Bio Fertliazer a Boon for Agriculture free essay sample

Fertilizer is one of the major contributors to increased crop production but thecontinuous and imbalanced use of chemical fertilizer is causing unsustainable environmentalpenalties like soil health deterioration, contamination of surface water, nitrate pollution of ground water and atmospheric pollution etc. The problems like leaching, volatilization,de-nitrification of nitrogen and deposition of non-available phosphorus in soils are also dueto more use of chemical fertilizers. Fertilizer use efficiency in India is 30-50 % for Nitrogen,15-20% for Phosphorus and 70-80 % for Potassium. Above all, the production of inorganicfertilizers is energy intensive, depending upon fossil fuel and hence becoming costly day byday. To cope with the above situation, Indian agricultural scientists are constantly stressingupon the use of bio-fertilizers. During 2001-2002, the production and distribution of bio-fertilizers in the country was roughly 10,000 metric tones, where the production of Rhizobium, Azotobactor, Azospirillum, Acetobactor and PSB were 1603, 1553, 1258, 166and 4088 metric tones, respectively. Among the other bio-fertilizers, compost acceleratorslike cellulose/ lignin decomposers have got considerable importance. We will write a custom essay sample on Bio Fertliazer a Boon for Agriculture or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page A biofertilizer (also bio-fertilizer) is a substance which contains living microorganisms which, when applied to seed, plant surfaces, or soil, colonizes the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promotes growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant. [1] Bio-fertilizers add nutrients through the natural processes of nitrogen fixation, solubilizing phosphorus, and stimulating plant growth through the synthesis of growth-promoting substances. Bio-fertilizers can be expected to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The microorganisms in bio-fertilizers restore the soils natural nutrient cycle and build soil organic matter. Through the use of bio-fertilizers, healthy plants can be grown, while enhancing the sustainability and the health of the soil. Since they play several roles, a preferred scientific term for such beneficial bacteria is plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Therefore, they are extremely advantageous in enriching soil fertility and fulfilling plant nutrient requirements by supplying the organic nutrients through microorganism and their byproducts. Hence, bio-fertilizers do not contain any chemicals which are harmful to the living soil. Bio-fertilizers eco friendly organic agro-input and more cost-effective than chemical fertilizers. Bio-fertilizers such as Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum and blue green algae (BGA) have been in use a long time. Rhizobiuminoculant is used for leguminous crops. Azotobacter can be used with crops like wheat, maize, mustard, cotton, potato and other vegetable crops. Azospirillum inoculations are recommended mainly for sorghum, millets, maize, sugarcane and wheat. Blue green algae belonging to a general cyanobacteria genus, Nostoc or Anabaena or Tolypothrix or Aulosira, fix atmospheric nitrogen and are used as inoculations for paddy crop grown both under upland and low-land conditions. Anabaena in association with water fern Azolla contributes nitrogen up to 60 kg/ha/season and also enriches soils with organic matter. 2] Other types of bacteria, so-called phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, such as Pantoea agglomerans strain P5 or Pseudomonas putida strain P13,[3] are able to solubilize the insoluble phosphate from organic and inorganic phosphate sources. [4] In fact, due to immobilization of phosphate by mineral ions such as Fe, Al and Ca or organic acids, the rate of available phosphate (Pi) in soil is well below plant needs. In addition, chemical Pi fertilizers are also immobilized in the soil, immediately, so that less than 20 percent of added fertilizer is absorbed by plants. Therefore, reduction in Pi resources, on one hand, and environmental pollutions resulting from both production and applications of chemical Pi fertilizer, on the other hand, have already demanded the use of new generation of phosphate fertilizers globally known as phosphate-solubilizing bacteria or phosphate bio-fertilizers. [citation needed] Benefits A bio-fertilizer provides the following benefits: Since a bio-fertilizer is technically living, it can symbiotically associate with plant roots. Involved microorganisms could readily and safely convert complex organic material in simple compounds, so that plants are easily taken up. Microorganism function is in long duration, causing improvement of the soil fertility. It maintains the natural habitat of the soil. It increases crop yield by 20-30%, replaces chemical nitrogen and phosphorus by 25%, and stimulates plant growth. It can also provide protection against drought and some soil-borne diseases. Bio-fertilizers are cost-effective relative to chemical fertilizers. They have lower manufacturing costs, especially regarding nitrogen and phosphorus use. Some important groups of Bio-fertilizers Azolla-Anabena symbiosis: Azolla is a small, eukaryotic, aquatic fern having global distribution. Prokaryotic blue green algae Anabena azolla resides in its leaves as a symbiont. Azolla is an alternative nitrogen source. This association has gained wide interest because of its potential use as an alternative to chemical fertilizers. Rhizobium: Symbiotic nitrogen fixation by Rhizobium with legumes contribute substantially to total nitrogen fixation. Rhizobium inoculation is a well-known agronomic practice to ensure adequate nitrogen. Benefits of Bio-fertilizers: 1. Enrich soil with nitrogen by biological nitrogen fixation. 2. Increase crop yield by 15-20 %. . Increase germination potential of seeds. 4. Develops resistance against disease in crops, suppress soil borne diseases as some of the inoculants produce antibiotics. 5. Improves soil properties and sustain soil fertility. 6. Help in mineralization of plant nutrients, solublize unavailable phosphate and sulfur in thesoil converting them in available form. 7. Bio-fertilizers release certain hormones, which increase crop growth. 8. Save fertilizer consumption by nearly 15%. 9. Bio-fertilizers are cheap, handy, eco-friendly, pollution free and easy to transport.

