perceptions and standards change over time and become relative to a particular period or civilization. There can be no absolute standards. Each new discovery indicates the shortcomings of previous perspectives. This mandates openness to the diversity of life. When knowledge is continually evolving, and change is inevitable, bigotry has no place in belief systems. By acknowledging that beliefs and values are relative, we open our minds to the viewpoints of others. This approach can contribute towards a better understanding of different perspectives and constitute a bulwark against fundamentalism and rigidity in beliefs. The study of knowledge clearly offers evidence of the interdependence of all aspects of the world. The evolutionary nature of the universe, and of knowledge, tends towards increasing complexity. This includes social complexity. The contemporary theory of ‘Open Systems’ emphasizes that all systems are open and demonstrates that there is interaction on all fronts, both within the component parts of a system, and with the surroundings. Interaction is a prerequisite for growth. The complexity and organization of a system can be maintained only through this openness. Just as the units of nature are interdependent open systems, human society is also an open system which can survive only through interaction. Mutual interdependence is a fact of human life. We

Analyzing the Salt Level in Different Soil Textures

Analyzing the Salt Level in Different Soil Textures Jason Jarabejo Rafael Celis Joshua Mikael Ramos Hagin Busto Santos Angelo Wesley Pangilinan Chapter I Introduction BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY The main goal of this research is to fully understand how salt level varies in different soil compositions. The first fundamental topic for this research came from The Effects of Sodium Chloride Solution on the growth of Tomato Plants (Lycopersicon esculentum) (Larsen, 2007), a study concerning the effect of high salinity level on farming and the factors affecting it. Sodium Chloride (NaCl) or commonly known as salt or halite was used in marking territories because it yields the growth of plants on fields enforced with salt. The scientific reason for this is because salt acts as an opposing agent against the plant’s ability to sip water through the soils cracks. This research will focus on the analysis of the salt level in different soil textures. The gathered salinity levels will be analyzed and compared to know which soil textures will have a reading precisely close to moderate regular salinity levels. Based on the procedure on measuring salinity by (Queensland, 2007) we will use, the regular salinity margin is 1.5-4 dS/m which is ranged from slightly saline that has minimal effect to moderately saline which has restricted effects. It can also be translated to 15%-40% salinity. But to get more precise readings, 27.5% will be marked as the basis of regular salinity level. For this research, we will limit the field of measurement in a regular setting for the electrical conductivity measurement to control the level and for it to remain constant. Using soil salt level field test, we compare reading of salt level in each soil texture. Thus arriving at the main purpose of this research which is to analyze the salt levels in different soil textures and assess the results using Soil Salinity Field Test. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM Main Problem: Which soil texture will give a salt level that will approximately be the closest to the regular salinity level mark? Hypothesis: The loam soil. Because it is moderately coarse, has less cation exchange capacity, and has a high water infiltration rate to wash the salt. Sub problems: How does the salt level of each soil composition differ from the mixed soil textures? Does the difference between the soil compositions have relevance to its permeability? What measurements are used when it comes to salt level? OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY Main Objective: To analyze the salinity level in different soil composition Specific objective: To assess the factors that affect the salt level in various soil textures. Specific objective: To identify which type of soil texture can resist salt intrusions considering its bad impact on plants. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY When the problem about the salt level affecting wet land and dry land farming was encountered, it gave a potential to this research and formed a basic study. The main goal of this research is to gain knowledge on of the leading causes in failure of farming, and that is the high level of salts. And at the same time, it might find a better solution by finding an efficient way in controlling it through soil composition comparison. The Effects of Sodium Chloride Solution on the growth of Tomato Plants (Lycopersicon esculentum) (Larsen, 2007) Physiology of Salt Tolerance: Annual Review of Plant Physiology (Leon Bernstein and H. E. Hayward, Agricultural Research Division 2000) serves as the first fundamental research for our paper. SCOPE AND LIMITATION The coverage of this research is about the analysis of the salt level in different soil textures. This study covers the Properties of Sodium Chloride which includes its physical properties such as its crystalline form and hypotonic property. Also, the Effect of Level of Salinity in Wet land and dry land farming such as Dehydration and Stabilization. In relation with the part of analyzing the salinity, this research will specifically use Soil salinity yield test. Other topics which will not be covered by the said topics will be excluded from the study and will not affect the research. Chapter II – Review of Related Literature SALINITY Salinity is the amount of salt in a body of water or in soil. Salinity in the soil is caused by natural processes such as mineral weathering or the gradual withdrawal of an ocean (Graaff, 2001)It can also be caused by artificial processes such as irrigation. Dry land salinity occurs when the water table is between two to three meters from the surface of the soil. Also occurs on landscapes that are not irrigated. The salts from the groundwater are raised by capillary action to the surface of the soil. This occurs when groundwater is saline and is favored by land use practices allowing more rainwater to enter the aquifer than it could accommodate. Salinity from irrigation can occur over time, because almost all water contains some dissolved salts. When the plants use the water, the salts are left behind in the soil and eventually begin to accumulate. Since soil salinity makes it more difficult for plants to absorb soil moisture, these salts must be leached out of the plant root zone by applying additional water. Salinization from irrigation water is also greatly increased by poor drainage and use of saline water for irrigating agricultural crops. Salinity greatly affects agriculture because of the fact that salinity in soil produces salt that dehydrates the plant. Buildup of salt within the plants itself also has great effect on them, it shows older leaves which has long exposure to excess salt. The signs that indicate salinity is too high for a plant are slow and stunted growth, small stunted fruits, increased in succulence of leaves, leaves may be darker green or bluish green and leaves may turn yellow or brown, mottle and drop off from the plant. According to (Blaylock, 2004) it happens when too much salts accumulate in the root zone, causing the plants to exert more energy to extract the water from the soil that also gives plants stress. The salinity in the soil is dependent in soil type, climate, weather, use and irrigation routines. As the plants absorbs the water and also the loss of water due to evaporation, the soil salinity then increases because salts become more concentrated. Thus, evapotranspiration between irrigation periods can further increase the soil salinity. Salinity can also affect the physical property of soil by causing fine particles to bind together into aggregates that is known as Flocculation. Flocculation is beneficial in terms of soil aeration, root penetration and root growth. Although soil salinity has a positive effect on soil aggregation and stabilization, but too much salt can negatively affect them and potentially lethal to plants. The primary physical processes associated with high sodium conc entrations are soil dispersion and clay platelet and aggregate swelling. According to (J.D, 1977), salt is a clear to white crystalline mineral that is orthorhombic. It has a boiling point of 1,413  °C and a melting point of 801  °C. Also have a hardness of 2.5 according to the moh’s scale and a density of 135 lb/ft. Salt is also the product of salinity which affects the growth of plants. Sodium Chloride or salt is essential to plant and animal life but can be harmful to both if used at excessive amounts. Salt is also used in food preservation which is called salting and is also one of the oldest known seasoning for foods. In humans, salt is needed in order for the body to survive but as stated earlier, too much salt may cause harmful effects such as high blood pressure in some sensitive individuals. Sandy soil is simply a type of soil that contains visible large particles to the naked eye, usually light in color and stays loose allowing moisture to penetrate easily. It is granular and contains very small rocks and mineral particles. It is form ed by disintegration and weathering of rocks and is easier to cultivate when rich in organic material. It is good for plants since it lets the water go off so that it does not remain near the roots and lead them to decay. SOIL TEXTURE (P., 2009)The forces that bind clay particles together are disrupted when too many large sodium ions come between them. When this separation occurs, the clay particles expand, causing swelling and soil dispersion. Soil dispersion causes clay particles to plug soil pores, resulting in reduced soil permeability. Increased amounts of calcium and magnesium can reduce the amout of sodium-induced dispersion. Soil dispersion hardens soil and blocks water infiltration, making it difficult for plants to establish and grow. The decrease in decomposition causes soils to become infertile, black alkali soils. The main concerns related to the relationship between salinity and sodicity of irrigation water are the effects on soil infiltration rates and hydraulic conductivities. Essentially, the swelling factor predicts whether sodium-induced dispersion or salinity-induced flocculation will more greatly affect soil physical properties. As