Shear Testing in Made Ground Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Shear Testing in Made Ground - Essay Example otechnicians and construction firms to determine the usability of Made Ground through the estimation of its strength and necessary properties (Bouazza et al., 1997). Made ground can be easily found all around us: they could be in the form of sandy, silt, clay and loamy soil (Bouazza et al., 1997). Shear Testing is a standardized laboratory test that has been used to detect the mechanical properties of Made ground, most especially its tensile strength (Woodward, 2005). Such a test is helpful in determining the usability of the ground and outlining the soil’s harmful contents that may make construction works on the ground impossible. In this case, serious consideration is given to the environmental impact of soil properties: how does the environment is affected by the constituents of a soil? Are there some harmful objects in the soil, for instance in brownfield and other abandoned property? (Geltman, 2000). Shear Testing of Made Ground can be simply carried out by using the Direct Shear Test (Das, 2008). Information about the standard reference, test expectations, equipment, test procedures, test data and analysis are provided as follows: Being the commonest method of discovering the tensile strength of soils, Direct Shear Test could help to estimate the angle of internal friction (Hillel, 1998). When plotting the shear stress against the horizontal displacement, the maximum, shear stress can be obtained. Therefore, after carrying out several vertical-confining stresses, it is possible to plot the maximum shear stress against the vertical confining stresses for each of the tests produced. Then a straight-line approximation of Mohr-Coulomb failure envelope curve could be drawn (Parry, 1995). And the shear strength of the soils under investigation could be estimated using the formula below: ix. I started the motor with chosen speed so that the rate of shearing is at a selected constant rate, and take the horizontal displacement gauge, vertical displacement gauge

Student Essay Example for Free

Student Essay Diversity  refers to the differences between individuals. People differ on all kinds of aspects, both visible and non-visible. Examples of differences are gender, age, skills, tenure, learning styles etc. We find these differences in every workplace, though not all differences are always recognised or seen as relevant. Unity in diversity Unity in diversity  is a concept of unity without uniformity and diversity without fragmentation  that shifts focus from unity based on a mere tolerance of physical, cultural, linguistic, social, religious, political, ideological and/or  psychological  differences towards a more complex unity based on an understanding that difference enriches human interactions. The concept of unity in diversity was used in non-Western cultures such as indigenous peoples in North America and Taoist societies in 400-500 B. C. In premodern Western culture it has been implicit in the organic conceptions of the universe that have been manifest since the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations through medieval Europe and into the Romantic era. Diversity of religion in India Throughout Indias history,There had been many religions which  religion  has been an important part of the countrys culture. Religious diversity andreligious tolerance  are both established in the country by the  law  and  custom. A vast majority of Indians, (over 93%), associate themselves with a religion. According to the 2001 census,[1]  80. 5% of the  population of India  practice  Hinduism. Islam  (13.4%),  Christianity  (2. 3%),  Sikhism  (1. 9%),  Buddhism(0. 8%) and  Jainism  (0. 4%) are the other minor religions followed by the people of India. Languages of India The  Languages of India  belong to several  language families, the major ones being the  Indo-Aryan languages  (a subbranch of Indo-European) spoken by 74% of Indians and the  Dravidian languages  spoken by 23% of Indians. Other languages spoken in India belong to the  Austroasiatic,  Tibeto-Burman, and a few minor language families and  isolates. The official language of the Central Government of  Republic of India  is  Standard Hindi, while  English  is the secondary official language. Cuiture of India Indian cultural history spans more than 4,500 years. During the  Vedic period  (c. 1700–500 BCE), the foundations of  Hindu philosophy,  mythology, and  literature  were laid, and many beliefs and practices which still exist today, such as  dharma,  karma,  yoga, and  mok? a, were established. India is notable for its  religious diversity, with Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity, and Jainism among the nations major religions. The predominant religion, Hinduism, has been shaped by various historical schools of thought, including those of the  Upanishads,  the  Yoga Sutras, the  Bhaktimovement,  and by  Buddhist philosophy. Indias  languages,  religions,  dance,  music,  architecture,  food, and customs differ from place to place within the country. The Indian culture, often labelled as an amalgamation of several cultures, spans across the  Indian subcontinent  and includes traditions that are several millennia old. Many elements of Indias diverse cultures, such as  Indian religions,  yoga, and Indian cuisine, have had a profound impact across the world. Difference between Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are two south Indian states. Both are located in the peninsular Deccan plateau, bounded by the Bay of Bengal to the east. Andhra is India’s fourth largest state by area and has the second longest coastline amongst all of the Indian states. AP’s capital is Hyderabad and the official language is Telugu. Tamil Nadu is the southernmost part of Indian peninsula and is the eleventh largest state by area. Since 500 BC it has been the home of the Tamil people with Chennai (Madras) is its capital city. TN is the most urbanized state in India and claims eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Economy In comparison to its share of population, Tamil Nadu has the highest number of enterprises in India and is the fifth largest contributor to India’s Gross Domestic Product. It is responsible for the third largest Indian economy in 2008 and is also the most industrialized state in India. TN holds third position on the list of states with the most Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) approvals and has a network of over 100 industrial parks. Andhra Pradesh is called the rice bowl of India and agriculture is its main source of income, however, it is rapidly growing in the fields of Information Technology and biotechnology. In terms of mineral wealth, Andhra Pradesh holds second position and accounts for one third of the total limestone reserves in the country. Tourism Tamil Nadu has the second largest tourism industry in India and it is growing at a rapid rate of around 16%. It is controlled by TTDC- Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation. TTDC promotes tourism with a tagline  Enchanting Tamil Nadu. Botanical gardens in Ooty and Hogenakal Waterfall on Kaveri River are quite famous. Andhra Pradesh is famous for its religious sites and pilgrimages. Triumala Venkateswara Temple, Birla Mandir, Buddha Statue on Hussain Sagar Lake and Ramappa Temple are some of its most famous tourist spots. castes THE FOUR CASTES OR JATIs in Hinduism are Brahman Kshatriya Vaishya Shudra Favourite Indian Cuisine, Popular Foods of the People #1: Andhra Pradesh  You will love Andhra Pradesh especially if you like spices and chillies. This food is consumed in regions where most people are vegetarians. They had to invent delicious foods to be able to cope with their self imposed condition. eg- Hyderabadi Biryani, Mirchi salan, Ghongura pickle, Korikoora. #2: Goa  Goan cuisine comes from the region of Goa. The actual region is located on the Arabian Sea coast. Its main influences are Hindu, Portuguese and certain contemporary techniques. The cuisine is intensely sea food based. The Kingfish is the symbol of the Goan cuisine.

Theresienstadt: A Model Jewish Ghetto Essay -- essays research papers

Theresienstadt, A gift from Hitler. A place of hope and happiness for Jews and Jewesses alike. Theresienstadt was somewhere they could wait the war out without fear until the shadow of Nazism passed. It was a place filled with the most prosperous artists and musicians, daily shows and operas, lectures and seminars, gardens and coffee shops. A place with grace and character. An entire town that was given to the Jews as a gift from the Fuehrer. A paradise for Jews. That is at least, what the Nazis wanted people to believe.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Forty miles north west of Prague, Czechoslovakia, surrounded by the central Bohemian Mountains Hitler pinpointed the small town of Theresienstadt to be his paradise ghetto, his à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“giftà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?. Located in a scenic community, Theresienstadt had broad streets and a large square surrounded by two large parks and two smaller ones. Here within an area five blocks wide and seven blocks long, over 140, 000 Jews would spend the last months of their lives, and only a few handfuls would survive.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first Jewish prisoners entered Theresienstadt on November 24, 1941. In the beginning, when the Fuehrer first presented the city to the Jews, many came willingly to the ghetto because life as a Jew was becoming intolerable and dangerous elsewhere with the rise and spread of anti-Semitism. The Jews wanting to enter Theresienstadt merely had to sign a contract turning over all remaining assets and property to the S. S, and in return the S. S pledged to take care of them as long as they inhabited Theresienstadt.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Theresienstadt was un-like any other ghetto in the fact that Hitler planed to use the ghetto as a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“modelà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? ghetto. It was a model that was supposed to represent all the ghettos set up across Europe. Theresienstadt was a place the Nazis and Hitler showed to comfort and reassure the world as to the overall treatment of the Jews. It was a ploy to try to cover up the real horrors and massacres of the Jews that were breaking out across Europe. Theresienstadt was a ghetto designed to divert all attention away from the dying and suffering, Hitler wanted to hide the truth from the world and create a hoax. With thousands of Jews being transported and murdered, among them were people who would be recognized and missed in communities. These were people that were famous; ... ...e Russian army. Of the 140, 000 people that entered Theresiensadt through 1941 and 1945, Ninety thousand were sent to death in the east, 33, 000 died in the ghetto, and 16, 832 people survived. Most of those that had survived were those who had entered Theresienstadt close to the liberation. Of the 10, 000 children that moved through Theresienstadt only 93 of them survived. Theresiensadt was Hitlerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s perfect scheme. It was a beautiful small town hidden in the mountains with wide streets and parks the children could play in. The S. S succeeded in making the world believe Theresienstadt was a sanctuary for Jews. When in reality the arty town filled with wonderful and talented people was still part of Hitlerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s plan of the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Final Solution.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? Hitlerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“giftà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? was a gift to himself in a sense that he was trying to cover up his horrific actions. Theresienstadt was better than most ghettos, having more freedom to express feelings, and more availability to food, but it was still a part of the Holocaust. Hitler succeeded in two things in the years of Theresienstadt; the murder of thousands of Jews and the appearance and acceptance of Theresiensadt as, a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“modelà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? ghetto.

