Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Revolutionary Period essays

Revolutionary Period essays The American Revolution was a time of change. We no longer wanted to be a part of Englands glorious empire, but rather a brand spanking new ideal, and we did not want their king, but most of all, we wanted it done at once. The American Revolution had everything a revolution should. After all, a revolution is 1) an orbital motion around a centralized point, 2) the overthrow of one government and its replacement with another, 3) a sudden and momentous change in the situation, as defined by the dictionary. Literature of the time written by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Paine in his Crisis pamphlets, and in Patrick Henrys speeches, expound and explore the reasons for radical changes to come. There was one central and unifying idea, which united this great country called America to rise up against England. That idea was Liberty! During the Revolution, we rallied around the central cause of liberty and freedom. It is human nature to need liberty, to be free. In the revolution, we fought for liberty, liberty was what we wanted, liberty was frequently denied to us, liberty was everything to us. Nations can be formed in many ways. Geography or climate, ruler or diplomat, cultural expansion or brutal wars-each of these are a force in themselves. America however was unique. America was born of an idea. Freedom. Even today, after the pilgrims, and the revolutionaries, people come to America, risking everything to be part of that force of freedom and liberty. Prior to the revolution, everything was revolving around England, and what the king wanted. Anything you had was courtesy of a tyrannical pig named King George. In America, we wanted everything to revolve around the freedom of the Individual. Some key leaders, now called out founding fathers, played a big part in bringing those ideas to everyone. We had writers that brought those ideas to revolve around ev...

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Aught vs. Naught

Aught vs. Naught Aught vs. Naught Aught vs. Naught By Mark Nichol Aught and naught both mean â€Å"nothing.† Ought they to be antonyms rather than synonyms? Actually, aught means â€Å"something† or â€Å"anything†; it’s from the Old English word awiht, meaning â€Å"ever a thing.† (The second syllable is cognate with whit, meaning â€Å"very small thing,† and wight, meaning â€Å"living being,† though the latter is also used sometimes in an older sense of â€Å"ghost† or â€Å"spirit.†) However, the negative sense of the term is a result of false division, the same grammatical affliction that produced adder, the name for a type of snake, when the phrase â€Å"a nadder† was, over time, redivided as â€Å"an adder.† Aught in the sense of â€Å"nothing† derives from naught (from the Old English nawiht, meaning â€Å"not a thing†). Now, people sometimes therefore use aught when they mean naught. (Naught, by the way, is the root of the adjective naughty; to be naughty is to lack something- namely, compunction or moral character.) And though aught is often used in British English to mean â€Å"all,† it can also mean â€Å"zero,† as when someone refers to something having occurred in â€Å"aught five† (2005); it’s also used in American English to refer to the gauge of a wire or (alone and in combination with double and triple) of buckshot that fills a shotgun shell. Ought and nought are variants of aught and naught. Though ought is obsolete in this sense, nought persists in being used in place of naught, as in â€Å"noughts and crosses,† the British English name for tic-tac-toe. The sense of ought used in the first sentence of this post, meanwhile, is unrelated. Originally, in Old English and Middle English, earlier versions of ought served as the past tense of owe. The word lost this sense hundreds of years ago, but we still use it with to to mean should in the sense of advisability, consequence, expectation, or obligation in such sentences as â€Å"She ought to know better.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:The Meaning of "To a T"English Grammar 101: Verb Mood25 Favorite Portmanteau Words

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Abbott Hospital Case Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Abbott Hospital Case - Essay Example A closer analysis of the various facts and figures presented in the study suggests that all the stakeholders were either not informed about the change or their feedback was not incorporated effectively. The fact that Sister Mary Theresa controlled almost all aspects of the pre-acquisition period suggests that the communication was not readily disseminated at all levels. Besides, the communication was relatively one-way with others just following the suit rather than raising the voice against the proposed acquisition. A key strategic issue in this was the lack of the effective human capital i.e. the resistance from the medical community and the doctors/staff working at the hospitals. Since the overall size of medical community at local level was relatively small therefore this can be a significant issue provided a limited availability of trained and skilled medical staff at the local level. It is also critical to note that the Mt. Mercy there is a clear lack of systems requirements as most of the orders and the strategic vision flows from the single source. Having a decentralized organizational structure can actually help an organization to share the responsibility while at the same time have more feedback before any decision is made. A key strategic issue while dealing with the change was that of creating a cohesive culture for both the hospitals. Due to relatively different strategies being adapted at these two hospitals, significant employee motivation issues emerged causing a decline in the revenue and profitability for the firm. It is evident that after the acquisition, the employees of the Abbott hospital are not considering themselves as part of the new organization. In order to achieve the economies of scale and to improve the efficiencies, it is critical that the organization must focus on developing a certain degree of