said in (A.L., 2000). Soil composition plays an important role in all aspects of irrigated agriculture, and the role of soil texture with respect to effects of salinity and sodicity is no exception. Soil texture helps determine how much water will be able to passthrough the soil, how much water the soil can store, and the ability of sodium to bind to the soil. The three main clay types are montmorillonite, illite, and kaolinite clays. On the microscopic scale, each of these clays has a different lattice structure, i.e., different building blocks. This directly affects the ability of sodium to bind to each type. Basically, the more Silt is granular material of a size somewhere between sand and clay whose mineral origin is quartz and feldspar. May be found as a soil or settled under a body of water. Silt has a moderate specific area with a typically non-sticky, plastic feel. Silt usually has a floury feel when dry, and a slippery feel when wet. Silt can be visually observed with a hand lens. It is a loose sedimentary material with rock particles usually 1/20 millimeter or less in diameter also contains 80 percent or more of such silt and less than 12 percent of clay. Clay is heavy, sticky, fine grained soil that combines one or more clay minerals with traces of metal oxides and organic matter. It is mainly composed of fine particles of hydrous aluminum silicates and other minerals, and that is used for brick, tile, and pottery. Clay, a fine grained soil, also differ with the other fine grained soils by means of size and mineralogy. Sand is a granular material that is mainly composed of finely divided rocks and minerals that is very tiny and loose. It came from the disintegration of rocks, consists of particles smaller than gravel but coarser than silt, and is used in mortar, glass, abrasives, and foundry molds. The composition of sand is highly variable, depending on the local rock sources and conditions, but the most common constituent of sand in inland continental settings and non-tropical coastal settings is silica usually in the form of quartz. Loam is the mixture of sand, silt, and clay. Specifically, 40% silt, 40% sand, and 20% clay. These proportions can vary to a degree however, and result in different types of loam soils. This type of soil is good for growing plants because it contains more nutrients, moisture, and humus than sandy soils, have better drainage and infiltration of water and air than silt soils, and are easier to till than clay soils. ELECTROMAGNETISM/ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION It is produced when electricity and magnetism were `unified. The existing connection develops from the fact that an electric current (the flow of electrons in a metal) produces a magnetic field. Electromagnetic induction is the production of a potential difference of voltage across a conductor when it is exposed to a varying magnetic field. SOIL SALINITY FIELD TEST SSFT is a procedure done by (Agriculture, 2000) to measure the salinity level in your soil. It is a test verified by NSW Agriculture in November 8, 2000 but claimed to be less accurate than lab tests by estimated 10%. Its objectives are to assess the salinity level of salinity and texture of the soil sample. A research by (Larsen, 2007) explained the effect of sodium chloride solution on the growth of tomato plants. Its primary objective is to determine how different concentrations of a solution of sodium chloride affect primary growth in tomato plants. CATION-EXCHANGE CAPACITY (CEC) CEC s the number of exchangeable cations, an ion that has a positive charge per dry weight that a soil is capable of holding at a given pH value, and available for exchange with soil water solution. It is used to measure of soil fertility, nutrient retention capacity, and the capacity to protect groundwater from cation contamination. BASE SATURATION The Fraction of exchangeable cations that are base cations (Ca, Mg and K ). The higher the amount of exchangeable base cations, the moreaciditycan beneutralizedin the short time perspective. Thus, a soil with high cation-exchange capacity takes longer time to acidify (as well as to recover from an acidified status) than a soil with a low cation-exchange capacity (assuming similar base saturations). UNIT OF MEASUREMENT FOR CEC meq/100g. or lb/acre. translation from meq/100g to lb/acre, for available nutrients, can be made by calculating, that considers the ion’s valence, atomic weight, and by estimating the soil depth and its density. THINGS THAT AFFECT CEC pH Level CEC is dependent on pH level, due to the Hofmeister series, which describes the relative strength of various Cations’ absorption to colloids. When soil acidity increases, pH decreases, more H+ ions are attached to cations. Inversely, when soil becomes more basic, pH increases, the available cations in solution decreases because there are fewer H+ ions to push cations into the soil solution from the colloids ( CEC increases ). ORGANIC MATTER Organic matter increases the CEC in soil by increasing its available negative charges. Organic matter in soil gives, usually, a positive impact on soil fertility. LIBRARY DETERMINATION extraction with ammonium acetate -Silver-thiourea method (one-step centrifugal extraction ) Chapter III – Materials and Methods METHODOLOGY COLLECTION Gather and prepare 7 containers. After, collect soils of different soil textures with at least 150g each. After collecting the soil textures, prepare 50g of sodium chloride for each sample. PREPARARATION Prepare the gathered materials. The 3 experimental setups will each have 3 containers which will contain the main soil composition and the other mixture of soil composition. Classify each container according to soil composition. Put at least 500 grams of assigned soil composition. To control extraneous variables between each soil, each will be given respective amounts of water in accordance to their usual hydraulic level. And all will be exposed to the same environmental features. And since Silt Soils are most common in successful farming, it will serve as the control group. TREATMENT To ensure the regularity of the amount of soil, the researchers will conduct first observations after applying controlled variables. Using soil salinity yield test, measure the amount of salinity of the 3 main soil composition. Then after ensuring their regularity, do the same procedure to the control group which will be the silt soil and the remaining set-ups of mixed soil compositions. After recording the salinity level, apply 5 parts of water per 1 part of soil. At least 2.5 liters of 25% saline water must be added to each experimental unit. After letting the mixture set, apply the Soil Salinity Field Test. Take a soil sample and leave it to dry as long as possible (leave sample bag or container open for at least a day to let moisture escape). It can be oven-dried on a tray in a cool oven. The samples must be crushed and dried so there are no large aggregates (clods of soil 2mm or larger). You may need to crush these aggregates with a mortar-and-pestle, rolling pin or hammer. Remo ve any foreign Matter, plant material and stones from the sample. The test involves adding one part soil for every five parts of water. So if you add 50g of soil (weighed on scales) to the testing container, then you need to add 250ml of water. Shake the container for three minutes to make sure the salts dissolve. For clay loams and clay soils, more shaking (for one minute every 3 minutes repeated three times) will bring more salts into the solution and increase the accuracy of the test. Allow the solution to settle for a minute before testing. Place the salinity meter in the solution (but not in the soil in the bottom of the jar) and read the display once it has stabilized. Wash the meter electrodes and sample jar with distilled or rainwater, and dry. Convert your salinity meter readings to soil salinity (ECe) by multiplying the value by the Conversion Factor based on the texture of the soil sample. For sand multiply it to a factor of 17. For Loams multiply by factor of 9.5. Clay l oams and light loams will be multiplied by 8.6 and sandy loams by 13.8. After replications of procedures, increase the salinity level content of the water applied to the soil by 25% until it reaches a max percentage of 75% salinity level. At the end of the experiment, gather the data that was recorded. Analyze and compare the gathered data as to which soil composition gave a salinity reading that is approximately the closest to the regular salinity level mark. Flowchart  ­Ã‚ ­ Statistical Treatment: One-Way ANOVA Bibliography and Sources A.L., M. (2000). Role of Soil Composition in agriculture. Retrieved from Soil compositions. Agriculture, N. (2000, October). How to Texture Soils Test for Salinity. Retrieved from Salinity notes: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/168866/texture-salinity.pdf Blaylock, A. D. (2004). How Salinity can greatly affect Soil Production. Retrieved from Effects of Salinity level on Soil. Graaff, V. d. (2001). Salinity : Overview. Retrieved from Salinity. J.D, R. (1977). Salt or Sodium Chloride Properties. Retrieved from Salt. Larsen, S. (2007, October 15). The effects of Sodium Chloride (NaCl) Solution on the growth of tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum). Retrieved from https://www.pcc.edu/library/sites/default/files/sodium-chloride.pdf P., S. (2009). Soil composition properties. Retrieved from Soil Composition. Queensland. (2007, July). Natural Resources. Retrieved from Facts Land Series: http://222065430381538974.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/5/2/11520542/measuring_salinity_-_derm.pdf Chapter IV – Data Analysis and Research Findings Chapter V – Discussions and Recommendations Summary Purpose of the Study The purpose of this study was to analyze the salt level in different soil textures. For the researchers to be able to identify which soil composition/s give salt level that is approximately the closes to the regular salt level mark. Restatement of Research Questions The research questions for this study were: (1) To identify the variability of salinity level when two soil compositions are mixed. (2) How does the salinity level of each soil composition differ from the mixed soil compositions? (3) Does the difference between the soil compositions have relevance to its permeability? Research Methodology The researchers used qualitative research method. Conclusion The findings in this study indicate that loamy sand has the most salt tolerance than the other samples we have gathered and clay having the lowest.