Procurement & Resource Based View

Procurement is An Integral Part of Resource- ­ Based View of An Organization Phuong Duong University College Dublin (12251697) 4112 words ABSTRACT Procurement has become an increasingly widespread practice among organizations and is today of strategic importance that attract great interest from scholars in the literature. The primary purpose of the paper is to contribute with a review of leading studies that analyze procurement from the resource- ­? based view of the organization. The paper begins by setting out the business environment of procurement and then presents the development and propensity of procurement.This is followed by a review of principal works and differences of perspectives of resource- ­? based view. The next section contains an analysis of the relationship between procurement and resource- ­? based theory and discusses empirical works on outsourcing that address outsourcing from the resource- ­? based view. The studies are classified into two categories : those studying the propensity to procure and those studying the relationship between procurement decision and firm’s performance. Finally, some insights are put together to assess the outsourcing decision influenced by resource- ­? based view with the im of contributing to a better understanding of outsourcing and its role from the perspective of resource- ­? based view of an organization. 1. Procurement and the propensity to procure in modern business context Procurement, or in other words, â€Å"sourcing†, for years has become â€Å"a financial material, but strategically peripheral, corporate function† of an organization (Gottfredson et al. , 2005). In the literature, procurement becomes a key component and is of major strategic importance to many organizations (Humphreys et al. , 1998, Paulraj et al. , 2006). Recent decades have witnessed significant changes in acro- ­? economic trends that direct business environment. These changes have been driven by increased globalization, technology innovation, changing consumer behaviours, and consequently, a shift toward procurement and outsourcing (Giunipero et al. , 2005, Giunipero et al. , 2006, Zheng et al. , 2007). Gottfredson et al. (2005) argued that globalization, accompanied by technological advances, is causing the core of competition to change. These days, the ownership of capabilities of an organization is not as important as its ability to govern and take advantage of critical capabilities, whether or not they are he organization’s assets. Procurement is developing so sophisticatedly that even core functions such as engineering, R&D, manufacturing and marketing can be outsourced. That, according to Gottfredson et al. (2005), in turn, is changing the way the firms think about their organizations, their core values and their competitive abilities. The author also revealed that an emphasis on capability sourcing could result in an organization’s better strategic p osition by reducing costs, streamlining the company, and enhancing quality. Critical functions provided by more qualified partners usually allow organizations to mprove their core capabilities that help them take the lead in their industries. With the business world changing everyday, the propensity to procure becomes prominent than ever. Nowadays procurement is not only practiced by companies in the technology industries but also spread to multiple businesses such as supply chain, manufacturing, services and so forth. It is recognized that not passive cost- ­? focused, but proactive value- ­? focused procurement strategies are a means of achieving competitive advantage and integral to long- ­? term organizational strategy (Leseure et al. , 2005, Mehra and Inman, 2004,Noonan and Wallace, 2004). In a study of the impact of procurement or purchasing on supply integration and performance, Paulraj et al. (2006) also concluded that: (1) a more strategic purchasing function leads to better supply integration; (2) managers must comprehend the importance of purchasing in incorporating buyer- ­? supplier by focusing on â€Å"process, relational, information, and cross- ­? organisational teams†; (3) strategic procurement can create a win- ­? win situation for both buyer and supplier. Taking these into account, it is undeniable that there is a tendency to procure or outsource among organizations.To assist with procurement decision making, Gottfredson et al. (2005) developed a sourcing opportunities map like Figure 1 to help companies judge the relative merits of their outsourcing possibilities. The vertical dimension of the exhibit â€Å"measures how proprietary a process or function is† while the horizontal axis indicates the degree of commonality, both within and outside the company’s industry. The author found that capabilities locating in the upper right portion of the map are potential candidates for procurement. Once capabilities pr omising strong candidates for alternative sourcing are discovered, the ompany needs to figure out how to source them. In this stage, cost and quality requirements should be taken into account to detect key capability gaps to be filled and top- ­? performing competitors or suppliers to partner with. To address these issues, another assessment map has been introduced, again by Gottfredson et al. (2005) as described in the Figure 2 below. Figure 1 What should you outsource? Source: Adapted from (Gottfredson et al. , 2005). Figure 2 How strong are your capabilities? Source: Adapted from (Gottfredson et al. , 2005) The author explained that the position of capabilities on this grid eterminates suitable goals for an outsourcing relationship. Specifically, functions that fall in the upper left should be outsourced to low- ­? cost providers regardless of reduction in quality, while those falling in the lower left require outsourcing partners that can both reduce costs and improve qualit y. 2. Resource- ­based view In the opinion of Mol (2003), resource- ­? based view has today become the domineering perspective of analyzing corporation strategy. However, this concept has been perceived and developed by different scholars in the literature. Porter (1985) suggested a firm’s competitive position an be analyzed by looking at industry structure and the role of internal decision making was overlooked. This theory contradicts itself with earlier strategic management arguments which highlighted both internal and external factors (Skinner, 1969, Ansoff, 1965) and therefore several scholars such as Barney (1991), Amit and Schoemaker (2006), and Peteraf (2006) felt a different perspective and went on developing the resource- ­? based view based on the researches of Coase (1937) and Wernerfelt (1984). In an effort to stress the significance of managerial choice and internal factors, Barney (1991) concluded that he resource- ­? based view â€Å"examines the link between a firm’s characteristics and performance† by investigating varied resources within the firm. By the nature of its activities, procurement management is subject to obtaining inputs from outside partners in the organization’s environment (Mol, 2003). According to Wernerfelt (1984), resource- ­? based approach â€Å"views the firm as a historically determined collection of assets or resources which are tied semi- ­? permanently to the firm’s management†. Lockett and Thompson (2001) criticized that resource- ­? based view is sometimes used to distinguish â€Å"appropriate esources, such as physical capital or brand names, from less tangible assets, such as organizational routines and capabilities†. Appropriate resources can be seen as assets utilized as appropriate over a specific period, while dynamic resources may lie in capabilities that form additional opportunities over time. The crucial requirements of resource- ­? based vi ew are that relevant resources, regardless of their nature, are specific to the firm and not easy to be imitated by rivals (Barney, 1991). It was noted by Lockett and Thompson (2001) that resource- ­? based view is implied in the sense that each firm’s pportunity set is exclusive and a product of the resources is obtained from its past experience. â€Å"Therefore, it follows that decisions about the appropriate boundaries of a firm’s activities should reflect its existing resource bundle. If firms face a similar external environment, in the sense of similar product and factor markets, the resource- ­? based view suggests that those firms with a similar initial resource endowment should display similar ceteris paribus patterns of behavior and performance†. 3. Procurement is an integral part of resource–based view of an organization Procurement and resource- ­based iew Procurement, or in many context, usually referred to as â€Å"outsourcing†, is defined as â€Å" astrategic decision that entails the external contracting of determined non- ­? strategic activities or business processes necessary for the manufacture of goods or the provision of services by means of agreements or contracts with higher capability firms to undertake those activities or business processes, with the aim of improving competitive advantage† (Espino Rodriguez and Padron Robaina, 2006). According to resource- ­? based view, resources can be exploited by means of contracts (Barney, 1999, Gainey and Klaas, 2003,Grant, 1991) and this perspective can be used as a framework to help organizations decide which activities should be outsourced and which to perform in- ­? house. In this regard, one of the dominant frameworks that explain the propensity of procurement is core competences approach (Gilley and Rasheed, 2000, Teng et al. , 2007). Based on this approach, a firm should invest in activities generating core capabilities and outsource the rest (Prahalad, 1990, Hilmer and Quinn, 1994), regarding that the former activities are those providing the firm’s growth and development (Peteraf, 2006). It is pointed out by Prahalad 1990) that a firm can perform better by focusing on those resources generating the core competences. According to the author, short- ­? term success results from the price and the attributes of the products, while long- ­? term competitive advantages lie on the core capabilities, which derives from the firm’s collective learning. Strategic outsourcing, based on resources and capabilities, signifies a deep understanding of the core competences, which assist organizations to build their long- ­? term competitiveness (Bettis et al. , 1992). Espino Rodriguez and Padron Robaina (2006) concluded that the resource ased view helps to distinguish the core competences and provides knowledge (Hilmer and Quinn, 1994) about which activities to perform with internal resources and which to procu re, â€Å"determining that the possession of some resources and capabilities is what defines what the firm itself will do and what it will obtain from third parties†. In order to explain the integral part that procurement plays from resource- ­? based view, it is important to look into the framework developed by Grant (1991), in which a firm’s resources and capabilities are the main considerations in formulating strategies. In this framework or strategy formulation, five stages were established to associate strategy, competitive advantage and resources and capabilities. Among these five stages, the last one refers to â€Å"identifying the resource gaps which need to be filled and invest in replenishing, augmenting and upgrading the firm’s resource base† where there is a place for procurement. This is demonstrated in Figure 3 as below. Grant (1991) believes that regarding the lack of firm’s resources and capabilities, the firm needs to decide betw een developing resources in- ­? house and outsourcing resources from the third parties. Hence, in order to

Compare and Contrast to “Desiree’s Baby” by Kate Chopin and “Hills Like White Elephants” by Earnest Hemingway Essay

