Industrial Revolution Process and Challenges

Discover More About Sea Kelp

Discover More About Sea Kelp What is kelp? Is it different than seaweed or algae? Actually, kelp is the general term that refers to  124 species of brown algae that are in the Order Laminariales. While kelp may look like a plant, it is classified in the Kingdom Chromista. Kelp is a type of seaweed, and seaweeds are a form of sea algae. The kelp plant itself is made up of three parts: the blade (the leaf-like structure), the stipe (the stem-like structure) and the holdfast (root-like structure). The holdfast grips a substrate and anchors the kelp to keep it secure despite moving waves and currents. The Value ​of Kelp Forests Kelp grows in forests in cold waters (usually less than 68 F). Several kelp species can make up one forest, the same way that different species of trees are found in a forest on land. A multitude of marine life lives in and depends upon kelp forests such as fish, invertebrates, marine mammals, and birds. Seals and sea lions feed on kelp, while grey whales may use it to hide from hungry killer whales. Seastars, kelp crabs, and isopods also rely on the kelp as a food source.   The most well-known kelp forests are the forests of giant kelp that grow off the coast of California, which are inhabited by sea otters. These creatures eat the red sea urchins that can destroy a kelp forest if their population is not controlled. Sea otters also hide from predatory sharks in the forests, so the forest also provides a safe haven as well as a feeding habitat. Many Common Uses Kelp is not only useful to animals; it is helpful for human beings, too. In fact, you probably even had kelp in your mouth this morning! Kelp contains chemicals called alginates that are used to thicken a number of products (e.g., toothpaste, ice cream). For example,  bongo kelp  ash is loaded with alkali and iodine and is used in soap and glass. Many companies derive vitamin supplements from kelp, as it is rich in many vitamins and minerals. Alginates are also used in pharmaceutical medications. SCUBA divers and water recreationists also enjoy the kelp forests. There Are About 30 Different Species There are about 30 different species of kelp: Giant kelp, southern kelp, sugarwack, and bull kelp are just a few kinds of kelp. Giant kelp is, not surprisingly, the largest kelp species and most popular or well-known. It is capable of growing 2 feet per day in the right conditions, and up to about 200 feet in its lifetime. Threats to Vital Kelp Forests There are several things that threaten kelp production and the health of vital kelp forests. Forests can become degraded due to overfishing. This can release fish into different areas, which can cause overgrazing of the forests. With less kelp or fewer species available in a sea, it can drive out other animals that rely on the kelp forest as their ecosystem or cause other animals to eat the kelp instead of other creatures.   Water pollution and quality, as well as climate changes and introductions of invasive species, also are threats to kelp forests.

Health Care Finance (Module 1-CBT) Research Paper

Health Care Finance (Module 1-CBT) - Research Paper Example The industry average for health care industry is a current ratio of 2:1. Days in accounts receivables show how many days it will take for OHC to collect its outstanding receivables. As shown from above, OHC took 32.91 days (on average) to collect its receivables in 2007; and this situation has worsened in 2008 where the company took 55.22 days to collect the outstanding amounts. These high values show that there may be a problem in revenue collection process and the company needs to address the issue quickly to ensure that receivables are collected in quick time. The analysis of liquidity ratios shows that the company is fairly liquid. It is able to meet its short term obligations. However, the days in accounts receivable has worsened than 2007 and some action may be required to reduce the number of days to collect outstanding funds. The operating margin ratio was 76.5% in 2007 which shows that the cost of services provided by OHC is small as compared to the revenue generated (that is, for every $1 revenue, the company incurs an operating cost of $0.235. This shows healthy performance. The operating margin ratio has improved in 2008 (as it increases to 78.5%). This shows that the operating cost has gone further down as compared to 2007. As shown from above, OHC was fairly profitable in 2007 and the gross profit margin has increased in 2008. Although, it may be argued that healthcare organization should not have very high profit margins as this indicates that they are charging high fee from patients. c. Return on Assets (ROA) The ROA for OHC is calculated as below: Return on Assets for OHC Medical Center Year Net Income / Total Assets = ROA 2007 $37,370,000 / $44,450,000 = 84.07% 2008 $34,177,000 / $49,370,000 = 69.23% Although the company has been profitable during 2007 and 2008; but the above table shows that OHC has not been able to effectively utilize its assets towards generation of profits. The Return on Assets was 84% in 2007 which was satisfactory but it declined sharply in 2008 to 69%. This may not be acceptable to shareholders as this indicate

