Barilla & Harvard Business School.

Nowadays, manufacturing and services firms face growing challenges to increase profit margins amidst increasingly fiercer competition. Under such circumstances, industry analysts and supply chain experts suggest manufacturers and service providers to promote more effective supply and demand planning, management, and execution as the means to unlocking significant gains in margins. By definition, Search CIO (2007) defines SCM as the management of information, materials, and finances along a chain of process from suppliers to manufacturers and then from manufacturers to customers.The interests in the discussion of supply chain management occur since it relates to costs reduction in all aspects of business process especially regarding the inventory reduction that suggests manufacturer produce goods when needed. The situation highlights that supply chain management will enhance lead time (time-to-market) of particular products, thus enabling all parties within an organization to manage t heir resources more effectively. Concerning the issue, this paper will describe supply chain management issue in Barilla spA, an Italian manufacturer that sells their products to its retailers mainly via third-party distributors.The competition in the market has caused unfavorable situation for Barilla during late 1980s when the company faced unpredictable demands from its distributors. 2. What are the reasons for the increase in variability in Barilla’s supply chain? Barilla maintains separate supply chain because the company has two general products: fresh and dry products, which required special treatment. In this situation, fresh products is mainly purchased from the two central distribution centers (CDCs) by independent agents who further channeled the products into 70 regional warehouses across Italy.Meanwhile, about two third of dry products are sold at supermarkets. Figure 1 explains the supply chain systems for Barilla. 3. How can Barilla cope with the increase in va riability? In order to succeed the distribution system, Barilla is known to practice the replenishment strategy, which describes an agreement between Barilla and their supplier to share the data about frequency and inventory levels to match Barilla demands (About. com, 2008).By delivering the products under the agreement with suppliers, Barilla is able to support their Just in time (JIT) distribution system, which is considered to be the optimum strategy to accomplish the company’s mission of having increased customers satisfaction. 4. What is the impact of transferring demand information across the supply chain? By sharing information between Barilla and their suppliers, there are positive impacts since the combination of JIT and replenishment strategy supports the demand fluctuations, reduced inventory level at warehouse, decreased stock-out levels etc.5. Can the Vendor Managed Inventory strategy solve the operational problems faced by Barilla? In Vendor Managed Inventory ( VMI) strategy, the suppliers have greater responsibility over the supply since they are required to determine the delivery frequency and inventory levels in order to maintain the agreed stock levels in warehouses. In addition, the practice of this system also helps Barilla to track out-of-stocks and other performance data, previous years’ sales history and trends.Therefore, the practice of Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) has solved the operational problems at Barilla. 6. How can the supply chain meet conflicting goals of different partners and facilities? In order to avoid the conflict between different partners and suppliers of Barilla, the company must ensure that the implementation of Just in Time system will help the maintenance of satisfaction in services, inventory levels, and stock-out levels and others in which each supplier has taken part of the system.In addition, Barilla must also ensure that within implementation steps, the use of EDI to deliver the inventory infor mation is the same among suppliers so the reliability can be secured and the compatibility level can be reached. Reference: About. com. (2008). Reduce Inventory with these 3 Supplier Partnership Strategies. Retrieved September 7, 2008 from http://logistics. about. com/od/inventoryoptimization/a/supplier_partnr. htm Hammond, Janice H. (2008). Barilla SpA (A). Harvard Business School.O’Brien, Kevin and Brian Springman. (2004). Optimizing Supply Chains, Understanding Demands. Retrieved September 7, 2008 from http://www. crmbuyer. com/story/35892. html Search CIO. (2007). Supply Chain Management. Retrieved September 7, 2008 from http://searchcio. techtarget. com/sDefinition/0,,sid19_gci214546,00. html YAO Kao-hua, LIU Chang-chuan. (2006). An Integrated Approach for Measuring Supply Chain Performance. Journal of Modern Accounting and Auditing. Vol. 2, No. 10

Salbutamol Ipratropium Bromide Management Bronchiolitis Health And Social Care Essay

Aim To compare the difference in intervention response to Salbutamol ( Selective i2 agonist ) and Ipratropium Bromide ( Anti-Cholienergic Bronchodilator ) in patients with Bronchiolitis. Material and Methods: This survey was conducted at Paediatric A Unit, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar from 1st November 2008 to 31st January 2009 and 84 patients with bronchiolitis were studied. Merely kids under 1 twelvemonth of age were included. Paediatric surgical causes of wheeze were excluded from the survey. The relevant clinical information was collected through a pre-designed standardised proforma. Patients were divided into two equal groups Group I was treated with nebulised Salbutamol and Group II was treated with nebulised Ipratropium Bromide. In both groups supportive steps like Oxygen I.V fluids, Nasogastric eating were given depending upon the clinical status of the kid. Consequences: A sum of 84 babes enduring from bronchiolitis were studied. 62 ( 74 % ) were males and 22 ( 26 % ) were females with average age ( 4.5 ) months. Treatment response was measured in footings of betterment in clinical marks i.e. wheezing, respiratory rate and recessions. All these clinical marks were resolved earlier in group treated with Ipratropium bromide as compared to group treated with salbutamol. Mean length of stay was 2.5 yearss in a group treated with nebulised Ipratropium bromide, as compared to the babes treated with nebulised Salbutamol where average length of stay was longer i.e. 3.4 yearss. Decision: It was seen that their was small difference in betterment of clinical marks like wheezing, declaration of cough and decrease in respiratory rate in a group treated with nebulised Salbutamol with longer length of stay in infirmary, as compared to the kids who received nebulised Ipratropium bromide in which all parametric quantities of hurt were improved before every bit good as decrease in the length of stay in infirmary. So it was concluded that supportive attention and intervention with nebulised Ipratropium bromide would be a better pick to handle bronchiolitis. Cardinal words: Bronchiolitis, Salbutamol in comparing to Ipratropium bromide nebulisation. RSV ( Respiratory Synctial Virus ) .IntroductionBronchiolitis is the commonest ground for infirmary admittance in babyhood and the most frequent cause of the acute respiratory unwellness in babyhood. It is a serious disease before 6 months of age. Bronchiolitis occurs most normally in babies aged between 2 and 6 months. Respiratory Synctial Virus is responsible for impacting about 50-90 % all instances of bronchiolitis. Human metapneumovirus ( hMPV ) was identified in 2001 as important respiratory pathogen1. Rhinovirus has been shown to be frequent cause of bronchiolitis in the old age group than that typically affected by RSV2. The human bocavirus discovered in 2005 is the most late identified pathogen known to do bronchiolitis3. The other aetiologic agents includes Para-influenza, grippe, adenovirus, coronavirus, enterovirus, mycoplasma, chlamydia and pneumocystis are less common causes of bronchiolitis during early babyhood. Certain factors like older siblings and inactive smoke are the hazard factors for bronchiolitis. Bronchiolitis is a clinical diagnosing. The term describes an unwellness in babies that begins in Upper Respiratory Tract Infection followed by marks of respiratory hurt, a rough cough, bilateral crackles, air caparison and wheezing.4 Mortality in babies who are otherwise healthy is less than 1 % in patients admitted to Intensive Care Unit,5 but is higher that is ( 3.5 % ) in kids with implicit in conditions such as cardiac or chronic lung disease6. The characteristic findings on scrutiny are tachypnea, sub-costal and intercostals recessions, hyperinflation of thorax, all right end-in-spiratory cracklings, high-pitched wheeze, which is on inspiration than termination, and tachycardia with occasional cyanosis are the commonest clinical findings. Certain group of babies are more prone to acquire respiratory synctial virus like pre-term babes and babies with congenital or anatomical defects of the air passages. CXR shows hyperinflation of lungs due to little air passages obstructor, air caparison, peribronchial cuffing and sub-segmental atelactasis. RSV can be identified quickly in nasopharyngeal secernment showing binding of a florescent antibody. Treatment is supportive i.e. humidified O is delivered via nasal cannulae or into caput box. The concentration required is determined by pulse oximetry. Child is besides monitored for apnea. The anti viral drug Virazole is presently recommended merely for usage in immunocompromise patients to cut down the continuance of viral shedding7. There is no grounds to back up the usage of antibiotics in bronchiolitis8 and should be avoided unless there is a strong intuition or verification of secondary bacterial infection. The ground we conducted this survey was that as in winter season our most of the beds are occupied by the babies enduring from bronchiolitis and our units are overcrowded with these patients. So to cut down the length of stay in infirmary and to cut down work burden on medical staff it was necessary to seek some other medicines so the supportive steps. Different bronchodilators have been used in the intervention of bronchiolitis with changing consequences. We chose two normally used bronchodialators i.e. Ipratropium bromide and Salbutamol. Ipratropium bromide is Anti-cholinergic broncho-dilator which affects airways map via parasympathetic nervous barricading Anti-cholinergic receptors on smooth musculuss in lungs given in a dosage of 20 mcgs upto 3 times daily from one month to six old ages of age. Salbutamol is a selected Beta-2 agonist supplying short playing ( 4-6 hours ) bronchodilation with fast oncoming ( within 5 proceedingss in reversible air passages obstructor ) given in a dosage of 1.25 to 2.5mg from birth to one month and in a dosage of 2.5 – 5mg from one month to 18 old ages. Mechanical airing is required in approximately 2 % of cases9. The usage of bronchodilators is by and large non really effectual in really immature babies because of the uncomplete development of smooth musculuss in the bronchial tree. In older babies, nevertheless, it has been found of some value.MATERIAL AND METHODSThis survey was conducted in Paediatric â€Å" A † Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar Pakistan, over a period of 3 months i.e.1st November 2008 to 31st January 2009. A elaborate proforma was made which covered all of import information required to do diagnosing of bronchiolitis. Full clinical history and presenting marks and symptoms were noted followed by elaborate physical scrutiny. The outstanding clinical characteristics recorded included prodromic catarrah, cough, tachypnea, recessions, tachycardia, and pushed down liver. Chest X ray was performed in all patients looking for grounds of hyperinflation due to air pin downing. Blood gases analysis was performed in selected instances. The response was monitored by betterment in clinical status of kid like decrease in respiratory rate towards normal, betterment in strength of cough, declaration of wheeze and length of stay in infirmary.Inclusion standards:Babies upto 1 twelvemonth of age showing with the clinical profile of bronchiolitis. No old history of wheeze.Exclusion standards:Babies over 1 twelvemonth of age. Children with surgical or any other cause of wheezing. Children with past history of wheezing.ConsequenceThe entire figure of babes enduring from bronchiolitis during the survey period was 84. Out of which 62 were males and 22 were females. The age scope was between one and twelve months with the average age of 4.5 months. The history of coryzal symptoms were present in 70 five babes while wheeze was present in all instances and liver was displaced downwards in 70 instances. Chest X ray showed hyperinflation in 75 instances, which can happen with air pin downing and was consistent with diagnosing of bronchiolitis. Forty-two patients were given test of nebulised Salbutamol and other 42 patients were commenced on nebulised Ipratropium bromide. Both groups received the supportive steps like Oxygen, Nasogastric eating and I.V fluids if unstable consumption was unequal. Treatment response was quantified by detecting decrease in respiratory rate, declaration of recessions, betterment in unwritten eating and length of stay in infirmary. It was seen that babes who were commenced on Ipratropium bromide their clinical marks like wheezing, respiratory rate and recessions were resolved earlier than the other group of babes who were put on Salbutamol. Mean length of stay was 2.5 yearss in the group treated with nebulised Ipratropium bromide, as compared to the babes treated with nebulised Salbutamol where average length of stay was longer i.e. 3.4 yearss.DiscussionAcute bronchiolitis is a common lower respiratory tract infection of babies ensuing from inflammatory obstructor of the little air passages due to RSV in 50 to 90 % of cases.14 The beginning of infection is normally a household member with minor respiratory unwellness. In our survey of 84 instances 33 parents had minor respiratory disease. It is the commonest serious respiratory infection of babyhood. 2-3 % of all babies are admitted to hospital with the disease each twelvemonth during one-year winter epidemics. Babies whose female parents smoke coffin nails are more likely to get bronchiolitis than are the babies of non-smokers female parents. None of our female parents were tobacco users. Bronchiolitis occurs normally in males. In our survey 60 out of 84 were males, which besides correlates with international surveies. Bronchiolitis is rare after one twelvemonth of age and this fact is obvious from our survey that we received 84 patients with bronchiolitis in 3 months clip and all patients were less than 1 twelvemonth old. Antibiotics were given to 10 patients who developed secondary bacterial infections. Antibiotics should be avoided unless there is a strong intuition or verification of secondary bacterial infection8 None of our babes required mechanical airing. The common clinical presentation in our survey was rough cough, tachypnoea, wheezing and intercostals recessions. Other major findings were, cracklings, wheeze, tachycardia and air trapping.4 A survey conducted by Gardner et Al. besides showed the common presentations and happening were same as in our survey. As CXR was performed in all instances bulk showed hyperinflation of the lungs due to little air ways obstruction19DecisionThis survey shows that kids given a trail of nebulised Ipratropium Bromide with supportive steps have better consequences in deciding Clinical Signs and Symptoms earlier and decrease in length of stay in infirmary as compared to the group treated with nebulised Salbutamol and supportive therapy.

