Duties of your own work Essay Example for Free

Duties of your own work Essay Ensure all children are safe and happy within the setting. Keeping walk ways, fire exits and doorways clear. Doing regular risk assessment checks throughout ­Ã‚ ­ the day (bye eye). Risk assessment check of the garden before going out. Making sure none of the toys are damaged or broken. EYFS Making sure the EYFS is followed when carrying out monthly spot obs, and when having input in the planning. 1.2 Explain expectations about own work role as expressed in relevant standards. As a practitioner my expectations should be to become a valuable practitioner, to be reliable and be able build good relationships with children and parent carers. Encourage the children in the setting to play whilst learning, and have our children’s best interests at heart for example physical activities and outings will help them to enjoy their growth in knowledge and assist them to expand on their development as a whole. Also I to be able to work with other staff members and parent/carers to support the children, so that the children will feel confident and able boost up their  self-esteem, and this will also help them in their future, and prepare them for when they move onto school or in my case the next room up. Also the expectations that are to be done in my setting at a relevant standard is to supervise the children this plays a big role in child protection Act and health and safety policy. As a practitioner I should always watch the children closely to prevent and reduce any type of injury to the children. Children often challenge their own abilities but are not always able to recognise the risks involved, as a practitioner I should always supervise the children to be able to identify any risks and minimise injury at all times while still encouraging the children to take their own risk. 2.1 Explain the importance of reflective practice in continuously improving the quality of the service provided. It is important to use reflective practise as it can improve your own work and make you consider ways of improving the things you do on a day to day basis. In order to reflect on your own practice, you need to be able to question what you do and think about it rather than just doing it. You can do this by observing how the children react to the activity, and how other have had input. Where you feel you have done well you should consider what skills, knowledge or practice you have used to help you achieve this. You can also ask others for example you room leader for input and ask what they think you did well and what you can improve on. Once you have been give this input you should think about what you need to do to improve. The way you might approach reflecting on your own practice could be to observe the children before you do an activity this can enable you to learn from the children and help you get a good idea of what the children are interested in and also the way they engage wi th other children. You should also be aware of and focus on the issues in hand for example things cannot be running smoothly because of issues as small as the daily routine having a minor issue such as the timings been just out, we should work on these problems as a setting rather than seeing them as just a small problem. Seek out alternatives, if you do not have something you need then don’t panic there is always an alternative you can use. Panicking can cause the children to feel distress and this in turn can cause the children to leave the activity. Also viewing things from a different perspective can help, if you view  things from the children’s perspective can help you experience how the children view the activities, also standing over Someone else’s activities can help you view the way you see how your own activity or went wrong. 2.3 describe how own believes, values and experiences may affect working practices. Your own believe systems, values and experiences can affect your working practices in a good and bad ways for example I believe that no matter what race, religion or background a child comes from they should all be treated as equals and we should follow what the parents would like us too, this can include dietary requirements, clothing, sayings before and after meals for example in my nursery we have some parents that would like us to say please and thank in Punjab. Whereas your own experiences can have an adverse effect on your working practice, for example as a child I was never aloud pudding until i had finished my meal, whereas at work I have to give the child their pudding regardless as to whether the child eats the main meal or not. 4.1 Identify sources of support for planning and reviewing my own development. The sources of support for planning and reviewing my own development are Nikol – manager Nikol helps me review my own development by giving me feedback on a daily basis. Nikol helps me by reviewing my practice and speaking to me when she sees something aren’t quite right and telling me how to handle things the next time round. I also have monthly appraisals with nikol when we talk about how I feel in the work place and how Nikol thinks I could improve and what I’m doing well in, Ema – Room Leader Ema helps me with my development by allowing me to set out my own activities and giving me giving me feedback after each activity. Ema allows me to put up displays and have input into the planning. Ema also gives me praise on a  daily basis. Ema also helps me when I’m unsure on something like what to write for observations or how to link the planning to the EYFS. Hayley – Tutor Hayley helps me with my own development by reviewing my work and giving me feedback on how to make it better. Hayley also plans observations to observe my work within the setting. Parents My parents help me to plan my future steps like uni and talk to me about where I want my studies to take me. My parents also push me to achieve my goals It good to have more than one source of support as everyone’s advice is different and some sources can provide more support in certain areas than others. It’s also good to have more than one source of support as that one source of support is not always available to help. When I was doing a display at work I was struggling to write the EYFS for the display I had just done I asked Ema for support on how to write this. Ema gave me the EYFS Someone else had done as a guide she also showed me which aspects of the EYFS to use to guide me. I felt a lot better after asking for help it made me feel that I could always ask for help when needed and that there was the support I needed.