Critically evaluate the strategic role of global information systems Essay

Critically evaluate the strategic role of global information systems for organisations and discuss the management issues associa - Essay Example Information systems have, therefore, had a profound effect on the performance of global businesses by transforming their ability to deliver value to customers (Czinkota et al., 2005). However, the application of information system has unfortunately stemmed on the basis of companies’ internal operations with little focus of the global paradigm. This means that international requirements, including cross-cultural differences, have yet to be fully materialized into the information systems used by these global businesses. Most often global information systems are evaluated from the same perspective as their local counterparts; however, the former demands attention to some particular aspects. An integrated and holistic information systems approach has enabled organizations conduct business processes online (e-business), co ordinate upstream and downstream supply chain partners (e-commerce) and enable entrepreneurs streamline their innovative ideas and creativity (Pearlson & Saunder s, 2009). The key to competitive advantage in today’s world, therefore, does not lie in traditional cost reduction or differentiation techniques but in rapidly adapting to changing customer tastes and implementing learning and innovation to product offerings in real-time (Phillips & Haag, 2009). As an extension to Porter’s resource based view, researchers explored the direct positive relationship between effective information management and company success by explaining how information used could enhance the organization’s learning, innovation and creative abilities. The virtual value chain is centered on the notion of seamless flow of information across all levels of the organization that enable it to deliver value to its customers. Therefore, information systems have been linked to the dramatic improvement of the value chain, marketing strategies, customer service and internal communications framework. However, â€Å"global† information systems go far b eyond just that. Global businesses face a number of constraints on the number of locations in which they decide to operate internationally. Challenges such as those related to networking and communication, socio-economic and political risks, differences in culture as well as unfamiliarity with the market all limit organizations’ capacity to operate effectively in the global marketplace (Czinkota et al., 2005). It is here that information systems have truly transformed global businesses. Researchers who highlighted the strategic importance of IS demonstrated the relationship between IS and business strategy and went on to state that information systems were necessary in achieving a competitive edge for the firm (Peppard & Ward, 2004) (Pearlson & Saunders, 2009). There have been various studies examining the relationship between successful firms and effective use of information systems. However, it is not clear whether these systems have a direct relation with the firm’s success or whether they are merely a part of a portfolio of resources that enables firms achieve competitive advantage. Furthermore, most companies have now started to outsource IS in their organizations. This handing over of IS to third parties in itself contradicts the view that IS serve a strategic function in organizations. Despite increased popularity of outsourcing of IS in organizations, the slogan of keeping IS intact with the

CRIMINAL LAW Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

CRIMINAL LAW - Essay Example Thus in the current scenario unless a case beyond reasonable doubt is made Susan would be considered as innocent. As far as the burden of proof is concerned, such burden lies on the prosecution who in turn has to prove beyond all reasonable doubt including but not limited to satisfaction of the jury of the guilt of the defendant. (Woolmington v. DPP)1 The main elements that required to be proved in criminal law or be specific a criminal offence are actus reus (the action of the accused), mens rea (the requisite intention for the commission of the offence) and the absence of any defence or if any defence is raised it is negated to the satisfaction of the court. (Lord Diplock in R v Miller)2 Another element that needs to be taken into account is that the actus reus and mens rea of the criminal offence that was committed need to coincide, however it is pertinent to mention that such requirement has been interpreted broadly by the courts. (Fagan v. Commissioner of Police3). The actus reu s of an offence is generally satisfied when a positive act is committed. It has often been required that that has been committed must be voluntary, this can be seen from what Lord Denning said that ‘No act is punishable if it is done involuntarily, and an involuntary act in this context...means an act which is done by the muscles without any control by the mind such as spasm, a reflex action or a convulsion; or an act done by a person who is not conscious of what he is doing such as an act done whilst suffering from concussion or whilst sleepwalking...’ (Bratty v Attorney General for Northern Ireland)4 . Thus the act of the defendant must therefore be voluntary and a wilful movement of body. The next element is mens rea which is concerned with the state of mind of the defendant. There had been cases which were decided upon by the courts in which the criteria were set up whereby the mens rea for a criminal act would be established. The cases that were decided upon took i nto account intention, subjective recklessness, objective recklessness, lacuna etc. Mens cannot be said to be wickedness by way of any moral or general sense (Dodman)5 . Furthermore even if it is proved to the court that the motive behind the criminal act was good, it cannot be relied upon as a defence (Chiu-Chang v. R)6 . In respect of mens rea the current situation is that of Woollin7 and R v. G. And this has been reached after considerable refining of the original test for intention. Thus the test for direct intent is the that the defendant had intended a result by committing the particular act; and for oblique intent is that the result may have been that the result was a virtually certain consequence of the act. The actus reus of mens rea was provided by Sir Edward Coke in the seventeenth century whereby he stated that the act is committed if the defendant ‘unlawfully killeth any reasonable creature in rerum natura under the Queen’s peace’. The definition of unlawfully does not include the killing of for example the use of reasonable force for self defence (Re a (Children)8. Clearly it can be seen that due to the car of Susan going straight into the pedestrian would be considered to be an act is unlawful. As far as killeth is concerned that refers to the requirement that the acts of the defendant can be attributed to be a legal cause of death. Clearly