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Marketing Reserch Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Marketing Reserch - Assignment Example (Mumbai Mirror, Business Briefs, 28 May 2007). the tremendous potential of the internet for genuine marketing purposes. And with the rising volumes of online trading, the menace is only threatening to grow further unchecked. (Times of India, Times Business section, 25 May 2007). Small retailers and street vendors have protested, and in some cases, even ransacked outlets operated by modern retailers. This in part has been provoked by an unprecedented rush in the last two years mostly by Indian corporate houses who have said they want to invest billions of dollars to roll out thousands of stores selling everything from fruits to furniture. Higher prices may reduce the attraction of palm oil as a substitute for soya bean oil, especially in China and India, the biggest importers of both oils. It may also make palm oil less attractive in its use in new applications such as bio-fuels. (Mint, Money Matters, p17, 31 May 2007, www.livemint.com). Although revenue jumped 37%, India's leading retailer, Shoppers' Stop, reported a fourth quarter loss of Rs. 22 million ( US$ 543,210), for the year 2006-07. This in spite of competition from other majors like Reliance Retail and Bharti-Wal-Mart, yet to begin. While management has blamed competition, other factors like soaring employee and operating costs including bludgeoning depreciation also have a decisive role in the loss. (Business Today, It's beginning to hurt, p46, 03 June 2007M, www.business-today.com). Five examples of problem-solving research 1. Smart Accounting helps Dunlop turn around. After 12 years in the red, Dunlop India reported a positive net worth in April for 2006-07. Compared to a negative net worth of Rs. 2611.50 million (US$ 64.5 million) in 2005-06, Dunlop reported Rs 1518.20 million (US$ 37.5 million) in the positive net worth last year. Evaluating its real estate, the company transferred part of it to its associate companies, including Dunlop Properties and Bharatiya Hotels. Instead of paying cash, these companies have issued shares of equal worth to Dunlop, which has booked them as other income, thereby shoring up its balance sheet. (Business Today, Dunlop's Paper Trick, p52, 03 June 2007, www.business-today.com). 2. Handloom industry to get a new lease of life. The handloom industry is the second largest economic activity in the country after agriculture. India is perhaps the only country to produce handlooms on large, commercial scale. However, overpowered by the presence of power loom and mill sectors, the industry is going through a lean phase. However, officials are pinning their hopes on the recent initiatives of the textile ministry to boost the dwindling prospects of the handloom industry. The ministry has initiated the development of Handloom Export Zones (HEZ) at various handloom clusters in

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Mardi Gra Social Impact Study Essay Example for Free