Friday Night Lights: Movie vs Book

Friday Night Lights: Movie vs Book High School Football. Those lights become an addiction if you live in a place like Odessa, the Friday Night fix. (Bissinger,14) Racism, controversy, and pride. Permian High School in the west Texas oil town of Odessa, Texas. Small town, deep South, USA. Author H. G. Buzz Bissingers brilliant study of the 1988 football team set in this beautiful Texas town grew into a socially motivated novel entitled Friday Night Lights. While researching small town Texas football for his novel Friday Night Lights, H. G. Bissinger took a leave from the Philadelphia Inquirer and moved his family to Odessa. His motivation was to experience firsthand the Permian Panthers and become a part of their environment. He is at heart a journalist and comes to Odessa to report on a town and a team and their failures and successes. In the end, unlike a novelist, he must report the truth as he sees it unfold before him. What he reports is not pretty- The American version of the Berlin Wall (Bissinger, 89) but at the same time, it is moving when he shows us what the future holds for many of these players after their high school football careers are over. His viewpoint shown in the novel gave the world an Eastern perspective on a deep Southern tradition -Life really wouldnt be worth livin if you didnt have a high school football team to support. (Bissinger, 20), and though this did not settle well with many of the readers from the So uth, his novel grew to become the focus of a movie some label as the best sports movie ever made. Bissinger serves as the narrator who expresses his first-hand experiences with the Permian Panthers during the 1988 football season. As an outsider new to the town and legacy of Permian football, Bissingers goal is mainly to understand the events and the emotions brought about by a painful season. Bissingers careful attention to even the organizational structure of the book shows his attention to detail and his dedication to his mission. The author begins with a preface explaining his motivation for moving to Odessa, Texas and follows with a Prologue placing the reader at the conclusion of a complicated season that ended with a devastating loss to Permians arch rival, Midland Lee. The story then uses flashback, a literary technique which takes the reader back in time and shows material that happened prior to the present event, providing the reader with insight into a characters motivation. Bissinger divided his story into four sections: Pre-Season, The Season, Push for the Playoffs, and Post Season. This highlights the fact that the young men of Odessa and their lives are shaped by football. The reader can even see a metaphorical comparison between the division of the book and the divisions of the lives of the characters in the book. The Pre-Season section, relatively small, seems to assume that life outside of football gets very little respect and perhaps plays only a small role in the development of the player. The majority of the chapters are in the section The Season, which compares to the teenage years of the football players and the shaping of their lives by their performance in the season. Bissinger ends the story predictably with the devastating loss to Carter High School; a team that the Permian players believe does not deserve to win. The chapter titles used by Bissinger exemplify the focus on racial tension, and further give the reader a true sense of the ongoing conflict. The Table of Contents is covered with conflicting statements such as, Black and White, East Versus West, Civil War and Heads or Tails. Bissinger uses the chapter titles to underline the difficulties and the hardships brought about by the ever-present hatred of racism. Bissinger names two of the chapters after student-athletes, and ironically, both are black. Both Boobie Miles and Ivory Christian are as well respected as their white counterparts on the football field. Attitudes change, however, when the players walk off the field. Boobie Miles is one of the main characters, and gets the most attention throughout the book. Football is all Boobie has in his life. He lacks the academic skills he needs to get a college education without the sport- While other students casually worked to complete the worksheet, Boobie ate some candy and left blank the entire second page (Bissenger, 136). His whole life totally changes when he twists his knee playing football. One small move signals the end of his dream and ultimately, his future. This event can be a metaphor for life. It shows the reader that individuals are not in control of their destiny. In contrast, Ivory is ruled by his nonchalant attitude toward football. Ivory loves the sport, but hates the pressure that comes along with it. Deeply religious, he considers being a preacher until he is contacted by a recruiter. After graduation, Ivory is the only player awarded a football scholarship. This character seems to reinforce the idea that, no matter how hard they try, the blacks of this community are unable to escape their designated role as football star- nothing more. Only by moving from the community and maturing is Ivory able to separate himself from the expectations of others and move forward to make the life he desires. It took almost fourteen years for the printed version to make it to Hollywood. Written and directed by Peter Berg, the screenplay was finally made into a movie. The movie tackles many of most controversial subjects- racism, failure, and hypocrisy. It seems that at every ugly truth, however, the movie backs away, and shifts the focus to an event that is easier to watch. Many strategies were used to make the books switch to a movie realistic. The first and most apparent attempt at truth was the costuming. The uniforms worn by the football team are setting appropriate, and clearly not as hi-tech as the uniforms of today. Some of the film was actually filmed in Odessa, which adds to the authenticity of the movie. The close-up action shots of players hitting one another during the game capture the determination of the players as described in the novel. In the intensity, in the pressure, in the way these kids are, it really captures the great phenomenon of Friday Night Lights. The very special, wonderful phenomenon of American football. (Bissinger) As can be expected, there are differences between the movie and novel. The language is filtered. Key words- such as racial slurs- disappear in an