To some people a baby can be the best thing that ever happened to them, but then there are others who have decisions to make. They will go through an important stage in any relationship, the make it or break it stage. The two stories that I will be analyzing will be â€Å"Desiree’s Baby† by Kate Chopin and â€Å"Hills like White Elephants† by Earnest Hemingway. In both stories the characters found out how babies can be a deciding factor in a relationship, and that’s what I will be focusing on. In â€Å"Desiree’s Baby† the morale of the story is â€Å"we often get into trouble when we assume† (Mayer, Gary H.). The husband even though he claimed to have loved his wife rejected her in a time of need, the result of it he ends up losing his wife and son. When the husband found out that everything he knew about his wife was a lie, he forgot about everything he said and just abandoned his family, in the text it said, â€Å"He could give her one of the oldest and proudest names in Louisiana† (Paragraph 4, line 4). Read Also:  Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for Middle School Armand let judgment deter him from what’s really important which is even if he and Desiree did not last he should still be there for his child. Even though â€Å"Desiree’s Baby† dealt with race I look at it as a deciding moment in a relationship, especially if the couple is married to know that you are going to stay together. The baby wasn’t the reason why the couple didn’t make it but the baby was the start of why they didn’t work. In â€Å"Hills like White Elephants† it shows the struggle one couple faced with deciding whether or not they wanted to tackle parenthood. The couple, â€Å"the American† and â€Å"the girl† both are unsure of their fate. The American just wants to walk away and the girl just wants to make him happy, â€Å"American male protagonist dominates the meeker, weaker-sexed jig of her femaleness† (Busch, Frederick; 234). There are lots of people that the man still has the bigger role in the rel ationship, but in those relationships comes a lot of animosity to the companion later. In one part of the story the couple were going back and forth about whether or not they should go through with it and to end it off Jig decides that she will, â€Å"just do it†[ because she doesn’t care about herself]. Never in anybody’s time should you ever put someone else first before over yourself. Doing that just leads down a road of destruction, and then the fact that this whole conversation is about abortion they probably should just get rid of it because she could just end up alone. Jig sounds as if she has no will or fight in her so she probably shouldn’t take care of a child. The baby in this story played a  huge role for its future possible parents. The couple had to make a decision that if it were the wrong one could have broken them up, or made their relationship a happy one. Both â€Å"Desiree’s Baby† and â€Å"Hills like White Elephant† realized their mistakes and tried and wished they could have corrected them. Babies shouldn’t be left the burden on people lives but that’s where they are placed at times. But it just makes you think to times where it wasn’t a good time to have kids or the situations that these people were placed in that made their children a downfall and a burden instead of a gift or a miracle. Bibliography Busch, Frederick. â€Å"On Hills Like White Elephants.† Norton Anthology of Short Fiction. Ed. R. V. Cassill et al. 6th ed. New York: Norton, 2000. 761–62.  Mayer, Gary H. â€Å"A Matter of Behavior a Semantic Analysis of Five Kate Chopin Stories.† January 2010. 94-100 Rankin, Paul. â€Å"Hemingway’s Hills like White Elephants.† Hinds Community College. Heldref Publication

The success of the slave revolt in Haiti the only successful one in history Essays

The success of the slave revolt in Haiti the only successful one in history Essays The success of the slave revolt in Haiti the only successful one in history Paper The success of the slave revolt in Haiti the only successful one in history Paper Essay Topic: History The Haitian Slave revolt of 1791 has been deemed by some the only successful one in history. This has often been measured by the successes that it brought for the black slaves on the island of Saint Domingo (now Haiti), namely independence from France, the abolition of the institution of slavery and the destruction of the dominant white population and the plantation system1. What used to be the most prosperous colony of the western hemisphere2 then became the first whole scale act of emancipation in a major slave society and the creation of modern Haiti, the first modern black state3. Also the events of 1791 inspired many more, both black and white to take up arms against those who used the slave trade for their own gain. Although not all achieved what the Haitians did, by the end of the 19th century slavery was abolished across the globe. This indirectly can be said to be the slave revolts greatest success. Firstly the immediate successes of the Haitian slave revolt have to be explained, in order to see why it was more successful than all others before it. This can be attributed to a number of factors including the horrendous situation existing before the revolt, the leadership of the rebellion, and the problems facing the invading armies. Life for the black slaves before the revolt took place was quite appalling, perhaps only as bad as other colonies but still dreadful enough to make the slaves rebel. Slaves at that time had few rights and those reforms that were carried out in Paris, were commonly ignored by the slave masters in Haiti. Furthermore slave owners offered no hope of emancipation4, due to the large profits the island was bringing via the large slave labour plantation system. Similarly there were many at the top in France who believed that Frances colonies existed only for the profit of the mother country5. Hence few could buy their own freedom6 and manumission was rare7. Although officially protected from some abuse, in reality slaves could be tortured, mutilated or killed by their owners8. The social conditions in Haiti were appalling, especially on the plantations. Slaves were forced to complete back breaking labour9 for long hours in the hot sun with no rest. Failure to work, because of any reason, even exhaustion, would often result in severe punishment. As a result many died from overwork. Also the slaves had very poor living quarters with food levels that barely met their required food levels. Starvation was often rife making the death rate soar among the slaves. This is shown by the fact that more than 800,000 slaves were imported to the colony in the 1700s, yet in 1789 the population was about 450,00010. In a more general context the French never set up any form of education of the locals, leaving the vast majority illiterate11 . The prospect of freedom was no better alternative as there was racial discrimination in most towns, causing the separation of the different ethnic groups, whites, mulattoes (mixed black and white ancestry) and freed blacks, and also a hardening of attitudes towards one another. These conditions therefore were the breeding grounds for discontent and frustration. Many chose to end their suffering by suicide; others ran away to the forests in their thousands, thus creating the basis for the revolt in 1791. However social conditions alone did not make the revolt an inevitable success. Violent conflicts between the black slaves and white colonists were common12 with bands of runaway slaves carrying out hit and run attacks throughout the colony13. These insurrections were always swiftly and severely dealt with and often collapsed because of a lack of centralised organisation and leadership14 and military training. However this was not lacking in the Haitian revolt. Its many leaders each had different qualities that they brought to the rebellion and their military and strategic thinking combined was a major factor in their victory. The main leader was Francois Dominique Toussaint LOuverture. Despite being born of slave parents he worked for a benevolent master who allowed him to be educated. Soon Toussaint began to read history, politics and military tactics, especially those of Julius Caesar. Moreover his talent for administration15 got him promoted quickly and he soon set out to make the masses of untrained and illiterate blacks into an army capable of fighting European troops16. Named the black Spartacus17 he was heralded the organisational genius of the revolution18. Those under him also provided the revolt with much experience and advice, particularly Henri Christophe (who fought in the American revolution), Alexandre Sabes Petion (who was educated at a military school in Paris), Jean Pierre Boyer (a free mulatto educated in France who joined the French military force for a while soon siding with his countrymen helping to unify the group), and Jean Jacques Dessalines (raised a slave and joined the rebellion quite early on). As well as the leaders many within the slave revolt (about 800) had also fought in the American Revolution (1775-1783) and thereby gained some military experience19. Inspired by the French Revolution of 1789 the rebel leaders saw that the realm of the possible had been expanded and they started to assert the rights of their own people. The revolt of 1791 took weeks of planning by the rebel leaders and other elite slaves. Then the slaves started to rebel on August 14th in the larger plantations in the north with blacks burning down plantations and crops and massacring every white person they encountered20. Free blacks joined them, as did mulattoes and soon the army was over 100,000 strong. In one month over 1,000 plantations fields, and factions had been torched. However the success wasnt only to be attributed to the skill of the victorious blacks but also to the failings of and problems incurred by the French and the invading armies of Britain and Spain. The first event that undermined the French government was the French revolution itself which weakened the government and caused splits among the whites of the island as to whom they should follow, the king or the republic. Those mulattoes, who considered themselves superior to the blacks also saw the revolution as a time for them to share in the privileges of the white elite. So whilst internal conflicts dominated the attention of the few elite, it provided a unique opportunity for the 500,000 (out of a total Haiti population of 570,000) black slaves to plan and rebel with high chances of success. Another factor that greatly hindered those trying to quell the rebellion and restore order was disease. The British in particular fell victim to tropical disease which thinned their ranks far more quickly than combat against the French21. Also Frances army was decimated by yellow fever especially during the second invasion by Napoleon when he sent out forces to try to recapture the island, wanting to put it under the control of a white general rather than Toussaint. Once the revolt had become a full scale civil war, the British and Spanish sent invasion forces, hungry for her (Frances) rich colony22 and keen to take advantage of the anarchy raging there. This prompted the French to go to war with Britain and Spain and to send its own 6,000 strong force, out to the island to fight them, also trying to appease the rebels. Initially many rebels including Toussaint had joined forces with Spain but then changed allegiance when France abolished slavery in 1974. Toussaint claimed he was ready to join the French and he would be loyal to the mother country as long as she remained loyal to blacks23. This reasoning combined with a realisation that the Spanish and British had no plans for their own abolition of slavery prompted him to become the colonies commanding general, driving Spain out by 1795 and the British by 1798. By 1801 Toussaint had restored order, winning the confidence of blacks, mulattoes and whites and becoming general governor of the island for life. So foreign intervention prompted France to appease the rebels who had destroyed her prosperous colony, in order to prevent any other power gaining a foothold. This in turn meant more military experience for the rebels, when they would later take on France, and more prestige for the movement as a whole. Napoleon was offended that Toussaint had taken control of Frances prized colony24 and undermined the position of the French whilst fighting with them. He wanted to regain complete control and reinstate slavery once again (as abolishing it had meant all slaves in all the colonies were free Napoleon reinstated slavery in every colony except Haiti). He sent a force of 16-20,000 to Saint Domingue where the army outmatched, outmanoeuvred and wore down the black army25. Many generals agreed to transfer their allegiance and Toussaint himself surrendered to the French on May 2nd 1802. He had been assured that he would able to retire quietly but instead was taken to France where he died of neglect in the dungeons of Fort de Joux26 in 1803. However this is when the leadership of the rebels shone out, as despite their main leader being taken, they fought on with even more determination, convinced that the same fate lay in store for them27. As a result they battled against the disease ridden army and that combined with the fact that France was distracted by war on the continent with Britain, and therefore was not able to send any reinforcements to help its army. Bonaparte had to concentrate his energies on the struggle in Europe28 and in April 1803 he signed a treaty allowing the purchase of Louisiana by the United States, thereby ending French ambitions in the western hemisphere29. Consequently in 1804 Dessalines declared Haiti to be the world first black republic. The Haitian slave revolt success can also be measure by the message it sent abroad, in both a positive and a negative sense. In some places the revolt chilled many white Americans ardour for emancipation measures30 convincing many that freeing slaves would result in a race war31 and they became even less willing to end slavery32. Abolitionists on the other hand such as Wilberforce, Clarkson, and James Stephen took a considerable interest in Haitian developments and used it to show how emancipation leads to progress and to prosperity33. David Rice was one person who applauded the blacks of Saint Domingue who were bravely sacrificing their lives on the altar of liberty34. But sadly the vast majority of the western world didnt agree and sought to isolate Haiti in order to prevent its idea of emancipation from spreading as a model for their own slaves. Haitis isolation continued for more than 200 years35 and this was obviously a setback for its economy and foreign relations. Not only that but the revolt itself left the country in ruins as most of the countries plantation infrastructure had been destroyed and all the experienced administrators had been eliminated36 Another major impact of the slave revolt was that racial equality and slave emancipation were put onto the agenda of the French revolution thereby benefiting all French Caribbean possessions37. Anti slavery agitation was blamed continually for igniting the black revolution and for encouraging other ones like it. The Haitian slave revolt inspired a firestorm of slave revolts including Gabriels in Richmond (1800) and an 1811 uprising in Louisiana38 (which may have involved tens of thousands of slaves) There were also major revolts in Curacao (1975), Barbados (1816), Demerara (1823), and Jamaica (1831-1832). The slave revolt did however awaken slaveholders in neighbouring countries to the possibility of a similar crisis39 and in taking Haiti out of competition in the sugar producing market it helped to stimulate slave-based production elsewhere40 especially in Cuba, Brazil and North America. The Haiti slave revolt was the first and last slave system to abolished by the slaves themselves. However despite the negative consequences of the revolt, namely that slave production increased elsewhere and the anti slavery movement incurred a setback, the positive consequences far outweigh it and therefore deem it the solely fully successful one41. It was the starting point from which slavery was seen to be immoral and unjust and by the end of 19th century all the major western powers had abolished slavery, including Britain (1834), France (1848), and the Dutch/Spanish (1886). Although the colony was eclipsed42 economically the revolt still provided a model of hope for other slaves around the globe, showing that anything was possible. It immediately succeeded because of the bad conditions beforehand, and also due to its leadership during the revolt. It succeeded in the long term as it eventually brought about the death of slavery altogether.