Mardi Gra Social Impact Study Essay Sydney has always been the destination of lesbian and gay tourists around the world to view this great spectacle at the South Pacific’s gay and lesbian capital. The Australian gay and lesbian tourism industry has always been on the go whenever the event comes into full view. The street parades and costume parties have always attracted tourists when compared to other events and affairs. Because of this, Sydney, the gay capital of the world, has changed from â€Å"an industrial port to a cosmopolitan, global capital increasingly dependent, for the last two to three decades, on an economy driven by consumption and leisure† (Markwell, 2002, p. 82). Therefore, it is evident that the Mardi Gra contributes solely on Australia’s tourism economy, as reflected in the paper that Kevin Markwell (2002) wrote. There are tensions and demands that leak from the Mardi Gras of Sydney, and the economic impacts of big events such as this cannot be completely ignored. Mardi Gras of Australia Localization as well as globalization can create a big impact on international events and issues that surround the nations. What Markwell (2002) has called localization-globalization dynamic refers to†¦ [T]he way in which a local, community event has challenged and overturned social mores and legislation at the state and national levels partly through its elevation to a national and international event. (Markwell, 2002, p. 83) This has an impact on the tourism industry, as it evades traditional mechanisms and instead, focuses more on the trend and movement of a certain population, creating an ever-increasing power while affecting government intervention and legislation. The tensions and demands of the Mardi Gras The first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gra parade happened on the 24th of June 1978 (Markwell, 2002, p. 83). However, what was supposed to be an enjoyable event became one that was close to disaster, as the celebration turned out to be a riot â€Å"with fifty-three people arrested and several alleging vicious assaults by police† (Markwell, 2002, p. 83). There was this tension of distinguishing what exactly was the purpose of that event, especially that there were records on concealed systematic oppression, homophobia, as well as discrimination (Markwell, 2002, p. 83). As of last year, there were approximately 10,000 people who joined the Mardi Gra of Sydney, marking the event as the biggest Mardi Gra event ever to be held in Australia (Organizers say, 2008, p. 1). According to AAP General News Wire, â€Å"Crowds of up to 300,000 people are expected to line the central city route to watch the procession of themed floats, drag queens and many more costumed and flesh-revealing revelers† (Organizers say, 2008, p. 1). To avoid unwanted riots and insurgencies, 80 military personnel and defense force employees marched among the crowds. As stated, â€Å"Those charged will face a range of offenses including affray, assault police, possessing prohibited drugs, assault, and resisting arrest† (Mother Nature, 2007, p. 1). The demand of cleaning human debris is another demand, in addition to the demand of controlling 4,000 gays and lesbians in the event that triggered an economic relief of about $500,000 in the local economy (Bathersby, 2008, p. 1). The economic impact of Mardi Gras In the economy of New Orleans, there is a report that the chosen event can generate more than $1 billion in annual spending, benefiting the economy and the tourism industry of the state (Mardi Gras questions and answers, 2009, p. 1). Noosa, on the other hand, will have poured about $500,000 last year as stated above (Bathersby, 2008, p. 1). By March 2009, they earned about $300,000, as stated in the report (Lander, 2009, p. 1). It is therefore, apparent that this year is approximately 60% less the earned revenue of last year. Nevertheless, it still is helpful to the economy, earning in New South Wales an amount of about $100,000 million each year in the area of tourism (Santow, 2002, p. 1). Each state or nation earns different amounts each year, depending on the state of tourism of that state or nation. According to Simon Santow (2002) however, [T]he Mardi Gras is suffering from a combination of increased costs and falling revenue, at a time when, ironically, there’s been no significant drop in public interest. Unless half a million dollars is found, the organization could place itself in voluntary administration, so the call has gone out for some emergency funding from the state and federal governments [of Sydney]. (Santow, 2002, p. 1) The government issues the permits in parades such as these, but there are economic impacts on big events, such as the Mardi Gras events. Focusing on the economic impact of big events In a paper that Larry Dwyer, Robert Mellor, Nina Mistilis, and Trevor Mules (2000) wrote, they stated that, as the state government receives requests in funding special events and conventions (such as the Mardi Gra), the government focuses mainly on the alleged positive impacts of these events, especially the overall economic impact. There is a framework developed by the state of New South Wales in Australia used to estimate the economic impacts of events and conventions. This is done by using â€Å"accurate and uniform set of events or conventions expenditure as input into the forecasting model† (Dwyer, Mellor, Mistilis, Mules, 2000, pp. 191-192). Forecasting event-related expenditure is done by the following these steps: first is to estimate the number of inscope visitors; second is to estimate the inscope expenditure of visitors; third is to estimate inscope expenditure of organizers, participants, teams, and media; fourth is to estimate total event related inscope expenditure; fifth is to apply multipliers to estimate economic impacts; sixth is to estimate media impacts; seventh is to estimate fiscal impacts; eighth and final is the recognition of intangible costs and benefits (Dwyer et al. , 2000, pp. 192-194).Mardi Gra is a big event, and it covers some impacts on the economy and the society, as it affects the lives of people there and abroad. References Bathersby, D. (2008, March 2). Noosa set for pink invasion. Retrieved April 9, 2009, from The Daily database: http://www. thedaily. com. au/news/2008/mar/02/noosa-set-pink-invasion/. Brown, A. L. (2009, February 27). Mardi Gras boost. Retrieved April 9, 2009, from The Daily database: http://www. thedaily. com.au/news/2009/feb/27/mardi-gras-revellers-coast-boost/. Dwyer, L. , Mellor, R. , Mistilis, N. , Mules, T. (2000). Forecasting the economic impacts of events and conventions. Event Management, 6, 191-204. Lander, A. (2009, March 9). Mardi Gras recovery on the coast. Retrieved April 9, 2009, from The Daily database: http://www. thedaily. com. au/news/2009/mar/09/mardi-gras-recovery-coast/. Mardi Gras questions and answers. (2009). Retrieved April 9, 2009, from the Compucast Interactive database: http://www.mardigrasneworleans. com/faq. html. Markwell, K. (2002). Mardi Gras tourism and the construction of Sydney as an international gay and lesbian city. GLQ, 8, 1, 81-99. Mother Nature to star Sydney gay parade. (2007, day). NSW, p. 1. Organizers say Mardi Gras will be biggest ever. (2008, day). NSW, p. 1. Santow, S. (2002, August 1). Mardi Gras in danger. Retrieved April 9, 2009, from The World Today Archive of the ABC database: http://www. abc. net. au/worldtoday/stories/s637685. htm.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Ethical Complications of Genetic Engineering and Eugenics Essay