APN Professional Development Plan Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

APN Professional Development Plan - Coursework Example The APN development plan involves the practising nurses in America. The development plan will be limited to the register nurses who have acquired masters’ degree. The development focuses on the APN who have completed three years practising as nurses. The development plan is aimed to make sure that APNs are more competed and provide sufficient care to the patients. The scope of APN practise composes of the integrative, technical abilities and cognitive of the registered and qualified nurse to practise safe and ethical acts, protocols, procedures and practical guidelines. In respect to education, an APN must have a post graduate education in the field of nursing or in nursing. For effectiveness in work place the advance practising nurse are equipped with clinical education, skills, scope and knowledge of practise in nursing. The APN clinical practise is based on scientific matters and applicable to secondary, primary and tertiary settings of health care practise. The role of the APN involves the peer education and dimension of patient, clinical leadership and mentorship (Stanley, 2010). In work APN applies an integration of theory, experience and practise together with autonomy in intervention and judgement. The post graduate education is indented to teach the nurse to apply different approaches to manage individual’s or group’s care, make decision and collaborate effectively with the client in order to get the best outcome. The APN has four areas of specialization which a nurse is required to undertake. The specialization includes nurse anaesthetists, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and clinical nurse specialists. The nurse anaesthetists are registered in United States under the certified registered nurse or CRNAs. The nurse midwives are registered under the CNMs certified nurse midwives in United States. Each nurse is allowed to concentrate in a certain speciality in healthcare. The APN roles are regulated and controlled by a specific

Japanese colonialism was fundamentally different from western Essay

Japanese colonialism was fundamentally different from western colonialism. Do you agree Discuss - Essay Example Such, it cannot be generalized that all colonial nations follow the same form of colonialism that bears the same geopolitical meaning and practice across regions and continents. This fundamental difference in colonialism can be best illustrated in the case of Japan when contrasted with its colonialist counterpart in the western part of the world where its colonialist differences were identified in this paper. The most plausible cause that can be identified for this difference was that Japan jumped in the colonialist foray later than its western counterpart that it had an implication why colonialism in the East, particularly Japan, fundamentally differed from its counterpart in the West. It can be surmised that while the west has already a deep experience of colonizing, the idea of colonialism was only impinged into the consciousness of Japan in the 1870’s with the Meiji Restoration (Myers and Peattie, 1984) which has an implication on how it exercised its power and prerogative over its colonized countries. Japan’s exposure in colonialist effort was short while its western counterparts had already a long history of colonizing exploits that stretched as far back as 900 A.D. with the crusades. This wide gap in terms of colonizing experience has an implication on Japan’s motivation, purpose and method of colonizing that fundamentally differed from the West which will be elaborated in this paper. ... II. The Fundamental Difference of Japanese Colonialism from Western Colonialism A. Timeline and motivation for being a colonial power The western colonizers have a very long and deep experience in colonizing. While Japan as a country was still struggling among itself in 900 A.D., Europe has already embarked on a crusade to reclaim the Holy Land from the Turks and Saracens in the Middle East. Needless to say, the West already has already a deep experience with colonizing while Japan only learned the idea of colonialism in the 1870’s. It is also important to note that before the Meiji Restoration in the 1870’s, it came from a 200 year isolationist policy of the Tokugawa Shogunate and as such, was economically and military inferior compared to the west. In addition, Japan began with the same disadvantages just like its neighboring Asian countries. Also, just like any other non-European states, it was forced to sign unequal treaties that chafed the ire of its nationalists a s an infringement of its national sovereignty. Moreso, when Commodore Matthew Perry of the United States came to Japan in 1853 with its fleet that forced Japan to open itself to trade and end its self-imposed isolation (Myers and Peattie, 1984:78). This made Japan realize how backward they were and prompted them to embark on a nationalist endeavor to strengthen itself and become a respected country. This sentiment was recorded by a memorandum of saga samurai, Eto Shimpei in 1856 that â€Å"what was required . . ., was a long-range plan to utilize the talents, not merely of all Japanese, but of talent wherever it might be found in tools, in arms, in medicine, in land development, in astronomy, and so on, should be utilized

Sports Economic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Sports Economic - Essay Example Therefore, Commission of AFL established a research board in 1999, in order to establish a body for administering the selection of priorities concerning research and allocation of resources (Booth, 2006). Projects began in 2000 contributing to Australian football becoming a strange paradox due to the game played exclusively in one continent and has transcended cultural barriers and ethnic divides through integration of communities (Australian Football League (AFL), 2012). In fact, the paper will focus on exploring issues related to Australian Football League (AFL). League behavior The players in AFL are expected to behave like sportsmen, whereby upholding their standards of professional conduct and avoid compromising the integrity and dignity of AFL football, clubs, AFLPA and players. In addition, during matches and training sessions the player are also expected to behave in the similar manner, which is in accordance to the Clause 2.1 of the Code (Borland & McDonald, 2004). However, in situations where there are findings by the AFL Tribunal related to misconduct against a player, they are parties involved are dealt with in accordance with the AFL rules. AFL policies One of the most commonly known policies is AFL Anti-Doping Code, which is varied according to the law 21.2 that apply to the payers participating in these games, in a situation where the Controlling Body has not adopted their own code or policy. Nevertheless, the policy that has been adopted by any Controlling Body has to be approved by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) (AFL, 2012). Moreover, the Controlling Body has no obligation to perform testing of players unless directed by AFL, and they should not appoint third parties to undertake these testing procedures. The other policy stipulates that a player, who has been directed to leave the playing surface, should only be replaced by a player whose name is on Team Sheet. The other policy states that a replacement player should enter the playing surface at the same time when the player is leaving the playing surface, and if the replacement player fails to enter the playing surface before the other player has left, the Umpire should restart play. The other policy indicates that player are not allowed to wear any form of jewelers, boot studs, cletes or any protective equipment that is not approved by the Controlling Body. However, there are situations where the field Umpire is convinced that the item does not subject players in any form of risk related to injury. AFL Winning Percentage Team Win% Year Collingwood 100 1929 Geelong 95.45 2008 Essendon 95.45 2000 Carlton 94.44 1908 Essendon 94.44 1950 South Melbourne 92.86 1918 Collingwood 90.91 2011 St Kilda 90.91 2009 Carlton 90.91 1995 Melbourne 88.89 1956 Competitive Imbalance Remedies The measurement of competitive balance relates to two aspects, which include; within-season competition balance that are associated with relative quality of teams in a season, and between-season competitive balance that are aimed at relative quality of teams over a number of seasons (Booth, 2000). One remedy for competitive imbalance is the merits of various measures that canvassed prior to settling on two basic measures, which include; distributions of season win percentage within-season competitive balance and distribution of premierships that are a measurement between season competitive