Modals in Different Varieties of English

Modals in Different Varieties of English Introduction The modern use of some words can be considered wrong though the changes that are natural for the language take place and should be treated as the transitional period in formation of new grammar and vocabulary. In this respect, I would like to analyse the use of modal words and modal verbs in different varieties of English by contemporary speakers comparing those with the results received a few decades earlier.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Modals in Different Varieties of English specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More So, I would like to trace the relation between the origin of speakers and their ability to use modals correctly taking into account the current situation in the language environment and the one that occurred a few decades earlier with regard to the varieties of British and American English in different age groups. Aim and Scope The main purpose of this paper consists in investigating t he use of modal verbs and expressions in different varieties of English language including mostly the difference between American and British English. Besides, it is necessary to analyse the peculiarities of use of modals by teenagers and children with the help of examples from different corpora of English language. These corpora include examples of speech from different settings and origins including different age groups, namely children and teenagers, various sources of information such as documents and newspaper articles. One of the major peculiarities of these corpora is the variety of genres including press reportage, editorials, reviews of books and music, letters, periodicals, catalogues and reports as well as fiction, science fiction, adventure, humour, and romance. Every source will be analysed with regard to the frequency of use of modals in different functions and shifts in the meaning conveyed with the help of modals that can be observed in terms of the period to which t he examples refer. Besides, it is also necessary to investigate how children and teenagers were affected by changes in the meaning and the frequency of use of modals by adults and teenagers/children. Previous Work As a rule, linguists investigate the most interesting aspects of the language usage in terms of results of the researches to be used in practice. In this respect, the changes that occurred in the use of modals can be related to the shifts in preferences of using modals and quasi-modals. Besides, population of different continents uses modals and quasi-modals with different frequency as well as representatives of different generations. Moreover, the results of the research can be influenced by the origin of the example taking into account the oral speech and written language because the genre to which the example is referred characterises the formality.Advertising Looking for research paper on linguistics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Thus, formal language is supposed to contain more modals whereas informal language is sure to contain more quasi-modals and fewer modals. As reported by Collins, the shift in the use of modals can be seen while comparing the results from British and American English-speaking population in the early 1960s and in the early 1990s respectively (7). These findings analyse the figures presented in studies by Leech (2003), smith (2003), and Mair and Leech (2006) who investigated the changes that took place in the use of modals taking into account American and British varieties of English language. Every member of the society has a right to express his/her thoughts in different ways. The variety of ways can be seen from the COLT corpus that includes Bergen Corpus of London Teenage English being a vivid representation of variety of nonverbal means of communication among teenagers and communication of teenagers with members of their families including other sibl ings and parents, teachers, and strangers. As a rule, teenagers use more informal language when they communicate with peers; this variant of communication differs greatly from the language used by teenagers with parents and teachers. However, the main aim of the current research is to investigate the frequency of use of different modals and quasi-modals and the percentage of use taking into account modals and quasi-modals ratio in the American corpus primarily. As suggested by Krug, the attention to quasi-modals is not sufficient in terms of scholarly articles and researches conducted on this issue (1). The researcher analyses the modals and quasi-modals with regard to their grammaticalization and categories typical for modals: â€Å"the most salient determinants in the present case are almost certainly phonological form, morphosyntactic properties and discourse frequency of potential category members† (Krug 3). Though many researchers have compared and contrasted the frequen cy of using different parts of speech and various phrases and word combinations by native speakers of English with regard to different dialects and genres, it is still necessary to investigate the number of modal used in different periods with regard to information from the Corpus of historical American English, contemporary situation with regard to the information from the Corpus of contemporary American English, and contrast the number of modals used by Americans with the one used by users of the British variety of English with regard to the information from the British national corpus. In other words, the current research is focused on the analysis of data from these three corpora using the theoretical background about the use of modals from researches conducted by other scholars. Material The nature of the primary research consists in choosing modals for analysis and comparing the frequency of use of modals in sources of different genres and in spoken language taking into accoun t the situation in American variety of English a hundred years earlier and contemporary situation. I have used the corpora of English language to investigate the frequency of use of modals in different varieties of English though the primary purpose of the research was to compare and contrast the findings from the British variant of English and American variant of English with regard to the historical development of the latter.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Modals in Different Varieties of English specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In this respect, the most influential limitation was the lack of information on the historical development of the British variant of English over a long period of time. As the changes in the American variant of English could be explored from 1810 to 2000, the changes in the British variant of English could be explored only regarding the results from two last decades dating from 1 990 till 2010. Though I used the modals and quasi-modals that are typical of the English language with regard to all varieties of the language, I faced the difficulties concerning the variety of combinations that were typical of the modals and quasi-modals. In other words, further research could focus on the combinations of other parts of speech with modals and the nature of expressions in terms of mood (imperative or subjunctive) and the attitude of the author of the utterance. So, the main sources of data include the Corpus of Contemporary American English, the Corpus of Historical American English, and the British National Corpus. I used the Corpus of Contemporary American English to see the frequency of occurrence of different modals in spoken language, fiction, articles from magazines, newspaper articles, and academic sources with regard to the period (1990-2010) to which the use refers. The Corpus of Historical American English provides researchers with a richer variety of res ults as it includes the examples of speech dating from 1810 till 2000. In this respect, I was able to analyse the frequency of use of modals in different periods of time with regard to the sources they appeared in, including fiction, non-fiction, magazines, and news. This information enabled me to conduct a research on a great variety of issues concerning the use of word and the peculiarities of word choice for different sources such as fiction and non-fiction. Besides, it is possible to analyse the percentage of the appearance of modals in fiction and non-fiction. One of the limitations, in this regard, concerns the historical approach that, if used, could explain the frequency of use of certain words due to changes in the country and the world including economical factors, social and cultural development, and shift in lifestyle and values of the population. The British National Corpus provides researchers with the information on the variety of different word combinations. In this respect, I was able to investigate the frequency of using modals in different setting in terms of the genre and parts of speech with which the modal occurred. The queries could be limited in terms of written and spoken language inserted into examples. In other words, the research turned out to be full of unexpected limitations. To be more exact, the limitations should have been imposed into the research mode so that I could get the clear data for analysis at the end of the investigation. However, this was not doe at the beginning of the research; so, I had to limit the number of queries and choose more objective and universal samples from all three corpora. In other words, the choice of data was likely to affect the results in an important way if the number of queries is not restricted.Advertising Looking for research paper on linguistics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Method Though the comparative analysis of the use of modals and quasi-modals was conducted by Mair and Leech (2006), it is necessary to view the frequency of use of certain modals and quasi-modals that were reported to have the lowest difference in American and British variants of English. In other words, the study is based on the findings by Mair and Leech (2006) who managed to identify the use of modals and quasi-modals in examples provided by American and British English language corpora. In this respect, the issue of primary importance is the decline of use of modals and increase in the number of quasi-modals used in the late twentieth – early twenty-first century. Though modals were used more frequently at the beginning of the reported period and the frequency of their use declined toward the end of the reported period, the frequency of use of quasi-modals was just the opposite and it increased toward the end of the same period. I searched for the frequency of use of the modals shall and should and quasi-modals be supposed to and need to. First, I entered the modal should into the entry boxes of all three corpora mentioned above including the Corpus of Contemporary American English, the Corpus of Historical American English, and the British National Corpus. This enabled me to see the changes in the use of the modal in a short period of time in the Corpus of Contemporary American English and the British National Corpus; also, I could trace more obvious changes in the frequency of use of the modal with the help of queries made through the Corpus of Historical American English. The next step I took was the same procedure with the modal shall, and quasi-modals be supposed to and need