Turn Your Teacher Weaknesses Into Assets to Get the Job

Turn Your Teacher Weaknesses Into Assets to Get the Job One interview question that can stump even seasoned job-seeking educators is What is your greatest weakness as a teacher? This question may come at you disguised as What would you most like to change/improve about yourself? or What frustrations did you encounter in your last position? This weakness question really tags as an opportunity to Describe your strengths. Your response can tip the interview in your favor or send your resume to the bottom of the pile. Forget Conventional Wisdom In the past conventional wisdom recommended putting a spin on this question by describing an actual strength camouflaged  as a weakness. For example, you might have tried to be clever and offered perfectionism as your weakness, explaining that you refuse to quit until the job gets done right. But in responding to your weaknesses, you should should stay away from any personal qualities. Save your personal qualities such as perfectionism, enthusiasm, creativity, or patience for describing strengths. In responding to a question about a weakness, you should offer more professional traits. For example, you may recall how you noticed your attention to detail, organization, or problem-solving may have needed improvement. Once you have provided the trait, you should provide details on how you purposefully worked to address this weakness. Include any of the steps you have taken or are currently taking to mitigate this weakness. Here are two examples of how you might respond to a question about your greatest weakness. Corrected Weakness: Organization For example, you can state that you have been less excited about the amount of paperwork that comes along with a classroom of students. You may admit that in the past you tended to procrastinate on assessing classwork or homework. You can also admit to having found yourself on more than one occasion scrambling to catch up right before the grading period ended. You might feel like your honesty leaves you vulnerable. But, if you go on to explain that in order to combat this tendency, you set a schedule for yourself this past school year that dedicated time every day to paperwork, you will be viewed as a problem solver. You might include other strategies you used such as self-grading assignments whenever practical, which allowed students to assess their own work as you discussed the answers together in class. As a result, you can acknowledge that you learned to stay on top of your grading and needed a short time at the end of each period to compile the information. For new teachers, examples like this could come from student teaching experiences. Now an interviewer will see you as self-aware and reflective, both highly desirable attributes in a teacher. Corrected Weakness: Seeking advice Teachers are independent, but that can lead to isolation in problem solving, and some problems may necessitate advice from others.This is particularly true in dealing with confrontational situations such as dealing with an irate parent or a teachers aide who arrives late to your class every day. You might admit that you may have tried to solve some problems on your own, but upon reflection, felt it was necessary to seek the advice of others. You can explain how you found the teacher next door to you or an administrator was important in helping you address different kinds of uncomfortable confrontations. If you are an educator looking for first job, you may not have classroom experiences to use as examples. But dealing with confrontations is a life skill and not limited to the school building. In this case, you can provide examples of problem-solving confrontations you may have had at college or at another job. Seeking the advice of others shows that you can identify people or groups that can be resources instead of trying to tackle confrontational problems on your own. Self analysis Employers know job candidates have weaknesses, says Kent McAnally, director of career services at Washburn University. They want to know that we are doing the self-analysis to identify what ours are, he writes for the American Association for Employment in Education. Showing that you are taking steps to improve is essential to making a positive impression, but more importantly, it is essential for developing your personal and professional goals and development plans. And THAT is the real reason for the question. Tips to Master the Interview Be truthful.Do not try to guess what the interviewer wants to hear. Answer questions candidly and present your authentic self.Prepare for the question but do not let your answers sound coached.Remain positive as you explain how your weakness could be seen as a positive in the job.Avoid using negative words like â€Å"weak† and â€Å"failure.†Smile!

Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 20

Management - Essay Example The introduction of a new Legoland theme park in Paris, France would require taking into consideration a wide variety of factors, including the impact on all stakeholders for such a new business venture. Will the company be able to maintain enough profit to cover all of the costs of operating and building the new facility, thus making this new theme park budget-conscious and sustainable for long-term business activity? This question can be answered by reviewing the revenues of other international Legoland theme parks from 2002-2003 and comparing these revenues to the current operating environment for Lego company. For instance, Legoland Deutschland, in 2003, experienced a significant drop in sales volume after only its second year of operations due to less consumer patronage and an unusually-hot summer (Annual Report, 2003). Though the Legoland Deutschland park appeared to be a rather instant success for consumers in this country during the park’s first year, this excitement a ppeared to have worn off rather quickly, likely making executive leadership at the company take a second look at whether Legoland theme parks are sustainable business concepts for long-term profitability. However, despite these statistics, the Paris, France operation requires an examination of stakeholder interests involving each group. The consumers/patrons will likely dictate whether or not the Legoland park is a continued success. Consumer attitudes fluctuate rather unexpectedly based on social and economic trends (Kurtz, 2006), thus making patronage levels extremely difficult to predict, especially in the difficult economic climate being experienced across the globe today. Suppliers, also, who would be responsible for distributing various foods and beverages associated with the new Legoland Paris theme park also have an active interest in whether the new park is successful. The supplier business’ longevity and profit margins

Maritime law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Maritime law - Essay Example The law of maritime claims has been promoted along different routes in civil law administration. Vessels are recognised as objects of security rights in all nations. Despite this and the fact that maritime claims are of profound commercial significance, there is a high degree of international uncertainty in the subject of maritime claims and mortgages. There is a great difference among nations in the way they create and enforce maritime claims. It is for this reason that a standard list of maritime claims and an agreeable way of enforcing them was drafted by Comire Maritime International and adopted by the Brussels Diplomatic Conference. In 1926 in Brussels, the initial efforts were made to unify particular rules regarding maritime claims and mortgages. However, there were problems in the enforcement of the rules and this led to a review in 1952 in Brussels, undertaken by IMO and UNCTAD. The international convention on the arrest of ships was the combined efforts of the numerous conventions held earlier, especially the 1952 international convention, which aimed at unifying certain rules adopted by various countries in relation to arrest of sea going ships. At Geneva in March 1999, the new international convention on the arrest of ships as expressed in A/CONF.188/6 was adopted by the conference, after reviewing the 1952 arrest convention to address the identified deficiencies. As a result, the categories of maritime claim that could lead to arrest were altered, changing from 17 in 1952 convention to 22 in the 1999 convention. Not many countries have been able to approve the new convection, so it may apply in their countries., because some nations still feel dissatisfied by the new rule and its consequences it could cause in the nations. After Albania, which was the 10th country to ratify the new convention in March 2011, the new international convention came into forc e on 14th September 2011, and was to apply to any ship within the signatory state’s jurisdiction.3 The number of ratifying countries is still low and one would question the reason for the reluctance; it is worth noting that most of the powerful nations, such as the US, UK, and Japan have not attempted to approve it. However, by properly analyzing the 1999 arrest convention and its implications, there are both benefits and negative effects in the society. Effects of the New Convention 1. Liability for unjustified arrests or excessive security Following the inclusion of damages costs in the 1999 convention, which was not part of 1952 convention, the owners of the arrested ships are further protected by the legal terms in case of incurred loss, found to have been attributed to the claimant arrest directive. According to Article 6 of A/CONF.188/6, the court could impose upon the claimant the obligation to provide certain security, upon such terms as could be determined in court f or any loss the defendant acquires from the unjustified/wrongful arrest, or demanded excessive security in which the claimant may be found liable.4 With this part of the law, there are chances that the shipping industry may view the article differently. ‘The states with flags of convenience and states with large fleets could try to limit the cases where arrest may be made and thus ratify the 1999 convention, whereas states having a dominant trading economy might request security for what could happen to their cargo and their contracts of carriage vital for import and export.’5 While some countries could limit the cases of arrest within their jurisdiction for fear of defendants claim for damage, others could increase chances of security claim for their benefit. This move extends to cause more costs in solving for the cases that will occur in future, due to broadened scope of arrests considering that no party so desires to spend their