Memphis Design-Michele De Lucchi and Ettore Sottsass Essay

Memphis Design-Michele De Lucchi and Ettore Sottsass - Essay Example The paper "Memphis Design-Michele De Lucchi and Ettore Sottsass" discovers postmodernism and Memphis design group. With inspirations derived from earlier movements such as Pop Art and Art Deco, the colors were used in both a graphic and dynamic way. The use of history in the Memphis post modernist furniture is particularly evidenced by the way their colorful designs that were reminiscent of the 1950s and 1960s ‘op’ art movement. The use of history and drawing of inspirations from the past in post modernism was particularly meant to counter the modernist concepts of writing history or starting from scratch after all was lost during the war. The social and cultural changes in 1970 led to the reaction against modernism. Designers embraced popular consumerism and culture. The modernistic principle required all objects to functional. Radical designers started to define a new language for design and moved away from functional well-designed goods. Ettore sottsass and De Lucchi were particularly frustrated by the rigid attitudes of the international design community. The post modernist artists were inspired by cultural, emotional philosophical, ancient, and contemporary influences. Together with De Lucchi and other designers, he founded Memphis to explore a visual language for design based on the popular culture and kitsch. The group wanted to experiment with new designs and materials. Ettore wanted to discover new and unique ways of using materials to bring a wealth of artistic influences.

English Language Learner Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

English Language Learner - Essay Example The learners sit two-by-two because two desks have been joined together. This arrangement makes the learner comfortable enough to be in the classroom and learn effectively (Emmer & Evertson, 2009). The classroom decor are appropriate for the level of the learners. There are boards on the classroom walls where charts containing useful information for the learners have been pinned up for them to see at any time. According to Evertson and Emmer (2009), this also aids in teaching and learning because the learners are able to internalize the most important concepts that help them understand what they are taught. The classroom discussion taking place is very effective because the teacher is involving the class in the teaching and learning process. The learners have been given the opportunity to participate in the classroom activities because the teacher is delegating them to answer the questions being asked in the classroom. Miller, Linn and Gronlund (2009), note that participative learnin g is an effective teaching strategy which the teacher is using in this case. The individual student work time is also appropriate because as seen in the video, the teacher is assigning students from each side of the class a question to answer. Students are called upon to go to the front of the classroom and answer the questions that are being asked (Slavin, 2006). ... The teacher is generally asking questions and the students are volunteering to answer these questions. After the students have answered the questions, the teacher further elaborates that answers so that all the students can understand what is being taught. Question and answer method is an effective instructional method because it gives the students a chance to say what they know and be corrected in case they go wrong (Jones & Jones, 2010). The teacher is also using participatory learning by giving the students a chance to participate in the learning process. The teacher asks the children to come in front of the classroom and answer the questions that have been asked. In addition to the participatory learning, the teacher is also using direct instruction by providing information that the students need to know (Jones & Jones, 2010). C). The students appear to be very interested in the type of instructions being given by the teacher. The students seem to be pleased with the way the teac her is conducting the lesson. The teacher has taken into consideration the response of the audience and the contentment with the instructions is seen in the way the students are volunteering to answer the questions being asked by the teacher (Slavin, 2006). Almost all the students in the classroom volunteer to answer the questions being asked because almost all of them lift their hands up when the teacher asks who will answer each question she asks (Miller, Linn and Gronlund, 2009). The teacher is seen to catch the attention of the students by being audible enough and using a language that is simple and easy to understand. For this reason, the students actively participate in the lesson and show their willingness to learn by actively answering the questions being asked (Slavin,

The negative effects of wind turbines Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

The negative effects of wind turbines - Essay Example Even though wind power plants have comparatively small influence on the surroundings when judged against power plants of fossil fuel there are certain problems regarding the impacts on wildlife habitation, sound created by rotor blades, aesthetic (visual) effects, and mortality of bats and birds . One of the effects of this technology has been the noise production from development of wind turbines. Noise, in contrast to the effects on scenery or visual impact can be calculated and measured quite simply. Two kinds of noise are produced by wind turbines, generators and gearboxes create mechanical noise, whereas blades produce aerodynamic noise. Even though the advanced wind turbines have almost eradicated the mechanical noise through high-quality material for insulation in the nacelle, so, aerodynamic sound is the major contributor in the noise pollution. It is formed by the turning round of the blades producing a swishing sound that is broad-band as it is a work of pointed speed. Acco rding to European wind energy association â€Å" at any given location, the noise within or around a wind farm can vary considerably depending on a number of factors including the layout of the wind farm, the particular model of turbines installed, the topography or shape of the land, the speed and direction of the wind, and the background noise.† Noise pollution has a harmful effect on the lives of thousands of individuals.   Researches have exposed that the link between noise and health is a direct one.   Health affects linked to noise are anxiety associated sickness, high blood pressure, hearing troubles, sleep disorder, and disoriented concentration plus productivity.   (NIHL), Noise Induced Hearing Loss is the widespread and frequently discussed effect on health, but studies have revealed that exposure to continuous or high-pitched intensity of noise can bring about countless

StockTrak Investment Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

StockTrak Investment Strategy - Essay Example Corporate and Treasury bonds have been considered in the portfolio investment for diversification purpose of the investment risks. This helps the investor to spread the investment risk to avoid incurring heavy losses due to unforeseen market volatility in future (Fabozzi and Drake 68). The portfolio investment selected by the investor has the potential of allowing income generation and capital appreciation in future due to the characteristic of the various assets considered in the investment. One of the reasons that depicts that the investment portfolio is the pricing of the stocks selected (Reilly and Brown 33). The value prices of majority of the stocks selected in the portfolio investment are relatively undervalued. This is because the recent acquisitions and mergers by Google Corporation, Tesla Corporation, Trina Solar limited (TSL), AT&T Corporation, and Bank of America BAC depict that the profitability of the companies is likely to increase in future. Mergers and acquisition are essential for a company since it helps the company to expand its investment for high revenue generation in future. The companies will be able to generate more profit in future that is vital for dividend generation and stock demand in the stock market (Fabozzi and Drake 62). Thus, the current pricing of the various stocks considered in the portfolio investment are undervalued since they do not reflect the potential growth of the stocks. Consequently, the undervaluation of the stocks considered in the portfolio investment will ensure the capital investment of the investor appreciates in future. This is because the high demand of the stocks in future due to high profit generation will cause the price of the stocks to rise significantly. Accordingly, the value of the stock assets will increase significantly for the investor in future. Similarly, the high potential of the stocks growth due to profitability

Agile versus Waterfall Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Agile versus Waterfall - Essay Example System development is a team based activity which is completed by following a particular project management approach. In this scenario, a project management approach is a map which guides the software development team all the way through the project life cycle. This paper presents an analysis of two different project management approaches in the context of an e-commerce web site. This paper basically compares and contrasts agile and traditional project management approaches. In this scenario, we are going to manage the development of an e-commerce web site. I have been assigned the responsibility of a project manager to manage our company’s e-commerce Website where customers can browse the company’s products, place orders, and interact with the company’s customer service representatives. We have been given a deadline of three months to complete this project and we have approximately twelve people in the team. There are three offshore developers in Ireland and two QA testers in Dallas, TX. In addition, the remaining project team and the product owner are in San Diego, CA. 1. Comparative Analysis of Agile and Traditional Project Management Without a doubt, agile project management approach has been developed to deal with a variety of issues and pitfalls those were not addressed by the traditional project management approach effectively. In this scenario, some of the important issues can include delivering high quality software promptly under quickly and continuously changing business environment and requirements. It is believed that agile project management approaches have an excellent reputation in the IT and software sector. The research has shown than more than 69% of IT firms are adapting one or more of agile methodologies for use in common project management as well as organizational development (Lucia & Qusef, 2010). In spite of all the attractions that have been brought by the agile project management approaches, a large portion of sta te-of-the-art organizations (in all the categories e.g. packaged software, web-based software, or software/hardware systems) still adopt the traditional approaches to project management that have already been used for so many years. One of the most attractive features of this traditional project management approach is its support for the requirements documentation. In this scenario, this documentation includes requirements documents and specification documents. However, it depends on the firms who they use these terms. In fact, in many cases these two terms may indicate the same thing and are identical, or in some cases they can indicate the completely different parts of the process. In this scenario, the title of the document is not important, however its intended idea and information is delivered in some way with the purpose that the technical team could get an idea of the intended solution to a market problem that is being resolved with what goals. Normally, smaller project and u pdates can have a limited set of documents, while a larger, riskier project can require more documentation (Product Arts1, 2012; Kotonya & Sommerville, 1998; Product Arts, 2009). The research has shown that the requirements engineering process heavily depends on documentation for knowledge sharing while agile project management approaches are based on face-to-face collaboration and communication between developers and customers in order to reach similar goals. In this scenario, agile project management approaches do not take into consideration the documentation aspect effectively. On the other hand, in traditional proje