attempt to tone down the offensive racial tension. Key events are changed around quite a bit. In the book and based on actual events, Boobies injury in the scrimmage game led to him quitting the team, much to the disdain of the coaches. In the movie, Boobie on crutches meets the team bus to ride with his teammates to the state finals- a state-finals that really never occurred because of the big loss in the semi-finals. By portraying the characters and their actions differently, and making a hero of an undeserving player, the movie implies a unity that truly didnt exist simply for dramatic effect It is true that facts can be changed as long as the filmmakers carefully preserve those that are critical to the story. Invented moments are created in order to attract viewers. It is the distortion of attitude that becomes an issue. The book was very socially-oriented, and focused primarily on racial issues and displaced educational priorities. While the film touches on these issues, it is not the focal point of the movie. Perhaps the greatest request for the film maker is to make the movie what it pretends to be-authentic, genuine and true. His stretch from the truth loses the heart of the book. While the reader can accept modification and even dilution in some areas, the focal point cannot be minimized. In the book, Bissinger was after the truth. In the movie, Berg was focused on entertainment. Great talent and dedication to truth are required to combine authenticity with entertainment. Friday Night Lights is a feel-good movie- completely enjoyable and fun to watch- but its not re al. What are solar cells in physics? What are solar cells in physics? What are Solar Cells? Solar cells are devices that work on the principle of Photovoltaic Effect. These tiny compact devices convert solar light energy directly into electricity. In Greek, Photo-means light whereas voltaic means electrical current or electricity (light-electricity). Since, a solar cell gives out direct current (DC) electricity; it could be used for various purposes such as to power DC motors and to light bulbs. They also can be used to charge rechargeable batteries which could store electricity and could be used later in the absence of sun. Once the batteries are completely charged they could be used anywhere at any time especially in places where electricity isnt reachable or in case of emergency backup. How does it Work? Solar cells or Photovoltaic cells are made up of special materials called semi-conductors such as silicon, which are most commonly used. When light falls on the cell, a certain amount of the light is absorbed within the semi-conductor material. The energy absorbed from the light is transferred to the semiconductor which helps knocks electrons loose, allowing them to flow freely. PV cells have one or more electric field that force electrons freed by light absorption to flow in a certain direction and this flow of electrons is called current. Metal contacts are placed on the top and bottom of the PV cell, which draw current off for external use, for example to power a watch or a calculator. This current, along with the cells voltage gives power (wattage) that the solar cell can produce. As we see from the diagram there are three important layers for energy conversion in the solar cell.The first one is the top junction layer (made of N-type semi-conductors).The second layer is the core of the device which is the absorber layer (P-N junction).The last of the conversion layers is a black junction layer (made of P-type semi-conductor). As we can also see from the diagram, that there are two additional layer in the solar cell. These are the electrical contact layers. These two layers allow electric current to flow out of and into the cell. On the top of the cell, from where light enters the electrical contact layer is present in a grid pattern is usually made of a very good conductor such as a metal. The grid pattern are mostly widely spaced so as to allow light to enter the solar cell, but just enough so that the electrical contact layer wont have difficult collecting current produced by the cell. To sum up a typical solar cell which is multi-layered would consist: Cover Glass- provides outer protection ( made from clear glass layer) Anti-reflective Coating- prevents the entered light from escaping and bouncing off so that max. energy is absorbed. Front Contact- transmits electric current. N-Type Semiconductor Layer- thin layer of silicon which has been doped with phosphorous. P-Type Semiconductor Layer- thin layer of silicon which has been doped with boron. Back Contact- transmits electric current. Characteristics of a Solar Cell Usable voltage from solar cells depends on the type of semi-conductor material like in Silicon it approximates only up to 0.5 V. The terminal voltage is somewhat dependent on light, while current intensity increases with higher luminosity. For example, a 100 cm ² Silicon cell can reach up to a max. current intensity of 2 A approx. radiated by 1000 W/m ². The output of a solar cell depends on the temperature. Higher the cell temperature, lower the output which implies to lower efficiency. The level of efficiency tells us how much amount of radiated light is converted into useable electrical energy. Types of Solar Cells Monocrystalline Silicon- made up of single layer of silicon for the semi-conductor. Extremely pure and most expensive type of solar cell to produce. Polycrystalline Silicon- made by pouring liquid silicon into blocks which are later on sawed into plates. This sometimes degrades the silicon crystals making them less efficient. But, this type approach is easier and cheap to manufacture. Amorphous Thin Film Silicon- made up of layers of semi-conductors that are only a few micrometers thick.This makes it lower the material cost but also makes it less efficient than other types of silicon. Since, its so thin it is used in wide variety of flexible material like solar shingles or roof tiles All of them follow the same principle, but some are more efficient than the other while some are cheaper. Uses Application Scientific research Aerospace Industry: Civilian aircraft, satellites experimental rovers telescopes Home Appliances- Water heaters air conditioners, water distillers Solar cells are also being used for electricity storage and emergency backup, especially in far off remote places or rural areas in some parts of the world and also where its difficult for electricity to reach like in space.