Analysis and Interpretation of Financial Statement as a managerial Dissertation

Analysis and Interpretation of Financial Statement as a managerial tool for Decision Making - Dissertation Example Mostly, accounting tools are the most effective in decision-making process and gives a good benchmarking to datum. To analyze financial position of the firm, the leader of the corporate analyses its balance sheet, this gives the statement regarding the financial position and a gauge to the solidness in economic performance. Moreover, they may get these trends through an analysis of the profit and loss statements-income statements. It gives them a critical decision making tool which determines how effective will their short term and long term transactions in the long run determine the company`s profit potential. Moreover, they may analyze the cash flow of the firm because it will help them to comprehend the cash inflow of the company, out flows and how payments are made in relation to liquidity of the organization. Mostly, it will analyze the operating activities, investments, and financing cash flows. Actually, this will help the management to determine the amount of losses a busines s incurs. Lastly, from the firm`s equity cash flow analysis, corporate managers will help in knowing the capital structures of the firm and how it is related to the performance of the business. In fact, capital structure will indicate the various sources of funds in line with long term and short term operating activities. Hence, the managers may end up reorganizing some initiating activities such as acquisition and mergers. Moreover, they may get to comprehend other sources of funds like internal funding and retained earning, common or preferred stocks, consequently, they will have helped the management to establish adequate dividend for payments in each share and still keep the company`s state healthy. Literature Review In this... Through the process of analyzing financial statements, the will be determination on adequate information regarding the financial sources and the obligations they bring to the firm. Additionally, it will give a detailed account of and reliable information regarding the financial performance of the firm, which includes how sound, is the finances of the firm. In addition, it will give enough information on from the results of business operations in the time range given. Besides, useful information concerning the financial condition of the business like how it involves movement of resources to and from its business will be derived. Lastly, it will give the information that will be helpful in giving an evaluation of the performance earnings from the invested resources and hence the managerial ability to forecast will be made stronger leading to an over all improvement in business. Research Methodology These include what can be achieved. It therefore includes the following. 1. Interviewing the finance department 2. Distributing questionnaires among other working members in this organization in different departments for them to fill in 3. Interviewing and distributing questionnaires to those supplying raw materials and those buying the firm`s product. 4. Testing the various software and hardware on their compatibility to the current working conditions of the firm 5. Reviewing the former statement of finance and writing a report over the same.

What Problems Are Facing Alexandra Near Johannesburg Environmental Sciences Essay