Auditory System Essay Example for Free

Auditory System Essay The world contains all kinds of energy that translates into information about what we see, hear, smell, touch and taste. A sensory system is a part of the nervous system responsible for processing specific sensory information. The components of a sensory system include sensory receptors, neural pathways, and parts of the brain involved in sensory perception. To begin, energy from the environment stimulates the receptor cells in whichever sense organ is being used. If this information were auditory, the ear would convert sound waves in the air into electrical impulses that would further be interpreted by the brain as sound. A sound wave first enters the pinna, the fleshy part of the ear on the outside of the body. It then travels through the external auditory canal where it then meets the eardrum, a thin membrane in the outer ear. The eardrum then vibrates in response to the sound wave. What we hear will depend on the wavelength and frequency of the wave. The eardrum is connected to a group of three small bones call â€Å"the ossicles† in the middle ear. This group includes the malleus, incus and the stapes. These three bones, the smallest in the human body, protect the eardrum from more intense sounds and also deliver the vibrations to the base of the stapes. The stapes then sends the vibrations into the inner ear and interacts with the round window. The round window, a small membrane that allows liquid inside the inner ear to be displaced and receive the vibration. The vibration travels through the spiral structure of the inner ear called the cochlea and ends at the round window. Inside the cochlea there are three canals: the scala vestibuli, the scala media and the scala tympani. The scala vestibule leads up to the apex of the cochlea, the scala tympani leads down to the round window and the scala media sits in between the other two canals. All of these canals are filled with fluid and are separated by two different membranes; Reissner’s membrane and the Basilar membrane. Both of these membranes are flexible and respond to the vibrations traveling through the scala vestibuli. The movements of the membranes then send the vibrations down the scala tympani. A structure called the Organ of Corti, which is situated on the basilar membrane, becomes stimulated as the membrane vibrates and sends nerve impulses to the brain. Within the Organ of Corti are a group of specialized cells called hair cells, which are covered by the tectorial membrane. As the basilar membrane vibrates, the hair cells are bents and push up against the tectorial membrane. This causes the hair cells to fire and send nerve impulses to the auditory cortex on each of the brains hemispheres through the cochlear nerve. How we determine pitch can be explained with two different theories. The Place Theory states that the entire basilar membrane does not vibrate at once so different parts of the basilar membrane respond to different frequencies of sound. Lower frequency sounds vibrate the basilar membrane near the apex of the cochlea while higher frequency sounds produce vibrations closer to the base. The Frequency Theory states that the frequency of firing matches the frequency of the sound wave. Hearing loss can occur for a number of reasons. Damage to the eardrum due to age and prolonged exposure to loud noise may cause the hairs or nerve cells in the cochlea to wear out and become less effective. A buildup of earwax can block the ear canal and prevent of sound waves from entering the eardrum. Otosclerosis, a genetic form of hearing loss in which the stapes is fixed in place so sound cannot enter the inner ear.

Relationship Outside of the Strange Situation Essay Example for Free

Relationship Outside of the Strange Situation Essay The attachment of an infant to his mother is an important part of development. A mother is the first experience of love and care that the child will ever have. This attachment also has important implications in the development of the child and even into adulthood. Children develop styles of attachment depending on their experiences with their caregivers and with their mothers. There are different attachment styles that have been identified in children. The first one is secure attachment, anxious-ambivalent attachment, anxious-avoidant attachment and disorganized attachment (Cassidy Shaver, 1999). Theorists and scientists have identified the Strange Situation Protocol to be the most common method in studying attachment in infants. The Strange Situation Protocol is also the most empirically supported method for assessing attachment. Based on the behavior of the infant in relation to their mothers or caregivers, they are grouped into the different kinds of attachment already identified. It should be noted, however, that attachment does not stem from the thinking of the child. Rather, it is a feature of the relationships of the infant to different people. In early childhood, the child may exhibit different kinds of attachment. Yet beyond the age of four, children may settle for one particular kind of attachment (Greenspan, 1993). Studying Attachment Beyond the Strange Situation Protocol The Strange Situation Protocol (12 months to 20 months) is the most popular method in measuring attachment in children. Pederson and Moran (1996) decided to investigate children’s attachment outside of the Strange Situation. Their study, â€Å"Expressions of the attachment relationship outside of the strange situation,† observed 41 preterm infants together with 38 full-term infants at home with their mothers. These infants were at observed during their 8 months and 12 months of age. They were also observed within the Strange Situation at 18 months. The purpose of the study is to compare the attachment expressions in the two distinct settings. The researchers looked at the four different kinds of attachment relationship expressions. They discovered that there is an 84% concordance in the differences between secure and non-secure attachment relationship at home for infants at 12 months old. Avoidant relationships at this stage also displayed very high concordance. In addition to this, the study also found out that around 30% of the dyads were classified with ambivalent attachment at home and in the Strange Situation. The mothers in secure relationships at the Strange Situation were more sensitive on the 8 and 12 months as compared to mothers who displayed ambivalent and avoidant relationships. On the other hand, the mothers in non-secure relationships did not display any marked difference in their sensitivity. In the Strange Situation, those infants in secure relationships displayed the characteristics of having effective secure base behavior. Moreover, they also displayed physical contact and affectionate sharing. During the 12-month home observations, these infants were easier to deal with because they were not very difficult to interact with. The research method of the study was naturalistic as the researchers observed the infants at home. They managed to take note of the way that the infants related with their mothers. At the strange situation, however, the approach became more manipulative because of the requirements of the protocol. In addition to this, the authors looked at several variables pertaining to the expressions of attachment relationships. They looked at the reunion behaviors, the reactions of children to their mothers and to other persons that they are interacting with. The reactions of the children to strangers, to caregivers and to the mothers were logged. The reaction of the children to the return of their parents was also noted by the researchers. To analyze the research problem effectively, the researchers studied infants in two different settings: at home and at the strange situation. In addition to this, they also observed the subjects in different ages—at 8 months, 12 months and 18 months, which is already included in the Strange Situation. As a control group for the variable, this enabled the researchers to understand the differences in attachment of the children in different situations and at different stages of their development. The researchers utilized unobtrusive observations in the home setting where they observed the natural tendencies of children and their relationships with the members of the household. They pre-determined the kinds of behavior and relationships they were looking after and noted their observations. As the study progressed, they compared their notes and established looked at the kinds of attachment relationships for analysis. The researchers explored the literature on the Strange Situation, the studies conducted concerning the observations of infants and their attachment relationships at home and the limitations of observing infants within the Strange Situation Protocol. Given these developments in the literature, they found out that there is a lack of studies focusing on the attachment relationships beyond the Strange Situation Protocol. The main contribution of the study is the way that they observed infants beyond the Strange Situation. This enabled them to make comparisons as to the development of attachment relationships of younger infants and compare that with findings within the strange situation. The presentation of the findings of the study is not very clear. One way to improve this would be stating the findings in terms that could be better understood by readers and not only by intellectuals and scientists. The inclusion of diagrams and tables would also greatly help in understanding the results of the study and its application in the lives of mothers and their developing children. There are no apparent ethical issues that can be discerned in the study. Observing the infants and their mothers at home, however, can yield some important ethical considerations in the study. It may be seen as disrupting on the processes and relationships of the family members. In addition to this, the child may also be alerted by the presence of the researcher and this could have potential impact on the exploration of a toddler of the house. This should also be factored into the study. The way that the study compared attachment relationships of children below the Strange Situation is laudable. The study could be further explored by studying the attachment relationships of children beyond the Strange Situation. The researchers studied children at 8 months, 12 months and 18 months. The study could be further improved by studying children beyond the 20 months of the Strange Situation. This way, the study could yield important insights in the utility or inadequacy of the Strange Situation as method of measuring attachment relationships. Conclusion The study of Pederson Moran (1996) helps in understanding the Strange Situation and the way that infants develop attachment relationships at an age that falls below the strange situation. Their findings suggest that there are not much important differences in the way that non-secure mothers and infants develop attachment in the strange situation and outside of it. However, for those with secure relationships and ambivalent ones, there is concordance and better long term development of attachment. This has implications in the way that children should be treated during their infancy. Reference Cassidy, J. , Shaver, P. , (Eds). (1999) Handbook of Attachment: Theory, Research, and Clinical Applications. New York: Guilford Press. Greenspan, S. (1993) Infancy and Early Childhood. Madison, CT: International Universities Press. Pederson, D. R. Moran, G. (1996). Expressions of Attachment Relationship Outside of the Strange Situation. Child Development, 67, 915-927.