The Importance of Setting in Please Stop Laughing at Me :: essays research papers

Please Stop Laughing at Me, an autobiography by Jodee Blanco, is one woman’s inspirational story about the fight against bullying. This real-life account is proof of the disturbing results of what happens at school. Jodee Blanco holds nothing back when she describes the horrifying events that occurred to her at several different schools. In the beginning of the book, as the reader, we find ourselves inside Jodee’s head as she is debating whether she should actually walk in and attend her high school reunion or not. Jodee dazzles us with all she has accomplished in life, and convinces us that she has nothing to fear. But, in all actuality, she is still nervous when it comes to facing her former classmates. This beginning scene plays a major role in the books central plot, and allows us to foreshadow some of the upcoming events. Next, we are placed in Jodee’s stable home as she is getting ready for her first day of high school. We see how truly desperate Jodee really is as she describes how her new shoes should make her popular. Throughout the story we see that Jodee is not poor, stupid, cubby, or socially awkward. She is simply prude, and is hated by the classmates of every school she attended in the attempt to become accepted. This explains how loving parents can be so wrong, schools cannot prevent disaster, and children in general can be just plain mean. Jodee goes back and forth through her entire school life explaining all her horrible experiences. We follow her through therapy, and watch as she is misunderstood by all adults. She explicitly depicts her suffering as she relives the torture. Shedding a shell, she lets us have full access of the shunning, teasing, and shocking physical abuse inflicted upon her by her classmates. This sets the atmosphere and attitude of the book, so we may accurately see what happens when no one is watching. This book is timeless, bullying is ongoing. The setting of the 1970s and 80s makes the experience for the reader really see how timeless this book is.

Jose Rizal Epic Poem Essay

A natural hero was born on 1861 His name was Jose Rizal A gifted child who studied foreign languages This great hero was the founder of La Liga Filipina. During his lifetime there was a war The Philippines was shattered to the ground.. Many uprisings were fought against the Spaniards! All of it failed until the Noble Jose Rizal came. His divine weapon was not a sword nor a gun But a small pen. A pen so great it united the Filipinos. His words inspired the hearts of all It spread all over the country like a wild fire The Spaniards heard it just like a wind whispering to them They locked Jose Rizal in a dark tiny chamber in a basement They tortured him.. Oh poor sir Jose Rizal.. Yet his hated grows and burns within his soul The Filipinos planned to free him They had worked so hard.. and it succeeded! Jose sighed.. â€Å"What a beautiful sight† But he said â€Å" I’ll stay here to represent our nation† Andres Bonifacio another great hero said.. â€Å"Are you sure Jose?† And Jose replied â€Å"with all my heart yes I am..† The Spaniards came with an army so great They have to leave Jose Rizal to the hands of the Evil Spaniards They confine him with a great heavy chains Tormented his life for trying to escape And one day the government ordered his death His death day was on December 30, 1896 There he was standing alone under the heavy rain Behind him a hundred gunman to shoot him dead. The leader shouted Fire! and then a gun echoed in the area, the Heroic Jose Rizal was shot in the back.. his eye sight blurred for the last time He felt the pain starts to erupt up to his spine he breathe for the very last time He looked up into the misty sky collapsing facing the gunman There he was lying dead on the bloody ground The Clouds weeps for his death All the Filipinos who watched him get shot screamed No! His death inflamed the hearts of the Filipinos

Famous Birthday Quotes From the Famous

Famous Birthday Quotes From the Famous When you are a kid, each birthday is a high point of the year- your own special day, with cake, ice cream, a party, and presents. And you are the absolute star for a day. As you get older, the milestones matter- ages 18, 21, 30, 40 and so on through the decades. As those numbers get bigger, some feel an intense need to ignore this most personal and important holiday, all your own, while others celebrate each one to the max. As Abraham Lincoln said, And in the end, its not the years in your life that count, its the life in your years. Make a toast to that. Excellent advice. What would it be like if Plato or Jonathan Swift wished you a happy birthday? Would it make you feel special? Here are some uplifting famous birthday quotes  from some famous people. The authors might not be around to give their wishes to you personally, but their heartfelt birthday greeting could make you feel on top of the world. Famous Birthday Quote William Butler Yeats: From our birthday, until we die, / Is but the winking of an eye.Plato: Old age: A great sense of calm and freedom. When the passions have relaxed their hold, you may have escaped, not from one master but from many.Pope John XXIII: Men are like wine. Some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age.Jonathan Swift: May you live all the days of your life.No wise man ever wished to be younger.Tom Stoppard: Age is a high price to pay for maturity.  John P. Grier: You are only young once, but you can be immature for a lifetime.Titus Maccius Plautus: Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words.Lucille Ball: The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.  J. P. Sears: Let us respect gray hairs, especially our own.George Burns: Nice to be here? At my age, its nice to be anywhere.Robert Browning: Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made.Mark Twain: Age is a case o f mind over matter. If you dont mind, it doesnt matter. Madeleine LEngle: The great thing about getting older is you dont lose all the other ages youve been.Decimus Magnus Ausonius: Let us never know what old age is. Let us know the happiness time brings, not count the years.William Shakespeare: With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.Lucy Larcom: Whatever with the past has gone, the best is always yet to come.  Charles Schulz: Just remember, once youre over the hill you begin to pick up speed.Brigitte Bardot: Every age can be enchanting, provided you live within it.Satchel Paige: How old would you be if you didnt know how old you are?Ethel Barrymore: You grow up the day you have the first real laugh at yourself.Bob Hope: You know you are getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.Bernard Baruch: We grow neither better nor worse as we get old, but more like ourselves.