What Problems Are Facing Alexandra Near Johannesburg Environmental Sciences Essay The name Alexandra was the name of a farmers wife who in 1905 transformed his dairy farm into a township and named it after his wife. Over the last century Alexandra has been refuge to many poor immigrants looking for better standards of living, waging their lives in the city of Johannesburg, also known as the place of gold. According to Alexandra Renewal Project(2006), Alexandra has grown to a population of approximately 350 000 people, squeezed into an area of about 800 hectare and still showing no sign of decrease. This pattern of urban migration is painted across the history of Alexandra and was influenced by many political events, one of which is the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, when extensive labour was needed for widespread expanding of the industrial and commercial sectors, empowering the force of urban migration. Alexandra even endured through the struggles of apartheid to become home to a diverse population of urban poor settlers. Alexandra Renewal Project(2006 ) states that Alexandra had until recent developments, a huge amount of informal dwellings where estimates ranged from 34 000 upwards. Consequently the township of Alexandra has a proud but tragic history, which ushered it into the new century in desperate need of regeneration. This paper exemplifies the slum characteristics of Alexandra, a rural area located on the ridge of Santon a rich suburb. Alexandra also is in close proximity to the major economic hub of Gauteng, the city of Johannesburg. This article focuses on the analysis of the situation currently found in Alexandra, which was undertaken through a in depth field study. In addition, this paper addresses the social and economic benefits that the work of civil engineers can present to Alexandra to elevate it from slum status. This will be done by defining the concept of a slum and moreover examining the situation in Alexandra.(Alexandra renewal project,2006 ; Morris,2000 ; Bonner Nieftagodien,2008). The term slum identifies with a range of low income settlements and poor standards of living. Furthermore, according to UN-HABIT (2007) a slum could be defined as a heavily populated urban area characterised by low standard housing and squalor. This apparent ill nature of slums leave many asking why do slums exist? According to UN-HABIT (2007) slums exist because of a number of forces. Some of these consist of rapid rural-to-urban migration, increasing urban poverty, inequality and globalisation. Applying these concepts to S.A its easy to see why Alexandra fell into the abyss that is slum status. With the advent of a new democratic government in 1994, people in search of newly promised jobs have flocked into the major hubs of S.A., which dramatically increased the rate of unskilled labour migrating to major cities, thus demonstrating rapid rural to urban migration. Furthermore UN-HABIT (2007) explains that the boom and busts of the economy such as that of S.A. churn up inequality and distribute new wealth unevenly , which consequently contribute to the enormous growth of slums such as Alexandra. (Bonner Nieftagodien,2008 ; UN-HABIT,2007) The United Nations Human Settlements Programme(2006) specifies a slum to be an area or suburb to be deprived of access to safe water; unsecure residential status, inadequate access to sanitation and other infrastructure; poor structural quality of housing and overcrowding. That is, if anyone of these defining characteristics are found in an area, that area is to be classified as a slum. Alexandra status in relation to these characteristics will be discussed below. Water and sanitation are key factors in the elevation of Alexandra from slum status. The ever increasing population growth within Alexandra, has overloaded the infrastructure to a point where water pressures are too low and sewers frequently over flow. In the areas with the highest density of informal settlements within Alexandra, water is collected by navigating dangerous paths between closely spaced shacks and collecting it from overloaded taps. These water taps do not have adequate drainage, consequently water is left to flow between shacks. Moreover, pools of stagnant water form. According to United Nations Environment Programme(2000) these stagnant water pools are ideal breeding habitats for disease vectors such as mosquitoes. Because of this apparent lack of drainage systems below the informal settlements of Alexandra, people tend to disperse of waste water into these waterways that flow between the shacks, causing ill smelling odours to settle and give way for water borne dise ases such as dysentery, cholera, typhoid and parasitic worms to thrive.( United Nations Environment Programme,2000 ) Sanitation services play important role in healthy environment especially in areas like Alexandra which are defined as slums. According to Barnes et al,(1999,p13) census data, 81% of the households in Alexandra have access to aflush or chemical toilet, 1% of households use pit latrines and approximately 15% use the ÃÆ' ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½bucket latrineÃÆ' ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ system. The informal homes of Alexandra are not connected to the formal waterborne sewerage system, thus chemical portable toilets service residents. These portable toilets are usually located next to streets on the outskirts of the informal settlements or shacks. These toilets are located in this way because there are no access roads nor space between the informal housing for municipal services to collect sewerage waste from these toilets. As a result residents have to navigate dangerous pathways to get to these sanitation services. Mirriam a person who currently lives (guide) explains that as these passages become dangerous to navigate at night, thus people tend to desiccate into bags and discard them into these narrow passageways, which attributes to countless diseases and the appalling stench in the area. The lack of access also inhibits waste collection services to collect waste between the shacks, resulting in poor waste removal services in the area. Because of this, the overall area is contaminated by waste lying around, furthermore the lack of waste collection attracts disease infested vermin and animals, worsening health conditions within the slum The congestion and overcrowding in Alexandra act as a catalysts to all problems found in the area. Overloading in informal settlements, hostels and along the banks of the Jukskei river make living conditions stressful, unhealthy and dangerous. The unplanned nature and the overpopulated ground usage, has forced some settlers to build informal housing below the flood line of the Jukskei River and in some instances on unsafe slopes. According to United Nations Environment Programme(2000) during January 2000, unusually heavy rains precipitated and 120 informal households were washed away. In addition to over usage, structures have been built over previously installed sewer lines and manholes that make access for maintenance a tedious endeavour. Moreover, the overall high density of the informal settlements cause amplify the spreading of disorder like fires and diseases. Recent news reports that a devastating fire on 2 May 2011, killed three people and left 5000 people destitute living in Masiphumelele township, civil organisation in the informal settlement accuse the high density of settlement and lack of access roads to be responsible for the sheer scale of devastation within the township. (Alexandra renewal project,2006 ; Special Interest Group in Urban Settlement,2001 ; Eye Witness News,2011) The Childrens charter of S.A. , according to New Africa Education(2004) states that all children have a right to a safe environment and the right to recreational facilities so that children can be children. Alexandra is home to thousands of families, the Alexandra Renewal project (2006b) observes that over 120 000 children ranging from ages 2-18 years live in Alexandra. The slum conditions in Alexandra hinder children to develop into skilled professionals. That is, the over utilisation of the space available causes children to have nowhere to play and consequently compel them turn to dangerous streets to occupy themselves. For some of the children who live on the opposing side of the Jukskei river, going to school comprises of having to wade through the Jukskei r river as bridges crossing the river are too far away. Some of the valiant students cross the river by walking across a pipeline that spans the river, this perceptibly is a dangerous feat and place children in unnecessary dan ger. Alexandra has access to electricity, but many illegal connections exist, these electrical connections pose another threat to children as substations are insecure and present a considerable danger to children with easy access available. These connections also give way to many fire hazardous in Alexandra. All aspects mentioned clearly classify Alexandra as a slum in accordance to the defining characteristics specified earlier. It was seen that Alex illustrates lack of access to water and sanitation, consists of non durable housing built on dangerous areas where insecure tenure is definite and that overpopulation gives way to insufficient living areas and dangers to children. Furthermore this in depth look at the situation in Alexandra emphasizes the dire need of a new age of renewal, hope and upliftment in this area. When reviewing the purpose of this paper it dictates that some form of solution to the uplift Alexandra from slum status imposed by the civil engineering will be addressed. Consequently these aspects will be argued below. Investments in civil engineering projects can substantially increase living standards within Alexandra. The Alexandra Renewal Project(ARP) is one of eight projects that form part of S.A. Integrated Sustainable Rural Development and Urban Renewal Programme, enforced by President Mbeki in 2001. This programme is an approach to address urbanisation and housing challenges in S.A. According to Alexandra Renewal project (2001) the budget in 2001 for the ARP was estimated to be R1.7 billion over seven years. The Alexandra Renewal Project includes extensive use of civil engineering skills to promote the Alexandra from slum status. Special Interest Group in Urban Settlement (2001) points out that improvements in sanitation and water services can be identified as imperative to the elevation of Alexandra. This could be achieved by firstly overcoming the general overloading of the sewerage system. By investigation it was found that civil engineers can construct new interceptor sewers which will connect to a new outgoing sewer carrying sewerage off to the bulk sewerage system. According to Special Interest Group in Urban Settlement (2001) if such a system would be in place, it could provide adequate services to slum dwellers. The location and alignment of these new sewers is vital because for such a system to run adequately, there has to be access to manholes and pipes to provide maintenance services. Consequently this would mean improving the alignment of informal houses. Moreover, the construction of ablution blocks on the side of streets, instead of the portable chemical toilets, would therefore mean the elimina tion of poor level of service and high maintenance costs of chemical portable toilets. The ARP included the upgrading of the outfall sewers in Alexandra between 2001 and 2004. The rehabilitation of water systems is closely linked to the treatment of the sewerage system, as it would be easier to install improved water lines in junction with sewerage. The civil engineers attended to the low water pressures by upgrading water mains and by the construction of a new water reservoir, this formed part of the ARP. (Special Interest Group in Urban Settlement,2001 ; Alexandra Renewal project,2010 ) The improvement of building infrastructure can transform Alexandra into a thriving urban area. Civil engineers can contribute by installing building infrastructure in a planned way, this includes the realignment of properties into small narrow stands. Which therefore results in the decrease in high densities of land usage and improves accessibility into Alexandra. Improved accessibility promotes better living conditions, as waste services are able to move between housing. Building infrastructure in the ARP included the construction of many buildings which act to improve social and economic status of the people living in Alexandra. These buildings includes construction and improvement of police stations, people centres, 1400 housing units, 350 social housing units, Alexandra transit village and Marlboro transit village upgrade. These building improvements give owners a secure tenure which in turn spur them to maintain and invest in these building. The installation of this infrastructu re give place to economic behaviour to form and to forester a spirit of entrepreneurship within Alexandra, as small business and educational services arise. The ARP included centres which is called clusters where slum dwellers are able to attain marketable skills such as care worker skills, tourism skills and construction skills.( Alexandra Renewal project,2010 ) Social end economical benefits do not only come in the form of new buildings but also includes the improvement of road and overall infrastructure. This includes the construction of recreational parks and sport fields, upgrading of roads, widening of London bridge, construction of a pedestrian bridge across the Jukskei river and the improvement of storm water drainage. These improvements influence the social and economic aspects of Alexandra. The improvement of roads give Alexandra access to business markets outside of Alexandra, the pedestrian bridge relieve children from the dangers of crossing the Jukskei river and parks and sports fields remove people from a sense of squalor.( Alexandra Renewal project,2010 ) To conclude, this essay depicts the situation found in Alexandra, an area defined as a slum. It was found that slums mainly exist due to rapid rural to urban migration, high levels of inequality and globalization. Moreover, slums where defined by the lack of the access to water, sanitation, durable housing, secure tenure and sufficient living areas. It was then illustrated that Alexandra can be characterised as a slum, because of its poor quality of water and sanitation services. Furthermore congestion proved to act as a catalyst to other problems such as unsafe tenure and spreading of diseases . Also, dangerous aspects such as illegal electrical connections and inadequate lack of infrastructure was illustrated.