Police Corruption Policing

Police Corruption Policing ‘Getting results in policing is more important than how they are achieved. Discuss this statement with reference to the notion of police ethics. Ethics is essential to policing as ethical policing develops and sustains trust between the police and the public it serves. Police corruption, noble cause corruption, Dirty Harry dilemma, Sykes and Matza (1957) Techniques of Neutralization theory, ethical egoism, and ‘Act v Rule utilitarianism are all specific ways of exploring unethical police behaviour being diverted from ethical behaviour, due to ethical laws protecting criminals ‘human rights. Thus begs the question, is gaining results in policing more important than how they are achieved? When the question is posed ‘can we be ethical? for the large majority of us, the answer is perfectly clear. However, with regards to the policing system it is a complicated dilemma that is yet to be properly controlled and prevented. Ethics is vital to policing as this ethical quality not only affects the police officer in question but also the police organisation as a whole. Ethics is not only concerned with the individual police officer but as well as the policies and laws that are enforced to protect everyones basic human rights. Police corruption is one form of unethical behaviour that is due to the authority and power placed and trusted upon the police officer. Power corrupts, and so with this perceptive view, police corruption comes in many stages of development. Kant describes police corruption as actions that â€Å"exploit the powers of law enforcements in return for considerations of private-regarding benefit that violate formal standards governing his or her conduct† (Kleinig, 1996: pg. 38). Police corruption consists of a chain of events that starts from an innocent stage where police officers are sometimes given things for free by the public due to their official status. This process consists of three hypothesis, such as; the society at large explanation, the structural explanation; and finally the ‘rotten-apple explanation (Pollock, 2006). The society-at-large explanation is concerned with the fact that police officers start to expect things to be free, once experiencing small-pay offs and bribes from the public, which leads to more serious crimes known as the structural explanation. This finally leads to the ‘rotten-apple explanation where the officer concerned is purely of dark character morally. One known form o f corruption is ‘noble cause corruption. ‘Noble Cause Corruption (Klockars, 1985), is an act on behalf of the police officer, who is committing a illegal and most certainly unethical crime, on good intentions, to justifiably reach an end result that is noble. For actions that are done for the sake of good are, nevertheless, morally wrong actions. The police officer(s) in question are only acting for the sake of what they ‘believe is morally right, but in fact it is not morally right; their belief is a false belief. For example, suppose a police officer forms a corrupt relationship with a suspected criminal and develops criminal acts to create a portfolio of evidence to convict the criminal. How ethical would this be, despite gaining positive results in policing? Noble cause corruption is strongly related to the ‘Dirty Harry phenomena and so an explanation of this phenomenon is due. The Dirty Harry Problem (Klockars, 1980) is based upon the notion that certain individuals of the police force turn to ‘dirty means of convicting a suspected criminal. Police officers who employ such ‘dirty means think that, by doing this, they achieve three things at the same time. The officer believes that what he/she is doing is morally right; their actions are lawful; and that the wider community will support such heroic behaviour (Thomson, 1999). The movie titled ‘Dirty Harry (Siegel, 1971) involved a fictional character named Inspector Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) who pursued a criminal named ‘Scorpio who kidnapped a 14 year old girl and demanded a $200, 000 ransom to release the girl who was buried with just enough air to last a few hours. Eventually Harry apprehends and tortures Scorpio into telling the location of the girl and gaining a forced confession from the suspect. An unethical procedure, but none the less, gaining ‘results (Siegel, 1971).Dirty harry was purposely given this title to the character, harry Callahan, because of the fact that he employs ‘dirty means of gaining positive results and infringing upon the criminals ‘human rights. ‘Dirty Harry, at the end of the film, took his badge and threw it into the river. This strongly suggested that he has lost faith in the effectiveness of the policing system and thus indicating his resignation (Siegel, 1971). When gaining positive results in policing, it can sometimes be in direct conflict with not following ethical boundaries, thus, being ethical is a rule that appears, according to the ‘Dirty Harry movie plot, to be in the favour of the criminal, technically putting the police officer at a disadvantage due to ‘criminal rights being made available to them. According to Sykes and