University of Illinois at Springfield Admissions Data

University of Illinois at Springfield Admissions Data University of Illinois at Springfield Description: The University of Illinois at Springfield is a public, four-year institution located near Lake Springfield on the southern edge of Springfield, Illinois. St. Louis, Missouri, is about 90 miles to the south. A medium sized university, UIS has about 5,000 students, a student/faculty ratio of 12 to 1, and an average class size of 15. U.S. News World Reports Americas Best Colleges 2013 ranked UIS second among public Regional Universities in the Midwest Region, and the university takes pride in being large enough to offer a broad range of academic fields, but small enough to provide students with personalized attention. UIS is part of the University of Illinois system along with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Illinois at Chicago. UIS offers a wide range of graduate and undergraduate majors, and the most popular fields span the humanities, sciences, social sciences, and professional fields. The university also offers online courses, with some undergra duate and graduate degrees offered entirely online. UIS has more than 85 student clubs and organizations on campus, as well as a range of intramural sports. For intercollegiate athletics, the UIS Prairie Stars compete in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference. The university fields six mens and eight womens intercollegiate sports.   Admissions Data (2016): University of Illinois - Springfield Acceptance Rate: 65%Test Scores 25th / 75th PercentileSAT Critical Reading: 423  / 598SAT Math: 463  / 548SAT Writing: - / -What these SAT numbers meanACT Composite: 20 / 26ACT English: 20 / 27ACT Math: 18 / 26ACT Writing: - / -What these ACT numbers mean Enrollment (2016): Total Enrollment: 5,428 (2,959 undergraduates)Gender Breakdown: 49% Male / 51% Female65% Full-time Costs (2016 - 17): Tuition and Fees: $11,413  (in-state); $20,938 (out-of-state)Books: $1,200 (why so much?)Room and Board: $9,600Other Expenses: $2,700Total Cost: $24,913  (in-state); $34,438 (out-of-state) University of Illinois at Springfield Financial Aid (2015- 16): Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 95%Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of AidGrants: 92%Loans: 55%Average Amount of AidGrants: $12,449Loans: $5,449 Academic Programs: Most Popular Majors:  Biology, Business Administration, Communication, Computer Science, English, Psychology, Social Work Graduation and Retention Rates: First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 73%4-Year Graduation Rate: 37%6-Year Graduation Rate: 50% Intercollegiate Athletic Programs: Mens Sports:  Soccer, Tennis, Golf, Basketball, BaseballWomens Sports:  Softball, Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, Golf Data Source: National Center for Educational Statistics If You Like UIS, You May Like These Schools as Well: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign:  Profile  |  GPA-SAT-ACT GraphUniversity of Illinois at Chicago:  Profile  |  GPA-SAT-ACT GraphIllinois State University:  Profile  |  GPA-SAT-ACT GraphEastern Illinois University:  Profile  Southern Illinois University-Carbondale:  Profile  |  GPA-SAT-ACT GraphBradley University:  Profile  |  GPA-SAT-ACT GraphDePaul University:  Profile  |  GPA-SAT-ACT GraphNorthern Illinois University:  Profile  |  GPA-SAT-ACT GraphLoyola University Chicago:  Profile  |  GPA-SAT-ACT Graph University of Illinois at Springfield Mission Statement: complete mission statement can be found at  uis.edu/strategicplan/plan/sectionone/mission/ The University of Illinois at Springfield provides an intellectually rich, collaborative, and intimate learning environment for students, faculty, and staff, while serving local, regional, state, national, and international communities.

No topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 45

No topic - Essay Example This company has developed an innovative way of conducting its advertisements. As such, the company has adopted branded entertainment as a key strategy of ensuring that it conveys the adverts of its clients in an effective manner. This has been evidenced by the ability of the company to place the adverts of various products in comic books, video games and Broadway musicals that include the pop music (Bradley, Kelley and Hudson 6). The company has also realized that entertainment is a rich platform, which can be used to convey various adverts on products that companies adverts. This is because entertainment attracts a large number of potential customers of products from different companies. Branded entertainment is also facilitating in improving the viewership of the quality adverts. Hence, consumers have illustrated a positive acceptance of this form of advertisement by make purchase choices, which are based on these

The Taxation of Household Savings as Presented by the Mirrlees Review Case Study

The Taxation of Household Savings as Presented by the Mirrlees Review Volume 2 - Case Study Example In essence, while considering the economics of the tax system was essential in ensuring that it was effective, the commission acknowledged that approaching the tax reform from an economics perspective only would have created more problems than solutions (Mirrlees 2011, pp. v-vii). The Mirrlees review considers at length the apt method for the taxing savings. Thoughtful deliberation was applied to opinions on taxing savings normal returns (Chote 2012, p. 12). Four issues emerged in the review. The first issue was that the choice to defer consumption provided information on earning capacity. The second issue was that cognitively competent individuals were more likely to engage in a saving culture. The third issue was that taxing independent saving could have influenced the decision to pick financial saving on capital investment. This was especially true when there were credit limitations, and calculating and offsetting the full cost of the capital investment was challenging. The fourth issue was that taxing savings was likely to raise the labor supply of savers to counter to the likelihood of losing their earning capacity but who discern that, based on actual results, they did not need to save for the original reason. Or it may be that future consumption is a co mplement to current leisure (Mirrlees et al. 2012, p. 670). Mirrlees (2011, p. 283) reports that savings taxation plan plays a key role in the evaluation of the tax system. This is because it; is a characteristic of the tax base, is a determinant of tax system recognizing interpersonal differences in incomes, differentiates personal income from company profits, affect both incomes and savings, and affects saving habits. The report further recommends that savings resultant from variances in the timing of donated incomes comparative to the preferred time stream of consumption, or in time inclinations for consumption should not be taxed.