A Pestel Analysis Of Australia Economics Essay

A Pestel Analysis Of Australia Economics Essay Australia is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Neighbouring countries include Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea to the north, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia to the northeast and New Zealand to the southeast. For at least 40,000 years before European settlement in the late 18th century, Australia was inhabited by indigenous Australians who belonged to one or more of roughly 250 language groups. After discovery by Dutch explorers in 1606, Australias eastern half was claimed by Britain in 1770 and initially settled through penal transportation to the colony of New South Wales, formally founded on 7 February 1788 (although formal possession of the land had occurred on 26 January 1788). The population grew steadily in subsequent decades; the continent was explored and an additional five self-governing Crown Colonies were established. On 1 January 1901, the six colonies became a federation and the Commonwealth of Australia was formed. Since Federation, Australia has maintained a stable liberal democratic political system and is a Commonwealth realm. The population is 22 million, with approximately 60% concentrated in and around the mainland state capitals of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. The nations capital city is Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory. A prosperous developed country, Australia is the worlds thirteenth largest economy. Australia ranks highly in many international comparisons of national performance such as human development, quality of life, health care, life expectancy, public education, economic freedom and the protection of civil liberties and political rights. Australia is a member of the United Nations, G20, Commonwealth of Nations, ANZUS, OECD, APEC, Pacific Islands Forum and the World Trade Organization. PESTEL ANALYSIS There are many factors in the macro-environment that will effect the decisions of the managers of any organisation. Tax changes, new laws, trade barriers, demographic change and government policy changes are all examples of macro change. To help analyse these factors we can categorise them using the PESTEL model. Political factors. These refer to government policy such as the degree of intervention in the economy. What goods and services does a government want to provide? To what extent does it believe in subsidising firms? What are its priorities in terms of business support? Political decisions can impact on many vital areas for business such as the education of the workforce, the health of the nation and the quality of the infrastructure of the economy such as the road and rail systems. The federal government is separated into three branches: The legislature: the bicameral Parliament, comprising the Queen (represented by the Governor-General), the Senate, and the House of Representatives; The executive: the Federal Executive Council, in practice the Governor-General as advised by the Prime Minister and Ministers of State; The judiciary: the High Court of Australia and other federal courts, whose judges are appointed by the Governor-General on advice of the Council. Business in Australia has a high degree of certainty Australia is a safe destination for investment. The countrys political and regulatory environment is stable, open and progressive, providing investors with a high degree of confidence and certainty. Australias strength as an investment destination stems, in part, from a political system that has been assessed as being highly effective in responding to economic challenges and policy direction. The adaptability of Australian government policy to changes in the economy has been ranked in the top two countries in the region. Similarly, the transparency and effectiveness of government are also rated highly . Efficient and transparent legal framework Australia also has an open, efficient and transparent legal framework. Corruption levels are judged lower than those in the US, the UK, Canada and most regional countries . These results can be attributed to a strong system of checks and balances, and a highly respected judicial and law enforcement system. Stable political environment The benefit to companies of a stable political environment can flow right through to the bottom line. Australia is one of the most important markets for MNCs in the Asia-Pacific region. Australia hosts a growing economy; a stable political and business environment; a skilled, well educated and multi-lingual workforce; a strategic time-zone and a competitive cost base. These factors provide a sophisticated market and the right environment enabling various MNCs to drive innovation and technology. ECONOMIC FACTORS Property prices are generally high in relation to income levels in Australia, creating a great demand for rental properties. In fact this demand is so high in some major cities that rental prices are firmly set to increase, making any purchase into a buy-to-let property market potentially profitable. While the population grows and incomes rise, the demand for housing now outpaces supply, causing prices to continue rising. Capital Growth Australia still has certain areas offering great investment opportunity. For example, in 2006 Perth property prices rose by between 36.6% and a staggering 42% and commercial properties in cities such as Brisbane and Perth are also currently offering many excellent returns on investment. Off-Plan Pure investment strategies are viable options in many areas, enabling you to purchase off-plan property in Australia at the best possible prices. Investors purchasing as early as possible with a minimum money-down payment and then selling prior to completion are gaining substantial profits. Low-cost Commercial Property Australias cost-competitiveness has led to a growing number of foreign companies using Australia as a headquarters for their Asian operations. Between January 2002 and March 2003, 54 foreign companies established or relocated their operating centres in Australia, making it one of the most successful countries in the world in attracting such investment. Today Australia consistently emerges as a low cost base amongst developed nations. Currency Exchange Currency exchange rates against euros, dollars and sterling are very favourable in Australia today, making property investment an attractive option to foreign investors who avoid losing vast amounts of money in their exchange transactions against the Australian dollar. In addition, foreign purchasers are generally able to buy much more for their money than back home. Cost of Living The cost of living in large cities such as Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth is dramatically less than that of the worlds most expensive cities. At the same time, Australias major cities are all ranked among the worlds top 30 cities in terms of quality of life. Economic Stability Australias strong economic growth rates are higher than in most OECD countries including the US and UK. Currently the countrys GDP is higher than that of the UK, Germany and France for example. There is a low degree of risk in the Australian economy while it boasts consistently strong GDP growth, stable interest rates, rising exchange rates, relatively high levels of employment and a low rate of inflation. In the main cities unemployment is relatively low and on average the national unemployment figures stand at around 5%. The country receives many applications each year from those wishing to immigrate to Australia and enjoy the high standard of living and general opportunities the country has to offer. Mortgages Repayment mortgages are available to purchase property in Australia, covering 75-80% of the valuation or purchase price (whichever is lower) and they are available for a period of between 5 and 30 years. Interest only mortgages are widely available in Australia and are on offer for 5 or even 10 year periods. SOCIAL