Argentina Environmental Laws And Regulations Environmental Sciences Essay

Argentina Environmental Laws And Regulations Environmental Sciences Essay The protection of water resources is ruled by National Decree 674/89 modified in part by Decree 776/92 on waste effluents discharged into sewage systems or water coursesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦The territory of application is the City of Buenos Aires and the districts of the Province of Buenos Aires. (Consoli et al). This applies to facilities that are in the territory of application, which create waste effluents originated in the discharge of said effluents into sewage systems, rain drains or water courses, which may contaminate the water sources, damage Waterworks, installations or affect the public health. Industrial plants and facilities subject to this decree must have duly authorized effluent treatment plants and are required to file an annual affidavit that holds all the data required by the relevant regulation. This also establishes certain prohibitions like the release of effluent exceeding the tolerated contamination levels, the discharge of effluent without previous authorization, t he discharge of effluent in public places and the storage of solid wastes which may contaminate surface or underground water. Air Pollution Law 20.284 establishes rules to determine air quality and the allowed concentration of pollutants. It includes motor vehicles, machinery, equipment, facilities installations and incinerators, emitting substances which may produce atmospheric contamination. If not followed, subject to fines or temporary or total closure of the polluting source. Law 24.040-the control of substances which deplete the ozone, rules on the use and trade of CFCs. Hazardous Waste Law 24.051rules the generation, transport, handling, treatment and final disposal of hazardous waste, establishing duties, responsibilities and liabilities of generators, operators and transporters of waste. Law 24.051 is a local law but it is followed by the whole national territory (Nonna). A hazardous waste is any waste that can damage living beings or contaminate land, water, air or the environment. Individuals and legal entities subject to this law (generators, transporters and operators of hazardous waste) have to register with the National Registry of Hazardous Waste Generators and Operators. They need to do this to be able to receive the annual environmental certificate that allows them to operate. Generators of Waste Means Waste generators have to pay a levy. The levy is calculated by how hazardous the waste is, and how much is generated. Transporters of Hazardous Waste Hazardous waste can only go from the generator to the transporter. It has to be with a manifest that contains all the data identifying the generator. The transporter cannot: 1) mix hazardous waste with other waste or with incompatible hazardous waste; 2) store hazardous waste for more than ten days; or 3) transport, transfer or deliver waste not properly packed. Treatment and/or Final Disposal Plants Authorizations are for ten year for the operation of these plants. But they have to have annual renewals of the environmental certificate. They must keep a permanent operation record that follows the requirements established by authority. Argentina Faces the Dilemma of Unconventional Oil and Gas Vast reserves of natural gas and oil trapped underground, whose exploitation would signify major environmental impacts, will be the greatest challenge facing YPF, the Argentine oil company that recently returned to state control. The study assessed the viability of 48 shale gas basins in 32 countries and estimated Argentinas shale gas reserves at 774 (TCF), 60 times greater than the countrys current conventional reserves. The shale gas formations are in four basins, but the Neuquà ©n basin is the most promising. This is where the Vaca Muerta and Los Molles formations are found, which stretch across the subsoil of four provinces: Neuquà ©n and Mendoza, in western Argentina, La Pampa in the centre of the country, and Rà ­o Negro in the centre-south. The report states that, although there is a high degree of uncertainty, studies by the Undersecretariat of Mines and Hydrocarbons of Neuquà ©n estimate that there are 170 TCF of recoverable gas in the Vaca Muerta formation and between 130 and 192 TCF in Los Molles. The exploitation of these reserves would significantly increase gas production, create employment and promote the development of new technologies, but would also take a heavy toll on the environment. This is the dilemma facing the new YPF, after the expropriation of 51 percent of its shares, which were held by the Spanish oil company Repsol until the May 3 passage of the bill that President Cristina Fernà ¡ndez de Kirchner submitted to Congress on Apr. 16. YPF, created by the Argentine government in 1922, has thus returned to state control as a private corporation with a majority stake owned by the government and the rest held by national and foreign private companies and stockholders. The article, Gas y petrà ³leo no conventional: Perspectives y desafà ­os para su desarrollo en Argentina (Unconventional Gas and Oil: Prospects and challenges for their development in Argentina), outlines the opportunities offered by exploitation of these resources, but warns that the effects on the environment pose serious questions. A report published in October 2011 by the National Academy of Engineering of Argentina, Gas de reservorios no convencionales: Estado de situacià ³n y principales desafà ­os (Gas from Unconventional Sources: Current situation and key challenges), concurs with the warnings voiced by Matranga and Gutman. *The writer is an IPS correspondent. This story was originally published by Latin American newspapers that are part of the Tierramà ©rica network. Tierramà ©rica is a specialised news service produced by IPS with the backing of the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Environment Programme and the World Bank. Top of Form Environmental sustainability situation in Argentina The following statistics give perspective to the ongoing environmental sustainability situation in Argentina: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Disappearances of Forests: In 1914, there were 105 million hectares; since 2005 there is an estimated 33 million remaining hectares of forest à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Increase in Pesticides: In 1991, agriculture reported using 40 million liters of pesticides; by 1997 that number had grown to 100 million liters à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ High Levels of Lead: In the province of Jujuy, 59 percent of children from the Abra Pampas have an unsafe amount of lead in their blood; the impact to local flora and fauna is unknown à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ The burning of forests generates more greenhouse gases than motor vehicles à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Since 1985, the amount of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere has increased by 140 percent; whereas carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulates have increased 60, 56 and 100 percent, respectively à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Since 1914, two-thirds of Argentinas native forests have been destroyed. If this destruction continues unchecked, all of Argentinas native forests will be gone by the year 2024. Challenges for Future Nationalised Oil Co. in Argentina:- One of the big challenges facing the Argentine government in its plans to regain state control of the countrys biggest oil firm, YPF, is to make up for the time lost under private management, when production and exploration fell. President Cristina Fernandez decreed intervention of the YPF board and sent Congress a bill Monday Apr. 16 to expropriate 51 percent of the shares of the company, which is controlled by Spanish energy firm Repsol. The move radically changes the countrys energy scenario. YPF, founded as Yacimientos Petrolà ­feros Fiscales (State Petroleum Reserves) by the Argentine state in 1922, is the largest oil and gas producer in the country. It was privatised in two stages, in 1993 and 1999, under the administrations of former president Carlos Menem (1989-1999). Since then the state has held less than one percent of the shares of YPF. Fà ©lix Herrero, the vice president of the movement for the recovery of Argentinas energy sovereignty (MORENO), told IPS he was in complete agreement with the bill, which declares the achievement of self-sufficiency in oil and gas to be in the public interest in order to guarantee economic development with social equity. . In Lamothes view, the government has waited too long to take action on an energy policy that has been failing to encourage investment. The authorities allowed most of the profits to be transferred abroad, and now there is an eight-year backlog in investments, he complained. He added that the future state-controlled company would have to move towards a model of partnerships with the private sector in order to fund necessary investments. And he thought it was premature to celebrate the governments move this week. At the unveiling of the initiative, Fernà ¡ndez said YPF would continue to be a sociedad anà ³nima or public limited company, with private participation. I want to make it clear that this is not nationalisation, but the restoration of sovereignty and control over an essential instrument, she said. She maintained that Argentinas plan is not a new invention, and ran through a list of industrialised and developing countries where the state controls the oil and gas industry. For example, she noted that in Brazil, the public sector owns 51 percent of oil giant Petrobras. But on this point, Herrero said, the president is mistaken. Constitutionally, the Brazilian state cannot own more than 51 percent of Petrobras, and actually owns 32 percent, while the rest of the company is in the hands of federal states, the state-owned National Development Bank (BANDES), workers mutual funds and private individuals and corporations, he said. Air, Water, and Noise Pollution Aging diesel buses may be the primary culprit in deteriorating urban air quality, but private vehicles (some still using leaded gasoline) and taxis contribute more than their share (some taxis and private vehicles, though, burn natural gas). Superannuated factories, with their subsidized smokestacks, are another source. A different sort of air pollution is the deterioration of the antarctic ozone layer, which has exposed both humans and livestock in far southern Argentina to ultraviolet radiation in summer. Though ozone depletion is a global problem over which Argentines have little control, they suffer the consequences of the growing ozone hole. Just as motor vehicles cause urban air pollution, they also produce most of its noise pollution, due partly to inadequate mufflers. According to one study, vehicular noise accounts for 80 percent of noise levels that, at corners like Rivadavia and Callao in Buenos Aires, exceed 80 decibels. Buses and motorcycles are the worst offenders. Drinking water is normally potable, but a historical legacy of polluted waterways derives from, first, the proliferation of European livestock on the pampas, followed by the processing of hides and livestock, and then by heavy industry. The textbook case is Buenos Airess Riachuelo, in the working-class barrio of La Boca, which more closely resembles sludge than water; its bottom sediments, thanks to chemical runoff from factories here and in nearby Avellaneda, are an even greater toxic hazard. The construction of riverside pulp plants in Uruguay continues to be a hot-button issue in Entre Rà ­os Province, but this is a complex issue characterized by much cynical posturing on the Argentine side. Solid Waste Buenos Aires and other cities produce prodigious amounts of garbage-Buenos Aires alone, for instance, generates 5,000 tons of solid waste per day. The capital ships its garbage as far away as the city of Olavarrà ­a, 400 kilometers to the southwest, but a new law stipulates that it will reduce the waste sent to landfills by half by 2012, and by 75 percent by 2017. Sidewalk pickups take place daily, but in the aftermath of the 2002 economic crisis, garbage-strewn streets became more common because of spontaneous recycling by cartoneros who ripped open plastic bags in search of reusable materials like cardboard. Theres another dark side to this recycling, as some cartoneros-apparently in league with criminal elements-have also absconded with valuable metals covering utility boxes and other similar objects accessible from the street. Sold and melted into ingots of bronze and other metals, these are almost untraceable. Another sort of solid waste is even more problematic. Greenpeace Argentina has protested an agreement with Australia to import that countrys nuclear waste for reprocessing near the Buenos Aires suburb of Ezeiza. Argentinas constitution prohibits storage of nuclear waste, though Argentina has its own 357-megawatt Atucha I reactor near the town of Lima, northwest of the capital. Energy Mismanagement and disinvestment are threatening Argentinas self-sufficiency in fossil fuels, so that the country is now having to import natural gas, at above-market prices, from Bolivia. The country does have hydroelectric resources in the subtropical north and along the Andean foothills, but Argentine governments have promoted nuclear power since the 1950s. While the country has renounced any intention to build nuclear weapons, the 357-megawatt Atucha I reactor has powered the capitals electrical grid since 1974. For much of the time since then it has operated at reduced capacity thanks partly to cheaper hydroelectricity, but also due to inadequate maintenance; the controlling Comisià ³n Nacional de Energà ­a Atà ³mica (CNEA, National Atomic Energy Commission) is not known for its transparency. Atucha I is due to close in 2014. Even hydroelectricity is no panacea, as the creation of the massive Yacyretà ¡ dam along the Paraguayan border in Corrientes Province may be raising water levels in the Iberà ¡ marshlands; this could sever the floating islands, on which their wildlife depends, from their anchoring soils. Similarly, upstream water diversions on the Rà ­o Iguazà º could affect the flow over the spectacular falls that are one of the continents greatest natural features. Soil Conservation and Deforestation Centuries of livestock impacts, both grazing and trampling, have caused serious erosion even in areas where there were never native forests, such as the pampas and the Patagonian steppes. Even today, some forested national parks-most notably Lanà ­n and Los Glaciares-have been unable to eliminate grazing within their boundaries. There has been pressure to create presumably sustainable forest-exploitation projects in the Magellanic woodlands of Tierra del Fuego. The hot-button forest issues, though, are in the northern subtropical forests. In Misiones Province, agricultural colonists and commercial tea and yerba mate plantations have cut over much of the selva misionera, a diverse, wildlife-rich rain forest that cannot easily reestablish itself when its natural recycling mechanisms are disturbed. In Jujuy and Salta Provinces, the yungas cloud forest on the edge of the Andes has already suffered deforestation from construction of a nearly pointless natural gas pipeline over the Andes to Chile, and from widespread clear-cutting to extract just a few prize timber species. Beans taking over forests Research in Argentina has shown that deforestation due to agricultural expansion of soybean is threatening the Yungas cloud forest, and the Chaco ecoregion, one of