to. The final stage of the research presupposed analysis of data and relevant conclusion made on the basis of the findings. In this respect, I was able to see the changes that took place in the use of modals that were previously reported to have similar changes in both var ieties of English including British and American variants and quasi-modals that were previously reported to have a greater difference in changes in these two variants of English language. As reported by Mair and Leech, the modal shall was used less frequently by people who used the British variant of English (-43.7% compared to the data received in 1960s) and by people who used the American variant of English language (-43.8%). Similar changes can be observed with regard to the frequency of use of the modal should (-11.8% of British and -13.5% of American). The quasi-modals were used more frequently compared to the period of 1960s when the first set of data was received. Thus, the quasi-modal be supposed to was used more frequently in the British variant (+113.6%) and in the American variant (+6.3%) which shows a great difference in the variants. The quasi-modal need to was used more often as well (+249% in British and +123% in American). Results and Analysis The first set of data c omes from the comparison of styles and genres used by the Corpus of Contemporary American English and the British National Corpus. The following figure suggests the data received from the British National Corpus. Figure 1: Frequency of use of the modal should represented by the results from the British National Corpus. Section/use per million spoken fiction magazine newspaper non-acad academic miscellaneous 9,724.94 7,015.77 8,241.27 7,571.64 8,142.98 10,221.98 11,257.89 Key: non-acad – is the set of non-academic sources whereas written and spoken are not clearly differentiated. Thus, the British National Corpus provided the information concerning the genres and styles typical for the use of modal should. I turned out that the modal should is used more frequently in spoken language, in academic sources and in sources considered miscellaneous. These results enabled me to conclude that the frequency of the use of the modal should is still very high with regard to the r eported decline of the use. The next step concerned the use of the same modal traced with the help of the Corpus of Contemporary American English. Figure 2: Frequency of use of the modal should represented by the results from the Corpus of Contemporary American English. Section/use per million spoken fiction magazine newspaper academic 930.65 622.75 721.51 657.63 897.18 Though the non-academic and miscellaneous sources are not identified as separate subgenres, it is necessary to show that the difference between the British and the American variants is still very high as 9,724.94 words per million in the British variant is much larger than 930.65 words per million in the American variant of English. In this respect, the difference is already obvious though it is necessary to see the situation that occurred in the frequency of use of the modal should with the help of the results from the Corpus of Historical American English. This corpus enables me to claim that the frequency of use of the modal should declined greatly while comparing the results from different decades during the entire nineteenth century and the entire twentieth century. In this respect, the most frequently the modal should was used in the period of 1820s though even then the use of this modal was not as large as the current situation in the British variant of English as there was an average number of 1,649.88 words per million whereas the use of the same modal in the contemporary British variant of English equals an average figure of 7,423.46 words per million. The next modal that was analysed is shall. The first corpus that should be discussed in this section is the Corpus of Historical American English which provides us with the picture showing changes in the frequency of use of the modal shall comparing the nineteenth and twentieth century. In this respect, we can see that the decline is great, especially while comparing the results on the frequency of use of the modal shall in the early nineteenth century and the ones from the late twentieth century. Thus the results from the 1810s equal 1,924.31 words per million whereas the same figure is much smaller for the period of 1990-2000 (53.27 words per million). It is also notable that the most frequently the modal shall was used in fiction and in academic sources whereas spoken language, examples from magazines and newspapers show smaller frequency of the use of the modal shall. Figure 3: Frequency of use of the modal shall represented by the results from the British National Corpus. Section/use per million spoken fiction magazine newspaper non-acad academic miscellaneous 2,195.98 2,310.60 315.07 330.20 1,160.58 2,139.88 2,024.27 This figure shows that the results differ greatly with regard to the use of the modal shall in the American and in British variants of English. At the same time, the results concerning the genre of use partially coincide for two variants of English language though the British s poken language as well as examples from miscellaneous sources demonstrates the same or similar frequency as the ones from fiction and academic sources as well as in the American variant of English. Figure 4: Frequency of use of the modal should represented by the results from the Corpus of Contemporary American English. Section/use per million spoken fiction magazine newspaper academic 22.59 70.29 21.88 14.03 63.93 The results received from the Corpus of Contemporary American English are similar to those reported concerning the use of the Corpus of Historical American English where the use of the modal shall prevailed in fiction and academic sources while it was the least frequent in examples from newspapers (14.03 words per million). This figure can be compared to the results from the same genres for the British variant of English language where the frequency of use of the modal shall equals 2,310.60 words per million and 2,139.88 words per million for the academic sources . The next unit for analysis was the frequency of use of the quasi-modal be supposed to in British and American variants of English. It is necessary to note that this quasi-modal was analysed in terms of pure entries (supposed to was analysed in queries in order to ensure that all variants are included be supposed to, is supposed to, are supposed to, am supposed to, ‘m supposed to, ‘re supposed to, etc.) In this respect, the results for entry supposed to differed greatly for the initial entry be supposed to. As this imposed some limitation on the analysis, I decided to restrict results to the absolute queries that were supposed to include all potentially relevant results. The results from the Corpus of Historical American English enable us to see that the obvious changes started in the 1930s when the frequency of use of the quasi-modal supposed to was characterised with the 43.21 words per million whereas every coming decade showed increased frequency of use of this qua si-modal leading to the results of 98.32 words per million for the period of 2000s. One of the most notable features of the frequency of use of the quasi-modal supposed to concerns the sources of examples as in all periods reported in the Corpus of Historical American English, spoken language provided us with the most frequent use of this quasi-modal. The results received from the Corpus of Contemporary American English differ slightly from the ones in the Corpus of Historical American English. Thus, we can see the difference from the figure: Figure 5: Frequency of use of the quasi-modal supposed to represented by the results from the Corpus of Contemporary American English. Section/use per million spoken fiction magazine newspaper academic 103.92 121.42 53.12 60.82 24.80 This figure shows that the main sources where the frequency of the use of the quasi-modal supposed to was higher than in the spoken language is the fiction. The results from the British National Corpus are similar to the situation presented in the Corpus of Historical American English where spoken language shows the highest frequency of use of the quasi-modal supposed to. The final unit for analysis is the quasi-modal need to; as reported by Mair and Leech, the use of this quasi-modal increased dramatically with regard to the results from 1960s compared to the contemporary situation. We can clearly see the frequency of use of the quasi-modal need to with the help of results from the Corpus of Historical American English where the lowest frequency can be observed in the period of 1810s (2.54 words per million) while the highest frequency of use is typical of the period of 2000s (211.14 words per million). Figure 6: Frequency of use of the quasi-modal need to represented by the results from the British National Corpus. Section/use per million spoken fiction magazine newspaper non-acad academic miscellaneous 2,555.89 1,028.71 1,589.51 873.46 1,438.18 1,840.44 1,882.11 This figu re shows that the use of the quasi-modal need to was the most frequent in the spoken variant of the British English whereas the average frequency is about 1,601.19 words per million which is twice as high as the frequency of use of this quasi-modal in newspapers and is almost 1.5 as low as the frequency of use of the quasi-modal need to in spoken language. The results received from the Corpus of Contemporary American English provide us with the information similar to the one from the British National corpus which enables us to conclude that the frequency of use of the quasi-modal need to increased compared to the beginning of the early nineteenth century. Conclusion The use of modal words and combinations has changed over the last hundred years with regard to the data from the British national corpus (BNC), Corpus of Contemporary American English, and Corpus of Historical American English as the sources of primary research materials. Besides, it is necessary to note that the use of the modals shall and should differs from the changes in the frequency of use of quasi-modals supposed to and need to. In other words, the data from the corpora demonstrates certain tendencies when the frequency of use of modals declines contrasted to the frequency of use of quasi-modals which increases. The most obvious changes concern the spoken language where the use of quasi-modals supposed to and need to is higher than in all other genres and sources of data. However, the quasi-modal supposed to is reported to be frequently used in fiction rather than in spoken language according to the results received from the Corpus of Contemporary American English. At the same time, the frequency of use of the modals shall and should tends to decline compared to the results received in the early nineteenth century. Collins, Peter. Modals and Quasi-Modals in English. Amsterdam: Rodopi, 2009. Print. Facchinetti, Roberta, Manfred G. Krug, and Frank Robert Palmer (Eds.). Modality in Contemporar y English. Berlin/New York: Walter de Gruyter, 2003. Krug, Manfred G. Emerging English modals: a corpus-based study of grammaticalization. Berlin/New York: Walter de Gruyter, 2000. Mair, Christian, and Geoffrey Leech. â€Å"Current Changes in English Syntax.† 2006. Accessed from https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/fass/doc_library/linguistics/leechg/mai_and_leech_2006.pdf.