FACTORS Changes in social trends can impact on the demand for a firms products and the availability and willingness of individuals to work. SOCIAL STRATIFICATION Classes and Castes. The three main social classes are the working class, the middle class, and the upper class, but the boundaries between these groups are a matter of debate. The wealthiest 5 to 10 percent are usually regarded as upper class, with their wealth derived from ownership and control of property and capital. The growing middle class is defined as individuals with nonmanual occupations. Nonmanual workers typically earn more than manual workers, although upper-level manual workers such as tradespeople earn more than those in sales and personal service positions. The professions, which include such occupations as accountants, computing specialists, engineers, and medical doctors, have been one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. Since the 1980s the number of manual workers has been in decline. Manual workers form the nucleus of the working class; 20 to 40 percent self-identify with this category. Class consciousness includes the acknowledgment of class divisions, but there is also a broad commitment to an ethic of egalitarianism. Australians commonly believe that socioeconomic mobility is possible and exhibit a basic tolerance and acceptance of inequality associated with social class. Symbols of Social Stratification. The upper-class can be signified by expensive clothes, motor vehicles, and homes. In particular, the economic value of housing and other real estate properties varies greatly across different suburbs in all cities. However, class is not always evident from clothes, cars, and living circumstances. Middle-class people from economically wealthy backgrounds may mask their prosperity according to fashion, choice, or participation in particular subcultures. Young people such as students may dress to mimic imagined styles valued for their symbolic rejection of wealth, and some working-class families go into debt to purchase expensive cars and other commodities. Patterns of speech, consumption patterns associated with entertainment and the arts, and participation in certain sports may be useful indicators of class. SOCIALIZATION Infant Care. Child rearing varies considerably with the country of origin, class background, the education and occupation of the parents, and the religious group to which a family belongs. While most practices are aimed at developing a responsible and independent child, Aboriginal and many migrant families tend to indulge young children more than do most Anglo-Celtic parents. Some ethnic groups supervise their young more strictly than the dominant Anglo-Celtic population, encouraging them to mix only with family and friends, be dependent on the family, and leave decision making to the parents. Child Rearing and Education. Mothers are the preferred primary caretakers, although fathers are taking increasing responsibility for child care. In the past mothers were not as isolated in their child care responsibilities, receiving help from older children, extended kin, and neighbors. The reduction in family and household size in recent years has meant that the burden of care falls largely on mothers. There is significant variation in ideas about good parenting, reflecting the diverse cultural values and traditions of parents ethnic background. Higher Education. Higher education is considered to offer the best employment opportunities. Consequently, tertiary education has become more widely available and is undertaken by an increasingly larger proportion of the population. It is available in two forms: universities and institutions of technical and further education (TAFE). In 1992, 37 percent of women and 47 percent of men received post-school qualifications, and 12.3 percent of the labor force held university degrees in 1993. Universities also attract substantial numbers of overseas students. The government is responsible for funding most universities and institutions, with increasing contributions being made by students in the form of fees and postgraduation tax payments. TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS New technologies create new products and new processes. Technology can reduce costs, improve quality and lead to innovation. These developments can benefit consumers as well as the organisations providing the products. Two organizations support most of Australian government research and development. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), headquartered in Melbourne and founded in 1926, is an independent government agency that supports research and development in all fields of the physical and biological sciences except defense science, nuclear energy, and clinical medicine. The Defense Science and Technology Organization (DSTO), headquartered in Canberra, supports military research and development by providing scientific and technological assistance to the Australian Defence Force and Department of Defence. Several issues dominate current Australian science and technology policy: the concentration of research and development in national research centers; tensions among and between university researchers over allocation of research and development funding resources; effective communication between industry, government, and university researchers; the growing role which industry is playing in support of national research and development; and the role which Australia is playing in international science and technology collaboration. High-technology exports totaled $1.5 million in 1998. Government funds about 55% of all research and development and industry about 40%. In 1996, there were 73 agricultural, medical, scientific, and technical professional associations and societies, the foremost of which is the Australian Academy of Science, founded in 1954 by royal charter. The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering was founded in 1976. The Australian Science and Technology Council (ASTEC) provides an independent source of counsel for the Australian Prime Minister; its role was augmented in 1986 by the creation of a post for a Minister Assisting the Prime Minister with portfolio for science and technology. Environmental factors: Environmental factors include the weather and climate change. Changes in temperature can impact on many industries including farming, tourism and insurance. With major climate changes occurring due to global warming and with greater environmental awareness this external factor is becoming a significant issue for firms to consider. The growing desire to protect the environment is having an impact on many industries such as the travel and transportation industries (for example, more taxes being placed on air travel and the success of hybrid cars) and the general move towards more environmentally friendly products and processes is affecting demand patterns and creating business opportunities. The Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act of 1974 establishes procedures for ensuring that environmental impact is considered in governmental decision making. The Whale Protection Act of 1981 prohibits killing, capturing, injuring, or interfering with a whale, dolphin, or porpoise within Australias 200 mi economic zone or, beyond the zone, by Australian vessels and aircraft and their crews. The Environment Protection (Nuclear Codes) Act of 1978 mandates the development of uniform safety standards for uranium mining and milling and for the transport of radioactive materials. The Protection of the Sea (Discharge of Oil from Ships) Act of 1981 and the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act of 1983 prevent or limit pollution from oil or noxious substances. Water being a scarce resource in Australia, problems of water quality and availability are a constant concern. As of 2001, the country had only 352 cu km of renewable water resources, although safe drinking water was available to all urban and rural dwellers. A