Matzas ‘Techniques of Neutralization theory, unethical police officers justify their behaviour in one of five methods. Skyes and Matzas (1957) proposed the ‘Techniques of Neutralisation theory which demonstrates five basic methods of justifying deviant behaviour from the delinquent individual. The theory is relevant to police ethics as well as the fact that gaining results within the police service can never exceed the ethics of policing itself due to morality and basic human rights for which the police was based and built upon. ‘Techniques of neutralisation theory explains how lawbreakers are able to protect themselves from feeling of guilt and negative self-image by justifying their conduct. The five methods are: denial of responsibility, denial of injury, denial of victim, condemnation of condemners, and appealing to higher loyalties. Denial of responsibility is concerned with how, within the context of the police work, violence may be regarded as an appropriate and necessary reaction to defiant citizens. Denial of responsibility is established when the police officer in question believes that, where excessive force is used, he/she was provoked by the citizen and therefore ‘ethically rationalised his/her behaviour. This shifts responsibility for the use of force away from the officer to the citizen (Albanese, 2006). Denial of injury covers such areas as stealing and violating constitutional rights. Stealing from suspects for personal gain with the threat of blackmail if ever the suspect reported the officer to the police notes the power a police officer possess, given the position of the suspects situation. Kant suggests that â€Å"Whoever tells a lie, however well intended he might be, must answer for the consequences, however unforeseeable they were, and pay the penalty for them† (Klockars, 1996: pg. 79). Kant describes a perfect example that no matter what the situation may be, telling a lie is unacceptable. Fabrication of evidence is an excellent example as although it may help seal a conviction of a major known criminal, is none-the-less a false conviction. This brings ‘Kantian ethics into consideration. Kant believed that the term motive is the most important variable when considering what is ethical and what is not. To be more exact, motives can be defined by acting in a sense of duty towards others. For example, helping a person out of pity or to promote ones self in face of others is not a ethical, moral action, but out of remorse and unethical means. When considering a complex situation, such as a police officer protecting a witness from murder, what does one do? Such an example goes against Kants beliefs on moral, ethical values. Denial of victim is concerned with those who run from police, use illegal drugs, or defy authority are ‘threats predetermined as dangerous and are in need of ‘punishment. This perception gives the notion of the police being the ‘saviour of all deviant acts and that they are justifiable in the eyes of the law and that these aforementioned acts must be punished to sustain control and authority through the wider community and the state as a whole. Condemnation of the condemners lies with the notion that the problem lies not with the officers motives or behaviour but with the rules, motives, and perception of those who would control and judge them. The police argue that not only do they fight criminality but also have to do battle with public criticism, judges who are too lenient, citizen lawsuits and citizen complaints against the police system. This gives a ‘loophole for criminals which makes police work more difficult. With such added hurdles, condemnation of the condemners seem rational and logical from the police officers perspective. Appealing to higher loyalties is concerned with the fact that police officers will always protect ‘their own against any case of accusations or complaints against a police officer. However, protecting another officer even when this involves unethical and illegal conduct is expected and regarded as noble as it demonstrates loyalty and solidarity. ‘Power corrupts, and so with this ‘police power, the officer will use this power to appeal to higher loyalties for their own personal gain. Personal gain is a one of many attributes of human qualities to achieve our goals in whatever means necessary. Such natural behaviour is assessed by ‘ethical egoism which critically examines our own hunger for wants and desires. Ethical Egoism (Neyround, 2001) is a theory of human nature that states that we all have a strong desire for furthering our wants and desires. By nature, we are motivated to pursue our own wants and desires and, therefore, should act in accordance with our nature by following them (Neyround, 2001). Despite living in a civilised world, living according to the laws of the ‘system, inevitable human nature, it seems, takes a hold of our behaviour when presented with opportunities to further our desires. We all naturally possess wants and needs, however, the morally relevant question to consider (with regards to unethical policing) is when, where, and to what extents are we justified in pursuing them? The claim being made by ethical egoism