George Sugarman a sculpture :: Essays Papers

George Sugarman a sculpture Best known today for his public art, George Sugarman began his career with formally eccentric painted-wood sculptures. In a revelatory New York exhibition, early pieces were shown alongside the 86-year-old artist's more recent aluminum work. In the course of 1998, there were a number of important sculpture exhibitions in New York galleries and museums, including the Museum of Modern Art's Tony Smith retrospective, Dia's presentation of Richard Serra's Torqued Ellipses, and a group of David Smith's late painted-steel works at Gagosian Gallery. For me, however, the most impressive and thought-provoking sculpture show of the year was a concise survey of George Sugarman's work presented by Hunter College at the galleries in its Fine Arts Building on Manhattan's West 41st Street. Bringing together 16 sculptures made between 1958 and 1995, the exhibition allowed viewers to trace Sugarman's career from his carved-wood works of the late 1950s to his polychrome, laminated-wood pieces of the 1960s to the painted-aluminum work that has occupied him since the early 1970s. While the show did not cover Sugarman's extensive activity in the public-art realm--over the last 30 years he has created large-scale public sculptures throughout the U.S. as well as in Europe and Asia--it was an effective presentation of his "indoor" work. (Sugarman has drawn a useful distinction between what he calls the "indoor eye," a museum- and gallery-oriented esthetic vision which perceives the work of art in isolation from its surroundings, and the "outdoor eye," which allows us to view public art as part of a wider environment.) Thanks to the presence of major, rarely seen works such as Two in One (1966) and Ten (1968), the show was a welcome reminder of Sugarman's unique and indispensable contribution to postwar sculpture. One of the earliest works on view was Six Forms in Pine (1959), a carved-wood sculpture which brought Sugarman his first major recognition when it won a prize at the 1961 Carnegie International. Among the last of his unpainted works, it's a nearly 12-foot long, smoothly flowing concatenation of horizontal abstract forms that rests on two pedestals set several feet apart. Rippling patterns of chisel marks are visible across every surface as are the strata of the laminated wood. The forms, which range from gently swelling, landscape-like shapes to more sharply defined volumes that evoke architecture or hand tools, are clearly differentiated within the continuous overall structure. While the carving technique and biomorphism relate Six Forms in Pine to established sculptural styles of the 1950s, the sculpture also possesses properties which presage Sugarman's innovative work of the next decade.