Stone Tools Then and Now

Stone Tools Then and Now We all know the cartoon of the cave man bearing his stone axe. How crude life must have been, we may think, when there was no metal. But stone is a worthy servant. In fact, stone tools have been found that are more than 2 million years old. This means that stone technology is not something Homo sapiens invented- we inherited it from earlier hominid species. And stone tools are still around. I dont mean stone used for construction, but things you can hold in your hand and do stuff with. Stone Grinding Tools Start with grinding. One stone tool thats still in common kitchen use is the mortar and pestle, better than anything for turning things to a powder or paste. (Those are made of marble or agate.) And maybe you seek out stoneground flour for your baking needs. (Grindstones are made of quartzite and similar rocks.) Perhaps the highest use of stone today along these lines is in the tough, heavy granite rollers used for grinding and conching chocolate. And lets not forget chalk, the soft stone used for writing on blackboards or sidewalks. Edged Stone Tools But what makes me light up is edged stone tools. If you spend enough time in suitable country, one day youll pick up an ancient arrowhead. The utter coolness of the technology really comes home when you look at one of these stone tools close up, like some of the delicate points at arrowheads.com. The technique of making them is called knapping (with a silent K), and it involves striking stones with harder stones, or highly controlled pressure flaking with pieces of antler and similar materials. It takes years of practice, and you cut your hands a lot until you become an expert. The type of stone used is typically chert. Chert is a form of quartz with an exceedingly fine grain. Different types are called flint, agate, and chalcedony. A similar rock, obsidian, forms from high-silica lava and is the best knapping stone of all. These stone tools- points, blades, scrapers, axes and more- are often the only evidence we have from archaeological sites. They are cultural fossils, and like true fossils, they have been collected and classified for many years around the world. Modern geochemical techniques like neutron activation analysis, coupled with growing databases  of the sources of toolmaking stone, are allowing us to trace the movements of prehistoric peoples and the patterns of trade among them. Stone Tools Today Another thing that makes me light up is knowing that this technology is being revived and preserved by a bunch of fanatic knappers. Theyll show you how at a local knap-in, theyll sell you videotapes and books, and of course theyll put their passion on the web. The best knapping websites, I think, are Knappers Anonymous and flintknapping.com, but if you want to follow the arrowhead trail to the scientific end of things, start with the lithics page from Kris Hirst, the About Archaeology Guide. The knapper/artist Errett Callahan has devoted his career to reproducing all the ancient tools, then moving beyond them. He and other practitioners have brought this technology into what he calls the Post-Neolithic period. His fantasy knives will make your jaws drop. PS: Obsidian scalpels are the sharpest in the world, and plastic surgeons rely on them more and more for operations where scarring must be minimized. Truly, the stone edge is here to stay.

Universal Design for Learning As It Applies to Early Childhood Special Essay

Universal Design for Learning As It Applies to Early Childhood Special Education - Essay Example Universal design for learning does not offer single solution however, it is a combination of various approaches designed to meet the requirements of children with different kinds of disabilities. One of the major challenges that the universal design for learning faces is the concept of inclusion. Inclusion refers to innovative forms of teaching methods in a regular classroom setup that caters to the educational requirements of the children with disabilities. This method does not involve the movement of children in a set up that offers these services rather it brings these innovative methods of teaching in a regular classroom set up. This new form of teaching ensures that all children attain education equally and understand the contents of the syllabus more effectively. There is lot of controversy about inclusion of universal design for learning in a regular classroom setup. Some consider that it is not a good practice to enforce inclusion on all children while others consider it most appropriate since it meets the requirements of all children irrespective of their disabilities. The educational institutions are recognizing the need for identifying innovative methods of education service delivery. These new techniques of teaching practices will help in imparting equal opportunity of education for the disabled children. ... Moreover, it is not ethical to enforce a certain kind of teaching to students in order to cater the needs of certain segment of students. Since new challenges emerge everyday for the teacher in teaching the disabled children, there has to be reforms made in the field of education. There are both positive and negative impacts of inclusion of the universal design for learning on the current education system. Hence, a holistic understanding of this issue is required in providing effective education to both the categories of children. The proposed study will investigate the students and teachers concepts and beliefs about universal design for learning and the data will be generated using qualitative research method. Artifacts, simple observation and interviews will be the main strategies utilized to generate data. The data generated will be analyzed on an ongoing basis so that new ideas emerge from the data accumulated. This study will be of utmost importance to the children with disabilities and without it. It will also be relevant to the special educators and general teachers. Literary review According to Doty, a strong supporter of Universal design for learning recommends that it should be implemented for all children in a classroom. All the children have different ways of learning. Universal design for learning will provide a broader opportunity of learning to children with disabilities and without it. [Jaehnert, O Malley and Robinson, n. d]. The concept of educational equality can only be attained from a regular classroom setup by introducing universal method of learning. There are teachers who are implementing this technique of teaching

Marketing research - social media audit Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Marketing research - social media audit - Essay Example Additional products and services include Safaricom Mail and Safaricom shops. In March 2007, Safaricom Company, in collaboration with Vodafone Group Services Limited, via Vodafone Marketing S.A.R.L., launched the M-PESA services (Mobile Money Transfer Services). Based on its advancements in terms of growth and service provision, the Company has signed agreements with other companies i.e., Vodafone International Holdings B.V. it is worth noting that one of its major achievements was realized in 2009 (two years after its establishment), when it realized a100 percent interest in Packet stream Data Networks (http://www.safaricom.co.ke/about-us/about-safaricom/our-history-heritage). WHAT: Safaricom begun as a department of the Kenya Posts and Telecommunications Corporation based on an analogue ETACS networks and later upgraded to GSM in 1996. On 3 April 1997, Safaricom Limited was integrated as prescribed in the Companies Act under the category of private limited liability company, and alt ered into a public company on 16 May 2002, with limited liability. WHO: Safaricom Company is faced with a stiff competition for Airtel, Essar-yu, and Orange companied. Although they apply different strategies, their targeted market is one. WHY: Following its good reception by the market and effective management, Safaricom Company has come up with a range of services and products such as financial aid initiatives, charity foundation, communication support, customer care services, advisory services, flashback services, ‘kipokezi’ services, mobile internet connectivity, e.t.c. KEY WORDS Safaricom limited (Current name of the company since the year 2002) Safaricom Kenya (Fundamental name of the company) Safaricom Foundation (Its branch that is tasked by major charitable activities to the communities) ‘M-Pesa’ (Safaricom being the sole provider of this service where subscribers can send and receive money via their mobile phones as long as they are within the pro ximity of the service coverage, i.e., East Africa). ‘M-Shwari’ (Safaricom being the sole provider of this service aimed at promoting local business operators i.e. SMEs). ‘Okoa Jahazi’ (Safaricom being the sole provider of this service. ‘Okoa jahazi’ is a Kiswahili term that means advance acquisition of airtime that is paid upon toping up the line). Bob Collymore (Safaricom CEO) Mobile application providers (these applications are mentioned in the executive summary covered above) Mobile Money Transfer Services provider (in addition to the ‘M-Pesa’ services covered above, pay bill services, and buy airtime/top up services are also provided). COMPANY ANALYSIS AND COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS Competition intensity within any industries is not an issue that is based on luck. Competition has its foundation on the underlying industries’ economics and proceeds well beyond any other established competitors within a defined market. Not all in dustries have equal potential while competing for market coverage. Companies differ basically in their definitive profit potentials as the collective strength of the forces of competition differs; the forces range from intense in industries like paper, tires and steel, where no firms earn spectacular returns, to relatively mild in industries where high returns are common. Initiating

PUBLIC HOSPITAL SAFETY AND HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT Essay

PUBLIC HOSPITAL SAFETY AND HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT - Essay Example A survey comprising of about 1,000 telephonic interviews revealed that many people feel it is quite common for patients to be harmed when they are in the hospital. People were not confident that their doctor or the concerned staff would let them know if they had made an error. More than 70% of the people do not know where they can complain about such errors. They do not know who the concerned authorities are and they also want to be aware of the organizations responsible for hospital safety. The number of victims of hospital infections and medical harm is alarmingly high. Studies show that 1 in every 4 patients have suffered in some way due to hospital-acquired infections, surgical errors, and medication mistakes. Then, there are cases of diagnostic mistakes, inattentive care, etc. As many as 180,000 people die every year due to these causes not to mention the additional costs which are involved to rectify these errors which amount to almost $4.4 billion every year. Consumer Union ha s helped to pass laws which require hospitals throughout the nation to report hospital infections. Hospitals throughout the country are required to track and report when patients get central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in intensive care units in order to get an annual  2% Medicare payment increase. ... This law attempts to address underreporting of these errors by requiring hospitals to report all medical harm rather than those covered by the â€Å"never event† list. Hospitals failing to report will face a penalty. The state has to validate the accuracy of the data. ARTICLE 2 Bacterial Infections: Good, Bad, and Deadly There are many types of bacteria in the human body. Most of them are harmless and some of them are even beneficial to us. Cystitis is one which causes infections in the bladder. Bladder infection or urinary tract infection in pregnant women if detected early can be easily treated. But if it is not treated then it can lead to kidney infection causing complications for both mother and the child. Another kind of bacterial infection the Group B Strep infection is carried in the vagina. It can lead to meningitis and blood-borne infections. Group B strep infection can be easily prevented if tested. Chorioamnionitis or amnionitis is an uncommon bacterial infection wh ich affects the uterus, amniotic sac, and fetus. A pelvic exam during the last trimester could cause premature rupture of membranes. Women who smoke and those with past experiences of water breaking and chlamydia infections have a greater risk of premature rupture. This infection can be treated only after the baby is delivered. The Listeria bacteria is another infection causing bacteria that travels through the intestinal wall and spreads to other organs as pregnant women generally have weak immune systems. There are some bacterial infections that affect people with weakened immune systems. The most common of them is bacterial meningitis. It is an infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Infection may cause tissues around the brain to