cause for concern has been the increased salinity in the Murray Valley, caused by diverting water inland from the coast for irrigation, as well as the rise in saline water tables in Western Australia, due to excessive land clearing for dry-land farming. Another significant environmental problem is inland damage due to soil erosion. The quality of the soil is also affected by salinization. As of 1993, Australia had 145 million hact. of forest and woodland and had the third most extensive mangrove area in the world, covering over one million ha. LEGAL FACTORS These are related to the legal environment in which firms operate. The introduction of age discrimination and disability discrimination legislation, an increase in the minimum wage and greater requirements for firms to recycle are examples of relatively recent laws that affect an organisations actions. Legal changes can affect a firms costs (e.g. if new systems and procedures have to be developed) and demand (e.g. if the law affects the likelihood of customers buying the good or using the service. Contractual issues Contracts do not have to be in writing on a formal document and signed to be legally binding. The major elements of formation of a contract are offer and acceptance; consideration; intention to create legal relations and certainty of terms. Thus, provided these elements are met, a contract may be construed via exchange of e-mails, scribbling on the back of a docket or even verbal exchanges. Compliance with government sanctions and regulations Exporters should be aware that Australia maintains United Nations Security Council sanctions and bilateral sanctions in respect of a number of countries. These sanctions require Australian organisations and individuals to comply with a range of measures and, in general, also apply extraterritorially to Australian nationals overseas. Sanctions may include export and import restrictions, prohibitions of technical assistance, training and financing, travel sanctions, and financial sanctions against specific persons and entities. Dealings with terrorists what the Australian business community should know   The Government has passed laws making it a criminal offence to hold assets that are owned or controlled by terrorist organisations or individuals, or to make assets available to them, punishable by up to five years imprisonment. In addition to the Consolidated List, the Australian Government also maintains a list of groups that are proscribed as terrorist organisations under the Criminal Code. Australian companies need to ensure that they have checked the credentials of overseas partners and buyers. Australian companies also need to be aware that there are scam operations working in some markets and again this emphasises the need to conduct background checks. Before signing or accepting contracts, it is in your interests to seek professional legal advice from legal firms specializing in international work. PORTERS DIAMOND MODEL Porters Diamond Factor Model (DFM) is a theoretical framework that achieved prominence in Australian economic policy development since its inception in 1990. Despite its widespread adoption, however, Australia has remained significantly below the OECD average in terms of its industrial clusters contributions to innovation and real wealth creation. In order to conceptualise the specific role that Porters DFM might play in the Australian policy development context, this paper analyses the 25-year history of the interaction between the Tasmanian state government and the Tasmanian Light Shipbuilding Industry cluster. This analysis provides an insight into the set of government roles that facilitated the development of one of Australias most internationally competitive industry clusters, and proposes a reconceptualisation of Porters DFM that will potentially increase its value as a predictive tool for regional economic development Factor conditions: These are the economists traditional factors of production: land, labor, capital, and infrastructure. Demand conditions: The characteristics of the domestic market, including the size, demand, value, and sophistication. Related supporting industries: The presence of suppliers and supporting industries that are equally competitive and of high quality. Firm strategy, structure, and rivalry: The regulatory and other governmental environment in which companies are created, organized, and managed, including the nature of the domestic competition. Since the 1970s, the onrush of globalisation in Australias markets has presented significant economic policy challenges to the countrys federal and state governments. A major concern for Australian legislators was the question of making a nation previously protected by a fortress of tariffs and subsidies more productive and competitive in world markets. One theoretical framework that achieved prominence in Australian economic policy development was Porters Industrial Cluster Theory (ICT). Porters ICT proposes that for a region to increase its innovative capacity and export earnings, its government must interact to develop a sustainable array of internationally competitive industry clusters . Porters ICT argues that a nations industry clusters will likely be internationally competitive if a synergistic interrelationship exists between four Diamond Factor variables (i.e. Factor Conditions, Local Demand Conditions, Related and Supporting Industries, and Firm Strategy, Structure and Riva lry) and the two influencing roles of Chance Events and Government for a discussion of the Diamond Factor Model (DFM) that underpins ICT. The role of government in the stage of cluster life cycle: The first was the state governments initial non committal stance towards the development of the states burgeoning shipbuilding industry. At the time, the governments policy focus was primarily on the macro-economic restructuring of the states economy away from its dependence on hydro-industrialisation , and not the growth requirements of the potential industry cluster. The second key role was the state governments development of the regions reputation within the broader domestic maritime market as a national centre for maritime research. The Tasmanian government implemented a series of lobbying initiatives that resulted in the federal government providing additional funding to the Australian Maritime College and relocating its national maritime research institute (the CSIRO) to Hobart. These state government lobbying efforts were largely aimed at the federal government rather than the private sector, but their success had implications for the regions Factor Conditions, Related and Supporting Industry, and Local Demand Conditions. The regional economys factor conditions were advanced by developing the regions supply of human capital through both the generation of specialised employment and education within the broader industry. The Tasmanian governments enhancement of the regions reputation helped to develop the demand conditions faced by the private sector shipbuilding firms, most significantly in the from of customers ready to import their products from interstate. Competitive advantage of Australia: Instant access to high technology Given the proven track record of Future Materials partners, together with our highly skilled, experienced team of professionals, Australian companies now have easy access to the kind of services and equipment previously difficult to attain. For instance: Materials characterization and evaluation Problem solving, such as investigating contaminants and materials failures. Studies and testing on coatings, thin films and surface modifications. Expert and independent opinion in litigation and IP matters. Collaborative research aiding the development of new products and processes. Also, The governments policy focus was primarily on the macro-economic restructuring of the states economy away from its dependence on hydro-industrialisation , and not the growth requirements of the potential industry cluster.