Literature: Harlem Renaissance and New Negro

Climax: George's mother confronts Death's belief that it was k to send her love to kill other people's loved ones and did not expect George to die. In doing this she forces Edited to leave her romantic notion of war and see the reality of war. * In the end she forgets and leaves the reality of life and returns to the ideal (Romanticism). Desires baby: * Racism * When a baby is three months old the baby's true skin color comes into view. Vernacular: French * El blanches, black slaves, but it meaner the whites.Desire has no known background * Desire could have been white * Race and color do not have a connection. * Armband says that Desire is not white. * Finds a letter from his mother when he is burning Desires letters reveals that his mother was black. 6/10/13 Naturalism: Spanish-American war: 1890 * The letter * Naturalism: without the human mask of morality and humanity, we are brute beasts, living in an indifferent world. * He lives in a determinist world * Steven Grain was writin g at the end of the 18th century so he is a naturalist * Three college students after the age of literature called realism * Charles Darwin:Theory of Evolution * Survival of the fittest * Realists acknowledge God in that it is our Job to help others live a more ethical life. * Romanticism: believes in God as the creator of all and we are made in his image. * Darwin, challenges these viewpoints. * He looks at man as the sum of changes that they must make in order to survive in their changing environment. * A battle between those who have and those who have not. * A battle against the cold, unfeeling, power of nature. Karl Marx * He took the fundamental aspects of Darning's theory to propose the philosophy of Class antagonism.The battle between the classes for the resources needed for life and advancement. * Naturalism is the idea that all life is about money and that some living to be a doctor and other are destined to be the nurse. * As long as there is plenty to go around we are ni ce to each other. * When there is scarcity we become vicious dogs fighting for survival. * The animal in all humans will come out in situation of life or death. Sigmund Freud: the father of psychology * Our tendency is to want to be the leader. * We will do whatever it takes to acquire wealth and resources.

Health risks of Aspartame Essays

Health risks of Aspartame Essays Health risks of Aspartame Paper Health risks of Aspartame Paper Aspartame is a sweetening agent (that is utilized in several food products) and contains very low amount of calories.   It has been utilized in a variety of foods, beverages and products available in the market.   It could also be utilized in the market as an agent during cooking, baking and on the table. Aspartame is commercially available for more than 25 years (ADA, 2006).   The degree of sweetness provided by aspartame is 180 to 220 times greater than that provided by sugar (MgGee, 2005) Rather than being composed of carbohydrates, aspartame is composed of two amino acids, namely, aspartic acid and phenylalanine (which form the building blocks of proteins). These amino acids are present in several proteineous foods such as meats, dairy products.   When an individual consumes aspartame, it is broken down into aspartic acid, phenylalanine and small amounts of methanol (which is a hazardous form of alcohol).   These components rather than accumulating in the body are absorbed into the blood and are utilized during metabolism to maintain several functions of the body. They may be utilized by the body for several reasons including those for which aspartic acid and phenylalanine is naturally obtained from the diet (such as meats, fruits, milk, etc).   Some food may produce larger amounts of aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol compared to aspartame.   For example, low-fat milk will produce greater amount of phenylalanine and aspartic acid compared to aspartame.   Methanol on the other hand is 6 times higher when tomato juice is consumed, compared to aspartame (AIC, 2006). Some of the food in which aspartame is utilized routinely include sodas, gelatins, puddings, desserts, cocoa drinks, breath fresheners, gum, etc.   Most of the products that contain aspartame have it mentioned on the ingredient label (ADA, 2006). Nowadays, the use of aspartame in food products has become a trend due to the fact that people are becoming more health conscious.   The increased incidence of diabetes mellitus in the population has also prompted for a rise in the usage of aspartame.   Many consumers are utilizing aspartame to replace sugars and carbohydrates in normal diet.   Health professionals are also advising aspartame in pregnant women to help them eat their favorite food without putting on extra weight. However, this may not be right, because babies present in the womb require the right quantity of calories and other nutrients for proper growth and development.   Even during breastfeeding, the nursing mother should ensure that she receives the exact amount of calories and other nutrients by consuming natural sweeteners, rather than the artificial ones (ADA, 2006). Some people may have a rare genetic disorder known as ‘phenylketonuria’ in which they are unable to breakdown and utilize phenylalanine present in the diet.   Such individuals may have to modify the diet by consuming lower amounts of products containing phenylalanine.   Such individuals should also avoid aspartame, as it may be injurious to their health (ADA, 2006). These individuals do not have an enzyme that transform phenylalanine into tyrosine.   Hence, in such individuals, the levels of phenylalanine would accumulate in the CNS, causing a variety of neurological and psychiatric symptoms. Usually, the parents of phenylketonurics are carriers of the disease (may not actually suffer from the disease, but can genetically carry the defective gene which could express the disease in their offsprings).   The number of carriers of phyenylketouric is about 4 to 20 million.   These individuals are also at a high risk of suffering from the toxic effects of the sweetener (Schachter, 1996). Recent and earlier studies have demonstrated that aspartame may be very harmful to certain patients as they may induce seizures.   Studies that had been performed in 1987 have demonstrated that certain individuals after consuming aspartame developed seizures (especially the grand-mal type).   The seizures tend to reduce once the individual stopped consumption of the sweetening agents.   However, only some individuals may be at a risk of developing seizures following aspartame consumption. Another incident regarding aspartame occurred when a nursing mother who consumed an aspartame containing gum, had her baby develop grand mal seizures (Veracity, 2005).   Researchers feel that a link between aspartame and the development of seizures has been identified.   Once aspartame is consumed by the body, it is broken down into phenylalanine and aspartic acid. These amino acids would then cross the blood-brain barrier and would directly affects the functioning of the CNS (Brain).   Although, phenylalanine is present in a natural diet, it may not be present in combination with aspartic acid.   Researchers feel that the combination of both these amino acids can potentially cause a lot of health hazards.   The exact mechanism of how the component/s of aspartame induce seizures is not identified. Some scientists feel that phenylalanine works by reducing the threshold for convulsions to develop, whereas others feel that the combination of phenylalanine and aspartic acid works by inducing seizures (Veracity, 2005).   Many people feel that aspartame works like a neurotoxin in the brain, by over-stimulating the cells present in the brain (Veracity, 2005).   In naturally occurring foods, phenylalanine and aspartic acid are present as amino acids in long-chains, associated with other amino acids. These chains may take long time to be broken down by the body and be utilized for several metabolic processes.   Hence, they do not readily enter the CNS (compared to when aspartame is consumed).   They may take longer than 12 hours to be digested (321 Recipes, 1996).