the largest forested biomes (a major regional group of distinctive plant and animal communities) in South America. In Argentina, while most recent expansion in soybean agriculture has relied on available agricultural land, there are aggressive targets to expand the agricultural area to increase soybean production for export.1 The cattle threat Beef production in Argentina also poses a threat to natural habitats. Beef feeding, located on land that used to compete with agricultural crops, has been concentrated in the Espinal Ecoregion (an area of thorny deciduous shrubland forest) threatening grasslands and forests. Similar impacts have occurred with cattle breeding, which has expanded into the Chaco ecoregion and is threatening forests. These processes are closely linked with an increasing demand for suitable land for soy cropping.2 Other environmental problems Argentina also faces the issue of energy consumption and management and the inefficient use of non-renewable resources. COMPARISON OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES BETWEEN ARGENTINA AND INDIA DEFORESTATION : ARGENTINA Argentina has over 33 million ha of forest, representing over 12% of the countrys land area. Between 1990 and 2005 Argentina lost 6.4% of its natural forest cover, although plantation expansion resulted in the net forest loss being lower at 2.1%. A forestry bill in 1997 offered tax breaks and subsidies to foreign investors for establishing tree plantations and the aim was to plant an average of 200,000 ha per year from 2000 to 2009. Although this target was not achieved, an average of approximately 50,000 ha per year were planted from 2000 to 2008. Much of the destruction of natural forests is due to the spread of agribusiness. In the central province of Cordoba soy production has increased steadily in the last decade, replacing forests; of the 10 million ha of forest in Cordoba a century ago, only 12% remain and in some areas, the figure is as low as 2%. The result has been soil erosion, water shortages and localised changes to the climate. The Cordoba Environment Agency introduced a law in 2005 banning clear-cutting for a period of 10 years, but allowing sustainable logging in native forests. In the north western province of Salta, the number of permits issued by the provincial government for land conversion increased in recent years; in 2007 alone, permits issued allowed for the felling of half a million ha of forest. At the end of 2008, 18 indigenous communities presented a demand to the Supreme Court for an immediate halt to the deforestation. The court imposed an immediate ban on deforestation in the region and demanded a public consultation take place prior to the court taking a final decision. This deforestation is also threatening the habitats of many species, including the jaguar and seven other cat species. Timber is not a major industry in Argentina; many of the companies involved in land clearing for agribusiness are also involved in the paper and pulp industry. Much of the potentially valuable timber is in remote areas and remains unexploited. In 2008 the World Bank approved a US$60 million loan to Argentina to work with smaller farmers to improve sustainable management of forest resources and preserve biodiversity. The work will focus on the most the most threatened areas, where ecosystems have been seriously damaged by agribusiness. In another positive move, the Canadian Forest Service has begun working with Argentina to develop six model forests and develop local indicators to monitor progress towards sustainable forest management. Deforestation Destruction of forests creates numerous environmental catastrophes, including altering local rainfall patterns, accelerating soil erosion, causing the flooding of rivers, and threatening millions of species of plants, animals and insects with extinction. The main causes of deforestation are: expansion of agricultural and industrial needs, population growth, poverty, consumer demand and landlessness. Despite increased public awareness and  a large number of initiatives, deforestation is still continuing in most of Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific. During 1980-90 alone, the Latin American region lost 62 million hectares (6.0 per cent) of its natural forest, which was the largest loss in the world during those years, with a further 5.8 million hectares a year lost during 1990-95. (source:UNEP) India Approximately 45% of Indias land is degraded primarily due to deforestation, unsustainable agricultural practices, mining and excessive groundwater extraction. More than 2/3rds of this can be regenerated. India has the 10th largest forest cover in the world at 68 million hectares. The governments National Action Plan on climate change involves expanding forest cover from the current 23% to 33% of Indias territory, and to afforest 6 million hectares of degraded forest land. India has rich biodiversity more than 45,000 plant and 91,000 animal species. However there are rapid loss trends 10% flora and fauna are on the threatened list and many are on the verge of extinction. PESTICIDE : (IPS) The agriculture industry in Argentina is enjoying the boom in demand for soybeans and other commodities and the subsequent high prices, which are also fattening the state coffers. But the question of the unsafe handling of pesticides and fertilisers has basically been ignored amidst the collective euphoria. According to the Secretariat of Agriculture, the latest harvest set a new record of nearly 95 million tons of grains, half of which were soybeans. This year, the harvest should exceed 100 million tons, and the state expects to take in 7.5 billion dollars in tax revenue as a result. Last year, farmers purchased more than 5,000 tractors, a similar number of sewing machines and 2,000 harvesting machines. But as the area under cultivation has expanded and investment in technology has increased, the use of agrochemicals has grown as well. Private consultants estimate that 3.6 tons of fertilisers were used in 2007, 20 percent more than in 2006. And the growing demand has drawn major investments in fertiliser production plants run by local and international companies, which indicates that output will continue to rise. Statistics from the Secretariat of the Environment show that the use of pesticides has grown steadily since 1991, and that half of the demand comes from soybean producers. This issue has not yet been put on the agenda of social problems, sociologist Marà ­a Alejandra Silva, director of the workers health unit at the University of Rosarios School of Medicine, told IPS. Concerned civil society sectors have failed to get our voices heard. Local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) led by the Rural Reflection Group have long been warning about the risks faced by the rural population due to the expansion of monoculture farming of genetically modified soybeans, which require glyphosate, and the aerial spraying of fields, that is frequently carried out without the necessary safety precautions. Silva, a researcher with the National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), said the state, which brings in enormous tax revenues from farm exports, looks the other way. In an article on the challenges facing Argentina with respect to rural growth that has ignored environmental and health concerns, Silva wrote that in this South American country little or no attention is paid to the question of the environmental and health sustainability of the rural sectors current model of growth. She said the agricultural producers surveyed in the study expressed concern over the soils loss of fertility caused by intensive use, but were not worried about the lack of oversight and control in the production, transportation, storage, handling and application of fertilisers and pesticides, or about the disposal of the empty containers. The symptoms of mild or acute poisoning from agrochemicals include headache, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, restlessness, nervousness, perspiration, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, loss of weight, thirst, moodiness, soreness in joints, skin irritation, eye irritation, and irritation of the nose and throat. Long-term exposure to pesticides and fertilisers without adequate protection and safety measures can cause cancer, neurological damage, endocrine disruption, reproductive disorders, fetal malformations, immune system disruption and impaired nervous system function. A study conducted in different regions with the coordination of the Argentine Association of Doctors for the Environment (AAMMA) warns of the inadequate and indiscriminate use of pesticides, a lack of protection for the workers who handle them, and for their families, and the accumulation of contaminated containers on farms, plantations and orchards. Pesticides and fertilisers can pollute the soil and both surface and underground water sources, and pose risks to living beings, says the report on the problem of agrochemicals and their containers and their effect on the health of workers, the exposed population and the environment. The study, carried out with contributions from the Health Ministry, the Secretariat of the Environment and Sustainable Development, and several universities, says the inappropriate handling of these products is a serious environmental and health problem in Argentina that is causing damages that could be irreversible, especially for children. Around 15 percent of the farmers interviewed in the eastern province of Buenos Aires said they knew people who were resistant to pesticides and handled them without gloves. This was described by the authors as a popular misconception among farmers who often fail to understand that symptoms sometimes only show up in the long-term. In addition, many of the interviewees were unaware of, or simply did not follow, the regulations for disposing of empty agrochemical containers, which must be washed three times and then perforated so that they cannot be reused. Most of the containers end up in piles on unused fields around farms or are buried or burnt, with the subsequent polluting effect on the environment. In some low-income rural or semi-urban areas, people even use the empty containers to haul water. According to the study, the problem is a serious one because the funding is lacking for carrying out local research showing a direct link between the improper handling of pesticides and health effects that can show up decades after contact, or even in future generations in the case of pregnant women exposed to pesticides or fertilisers. In the meantime, in light of the real magnitude and urgency of the problem, the researchers recommend campaigns to inform people about the correct handling of such products and the risks they pose, as well as training, both for farmers and workers who use them and health professionals who must properly diagnose the symptoms of exposure to toxic agrochemicals. PESTICIDE : INDIA The term pesticide covers a wide range of compounds including insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, rodenticides, molluscicides, nematicides, plant growth regulators and others. Among these, organochlorine (OC) insecticides, used successfully in controlling number of diseases, such as malaria and typhus, were banned or restricted after the 1960s in most of the technologically advanced countries. The introduction of other synthetic insecticides organophosphate (OP) insecticides in the 1960s, carbamates in 1970s andPyrethroids in 1980s and the introduction of herbicides and fungicides in 1970s 1980scontributed greatly in pest control and agricultural output. Ideally a pesticide must be lethal to the targetted pests, but not to non-target species, including man. Unfortunately, this is not, so the controversy of use and abuse of pesticides has surfaced. The rampant Use of these chemicals, under the adage, if little is good, a lot more will be better has played havoc with human and other life forms. Production and Usage of pesticide in India The production of pesticides started in India in 1952 with the establishment of a plant for The production of BHC near Calcutta, and India is now the second largest manufacturer of Pesticides in Asia after China and ranks twelfth globally9. There has been a steady growth in the production of technical grade pesticides in India, from 5,000 metric tonnes in 1958 to 102,240 metric tonnes in 1998. In 1996-97 the demand for pesticides in terms of value Was estimated to be around Rs. 22 billion (USD 0.5 billion), which is about 2% of the total world market. Agriculture Agriculture is the essence of India. Since time immemorial, the majority of its population bank on agriculture sector directly or indirectly. This is the reason, the contribution of Indian agriculture industry to GDP (Gross Domestic Products) is around 25 per cent. Agriculture in India is a crucial sector in socio-economic development of the country. Comparing the total farming output of India with other countries, India is ranked second worldwide. Because of transforming farming scenario and international competition, augmentation in production and meticulous distribution of food receive higher priority across the globe. Being the largest producer of agricultural products like cashew nuts, coconuts, tea, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, the 2nd largest cultivator of vegetables, and the third largest producer of fruits. The total production of fruit is around 27.83 MT(Million Tons) and 54 MT in vegetables. India has also strengthened its position in the cultivation of flower and it is estimated that 35,000 hectare of flowers of various kinds like rose, jasmine, marigold, and so on are grown in one or the other part of India. Above all, India is now exporting rice wheat. That has made India self sufficient in food. Agriculture industry in India has seen some remarkable changes since independence, also become very important from the perspective of employment generation, so Indian economy is reckoned as agri oriented. With increased level of sophisticated technologies, application of modern bio technologies, and rendering considerable importance to seeds, fertilizers, irrigation sources, agriculture business has reached a new height. Agro Industry is a promising lucrative sector and riding on an impressive growth. Indias share in the global food market has grown to 0.7 percent and is assessed to reach 1.5 per cent. All these augur great for farming industry. Agricultural Waste Boosts Energy Production in Argentina:- The goal is to raise biomass participation in electricity generation by means of a platform for private projects in need of promotion, said Miguel Almada, head of the agroenergy area of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. Many projects are already under way, or are negotiating tariffs, he told IPS. A worker unloads rice husk at a biomass power plant run by a company in Thailand. Credit: Nantiya Tangwisutijit/IPS According to a study carried out with the support of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Argentina has the potential to generate half the countrys total energy supply by burning biomass. The assessment by the FAO and government and technical bodies in Argentina mapped the biomass resources in each province to determine the available potential. Despite its potential, the FAO considers that biomass has so far been the Cinderella of energy sources, without political visibility or recognition in development planning in many countries, including Argentina. FAO, which published its study in 2009 at the request of the Argentine government as a step towards the official launch of the Probiomasa programme, says the use of biomass resources is not jus