Religion and Sports Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Religion and Sports - Essay Example The mural at Notre Dame Stadium is a classic example of how religion has gained significance in sports. This â€Å"World of Life† mural also dubbed â€Å"Touchdown Jesus† informs students, athletes and spectators that religion remains part and parcel of the athletic competition. It teaches all that religion is necessary for achievement as an athlete (Baker, 2007). Religious elements like faith have been known to help players in a highly pressurizing environment. With fanatical following, sometimes an athlete can be overwhelmed by outside influence. This usually emanates from spectators who yearn for good performance. Therefore with faith, an athlete can handle pressure related to off field concerns. In the religious concept, faith is belief in God that He is in control. Thus an athlete will have greater focus, thereby improving his chances of excelling, since the outside influences are taken care of by God. Again, athletes on most occasions view themselves as talented. In religion, these are God given abilities. Here, they view their talents as a God given abilities which must be used to bring glory to God. This alone is a great motivating factor that religion has played in sports. As a result, these athletes compete with greater passion which translates to success (Delaney & Madigan, 2009). In religious congregations, ministers have used sports stories for the benefit of their societies. Some values that resonate well in sports and public include hard work, endurance and detest for cheating. These can have immense impact on communities. It is no doubt that sports just like religion have places for common gatherings. Teams have a following that forms a community (Baker, 2007). For instance in American football, Boston Red Sox has devoted fans who share similar memories of their team. Hence there is closeness among these fans. Supporters therefore will feel comfortable and identify with fellow supporters. This community formed can enjoy the benefit of cohesiveness and a sense of sharing which has enabled humanity to live in harmony. Thus these concepts bind religion and sports together. Religion in sports has been argued to give confidence and strength to athletes. This confidence improves the chances of a success. Here the belief that you have a God behind you, hence the belief of having a good performance (Baker, 2007). When athletes promote and confess their religious beliefs publicly, there is a likelihood that their followers will probably identify with them. An example is in football. When magnificent footballers score, they sometimes show off messages in their chests. Brazilian footballer Kaka is known of scribing the words â€Å"I belong to Jesus† in his shirt. This in effect has impacted on his watching fans who would be interested in knowing Jesus and following his ideals, another positive impact of religion in sports (Coakley, 2008). With intense commitments to their teams and sports personalities, spectator s give meaning and focus to their lives. Sports spectatorship is also a transformative activity by which fans break out from their boring lives. From this perspective, spectatorship are thought to suit specific religious purpose including disappointments, limitations of daily life, establishing a society of fans and belonging to a team (Baker, 2007). Arguments against religion in sports Arguments against religion in sports border on commitment and adverse erosion of social order. Some of the worst sporting violence has been blamed on sectarianism (Coakley, 2008). A good example that comes into fore is the fierce rivalry between Scottish football clubs Rangers and Celtic. According research, many Catholics

Marriage and Obedient Christian Head Essay Example for Free

Marriage and Obedient Christian Head Essay For almost 4 years I was married to a beautiful and adulterous woman. In terms of our friends and acquaintances and the public, we were a perfect couple. We held hands when at comedy shows and in malls. We kissed anywhere and everywhere, no matter who was watching or whose paths we crossed. But when night fell on any given evening, my beautiful wife would leave only to return in the wee hours of the morning, just before daylight. What a lovely person she was when we on the town together. I admit that I hung in there for almost two years and was the â€Å"good† husband and obedient Christian â€Å"head†. I ran my companies from home and rarely met clients in person, opting to use Skype for my meetings. When I approached my wife about going to church and seeing a marriage counselor, she balked and I felt abandoned. Too much of that began to make me feel worthless, helpless, and heartbroken. And then came the need to find attention and a woman who would show me appreciation and value; things my wife did not or could not. I began to meet clients out in lounges and at happy hours. Or travel everywhere out of state, or the country to find â€Å"other† women who would welcome this gentleman. I stayed out until daylight many nights. Bedded many women. Travelled on many excursions with strange women. In final, after a sadistically short marriage and nasty divorce, I came to terms with the way I react to pain. Ashamed am I to have turned to my ex-wife’s ways. Ashamed am I to have left my obedience to the Lord. Ashamed am I to have to write about the truth. Though, I know, now, that I would be better if I was ever cheated on again.