Zero Hour Contracts in the Hospitality Industry Essay

Zero Hour Contracts in the Hospitality Industry - Essay Example Observably, this sort of contract is argued to possess both negatives and positives influencing the commitment levels of both the employer and the employee and hence, affecting organisational efficiency at large. However, such contract accompanies with aspects including lack of job and financial security for the employees and lack of availability of skilled and loyal staff for the company. With due considerations to all these aspects, certain recommendations have been made to Hyatt Regency London when applying the policy of zero-hour contract. The Policy Background The policy depicted in this briefing is based on the concept of ‘Zero-Hour’ Contracts. As the name itself suggests, ‘Zero-Hour’ Contracts is a type of employment contract that is usually used in the UK in compliance with the Employment Rights Act of 1996 of the country. Basically, this contract is drawn in a written format, where it contains a statement regarding the terms and conditions of employ ment built amid an employer and an employee. Under such contracts, an employer does not guarantee an employee to provide work and pays for the work that is actually being done. In precise, the contract provides right to the employers that enables them to take a call on staffs when they are not needed and does not pay them for that duration, which further makes the entire process a time-efficient one. It has recently been one of the major issues and a component of extensive debate worldwide. It can be considered as a rising issue in various sectors of business including the hospitality industry owing to the fact that it regarded as an approach, which employers find attractive as it is quite a cost saving measure. In the hospitality sector, companies are therefore observed to be recruiting staff members on the basis of ‘Zero-Hour’ Contracts. However, it is deemed that the aspect of ‘Zero-Hour ’ Contracts is not quite a profitable prospect for the employees as it is for the employers in the UK hotel industry, as they are only entitled for salary nominal payment for the period they actually worked for the business with no financial security. Moreover, the concept of ‘Zero-Hour ’ Contracts is also seem to be violating some of the key employment rights that further make it a serious issue altogether (Grice, 2013; ACAS, 2012). Since, the concept has certain major advantages and loopholes at the same time; its extensive implementation has become quite uncertain and a major point of discussion, which further presents it as a major issue in the modern day context. As addressed above, the policy of ‘Zero-Hour’ Contracts has major impacts on both the employer and the employees as the major stakeholders of the policy issue. Owing to this contract, employers are entitled to be benefited with greater flexibility to meet the demands of the customers. It also reduces cost of the company as very little has to be spent on emplo yee recruitment and training. Furthermore, as per the contract, employees will be able to get flexible hours to maintain a better work-life balance. These aspects encourage many to support the concept. While the opposers to the policy issue argue upon certain facts including violations of employment rights and salary payment approach under such contracts (Grice, 2013; ACAS, 2012; Barnett & Scrope, 2008). Assessment of the Debate to Date The concept of Zero-Hour ’ Contracts has become an importance topic of debate all over the world, especially in the hospitality

The Principle of Correspondence in Criminal Law Essay

The Principle of Correspondence in Criminal Law - Essay Example In criminal law, for an accused person to be found culpable, he or she is obliged to have indeed committed an unlawful act (actus reus) and must have acquired the mental state (mens rea) that propelled him to perform an illegal act. Actus reus is derived from Latin and means â€Å"guilty act† whereas mens rea means â€Å"guilty mind†. Under actus reus, the guilty act referred to could either be the commission or omission of an act that then leads to the violation of existing laws. Consider a case where a person, willingly and knowingly, drives over the speed limit. Here, the act of over speeding is done with total disregard to the existing law. An example of an omission of an act is a case where after adopting a pet, a person fails to care for and feed it thus leading to its demise. The crime in this case arises from the failure to act. In many occasions, a person is required to have had the necessary â€Å"mental state† while committing a crime for him or her to be found guilty of an offence. Often, mens rea refers to the intention to commit a crime. Some crimes, however, are done by unknowingly. Mens rea therefore may refer to other states of mind such as criminal negligence, recklessness or willful blindness. Intention refers to the situation where a person knowingly understands that their actions go against the rule of law and yet they continue with the guilty act. Willful blindness is shown where a person is aware of the possibility of wrongdoing but chooses to pursue with the offense.

Essay - Family Vacation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

- Family Vacation - Essay Example Firstly, most of my immediate family members have never been outside the US and a vacation in Ireland would surely be treasured for a change in their daily routine. This will convince them to change their ideas on the usual vacation hotspots in America, which are normally over booked in the summer. A change of scene would be refreshing to everybody giving us all a unique experience. There are many cheap flights to Ireland from America; this would ensure that the monetary cost is as slow as possible. With globalization happening all over the world, a return to America through the famous JFK international airport would be ideal for the family. The airport provides the first opportunities of international passengers and other foreign residents. Some of my family members prefer cheaper places in America because money is tight with the economy in poor shape. A few prefer to stay at home with the same old experiences. I have saved enough money, and I would convince them not to let this opportunity bypass them. I believe one cannot quantify the experience of visiting Ireland in monetary terms. Real life experience is better than information from magazines and books, and other secondary sources, the memories are vivid and long lasting. On landing in Dublin, we would first sample the city life especially in the nearby metropolitan area. Being a summer vacation, there would be many people including foreign tourists. To avoid the overcrowding in the city accommodations, we would book places in nearby cities to avoid price hikes and congestion in hotel bookings. Most people on vacation first make a stop over in cities before heading to unwind in less noisy and chaotic smaller towns. To sample the culture of a people, one needs first to visit the restaurants. These restaurants provide first glance on the delicacies and a quick observation offers insights into the mannerisms and cultures of Ireland. Furthermore, different restaurants serve different foods

The Principle of Correspondence in Criminal Law Essay

The Principle of Correspondence in Criminal Law - Essay Example In criminal law, for an accused person to be found culpable, he or she is obliged to have indeed committed an unlawful act (actus reus) and must have acquired the mental state (mens rea) that propelled him to perform an illegal act. Actus reus is derived from Latin and means â€Å"guilty act† whereas mens rea means â€Å"guilty mind†. Under actus reus, the guilty act referred to could either be the commission or omission of an act that then leads to the violation of existing laws. Consider a case where a person, willingly and knowingly, drives over the speed limit. Here, the act of over speeding is done with total disregard to the existing law. An example of an omission of an act is a case where after adopting a pet, a person fails to care for and feed it thus leading to its demise. The crime in this case arises from the failure to act. In many occasions, a person is required to have had the necessary â€Å"mental state† while committing a crime for him or her to be found guilty of an offence. Often, mens rea refers to the intention to commit a crime. Some crimes, however, are done by unknowingly. Mens rea therefore may refer to other states of mind such as criminal negligence, recklessness or willful blindness. Intention refers to the situation where a person knowingly understands that their actions go against the rule of law and yet they continue with the guilty act. Willful blindness is shown where a person is aware of the possibility of wrongdoing but chooses to pursue with the offense.

Objective view of world Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Objective view of world - Essay Example Objectivity allows a person to see the world in its true and real sense and make opinions about things or events based on facts and reality. Scientists advise that teenagers must be taught to think objectively in order to make them able to have more realistic view of the world and perceive things truly. Scientists are also trying to know that how boosting of neurons leads to subjective experience. Mathematical principles are used here in this paper in order to better understand the phenomenon of objectivity and subjectivity. Just while mapping routes of the world some generalizations have to be made no matter how accurate the description is provided simultaneously the views of reality differ for every person (McKenna 58). Many researches have been conducted to determine how human senses produce a subjective experience but yet the mystery it is not properly identified. As subjective experience is based on personal belief and perception of person, it is difficult to determine how a per son will react to a new situation. But this is possible in objectivity as this experience stands on strong footings of reality and truth. According to clinical psychologist, Dorothy Rowe the events occurring in a person’s life are not actual but the glimpses or guesswork that our brain perceives regarding the world by interpreting previous occurrences. Every individual is unique depending on the reason that no two persons experience a situation in the same light. Thoughts, images and adaptability are the factors that strengthens our sense of â€Å"self† (Rowe 18). In an article by Samuel, â€Å"How to Get an Objective Point of View†, he discussed that to have success in life it is always necessary to see the world with objectivity and hold an opinion which is based on reality. It is also important that people learn to accept what is truth and do not try to fit the truth with imagination. There is a problem with people who have their own imaginations and they thi nk everything is as good as they believe it to be. But in contrary things are not always as perfect as one considers. People who have an objective view believe that mostly perceptions are different from reality. It was also revealed in Samuel’s research that opinions of people about things and happenings in their own way sometimes lead to frustration and loss of direction. It happens when things do not happen in the way as they should occur according to their own vision. That is why it is important to see things in true context and accept the realities behind every situation. Research also discussed that looking at things with objective view is sometimes taken negative by some people as it allows seeing reality which is bitter at times. But in fact objectivism helps maintaining a balance between what is imagined and what is reality. Research concluded that if people view all the things and events happening in this world objectively, nothing will look terrible or pessimistic. Thinking that everything is normal makes a person feel good and changes experience of life by making it pleasant. In a research â€Å"The View from Nowhere†, Nagel found that each person has its own reasoning for quantifying an event and seeks different view of world. Moreover rise of science in recent years is trying to entirely alter the manner in which people perceive and recognize their position in this world. The comprehension of modern science comprise of mathematical concepts as elaborated by the discipline of physics. Nagal stated that