Wetland Mitigation: A Failing Attempt at Saving the Wetlands Essay

Introduction Virtually unknown guardians of the cities surrounding them; hidden homes for many species of fish, plants, and animals; as well as a unique recreational area to locals and a helpful attraction for tourism—the wetlands have an immeasurable and unrecognized value to our society. Wetland mitigation began a popular movement in the late 80s with a no net loss goal; however, the agencies in charge are far from close to this goal.—Sadly, the wetlands are disappearing at an overwhelming rate; according to Esty, the US is losing about 60,000 acres of wetland annually (Esty). Although efforts behind wetland mitigation are meant to be positive, the enforcement of wetland mitigation is failing to show positive results. With so many wetlands disappearing there has to be a flaw in the mitigation system. Considering mitigation is supposed to prevent development on wetlands, why is it still happening regularly? One main reason is how easy the mitigation process has become for developers. When an individual wishes to disrupt the ecosystem of a wetland area, it begins a chain of events referred to as wetland mitigation. This process begins after a site is chosen for development that is considered protected by section 404 of the United States Clean Water Act. Before construction can begin, a qualified group, referred to as a permittee, is assigned the duty of determining a way to avoid filling or dredging the wetland area. If there is no other solution then the permittee begins discussions of compensatory mitigation. The developer may choose to build a new wetland area, maintain an existing wetland, or restore a former wetland to lessen the effects his project has on the environment. . Generally developers will choose a third party ... ...tial And Temporal Patterns In Compensatory Wetland Mitigation." Environmental Management 40.3 (2007): 349-364. GreenFILE. Web. 8 May 2012. "Economic Benefits of Wetlands." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 12 Jan. 2009. Web. 09 May 2012 Esty, Amos. "Banking On Mitigation." American Scientist 95.2 (2007): 122-123. Academic Search Elite. Web. 6 May 2012 Hampton, Steve. Personal Interview. 1 May 2012 Mittal, Anu K. "Wetlands Protection: Corps Of Engineers Does Not Have An Effective Oversight Approach To Ensure That Compensatory Mitigation Is Occurring: GAO-05-89." GAO Reports (2005): 1.MasterFILE Premier. Web. 6 May 2012. Pittman, Craig. "Banking On A LOSS." Planning 73.11 (2007): 4. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 9 May 2012 THE ASSOCIATED, PRESS. "Builders Can 'Bank' Efforts To Restore Wetlands." New York Times Apr. 2008: 17.Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 9 May 2012.

Essay --

Introduction Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) closely parallel the obesity and insulin resistance epidemic. Current U.S. estimates project 70 million obese adults and an additional 70 million with hypertension and/or type II diabetes (28, 42, 45). More so, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), suggest a graded and continuous relationship exists between prevalent hypertension and increasing body mass index (BMI); a metric that is closely associated with insulin resistance and self-identified type II diabetes (8, 34). Latent diabetic vascular complications are a hallmark of the disease and known to significantly affect the cardiovascular and renal systems. Atherosclerosis is the main reason for decreased life expectancy in patients with diabetes, whereas diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy are the largest contributors to end-stage renal disease and blindness, respectively (37, 56). Current therapy is aimed at managing blood glucose concentrations and increasing insulin resistance. Thus, vascular complication mitigation includes: blood glucose monitoring and lowering, which decreases the risk of nephropathy and retinopathy. Antihypertensive medicine is also utilized to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, and retinopathy (15, 26). As well, hypertension is closely associated with stroke and pulmonary edema. Despite these advances, diabetes complications and their treatments are aimed at abating symptoms in an effort to improve physiological function. Atherosclerosis in Diabetes Atherosclerotic lesions in patients with diabetes are indistinguishable from lesions in patients in whom another characteristic, like hypercholesterolemia or smoking, is the major ... ...hole-body insulin resistance in skeletal muscles (11, 32, 43). It should not be discounted though that the MR also has a high affinity for both aldosterone and 11ÃŽ ²-hydroxy-glucocorticoids, which exist in lower levels in non-epithelial tissues that allow glucocorticoids to signal through the MR in cardiovascular and metabolic tissue such as skeletal muscle, liver and fat (72). Not a marginal point as insulin resistant populations have plasma glucocorticoid concentrations are greater than those of aldosterone and this may promote MR activation by glucocorticoids. Potentiating the oxidative stress in the cardio-renal metabolic syndrome (71). Indepdent of the in-/direct mechanism, the evidence of RAAS blockade or silencing can ameliorate oxidative stress, improves endothelial function and contributes to reductions of hypertension in the cardio-renal metabolic phenotype.