USS North Carolina (BB-55) in World War II

USS North Carolina (BB-55) in World War II USS North Carolina (BB-55) was the lead ship of the North Carolina-class of battleships. The first new design constructed by the US Navy since the early 1920s, the North Carolina-class incorporated a variety of new technologies and design approaches.   Entering service in 1941, North Carolina saw extensive service in the Pacific during World War II and took part in nearly all of the major Allied campaigns. This saw it earn 15 battles stars, the most won by any American battleship. Retired in 1947, North Carolina was taken to Wilmington, NC in 1961 and opened as a museum ship the following year.   Treaty Limitations The story of the North Carolina-class begins with the Washington Naval Treaty (1922) and London Navy Treaty (1930) which limited warship size and total tonnage. As a result of the treaties, the US Navy did not built any new battleships for the most the 1920s and 1930s. In 1935, the General Board of the US Navy began preparations for the design of a new class of modern battleships. Operating under the constraints imposed by the Second London Naval Treaty (1936), which limited total displacement to 35,000 tons and the caliber of guns to 14, designers worked through a multitude of designs to create a new class that combined an effective mix of firepower, speed, and protection. Design and Construction After extensive debate, the General Board recommended design XVI-C which called for a battleship capable of 30 knots and mounting nine 14 guns. This recommendation was overruled by Secretary of the Navy Claude A. Swanson who favored the XVI design which mounted twelve 14 guns but had a maximum speed of 27 knots. The final design of what became the North Carolina-class emerged in 1937 after Japans refusal to agree to the 14 restriction imposed the treaty. This allowed the other signatories to implement the treatys escalator clause which permitted an increase to 16 guns and a maximum displacement of 45,000 tons. As a result, USS North Carolina and its sister, USS Washington, were redesigned with a main battery of nine 16 guns. Supporting this battery were twenty 5 dual purpose guns as well as an initial installation of sixteen 1.1 anti-aircraft guns. In addition, the ships received the new RCA CXAM-1 radar. Designated BB-55, North Carolina was laid down at the New York Naval Shipyard on October 27, 1937. Work progressed on the hull and the battleship slid down the ways on June 3, 1940 with Isabel Hoey, daughter of the Governor of North Carolina, serving as sponsor. USS North Carolina (BB-55) - Overview Nation: United StatesType: BattleshipShipyard: New York Naval ShipyardLaid Down: October 27, 1937Launched: June 13, 1940Commissioned: April 9, 1941Fate: Museum ship at Wilmington, NC Specifications: Displacement: 34,005 tonsLength: 728.8 ft.Beam: 108.3 ft.Draft: 33 ft.Propulsion: 121,000 hp, 4 x General Electric steam turbines, 4 x propellersSpeed: 26 knotsRange: 20,080 miles at 15 knotsComplement: 2,339 men Armament Guns 9 Ãâ€" 16 in.(410 mm)/45 cal. Mark 6 guns (3 x triple turrets)20 Ãâ€" 5 in (130 mm)/38 cal. dual-purpose guns60 x quad 40mm antiaircraft guns46 x single 20mm cannon Aircraft 3 x aircraft Early Service Work on North Carolina ended in early 1941 and the new battleship was commissioned on April 9, 1941 with Captain Olaf M. Hustvedt in command. As the US Navys first new battleship in nearly twenty years, North Carolina quickly became a center of attention and earned the enduring nickname Showboat. Through the summer of 1941, the ship conducted shakedown and training exercises in the Atlantic. With the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the US entry into World War II, North Carolina prepared to sail for the Pacific. The US Navy soon delayed this movement as there was concern that the German battleship Tirpitz might emerge to attack Allied convoys. Finally released to the US Pacific Fleet, North Carolina passed through the Panama Canal in early June, just days after the Allied triumph at Midway. Arriving at Pearl Harbor after stops at San Pedro and San Francisco, the battleship began preparations for combat in the South Pacific. South Pacific Departing Pearl Harbor on July 15 as part of a task force centered on the carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) North Carolina steamed for the Solomon Islands. There it supported the landing of US Marines on Guadalcanal on August 7. Later in the month, North Carolina provided anti-aircraft support for the American carriers during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons. As Enterprise sustained significant damage in the fighting, the battleship began serving as an escort for USS Saratoga (CV-3) and then USS Wasp (CV-7) and USS Hornet (CV-8). On September 15, the Japanese submarine I-19 attacked the task force. Firing a spread of torpedoes, it sunk Wasp and the destroyer USS OBrien as well as damaged North Carolinas bow. Though the torpedo opened a large hole on the ships port side, the ships damage control parties quickly dealt with the situation and averted a crisis. Arriving at New Caledonia, North Carolina received temporary repairs before departing for Pearl Harbor. There, the battleship entered drydock to fix the hull and its anti-aircraft armament was enhanced. Tarawa Returning to service after a month in the yard, North Carolina spent much of 1943 screening American carriers in the vicinity of the Solomons. This period also saw the ship receive new radar and fire control equipment. On November 10, North Carolina sailed from Pearl Harbor with Enterprise as part of the Northern Covering Force for operations in the Gilbert Islands. In this role, the battleship provided support for Allied forces during the Battle of Tarawa. After bombarding Nauru in early December, North Carolina screened USS Bunker Hill (CV-17)when its aircraft attacked New Ireland. In January 1944, the battleship joined Rear Admiral Marc Mitschers Task Force 58. Island Hopping Covering Mitschers carriers, North Carolina also provided fire support for troops during the Battle of Kwajalein in late January. The following month, it protected the carriers as they mounted raids against Truk and the Marianas. North Carolina continued in this capacity for much of the spring until returning to Pearl Harbor for repairs on its rudder. Emerging in May, it rendezvoused with American forces at Majuro before sailing for the Marianas as part of Enterprises task force. Taking part in the Battle of Saipan in mid-June, North Carolina struck a variety of targets ashore. Upon learning that the Japanese fleet was approaching, the battleship departed the islands and protected American carriers during the Battle of the Philippine Sea on June 19-20. Remaining in the area until the end of the month, North Carolina then departed for the Puget Sound Navy Yard for a major overhaul. Finished in late October, North Carolina rejoined Admiral William Bull Halseys Task Force 38 at Ulithi on November 7. Final Battles Shortly thereafter, it endured a severe period at sea as TF38 sailed through Typhoon Cobra. Surviving the storm, North Carolina supported operations against Japanese targets in the Philippines as well as screened raids against Formosa, Indochina, and the Ryukyus. After escorting carriers on a raid on Honshu in February 1945, North Carolina turned south to provided fire support for Allied forces during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Shifting west in April, the ship fulfilled a similar role during the Battle of Okinawa. In addition to striking targets ashore, North Carolinas anti-aircraft guns aided in dealing with the Japanese kamikaze threat. Later Service Retirement After a brief overhaul at Pearl Harbor in late spring, North Carolina returned to Japanese waters where it protected carriers conducting airstrikes inland as well as bombarded industrial targets along the coast. With the surrender of Japan on August 15, the battleship sent part of its crew and Marine Detachment ashore for preliminary occupation duty. Anchoring in Tokyo Bay on September 5, it embarked these men before departing for Boston. Passing through the Panama Canal on October 8, it reached its destination nine days later. With the end of the war, North Carolina underwent a refit at New York and began peacetime operations in the Atlantic. In the summer of 1946, it hosted the US Naval Academys summer training cruise in the Caribbean. Decommissioned on June 27, 1947, North Carolina remained on the Navy List until June 1, 1960. The following year, the US Navy transferred the battleship to the State of North Carolina for a price of $330,000. These funds were largely raised by the states school children and the ship was towed to Wilmington, NC. Work soon began to convert the ship into a museum and North Carolina was dedicated as a memorial to the states World War II veteran in April 1962.