The Dangers of Avalanches Essay -- Exploratory Essays Research Papers

The Dangers of Avalanches Imagine a day of skiing or snowmobiling, where all is good and that last mountain must be conquered. Once on the slope, it may seem perfect, until the snow begins to give away and start to slide. Tumbling down a slope moving at 150 miles per hour, smashing into trees, becoming buried under 100,000 tons of snow, only to guess which way is up, how does one survive? Will the rescuers be able to find the buried victim? For centuries, mountain dwellers and travelers have had to reckon with the deadly forces of snowy torrents descending with lightning speed down mountainsides. Researchers and experts are making progress in detection, prevention and safety measures, but avalanches still take their deadly toll throughout the world. Each year, avalanches claim more than 150 lives worldwide, a number that has been increasing over the past few decades (Cooper). Traditionally, the victims have included skiers and climbers. Today an increasing number are backcountry snowboarders and gasoline crazed snowmobilers (whyfiles.org). An Avalanche is defined as a "rapidly descending large mass of snow, ice, soil, rock or mixtures of these materials, sliding or falling in response to the force of gravity." All that is necessary for an avalanche is a mass of snow and a slope for it to slide down. Avalanches occur regularly on mountains around the world, and are harmless, unless someone happens to be in the way. They tend to run down the same pathways every year, and danger zones are usually well-known (infoplease.com). Avalanches are born from a weakness in the snow. Snow is a shape-changer, depending on prevailing temperature and weather conditions. Snow begins life as a fluffy six-armed crystal flake, but while it... ...www.nature.com/nsu/990902/990902-3.html Fink, Micah. PBS: Savage Planet. "Extremes: Forecasting Avalanches." 10 March 2004. <http://www.pbs.org/wnet/savageplanet/04extremes/02avalforecast/indexmid.html> Fredstor Jill A. and Fesler, Doug. Snow Sense. "A Guide to Evaluation Snow Avalanche Hazard." Alaska Mountain Safety Center, 1994. McClung, David and Schaerer, Peter. The Avalanche Handbook. Douglas and McIntyre, Ltd. 1993. National Snow and Ice Data Center. "Why Avalanche Awareness?" 12 March 2004. <http://nsidc.org/snow/avalanche/index.html> National Weather Service, "The Handy Weather Answer Book," Visible Ink. Detroit 1997. 9 March 2004. < http://www.crh.noaa.gov/riw/avalanch1.htm> TechLink, "Army Technology to be used for Better Avalanche Protection," 8 March 2004 <http://techlink.msu.montana.edu/dt/armyavalancheprediction.html>

Josef Stalin :: essays research papers

Josef Stalin was born with the name Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili on December 21st, 1897 in. As a young boy he was nicknamed "Soso". He had a sickly childhood, with disease and poverty taking a toll on his life. He was the only child of his parents that lived past infancy. He had dark hair, yellow eyes, and a ruddy complexion and stood just 5 feet 4 inches. Stalin then went on to serve in the military, but his rise to power came after he ousted Leon Trotsky. Then Stalin began great purges where he would sweep through the people beneath him and kill anyone he suspected was not 100% loyal to him. Very few people beneath Stalin stayed there for long. Stalin then started several five-year plans. Soon the USSR was a superpower, and it was because Stalin brought them there. When the German armies attacked the USSR in June 1941, Stalin, after suffering a brief nervous collapse, personally took command of the Soviet armed forces. With the help of a small defense committee (war cabinet), he made all major military, political, and diplomatic decisions throughout the war. He pursued victory with increasing skill, determination, and courage, by staying on in the Kremlin when Hitler's armies stood at the gates of Moscow, ordering a fantastic shifting of industrial plants from European Russia to the east, arranging for lend-lease from the Western powers, selecting more and more first-rate military commanders, and developing increasingly effective military strategy, including the remarkable counteroffensives at Moscow, Stalingrad, and Kursk. He under girded the strength and morale of his people by fostering their traditional religious and patriotic sentiments, and conducting adroitly the complicated diplomacy from the Teheran conference to Potsdam. Of course, vi ctory could not have been achieved without the patriotism and fortitude of the Russian people, the quality and skill of the Soviet military professionals, the efforts of the USSR's allies, and the enormous political and military miscalculations of Hitler. In 1945, at the end of the war, there was a general expectation that in the USSR, which had shown itself to be one of the world's truly great powers, the despotic system of rule and institutional rigidities would disappear or at the least be tempered. Instead, Stalin and his men restored almost completely the pre-war system, molded the occupied countries of eastern Europe in the Stalinist image and placed them under Moscow's control, and entirely isolated the whole bloc of Communist nations from the West.