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Genetic engineering is currently the fastest growing and perhaps most controversial field of science. Genetic engineering is decoding and manipulating DNA to use for scientific and medical purposes. "The discovery that human cells can be grown in a petri dish has opened up breathtaking possibilities for curing disease - and a morass of ethical complications" (Allen 9). Genetic engineering has already started to be most helpful in the field of medicine. The map of the human genome offers many cures and potentially successful medical procedures. By creating artificial chromosomes, scientists may be able to replace diseased inherited traits with functional ones. Determining the genetic make up of viruses such as the HIV virus that causes AIDS, may provide a way to combat it. Scientists can find ways to fight Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and leukemia, among others. By cultivating cells, scientists can grow human organs and tissue for people who are in need, such as diabetics requiring a pancreas to produce insulin. With genetic engineering, scientists can breed animals and create vast fields of rice. With similar techniques, scientists can, and will eventually, clone a human being. This idea frightens most people. The problem is: where is the line between what is beneficial to humans and what could potentially be harmful? Although genetic engineering is currently expanding rapidly, this area of study has been around for a very long time. Humans, by instinct, are always striving to better themselves and to greater develop both computer and bio- technology. Even though scientists do not know   how to program DNA yet, society has already seen glimpses of the results of modifying evolution and natural human development. ... ...able and practical course of action.   Works Cited Allen, Arthur. "Brave New Frontier: Medical Research and the Debate Over What Is Life." The Washington Post Magazine 15 Oct. 2000: 8-13, 27-32.   Caplan, Arthur L. "What is immoral about eugenics?" November 1999. http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/319/7220/1284 Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1998. Proctor, Robert. "Nazi Medicine and Public Health Policy," Dimensions. Vol. 10, no. 2 (1996). Public Lectures - Life in the Universe. Stephen Hawking. Weiss, Rick. "Test-Tube Baby Born to Save Ill Sister." Washington Post 3 Oct. 2000, final ed.: A1+. Will There Ever Be Another You? Spec. issue of Time Magazine (10 Mar. 2000): 60-76. Wunder, Michael. The Grafeneck Declaration on Bioethics. June 1996. http://www.home.bn-ulm.de/~fuente/bioethik/grafecke.htm