Current Air Quality Trend In Malaysia

Current Air Quality Trend In Malaysia Dimitriou and Christidou (2007) mentions air pollution is one of the most pressing global environmental problems that threaten the wellbeing of living organisms, leading to a loss of biodiversity or disrupting the function of the environment as a system. Air pollution occurs as a consequence of natural processes as well as human activity (anthropogenic). Examples of natural causes of air pollution include volcanic eruptions, forest fires and windblown dust. Anthropogenic air pollution from sources like motor vehicles and industries continues to be a serious harm to human health and welfare is more likely, namely the more densely populated urban areas. The health effects of air pollution have been reported in research studies over the past 30 years. These effects include respiratory diseases such as asthma, cardiovascular diseases, changes in lung function, and death. Colls (1997) reported particles in the atmosphere primary or secondary, solid or liquid. They come into the atmosphere, and leave it again by a wide variety of routes. Particulate matter is characterized by its physical and chemical properties Nader (1975). In addition, particle size and particle composition are characteristic that play a significant role in the assessment of health effect. In response to this information, regulatory agencies with a mandate to protect public health must now consider how to implement monitoring networks that will allow measuring the particulate matter concentration. In recent years, a increasing of number of monitoring system for particulate matter (PM) are available and are wide ranging in type, cost, flexibility and accuracy. According to Kingham et al. (2006), accurate and reliable monitoring of PM aerosol in the respirable size fraction ( In 2001, Chung et al pointed about traditional monitoring networks (Continuous Aerosol Mass Monitor, Integrating Nephelometer, Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance) for airborne particulate matter. A small number of past studies have evaluated the tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) and a series of manual gravimetric methods (Allen et al., 1997, Ayers, 2004, Cyrys et al., 2001, Hauck et al., 2004, Williams et al., 2000) but fewer still have compared other commercial monitors (Baldauf et al., 2001, Chung et al., 2001, Heal et al., 2000, Monn, 2001, Salter and Parsons, 1999). CURRENT AIR QUALITY TREND IN MALAYSIA There are 52 National Air Quality Monitoring Stations (AQMS) in Malaysia, function to monitor continuously 5 major pollutants, namely Particulate Matter (PM10), Ozone (O3), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Carbon Monoxide (CO). For the northern region of Malaysia (Perlis, Kedah, Pulau Pinang and Perak), the overall air quality levelwas lies between good to moderate. However, there are curtain places (Tanjung Malim, Alor Star and Sungai Petani) recorded unhealthy level of the day especially in the mid of the day till late afternoon due to high concentration of ground level ozone (O3). In tanjung Malim, one unhealthy day was recorded due to high level of particulate matter (PM10) Air Pollutant Index (API) system were used in reporting the air quality status in Malaysia. The API compute from the monitoring of Ground level Ozone (O3), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) and Particulate Matter of less than 10 microns in size (PM10). Air quality status can be categorized in five main level (good, moderate, unhealthy, very unhealthy and hazardous as in Table 1.1. Table 1.1 Malaysia : Air Pollution Index (API) (Malaysia Environmental Quality Report 2011, DoE) API Air Quality Status DoE in Malaysia Environmental Quality Report 2011 highlights the annual average of PM10 was 43m3 , but was slightly increased compared to 2010 (39m3 ). However, for both year (2010 and 2011) value still below the Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guidelines value (50m3 ). The trend of the annual average levels of PM10 concentration in the ambient air between 1999 and 2011 complied with the Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guidelines as shown in Figure 1.1 and Figure 1.2 shows the trend based on land use categories (Urban, Sub Urban, Background and Rural). MONITORING METHODS AND INSTRUMENTS The underway monitoring of airborne particulate matter in the ambient atmosphere is mainly for determination of the mass of the particle. The methods used for monitoring of concentration of PM can differ and are very dependent upon the aim of monitoring, sites, monitoring problem and resource that available during monitoring period. Usually, monitoring is to determine the concentration of total suspended particulate (TSP) and suspended particulate matter (SPM) have become outdated with the awareness that PM effects varies depending on sizes of the particle. QUARG (1996) pointed that the latest method of monitoring (gravimetric and direct reading method) are designed to determine the concentration of particle in the different sizes (PM10 and PM2.5). Table 1.2 displays the examples of the instrument for PM10 monitoring and the detection methods. Table 1.2 Examples of instruments used in PM monitoring Instrument Principle of detection Beta Attenuation Monitor (BAM) The beta ray sources used in BAM are 14C. Directly measured the particle based on relationship between beta ray attenuation to particle mass. Depends on the near exponential decrease in the total number of beta particle transmitted through a thin sample as the density increase (William et al., 1993) The gravimetric method that only the mass of particle can be affect the detector not by the size of distribution, physical size, shape or either by chemical composition (Chow et al., 1996) Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM) Tapered hollowed channel will act as a gateway where the particles are collected on a filter. For minimum thermal expansion that occurred at the tapered channel, the sample area is maintained at 50 °C. Thermal expansion may affect the oscillation frequency and might be reduce the total amount of particle bound water. DustTrak 8520 Hands carry instrument and highly portable direct reading monitor. Using light scattering laser to detect the particles. Particles scattered the light which is from laser diode drawn through a constant stream. Liu et al., (2002) mentions the amount of light scatter find out the particles mass concentration. PROBLEM STATEMENT In Malaysia, PM10 monitoring was conducted by Alam Sekitar Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (ASMA). Md Yusof et al (2010) lists two instruments used for monitoring are high volume sampler (HVS) and beta attenuation monitor (BAM). BAM is the standard instrument used by Department of Environment (DoE) to measure particulate matter in 51 monitoring station in Malaysia. Air quality of these new areas cannot be monitored and observed due to the lack of monitoring stations of air quality. To develop these new monitoring stations, definitely it will be costly and need good maintenances. Additionally, air quality at the rural areas also cannot be monitored. Therefore, a new alternative instrument such as Direct Reading Monitors (DRM) will enable air pollutants to be monitored more comprehensively. Even though DoE has set up their monitoring station, the number of monitoring stations is limited. With the use of simple instruments and cost effective, the air quality in areas without monitoring stations can be monitored and assessed. For this study, direct reading monitor (DRM) was used to monitor PM10 concentration at selected stations. However, PM10 concentration recorded using DRM and BAM was different. This is due to different detection method between both instruments (DRM used laser and BAM used beta ray) and response time for DRM was set to one minutes, while BAM records hourly PM10. In addition, the mobile factor that is owned by DRM is also affecting the reading. Therefore, an appropriate coefficient needed to make sure the reading obtained from the DRM is the same as the reading derived from the BAM. OBJECTIVES The objective of this project is:- To estimate coefficient that relates DRM and BAM by using regression techniques. To investigate the best coefficient based on performance indicator. To determine the influence of meteorology on PM10 concentration. SCOPE OF STUDY In Malaysia, Beta Attenuation Monitor (BAM) is the standard instrument used by DoE to measure particulate matter in 52 monitoring stations. This instrument automatically measures and records hourly particulate mass concentration in ambient air. It uses beta ray attenuation to calculate collected particle mass concentration units of  µg/m ³. For this study, Direct Reading Monitor (DRM) was used to monitor PM10 concentration at Air Quality Monitoring Station (AQMS) conducted by Alam Sekitar Malaysia (ASMA). The station selected for this research is Prai and Seberang Jaya. Both stations are situated in the north part of Peninsular Malaysia. They are many researches comparing the mass concentration results of the BAM and gravimetric methods. Salminen and Karlsson (2003) reported the agreement between PM10 concentration measured by BAM and gravimetric method. PM10 concentration recorded by the DRM was compared with data monitored using BAM provided by DoE. Three method of linear regression was used to investigate the relationship between the DRM and BAM monitoring record which is method of ratio, method of quartile and method of quantile. Performance indicators were used to evaluate the goodness of fit for the ratio,quartile and quantile method to determine which method is the best. THESIS OUTLINE This thesis has a five important parts and brief outlines of this thesis follows. Chapter one gives an introduction about air quality monitoring in Malaysia, sources of air pollution in Malaysia. This thesis also stated the problem statement, objectives, scope of study and concludes with thesis outline. Chapter 2 discussed about the literature review of the research area (particulate matter 10, measurement for PM10), and also review that determines to what extent the issues or research part has been investigated. From this chapter, a good view and knowledge about research area can be undertaken. Chapter 3 describes the methodologies that have been used in this research. The area of study, setting and sitting of instrument, monitoring of