is not simply that we have wants and needs; rather, it is that we are ‘morally obligated to pursue them on all occasions. Due to individual egoism, it would appear that furthering ones personal desires seems to be the corruption of human nature; that we are all out for ourselves on a majority. If ethical egoism theory is correct in its perception of humans desire for pursuing our own interests then surely police corruption is on a course of eternal reoccurrences of continuous self-indulgent behaviour, placed in a unrealistic police system to resist the temptation of abusing ones position. A major critique of ethical egoism is that it does not provide a solution for conflicts that arise between competing self-interested individuals. Simply stated, this criticism suggests that our happiness and aspirations often comes into conflict with other individuals (Neyround, 2001). Further-more, this morality should establish rules of conduct that enables the peaceful and harmonious resolution of conflict. However, ethical egoism provides no such rules on principles. Instead, it understands life to consist of a never-ending series of conflicts on which each of us struggle to ‘come out on top. By the nature of police officers everyday work, police officers are routinely placed in situations where personal advantages can easily be furthered through unethical and illegal means. ‘Act versus Rule Utilitarianism (Quinton, 2003) demonstrates an argument of why police officers break the law. Act utilitarianism states and argues that ‘ethical laws are first decide whether public action would be taken if ever they disagreed with the laws were to be enforced upon the public. This is then, in turn, is further decided whether the law generates the most happiness for the public. However, critics of this theory argue that the minority, whether groups or individuals, would then be treated unfairly and biased upon, thus, not an ethical method to follow. This coincides with the notion of corrupt police officers fabricating evidence to convict an innocent civilian. It may please the majority of the population if this civilian was known for criminal acts in the past and present but it doesnt justify the action to wrongly convict an innocent. ‘Rule Utilitarianism (Quinton, 2003), on the other hand, determines whether a rule should be followed. ‘Rule Utilitarianism argues that if a rule (law) pleases the majority of the population, then, it is in the publics interest to follow this ‘rule, despite the objectionable minority. Capital punishment was once a rule followed by UK citizens as it resulted in the happiness of the majority with regards to killing extreme deviant individuals, even if an innocent had their life taken by mistake, as this overall pleased the population despite the ‘odd innocent loss of life. Critics argue that this reduces rule utilitarianism to act utilitarianism and the rules become meaningless (Quinton, 2003). From such examples, and as an ethical based theory overall, utilitarianism is not a perfect system, thus, flawed. Ethics will either make or break an officer and the decision they make will either strengthen or weaken their ethical values. Police corruption, whether for noble or deviant reasons, weakens the officers moral values and only further leads to deviant temptation. However, temptation and desire appears to be of humans natural instinct to come out top and a means of furthering ones edge over another. Ethics can very much go against the officer inclined to solve a case, such as the Dirty Harry dilemma, such as the criminals basic human rights (although non-deserving) benefits only the offender and develops a loop hole for the offender to escape from justice. Police officers can be taught ethics to a certain degree, but it is the officers own personal benefit to resist the urge of infringing upon criminals rights and also taking an advantage of ones position. This loop hole will promote a real dilemma for future policing and, thus, ethics is likely to play a prominent role in policing in the 21st century. (2124 words)

The Sun Also Rises Essay -- essays research papers

"One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth forever… The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to the place where he arose… The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits…All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again." -Ecclesiastes This passage from Ecclesiastes gives examples of the "Circle of Life." In the book The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway the aforementioned passage encompasses one of the many themes offered. The theme that this quote portrays is shown throughout the book, but goes unrecognized until the end of the book is reached. Upon going back through the book I have found many examples of this theme, that when read the first time make no impression but stand out boldly the next. One example of a missed thematic expression occurs on pg. 39, the last two paragraphs "I…" to "…sorry." This in itself seems insignificant but when compared to an incident that takes place later, on pg. 194 beginning "Well…" and ending with "… right.", it shows how a...