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

HBS Case: Hedging Currency Risks at AIFS Essay

Instructions: This case should be done individually. You should prepare a written analysis, and hand in two copies of your analysis on April 12 in class. Only hard copies of the case analysis are accepted. I will submit one of the copies to the Dean’s office for assessment purpose. Each student should also bring his/her own copy of the write-up to class, as well as the case itself, so that we can refer to the specifics in our discussion. The text analysis of your case should be about 3-5 pages (double-spaced). You should download the excel spreadsheet for the case at the Blackboard, complete the quantitative analysis using the spreadsheet, and attach the spreadsheet to your case write-up to support your arguments. Your write-up should begin with an opening paragraph that defines the main problem in the case and your recommended solution. The remainder of your paper should support your conclusion and recommendations. This support should be based on your definition of the problem and inferences that you draw from the facts of the case. Structure is important for your argument to be lucid and transparent. The grading will be based on the quality of your analysis and writing. Points will be deducted for grammar mistakes and typos. Your case should address the following questions: 1. What gives rise to the currency exposure at AIFS? 2. What would happen if Archer-Lock and Tabaczynski did not hedge at all? 3. What would happen with a 100% hedge with forwards? A 100% hedge with  options? Use the forecast final sales volume of 25,000 and analyze the possible outcomes relative to the â€Å"zero impact† scenario described in the case. 4. What happens if sales volumes are lower or higher than expected as outlined at the end of the case? 5. What hedging decision would you advocate? Key Problem The American Institute for Foreign Studies (AIFS) organizes study abroad programs and cultural exchanges for American students. The firm’s revenues are mainly in U.S. dollars, but most of its costs are in euros. AIFS sets guaranteed prices for its exchanges and tours a year in advance, before its final sales figures are known. If the dollar depreciates against the Euro during this period, AIFS’s cost would be higher when measuring in dollars, and negatively impact the firm’s profit. In order to hedge its foreign exchange exposure, AIFS can use an appropriate balance between forward contracts and currency options to achieve the goal. The Case with No Hedging If the exchange rate remains constant at $1.22/euros then AIFS will not incur a foreign exchange loss or a gain. It would cost $1220 per participant at this exchange rate. If the dollar depreciates against euro, the actual dollar costs would be above $1220, and then there would be a negative impact. If actual dollar costs were lower than expected, the impact would be positive. Thus, with a sales volume of 25,000 participants and the exchange rate rises to $1.48/euros then AIFS will be subject to a loss of $4,391,892. If the exchange rate drops to $1.01/euros then AIFS will save $5,198,020.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Childbirth and Preterm Infants Essay

Discuss disparities related to ethnic and cultural groups relative to low birth weight infants and preterm births. Describe the impact of extremely low birth weight babies on family and society (short and long term, including economic considerations, ongoing care considerations, and co-morbidities associated with prematurity). Discuss whether you feel that support services and systems in your community for preterm infants and their families adequately address their needs or not. Explain your answer. Respond to other learners’ posts in a manner that initiates or contributes to discussion. Racial and ethnic disparities in health disproportionately affect minority Americans. One of the greatest challenges facing the US healthcare system is the persistence of disparities in infant and maternal health among the different racial and ethnic groups. This disparity in healthcare outcomes does not appear to be limited to the Black community only, but rather it seems to affect all minority groups. In this context, American Indian/Alaska Native infants have higher death rates than White infants because of higher SIDS rates. The exact cause of these persisting racial disparities remains unexplained. The differences in socioeconomic status, maternal risky behaviors, prenatal care, psychosocial stress, and perinatal infection account for more disparities. Hispanics of Puerto Rican origin have higher IMRs than White infants because of higher LBW rates. One major risk factor for preterm birth is maternal genital infection. Others include extremes of maternal age, maternal cigarette smoking and substance abuse, history of PTD and maternal medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. There are support services and CHC’s available in our area for minority group women, preterm infants and their families to address their needs.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