PM10 using DRM and BAM, and method to analyzing the monitoring records also discussed in this chapter. Chapter 4 presents the result from data analysis in the form of graphical techniques and table, for all three methods, performance indicator and meteorological effect with the discussion. Chapter 5 gives a general discussion of this research. The comparison of three methods was discussed and to determine which method is the best using performance indicator. This chapter also discussed the best conclusions of this research and listed of recommendations for future research. CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 INTRODUCTION Sherman (2003) defined air pollution as the presence of undesirable levels of physical or chemical impurities. Many organization such as the World Health Organization (WHO, 1999) recognized particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone(O3), lead (Pb) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), as classical pollutants presenting a hazard to sensitive populations. Air pollution now becomes an increasing source of environmental degradation in the developing nations of East Asia (Alles, 2009). The air pollution in Malaysia has not reached a critical level as in other metropolitan areas in Asia, like Jakarta or Manila. (Malaysian German Technical Cooperation, 2000). However; even outside extreme haze periods, pollution levels increased despite tight regulations and this is added by the increase in the number of vehicle, distance travelled and growth in industrial production. Air quality in Malaysia is a major concern as the nation forged ahead to become an industrialized nation by the year 2020. The Malaysian Air Pollution Index (API) is obtained from the measurement of PM10 and several toxic gases such as SO2, CO, NO2, and O3. The air quality status in Malaysia is determined accordingly to API which indicates the level of pollution in the atmosphere. The API system of Malaysia closely follows the Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) system of the United States of America. According to Department of Environment, based on the Air Pollutant Index (API), the overall air quality for Malaysia in 2010 was between good to moderate levels most of the time. The overall number of good air quality days increased in 2010 (63 percent of the time) compared to that in 2009 (56 percent of the time) while remaining 36 percent at moderate level and one percent at unhealthy level. However, peatland fires resulting in transboundary air pollution that occurred in the Southern Asean region in the month of October resulted in a short spell of haze episode in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia (DoE, 2009 DoE, 2010) DoE also reported that the overall air quality of the northern region of the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia (Perlis, Kedah, Pulau Pinang and Perak), was between good to moderate most of the time. However, Tanjung Malim and Tasek recorded four unhealthy days and one unhealthy day, respectively. The pollutants of concerned were ground level Ozone (O3) and PM10. 2.2 AIR QUALITY MONITORING IN MALAYSIA In order to ascertain the quality of the environment in Malaysia, the Department of Environment (DoE) regularly monitor the air quality. The air quality monitoring, which involves measurements of total suspended particulates, atmospheric lead and dust fallout, are conducted at 52 monitoring stations (Figure 2.1 and 2.2) categorised as industrial, urban and sub urban areas (DoE, 2010). In addition to the 52 stations in the National Continuous Air Quality Monitoring Network, manual air quality monitoring stations using High Volume Samplers were also established at 14 different sites for measuring total suspended particulates, particulate matter (PM10) and heavy metals such as lead. A continuous automatic monitor which gives instantaneous measurements of gaseous pollutants such as CO, SO2, oxides of nitrogen and ozone, as well as suspended particulate matter and total hydrocarbon used as the monitoring equipments by the DoE to assess air quality (Abdullah, 1995). The air quality status is reported in terms of Air Pollutant Index (API). The air pollutants used in computing the API are ground level ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter of less than 10 microns in size (PM10). The API is categorized as good, moderate, unhealthy, very unhealthy and hazardous. 2.3 SOURCERS OF PM10 The US EPA defines particulate matter (PM) as a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. PM can be in sizes or colors large or dark enough to be observed or it can be so small that an electron microscope is required to distinguish it. According to Fierro (2000), coarse particles (PM10) have an aerodynamic diameter between 2.5 µm and 10 µm. They are formed by mechanical disruption (e.g. crushing, grinding, abrasion of surfaces), evaporation of sprays, and suspension of dust. PM10 particles are small enough to be inhaled and accumulate in the respiratory system (Colls, 1997). Particulate matter can come from many sources. Generally, any activity which involves burning of materials or any dust generating activities are sources of PM. Some sources are natural, such as volcanoes and water mist (Bates, 1995). PM is introduced to the air through both natural and human causes (Harrisonu Yin, 2000). PM from specific sources typically follow short term and long term (seasonal) trends (Yatin et al. 2000). For example, space heating generates more combustion related PM emissions during the cold seasons while, at the same time, snow cover can inhibit PM emissions from the soil. Quality of Urban Air Review Group (1996), published the report in which they describe that primary particles are those directly emitted to the atmosphere from sources such as road traffic, coal burning, industry, windblown soil and dust and sea spray. On the other hand, secondary particles are particles formed within the atmosphere by chemical reaction or condensation of gases, and the major contributors are sulphate and nitrate salts formed from the oxidation of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides respectively. The primary sources of PM in Malaysia, are motor vehicles diesel trucks, industrial emissions, agricultural, slash and yard waste burning, and even exhaust from lawn mowers and boats (Department of Environment, Malaysia, 2010). PM concentrations tend to be especially high in area with greater population density, nearby industries or agriculture, or where local topography or weather conditions contribute to air stagnation. 2.3.1 Traffic Vehicular particle emissions are the result of a great many processes, an example combustion products from fuel and oil, wear products from brake linings, tyres, bearings, car body and road material, and the resuspension of road and soil dust (Laschober et al. 2004). Traffic is an effective source of both fine and coarse mode primary particles, condensable organic gases, and a major source of nitrogen oxides that then form secondary nitrate aerosols. Particles of condensed carbonaceous material are emitted mainly by diesel vehicles and poorly maintained petrol vehicles (Vardoulakis et al. 2003). Diesel exhaust particles have been shown to display a multimodal size distribution (Kerminen et al. 1997) and are mainly carbonaceous agglomerates below 100 nm in diameter, whereas particles emitted by gasoline vehicles are also mainly carbonaceous agglomerates but considerably smaller, ranging from 10 to 80 nm (Morawska and Zhang 2002). Particulate matter originating from traffic can be pres ent at elevated concentrations especially during high traffic density and poor dispersion conditions, e.g. in street canyons, which can lead to high human exposures to traffic-related pollutants (Vardoulakis et al. 2003). Identification of traffic related particulate matter in source apportionment studies has become difficult due to phasing out of Pb as an additive to gasoline. Elements that have often been associated with vehicular emissions include Cu, Zn, Pb, Br, Fe, Ca and Ba (Huang et al. 1994, Cadle et al. 1997, Kemp 2002, Morawska and Zhang 2002, Sternbeck et al., 2002). Emissions of many metallic elements from vehicular sources are mainly due to non exhaust emissions, examples from the wearing of tyres, brakes and other parts of vehicles (Sternbeck et al. 2002, Adachi and Tainosho 2004, Laschober et al. 2004, Lough et al. 2005). In addition to road traffic, emissions from the main and auxiliary engines of ships can be a significant source of particulate matter and associated elements such as V and Ni (Lyyrà ¤nen et al. 1999) at certain locations (Ohlstrà ¶m et al. 2000, Colvile et al. 2001, Isakson et al. 2001). 2.3.2 Stationary sources The most significant stationary combustion sources include energy production facilities such as municipal power plants, waste incineration, and residential combustion. Several industrial processes, such as iron and steel production, also involve combustion of fossil fuels or biomass for generating power and heat needed for the process. Most of these sources are considered point sources, although smaller and more widespread sources such as residential combustion could also be considered as an area source. Physical and chemical characteristics of the particles emitted from these source categories depends on the combustion process itself, and the type of fuel burnt (solid, liquid, or gas). Combustion processes and properties of particulate matter emitted from these sources have been comprehensively reviewed by Morawska and Zhang (2002). The major industrial processes include factories processing metals and chemicals, materials handling, construction and mining. Particulate matter from t hese sources are partly released as fugitive emissions, which are not collected and released in a controlled manner, but emitted from a variety of points and areas connected to a process (Seinfeld and Pandis 1998). Chemical and physical properties of fugitive emissions depend on the processes by which they are emitted. Since the bulk of most trace metals are nowadays emitted from industrial processes, their concentrations are spatially heterogeneous and subsequently, their measurement is quite sensitive in terms of location; however, the reported concentrations of trace metals in major cities demonstrate rather similar levels of trace metals (Harrison and Yin 2000). PM10 CHARACTERISTIC. PM is characterized by its physical, chemical and optical properties. The quality of air that we breathe in every second determine by the amount of particulate matter in it. These particulate matters measure by their particles size. Those with the particles size less than 10 micron (PM10) is used to monitor the air quality which in turn is related to the health problems of the workers or public at large (Alias et al., 2007). The most important characteristic of particulate matter (PM) is the particle size. This property has the greatest impact on the behavior of particulate matter in control equipment, the atmosphere, and the respiratory tract. Particles of importance in air pollution control span a broad size range from extremely small (0.01 micrometer) to more than 1,000 micrometers (US EPA, 2010). As a frame of reference, a human hair has a diameter of approximately 50 micrometers. The suspended particles vary in size, composition and origin. It is convenient to classify particles by their aerodynamic properties because, (a) these properties govern the transport and removal of particles from the air, (b) they also govern their deposition within the respiratory system and (c) they are associated with the chemical composition and sources of particles (WHO, 2003). 