Should We Really Give Children the Vote? :: Exploratory Essays

Should We Really Give Children the Vote? Sixteen year old Vita Wallace is an activist for children’s rights. In her argument, â€Å"Give children the vote,† she attempts to show that an injustice has been made to citizens of the United States. Wallace’s major claim, or thesis (McFadden, 2003), is that citizens under the age of 18 shouldn’t be denied the right to vote on account of age. Rather, she argues, children should be allowed to vote at whatever age suits them individually. By saying individually, she is using a qualifier, words and phrases used to limit and modify the overgeneralization of claims (McFadden). It is important that Wallace uses the term individually, because she recognizes that an age limit would be inappropriate for some children. After this point, most of the essay is dedicated to her opinion on why it is important for children to vote. Wallace’s uses appeal to the reader’s values, also known as warrants (McFadden). The emotional pleas may cause the audi ence to stop and consider her logic, but lack of facts and evidence leaves the argument unconvincing. With her jumpy writing and scattered thoughts the argument is hard to read, and even harder to believe. Therefore, I found the essay to be unsuccessful in persuading my opinion. The logic and evidence used to support her major claim, known as grounds (McFadden) is hard to find. The strongest evidence in the whole essay is statistics of eligible adult voters. With this information, she points out that only 36-40 percent of eligible adults actually vote. However, 25 percent of the population is under the age of 18, leading to Wallace’s statement that â€Å"Although elected representatives are responsible for all of us, they are responsible to only a few of us† (Wallace, 1998, p. 146). This statement would be effective but Wallace loses her credibility at the end of the paragraph when she calls politicians and voters selfish. By doing this she is using a fallacy, statements based on poor logic and mistaken belief (Clark, p. 81). By saying they are selfish she is using an Ad Hominem argument, which is an attack on the person rather than the issue (Clark, 1998, p. 83). Throughout the essay Wallace develops many minor claims, which are secondary statements supporting the major claim (McFadden). Right away she discusses â€Å"Discriminatory laws† which prevent high school drop-outs from getting their driver’s licenses.

Cohesion and division in Australia during World War 2 Essay

Unlike the First World War which caused large social divisions within society over conflicting issues, Australia’s involvement in the Second World War served to create a sense of cohesion rather than division. There was a sense of national unity to provide support for Britain at the beginning of the war and as the threat of a Japanese invasion increased, so did this sense of unity. However as the war progressed, Australia became more independent from Britain and was prepared to act in its own interests to protect Australia. The general sense of cohesion was challenged by divisive elements such as the treatment of aliens, increase in federal power and the presence of the United States and Americans in Australia. However the inspiring leadership of John Curtin, public perception towards the war and the influence of government propaganda created stronger cohesion and unity despite the divisive factors. Australia’s initial involvement in the war was due to a sense of loyalt y to Great Britain as a member of the British Empire. Therefore when Great Britain declared war upon Germany on September 1st 1939, so too would Australia two days later. Supporting Britain in the war was viewed as Australia’s ‘melancholy duty’ and although it helped Australia’s economy and provided jobs for many as well as uniting many patriots including former and current soldiers, it also caused divisions in public opinion in regards to the war, especially those concerning conscription and opposition to the war. These members of society believed that the war was constitutionally wrong. Many of these divisive opinions were only present during the ‘phoney war’ period when Australia was not directly threatened by the war. However the fall and occupation of Singapore by the Japanese in 1942 as well as the failure of the Singapore Strategy, coupled with the bombing of Darwin destroyed any significant opposition towards the war and was a major turning point for Australia. The fall of Singapore and the threat of the Japanese invasion showed Australia the reality of the war and silenced many of the voices which previously spoke out against it; voices which now recognised the necessity of conscription and the war effort in order to defend Australia. Prior to the war, there was a constant debate and split opinions over the issue of conscription in the government. The new threat of the  Japanese enabled John Curtin to convince the various government parties, along with the majority of Australia’s population to accept limited conscription with an ease that would have been impossible during the First World War in order to defend Australia against the direct threat of the ‘Yellow Peril’. Curtin’s moderation and leadership served to unite Australians in a way which previous governments had failed in this time of crisis ‘It is now work and fight as we have never worked and fought before.’- John Curtin 1942. The threat of the Japanese also helped Australia realise how isolated it was in the pacific region and the marginal extent of Britain’s capacity to defend it given their preoccupation with the war in Europe. Curtin thus decided that Australia needed to place its own safety and defence first, putting Curtin at loggerheads with Churchill. Churchill wanted Australian soldiers to continue fighting in the war but Curtin insisted on their return to Australia, succeeding after much resistance from Churchill. Australia took one step further and accepted the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act in 1942 which enabled them to adopt their own foreign policy. Australia would then rely heavily on America instead of Britain because of how more readily equipped they were to deal with the growing tensions in the pacific region, resulting in a strained relationship between Great Britain and Australia. However this new alliance with America would cause strains and divisions in Australian society as the American presence increased in Australia. Australia’s new dependence on America resulted in a large influx of American soldiers to Australia and while Australian society was initially accepting and welcoming of their unorthodox culture, behaviours and morals, this quickly turned to contempt and created an unsavoury relationship between Australians and Americans whom they saw as being a bad influence on the women and youth of Australia. Australians regarded Americans as being, â€Å"overpaid, oversexed and over-here†. However, while this had the possibility to cause influential divides in society, Australians realised the necessity for the American presence in their country and the security they had provided, overruling any irritation felt towards them. The Australian war effort in the pacific regions had also served to amplify and fuel the ‘Anzac legend’ creating a national sense of pride and unity during the war. Australia’s involvement in the Second World War thus served to create a more independent Australia, in charge of its own  policies and decisions in foreign affairs, creating cohesion within society. Along with the American presence, Australia’s treatment of aliens also had the potential to cause considerable divisions. When war broke out, many foreigners, mostly Germans, and other ‘dangerous persons were made to prove their identity and placed under strict rules which they had to adhere to in order to live in Australia. However it was not the government, but the Australian opinion towards foreigners which threatened social divide. Come 1939 and the War, Australia still had a strong racist tinge and there was widespread unease and hostility towards many foreigners. The groups most subject to this racism were German Jews, others escaping the Nazi regime and Asian immigrants. Australians did not trust them and questioned their motives. Distinctions were eventually made between ‘refugee’ aliens and ‘enemy’ foreigners but their reaction to the arrival of foreigners in their country threatened the cohesion and peace in society by creating a divide between immigrants and Australians. Australia’s involvement in the war also affected the economy domestically with the need for rationing being introduced, as well as an increased female work force. As the war progressed, the governments control on the activity of Australians increased as the demands for the war increased. Queues began to form for commodities and shortages began to develop. The amount of fuel to be consumed by the public and business were also stringently controlled and the rationing of household commodities would begin in 1942. However Curtin and his government believed that the effects of the rationing would only serve to increase the resolve and discipline of Australians during this period of conflict, uniting them to work together as a nation to overcome these difficulties, deepening the cohesion within society and encouraging a more thorough commitment to the war effort. â€Å"The great challenge today is to each individual – not to the other fellow – to forget self and order his or her life for the welfare of the nation.† – John Curtin However there were some divisive elements to the rationing as black market goods such as liquor and other luxury goods flourished. Few Australians did not frequent the black market and to the trade union movement this fuelled their belief that sacrifices were not being made equally. Despite this, there was an overall sense of unity through the rationing as Australians banded together to overcome the tumultuous times. The increased female work force was due to  the ever growing amount of men being drafted into the military, creating vacant positions in various industries, with thousands working in factories making munitions. Others joined the Women’s Land Army which aided in overcoming serious labour shortages around the nation. These women played an important role in agriculture an d other industries, allowing many men to be available for active service. The presence of the women at work showed a strong ‘team-spirit’ in Australia to work together to support the nation creating a strong sense of cohesion. There was also possible division over the issue of the Federal government being granted more power to control the affairs of the nation. The demands of the war would affect every sector of the economy and it became necessary for the government to take more control with the most significant change being the taxes. In order to fund the war, the Federal government had to impose various taxes which would have been unheard of during times of peace. The number of taxpayers increased considerably from 800 000 to two million, which meant people with extremely low incomes were required to pay taxes. However the surprising part of this change was the lack of opposition to it. Under the National Security Act of 1939, the government was allowed to pass regulations without the government which allowed them to have significant control over Australian industry and the activities of Australians during the war. In normal circumstances there would be great resentment and resistance to the Federal governments increase in power but because of the war, Australians understood the unavoidable need for such a step to be taken. There was a growing public sense of the Federal government’s importance and in this way; it created an expanding sense of national identity with the Federal parliament becoming an important symbol of national unity. Therefore any divisions caused by the increase in power were merely superficial and insignificant when compared to the cohesion created because of it. Government propaganda also played a vital role in creating cohesion within Australia’s society during the war. Groups which opposed the war effort were banned such as Communists and Jehovah Witnesses in order to convince the public of the necessity for war. The internment of people of certain nationalities also helped to quash anti-war views. There were also many ‘anti-Japanese’ and ‘anti-German’ campaigns and posters. Such censorship and propaganda served to unite the public to support the government’s war effort, exploiting the patriotic nature of Australians and  sense of duty in order to garner support. Finally, Australia’s overall sense of unity and cohesion can be credited to the immense work of John Curtin during his tenure as Prime Minister of Australia during the Second World War. His decisiveness and inspirational leadership were the driving factors behind Australia’s war effort and the transition made from being Britain’s subordinate to becoming an independent nation. His changes in foreign policy and decision to bring the troops home united Australians and provided them with a new sense of identity and pride and he quickly gained support from a united nation. Australia’s involvement in the Second World War was a journey filled with many potentially divisive elements. However they were ultimately outweighed by the more cohesive ones. Australia was united through a sense of patriotism and national pride to support the war that was unseen during the First World War. The fear of the Japanese invasion created a more independent nation with a stronger international presence. The war also sparked the beginning for an influx of refugees into Australia, transforming it into a more multicultural nation. Australia’s involvement in the Second World War ultimately resulted in unifying Australians with a new and dynamic national identity.