How to quit your job and actually travel the world

How to quit your job and actually travel the world No matter how much you like your job, chances are you’ve spent some time daydreaming about what it would be like to walk into your boss’s office, quit on the spot, and then put all your energy into traveling and enjoying the world. But actually doing it may not be as crazy as it sounds! If the wanderlust is getting stronger than ever, then maybe you should think about how you can make this daydream happen. Let’s look at some of the first steps you can take toward becoming a professional globetrotter. Be realistic about your finances.Unfortunately, the nonstarter for many of us is that the money will run out eventually- and you really don’t want that to happen while you’re stranded halfway across the world. If you’re thinking about making your travel goals happen, make sure you have a strong savings game  and a very specific budget for your new Bohemian lifestyle. And it’s never too early to start your financial prep- start cutting ba ck on things now to help you build your travel savings account. Only set out when you have enough for your adventures  plus a hefty cushion for emergencies and easing your way back into real life once your travel adventures are over.Start hoarding vacation days.If you’re serious about quitting your job sometime in the near future, start saving up your vacation days. Most companies will pay you for unused vacation time when you leave your job. And if you have vacation time that accrues throughout the year (instead of being available all at once), plan your big resignation date for a point when you’ll have maximum time accrued. The key here is to think long-term. When you’re exploring job options, if travel is ideally in your future you should negotiate vacation time/accrual into your contract. Even if you can’t get a salary bump, an extra week of vacation could be just as valuable for your future jet-setting.Find ways to make extra cash on everyday activ ities.There are a lot of loyalty programs, credit card incentive programs, and other everyday tools that give consumers money or points back when they use a card or service. If you have access to these programs (like Ebates), take advantage of them. You should also consider getting (or using) cards with strong rewards or cash-back programs for money spent on travel or hospitality. Travel sites like Hotels.com or Expedia.com also tend to have rewards programs, awarding points that can be redeemed for more travel.Live like a local.Staying in four-star hotels around the globe sounds fantastic, but for most people it’s not terribly realistic. If you want to maximize your travel budget, look into local options for â€Å"couchsurfing† or Airbnb-type programs. However- and I can’t emphasize this enough- always do your research to make sure you’re using reputable services that have policies in place to ensure your own safety and security.If you plan financially, and think realistically about your means, a globetrotting existence can be the ultimate alternative to the workday grind. Once you start putting in the work of planning and researching your new life, you may find that it’s far more attainable than you ever thought possible!