Analyse and explain different types of equality by referring to the Essay

Analyse and explain different types of equality by referring to the debates on them - Essay Example In connection to the above, it is critical to understand that the issue of absolute equality cannot always be realized in its absolute totality. This follows the differences that are always inherent in the human beings. For instance, the capabilities of individuals are not commensurate. This means that some individuals may be capable of other things whereas their fellow counterparts may not be capable of the same things the others can do. In this respect, the issue of absolute equality can be considerably compromised (Hollander, 2014). In relation to the above, it is of critical significance to acknowledge the fact that when it comes to rewards, the people who may have succeeded in performing certain tasks may get rewarded in proportions that outdo those of the other fellows who may have also vested their efforts in doing the same thing, but have failed to succeed. In this manner, the notion that all of them are rewarded for their vested efforts is a clear representation of practice of equality (Hollander, 2011). This is evident concerning the fact that those who partook the task have all been rewarded. However, the issue of absolute equality may not apply in such a situation. This follows that those who may have succeeded in performing the tasks assigned may get more rewards as compared to the ones who may have failed to execute their best in the same tasks. As such, it is important to note that the latter proves th at equality does not necessarily refer to total or absolute equality. In this respect, it is of crucial significance to understand the real meaning of the term equality. Relevant to the above, it is of critical significance to note that equality may mean the absence of all unnatural, as well as, unjust inequalities (Hands, 2015). Unjust inequalities may always take two different forms. Some of the forms of unjust inequalities may comprise of

Divorce Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Divorce - Research Paper Example If marriage has legal and religious dimensions, staying together has no such attributes so that the partners in such relationships can break their relationship at any time. â€Å"A divorce can feel like a big storm. Before the storm, the air may be filled with tension† (Winchester & Beyer, 2001, p.30). It should be noted that problems may arise in family life from various corners. It may be because of the different views kept by the partners about their life. For example, it is quite possible that a husband take shelter in alcoholism, drug addiction or extra marital affairs to enjoy his life. On the hand, his wife may not accept these behaviours. She could be a highly religious person who has faith and belief in God. So their family life may not continue in a good manner. Different life philosophies of these persons may fight with each other and these fights may ultimately end up in a divorce. â€Å"According to the 2007 statistics, divorce rate in America is 54.8%, second on ly to Sweden. In countries like India divorce rate is as low as 1.1% only† (Divorce Rates of the World, 2007). During the 1980s, the divorce rate in the US reached its peak. 50% of the marriages terminated in divorce. The reasons cited for this upheaval are: Increase in the earning potential of women; the concept of divorce found more acceptances; an enhancement in the pursuit of joy, i.e. the possibility to locate a better partner and the presence of no fault laws (History of Divorce in America, n. d.). It is difficult to cite a single reason for increasing divorce rates in America. Plenty of reasons were cited for the increased rates of divorce in America. This paper analyses the major reasons for divorce and its consequences. Effect of divorce upon family and children With more than 30 years of research, we now know divorce seldom leads to a better life. Consider that: Life expectancies for divorced men and women are significantly lower than for married people (who have the longest life expectancies). A recent study found those who were unhappy but stay married were more likely to be happy five years later than those who divorced. The health consequences of divorce are so severe that a Yale researcher concluded that â€Å"being divorced and a non-smoker is [only] slightly less dangerous than smoking a pack a day and staying married.† After a diagnosis of cancer, married people are most likely to recover, while the divorced are least likely to recover, indicating that the emotional trauma of divorce has a long-term impact on the physical health of the body. Men and women both suffer a decline in mental health following divorce, but researchers have found that women are more greatly affected. Some of the mental health indicators affected by divorce include depression, hostility, self-acceptance, personal growth and positive relations with others (Desai, 2009). Divorce puts people, both the husband and the wife, under a lot of stress† (McGre gor, 2001, p.87). Many people have the false belief that a divorce may be the only solution to come out from a strained relationship. They may think that the life after divorce could be better than that before divorce. But in many cases, it is not true. The new partner may often present more horrible experiences and the person may face lot of emotional problems in that life also. The