Christopher Columbus Case Essay

Christopher Columbus is one of the most well-known explorers in history. Christopher Columbus had many voyages that he had done throughout the years. There was several letters that he had written, one regarding his first voyage was to Luis de Santangel that explained what he had found, and the way he felt during his voyage. Another was his fourth voyage to Ferdinand and Isabella, in which he shows sorrow and regret for his discoveries. In the letters that Christopher Columbus had written his tones were very distinct and different. It is hard to think that it is even the same person wrote the two letters. Columbus made a complete change from arrogant to humble in his attitude. The letter that Christopher Columbus had written to Luis de Santangel was regarding his first voyage and his tone in this letter can be described as very eager, passionate, and anxious for his upcoming voyages. When reading the first letter you can tell that he is excited just by the way he describes the way the island looks. He goes in great length about the marvels of the new lands he encounters. He explains them as he is a child experiencing something new for the first time. â€Å"All are most beautiful, of a thousand shapes, and all are accessible and filled with trees of a thousand kinds and tall, and they seem to touch the sky† and â€Å"Espanola is a marvel†. Christopher Columbus radiates his excitement through his letter to Luis de Santangel. Christopher Columbus almost feels as he truly has the whole world at his finger tips, and awaits more. In His letter Regarding the Fourth Voyage that was to Ferdinand and Isabella you see a much different demeanor about him. Very pessimistic and down attitude surrounds his writing. He speaks of â€Å"weeping† when he thinks about the lands that he has found, due to the fact that they are pretty much barren. He goes on by saying people are dying them daily because of the audacity that people have there, imprisoning people, and taking their lands. He goes on deeper by explaining how he has grown old and grey. â€Å"Not a hair on his body that isn’t gray†. He states how everyone is trying to explore and plunder without any knowledge of exploration or any heart for the matter, just trying to get a piece of the action. I think he feels somewhat betrayed, and asks mutual punishment for Alonso de Ojeda, who is the man that took almost everything he had. â€Å"The same punishment is due to him who robbed me of the pearls, and to him who infringed my rights as admiral†. Christopher Columbus is one of the most well-known explorers of all time. Columbus’ life was a voyage in itself. While he rose to fame as an outstanding explorer, he also had terrible lows in his life. During his voyages, Columbus wrote letters documenting his experience. His tone and diction in Letter to Luis de Santangel Regarding the First Voyage is upbeat and hopeful, while his tone in the Letter to Ferdinand and Isabella Regarding the Fourth Voyage is full of sadness. His series of four voyages between 1492 and 1504 produced a brief moment of wonder following by a longs series of disasters and disappointments, which reflect his attitudes at these different times in his life.

A Modern Day Sir Thomas More Essay

As a foreigner, I think America is a very open and free country, many commodities, advanced technology. In my mind, America is a land of good-hearted people, a nation of citizens who have more to unite them than to divide them, a country held together by a belief in freedom and opportunity for all. Although America is so good a country, you could never call it utopia, there are also a lot of peoblems with American society today. Following I will pick up three significant problems with American society to make a discussion. First of all is women issues. Do you believe women are treated equally in America? My answer is no. It seems as though we have made so many strides in our history,but discrimination never seems to go away. Women are seen as to emotional for things,in this day and age we are seen weak because we have children and hearts and we not only judge mentally but with our hearts. I believe there is sexism in the States. Maybe women are treated equally under the law. But in the long run, it’s not the law that counts, it’s people’s attitudes, and those have a long way to go. There are alot of men who see women should still be home barefoot,cooking and cleaning and raising the children. So I think there is a lot of sexism in the united states. The second issue I want to talk about is unequal distribution of wealth. Privatization is increasing in America, which provides opportunities only to those who can afford. Due to this, rich people are becoming richer and poor becoming poor. From the report, it is shocking but true. Around 13-17% American population lives below the federal poverty line. The US government does not have an absolute definition for poverty, but it describes the same phenomenon as relative poverty, that is, how income relates to median income. The number of people living under poverty line is increasing at an alarming rate. So I think the government of the United States should think about how to fix America’s wealth inequalities. Last but not the less important, I want to say that the increasing cost of living is also a big problem in the USA’s society. With growing inflation, the cost of living in America is also increasing significantly. But, the minimum wage is not increasing in the same fashion, and so, many people find it difficult to fulfill their daily basic requirements. The working population makes more money and again spends more on living, which hardly leaves anything behind for savings. America has the lowest saving rate compared to any other developed nation. We could never  deny that the United States is a powerful country in the world today. There are many other specific socio-economic and cultural problems except the three issues above that America is faced with. In order to maintain the position of power and prestige. The American government needs to come up with stringent policies to solve the aforementioned problems.