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

The Xinjiang Qanat System of the Turpan Oasis

The Xinjiang Qanat System of the Turpan Oasis The Xinjiang Qanat System is a remarkable feat of irrigation engineering skill, and it is considered one of the three great wonders of China, after the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) Great Wall and the Sui Dynasty (581–618 CE) Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. The qanat (also known as a karez) system is a rich water source for the Turpan Oasis, tapping groundwater stored in the deep subsurface gravel layers of the Gobi belt. What makes this all the more interesting is the fact that scholars are still not agreed upon when the qanat system was built... and that begs the question of who built it. Climate of the Turpan The Turfan (or Turpan) basin, located to the east of the more famous Tarim Basin, is one of the driest areas in China, with a total precipitation of 15-25 millimeters (under one inch) per year, and an elevation about 160 meters (524 feet) below sea level. The average temperature of the basin is 32.7 degrees Celsius (90.8 degrees Fahrenheit) in July, but the winters are rather chilly, and in January the average temperatures are about 9.5 degrees C (49.6 degrees F), and can fall as low as -28 degrees C (18 degrees F). The Turfan Basis, while a desert, is much more hospitable than its southern neighbor, the harsh Taklamakan Desert. Wedged between the Taklamakan and the Tianshan Mountains, the Turfan was a much preferred, not to say feasible, route for travelers on the Silk Road: its oasis was a critical stopover. Irrigating the Turfan Theres no doubt that the oasis had a natural beginning. A total of 4,000 sq km (1,500 sq mi) of the Turfan Basin lies below sea level; the Turpan Oasis lies in the lowest part, at an elevation of 154 m (505 ft) below average sea level. The oasis is nestled at the foot of the Tianshan (Flaming or Heavenly) mountains, and from autumn to spring, water from snowmelt off the Tienshan rushes into Turpan, revitalizing the oasis naturally. But at some time in its past- scholars argue that occurred anywhere from 200 to 2,000 years ago- the residents of Turpan built a massive qanat system that reached into the water table and tapped the aquifer, in some cases up to 200 m (650 ft) below the surface. That system included over 5,000 km (3,100 mi) of underground tunnels and thousands of wells. Whether it was built as a result of an environmental disaster or merely insurance against one, the Xinjiang qanat system is evidence that the Turpan was a highly prized stop on the Silk Road. Qanats in the Deserts A qanat is a system of underground tunnels and wells that tap deeply buried aquifers in arid and semi-arid places. In brief, a well is dug into the aquifer, a horizontal tunnel is excavated from the well to a surface collection place and ventilation shafts are placed at intervals along the tunnel to provide maintenance access. Invented by the Persians in the 7th century BCE, qanat technology was spread by imperialism: outside of Persia by the 6th century BCE Achaemenid king Darius the Great; into Syria and Jordan by the Romans in the first and second century CE; into North Africa and Spain by the Islamic civilization in the 12th and 13th centuries CE; and finally into North and South America during the 16th century Spanish conquest. The only place in China where qanats exist at all is in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, in the Turfan basin on the far western edge of Chinas realm. Deserts make up 43 percent of Xinjiang province, oases only about 4.3 percent and the rest is mountains. In the 2nd century BCE, the international trade network called the Silk Road was dependent on a line of strategically situated oases wedged between the Tianshan Mountains and the Taklamakan Desert in the Tarim and Turfan basins. Turpan was an important oasis in the eastern-most segment of the Silk Road, and, even today, more than 95 percent of the total population and almost all the agriculture, settlements and industries in Xinjiang are concentrated in the Turpan Oasis. The Size and Complexity of the Turpan Qanat System The Turpan qanat system includes at least 1,039 qanats (some sources suggest as many as 1,700), with underground channels stretching for a length of more than 5,000 kilometers, or about 3,100 miles. While there is no doubt that the origins of the Turpan Oasis were natural, there is also no doubt that the Xinjiang Qanat System was built to increase the available access to water. Whether the qanats were built as a result of climate change or to support a population increase or even provide year-round water is open to debate: probably a little of all those things. Estimates for the construction date of the qanats vary from the first century BCE to the 19th century CE. The system is so successful that grapes are grown in a region of what is essentially a continental desert- the earliest grapes in Turpan are from the Subeixi culture Yanghai tombs, with an  AMS radiocarbon date of about 300 BCE. What we know for sure is that in the 1950s, an intense increase in well irrigation was established in Turpan, over-exploiting the aquifer: since then the majority of the qanats have dried and become abandoned. Only 238 were functioning in 2009. The Karez Wells in Turpan were inscribed into UNESCOs Tentative List of World Heritage Sites in 2012. Sources Beck U, Wagner M, Li X, Durkin-Meisterernst D, and Tarasov PE. 2014. The invention of trousers and its likely affiliation with horseback riding and mobility: A case study of late 2nd millennium BC finds from Turfan in eastern Central Asia. Quaternary International 348:224-235. Chen T, Yao S, Merlin M, Mai H, Qiu Z, Hu Y, Wang B, Wang C, and Jiang H. 2014. Identification of Cannabis Fiber from the Astana Cemeteries, Xinjiang, China, with Reference to Its Unique Decorative Utilization. Economic Botany 68(1):59-66. Jiang H-E, Zhang Y, Là ¼ E, and Wang C. 2015. Archaeobotanical evidence of plant utilization in the ancient Turpan of Xinjiang, China: a case study at the Shengjindian cemetery. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany 24(1):165-177. Luo L, Wang X, Guo H, Liu C, Liu J, Li L, Du X, and Qian G. 2014. Automated extraction of the archaeological tops of qanat shafts from VHR imagery in Google Earth. Remote Sensing 6(12):11956-11976. Luo L, Wang X, Liu J, Guo H, Lasaponara R, Ji W, an d Liu C. 2017. Uncovering the ancient canal-based tuntian agricultural landscape at Chinas northwestern frontiers. Journal of Cultural Heritage 23(Supplement):79-88. Tang Y-N, Li X, Yao Y-F, Ferguson DK, and Li C-S. 2014. Environmental Reconstruction of Tuyoq in the Fifth Century and Its Bearing on Buddhism in Turpan, Xinjiang, China. PLoS ONE 9(1):e86363.Wang S, and Zhao X. 2013. Re-evaluating the Silk Roads Qinghai Route using dendrochronology. Dendrochronologia 31(1):34-40.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Asda and Tesco - Restructuring to reflect multichannel markets Assignment - 1