NTCM standards Essay Example for Free

NTCM standards Essay NTCM standards are widely used standards for mathematics in US and many websites are now offering different services which can familiarize a student to the standards and help student to learn the elementary mathematics while having fun also. This paper will present an analysis of the four websites that contain math activities which confirm to the NTCM standards. First Website http://illuminations. nctm. org This website offers different activities such as numbers and operations, geometry, Algebra, Measurement and problem solving etc. The methodology used by this site is really simple and comply with the standards by providing an easy to learn approach which is basically targeted at improving the number sense of the children. Since this website offers lessons for different classes and as such as the standard improves, the complexity of the mathematical operation increase too. For initial classes like Pre K-2 etc the operations are really simple such as computing, addition, subtraction however, as the level of difficult increases, the complexity of these operations improve too. This website is appropriate for the students from Pre- K-2 to the age groups of 9-12 years. These activities are important for the students because they assist them in improving their understanding of the mathematics and basic operations. These activities can lead to the achievement of students because they are presented in a very unique and different way and can keep the interests of the students intact. These activities support differentiation of the instruction because they provide a very easy to use tool which is not only simple but also very easy to understand. Students can easily learn them and teachers have the option to make them more fun to learn.

The Issues Of Fresh Water In Singapore Environmental Sciences Essay

The Issues Of Fresh Water In Singapore Environmental Sciences Essay Singapore is an island and urban city state with no rural hinterland and hence, it has been depending on Malaysia for nearly forty percent or more of its water supply. However, Singapore is not short of fresh water as it receives an average of around 2,400 mm of rainfall annually. The only constraint faced by the country is capturing and storing as much of this rainfall as possible, on limited amounts of land areas, so as to achieve self-efficiency in water issues. Recycling efforts in Singapore started in 1966 when the Jurong Industrial Water Treatment Plant was commissioned to supply industrial water to the Jurong Industrial Estate (JIE). This water comes from treated sewerage effluent and is meant for industrial use in the Jurong area as well as by several oil refineries. The Singapore government encourages industry and private enterprises to recycle water. Also, tax rebates have been provided for factories that install water-saving plants. Bottles of NEWater Singapore has also developed NEWater, a three-stage process which brings waste-water to a quality that is better than that produced by the Public Utilities Board (PUB). Treatment begins with Microfiltration to remove suspended solids, colloidal particles, bacteria and viruses. The next process is Reverse Osmosis, which involves applying of pressure for water to flow from the concentrated side to the less concentrated side through a semi-permeable membrane to remove inorganics like heavy metals, such as nitrate, chloride, sulphate etc. The third process, Ultra-violet disinfection, is a safety back-up to remove any bacteria or viruses that cannot be removed by Reserve Osmosis. Desalination is a process of removing excess salt from water (eg. seawater) to enable it for drinking purposes. It has been used to augment water for some time, but it was not adopted as a matter of policy until recent years. This method is considered successful, as this source of supply produce 12% of Singapores daily water needs. Although desalination costs under current improved technology are higher than traditional means of treatment, Singapore has decided to go ahead in the belief that new technologies will reduce the costs further. 3. Impoundments and reservoirs Singapore has several impounding reservoirs inland including Seletar, Peirce and MacRitchie etc. To increase storage capacity, seven reservoirs have been developed by damming the river mouths. It was in that context that a plan to maximise collection of surface resources by extending the present 24.3 square miles of collection grounds to 156 square miles (about 75% of the islands total area) was proposed. However, geological conditions limited the availability of groundwater, hence the plan focused on retrieval of stormwater and water recycling instead. Another reservoir which was built in the recent years was Marina Barrage, which was officially opened on 30th October 2008. Marina Barrage is a dam built across the Marina Channel. Water flows into the reservoir from some of Singapores most well-known waterways, including the Singapore River, Stamford Canal, Rochor Canal, Geylang River and the countrys longest river, Kallang River. Marina Barrage was envisioned by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in 1987, after the great clean-up of the Singapore and Kallang Rivers. Building the barrage on the soft sea bed amidst changing currents and constantly moving marine traffic was a major challenge. From the air, the pump house of the barrage looks like that number 9, which signifies longevity in Chinese. This major engineering achievement is symbolic of Singapores development as a City of Gardens and Water. How Marina Barrage works? The Barrage acts as a physical barrier to separate the reservoir from the sea. The steel crest gates of the Barrage will act as a tidal barrier to keep the high tides out. Under normal conditions, the crest gates will remain in an upright position to isolate the reservoir from the sea. During heavy rains that collide with low tide, the steel crest will be lowered to release excess storm water into the sea. During heavy rains that collide with high tide, the steel crest gates remain erect, hence storm water cannot flow out to sea naturally. Instead, large drainage pumps will be operated to pump water out to sea. With the Barrage in place, the pockets of low-lying areas in the city will no longer be prone to flooding. 4. Stormwater run-off Harnessing stormwater at minimum cost requires proper land-use planning and pollution control to ensure that stormwater run-off can be efficiently collected and that pollution levels are low. Stormwater harvesting from urban land was consistent with the overall policy of land use in this land-scarce republic, in which land was seen as too valuable for its use to be restricted to a single purpose such as for housing. In the words of the Minister for National Development: If we designate more land for water catchments, there will be less land for housing and other developments. The reverse is also true. Optimising and maximising the use of land and water helped the country to overcome constraints to a certain extent. (Adapted from: The Straits Times,1996) Singapore was the first country in South-East Asia (SEA) to develop viable stormwater run-off schemes. Among the various schemes, the Bedok and Lower Seletar Schemes are the largest. Surface water for these schemes comes mainly from the housing estates and new towns of Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Tampines and Yishun and the area near Changi International Airport. Water is conveyed to the storage reservoirs of Bedok and Lower Seletar. One important feature of this scheme is the emphasis on close co-ordination between several agencies, such as the Housing Board Development (HDB), the Ministry of the Environment (ENV) and the Planning Department, in order to ensure that water collected from urban surfaces is low in pollutants. In addition, the drainage system designed in such a way that it channels water through concrete channels to suitable collection ponds situated at topographic low points. An automatic monitoring system ensures that only discharges produced by heavy storms resulting in run-o ff above a certain volume are collected. One example of the innovative approach to stormwater collection is making use of the empty space under the interchange of the Seletar and Bukit Timah expressways for a water collection pond. 5. Conservation of water In addition to developing and diversifying water resources, water conservation is also key to ensuring a sustainable water supply. Through our various water conservation initiatives, Singapore has managed to reduce domestic water consumption from 172 litres per capita per day in 1995 to 157 litres in 2007.(Adapted from Conserve, Values and Enjoy by Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, 08 July 2008) It is a difficult task to keep looking for new sources of water, but the situation can be improved if we can control our ever-increasing demand of water. To provide water for all, PUB calls on all Singaporean to play our part in water conservation and to keep our water catchments and waterways clean so that we can enjoy our water resources. One way to discourage excessive use of water is to impose water conservation tax on the amount of water used. This additional tax is added to the price of the water consumed by households and varies according to the amount of water they use. A household that consumes more water will pay higher taxes compared to household that used less water. Additionally, there are varieties of activities organised to teach Singaporeans to view water as a scarce and precious resource, and to use it wisely. Water conservation talks are conducted in schools and leaflets on water conservation are distributed to households. Water-rationing exercises, where the supply of water to some homes is temporarily cut off, are also carried out in housing estates. Effectiveness of the solutions implemented by government So far, Singapore has been able to tackle the problem of a limited supply of fresh water with the introduction of water reclamation, desalination of sea water and impoundments. Technological innovations in modern society have enabled us to have larger catchment areas, to build dams and to obtain fresh water from sea water and used water. Policies aimed at water conservation have also produced certain positive results. Based on the research conducted by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the domestic water use per person has generally fallen between 1995 and 2007, from 172 litres per day to 157 litres per day. This means that Singaporeans are more aware of the challenge they are to face nowadays. Introduction of water conservation taxes and activities about water conservation also help to spread awareness about the importance of water conservation. Recommendations regarding the current policies from our committee Government can introduce fine of a certain amount of money for over-usage of water. This means that if the households use unusually large amount of water every months, the government could send down the letters to inform them that they have used too much water compared with the national average, and they should manage their usage well from now on or the authority would have to take action in order to save water. In case if the household owners do not take mind of the warnings, they would be fined. Similarly, households have done well in controlling the water usages should be rewards for their effort put in. For example, tax-relief can be introduced to residents who use water-saving devices at home. Measures like this can encourage the people to install water-saving devices in their houses, hence the overall usage of water would gradually drop to an acceptable level, and the people can be satisfied with rewards given by government for their well-being as the citizens. Examples of water-saving devices: Shower head Water-saving tap Toilet stop Such water-saving devices help reduces water usage at our homes. We uses 9 litres of water whenever we flush the toilet. A toilet stop can be used to cut down the usage of 9 litres. It is added to the toilet flushing mechanism to stop the flushing when the handle is released. Thus if used wisely it allows people to save up to 20% of their total water bill.