2.4.1 Physical Characteristic The physical attributes of airborne particulates include mass concentration and size distribution. the size is from a few nanometers (nm) to ten of micrometers ( µm) in diameter. Size is the single most important determinant of the properties of particles and it has implications on formation, physical and chemical properties, transformation, transport, and removal of particles from the atmosphere. Ambient levels of mass concentration are measured in micrograms per cubic meter (ÃŽÂ ¼g/m3), size attributes are usually measured in aerodynamic diameter. Particulate matter (PM) exceeding 2.5 microns (ÃŽÂ ¼m) in aerodynamic diameter is generally defined as coarse particles, while particles smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) are called fine particles (World Bank Group, 1998). Particles of any substances that are less than 10 or 2.5 micrometres diameter. Particles in this size range make up a large proportion of dust that can be drawn deep into the lungs. Larger particles tend to be tr apped in the nose, mouth or throat. The concentration and other characteristics of suspended particulate matter are determined by the presence and activity of sources. Once formed, particles change their size and composition by condensation or evaporation, by coagulating with other particles or by chemical reactions (Seinfeld and Pandis 1998). Pohjola et al., (2000), found that meteorological factors such as wind speed and direction, temperature, amount of precipitation, and the height of the atmospheric boundary layer, are most important in governing the concentration variations of particulate matter. The highest PM concentrations are often reported during stable meteorological conditions such as inversion with low wind speeds (Pohjola et al. 2004). Also the physical and chemical processes affecting the particles are regulated to a great extent by meteorological factors. 2.4.2 Chemical Characteristic The chemical composition of the particulate matter is also important. The chemical composition of PM is highly variable due to pollution sources, chemical reactions in the atmosphere, long-range transport effects and meteorological conditions. Absorption and heterogeneous nucleation of vapor phase pollutants onto existing particles can create toxic particulate matter (US EPA, 2010). The chemical properties vary depending on sources of particles. It is important to note that particulates are not one particular chemical substance but a classification of particles by size rather then chemical properties.The acid component of particulate matter, and most of its mutagenic activity, are generally contained in fine particles, although some coarse acid droplets are also present in fog. Particles interact with various substances in the air to form organic or inorganic chemical compounds. The most common combinations of fine particles are those with sulphates (World Bank Group, 1998). The rela tive abundance of the major chemical components, termed as bulk chemical composition and also about trace element and strong acid contents was reviewed in the studies of Harrison and Jones (1995) and Harrison and Yin (2000). In addition to the bulk composition, Harrison and Yin (2000) also discussed trace element and strong acid contents. In the United States, sulphate ions account for about 40% of fine particulates and may also be present in concentrations exceeding 10 ÃŽÂ ¼g/m3 (US EPA, 1982). 2.5 PARTICULATE MATTER HEALTH EFFECT There are a very limited number of studies that relate air pollution to its health impact in Malaysia. The lack of data gathering for environmental epidemiological analysis makes it difficult to estimate the health impact of air pollution (Afroz et al., 2003). Whilst epidemiological studies have consistently demonstrated adverse effects of particulate matter exposure on human health, the mechanism of effect is currently unclear (Harrisonu Yin, 2000). The US Environmental Protection Agencys 1996 Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter reviewed the physiologic, toxicology, and epidemiologic studies related to the inhalation, deposition and health effects of PM exposures (US EPA, 1997). Some research has identified several plausible biological mechanisms for both the initial pulmonary injury and the consequent systemic effects (Neas, 1999). The respiratory system is the major route of entry for airborne particulates. The deposition of particulates in different parts of the human respiratory system depends on particle size, shape, density, and individual breathing patterns (mouth or nose breathing) (World Bank Group, 1998). In adults, PM exposure was associated with increased incidence of respiratory symptoms, transient decrements in pulmonary function levels, and the onset of chronic pulmonary disease in adults (Neas, 1999). Seaton (1995), has identified several plausible biological mechanisms for both the initial pulmonary injury and the consequent systemic effects following PM exposure and the initial pulmonary injury may be related to one or more properties of PM and its constituents including physical, chemical and biological characteristics. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the path physiology of PM induced health effects. The most obvious mechanism involves the reduction in pulmonary function in response to the pulmonary inflammation. In the hypoxia hypothesis, the susceptible population consists of individuals with severe respiratory disease whose pulmonary reserve capacity is already near the minimum compatible with life. Exposure to PM further lowers their pulmonary function le vels and results in emergency hospitalization and death (Neas, 1999) Children are especially susceptible to particulate matter pollution for several reasons, their respiratory systems are still developing, they breathe more air (and air pollution) per pound of body weight than adults and theyre more likely to be active outdoors. Older adults are also more likely to be affected by particulate matter pollution, possibly because they are more likely to have chronic heart or lung diseases than younger people. In addition, people who have heart or lung disease, such as congestive heart failure, angina, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema or asthma, are likely to experience health effects earlier and at lower particulate matter pollution levels than healthy people (American Lung Association, 1996). The capacity of particulate matter to produce adverse health effects in humans depends on its deposition in the respiratory tract. Particle size, shape, and density affect deposition rates. The most important characteristics influencing the deposition of particles in the respiratory system are size and aerodynamic properties. In Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guidelines (MAAQG), the level of PM10 concentrations are, 150 micrograms per cubic meter ( µg/m3) for 24 hour and 50 micrograms per cubic meter ( µg/m3) for the annual (Department of Environment, Malaysia, 2010). Some tiny pieces of particulate matter, PM10, are small enough to pass from our lungs to our bloodstream. PM can alter the bodys defense systems against foreign materials, damage lung tissues, aggravate existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease, and can lead to cancer. In some cases, PM exposure can even lead to premature death. Adverse health effects have been associated with exposures to PM over both short periods (such as a day) and longer periods (a year or more). The people who are most at risk are people with asthma, influenza, lung, heart, or cardiovascular disease, the elderly, and children. The human immune system developed in a time and environment where dust was made of large particles. Humans have developed a means of protecting themselves against these large particles. Particles larger than 10 microns generally get caught in the nose and throat, never making it as far as the lungs. Unfortunately, more recent human activity has created many particles that are much s maller, which can make it past our natural defenses, and can enter our systems (Fierro, 2000). The size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems. Most concerned about particles that are 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller because those are the particles that generally pass through the throat and nose and enter the lungs. Once inhaled, these particles can affect the heart and lungs and cause serious health effects. EPA groups particle pollution into two categories: Inhalable coarse particles, such as those found near roadways and dusty industries, are larger than 2.5 micrometers and smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter. Fine particles, such as those found in smoke and haze, are 2.5 micrometers in diameter and smaller. These particles can be directly emitted from sources such as forest fires, or they can form when gases emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles react in the air. (U.S Environmental Protection Agency). 2.6 MEASUREMENT FOR PARTICULATE MATTER (PM10) 2.6.1 Reference Method The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated a handful of instruments as Federal Reference o