Asda and Tesco - Restructuring to reflect multichannel markets - Assignment Example The retailer’s differentiation in terms of pricing for goods like groceries is very close to each other which at time may prove to be successful in the economy of scale. However, the brands in such oligopoly have to devise and introspect to analyze new strategies to stay competent and build the sustainability factor among their offerings. Thus the competence in terms of product knowledge and consumer’s awareness has also increased the post purchase services along with long term value addition a strong product strategy. The consumer’s buying decision making skills along with the seller’s knowledge about products utility and likewise information provides the base for development of distinctive market growth facilities. Nevertheless, the recommendation to be competent at all times needs a constant monitoring of competitors strategies along with consumer’s feedback generation making the process more suitable and at par with the current time. The strategic application of channel sales and use of E-commerce has to have a specialized outlook for both the brands to upkeep the market share and grow from thereon. The retail business is evolving at a very swift pace where the brands are devising new techniques to adapt with the contemporary business environments and adopting management practices. The assignment here would critically evaluate the way the retailers of the UK like ASDA and Tesco are reacting to the changing marketing channels and the ways they are strategising the multichannel sales, and the internal processes modifications those the brands have undertaken to attract consumers and give the best value for money, in regards to the consumers perception of the brand. In this process, the brands and its offerings are being designed to suit the needs and wants of the consumers. Therefore, the use of Online buying and delivery is the next generation sales and distribution aspect that

Friday, November 1, 2019

A Joint Venture Company. What Is The Difference Between This Type Of Essay

A Joint Venture Company. What Is The Difference Between This Type Of Companies And Joint Stock Companies - Essay Example Since a joint venture partnership company is only formed for the short term, it terminates when the purpose of the joint venture partnership company is fulfilled. Similarly, each party also contributes in the assets to start up this joint venture. Most often, companies use joint ventures as a means of infiltrating foreign markets where they see potential and seek to do business in. for instance, if a foreign company is interested in doing business in China, they will form a joint venture company with a domestic Chinese firm which will help them gain access to the Chinese market due to the experience of the domestic company which already knew the ropes of how to function in the local Chinese market. Furthermore, when foreign companies enter into joint venture partnership companies with domestic firms of the market that they want to enter and operate in, they are not the only ones who benefit from the arrangement. Domestic firms are at an advantage in this arrangement too, they benefit from the new technological and business practices that the foreign firms bring to their market which serve as a learning experience for the domestic firms, consequently expanding their horizons. The foreign companies benefit from the value provided to them by the domestic company’s pre-existing relationship with the key players in the domestic government and industry. In more technical terms, a joint venture is treated like a regular partnership business for taxation purposes. However, joint ventures that transcend the boundaries of one country and go global are subject to international trade laws as well as the internal laws of the government of the economy they plan to penetrate. (Joint Venture, 2010). According to Folta (2012), who writes about foreign joint ventures in China, talks about how joint ventures a way for foreign firms to get past the barriers of the local Chinese market and reap the benefits of business operations in the local market. While talking about the advantages of joint venture partnership companies, the author mentions several factors that come into play. Other advantages of joint venture partnership companies include the fact thet they alleviate rich, grant access to domestic markets, are easier to manage and offer benefits in terms of tax advantages. â€Å"Partnerships, Joint Ventures and Strategic Alliances† talks about the effective connection among the three entities in business. As the authors point out, joint ventures have one of the highest crash rates in the world. (Glover and Wasserman, 2003). Yet, still joint ventures are becoming a growing trend in the modern globalized world. (Gutterman, 1997). As can be deduced, this paradigm shift has been due to the vast avenue of opportunities that globalization has opened up for businesses all over the world. They have now become interested in foreign economies as lucrative sources of investment and income for their business operations and joint venture companies provid e them an ideal platform to increase their reach into the market of a foreign economy they are interested in. Visconti (2003) in his book â€Å"Joint Venture† also talks about the topic along similar lines. Joint stock companies on the other hand are companies set up for business activity with the profit motive with profit divided among the owners who are the share holders in proportion to the amount of stock they own in the company. When owners invest in a joint stock company they receive shares in return for that investment. The business operatio